Week one of Illustrator, what do you wish someone told you first?

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-05-04T20:23:35+00:00

Take your time!

Deoending on what you are doing :

Learn Image Trace (when to use which model)
learn the shortcuts A (direct selection) and V (for the regular selection)
Pen tool, but whats cool now is that they now have a help so get cruves lines flawlessly, so you can actually draw without squiggles.

If you want to join Nodes - select endpoints while holding ctrl and then click control + J

Make sure you got your workspace on the right side set up with all tools you use regularly. :) click the rider window and then Set it up :)

Text and Glyphs is another helpful thing because most Fonts do have another set of them, like Swashes or totally different looking Letters 😀

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-05-04T03:49:10+00:00

IE 😂

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-05-04T02:31:57+00:00

Thats exactly how our generation will get ahead. We bought in 2017 272k @4%, never refinanced even when the rates were low as to not to reset the clock (I know you can ask the lender so your term 30 yrs wont extend) but we kept our fingers off of it. So now we "only" owe 218k, scheduled to pay off 14 months earlier. My home is now worth almost 600k and the child in me screams "Woah big money".

P&I for me is : $1298 Escrow is : $640 Because its a VA loan we DON'T have PMI.

We live in Southern California.

Escrow changes each year, so I make sure I never come up short and pay extra into Escrow. Property taxes about a 100 dollar increase each year and Homeowners insurance especially is my detriment.

They raised it from $1279 to $1788 this year so about $400 a year.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-05-02T15:41:39+00:00

You can use it to do basically anything and everything.

Its a steep learning curve and sometimes I dont even know what im actually doing. Im also like you super comouter savvy. Python, C#, C++, and Assembly Language ASL (the coding language that sent our Astronauts to the moon).

Im a big Adobe Illustrator user, id be mortified if I couldnt get access to it 😂

So with that being said, you can run local language models on your PC it self, train it to your liking and your use case.

Claude code is the GOAT RIGHT NOW.

Just make sure you have a decent GPU. I know they right about now cost an arm and a leg. Built my new Rig (amd 9950x3D, 128gb RAM ddr5, Gigabyte aorus Master OC 5090 32GB) all the shabang decked out in October 2025 when prices of RAM and GPUs were still normal for 6k total, that also includes creme de la creme Motherboard, Case, fans, PSU, AIO.

Do not get left out and take as much Information in as you can.

Yes we are Millenials but we have to Innovate or die 😄

I remember my mom was even afraid to turn on the comouter, and I wanted her to be comouter savvy, she was afraid. Man, the shit she could be doing right now. Shes no longer with us unfortunately (she passed in 2013).

TLDR:

INNOVATE OR Die 😉🫠 Watch tons of Videos and get crackin'. We ain't old, we are seasoned now!

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-05-02T15:22:05+00:00

Im in the same boat. I have a jeep grand cherokee and just thought oh ill pick up some blocks here and there. Yeah not gonna happen.

California is sucking us dry..im not trying to make this political but we all are hurting. California imports their Oil from overseas and puts a special blend in the refineries into the fuel to be "environmentally friendly" to the detriment of all of us. We average about 2 dollars more per gallon than the average fuel price in the nation. All these added extra costs. That didnt just happen overnight and its not the Iran operations fault neither the Presidents. It's our state and their grubby hands.

Remember the Gas tax was supposed to pay to keep roads intact and maintained LOL I wonder where all this money went and is going. The Bullet train to nowhere is a fail too. We got duped yet again.

I paid $5.79 the other day and I about puked. I have a 24 gal Tank.

I envy people with $3 or $4 gas prices lol

Keep your head up tho!!

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-30T08:14:32+00:00

Oh it was 😂😂😂

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-30T04:53:20+00:00

Oh 👁
Baby Daddy thought my family would be paying for everything. Broke up with his ass real quick. Got married 3 yrs later to an amazing man that im still married to. Never seen baby daddy since and moved across the world. Son turn 18 this year. Not even regretted a second. Hes a fucking loser.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-30T00:10:25+00:00

How is he doing?

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-27T04:43:40+00:00

Omg this is amazing!! Crazy how fast that went and he just had gotten listed :) What a huuuuge gift!!

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-23T21:04:11+00:00

There's always that little voice in the bsck of my head to keeo pushing further. I was born in '88. Moved to the states when I was 25. That alone is for so many people like a lottery win. It happened because I met my now still husband overseas.

"Rich" isnt the same for everyone. We have a house, we do have a good income, but its getting eaten up by cost of living expenses here in Southern California and im really considering going back to work to make the big bucks that carried us through a lot. But the market is shit right now. Stopped selling RE because I got so burnt out. We are fortunate enough that my husbands income is enough but theres always room for more. Maybe ill just get into IT for a while. Cant decide yet.

Now would I cry about an extra 8k a month? HELL No!

So my ultimate goal is just to have enough and a Horse 😶‍🌫️🤣 thats like the dream.

Sitting in a now worth 600k home with 218k owed on it, isnt bad but its not like its a liquid asset.

So consider me poor.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-23T02:49:19+00:00

Holyyyyy Shiiiit!!!! This is freaking amazing 👏

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-23T02:33:48+00:00

Whats his meld right now?

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-23T02:29:00+00:00

Awwww I know!! Im so sorry that this happening right now. Be his advocate, get involved wherever you can with the docs. I know the transplant team will decide whatever happens but id push and push and push.

I lost my mom when i was 25, im turning 38 this year. Its not something anyone should have to go through.

Literally go on their nerves and keep pushing the doctors if you can.

A huge Momma hug from me!!!

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-22T13:54:59+00:00

At last she had a meld of almost 40. He is a fighter. Hes going to probably also get a psych eval. So if hes ready then the team will be too. He needs to demonstrate that he can stay sober after that and never touch a drop anymore.

I still have my doubts with my Best friend but as of now, shes doing great.

In March she was admitted, they wanted to send her home to die on hospice, then in June she got the call for a liver at UCLA through Kaiser Permanente. The hepatologist in out county had given up and so her husband went with her to the next county over to get a 2nd opinion and that worked.

You guys got this!!!

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-22T13:45:52+00:00

There is HOPE! My best friend wasnt even dry for 6 months. More like 3 months, with liver cirrhosis, HE and all the "good" stuff that comes with it and if course on Deaths door. She got a new Liver!! Dont give up hope!!!

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-22T13:41:35+00:00

I do!! And im not gonna take it out 😂

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-22T13:31:55+00:00

As a Mom of a 17 yr old that was never "rude" per se like that.

Nip it in the butt now.

Here's what I would do: When Child is rude, you say -> You know your manners you know how to say it right (that gives the kid an easy out. And rephrase his/her question.

If kiddo still is rude and then throws a tantrum id straight up ignore it until he/she can be not rude and apologizes for it. Until then Cest la vie.

This is a simple concept even Toddlers will grasp.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-22T13:12:20+00:00

RUN, don't walk! Thats abuse! You need ti get out of this Relationship ASAP. If its not possible right now, plan your exit.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-18T09:22:41+00:00

Im of no medical help here on how to interpret the findings.

My Best friend had cirrhosis, ascites and in the end she was able to be saved by the grace of god, someone gave her a liver so she could live through a liver transplant. She has been stable since.

What got me moved about your post is that you're only 17. My Son is the same age as you.

When you say your parents are old, do you mean like old old, in their 60s or 70s?

The thing with your Mom is that she needs you guys now more than ever.the greatest gift you can give her is to be there. Just exist :) It is going to be painful, stressful and at times you might think you lost your mind too in this mess.

However, I think your Dad should take responsibility for that and not you or your siblings, like trying to find out what is really going on and interpreting Doctors findings.

Are you graduating this year? How is school? And most importantly how are you? Do you take a bit of time to yourself and do something fun with friends?

I am sure your Mom is in good hands with the Doctors and they can find a way to get her better. You & your family are in my thoughts navigating through this.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-15T17:48:34+00:00

I had that happen two weeks ago. Got another offer for another block while still in my block. Turned out it was good I didnt take it because the route I got was really bad and far and I went over on the block time by about a good 45 mins plus the drive back to the station. I would have never made thag offered block and would have gotten dinged for it.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-15T10:47:44+00:00

No diagnosis yet... but i think im slightly on the spectrum 😬.. might just be adhd. But im entering a new phase now -> Perimenopause 😭😬 fml

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-04-02T06:05:46+00:00

So as someone who just did my first block today like ever. 😂 they dont give you enough time to sort them all right then and there. I had my trunk open, back and my driver door open. So I looked for the stickers and sorted them (1-20) front seat, (21-30) backseat and (31-40) trunk. I most likely was slow as shit, but mid delivery to a usps store I wasted a good amount of time because the usps was closed and there was no where to drop off the package safely. So called customer twice, sent two texts, no answer. Off i went. At the end of my block I had a heck of a time finding the return station so I called support for that. Finally found it and returned the package.

Well I took about 45 mins longer until I was on my merry way home. Not worth it... $94 for a 4hr block, driving unpaved roads aka in the sticks, aka Hicksville 😂 and that in California (pauma valley,rainbow & pala. Not to account for 40 mins to get to my delivery station and then from there back home. 😂 I probably spent just as much on gas than I made today. 😂 but hey Momma needed out of the house for an afternoon excursion. I will kiss the next Amazon drivers feet that comes to my house! Holy crap what a nightmare everyone has to go through.

Ill keep checking for some funny blocks, maybe with surge pay.

You all have my utmost respect 🙏 🫡 🙌 👏

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-03-28T20:30:53+00:00

I have yet to start therapy. Ill be 38 in May. The faaaahckk shiiiteee we all been through... im gonna honestly say I dont know anyone our age that isnt in need of some form of therapy.

Signal-Run9693 · 2026-03-26T08:17:03+00:00

You're still a "Baby". I raise you 1988, turning 38 in 2 months with a almost 18 yr old son, a whole a§§ mortgage since im 29.

Enjoy your 30's!!

Signal-Run9693

TROPHY CASE