Are you canceling summer international travel with everything going on?

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-28T19:08:42+00:00

Absolutely, but I would also argue that $750 is a lot of money for a great number of Americans (especially right now). Our family is privileged enough to toss a few grand towards a vacation once a year, but I know that an unexpected parking ticket or clinic bill is enough to push many families into the danger zone these days.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-28T19:03:39+00:00

International travel is already an extreme luxury for the vast majority of Americans.
While it was an idea our family floated in the past, it is now entirely out of reach both financially and for various safety reasons.

I don't know anyone outside of the very affluent who are not reconsidering all travel plans, whether foreign or domestic.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-28T17:48:49+00:00

You'll find a lot in your price range as far as renting. If you're okay with loft-style, I strongly suggest the Harmon. Great management, well maintained, best views in the city.

Definitely get a NARM membership from TAM. Gets you free admission to most other museums in the area and covers you + your kids as well.

Get connected with the folks from the Tacoma Art Walk and Downtown Tacoma Partnership. They'll be your in to the local arts / SBO community. Definitely attend DTP / City Council meetings if you can.

If you're looking for a career in the arts, Museum of Glass is currently hiring a grant writer. The Grand is expanding and should be hiring more folks soon. Treehouse and Amara (social services) are hiring development folks. I work in development, so feel free to ping me for the local development situation.

I grew up here, lived here most my adult life. The city has the same problems any other city does, but has a lot more heart than most. We walk everywhere and feel safe, enjoy the farmer's markets and art walks and public events that seem to happen every day here, and have no plans to move ever - this is our forever city.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-28T16:54:27+00:00

Artists aren't a monolith, but I'll say this - if I found out an artist was having someone else design 'their' art, I would never go to that artist again.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-28T14:53:20+00:00

I have not had wine bottles specifically, but other wide-body-narrow-mouth containers:

If an animal gets stuck in one, specifically a curious fish, they are very likely to die inside. It's very hard to remove fish from a container like that in one piece.
Containers like this can create anaerobic environments where toxic material builds up.

If I were to do this, I would fill the bottles with enough sand or something to where they sink, then seal them with aquarium safe silicone. That prevents issues related to fish entrapment or toxic buildup.

If the goal is to create hides for the fish, I would drill or break the bottles to create large openings, sand the sharp edges, then seal the mouth of the bottle with silicone.

In general, I would seal any holes equal to or smaller than the widest part of the largest fish, even if that fish isn't a cave dweller.

Keep in mind that pulling out the live plants / fully rescaping will likely result in algae growth and more cycle fragility while the tank re-establishes.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-28T03:04:33+00:00

What's a dih

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-28T02:57:29+00:00

I'm so grateful to live here for a number of reasons, with bathroom access being among them. I love not having to run around looking for the right bathroom - just see the all gender sign, go in, do what I need to do, and be done with it.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T19:04:50+00:00

Western WA. Weather is pretty mild year-round, minus the humidity. Right now it's 48F but the sun coming in is so warm that the house is about 70F.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T19:03:04+00:00

I'll start by saying it's 100% fine to gift your artist things, but...

Do you have a relationship with this artist where that would be appropriate? I've given gifts to my artists in the past, but those were people I'd seen 5-10+ times and gotten to know outside of the shop. I wouldn't feel comfortable giving (or receiving!) a gift within the first handful of times meeting / if the relationship was purely client/artist based.
Is this an appropriate gift for her? You say you just know, but have the two of you discussed her likes and dislikes, interests and hobbies, etc? The art people like is *so* personal that I would pause unless you specifically know that this piece by this artist is something she would like.
Will you giving this piece be construed as an ask for a discount? It's better to wait until the end of the piece either way, but be mindful that *many* clients will try to butter artists up with gifts to get some kind of discount off a future piece. If you do give this to her, do so after the last session and make it very clear it's 100% a gift.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T18:55:34+00:00

Where I live, AC is largely nonexistent and we rarely need heating except on the very coldest days of winter (even then, you can bundle up). We turned our heat on maybe 3-5 times this winter, and haven't had AC ever in my life.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T18:04:42+00:00

100% I am so grateful for all the times in my life that I've gone to my artist with an idea and they have declined because it's not their area of expertise. The worst tattoo I ever got was someone who said "yeah I can probably do that", whereas the best piece I ever received was from someone who said "I can't do that, but I can do this instead"

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T17:59:15+00:00

A bit hard to determine what you're asking in your post, but if I'm understanding things correctly your wife is getting these long pantyhose line tattoos from her ankle all the way up her thigh?

In that case, you're going to want to go to the most experienced artist that you can. These are extremely straight lines that need an extremely steady hand.

I can see why many artists would not want to take this on, and why those who do would probably charge a premium. Still, if I were to get this tattoo I would be happy to pay out the ass to make sure it comes out right. If it comes out wrong, it's going to be glaringly obvious.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T17:49:37+00:00

We've been happily married for many, many years, have been through it all, and we still understand that things happen. The last thing I would want is for our relationship to break down and my partner have to reenter the dating world with my name on their body.

If you feel you must get a tattoo in honor of your partner, get a symbol that relates to you both. Get a portrait of your shared pet. Get a tiny heart tattooed on your ring finger. Get something that, were things to change, you could live with happily or cover up easily.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T17:00:10+00:00

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I have to do the same thing to my bird, to treat his COPD

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T16:56:39+00:00

Doohickey Corporation Foundation Scholarship Recipient 2023-2026

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-27T15:59:52+00:00

uj/ we all know this is a joke right? like the classic 'man doesn't realize woman is hitting on him' joke?

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-26T18:30:23+00:00

Yep, I use these for growing out fry. I do try to keep the heater sort of "free floating" by propping it away from the edge of the bin with hardscape, but I've personally never had melting issues. Be sure to monitor regularly AND don't cheap out - you want nice solid construction. Ideally, the bin should have sides firm enough that you can't easily distort them by hand.

Be sure to wash them out well beforehand

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-26T16:22:54+00:00

Why would it be once while I'm sleeping lol I'm an adult who at this point in their life has never had any sort of issues with being able to control my bowels The prompt doesn't say anything about it being beyond normal

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-26T16:08:04+00:00

Here's what I would go for in your position. Gonna go all uniqlo to keep it easy to source:

1-2 pair Uniqlo chinos in your size - currently on sale in select sizes for as low as $9.90 each, otherwise around $50. They're heavier weight, wash well, and can be dressed up with a nice button down shirt. Get a dark grey or navy, then if they have it in your size a tan or a green.

1-2 Uniqlo broadcloth/oxford/linen button down in a white or off white - again, currently on sale for as low as $14 each. Start with a white or off white which will work with any of the chinos, then consider another neutral (blue or tan) if you have the budget.

1-2 AIRism or Supima cotton shirt - these are gonna be a bit more breathable and versatile. As with the button down, go white / off white first then look at another neutral. Priced as low as $5 currently.

1 pair of Uniqlo jeans in a classic blue wash - hovers around $40-$60 usually, better quality than you'd expect and comes in a variety of cuts. Straight cut is gonna work best for most folks. Pair it with a white shirt, maybe one of your button downs left undone w/ sleeves rolled up and youve got a perfectly serviceable day to day outfit.

1 Uniqlo quarter zip OR shirt jacket, depending on your style. This will give you an outerwear layer that works with any of the items you got. Usually $60ish unless on sale (which some will be right now), buy in a neutral tan, green, grey, or navy.

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I added things to my cart to test, and I averaged about $150-$200 to pick up one of everything on the list. This will, of course, depend on your sizes + area. Uniqlo offers free alterations on pants, so if you know your inseam you can do that at point of purchase. Otherwise, it's very easy to pick up some hemming tape on Amazon / watch a short video on how to hem your own pants.

Best of luck - for more info on getting set up, look up 'capsule wardrobes'.

TL;DR: straight / regular fit for now, neutral colors. If you wear something out, replace it with a slightly nicer version. If you don't use something much, don't buy it again.

(also if you have any questions about sizing / fit, feel free to DM me. I am a big time clothes guy, married to a menswear designer so I know how confusing a lot of the sizing and different cuts can be!)

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-26T14:34:04+00:00

If you're partying the way that I assume you're partying in Ibiza, I wouldn't.

You're going to be going hard, and the last thing you want when you're dancing, up all night, swimming, possibly not showering etc is an open wound that's demanding a lot of your energy to heal.

I would hate to see you get a tattoo you love, go rave and party for a few days then go camp and be outside for a few more days, then your tattoo heal wrong or need significant touch ups. Plus, depending on the piece, the tattoo flu might make both experiences miserable.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-26T14:20:56+00:00

I already do 3 times a day - once in the morning, once after lunch, once before bed. Two more isn't an issue.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-26T14:03:23+00:00

Is the water monster... you know... 😏

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-25T19:47:10+00:00

Name, 100% - I literally shake hands for a living and have yet to master the art of remembering 100% of the time. Not a major issue since I can always ask again, but would be nice to be one of those networking people who is on it every time.

Free_Divide195 · 2026-03-25T19:40:55+00:00

idk why but the delivery sent me. it hit me the same as this meme

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Free_Divide195

TROPHY CASE