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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: July 4th, 2023

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  • Check the bottom of the bollard, it looks visible damaged where it meets the ground, like it had bent backwards towards the camera.

    I think the OP is right. It wouldn’t need elasticity; it got bent down just far enough for the back end of the car to ride up on it, then when they pulled forward it dragged the bollard upright, at which point it punched through the floor.

    My guess is the metal had begun to rust where it meets the ground, and then some freeze thaw cycles crumbled the concrete, leaving it weak right where it meets the ground.







  • I lived in the Minneapolis area for many years, so I can provide a little insight. First off, you will be fine through September. Early November is when snow that lasts for more than a day or two starts to become a real possibility.

    -Tires: Your best bet, even with 4WD/AWD is to have a second set of snow tires mounted on cheap steel wheels. (4WD/AWD doesn’t do a damn thing for steering or stopping distance!!!) Swap those over around early November and back to your “regular” tires around late April. If you live in a suburban area, roads will get plowed and sanded quickly, so you are probably fine with GOOD all season tires. But if you’re considering an exurban/rural area I would certainly recommend snow tires. Studded tires and chains are not allowed on highways in MN as far as I remember, but the laws in rural areas could be different.

    -Oil: Check your owners manual. At worst you may be recommended to swap from 10W-30 to 5W-30 or something, but it doesn’t get cold enough for long enough to be a strict need.

    -Block heaters: With modern vehicles, it’s more of a luxury than a requirement unless you are living in the northern part of the state. If you have an attached garage, it should be a non-issue.

    -Other: Always keep a bit of warm weather gear in your car. This goes triply if you live in a rural area. Imagine what you’d want if you were stranded for 4 hours at -20F. Gloves, a hat, some handwarmers, a small blanket at minimum. A small shovel and a bag of sand or kitty litter can help you out if you are mildly stuck in snow. Get the good windshield washer fluid, the stuff that’s rated to -40F. You’ll go through a ton driving on the freeway after salt has been laid down, and it is MISERABLE if it starts to freeze up on your windshield.


  • Yep, I was wearing that clown makeup too. Dems have not impressed me much lately with being able to deliver a coherent and effective message, so I was fully prepared for a shitshow of disarray if/when Biden dropped out.

    It was very surprising to me how effectively they were able to leave Trump stumbling just as he seemed to be on the upswing. The utter lack of disorder around it almost feels like Biden was planning to drop out of the race all along, just waiting for the right moment… but that’s probably giving him too much credit.