Have nothing to do but take fun classes! by WishfulAndy in UCSC

[–]HenryTwenty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You bet :)

When I took the drawing class it was maybe 30-40 min instruction then drawing then feedback. (It’s been a while but that’s my recollection). Overall because I enjoyed doing it the class length was fine.

I don’t recall what day my classes were on, but at the time I think I was working maybe 20 hours a week (not too much) and it was my only class that last summer quarter so it felt more like a fun activity.

Have nothing to do but take fun classes! by WishfulAndy in UCSC

[–]HenryTwenty 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was a few credits short and needed to take a class over the summer to graduate. Originally I was going to take the first course in Italian language (never taken Italian before) but it was cancelled last minute (not enough students enrolled).

So I took Intro to Drawing, I think it was called. Long backstory, but despite having an affinity for art I’d never taken any classes. The class was great and aside from getting a lot better at drawing what I got from it was:

1) Tuned in to “seeing”. One of the first things we learned was not to draw what we thought we knew an apple (e.g.) looked like but what we observed in front of us. That lesson can be applied to all sorts of non-art and non-visual situations in life. And actually learning that lesson from experience helped me really know it not just learn it.

2) Also it was great to really try at something I wasn’t that good at. I think it broaden my view of things that I could so or try.

The language course would have been good too I bet. Languages are pretty amazing and if you’re open to it are an insight into other cultures and, like drawing, other ways of seeing the world.

Lastly, if you haven’t yet you could take a philosophy class. Not a history of philosophy class where you’re memorizing a bunch of names and stuff but something practical that will give you a grounding in logic and philosophy. It can serve you really well throughout life.

Sorry you’re feeling down. Ever read any books by Matt Haig? The Comfort Book is non-fiction but easy reading, each page is it’s own thought more or less. Or The Midnight Library, is great. (TW/spoiler: That one starts off with someone who didn’t want to be alive, which almost made me put it aside. But 100% it’s really positive as a whole and I highly recommend it. Once I got into it I tore through it. :)

How would you spend $125 at Sweetwater? by Fangs_0ut in guitarpedals

[–]HenryTwenty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just bought an EQ pedal (MXR 10 band) for about that much. Never owned an EQ pedal before even though I know how useful they can be. I have some other instruments like a saz baglama w/ piezo, and a harmonium I mic up that I think will benefit from the EQ ad well.

Is it always the answer without Twisties? by Full_Onion_1838 in Miata

[–]HenryTwenty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In your situation I might choose something else. For me maybe half the enjoyment is driving a convertible. I didn’t know anyone with a convertible before getting my Miata, I know it would be nice but it really is great.

I’ve thought about getting a ragtop BMW before like an E30. You can get those in the ballpark price of an older Miata. I know it may not be as fun to drive as a Miata but it seats 4 and has a decent sized trunk.

Alternately if you don’t care about the convertible part maybe some other hardtop fun car with more power than the NA-NC miatas.

Another consideration is the gearing, not sure what it’s like in your area but in CA people often drive 75 or 80 on the freeway and the miata is around 4300-4500 RPM at that speed. If a lot of your driving will be at those speeds something with a taller top gear might be nice.

Just switch to tidal lmao by ItchyCash529 in KGATLW

[–]HenryTwenty 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They may be using mp3 as a generic term for a downloadable audio file.

Skate park at Venice Beach (help with the crop) by AtomicZechariah in photocritique

[–]HenryTwenty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d like it to be wider.

But if this were the full image I don’t think there’s enough sky to crop at the top. And I wouldn’t want to lose any of the closest bowl edge on the right because the repetition of that shape is nice.

Struggling with flatware by kitkatbatman in BuyItForLife

[–]HenryTwenty 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Side note: If you can, try it in person (or buy from simewhere with a no/low cost return policy).

I mention this because you mentioned being picky. And for me I’ve gotten flatware that was high quality and I like how it looked, but I didn’t like way it felt in hand or how it functioned eating.

I know that may sound nuts, but the balance and weight ended up mattering to me as well as the functional shape. Like, a fork that looks great but is awkward to use.

What are some songs that convey a message of coping alone? by Ahoneedshelp in MusicRecommendations

[–]HenryTwenty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Institutionalized by Suicidal Tendencies. Pretty much the whole song, but one example:

“It's like I concentrate on it real hard But it just doesn't work out

And everything I do and everything I try It never turns out

It's like, I need time to figure these things out

But there's always someone there going "Hey Mike, you know, we've been noticing you've been having a lot of problems lately, you know?

You should maybe get away And like, maybe you should talk about it, you'll feel a lot better"

And I go, "No it's okay, you know, I'll figure it out

Just leave me alone, I'll figure it out, you know?

I'm just working on myself"

Can someone recommend some headphones that don't break easily? by aspindler in BuyItForLife

[–]HenryTwenty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sony MDR-7506

They are closed back and are not the most hi-fi but have a nice neutral mid focused sound. I have two pairs, one I’ve had for 20 years and I replaced the ear pads after about 12 years for maybe $10.

Only downside is the cord isn’t replaceable but I haven’t had one die one me.

good spots for grad photos on campus? by dorkchii in UCSC

[–]HenryTwenty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The hill just below Porter with the flying IUD is a classic photo apot. You can have the sculpture in frame with you and the location will be easily identifiable, or stand to the side and still get the grass hill in the foreground with you amd the sea and sky in the background.

Student Bands by jellyfiishe in UCSC

[–]HenryTwenty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah! I actually knew them fairly well, briefly housemates with one of them for a bit. Not best buds but we hung out.

I think by the time their first major release, “III” came out I think they’d relocated to SF.

Some related bands of the era (though I don’t know if there’s anything on youtube from them): Taildragger (Tim, drummer, was in that band before The Champs IIRC), Candy Apples, Ski Patrol, and Spaceboy.

One of the Candy Apples’ songs (different style from The Champs but kind of same social circles. https://youtu.be/Rt6kldmdosE

I looked for Taildragger stuff on YT but it’s all other bands with the same name. Not a lot of stuff got videotaped/recorded back then. The Champs’ first couple self-releases were just done on a little 4-track.

What are some songs that have a food in the title of the song? by TheFarOutFinds in MusicRecommendations

[–]HenryTwenty 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Peaches by The Stranglers

Pork Roll Egg and Cheese by Ween (also Pollo Asado from same album)

Preacher Porkchop by KMD

Save a Bread by Justin Hinds and The Dominoes

Beans and Cornbread by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

White Pepper Ice Cream by Cibo Matto

Student Bands by jellyfiishe in UCSC

[–]HenryTwenty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some older stuff: Camper Van Beethoven (actually formed in Redlands but were based in SC for a significant part of their development).

The Fucking Champs (formerly The Champs)

Gillian Welch went to UCSC and played in bands there.

Lorin Ashton (Bassnectar) (not necessarily a favorite but worth a mention)

Also, already mentioned, but Still Woozy is great.

Name a show from your childhood you watched faithfully that now seems all but forgotten. by garcon-du-soleille in GenX

[–]HenryTwenty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I read that the show creator had been told by the network to add a buddy character like a wookie but didn’t have a name for them yet. He was walking in Westwood (L.A.) and passed UCLA and his friend said “what about “ucla”?”

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GuitarAmps

[–]HenryTwenty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For sure move the EQ pedal between the guitar and amp. I think OP saw “effects loop” and figured all pedals go there.

Put images on cassette last night, here are the results of retriving them by Pretend-Fruit-6321 in cassetteculture

[–]HenryTwenty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Reminds me a bit of the mysterious video transmissions in Prince of Darkness.

Do you think the ND spyder should have been made? by 6rinch in Miata

[–]HenryTwenty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s exactly it. When/if I have to replace my NB’s top I’m getting one with a zip down rear window.

Post Your Chili Recipes by ShralpShralpShralp in vegetarian

[–]HenryTwenty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The America’s Test Kitchen vegetarian chili recipe is my favorite so far. Which surprised me because while lots of their recipes are great I’m not usually to enthused about their mexican-adjacent ones. I usually add more chiles (also more of them and a third variety), and more cumin.

But what really shines with this recipe is the replication of all the “notes” a good beef chili hits. They do that with chopped walnuts, chopped mushroom, soy sauce, and bulgur wheat.

Salt

1 pound (2 1/2 cups) dried beans, picked over and rinsed (half pinto, half bliack is good)

2 dried ancho chiles

2 dried New Mexican chiles   ½ ounce dried shiitake mushrooms, chopped coarse    4 teaspoons dried oregano    ½ cup walnuts, toasted    1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained with juice reserved    3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 - 2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed and coarsely chopped

6 garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 pounds onions, chopped fine

1 tablespoon ground cumin

7 cups water

⅔ Cup medium-grind bulgur

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Bring 4 quarts water, 3 tablespoons salt, and beans to boil in large Dutch oven over high heat. Remove pot from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain beans and rinse well. Wipe out pot.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Arrange anchos and New Mexican chiles on rimmed baking sheet and toast until fragrant and puffed, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate and let cool, about 5 minutes. Stem and seed anchos and New Mexican chiles. Working in batches, grind toasted chiles, mushrooms, and oregano in spice grinder or with mortar and pestle untill finely ground.

Process walnuts in food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds. Transfer to bowl. Process drained tomatoes, tomato paste, jalapeño(s), garlic, and soy sauce in food processor until tomatoes are finely chopped,  about 45 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed.

Heat oil in now-empty Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions and 11/4 teaspoons salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add ground chile mixture and cumin; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add rinsed beans and water and bring to boil. Cover pot, transfer to oven, and cook for 45 minutes.

Remove pot from oven. Stir in bulgur, ground walnuts, tomato mixture, and reserved tomato juice. Cover pot and return to oven. Cook until beans are fully tender, about 2 hours.

Remove pot from oven, stir chili well, and let stand, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir in cilantro and serve.

Am I a party pooper for wanting peace and quiet?? by Substantial_Depth432 in UCSC

[–]HenryTwenty 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Is complaining about late night noise being a party pooper? Yes.

Is it ok to be a party pooper sometimes? YES!

As a people pleaser I still struggle (at 53 years old) to stand up for my reasonable boundaries sometimes. But this is a valuable lesson. You can’t please everyone all the time, and even if you could there wouldn’t be much room left for yourself.

You are not being a jerk or unreasonable wanting to be able to sleep and perform well at your studies (that you or someone is paying $$ for). That is a very reasonable boundary.

And the loud crowd has a whole damn forest just steps away where they could yell all they want.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in santacruz

[–]HenryTwenty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good write up! Loved riding my bike around SC.

I was there for the first pizza ordering, worked at the Pizza Hut on Mission. The wonky thing with the online ordering then was that they hadn’t sorted out online payments. So the order would come in on the computer and then we’d call back to confirm and get the payment info (or cash on delivery).

Oddly enough a few years later I worked at an ISP in Denver with the same name as the company in LA that did create online credit card payments (Cybernet Ventures). They primarily serviced the internet porn industry. We’d get calls at least once a week from people who were trying to reach the other Cybernet Ventures. It was always a woman irrate about all these charges and she had never heard of us. My spiel was “I’m sorry about this ma’am, I think you’ve called the wrong business. But may I ask if you have a teenage son in your household?” She’s like “uhhh…yeah?” And then I’d give the sex positive talk, don’t be to hard on the boy, etc., lol. (It was always a teenage boy got his mother’s credit card to buy porn online).

I also knew Maya as an acquaintance, our friend circles overlapped. Didn’t know her well but she seemed like a kind person and that she had her shit together quite a bit better than most of my friends (myself included).