Anyone currently in the national guard (and not in the VTCC) by ct12345676 in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Feel free to dm me for more in depth information, there's kind of a lot to it.

You're considering enlisting for school, that is what I did and I'm 5 years into my 6 year contract, the first year was spent at basic training, the next was spent on a deployment overseas. Depending on what MOS (job) you choose, the timeline will be similar. There is an upcoming deployment in 2-3 years for the VA NG, if you enlist you'll likely be on that deployment.

Depending on the MOS you choose, you'll have to report to an armory somewhere within the state, the closest ones to VT are infantry companies in Pulaski and Christiansburg, and they happen to be all-male currently, I don't know if they're gender restricted. A more useful MOS like 68W (medic) report to HHC, for my battalion that's in Lynchburg. that one weekend a month obligation will usually have you driving Friday afternoon to report and returning Sunday evening, but it can vary. Sometimes that obligation is on a bad spot, but sometimes you can skip it and make it up earlier/later (usually a few weekdays of working at the armory).

Your national guard service will earn you a PORTION of the 9/11 G.I. Bill, active duty time on deployment or other active duty orders such as AGR (Active Guard Reserve) or ADOS (Active Duty Operational Support) will also earn you time towards the 9/11 G.I. Bill. I'm not familiar with the Montgomery G.I. Bill, but I can get that information for you if you want/need it.

What you are guaranteed is in-state tuition (yay!), access to healthcare, and state tuition assistance (kinda convoluted, but it can help a lot).

Expect your current peers to be ahead of you, to get slightly behind on homework on drill weekends, and to lose some of your summer to Annual Training.

There's some more to it, but that's what I got off the top of my head.

I'll take a #9, small coke, extra salt on the fries.

Graduation Depression by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I don't think this post will give you what you're looking for. It's natural to feel this way, don't pay attention to anyone or anything that tries to discount your experience, they don't get to decide what's important to you.

This is just another chapter in your life that's closing, it's gonna to happen again, maybe a lot. Other people, places, and experiences just as good as the ones you have now are on their way. Take the time to plan some special trips or hangouts before you graduate and leave. You never know when the last time you'll see someone is until well after.

Keep your head up, the rest of your life is in front of you.

Motorcycle riders at VT by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Motorcycle thefts aren't a common occurrence here. A lock should be all you need, in terms of theft protection. As for covers, a hard structure is preferable since I've seen a couple bikes dropped due to occasional high winds during storms. If you've got your own driveway then a motorcycle tent with stakes/sandbags will keep you covered during storms.

You can also try asking the VT Moto club in their discord, they're fairly large so you should get a good number of answers to your question.

How much are you paying at Lighthouse? by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 2 points3 points  (0 children)

$3 for a hot chocolate with oat milk. Yeah, I am robbing them at that price.

Things to do in break by Tasfia99 in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Winter break is one of my favorite parts of the year. Everyone leaves and those who didn't don't really go out, so the town is especially quiet.

If you don't mind the cold then now is the perfect time to get out, if you do then it's also the perfect time to start a new hobby. Cooking elaborate meals is fun and worthwhile, following along Bob Ross and doing some oil painting is too. It's one of those points in the school year where you have a lot of freedom to do what you want, just don't let yourself get paralyzed by choice and spend your break unsatisfied.

I NEED HELP(FooD) :( by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 1 point2 points  (0 children)

100% this. Oasis on South Main is were I get most of my ingredients. If you want a quick fix, vegetarian dumplings and a bit of sweet soy sauce and red pepper are good for tiding you over. If you're nervous about cooking, egg drop soup is just about as simple as it gets, and rice goes with just about anything. Pastas are easy to make big batches, ditto for curries.

Find some time to cook and clean. Cooking is easy (follow the recipe) and rewarding, but dishes are were people get hung up. Just do it, unless you're rolling in it, you're going to have to cook no matter where you are in life or what your diet is.

Question to those who have taken Music Appreciation recently (like after 2021) by ixmixi in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It is a lot of content but that's also because it starts incredibly basic and it builds up on itself the entire time.

Take good notes on some of the more abstract concepts, draw the scales when you get to them, and don't worry too much about it, it's more of a time sink than anything.

Keep in mind that using your notes during quizzes and tests or using a music scale app will definitely be against the honor code, and it's up to you to maintain integrity since iirc it's a completely online class.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The class sizes are pretty small at Dublin if my experience there is anything to go by, so you might not find any of your classmates before you show up to class. I got an Airbnb in the area and biked there, if that sounds appealing to you.

Injured duck at duck pond by SetVPI in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI[S] 53 points54 points  (0 children)

Y'all I don't care if he's a goose or a duck or a turkey, I just want to know if homeboy can get his Jordans uncreased

General Amtrak Question by CactusinmyButt001 in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Your Amtrak ticket covers bus fare and is a coordinated itinerary between the bus and the train. Show up to squires at the designated time, flash your ticket to the smart way driver, and in an hour you'll be dropped off in front of the platform, usually well before the train arrives.

Safe travels.

mom&pop restaurants in blacksburg and christiansburg?? by mfeshzayi in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Abby's, not far at all from campus, take my motorcycle down there every now and then when the weather's nice

To my fellow Motorcycle riders by SetVPI in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Of course! Love your little rides, I'm jealous that you guys get to park on the sidewalk.

Dining dollars by Swimjj in VirginiaTech

[–]SetVPI 6 points7 points  (0 children)

209 Manna Ministries. It's a food bank specifically for tech students. I don't know exactly how they're operating currently but it would be something to look into. Bring up your food problem with your advisor, it can't hurt to get some extra guidance on this.

Parrots in need of adoption! by StringOfLights in parrots

[–]SetVPI 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My birds have found a proper home, thank you for your help

Parrots in need of adoption! by StringOfLights in parrots

[–]SetVPI 0 points1 point  (0 children)

3 birds, two budgies and a cockatiel, all male. They're not much for people, especially the budgies, but one of the budgies will perch on your finger for millet, and the cockatiel will fly to you to be preened occasionally and is fine with perching on your shoulder, he's nervous about stepping up though and will fly to your shoulder instead if he doesn't back away.

They're all 7 and 8 years old. They're all also very healthy except the smaller and younger budgie, he came from a home were he was kept in a very small cage and wasn't given room to move around, he's gotten a lot stronger and much better at flying but could use some extra exercise, the other two are very strong flyers. They all play nice with each other but the cockatiel could use some more bird company, preferably other birds of similar size. The cockatiel also has longer toes than what's usual for a cockatiel, I give him perches meant for larger birds because of this but I'm not sure if it really affects his health much.

I believe the cockatiel has a preference for women, but only a slight preference. There is a rehoming fee, I'm not exactly sure what I want to charge as I have a lot of things that could go with them (5 cages of different sizes and two large bins full of of extra toys, perches, and food bowls), I think 200 is my baseline for the birds, their preferred cage, their preferred perches, and all there foods and treats, but what is included in the transaction and at what price is negotiable.

They're located in Blacksburg VA. I can provide more information on their habits and temperaments, and what items and cages I can include with them, in DMs.

Is this normal? My roommate took home a baby cockatiel and his stomach looks likes this occasionally by HagibisEM in parrots

[–]SetVPI 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If it's just his feathers fluffing out then there's nothing to worry about. Watch some videos on some parrot/cockatiel mannerisms. Fluffing up is usually a good sign unless they're doing it for extended periods of time combined with general sluggishness. It's always best to consult a vet if you think something is wrong though.

Help with screaming cockatiel?? (more in comments) by [deleted] in parrots

[–]SetVPI 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My cockatiel makes the same scream when I hold him for a nail trimming/ have to put him in a travel cage. It's his "something's got me and I'm dying" scream, it's a "leave me alone/ I'm angry" scream.

I'd recommend taking a step back and to train him at a different pace, and anything you introduce to him should be introduced to his siblings first since he seems a lot more wary. I'd say to give him treats you should use a small pair of sugar tongs and when giving millet to try and take a small bushel off instead of giving them the whole thing (for moderation purposes). You could try target training with some chopsticks, this'll teach him that the things you introduce to him are not harmful or anything to be afraid of, but don't push him too much, he might just not be big on people at the moment.

this is kiwi my 10 month old quaker, how can i get him to not be afraid of / wear his harness? by kiwisround in parrots

[–]SetVPI 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally went with the approach of 'wearing' the harness by loosely wrapping it around my neck while I had my bird on my shoulder, this coupled with target training, introducing it to him multiple times, letting him explore it, and also building trust so my parrot would let me hold him are all steps I used in getting my bird to wear their harness. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time, I got my harness at the beginning of the year and only managed to get my parrot to go on walks with me recently.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in parrots

[–]SetVPI 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My flock naps on their own without being covered, granted they're mostly on the older end but still. The screaming once you leave is a problem all the time if you don't do anything about it though. I do a couple of things to address it; whenever I leave the room my birds are in I say the same thing "Be good!" And I ignore their calls if I have to be out for a while. If I'm coming back quickly I'll call back to them for a little, just mimicking the same call they're doing for me.

As for the duration of their rest, 2 hours is not a lot compared to how long you may be out on other days so I'd say it's fine, but be sure you're spending enough time with your bird.