I'm on the otherside of the coin. I was remote like many during covid then recently took a job where I have a 40min commute 2 days a week. I wasn't happy about that to start and thought I wanted full time remote. I'm 4 months in now and I love it. To me it feels like the best of both worlds. My drive isn't a hard 40 min and I get through podcasts and calls to friends/family. I just bring my laptop and dock at home or office which is easy. It has been great seeing and meeting people. I try to structure my days so I get meetings in person and focus work done on WFH days. Not for everyone but some, like me, might be surprised that they like a blend more than they think.

Just finished War and Peace. Took me a good 6 months so I've been itching for my next book.

This week I started Comanches: The history of a People. I've read a few fiction books on the tribe but am excited to learn more about them.

Clean energy credit union does modest rate loans. That allows you to get the panels, they foot the up front cost, you get the fed/state/utility incentives and put those towards the loan. That's pretty much your only option other than footing with cash.

On your note about carrying a few notebooks: I was in this same boat. I carried a paper planner, a notebook for notes and lists, and another one with graph paper for projects (wiring diagrams, building floor plans, etc). I've been using a Midori travelers notebook for the last year. It's essentially just a nice piece of leather that holds inserts (think field notes type notebooks). I have 3 inserts in mine that cover those areas and when they fill up I can replace each one individually. I'm loving it and the leather looks really classy.

I tried the audio book on a road trip. Heard all of the great things about it so I downloaded it. Took me over and hour to figure out it's fiction and not nonfiction. I listened to about 2 hours and it wasn't bad but I didn't get pulled in like everyone else seems to have been. It's one of those books I feel like I should finish but just don't have the interest to.

To throw another recommendation into the mix: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Currently my favorite book and could certainly take a year to read

For automotive repair the 3 best resources I've found are youtube, buying a Haynes repair manual, and the ALLDATA website. Youtube has videos for doing most things on your car/truck, a Haynes repair manual walks you through a ton of basic to advanced procedures (it pays for itself), and repair shops use ALLDATA. It's more advanced and a bit less intuitive but a great resource. I get it free through my local library which is great too!

The library: It's nothing sexy but I've always had luck going to the library and grabbing all of the books off the shelf on the subject I'm learning. I then sit at a table and quickly scan through the stack. After finding the ones that seem the most valuable of the lot I take those home and work through them. I was lucky to live in a major city so my library had a ton of content.

I'm back on my old long book kick. Just started the Count of Monte Cristo

Like others mine is all over the place. I'm in a crazy (but good) time of life with little kids so sometimes it's my therapist, sometimes it's my historian on what's happening with the kids/family, sometimes it's my place to think. No set schedule, just when I have time and feel like I need to work through something.

Whatever/whenever I find myself writing it's a joy. I've got a notebook I love (traveller's notebook) and a great fountain pen (Kaweco sport).

I'm surprised no one mentioned this so far: check to make sure the fins on your outside unit are clean.

My parents had this issue when I was visiting. I went outside and looked at their unit and it looked like it was covered in carpet. I took a hose and gently rinsed off all of the dirt and pollen and they were back in action.

Others already covered a lot of good points: make sure it's not froze (it likely is if you've been running for a while and it's not keeping up) and change the filter.

If that doesn't work you likely need refrigerant.

This was the best book I ever read. I like long books though so I was fine having it take a while. The length made it feel like a new friend by the time I was done with it and was genuinely sad when it ended. I've heard War and Peace is similar so I've started reading that but haven't fallen in love with it like I didn't Les Mis (yet).

Cool I'll have to try this!

Yep foil tape works but id say mastic is the right way. A tub will be more than you need, they also sell it in caulk tubes which should be cheaper. Just use any extra on your other junctions too. Hit the ones nearest to your unit which is where your static pressure will be freatest.

I've had on my bucket list to do a short book/long cigar afternoon at some point and I've been saving this book for that afternoon.