[bibsoconner]

meadandale

We are having the same experience trying to hire C# (WPF/MVVM) candidates. On the bright side, I guess it means there are more jobs for folks who do know what they are doing!

Cheers,

Dave

[bibsoconner]

flu,

Not sure if you were joking about the suit or not… But I’d say the two places that required me to show up to the interview with a tie were complete disasters. It should have been a warning to me not to take the contract. The folks were complete pompous asses more interested in politics than actually producing anything. I’m currently at a place where my boss interviewed me wearing shorts. He’s smart guy, interested in getting things done and, as an added plus, nice. My rule now is to show up to interviews in khakis, nice shirt, and dress shoes*. If they kick me out for being underdressed, it’s for the best.

Dave

*I’m not actually confident enough to show up in clown shoes. One day, one day…

[bibsoconner]

Thanks for the comments ocrenter and others. For those following this thread, I’ve done some research which I think anyone with a passing interest in solar, pools, or TOU, will find very interesting.

First, if I’m reading the following articles correctly, “Time of Use”, (TOU) can not be forced on the consumers until Jan. 1, 2018 at the earliest. At that time, the PUC is supposed to have a plan in place for mandatory TOU. Of course, that is right around the corner (2 1/2 years). References:

http://www.dra.ca.gov/general.aspx?id=2444
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/california-allows-power-companies-time-of-use-solar-power

Please tell me if I’m reading them incorrectly.

Then, trying to get even more info, I wrote to the head CPUC (Calif Public Utilities Commission) Commissioner, Michael Picker, to see if he could give some guidance as to what will happen with TOU. To his credit (and my surprise!) he wrote back. I’ve copied the exchange below. I’m not inclined to wait until June 21st to make a decision on whether or not to get solar for pool. As Mr. Picker alludes to, the vote might be delayed. I think I’ll just hope that they are wise enough to take into account that there are a lot of folks with pool solar heating.

Comments, advice, flames welcome as always.

-Dave

Me:
Dear Michael Picker,

I am hoping you can answer a simple question that I could not get resolved by contacting SDG&E nor the PUC help line (800-649-7570).

I am considering putting in solar heating for my pool. As you know, the water in a pool must be circulated and it requires very little extra electrical power to pump the water to the roof where it can be heated by the sun for free. Currently this is a much cheaper option than heating with natural gas, once the initial investment (~$6000.00) is made. However, if “Time of Use” (TOU) was to become mandatory, this would no longer be the case. Currently, I am able to change my hours for pumping the pool water to anytime during the day or night, but with solar heating, the pumping must be done during the hottest parts of the day (typically 11am-5pm).

Do you know if TOU will become mandatory and if so, when? Do you know if there will be any provision for pool owners who are trying to save energy (and money) by using solar heating?

I have contacted SDG&E. They referred me to the PUC help line. Their answer was that “no one knows the minds of the commissioners and there is no way to find out”. I refuse to believe that is the case in a democracy. The commissioners answer to the governor, who answers to the citizens.

I appreciate your help in this matter.

Sincerely,

Michael Picker:

We are in the midst of a proceeding regarding rate reform, and will decide if and when TOU pricing will be mandatory as part of that. Currently, that matter is scheduled for a vote on June 21. But things change and get delayed…

Commissioner Michael Picker
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness, Fifth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 703-2444
[email protected]

And, the state constitution says that we are independent decision makers, appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Legislature. We are a quasi-judicial agency, and, for many decisions, have a painful and complex process of hearings, and make our decisions based on the published record, as a panel of judges would. So, in most respects, SDG&E is correct.

Commissioner Michael Picker
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness, Fifth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 703-2444
[email protected]

[bibsoconner]

flu, I’m not interested in this one, but please keep them coming. Especially C#(WPF/MVVM) and C++! It’s always interesting to have data points on where the job market is.

Right now, it seems a software engineer can walk into an interview with clown shoes and be hired. But it’s hard to tell if one is already employed and not really looking. The headhunters tend to give overly rosy reports.

Regards,

Dave

[bibsoconner]

Thanks for the reply ocrenter, I appreciate it.

I can see how the calculations are different for you, as you also have solar panels feeding electricity back into the grid. I had not really considered solar for the house as our current electric bill is only about $100/month. So we would just have solar for the pool. Like I said, I filter (with a multi speed, newer pump) for 6-8 hrs a day. But right now, I could easily change the time of that pumping to midnight to 6 am if TOU came to be. But you can’t do that if you need to pump water to the roof of your house during the hottest part of the day.
I mentioned this to one contractor and he (politely) scoffed at my concern. He said that either (i) this TOU will not happen or (ii), the utility (SDG&E) would be forced to give customers that are heating their pools the reduced rated during the hottest part of the day. I’m currently checking claim (ii) out. Off-hand, I wouldn’t think SDG&E would have to do anything they don’t want to – unless there are gov’t regulations saying otherwise.

Enjoy your pool!
Dave

[bibsoconner]

Thanks for the comments everyone. My brother brought up a good point (he’s much smarter than myself!). If San Diego goes to “Time of Day” for electrical usage, that might greatly increase the cost of solar heating of the pool. Right now, I can pump anytime of the day I choose. If electricity cost more during daylight, I could pump and filter pool at 3 in the morning. With solar heating, you need to pump when the suns up and during the hottest parts of the day.

Anyone thought about this?
Anyone know how close we are to “Time of Day” pricing?

Dave

[bibsoconner]

Thanks for the comments everyone. My brother brought up a good point (he’s much smarter than myself!). If San Diego goes to “Time of Day” for electrical usage, that might greatly increase the cost of solar heating of the pool. Right now, I can pump anytime of the day I choose. If electricity cost more during daylight, I could pump and filter pool at 3 in the morning. With solar heating, you need to pump when the suns up and during the hottest parts of the day.

Anyone thought about this?
Anyone know how close we are to “Time of Day” pricing?

Dave

[bibsoconner]

Thanks doofrat, but we have a pool cover. Supposedly, it’s a pretty good one that retains heat in the pool. It’s automatic. I’m sure it helps a bit, but the pool is still too cold for our liking.

[bibsoconner]

“Definitely. My sister and I would walk to the corner market when we were 4-6 years old. Walked to and from school by ourselves”

Just walked to the market and school? Luxury!
You were lucky. We lived for three months in a paper bag in a septic tank. We used to have to get up at six in the morning, clean the paper bag, eat a crust of stale bread, go to work down t’ mill, fourteen hours a day, week-in week-out, for sixpence a week, and when we got home our Dad would thrash us to sleep wi’ his belt.*

-Dave

*Possibly shamelessly stolen from Monty Python

[bibsoconner]

If you need something other than Viagra for getting erections, I recommend* bananas with spiders. See:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/12/spiders-bananas-erection_n_6859190.html

*I am not a medical doctor and this should not be construed as advice. Always consult with your medical provider before embarking on a course of bananas with spiders.

[bibsoconner]

I live in Ocean Beach and quite like it. The only 3 problems I see, and they are not huge are:

1. Lots of traffic coming in/out of OB, especially in summer. I think if we could convince the Arizona tourists that OB is horrible and they should go to La Jolla or Del Mar it would help a lot.

2. A few bad apples that don’t clean up after their dogs. Not sure how to handle this one. Perhaps filming them in the act with cell phone? Other suggestions welcome!

3. I have hesitation to let the kids go exploring on their own, especially down on Newport. While I might find the whole scene amusing and not be bothered if I’m offered drugs, I’m not sure I want my kids exposed to that. Of course, that’s in all neighborhoods and perhaps an argument could be made that it’s better that it’s so obvious.

Other than that it’s quite nice. You can surf, run by the cliffs, close to downtown, PB etc. And the folks are colorful and nice.

Now if someone could just tell me the next up and coming place so I can invest in a small (tiny) house, condo or apt., I’d be much obliged.

Dave

[bibsoconner]

I whole heartedly recommend Bill Flanigan with State Farm:

8888 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 279-2173

When I had my house in Kensington, I was cancelled by AllState right after I bought the house. Their reason was “roof on garage is old”, but I suspect they didn’t realize when they provided insurance before the sale that the house was on a canyon. Anyhow, because of the age of the house and the canyon, I had a hard time getting insurance. Bill fixed me up.

Curiously, I had a 1930s German made floor heater. Worked great! Unfortunately, my 2 year old stepped on it and got a foot burn that required an emergency room visit. That incident cost me $100 for the emergency room visit and $7000 for central heat and air. My wife insisted that we take out the floor heater. I attempted to reason with her; suggested a simple kid gate around the grate would work fine, but in the end I decided that $7000 was cheaper than a divorce.

Good luck to you.

[bibsoconner]

I’m sorry to hear about your problems, but agree with others who say it’s much better to lose <1000 than lose thousands upon thousands later on. And now for a completely selfish question. Who was your house inspector? It sounds like he/she did a great job and I'd like their name for my files.

Thanks,

Dave

[bibsoconner]

This topic is a little old, but just in case I’ll ask….

Someone(s) mentioned Tijuana for a cheap paint job. Any pigs out there have specific recommendations for places in Tijuana. I have a ’96 Geo Prism (basically a Toyota corolla) that works great but is depressing me due to very faded paint job. I don’t want to spend a ton, but it would be nice to have a bright new paint coat to brighten my day. I also need to replace the liner on the roof. Don’t know the name of it, but the cloth thing inside the car (headliner?) that is now all torn up.

Thanks,
Dave

[bibsoconner]

Thanks moneymaker. You’re probably right. When you factor in the hassle, it probably is better to just take a check for ~$250. Like I said, I’d prefer to use a plumber that I pick and trust. That said, it does bother me that they can (from my point of view) just arbitrarily say, “Oh, that’s too much. We’ll just pay you this.”.

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