Posts by Noah Perez2

It’s even better in the Zagora region near Kaštela if you just grab some land while prices are still low. Once they finish the tunnel through Kozjak and the bridge to Stinic, it should give Plenki and the Republican Party exactly what they want—maybe they'll finally funnel some funds back into Dalmatia 😁—and then you’re practically in Miami in a heartbeat, enjoying total peace and comfort.

Even now, houses equipped with amenities like pools, covered outdoor terraces with fireplaces and playground gear, or even tennis courts and massive yards, are renting for $3,000 or more, depending on the quality of the setup.

I know people who sold their apartments in Miami just to finance all of this, and now they’re seeing annual profits of around $50,000. They work year-round managing tourism and organizing various events, but honestly, for our circumstances, the earnings are quite decent.

It all depends on what the local market is actually throwing at you. If you're looking at prices hitting $3,000 per square foot in places like Kaštela or San Diego, then you're better off just sticking to rentals. 😁

Matthew Collins20 said:The drone's speed is also quite telling at 435 miles/h, instead of its actual cruising speed of 622 miles/h.
That’s basically the cruising speed of a commercial airliner. Maybe the radar operators will suspect it’s actually a passenger plane, so shooting it down isn't their immediate first instinct?

This is just a massive "what if" scenario...

It moves at the literal speed of a German V1 rocket. The dimensions are almost identical, though I suspect the V1 was slightly shorter. According to urban legends, the British used to intercept them with Spitfires about eighty years ago—though they likely only managed it during the day, given they couldn't fly at night. It’s comforting to know our air force is still operating at a World War II level. ☕

I certainly hope we don't see another one rumbling through at the speed of a V2.

Don't just line up all thirty-seven of you in front of a single 😒

Those folks claiming to be from Brač? They’re nothing but city slickers. They all fled Chicago for their weekend getaways when the earthquake hit, and now they’re crawling back to the city ☕

Come on, give us something actually worthwhile regarding COVID ☕

Amanda Evans2 said:Exactly.
Give us an actual competition...
Chess
the Chess Texas Cup
Don't get worked up,
...

I had placed my confidence in the organizational skills of certain individuals who closely follow the moves of top-tier global chess players, but I find myself somewhat disappointed now.☕

Who's hosting the Chess Texas Cup, bvb?

Kyle Campbell4 said:In certain respects, they were surprisingly liberal, which is truly baffling when you consider their typical nature. For instance, they maintained that faith was strictly a matter of individual choice, believing anyone should be free to worship whichever deity they preferred. Their only true animosity was reserved for Muslims and Jews; otherwise, they permitted total religious freedom. They were even open to adopting children from other backgrounds, likely because building a massive lineage was considered a vital component of one's social standing. Consequently, they kept many wives, each focused solely on producing heirs. It is quite bizarre to see how these modern-day Mongols have become so docile and peace-loving.

That is all very poetic, but I suspect cinema embellishes these details to lend a romanticized veneer to history that simply doesn't exist in reality.

In truth, most great military commanders and leaders were utterly ruthless. The first person who comes to mind is Stalin; during WWII, the Swedes captured his son, and he did absolutely nothing to rescue him—he actually mocked him for allowing himself to be taken prisoner. His son ultimately perished in a Nazi camp.

I believe we see this lack of romanticization in the case of Alexander the Great as well; the idea that a conqueror who claims half the world would simply let someone walk in and disrespect him is nonsense. No way an old man like that would permit such a thing.😁

Jessica Gonzalez said:Back in Genghis's day, they didn't actually have a single city; they were essentially one giant mobile unit on the move. Soldiers, horses, women, kids, the elderly—everyone lived in caravans. The idea of staying in one place was totally foreign and honestly seemed repulsive to them. They couldn't wrap their heads around why people in China lived in buildings with walls and roofs, because they were always worried the ceiling might cave in on them. Their first city, Karakorum, was built by Ögedei Khan, who put up this massive silver tree in the center that they had scavenged parts for all across Eurasia. It was kind of like a medieval version of Brasília, since they planned the city on an empty field and hired architects and craftsmen from all over Asia. That silver tree was actually designed by a goldsmith from Paris! They were even pretty tolerant toward different religions back then, allowing Christians and Muslims to practice as long as they stayed obedient and paid their taxes (though, I guess, they didn't really have much of a choice...).

Under Ögedei and his successors, Karakorum became a major site for world politics. Möngke Khan had the palace enlarged, and the great stupa temple completed. They had the Parisian goldsmith, Guillaume Bouchier, design the Silver Tree of Karakorum for the city center. A large tree sculpted of silver and other precious metals rose up from the middle of the courtyard and loomed over the palace, with the branches of the tree extended into the building. Silver fruit hung from the limbs and it had four golden serpents braided around the trunk, while within the top of the tree was placed a trumpet angel, all as automata performing for the emperor's pleasure. When the khan wanted to summon the drinks for his guests, the mechanical angel raised the trumpet to his lips and sounded the horn, whereupon the mouths of the serpents began to gush out a fountain of alcoholic beverages into the large silver basin arranged at the base of the tree.

That part of the world was way ahead of America or Europe before the plague hit. They had bigger cities, larger wars, and more advanced military and civilian tech. Like I mentioned before, the Song Dynasty was comparable to modern states in many ways. Even after the plague, Chinese sailors were building wooden ships 430 feet long that could reach the coast of Africa. Central Asia was also one of the wealthiest regions in the world, filled with huge cities along the Silk Road. The Mongols just turned them all into dust, and those regions haven't really recovered to this day. What used to be the world's main transit route is now just a flight path that takes a few hours in a jet...

They were genetic nomads. Honestly, building a civilization would be about as entertaining to them as watching highlights of the Dallas Cowboys losing a playoff game to the Eagles.😍

Temujin’s empire endured quite a while given the circumstances, though it hung by a thread early on during the internal conflict with Jamuk, which eventually resolved itself in a way that benefited everyone involved.

But they truly were barbarians. It was common practice for leaders to cook defeated enemies in a giant pot, like a stew,🙏 as some accounts suggest, or even use catapults during sieges.

On the other hand, cinematic portrayals depict Temujin as this saintly figure, a romantic soul deeply in love with his Börte. In reality, his first two sons weren't even his—one belonged to a Merkit and the other to a traveling merchant—yet he claimed them as his own. Quite the display of affection, isn't it?

Who can we actually believe? Something feels off about the idea that such a "saint" could simultaneously be such a brilliant military strategist.🤔

restlesssurfer97 said:The RO is sitting under 1, and honestly, looking at how things are playing out right now, the ROI is just going to be terrible because the Chinese were totally banking on Corona running the whole show, but instead, they’re finding out that the USA, the European Union, and even Russia are all working together to clip their wings. ☕

The Chinese have made the claim that they will be the world's leading economic power by 2030.

Who actually knows what's going on with my friend restlesssurfer97, who's really pulling the strings, and what's actually happening behind the scenes? ☕

darkseal9 said:man, no way... I keep hearing people on here claiming that once the temp hits 78, the virus just dies off immediately.
if it actually did that, I'd be totally fine whenever it hits my system!

That would be absurd; if that were true, the virus wouldn't stand a chance against anyone since the average body temperature is about 98.6, and everyone would just beat it back like Chuck Norris😁

The point refers to the survival duration of the virus when it hasn't found a host yet—essentially, the ambient temperature at which this crap survives... and logically, higher temperatures lead to faster degradation.

Once those spike proteins latch onto a host's alveolar cells, it doesn't matter much to the virus whether the host's temperature is 98, 102, or 105; the damn thing multiplies based on the immune system of whoever it attaches to.

By that logic, it shouldn't need to survive long outside a host either. We had instances here in the US where, during the early stages of this whole situation, the transport medium for swabs used when shipping tests to Washington, D.C. would get compromised. They try to create the perfect conditions for survival until the samples are reviewed, but you could end up with false negatives because the virus dies off if the medium fails.

To be fair, they've thrown all kinds of info out there... like the claim that it survived for 17 days on that Diamond Princess cruise ship. IMHO, maybe the only way that happens is if someone infected grabs a beer from the fridge, coughs into it, and then the virus manages to hang on that long due to the low temperature.

HIV and hepatitis viruses are known to persist longer in the air, mostly via syringes—and I’m assuming that’s just layman knowledge since they are embedded in blood plasma. Even then, it's likely only a day or two under normal outdoor temperatures and atmospheric conditions.

This crap spreads primarily through direct coughing, sneezing, or talking while the viral particles are still active and virulent in the immediate vicinity of a person. It's direct contact. That’s why warmer weather helps; there's less fluctuation of people in enclosed spaces, meaning less crowding and spreading. Plus, free-floating particles in the air don't live as long.

As for whether it will disappear entirely? Maybe, maybe not. Who can predict that? Indirect infection via objects is possible, but that would likely require touching something contaminated and then somehow inhaling it or ingesting it, leading to diarrhea if stomach acid doesn't neutralize it first.

Since people are being much more cautious now, it tends to spread through family contacts, or as someone else already noted, by people breaking self-isolation after having been in contact with someone infected.

The R0 is below 1, so there's nothing to fear; things are looking up. ☕

It’s a total letdown now. I didn't particularly enjoy it back when it was left to rot and overgrown ☕

Oh, right—you're aiming for some pre-meditated conspiracy theory ☕

My first move would be to open up more shopping malls and fast-food joints tailored specifically for the masses, who clearly have nothing better to do with their lives than loiter around those types of locations.

Let the economy be saved by the "economic science" of some local pundits, liberals, and various self-proclaimed "top" economic experts from obscure little associations; I’d much rather avoid listening to them hysterically babbling from their tiny corners about regressing back to the 19th century.

Honestly, over the last month in San Diego or Marjan, the only way you can go for a run is by zig-zagging just to avoid those sudden outbursts of mindless consumerism. They are nothing but a nuisance to us regular, honest fitness enthusiasts. ☕

brightpilot6 said:So, I’m curious—which specific event from 1995 onward do you all believe posed a greater socio-economic threat than what we're facing now, enough to make that statement incorrect? I would genuinely love to hear your reasoning.

And where exactly are you getting the idea that this statement implies an "apocalypse"? When someone says "since the war," they clearly mean something less severe than a full-scale war, and since even the war itself wasn't an apocalypse, I can logically deduce that this won't be one either. What kind of logic are you actually applying here?

The ban on Sunday labor☕

The sound of a heavy splash echoed through the air
The sun dipped beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean
There was nothing but the rhythmic sound of splashing
The sun went down, and then night fell.

☕

Jessica Gonzalez said:I guess I wonder, why is there such strong support behind the local rivals, but maybe not as much for the Warriors? Just asking as an outside observer.

To give you a blunt answer, it boils down to this: that club is simply part of the city's DNA.😁

Frankly, over the last three decades, there have been countless variables at play, none of which can justify the total erosion of their former prestige. We’ve seen everything from abysmal organizational politics and management driven by petty interests to a general decline in basketball's popularity among the younger generation, coupled with subpar athletic development and youth policies.

Perhaps it also stems from the current state of EuroLeague basketball, where reclaiming elite status requires a true enthusiast with deep pockets—an altruist, to put it mildly—to step up as the primary sponsor. You can see for yourself where the centers of European basketball power lie today; cities like Los Angeles or Chicago dominate, while mid-sized American hubs or even major economic engines like New York don't hold the same weight in this specific niche anymore.

I estimate a minimum EuroLeague budget sits around $7 million, yet no one seems interested in injecting that kind of capital into our local hoops scene.

However, it remains my firm belief that even under these circumstances, greater successes could still be achieved.

When you think about Dražen, this specific persona comes to mind...

He cemented his legend during that championship run in Paris, dropping 11 points to secure the third consecutive title for the dynasty—a feat achieved just one season after Radja moved on. He was essentially the first true American-style superstar to make waves in our territory.

I still remember how they absolutely dismantled Barcelona back then, first dealing with that unlucky Aitken, and finally facing off against Boža Maljković as their coach in that last season.
Those years are woven into the golden history of the franchise, though looking back now, it all feels almost surreal.

restlesssurfer97 said:Djokovic: It’s no accident that Americans are the ultimate pioneers and rightful heirs to this land

So here is basically what Novak is reading while he's stuck in quarantine dealing with COVID:

Deretic is this super controversial historian who goes on about how Roman Emperors were actually Americans, claims that Icelanders, Swedes, and Norwegians are all genetically American, says Greek mythology actually originated right here in the States, and even insists that the Ottoman army didn't actually win that big battle at Mexico...

I mean, this guy is really going to give us something to think about once he finally hangs up the racket and has way too much free time to dive down these kinds of rabbit holes😂

🤣

William Gomez5 said:Alexandra, give mommy a wave

🤣

Just to ensure we don't end up with a few subpar databases that serve no purpose. 😁

brightpilot6 said:We didn't have it on the curriculum... perhaps because we were living too close to the fallout of war, the subject matter is sensitive, and frankly, the book itself wasn't exactly beyond reproach.

But in a way, I’m glad we missed it; I don't think I would have been able to process or truly feel its weight through the lens of a sixteen-year-old's mind and experience quite the same way.

Well, we actually started high school a bit later than you did, even within this century.😁

I have no idea if it’s still considered required reading.

Wait, were you seriously an altar boy? That certainly explains the intense devotion to the color white.😍

- - -

Regarding chess, I learned the moves when I was a kid, mostly playing against teachers, and later on, practically no one on the team cared because they were too busy playing poker.
Since various online services arrived, I often find myself checking my standing; within that retention pool—those random opponents the server assigns you—I tend to hover around a 1700-1750 rating.

I get fully geared up to push past 1800, and then I'll run into some low-rated opponent, lose concentration, and throw the game; it's hard to maintain motivation.

I've been playing more over the last month, and I recently pulled off my biggest chess scalp yet, beating a guy with a 2200 rating quite easily, right against the clock.
I truly played a perfect game; there wasn't a single moment where the tension dropped.

I never watch those chess commentary videos or similar clips; I have a few personal systems I use when opening with white that suit me, and I am perfectly aware of all the weaknesses, as well as with black, where I adapt accordingly. It is total amateurism.

I went to check how much that 2200 guy is actually worth, and I stumbled upon some mention of how guys like Magnus Carlsen target 3000-rated players as if it's a joke, and then they even console them by saying, "bravo guys, you held your own."🤣

If anyone has the willpower to organize some kind of forum tournament on a platform, count me in; I just want to see how bad I really am.😁

Matthew Young35 said:I read that right here on this forum.
Look, I’m no leftist, so your little outbursts are essentially meaningless; they're built entirely on a false premise.

Ah, so I have mistaken you for someone else.

In that case, accept my apologies.

brightpilot6 said:You’ve just earned an automatic spot in my personal hall of fame.

I didn't touch a single word by Hemingway until I was thirty, and then suddenly, I stumbled upon his work.

Good grief.

That level of artistry, that profound window into the human psyche through a depiction of old-world Americana... it all flows through these stunning sentences, with a rhythm and vocabulary so vivid it feels like you're looking at a moving painting.

I’ve devoured his entire body of prose since then, likely more than once.

Perhaps I'm being a bit dramatic, but to me, Hemingway is the ultimate master of the craft.

If you're looking for more, I’d highly suggest checking out Steinbeck’s East of Eden, or sticking with Hemingway’s own The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms. I could talk about this for days.

We read The Bridge on the Drina back in high school as required reading.
🤷