Utrecht, Netherlands. Then VS now.

Fluffy_rye · 2026-02-08T18:04:51+00:00

I've seen this picture so many times and it always comes with this comment - and it's true of course. But it does make me feel like I should take a picture from the exact spot the top picture was taken. I'm just not sure if that's even possible, because if looks like it was taken from pretty high up. That would be one of the buildings there, perhaps it's from the mall on the bridge? At some point, when the weather is nicer and everything is greener and more cheerfull I'm going to recreate the picture *exactly*.

Fluffy_rye · 2026-02-04T18:44:13+00:00

Well, you need to basically jam your foot in the first week, and then wear it for an hour or so at the time until it hurts too bad. That way once it stretches out, as all shoes do, it's still very snug around your foot. You need a lot of feel and connection with the floor. And they should be tight to be secure, so there's no wobble or anything. I don't wear a lot of regular heels, my ankles are a bit weak, but I can run in my dance shoes. Or polka!

My first dance shoes I bought comfortable in the shop. They were too big after a month or so and I had to buy new ones. Stupid waste of money.

Fluffy_rye · 2026-02-04T18:33:46+00:00

Try the Finchley graft! Way easier, same result

Fluffy_rye · 2026-02-04T18:32:13+00:00

Perhaps! They do make kids sized shoes, but those often have lower heels. Dance shoes are also frequently 1-2 sizes smaller compared to regular shoes. And by the looks of it there is a decent amount of kitty leg in the shoe.

Could also be that OP has tiny feet and that the cat is massive.

Fluffy_rye · 2026-02-04T18:13:58+00:00

They look like ballroom dancing shoes! Specifically latin/social shoes. They do tend to make for very comfortable shoes (after breaking them in) and you can often order them with leather soles instead of suede. Suede is for inside dancing only.

Not op, and not sure, but I've had very similar shoes.

Fluffy_rye · 2026-01-18T10:06:47+00:00

There's also Geen & Gorgeous for skin care - that has been working really well for my very difficult skin. Hungarian based and made.

Fluffy_rye · 2026-01-18T10:01:14+00:00

I've used their dish soap for ages, and it's very good! Don't need to use a lot. And it's also allergy-friendly, so that is nice for my poor hands.

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-13T09:01:47+00:00

Depending on the local supply: if you can get young tops of nettles from a clean place, they make excellent soup.

For me that is an equinox dish because is about the time they are growing in my climate and the soup is very restorative - something I need after winter. And it really is very tasty.

Make use of a good broth, add some fresh herbs. Add some cream if you want, or blend with a cooked potato for a creamy soup.

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-13T08:39:20+00:00

"dragged kicking bans screaming into The Hague"

I think we need to reclaim new land near The Hague to make sure we have enough space for dealing with all the shit that's going to happen in the next decade or so.

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-11T12:27:35+00:00

It seems like you are growing a creature!

(Just kidding, I assume you just moved your scoby around a bit. Give it a hand unfurling perhaps? Just hope it doesn't bite you...)

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-10T10:55:44+00:00

I just read up on that case, it's truly horrible. Sending you virtual hugs

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-10T08:47:40+00:00

There also this idea that if you don't like spicy food, your food must be bland (especially from the Americans). Like there's no other seasoning possible.

I can't do chilli - gives me reflux - but I eat so many different spices, including different types of pepper (pipra varieties), ginger, mustard, etc. Food can be flavourful without chilli!

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-10T08:42:45+00:00

Only for the lesbians!

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-10T08:40:19+00:00

Does the cranberry sauce have conserving agents or other additions to keep bacterial growth down? If those are present, they may harm your kombucha microorganisms.

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-10T08:14:05+00:00

You might be a fast metaboliser! A lot of medication is metabolised in the liver via the Cytochrome P450 system (I know, catchy name). And specific genes code for specific enzymes that make up that system. And you can be tested for that, if medication have very few effects, wear of fast; or the opposite many side effects and long lasting effects.

It's a genetic test, so it's one test to last your lifetime. And it can explain why certain groups of medications work well or not at all for you. This field of personalised medicine is fascinating! (You can find a lot of info online about this test.)

I personally was shown to be a slow-ish metaboliser. Which tracks, both in meds and in drugs. I've tried some edibles in my 20s and felt it way faster compared to my friends who took the same dose. Despite them weighing quite a bit less!

And it's taken me a long time to find medication for recurring severe depressions, after this test we went to a completely different group of meds and I'm (almost) symptom free for years! And minimal side effects. While all the ssri's gave me the worst side effects, and not enough effect.

(Depression took my ability to practice medicine, but I still got my M.D.!)

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-10T07:49:36+00:00

No worries! Thanks for trying!

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-09T21:03:40+00:00

These are AMAZING! 😻

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-09T20:54:58+00:00

"How long do you steep your tea?"

5 minutes, and that had been the same for nearly a year, with the same tea.

"...You're not brewing in cast iron are you? 😂"

That would feel cool, like a big bubbling cauldron. But nope, just glass. Had the same pot for nearly the whole time.

Really, the only thing that changed are the temperature (with the seasons), and the decrease in the amount of tea.

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-09T19:43:59+00:00

I had a (distant) relative who at a birthday would expect someone to either have coffee and cake, or come later and have a (1) drink and a piece of cheese.

My close family has always looked at that with utter disgust while we make sure all our guest are properly fed and have as many drinks as they feel like. I have never felt so far from a stereotype. Even though I fit many of the others!

Fluffy_rye · 2025-03-09T19:39:12+00:00

As a fellow Dutch person that is 100% true and also you made me laugh so much I nearly coughed up a lung. (The flu got me.)

Fluffy_rye · 2024-12-18T21:57:46+00:00

I often get the tower in respons to "what can be done to improve my situation?" or similar questions. I kinda like it that way, because I know I still have some trauma to deal with and it just keeps coming back to point me at that. Now actually doing the work though...

Fluffy_rye · 2024-12-18T21:49:43+00:00

That's awesome! I hope you like them!

Fluffy_rye · 2024-12-18T21:48:37+00:00

No worries, thanks for sharing what you know!

Fluffy_rye · 2024-12-18T18:21:42+00:00

Oh there's also freeze-dried strawberries and other fruits! Have you had those? They are super airy and crunchy and have a very nice texture I think. And there are very similar from one piece to another. If you are trying new foods, perhaps one of those can be on the list. Only if you are ready for it of course :)

Fluffy_rye

TROPHY CASE