gowestyoungman's recent activity
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Comment on I toured a 'pocket community' of tiny home - the builders are trying to help solve the housing crisis in Canada in ~life
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Comment on I toured a 'pocket community' of tiny home - the builders are trying to help solve the housing crisis in Canada in ~life
gowestyoungman LinkSince there are a few tiny home lovers here Ill share my all time favorite tiny. This is called the Twelve Cube Home because its 12 x 12 x 12 but if you look at the actual footprint of the house...Since there are a few tiny home lovers here Ill share my all time favorite tiny. This is called the Twelve Cube Home because its 12 x 12 x 12 but if you look at the actual footprint of the house without the deck its actually only 8 x 12 or 96 sq ft. Like the builder said, a lot of people mistake it for a storage shed.
Its got to be the most efficient use of space Ive ever seen of a full featured home - its still got lots of storage, plenty of kitchen cabinets, 4 kitchen appliances, full bathroom, washer/dryer, queen size bed plus a single bed upstairs and even a slide out office desk. Its pretty ingenious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1fFConfF-Q&ab_channel=ShawTVNanaimo -
Comment on I toured a 'pocket community' of tiny home - the builders are trying to help solve the housing crisis in Canada in ~life
gowestyoungman Link ParentMaybe for a condo it seems normal but 510 is pretty tiny for a detached house. There are many jurisdictions, including the one my son just bought in, where anything under 700 sq ft is considered...Maybe for a condo it seems normal but 510 is pretty tiny for a detached house. There are many jurisdictions, including the one my son just bought in, where anything under 700 sq ft is considered "too small" to be viable as a home. He bought a house that's 682 sf and there was only one bank that would give him a mortgage because of the size. He's going to add 20 sf before the next renewal so he can shop more banks next time.
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Comment on I toured a 'pocket community' of tiny home - the builders are trying to help solve the housing crisis in Canada in ~life
gowestyoungman Link ParentBut that's the point of a tiny home. These are owners who have lived in apartments and want to have a home without shared walls, a parking spot right outside their front door and a yard , even if...The land would be much better used building apartments or similar types of buildings. Tiny homes would be able to house a fraction as many people
But that's the point of a tiny home. These are owners who have lived in apartments and want to have a home without shared walls, a parking spot right outside their front door and a yard , even if its tiny. Its not always about efficiency of space, its about feeling like you own a 'home'.
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I toured a 'pocket community' of tiny home - the builders are trying to help solve the housing crisis in Canada
Was just driving through a town in southern Manitoba and pulled over to take a break and saw these tiny homes: https://i.imgur.com/hG9NAGR.jpeg Tiny homes have always intrigued me so I talked to...
Was just driving through a town in southern Manitoba and pulled over to take a break and saw these tiny homes: https://i.imgur.com/hG9NAGR.jpeg
Tiny homes have always intrigued me so I talked to the owner. Its in a trailer park and this was a lot that was available for development so they had 16 tiny homes built in three sizes. The smallest is a 510 sf one bedroom, then a slightly larger one bedroom and the biggest one is a 920 sf two bedroom.
They are "modular" homes which means they were manufactured in a factory a couple of hours away and trailered into the site. But despite the fact they travelled by trailer and that they sit on screwpiles instead of a foundation, they are fully built as regular homes.
Its cold here in winter (down to -40c) so the homes are super insulated with about 12" of insulation in the floor and ceiling and 6" in the walls with another 2" of foam insulation on the outside walls. They are completely heated by the mini split system with the addition of a convection electric heater in each room to keep them warm in the coldest part of winter. Amazingly in a place where my own bills for electricity can hit $250 in winter without heat, the most the owner said she paid was $80 for electricity including heat.
The interiors look like any regular home only smaller:https://i.imgur.com/aFufGMI.jpeg and definitely dont give the same vibe as a mobile home. It feels like a house with small rooms.
So far the 2 bedroom units are selling fairly well but the one bedrooms arent moving as easily. Part of the problem was covid. In this town a 'starter' home can easily be 350k and they were hoping to sell these from 80k to 120k. But during covid everything skyrocketed from materials to moving costs and the least expensive unit is now 175k and the biggest one is 220k. Add on the 350 a month for lot rent, which includes yard care/shovelling, and its pushing the envelope of what most would consider "affordable" anymore but there's not much they can do now to bring the price down.
Buyers so far tend to be those who are looking for tiny easy to care for space: a widow who sold her house and wants something small she can leave and go travelling, a guy who works for a railroad who's only home one week a month, a new immigrant family who are just happy to own something rather than pay the same amount in rent.
I applaud them for having a vision and actually pursuing it. There are some kinks to work out and it would be great if the prices could drop significantly but at least its an alternative to renting or buying an older mobile home. Its one of the first tiny home communities Ive seen up close and I came away with a positive impression. I think its going to be a great little community of tiny home lovers.
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Comment on ‘It’s unbearable’: in ever-hotter US cities, air conditioning is no longer enough in ~enviro
gowestyoungman LinkIf she had a bit of support and money the lady in the article could at least insulate ONE room very well and keep it cool in the hottest days but of course a house without any insulation is going...If she had a bit of support and money the lady in the article could at least insulate ONE room very well and keep it cool in the hottest days but of course a house without any insulation is going to be unbearably hot.
In our RV, which also isn't well insulated, we have a jerry-rigged AC unit with 4" flexible dryer vent hoses fastened to the cooling vent. When it gets unbearably hot we literally put the hoses under our shirts and have personal AC cooling. It looks goofy as hell but it works great and we dont have to cool off the entire RV to beat the heat.
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Comment on How to find purpose in life? in ~life
gowestyoungman Link ParentMuch good advice in your post and this seems especially pertinent to me today too, as Im learning more about controlling my BPII. Just yesterday I decided to swear off coffee for a test - as I...Make it a point to drink 32oz of water in the first half of the day, and another 32oz in the second half. Build on this habit by finding a water bottle that works for you, which you can carry everywhere. Use this as the basis for improving your diet, later on. An easy start to looking at your diet might be cutting back on breads and substituting in mixed unsalted nuts, veggies such as cucumbers and carrots, and fruits such as apples and bananas.
Much good advice in your post and this seems especially pertinent to me today too, as Im learning more about controlling my BPII. Just yesterday I decided to swear off coffee for a test - as I HATE the way it makes me crash hard after about 45 minutes - I love coffee but I literally have to have a nap for 5 or 10 minutes to recuperate every morning. Just annoying. So I started drinking water instead and already noticed a difference in my energy level being more level.
I love fruits and veggies but never thought about the unsalted nuts. Gonna add that to my diet next. Thanks for the excellent advice you gave. Im going to check out some of those books too.
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Comment on How to find purpose in life? in ~life
gowestyoungman Link ParentI also have BPII .... but Im not sure OP or any other person suffering from BP would particularly appreciate the label "nutjob", even if you did intend it to be funny and self deprecating. If...I also have BPII .... but Im not sure OP or any other person suffering from BP would particularly appreciate the label "nutjob", even if you did intend it to be funny and self deprecating. If anything, Ive realize lately, after reading multiple stories from BP sufferers and hearing stories from my daughter, a psychiatrist, that having BP and full blown psychosis is absolutely awful. People do so many things in their manic state that they regret when the depression hits that it can easily make life unbearable. A little grace is helpful.
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Comment on Do you think climate crisis will lead to violent activism? in ~enviro
gowestyoungman (edited )LinkIt already has, although on a small scale. Ever heard of Wiebo Ludwig? He was convinced that the sour gas well flares near his property were causing stillbirths and genetic defects in both his...It already has, although on a small scale. Ever heard of Wiebo Ludwig? He was convinced that the sour gas well flares near his property were causing stillbirths and genetic defects in both his farm animals and in some of the babies born in the area. One of his own grandchildren was stillborn and several of his 'flock' had miscarriages.
He protested long and loud but generally got ignored as a nut and dismissed by the oil companies. Until gas wells near his place started getting blown up with explosives. Then they suddenly paid attention.
And it got twisted: "At a January 1999 bail hearing, the lawyer for Ludwig and another defendant revealed that RCMP officers had bombed an oil installation as part of a dirty tricks campaign during their investigation of acts against oil industry installations. The information was confirmed by crown prosecutors."
In the end he served over two years on multiple charges. In the mean time some teenagers came onto his yard to harass him and his family and one of them, Karman Willis, ended up dead of a gunshot that appears to have richoted and hit her in the chest. Police couldnt determine who shot her and no one was ever charged with her death.
It's all pretty weird and sordid. But since Ludwig's death things have been quiet around that area.
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Comment on Watching my female tenant's life come apart - a dilemma in ~life.women
gowestyoungman (edited )Link ParentThe angry tenant has agreed to leave voluntarily. If he doesnt the next option is eviction through the courts which will follow him. The other tenants are leaving out of fear. Which really sucks....The angry tenant has agreed to leave voluntarily. If he doesnt the next option is eviction through the courts which will follow him.
The other tenants are leaving out of fear. Which really sucks. Im going to try and convince them to come back once angry man is gone by giving them two free months rent. -
Comment on Watching my female tenant's life come apart - a dilemma in ~life.women
gowestyoungman Link ParentFair point. I just feel bad for the other tenants. They're leaving and now we're ALL dealing with the fallout from the abusers actions. I vacillate between wanting to lecture him and kick him in...Fair point. I just feel bad for the other tenants. They're leaving and now we're ALL dealing with the fallout from the abusers actions. I vacillate between wanting to lecture him and kick him in the shins, neither of which Im sure would be effective in this situation.
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Comment on Electric cars are suddenly becoming affordable in ~transport
gowestyoungman Link Parenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOsy_EvtHr4&ab_channel=CNET Battery swap stations already exist. But as you can see from the video its a pretty high tech process and undoubtedly would NOT go as...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOsy_EvtHr4&ab_channel=CNET
Battery swap stations already exist. But as you can see from the video its a pretty high tech process and undoubtedly would NOT go as smoothly as shown in a real world situation - cant imagine how this one would work in a place thats has blowing snow and ice freezing the battery trolley/lifting unit.
My estimate of 10 years is for some degradation but going from 400 miles to 360 miles of range is hardly "local only". And most people highly overestimate how much they actually drive in a day. The national average is under 30 miles so 360 miles is 12 days of driving if you want to push it that far before recharging but most people recharge every night.
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Comment on Louisiana lawmakers approve surgical castration option for those guilty of sex crimes against kids in ~news
gowestyoungman Link ParentPretty sure the fact that its in a 2000 yr old book and an expected part of Jewish tradition before that, predates the 19th century by at least 1000 years, probably quite a bit more. The primary...This is in fact the original primary driver of male circumsicion.
Pretty sure the fact that its in a 2000 yr old book and an expected part of Jewish tradition before that, predates the 19th century by at least 1000 years, probably quite a bit more. The primary driver was religious tradition. Still is.
Is your issue with circumcision? Seems like its more about religious beliefs you disagree with. -
Comment on Louisiana lawmakers approve surgical castration option for those guilty of sex crimes against kids in ~news
gowestyoungman Link ParentMale circumcision has some pluses - Lots of people find a circumcised penis much better looking than an uncircumcised one. And its easier to keep clean. It also makes the penis head less protected...Male circumcision has some pluses - Lots of people find a circumcised penis much better looking than an uncircumcised one. And its easier to keep clean. It also makes the penis head less protected so more sensitive to stimulation - which isn't really a negative either. And for those who believe in it, it has religious value.
Female circumcision on the other hand has NO positives. Its just mutilation designed to kill sexual function and is highly abusive. There is no comparison between the two,
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Comment on Louisiana lawmakers approve surgical castration option for those guilty of sex crimes against kids in ~news
gowestyoungman (edited )Link ParentI have a slightly different take on your last paragraph about retribution. I used to work with street kids, generally ages 13 to 22, who were either runaways or 'throwaway' kids in a major...I have a slightly different take on your last paragraph about retribution.
I used to work with street kids, generally ages 13 to 22, who were either runaways or 'throwaway' kids in a major Canadian city. There was a lot of drama on the streets but one thing that everyone took seriously was child sexual abuse. Likely because so many of them had experienced being abused and exploited. They would yell and scream if they were mad at someone but one thing you did NOT do was call someone a "goof" or a "diddler" because that was beyond insulting - it meant you had sexually abused a child and that infuriated everyone.
One day there was a particularly weird vibe at our street drop in center and it came to a head when one person stepped in the door. Everyone suddenly went quiet and just stared at him. He deliberately made himself obvious to everyone there, and then left. And as soon as he did, a group of about 6 guys followed him out the door.
I had no idea what was going on, so I asked one of the kids. They said, "He's a diddler. He got caught diddling an 8 yr old. Everyone hates him now and he's gonna get his 'beats' now"
Sure enough, those 6 guys followed this guy into a back alley and then he stopped and faced them and got ready for what he knew was coming. They pushed him to the ground and kicked and boot stomped and punched and hit him with a 2x4 for several minutes, unleashing a lot of fury and probably frustration not only against him but others who had abused THEM in the past.
When I saw this guy again about 15 minutes later his face was bloody and he was obviously in pain so I ended up taking him to the emergency to get him stitched up. He wasn't particularly upset though. So I asked him why he showed up that night, knowing so many people were angry with him. He said he got tired of hiding, of avoiding everyone and he knew he had messed up and people weren't going to forget until he got his beats.
But here's the odd part. He was accepted back into the crowd after that. After a week of healing he showed up again and there was one comment, but no one touched him again. He had "served his sentence" in the eyes of the street community and he was free to be part of it again. When I asked another kid about why they beat him instead of letting the court system take care of him, he said, "Cause the court isn't going to do anything. IF he even gets charged and convicted, he's gonna get like community service or a couple weeks in jail. Its nothing" And he was probably right because this is Canada, and convicting someone of child sexual abuse is hard enough to prove but our sentences tend to be pathetically light even for serious crimes.
So the street justice system seems to be considerably more effective in my view. This kid knew he'd made a mistake, committed a crime, and he knew he either had to hide, run away, or else face the community and receive what the community decided was fair - a very hard and brutal beating for his crime.... I've thought about it many times since then. And Im not sure they're wrong.
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Comment on Electric cars are suddenly becoming affordable in ~transport
gowestyoungman Link ParentAnd cars DO exist at that price point and lower but they are Chinese built and the gov is working hard to make sure they are not allowed into the north American market because they would...And cars DO exist at that price point and lower but they are Chinese built and the gov is working hard to make sure they are not allowed into the north American market because they would absolutely crush our domestically built EVs. They are cheap and surprisingly good cars, and the one scaring US makers the most is the BYD Seagull which sells for under 10,000 USD: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinas-byd-lowers-starting-price-its-lowest-priced-ev-model-seagull-by-54-2024-03-06/
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Comment on Electric cars are suddenly becoming affordable in ~transport
gowestyoungman Link ParentThe 'battery replacement' thing is a much hyped issue that barely exists. There were a few early models produced, especially in the older EVs that had some issues but almost all EVs produced in...The 'battery replacement' thing is a much hyped issue that barely exists. There were a few early models produced, especially in the older EVs that had some issues but almost all EVs produced in the last few years have the kinks worked out and 'battery replacement' happens about as often as 'engine replacement' in a brand new gas car. Which is to say it CAN happen but its pretty darn rare and usually covered under warranty because of a manufacturing defect.
They go for a LONG time and the batteries slowly degrade over time but its not like they go from storing 100% capacity to 0% capacity overnight. They just slowly lose a bit of capacity so in 10 years maybe its storing 90% capacity instead of a 100%. Which means that your EV that used to be able to go 300 miles on a charge can now go 270 miles on a charge. Which really doesnt make much difference to the average owner because they're only travelling 50 miles a day on average.
And it very much depends on how they are charged. If your battery is fully discharged at its maximum range and then charged to 100% every day and FAST charged at a DC charger every day (which pushes in as many kilowatts into the battery as fast as possible) it will degrade faster than if you only use, say 30% of its capacity daily and then recharge much more slowly at night at your home charging station. Not much different than a gas car that is driven hard and fast every day vs the one the little old lady just takes to church once a week.
Personally our little Fiat 500e only gets driven about 50 km out of its 120 km range most days and then its slow charged overnight off a regular 120v home circuit which is very gentle on the battery. In 6 years of ownership we have experienced zero drop in range.
And yes, the batteries CAN be replaced but with batteries lasting 200,000 to 300,000 miles already most people are just going to sell the car when its time to do that. Other thrifty buyers will still use that car and either buy a salvage battery from a wrecker for FAR less than a dealer wants for a new one, or take it to one of the upstart battery dealers who specialize in replacing the failed cells within the battery and repacking and reinstalling the entire pack. Many of the used packs are already being upcycled into home supply battery systems and hooked to solar power systems to give many more years of service.
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Comment on Watching my female tenant's life come apart - a dilemma in ~life.women
gowestyoungman Link ParentNot sure what you saw, but no, I talked to the police directly and they dont give out that info. If he was actually charged AND convicted there might be a publicly available record, but judging...Not sure what you saw, but no, I talked to the police directly and they dont give out that info. If he was actually charged AND convicted there might be a publicly available record, but judging from the situation I dont think he got more than a simple ticket. Unfortunately.. Nonetheless Ive talked to them since and made it clear that they either move or be evicted and they are in the process of looking for another place. At this time she sounds like shes on board and wanting to go with him. Not good.
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Comment on Watching my female tenant's life come apart - a dilemma in ~life.women
gowestyoungman Link ParentOh we definitely have enough to evict him. Its already in motion.Oh we definitely have enough to evict him. Its already in motion.
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Comment on Watching my female tenant's life come apart - a dilemma in ~life.women
gowestyoungman Link ParentUnfortunately dont think that applies in Canada.Unfortunately dont think that applies in Canada.
Do you equate apartments to houses in Europe? Apartments are generally quite small here too, but houses aren't. An 'average' 3 bedroom house is a minimum of 1600 sf and 2000 sf is not unusual. But those are usually bought by people with children.