The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[FutureCEO]

Oh, that sounds like fun! I like your day better than mine. My transit pass stopped working the other day, for no reason at all (it's valid for the current month). So before I go to work, I have to traipse down to the transit office in the city where they'll fix it, but I'll be late for work by about 45 minutes--and I lose pay for that. Yup. It's the transit system's fault for messing up my pass, and I also get docked pay. Welcome to life in the big city. Then after work today, I'll get to stand in lines at the voting location near where I live. It's going to be a long (and not fun) day.

You can tell T needs a big upgrade

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I'm still not used to the time change either. Today is a bit better I'm up only a half hour early, at least i got in a workout

I've been going to bed at 8pm. I have to get back to my midnight schedule.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

That's beautiful! Do you know where it is? It kind of reminds me of a place not far from me.

Somewhere in the Rockies. So closer to @betty rose .

 

[MOXOMUMD]

good morning to you too. There is one really good thing about being up today. I'll have time to shower do my hair get properly dressed and cook this morning before heading out. My older ds never really asks for anything for Christmas so seeing he's off we're going window shopping with my dh

We don't have a day off this week. We have Cyber Monday off instead for a longer Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Oh, that sounds like fun! I like your day better than mine. My transit pass stopped working the other day, for no reason at all (it's valid for the current month). So before I go to work, I have to traipse down to the transit office in the city where they'll fix it, but I'll be late for work by about 45 minutes--and I lose pay for that. Yup. It's the transit system's fault for messing up my pass, and I also get docked pay. Welcome to life in the big city. Then after work today, I'll get to stand in lines at the voting location near where I live. It's going to be a long (and not fun) day.

I have friends working the polling places today.They have to be there at 7 am and in for the duration with a lunch break in between.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

16 days until Thanksgiving! (It's Election Day!)

 

[MOXOMUMD]

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Morning everyone! Time to vote and go to work. Enjoy your Tuesday!

 

[Gabe1]

We have had a McMansion ordinance within the Austin city limits for many years now.
People were buying lots with modest old homes on them, razing them, and then building all new 2 and 3-story monsters that went from setback/easement to setback easement on all 4 sides of the lot. Just sick carp.
We now have floor-to-area ratio limits, impervious coverage limits, building height envelopes, etc., etc., etc.
And, of course, you hafta' keep up with it all on a regular basis, as folks will find little loopholes to sneak stuff by, and the ordinance is again amended. It's crazy as heck to keep up with, but, I'm mostly for it, as some of the crap that was being built years ago in these areas was just that...large, giant C. R. A. P.

There is a website out there called "McMansion Hell". Google it or just "McMansion Hell Images". Most of the stuff on there will just blow your mind. It's pretty sick.
Again, everything our firm turns out isn't perfect, and, we have had some client-driven "fun" out there over the years, but, darn there is some really bad stuff out there McMansionwise.

Just as an example check out these 2 (no, not in Austin ) beauties...!

View attachment 173954
View attachment 173956

Excuse me for a moment...I hafta' hurl...

And, unfortunately, that's just the tip of the McMansionberg...

The next time I go to my folks that Christmas decorations are not up I'll try and take a picture of this house. A small home formerly lived on this odd corner lot. They are a blending of 2 families and need more bedrooms. He is a builder himself of casino, hotel, sport venues. Homes, well....if you look closely every window is stained glass. The carport then leads to the garages in the back-to the side of that is a pool, hot tub and firepit area. These are friends of my folks though they are around my age. Everytime I pass the home it screams CHURCH with the windows and peaks.

And yes every year a new light show.

 

[Gabe1]

Oh, that sounds like fun! I like your day better than mine. My transit pass stopped working the other day, for no reason at all (it's valid for the current month). So before I go to work, I have to traipse down to the transit office in the city where they'll fix it, but I'll be late for work by about 45 minutes--and I lose pay for that. Yup. It's the transit system's fault for messing up my pass, and I also get docked pay. Welcome to life in the big city. Then after work today, I'll get to stand in lines at the voting location near where I live. It's going to be a long (and not fun) day.

Blah. I'm thinking mid-day to vote. Hopefully.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Well, she's a cat. They're twits. I shoved her off my lap and she came back two minutes later and apologized.

 

[Gabe1]

Yes, I can, but that's vacation time I've earned, and I would want to save it for vacation and FUN things to do.

What I can do is make up the time (my supervisor allows that in certain circumstances). But that won't happen today as I have to get a bus after work, and with the voting night/rush hour traffic, that's going to take additional time. (Hubs can't pick me up as he had a previously scheduled meeting, which he offered to cancel, but I said no. Might as well not make everyone miserable over this!!!)

And I am guessing you have to pay out of pocket to board the bus while it is not working even though you've already paid for the month?

 

[Gabe1]

I have friends working the polling places today.They have to be there at 7 am and in for the duration with a lunch break in between.

We have mostly seniors and very young working our polling place here. Seniors I'm talking mid-80's to 90's. It is funny (almost) as they try to assist with touch screen voting despite the training. Others trying to find your name in their little books. The balance is generally high school students that are already 18. The $160 plus a day off school makes the day long job worth it for them. The process is certainly slower than it need be here but thankful for the young to help with the tech issues.

 

[Figgy1]

Well, she's a cat. They're twits. I shoved her off my lap and she came back two minutes later and apologized.

I'm so glad you knew to apologize

 

[Figgy1]

Major success! I got about $200 worth of patterns for $12, patterns are so over priced! and my ds who never seems to want anything found 2 things he really wants. He was actually excited he may get one of them, I got an almost smile and he was verbal He's even argreed to go outside and rake leaves today. It's a great day

 

[donaldtoo]

The next time I go to my folks that Christmas decorations are not up I'll try and take a picture of this house. A small home formerly lived on this odd corner lot. They are a blending of 2 families and need more bedrooms. He is a builder himself of casino, hotel, sport venues. Homes, well....if you look closely every window is stained glass. The carport then leads to the garages in the back-to the side of that is a pool, hot tub and firepit area. These are friends of my folks though they are around my age. Everytime I pass the home it screams CHURCH with the windows and peaks.

And yes every year a new light show.

At first glance, the overall massing and proportion don't look too horrendous to me in regards to the overall style I think I'm seeing. But, not including the lights and decorations, I seem to be seeing a LOT of busy trim details goin' on there. And yes, a few daytime pics from a coupla' different angles would help to determine if I thought it fell (also, as we all know, tastes vary ) into the McMansion category.
After all, there are plenty of tastefully done newer mansions out there, along with plenty of ugly old ones, as well.

BTW...
On a house that size, that "carport" is known as a porte-cochere...!

 

[donaldtoo]

I'm just really in a funk. One of my best friends just lost his significant other after a long battle with cancer She was a very sweet woman who kept him in line. We were all looking forward to both of them coming up Christmas week for a day or 2. I'm a bit worried with the holidays coming up because he lost his mom(close friend of mine) a few years ago. I'm hoping between his sister and myself we can at least keep him busy. The rest of the week is going to be very rough

Apologies for my belated condolences.
I hope all went as well as could be expected.

 

[donaldtoo]

I googled mcmansion for images and examples.
And wow, where you both right?
The mismatch of style of baffling.
Its the equivalent of going to using 5 lego setboxes of different styles to buy a giant house.

 

[Figgy1]

Apologies for my belated condolences.
I hope all went as well as could be expected.

Thank you

 

[donaldtoo]

Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate ice cream time...!!!!!!!