Did my first simulated solo on Saturday. Flight went well but I made a couple of dumb mistakes. Hopefully today’s run goes much better. Efficient multitasking is key (controlling the plane, monitoring the sensors, talking to ATC, and navigating), and it’s easy to make mistakes!

Just completed my second simulated solo. 22nd lesson in total and about 30 hours logged. Went far better than the first - no major mistakes that would result in a checkride fail, though I need to hone my landing skills a bit!

A huge problem facing modern cities is that there is virtually no short-term OR long-term accommodation between a moderately large studio apartment and a cot in a homeless shelter. Those with limited financial means (students, new immigrants, etc.) are the most impacted.

This is a great thread, and here are some other bad building codes that must be massively reformed or abolished entirely: - Second staircase requirement - Minimum drive aisle widths - Accessibility requirements for dwelling units - Elevator standards - Soundproofing standards

The SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built, has been rusting away in a deteriorating pier in Philadelphia for decades. The marvel of American engineering is scheduled to be evicted today, and its nonprofit owner has yet to find a new pier or a buyer …

Just went to the KitTea cat cafe. Definitely one of the more unique attractions in the Bay Area!

Transfer taxes are some of the most destructive forms of taxation. A 200-unit subsidized housing complex at 1234 Great Highway, SF has to pay a million dollars in transfer taxes just to acquire the land. Whose idea was this? sf.gov/sites/default/…

Brand new 1-bedroom apartments in downtown Oakland are renting for under $1700 in oWow's new mass timber high rise (yes, that's a tower largely made of wood). 2-bedrooms are available for just $2100. Just 10-15 minutes by BART from SF's financial district and UC Berkeley!

The great California political realignment: Republicans are now teaming up with left-wing environmental organizations to support more regulations and red tape for real estate development. The NIMBY/YIMBY dichotomy transcends party lines.

Looks like Seattle is finally building SROs again. Won’t be surprised if these rooms rent for under $1000/month

Building 43 Winery in Alameda, whose NIMBY owner filed a CEQA lawsuit to block a new food bank on a historic parking lot", is getting bombarded with 1-star reviews on Yelp ...

I’m of the opinion that heaping a bunch of extra requirements on subsidized housing (union hire, higher accessibility requirements, etc.) is directly responsible for the homelessness crisis. Supportive housing costs $600k+ per unit to build - 2-3x that of market rate housing!

Fun fact: modern high efficiency washing machines use less water than washing clothes by hand. Ditto for dishwashers.

Here’s my compromise solution: every city must allow virtually unlimited development (no zoning, no impact fees, quick permitting, etc.) on 20% of land. This satisfies entire: NIMBYs will be happy since most land will be off limits to growth, but the housing crisis will be fixed.

Spotted a real life Tonka truck!

Hidden California gem: Sacramento has preserved a sizable portion of its historic downtown. It’s literally a time capsule of a 19th century Western town, complete with period architecture (including wooden sidewalks), a railway museum, and a steamboat!