WDFloyd

Leica Store Coming to Houston

2026-09-16T12:24:31.330-05:00

EFF on AI in Medicare

2026-09-11T14:01:23.209-05:00

Costco: InKind Gift Card

2026-09-10T14:31:35.621-05:00

Normally you can buy $100 in credit for the InKind app (a restaurant discounting program) via a $74.99 gift card purchased at Costco. Right now, however, said $100 gift cards are on sale for $64.99. I don't know how long this will last, but if you eat at a restaurant in the InKind system this is worth looking into.

Southwest Lounge Coming to Austin

2026-09-03T14:00:04.079-05:00

Yes, it is true. We're getting a Southwest Airlines lounge along with Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville. According to the KUT story I heard on the radio this morning it will be ready later in 2027. Also, according to the radio report one will need a Chase Sapphire Reserve card to access it (there was no mention of a special SWA card with lounge access).

Texans: Check Your Voter Status

2026-08-28T15:40:17.030-05:00

I just read in the Dallas Morning News that more than 1.2M Texas voters are on the Suspense List. You can check to see if your voting status is active. Also, the deadline to register to vote in Texas' November general election is October 5th.

Update: Be advised that the site Vote Safe is affiliated with Elon Musk's America PAC; it will gather information about you as well as sell it to their partners.

Apps to Detect Smart Glasses

2026-08-28T15:34:17.141-05:00

Creative Fund Trivia

2026-08-25T13:33:09.641-05:00

There is one in the works for September. I'll post more information when I have it.

Annual Heat Safety Post

2026-08-09T15:21:15.599-05:00

I posted the above chart back in summer of 2020 and then in subsequent years. Since we are now in August it does seem like a good time to remind people about the symptoms of and remediation for various heat-related illnesses. Said 2020 post also has a few tips for dealing with the heat.

Yes, this post is a little late in the summer... but here in Austin it's still going to be hot for a while.

Beating the Heat Earlier This Summer

Shug's On Lamar Opening

2026-08-09T15:14:00.946-05:00

I used to have coffee meetings at this location when it was Austin Java. I'm curious about the new operation:

Are Southwest Lounges in the Works?

2026-07-23T16:27:44.852-05:00

Yes, I know, another Threads link:

I have been assuming SWA lounges would happen at some point as they want to be on par with Delta, United, and American.

COTA and Costco

2026-07-22T13:13:33.813-05:00

Are you thinking of buying a general admission pass for the upcoming F1 United States Grand Prix at Austin's Circuit of the Americas? I checked online and 3 day GA passes are $450 if you buy them directly from COTA. Costco members, however, can pick up a 3 day GA pass for $359.99. I saw the one pictured above while at the southwest Austin warehouse, but passes are also available on the Costco website.

For reference: I recall the 3 day GA pass costing $189 back in 2012 when F1 started racing at COTA.

New Southwest Routes

2026-07-17T12:06:51.054-05:00

It's exciting to see that Austin will be getting a direct flight to San Jose, Costa Rica:

Travel Tips

2026-07-15T11:34:10.584-05:00

A couple of thoughts on this:

(1) Good reminder to keep your Global Entry card with you, just in case the scan isn't enough.

(2) I'm not planning to go to China for a while, but it's interesting that one has to show a passport to gain entry into museums and other tourist attractions.

(3) I always carry a few backup credit cards and a backup ID (my passport card) when traveling domestically, even though I have Clear and Apple Pay.

French Food in Austin

2026-07-14T13:21:27.952-05:00

This seems like an appropriate Bastille Day post:

I'd also like to note that everyone I know who has been to Restaurant François has raved about it.

Map: Mississippi Drainage System

2026-07-07T14:41:53.020-05:00

Sad News About Yard Bar

2026-04-28T13:24:15.452-05:00

Gus really, really likes this place. Sadly they are closing on May 30th.

US Train Tracks

2026-04-20T17:32:00.000-05:00

Astrodome

2026-04-11T16:31:00.001-05:00

It is, after all, an 8th wonder of the world:

United Is Altering Fare Classes

2026-04-08T00:30:00.001-05:00

Artemis

2026-04-01T17:41:00.000-05:00

Shatner Turns 95

2026-03-22T13:30:00.001-05:00

I like a lot of fictional starship captains, but Kirk will always be my favorite.

Barton Springs Pool

2026-03-21T15:37:00.000-05:00

It has reopened. Now, go forth and enjoy yourselves.

Combo IHOP/Applebees: Stroke of Genius or Casual Dining Chimera?

2026-03-20T16:59:00.002-05:00

I've only seen fast food places try this; but maybe this is the bold move will pay off. The combination IHOP/Applebee's can be found in Hawthorne, NY. While I haven't been in either restaurant in a while, memory indicates they do have complementary menus. IHOP was a college staple (especially for late night studying) while Applebee's has usually been more of a road trip stop (if there is no Chili's to be found). I don't recall Applebee's having much in the breakfast department thus attaching an IHOP might be the bold move the franchise owner needs to increase traffic. So, where does this land vis a vis my hyperbolic headline? Probably somewhere in the middle.

The article note what I have observed: Chili's is doing well in the causal dining category. I've been a couple of times this year (on road trips; I haven't been to the one at 45th & Lamar in a while and the Chili's near my house has been gone for over a decade) and found the burgers to be slightly more expensive than fast food while tasting much better. Plus you can take a break from driving while watching sports or something. My only beef with Chili's is that they changed the Chicken Crisper recipe from tempura style batter to a less fun crispy version. Despite my comments in every check-out survey, corporate has yet to take my advice and switch back.

I-35 News

2026-03-20T15:55:31.809-05:00

Homeowners Insurance and Credit Scoring

2026-03-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

Texas is one of the states which allows credit scoring vis a vis homeowners insurance. You can learn more about credit scoring by visiting The Texas Department of Insurance's page on credit scoring, including a link to a list of companies which employ the practice.

[note: In Texas, credit scoring is also allowed vis a vis auto insurance.]