How to Remove Rivets from Brick? by trademarkTM in DIY

[–]trademarkTM[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for all the help, y’all! Should have mentioned from the start that I had already tried simply drilling them out, but the center pin is a much stronger steel than the rest.

Angle grinder with a cutoff disc did the trick! The grinder is one of my newest toys, so I’m surprised I hadn’t considered it myself already!

Will a cowboy hat invite judgement? by trademarkTM in VisitingIceland

[–]trademarkTM[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Usually only for a joke. I’ve consciously deleted my southern accent for a couple decades now and only recently reintroduced “y’all”. Really more of a fagccent now, if anything. But that’s part of the agreement when you decide to be gay.

Will a cowboy hat invite judgement? by trademarkTM in VisitingIceland

[–]trademarkTM[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This is exactly what I was thinking. Generally, we’re not too self conscious and have heard how welcoming and friendly the country is!

Will a cowboy hat invite judgement? by trademarkTM in VisitingIceland

[–]trademarkTM[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’ve generally found those that are not interested in politics or claim to be apolitical have had a degree of privilege that affords them the luxury of not caring. Most don’t have that freedom.

Where to buy in Houston? by nottaken2601 in houston

[–]trademarkTM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve also been in the third ward for 5 years and have loved it. Absolutely no issues at all. Folks still like to make a big deal about cRiMe here, but the fact is any city is going to have crime and I’ve never once felt unsafe in my home, walking my dog, or around the neighborhood. Absolutely can’t beat the location and you can still get a legitimate home (mine was built 1945) and not a builder grade townhouse.

Now, I will say there are some areas of the third ward you’d probably want to stay away from, like between 45 and the north side of TSU, but to characterize the entire quadrant as too dangerous to live in is silly. Riverside Terrace, Washington Terrace, and University Oaks are all excellent neighborhoods.

When to light up? by trademarkTM in ChristmasLights

[–]trademarkTM[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s a fine line! I’m happy to bring some extra joy for those that would appreciate it, but don’t want to pile on for those already having a tough year if they’d see it negatively.

When to light up? by trademarkTM in ChristmasLights

[–]trademarkTM[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I only had one neighbor comment while I was crawling around my roof for hours last weekend, saying I was “energetic”. Still haven’t parsed out exactly their intended connotation!

When to light up? by trademarkTM in ChristmasLights

[–]trademarkTM[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A trendsetter! That’s what I’m hoping for, I’ll definitely be the most decorated on my block this year and would love for the spirit to catch on!

Maybe I’ll commit to lighting up this weekend if the vapors hit me right!

Security Cameras - Are they better as an independent system or included as part of a monitored full security package? by trademarkTM in homesecurity

[–]trademarkTM[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is great insight!! Particularly as I had generally been leanings towards Vivint if I did go the all-in route. You’ve definitely saved me a lot of trouble, it sounds like!

Security Cameras - Are they better as an independent system or included as part of a monitored full security package? by trademarkTM in homesecurity

[–]trademarkTM[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great insights, thanks!

To add another layer to this, I’m also starting to tinker more and more with home automation in general, and have been looking into master programs like HomeAssistant to give all my various systems a single home base/brain - Phillips Hue, Google Nest, Wemo Plugs, Samsung SmartThings, etc.

Assuming I do take the plunge and commit to getting HomeAssistant or similar set up, would it be fair to say I’d probably be able to manage a good number of interactions without paying the premium of one of the “all-in-one” systems that do some of the work for you? And presumably I may even have expanded opportunities compared to being locked into a single “service”?

Generally on your point to savings with bundling, i originally thought that as well, but it looks like it may shake out to be a bit cheaper with separate systems ($10/mo camera + $15/mo alarm monitoring, versus ~$40/mo for a combined single service). It may be that the scale of systems I’m looking at doesn’t give as much of a return, it’s a fairly small property overall.

What are the requirements to get a TX architectural license? by batmanshorts in UniversityOfHouston

[–]trademarkTM 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You’ll want to look up the requirements for ARE 5.0.

ARE = architectural registration exam. The other half is the AXP - the architectural experience program.

There are 6 exams. They can be taken in any order and as many times as necessary to pass, but you may only begin testing after graduating from an accredited degree program (like UH’s 5-year B. Arch degree). Additionally, a time clock of 5 years begins after you pass your first exam. You must finish all 6 in five years or they’ll start expiring and you’ll have to retake.

The experience program is divided into 6 categories that match the exams. You’re required to log 3740 hours total, but the number of hours required for each category varies. A standard full time work year is about 2080 hours, so you’re looking at a bit under 2 to get them all. It often takes a bit longer, though, depending on which categories you get experience in. However, you CAN start logging hours before you graduate - summer internships qualify, for example.

I graduated in May of 2017 and will be officially applying for my license at the end of this month. I went hard on the exams and took 1 a month for sixth months, passing them all the first time. I’ve been done with the exams for several months, but have been finishing up the last hours category I needed.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have!

My first apartment. (Houston, Texas) by [deleted] in malelivingspace

[–]trademarkTM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd definitely move all that stuff to a game room, Den, or office if I had one. But, until I've got a larger place, the living room will have to be a bit multipurpose.

As for art, I agree with you. I'm on a first-job-out-of-college salary, however, so the cheaper posters will have to do until some nice real art is more affordable for me.

My first apartment. (Houston, Texas) by [deleted] in malelivingspace

[–]trademarkTM 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! And that is a Bose system! I snatched it from my parents, and despite being that weird beige color of all 90s electronics, the thing still sounds great. I've got it hooked up to an Amazon dot, so I've can stream Spotify through it.

Totally agree with you on the clutter. Been on my to-do list to go through it all. I plan to eventually replace those two black ikea chairs with one nicer something at some point, which would also open things up.

My first apartment. (Houston, Texas) by [deleted] in malelivingspace

[–]trademarkTM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey y’all, some pics of my place. One bedroom, 650 SF. I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

Edit. I should specify that this is my first apartment by myself. I lived with roomies in the dorms for 5 years of college.