BW Willy

28 years is awesome!  Bummer, you'll have to replace it every 5 years from now on.  Everything made these days is disposable.  

My house was built in 1942.  My guest house had a ton of appliances in it when I bought the place that were original or at least from the 70's.  Washer, dryer, stove, microwave, water heater, etc.  I've had the house for 22 years.  In the last 10 years I've been replacing stuff that was at least 30 years old.  Washer, dryers and hot water heaters all replace more times in the last 10 years than in the previous 60 years.  

Cujo's Big Smoke BBQ - Jerry Calloway owner - www.cujosbigsmokebbq.com

909-227-0528

cujobaby@yahoo.com

He's done a few jobs for us and always been good.  Usually bigger groups - 50 or so.  He has large trailer with BBQ - impressive to see.  

Redid the kitchen 6 years ago - 

Wolf Stove - love it

Bosch dishwasher - it's very nice but have had door seal go out - bosch customer service sent the wrong part number twice, frustrating but not really the machines issue.  Hopefully it was just a fluke issue with seal.  other wise- 6 years and great.

Samsung fridge - fridge has been great, ice maker has broken about 5 times.  It was under warranty first time - repair guy pretty much said the ice maker will always be a problem.  He constantly gets calls on it.  Wife has time and is insanely persistent - she's kept detailed records and got the warranty to cover each "fix" every six months or so.  She has hopes that they will give up and get her a new fridge.  I would have given up and bought one rather than spend that much time on the phone with warranty group.  I'd never get another samsung fridge.  

Thank you all!  I will be celebrating all weekend.....just not like I used too.  Canada Day, 4th of July & Birthday - great reasons to celebrate.  Happy 4th to All!

I have over 70 heavy duty trucks on the road everyday and use over 12,000 gallons of diesel per week.  We contract with carriers for 5x this much.  All our transportation contracts has a base rate and fuel surcharge matrix.  As the cost of diesel goes up our fuel surcharge goes up.  All of the cost gets passed back to the customer - we are charging 30%-40% more but don't make any more profit.  It doesn't hurt us in the short run or directly.  In the long run, I just don't see how people will be able to afford things and consumption will come down.  The inflation rate isn't going up anywhere close to as much as our increased charges are to customers.  I believe it's got to keep going up - way up!  A box of Cheerios is going to cost $10.  We don't enjoy passing these costs back to customers but there's no point in working and not making a profit.  As was mentioned, we do everything we can to be more efficient, consolidate moves, limit our empty miles, etc.  We are actually more efficient than ever before but costs will keep going up.  That's even before we are forced to purchase electric and near zero emissions trucks or be fined.  Most of these vehicles cost 100% more and don't work as well.  We've been short 75-100 people for a couple years now and have customers lined up begging for us to handle their business.  Something has to change right?    

2 hours ago, Conrad said:

https://agents.farmers.com/ca/el-cajon/nikki-kincaid?SourceID=AMPALFGMAG&utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=Local

@theboatinsuranceexpert

Shes a Duner/Boater, covers both CA and AZ

Another vote for Nikki - she's been great for me.  

Day late and dollar short..........I just came back yesterday with my truck empty!  Sorry.  I may be heading back in a few weeks if you haven't found someone by then.  

3 hours ago, Dune-Track-N said:

He got two quotes.

Arizona Steel and Redmond

AZ Steel would only sell him the type they "keep in stock" 40x40 and only gave him a TXT message price. It was cheaper, but they never even cam to his house to look at what he wanted. I think it was $119k.

Redmond came to the house, listened to what he wanted and gave him a PAPER quote based on that visit. They talked about how permitting would/wouldn't allow certain things on site, so he knew upfront what to expect thru the entire process. The paper quote had all the contract details and a estimated schedule bldg, site work, permits, etc... $137k

My buddie is a commercial plumber so he knows how it's all supposed to work. He was very surprised that AZ steel just sent a text quote, since they are building so many in the area. He chose Redmond with the higher price but he's getting exactly what he wanted 50x50, doors, location on lot and now they are ahead of schedule.

Great information - thank you very much!

2 hours ago, Dune-Track-N said:

my buddie just got one going 50x50 complete scratching dirt to finish $135k in Fort Mojave, AZ

ordered/contracts in Feburary, they just started to scratch the dirt this week, building was delivered two weeks ago

Do you know who he used?  I've been looking at companies for this in Fort Mojave / Mojave Valley for last couple of months.  Arizona Steel is the contractor I'm talking with now.  

I'll be watching this one - been getting quotes - 3,000 sq. ft. - cost for paint getting "bro deal" from a friend of a friend - $10K.  5 years ago it was $5K.  Thought it was a bit high and got three more quotes - $14K - $17K.  Seems it is a good deal.  House is mostly stucco and one part wood.  Figured I'd get a quote to change out wood to stucco - that was another $20K!  This project is quickly turning way more expensive than I had hoped.  

Also looking for a wrought iron fence company - want to secure entire front of property - it's getting crazy out there.  North OC.  

Just filled up the tanks with 50 gallons for this weekend - $3.39 for E-85 - what gas price problems!

Getting there and back will cost more but well worth the investment.  I work a ton so I can do these things, even when it costs a bit more.  It's an expensive sport and gas is usually the least of my costs.  If I break something..........

8 in front on Baja Pro and 12 in rear - I'll run 15 - 18 in rear when wet as I'm worried about trans.  Funco 6 cyl Subi.  Never gone below 8 lbs in front but would if I thought it would cut the chatter on bad days!

35 minutes ago, raspadoo said:

When the Henrys attacks you, and it will, viciously, wd-40 is your friend. 

Ok, what's the deal with Henry's - is it crazy glue sticky and impossible to get off?  I haven't used it?

As it happens - flying to North Carolina on a redeye Friday night - seeing my father, giving Christmas gifts and doing some repair work at his house for the day and flying home Sunday.  From what I can tell from really poor pictures, he's got a roof leak where chimney connects to roof.  I had planned to grab some Henry's and attempt to seal it up.

I've got all black tweed similar to PRP if interested - nothing fancy but did the job.  

Congrats John - great to hear true love exists!  

2 hours ago, matt86m said:

On IG Pratt said this IS because of Newsome's mandates. Unvax had to wear a mask, who is going to regulate that? Lots of BLM & Sheriff presence and Pratt doesn't want the fines levied against the restaurant,,,, paraphrasing what he posted on ig

I've got no inside connection or special knowledge but maybe the challenge to find labor, risk of liability, fines, etc. just isn't worth it when running the business that isn't main income source?  As mentioned - who's going to enforce?  I was at Staples Center Saturday - first security check is for Covid - they didn't even bother - you could have handed them a your 4th grade report card or flashed your pic on phone of anything - if you said it's right here and pointed to phone - they sent your through.  Masks required as you entered - once inside - took the mask off.  90% of people in my section didn't have a mask on.  Nobody enforcing anything in downtown LA at a televised event.  

I was at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach yesterday and they flew directly over a few times - spectacular!  It felt like they were skimming the trees and shook the ground.  Amazing seeing them so close - I guess because they are coming out of Los Alamitos?

Speaking of Sandy Golf Tourney - is there going to be one this year?  That's been my second favorite trip behind Vet's.  

43 minutes ago, MWB said:

I think it was the 2nd or 3rd Sand Golf Tourney that they decided to practice on the East side of the dunes just to the south of where we were playing golf. 

Later that night I asked Fish Boy ( Chummin) what are you going to do next year to top having the Blue Angles perform at your Golf Tourney. His response was "I am thinking Van Halen" 

Well he couldn't get Van Halen but the Dune Squad played.... Not quite the same thing but still entertaining.

I pay $811 per year - $50K value, Funco, I didn't shop it around, I was focused on getting highest levels of coverage (liability) with a carrier I trusted / and believe will back me up if something happened.    

16 minutes ago, Nickman123 said:

The true solution that is available pretty much now is nuclear. They have the technology today to produce nuclear power with no emissions and very little waste. In fact, they say they can do it using just the leftover waste created from the last generation of nuclear power plants. But just the word nuclear has such a negative connotation in this country, people won't go for it.

The real problem with all the "green energy"  today is it all eventually relies on stuff mined, produced, or manufactured in China. They are burning coal and other fossil fuels like madmen to produce "green" crap to sell to us so we can feel like we're saving the world.

Nuclear has been the proven green solution for a long time yet it rarely gets support from the Green Team - all they do is push solar and windmills - which have minimal impact on total energy use.  10-20 years ago we should have been building a bunch of nuclear plants all over and converting.  Ask any submarine expert on safety of nuclear power.  

20 hours ago, stevebeckner said:

California is so dumb. They Want everything to go to electronic but their power grid can’t even handle it now. Already import more electricity than any other state. Just wait till millions more cars are being plugged in to charge. 

I've got 10 warehouses in So. Cal. - we've put massive emergency diesel generators on many of them to power lights, systems, gates, charging stations for forklifts, etc. due to the power outages and unstable grid.  Edison is now offering us money to run the generators on certain days they somehow know they will be tight on power!  And they offer an exemption to let us run them - AQMD (Air quality) limits the time we can run.  Our State leaders decisions are comical.  

On 7/26/2021 at 5:56 AM, Stinky said:

When did they add Skateboarding?  What the Heck!!!

I've heard a theory that if you need a judge to tell you how good you did (like in Figure-Skating, Half-Pipe, Diving, Gymnastics, ETC), that it is not a real sport.

Boxing?  MMA?  All have judges.  Extend this to football, Basketball, Hockey - referees can and unfortunately do on occasion impact the score / winner.  

That theory is an interesting conversation starter but I'd disagree with the principle.  

On  to the subject of the Olympics - used to love it and was excited to watch it - even sports that I didn't really care about.  The national pride, dedication and commitment of the athletes.....This year, I haven't watched one event.  It's a shame that the actions of a few athletes and people have soured the whole event.  

I went to the Winter Olympics in Calgary in 1988 and Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010 - absolutely amazing experiences.  Each countries pride was spectacular.  Hanging out in Olympic Village and partying with the Jamaica Bobsled Team was so cool - everyone was cheering for them even though they didn't have a chance / I love the underdog.  I was in love with Katarina Witt (German figure skater) got to have a drink with her in the village.  Eddie the Eagle ski jumper - spectacular for his crashes.  Canada winning Gold in 2010 Hockey!

If you were alive and old enough - how could you not be moved by the USA beating the Russian's in hockey in 1980 then going on and winning the gold medal?  The cold war, college kids against pro's from Russia - nobody thought the US had a chance.  That brought an incredible amount of pride in the USA!!!

Unfortunately - not so much today.......

It's a bit out there but I'll be working in my operations in Tolleson, AZ on July 22nd & 23rd - then coming back home to Orange County.  Not perfect but if you are still looking in a couple of weeks - hit me up.  

Many companies (including mine) have these stupid rules due to CA legislation, requirements, legal liability and Cal OSHA.  

We want to be rid of the masks - they have minimal value and ridiculous being required while working and once associates clock out - they all jump in a car with no masks.  But....we've got requirements and legal liabilities to deal with.  

As of Monday, we allow anyone attesting to being vaccinated to not wear a mask.  If they have not been vaccinated and within 6 feet of other workers - they must wear a mask.  If they will not be within 6 ft. - they don't have to wear a mask.  In CA - if an associate asks for a N95 mask - we are required to provide one for them along with the training on proper fitment and wearing - this is BS.  I hope all our associates attest to being vaccinated (I don't care if they really are or are not) then nobody has to wear a mask.  We are required to provide a safe working environment for our associates and all I need is one associate that complains and worried about their "exposure" and we can get sued.  

Last year in Sept. Gov. Newsom passed AB1867 - requiring companies with over 500 associates to provide an additional 80 hours Covid sick time thru the end of 2020.  He passed it again in March this year - another 80 hours employer paid.  Because of HIPPA - we have our hands tied - associates can use all kinds of excuses to get that additional time - saying they are getting the shot, sick from the shot, caring for someone with covid, potentially exposed, etc.  Too many people in todays society take advantage of that.  Fortunately, our associates in general didn't but always some bad apples - they typically had "covid related issues" on Friday's and Mondays - for months.  Even worse - we'd hire new associates, they work for a day, take 80 hours off for "Covid sickness" and never come back.      

2 hours ago, L.R.S. said:

I'm friends with Ron Pratte's son, not bragging, just stating it so this isn't viewed as opinion, but rather straight from the horses mouth.

Duners Diner could have been open last season but would have been restricted to 25% capacity due to Newsom's ridiculous rules. At 25% capacity the employees, who house themselves temporarily in the area, would not have made enough in tips to cover their rent. So it was decided to not open. 

I really hope they are 100% open this coming season. 

I hope they are open too.  I get the challenges of finding labor and making it worth while requires volume / sales.  Based on them being outside dining and the demand from all us duners - I would have thought they would have done ok.  CA / Newsom rules suck.  There were times this past season I would have made the drive and paid $20 for a frosty cold beer and good food.