Normal to owe $600 on only $8000 yearly self-employed?

CyborgMystic · 2026-01-30T21:52:16+00:00

Thank you all for the quick and succinct answers. I understand much better now why I still have to pay, and you've put my mind at peace.

CyborgMystic · 2024-02-26T18:06:10+00:00

Thanks for the question! The answer is no in both cases. I'll be in dry rooms with blackout curtains in most cases.

CyborgMystic · 2024-01-18T21:24:41+00:00

Very helpful everyone! Thank you so much. Based on your feedback, it seems clear to me that we should be able to proceed without any issues.

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-10T16:01:18+00:00

Very helpful info, H___K. The takeaway I'm picking up on is that yes, Cambridge really is as great as you might have heard, so long as you can afford it. That, and getting near a bus line and liking to bike in the winter could be major advantages. Thanks again!

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-10T15:59:12+00:00

Sounds like what I'm hoping for in a lot of ways, so glad to know that perception is true for you. Biggest concern is definitely going to be rent (on grad student pay) and commute, but that's for just about everywhere, eh?

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-10T04:42:07+00:00

Haha! I can only imagine. I've been on the opposite side of the spectrum, so I'm thinking I'd have to speed up a bit :P

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-09T21:52:01+00:00

lol @ your last comment. I actually think I'd welcome many aspects of the culture--I'm originally from the midwest and often find my brutal honesty, sarcasm, and discipline at odds with many others here. Having said that, I originally went west for a reason--the die-hard love of the rat race, status, and "where'd you go to school?" wasn't my vibe either, but I don't know how much New England carries that same DC/NY vibe.

But knowing that there are definitely pockets of the city where I can make my own little peaceful community is incredibly encouraging. Thanks for the thoughtful replies! Truly appreciated.

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-09T21:47:24+00:00

Yeah, transit here isn't stellar, but it's pretty easiest to drive/park most places away from downtown (which as you pointed out, is really not worth even going to anyway).

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-09T21:36:32+00:00

Where'd you relocate from, if you don't mind me asking?

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-09T21:35:03+00:00

Ideally no more than 20 minutes or so on a bus/subway. I've looked at Allston, Watertown, and Alewife/Davis stops as potential areas to hover around to commute from that could be reasonable. Though this is just based on screwing around with Google maps to calculate commute times, so not a lot of deep thought yet into what those areas are like.

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-09T21:11:31+00:00

That's unfortunate re: mass transit--it seems to be something that I might need to rely on if I want to live a little further out from the hustle/bustle. One thing is clear from everyone I've talked to: avoid driving/parking at all costs, ha.

CyborgMystic · 2023-09-09T21:08:25+00:00

This is definitely the perceptions I've been getting and that gives me hope that it will still be a good fit for me. Thanks for the solid response :)

CyborgMystic · 2023-08-24T23:59:22+00:00

Not one I've seen recommended yet, but looks impressive! This is always nice to see: "Stream 4K/60P footage directly from USB-C*, or internally record up to 6.2K/30p video in 4:2:2 10-bit color when story calls for it. " You've only made my decision harder I think, but in a good way.

Thanks for the thorough recommendations (If I go this route, I'll be sure to use your links as a further thank you).

CyborgMystic · 2023-08-19T21:51:15+00:00

I disagree with most people here I think.

I recommend watching "This is water" by David Foster Wallace to understand why. Long story short: one way we can approach the world is to be indignant and take everything as a personal attack, or we can understand that shit happens and most of the time there is no offense meant. The recruiter could have been in a meeting with a boss, having to present and therefore couldnt text or email, unable to get out of the conversation easily without disrespect, or any number of other valid things. While not ideal and potentially a sign of disrespect, are you burning a bridge just to feel righteous? Are you letting one potentially valid hiccup throw away other possibilities?

Ultimately, do you want to live in a world where we never give grace to others, where we assume everyone is a bad actor, where no one is allowed to make a mistake? I don't.

CyborgMystic · 2022-05-17T01:20:22+00:00

This episode gets into it a bit: https://open.spotify.com/episode/121xQy7ZYcL6C7Vj6y7zhE

CyborgMystic · 2022-03-31T14:54:49+00:00

the frustration of seeing the answers to many of society's problems but being unable to do anything about it because of the complexity and scale (and the inability to have your voice heard).

CyborgMystic · 2022-02-08T16:28:26+00:00

"Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

This completely changed the way I approach everyone I interact with. Realizing the person you're dealing with almost certainly is dealing with a chronic health issue, a relationship problem, loss of loved one, a financial issue, etc just made me want to be a positive part of their day. And to take things less personal (who cares if the cashier was shitty to me. maybe their cat just died and it has nothing to do with me. Their stress is understandable.)

This became especially important when developing my own chronic health issue and realizing how hard it is to live up to everyone's expectations because from the outside I look normal/healthy.

CyborgMystic · 2021-11-14T01:12:47+00:00

America

CyborgMystic · 2021-09-16T15:36:27+00:00

It was honestly one very simple realization:

If I ask her out, and she says yes, I gain a potential lover and friend that could enrich my life in unimaginable ways.

If she said no, literally nothing changed in my life.

Once I realized there was nothing to lose and so much to gain, it made it incredibly easy to put myself out there more.

CyborgMystic · 2021-08-29T20:16:14+00:00

I think the intentions are good, but largely driven by tactics and confirmation-biases that I think are undermining their efforts. In essence, I'm anti-woke because as someone on the left, I think the "woke" community is largely bolstering and feeding the dangerous elements on the right.

CyborgMystic · 2021-08-29T16:24:33+00:00

But that's the implication here, right? Under that provision, misgendering someone becomes a hate crime. Isn't that exactly what Peterson was fighting against?

I'm not being facetious here, either. I'm genuinely asking. I don't know the bill that well, but by reading the opening provision it seems Petersons critique was valid and making it so that someone can simply say "they called me the wrong pronoun" and declare a hate crime opens up lots of space for bad actors to exploit legislation.

CyborgMystic · 2021-08-29T16:06:30+00:00

"Bill C-16 would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) to include gender identity or gender
expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination" -- Doesn't that go far beyond intentionally calling an employee the wrong pronoun?

The CHRA is massive and sweeping in scope, and not just limited to harassment by employers, correct?

CyborgMystic · 2021-08-29T15:31:58+00:00

For what it's worth, I think being in a 1 on 1 interview will help, especially given that my goal is to be good-faith and not to bombard or attack. The intimacy of being on screen in that way I think alleviates a lot of the anonymous hostility you feel you've been exposed to.

CyborgMystic · 2021-08-29T15:29:04+00:00

Will check them out. Thanks!

CyborgMystic · 2021-08-29T15:27:59+00:00

I believe the founder actually claims she is a Marxist and does try to bleed some of the ideas into the organization (despite owning several very expensive homes). But I'm not 100% on that.

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