Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter (Post 13509571)

Avoid Teh Pit at all costs. You could still get 1.5x-2x as much house for the same price in Austin, and actually live somewhere nice. Personally, I've always thought BNA would make for a nice move. I enjoyed the city when I was visiting it regularly, it has all four seasons, and there are some nice hilly bits. It's also pretty cheap. ^

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 13509623)

Which makes me wonder, do these last few days of beautiful weather deduct from our allotted 11 days of Spring?

Originally Posted by sockrebel (Post 13509020)

Owning a house or owing on a house?

Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter (Post 13509075)

It was also discussed in AUS. I believe Salzburg was mentioned. :D

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 13509088)

Trying to decide if I want to drop ~$1k on the Web 2.0 conference in SFO. I'm leaning towards "no".


Taxes are with the accountant now, we'll see what happens. It will be interesting to see what buying a Prius earns us as far as credits.

Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter (Post 13509099)

I can also confirm that Peru has terrible beer.

Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter (Post 13509125)

I thought Mackieman was referring to Marriott Plat. SPG Plat requires only 25 Stays or 50 Nights (not 75), and SPG makes no distinction between the two, AFAIK.

Originally Posted by windwalker (Post 13509225)

Had this happen night before last at CY-Sugarland

Thank you for being a Plat with MR, Mr. Walker
me-do you have any rooms with a balconies left?
no I'm sorry we do not,only 4 rooms left on the properrty
me-I'd asked for one on my reservation, I know that's no guarantee but kinda hoped you might have blocked one out for me
I'm sorry, we'll note that for your next stay(I did 20+ nights at the same place last year)
me-riiiiiiiiiight
Here's your key Mr. Walker, Have a great night.

I'm talking to some other co-workers in the lobby as another guest checks in
Congratulations, Mr New Guest, I see you're with us for two nights, we've gone ahead and upgrade you to a mini-suite with a balcony
Him-is that extra?
Them-Oh no sir
Him-Why was I upgraded?
Them-one of the only rooms left, do you have a MR numbers you'd like added
Him-What is that?

The new Hyatt Place at town center can't get built quick enough

Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter (Post 13509273)

There seems to be a cold war brewing (pun intended). Some favor Salzburg, others South America. :D

Originally Posted by windwalker (Post 13509314)

Hence my lack of enthusiasm for renting a car


Define Carry-on?
I've carried the bag I've got with me "on" a couple times but technically it's too big-25" rollaboard and I have a laptop backpack

Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter (Post 13509571)

Avoid Teh Pit at all costs. You could still get 1.5x-2x as much house for the same price in Austin, and actually live somewhere nice. Personally, I've always thought BNA would make for a nice move. I enjoyed the city when I was visiting it regularly, it has all four seasons, and there are some nice hilly bits. It's also pretty cheap. ^

Originally Posted by Scott6067 (Post 13509691)

WOW!! I didn't realize Hilton Diamond was harder than SPG PLAT!!

Originally Posted by baglady (Post 13509645)

What are you reading?

Originally Posted by baglady (Post 13508675)

Buy something you know. It's more fun to have a stock that you know/enjoy the product/service etc. It doesn't mean you'll make any money on it though.

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 13509712)

Havana Nocturne, by T.J. English. For anyone who enjoys true crime reading, his book on the NYC Irish Mob ("The Westies") is a fantastic chronicle of how the Irish Mob became what it did and also how they became the first real subcontractor to the Five Families of New York. The Italians gave violent dirty work to the Irish for a time in the 1970's.

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 13509718)

Time to get dressed so I can go pee in a cup for the job. Later, Box.

Originally Posted by Scott6067 (Post 13509691)

BNA is nice, I could do AUS or SAT or DAL altough the last is a little more expensive.

Originally Posted by Mackieman (Post 13508937)

I have a massive headache and the first thing I wanted to do this morning did not include get on a :rolleyes:call with India.

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 13509743)

I did DAL, it takes a lot of patience and the storms/heat in the summer can be much more sweltering than Houston.

No offense to anyone in SAT, but I find it to be a city that I really do not enjoy outside of the missions and the stuff around downtown.

AUS interests me and so do BNA, CAE, and RDU. I doubt we'll ever move to AUS though, because for it to be truly affordable, one has to live in the suburbs and I don't see AUS population going down anytime soon.

Originally Posted by bdjohns1 (Post 13509015)

Worth the surcharge?

I've completed mine, just not filed yet. I was happy that I guessed right on the federal withholdings for Mrs. bdj and I - ended up owing right around $100. No interest-free loan to Uncle Sam this year. Getting back a bit from the state, since we're saving for our daughter's education through a 529 plan that qualifies as a state deduction.

Of course, the math will all be off again this year with Daughter 2.0 arriving, and Mrs. bdj most likely becoming a full-time mom.