James W.

Always always always get the estimate in writing. Verbal quotes are worthless. And read the fine print on "not to exceed" language.

The May 15 deadline is critical. Miss it and you're stuck with whatever they say. Put it in your phone right now.

The scheduling thing is so real. I have my kids every other week, she has hers on the SAME weeks. We see each other twice a month max. But we make it work.

Cedar Hill is the best value in DFW right now. 20 min to downtown, good schools (Cedar Hill ISD is B+ on Niche), and homes under $300K still exist.

I had it 3-2 Tsarukyan honestly. Rounds 2, 3, and 4 were his on the feet. The grappling margins were slim.

Basketball Reference: Luka's PER is historically elite for his age. Top 15 all-time pace.

Fort Worth downtown at $1,200 for a 1BR is the best deal on this list. Sundance Square, walkable, actual culture.

Report injuries in WRITING. "Hey boss, I hurt my back" at the water cooler doesn't count if they deny it later. Email or written report with a date.

Sports teams. Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars, FC Dallas, Wings. Six major pro teams plus TCU, SMU, and UNT. Name another metro with that depth.

Dez caught it. I will die on this hill. Source: my own eyes and the laws of physics.

Lightweight is by far the best division to follow right now. Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje. Absolute murders row.

Mandalay Canal Walk in Irving is so random but genuinely nice. The gondola ride is cheesy but fun for a date.

iSettle and other online protest platforms charge 1% of savings but they do all the work. Worth it if you don't want to attend hearings.

Drive to Survive created fans who want drama, not racing. Real racing fans appreciate witnessing greatness. Verstappen 2023 was like watching peak Schumacher.

Children's Health in Dallas is world-class. When my son needed surgery, we felt like we were in the best hands possible.

Levitt Pavilion in Arlington does free concerts AND movies. One of the best free entertainment venues in mid-cities.

Jordan is still the GOAT by peak. 6-0 in Finals. LeBron is the GOAT by totality of career. They are both right answers depending on what you value.

India Palace lunch buffet on a Wednesday is my guilty pleasure. 14 items deep. $16 all-in.

Hamilton arriving is either going to elevate Leclerc or destroy him. There is no middle ground when you share a garage with a 7-time champion.

Used CrimeMapping.com when apartment hunting in Addison. Found that one complex I was considering had 14 police calls in the previous month. Hard pass.

Google does remove fake reviews if you report them but it takes weeks. Flagging works better in bulk — get multiple people to flag the same reviews.

Rachio smart sprinkler controller pays for itself in one summer. Auto-skips watering when it rains, follows DFW water restrictions, and my lawn still looks great.

Libraries in DFW are massively underrated for kids. Free story time, STEM programs, summer reading — all free.

If you are in Fort Worth, just go to the TCU game. Ford Stadium at TCU is one of the most underrated game day experiences in DFW. Tailgating on the campus lawns is beautiful.

Year 1 pay cut is brutal but year 3+ is where it flips. I'm in year 4 of my DFW business. $210K revenue, $140K profit, and growing. The freedom is worth the early sacrifice.

The Nasher garden on a quiet Wednesday afternoon is my therapy. $10 is a bargain for what that place does for my mental health.