Podcasts about inspecting

This Flashback Friday is from episode 595 published last November 17, 2015. If you're still allowing property managers to bill you max amounts every month you need to tighten up your monthly discretionary allowance. You will be consulted every time a repair is projected beyond $200. Also, minimize the unprofitable downtime of renters moving in and moving out by signing a 2-year lease with your next tenant. Include the rent increase for upcoming year so your tenants are prepared to pay in advance of the increase. They will appreciate it. And in our interview, wouldn't it be nice to see an interesting property on the internet and send someone else halfway across the U.S. to take photos of it for you? What about checking up on one of your existing properties to inspect the hail damage first hand? WeGoLook has an army of 20,000 "lookers" who can send you photos, videos or answer specific questions. They are even able to visit the local municipality to perform a title search.  PropertyTracker.com http://empoweredinvestor.com/    _______________________________________________________________ Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class:  Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com  

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'm outlining five things refrigeration techs need to check before replacing a compressor to avoid an unnecessessary change out. Between 30-40% of swapped compressors are found to have no real issue, and these checks will help technicians uncover root-cause issues and potentially avoid costly and time-consuming work that might not be needed. This episode details the five checks: oil level and oil management, compressor superheat, electrical health, operating conditions, and controller/sensor accuracy. We also cover key readings and how to better understand failure modes and prevent repeat failures. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) How to Avoid Replacing Good Compressors (03:16) Check 1: Oil Management (04:27) Check 2: Compressor Superheat (06:13) Check 3: Electrical Health (07:14) Check 4: Operating Conditions (08:19) Check 5: Controllers and Sensors (09:56) Inspecting a Failed Compressor (12:14) Documentation and Preventing Repeated Failures Helpful Links & Resources: FREE GUIDE: System and Compressor Troubleshooting Guide Episode 115: Understanding Compressors: What You Need To Know Episode 329. The Ins & Outs of Compressors Episode 388. Step-By-Step Compressor Change Out (Service Call Recap) with Andrew Freeburg

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with takeaways from Xi's visit to North Korea this week, including the conspicuous silence on North Korea's nuclearization, Kim Jong Un's assistance to Russia's war in Ukraine, Beijing as Kim's top priority, U.S.-Japan dialogue on regional nuclear threats, and an email about the PRC as a communist country. From there: CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning leads an inspection tour of Xinjiang ahead of the July 1st implementation of the national ethnic unity law, plus thoughts on Xinjiang's strategic importance generally and why Beijing sees its recent efforts as successful. At the end: China preps for an AI infrastructure buildout, the Pentagon alleges that Alibaba, Baidu and BYD are linked to the PLA, the Busan truce is being tested by both sides, and two Knicks stars wish students good luck on the GaoKao.

As we conclude our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we encounter Jesus presenting us with stark choices that define the trajectory of our spiritual lives. Through powerful metaphors of gates, sheep, trees, and houses, we're confronted with an uncomfortable truth: proximity to religious activity is not the same as relationship with Christ. The narrow gate isn't narrow because God is exclusive, but because it requires something countercultural—complete surrender. We're challenged to examine whether we're building our lives on the solid foundation of knowing Jesus or merely stacking up impressive religious résumés. The metaphor of two houses facing identical storms reveals that our foundation determines our survival, not our ability to avoid difficulty. What makes this passage particularly convicting is the warning about those who will say 'Lord, Lord' and point to their prophecies, miracles, and mighty works, only to hear 'I never knew you.' This isn't about doing more; it's about being rooted in relationship. The call to examine our fruit, recognize false teachers by their long-term impact, and ensure our houses are built through the costly work of digging deep into the Rock reminds us that authentic faith requires more than Sunday attendance—it demands daily surrender and persistent prayer.

A pump that won't prime, a lid that won't budge, and a pad visit that's suddenly running long, this is where small, practical know-how saves the day. We walk through the real-world pool pump fixes that most techs only learn after enough scraped knuckles and repeat trips, and we keep it focused on what actually works when you're standing in front of the equipment.We dig into stuck pump lids on common pumps, including why they tighten up, how a simple rubber mallet technique can help, and when it's smarter to use a dedicated pump lid removal tool for Hayward-style lids. From there we zoom in on one of the biggest causes of mystery air bubbles and “it ran fine yesterday” complaints: the pump lid O-ring. We explain how worn, dry, pinched, or missing O-rings create suction leaks, why homeowners opening the pump can trigger priming failures, and why carrying spare O-rings is one of the best low-cost moves a pool service pro can make.We also talk pump baskets, impeller clogs, and what that low filter pressure reading is really telling you. You'll hear how to check for cracked baskets, how to clear debris from the impeller safely with basic tools, and why ultra heavy-duty baskets can backfire if they get fully packed with debris. Finally, we cover priming best practices, including using a bucket, avoiding dry starts, and how large air relief assemblies on certain pool filters can make priming faster and easier. If this helped, subscribe, share it with another pool pro, and leave a review with your best pump troubleshooting tip.• Removing tight pump lids with a rubber mallet instead of sore hands• Using pump lid removal tools for Hayward Super Pump and similar lids• Inspecting, replacing, and lubing pump lid O-rings to prevent air leaks• Spotting missing O-rings after homeowners open the pump• Why oversized pump pots and giant baskets cause real-world clogs• Checking for cracked baskets that let debris reach the impeller• Clearing impeller jams safely with a flathead screwdriver• Choosing OEM baskets vs heavy-duty baskets and the trade-offsSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y

This is a recap of the top 10 posts on Hacker News on May 01, 2026. This podcast was generated by wondercraft.ai (00:30): Show HN: WhatCable, a tiny menu bar app for inspecting USB-C cablesOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47972511&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(01:56): The gay jailbreak technique (2025)Original post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47977134&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(03:22): Ti-84 EvoOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47979583&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(04:48): Grok 4.3Original post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47972447&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(06:14): Uber torches 2026 AI budget on Claude Code in four monthsOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47976415&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(07:40): Apple accidentally left Claude.md files Apple Support appOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47973378&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(09:06): AI uses less water than the public thinksOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47977383&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(10:32): City Learns Flock Accessed Cameras in Children's Gymnastics Room as a Sales DemoOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47978370&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(11:58): New research suggests people can communicate and practice skills while dreamingOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47977748&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(13:24): Police Have Used License Plate Readers at Least 14x to Stalk Romantic InterestsOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47976529&utm_source=wondercraft_aiThis is a third-party project, independent from HN and YC. Text and audio generated using AI, by wondercraft.ai. Create your own studio quality podcast with text as the only input in seconds at app.wondercraft.ai. Issues or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: team@wondercraft.ai

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the first battle of Changsha. From Chongqing, Chiang debated defensive strategies for Hunan, ultimately adopting Plan B after Xue Yue's pleas, focusing on successive resistance north of Changsha to thwart Japanese advances. Japanese forces, under Okamura Yasuji, launched assaults in Jiangxi and Hunan. In Jiangxi, the 106th and 101st Divisions attacked Huibu and Gao'an, where Chinese troops under Luo Zhuoying and Song Kentang fiercely resisted. Gao'an fell briefly but was recaptured by the 32nd Army and the elite 74th Army, with heavy casualties on both sides, as recounted by soldier Liu Qihuai. In Hunan, Japanese units crossed the Xin Qiang River and landed at Yingtian, facing brutal opposition. At Bijia Mountain, Qin Yizhi's 195th Division held for four days; Battalion Commander Shi Enhua's reinforced unit perished entirely, their fragmented remains mourned by locals. Along the Miluo River, Chen Pei's 37th Army fortified positions, repelling waves of Japanese attacks, including suicide squads disguised as civilians. Recruit Yang Peyao's unit endured bombardments, inflicting significant enemy losses before withdrawing at dusk.   #197 The First Battle of Changsha Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Major Luo Wenlang, battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion, 55th Regiment, 19th Division of the 28th Army, harbored a peculiar quirk: he couldn't sleep soundly without unwrapping his leg bindings, a small ritual that anchored him in the chaos of war. Since the war's eruption, such luxuries were rare, and unwrapping his bindings every night became an impossibility, leaving him to endure restless slumbers. Tonight, however, sleep eluded him entirely; he tossed and turned on his makeshift bed, his mind a whirlwind of unrest. Two days after the northern Hunan battle ignited like a powder keg, the 55th Regiment received urgent orders from Division Commander Tang Boyin to race to Wukou in Pingjiang County. Their path wound through Luo Wenlang's hometown of Fulinpu, a twist of fate that stirred conflicting emotions. Entering the village under the cover of night, the entire battalion encamped in the commander's modest family village, with battalion headquarters naturally established in his ancestral home.   Luo yearned to step across that familiar threshold but dreaded it, for his parents remained oblivious to a devastating truth. They slaughtered chickens and prepared meat, hosting the battalion staff with drinks and hospitality, after all, this was their son's unit gracing their home. Luo orchestrated door planks and straw for bedding, posted sentries, and deftly evaded his parents until they retired. Before dawn broke, he mustered the troops, ensured they were fed, and led them onward, slipping away like a shadow. By noon on the 22nd, they reached Wukou, only to receive fresh directives: rush to Yingtian to bolster the 95th Division against the enemy's audacious landings. The 3rd Battalion spearheaded the division's reinforcements, marching relentlessly through day and night, arriving at Dongtang, over 30 kilometers southeast of Yingtian—on the 23rd, hearts sinking upon learning Yingtian had already fallen into enemy clutches.   Luo Wenlang sought out the retreating 95th Division Commander Luo Qi to beg for a mission, his resolve unyielding. Luo Qi, anticipating his arrival, relayed Commander Guan Linzheng's ironclad instructions: The 19th Division's reinforcements would assume Dongtang's defenses. With the main force still en route, Luo Qi tasked Luo's battalion with relieving a segment held by a replacement regiment. He handed over a map, sketching a line with a pencil, a simple stroke that thrust Luo Wenlang and his men onto the front lines of fate. An operations staff was dispatched to guide them to the position and oversee the handover.   As the troops advanced, they encountered scattered soldiers fleeing like startled rabbits; seizing a platoon leader revealed they were indeed from the replacement regiment. Mere minutes from division HQ, the enemy was already closing in, a predator's breath hot on their necks. Luo Wenlang and Deputy Battalion Commander Wu Yacui split the battalion, launching a counterattack on Dongtang from dual routes. Fortune favored them; the Japanese held only an exhausted company, crumbling under a single, ferocious charge. They swiftly deployed two companies to the positions, reserving one as a bulwark. By dusk, the full 55th Regiment arrived, accompanied by the rest of the 19th Division's reinforcements, allowing the battered 95th Division, ravaged at Yingtian, to withdraw for desperate reorganization. The regimental commander positioned Luo's 3rd Battalion on the regiment's vulnerable left wing. In the blink of an eye, it was the 27th, aligning with the 15th of the eighth lunar month. Amid the relentless great battle, few noted the calendar, and the skies hung heavy with clouds. Luo Wenlang twisted on his straw bed, his thoughts a snarled knot of anxiety and memory.   At 11 p.m., gunfire shattered the night; a barrage of machine gun bullets riddled the battalion HQ house, raining thatch and dust upon Luo like fallout from a storm. Catastrophe had struck! Luo surged toward the positions with the bugler—his battalion signal chief—and the reserve force, ascending the hilltop in a frenzy. Halfway up, he spotted 8th Company's Lieutenant Platoon Leader Rong Fayu leading over 20 soldiers in retreat. Bellowing "Why unauthorized retreat?" while brandishing his pistol, he compelled Rong to rally and turn back. The Japanese had launched a nocturnal assault; 8th Company Commander Yi Zuitao lay slain by a fatal shot, over a dozen comrades felled in brutal close combat, the survivors scattered like leaves in the wind; the high ground now belonged to the enemy.   Upon learning of Dongtang's loss, the regimental commander personally led the regimental reserve, his face etched with urgency. Under flickering lantern light, poring over the map with Luo, Division Commander Tang Boyin telephoned, his voice a whipcrack of command: Recapture it before dawn, or both would face the merciless hand of military justice. After seizing the high ground, the enemy hesitated to press further; Luo surmised the darkness concealed paths, and their numbers were not overwhelming. Forgoing the regimental reserve, he led 7th Company's 4 squads and remnants of the routed 8th Company in a stealthy ascent. Near the position, a ravine concealed over 20 8th Company soldiers, rallied by Sergeant Squad Leader Tan Tianrong, who had lurked in wait for reinforcements, dreading exposure at dawn under the enemy's gaze.   Spotting the battalion commander personally spearheading the counterattack, Tan Tianrong's face lit with fierce joy; his men, armed with grenades, surged as the vanguard. Intimate with the terrain even in blindness, they hurled explosives into bunkers, trenches, and works. The commander orchestrated the charge; the Japanese force of 40-50 men crumbled, over half slain or maimed, the remnants fleeing northward to their village stronghold. It was past 4 a.m.; the moon pierced the clouds, bathing the earth in a silvery glow. With positions reclaimed, the night revealed its secret: tonight was Mid-Autumn. Moonlight unraveled the tangled threads of his past; Luo draped his clothes over his shoulders, sat beneath the luminous orb, and wept in solitary anguish.   Before the war, devastating news had arrived: his brother Luo Yinong had been killed in Jiangxi. Luo had three brothers; the eldest shouldered half the family's burdens, their bond unbreakable. The brother had enlisted first in the 50th Army, climbing to battalion commander through sheer valor. He and his younger brother had followed suit, inspired by that call to arms.   Wartime conscription demanded only one per family, but battling the devils was a duty for the nation and its people. His brother had risen to deputy regimental commander before his end. The 50th Army notified him first. Engulfed in battle, there had been no time to console his grieving parents or tend to the funeral; it weighed on his heart like an unyielding stone. His sister-in-law, diligent and unassuming, cared for a young boy and carried another child; the long, arduous days ahead loomed like an endless shadow. The night dew brought a biting chill, the moon an icy sentinel; Luo shivered uncontrollably, his tears mingling with the frost.   The sky hung heavy with overcast gloom, yet the moon lurked beyond the clouds, casting a faint, ethereal light that warded off utter darkness. Along the road, a unit's elongated black shadow snaked southward in hurried silence, a serpent of weary resolve pressing through the night. Qin Yizhi reined in his horse, pausing to gaze back: the queue stretched onward, silent and impeccably orderly, belying the exhaustion of a force scarred by days of ferocious combat, their spirits unbroken amid the shadows. After the Japanese seized the 195th Division's defiant outpost at Bijia Mountain, they surged across the Xin Qiang River in a merciless onslaught. The river, shallow enough to wade knee-deep, offered no true impediment; the real barrier was forged from the defenders' scorching blood, a crimson testament to their unyielding stand. The 195th Division clashed in a maelstrom of cruelty; positions were heaped with corpses time and again, the Xin Qiang's waters churning blood-red in relentless cycles of carnage. From the night of the 23rd to the dawn of the 25th, respite was a forgotten dream; Okamura Yasuji, in a gesture of grim respect, inscribed Qin's name in elegant calligraphy and hung it within his command tent, a haunting trophy of the foe's tenacity.   Following their triumphant landing at Yingtian, the Japanese entangled the Ninth War Zone's left-wing defenders in a protracted snare, their advances grinding slowly like a predator toying with prey, menacing the flanks of the frontal troops with insidious intent. On the evening of the 27th, Xue Yue issued the fateful order for the 15th Army Group to withdraw to the precarious ground between the Miluo River and Shangshan City, ushering this blood-soaked force into an all-night march toward the next defensive crucible. Late into the night, a brief halt was called. Soldiers slumped to the ground, adjusting leg wraps and gear with mechanical precision; logistics teams darted through the ranks, distributing rations like lifelines; cooks, having forged ahead, arrived with steaming pots of rice soup, infusing the air with a rare warmth. Though no clamor broke the hush, a quiet camaraderie enveloped the queue, a fleeting balm against the war's chill.   The division staff claimed a flat expanse beside a farmhouse yard for their respite. Qin settled onto a stone roller used for grinding grain, nibbling at his meager ration and sipping the hot soup that steamed in the cool air. Suddenly, moonlight pierced the clouds, cascading down in silvery streams; the familiar contours of the farmhouse stirred a flood of warmth in his heart, evoking memories of home.   Chongqing, Huangshan Villa. Every window was shrouded in double layers of thick curtains, sealing out any sliver of betraying light, as if the very walls conspired to guard secrets from the encroaching night. Tonight's ethereal protagonist rose languidly from the eastern valley, its orange-red moonlight casting an aura of drowsy reluctance, as though it had not fully shaken off the slumber of the day. The feeble glow dappled the building's roof, balcony, and the surrounding hillsides, intersections, and thickets, where armed shadows lurked, capturing every rustle in the oppressive silence. Only upon close inspection could one discern the faint specks of moonlight glinting off steel helmets. Yet, beyond those fortified walls, another realm pulsed with life, a vibrant contrast to the shadowed vigilance outside. The front hall, living room, and dining room blazed with brilliant light. Vibrant flowers, dominated by chrysanthemums in full, defiant bloom, infused the air with color and fragrance; a phonograph murmured a cheerful Guangdong melody, weaving an atmosphere thick with festive joy, a deliberate illusion amid the storm of war.   Chiang Kai-shek, clad in a flowing black silk gown, strode ahead with poised grace, escorting his guests into the dining room alongside the elegantly attired Soong May-ling, their conversation laced with laughter and warmth. At the table, Soong May-ling's smile was a beacon of diplomacy, as she artfully arranged the seating to suit hierarchies and alliances, while servers in crisp white uniforms moved with nimble precision. This was Chiang Kai-shek's intimate Mid-Autumn family banquet; beyond a handful of pivotal military and political figures, the gathering brimmed with relatives. Guests and kin alike noted Chiang's buoyant spirits tonight; his smiles were wide and genuine, his discourse light and expansive, delving into casual topics with uncharacteristic ease.   In September 1939, China's War of Resistance Against Japan had entered its grueling third year. After the initial cataclysm of turmoil and disarray, the government and military had clawed their way to stability, adapting to this unprecedented historical crucible, with operations finally aligning into a semblance of order. According to figures proclaimed by Minister of Military Affairs He Yingqin to Chinese and foreign reporters on the 13th of this month, Japanese invaders had seized 521 counties across 12 provinces, a vast swath of conquest. Yet, the Japanese imperialists had exacted this toll at a staggering cost. Just prior, on August 30, the Hirannuma Cabinet, installed a mere eight months earlier, had collapsed in mass resignation. Hirannuma Kiichiro's predecessor, Konoe Fumimaro, had similarly bowed out amid governmental failures, chiefly the unmet ambitions in the Sino-Japanese War that he had boldly promised to parliament, exacerbating domestic political and economic woes. Days ago, when Wang Pengsheng briefed Chiang on Japan's turbulent politics, he quipped: "Konoe said three months to destroy China; three months didn't work, nor three years, who knows about 30 or 300. Hirannuma had no solutions, down in eight months. Does Abe have good ideas? How long can he be prime minister?" Indeed, Abe Nobuyuki, Hirannuma's successor, would endure a mere four and a half months before resigning in ignominy. Tonight's feast showcased Chiang's favored cuisines: delicate Jiangsu-Zhejiang dishes mingled with robust Sichuan flavors. Chiang abstained from alcohol, raising his cup in mere symbolic toasts to his guests. During the meal, as if by unspoken accord, no one broached the raging domestic battles or the volatile international landscape; conversations meandered through trivialities, skirting anything heavy or discordant, a fragile bubble of normalcy.   On September 3, Britain and France had declared war on Germany, shattering the global order in a seismic shift. Foreign newspapers already bandied the term "Second World War," a phrase that evoked freshness, exhilaration, and sheer terror in equal measure. China's diplomacy surged with newfound vigor. In April, Ambassador to the US Wang Zhengting had negotiated a $20 million loan with American banks on China's behalf. In May, Stalin responded to Chiang's overtures, agreeing to exchange arms for Chinese tea, wool, raw hides, and more. A month later, the first consignment of light and heavy weapons—including artillery and heavy machine guns—arrived via clandestine routes through Xinjiang and Mongolia, bolstering the central army's frontlines. In August, Hu Shih, Wellington Koo, and Chien Tai represented the Nationalist Government at the 19th League of Nations Assembly, laying bare the Japanese imperialists' atrocities in China before the world and rallying global forces for peace to support China's defiant stand. Soon after, British and American civic groups ignited "China Week" campaigns, pressing their governments to aid the beleaguered nation. Waves of foreign volunteers streamed in from distant shores: doctors, journalists, ordnance engineers, even retired soldiers clamoring to join the fray on the frontlines.   "If we could pull America into this war..." Through Soong May-ling's subtle, persuasive influence, Chiang allowed himself to daydream of that prosperous, dynamic young powerhouse across the vast ocean. Thus, on this Mid-Autumn night, his talk turned to America, to his correspondence with President Roosevelt regarding the "tung oil loan." That saga had unfolded the previous October; T.V. Soong had jetted to America, securing a loan with China's tung oil, a commodity scarce in the US, as collateral. China had boldly requested $400 million; America countered with $25 million, a classic tale of "ask high, settle low." Yet, the funds were secured. One success paved the way for many. Soong May-ling had once confided to Chiang: "In mobilizing US aid for China's resistance, I'll make a difference." When Chiang responded with a smile, "Thank you, Madam," he could scarcely foresee how his beautiful wife's extraordinary prowess in fulfilling this solemn vow would astonish him, etching eternal glory for Chinese women worldwide and elevating Soong May-ling to the zenith of her life's achievements.   The most direct echo of the First Battle of Changsha's thunderous saga resides in the Ninth War Zone's meticulous report on the northern Hunan and southern Hubei operations, submitted to the Chongqing Military Committee and Chiang Kai-shek himself, a faded relic now entombed amid the vast ocean of Nationalist Government military and political archives in Nanjing's Second Historical Archives of China. This document, a painstaking compilation of combat dispatches from divisions, armies, and army groups, stands as a testament to valor and sacrifice. Tragically, time's relentless march and human folly have ravaged this priceless artifact, leaving only shards and whispers to conjure the heart-wrenching inferno of that bloody clash.   "October 24, Year 28. Urgent. To Chongqing. Chairman Chiang. Secret. Submitted by Commander Xue on orders." The rice paper has yellowed to a deep, somber hue, brittle and parched; a careless touch could reduce it to dust. Some pages lie fractured, their remnants affixed to white paper, forever unable to reclaim their original wholeness. Leafing through page by page unleashes a pungent miasma, a scorched, acrid, decayed blend that assaults the senses. Traces of fire and water mar the original rice paper sheets, with countless fragments glued haphazardly to white backings, their sequences lost to eternity.   "...The Xin Qiang River spanning from Lujiao to Leishi Mountain, defending a front of over 110 li..." "Enemy 13th and 33rd Divisions, parts of the Hata Detachment, naval units, and artillery, cavalry, engineers totaling..." "...Began attacking us first with artillery... fortifications completely destroyed, then infantry charged; relying on our officers and men all resolved to coexist with the homeland..." "...And launched balloons to direct artillery... our army braved the cannons... repelled them, corpses filling the river, turning the water red..." "Division casualties also reached over a thousand... failed to inflict greater strikes and annihilate... deep inner guilt, besides vigorously training troops awaiting orders to kill the enemy..." "...Attack casualties heavy, then concentrated large forces... artillery fire so dense like continuous firecrackers for hours... released poison gas, Wang Street garrison all heroically sacrificed, then breached... Zhao Gongwu kowtows, October 15"   Zhao Gongwu commanded the 2nd Division under Zhang Yaoming's 52nd Army. This unit first held the line along the Xin Qiang River, then fell back to northeast of Fengjiang Bridge to staunch the enemy tide once more; after October 6, it hammered southward-marching Japanese from the west in the Yanglin Street and Dajing Street regions. Through these crucibles, the division bled over half its strength. A fragment of an envelope clings to a sheet of white paper, its words faintly visible: "Changsha 126-3 Zhang Yaoming," "Hunan Jinjing Air Mail," "Combat Process by..." and the like. The stamp remains remarkably intact—a philatelic gem now. Measuring 1.5 cm square, it features Sun Yat-sen's portrait at its center, inscribed "Republic of China Post" below, with "5" in the upper right, "fen" to the left, and "5" in each lower corner. I sat at the long table in the spacious, brightly lit reading room, staring vacantly, my thoughts grinding to a halt. These remnants are all that endure for posterity, of that monumental battle, of the scorching blood and vanished lives of countless unnamed Chinese soldiers. With hands that once gripped a rifle, I gently caressed those pages from a bygone era; they were cold, devoid of any lingering breath.   As the full moon of the 15th of the eighth month dissolved into the golden-red blaze of sunrise, Qin Yizhi's 195th Division had already plunged into the rugged mountains and dense forests encircling Fulinpu. Per directives from 15th Army Group Commander Guan Linzheng, the 195th was to forge a new defensive bastion centered on Fulinpu, 40 to 70 kilometers from Changsha. Their mandate: stall the Japanese southward juggernaut, granting precious time for allied forces to muster and fortify around the city. Despite the grueling all-night march, morale soared undimmed. The advance chief of staff doled out positions to each regiment, and the troops dove into fortification labors with fervent zeal. The 195th Division's unyielding stand along the Xin Qiang River had already etched preliminary glory upon this unit in its baptism of fire. "Fame in one battle" echoed as a battle cry throughout the division, where collective honor intertwined with personal valor. Honor and triumph formed the bedrock for soldiers and armies alike. Yet, another fire fueled their resolve.   On September 23, amid the Japanese forcing the Xin Qiang River, Guan Linzheng's voice crackled over the phone to Qin Yizhi: "Facing you is the 6th Division." The 6th Division, a name that ignited fury in Chinese troops and civilians, forever linked to the demonic specter of Tani Hisao. Moments later, the whisper spread like wildfire through every trench: "The Japanese army that perpetrated the Nanjing Massacre is right in front." Agitation rippled through the ranks; some donned fresh uniforms and shoes from their packs, casting aside the worn; others flouted discipline to bid farewells to hometown comrades: "Today we fight to the death here; see you in the next life." "Tell my mother I died fighting the Nanjing Massacre enemies."   Some company commanders commanded their mess sergeants to expend all funds on hearty feasts. All Japanese were foes, but the 6th Division embodied a blood debt, an unforgivable vendetta; the Chinese nation does not lightly forget its tormentors. In the Xin Qiang River maelstrom, the 195th Division battled with heroic ferocity. Some soldiers, in their final breaths, murmured: "Die then; it's worth it." Others lamented slaying too few devils, gritting teeth, eyes refusing to close in eternal regret. Now under Inaba Shiro's command, the 6th Division splintered southward after breaching the Xin Qiang; roughly a thousand hounded the 195th to Fulinpu. On the morning of September 29, the Japanese blundered into the 195th's meticulously laid ambush. Qin Yizhi, pulse racing with excitement and tension, fumbled the binoculars from his guard's hand. His command sliced the air: "Begin." War history chronicles: "The 6th Division advanced south from the Miluo River along the Xinshi-Liqiao road and Xinshi-Fulinpu routes. The over a thousand reaching Fulinpu were ambushed by the Nationalist 195th Division, suffering heavy losses." As Japanese artillery and aircraft unleashed hell upon the 195th's positions, Qin orchestrated a swift southward withdrawal to the environs of Shangshan City. Again, without pause, they erected fortifications and set deadly traps.   On the morning of September 30, the pursuers from Fulinpu closed in on Shangshan, their numbers swollen to over 1,500. Qin Yizhi clenched his jaw, his demeanor icy calm, allowing the Japanese to creep into the kill zone before barking: "Hit them hard!" Combat raged from dawn to dusk, obliterating over 700 foes. Qin ascended a hill, surveying through binoculars, then erupted: "Bad! The enemy is retreating." Upon receiving Qin's telegram, Guan Linzheng scrutinized the map, momentarily stunned, then replied: "Enemy shows no retreat signs yet; proceed per original plan. Your unit to block at Shangshan City line until October 2." Xianning, Okamura Yasuji's 11th Army HQ.   Combat maps bristled with markings, staff officers darting amid ringing phones and clattering telegrams. The colossal red arrow in northern Hunan had fractured into tributaries, surging over 100 km southward from the outset; one tendril pierced to Yong'an City, a mere 30 km from Changsha. Vast swaths of northern Hunan lay conquered, yet Okamura sensed the tide turning, it was time to retreat. The Chinese employed their time-honored gradual resistance, battling while retreating with cunning grace. Some units fell back directly, others amassed on flanks—what portent did that hold? In Okamura's shrewd mind loomed an equally shrewd Xue Yue; he envisioned his adversary methodically weaving a snare.   Post-Yingtian landing, the 15th Army Group's timely evasion had unraveled his "Xiang-Gan Operation Plan" like fragile thread. If encircling and annihilating the Chinese main force proved unattainable, what purpose in pressing onward? Telegrams from 3rd Division's Fujita Susumu, 6th's Inaba Shiro, and 13th's Tanaka Seiichi piled on his desk, pleading to assault Changsha—for headlines and Imperial accolades, perhaps, but blind to their exposed supply lines vulnerable to enemy thrusts? Ground logistics teetered on collapse; the air force resorted to airdrops for isolated regiments. Venturing further south would stretch lines to breaking; a severed artery spelled doom for the vanguard. When would these commanders mature into true stewards of the Imperial Army? Okamura fretted and pitied them in equal measure.   At 4 p.m. on September 30, Okamura decreed a halt to advances at Shangshan and Yong'an. He commenced orchestrating the retreat. Changsha, Yuelu Mountain, Ninth War Zone Command Forward HQ. October 1. Xue Yue stood before the map, Guan's latest telegram clutched in hand. Qin's second missive insisted on Japanese withdrawal, corroborated by 15th Army Group scouts from Yingtian: This morning (October 1), Japanese transports unloaded artillery stowed the previous night, hauling it back to Yueyang; intercepted wires revealed a regiment aborting its southward push, standing idle. Guan assessed the mosaic and commanded counteroffensives: intercept if feasible, pursue relentlessly, deny the Japanese escape; he relayed retreat indicators to Xue. Xue paced the chamber, head bowed in contemplation. Chief of Staff Wu Yizhi, Staff Director Zhao Zili, and their cadre tracked his every step with expectant eyes, awaiting the verdict. Xue's thoughts whirled through military stratagems and beyond.   Pre-war, Xue had segmented the war zone's forces into tripartite blocs: Northern Hunan under Guan Linzheng's 15th, Yang Sen's 27th, and Shang Zhen's 20th Army Groups as "A Cluster"; Northern Jiangxi Nanchang with Yunnan Army Lu Han's 1st Army Group and the 74th Army as "B Cluster"; the Wuning, Xiushui, Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border guarded by Sichuan Army Wang Lingji's 30th Army Corps, Fan Songpu's Border Advance Army, and 8th Army; augmented by 3 armies' 7 divisions in general reserve. Before the storm broke, Xue pored over maps, tracing every mountain, river, road, and bridge, envisioning burial grounds for the invaders.   Now, beneath Changsha, 200,000 troops formed a tightening net. The "decisive battle in Changsha suburbs" blueprint had been wired to Chongqing. Chiang and the nation yearned for a resounding triumph as the resistance pivoted into a new epoch?! A masterful drama, honed over half a month's toil, neared its crescendo; yet that cunning fox appeared to sniff the trap's metallic tang, freezing in place. "Commander, phone from Minister Chen." "Brother Boling, good news." Chen Cheng's voice brimmed with levity, "Your formal appointment published. What? Ninth War Zone Commander! First to congratulate; document tomorrow." Shedding the "acting" prefix was inevitable; Chiang had intimated as much long ago. But for a man and general, true worth lay not in titles, but in forging indelible feats. Splendor was judged not by underlings, colleagues, or superiors, but by peers in the craft of war.   Unmoved by the promotion, Xue exhaled a profound sigh. Though the 15th's intelligence couldn't confirm a wholesale retreat, preparations for dual contingencies were imperative. Victories came hard; a splendid battle, harder still. He summoned Wu Yizhi and Zhao Zili to devise countermeasures for the enemy's potential flight. October 2, Sichuan Army Yang Sen's 27th Army Group, Yang Gancai's 134th Division special service company, under Company Commander Wan Mingyu, slogged through the profound mountains and forests on the northern Mufu Mountains' flanks. The 134th's covert mandate: infiltrate enemy rear via treacherous terrain, sabotage supply arteries in the Chongyang-Xianning sector, and deliver a dagger to the Japanese spine when opportunity struck, bolstering frontal defenses.   Past 3 p.m., a crystalline mountain stream materialized. Wan decreed a respite. Over 100 soldiers, drained from a half-day's ascent, collapsed like puppets with severed strings. Most propped their torsos with rifles in one hand, fanning hats to ward off the relentless forest mosquitoes with the other. Regaining breath, they devoured rations washed down with stream water. Some unfurled towels and ventured downstream, letting the cool flow rinse away layers of sweat. Then, a muted engine drone encroached from the heavens. Wan peered through the foliage: a low-flying plane vectored southward, its wings emblazoned with the Rising Sun.   A transport; Wan recognized the temporary Japanese airfield near Xianning. With lines overextended, airdrops sustained isolated units. Wan was prying open a can with his bayonet, the tip etching a cross on the lid before levering along the edge; paired with a rice ball, it promised a savory repast. His orderly proffered a cup of fresh stream water; 2nd Platoon Leader Hu Yaozong perched nearby on a rock, smirking, poised to pilfer from the opened tin. Wan warded off this Sichuan Pixian compatriot. The plane droned overhead then.   Both glanced skyward; the platoon quipped: "Open quick, damn, I'll repay two cans later." Commander: "Want cans? Sky has; shoot plane down, enough for two lifetimes, bloat your mother-in-law first." The can hailed from a prior supply raid. Platoon: "You want me to shoot the plane?" Commander: "Bastard! You shooting or not?" The platoon snatched the light machine gun from a tree fork, jamming the butt against his belly, one hand on the grip, aiming crudely: "Come down, you turtle son!" The other hand squeezed the trigger. Wan assumed jest, resuming his task. "Da-da-da..." Wan jolted; the half-opened can tumbled to his feet, spilling Japanese fish onto Chinese soil. Recoil floored the platoon; he hurled the gun like a branding iron, face ashen. Inspecting the trigger, he snarled: "Whose damn fault, why no safety?!" The gunner dashed over; tall and even-tempered: "Safety was on; how'd it fire without pulling?" Wan's initial panic: "Damn! Position exposed."   The company spearheaded the division's reinforced regiment to raze a recent Japanese depot, guarded by a mere company—but exposure doomed the regiment deep in hostile territory. The assault had been plotted for days; pre-departure, Yang Gancai had toasted them. Wan had sworn a blood oath: No return to Sichuan without success. Hu had jested then: "No Sichuan return means wanting Hunan girl as concubine." Banter was fine in peace, but in war's grip, this was no trifling errand. Wan unleashed a torrent of curses, rising to survey the environs. The main force lagged 15 km behind; advance or abort post-blunder? Enemy rear was a labyrinth; this isolated band teetered on a razor's edge. As if to compel a choice, the radio operator approached; Wan itched to lash out. In his fury and indecision, a miracle unfolded.   The transport's engines hacked like a consumptive invalid, then a witness spied the plane banking left, plummeting, its nose inexorably toward a colossal rock 3-4 km distant. It rebounded twice on the stone, nose and left wing crumpling; the fuselage, fragile as parchment, tumbled gently, skewing onto the slope amid splintered trees. Wan gaped, then bellowed: "Assemble!" The men snapped from reverie, charging downhill in a frenzied cascade. One hour later, 134th Deputy Commander and Reinforced Regiment Commander Liu decoded Wan's vanguard transmission via radio. Another hour passed before Liu received Yang Gancai's directive: Abort Mountain Leopard operation; return with documents expeditiously. One day hence, October 3, Okamura Yasuji's original retreat order from October 2 dawn, addressed to northern Hunan's 6th, 33rd Divisions, Nara and Uemura Detachments, plus its Chinese translation, landed on Xue Yue's desk.   Fifteen days later, at the Changsha Victory Celebration, unit accolades were proclaimed; for "shooting down enemy plane, obtaining vital enemy documents," meritorious honors went to 134th Commander Yang Gancai and Deputy Liu. Each received 1000 yuan and one 3rd Class Baoding Medal. Okamura's October 2 order original: Chinese forces retreated to Miluo and Xiushui Rivers banks assembling; to avoid disadvantage, this army should quickly withdraw to original positions, restore combat strength.   Withdrawal plan as follows: … Xue's October 3 order original:   "Northern Hunan frontal units with current posture immediately pursue facing enemy fiercely, must capture in Chongyang-Yueyang south area. ... Pursuit units may detach part to monitor and sweep enemy collection troops; main force execute overtaking pursuit... Already deep behind enemy advance units vigorously destroy enemy transport lines, cut escape routes."   From October 3, Chinese forces unleashed ferocious counteroffensives against the Japanese on three fronts: northern Hunan, southern Hubei, and the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border; the invaders receded like a vanishing tide, never to reclaim their ground. The 25th and 195th Divisions hounded the 6th Division and Nara Detachment from Fulinpu back to the Miluo River, then to the Xin Qiang River. On October 8, the Japanese fled across the Xin Qiang; the 195th's 566th Brigade surged in pursuit, launching a nocturnal raid on Xitang-Jianshan. Gains were modest, but the enemy, entrenched in their den, resisted with feral tenacity. Qin commanded the brigade's withdrawal southward; northern Hunan operations concluded.   In southern Hubei, the 79th Army chased remnants of the 33rd Division from Sanyan Bridge to Pingjiang, across Nanjiang Bridge, hounding them back to their Tongcheng lair. On the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border, 30th Army Group Commander Wang Lingji orchestrated a pincer against Japanese at Xiushui. The foes retreated to Sandu, mounting a stubborn defense. Chinese assaults faltered for three days; on the fourth night's blitz, victory crowned their efforts, expelling the invaders to their original Wuning stronghold. With both armies reclaiming pre-war lines, the First Battle of Changsha drew to its resounding close.   Over days, Xue Yue received a deluge of congratulatory telegrams and letters from the Nationalist Government, Military Committee, National Assembly, myriad civic groups, party officials, and social luminaries. As hoped, among them was Chiang Kai-shek's effusive missive, brimming with joy. For Xue Yue, this one sufficed. Chiang Kai-shek's telegram to Xue Yue:   "In this northern Hunan campaign, over half the enemy was annihilated. The triumphant news has invigorated the nation, all due to effective command and soldiers' valor; I commend without reservation. Thoroughly investigate and report meritorious personnel from this battle; also report the dead and wounded for awards and relief. With this initial victory foundation laid, our officers and men's responsibilities grow heavier; urge your subordinates to extra vigilance, redoubled effort, avoiding arrogance or complacency, to amass great achievements, my deepest hopes."   As if countering Chongqing's high-powered broadcasts, Japanese radios in Wuhan, Nanjing, Beiping, and Manchukuo blared at full volume: "In this Xiang-Gan operation, valiant Imperial forces penetrated over 100 km into northern Hunan, sweeping anti-peace elements, routing Chinese central main forces, inflicting over 40,000 enemy casualties, a pivotal triumph advancing the holy war. Having achieved objectives, Imperial troops have victoriously withdrawn..."   In the aftermath of the First Battle of Changsha, the Japanese high command spun a tale of calculated restraint, insisting their assault was merely a spoiling raid, a calculated jab never intended to seize and hold the city indefinitely. With brazen confidence, they downplayed their toll, claiming a mere 850 souls lost to death and 2,700 wounded in the fray, while boastfully asserting they had slain 44,000 Chinese defenders and taken 4,000 captive, painting a picture of overwhelming triumph amid the smoke and ruin. Yet, foreign military observers, peering through the fog of propaganda with detached scrutiny, painted a starkly different canvas. They gauged Chinese losses at a far more tempered 20,000 killed and wounded, a heavy but bearable scar on the nation's resolve, while estimating Japanese casualties soared to around 30,000, a grievous hemorrhage that belied the invaders' claims of minimal sacrifice. Military historian Michael Clodfelter, sifting through the annals of conflict, ventured an even grimmer tally: a staggering 50,000 Japanese casualties endured in the relentless clash, a testament to the ferocity of Chinese resistance and the high price of imperial ambition. In the battle's locale, neither side claimed clear victory, but globally for the resistance, it favored China. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The First Battle of Changsha unfolded in September 1939 during China's War of Resistance Against Japan. Japanese forces under Okamura Yasuji advanced into Hunan and Jiangxi, crossing rivers and capturing key positions like Yingtian amid fierce Chinese defenses led by Xue Yue. 

PREVIEW FOR LATER. GUEST: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman explores security in Low Earth Orbit, highlighting military interests in inspecting and capturing satellites. He expresses concern over potential government overregulation of space traffic, which is currently managed efficiently by the private companies. (4)1957

Mattel is coming for the crown with aggressive pricing on new Masters of the Universe figures, while Hasbro's stock takes a hit. In this episode of Wins and Wiffs, we dive into the $10 Skeletor that might change the game, a rare Barnyard Commandos find, and a 1983 Taiwan Boba Fett. Plus, Chris shares a wild story about a $3,000 vintage Scareglow that turned out to be a "stolen" item—sort of. Stick around to see if your favorite line made the Win or Wiff list this week!

What to know before doing a big project at your home. Proper tile installation. The shingle installation process. When to repair or replace siding. Inspecting insulation in new construction homes. Facts on home flipping. Dealing with ice forming on your home. Finding the right front door for you. Properly cleaning shingles. Preferred deck material. Contact Andy at lindusconstruction.com or you can call 844-9lindus.

Spring is here, and you know what that means—time to dust off the old maintenance checklist and give your home some TLC! In our latest chat, Eric G and John Dudley dive into the do's and don'ts of spring home maintenance, from clearing debris around your outdoor AC unit to checking on those sneaky window wells. We've been sharing this checklist for over 15 years, and let me tell you, it's a life-saver! Whether you're a seasoned DIY-er or just trying to avoid a costly disaster, we've got your back with tips that can save you a pretty penny and keep your house happy. So grab your notepad (or just head to our website for the download), and let's get your home ready for the sunny days ahead! Springtime is here, and you know what that means—time to tackle that home maintenance checklist! Eric G and John Dudley dive into the nitty-gritty of getting our homes ready for the sunny days ahead. They've been doing this for ages, and they're here to share their wisdom. From clearing debris around your outdoor AC unit (because we definitely don't want to fry that expensive piece of equipment!) to inspecting window wells and gutters for any signs of wear and tear, they cover it all. Think of this checklist as your home's spring cleaning ritual, but instead of dusting off knick-knacks, we're getting our abodes ready to weather whatever crazy weather comes our way. Eric shares tales of unfortunate plants meeting their demise due to unexpected frosts, while John throws in some tech-savvy tips on maintaining those energy-efficient appliances. It's a blend of practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a touch of humor that makes this episode a must-listen for any homeowner looking to keep their space in tip-top shape!Takeaways:Spring is the perfect time to clean the outdoor AC unit and ensure nothing blocks airflow, preventing costly repairs later.Be sure to clear out gutters and downspouts to avoid water damage to your home, as even a little blockage can cause big problems.Regularly check and replace weatherstripping on doors and windows to keep the energy bills down and comfort up.Inspecting your foundation for cracks and checking if they're stable can save you from a potential $77,000 repair down the road.Don't forget to clean those window screens and appliances—neglect can lead to bigger headaches and expenses later on.Make sure to schedule an inspection of your roof and gutters at least once a year to catch issues before they snowball.Links referenced in this episode:aroundthehouseonline.comredwingshoes.comCompanies mentioned in this episode:Red WingThanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listenIf you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.Mentioned in this episode:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see every part of the project for Blacktail Ranch Exciting collaboration alert! This playlist documents our joint project renovating Cam Anderson's new farm property on Blacktail Ranch—the home base for his adventures beyond the workshop. Cam (the woodworking wizard behind Blacktail Studio, with millions of fans loving his epoxy tables, live-edge builds, and creative furniture tutorials) is stepping into brand-new territory: his first-ever full home renovation and remodel. From the charming (but dated) farmhouse with its "lead paint chic" vibes to tackling structural updates, layout changes, and modern upgrades, we're transforming this 17-acre property into a functional, beautiful living space. I'm Eric G from Around the House, bringing my remodeling, construction, and design expertise to guide the process—planning layouts, solving real-world renovation challenges, handling the practical home improvement side, and making sure the build is smart, efficient, and homeowner-friendly. Expect step-by-step progress, honest discussions on budgets/timelines/hiccups, tool tips, design decisions, and the fun dynamic of blending Cam's woodworking flair with pro remodeling know-how. Whether you're a Blacktail Studio fan curious about Cam's new chapter, a DIYer tackling your own home reno, or just love watching big transformations, this series is for you! https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthehouseEricG/playlistsBlacktail Ranch Subscribe to the podcast Make sure and Subscribe on your favorite podcast player or the link below! Podcast Subscribe 2026Subscribe to the podcast Make sure and Subscribe on your favorite podcast player or the link below! Podcast Subscribe 2026Check out our New YouTube channel @AroundtheHouse HQ Make sure you subscribe and RING THE BELL for our brand new channel with 4k content! Click the link to take you there! YouTube Around the House HQInstaBid: Stop losing jobs to slow estimates Turn 3 hours of manual estimating into 5 minutes. Real material prices. Real labor rates. Professional PDF quotes delivered instantly. Try it free at instabid.pro. Use code ATH50 for 50% off your first month. That's instabid.pro — code ATH50InstabidInstaBid: Stop losing jobs to slow estimates Turn 3 hours of manual estimating into 5 minutes. Real material prices. Real labor rates. Professional PDF quotes delivered instantly. Try it free at instabid.pro. Use code ATH50 for 50% off your first month. That's instabid.pro — code ATH50InstabidTake a second and leave us a review on your favorite podcast player! Quick favor—if you're enjoying the show, the absolute best way you can support us is by leaving a quick review on your favorite podcast player.

Understanding Foot Rot Management in Sheep with Jim WalshIn this episode of Farms Advice with Jack Cresswell, Jim Walsh, a seasoned veterinarian and technical advisor for Cooper's Animal Health, shares his extensive insights into foot rot in sheep, its diagnosis, prevention, and the role of vaccines like Footvax. Whether you're a sheep producer or involved in industry regulation, these practical strategies will help you manage this endemic disease effectively.Key Topics Covered:The prevalence and regional differences of foot rot in Australian sheepThe biology and diversity of Dichelobacter nodosus strains and their virulenceThe history and evolution of foot rot regulation and management policiesWhen and how to implement Footvax as part of a vaccination programThe importance of biosecurity, quarantine, and establishing a surveillance planTechniques for identifying infected sheep and deformed feetThe role of genetics and culling in building resilient flocksInfrastructure investments such as foot baths and outyards to reduce challengeThe future of foot rot control and harmonizing policies across statesPractical tips for early detection and diagnosis, including online resourcesTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to foot rot in sheep and industry relevance 02:44 - Jim Walsh's background and expertise in foot rot 06:37 - Impact of regional conditions on foot rot prevalence 11:09 - Changes in regulation and access to foot rot vaccines 13:13 - Addressing stigma and encouraging proactive disease management 16:18 - Strain diversity of Dichelobacter nodosus and vaccine efficacy 20:13 - Vaccination strategies: timing, frequency, and herd-specific plans 22:06 - Inspecting feet and managing infected sheep during eradication efforts 24:26 - Infrastructure investments: foot baths and paddock rotation 26:36 - Building resistant flocks through genetics and culling 30:47 - The role of biosecurity in preventing spread via sheep movement 33:55 - Future policies, regulation harmonization, and industry collaboration 36:07 - Resources for diagnosing foot rot and avoiding chronic cases 37:06 - What working across states teaches us about industry improvement 39:26 - Core advice for farms: nutrition, management, and genetic selection 42:36 - Final thoughts and the importance of continued industry educationResources & Links:Footvax Vaccine - Cooper's Animal HealthManaging Footrot in Sheep - South Australia ResourcesAustralian Sheep Veterinary ManualDiagnostic Resources for Footrot - State Veterinary AuthoritiesConnect with Jim Walsh:LinkedInTwitterCooper's Animal HealthThis episode offers a comprehensive overview tailored for sheep producers and industry professionals aiming to proactively manage foot rot, reduce stigma, and improve farm profitability through science-backed strategies. This episode was sponsored by MSD and Coopers Animal Health. Follow to keep the conversation flowingFollow Jack on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cressy__/ and Twitter https://x.com/jcressw3 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@farmsadvice Follow Farms Advice - https://instagram.com/farmsadvice Join the Farmers Only Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/farmsadvice For more like this go to https://farmsadvice.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a right and wrong way to perform a home inspection? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in the home inspection industry — whether there are absolute truths when it comes to inspection standards, reporting methods, and professional judgment. And there's nobody better than Joey McPeek of Peek Home Inspections to speak on the topic. Well known and well respected in the Boise real estate market, Joey's build a reputation for shooting straight... and also pushing back on conventional home inspection norms. We discuss: ✔ Are there objective "right" and "wrong" ways to inspect a home? ✔ How much interpretation is involved in a home inspection report? ✔ Standards of Practice vs. personal inspection style ✔ Risk management and liability considerations ✔ Should the home buyer be present during the inspection? ✔ Pros and cons of buyer attendance at inspections From buyer presence at inspections to gray areas in defect evaluation, this episode explores how inspectors balance professionalism, liability, ethics, and client education. Whether you're a new home inspector, a seasoned professional, considering entering the inspection industry, or a homebuyer wondering what to expect during an inspection... this conversation breaks down the realities behind "right vs wrong" in the field, challenges assumptions, and explores how to balance ethics, standards, communication, and client expectations. If you're serious about improving your inspection process, client communication, and professional standards, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupBushbalm co-founder David Gaylord returns for his third appearance on the pod — and he brought receipts.The brand just pulled off one of the most impressive growth runs in DTC:70% YoY revenue growth18,000+ waxing salon accounts (up from 2,000 in 2023)Expanded shelf space at Ulta BeautyFocused DTC growth (+25%) while spending less on MetaWe unpack how they've built a growth machine that's lean, durable, and built on word of mouth — not channel sprawl.For DTC brands thinking bigger than Meta ads.Why their pro channel is the ultimate word-of-mouth flywheelHow they invest $200K+ into retail the right wayWhat goes into planning a product launch 2 years outWhy pulling back on Meta actually helped retentionHow exclusivity (not everywhere all at once) became their moatWho this is for: Brands navigating retail, trade marketing, or B2B scaleWhat to steal:How to anchor your retail bet on ONE whale by building deepBuild demand from the pros outwardTreat your best partners like real channels (with loyalty perks + exclusive SKUs)Timestamps00:00 Bushbalm's 70% growth and shift to profitability02:30 Why retail and the pro channel now drive the business06:20 Going deep with one key retailer instead of many09:40 How trade marketing and in-store displays impact sales12:30 DTC growth, Meta ads, and changing channel priorities18:00 Launching exclusive products through the pro channel22:00 Simplifying DTC assortments to improve performance25:00 Category rewiring in hair removal and skincare31:40 Expanding shelf space versus adding new retailers37:00 Building a sustainable, profitable growth engineHashtags#DTCPodcast #Bushbalm #DavidGaylord #DTC #Ecommerce #RetailStrategy #BeautyBrand #FounderJourney #RetailMarketing #ProChannel #UltaBeauty #BrandGrowth #Omnichannel Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

WATERING MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FROM THE JANUARY 2026 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY JOSH HENRY NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS   EXCERPT: Assessing irrigation needs: Good, better, best—Think of irrigation decisions as a hierarchy: Bad: Watering by timer Good: Checking surface color Better: Picking up pots to gauge weight Even better: Inspecting roots and using the 1-to-5 scale Best: Water by weight—real data drives decisions Read the Digital Edition: https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/gt_26_01/index.aspx

In today's world of the mega pass like Epic and Ikon, small independent ski resorts are struggling to survive. But one of the oldest ski resorts in America – in one of the snowiest places on Earth – is thriving. Founded in 1939 by Hannes Schroll and funded by Walt Disney, Sugar Bowl Resort on Donner Summit has welcomed both families and hardcore skiers for generations, offering a friendly, laid back vibe and expert terrain. In Episode 78, we spin yarns with Sugar Bowl CEO, Bridget Legnavsky – a CEO who absolutely shreds on skis – discussing a recent $100 million investment, helping “The Bowl” stay competitive against Epic and Ikon resorts while honoring its blend of European and American traditions. We also chat about why Bridget thinks Sugar Bowl is one of the most unique resorts in the world, the differences between her home country of New Zealand and America, the future sustainability of skiing, why Lake Tahoe isn't more of an international ski destination, and if Summit Chair will spin more than 3 days this year. 2:30 – Recording from Sugar Bowl Resort.4:30 – Last episode, zero snow. This episode, 10+ feet of snow. Instant winter.7:00 – Dangerous snow conditions – lots of avalanches. Inspecting a slide at Latopie Lake near Sonora Pass with Bridgeport Avalanche Center.11:30 – Fatal snowmobile-triggered avalanche on Castle Peak. Reel the program back.14:25 – Ski Patrol fatality at Mammoth Mountain during the post-Christmas storm.15:20 – Telluride ski patrol went on strike and are still on strike.17:30 – Interviewing Bridget Legnavsky, CEO of Sugar Bowl Resort.19:50 – If you're a snowmobiler – get educated. Understand the risks of the backcountry.21:40 – New amenities at Sugar Bowl – new deck, locker room, restaurant and Ratskeller area.25:13 – What are some of Bridget's favorite Kiwi slang words?26:05 – What words do New Zealanders use to describe snow conditions?27:30 – Sugar Bowl community is heavily into performing music.29:20 – Bridget's first winter was the winter of 2022-23, one of the biggest in Sierra history.30:45 – Working as a ski instructor in Japan, Europe, Breckenridge and Aspen, Colorado.33:50 – What makes Sugar Bowl unique in the ski industry?35:30 – How did Bridget find Sugar Bowl?37:30 – The unique structure of Sugar Bowl – owned by homeowners.43:30 – Replacing the village gondola – a $50 million project. 48:30 – Misconceptions about mountain operations and ski patrol.54:04 – The rising operational cost of running a ski resort.58:20 – Are the Vail Epic Pass and Alterra Ikon Pass the biggest threats to the future of Sugar Bowl?1:05:45 – What's the difference between Kiwis and Aussies?1:07:45 – How has the family adapted to American life?1:09:00 – Are there things Americans can take from New Zealand culture and vice versa?1:12:30 – Are you a shoveler or a packer?1:14:30 – What is the vision for the future of Sugar Bowl?1:19:00 – Listener questions: What's up with Summit chair lift?1:21:20 – What is Sugar Bowl doing to keep skiing affordable for families?1:23:30 – Paying more for a season pass but getting a lesser experience.1:25:40 – Why is Lake Tahoe not an international destination ski market? 1:32:00 – Ease of access to skiing in the Tahoe region is second to none.1:35:15 – Where do you see Sugar Bowl in 20 years?1:39:40 – Dope or Derp Sugar Bowl report card.1:48:30 – Why has the season pass purchase turned into a March thing instead of fall?1:50:40 – Does Sugar Bowl have plans to expand mountain bike trails in the summer?1:54:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

Does Torah Obligate Inspecting Our Heart? | TORAH FOUNDATION (10) https://youtu.be/aNDPIAaVbM8After clarifying that logical reason shows us the obligation to inspect our hearts, the Chovot HaLevavot brings us to what the Torah has to say about it, and whether it is a suggestion or an obligation. Through that, we will explore the Torah Hearts of some of our sages and get an inclination of their greatness, as well as how we can apply some of this to our lives. In a world of confusion and ignorance, the Chovot HaLevavot is unveiling our eyes to see the beauty of the truth of Torah, and how it can be fulfilled and enjoyed by each of us today. Enjoy, Learn, Share and Be Holy.

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 1 Surviving a horrible plague has unusual conditions. Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Forward: This story occurs within the Quaranteam universe created by CorruptingPower. If you have not red the original, or any of the other spinoffs, they are highly recommended. That is not required to understand this story, they're just good, and a lot of fun. This fictional drama coincides with the timing of the 2nd wave outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic. The modified cold virus escaped from a Chinese laboratory and directly killed more than 7 million people, but is suspected of indirectly causing the early deaths of over 20 million, in about 24 months. The DuoHalo virus that this series of novels pertains to, is far more deadly, and can only be combatted with a gene therapy injection, but it wears off in just days, unless followed up by human hormones, and only through a continual booster through both male and female genital fluids. Only the female body is capable of enduring the inoculation gene therapy dose, but she still needs the catalyst of male genital fluids, which then activates both physical and psychological mutations. Her libido goes into hyper drive. The corresponding male partner also absorbs the hormone-based anti-viral, by absorbing the woman's rich antiviral genital fluids. The world order undergoes a fundamental rest, and the fight for survival of the species becomes dependent on heterosexual mating ‘bareback', with women devoting themselves to monogamy, while men retain a capacity to be the catalyst for however many females their stamina allows. The most notable psychological mystery is the absence of female jealousy and possessiveness. Cohabitation is an essential accommodation to make the treatment work. Chapter 1. September 18, 2020. Dave Belsus sat on the floor of his hallway texturing the wall over the patch he'd installed a few days earlier. It had taken a sizable piece of sheetrock (from a layman's perspective) to repair the big gaping hole in his wall. There wasn't really a right or wrong pattern to the texturing and Dave was simultaneously restless and reluctant to move on to a different task. He finally stood, gathered his tools and materials, and hauled them down to the garage. There are still things to do. There are people depending on him. He went out to his greenhouse and stopped, closed his eyes and smelled the green. Let it soak into him. He needed to feel life around him. He just stood there for; he wasn't sure how long. Not long enough. He still felt dead inside. But he had work to do. David started harvesting some veggies to exchange with his neighbor, Lupie. Inspecting the cucumber plants, he could see two large ones were ready. He'd keep one for his own salads and send the other next door. Becca, Lupie's houseguest (once babysitter) had developed a taste for them after Dave offered one a few months ago. Several beefy tomatoes were ready, so he plucked them, keeping a few for himself. Maybe a tomato sandwich tonight or tomorrow. That'd be nice. Three heads of redleaf lettuce (he'd staggered his lettuce so a few heads were harvestable every week) were next, again, one for Dave, two for next door. Finally, a handful of strawberries were perfectly ripe. He'd let Lupie and the girls have all of those. Esme, Lupie's daughter loved strawberries. Well, who didn't? Cute little girl. Always gave Dave fierce, friendly hugs. Dave missed the farmer's markets on the weekends where he could trade or buy/sell for other varieties and veggies he didn't have space or time for. Well, now he had all sorts of time, but he still didn't have the space. Dave brought the harvested veggies into the house and sorted the veggies. Stuff for him went on the counter basket. Items for Lupie, Becca and Esme went back in the basket he'd carried into the greenhouse. Dave grabbed the basket and walked over to what had been a parlor just off his entryway. Now it was a decon area. Dave added a plasticized suit over the clothes he'd been wearing. Mid-September was still toasty in Texas, but fortunately not as bad as late August. That had been brutal. Hot enough Dave had thought about adding a water bottle with a straw to the inside of the suit. He hadn't come up with a way to attach it without breaching the suit's integrity, so he nixed the idea. He doubled down on pre-hydrating when it was absolutely necessary to go out in the damn thing. Dave gathered up the basket in the clumsy gloves. He'd gotten fairly good at manipulating medium size items while wearing the gloves. The gloves were disposable dish gloves, tucked into the suit and duct taped to it for a seal. He opened his door and crossed the lawns over to Lupie's porch. He carefully transferred the veggies over to Lupie's porch pickup box, then gathered the dozen eggs she'd left him. Lupie had several hens in a large coop in her back yard. Dave had helped her install some anti-predator devices to the top of her fence and around the coop in the before times. Being that close to Lupie was a fond memory. Nothing romantic between them, just very comfortable. And it had paid off well too. He got a dozen eggs twice a week, and sometimes a whole chicken, plucked and dressed. Sometimes even separated into parts. If he was really lucky, after bringing her some good meat, he'd get homemade tamales. Lupie was a great cook. Her cooking wasn't the only thing Dave appreciated about Lupie. Absolutely lovely inside and out. She wasn't beauty pageant pretty, she was normal girl pretty. What a lovely face to wake up to. A face that'd make a man want to come home. Nice figure too. She never wore anything too showy, but she wasn't one for baggy stuff either. Sure, she's in her early thirties and has a real job and a kid to keep track of, so she most certainly wouldn't have a washboard tummy under her shirts. Or dresses. God, Lupie looks fantastic in a dress. The way they billow around her calves always caught Dave's eye. And that hair. Long, lovely, raven black hair. Hopping back onto his own porch, Dave put the basket down and flipped on the UV lights he'd installed in the porch awning. Step one in his decontamination process. Arms straight out from his shoulders, he turned slowly. One full circle palms down, another palms up. He flipped off the light, opened the door and grabbed the basket. Inside, he stripped off the outer suit, hanging it on hooks in the entryway, set the basket in the kitchen, then went straight to the upstairs shower, the one near the unused bedrooms. Excessive? Possibly. But Dave wasn't going to be another statistic. Viruses don't negotiate. Dave didn't either. That's what Lysol was for. Not that the average person could get much of that anymore. Still, if you weed out the essential oils nuts, there were some good recipes for home sanitizers online. You just had to pay attention to the recommended duration. Some were stronger than others and didn't need to be left on a surface as long. After toweling off and tossing the towel in the hamper, Dave went to the master bedroom to put on fresh clothes. Then he went back down to wash the lettuce and cucumber and started making a small salad. Dave didn't like eating right before exertion, but he hadn't eaten in a day and a half. He need to workout the anger surging through him too. So he compromised - a small salad, then beat the crap out of imaginary opponents. Lettuce base, quartered tomato, quartered boiled egg, diced cucumber, and balsamic vinaigrette. Tasty enough that he'd finish it. Small enough he wouldn't blow chunks while he's exercising. Kitchen cleanup gave the food a little time to settle. Dave walked across the house to get his staff from the gym, then went back to the sliding glass door separating the living room from the backyard. He walked to the large flat platform in the middle of the yard, stretching his arms as he went. He stretched his legs when he got there. Then he took a several minutes with warm up motions. He ran through each of the basic strikes and defenses in a pattern he practiced at least three times a week. He repeated the sequence five times. Then he launched into a series of combination motions. Half-staff upper hand strike on the right, followed by the left. A horizontal block leading into a full staff strike starting from the lower left into the upper right. On and on. Each pattern repeated. Each repetition faster. Turning. Striking. Blocking. Faster. Dave's face, initially a blank mask, grew pained, then angry. Anger flowed into rage. In his rage, Dave lost track of his position on the platform. He unknowingly stepped off the platform. It was only two or three inches high, but that was enough. He caught his fall with his staff and avoided an unceremonious face plant. Still, the interruption pulled him out of the mental space he'd been in. His breathing was ragged. Sweat soaked his clothes, dripped from every part of his body. The air was no longer flinty, but it was still too hot for heavy, continuous exertion. He felt a small wave of nausea roll through his belly. Time to pack it in. He cleaned off the end of the staff he'd use to stop his fall, then walked inside, stowed the staff back in the gym, and went up to the master suite shower stall. The shower refreshed Dave's body. Time to give his mind something to do. Eastfield College had only partially re-opened, just a few online classes. He had one section of astronomy to teach for the folks that wanted something more exciting than physical science for their science core requirement. No one was taking chemistry or physics this semester. The chemistry instructor was still alive. She'd laid down the law in her house and they had taken lockdown seriously. They just didn't have a good substitute for teaching the lab part of the class yet. The full-time physics guy had inexplicably taken the same attitude as too many in the county. He died before the spring semester ended. The guy had a doctorate in physics, twelve published papers to his name and spent twenty years living in scientific circles. You'd think he'd know better than to fall in with the idiot brigade. Hell, maybe the college would take Dave on full time to cover the physics courses once they opened up for real. Dave logged into to the course website, checking grades in the online homework column and looking for any labs submitted by the faster, more diligent (or just bored) students. No new work since yesterday. Maybe the rest would wait until last minute on Sunday night. On no, a procrastinating college student. What a surprise! A text message notification pulled him out of his reverie. It was from Lupie. "Please say yes." He was about to reply, asking her what he was supposed to say yes to, when he heard the doorbell. Crap. Dave rushed downstairs to the door, hearing a second ring on the way down. He grabbed a mask and slipped it on quickly just before opening the door a crack with his shoulder braced against it if he needed to slam it shut again. A man in a hazmat suit stood on Dave's porch, carrying a small case and wearing what appeared to be a watch on his right wrist. "Good morning sir, my name is Arthur Samuelson, I'm with the CDC. May I come in?" "You ain't a vampire are you?" The grin on Dave's face indicated he was joking. Arthur chuckled. "No sir, just administering tests checking for DuoHalo and making arrangements for vaccination." Dave got the impression a few details were being skipped here, as if the man in front of him was easing him in with the broadest strokes first. "A vaccine? Holy shit. Yeah, come on in dude." Dave backed up and opened the door fully. After making sure the door was fully closed, Dave led Arthur to the dining room table. Arthur immediately pulled out sterile cotton swabs, the kind with wooden stems and cotton only on one end, a small box. Arthur tapped the face of the watch and then typed in a numeric sequence when a digital number pad popped up. "It's a monitor. Some folks have taken a militant approach since the lockdowns started. Every time the watch buzzes at me, I have to enter a code within 30 seconds or they send a squad of troops to my coordinates." Dave reacted briefly, but nonverbally. Well, some people try to drown the lifeguard that's there to save their ass. Whoever said we've evolved past our caveman days isn't paying attention. Arthur handed one of the hospital style cotton swabs to Dave. "Just swab the inside of your cheek very well, no brain tickling this time." Dave swabbed as instructed, then handed the stick back to Arthur. Arthur set about processing the sample and placing it in the testing device. "This will take a few minutes. While we are waiting, is there anyone else to be tested here?" "No, I live alone." "Big place." "Yeah, I . . . had other plans, but they didn't pan out. Been here by myself for a few years now. Nice neighbors, especially next door, Lupie." Dave mentioned Lupie intentionally. Given the short time span between the text and the doorbell, it was possible, but not certain, the two were connected. "Yes, I just came from there. Nice ladies." "So, are you going door-to-door doing this, like somebody selling steak knives?" Arthur guffawed. "Not quite. We used electric usage rates to determine which houses still have people living in them. Then we set routes for each test administrator for a day. Also, you're going to like what I'm offering a lot more than steak knives, but they won't all come at once." Dave chuckled, but held back a bit. "So multiple booster shots?" "Something like that." Arthur's grin was slightly cryptic, like he was hiding a joke he wasn't ready to reveal just yet. "I hate needles man. I put up with them, but I usually have to look away when I get stuck for shots or blood donations." "We'll see what we can do to make it easier on you." The cryptic grin hadn't receded. Then the box trilled a three note sequence. Arthur checked it. "Congratulations, you are virus free. Let's make arrangements to keep you safe from this thing." Arthur pressed a button on the box, which then printed out a strip of paper. He handed the strip over to Dave. "So here's the deal: you know by now DuoHalo is deadly, especially to men. Like an 80% fatality rate for us guys." Dave's eyes hooded over. "I'm aware." "Yes, well it seems directly administering the vaccine is 100% fatal to men." "How the fuck is that supposed to help? Leave a planet of Valkyries that only survives if they solve cloning or learn to create artificial semen in one generation?" Dave shouted, but managed not to rise out of his seat. Arthur leaned back somewhat, as if subconsciously giving Dave a little extra space. "No sir, we have a solution, just please hear me out." Dave calmed himself and prepared to listen to what comes after three of the worst words to hear. Whatever followed those three words was either incredibly good, or monumentally bad. Dave wasn't holding his breath for the former. "No, no, nothing like that. It turns out that women can act as intermediaries for the vaccine, sort of a buffer solution. I'm sorry, that may not - " "I know what a buffer solution is and how it functions." "Oh, excellent. You see, we have found that if a vaccinated woman has intercourse with a man, her body buffers the vaccine serum and her immunity transfers - in part - to the man." "Intercourse? As in sex?" Arthur smirked "Someone at the office started referring to this as the STV - Sexually Transmitted Vaccine." Dave rolled his eyes briefly, then closed them and shook his head. "Okay, there is a website with text and videos to explain more details, but a few more things I should say before I leave. First, it takes more than one woman to keep a man safe. That means you will have multiple women 'sharing' you." Dave's eyebrows shot up, but he kept his mouth shut and listened for now. "The vaccine also creates some kind of bond between men and women, so once they sleep with you, they can't be with another man. Ever. It's extremely dangerous for the woman." Seeing Dave start to object, Arthur rushed along "The website I gave you is a highly detailed and personal survey. Women take the same survey. The results get processed through a system called Oracle that has been rigorously tested to match people. We don't want someone stuck with a person they can't stand." Hearing this, Dave was somewhat mollified. Arthur's haste from a moment ago clearly intended to forestall Dave's objection. Of course, Arthur probably thought the concern was for Dave being stuck with an objectionable woman. Dave was equally concerned with a woman getting stuck with him. "Alright so last few questions, how much space is there in this house?" "Oh, well, I have a king size canopy bed in the master bedroom. There are four more bedrooms upstairs, two of which have twin beds in them. The other two have no furniture." "You're going to want to change that. Your first partner will likely arrive tomorrow, with more coming every week, maybe four days apart, at least until we get you up to four partners. Eventually, you will be assigned at least twelve women. Oh, and one more thing." Arthur handed Dave a plain white letter envelope bearing Dave's name in a flowing script. "Your neighbor Lupie asked me to give this to you. I'll step out to the living room to give you some privacy, but I'll need an answer before I leave." Dave was puzzled and concerned but nodded Arthur towards the couch visible through the archway separating the dining and living rooms. Dave pulled out his pocketknife and slit the envelope open. His eyes widened at the first line. First line, hell - the salutation! Dearest David, Words cannot express just how wonderful it is just to address you in that way. I don't know when I began falling for you. I can tell you that last year, when I said I wanted a man who could make a living for us so that I could stay home, raise our kids, and love him with my whole heart, I was thinking of you. Yes, I know it's a bit silly to some, since I earn quite a nice income without any help, but that does not make me feel whole. I want to love you, and Esme, and the children we have together. Yes David, I want to bear your children and raise them with you. I wanted that before all of this lockdown and death started. And now, with all that's been lost, I want to feel life in my body. I want you to put it there. I never want to be away from Esme again. I want to manage your household and love you and our children and whomever else comes into our lives with the way the world is changing. I understand from the gentleman that came to our door that the vaccine has some unusual effects, including emotional and psychological impacts. This is why I am writing to you now, before I take the vaccine. I want to make sure you know this is really what I want. Before anything affects me. I love you. I want to be with you for a lifetime. You should also know that Becca wants to be with you as well. I suspect you will have objections based on her age. Yet, you know she is incredibly mature and responsible. You know what she went through to protect Esmeralda. You know what she has suffered through. Her world is completely unmoored. You, Esme, and I are all that she has left. Your heart and your mind know these things to be true. One thing you may not be aware of - Becca considers you her hero. For so many things big and small that you have done for us during this lockdown. Besides, she's a sci-fi and gaming nerd too, you two will get along quite well if you give her a chance. I love you desperately David. Please say yes. For both of us. Forever yours, Lupie. Dave reached into his back pocket for a handkerchief to dry his eyes. Lupie wanted him all along? Images flashed through his mind. Lupie laughing in a flowy dress on a pleasant spring day. Lupie's hands touching his as they exchanged eggs or produce. Lupie bringing him a glass of ice water while he repaired her fence because he couldn't bear the thought of her blowing money on a contractor. Lupie's proud grin as he thanked her and expounded on the deliciousness of the fresh tamales she brought over late last fall. Their hands had touched then too, hadn't they? No, she touched his hand. Not an accident. Dear God what an idiot! Hell yes he wanted Lupie in his life! And she had been showing him she wanted him in hers. Then his mind turned to Rebecca. Just barely eighteen, and him already forty-six. If she were five years older, she'd still be half his age! Everything Lupie said in her letter was true though. The four of them had gotten through this lockdown together - Lupie, her nine-year-old daughter Esme, and Becca, the young babysitter that had taken on so much when this first started. Loyalty to someone that had weathered the storm with him. Sympathy for someone who'd lost her entire family, even her extended relations. Admiration of the strength, character and resilience she'd shown. Mix in a little lust, 'cuz she's kinda cute. Nerdy cute. But then, Dave is a nerd, he likes nerd girls. Among others. So the only thing holding him back was a number? He'd seen that girl show more loyalty and honor than women twice her age! David took a cleansing breath and blew it slowly out. Arthur picked up on the change, stood and strode back to the dining room. "Have you made a decision?" "Yes. I will accept them both. I'd be a fool not to. How do we do that though? You said something about a matching program?" "Right, however a man may ask for a particular woman. The computer jockeys have to do some manual work for this to happen, so it's not a common occurrence. The two profiles are run through Oracle and the woman is informed of the request, the man's brief bio, and the match percentage of their profiles. Then she can choose to assent or decline." "Sounds like something waiting to be abused." "Hmm. I don't know of any such abuse occurring. I can see the potential you're talking about, but that would require one or more well placed conspirators in one of the vaccination centers." "And that never happens?" "Not to my knowledge. Not yet anyway. I need to get going. I'll inform your neighbors you've agreed. They'll pack a small suitcase and be ready to get picked up tonight or possibly tomorrow morning. You should expect your first partner to arrive sometime tomorrow. As long as you get that profile filled out. And be ruthlessly honest. It's quite thorough. Some questions might make you a bit uncomfortable. Fudging the answers could lead to poor results. And get it in quick. As soon as - Lupie and Becca? -" Dave nodded "are entered in the system, they will be compared to you. If your profile isn't there when the programmers run the comparison, they will be given a random match." Dave nodded his understanding, then rose to walk his guest out. Guest. After all these months, isn't that a hell of a thing? "Remember man, completely, brutally honest." With that, Arthur left. Dave closed the door behind him. He pulled out his phone and started typing. Yes To both of you. The little dots started dancing while he was still typing the second line. Thank you, David! Thank you so much! I'm sorry I held back so long! I have a lot to say to you too. But I want to say it in person. To look you in the eyes. Lupie, you have made me very happy. Happier than I feel I am worthy of. I can't wait to see you again. Face to face. Dave's phone buzzed with an incoming message, but there was nothing new from Lupie. He popped back to the inbox screen, finding an entry from Becca with an image. He opened it and just stared for a moment. He blinked when he realized his mouth was hanging open. Framed in the image was Becca, clearly taking a selfie, from just above her head to the bottom of her ribcage. She was biting her bottom lip and blushing furiously. Probably because the hand not holding the phone was holding her shirt and bra pulled up above her tits. Dave was embarrassed for a moment, then decided why not savor it? Hell, he'd be sharing a bed with her. He would see more than just her pert young boobies then. He sent a thumbs up, followed by: When you're all in, you're really all in huh? ; Laugh emoji ; Yeah, is that ok? ; Do you like them? Are they too small? They're beautiful. They're a part of you, and that makes them wonderful. Always remember that your body, as lovely as it is, is merely a bonus. You won me over with the strength of your character, your courage, your resilience. ; crying emoji, heart emoji ; You make me want to come over right now. ; peach, eggplant, water spurt ; See you in a few days. ; Lover. Dave had made it back to his office and woke his computer with a quick mouse shake. As he logged in, his phone buzzed again. This time it was Lupie. ; Is everything ok? Becca is acting really skittish, and she's blushing like she's embarrassed. Didn't you say yes to her? I did and do. If she doesn't want to tell you, I won't either. Yet. ; monocled raised eyebrow emoji I promise. I'll see you both - all three of you soon. Tell Esme she's getting a big hug. ; I will. I'll have a really nice hug for you too. Looking forward to it. Oh wow. GuadaLupie Jimena Angelina Gutierrez Ramos is itching to live in his house, share a bed with him, and spend her life with him? Fairy tales .. can come true.. it can happen to you; Dave forced himself to focus. He typed in the u r l Arthur had given him. Things started out bland enough. Girls, boys, both? Ladies only. Age range? Dave's first instinct was to set the bottom age to around 25 or 30. He's forty-six for God's sake. Yeah, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out repopulation was going to be an issue, and younger women had both more years of fertility and were more fertile, so at some point, someone would force the issue and each man would be paired with some women under twenty five. But Becca. If Dave set the minimum above eighteen, she might not even get a chance to match with him. That would likely separate her from Lupie and Esme as well. But that left the door open for other teens. Well, Arthur did say women got to pick who they paired with. Fuck it. I'm not screwing over Becca. That's not even a choice. We'll deal with whatever else results as we go. By the time Dave finished the Oracle survey, his stomach was growling. He wasn't quite done yet though. He only had a bare minimum of sheets and towels, so he went online and ordered three changes of sheets for both of the twin beds (there was already one set on each now), two full-sized beds for the two unfurnished rooms, four changes of sheets for those, and four dressers. He went down to the kitchen and pulled out the half tomato left from his lunch salad and started slicing it. After making his tomato sandwich, he added some chips and pickles to the plate. He sat quietly, alone, at the table, realizing that this may be the last dinner he has by himself. Arthur said multiple women. This whole house would be full of people. Full of life. What a difference a day makes. Dave was cleaning up from breakfast the next morning when he heard a knock at the door. He had just turned the water off at the sink, so it was possible this wasn't the first knock. He rushed to the door, grabbing a mask enroute. When he opened the door, a soldier stood there with a clipboard, a young lady beside and behind him. "You David Belsus?" "I am." "Meet your new partner sir, sign here please." Dave signed by the red x. "Y'all have a good day." He tipped his ball cap bill "Ma'am" and walked off. "Hi, I'm Janice Hoppler." She stuck out her hand and Dave shook it while processing what he was seeing. She was cute, late twenties or early thirties, distinctly Korean features, and jet black hair reaching the middle of her back. Dave had marked long hair as one of his desired traits in a woman, giving it a seven out of ten priority. Short hair can be nice, but nothing is so distinctly feminine as long hair. He'd pass up big boobs if a woman had long hair. Not that he'd mind getting both. Not even a little. "Can I come inside?" Dave realized he'd been shaking her hand for a bit too long and not saying anything. "Oh, sure. Sorry, this is kinda surreal." She grinned. "Ya, I know. First a pandemic kills off a huge part of the population, and now the solution is to fuck like bunnies and every man gets like a dozen women? Sounds like some high school boy's fantasy dream." Her dark eyes danced as she laughed. Dave brought her in to sit in the living room, mindful to sit somewhat close so he didn't appear distant, but not all up in her personal space. "Yeah, well, the hard part will be keeping up with the libidos of ten or twelve women. Especially since the videos mentioned you're each going to have an accelerated sex drive." "They also said you would get some invigoration as well. But don't worry, I'll make sure your part is plenty hard so it can do its work." Janice giggled when Dave blushed and closed his eyes. "Sorry, that's not the kind of thing I'd normally say out loud, but they did say all of us ladies will wind up much more forward than we had been before." "That could be helpful, I'm not great at picking up on subtle signals. When it happens, I just think a woman is being nice, but not interested. Or I think she's interested and she's just being nice." "Well, I'm interested enough to choose to be bonded with you for the rest of my life so consider this carte blanche to get frisky anytime you feel like it." She stood, strode to his chair and planted a smoky kiss on his lips, but no tongue. Dave took a breath to recover and register that this was really happening. "So, would you like to see the place first?" "Sure." Janice took his hand as he stood. "You've seen the entryway and parlor," Dave said guiding Janice past the couch into the dining room and beyond into the kitchen. "So here's the kitchen. The small door in the corner is the pantry. Upper two cabinets next to the fridge are dry foods. The other two are dishes and glasses. Lower cabinets are pots, pans, etc." Janice sniffed the air. "You cook much? Smells like you just had breakfast." "Yeah, I had just finished dishes. Did y'all have to knock more than once?" "Twice. But that's worth it for a man that can cook." "You cook much?" "I have to follow box directions carefully to get mac n' cheese to come out decent. I can only do cakes with help from Betty or Duncan and even that is an iffy proposition. Is that a problem, that I don't cook?" "Oh no, not at all." Dave led her out of the kitchen, winding back through the dining room and living room. "Up the stairs are the bedrooms, a full bath, my office, and the master suite." Her eyes glimmered. "Shortly." He paused. "Wow, that's new, me being the one to hold off." "I can see you want it. It's kinda sexy you wanting me, but not just jumping me." "Hmm. I 'll keep that in mind." He hoped his eyes were conveying his interest. Guess they were. "So, we were talking about cooking. I love to cook and so does Lupie. Becca enjoys it I think, but she's still learning. Not bad. She made me birthday cupcakes over the summer. Of course, we had to do the careful packaging and cleaning bit. She wanted to so bad after I made her a birthday dinner and cupcakes." "Who are Lupie and Becca?" "Oh, right, my neighbors." "Oh, the Latina woman and her daughter?" "The daughter is Esme. She's nine. Becca is the eighteen year old blonde. When did you see them?" "They were loading -" Dave and Janice had just arrived at the first door off the hallway past the living room. A former guest bedroom, Dave had done some renovations, adding the closet space of the room onto the half bath and converting that into a full bath. The rest of the room he had filled with bookshelves and comfortable chairs. A few small tables sat near the chairs to rest a drink or a book on. One table bore a good-sized and fairly recent globe. A map of the U S A and a world map adorned one wall in the sitting area. And of course, all the shelves were loaded with books. Janice took a few steps into the room past Dave, who had stopped the moment she cut herself off, wondering what was wrong. When she spun to face him, he saw the look of a kid walking into a candy store with a hand full of monthly allowance. Janice swiftly crossed the small distance between them, launched her short frame into his arms and kissed him fiercely. "Fuck me. Fuck me right here, right now." Dave's brain was not keeping up with the changes. Janice wasn't waiting anyway. She quickly unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned and unzipped his pants and shoved them to his ankles, along with his boxers. She dropped to her knees and started kissing and licking his cock. As it began to fill out, she took it in her mouth and bobbed her head along its length. Dave had always been self-conscious about his cock. It wasn't anything impressive as far as he knew. It didn't help that it shrank in both length and girth in the flaccid state. A cheating ex-wife didn't help things either. And yet, here was this beautiful woman, on her knees, hungry for his cock. Janice's eyes rolled back in her head and a deep, guttural moan issued from her chest. She stilled for a moment, falling back with her ass on her heels. She looked like she might fall over, so Dave took hold of her shoulders. After a minute or so, She looked up at him, happy and hungry. "That. was. Awesome!" Then her eyes zeroed in on his cock again, taking the same look as a hawk spying a squirrel. He was fully erect now. Janice rose up enough to shove his hips. "On the ground baby. Time to finish this. Make me your horny little bitch for life." Dave lay down, Janice not even waiting until he was all the way down to crawl up his body and straddle him. The sensations he picked up from the tip of his cock as she settled herself told him she wore no panties under her loose skirt. She quickly lined him up with her entrance and sat back forcefully. "Fuck yeah. This thing feels so damn good baby. God, how the hell are you still single? I'd fucking sell my soul to you if you promised to fuck me." She started rising a bit, then shoving herself back down, then grinding her clit against him. "Fucking perfect fucking thickness and length. I feel so stuffed, and not painful." She placed her palms over his nipples and began focusing her efforts on riding up and down, her breathing getting ragged. Janice emitted several moans and grunts as she worked herself and Dave up to a pinnacle. For his part, Dave was just hoping to last long enough for her to enjoy this. It had been a while since he'd been with a woman and Rosy Palm just isn't the same. He felt his pleasure rising rapidly and focused on holding it back. Just then she threw her head back and howled in pleasure as her inner muscles ran riot gripping him. He crested too, shooting up into her. Her howl nearly became a scream, her whole body shaking, seizing. Dave grasped her torso at the bottom of her ribcage to give her some stability. She collapsed like a ragdoll, her arms, limbs and neck going limp, dangling from her still vertical body in Dave's hands. Dave lowered her body to his and gently rolled them over, one hand behind her head to keep it from flopping around. He pulled up his boxers and pants so his legs could move enough to stand. Doing so, he tucked himself back in and fastened his pants. Dave crouched beside his sleeping beauty, gave her a soft kiss on her forehead, then scooped her into his arms and carried her up to the master bedroom. He laid her out gently on top of the covers and draped a light blanket over her. Then he went back to his computer to watch some of the videos he had skipped. Clearly, he had missed a few important facts. Janice has Dave all to herself for one day. Chapter 2 - Janice's Day. September 19, 2020. Dave fought the urge to go straight to his computer and watch more videos on this vaccine. He'd anticipated the chanting of 'imprinting' but he'd skipped over the parts of the videos on sexual effects, thinking it would wait, or not even matter. That reaction was not natural. Okay, he's somewhat decent in bed, but that shit was next level, pornstar stuff. No way a woman got that excited over his crank. Before he could go video surfing, he needed to get over and feed Lupie's chickens. No telling when they'd be back, probably tomorrow, and the chickens had to get fed. At least he wouldn't need to truss up. He wasn't running into anyone else. Dave slipped through the fence gate separating Lupie's front yard from her backyard. She left it unlocked all the time. Dave only mentioned it once, and then remained low-level worried for her when she never locked it. Dave was pulled out of his musing by a low growl. In the backyard, glaring at him, was a large dog, a mutt with a lineage that ran thick and muscular. The eyes looked somewhat red, but the muzzle showed clear evidence of dried blood. Most likely a neighbor had died, thus cutting of the dog's food supply. It broke out of its own backyard and had been killing other dogs, cats or squirrels thus far. Now it was thinking squab for breakfast and Dave had just interrupted. Well, first good news, no foaming at the mouth so it's probably not rabid. Still a good idea to not get bit though. Holding stock still, Dave scanned the area, moving his eyes only, searching for anything that could be helpful. Ironically, Dave had a number of weapons at home that would have solved this little problem for the neighborhood. Not that they were doing him any good right now. A shop broom. Lupie kept a shop broom on the back porch, and it was just a few feet away. Well that's something. Dave took a small step sideways and the growling turned to a couple of loud barks. The dog leaned to one side, as if anticipating the need to intercept Dave running sideways. Dave's hand reached out slowly, causing the dog to bark harshly and take two steps closer. Dave's hand connected with the broom. When he began pulling the broom to him, the dog charged, open mouth, teeth bared. Feeling a little ridiculous, Dave snapped into ready position, the brush part of the broom held low. He thrust the broom under the dog's muzzle, the bristles splaying out absurdly. The dog reared back, possibly about to leap over the broom, so Dave adjusted his motion upward, catching the dog's chin and flipping it up and back. The dog kept his back feet planted and swiveled its head to take the broom head in its mouth. It swung its head back and forth, attempting to pull the broom from Dave's hands. Dave took a firm grip and unscrewed the handle from the broom, with a few added jabs to keep the dog off balance as he did so. The dog noticed the moment the head come loose from the handle. It threw down the head and came charging again. Dave of course was ready for this, swinging the metal threads on the head end of the handle in an arc that delivered an upper cut to the dog's jaw. With an angry yip, the dog pulled back, barked, and circled. Dave turned with the dog, waiting for the next charge. When it came, Dave snapped the end of the handle on the dog's head in a downward strike that connected, but did not stop the dog. Dave slipped sideways as he brought the other end of the handle around, catching the dog in the shoulder. At this point, Dave realized scaring the dog off might not work at all, and if it did, the dog would be back in an hour or so. He was going to have to kill the dog to keep the chickens safe. Dave had already maneuvered to the concrete porch in Lupie's backyard. He slammed the end of the broom handle in a downward strike on the porch, snapping the end off and leaving a splintered point on the end. He now had a spear. The dog charged again. This time, Dave waited until the dog reared up to leap before plunging the sharpened end of the handle into the dog's torso. A sickening yelp issued from the dog as the makeshift spear drove into its chest cavity. The dog fell, pulling Dave's weapon from his hands, and lay growling, panting and whimpering on the porch. Mortally wounded, the dog was still dangerous. It was also in pain. Dave needed to dispatch it quickly. Every moment it wasted away would wear on his soul. He spotted Lupie's garden trowel. Moving swiftly, he grabbed it, slipped behind the dog, and drove the trowel into the base of the skull, ending the animal's pain. Once he was sure the animal was neither a danger nor in pain, Dave sat back on his haunches and wept bitter tears. Hell, he'd kill deer and turkey before, but that was hunting. What meat he didn't eat or give to Lupie was donated to a local charity to feed the poor or homeless. The butcher he used sold the deerskin and turkey feathers to local crafters for their works. This animal was dead because it was hungry and targeted the wrong prey. Feeling like an utter wimp, Dave wiped his eyes and face dry. He went back to his own garage, pulled out a tarp, and headed back to Lupie's yard. Dave wrapped the dog in the tarp, then carried it through the back gate, and tossed the carcass in the rolling garbage bin. More waste. More death. By the time Dave got back, the chickens had largely settled down. He scattered some seed into their enclosure and filled the water tank from the backyard hose. Dave left the backyard, pulling Lupie's gate closed tightly behind him and returned to his own home. He went upstairs to the master suite bathroom and scrubbed his arms thoroughly. Partly to remove any fluids that might have gotten on him. Mostly as a psychological exercise, trying to wash away what happened. Emerging from the bathroom, Dave was captured by Janice's sleeping face. He climbed into bed and lay beside her, watching her gently breathe. Drinking in the feeling of another life nearby. But he had work to do. And some research on what happened this morning. Maybe watching the videos first would help get his head settled again so he could focus on his project. Rewatching the video he'd skipped parts of, he hit the part explaining the bonding effect of the serum on women with a male partner. Did that work in reverse? Is that why he found Janice's muttering of 'imprinting' slightly sexy, but not the lady in the video? His thoughts were interrupted by his text warning bing. Lupie sent; Can you look a few things up for me? There's a lot of terms here I don't know and I can't ask Lupie face to face. And I can't look it up without leaving the survey. Sure, what do you need defined? If I don't know, I'll search it up for you. Lupie sent; Okay, the first one is fictophilia. That one I'll need to look up. Oh, okay, that's having an attraction to a fictional character. Not sure if that's the same as cosplay or not. Lupie sent; So if I had that, would you dress up as Malcom Reynolds for me? Sure. But I might want reciprocation. Lupie sent; Zoey, Kaylee, or Inara Sera? Yes. Lupie sent; huge crying laughing emoji ok, how about lactophilia? I mean, it's tasty, but I'm not fixated on it. She posted a question mark. Oh, sorry, it means you like for your partner to suckle mother's milk from you during foreplay or sex. Or, you know, you want to suckle *from* them. Another lady I mean Lupie sent; Oh Shit, I didn't know that was a thing! Okay, I kinda like the idea of you sucking on me during, you know. Not sure I'm into other girls though. Eventually we are going to get better at finishing those sentences kitten. We'll be 'you knowing a lot. Lupie sent; laugh emoji And you don't have to do anything with another woman Never, if you aren't interested. It took a few minutes, and Dave was about to hit play again on the video when another text from Becca came in. Lupie sent; somnophilia? It means you get aroused seeing a sleeping person. Or you want to be taken in your sleep. Lupie sent; Oh god, I just had this thrill run through me at the idea of waking up with you already in me, on top of me. So we're doing that? Lupie sent; Oh yeah. oh, and I hit yes on watersports too. I'd love to do it in the shower, or a pool. God, wish we had a pool, that would be awesome. No no no no! That is not; what watersports means! Watersports means pee! You want to be pee'd on or you want to pee on your partner! Lupie sent; Oh Gross. barf emoji People do that? Surely you've seen porn pics of girls squatting and peeing in a field or on a road? Lupie sent; Yeah. Well, that's what it's for. Lupie sent; No offense Dave, but that's a hard no. We are in absolute agreement kitten. Lupie sent; Okay, finally finished. I hit submit, now the great microchip brain gets to spin our data and tell us how close we are. Lupie sent; I'm a little scared David. What if it doesn't match us? Becca, worrying isn't going to help you at all. Just get a snack, talk with Esme or Lupie. Or talk with another lady if there's someone nearby. Lupie sent; I miss you already. The text went quiet. Dave waited a few more minutes and then turned his attention to his computer. Time to focus on his side project. The secret one. For his public side job, Dave did data analysis, but no one was sending him new numbers to crunch or putting out bids at the moment. Government types probably had more data than they knew how to process, but Dave had never done government jobs and never had any clearance level. His 'quiet' side job was less boring but could be problematic if some prudish Karen found out. Well, some folks knew, because they paid him money. But no one had connected his online persona with him. Dave had written two adult visual novels, with good reviews. Now he worked on a game with adult themes. And pictures, of course. Fitting his personal fiction interests, the background was an apocalyptic scenario, and the main character built a harem of capable and beautiful ladies to; survive. Even with software support, Dave wasn't much of an artist, so he had an arrangement with someone else to render the images and short video scenes. Version 0.3 had been out for three months, so he was working intently to complete 0.4 before Thanksgiving. The artist was reliable and good. Dave just needed to give him (her? They used anonymous internet handles) clear and detailed descriptions of what he wanted. That meant figuring out what was happening in this next update. Lockdown had somewhat helped. Dave had more free time available. He'd gotten 0.3 out early, but that just meant his paying supporters wanted more. And they are paying, even in months he didn't produce anything. Half an hour of banging his head against code (and thinking strongly of banging his head against the wall) Dave finally got 'in the flow' and cranked out the last bit of story structure over the next two hours. That ended when his grumbling stomach informed him of his neglect. First though, he'd look in on Janice. It was both strange and comforting, seeing this lovely woman in his bed, sleeping peacefully. His heart warmed at the sight, but a nagging fear rose in him as well. He knew this was only due to this strange vaccine. How long until the bio geeks find a solution so women were not stuck with a guy forever? That would be a very telling day. One which Dave would welcome, but also feared. Feeling the need for some comfort food, Dave made himself a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches, then piled two handfuls of chips on the plate. He didn't keep soda in the house unless company was coming, so he grabbed a lime flavored seltzer. He liked soda, but that's why he didn't keep it around. After cleaning up from lunch, Dave headed back to his office space to check in on his Astronomy class. They had a project due this past weekend, so it was time to grade the results. Thirty minutes later, he felt like his eyes were bleeding reading the same errors repeatedly. Most of them were doing the math correctly, but they were measuring completely wrong. Which didn't make sense, given that Dave had made a video explicitly showing how to take the measurements. It was a simple parallax trick astronomers used for gauging distance to stars. It told also be used by surveyors to measure distance across a river or gorge. If you do it right. What he wanted to do was bang his head against a wall for ten minutes, then arrange a live zoom session with his students to find out what they didn't understand, and then have them do the project again. But there may not be enough time to complete all the semester topics. Fuck it, put out another tutorial video on the topic so they can get the parallax questions right on the midterm, and just be a little lenient grading this set of work. Work email popped a new message. From the dean. What the fuck? Seriously? Online physics? For majors? The whole point of slipping physics into the degree plans of doctors and other professionals has more to do with analytical techniques and detailed, careful experimental training than the topics covered. Yeah, several of the topics apply closely to those future careers also, but mostly it's used to make sure these kids understand the precision needed in scientific professions, how to analyze data, read graphs and use equations. And since it's tough, it weeds out those without the dedication or talent to go the distance. Dave shot back a reply email, asking for clarification. Will there be a budget to buy kits so kids can do experiments at home? How long to I have to assemble my own kits, or source some third party? What's the budget limit? Dave groaned. Just two years ago they'd gotten a grant to buy some great new lab equipment. But he only had one classroom set, and it was expensive. No way could he send out this gear to the students. Not enough for each one to have a set. And even if no one tried anything fishy, basic forgetfulness would result in a third of the equipment missing by the end of the semester. This shit was way too expensive for that. A second email from the dean, not a reply to his reply, a new topic. At least she was dependably methodical on that. Different topic required a different email chain. She might be a squishy (the dean was a microbiologist, Dave referred to all life science degreed folks as 'squishies') with little imagination on administrative matters, but she was very consistent and precise. Okay, so she's giving him a heads up on; a vaccine? Cute. Dave sent back a reply, thank her for the information, but his first partner arrived this morning and is currently passed out. She shot back a reply, relieved that he was safe, followed by an observation that departmental parties with spouses were going to be much larger from now on. Then she replied to the other email, pointing out that several big universities do online, without hands on labs. They sent the students pre-collected data and had them only do the analysis. Dave could go that route if he wanted. Of course, if Dave chose to put a few labs requiring data collection by the students, along with other labs that only used canned data, that would make their online physics more rigorous than those other schools. Just saying'. Lovely. Dave went back to grading and finished the column out. At least for those that had already submitted. A half hour surfing science kit supply companies left him unimpressed, so he pulled out a sheet of paper and outlined a video on parallax. His head wasn't right to shoot it today, but he could plan it. The day was wearing on and Dave had already gotten a lot done. Time for a brain break. Dave locked out the computer and headed downstairs to the library. Standing in the fiction area, He browsed for a bit before pulling out an old favorite, Executive Orders by Tom Clancy. He settled into a lounge chair in the library and let his mind and body relax. As usual, Dave lost all track of time while immersed in a book. He was midway through a particularly engrossing passage when Janice came through the library door with a huge grin. She'd changed out of her clothes from this morning, now dressed in his 'not procrastinating, just doing side quests' shirt and a pair of her panties. Well, maybe panties. The shirt hem was low enough to reach an inch or so below her groin. She was not wearing a bra however. The pinpoints sticking out of the shirt proclaimed that fact loudly. Dave smiled, setting the book aside and began to rise. Janice placed a soft hand on his chest and then settled herself in the lounger alongside him. She kissed him firmly on the cheek and temple, then rubbed the side of her face against his. They ended the nuzzling nose to nose, looking into each other's eyes. "Have a nice nap?" "Best sleep ever." Janice took another look around the room, taking in a deep breath. "God I love the smell of books." She snuggled in tighter. "Your profile mentioned reading as one of your pastimes, but nothing about having a full-on library in your house. I saw the smaller bookshelves in the entryway, but this really blew me away. And you have another bookshelf in the bedroom!" She stopped to deliver another steamy kiss. "It's hard sometimes finding other bookworms, except at work. I love it, but sometimes I just want to enjoy books, ya know?" "What is it you do? It feels like I should already know that, before we, um; " "Before I jumped you?" Dave nodded, then chuckled. "I just texted Becca this morning about being free talking with each other about sex, and here I am all tongue tied." Janice laughed with him. "Well, lover, I'm a librarian over at Cedar Valley." "Wow. Obviously a love of books could drive you into that career, but does it ever get to you? Make you want to get away from books?" Janice just stares at him. "I withdraw the question and humbly beg the court's forgiveness." She chuckled and kissed him on the nose. "How about you feed me something, I'm starving." "Starving, or starving?" Dave said, pushing lightly towards her with his pelvis along with the second iteration. After a hearty laugh, Janice said "Both, in that order. Give me the meat buster." Dave chortled while lifting her off him and setting her, standing on the floor. He stood beside her, giving her side eye as they walked side by side, holding hands, to the kitchen. "You give this appearance of coquettish innocence and then talk saucy enough to get me half hard before you remove so much as a single button. Is that due to the vaccine?" Janice rubbed first her shoulder, then her tit against his arm while looking up into his eyes. "Mostly just me, a few friends have said I give a reserved air until I'm with people I trust. The vaccine's effects might lower that veil a bit faster." A brief wash of pain passed over Janice's face. Dave didn't inquire, knowing it must be concern or mourning for friends no longer living. Dave took a quick look through the fridge. "We can do steak, mashed potatoes, and broccoli in about an hour, mostly because of the potatoes. Or we can do broccoli beef, probably about 45 minutes. Or we can do sloppy joes and chips in about twenty or twenty-five minutes." "Sloppy joes it is." Dave grabbed the thawed pound of ground beef, an onion, and a green bell pepper from the fridge. "Can you go into the pantry and grab a can of tomato sauce?" Dave said, while pointing to the pantry door. He remembered pointing it out this morning, but reinforcement usually helps assimilate new information. When Janice came back out, Dave had two skillets on the stove, and spices on the counter alongside a cutting board, knife and the two veggies. "Can I help?" "Sure, how's your knife skills?" "Well, I can cut a bitch if I have to; " Dave burst out laughing, lowering the knife to the counter just to be safe. He turned to Janice, giving her a fierce kiss. "Oh, I think I needed that." He wiped a few tears from his eyes and got back to dicing the pepper and onion. "Aright, how about you sauté these while I get the meat started?" With a light grimace, she asked "How?" "Toss 'em in the skillet on medium-low heat, about a tablespoon of butter" Dave looked at the veggies again, "maybe two, a couple shakes of salt. Keep the veggies in the butter, stirring a bit once in a while, until the onions start to look clear." Janice set to work sautéing, while Dave got the ground beef browning. He stepped aside from the stove to the adjacent counter to leave her more space. Dave poured 'eyeball' measured amounts of powdered garlic, paprika, cumin (very little), salt, and chili powder in to a small bowl and swirled the bowl to mix everything. When he leaned towards the stove to tend the beef, Janice leaned her head against his shoulder. "Comfy?" Janice nodded her head. Dave kissed her on the crown and she hummed. "Think you could watch both of these? Just make sure to turn the beef and keep chopping it into small bits so we get crumbles instead of big chunks. I'm going to toast some bread. Sorry, we don't have any buns." "That's okay, I know what buns I want to bite." Janice punctuated her statement with an impish wink. Dave just shook his head, grabbed the loaf out of the cabinet and got to work with the toaster. A few minutes later, Janice called out, "The beef is sizzling and sticking. I'm getting some brown in the bottom of the pan." "Perfect, pour in the veggies, then the tomato sauce." Seeing her do that he added, "Great, now sprinkle the spices over the top, as evenly as you can. Good, Now just stir that up a bit. Let it cook down some, boil off some of the liquid. Stir it every few minutes." Dave had finished the toast well before Janice had called out, but she seemed to be doing well so far and he wanted to let her get more comfortable in the kitchen. Sounded like something she wanted, based on what she'd said this morning. He did walk up behind her and give her a gentle, loose hug as she worked the skillet. Janice rested her head back on his chest. "This is so thoroughly domestic. Thank you." "You don't have to cook you know. There'll be three cooks in the family by tomorrow evening." "Yeah, and one is an eighteen year old girl who's fifteen years younger than me." "That teen girl has been through the wringer. She's shown some serious maturity. That's why I accepted her. She's the only reason I set my age range that low." "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound dismissive." Dave was quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry for coming off snappy. We lived in separate houses, but the four of us rode this mess out together." Janice nodded. "How about you tell me more over dinner. Starting tomorrow they're going to be family." With the meat reaching its final stage, Dave put a hot pad on the table for the skillet, and grabbed two open bags of chips from the cabinet. He'd already placed the toast on the table as soon a

Ken Landau speaks with General Contractor Larry Weingarten, who offers tips on inspecting and evaluating a home. This can be done as a pre-inspection before it is placed on the market, or by a buyer when they are deciding whether to purchase a property. He explains how to initially ascertain the condition of the home and offers further details on evaluating the roof, plumbing and electrical systems.

A broken bridge and a buncha wolves, what could go wrong? Many things, apparently. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Chelsea Hackman, Heather Berberet, James Thomson and Jason Snell.

A broken bridge and a buncha wolves, what could go wrong? Many things, apparently. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Chelsea Hackman, Heather Berberet, James Thomson and Jason Snell.

In this episode, Jeff and Luca tackle the unique challenges faced by solo embedded developers. Drawing from their own experiences as consultants, they explore why working alone makes it harder to maintain good development practices - from the constant pressure to multitask across different stakeholder demands, to the difficulty of wearing multiple hats as leader, manager, and contributor simultaneously.The conversation moves through common pitfalls: skipping documentation because "it's all in my head," letting code reviews slide, making questionable architecture decisions without a sounding board, and neglecting tools like simulators under time pressure.But this isn't just a catalog of problems - Jeff and Luca share practical strategies for staying disciplined, from creating mastermind groups with fellow solo developers to strategically hiring third-party reviewers for architecture decisions. They discuss how to push back on arbitrary deadlines, the value of enforcing process on yourself, and why sometimes the best productivity hack is spending money on training to force yourself to sharpen your skills.Whether you're a solo consultant, the only developer at a startup, or part of a small team, this episode offers honest insights into maintaining quality and sanity when you're working largely on your own.Key Topics[00:00] Introduction: Can you do agile as a solo developer?[03:30] First principles of agile development and why they work for solo developers[06:15] Unique difficulties: Making progress in only one area at a time[10:45] Wearing three hats: Being leader, manager, and contributor simultaneously[15:20] Budget pressure and the challenge of 'nice to haves' that actually matter[22:30] The importance of delivering something palpable after the first sprint[28:00] Bad habit #1: No documentation because 'it's all in my head'[35:45] Bad habit #2: No code reviews and potential solutions[40:15] Using LLMs for code review: What works and what doesn't[44:30] Bad habit #3: Idiosyncratic or terrible code architecture[50:00] Bad habit #4: Not making it easy for other developers to take over[53:20] Bad habit #5: Neglecting simulators and development board support[57:00] Breaking bad habits: Working solo together through mastermind groups[62:30] Enforcing process on yourself and recognizing arbitrary deadlines[67:45] Applying agility to agility: Inspecting and adapting your own process[71:00] Sharpening the axe: Jeff's experience with the Embedded SummitNotable Quotes"When you're a solo developer, you have to be the leader, the manager, and the contributor for the software effort. Those are different roles and different skills." — Jeff"You must apply agility to agility. Inspect your process, figure out what works, what doesn't work. If something is annoying to you, either it's pointing you towards a real deficiency or it's just objectively a terrible process and you should change it." — Luca"It's really scary how effective rubber duck debugging is. You start to think of what the other person would answer, even though you're just talking to a rubber duck." — Jeff"Simple and easy are not the same things. Having good development practices, just like losing weight, is simple. It's just not easy." — Jeff"Dear listeners, have you ever paid with your own money for software development? Because I have. And it's really unnerving. You tell this developer to go do something and they just sort of disappear and you can hear the meter running." — LucaResources MentionedQP Real-Time Framework - Event-driven framework by Miro Samek for embedded systems, mentioned as a game-changing architecture choice for medical device development with active object patterns and hierarchical state machinesZephyr RTOS - Open-source real-time operating system for embedded devices, discussed as an important technology for solo developers to master for modern IoT and connected device projectsEmbedded Online Conference / Embedded Summit - Premier embedded systems conference offering both online and in-person training, including hands-on bootcamps for technologies like Zephyr RTOS, organized by Jacob Beningo and Stephane BoucherAgile Embedded Academy - Luca's newly launched training platform focused on applying agile methodologies specifically to embedded systems development, offering practical courses for embedded teamsFDA Software Documentation Requirements - Regulatory documentation standards for medical device software including requirements specifications, architecture documents, detailed design, and test protocols required for FDA submissionsMob Programming Methodology - Collaborative development approach where entire team works on single task together, referenced as an alternative to traditional multitasking, promoted by Austin Chadwick and Chris You can find Jeff at https://jeffgable.com.You can find Luca at https://luca.engineer.Want to join the agile Embedded Slack? Click hereAre you looking for embedded-focused trainings? Head to https://agileembedded.academy/Ryan Torvik and Luca have started the Embedded AI podcast, check it out at https://embeddedaipodcast.com/

This week, human rights experts from United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention were blocked from inspecting detention facilities in the Northern Territory and West Australia. As they wrapped up a 12-day tour of facilities across the country, preliminary findings raise substantial concerns around the over-representation of First Nations people, punitive policies that target children, rising rates of remand and mandatory detention, among other issues. The federal immigration detention regime was also found to contravene fundamental international human rights norms - including the Commonwealth's recent deal with Nauru to deport stateless people. Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay says the findings show Australia is not complying with key international human rights commitments it has made to the world. She's speaking here with Tee Mitchell.

We must practice a repentance that takes sin seriously, accepts whatever pain it requires, and works diligently to restore sincere obedience.

We must practice a repentance that takes sin seriously, accepts whatever pain it requires, and works diligently to restore sincere obedience.

Sprk Founder Cory Vanderpool shares practical tips to help home inspectors spot issues in solar-equipped homes, including visual clues, common problems, and clear reporting. Watch the video on nachi.org/webinars! 

Lloyds Automotive continues to expand. Hiring quality mechanics. When to inspect and replace brake fluid. What could cause "clunking" noises when making a turn in your vehicle. Why is antifreeze different colors? How to know when a torque converter is failing. When to change windshield wipers. How to properly maintain your key fob. Repairing small scratches and dents. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.

We call out the tension between Christ and culture and show why humility is the doorway to wisdom that rebuilds lives, families, and communities. From Proverbs 9 and James 3, we outline the pillars of wisdom and confront four common excuses that keep us passive.•Fframing the Build the House vision through humility and wisdom• Pathos versus logos and why “winning people” beats winning arguments• The seven pillars from James 3 and how humility grants access• Inspecting motives and choosing peace, gentleness, and mercy• Rejecting favoritism and embracing authentic faith• Rethinking time, calling, and equipping for service• Practical pathways to serve foster families and local ministries• Living from a seated place with Christ before acting

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses This episode is from one of our regular Refrigeration Mentor Community meetups with fellow technicians. We discuss a range of topics like E3 training controllers, compressor issues, inspection cylinders, and the use of AI in troubleshooting. We also cover a list of events for refrigeration technicians to check out, share some wins and stories from the field, as well as some resources the techs on the call have found useful of late. These Community Meetups open forum and we host these regularly - if you'd like in on the next one, be sure to join the Refrigeration Mentor Community Hub. In this conversation, we discuss: -New CO2 Controller Challenge -AI in refrigeration -E3 controller training and licensing -Inspecting cylinders -Compressor issues and solutions -Oil and refrigerant retrofit -Diagnosing blow-by -Checking valve plates and wrist pins -Job interviews  - Using AI in troubleshooting Helpful links & Resources: Episode 350. Supermarket Refrigeration Tips and Tricks with Robert Ochs Episode 344. Basics of CO2 Controls - Service Calls & Troubleshooting Rack Controllers with Kevin Mullis (Part 4 of 4) Episode 115: Understanding Compressors: What You Need To Know FMI (Food Industry Association) Events RETA Conference  

Before shutting down your irrigation system for the season, it's the perfect time to inspect your center pivots for leaks, pressure issues, and uneven water coverage. In this episode of Successful Farming Shorts, University of Nebraska Extension Educator Steve Melvin shares practical tips for checking pivot pressure, identifying performance problems, and ensuring even irrigation for next year's crops. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us in Clean Biz Network! https://www.cleanbiznetwork.app/Get your Cleaning Business Automated! Visit https://cleanbizuniversity.com/automa...Join this channel to get access to perks:   / @ajsimmonsonline  Schedule a 1 on 1 Consultation: https://calendly.com/ajsimmonsLet my lead generation company to set bid appointments for you! Click here https://www.cleanbizcrm.com/leadgener...Follow: @AjSimmonsOnline on Instagram   / ajsimmonsonline  Need Business Insurance? Click this link https://nextinsurance.sjv.io/Ea23K9Need Business Credit? Apply at this linkhttps://americanexpress.com/en-us/ref...Thank you for watching, subscribing, liking, sharing, and commenting!!!!

It is coming. Some say, the technology is already here. If you believe your job as a real estate appraiser is secure because human appraisers still need to visit, measure, take photos, and collect data onsite, you are mistaken. AI is here not just in the form of data analysis, but also in the form of data collection. LAST CHANCE TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL AI WORKSHOP!Learn More & Register HERE Today! SUBSCRIBE: https://dustin-harris.mykajabi.com/newsletters/2147763779/subscribe

HOSTS: Pam Pybas, ASHI certified inspector at Inspect It Like a GirlTOPIC(S) DISCUSSED: Pam talks home inspecting and how she checks those hard-to-get-to areas like crawl spaces and attics.EMAIL: fixit101@mpbonline.org. If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, please consider contributing to MPB: https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frey Ranch Distillery (Fallon, NV) WF071 Four years ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with Colby and Ashley Frey of Frey Ranch Distillery. They had just released their first batch of Bourbon and so we discussed that, but also took a deep dive into farming and how having direct control over the grain is such an advantage. Well, the Great 48 Tour was heading through Nevada and so where better to stop in officially (since that first visit was a Zoom call) than on the farm that houses both grain and distillery. And what I visit it was. I got to walk through the malt house, see the distillery, and then get a fascinating tour of the distillery, complete with a fly over (you'll have to listen to find out what that was all about). This is definitely a deep dive episode and no worries if you heard the original interview, we're covering all new ground here, including some tastings of the great experimental whiskies that were just starting to age the last time I talked to the Freys. I will tell you though, you're going to miss a lot if you just listen to the 35 minute episode that is on the Whiskey Lore Podcast feed. On Patreon, I chat for an addition 25 minutes with dives into some of the on-going experiments at the distillery as well as some insider info and details about how Colby is making his own peat like substance. Find it at patreon.com/whiskeylore

Tips on inspecting crawlspaces.

Inspecting roof framing of a house according to building code.

Looking to add a new revenue stream to your inspection business? Watch Bob Brown, "The Dirt Whisperer," in this free webinar and discover how to meet the growing demand for unbiased foundation assessments. You'll learn the basics of soil and foundation interactions, how to collect data that professional engineers trust, and how certification can unlock new opportunities for your business. Ready to boost your credibility—and your income?

SHOW NOTES: Alright, home improvement enthusiasts, welcome back to the Money Pit! We're here to lend a hand with all your indoor and outdoor projects, because remember: Inside, outside, we're on your side! Here are some of the key themes we'll be talking about today, plus solutions we offer for callers' questions: - Cleaning Gutters: Before autumn leaves begin to fall, we're going to share simple steps and smart tools to help you clean and maintain your gutters the safe and easy way, because clogged gutters can lead to major water damage. - Roof Care: We'll tell you how you can catch roof problems early with a free professional inspection from Roof Maxx, the company that restores aging roofs and saves homeowners up to 80% over replacement. - Reducing Clutter: We'll also offer tips on getting organized at home for the fall season, helping you reclaim cluttered spaces like entryways and mudrooms before the school and holiday craziness takes over. - Deep Cleaning Tips: And finally, we'll discuss fall deep cleaning strategies to refresh your home in areas often skipped during summer, like baseboards, ceiling fans, and inside appliances.   Q & A: - Beverly in Ohio called about black marks on her white vinyl fence. We suggest trying a light abrasive like a green Scotch pad first, or for solvent-based marks like tar, a product like WD-40 to lift them off. - Andrew in Wisconsin is dealing with standing water in his backyard that's causing basement wall penetration. We advise implementing a total water management system, including building a French drain, ensuring gutters are properly sized, and downspouts to direct water 4 to 6 feet away from the house. - Anna in South Dakota recently had a hollow tree with a large carpenter ant nest removed and is concerned about infestation. We reassure her that carpenter ants prefer dead or decaying wood and are not typically motivated to infest sound houses, so she's not at an increased risk. - Louise called in about salt mineral deposits leaking through the outside of her brick mailbox. We suggest cleaning the deposits with a white vinegar and water solution, then applying a vapor-permeable silicone-based masonry sealer to prevent their return. - Debbie from Great Falls, Montana, asked about preparing and painting over metal siding. We advise a thorough cleaning with a pressure washer, ensuring the siding is completely dry, and then using an oil-based bonding primer with a scratch test before applying the topcoat, staying within the same brand family for best adhesion.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We'd love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Bryan dives into a powerful yet often overlooked tool in the sales leader's toolkit: the calendar inspection. He explains how regularly analyzing your team's calendars can reveal dangerous pipeline gaps before they become full-blown problems.You'll hear why having a clear sales playbook, with numeric goals like two connector meetings and two new logo meetings scheduled 2–3 weeks out, is essential for maintaining consistency in your sales process. Bryan breaks down how this simple framework helps both leaders and reps stay ahead of slumps and avoid being blindsided by an empty pipeline.If you've ever said, “We had a great month, but next month looks light,” this one's for you.Advanced Selling Podcast Listeners save $200 on Huddle tickets purchased in July 2025 with discount code SANTA. Click here!Curious about certification in the Blind Zebra Sales Operating System? Learn more here.And if you haven't already, make sure you join the Advanced Selling Podcast LinkedIn group: http://advancedsellingpodcast.com/linkedin.

Foo Fighters released their first new original song since 2023 this week with "Today's Song."We give our thoughts on the track, the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl's famous fall from grace last year and how he got away with having such an annoying personality for so long without anyone saying anything. Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram!Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Growth... it's almost as weird as the word MOIST. But this time of year, it's a very real concern as we enter the warm, humid, wet summer. Especially in the dirty South, mold and organic growth is super prevalent this time of year. That's why we brought in expert Kristian Geiger of Avid Inspection Specialists to talk about it, as we dig into: the process of inspection for mold his personal experiences from the field, including injuries and interesting finds and the ethical considerations and licensing requirements surrounding mold inspections.   Other areas of mold inspection we discuss involve things like consumer protection, the methodology for large inspections, the importance of adhering to health standards, and the tools and techniques used in the field. We also touch on the competitive landscape of mold inspection and how it influences standards of practice. So GROW your knowledge with us as we discuss all things mold and organic growth.  The Links: Register for Inspection Fuel (September 8-10 in New Orleans) here: https://www.inspectionfuel.com/register Sign up for our newsletter here: https://pages.theridealong.show/newsletter The TLDR: Summer market is busy and full of opportunities. Training new inspectors involves hands-on experience and gradual responsibility. Mold inspections are a growing area of focus in the industry. Unique regional challenges exist, such as termite issues in Louisiana. Ethical practices are crucial in mold inspection to avoid conflicts of interest. Licensing requirements for mold inspections vary by state. Continuous learning is essential for inspectors to stay updated. Field experiences often lead to unexpected and interesting stories. Networking with other inspectors can provide valuable insights. Maintaining high standards in inspections builds trust with clients. There are things that protect the consumer in mold inspection. Licensed inspectors follow a code of ethics. Mold inspections require a thorough understanding of moisture sources. The inspection process can be time-consuming and requires foresight. Tools should enhance the inspection, not replace the inspector's judgment. Health concerns should dictate the standards of practice used. Inspectors should rely on visual assessments first. Competition influences the tools and techniques used in inspections. Mold inspection standards can vary significantly by region. Networking and collaboration among inspectors can enhance practices.

As home inspectors, communicating the importance of rebar helps homeowners understand the value of building code compliance and the potential risks when these requirements are overlooked. By educating clients about foundation reinforcement, inspectors provide a valuable service that extends well beyond identifying current defects—they help protect lives and property in future seismic events. Learn more at https://www.nachi.org/footing-stem-wall-reinforcement-rebar.htm

On today's episode, we meet a Texas-born couple who started RVing several years ago and opted to get training to become certified RV inspectors. Bobby Greenwell and Jessica Martin started their journey into the RV lifestyle like many others – with a desire for freedom, adventure and more quality time together. After spending nearly two years full-time RVing in a fifth wheel, they transitioned to part-time travel in a Class A motorhome. But along the way, they made some rookie mistakes that ultimately led them to a new calling: becoming RV inspectors. Today, Bobby and Jessica operate Double Diamond RV Inspections out of southern Illinois where they use their hard-earned experience to help others avoid the same pitfalls and make smarter RV buying decisions. The couple didn't set out to become RV inspectors. It just happened naturally. After buying and selling multiple rigs, they realized how easy it was to overlook critical details when emotion gets involved in an RV purchase. A simple online search led Bobby to the National RV Training Academy Their business, Double Diamond RV Inspections, was born shortly after he completed the inspector certification in fall of 2023. Today, Bobby handles the technical side of the inspections while Jessica manages the logistics and marketing. Together, they bring a personal, compassionate approach to every inspection, knowing firsthand the importance of getting it right. Their business primarily serves a five-state area – Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. They’ve found a strong niche in a region where RV inspectors are scarce, and they've even built relationships with nearby competitors to promote mutual support. Their personal RVing experience, especially with boondocking and long-distance travel for ultra-marathons, gives them unique insight into how different rigs function in real-life situations. That background, combined with Bobby's technical expertise from a prior career in network engineering, ensures clients receive thorough, honest, and detail-rich inspection reports. Jessica and Bobby named their business “Double Diamond” as a nod to both their partnership and their rustic, farmhouse style. Although only Bobby is a certified inspector, they work as a true team, just as they have for the past 25 years of marriage. To learn more about their business, visit www.doublediamondrvi.com, or find them on LinkedIn and Facebook by searching for Double Diamond RV Inspections. Whether you're new to RVing or a seasoned traveler, their story is a great reminder that, sometimes, the best opportunities arise from the lessons learned on the road. Today's episode is brought to you by the featured employers at Workamper.com. These Workamper Employers have taken the extra step to share some photos and detailed information about their Workamper programs with you. Check them out today! Opportunities exist for solos, couples and families, whether they are full-time, part-time, seasonal or even long-term jobs. Some are income opportunities and others involve volunteering at locations throughout the United States.  Go to www.workamper.com/fe to meet the featured employers today. If you are an employer seeking to hire Workampers, then you can learn how to benefit from year-round recruiting by becoming a Featured Employer. Visit www.workamper.com/fedetails. That's all for this week's show. Next time I will be speaking with an RVer who has been Workamping for several years. That's long enough for her to provide some advice to employers on how to recruit Workampers. I'll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening!

So, whether you're a home inspector, builder, or just a curious homeowner, let's dig in—literally and figuratively—and learn what makes a solid foundation solid. 

Foundations are the silent guardians of our homes, bearing immense weight and battling the elements. Let's dig into two critical aspects: how they handle weight and how they manage water, providing a general guide for homeowners, inspectors, and contractors alike. For more information, visit https://www.nachi.org/articles.htm.

"PREVIEW: HEZBOLLAH: Colleague Sarit Zehavi of Alma Research Institute in northern Israel reports inspecting weapons confiscated from Hezbollah by the IDF. More tonight." 1903 Galilee

Coley and Trill are back with another jam-packed episode featuring fresh debates and bold takes every sports fan will want to hear. From college football quarterbacks staying at the collegiate level to fixing the NBA Cup, the boys dive deep into the hottest topics in sports today. In this episode, they kick things off looking at the report that Michael Vick may be making his way into coaching ranks with Norfolk. Then, the boys wonder whether Travis Hunter will focus on one position or continue to shine both offensively and defensively in the NFL. The duo then shifts to the NBA, where they dissect the league's ratings, question the impact of weird game start times on viewership, and propose their own fix for the NBA Cup to boost excitement. Finally, Coley and Trill return to the NFL to evaluate the Detroit Lions' Super Bowl hopes despite key injuries and ask the burning question: What exactly are the Indianapolis Colts doing? (0:00) Michael Vick Coaches CFB Now? (3:09) College Athletes Get PAID (9:06) CFB QB's Aren't Leaving (17:19) Shadeur Sanders in the NFL (21:36) Shilo Sanders vs. Bronny James (23:22) Travis Hunter's Ideal NFL Position (26:47) NFL Draft Positions (33:13) Kentucky's Good at Basketball (41:17) Coley Can't Take Gonzaga Seriously (45:51) Madden Biopic Already Messed Up… (50:53) Pop Tart Bowl Actually Matters (54:12) Bill Belichick CAN Crack CFB (57:32) Cutting Down the Net Gets Sponsored (59:50) Trill's Campaign Policies (1:04:52) Coley's Celtics Rant (1:05:38) NBA Start Time Problem (1:10:14) NBA Ratings Problem (1:19:06) How to Legitimize NBA Cup (1:31:44) Dunking on Dunkers (1:36:46) Victor Wembanyama Takes Plenty of Threes (1:39:14) Old vs. New NBA (1:41:52) Bill Simmons is COOKING (1:58:34) Jalen Green Problem? (2:07:39) Ime Udoka Doesn't Want James Harden (2:10:06) Are Lions Still a Super Bowl Contender? (2:15:27) Elite NFL QBs (2:16:16) WTF Colts?!? (2:20:10) De'Vondre Campbell Sr. Suspended 3 Games (2:24:29) Fantasy Football Recap Coley Mick and Trill Withers are back (again), with Third Time's The Charm! Their newest show, presented by Underdog Fantasy, features the two like they never left. Coley and Trill will cover sports and just about everything else. Sign up for Underdog Fantasy HERE with promo code CHARM and get up to 50% first deposit bonus up to $1,000: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-third-timesthe-charm Subscribe to the Podcast

Rick Gehman, Mark Immelman and Greg DuCharme discuss the FedEx Cup Fall portion of the season with takeaways and ways to improve the schedule after the Tour Championship. What do you think they should change about the Fall schedule? (0:00) Intro + are we out on turkey? (3:32) Tiger Woods won't play in the Hero this year (7:38) FedEx Cup Fall Takeaways (20:34) How should we spice up the FedEx Cup Fall? #golfoncbs #golf #pgatour #fedexcupfall #firstcutpodcast  ---

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