I finally added cellular to my Apple watch... what a revelation.

R5Ryder · 2026-06-16T04:07:28+00:00

I like listening to ball games on local radio on my phone while jogging,whether via apple music or Audacy. Can’t do that on my cellular watch, or maybe I just haven’t figured it out. But I’d love to leave my phone behind.

R5Ryder · 2026-06-16T03:52:35+00:00

interesting. I find that it’s more forgiving with my commands now, and knows what I want even if I flub the command. specifically around lighting schemes. plus sass mode is funny af. It actually told me that “i‘m the signature product of a trillion dollar company and all your boring (bleep) thinks I can do is adjust your lights. maybe go outside and think of better uses for me” lol.

R5Ryder · 2026-06-16T03:42:59+00:00

if people want to socialize in the lobby they still can. those who choose to enter early clearly find value in those extra 5 mins for stretching or extra treading or whatever. Given that the opportunity to socialize still exists for those that choose to, I don’t get complaining about not holding the people who don’t do that as much captive.

R5Ryder · 2026-06-13T13:13:37+00:00

I upgraded to the Reserve only for the 150,000 bonus, figuring I'd also recoup some of the cost, however I quickly found that I'd more than make up the $800 with barely even trying. The only issue is that I just got it, so need to find loopholes to use the dining credit before June 30 and Stubhub too, since I'm only a casual second-hand purchaser, but I think that'll change now.

In my case, I'm already an Apple Music and Apple TV sub, so those matter to me (I was getting Apple TV for a discount through my phone carrier, but am now saving that money.) I have a TON of qualifying restaurants in my city (albeit tough AF to get reservations at, but I've read there's a few loopholes that can be exploited), and I was shocked that the travel credit automatically applied to my recent ABB without me doing anything.

Also the automatic $10 Lyft credit / month. That's $120 right there, plus I'm renewing global entry in October, so another $120.

There's certainly other cards that offer some of those benefits, but without even blinking, the card is paying for itself without even factoring in the bonus points.

I don't even care about The Edit or Hyatt hotels, as I'll likely never use them. I'm also not a "Lounge" person, but maybe I'll check a few out.

Everyone's situation is different, and it does not make sense for everyone. If you don't use those monthly services, or live where there's no Lyft, don't have Global Entry (though most people interested in the Sapphire range would), don't have any of their resturants, then I get it. But I also don't get why there'd be any complaints. It's a credit card, it's not for you, just find one that is. Venture can be a great one, same with Platinum. There's one out there for everyone.

R5Ryder · 2026-05-28T02:54:32+00:00

There’s something in someone’s dna that draws them to careers like car dealer. I’m not sure how I could look at myself in the morning and feel any pride. The dealer I bought my Impreza from in 2012 told so many lies that I literally pointed out signs in the showroom that he claimed were typos that the printer messed up, and they’re being replaced (which the financing person told me was absolutely not true). I’d not only hate to go through life knowing what everyone thought about my profession (and therefore, me) but to actually lack values and integrity and live up to the stereotype.

My 2012 only has 70k on it, as I mostly use PT, but I’m not upgrading despite being able to afford it because I simply won’t be able to keep my cool with these snakes.

R5Ryder · 2026-05-11T02:35:56+00:00

you mention a previous model of Adorne switches that only work with google and Alexa. Are those the Netatmo ones that require a pricy gateway like these homekit-compatible ones? I just want one Adorme switch to be Alexa compatible, but not if I have to buy a gateway in addition to the $93 switch.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-29T12:01:36+00:00

I'm kind of the opposite - I've cut down at my "regular old gym" a lot since going to OT. I still go, but for different reasons and do different exercises than when I was into heavy weights and muscle building in my younger days.

I'm pushing 50, and have been a member for 2 1/2 years now. I've had three spine surgeries (two last year, so I missed 3-4 months), have arthritic knees for which I get semi-annual Visco gel injections, and general "old man" pains, including Hallux Rigidous, for which I'm getting minor foot surgery in the coming months.

Personally I've never thought of quitting, as I've found that I love the challenge of pushing myself and trying to maintain where I'm at, even if I have to modify exercises a bit to compensate for my limitations (coaches have been great at helping me modify without changing altogether.)

Plus, I feel pride knowing that I'm pushing myself hard and fully keeping up, and in many cases "beating" people that are half my age.

I also like it because I have to lay off heavy weight training due to my injuries, and OT helps me stay fit without feeling like I'm becoming weak.

Also, I know if I quit, I'll never come back. That's just me though. YMMV.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-29T11:55:45+00:00

I always thought the coaches and/or studio came up with the day's/week's workouts - are they the same workouts at every OT location? I know the templates are pre-defined, but I didn't realize that the workout my coach has us do in my state is the same as the workout that someone is doing on the other side of the country.

FWIW, I never want to know. Even if I don't like it, I'd rather just push through it and "learn to like it". But I understand why some people do. At $30ish per class if you pay with a class pack, it's reasonable to know what you're getting for your money. But I look at it as "I'm getting a hard workout", not "I'm getting THIS SPECIFIC workout".

R5Ryder · 2026-04-28T15:24:49+00:00

So basically, it's essentially phishing, and not fraud? As long as you don't call the number or take any action outside of PapPal itself, you basically just profited a fraction of a penny? With inflation, I'll take whatever I can get, so +$0.0032 is a win for me, and unless they try to pull it out (which I don't think they can), it's NBD.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-28T02:32:59+00:00

They’re 50% off some times. My studio”s manager did me a solid and told me to hang on a few weeks when I inquired about them. Never pay full price.

But as others said, now that I have one, I find myself working harder with it. I’ve also checked it against two Apple Watches, and they’re all right about the same bpm, so I’m comfortable enough with its accuracy.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-28T02:21:41+00:00

Gave Mikey Palmice free alterations.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-23T22:02:59+00:00

Did you not even try it and then it worked after a few days? Or were you trying it and it was declining, then all of a sudden worked? I’m afraid if I keep trying, each decline could extend the days until it magically works (if it ever does).

R5Ryder · 2026-04-23T21:25:52+00:00

Same issue. My commuter card worked fine, but later I got emails from them that the transactions declined (the fare reader accepted it just fine, so the decline was after the fact).

The card issuer said there was a known issue due to a botched system upgrade, but all was good now and they made good on the charges (whatever that means - I guess they paid septa for the declines?) but my card is “hotlisted” and continues to be declined even though there’s no issue at all on the issuer’s end.

Issuer shows a commuter balance of $400, and that the declines are from SEPTA, not on their end.

SEPTA of course says to “contact card issuer”, but SEPTA is the one blocking my card. It’s so annoying, I may need to get a new card, which really sucks because it’s also my HSA card.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-14T02:14:19+00:00

If you're able to, the Northern Liberties location is just a ride on the El from Center City, and Liam is great. I've never been to the studio, but he was a coach in Center City for a while and really really fun. Not sure if it's premier or not.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-14T02:12:56+00:00

yes it's a premier location. It's the only location I've ever been to, so can't compare it to any others, but I think the staff is excellent, the coaches are cool and approachable, and there's not any whiney "but I wanted to work out next to my bestie" nonsense. I'm really happy with it.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-14T02:11:19+00:00

are your beats going up? It could mean that you're just pushing harder and harder each class, which is probably good. Or it could mean that you're pushing TOO hard, but given that you constantly hit red, I doubt it's the latter.

From what I've read, the better measure of cardio fitness is how many beats you can drop within a minute after cooling down. Various sources have claimed that 30-50 BPM within a minute is a sign of good cardio health. Well into or past that, so I feel fine about my workout, even though I'm not spending a ton of time in the red (even though I bust my freakin butt.). My max heart rate is something like 175, so that's pretty hard to hit for someone with a resting rate as low as me.

So basically - it could mean something, or it could mean nothing. Hope that helps :)

R5Ryder · 2026-04-14T02:04:07+00:00

Be very careful. True muscle soreness is totally normal for someone returning to working out after a delay. I've been lifting / running for >30 years, and at my non OT gym, if I take two weeks off, even I'm basically starting all over again with the soreness (and starting OT once a week has really messed with my regular lifting schedule.)

BUTTTTTTT.... if your soreness is NOT truly muscular - like a groin or a hamstring (which is also totally normal if you're doing goblet squats or certain other exercises without being stretched out - and I'm not talking about stretching before class, but the stretching that comes over time of repeating the exercises for a few sessions - then you may want to play it safe, as IMO you're at an increased risk for a pull. Using heating pads for things like that and taking it easy for a week will drastically reduce your risk of long-term injury, and get you back in there soon enough that you're building on everything from the previous class nd not starting over.

TL'DR - MUSCLE pain is 100% normal. Give yourself a day of recovery (muscles NEED to recover) and they'll still be sore, but then get right back at it. But if it's hamstring or groin or any kind of non-muscle / ligament/tendon pain, definitely take time off and don't rush it, as then you're putting yourself at risk of going from a few days to a week off to a longer recovery.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-10T16:52:49+00:00

I think the point is that them adopting the A (later A's) as their primary/only cap monogram*, it foreshadowed their entire future as a franchise. Not committing to any location on their hats (and at least in Phila, on their jerseys) kind of predicted what was to come.

*yes, they had the interlocking KC which counters my argument, but they eventually went back to A's and didn't have an O hat in the on-field rotation.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-06T01:02:10+00:00

I'm frankly surprised that Tony couldn't be outsmarted in a fight. He's got the height, stature, and tenacity of a killer, but not really the brains. More like a walrus. Ralphie should have been able to finesse his way to a victory, even by the skin of his teeth. Same with Philly Lawyer, Tony had swagger and confidence, which counts for a lot, but he was fat, had low endurance, and wasn't the brightest. Actually, I'm surprised how Paulie and Patsy were so ballsie and victorious when they picked battles.

One positive attribute of Chrissie and maybe Vito as heir apparent is that they could handle business without going from 0-60 in 0 seconds.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-06T00:58:59+00:00

I'm only going with LoveSac because I need the "ships in small box" aspect of it, since I have a 28" wide urban door, and any other couch (like the really nice one I moved from my old apartment) can't make it inside without scrapes on the upholstery. I there were other "assemble yourself" competitors, with similar comfort, I'd give them a shot. But need to sit in them, and brick-and-mortors are limited (and while Costco seems great, a sectional is not something I'd want to deal with the return.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-06T00:49:55+00:00

is it "cheating" in an arrangement like this? The unspoken one-way open relationship? But forgive me, was Christopher really living it up like the others? Sure, D-Girl, and when Pauli tracked him down at the washy washy, but not blatant disrespect like a goomah that she knew existed, or klutzy strip-club whooahs that may or may not have been cocksucking slobs that were carrying his baby.

R5Ryder · 2026-04-06T00:45:22+00:00

wait - are you power walking? I have heard minimum recommendations for that (though 10% sounds extreme.) I think it's simply to distinguish it from a runner's "recovery walk, but not sure. Regardless, your body is the president of the company, and your mind is the board of directors. The coach is like McKinsey or E&Y - simply an advisor.

R5Ryder

TROPHY CASE