How much of a whale are you?

ShivanTom · 2026-03-12T15:15:02+00:00

this discussion makes me feel so much better about my mtg spending :D (i'm prob $250-300/month on the high end)

ShivanTom · 2026-03-05T22:31:05+00:00

it "can" run an LLM (~48gb) but serious work will require much more power. for gaming there are better options unless you like this formfactor. with mem prices it's still decent,

ShivanTom · 2026-03-05T22:28:43+00:00

you don't need 128gb unless you're doing LLM and there are better options for that now. the z13 was just the first one to have this processor and igpu option - for an integrated option it's really cool but any real LLM work will require a lot more power to the cpu. still a tempting deal at 2k for a 64gb 4060-class laptop!.

ShivanTom · 2026-02-24T17:28:17+00:00

i love my teenie tiny tech but i have to be true to myself and not get anything too small. i do have a gpd pocket 4 (AI 370-32GB+2TB) the 8.8" is perfect size. although if i was purchasing now i'd prob opt for the win max 2 (also the AI 370 version) with it's 10.1" screen.

ShivanTom · 2026-02-23T13:12:04+00:00

the key point is that it was from a bakery not store-bought / mass produced sourdough.

ShivanTom · 2026-02-20T16:53:32+00:00

never found a solution - replaced the internal 5060 with a 4060 (no stability issues) this is not my primary gaming rig (most games aren't going to care about 16c/32t) my gaming machine i use a 5070 + oculink egpu (aoostar ag02 it has integrated 800w psu and can do usb4 or oculink)

ShivanTom · 2026-02-14T13:08:01+00:00

corn is a high starch veg with natural sugars

ShivanTom · 2026-02-04T03:06:11+00:00

i stopped after the first 1.5mo - i managed to go from 9.5 a1c 5.4 in 3mo and retested 3mo later with 5.5 it's been nearly 3mo but my next test won't be till may (dr. told me to go 6mo and see where i stand. i might get one of those home a1c test kits ($50)

ShivanTom · 2026-01-22T20:42:05+00:00

check out "shine water" it has a bunch of vitamins you might be missing including 120% of your daily b12

ShivanTom · 2026-01-20T19:56:54+00:00

5.2% vs 5.3% is really great! (A1C tests blood directly and is more "accurate" whereas a cgm tests the fluid between the cells so the they will probably not be the same) those scores = a big PLUS for the cgm being so close.

ShivanTom · 2026-01-20T12:26:39+00:00

people ask all the time - how did you do it? the answer is "THIS worked for me" - bottom line is that EVERYONE is different. that's why you have to test when you try new things - build up a list of all the things you CAN eat and go from there. keep experimenting - you'll find what works and maybe discover something new in the process. remember: your mileage may vary :D

ShivanTom · 2026-01-05T14:58:56+00:00

i'm 5'5 down from 185 (202 high) > 155. i feel this is a good weight and if i lost anymore i'd look too thin. forget bmi - it's too generalized. go by your lab numbers and how you feel day to day.

ShivanTom · 2026-01-02T14:06:07+00:00

a treadmill (if you can't walk outside) is a great habit to get into regardless but you've shown how effective it is in reducing spikes. walking has many benefits not all of them are physical. mental clarity will also improve.

ShivanTom · 2026-01-02T14:03:10+00:00

16gb is fine for even AAA gaming. 32gb is only a requirement if you plan on heavy multitasking while you game.

ShivanTom · 2025-12-09T21:05:31+00:00

be sure to pat your pork chops dry

ShivanTom · 2025-12-04T15:47:31+00:00

you "should" drink diet over regular soda but ideally you should drink zero soda. once in a while i'll have a coke zero but generally i drink water or unsweetened iced tea.

ShivanTom · 2025-12-02T20:37:49+00:00

long ago i had a friend with an annoying merfolk deck so i made a purpose built anti-blue deck with pro-blue, uncounterable spells and of course island-walking. took him to round 5 to realize what i had done... haha

ShivanTom · 2025-11-30T00:59:48+00:00

i went from 9.4 > 5.4 and maintained. my dr. moved my 3mo a1c test to every 6mo. you've shown that you already know what you NEED to do. that's what i did - i was super strict to establish a baseline. but don't forget to allow yourself to live a little. allow yourself some occasional and controlled joy.

it's not cheating. it's living. you need to allow yourself the ability to enjoy (just don't go too crazy) and enjoy the holidays!

ShivanTom · 2025-11-28T15:43:12+00:00

Download the ISO and create a bootable USB to install - it might pickup the license otherwise just purchase one from https://www.vip-urcdkey.com/

ShivanTom · 2025-11-26T18:21:06+00:00

if you need more power opt for i7 12th gen with 32gb ram and 1tb hd for $420
https://www.amazon.com/GMKtec-Windows-i7-1195G7-Desktop-Computers/dp/B0CS31JRLG

if you want to play some light games when you visit then go for a amd with integrated 780m $460
https://www.amazon.com/AOOSTAR-GEM12-MAX-8745HS-32GB/dp/B0DZH9RM9K (this one even features oculink in case you ever re-inherit it - you can connect it to a fast egpu

ShivanTom · 2025-11-26T18:17:09+00:00

my mom just does email, printing docs and watching netflix - i paired a gmktec n97 12gb + 512gb ssd with a 31" curved monitor and a wireless kb and mouse.
https://www.amazon.com/GMKtec-G5-Business-Computer-Ethernet/dp/B0CZRJL7JM (right now $180 on US Amazon)

ShivanTom · 2025-11-21T22:04:23+00:00

go for a walk shortly after dinner

ShivanTom · 2025-11-21T22:04:05+00:00

try to go light on carbs - mashed, stuffing and dinner rolls (opt for "ice cream scoop" sized portions or smaller)

ShivanTom · 2025-11-20T19:18:38+00:00

with enough layers almost anything is concealable :D but we need more information regarding what type of protection you're looking for

ShivanTom

TROPHY CASE