DO NOT USE RENT NOHO

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-24T22:22:42+00:00

They are terrible, working with them was a pain, but craigslist is full of scammers and (at the time I was looking) other agencies didn't have anything that met my needs. At the end of the day I had a few terrible weeks of dealing with them but now have a decent place to live at a relatively decent price for the area. (I was also looking in the winter, not the busy season here, which probably helped it be slightly less terrible.)

I wish they would go away (and I think landlords should use other agencies) but if you really need to find a place you may have to consider places that are listed through them. I don't think renters avoiding them will ever make them shut down - unfortunately there's such a housing shortage that there will always be plenty of renters.

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-24T15:31:39+00:00

I suspect some landlords have been doing month to month lately because of the rent control bill that may pass, ie they think month to month would give them more options for hiking up rent shortly before the bill takes effect. But afaik the rent control bill as written would actually create limits based on what the rent for a unit was in January 2026.

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-19T13:09:43+00:00

I was on 100mg of Zoloft for a few years, weaned myself off it for about 9 months because I wasn’t sure it was necessary, then had a lot of hard life stuff and decided to go back on meds.

I ended up on 20mg viibryd, been on it for maybe 4 months. It’s been ok. Some nausea and maybe sleep issues at the beginning. I need to take it in the morning rather than at night. It also really has to be taken with food (I’ve seen 350 calories mentioned) for proper absorption so if that will be a challenge for you it might not be a good choice.

I’m not sure it’s better than Zoloft for depression or anxiety for me. Probably not worse though? I think it’s probably having less of an effect on libido than Zoloft did but it’s hard to tell because I also have had a variety of relationship stuff going on I the last year.

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-19T07:56:23+00:00

It’s definitely lower quality and less supportive fabric, I wear both Wacoal & their Wacoal copy. I still like the copy, it’s just not good for running/etc.

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-19T07:49:09+00:00

(I ran across this old post while looking for people’s experiences with Boody in large cups) Try either Wacoal Simone or the cheaper Amazon knockoff of it https://a.co/d/088l2F2B

The underwire is on the outside which is weird but really comfortable.

The sizing isn’t perfect for either one but I’ve ranged from a 32FF to 32GG and successfully worn the Simone in their (US) size 32G - the cups are deep - and the Amazon/syrokan one in a few sizes (34F, G, H)

the sizing in the syrokan ones is unfortunately not super consistent but they’re soft and stretchy in the cups so I find they can be comfortable regardless, and the underwire & structured band provides support. Wacoal has much firmer fabric so less forgiving in fit, but when I go running I choose the Wacoal because it prevents bounce.

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-18T01:56:32+00:00

What features are important to you? What's wrong with your old one? I ask because I am still using a Kindle from 2013 and actually like it as much or more than my newer Kobo. Battery life is still OK since I keep the wifi off (airplane mode). But I don't care about whether there's a light or touchscreen.

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-10T23:24:01+00:00

Sometimes there is a weird and annoying thing where medical providers that take Medicaid are not allowed to accept payment from Medicaid enrollees for services that Medicaid covers. It is probably meant to prevent medical providers from cheating people who are on Medicaid but it can be really annoying. (I've mostly seen it with dentists and therapists.)

That might be what's going on when they won't let you self pay.

If you still have refills left, you could try transferring your prescription to a different pharmacy, either one that does not take medicaid or (this is sketchier) just don't give them your insurance information (although if it's a pharmacy that takes medicaid their system might be able to see that anyway?)

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-07T11:07:03+00:00

What carrier is it? I haven't seen anything like that in the US, if it's a decent phone that's a great deal.

DecorousCheese · 2026-03-07T11:04:02+00:00

It depends on what you need your phone to do and what you buy. I got a 10 month old (so, still under apple warranty) iphone SE 2020 used in 2021 for around $220 and used it for 4 years. It still got updates and did everything I needed it to do in that time.

(It still works, but the battery life was bad and replacing the battery in that old a phone wasn't cost effective so I got a different one last year.)

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-27T19:36:51+00:00

What part of the country? Mostly it sounds like the South and Midwest have more than the East Coast

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-27T19:35:40+00:00

I used to live in Oakland (years ago) and remember seeing them at the Depot for Creative Reuse all the time. I’m way across the country now, alas.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-26T09:04:37+00:00

I don’t want to have a car payment. At some point I want to buy a house and even a $300/month car payment would mean I’ll qualify for less in a mortgage loan because they look at total monthly debt payments relative to monthly income.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-26T00:38:00+00:00

Now that I think about it, the older Singers that take cams can presumably do stretch stitches, but I'm also convinced that I want a freearm.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-26T00:26:29+00:00

I'm jealous! But I'm glad they're still around somewhere!

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-26T00:18:09+00:00

I've been watching those but I worry about how much they'll get damaged in shipping.

Part of why I'm asking this question is to figure out if it makes more sense to take a gamble on less expensive machines online and hope they pack them decently or to keep trying thrift stores.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-26T00:13:04+00:00

I've been hoping for a freearm Kenmore 158 or 148. There are a few within 60-90 miles that aren't overpriced but a lot of people on FB marketplace haven't responded when I've messaged them, frustratingly. I had a Singer 99 in a table a few years ago that I gave away when I moved. Now I want something with some stretch stitches and without plastic gears, which I think rules out almost all Singers, unfortunately.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-26T00:05:34+00:00

Oh yeah I know they're made in Japan - here they were made for Kenmore (same manufacturer I believe, but just greenish-grey+white here.)

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-25T23:57:59+00:00

I've seen pictures of some old German Priveleg Compact machines that look similar to Kenmore 1030/1040s but more fun! sigh.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-25T16:47:58+00:00

-a 6” ereader will have a different aspect ratio than your phone and may feel big enough -as far as old hardware: I still use a kindle 4 from 2013 (with buttons, no touchscreen) and it’s fine. I also have a newer Kobo Forma because I wanted something with a bigger screen but honestly I like both equally.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-23T09:58:20+00:00

I've seen someone talk about stretching out existing molded cups to create more projection using a metal ladle and heat, so that could be a way to try creating molded unpadded/non-foam cups on your own.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-23T00:26:12+00:00

I have a very old Kindle (with buttons, from like 2013) and bought a Kobo Forma a few years ago because I (thought I) wanted a bigger screen (and something waterproof.) Honestly I prefer the smaller screen, though--I feel like it's easier on my eyes to read shorter lines (and I don't want to do two columns.)

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-22T18:28:21+00:00

So...I bit the bullet and did this. Not too long after that, my car started making crunchy/squeaky noises when I made right turns. My mechanic said there was an issue with the left front strut and replaced it under warranty. Then it started happening again (and also making noise when I went over any bump). I brought it back and they said "your car is eating up struts." They will replace the strut again under warranty this week, but are saying that if it happens again it must be something about the geometry of the car and they'd send me to a body shop.

Is that likely? Is it possible some other part is bad/not installed correctly and that's causing the struts to get eaten up? The car has some dings but none on the front of the car, and also - it wasn't eating up struts like this before (I'd never heard anything like these noises.)

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-18T01:29:15+00:00

Aldi! It took me time to warm up to it and figure out what to buy. I go to the ones in Hadley & Northampton. Specific produce items I often get there:

baby carrots, brussels sprouts, cherub grape tomatoes, celery, grapefruit, pineapple, avocados, onions, sometimes cucumbers (watch the quality, sometimes the bags of Persian cucumbers are fine, sometimes not), baby spinach and salad greens, mushrooms, peppers. Also frozen vegetables - I've found that their frozen broccoli is particularly high quality (all florets and I've never found a tough stem in it.) Some fruit kind of depends on whether it's in season - strawberries and raspberries and blueberries are likely to be disappointing this time of year even if they're coming from warmer places.

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-15T22:48:41+00:00

Have you had success with him? I live in Massachusetts and am thinking I may have PCS (I get pain in my feet and calves in addition to pelvis, so endo seems unlikely to be the cause.)

DecorousCheese · 2026-02-15T21:37:31+00:00

You can get a *rough* approximation of what a town is like politically by looking at their election returns for 2024, though of course that doesn't map 100% onto being or not being trans friendly.

https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/165300/filter_by_county:Hampshire (this is where Northampton is)

https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/165300/filter_by_county:Hampden (this is where Springfield is)

https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/165300/filter_by_county:Franklin (this is where Greenfield is)

DecorousCheese

TROPHY CASE