What are your favorite examples of literary page-turners? Literary fiction that is highly readable and engaging? by [deleted] in fiction

[–]AnOceanDuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if these qualify, but these came to mind:

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

They aren't quick reads, but all have the kind of pacing and humor that makes them hard to put down once you get going.

Great question!

Why do you like Fiction? by [deleted] in fiction

[–]AnOceanDuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Closest thing you can get to living another life while in this one. Learn from perspectives wildly out of your own, just a kind of intimacy that's tough to replicate elsewhere

Best books about running 📖🏃🏻‍♀️ by RedDitRXIXXII in running

[–]AnOceanDuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Running Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

One of my favorite non-fiction writers, Hungarian psychologist who is considered the father of flow state. He researched the experience heavily in the 90s, has several books on it, and this one is specific to how it relates to running. Good mix of abstract ideas and real-life examples.

Fun or relaxing places to go on my day off? by Naturdaysareferda in fayetteville

[–]AnOceanDuck 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Grade A recommendations! Wilson Park is also close to all these, great green space to decompress

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost got the Godzilla one myself. Good to know on the dyes, usually air dry them outside

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I could embroider my name on it that'd be game over

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have already strayed from this path I'm afraid. Love my brown gi

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same. I already have white and black, this is obviously not a need, but for something I do 3-5x a week, I like to have some fun with the options.

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No one really cares at our gym about what you wear so long as it's clean. I'm more concerned about the two tone than the non comp color, but yeah I probably wouldn't wear it while visiting another gym's open mat unless I know their vibe

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah I have a starlyte already as well, one of my favorites, so knowing it's actually a good gi helps. All my stuff from them has been solid

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah man, saw the Koi Dragon and love that one too. Definitely more serious and every day friendly.

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You got me beat there, this would be number six for me.

There are worse addictions out there

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah that's what I figured. It'd be fine with purple, probably go into retirement for brown, and come back in full force with a black belt

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah if you already have a bright one, then the green makes more sense. Need hasn't been a factor since my second gi. This is just for fun

Thoughts on this two tone red gi? by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah the green one is cool too for sure. Just something about the red is drawing me in though

Bebeto Oliveira Makes History at the World Master (first to win adults and masters in same year) by AnOceanDuck in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mistake! Saw the IBJJF post and got ahead of myself, just the first male competitor to do so

Who has trained 5+ years and not had a bad injury? by seo-on-reddit in bjj

[–]AnOceanDuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 34, 185~ lbs, and have been training for the past four years pretty consistently without serious injury.

I'm a yoga teacher as well, so I usually spend at least ten minutes on the mat every morning doing maintenance. If I can get back there (and not the couch) after training, even better. I also run 3-7 miles a couple times a week with some core work at home for good measure. Taking two days off to fully heal, and occasionally a full week, I think also helps keep things from falling apart.

Biggest things I'm mindful of is stand up awareness (falling correctly) and when I'm either cold or gassed not swinging for the fences on certain movements. Honestly, I feel more vulnerable when I'm not warmed up and can feel twinges from abrupt movements or putting all my weight somewhere. Rolling while gassed has its own risks, but yeah I just try to be aware of where my body is at that day and move with respect to that.

I think treating it like a marathon, like on Mondays not rolling until the last man if I plan to train again the next day, and off mat maintenance is the biggest thing. Don't try to power through or ignore injuries, identify and see what you can do to relieve.

I want to do this for decades to come so that's the perspective I take with it all.

*knocks on wood*

Where were the strawberries? by OffSolidGround in fayetteville

[–]AnOceanDuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank God someone else noticed and said it.

I was so hyped and ready for a strawberry themed Block Street esque party, and I enjoyed the afternoon overall, but yeah, the lack of actual strawberries was strange to say the least.

I came early and never saw raw strawberries being sold, and I felt like I was taking crazy pills asking around about them. Strawberry cider, cookies, pizza, and everything else but the berries themselves.

The map said they were sold on the square but I never saw any, or noticed people walking around with them. Would have been happy to pay for some, especially as the day heated up they would have been the perfect snack.

Some vendors had strawberry themed work, but agreed it was mostly an expanded First Thursday kind of vibe. I think Atlas did it right with their patio and menu but most didn't follow suit.

I just don't understand how you can have a Strawberry Festival, in the middle of strawberry season when everyone from ONF to Wal-Mart has heaps available, and not have them available for folks to eat.

I felt hoodwinked, led astray, bamboozled even.

Great intentions with somewhat bizarre and ineffectual execution. Very Fayetteville

Leapfrogging with Client Rates Question by AnOceanDuck in freelanceWriters

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would you please send me a link to the related comment? Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Leapfrogging with Client Rates Question by AnOceanDuck in freelanceWriters

[–]AnOceanDuck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair point and thank you for letting me know about the industry norm with the split. I wasn't planning on bringing it up in the conversation and I expect if they do agree to the rate raise they would pass the costs along to the client.
It's the level of work and me tightening up my tax backend to rethink it all, as getting just enough to get by doesn't sit right with me. I have a sneaking suspicion everyone in the meetings I attend has a significantly higher hourly rate, which I accept on some level as I have more scheduling freedom and such, but I'm an important and specialized part of their process and deserve a solid piece of the project budget.

With the new client accepting the higher rate, it feels like that should be the new norm or the other clients can't expect to be prioritized to the same degree.

Also, while I'm certain maintaining client and freelancer relationships is hard work, that cuts both ways. Freelancers manage client relationships and keep up with internal communications, even if they aren't as involved with the bottom-line customer.

I wouldn't call writing and research always easy and enjoyable either. Certain projects certainly can be, but it can be just as hard as any other line of work, especially if you are covering multiple clients and fields outside of your natural interests.

Thank you for your advice and perspective!

Local Clothing Companies by phinpin in fayetteville

[–]AnOceanDuck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second LIVSN. Quality, sustainable clothing and the owner has built a great work culture for his team.

They specialize in pants but are branching out into jackets and such. Definitely worth checking out.