OT - What are you doing now? (2026)

JohnInCarolina

fishlessman said:

the market is more than crazy. recently saw a 200k house go just under a mil because he added  a detached bedroom (ie. put a bed out back in an old shed).  he did paint the shed to match the house and he did hang curtains

That's not a detached bedroom, it's a tiny home.  Get with the program man!

fishlessman

JohnInCarolina said:

fishlessman said:

the market is more than crazy. recently saw a 200k house go just under a mil because he added  a detached bedroom (ie. put a bed out back in an old shed).  he did paint the shed to match the house and he did hang curtains

That's not a detached bedroom, it's a tiny home.  Get with the program man!

it does have running water though.  you run barefoot through the snow to use the facilities at 2 am in the morning (it is the master bedroom anyways)

DoubleEgger

fishlessman said:

the market is more than crazy. recently saw a 200k house go just under a mil because he added  a detached bedroom (ie. put a bed out back in an old shed).  he did paint the shed to match the house and he did hang curtains

I sure am glad that I’m not young and trying to start off in life right now. 

Life felt easier back in the day. 

fishlessman

DoubleEgger said:

fishlessman said:

the market is more than crazy. recently saw a 200k house go just under a mil because he added  a detached bedroom (ie. put a bed out back in an old shed).  he did paint the shed to match the house and he did hang curtains

I sure am glad that I’m not young and trying to start off in life right now. 

Life felt easier back in the day. 

i remember my 1st 401k, the guy selling the policy told me buying a second camp would be a mistake, just dump it all in the 401........what an idiot     

Ozzie_Isaac

DoubleEgger said:

fishlessman said:

the market is more than crazy. recently saw a 200k house go just under a mil because he added  a detached bedroom (ie. put a bed out back in an old shed).  he did paint the shed to match the house and he did hang curtains

I sure am glad that I’m not young and trying to start off in life right now. 

Life felt easier back in the day. 

This will be the 8th home I’ve purchased and by far the absolute hardest most aggravating buying experience.  If I stepped up $150k I could find the home I want easily. Bid in 4 homes in last two weekends, two homes had 3 offers in less than 12hrs. The other one fell apart after because the sales agent also owns the home and isn’t really interested in selling - he is farming buyers from his listing.  4th house I am negotiating right now. This one is like taking your 5th choice to prom so only a numbers discussion, no real emotional connection on my side.

Gulfcoastguy

Ozzie_Isaac said:

DoubleEgger said:

fishlessman said:

the market is more than crazy. recently saw a 200k house go just under a mil because he added  a detached bedroom (ie. put a bed out back in an old shed).  he did paint the shed to match the house and he did hang curtains

I sure am glad that I’m not young and trying to start off in life right now. 

Life felt easier back in the day. 

This will be the 8th home I’ve purchased and by far the absolute hardest most aggravating buying experience.  If I stepped up $150k I could find the home I want easily. Bid in 4 homes in last two weekends, two homes had 3 offers in less than 12hrs. The other one fell apart after because the sales agent also owns the home and isn’t really interested in selling - he is farming buyers from his listing.  4th house I am negotiating right now. This one is like taking your 5th choice to prom so only a numbers discussion, no real emotional connection on my side.

Like taking your cousin to prom? Or is that only an Arkansas thing?

Have you thought about building? It would take longer but you might get closer to having what you want. Imagine a custom outdoors kitchen with dual eggs, a Blackstone, and a pizza oven. Maybe even a swimming pool.

Begger

This is only what I've heard.....not agree with, necessarily.

When housing prices are driven up, it is sometimes outside money that makes it so.

I use Boise or Idaho in general as an example.  I get the impression they've had a fill of Ex-Pat Californians.

When I go there on holiday, I always try to play nice......

Photography in this thread is first-rate.    Not from a Artsy aspect, but the Story....to me, anyway.     I'd expect to 

hear in the news about the family suffocated after lighting there grill Indoors during bad weather.

GrateEggspectations

@Begger

Huh?

Ozzie_Isaac

Gulfcoastguy said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

DoubleEgger said:

fishlessman said:

the market is more than crazy. recently saw a 200k house go just under a mil because he added  a detached bedroom (ie. put a bed out back in an old shed).  he did paint the shed to match the house and he did hang curtains

I sure am glad that I’m not young and trying to start off in life right now. 

Life felt easier back in the day. 

This will be the 8th home I’ve purchased and by far the absolute hardest most aggravating buying experience.  If I stepped up $150k I could find the home I want easily. Bid in 4 homes in last two weekends, two homes had 3 offers in less than 12hrs. The other one fell apart after because the sales agent also owns the home and isn’t really interested in selling - he is farming buyers from his listing.  4th house I am negotiating right now. This one is like taking your 5th choice to prom so only a numbers discussion, no real emotional connection on my side.

Like taking your cousin to prom? Or is that only an Arkansas thing?

Have you thought about building? It would take longer but you might get closer to having what you want. Imagine a custom outdoors kitchen with dual eggs, a Blackstone, and a pizza oven. Maybe even a swimming pool.

Would like to build, but timing and money at the moment.  This move is out of necessity, landlord is selling the condo I’m in.

I wouldn’t mind renting, but I won my Aussies in the divorce and my partner also had a dog.  Finding rentals that allow 3 large dogs is a challenge.  I need to get my dogs by June 9th so another thing forcing the timeline.

If things go as planned the house I’m trying to get will need a full landscaping.  Fortunately it is bare so I don’t need to first undo someone else’s work.

WeberWho

It's been a minute since the last time I looked at Big Green Egg's. Is the XL really $1,750 and a Mini $470 now? That's insane. 

lousubcap

Did you buy gas today??

WeberWho

lousubcap said:

Did you buy gas today??

Mini Max - $850

Kamado Joe Junior $430

Something's not adding up.  

fishlessman

its crazy. i paid 500 for my first large online with free delivery from pa to ma. it was so easy before the online rules changed

JohnInCarolina

Working from home as I'm expecting a delivery from UPS, unfortunately one that requires a signature.  All day it's been out for delivery, with an expected time of between 1:45 and 3:45.  

Well that time has come and gone.  And about five minutes ago it updated the expected delivery time to what it is now, which is "by 9pm".  Aholes.  

lousubcap

JohnInCarolina said:

Working from home as I'm expecting a delivery from UPS, unfortunately one that requires a signature.  All day it's been out for delivery, with an expected time of between 1:45 and 3:45.  

Well that time has come and gone.  And about five minutes ago it updated the expected delivery time to what it is now, which is "by 9pm".  Aholes.  

Gotta be spirits or high end tix to a function. I've always had them show within the initial window.  Signatures are only for special people!! Enjoy the incoming once in hand.  

alaskanassasin

Not sure who the Ahole is on this one @JohnInCarolina I doubt the driver wanted to work till 9pm. **** happens flat tire, truck broke down etc. Ahole would have rescheduled to tomorrow or put a “sorry I missed you” sticker on the door without ringing the bell.

JohnInCarolina

alaskanassasin said:

Not sure who the Ahole is on this one @JohnInCarolina I doubt the driver wanted to work till 9pm. **** happens flat tire, truck broke down etc. Ahole would have rescheduled to tomorrow or put a “sorry I missed you” sticker on the door without ringing the bell.

I was mostly just bugged a 2-hr window suddenly expanded into a 7-hr one.  They’re usually pretty reliable.  Not this time.

alaskanassasin

JohnInCarolina said:

alaskanassasin said:

Not sure who the Ahole is on this one @JohnInCarolina I doubt the driver wanted to work till 9pm. **** happens flat tire, truck broke down etc. Ahole would have rescheduled to tomorrow or put a “sorry I missed you” sticker on the door without ringing the bell.

I was mostly just bugged a 2-hr window suddenly expanded into a 7-hr one.  They’re usually pretty reliable.  Not this time.

FedEx would have pushed it back a day!

lousubcap

He!!, FedEX may have "Declared Victory" and never closed the deal.

Botch

…Signatures are only for special people!! 

Oddly, I had to sign for my Apple Studio Monitor.  I didn’t have to sign for my Apple Studio.  Both deliveries UPS.

CPFC1905

A fractured weekend ahead because of the FA Cup semi-finals,  but before we look shared let look back. Arsenal have capitulated the lead after 200 days from quadruple to a tangible non-ruple inside three weeks.  At the foot Wolves and Burnley are down, leaving one relegation berth which Spurs are doing their best to retain whilst apparently trying not to, i.e pulling a draw from the teeth of victory last week, classic Spursy Spurs.   So where will this weekend take us? 

Friday

Sunderland v Forest - nothing to play for Maccems host a resurgent Forest who remain in Europe too.  An away win will give them the purchase needed to remain safe in the PL and permit focus upon their foreign adventures.  That said, feels like a 1-1

Saturday

Fulham v Villa - first instinct is for a draw but Villa have good recent form and by taking three point share will do a great deal to assure a Champions League place next season, so 0-2

Liverpool v Palace - so this will be a home win without shadow of a doubt.  Not a big win, but not a hard fought victory either. 2-0

West Ham v Everton - a return to East London for wee Davie Moyes but no time for sentiment.  The Hammers need points to grow their gap above Spurs and therefore the dreaded dotted line.   The Toffees are eyeing Europe next season, a win here and other results go their way then the dream is alive.  Hard fought 1-1

Wolves v Spurs - the big muddle factor here is that Wolves can play without any hope or doubt.  They are sunk,  so could become liberated and exploit Spurs emotional baggage,  or totally capitulate and let the upside of Spursy-Spurs emerge.  1-2 after an early scare for Spurs.

Arsenal v Newcastle - defeat here for the Gunners and the title is more or less passed to City.  Handily for them Toon have been weak recently. All three results are very available.   The hosts need a decisive multi-goal victory, and I need lifetime supply of free charcoal.  It’s a home win for me, 2-0. 

Monday

Man Utd v Brentford - the Bees could make it six draws on the bounce, which is an odd ambition but Utd winning inches them close to a rerun to the promised land (well Europe) and cements Carrick as the boss-man.  The good vibes continue, but 1-0 only. 

Don’t forget the county cricket season has started and Sussex’s strong start has eradicated the points deduction for financial mismanagement.  So there’s that. 

GrateEggspectations

With nicer weather happening, we spent some time in the front yard watching the kids and their friends play last night. Some neighbours walked by and stopped to chat. They apologized for smelling like garlic (which we hadn’t detected at all). They explained that they had just eaten homemade shawarma. We said we loved shawarma and they carried on their walk. 

Ten minutes later, they pull up in their truck with two chicken shawarma sandwiches for us. They were fantastic!! I would have snapped pics if I could have done so without being awkward. 

Put our planned burgers on hold until tonight!

WeberWho

I did breakfast for a small group at church this morning. I helped facilitate lunch with 72 hamburgers and 48 hots dogs. It will make more sense in the story below. 



Today was our Church's Spring clean up day. We rent our church to a big Hispanic group who also helps us with Spring clean up. There is a language barrier between our two churches. Their children are fluent in English. While I was out flipping hamburgers on the a Blackstone one of the kids from the other church asks, "Do you have another spatula?" He must have been around 10 years old. I said, "Hold on one minute." I went and grabbed another spatula. I said, "I'm going to work this griddle are you interested in helping me with the other griddle?" You could tell he was excited to help. Next thing you know he's flipping burgers with me. Once the burgers were done we brought them inside to serve. After dropping off the cooked burgers I went and grabbed some more raw burgers. My new buddy wanted to continue to help me with cooking. So we go back outside and his friend comes up and asks if he can also help. Next thing I know these two young kids are working the Blackstones cooking burgers for everyone. They asked me how they would know when the burgers were done? I showed them the instant read thermometer and how it works. A new friend comes up and starts running the instant read thermometer with the other kids flipping burgers. Now there's a group of kids around the Blackstone griddles and you could tell they were super proud of what they were doing. I was hoping their parents were okay with them cooking on the Blackstone. A few minutes later their parents came out and were taking pictures and videos of them cooking. Everyone had big smiles on their faces. No language barrier. The smiles did the talking! It was really fun listening to them while they were cooking. The one kid was telling me how he customizes his Lunchables and turns it into a pizza in the microwave. He also asked if I ever cooked a brisket. I told him that I have. He said he really wants to try it. He sees videos on it but has never had it. I might need to try to sneak some brisket to this kid the next time our two churches come together. No pictures besides the ones above. I didn't want to be that guy. Especially with kids. You'll just have to believe me with this one!

GrateEggspectations

@WeberWho

Pretty wholesome and awesome story there. Bet the kids will remember that experience for their lifetimes. 

lousubcap

@WeberWho - That is what makes this country great.  You and your sous chefs getting it done.  Way to encourage the entire enterprise.  Full marks for you and all who participated in this clean up day!
Great to read given all that went down in DC at the WHCD this evening.  
 

JohnInCarolina

@WeberWho - awesome story.  Very cool the way the kiddos got involved.

JohnInCarolina

Packing.  Headed to Munich for the week for work, followed by a short stint in Salzburg over next weekend.

lousubcap

Safe travels.  Enjoy that beer in Munich!

JohnInCarolina

lousubcap said:

Safe travels.  Enjoy that beer in Munich!

A possible tour of this place is being discussed as well:

https://slyrs.com

DoubleEgger

JohnInCarolina said:

Packing.  Headed to Munich for the week for work, followed by a short stint in Salzburg over next weekend.