u/NaturalAsleep2854

I’m visiting TX from CA next month and I’m looking for range recommendations around DFW or Waco TX.

1. My top priority is a range that does flat fee rentals. Somewhere where you pay $X for an hour and then can shoot as many firearms as you want during that time (paying for ammo obviously). I’ve heard these exist but have never found one in CA. If it matters, I’m primarily interested in testing a wide variety of pistols but some nicer AR options would be nice.

2. A second range I’d like to find is something more tactical. I’m not really picky on this one. I’m just looking for somewhere I can practice moving around, quick reloading, shooting from awkward positions and behind barriers, etc. Finding a range that’s anything but lanes is pretty hard in CA.

Bonus: if anyone knows of a good company to do that helicopter hog hunting lemme know lol…

I’m visiting TX from CA next month and I’m looking for range recommendations around DFW or Waco TX.

1. My top priority is a range that does flat fee rentals. Somewhere where you pay $X for an hour and then can shoot as many firearms as you want during that time (paying for ammo obviously). I’ve heard these exist but have never found one in CA. If it matters, I’m primarily interested in testing a wide variety of pistols but some nicer AR options would be nice.

2. A second range I’d like to find is something more tactical. I’m not really picky on this one. I’m just looking for somewhere I can practice moving around, quick reloading, shooting from awkward positions and behind barriers, etc. Finding a range that’s anything but lanes is pretty hard in CA.

Bonus: if anyone knows of a good company to do that helicopter hog hunting lemme know lol…

I’m visiting TX from CA next month and I’m looking for range recommendations around DFW or Waco TX.

1. My top priority is a range that does flat fee rentals. Somewhere where you pay $X for an hour and then can shoot as many firearms as you want during that time (paying for ammo obviously). I’ve heard these exist but have never found one in CA. If it matters, I’m primarily interested in testing a wide variety of pistols but some nicer AR options would be nice.

2. A second range I’d like to find is something more tactical. I’m not really picky on this one. I’m just looking for somewhere I can practice moving around, quick reloading, shooting from awkward positions and behind barriers, etc. Finding a range that’s anything but lanes is pretty hard in CA.

Bonus: if anyone knows of a good company to do that helicopter hog hunting lemme know lol…

Any recommendations that are cheap but not totally terrible?

I am very much in the 2A camp, in general, but that doesn’t mean I don’t support sensible gun control that does not target legal owners. I don’t think legal firearm owners who want an FRT, or a 30 rd mag, or a suppressor, are the problem… it’s the ones with an armed robbery felony.

In my opinion, non-violent and non-drug trafficking felonies should not be disqualifying, in general.

Again, this is all just my personal opinion, but I think sensible gun control should have three pillars.

1. ⁠Universal background checks: mandate that the record of the run is destroyed and not saved, contingent on a clear pass - if you can’t possess and try that’s your problem. Keep guns out of the hands of criminals through legal sellers. Have it the check cross state lines so people with DV charges in one state can’t get a firearm in another.
2. ⁠Paired down storage laws: I think it’s wildly immoral and unconstitutional that CA will penalize the victim of B&E/robbery if their stolen firearm is used in the commission of a crime. However… I think the parents of school shooters who allowed easy access to their disturbed child should get charged with murder and serve life. I believe that is the proper incentive structure to encourage safe legal possession without placing the burden onto owners it does not apply to…. I don’t have a kid getting bullied in high school… I don’t have children lol… but I do find it immoral when a parent of a disturbed child does nothing to prevent them from accessing a firearm and they use it against innocence.

Ultimately I think gun laws should incentive safe behavior, rather than penalize innocuous and at times random “qualities”/“features”/“capabilities”.

Please feel free to disagree. I’d like to hear opposing opinions because I’m not particularly firm on any of these opinions.

I am very much in the 2A camp, in general, but that doesn’t mean I don’t support sensible gun control that does not target legal owners. I don’t think legal firearm owners who want an FRT, or a 30 rd mag, or a suppressor, are the problem… it’s the ones with an armed robbery felony.

In my opinion, non-violent and non-drug trafficking felonies should not be disqualifying, in general.

Again, this is all just my personal opinion, but I think sensible gun control should have three pillars.

1. Universal background checks: mandate that the record of the run is destroyed and not saved, contingent on a clear pass - if you can’t possess and try that’s your problem. Keep guns out of the hands of criminals through legal sellers. Have it the check cross state lines so people with DV charges in one state can’t get a firearm in another.
2. Enforcement against all illegal possession: if a prohibited person is caught with an illegal firearm, I think they should get 20-25+ years with no possibility of parole. There is a reason they were prohibited in the first place, and the fact they continued to carry a firearm means they learned nothing from the prior consequences.
3. Paired down storage laws: I think it’s wildly immoral and unconstitutional that CA will penalize the victim of B&E/robbery if their stolen firearm is used in the commission of a crime. However… I think the parents of school shooters who allowed easy access to their disturbed child should get charged with murder and serve life. I believe that is the proper incentive structure to encourage safe legal possession without placing the burden onto owners it does not apply to…. I don’t have a kid getting bullied in high school… I don’t have children lol… but I do find it immoral when a parent of a disturbed child does nothing to prevent them from accessing a firearm and they use it against innocence.

Ultimately I think gun laws should incentive safe behavior, rather than penalize innocuous and at times random “qualities”/“features”/“capabilities”.

Please feel free to disagree. I’d like to hear opposing opinions because I’m not particularly firm on any of these opinions.

I just bought a 2019 650cc from a dealer in CA for $4k… tires need to be replaced immediately, they’re both very flat. Zero wear on the edges, and it doesn’t look like burnout wear (the front is flat also). I think the prior owner just toured it like crazy and didn’t lean much lol.

I had an FZ6 previously and leaned that thing to the edge. Granted this one is definitely more top heavy. But as long as it leans better than a Harley I’m good…

What tire sizes do you recommend for daily commuting up a steep grade with windy roads? Current sizes are 160/60-17 & 120/70-17.

I was thinking about going 170/60-17 in the rear… has anyone tried both for comparison?

I’m going with Michelin Road 5 or 6.

Today is 2 months back after a bad relapse… I have two huge decisions to make on Monday that I cannot stop obsessing about. I’m at an old friend’s wedding right now and can’t enjoy it because I’m just mulling over the decisions in my head. The only reason I haven’t already drank is it would upset my partner and ruin her experience. I’m trying to justify it by telling myself that having 2 drinks in this contained setting would be a safe way for me to release some of the pressure - get a few hours without obsessions and feel in the moment… let it out and then be better equipped to deal with the issues next week… I’m telling myself that if I don’t go sneak a drink right now that I’ll just be letting the pressure build into a worse relapse this coming week. Please tell me all the reasons I’m an idiot to even consider this.

Update: Thank you to everyone who commented. It was immensely helpful. I had a moment of commitment/clarity… similar to when I decide to drink… but this time I commit to not, at least for today, the next hour, the next minute. Having some fun now and feel good about making it through tonight. Thank you again!

Where is the best place to get a deal on shoes in SLO? I like Altra’s and Brook’s running shoes.

Update: thank you all for the responses! I’m going to check out a couple places tomorrow. I don’t want to order online because I got burned on some Altra’s two years ago. They fit great but squeak (LOUDLY) with every step since they were new. I tried everything and couldn’t get it to stop so I just kept them as a back up pair in the car. But last month I wore through my normal pair and switched to the backups and the squeaking is driving me insane.

Location: CA

I’m looking for other peoples’ experience working with or for Blackstone P.C. in CA regarding labor law cases.

I was wrongfully terminated last year and contacted a few attorneys regarding wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation. Blackstone P.C. initially seemed like a really good option and they definitely really want to take the case because I did a good job documenting everything. They also want to file a class action because I had some wage issues - but in all honesty I think they are very minor and I have no evidence of other employees being in the same situation.

The initial intake seemed to be going fine; but then I had some life events that forced me to pause the process before I signed the retainer. When I contacted them again last month to give them an update and ask a specific question it all seemed to change.

I contacted them to follow up on a question I had about potentially facing financial liability if the case was lost. I spoke to the attorney who I believe would be heading the case. I had to ask her that question 3-4 times before I got a straight answer. I finally had to say, “that still doesn’t answer my question. I’m looking for a yes or no answer.” Finally she explained there was an unlikely scenario where I could be liable to pay the other sides attorney fees… but I had to pry it out of her.

Every time I have a question I feel like I’m listening to double speak and only getting half the answer. I get that they are being careful to not make definitive statements as it is a fluid situation and they don’t want to promise something that isn’t certain. But they won’t even talk about some subjects in terms of probably or extremely rough estimates. They won’t give me a rough idea of what the cases will be worth - I’m not asking for “we think you’ll get $250k”… but I’d like to know what cases like this normally result in, just in general. The amount would be a determining factor for me to proceed. If I’m only going to get $10k then it might not be worth it to proceed if I’ll have to be deposed or something right as I start a very demanding new job, despite how much I’d like to hold my former employer responsible (their actions were pretty egregious). But if it’s $500k then I don’t think I could say no to that.

I’ve asked them about the process involved and only getting very broad, somewhat deflecting, answers. My biggest process concern is that it would require my family or mentor to be deposed - if it did then I would want to speak with them about it first. But I cannot get a straight answer. I just want an answer of likelihood or “in x situation, y is likely to be required”.

Another very concerning aspect is that they completely missed my binding arbitration agreement with my former employer. I had to ask them about it when I did my due diligence. Then they said it will likely hold so it will be arbitrated. I am 100% certain that they initially said it was going to proceed in civil court - because I had asked them what information would be publicly available as it could affect future employment opportunities.

I wish lawyers had the concept of informed consent. I just reread the retainer and they never mentioned that if I withdrew from the case for any reason and they still wanted to proceed then I’d owe them for their fees instead of it be on contingency. And I don’t even have a problem with that - it makes sense - but I feel like they should have told me that prior to pressuring me to sign it. That’s largely why I have so many questions about the process - I don’t want to sign, have them do a bunch of work, and then want to withdraw because what’s required crosses a boundary for me. This case is not really about the money for me. I want to proceed solely to hold my former employer responsible - maybe they will think twice before doing the same to someone else. And the labor laws are meaningless if employees don’t hold employers responsible under the law. But if it’s worth half a mil for me… then it is about the money lol… but I also don’t want to put my trusted mentor in a tough position that could effect our professional relationship. I also don’t want my family to be required to participate in a way they are uncomfortable with. And I can’t get a straight answer on the likelihood that their involvement will be required.

They started having me talk to a different person - I think he’s higher up - and then the pressure campaign increased. Today, in the late afternoon, he called me while I was driving. I asked if he could call me back tomorrow or next week ideally because this week is completely packed and I’m falling behind on other much more urgent issues. He did not like that. He said “can I be frank?” And then before I could even answer he launches into it about me being hesitant to proceed. I wasn’t hesitant in general but I wanted to understand the process better and still haven’t received a call from the class action team to answer those specific questions - all while balancing about two dozen other urgent issues. I really did not like the tone he used - and I’m not normally one to be bothered by tone etc. I can see his perspective to a degree. I know their time is valuable and I assume they’ve already sunk hours into reviewing my documentation and talking to me (but then how did they miss the arbitration agreement?). But the only reason I’m now pretty hesitant is the lack of straight answers and the feeling I’m being sold something.

Ultimately, while our incentives are aligned, they are not the same… and I feel like that’s where the dissonance is coming from for me.

I’d appreciate other peoples’ perspective if you have experience working with or for them. Or if you’ve had experience working with other similar firms and cases.

Thank you in advance!

Location: California

I’m looking for other peoples’ experience working with or for Blackstone P.C. in CA regarding labor law cases.

I was wrongfully terminated last year and contacted a few attorneys regarding wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation. Blackstone P.C. initially seemed like a really good option and they definitely really want to take the case because I did a good job documenting everything. They also want to file a class action because I had some wage issues - but in all honesty I think they are very minor and I have no evidence of other employees being in the same situation.

The initial intake seemed to be going fine; but then I had some life events that forced me to pause the process before I signed the retainer. When I contacted them again last month to give them an update and ask a specific question it all seemed to change.

I contacted them to follow up on a question I had about potentially facing financial liability if the case was lost. I spoke to the attorney who I believe would be heading the case. I had to ask her that question 3-4 times before I got a straight answer. I finally had to say, “that still doesn’t answer my question. I’m looking for a yes or no answer.” Finally she explained there was an unlikely scenario where I could be liable to pay the other sides attorney fees… but I had to pry it out of her.

Every time I have a question I feel like I’m listening to double speak and only getting half the answer. I get that they are being careful to not make definitive statements as it is a fluid situation and they don’t want to promise something that isn’t certain. But they won’t even talk about some subjects in terms of probably or extremely rough estimates. They won’t give me a rough idea of what the cases will be worth - I’m not asking for “we think you’ll get $250k”… but I’d like to know what cases like this normally result in, just in general. The amount would be a determining factor for me to proceed. If I’m only going to get $10k then it might not be worth it to proceed if I’ll have to be deposed or something right as I start a very demanding new job, despite how much I’d like to hold my former employer responsible (their actions were pretty egregious). But if it’s $500k then I don’t think I could say no to that.

I’ve asked them about the process involved and only getting very broad, somewhat deflecting, answers. My biggest process concern is that it would require my family or mentor to be deposed - if it did then I would want to speak with them about it first. But I cannot get a straight answer. I just want an answer of likelihood or “in x situation, y is likely to be required”.

Another very concerning aspect is that they completely missed my binding arbitration agreement with my former employer. I had to ask them about it when I did my due diligence. Then they said it will likely hold so it will be arbitrated. I am 100% certain that they initially said it was going to proceed in civil court - because I had asked them what information would be publicly available as it could affect future employment opportunities.

I wish lawyers had the concept of informed consent. I just reread the retainer and they never mentioned that if I withdrew from the case for any reason and they still wanted to proceed then I’d owe them for their fees instead of it be on contingency. And I don’t even have a problem with that - it makes sense - but I feel like they should have told me that prior to pressuring me to sign it. That’s largely why I have so many questions about the process - I don’t want to sign, have them do a bunch of work, and then want to withdraw because what’s required crosses a boundary for me. This case is not really about the money for me. I want to proceed solely to hold my former employer responsible - maybe they will think twice before doing the same to someone else. And the labor laws are meaningless if employees don’t hold employers responsible under the law. But if it’s worth half a mil for me… then it is about the money lol… but I also don’t want to put my trusted mentor in a tough position that could effect our professional relationship. I also don’t want my family to be required to participate in a way they are uncomfortable with. And I can’t get a straight answer on the likelihood that their involvement will be required.

They started having me talk to a different person - I think he’s higher up - and then the pressure campaign increased. Today, in the late afternoon, he called me while I was driving. I asked if he could call me back tomorrow or next week ideally because this week is completely packed and I’m falling behind on other much more urgent issues. He did not like that. He said “can I be frank?” And then before I could even answer he launches into it about me being hesitant to proceed. I wasn’t hesitant in general but I wanted to understand the process better and still haven’t received a call from the class action team to answer those specific questions - all while balancing about two dozen other urgent issues. I really did not like the tone he used - and I’m not normally one to be bothered by tone etc. I can see his perspective to a degree. I know their time is valuable and I assume they’ve already sunk hours into reviewing my documentation and talking to me (but then how did they miss the arbitration agreement?). But the only reason I’m now pretty hesitant is the lack of straight answers and the feeling I’m being sold something.

Ultimately, while our incentives are aligned, they are not the same… and I feel like that’s where the dissonance is coming from for me.

I’d appreciate other peoples’ perspective if you have experience working with or for them. Or if you’ve had experience working with other similar firms and cases.

Thank you in advance!