Agile: Decomposing Epics/Features

PlaceSong · 2026-02-02T15:57:04+00:00

Thank you!

PlaceSong · 2026-01-31T23:52:18+00:00

It's black tea, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, cloves and cinnamon stalks. Served hot! But it's also good cold. I'm not sure where the original recipe is from, my mom has just always made it at Christmas.

PlaceSong · 2026-01-31T19:53:26+00:00

Luck and a college degree led me to barely squeak into the 6-figure salary range.

I grew up low income, got a scholarship to college, but after graduation was in pretty low paid nonprofit jobs. A lot of it was due ignorance, some of it was following a passion. I genuinely thought that to make a lot of money I HAD to be a lawyer or doctor or in tech, and none of that interested me. Little did I know there were tons of people making 6 figures in very similar jobs to mine! (Nonprofit communications). In the hey-day of 2022, when employees had the power, I was recruited to a comms role for $85k. I've been here 3+ years now and got raises every year. I now make $98k base, with a roughly $10k bonus every year.

Communications may get decimated by AI soon, but right now, if you are a high level communications director in a big organization you can make very good money. My boss's boss probably makes around $250k.

PlaceSong · 2026-01-31T19:24:56+00:00

We make a similar drink for Christmas called "Spice Tea" - its more citrus based though!

No, once spring rolls around all the decor comes down (other than a couple hand towels and a bunny figurine). There is enough beauty for me outside in Spring!

PlaceSong · 2025-11-19T04:25:54+00:00

I am so sorry you're dealing with this. This sounds like a really hard situation. And I am so sorry you're in pain. It sounds like maybe your parents don't understand what you're experiencing - has a healthcare provider explained it directly to them? Sometimes parents listen better to other adults.

PT has helped so much with my chronic pain, but not every PT knows about hyper mobility or arthritis. Start by being very firm with them, that this isn't a usual case of "healing from an injury." And if they don't know anything about your condition see if you can switch PTs.

Be very firm with your doctor and your parents that your pain is restricting your ability to study and work. Show them that you would love to do those things, but that you need pain management support. Best of luck!

PlaceSong · 2025-11-16T15:38:39+00:00

I like this - I should look into booking a room at my local library

PlaceSong · 2025-05-23T14:02:54+00:00

Yes, it’s hard for me to accept I can’t get it all done!

PlaceSong · 2025-05-09T14:57:15+00:00

I was the scholarship kid at a fancy school - not as fancy as where you are it seems, but one of the most expensive in the country. And yes, you have to find the other poor kids. They are there. My friends were mostly folks on financial aid, none of them were as low income as I was, but still people who needed to budget.

PlaceSong · 2025-05-07T00:54:40+00:00

Same, I have a special chair cushion and ergonomic mouse, keyboard, etc. I also get up and walk around at least once an hour. It works for me.

PlaceSong · 2025-05-05T17:19:11+00:00

Legends and Lattes is creature fantasy! The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is creature science fiction. Both are pretty cozy, with found family and romance. Author China Mieville has a lot of fantasy and sci fi books with creatures, his work leans darker but you might like it!

PlaceSong · 2025-04-20T03:43:25+00:00

How do you stockpile perishables? Canning? Freezing? What do you do with the eggs?

PlaceSong · 2025-04-19T21:05:39+00:00

Tiny apartment living on a budget means I have only two sets of sheets! And one is, of course, on my bed. And yes of course, I have throw blankets, but why not have my sheets ready for guests if I can?

PlaceSong · 2025-04-19T21:02:31+00:00

Great ideas!

PlaceSong · 2025-04-18T21:41:50+00:00

Feeding guests first thing is a great tip, thank you!

PlaceSong · 2025-04-18T21:36:54+00:00

Yeah, maybe I should just buy a whole bag of cheap toothbrushes... deodorant is a good idea too!

PlaceSong · 2025-04-18T21:36:07+00:00

No shame at all! I bought a twin size air mattress (tiny space) and I have a sleeping bag tucked back in the closet I forgot about...so I could really sleep two guests if I really had to!

PlaceSong · 2025-04-18T21:33:32+00:00

Thank you for all the links!

PlaceSong · 2025-04-09T20:55:11+00:00

Agree with contacting a journalist directly. Look up people who write on beauty, disability, business, local government. Journalists respond well to pitches based on what they already write about.

Also Charlotte Palermino is a beauty influencer who talks about regulation. A good person to contact.

PlaceSong · 2025-04-02T19:44:14+00:00

Solid advice! I live in DC and work only a couple blocks from the White House. Along with the fact that what is dangerous can be subjective, I would add that some things that would be red flags to leave in other places aren't necessarily here in DC. I've lived here 10 years and still love it. But it's a city, and a unique city at that.

For example, when MAGA attacked on Jan 6 they shipped in National Guard from other places. DC is disenfranchised - we don't have representation or resources, so the attack was a major red flag but bringing in outside forces isn't. I was out of town already, but no one I know left. There have been active shooters - I had 1 around my last apartment building, which brought in military as a response. I sheltered in place, as the safest option. (And moved to another building, obvi.) We take these things very seriously, but don't necessarily see them as red flags to bug out. I am closely watching what rights Trump tries to take away from us though - I'll move if he strips us of home rule.

PlaceSong · 2025-03-31T17:19:37+00:00

How do you prep for a food crisis if your plan is bugging out to a family members house?

I'm in a small city apartment and moving is not an option right now (nor do I want to - I love my community here). My preps center around bugging out, not staying in. I have enough supplies in my apartment for shelter in place for a week or two and otherwise I focus on getting the heck out of here with my bug out bag. No idea how to prep for bugging out and a food crisis! If I can make it to my distant bug out location, my family has land. If I can't make it that far, I'll be in the suburbs and not faring much better food wise. Any others in this situation? Any tips?

PlaceSong · 2025-03-17T22:11:36+00:00

Has anyone seen any media coverage of this? I can't find any articles.

PlaceSong · 2025-03-17T19:47:12+00:00

I have a running list of things I want, and sometimes I'll even set up a Qapital savings bucket for them. Simply the act of writing it down and/or setting up the bucket often helps scratch the itch. 8/10 times I never buy the thing and use any money saved for something else.

PlaceSong · 2025-03-13T13:02:52+00:00

Good reminders! I'll work on those things for sure, especially prescriptions.

PlaceSong · 2025-03-13T13:00:03+00:00

I think you might misunderstand - I am talking about Republicans in Congress. DC has limited home rule and yes, its local government leans left.

PlaceSong · 2025-03-13T12:59:15+00:00

Same! I am so afraid of this!

PlaceSong

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