This. There's also a really weird obsession with Johnny by some posters who think they know everything. The funniest part is that I am certain there are others on this very site who are much wealthier than Johnny, yet their ire is relentlessly directed at him.
Wife's SUV needs new tires here pretty soon. I have always stuck to Michelin or (sometimes) Contis. Any reason to go away from those brands? Anyone have a model they really like? She's a SAHM so there won't be any offroading, snow driving, mountain climbing, etc. Just tooling around the suburbs going to kid shit. The quieter, smoother, the better. Car currently has some Michelin Latitudes on it that came with the car from the factory, but they are louder than other Michelins I've had in the past.
Also no pics, TIA
I mean I even said I enjoyed Paris. I liked it with just the wife and I for 2 or 3 days. We also did lots of walking, and once we figured out the Metro that was convenient as well. I'm not sure you could spend a week there with kids and totally avoid the shitty areas. Plus in the summer it's a crowded, hot ass city. Perhaps shit hole was too strong a phrase, but like I said, people love to forget it's a big city like NYC or something.
I mean there's still a lot to do within the nicer parts of the city, but I do feel like it is very romanticized when in reality it is a typical very large city. Some nice areas, and lots of really shitty ones. I'll never forget getting out of Gare Du Nord and thinking "where the fuck am I?"
I enjoyed Paris and Versailles when I went but also remember that Paris is largely a shit hole of a city. Seriously, outside of Versailles and some of the very upscale arrondissements it is a not a nice town.
If going for a week I'd lobby for Italy first (try to get out of Rome and go to Tuscany or other parts of the country-side - Amalfi Coast, Siena, Assisi ), or Ireland, again getting out of Dublin.
Edit: I should mention if she wants "away from the Texas heat" both Italy and Paris are hot as FUCK in July. Ireland would be nice temperature wise.
Great thread. Blows my mind how many folks will have the means but don't want to retire. Perhaps it's because I'm only 30 and retirement is but a distant point on the horizon, but I've always thought once I had $xxMM saved up, I'd peace out for good. I feel like I've got no shortage of things I'd rather be doing than working - whether it's golf, hiking, gardening, woodworking, traveling whatever. My wife's uncle retired recently and is dabbling in wine and cheese making. I'd love to try shit like that.
On the flip side, I do know I will maybe feel different as I get closer to retirement. My dad is 65 and could have retired a decade or more ago but keeps working because he loves what he does. I also think it's not about how much money he has anymore, but the longer he works the more he and my mom can do charity-wise.
Nice one, but I see you and raise you this -
Wife is in her brand new SUV (I mean it's like 2 months old when this happens). I had pulled in from work and my car was sitting (running) in the driveway - lined up DIRECTLY in line with where I pull into the garage. I got out to roll a trashcan in as she is pulling out for a nail appointment or some shit and she manages to back her NEW car into our OTHER car. Put a nice scratch on her car and a nice dent and scratch in mine. Gotta love family car on family car accidents.
Should have been more clear - I mean less fed involvement in just about anything besides matters of national importance like trade, defense, etc. Basically, 9.9 times out of 10 either private citizens or corporations can do x, y, or z better, cheaper, and more efficiently than the government
I'd call myself fiscally conservative with libertarian leanings for sure. Basically quit fucking spending so much money, get a balanced budget going, keep government out of as many things as humanly possible would be my conservative angle. Socially, I don't care if you are gay, lesbian, LGBTQBBQ or whatever. Gays getting married doesn't make one shit to me. You're a guy who was born a girl but is now a dude who likes men? I may not fully understand it but that's cool. I mostly just don't like people telling me how to feel or forcing their beliefs on me, but I'm pretty good with people doing what they want on the social front.
Exactly. Nothing we do will fix the ME. Nothing. This shit has been going on for literally thousands of years. It has to be solved by the ME countries (not likely) and it sure as shit isn't ever going to be solved by westerners.