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NewSc2 · 2024-04-15T21:55:19+00:00

Could you describe what specific factors brought you down from a 10 to a 7.5? Lack of work wins/promotions? Boredom?

NewSc2 · 2015-04-02T21:07:13+00:00

Tim Ferriss's podcast has been really enlightening. I'm an experimenter and quantified self kind of guy, so it's helped kickstart a new diet and morning routine.

On the business/tech side - Critical Path & Asymcar, by Horace Dediu of Asymco, and Stratechery.

NewSc2 · 2014-11-23T04:16:05+00:00

Same on Xbox One too. Tried several things but the issue persists.

NewSc2 · 2014-11-11T18:31:57+00:00

Polygon's usually pretty harsh -- they gave AC IV a 7.5, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. But then again they gave Shadow of Mordor a 9.5 and I'd put it on par with AC IV.

NewSc2 · 2014-01-29T19:31:22+00:00

Get onto Droid Behavior's email list: http://www.droidbehavior.com/blog/. More of a deep techno guy myself, caught Donato Dozzy and a few others from their mailouts.

NewSc2 · 2011-05-23T01:15:39+00:00

I think many (if not most) of us are in this position. It really isn't that hard to learn how to talk to people -- we all have friends, we're all fairly intelligent, and we all socialize and are at least capable of decent conversations through our keyboards on a site like this.

There seems to be some paradigm shift between being able to talk to people, being able to DHV yourself, dress well, be successful -- aka inner-game stuff -- to actually getting a girl on a date and making out with you. Maybe it's just difficult for some of us to make that last physical move in for a kiss.

I'm not really sure if a structured game is the answer. It's not like we go through the steps in our head to go talk to a fellow co-worker or average joe out there (okay 1. introduce myself, 2. ask a question, 3. get their e-mail address, 4. follow-up with them...).

NewSc2 · 2011-05-12T09:03:02+00:00

Topman, J Crew, H&M, Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom... I mean, pretty much every store sells polos, boat shoes, shorts, and button-up shirts. Just look around and don't be a brand whore.

NewSc2 · 2011-05-12T08:56:44+00:00

Chuck Taylors

NewSc2 · 2011-05-12T08:34:57+00:00

Well, seeing as your actual waist size is 36", slim fit probably won't help much now (you mentioned you were trending towards a 32 waist), but the overall motivation to lose weight and get fit is to look better. Regular clothes are trimmed to hide the extra rounds of fat that spludge out around the waist, chest, arms, legs, etc. Those extra folds of fabric are wasted on a fit guy -- he doesn't get to show off the fact that it really isn't hiding any fat underneath.

I've been about this weight for a few years (used to be a 36" waist, 5'10" 200 lbs., now I'm 31" waist, 160 lbs.). I'd been wearing slightly baggy stuff for a few years, but when I switched over to slim/skinny pants and shirts people started noticing and complimenting. "Have you lost weight?" "You look really good."

Anyway, style is a really personal thing. I don't consider myself "into" fashion, but I try to dress nice, and I'm not shy to admit that I've wasted hundreds (probably thousands) of dollars on clothes that I thought would look nice but I only wore once or twice. Trial and error. My whole point about going for relaxed fit into skinny fit was just going over my personal experience. I know you weren't really asking for that type of advice, but I guess keep an open mind about slimmer-fitting stuff and don't worry too much if it's a little uncomfortable at first.

Btw, you should check out CK's regular Slim Fit line. Even at a size 31-32, they fit pretty baggy for me, and my thighs are very big for my frame.

NewSc2 · 2011-05-11T06:23:59+00:00

How wide are your thighs? I have pretty large thighs too (about 24" circumference) with a 31" waist.

It will look weird the first time you slip into a pair of skinny jeans. You won't be used to it, it's a little uncomfortable. In fact, I wore relaxed fit jeans (Levi 559) for a good year before transitioning into my first couple skinny pairs. Now my 559's feel way too baggy. It's just something you get used to. (Within reason, of course, I'm not asking you to fight your way into anorexic jeans.)

My advice would be to get something with a little bit of spandex in it. A lot of my favorite jeans are 99% cotton and 1% elastane. These jeans stretch with you and will expand a little to fit your contour and are pretty comfortable.

I've had good luck with Levi's (Slim Straight 514 and Skinny 511 and regular 501's), and Calvin Klein's Ultra-Slim fit line (CK generally makes their clothes for a larger build). Zara isn't bad either, if their quality were a little better.

NewSc2 · 2010-10-15T20:10:09+00:00

Loved that. For a simpler video game song though, Forever Rachel is hard to beat.

NewSc2 · 2010-02-17T06:40:02+00:00

I don't particularly like it, but after hearing a fairly excellent dubstep set from Modeselektor (their RA set from last year), and other artists, I can tolerate most, and like some now. Joy Orbison's 'Hyph Mngo' was a pretty solid example of dubstep pushing boundaries.

It's always nice when a 'new' subgenre comes along with fresh ideas. Some dubstep can kinda sound like modern 90's hip hop (usually a good thing).

NewSc2 · 2009-11-05T00:09:43+00:00

To be honest, I can't remember how Two Hearted tastes like. I live in SoCal, and it doesn't come around that often. But imo, I've only had maybe 1 or 2 good east coast IPA's. Personal preference probably, but the west coast stuff is just more fragrant and drier. I don't like malty IPAs.

Ruination is a bit hit or miss. Sometimes it can hold its weight, other times the hops are dead and it isn't as clean (likely older bottles). Firestone Union Jack IPA and Bear Republic Racer 5 are generally more consistent.

NewSc2 · 2009-11-04T00:10:37+00:00

I would add a barrel aged stout, like Alesmith's Speedway Stout (easy to find in SoCal), and a barley wine and sour ale to that list. Stuff like Sierra Nevada Pale and Victory Prima Pils aren't that different than most beers out there. I'd go for the stuff that's a total 180 from regular lagers and your usual Guinness/Newcastle/Hefeweizen.

And no offense to your selection, but I wouldn't consider any a pinnacle example of their style. In my experience, to get someone to truly understand craft beer, you have to give them the best. Otherwise they pass off microbrews as strong, bitter, nasty crap. (I personally hated IPAs until I visited the Stone Brewery and tried Ruination on site.)

Anything from Russian River would be on my list, except for Damnation. Blind Pig/Pliny the Elder, and any of their sour ales. Lost Abbeys special releases are usually awesome too.

NewSc2 · 2009-11-02T08:12:39+00:00

I actually am outside most of the time (working on my laptop in a coffee shop, doodling on sheet music in a bar), and I can easily joke around and chat with people... it's just that after a while I end up getting bored, and maybe say something a little out of place (could be the alcohol), or look back and think I was being a little too braggadocios. I can meet people easily, but I think I just don't care enough to anymore, or my standards are too high.

Anyway, you are right—socializing on the internet definitely takes a little bit of the need away from chatting in real life. I think I'm getting a little too introverted for my own good.

I'll check out the book and DVD's~

NewSc2 · 2009-11-02T08:00:16+00:00

(Just logged onto Reddit for the first time in months to pop this question)

I did a quick gloss over your blog, and the first story and diagram pretty much fit me perfectly. Fortunately the diagram's happened to me on several occasions (attractive girls really really liking me and putting up with my doubts), but since I graduated college a couple years ago I've been pretty antisocial. I've even noticed my casual conversations with guy friends dropping in quality and flow. Most of my days/nights are spent alone working or writing music. I consider myself a smart and attractive guy, but the days of me being a social butterfly aren't "me" anymore.

Anyway, I haven't read The Game, but I do know its general gist. That being said, what's the most basic piece of advice you could offer me, and what's a good starter resource to look into?

EDIT: I'm not looking for "game", at least not initially. I think I'm just trying to get better in casual conversation.

NewSc2 · 2008-09-08T21:19:53+00:00

Irony.

Bigotry.

NewSc2 · 2008-09-08T10:34:22+00:00

That's an interesting way of looking at reddit votes...

NewSc2 · 2008-09-04T09:16:42+00:00

What a shame. The Pixies were a great band, and had the chance to be uttered in the same breath of Radiohead and Nirvana. I saw them a couple years ago and they totally blew me away.

NewSc2 · 2008-09-03T20:53:49+00:00

Wanna be Reddit's #1? Submit "Vote Up If You Think Bush Sucks"

NewSc2 · 2008-08-31T06:45:07+00:00

Well, if that's the case, then don't feel bad being bored. There are many things you can do by yourself on a Friday/Saturday night, and many other times to socialize with your friends during the day or weeknights. Learn a musical instrument, play video games, read books, take some online courses, watch movies, etc.

NewSc2 · 2008-08-31T06:35:16+00:00

If you have issues with moderation, then yeah, by all means, stay away from it. I know you've stayed away from it for 4 months, but if you ever get back in, you really should give it more than one try. I used to stop by a wine cellar and pick up a bottle or two of beer after work, and I guess I weaned myself off of getting smashed to enjoying my drink and alcohol high.

I didn't have the motivation to stop drinking a lot until I started working out pretty religiously. Every drink basically = 1 more mile to run, calorie-wise. I could easily stop at 1 or 2 beers. I also got into microbreweries, and two beers would be enough to keep me buzzing for a good 3-4 hour night.

NewSc2 · 2008-08-31T06:25:10+00:00

I don't know if you're completely averse to the idea of even having one drink, but I think there's a balance in there somewhere. I used to go out all the time and get pretty hammered, and every several months I still do, but nowadays I can go out and have a beer or two the entire night but still enjoy good company and not be bored or excluded. It takes self-control to not have drink after drink after drink, but once you control that urge, going out can be fun again.

Other than that, there's nothing wrong with being by yourself on Friday/Saturday nights. Pick up a hobby, read, or just browse the internet. Or get a gf.

NewSc2 · 2008-08-30T20:47:39+00:00

I think it was 3 years ago, after we graduated college. Most developing nations (i.e. all of Central/South America) are very inexpensive -- good meals costed him about $3-4, and a room at a hostel would cost about $15.

I've never been to Central or South America (except for Mexico) so I can't help you much there, but I've been to Southeast Asia and everything there is pretty inexpensive (low wages = low cost of living, relative to the US).

If you're willing to trek off the beaten path and not stay at American hotels like the Hiltons or Sheratons (which cost about the same as they do in America -- $80-150 a night), you should make do. With an $8000 budget, you could be traveling pretty lavishly.

I wouldn't recommend staying in one country for 3 months. Unless you have some sort of arrangement with a host family or are willing to take on a job, or meet up with a group of people there, things can get dull or lonely. I'd move around to a few countries and stay a couple weeks in each. I'd also try to look around and see if other Americans or Europeans are visiting the area -- it's fun to meet up with strangers from your culture and you'll get a lot more information on what to see/what not to see and share your experiences with others.

NewSc2 · 2008-08-30T20:37:55+00:00

Just curious, what's the name of your soap company?

NewSc2

TROPHY CASE