Random Thoughts That Don't Deserve Their Own Thread Go Here

[Ghost Econ]

We started meeting with a financial planner last month and had our 3rd meeting. At the end of the meeting, the junior associate who had been taking notes in the last meeting said he had been scanning in some of our documents and saw our address. He asked if we had just sold our house and we said yes (like 6 months ago).

Turns out, he and his wife had purchased our house. I had Facebook stalked them when I saw the closing documents and but didn't really commit a face or name to memory. Now I'm terrified that someone who decided to buy that house is handling my money.

[dubb93]

700 hours into Balder’s Gate 3 and playing my first Monk character in honor mode and I can’t believe I have never played one before. I’m at level 6 and my monk does between 60-110 damage a turn. He will get an additional bonus action in a few levels that gives him up to 50 extra damage a turn. This is the most broken class in the game. I’m going to run two.

[Atocep]

People that order cinnamon raisin bagels should be on a watch list.

[GrantDawg]

Story of my Father-In-Law's wedding.
A love story decades in the making Sylacauga High School sweethearts reunite and wed more than 60 years after their first date | News | annistonstar.com

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Atocep

People that order cinnamon raisin bagels should be on a watch list.

Cinnamon raisin anything. Stop corrupting the good name of cinnamon by adding raisins to it.

[Lathum]

I love an egg and cheese sandwich in a cinnamon raisin.

[flere-imsaho]

Seek help, Lathum.

[dubb93]

I make my youth sports coaching debut tomorrow. My kids have all played sports for years but my schedule at work has never allowed me to coach(rotating days each week and work until 630p.) Everything has finally aligned with this league though we don’t get the court until 7P so our games and practices can’t start before then. Anyway, first basketball practice is tomorrow. You better be willing to run the floor to beat your man back on both ends and make the extra pass if you don’t want me yelling at you.

EDIT: It’s 9-11 boys basketball. It’s kind of funny because my son is actually playing in two leagues. We signed him up in the next county south before we realized we were going to have a league in our county this year. For whatever reason our league skipped a year last year. He’s going to continue to play in both leagues. So far dates don’t seem to overlap much besides missing a few practices on the next county for games in ours. That doesn’t happen very often though I think twice all season.

[Lathum]

Enjoy. I’ve been coaching my daughter’s softball team for years. It’s really fun and rewarding. Not that you’re looking for advice but most important thing is make it fun for the kids.

[Lathum]

I feel bad for teens today who don't have power ballads as the soundtrack for the emotional roller coaster of being a teen is. I am sure there is something for their generation, but man. Every Rose Has It's Thorn. Heaven, I Remember You, Sweet child of Mine, Hysteria, I'll be there for you, and even some of the ones by lesser known bands like Trixter, Nelson, Saigon Kick, Slughter...Just a song for every emotion.

[Lathum]

I hate it when restaurants, delis and pizza places, being the biggest offender put open food items up on top of the counter literally at the level people are breathing at. It’s so gross.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I feel bad for teens today who don't have power ballads as the soundtrack for the emotional roller coaster of being a teen is. I am sure there is something for their generation, but man. Every Rose Has It's Thorn. Heaven, I Remember You, Sweet child of Mine, Hysteria, I'll be there for you, and even some of the ones by lesser known bands like Trixter, Nelson, Saigon Kick, Slughter...Just a song for every emotion.

What do they even slow dance to at dances?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

What do they even slow dance to at dances?

They don’t. My son’s high school cancelled homecoming because of lack of interest. Maybe at prom Billie Eilish or such. Not really sure what the kids are in to. My son only listens to Broadway show tunes and my daughter loves Eminem, sublime, and Zack Bryan.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Lathum

They don’t. My son’s high school cancelled homecoming because of lack of interest. Maybe at prom Billie Eilish or such. Not really sure what the kids are in to. My sons high school listens to Broadway show tunes and my daughter loves Eminem, sublime, and Zack Bryan.

I usually hate the "kids don't know what we had" stuff because every generation is different. But no awkward moments asking a girl to dance as some power ballad comes on is a huge missed life experience.

[flere-imsaho]

A life experience I would have been A-OK missing, tbh.

[Atocep]

I mentioned on here awhile back that Victor Rojas is my son's college baseball coach now. One perk of having a coach that's part of a baseball royalty family is his connections. So far this offseason he's sat in zoom Q&As with Sean Casey and former umpire Ted Barrett. He has another one scheduled with Clint Hurdle after Thanksgiving break.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Atocep

I mentioned on here awhile back that Victor Rojas is my son's college baseball coach now. One perk of having a coach that's part of a baseball royalty family is his connections. So far this offseason he's sat in zoom Q&As with Sean Casey and former umpire Ted Barrett. He has another one scheduled with Clint Hurdle after Thanksgiving break.

Thats awesome.

Did he ever use a Camwood bat and do the online program? We are considering it but at $97/month its a bit pricey.

[Ksyrup]

Hey Lathum, we're getting a Wawa less than 5 minutes from our house. Unfortunately. Not specifically about Wawa, but just that they are starting to build up around us way too quickly. It's actually starting a big community issue because we're 15-20 minutes from Lexington, and people want this town to remain small and mostly rural.

Anyway, I'll definitely give it a shot if I can easily go get the food and bring it home. I'm not eating in, but I'll give it a try on your recommendation. It'll probably be mid-late next year before it's built.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Thats awesome.

Did he ever use a Camwood bat and do the online program? We are considering it but at $97/month its a bit pricey.

Driveline is only about 25 minutes from here so most of his offseason training has been in their facility the past few years. They give local kids a big discount. He got to work in a hitting group with Rowdy Tellez and has seen Ohtani and a ton of pros go through there.

I do really like the Camwood bats but don't know much about their programs.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Hey Lathum, we're getting a Wawa less than 5 minutes from our house. Unfortunately. Not specifically about Wawa, but just that they are starting to build up around us way too quickly. It's actually starting a big community issue because we're 15-20 minutes from Lexington, and people want this town to remain small and mostly rural.

Anyway, I'll definitely give it a shot if I can easily go get the food and bring it home. I'm not eating in, but I'll give it a try on your recommendation. It'll probably be mid-late next year before it's built.

WaWa isn't like Walmart. They will be a great addition to your town. You will love it

[Ksyrup]

Well, that's not all that's coming to the area they just cleared catty-corner to the entrance to our neighborhood. There have been several projects attempted to be built within spitting distance of our neighborhood (including a fucking truck stop!) which the community has rallied against. But it feels like it's just a matter of time.

Kroger has a deal with the city not to allow another grocery store within city limits. Wal-Mart tried to go in the same area that Wawa will now be about a decade ago but was shut down pretty quickly. Probably by both the citizens AND Kroger.

[flere-imsaho]

Oh man, a truck stop. That's not good news.

[Ksyrup]

It got killed. We're right off a parkway, but it's a few subdivisions on either side surrounded by all farmland right now. Which makes it prime territory to develop, since everything needs to be developed these days.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

It got killed. We're right off a parkway, but it's a few subdivisions on either side surrounded by all farmland right now. Which makes it prime territory to develop, since everything needs to be developed these days.

Kinda has limited value to its owner if it can't be developed at least to its allowable zoning. Otherwise it's simply a tax burden. Maybe those who oppose its development should offer market value for it.

[Ksyrup]

It was an attempt to rezone it, not to build what it was zoned for.

There have been a bunch of shenanigans being played, all around our area in attempts to develop. The existing traffic studies don't support any of the increased development trying to be pushed through. Another development attempted to rezone their area without completing the prerequisite of finalizing a throughway connecting two widely-used roads after agreeing to do so in order to obtain their original development approvals.

It's just one after the other. Eventually we're going to get hosed. We're coming up on 20 years here. I suppose we could look to downsize with the kids out of the house but it's almost paid off and I'd certainly enjoy at least a few years without a house payment.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

It was an attempt to rezone it, not to build what it was zoned for.

Now those cases I'm more cautious about.

I'm all about future-land-use maps, zones, etc (not sure if every state works like GA, but every decade each county here has to publish a comprehensive look at what existing zoning is, what areas are considered likely to change/shift, etc etc). It isn't absolute but it's a pretty strong indicator for what is or isn't reasonable.

[NobodyHere]

I nominate Dominos for worst pizza sauce.

I like Dominos as long as I can get an alternate sauce on the pizza. But their regular pizza sauce just somehow brings down the whole experience.

[Ksyrup]

I still think Little Caesars is way underrated. Especially if you special order something rather than just go through the line and pick up a standard cheese/pepperoni. We got home around dinner from Thanksgiving on Saturday, so I ordered one through the website. Threw a few pieces in the toaster oven to crisp it up a bit like I like it, and it was really good.

I don't mind Dominoes, but LC is my go-to take out pizza.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I still think Little Caesars is way underrated. Especially if you special order something rather than just go through the line and pick up a standard cheese/pepperoni. We got home around dinner from Thanksgiving on Saturday, so I ordered one through the website. Threw a few pieces in the toaster oven to crisp it up a bit like I like it, and it was really good.

I don't mind Dominoes, but LC is my go-to take out pizza.

Their Slices'N'Stix was a go-to for me until the local LC jacked up the price.

[Ghost Econ]

Papa John's has the worst sauce, because I'm not entirely sure they put it on the pizza.

Also, LC causes me to have fiery diarrhea.

Edit: that being said, I have a stix'n slices coupon through T-Mobile, so I'm trying to decide if diarrhea is worth $3.

[GrantDawg]

It has been quite a while since I have had Dominoes, Little Caesars or Papa John's. I'm with Ghost that LC tears my stomach up real bad. The only trash pizza we do is Pizza Hut. There is something about their pan pizza that makes me just need one sometimes.

[Ksyrup]

We don't have one close enough to deliver, so we haven't had PH in years.

[Ksyrup]

My wife was reading an article about Dave Coulier and was explaining to me that he got through one type of cancer but apparently just announced that he's now got a completely different type of cancer, at the base of his tongue. And without missing a beat, I turned to her and said, "Sounds like his only option is to CUT. IT. OUT."

I'm eliminating any question as to whether I'm going to hell...

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

It has been quite a while since I have had Dominoes, Little Caesars or Papa John's. I'm with Ghost that LC tears my stomach up real bad. The only trash pizza we do is Pizza Hut. There is something about their pan pizza that makes me just need one sometimes.

Pizza hut, in my experience, varies more in quality from restaurant to restaurant more than the others. The one near me sucks. Everything is always soggy and generally bad. I've had some really fucking good Pizza Hut though. Their cheese sticks used to come with an amazing parmesan and herbs blend on them and the right amount of crispness on the edges. Now they're just dough, cheese, and usually undercooked or overcooked.

[RainMaker]

I know Little Caesars is bad but it is really hard to beat the price. Dominos isn't terrible trash pizza either if you pick up (pretty good deals). I used to like Pizza Hut but don't have one nearby. Their pasta was particularly good although don't know if they still sell it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I used to like Pizza Hut but don't have one nearby. Their pasta was particularly good although don't know if they still sell it.

They do, but the last time I had it was pretty mid.

Probably better to give the Dominos ones a shot IMO.

[RainMaker]

The Dominos one is good but really skimpy on the quantity. I can down 2 of those easy. Pizza Hut sold like a sheet from what I remember.

I do like the Dominos sandwiches though.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I do like the Dominos sandwiches though.

Their chicken parm is probably one of the top sandwiches around right now IMO. The bread is easily as good as literally anywhere, I literally couldn't ask for it to be better than it is for the purpose.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Catching up on things:

1. dubb93 - That's an insane monk build. I played a monk in my second play through. What's getting you all that damage? More info, plz k thx!

2. Atocep - Concur 100%. I love cinnamon, but raisins in anything are vile and loathsome. It's like putting gross bugs in your baked good or bread. They immediately ruin anything they are placed in. Raisins are okay on their own or in the occasional savory dish they are added to, but even then it's a close call.

3. Atocep - That's cool! Sean Casey played for the Tigers for a season or two and always was "My Tiger".

4. Pizza - I don't really have an opinion on sauce. We tend to order from local places. Benito's is a local place like any other carry-out/delivery only operation. We, also, get pizza from a place called 'Bigalora", which is fancier type pizza, but solid. We don't tend to get pizza too often.

Other topics:

My 14 year old son's favorite TV shows are "The Rookie", "Will Trent", "High Potential", and "Castle." He loves his procedural crime dramas preferably staring Nathan Fillion. I've tried to get him into other shows - Lost, Stranger Things, etc. but he has zero interest.

For the shows that are stilling being aired, he has zero concept as to how actual broadcast TV works. We still have cable, but I don't think he could navigate his way to it. He is confused as to why they only air episodes certain weeks and not others and why they tend to have long gaps between episodes near the end of the year (November through January). I've tried to explain it, but he remains confused and annoyed.

I will say thinking more about it, there is something to be said for the old broadcast TV way of deploying episodes. It allows you to have holiday themed episodes come out at the right time of year and, especially for shows that take place at a school, the show can really follow the beat of the calendar and the break between seasons lines up well with summer vacation.

I'm not a binge watcher. I don't really have the time for it and, even if I did, I generally like being able to enjoy and savor individual episodes if even for a day.

[dubb93]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Catching up on things:

1. dubb93 - That's an insane monk build. I played a monk in my second play through. What's getting you all that damage? More info, plz k thx!

It’s a fairly common build. Right now I’m 7OH Monk / 3 Thief rogue. I dumped Str, took tavern brawler, use str pots to get str as high as I can (27 with cloud giant pots). Then took as much +damage gear as I can stack. Without haste I get two normal attacks and 2 bonus attacks. Flury of Blows is a bonus attack that right now for me does up to 58 damage a whack. You get two of those per turn on top of two standard attacks.

I know Balthazar isn’t the hardest boss but he’s the last one I fought and I killed him in one turn with just the monk hitting him on Hard Mode. Stunning strike -> attack -> flurry of blows -> flurry of blows -> dead. Let me have my other party members mop up most of the adds before they could even act.

It’s my first time running a monk and it’s definitely the most OP single target class I’ve played in this game. It can delete a boss or two regular mobs per turn. It also has 95% chance to hit on everything.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by dubb93

It’s a fairly common build. Right now I’m 7OH Monk / 3 Thief rogue. I dumped Str, took tavern brawler, use str pots to get str as high as I can (27 with cloud giant pots). Then took as much +damage gear as I can stack. Without haste I get two normal attacks and 2 bonus attacks. Flury of Blows is a bonus attack that right now for me does up to 58 damage a whack. You get two of those per turn on top of two standard attacks.

I know Balthazar isn’t the hardest boss but he’s the last one I fought and I killed him in one turn with just the monk hitting him on Hard Mode. Stunning strike -> attack -> flurry of blows -> flurry of blows -> dead. Let me have my other party members mop up most of the adds before they could even act.

It’s my first time running a monk and it’s definitely the most OP single target class I’ve played in this game. It can delete a boss or two regular mobs per turn. It also has 95% chance to hit on everything.

I had the most fun with a Bard and dual welding hand crossbows. It is also pretty fun to do a barbarian with tavern brawler and picking up the returnable throwing weapons.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Their chicken parm is probably one of the top sandwiches around right now IMO. The bread is easily as good as literally anywhere, I literally couldn't ask for it to be better than it is for the purpose.

That is my favorite although their buffalo chicken one isn't bad either. Especially if you get some bleu cheese on the side.

[Lathum]

My daughter loves the buffalo chicken
Mac and cheese from dominoes. I usually get it for her once a week before softball practice since there is one right by my sons drum lessons.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I had the most fun with a Bard and dual welding hand crossbows. It is also pretty fun to do a barbarian with tavern brawler and picking up the returnable throwing weapons.

The Barbarian tavern brawler thrower is my go to build for Karlach. Super fun!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

That is my favorite although their buffalo chicken one isn't bad either. Especially if you get some bleu cheese on the side.

I'm stuck with taking your word for that. I heartily dislike any food "buffalo'ed" and bleu cheese is probably the 2nd grossest thing in its category, trailing only the all-time grossest: ranch

[dubb93]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I had the most fun with a Bard and dual welding hand crossbows. It is also pretty fun to do a barbarian with tavern brawler and picking up the returnable throwing weapons.

I love bard as well. I always like to have one in my party but I prefer to give them the bow that adds your str modifier twice over the OH attacks you get with dual wielding.

I actually just saw a guy who plays HM solo as a monk/bard. He uses bard’s flourish or monk’s stunning strike as his regular attacks and then uses the monk’s flurry of blows for his bonus actions.

[dubb93]

So do kids just not do anything by themselves anymore to the point where it’s bizarre if they do? I’m asking because my kids had a really bizarre interaction in a Wendy’s today when I sent them in by themselves with free frosty coupons. I went in restaurants by myself or with friends all the time. I’d pretty much hop on a bike at sunrise and only return home just before dark or if I needed food or a drink (and usually had multiple friends with that also needed food and a drink.)

I know that times change and all but when my kids went into this Wendy’s instead of being given what they ordered (I told my oldest who is a 4th grader to order for his little brothers) the employee accused my son of stealing his parents car and driving his brothers there. My son came out and got me and they got their frosties but I just can’t with how dumb some people are. I have never once in my life seen kids in public and convinced myself that they had to have stolen a car to get there.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by dubb93

So do kids just not do anything by themselves anymore to the point where it’s bizarre if they do?

Yes and it is due to polar opposite extremes. On one end, kids not being tethered to their parents 24 hours a day is seen as a sign of parental neglect and as wayward criminals in training. On the other hand, a significant minority of "adults" see kids out by themselves as targets to be taken advantage of in all the ways.

There is also the fact that most of us remember what we did and learned after just hopping on our bikes (usually early in the morning) and not coming back until the street lights came on and it absolutely terrifies us.

[Ksyrup]

Helicopter parenting has caused a societal shift in how one views both kids on their own and the parents that allow it. I suppose it's tied to the proliferation of "true crime" on TV which gives everyone a warped sense of how often kids are just snatched off the street or otherwise assaulted/murdered by the millions of serial rapists/murderers out in the general public amongst us. These days, even documented data about how much safer things are today really does no good when we're moving backwards in so many ways despite proof (vaccines being a great example).

Ironically, you'd think that the existence of cell phones and tracking abilities would provide justification for the opposite reaction - if I can reach my kid or see where they are at any given moment, then they don't need to be in sight - but that's just not how it works. I definitely remember the days of leaving the house in the morning, eating lunch at a friend's, and being home for dinner without ever contacting my parents during the day. With our kids, we at least required check-ins when they arrived places, and we definitely knew where they were (or said they were) all day long. Today, a parent who doesn't put at least that kind of diligence into their kids' whereabouts is guilt of neglect - if not legally, then socially. And the age at which kids are seen as responsible enough to do things themselves has definitely increased.

[Lathum]

I walked in to target today and heard Last Christmas. Eliminated pretty early this year.