u/CTMatthew

I ripped the DVDs a long time ago. Probably the best option.

Italian food because I prefer delicious textures and flavors.

Stop the automatic restocks on parts. Get used to the machine and you’ll find a cadence that works for you. Then you can purchase parts directly from a website.

I replace my hose twice a year, my tank every 2 months, and headgear maybe 3-4 times a year.

The tank seals aging makes the machine very loud.

Lone Peak 9, Lone Peak 9+ Mid, Experience Flow, & Experience Wild

I have been completely surprised by Uniqlo’s tech-cashmere tops. I have a few crew neck and a sort of turtle neck for skiing.

Despite having some ice breaker and Smartwool I almost always grab for the cashmere. It’s as soft as you think, cheap as hell, and is as good if not better than merino.

I think they’re about $30 so cheap enough for an experiment at least!

Brother.

I have a color laser printer that I got probably 12-13 years ago. You’d have no idea I didn’t unbox it last weekend.

It has never ever - not once - misbehaved. It sips toner has generally restored my faith that printer can actually be manufactured to a high standard.

Rab Phantom (4.1oz)
Outdoor Research Helium UL (5.7oz)
Montbell Versalite (5.9oz)
Janji Rainrunner (8oz)
North Face Alta Vista (9.2oz)

Depends on how hard you are on them. I’ve had pairs forever that are fine. The pairs I’ve put through 15+ miles hikes repeatedly come apart. It must be the abrasion from that sort of use versus just walking a lot.

Their ski socks have held up ok, but have elastic in them. But two seasons starts to put some wear on them.

All in all you just can’t beat their warranty.

Smartwool socks don’t hold up well to hiking. For everyday wear they’re quite comfortable though.

Agree here. 4hrs is just shy of an incredible ski trip from MD. Make it 5-6hrs and you’re spoiled for choice.

The Berkshires, MA

I regularly visit my family in Howard County, MD and it’s about 5-5.5hrs door to door.

If you posted up for a few days or a week you’d have a host of fabulous mountains from Jiminy Peak to Catamount. Butternut is also a family favorite. Berkshire East is a little further north, but once you’re here the drive is under an hour from most spots in the Berks.

Probably your best variety closest to MD to be honest.

Solid shakedown right here

The single line item that jumps out is the pack itself. Many of the other items are close enough to the “lightweight” option that they’re not worth swapping if you’re on a budget. But you could lose 3lbs right there and the maybe swap some clothes around for another 2. From there it’s bits and pieces.

Must be an optical illusion, but your feet look vastly smaller than the shoe.

In my experience Altras are not shoes that need any breaking in. More like slipping on socks.

I have a North Face jacket with the Apex insulation and it’s part of the rotation. I’d say it’s comfortable down to about 15-20F depending on wind.

My joke about the Breithorn was that I was basically indoors when I wore it and I’m looking for that sort of bulletproof insulated layer.

For day to day I wear a ghost whisperer and layer it if need be.

Restoration Hardware has made me a customer for life several times over. The sofas are extraordinarily comfortable and beautiful, but the service is beyond belief.

I purchased a Lancaster sofa and about 6-7 years later the bottom was sagging. It's one of the models that's very deep and very wide so I figured that came with the territory, but I called to discuss whether it could be repaired. They had me pick out a new sofa (I chose the Maxwell this time) and they delivered it a week later and took the old one away. Didn't cost me a dime.

Since then I've purchased another sofa, several chairs, and a bookcase and always look to them first if I need a new piece of furniture.

Take a look at the dealer locator. That will show you the competition you'll have to deal with. As has been suggested, you'll be at a disadvantage if you only do lighting control, especially since you won't be able to sell Homeworks or higher end shading lines. Clients are used to a single point of contact.

Think long and hard about whether you really want to start your own business or whether you want to work for one of the bigger AV firms in your area.

We pay our lead technicians more than you'd probably take home as an owner and you get to clock out at the end of the day and not stress about clients, budgets, bills, and payroll.

Just my 2 cents.

Make food truck flyers

I’m doing my best to read between the lines here, but I believe you need a backpack.

This is exactly correct. Go listen to thru hikers. Shoes are just like car tires. They’re disposable and have a life span and it sounds like you’re getting great mileage out of your Salomon’s. If you like them keep getting them.

Control4 can be engraved by the button at a low cost and LUX engravings are free.

I suspect it’ll be on par if not better. I have the 96 Nuptse and the Pumori and the Pumori is slightly warmer, but also has a longer body and insulated hood. Seems like this version is much closer to that.