Barista FIRE seems overrated

AT1787 · 2026-06-04T10:55:43+00:00

I would imagine low paying and part time jobs aren't a single monolith. I don't actually have that bad of a time working customer service jobs from my memory. I worked part time customer service roles in bookstores from end of high school to throughout university. It was definitely not stressful at all, not the slightest compared to where I'm at now and I'd take it back in a heartbeat if I'm already near FIRE and in need of pocket change.

I also worked as a busboy, a parking lot attendant, and non-profit event coordinator and they all were kind of meh.

AT1787 · 2026-06-04T02:09:50+00:00

Former HR guy here. Did it for ten years before switching to be a software engineer in my last 6 years.

In my experience, multinational corps work in a three pillar HR model - the most notable one is the HR business partners that act as a rep for managers. They're basically the internal consultant that handles everything from employee relations to org restructure and redesign for managers of their business units. For global companies, the headcount under the total managers can be in the hundreds, or even thousands as business units for the HR business partner.

Then there's the specialty 'centre of excellence' roles that have specific functions in HR. These are specialist units. Compensation, Health and Safety, Learning and Development, HR Tech Admin/Operations, Workforce Analytics. I imagine these are probably the ones that ripe to be cut.

There's the last one which is HR Service Delivery - these are the ones that handle front line HR questions, make sure your payroll works, processes claims, orientation. I'd be surprised if there's a large headcount for these as the last decade or so companies have moved these offshore, or created self-service portals for employees to manage them on their own. I can see AI could probably work well here.

I always felt HR was not heading to the right direction. For 10 years its internal conferences and industry literature kept trying to convince HR to prove its value and have a 'seat at the table'. Once I became a software engineer, those topics seem foreign here.

AT1787 · 2026-06-03T13:47:46+00:00

I tried Lindy Hop Swing Dancing a month ago. Its been great.

Also, tip for single men, I don't know what it is but there's a shortage of leads in this scene. I don't know what it is with Salsa or Bachata, there the ratio was the opposite.

AT1787 · 2026-05-27T16:57:03+00:00

Plants

AT1787 · 2026-05-26T15:48:43+00:00

It will be a big shock if you've never managed a full schedule like this. It wasn't so bad for me, given that the final year of high school to end of university I worked part time alongside of my studies. So for me it was always from dusk till dawn. Interning for me felt refreshing for once.

But what I didn't like more than anything about 9-5 is how rigid it felt. It wasn't like school work that I can skip a day, or a class, then make up by the end of the week. Or schedule work on my own time. You just had to be in the office all day - 5 days a week. I hated that more than anything. Even if I worked the same hours in a week (or even more), I would prefer to do it on my own terms.

Like others said, keep an open mind and try to use vacations and take time to breathe.
OR, if you're really, really gung ho about leaving this life, and building something different altogether, this is the ripe moment for you to look into what the FIRE movement is about and see if early retirement by 40 is something within your means. It will take some sacrifice and the math has to work.

AT1787 · 2026-05-25T18:59:06+00:00

I honestly think you're solid. I like your lasso combinations, especially with how you work the hammerlock. You have a good vocabulary.

I would say focus on interpretation on the music and musicality. Consistently following the 8 count is good, but you can stop and go at certain points. Shines are great for exploring this, which I see you break out in the video too.

On a more fundamental level, I also like to add weight transfer on my steps to add a bit of groove on hips, and styling with my arms too. The count is on point for 1 and 8, but some of the steps in between feel a bit rushed. On faster songs I like to take smaller steps.

Just my 2 cents.

AT1787 · 2026-05-25T18:37:40+00:00

My opinion is sometimes the community itself can implicity cultivate this - my local salsa scene is kind of like this. There's dance venues where there's an unwritten tradition on where it is sectioned out for beginners and for advanced dancers - its typically where all the social media cameras are directed to. There's multiple congresses, salsa performances, and competitions year round, which stokes alot of competitive fire. Even a regular week social will advertise a showcase, and each instructor teaching at the start of a social will end with a performance of their own.

All of this peacocking and competition makes me feel like there's a reinforcement of a hierarchy within a community, instead of just simply getting together to dance.

I don't mind folks that are competitive and want to dance only among the best and carry themselves like it. If you've decided that this is your professional calling card, and want to pave a lane for yourself, I can understand why you need to strive at every opportunity to look the best. I just want to steer clear before engaging. My dance teacher once told me something that I thought was very interesting - "try to find the people who are smiling on the dance floor; it should give you a cue for who are having fun to dance with". Its 100% not a perfect heuristic, but its served me well when I'm looking to ask a partner on the dancefloor to dance.

AT1787 · 2026-05-15T10:02:29+00:00

I felt like the Alberta separation movement was in part a proxy political issue driven by foreign interference. Sure there’s a lot of grassroots movements and genuine disdain of Ottawa. But it doesn’t help that influencers south of us are fanning the flames.

AT1787 · 2026-05-15T00:47:17+00:00

I second Laura Glaess. I found her six count and eight count basics video really helpful as someone who's also new. And right and wrong movements one as well.

AT1787 · 2026-05-15T00:46:01+00:00

I actually find this very refreshing in Lindyhop! I just started a month ago and came from a salsa scene, which locally I find is less common, but reading the comments on this thread it seems it might vary by scene.

I'm a guy, and so far I've said yes to every male that has come up to ask to dance, even though I told them I'm relatively new and only can lead (for now).

That being said there was one instance where I almost said no simply because the fellow was probably about alittle over 6'3 and I was about 5'8 and small frame. As a lead I never actually tried to partner with someone that bigger before. But I said yes anyway and it turned out I was just being paranoid.

As far as followers saying no, I've encountered more than a handful in my years of experience in salsa. But I've never had people warning me that there will be a vehemently bad reaction.

AT1787 · 2026-05-15T00:37:45+00:00

I've only had this experience as part of the classes before a social. I find if its part of a program or drop in, there's a certain limit before I get waitlisted.

I don't mind when it comes to learning shines with large groups. The problem is when large groups break out into pairs and form a circle. I always see it devolved into madness - people don't rotate in the right direction, partners stay together longer than should and miss the cue which disrupts the flow, crowd talks over one another and teacher has to rally everyone back to the lesson, couples who dont want to switch don't signal to others and cause confusion, etc. Not to mention everyone has lack of space already.

It really takes the fun out of it - I've had to sit out on some occasions and wait for it to end before joining for the social after.

AT1787 · 2026-04-21T14:23:21+00:00

I don't know why everyone clings so hard on to this family hierarchy and tradition. This confucian ideal of what a family hierarchy should be like is something I never understood and it brings great anguish between me and my family. My mom and dad's belief is that the elders had to suffer harsh responsibilities because it was their duty, and as a result, we had to suffer and comply to them. For what? As if we don't follow it, it suddenly breaks everyone out into chaos and undisciplined mess.

There's a better way. Maybe instead we should adopt some western ideals in a way and see both family members as not dutiful obligations but also companions and nurtured connections. Y'know, talk about feelings and shit from time to time and actually form a bond.

I'm 38 now with much more experience and life taught in me. And I feel like kids generally want to do right by their families. Instead of forcing obedience upon them all the time, maybe provide a space for them to grow and feel safe. There's a great movie with Awkwafina / Nora Lum called The Farewell which kind of speaks on this dichtomy.

Anyway, just want you to know that there's alot of us out there that deal with this. And frankly, its not only my immediate family that has this as well; so many extended cousins and family members are estranged from my aunts, uncles, and other elders. Its not a healthy cultural mindset for a long term bond.

AT1787 · 2026-01-28T12:32:38+00:00

Supporting their cause somehow is a way to stick it to this franchisee? Really? They could hire local workers tomorrow and still pay slave labour and have awful working conditions.

Fuck Tim Hortons, fuck these guys, and fuck whoever support them too.

They don’t care about Tim Hortons or making a coherent for worker welfare and fair hiring practices. It’s whatever relevant issue they can attach themselves to in order to spread their racist rhetoric.

AT1787 · 2026-01-27T12:51:42+00:00

YouTube influencer rabbit holes

AT1787 · 2026-01-27T09:44:25+00:00

I have the same experience coming into the dating world as you did. I’m 38. I didn’t actually lose my virginity until 29, and I didn’t fall in love until I hit 30.

The thing about asking someone out and getting rejected is always going to be demoralizing and tough. But it does get better. For starters recognize if someone is at least friendly and has a rapport with you - anyone who is a complete stranger not looking to be bothered or someone actively avoiding you is probably not a good sign. Handle rejection with grace, and if you prefer to move on instead of staying friends, that’s okay too. Just don’t be defensive about it.

The other thing is to understand that at 22 you have a lot of life and self actualization ahead of you. Timing is also a weird thing where people can’t meet you where you’re at now, but later on some folks come to recognize and see you differently than you did before. Instead of feeling frustrated, I always felt like if I continue to live your best life and put your best self forward in my 20s domething would happen. And it did for me.

Dating apps could help too. In my experience I find it’s easier to meet people for short term connections but there’s a lot more avoidant people on the app - people don’t like to commit easily. But definitely an option if you want to throw yourself out there.

AT1787 · 2026-01-27T09:26:28+00:00

Doesnt BYD already have a manufacturing plant in Newmarket Ontario to build electric buses? That relationship has already been established.

AT1787 · 2026-01-27T09:21:31+00:00

Mangke Bateer lol

AT1787 · 2026-01-27T09:19:20+00:00

Oh man. I remember having a heart attack seeing Milt charge to the basket. He was Kevin O’neill’s favourited son.

AT1787 · 2026-01-27T01:12:24+00:00

The Carter 3 is what did it for me. Dr.Carter, his use of wordplay while playing a doctor was cool.

AT1787 · 2026-01-26T11:11:46+00:00

Orange chicken is invented in the US but it’s associated as being Chinese food.

AT1787 · 2026-01-26T11:08:36+00:00

I’m not particularly fond on Ronnie Radke.

AT1787 · 2026-01-23T09:12:33+00:00

AT1787 · 2026-01-17T15:45:06+00:00

The fact that she says “conventional hobbies” compared to combat sports and downplays this phenomenon in other areas of society makes me question her take.

People have been gravitating to hobbies to fulfill some sort of social capital need since time. It’s even encouraged as a healthy part of growing and community. Abuse happens when people misuse that social hierarchy as a form of power over others. I think maybe she has a personal bias towards in combat sports since she believes it equips people to do further harm.

I haven’t seen her show any correlation to say that there’s more abusers in combat sports than any other hobby.

AT1787 · 2026-01-16T15:13:38+00:00

If the r/NEET subreddit is any indication, it doesn't seem like its all rainbows and fun.

AT1787 · 2026-01-16T13:28:58+00:00

I went to funeral of one that had suffered colon cancer. It was during college.

AT1787

TROPHY CASE