Young Russian Takes Tesla Cybertruck for a Spin for the First Time!

 

Luxury Builder Secret Exposed!

There has been a hidden secret from the public for well over a decade and I am going to expose it. I am not sure if the reasons are greed, ignorance, or expedience for what I am about to explain. My hopes are that the reason is ignorance. Below is a typical example of what I am about to reveal.

Some time ago, likely 10 years ago or more, many granite fabricators were approached by the Chinese with a proposition. They were told they could purchase double bowl stainless sinks for pennies on the dollar and offer them free to builders because they were so cheap. How cheap, you ask? Well... about $50 each. That small amount can easily be absorbed by the granite fabricator when offering a bid for a job containing a free sink! The builders were thrilled because they could offer their clients a free kitchen sink with their new home. The granite fabricators were thrilled because it helped them become more successful. The new homeowner, on the other hand, discovered these sinks were horrible, both in quality and in function. Double bowl sinks make no sense at all in a 21st-century kitchen. They have been replaced by single bowl workstation sinks. So, what have we seen transpire over the past 10 years with these homeowners? They call us, and likely others, to replace their ridiculous double bowl sinks with single bowl workstation sinks at a great cost. The countertop must be cut, a plumber is required and I can tell you these homeowners feel they have been taken advantage of by their builders and are furious.

https://www.rachiele.com/dual-tier-workstation-sink.aspx

Builders... double bowl sinks are obsolete! They have no place in new homes. At least consider a single bowl sink, at best consider a single bowl workstation sink. If you are wondering why you do not get as many referrals as you might expect, this is the reason! The kitchen is the heart of most homes and the sink is the heart of the kitchen. Stop putting obsolete, cheap sinks in your luxury homes.

You might think this commentary is self-serving. Honestly, I may benefit slightly from this epistle. My reason for writing this is my concern for the general public. They deserve better from you. Your homes are gorgeous, details are impeccable, however, you are missing the most important detail - the kitchen sink and faucet!

R/O Water - Bad for your health?

The most misunderstood home filtered water may be bad for your health!

Reverse Osmosis systems are sold all of the time without giving accurate health information regarding drinking this "PURE" water. Yes, it is pure water! So, how can that be bad for you?

Let's look at pure water at the molecular state. It is defined as H20. Did you know that pure H20 does not exist in nature? No, it is not because we humans have desecrated the earth and ruined all of the water. It is because it likely never existed. Huh? The water molecule is extremely unstable. What does that mean? In simple terms, it does not like being H20. It wants to latch on to another type of molecule in order for it to become stable. The lack of stability is why all faucets that pass Reverse Osmosis water through them have to be certified. Certified regarding what? Well, the first culprit is lead. Even tiny traces of lead will latch on to the H20 molecule and strip it from the base metal. We all know lead is very dangerous to breathe or ingest, so all R/O faucets contain no lead, mercury, arsenic or other nasty metals. 

So, if the faucet is fine, why is the water not so healthy to drink?

Remember what I said above? Water is unstable and likes to attach to other molecules? Well, when you drink pure water, it hunts down minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and other trace minerals (in your system) and combines them with the pure water and you urinate them out of your system!

This is a quote from the World Health Organization. 

“Demineralised water that has not been remineralized, or low-mineral content water – in the light of the absence or substantial lack of essential minerals in it – is not considered ideal drinking water, and therefore, its regular consumption may not be providing adequate levels of some beneficial nutrients.” 

Wow, I bet the folks that sold you an R/O system didn't tell you that! Well, don't be too alarmed. Simply go to your regular doctor, explain you are drinking distilled water as your regular source of water (distilled water is basically R/O water). Ask your doctor which supplements you should be taking and how often. You might want to get a blood test prior and then 6 months later. 

There are some areas in the country where R/O is the only option. That being said, I speak to clients almost weekly who are about to invest in a costly R/O system with no need whatsoever. There are alternate, less expensive and healthier options out there. 

I have studied water systems for over 20 years and have a great deal of information to share beyond what you read here. If interested, give me a call. 407-880-6903 Dino Rachiele, A.C.S.D.

Read more and learn about healthier options at Rachiele.com 

Florida, U.S.A.

My 3 1/2 Year Experience with one of the first Tesla Model X's

My 3 1/2 Year Experience with one of the first Tesla Model X's

Never a dull moment and more fun than any adult can imagine while driving. 

I was an early adopter of the Tesla Model X. Those Falcon Wing Doors lured me in like a fat worm on a hook to a trout. I kid you not, the other reason was my test drive. Holy crap! I have never felt so dizzy in such a short time. Our salesperson took Lisa and me for a one-mile drive. Early on, she launched the car from Zero to 60 in 3 seconds. That made Lisa ill and me very dizzy. There were two very different reactions. Lisa said, get me out of this thing, and I said, oh hell yes, I need one now! We slumbered back to the dealership and I ordered one of the first model X's. They didn't even have one to show yet. 

When "she" arrived, it was like Christmas as a 6-year-old again. I had read so much about the car that everything they told me or showed me I already knew. I was ready, so I thought. 

Day one. Of course, I made myself dizzy as much as possible, however, I was unaccustomed to the regeneration of energy designed into removing one's foot from the "go" pedal. I discovered there was literally no need to brake until you were down to about 4 miles an hour. The trick was to know when to let up on the go pedal in order to stop at the appropriate time and place. That took MONTHS. I would come to a near stop 40 feet behind the car in front of me and then would have to move up and wonder what was wrong with my reflexes. After a couple of months, I was dead on, no more brakes until the last 3 or 4 mph. I realized, the brakes would last forever, and they will. 

Then there was the fear of running out of battery, not by me, but by EVERYONE else. Think of this, I have a charger at home and at my office. The range is roughly 225 miles. I charge every night at home, so what gas guzzler is full EVERY morning without having to go to the gas station? I drove from Orlando to Atlanta without issue. There were several FREE and FAST charging stations within 1/2 mile of the roads I was on in most cases. The charging lasted about 20 minutes. Time to grab a drink, use the restroom and get back on the road. 

My grandchildren called Tesla the "Vomit Comet". The name has stuck. It does have the power to make you quite nauseous. 

I now have about 36,000 miles on the Comet and have driven it since July of 2016 every day. 

Oh, I should mention their stellar service. Check this out...

That is Tesla Service coming to my office. Yes, they will come to you if the service can be done outside of the shop. Their service department (Orlando) is amazing. I am always pleasantly surprised with the customer service. If, and when, my car has to go to their shop, I am gifted a loaner (usually a nice Tesla) and they text me regularly with updates. 

I almost forgot the best part. This computerized marvel is self-driving. I have my car on autopilot 95% of the time. It has never caused me to worry. In fact, It may have saved my life twice!

The first incident was on the crazy I-75 in downtown Atlanta. Posted speed is a joke. 55mph, yea, right. Everyone is going 80, nearly bumper to bumper at those speeds. I was in the left lane and my car aggressively began braking. I could not see any reason... until the car in front of me smashed into the car in front of him. You see, Tesla has radar that can shoot under the car in front of you and detect what the front car is doing. My car detected aggressive breaking by the front car and the car in front of me was not paying attention. Save #1.

The second incident was on the way to Atlanta earlier that morning. It was 4am and I was on a toll road that hardly is used due to the high cost and the reasonably good alternatives. I was in a hurry, so I was going the speed limit of 70mph in the FOG. I had the car long enough to know it would navigate just fine in the fog. Well, again, it started slowing down, but not aggressively. As I slowed to 40mph, I saw the very dim lights of a flatbed truck going 40mph in a 70 zone. Granted, it was not that foggy and a prudent driver should have been going about 55 to 60, but not 40! His rear lights were nearly out, in fact, most were and the ones that were lit were barely lit. I may have run right up on that flatbed had my car not been controlling the drive. Save #2

A few weeks ago, Tesla came out with the Cyber Truck. Yes, I ordered one immediately. 

Many think it is ugly, but the odd thing grew on me, and fast. The metal used is the exact stainless allow Elon Musk uses on his new rockets. You can hit the side of the car, or anywhere, with a sledgehammer as hard as you want and it will not dent. In fact, it is bulletproof to a 9mm bullet - and so is the glass!

The one I ordered is /10th of a second faster than the Vomit Comet. Zero 10 60 in 3 seconds flat, and this beast is touted to weigh 10,000 pounds. My Tesla weighs in a just under 7,000 pounds!

Lastly, I have not ridden in the model 3 yet. I hear rave reviews. They have managed to get the price under 40K for a marvel that is decades ahead of the pack. I have ridden in several Model S - the sedan. Smooth as silk, and will still make you sick - I love that part!

Well, I did say lastly, but I have a bit more to say. The GAMES and FUN STUFF Elon sends monthly by downloads. My car is constantly getting upgrades and can do things it could not do earlier. It is like getting a new car every month!

Elon's sense of humor mirrors my sick sense of humor. A recent download allows the driver to make fart sound come out of whichever seat I select. I was quickly told to never do that again by Lisa. She just doesn't get that this is a gadget lovers NERD car. I love gadgets because they show innovation. Too often companies are stuck in the past, recreating old ideas by dressing them up differently. My goodness, the very first automobile was a Mercedez Benz and it had an internal combustion engine. We just keep putting different dresses on the well over 100 year old technology. 

OK, best part. Guess what the annual maintenance is? Rotate tires and check the windshield wiper blades! No oil, nothing to service. I love traffic jams now. More time to spend in my toy. Whoever thought I would ever say I love my X?

Thanks for reading my ramblings. 

Dino Rachiele

www.Rachiele.com

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I Quit a 20 Year Career as a Kitchen Designer!

I Quit a 20 Year Career as a Professional Kitchen Designer to Design Time-Saving Custom Kitchen Sinks. 

Yes, I did it cold turkey about 21 years ago. Why? I was about to blow my brains out trying to find a decent sink on the market to go with my ergonomically designed kitchens. My entire goal as a kitchen designer was to save the family time and to make that time as ergonomically comfortable as possible. My career was wildly successful. How many kitchen designers can say they lost about 1 project per year? Oh, and it was lost in the first 10 minutes. No, not because they figured out I was big-headed or self-righteous, (that takes time). It was because they could not afford my services. So why leave a great career? I saw a HUGE gaping hole in the market that needed to be filled. I even gave the opportunity to Elkay, Kohler, and others. They politely shewed me off of each phone call. Believe it or not, that is what convinced me to design my own sinks. I can see Paradigm Paralysis a mile away and these folks were deeply infected!

My first design was simple. A single bowl sink with a rear corner drain. Why? Well, apparently the other folks missed the invention of the dishwasher. Try fitting a platter, serving tray or cookie sheet in ANY double bowl sink. I supposed none of them ever had the need - too busy designing sexy sinks that made no sense. 

Early on, I had an idea that I thought was worthy of a patent or two. I invented the first apron front sink with a short apron, plus an apron front sink with a channel behind the shorter apron to allow anyone to have an apron front sink in their existing cabinet without cutting the cabinetry. I managed two patents. Well, those patents got the attention of the boys at Kohler. They quickly came out with a VERY similar design. I wrote them a nice note showing my patent and their design and sheepishly mentioned they May have stumbled on my patent, however, I had a win-win thought. I mentioned that I built copper sinks and they didn't. Perhaps we might be able to build some sinks for Kohler in copper. Their attorney response was swift and chilling. Basically, they said do not contact us again, or else... Well, I was, and still am, a tiny company and didn't want to go out of business in my second or third year trying to defend my $14,000 patents. I simply smiled with delight that they finally were breaking out of their paralysis.

Also, early on, I designed the first single bowl corner sink. That one was a no-brainer. The stupid, idiotic double bowl corner sink designs are an embarrassment to our industry. Come on folks, what were you thinking when you designed those atrocious sinks?

Years later, the big one came along. Yes, the workstation sink! I was the first in the world to offer a sink on the international market where you could prepare your meal ON the sink instead of the countertop. Well, that grabbed the attention of my friends at Kohler and many other companies. No patent here, but I sure did get a laugh at the Kohler version. They put the step so high in the sink that their cutting board, when placed on the shelf, appeared to be level or higher than the adjacent counter. So, when you rinse off the cutting board in place, better wear some rain shoes! 

My last three patents were of a dual-tier sink design. That grabbed the attention of Forbes Magazine. They did an article about us and features a photo of a 54" long dual tier copper sink. 

In the past 21 years of designing sinks, I have amassed about 10 patents, but now have stopped that nonsense and concentrate on better designs. I now offer only custom sinks, direct to the public. My goal is to design a custom sink around the lifestyle, height, handedness, food prep style, shopping style, entertaining style, and other factors with the end result of saving significant time EVERY time the sink is used. How much time is saved? It depends on how much you cook and how much food prep you do. Many of my past clients keep in touch over the years. Several have told me my design saves them a couple hours a week. If that is the case, that amounts to 13 days a year! WHAT??? Even if my sink saves an hour a week. That is 52 hours over a year. A workweek is 40 hours. What would you do with an extra week or so a year?

Visit us to see why we have been the leader in kitchen sink design since 1999. https://www.rachiele.com

Why I Quit my Job as a Kitchen Designer

Frustration at the idiotic sinks on the market made me quit my job as a professional kitchen designer and I concentrated on designing sinks that made sense!

Copper Sinks - what you need to know!

Sadly, copper sinks get a bad rap due to the lack of good information online. If you have the time to do a great deal of research, you will find that the vast majority of copper sinks require that you dry the sink after each use. They are not kidding. If you wash your hands, you are to dry the sink. Most consumers find this out well after they have permanently installed their sink.

The Rachiele copper sinks do not require drying - at all. There are two reasons for this. 1. Their sinks are generously sloped toward the drain and the water evacuates properly. 2. There is no faux finish inside the bowl. The bowl is naturally weathered using household vinegar.

If you think about it, most older copper pennies are the same color - a deep caramel brown. Well, that is the color copper wants to be! So, Rachiele starts their sink off with a natural patina that will regenerate constantly. Many companies promise their copper sinks will do the same, but if you use common sense and look at the color of their sinks you will see it is impossible for the copper to turn to the original color. That is the most common complaint heard.

The main reason why the imports require drying after each use is that their sinks do not evacuate properly. If you let water stand in the same place, even in a Rachiele sink, for months - there will be discoloration.

There is another confusing factor regarding copper. The thickness is often touted as an important factor and the "real" indicator of a quality sink. That is far from the truth. There are two types of copper; recycled annealed copper and cold rolled copper. Cold rolled copper is about 8 times harder and stronger than annealed copper. It all has to do with heat!

Annealed copper is the product of recycling. There is nothing wrong with recycling copper. In fact, the vast majority of copper used in the world is recycled. When copper is super-heated, it changes the molecular structure of the metal and makes it soft and pliable. In the case of a copper sink, a soft material allows for easy hand-hammering, however, it also makes the sink easy to dent, bend or twist out of shape in shipping or even handling.

Cold rolled copper is made in a very different process."Ore is ground and put in flotation tanks and the resultant precipitant is about 28% copper. This material is sent to a flash smelting smelter which refines it to about 70% copper. This material then goes into a flash converting furnace and is brought to 98% purity. Anode furnaces refine it further to 99.6% purity as the copper is cast into plates or anodes. The refinery then brings these plates (anodes) into an acid solution with stainless steel plates on each side for 10 days. An electric current is applied which attract the copper to the stainless plates. The impurities, which can contain gold and silver, are left as residue on the bottom of the tank. The resultant copper is now 99% pure."

You probably are unaware that you likely have cold rolled copper in your home. Copper pipes are made of cold rolled copper. Alternately, the copper tubing used for airconditioning is annealed copper. The airconditioning installers must bend the copper around obstacles and it is nearly impossible to bend a cold rolled copper tube. Cold rolled copper sheets are very rarely used. In fact, there are only a few locations in the U.S. that manufacture it in large enough sheets to build a sink. 

So... now you have it! Probably more information than you bargained for. 

Have a great day!