cottonmather0

WxBoy - the pool at my plex is already becoming luke warm. We were just joking earlier about everybody getting bags of ice to throw in.

I must say though, that the evenings have been nice with the low humidity and nice breeze. I did notice the humidities seemed to creep up today.

(From a previous conversation on humidity levels vs. humidities, etc. Spell check don't like it! )

I agree. I have definitely noticed lately that the evenings are extremely pleasant once the sun starts going down and the dry breezes begin to blow.

But I'd rather it rain. It's JUNE for crying out loud - where are my afternoon storms?

We have to be out of our current home by July 9th and our new home in Sugar Land won't be ready until the end of July, so our stuff needs to be stored for a couple of weeks. I've rented a POD before when we were remodeling and I was very pleased with the service, I just don't feel like loading my house all by myself this time.

Anybody have a recommendation for hiring a crew to pack our house and load and then unload a couple of PODS? I guess we need movers to do everything but actually move us.

I've done a few Google searches and found a couple of companies that offer these services, but I'd rather get a referral first if I can. Thanks.

We just bought a house in Telfair and I'm interested in this question myself.

I am a DirecTV fan and I don't think I'll ever give it up (much to my wife's annoyance) but internet and phone, I'm open. We currently use Comcast for both at our current home in Timbergrove, but when we get to the new house I've been planning on bidding it out. I'm going to need a 2 phone lines (1 home and 1 business) and internet.

I'd love to give ATT a chance to compete with Comcast, but it sounds like that's not going to be an option?

I'm guessing that I wouldn't act favorably either if someone in a 3000 lb vehicle rolled their window down and tried to explained to me why they "thought" I was doing the wrong thing as they veered around on the road either. Over a beer...sure. I could explain why I think you're wrong about your example with the way to handle a red light, but I doubt I could do it in under a minute. You want to fly formation with me while I do it? Think the drivers behind you are going to like that? Think that's safe?

Well, reread my post. I said I only do it when it's safe to do it.

Nontheless there's no "thought" about it. They are indeed doing the wrong thing, both legally and practically. It's not just my opinion.

And when I'm on my bike I berate the idiots, too, once I catch up to them after they pass me sitting at the red light as I'm supposed to do. I practice what I preach and have a problem with idiot bikers who don't and make it less safe for me when I am biking.

Another bike versus cars thread... Neat. Maybe this will be the one to make one side or the other capitulate?

Nonetheless, the photo in the OP is outrageous. Even if there wasn't a bike in the way he shouldn't be driving in the bike lane just to pass people waiting to turn. This is quintessential a-hole driver behavior that makes my blood boil, regardless of the bike situation, which just makes it worse when the bike component is added to the story.

Many drivers in Houston drive too fast and too selfishly - particularly regarding rights of way - and it's INCREDIBLY ironic to hear the driver of a car complaining about bikes and saying that it's the bike who's being selfish because he's making the people sitting their air conditioned cars slow down. Please.

But to be evenhanded - here's one more vote for berating the idiot bikers who opportunistically break traffic rules and then complain about drivers disrespecting them. If you cut in between cars and the curb and then run the red light and start backing up traffic again when the light turns green and the cars catch up, most of which already passed you prior to the light, you yourself are being an a-hole, too. You should wait in line, just like you're in a car.

When it's safe, I will regularly slow down and point out to bikers that I just witnessed them run a red light or stop sign and I've NEVER had someone apologize or react favorably to pointing that out, which is fine, but those people shouldn't be complaining about the cars, either.

Can't we all just get along?

You were able to get the lender's appraiser out there during the option period?

I'm interested in this too...

flipper

Well, real estate and all of the hoops required to jump through is certainly not my expertise, so I may indeed have something screwed up. All I know is that the other party's realtor said they wanted it done ASAP and our realtor got her to agree to get it done within the option period (my realtor's words were, "THIS IS AWESOME!"). The appraiser showed up on Monday morning of this week (the inspection was in the afternoon) and the option period ends today.

Now you guys have me scared that something isn't going to go right...

I think unincorporated areas must follow the building codes in effect in the respective county seat? Maybe I have that wrong, but I think I've seen that somewhere.

We asked our buyers in the contract that the appraisal be done up front, during the option period, and they happily agreed. That's at least one small part of this that we don't have to worry about.

We're expecting the appraisal from our recent sale any day now and are very anxious. There are plenty of comparable properties nearby that would support our price, but there are also a couple of distressed sales - one in particular - that I'm terrified are going to get picked up by the appraiser.

I guess we'll see what comes out.

I haven't been there in years, but love that place. Great bar.

It does make sense that it would be dozer fodder in that location.

Don't put words in my mouth, hoss. Read my post. It clearly said 'minors'.

I'll ignore the rest, as it is symptomatic of Grumpy Old Man Syndrome, and really not worth adding to.

You're right, I didn't read it closely enough. I apologize.

Although I figured the whole point of this thread was grumpy old man (or family on a budget) syndrome.

That said, you said you tip for service and I'll stand by my point that I do too.

I recommend Mullis Heating and Cooling in Tomball. He'll drive anywhere north and west of downtown and is very easy to work with.

Worst. Justification. Ever.

Whether it is the conglomerate Aramark, or my tiny little restaurant with a beer license, ensuring that the license is not lost by unthinking employees is paramount. I am quite sure that Aramark would say the same thing I did when my ID policies were questioned...'When your investment is on the line, you can make the rules.' And, for you to think that anyone might even care if you got carded is downright comical. The solution is simple. Do not buy alcohol at the ballpark.

What? Worst justification for what? You said that the employee would get frog-marched and thrown in jail for not asking for ID, I said that wasn't true and TABC only cares about whether or not minors are actually served. Since I'm not a minor, they would not go to jail for serving me, regardless of whether they ask me for ID (link here):

State Law

Texas state law does not require that a person over 21 provide any identification to purchase alcohol in Texas. There is nothing in the law that declares specific forms of ID as “valid” for an alcohol purchase.

However, the law does provide a statutory defense to the charge of selling an alcoholic beverage to a minor when the seller has asked for and examined an apparently valid DPS issued Texas DL or ID card which contains a physical description consistent with the presenter's appearance and shows the presenter to be 21 years of age of older.

For that reason, since store clerks, wait staff, and bartenders can be held criminally liable for selling alcohol to a minor, they often require a Texas Driver's License or Texas Identification Card issued by the Department of Public Safety, to prove that the person really is 21.

A store, bar or restaurant might or might not sell alcohol to a person with an out-of-state driver's license, military ID, or passport. What's acceptable in any establishment is a matter of that establishment's private business policies.

If the patron is obviously over 21, the establishment may not require any ID at all.

Of course, under the Company Policy section there is also this:

Company Policies

Some retailers in Texas have policies requiring that customers provide proof of age for all alcoholic beverage purchases, regardless of the age of the customer.

There are some other retailers in Texas that will only accept a Texas Driver's License or Texas Identification Card as “valid identification” to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Some retailers will insist that everyone in a group show proof that they are 21 or over when anyone in the group is attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages. This is an attempt to prevent adults from illegally providing alcohol to minors.

These are internal company policies and are more strict that what state law requires. However, these establishments have the legal right to insist on proof of age for alcohol purchases.

I'm not saying that Aramark doesn't have the right to set their own policies, or whether or not it's justified (since it's a monopoly, it's certainly smart to protect it at all costs) - I'm just saying that I think it's poor service and I don't like it, ESPECIALLY when I have to flash it twice within 10 feet to the person serving and the person selling (who just saw me show the person in front of him anyway) when all three of us already know that it's legal for me to buy it and they're just going through the kabuki dance of asking so that their employer can avoid any and all mistakes and keep their license and continue to overcharge me for the product in the future.

So when the person who serves me beer treats me with a little respect and common sense, which I consider to be good SERVICE, I tip for it.

I thought the whole point of this thread was to complain about Aramark and the Astros' concession policies, no? That's all I'm doing.

EDIT: ps - TJ I know it's their policy to ask anyone and everyone. My point is that I think it's inconvenient and a little disrespectful to paying customers who obviously are way over 21, and thus bad service. But rather than give their employees a little bit of leeway and judgment, Aramark just has them card anyway, and since they have a monopoly (which is the point of the original article), it's doesn't really matter what the customers think since they can't go anywhere else.

Aramark may get a piddly fine from the TABC for serving minors. The clerk who sold the beer however, gets arrested, frog walked to the jail, and faces the possibility of a year in jail and a $4000 fine. And, you withhold their tip for not wanting to go to jail?

I prefer to tip on service, not one's willingness to flirt with arrest. But hey, it's your money.

Red, not asking a stupid redundant question that we both already know the answer to IS service to me, and good service at that. Texas law does not require ID to be shown to purchase alcohol, it's on the TABC website and easily accessible from Google (can't post a link from my iPhone, at least not til next week )

Asking everyone for ID is an Aramark policy in an attempt to protect their monopoly at all costs, even at the cost of poor service to customers, who, after all, aren't that important anyway when you have a monopoly.

Yeah, waiters can be severely penalized if they serve to a minor, so it's in their best interest to card when there is doubt that the customer is of age, but surely even the flunkiest of all Aramark employees doesn't have a serious doubt about Grandpa (or even me). They ask because Aramark makes them.

Walmart serves a very important function in our economy and our society. I don't like shopping there myself, but that doesn't mean I look down my nose at those who do or think they shouldn't open new stores in areas where they would improve the lives of lower income people who already live in the area and can't afford to shop at Central Market and Restoration Hardware.

I hate Aramark. Mafia is a good word for them because they have a racket going and they don't want to risk losing that racket for anything.

"I'll take an overpriced $7.50 Bud Light please."

"Can I see some ID?"

"How old do I look?"

"Ummm, 35?"

"How old do I have to be to buy beer?"

"21."

"So... Why in the world do you want to see ID? I'm fat and balding and I'm wearing a nice watch and a suit and you think I'm under 21?"

"No, but they'll fire me if I don't ask."

Those that don't ask always get a tip from me for using their brains, although I don't doubt one second that they would get fired if they got caught because Aramark wants to keep the monopoly. I saw them card a white haired man with a cane once and it made me mad as hell.

And not only that, they ask twice usually - once with the person who hands it to you and again with the person who takes your money.

BTW - this isn't a discourse on underaged drinking. People under 21 should not be served alcohol at baseball games. I'm only commenting on Aramark's lousy service and monopoly at the ballpark that they're trying to protect from TABC. I get it.

(I do think the legal age should be 18, but that's not germane to this story)

Was inside today on a rare visit and noticed that they've removed most of the suspended ceiling panels:

The backhoes and bulldozers are also working overdrive at the old gas station site, as are the jackhammers on the parking lot and sidewalk immediately next door. It is definitely a construction zone.

Why did they have to scrap the whole thing? I think there were a lot of good parts here: warranties, communication with homeowners, inspection standards. Yes, the complaint process was a big scam on the part of the builders' associations (Red's "lapdog" comment is spot on), but that doesn't mean you abolish the whole thing and throw the baby out with the bathwater. Why not just reform the mandatory arbitration requirement and keep everything else? Is there something that I'm missing?

I seriously doubt Mack did it to himself. I too have heard many people say that he can sometimes not be a very nice person, but that doesn't mean he would torch his own business, not to mention do it at a time when hundreds of people are inside.

And the Sugar Land postdates the fire - it was vacant a week ago until Mack found it as an emergency replacement, IIRC.

That's really interesting. I just got a demolition permit to tear down my garage. Before you can apply for the permit, a plumbing inspector must certify that there is no sewer connection (or else a sewer disconnect is required). While talking to the plumbing inspector, he informed me that on my own homestead, I could do the plumbing myself! Strange how there can be such a wide range of personalities among the inspectors.

Yeah, you can. They won't let you do electrical, but the city will let you do your own plumbing.

And this was the second plumber in as many projects that didn't like the same inspector. On the first bathroom remodel (that I actually subbed the plumbing out and secretly did the electrical myself LOL), the same inspector red tagged the plumber because he didn't use the biggest 6" nail guards possible (over the top plate). He had to special order them to get it approved and he was pretty hacked by the end of it all.

Maybe they've changed it by now, because my architect buddy just used it in his new house. He likes it, but he has only been in the house a month or two, hardly long enough to develop a firm opinion. The fact that he used it at all in his house, given some of the over-engineered things he did, suggests to me that it must be gaining in acceptance.

Our plumber was pretty exasperated with the inspector, that the city would be so much stricter than the UPC. I do remember that correctly.

So yes, perhaps the city has moderated a bit.

I think that confirms the story that the generator was a very unlikely cause

The paper says that it started in an area that's usually not visited by the public, so my guess would be that they're going to be taking a closer look at all of the employees, no?

I have heard that Mack can be hard to work for at times (he expects everyone to work as hard as he does, obviously), so the disgruntled employee theory makes a bit of sense to me.

My house was built in 1961 and still has the original galvanized steel pipes. Although I do not have leaks at the moment (knock on wood), my water pressure is greatly reduced. I am pretty certain that there is a good amount of corrosion built up in the pipes. I don't think it has reached a critical point yet, as my water still runs clear and doesn't taste funky, but I am starting to put this on my mind. As a kid, I learned how to sweat copper, and the bathroom addition done by a previous owner has copper piping (connected to the galvanized plumbing without any kind of dielectric union ). But reading around on the interwebs, it looks like PEX is a viable alternative to copper and fairly easy for the DIY installer. I would like to know what yall think about PEX vs copper vs other and if anyone has gone this route and what your experiences were with it?

We ran into problems a couple of years ago with the city when we tried to use it and eventually just ended up spending the extra money for copper.

From what I understand, Houston has a local code that's stricter than the UPC when it comes to pipe materials, but I could be misremembering.

My wife and I are looking to expand our homegrown baby blanket company and are looking for someone we can start outsourcing our production to. I've done all kinds of Google searches but really have no idea where to start on the list.

Just a flyer, but do any HAIF'ers know someone who is in the Commercial Sewing Contractor industry who could lend a hand? Thanks.

My external hard drive has been giving me a lot of trouble lately and has finally died. I'm going to go buy a new one this weekend to handle my time machine backups, but there was some other stuff on the old drive (music and videos) that I don't have backed up. Ergo, I need to find someone who can try and recover my data.

Any recommendations for a local company? It doesn't have to be right away, I can wait until later next week but I eventually need to get it done. Thanks.