Blake_Burns20
| Favorite team: | LSU  |
| Location: | Prairieville, LA |
| Biography: | |
| Interests: | Baseball, Football, Golf, Gardening, Tabletop Gaming |
| Occupation: | Project Coordinator |
| Number of Posts: | 50 |
| Registered on: | 8/25/2013 |
| Online Status: | Not Online |
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re: Hotel near metro stop in Washington DC
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 2/22/25 at 9:08 am
I’d recommend staying near the Foggy Bottom-GWU station. It’s a good spot, close to the National Mall, and there’s a Hilton Garden Inn nearby. Another solid choice is the Hyatt Place DC/White House, which is close to McPherson Square metro.
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re: Train tickets in Italy
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 2/22/25 at 9:01 am
I’ve done those trips before, and honestly, standard class is perfectly fine for just a couple of hours. The business class is nice if you want extra space and a quieter ride, but for the time you're spending, it’s not really necessary. As for luggage, there's no big difference between the classes in terms of restrictions; both allow standard carry-ons and a small personal item.
re: Anyone been the the country Georgia?
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 2/22/25 at 8:57 am
I’ve been to Georgia, and it’s honestly an underrated gem. The mix of mountains, old architecture, and the hospitality makes it a cool spot. The ski resorts are pretty solid if you’re into that, and the food is amazing. Idk now with their new russian-inclined president how the matters are.
re: RV/Travel Trailer Purchase
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 2/13/25 at 5:53 am
Buying your first camper is exciting but can also be a bit overwhelming. I’ve owned a Keystone Passport for a few years now, and it’s been a good choice, lightweight, well-built, and easy to tow. Grand Design and Winnebago are also great options if you want solid construction and good resale value. One thing I’d really emphasize is checking the quality of factory tires and making sure the layout works for your needs before committing.
If you’re considering saving money beyond just the purchase price, registering the RV in Montana can be a good way to cut down on taxes and fees. You can register here if you're looking into that option.
If you’re considering saving money beyond just the purchase price, registering the RV in Montana can be a good way to cut down on taxes and fees. You can register here if you're looking into that option.
re: Planning a my first Europe trip next year
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 1/13/25 at 3:49 am
For a two-week trip to Europe, I’d suggest focusing on a few key cities to avoid feeling rushed. Start with classics like Paris and Rome for their rich history and culture. Then, consider Munich—it’s a great mix of old-world charm and modern vibes, plus it’s well-connected to amazing day-trip destinations like Neuschwanstein Castle and Salzburg.
When I traveled to Munich, it was one of my favorite stops. Bummelwelt.de helped me plan affordable day trips from Munich. I found great deals for castle tours and train tickets, which made exploring the area so much easier and cheaper.
As for a tour operator, it depends on your comfort level with planning. If you’re new to international travel, a tour operator can simplify things, but planning on your own can give you more flexibility and potentially save money. Either way, Europe is an amazing place to explore!
When I traveled to Munich, it was one of my favorite stops. Bummelwelt.de helped me plan affordable day trips from Munich. I found great deals for castle tours and train tickets, which made exploring the area so much easier and cheaper.
As for a tour operator, it depends on your comfort level with planning. If you’re new to international travel, a tour operator can simplify things, but planning on your own can give you more flexibility and potentially save money. Either way, Europe is an amazing place to explore!
re: Rental Car Tips?
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 1/9/25 at 4:20 am
In my experience, booking directly through the rental company’s site like Hertz or Enterprise gives you more peace of mind, especially if something goes wrong (e.g., cancellations, insurance claims). But I’ve also found some solid deals on third-party platforms like Kayak or Orbitz.
That said, always check reviews for any unfamiliar rental companies they redirect you to. Some smaller services can be legit, but others might come with hidden fees or poor customer service. Personally, if you’re traveling to places like South Florida, I’d recommend checking out services like RealCar. I used them for a trip and loved the quality and straightforward pricing—here’s their Miami location: https://realcar.miami/locations/mia.
That said, always check reviews for any unfamiliar rental companies they redirect you to. Some smaller services can be legit, but others might come with hidden fees or poor customer service. Personally, if you’re traveling to places like South Florida, I’d recommend checking out services like RealCar. I used them for a trip and loved the quality and straightforward pricing—here’s their Miami location: https://realcar.miami/locations/mia.
re: Japan Trip advice ... Tokyo, Kyoto (Osaka?)
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 1/3/25 at 10:35 am
Three places in ten days is a whirlwind, especially in Japan with the travel time between cities. I think your Tokyo/Kyoto plan is fine. Skip Osaka unless something specific calls to you there. Kyoto is a better base for Nara. For Tokyo hotels, Shinjuku is super convenient, but Shibuya is trendy and fun.
re: Mt. Rainier in August. Tips?
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 1/3/25 at 10:34 am
August can be HOT, so pick a location with higher elevation or plan for early morning/late evening hikes. Bring PLENTY of water
re: Auto Loan Rates
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 12/24/24 at 5:47 am
I got 2.8% on a new car loan a couple of months ago with a local Finnish bank, but I had to negotiate a bit to lock it down. It seemed like loans for used cars had higher rates unless you went for shorter terms. The key for me was showing a solid income history and having about 10% as a down payment. Dealers sometimes pitch attractive offers, but watch out for hidden fees or inflated vehicle pricing.
If you're in Finland and want to compare rates easily, the Finnish Car Loan Calculator at LINK / can help estimate your costs. It’s worth checking out to get a clearer idea of expenses before applying for any loan.
If you're in Finland and want to compare rates easily, the Finnish Car Loan Calculator at LINK / can help estimate your costs. It’s worth checking out to get a clearer idea of expenses before applying for any loan.
re: Any really good video editing software on the web for free or really cheap??
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 7/29/24 at 7:40 am
Free tools often come with limitations like watermarks. I've had a good experience with options that keep your final product clean.
re: Recommendations for Branson Missouri in mid-June with kids (young teens)
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 7/18/24 at 3:46 pm
If you're into outdoor adventures with your tweens, Silver Dollar City is a blast for coaster enthusiasts, and skipping the water park for more thrill rides sounds like a solid plan. For ziplining and ropes courses, check out local adventure parks like Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain, they offer various courses suitable for different ages and skill levels.
When it comes to hiking, you can't go wrong with the trails around Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. They have moderate routes with scenic waterfalls to discover, perfect for a day outdoors. While white water rafting isn't nearby, consider kayaking or paddleboarding on Table Rock Lake for some on-the-water fun.
For more off-the-beaten-path ideas, explore caves like Marvel Cave or take a scenic drive through the Ozark Mountains. You can find here great resorts: https://www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/missouri/branson/. Enjoy your adventure-filled trip!
When it comes to hiking, you can't go wrong with the trails around Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. They have moderate routes with scenic waterfalls to discover, perfect for a day outdoors. While white water rafting isn't nearby, consider kayaking or paddleboarding on Table Rock Lake for some on-the-water fun.
For more off-the-beaten-path ideas, explore caves like Marvel Cave or take a scenic drive through the Ozark Mountains. You can find here great resorts: https://www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/missouri/branson/. Enjoy your adventure-filled trip!
re: Best Place to watch sports in Salt Lake City
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 6/6/24 at 1:46 pm
The Point After. Great place. I watched there parma u20 vs como u20 match. It offers a welcoming atmosphere for all ages, with plenty of screens and a great menu that caters to both adults and kids.
re: Using VPN In Europe...
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 12/4/23 at 1:03 pm
I haven't been using a VPN for a while now, but I've had good experiences with a different kind of service for accessing content and playing on sites like Draft Kings. Instead of a VPN, I use a residential proxy from proxys.io. I prefer this mainly because of the reliability and consistency in connection speeds, which are crucial for streaming and gaming.
Residential proxies, especially the one I use from proxys.io , provide a stable and secure connection, similar to VPNs, but with fewer interruptions and better speed. This has made a big difference in accessing geo-restricted content and ensuring a smooth gaming experience. Plus, it's affordable at only $1.4.
Residential proxies, especially the one I use from proxys.io , provide a stable and secure connection, similar to VPNs, but with fewer interruptions and better speed. This has made a big difference in accessing geo-restricted content and ensuring a smooth gaming experience. Plus, it's affordable at only $1.4.
re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 8/8/16 at 2:41 pm
quote:
What software do you use for video editing?
Thinking about making to jump to Adobe Premier Pro.
re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 8/8/16 at 11:13 am
quote:
Very broad statement. We need to know your budget for the card because the best card to get right now is the $700 gtx 1080
Not really wanting to spend $700 right now. I am going to use my rig for video editing and some minor gaming. I would like to be able to somewhat future proof it, if that is even possible with GPU's. I'm looking to find the best GPU for the price that can handle 4K.
re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 8/8/16 at 8:23 am
Looking for the best GPU for my current system that I am working on. Could someone please send out some suggestions. I am also looking for the best sound/audio possible. Will the motherboard offer that or should I add something?
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.01 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($149.39 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($88.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.01 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($149.39 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($88.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.88 @ OutletPC)
re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 6/26/16 at 3:23 pm
quote:
That's normal, and only applies if you're running the M.2 slot in SATA mode (you'll be running it in PCIe mode in order to get the maximum bandwidth).
Will I have to get a PCIe adapter?
re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 6/26/16 at 8:54 am
quote:
Have a few almost brand new in box, all fully modular, gold, 750W - 850W Silverstones and Corsairs.
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($314.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($150.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($154.85 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Founders Edition Video Card ($449.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.88 @ OutletPC)
Im getting this message. What is the Problem?
---The motherboard M.2 slot #0 shares bandwidth with a SATA Express port. When the M.2 slot is populated, one SATA Express port is disabled.---
LSUCOYOTE--- I emailed you about your PSU's.
re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 6/24/16 at 2:20 pm
quote:
Are you located in or around BR-NO area?
I live in Ascension Parish. Between BR and NO.
re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts
Posted by Blake_Burns20 on 6/24/16 at 2:02 pm
quote:
Have a few almost brand new in box, all fully modular, gold, 750W - 850W Silverstones and Corsairs.
Let me know how to get in touch with you to get the PSU. First part to the build.. :cheers:
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