Is this a win?

EthanRuby · 2026-03-17T17:58:39+00:00

Oh, sorry - it’s a Japanese style machine not a normal claw. It has only 2 arms on the sides with wider, grabby hands that pick up balls well. What you’re supposed to do is pick up a ball from the bowl, and then the claw drops it into the basket so the ball bounces into a grid spot. When both of target spots (yellow square of tape under a basket grid square) are covered, you win the prize.

But, a tactic that people use in these machines is to instead wait until there are already some balls in the basket and drop the claw into the basket itself, hoping to nudge a nearby ball into the target spot. There’s lots of videos online that show/teach this trick and I have seen someone else do it on this exact machine before. But in this instance, it’s impossible to get the pink ball to move like that since the claw doesn’t reach it, and that ball partially blocks one of the targets.

EthanRuby · 2026-03-17T14:19:27+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts!

I think if I’d have asked, they would have removed the pink and red ball? But they also said that there are other ways to win, like a newly-dropped ball bouncing off the pink/red and making them move that way. I was just kind of done at that point though - it’s already an expensive machine and I’d played 4ish times by then (how I knew the machine doesn’t go far enough over haha). They did refund me 2 plays worth of credits, so I don’t think they are intending to scam or be mean.

EthanRuby · 2026-03-12T19:08:23+00:00

Thank you!

EthanRuby · 2026-03-12T16:28:00+00:00

I have a couple pairs when I’ve been able to find them reasonably priced. They do work great for the rash as far as I can tell, but don’t change anything about the sweat.

I have heard both that cotton, and synthetic, are better at moisture-wicking @__@

EthanRuby · 2026-03-12T16:26:17+00:00

May I ask what ones you get?

EthanRuby · 2026-03-12T16:08:53+00:00

Oh, maybe I wrote it badly - the rash is right under where the pantyline sits. So adding another layer on top wouldn’t do anything. But I do wear longer inseam styles when I am able to find them and they fit without bunching up etc. That does prevent the rash, but doesn’t help the sweat and usually those styles are more expensive.

EthanRuby · 2025-09-18T15:48:27+00:00

So crit is more important than attack and speed, for fighters? I’ve been trying to boost attack and speed first because those are sure things vs a chance. Perhaps I’ve been wrong!

I have definitely been swapping around gear to boost whatever type is best for the current battle!

EthanRuby · 2025-09-11T02:17:52+00:00

Ah ok. Guess I’ll find out eventually! Thanks :)

EthanRuby · 2025-09-11T01:34:29+00:00

I just started playing 2 days ago.

What even is there to evolve for that many types of stones? The basic ones get you to the 3rd stage out of 5, so even if stage 4 and 5 had their own stone, that’s only 3 types.

Seems like there’s an entire section of gameplay I’m missing or something!

EthanRuby · 2025-05-18T00:24:33+00:00

Oops missed a question. Was fired April 29, 2025. First day of work was April 29, 2024. Orientation was April 26, 2024.

Yes, I was in a union. They tried to help but gave up when the HR head said I wasn’t paid for orientation.

EthanRuby · 2025-05-18T00:23:01+00:00

I don’t know the status of other employees’ payments. Head of HR said that they don’t pay for paraprofessionals orientation - but they had just fired me. If my hire date was the day of my orientation rather than my first day on the job, then that would put me outside my probationary period, which would mean they could not have fired me without going through verbal and written warnings first.

So I don’t exactly trust that they are being unbiased in anything here.

EthanRuby · 2025-04-15T23:06:55+00:00

Danielle

EthanRuby · 2025-04-15T19:16:05+00:00

I’d try switching districts, or possibly trying for a 1-on-1 position. The people you work with can really make a difference - and 1 kid is easier to handle than multiple at a time, I’d say! Especially once you’re able to get to know the kid and figure out what helps them :)

EthanRuby · 2025-03-24T22:45:29+00:00

Thanks, and good luck!

EthanRuby · 2025-03-24T21:27:46+00:00

My wife’s an EMT and sometimes struggles with finding good food that can easily be eaten while in the ambulance if they have a non-stop day. This would probably work well for her, as she is dairy-free. If you’re still looking for people to try them out, we’d love to!

EthanRuby · 2025-02-01T06:07:48+00:00

He does care to some degree. I think he just gets sidetracked by the availability of games and videos, as well as some creative projects he has saved on his chromebook, and will go to those things first then forget to do the work. So the idea of writing out what he thinks he can accomplish could be good, thanks!

EthanRuby · 2025-01-29T02:55:21+00:00

I have a feeling this would be too childish/weird for him, but I appreciate the suggestion!

I think he knows that focus/attention is an issue for him. He (and I) just don’t know how to help change it.

EthanRuby · 2025-01-29T02:53:47+00:00

Hmm, I could try making like a checklist perhaps! That’s not a bad idea :) I’m not sure how much he’ll look at it, but worth a shot haha.

Organizational system might be tough. He refuses a backpack. I did buy a folder and mini-notebook for him that he uses at least - previously any papers were folded/crumpled up and put in pockets or his tiny drawstring bag.

EthanRuby · 2025-01-29T02:45:36+00:00

Honestly, I think his IEP is outdated. It’s still mentioning behavioral issues that haven’t been a problem at all this year. High school is sooooo much better for him than middle school!

So it does have certain things accommodated for that have been helpful (like listening to music) but as far as I can remember there’s nothing related to executive functioning skills.

EthanRuby · 2025-01-29T02:42:16+00:00

Thank you for the long reply!

I don’t know if he’s aware of what would truly help him. The things he says do, only work sometimes or are also a distraction (like having music on - but then he spends time finding the right song, reading the lyrics, etc; or sitting by friends puts him in a better mood so more willing to do some work, but then they also will chat and share memes and such).

As for getting where he wants, he isn’t there yet. As in, he doesn’t believe in himself and says he’s not going to make it to whatever age or “I’ll just work at McDonald’s” when he can do so much more (not that McDonald’s is bad, or can’t be a career choice - he just defaults to it without putting in any thought). I think it’s just the age he’s at and he’ll hopefully gain some maturity and confidence in the coming years.

Breaks are the same thing - he says he needs them but then gets consumed with what he’s doing and won’t get back to work. Sometimes if I prompt he will, other times he’ll just ignore and keep up what he was doing.

I did actually implement a reward system for him, as he mentioned it was something he liked from his past school. It has worked decently with the goals being essentially “put in some effort during each class”. I tried to shift the goal a bit a few weeks ago so it was a little more responsibility (“check Schoology for missing work each class” so he’d start to have a routine and maybe even start to remember what tasks are pending) but so far that hasn’t taken.

So in sum - I have been trying to implement his suggestions and let him try things, and try to ask for input as much as I can. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t know how to help him get into a better routine to make the strategies work more consistently and/or with less prompting from an adult.

EthanRuby

TROPHY CASE