The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 13:59:03 GMT -5
When I am evaluating, I don't compare every child to the ideal of a top tier public school educated accepted to engineering school student though. I look at each kid and where they are, their likely potential and the gains they've made (GLOBAL gains, not just in the three standardized tested subjects) and compare that to the average child with those characteristics in the district they would be in otherwise... I have yet to find any situation in which I think the parent is doing exceedingly worse than what the education the child would have received in public school.
Given you're disdain for public school in general that's not surprising at all. Let's imagine I despise broccoli. I compare all food I ever eat to broccoli. It's always better than broccoli. Does that mean it's good, or does that mean I really hate broccoli? You do the same thing when evaluating these kids. Having a pro home school public education hater evaluate home schooled kids and use are they getting a better education than I think they would get in public school as the criteria is all kinds of biased. I love you, and you normally provide a lot of good info on home schooling, but in this instance I had to point it out. Home schooled kids should be evaluated the exact same way that public school kids are. Exact same standardized tests. It's the only way to compare apples to apples and take the bias out of it.See to me this is the exact reason why I think the current NCLB model is a failure. Not every kid learns the same way or at the same pace. I get that. However the current model is forcing the teachers to make all the pegs fit in the same round hole regardless if that's not how the child will learn the most. FWIW you can say home schoolers are biased or not as thorough as standard schools, but the truth is home schooled kids (at least the ones that apply to college) graduate at higher rates in fewer years than non-home schooled kids. Do some research - the STATS are compelling for individual learning. Now none of this addresses the wackadoodles, but I think if a kid can have a custom tailored learning plan, then awesome! I'm also realistic enough to know that's not possible in the public education systems which is why DH and I supplement DD's curriculum. I'm seriously fortunate at this point to say if DD was having problems in school then we could afford to have DH homeschool her. I also think between the two of us (him mostly) she'd get a solid education. Fortunately she is thriving at her new school (knocks on wood!) People, IMHO - have a right to the option.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 13:43:33 GMT -5
@jma23 - again not making excuses, but you do realize the EPA does not have a limitless budget?
There are far more superfund clean up sites out there than there are resources to clean them up. Add to the problem the fact that many of the original polluters either are not in existence, or are tied up in litigation with respect to their share of the responsibility which is often shared with multiple entities.
The EPA simply does not have the resources to err of the side of caution by many multiples. And, and I'd be willing to bet they would be totally skewered if the press got ahold of how much "waste" there was in their management of taxpayer resources.
I too would like to hear more about the long-term impact on the ecosystem.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 13:14:28 GMT -5
Damn pressure system --- Thank you for the possible rain and the break in temperature. But could you please BACK OFF on the pressure headache? Signed, I am just miserable today Tylenol sinus. Better living through chemistry. Hope you're feeling better!
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 13:10:12 GMT -5
I saw the head of the EPA at a news event, and she admitted no one was more upset that this happened than the EPA. They were trying to clean up some 1920's gold mine that had been abandoned long ago, and miscalculated how much water was present in it. I guess they could have left it alone, and never cleaned it up at all, just let run off overflow into the river - there's another mine out there that's been dumping toxic water for decades. Sure it would continue to poison the river, but hey, we'd save the money for a clean up and avoid the risk that something like this would happen, so that's worth it, huh? In fact, let's shut down the EPA and stop regulating these kinds of things completely, so we can save money and be like China - worst air pollution on the planet, and now one of their hazardous material warehouses exploded and took out half a city. Sounds good! Only one word out of your whole rant seems to mean anything. That word is "Miscalculated". For some reason I'm thinking of the total cost to our economy in EPA regulations concerning carbon emissions in regards to the UNPROVEN global warming theory. If the EPA can't safely estimate the amount of water in a mine... I'm not absolving them of responsibility but remember the scenario 1. You have an abandoned mine 2. There are most likely no records associated with the mine available 3. You have know idea how deep the mine runs, how many side tunnels there are, etc. Just like a pothole in the road filled with rain water. It could be two inches deep and you're ok driving over it, or it could be a foot deep and you'd blow a tire and bend a rim if you drive over it. Sometimes there truly are unknowns.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 12:58:21 GMT -5
I talked to the manager. We'll see what happens. This is his first management job, so he'll likely ask his manager how to approach it. The guy is nice and I don't think he meant any harm. I really think he is just socially awkward. Bullshit. No way in hell is touching a co-worker without permission or making comments to a casual female acquaintance about "dropping babies" being socially awkward.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 12:47:09 GMT -5
although, when my roommate burps in the dog's face, she does stumble around for a little while. he's a Captain fan.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 12:12:25 GMT -5
Annnnnnd folks, that was my 8 thousandth post!
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 12:07:56 GMT -5
I like it hot .
Can't start my day off without coffee.
Are you planning on tackling any projects around the home in the next month?
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 8:46:11 GMT -5
Dear Andi, I'm sorry. It's just... I've never seen a woman with so much thick, luxurious, bushy chest hair. Sincerely, New Coworker So wish I had an emoticon that was flipping the bird right now. Andi - Here's one for you... ╭∩╮(-_-)╭∩╮
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 8:40:30 GMT -5
Yea that cranberry! What busymom said. I came on later than most but it's a great bunch here!
I found the group to be very supportive and it to be self motivational if I put down goals. Then there is some (mental) accountability and I got a lot more done!
So common - give us a to do list!
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 14, 2015 8:16:36 GMT -5
I'd recommend putting a hood over a gas stove as the Captain mentioned. Im working with all sorts of heating devices- more like fixing the "after" problems. People fail to understand that gas produces water vapors while burning that can be harmful to your home and you. If you have your stove on an exterior wall then best would be to put a hood with a vent thru to the outside with just a flap on the end like for the dryer. And Oh My God! Where are you people living? Truthfully? A somewhat nicer area in the Chicago NW suburbs. I have to wonder if the quotes aren't somehow priced to match the area.Those prices that you throw arround for kitchen remodels are like astronomical! You're telling me!!! Although I know someone who did a $100K remodel. But that was is Barrington (very swanky BTW) for cripessakes! This was in an executive home.Are your kitchens that big? It will be bigger with an island once we're done. We're moving a load bearing wall to do this. Yea - that's about $5-6K of my quote.Do you go all out on the latest things? Honestly - no. I'm more into quality. I want solid construction (not necessarily solid wood mind you - engineered lumber can in some cases be stronger. That being said one quote for cabinets alone came in at $24K. That's insane. The rest of the furniture in my house isn't even worth that!To me is just mind boggling. Why do you think I'm getting other quotes?Of course we did our kitchen like 12-13 years ago so I might be out of touch but man! I think I'm gonna raise my prices; it appears that I'm too cheap! Do you do work in the Chicago burbs? Why do you think I'm freaking out on my own thread?
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 16:36:52 GMT -5
You mean like the vent you need for a gas furnace? I don't think so? We didn't have one in our last house (that I know of). A range hood is recommended though I don't think it's required per code because I've seen houses without one.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 16:20:49 GMT -5
Mich - I'm with Ann - we had a gas line run for our dryer when we moved and the stove is on the opposite side of the wall from the laundry room so we did both in anticipation of the kitchen remodel (I want a gas stove, we currently have electric). It was right under where the main came into the house and I think about $250 for both.
Now this was done through the full height basement with the torn out ceilings. If your contractor needs to patch drywall to get access that'll increase the cost.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 16:03:20 GMT -5
Electricity in Gynecology BAM!!! You didn't disappoint!
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 15:55:27 GMT -5
So I recently found this bookseller and am doomed, doomed! I tell ya. The sent an e-mail blast today with the above caption. You all know I couldn't pass it up... www.abebooks.com/books/weird/Some of my personal favorites: 1. How to sharpen pencils 2. Managing a dental practice the Genghis Kahn way 3. Manifold Destiny: The One! The Only! Guide to cooking on your car engine 4. All about Sausage and my personal favorite! 5. Teach your wife to be a Widow What's your favorites?
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 15:31:50 GMT -5
Amen.
We're in the process of our first eviction. I'll let you know how that goes.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 13:29:10 GMT -5
Sigh. I have the house all to myself. DH and DD are going out of town. Well myself and the two cats, that is. What would you do if you were me this weekend?
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 12:05:42 GMT -5
GE had forced ranking until very recently where if you fell in the bottom 10% two years in a row, you're done for. I don't think that kind of culture is going to change overnight into something warm and fuzzy.
On an individual level I don't have a problem with it. You meet your deadlines and get your work out and I don't really care how much time you take off.
On a Macro level it becomes much more difficult to manage. I can tell you that even on our floor there are huge differences per person in employee productivity. It's also pretty easy to predict who would look at (productive) employee A taking 4-5 weeks a year and thinking they're entitled to 4-5 weeks a year even when they are nowhere near as productive.
Then you have to start developing metrics and tracking productivity on an employee by employee level to protect yourself against lawsuits because of course you have to be discriminating for some reason if you don't treat everyone equally.
Honestly, I can't see it working for large groups of people. When I managed over 30 people at a company with a manager controlled flex and comp time policy it was a nightmare. Different people have different levels of what is considered "reasonable" and without set parameters it's difficult to manage that.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 11:30:08 GMT -5
Sorry Captain they were baked and sold at Acme market. Store brand.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 11:06:30 GMT -5
bean29 - I actually made the drapes for all the bedrooms two houses ago. Although you are right, the window sizes were much smaller. (and I'll make a small confession - the drapes for the guest bedroom were actually shower curtains from Kohl's that I cut down and re-sized.) They were pretty simple, hemmed edges with a slip pocket on the top to slide over a rod. Nothing as fancy as balloon shades or valences or anything. Even I'm not that good (sounds like you are though!). Throw on a few fancy tie-backs with tassels and it looked pretty good. Don't worry, I won't be trying it. If I went with drapes I'd want grommets through the fabric as opposed to a slip pocket to slide on a rod. I'm going to HD for an "opening consultation" this Saturday and will post results here.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 10:46:28 GMT -5
I've had oatmeal-raisin cookies made with applesauce and cinnamon that were very good. Recipe?
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 10:26:12 GMT -5
It's actually funny that you mention this. It's a well known baker's trick that you can replace up to half the fat in cake/fast bread recipes with applesauce and get pretty good results. Cookies are an indulgence. When I eat a chocolate cookie, I want it to be exceptionally delicious, not "pretty good". I'd rather eat one delicious, fat-loaded cookie than ten acceptably tasty zero fat cookies. If I'm on a no-sugar, low-fat stretch (and I do these occasionally if I start to get pudgy), I give up cookies. I don't care if those $5.00 fat-free alternatives taste 90% as good. Just like I don't care to buy ice cream even if it's 90% free of little chunks of lint and gravel. Now it may turn out that your apple sauce trick is one of the precious few that doesn't meaningfully compromise the taste of a cookie, in which case I'll buy the thing. But if it's anything like the other "you can't tell the difference!" low-fat substitutes I've tried, I'm sorry but that dog won't hunt, mon Capitaine. There's just no comparison. You and Baymax can have your apple sauce. Me and his evil twin, Weighmax, will stick with our fat-loaded full-flavoured cookies and die fat and happy. Ahh Mon ami, you forget one very important thing...you can't buy my cookies as they are not for sale. The blueberry/banana bread that I brought into work last monday (made with this trick) lasted all of 30 minutes. Of course I made up for the fat reduction with the stick of full fat Irish butter I put next to it. Although in general I agree, there is often a huge compromise in taste with reduced yadda, yadda, yadda. I rarely cut corners but this is one area (especially with quick breads) where it really does take a refined palate to tell the difference. Good think in your case Baymax is a healthcare bot though...sounds like you may need him.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 10:00:39 GMT -5
Journey with Brian Adams as the opening act.
Speaking of music, what is your favorite song of the moment? For me it's Greek Fire's "On Top of the World"
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 9:50:58 GMT -5
Dear Makers of the vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, trans-fat-free, saturated-fat-free, GMO-free, sugar-free, artificial-colour-free, artificial-flavour-free, preservative-free, double chocolate cookies, My understanding of how to make these cookies is to mix flour (obviously containing gluten), milk (dairy), eggs, butter or lard (both non-vegan, and both obviously containing saturated fat), sugar, and baker's chocolate (typically made from cocoa distilled into cocoa butter [fat], sugar, and various artificial flavours and emulsifiers) with a bit of leavening into a batter and then baking it. I've seen your cookies. They have mass and volume. There appears to actually be something in them. My question is: what, exactly? Sincerely, Not for All the Applesauce in Glukenschlaaben It's actually funny that you mention this. It's a well known baker's trick that you can replace up to half the fat in cake/fast bread recipes with applesauce and get pretty good results.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 9:47:31 GMT -5
We didn't use them, but most of our neighbors have dealt with a company called Budget Blinds. I don't know if they're just local or nationwide. I used Budget Blinds a few years ago for the vertical blinds at my patio door. A friend used them when she had her house built and she recommended them to me. They have all kinds of window coverings. I prefer blinds there instead of drapes because with blinds, I have more options for how much exposure I want. They came out with the materials and samples, I made my choice. He measured and came back to install them when they were ready. They look kind of like cloth, linen I guess, but they're not. I think I paid around $300 for the blinds and installation. I don't know if that's too much for what I got or if it's cheap, but I never had to leave my house to get it done or do any work besides choosing what I wanted and I'm still satisfied with my blinds. If I ever get around to replacing my other blinds, I'm going to call them again. Pink - thanks for this. How is the hardware (raising/lowering mechanism) holding up? That's the area that I see fail more often than not.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 8:57:18 GMT -5
Have you checked out Blinds.com? No, will do so during lunch - have you worked with them?
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 8:56:05 GMT -5
DH and DD are going out of town this weekend. I'll have the house all to myself (well me and the two cats).
Other than finishing our taxes I haven't figured out what to do yet.
Some projects I've been thinking of:
1. Take dining room table chair cushions off and get to an upholstery store and get them recovered. I just may do it myself though. I have to see if I can find my staple gun. 2. The dining room set is from Ikea. It's held up well and I like the style - Kinda mission style but simple. Only problem is the color which worked for our old house but not this one. I'm thinking of staining the wood a darker color to maybe a light mahogany. It's the unfinished birch color. Maybe I'll do a test sample this weekend.
The house is straight, we'll do laundry tonight. Bills and paperwork are caught up and my desk in the den is clear and organized.
I plan on taking a few hours and spending some time on a new graphics program I've had for awhile.
DH still has his pile of doom to go through. I've bailed his ass on this before and am not sure if I want to do it again. But I'm getting tired of looking at the bin full of paper in the den and not being able to find things in my files when I need them.
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 8:43:18 GMT -5
Do you know someone good with a sewing machine? You can have drapes/curtains sewn for the kitchen & kid's bedrooms, & save the expensive stuff for the livingroom & patio window. We put room darkening honeycomb blinds in the kids bedrooms, & our own, which actually wasn't too expensive. I actually am pretty good with a sewing machine which is what is making this all the much harder. I just.don't.have.time! Maybe I'll check out yelp...
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 8:40:11 GMT -5
Well, it could be worse. You could be quoting a new kitchen......Damn, some single cabinets are up in the widow range....each!! You obviously missed this: ymam.proboards.com/thread/46288/kitchen-projectSee post #17 We moved into this house a year ago. It was a rental in a nicer area, so yea - the worst house in the best neighborhood. Going in we knew we wanted to: 1. Redo the Kitchen 2. Redo the master bath and get a soaker tub put in 3. Re-finish the basement (the tenant/prior owner tore off ceiling drywall, panelingis missing in places - the basement is a bit of a wreck. 4. (Dream but it will happen) put on a sunroom.
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Post by The Captain on Aug 13, 2015 8:31:35 GMT -5
This issue is the prejudice against women and that is what I am addressing. This thread started with the express purpose of accusing Feminists of playing the victim and quickly stocked up on a couple of men playing the victim for what Feminists do to them and then what women in general do with the gotcha pregnancies. There was absolutely no reason to accuse women of anything if you want to talk about men having the right to abdicate their parental responsibility. You not only see no problem with that, you support it and take pride in the fact that you're not one of those hypocritical women that won't admit how bad women are. Ummm, ok? I guess I don't understand this. Threads branch out in different modes of discussion all the time. Especially when two contentious areas are so closely intertwined. In fact I would argue that one of the points of discussion/debate is to bring different viewpoints that one may not be able to consider from their own worldview. So saying branching out a line of discussion in a thread is the equivalent of misogyny and hating women is a bit of a stretch IMHO. But then again, that's the nice thing about having a discussion, we can disagree and then discuss.
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