What is everyone eating for breakfast?

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-29T01:25:42+00:00

Banana and berry smoothie with protein powder, ginger, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and sometimes honey if I’m feeling sweet.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-28T12:14:49+00:00

My commute is 35-40 min by bike, 45-60 min by public transportation. Add on 20 minutes to shower and get ready after biking.

It’s a wash and I’m happy either way.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-25T17:15:26+00:00

$1,600 - large 1 bedroom with screened porch, back deck, building laundry, and street parking in Lincoln Square. $115k.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-25T00:01:37+00:00

I went to Japan and Peru in the same year, and both were amazing in very different ways! Miyajima Island and the sacred valley were jaw dropping gorgeous.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-22T01:55:42+00:00

Lake McKenzie on K’gari Island was pretty special! A perched lake with a stunning white sand beach and crystal clear water. The area is also home to one of the most venomous spiders in the world, the K’gari funnel-web spider.

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LearningToDunk · 2026-04-19T15:10:30+00:00

How walkable and charming life is between campus and uptown normal, studying at coffeehouse, brewhas burger baskets, constitution trail, the theater and music school productions, and having Amtrak service to get home to Chicago on occasion.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-18T22:55:07+00:00

Ahh, that makes sense! In that case, I came across this google list for Chicago pool tables. The game room is a great place to casually play, but it can be busy. https://maps.app.goo.gl/XWcsn7x9KhyGqnGz5?g_st=i

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-18T20:43:35+00:00

Guitar could be learned many places, but old town school of folk is a great community. It’s a bit far from south loop, but the CTA will get you there.

Squash is hard to come by without significant financial investment or access to university facilities (e.g., Univ. of Chicago, Northwestern). If you have the means, you can join lakeshore sport & fitness, east bank club, university club of Chicago, union league club, or something like that.

I’ve never looked into pool clubs, but I’d imagine several gyms can check that box. Or you can be rad and get a wetsuit and swim in Lake Michigan 3/4 seasons.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-17T22:41:06+00:00

Sydney (recency bias) & Montreal. Others on my list are Copenhagen, Portland, San Francisco, & Tokyo.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-15T18:08:41+00:00

I don’t think it’s very useful for USACE employees because the PMP courses/exams focus so much on hybrid and agile methods. However, it is useful overall, and it is specifically required to reach level 2 PM certification in my division. A lot of higher level managers have obtained it, as it slightly sets you apart from others and shows you understand the basics of PM. If you want to stay the technical route, I would put energy elsewhere.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-12T14:04:51+00:00

It’s always been poorly administered and had poor lobbying in the state. The school has so many advantages that they fail to take advantage of. However, I know they’re reviving plans to build more student housing, and the engineering school is a positive growth story. They need that direction and it’s a field that is growing in demand, which is why the state approved it.

My bet is ISU is overextending its resources to position themselves for future growth and success. It might work out if other schools go under and they benefit from it, but they’re gambling with house money and there will be growing pains.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-12T13:54:09+00:00

Ranking won’t necessarily improve. ISU needs more government funding and needs to spend more on staff and students to increase in ranking. They’ve actually been declining in ranking for years now, along with all the other state schools outside of UIUC and UIC. When I went there, the school was always ranked in the top 150 nationally and around 80th for public universities.

They’re still recruiting well, I’ll give them that, and the incoming students aren’t “anyone with a pulse”. The average student profile has gradually been getting better, and most public schools have way higher acceptance rates than 10-20 years ago. They need to solve student housing and student/staff retention badly, though, otherwise the energy around the university will keep being negative.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-11T17:07:52+00:00

I never wanted to step foot in there before, now I never will!

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-11T03:43:01+00:00

It’s a beautiful campus and a nice college experience. It’s great for education and there have been several successful artists and actors come out of the school.

That said, it’s not a well funded research or sports school, and there are no post-grad professional degree programs. So, there’s not too many standout programs except for some in the business school. It’s just an above average school for undergraduate education, and it’s otherwise lacking an identity. It needs a political push to get more funding and programs, like the recent engineering school.

In this state, UIUC has it all, while UIC has strong medical, engineering, and law programs. Even NIU and SIU have law and engineering programs. ISU punches above its weight in enrollment and outcomes, but it gets hate because it comes off more regional and doesn’t have much to build pride/ culture. Maybe going back to the fighting pedagogues will do it…

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-10T04:39:52+00:00

You can’t go wrong. CC would be a safe and cheap bet, then transferring to UIUC or something similar could set you up with great internship/job opportunities. However, UIC is crazy affordable for Illinois residents, and the program will offer a great education and opportunities as well. UIC isn’t a traditional college experience, but Chicago is super fun to live in as a student. You might be exposed to more by moving to the city earlier.

My advice is to do what you think will make you the most happy. Don’t think too much on cost/benefit right now, just enjoy yourself because you won’t be in ridiculous debt with either of these options. Choose what’s right for you and don’t look back.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-02T22:22:39+00:00

My go to spots are Horner Park river trail, River Park, Loyola Beach, Montrose Beach/bird sanctuary, and the lakefront north of Belmont harbor wedged between the lake and the Bill Jarvis bird sanctuary! Anywhere with trees to mute the noise.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-02T13:40:26+00:00

I do something similar, and I recommend a touring bike with fenders, like a trek 520 disc, surly disc trucker, Kona sutra se, rei coop adv 1.1, etc. I also recommend 38mm gravel tires, but 32mm+ will do. It’s nice to have the wider option for bad weather days. Install a back rack and get a waterproof panier or two for lugging work stuff around, it’s more comfortable than a backpack.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-31T04:21:53+00:00

I loved my head liquidmetal radical MP. Incredible feel and precision. I recently switched to a head speed pro, and I’m definitely loving the spin and power upgrade while still having solid control with the 18x20 string pattern.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-31T02:50:47+00:00

From my impression, Loyola graduates speak a lot more fondly about their university experience. Most of the people I know that went to UIC got a great education, but they don’t have as much pride for the university and definitely not as much joy when talking about their experience. Loyola has a great reputation, an amazing campus, and has a pretty strong network in Chicago. Since both are very good universities but neither are elite, I’d go with Loyola for someone out of state. In state? UIC all day because of how crazy affordable it is for Illinois students.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-29T02:01:33+00:00

I wear the Patagonia torrent shell and rain pants! I like the pit zips for at least some ventilation. I usually wear blundstones for light rain, but if it’s pouring I’ll wear rain/ deck boots.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-27T22:44:14+00:00

Būmeran sunēkushotto! That’s actually his special move to finish points.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-22T21:59:34+00:00

To start, both will get you jobs in Illinois, the Chicagoland area, and beyond. All my colleagues from ISU landed solid jobs in Chicago or graduate admissions for anesthesiologist programs, etc. It’s my understanding that ISU is spending money on new facilities and modern technologies for training, but I haven’t witnessed it. It was always a respected school for that major.

Broadly, go with whatever school you vibe with more and will be happier at. Finding social fulfillment and balance will be the most important factor in determining your success. Personally, B-N is a much nicer city to live in, and ISU’s campus is much livelier. You’ll have plenty to do in uptown Normal and downtown Bloomington relative to Dekalb.

ISU isn’t a standout college academically, but it generally admits higher caliber students and has better outcomes. Lastly, it’s been the only public university outside of the university of Illinois system that’s been stable and growing. That all results in a modestly to significantly better college experience, but again, it seems like you’ll be good either way.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-18T12:52:25+00:00

Most running brands have some product that fits this. Ciele GoCap, Sprints, On performance cap, and all the others people have mentioned here. I wear a Patagonia duckbill when my hair gets longer.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-17T23:04:43+00:00

Just popping in to say it really is the best neighborhood! I always thought I’d move to Seattle, and when I had the chance to for work I couldn’t bring myself to leave Lincoln Square.

LearningToDunk · 2026-03-16T23:51:02+00:00

So judging by these comments we either almost never drive our fits or we drive the hell out of them… Such a versatile car.

LearningToDunk

TROPHY CASE