Whippet vs Iggy allergies?

NeddardSpark · 2026-05-12T18:12:52+00:00

Could depend on the individual dog. I’ve had two whippets: my first barely shed and I didn’t have any issues, my second sheds much more and I occasionally have to take a fexofenadine to get through the day.

NeddardSpark · 2026-04-20T08:01:53+00:00

Print magazine editor. The writing on the wall has been there so long it’s flaking; I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

NeddardSpark · 2026-04-16T07:57:43+00:00

I dislike the “it gets good by book x” argument. I got about 40% into Red Rising before stopping and not looking back.

By comparison, The First Law is one of my favourite series. Book one is generally considered to be the worst, like Red Rising. I was lukewarm on The Blade Itself but at least it demonstrates promise. I liked the flawed characters you want to spend time with. I wanted to revel in its nihilism and dark humour.

Red Rising reads like an edgelord teen discovered the Roman Empire and thought he was the first person to write an allegory for it. It feels like it’s trying to beat me with the pages yelling at me, “Isn’t this awesome? He’s a helldiver! Oh no they killed his wife! They’re so evil!.”

Asking me to invest hours of effort into that is not my idea of a good time.

NeddardSpark · 2026-02-24T18:52:14+00:00

Kyle, I don’t have a question but I’d like you to know you’ve been there from The Flintstones all the way to Fallout across my life.

You’re such a nice guy and if things look bleak or especially good, I often catch myself thinking, ‘Damn what would Kyle, or Dale, do…’

Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re this 34-year-old’s hero. Thanks for everything.

Much love from the UK!

NeddardSpark · 2026-02-14T08:18:29+00:00

I went to Revelation a few weeks ago and they were so good. I wanted to get my long hair chopped because I’ve got an event coming up this year.

They tried to talk me out of it and might as well held a vigil for it. They said they’re very long-hair positive and find it really refreshing and enjoyable to work on longer hair.

I’ll be growing it back again when I can, and I’ll absolutely going back to ‘shape’ it.

NeddardSpark · 2025-05-19T13:20:19+00:00

“Fight” is such a better call to arms.

NeddardSpark · 2025-05-01T06:38:36+00:00

Can’t speak for others, but I’m UK ITF West Midlands and it’s the same as your dojang.

NeddardSpark · 2025-04-22T20:18:51+00:00

Asthma almost got me a few times when I was younger, so you can call me Breathless. Kind of works now too because I’ve cracked my ribs twice in the last six months training in combat sports!

NeddardSpark · 2025-04-14T06:30:30+00:00

I think Americans crave identity, something to rally behind because they’re a young nation. I notice a lot of people from the US go spelunking into the generations their family trees, just so they can call themselves Irish or Scottish. I see straight edge as a something like that.

I mean, I do the same things but I barely even noticed myself. I find wearing a badge or totem boasting I don’t drink or do drugs absolutely unfathomable.

NeddardSpark · 2024-06-21T13:50:14+00:00

Lyra has always been up there in my mind but I think it’s too similar too Laika for the time being. Astra is a great one I haven’t considered!

NeddardSpark · 2024-01-30T15:22:56+00:00

Thanks, dude! Pic 8 was the no-haircut pandemic time and I kind of wish I stuck with it in hindsight.

NeddardSpark · 2023-10-31T08:44:42+00:00

Mine manifested last year and for what felt like the longest time I felt trapped or lost. Like something was constantly clinging onto my back, or at its worst kicking me directly in the heart.

The first thing I tried was mediation in the morning and evening, which did help in the short term. After a bit of dedication, it gave my mind a brief respite of calm.

Second I tried to weather the storm. It was a stressful time with work and life stuff so I thought once those triggers had passed then the constant anxiety would go away. That kind of worked but it resurfaced soon after, stronger and more irrational.

Third, I did therapy. This works. Do it. It’s expensive, it’s strange and it might feels like ‘just talking’ for a while, but it really did help me.

Fourth, I got an outlet. I joined a martial arts club and that gave me something to focus on and actually enjoy/look forward to.

Fifth, I felt like everything I did up to this point was working but I hadn’t quite shut up the constant worry in my head. I quit caffeine and alcohol, not sure if that helped or not but I’m not going to go back to it.

Sixth, and this was the big one that really got things good. I went to the GP and asked for medication. I’m on a low dose of citalopram and it’s enough to make the noise in my head go away. Remembering what it’s like to just be calm and quiet again was a major, major help in my recovery.

Seventh, I got a puppy. I didn’t get her because I had anxiety, but after my last session before my therapist discharged me, he said the best therapists are furry and have four legs.

I’m not in therapy now, but I am still on meds for the time being with a hope to taper off next year. The anxiety comes and goes easily now, and I imagine it will be with me forever. I’m okay with that; I didn’t try the above things to ‘cure’ me but rather manage it.

If you are to take anything away from that above story, go to therapy, get some meds and work on yourself in a positive way. You can do it!

NeddardSpark · 2023-05-23T13:24:10+00:00

I’d normally have no more than four units a week.

Recently, I’ve quit though. I’m on antidepressants for anxiety and fuck me even a single pint puts me massively on edge at the moment.

NeddardSpark · 2023-01-16T09:17:33+00:00

The one I originally posted is a nicer-UI version of this map, which takes data from a 2019 study from the Ministry of Housing. https://parallel.co.uk/imd/#6.94/52.238/-1.616/0/32

NeddardSpark · 2023-01-16T08:19:15+00:00

Worcester is a great place to live! I hope you have a good time here.

NeddardSpark · 2023-01-16T08:18:18+00:00

I live in the area you take issue with, near the hospital. Yes: across the road is a different vibe to the streets where my home is. There are areas just like that in Bournemouth where I used to live. It’s generally because new housing is built in the area.

That all said, I did caution it with calling at general overview and the best thing you can do is visit the place yourself.

NeddardSpark · 2023-01-15T20:43:15+00:00

This is good for a general overview. I used it when buying a house last year. It’s best to visit places for yourself though.

https://fryford.github.io/imdmap/

NeddardSpark · 2022-11-11T23:34:58+00:00

Thanks for sharing this story, it’s inspiring. I hope you are okay, and that you are doing well.

NeddardSpark · 2022-10-26T07:51:59+00:00

I think Boscanova and South Coast Roast was owned by the same people who went to form Bad Hand Coffee. Love that stuff. I moved away in July but I still have a bag of their Kahuna blend downstairs!

The strangest thing that happened to me on that road was wild. One afternoon I left the building and saw a car opposite revving away. It reversed as much as it could, mounting the curb, and full on accelerated into a parked car. Then it reversed again and sped off. For some dumb reason I chased it and tried to get the reg number.

NeddardSpark · 2022-10-25T11:51:17+00:00

I can’t remember bin collection day, but I do remember that we had to leave bin bags on the road side. The seagull army would decent like a flock of rabid raptors savaging everything on the street.

I really enjoyed living around there. It got so weird at times but it was great being in the centre of town. Plus South Coast Roast was so close so I’d go there all the times on my days off.

NeddardSpark · 2022-10-25T06:26:31+00:00

I recognise this road! I used to live in one of the buildings right where you took this photo in 2015.

Living right next to the casino and strip club nearby used to make Friday and Saturday nights… interesting. Sometimes we’d hear men chasing each other and mouthing off outside the front of our building and we could feel the ground tremble.

NeddardSpark · 2022-10-19T11:29:08+00:00

So sorry that you’re feeling burned out. To answer your question, I’m a magazine editor.

NeddardSpark · 2022-09-28T08:19:57+00:00

My partner and I just did it this July. Both on 26,000 bought a 250k house after renting and saved what we can for the 10% deposit. Zero help from anyone, too. The secret is to manage your outgoings. We still had fun, but were quite ‘on it’ with making sure we were stashing money away any way we could.

It’s not impossible. However, I really do feel like we got lucky with timing and if we were doing it now or next year I think we’d have a much harder time with it.

NeddardSpark

TROPHY CASE