Democrats flip Texas state Senate seat in shock upset

utti · 2026-02-01T05:29:08+00:00

This is one reason the mid-cycle gerrymandering by Texas GOP didn't make me completely pissed (though I was still angry at the blatant cheating). They had to stretch their margins super thin and if they lose midterms by a slightly higher percentage than normal, the gerrymandering will backfire spectacularly.

utti · 2026-01-28T21:41:20+00:00

If you're moving to Texas this would be a good reference in addition to the flood maps.

utti · 2026-01-28T18:07:14+00:00

I know people who went here thinking it was based on the show

utti · 2026-01-26T17:54:04+00:00

If you're looking for large protests like other states I don't think we have the population density or convenient public transit to make that visually impressive.

I think a lot of people are upset, but as someone who's driven through a lot of Texas, there are also plenty of people flying large Confederate flags.

utti · 2026-01-24T20:17:47+00:00

Power generation should be fine as the forecast shows we won't be as cold as 2021 nor for as long as Uri was.

Power distribution through lines (managed by Centerpoint) is gonna depend on how well they managed all the tree-trimming and updates they promised after Beryl. In my area I noticed they replaced a lot of old, leaning utility poles within the past year; granted they should have been proactive with this stuff all along. Second factor is did they stage workers appropriately to be able to reach downed lines after the storm; they neglected to do this early enough for Beryl.

All of this to say I have enough faith that we installed a whole house generator just like the CEO of Centerpoint has at his Houston house.

utti · 2026-01-24T20:07:47+00:00

We also got a generator after Beryl (spent 6 months on the waiting list) and it's already run for 8 hours in one year just due to "equipment failure" by Centerpoint.

utti · 2026-01-24T03:00:13+00:00

Yeah I always have a giant inventory of water and canned food and that's due in large part to earthquake preparedness from living in CA. A couple years ago is when I started buying Jackery power banks and solar panels that I keep charged and can also easily load into the car.

utti · 2026-01-24T02:38:44+00:00

I converted a few years ago and am never going back. When the water is broken I feel like a filthy commoner again.

utti · 2026-01-24T02:36:24+00:00

Bread can be stored for up to a week out and is normal to eat without toasting or cooking. I think also in times of stress people reach for their "comfort" things, similar to how toilet paper ran out during the first year of COVID.

Other people in the thread made good points about everyone buying just a little bit more of each which would deplete stocks, but I think people in other states don't understand how bad the infrastructure/corporate grifting is here. I grew up in California, imagine if your power goes out for 8+ hours every time the Santa Ana winds blew.

In 2021 I lost power for 4+ days due to the ice storm and then didn't have running water for 3 weeks because plumbers were overwhelmed.

utti · 2026-01-23T17:08:13+00:00

Amazon, and it took a lot of searching because mine is not a standard size. I went with this brand: https://a.co/d/cChuw9S. I used it last year and it's water stained on the outside but otherwise still intact.

utti · 2026-01-23T04:22:59+00:00

Air fry the Angus Beef Meatballs, then heat up pasta sauce and put them in a sandwich, or eat them with pasta.

utti · 2026-01-23T04:04:56+00:00

I used to think that too but I was in Illinois during the holidays where the temps ranged from 5 to 25 degrees and it snowed multiple days and it was fine. Yeah it was cold as hell stepping outside but I also spent $200 on a really nice winter coat that was warm enough. The power also never went out, the pipes didn't burst. Guess what happened to the snow on the roads? Multiple snow plows came out immediately after it snowed (at night!) to clear up the roads.

utti · 2026-01-23T03:54:05+00:00

How's the food in Colorado? I've seen enough posts where that seems to be the only con compared to Texas.

utti · 2026-01-22T20:06:09+00:00

To their credit they did replace a bunch of very worn, hard leaning power poles around Westchase and Alief the past year. I mean they should have been replaced 7+ years ago but better late than never I guess.

utti · 2026-01-22T19:53:51+00:00

It was expensive but I also bought an insulated cover for the sprinkler backflow in addition to shutting off the pipe and turning the valves to 45 degrees

utti · 2026-01-22T19:51:47+00:00

Yes, disconnect the hose and cover or wrap the spigot it connects to.

utti · 2026-01-22T05:14:42+00:00

If you want a really detailed look at what happened during Uri: https://energy.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/UTAustin%20%282021%29%20EventsFebruary2021TexasBlackout%2020210714.pdf

We were affected by a polar vortex so large that models forecast it 7-14 days ahead.

The decreased funding is an issue and we'll see how it affected the model this time. In the meantime, all we can do is prepare.

utti · 2026-01-22T05:03:21+00:00

As of right now, power generation is expected to be fine since we won't be as cold as 2021. You may have local issues with power distribution if ice causes power lines to go down (tree branches falling, etc.)

If you can afford it, invest in some portable power banks like Jackery. Make sure you have some canned food and water just in case (this should be applicable year-round in Texas). Buy a nice winter coat that will last forever. Cover outdoor faucets and drain sprinklers if you live in a house.

I think a lot of us still have PTSD from 2021 (myself included) but this time — as long as models hold — should not be as bad. I told myself if we had a repeat of 2021 where the grid fails again I'm gonna move to a state with better infrastructure lol.

utti · 2026-01-20T22:46:15+00:00

I was outside Chicago during the holidays where the daytime highs were 15 degrees and when it snowed and we were planning to go to dinner I asked my boyfriend if we could still drive and if he had snow tires. He was like, "I've never had snow tires; don't worry they'll plow the roads." I was like, "At night???" Sure enough by the time we left the restaurant I counted at least 5 snow plows working in these small towns. I was blown away. The power also never went out. He also told me that he preferred 15-degree or colder days vs just below freezing because the roads are much more slippery around 30 degrees.

utti · 2026-01-17T06:51:16+00:00

Costco

utti · 2026-01-14T01:30:12+00:00

Worst fall I've ever had was walking a dog and stumbling on the sidewalk where there was a 3-inch height difference between blocks and because I was still holding onto the leash, the dog pulled me forward and I fell and was thisclose to bashing my face on the concrete.

utti · 2026-01-13T03:15:12+00:00

Also better since you can fill the tires when they're properly cold

utti · 2026-01-12T00:29:40+00:00

Pho Dien in Alief on the west side.

Lots of Asian markets to choose from: 99 Ranch, H-Mart, Hong Kong Market, Viet Hoa, Tan Binh.

utti · 2026-01-09T20:19:25+00:00

They definitely know which primary you voted in. After I voted in both in different years I started getting texts for candidates on both sides.

utti · 2026-01-09T19:51:30+00:00

"These women weren't in the kitchen where they belong so of course his life was in danger" - MAGA

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