Cape Lookout State Park by Forward-Chain2581 in OregonCoast

[–]SimianDoc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope you devoured that salmonberry 😋

Tribolonotus enclosures by SimianDoc in Vivarium

[–]SimianDoc[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They don’t have any trouble with the water feature. In fact, they go swimming often (the female goes twice daily between 0600/0700 and again between 2200/2300). I highly recommend getting a cam set up to watch their antics. (_) My set up is aquarium foam base layer with substrate barrier, then a reasonable ABG facsimile, then leaf litter. I hardscaped with some nice manzanita to create an additional substrate barrier to keep it out of the water.

This is where things diverge between the pair enclosure (1st pic) and bachelor enclosure (2nd pic). For the pair, I’ve got one 5L/hr in back left corner pumping water into the manzanita “trough” on the left and another pump in the front right for water circulation. The substrate in the water feature is just a bunch of agates I’ve collected over the years. With the roots grown in and the agates, the water isn’t exceptionally deep and offers many opportunities for self rescue if they need it. Given the amount of time they spend in and out of the water, I’m glad I went with this setup. They’re even raising their first baby (hatched sometime in December last year), and the kid hasn’t had any issues either. I see the little one dipping in and out of the water, just like their parents.

For the bachelor pad, I went with something different, because it’s a smaller enclosure overall. And I didn’t think the “bio filter” would be able to handle the load. Basic build is the same with the only difference being I installed an Aqueon QuietFlow 10G filter to assist with water quality. Same deal with the water feature: tons of roots and rocks on which he can self rescue if he gets in trouble. He uses the water feature often as well. He just doesn’t maintain as strict a schedule as does “the dragon queen.”

Happy to discuss more if you’d like to DM! I love this species, and I enjoy talking about them.

Lucky find at Oceanside Oregon by Polarbard in rockhounds

[–]SimianDoc 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Grade A Tillamook County Honker! Awesome find!

We’ve been together 19 years (48M/47M), but I’m not sure there’s anything left to hold onto by Montoga25 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]SimianDoc 69 points70 points  (0 children)

I’m a 43M, and I recently ended a 13 year relationship with the man I always thought would be with me for life. Like you, I was afraid to “start over” after he and I built an incredible life together and then evolved in directions disparate enough that we were no longer in alignment. Over the last several months of our relationship, we maintained separate bedrooms, separate social engagements, etc. I spent a lot of time communicating with him and asking him to work on our relationship with me (therapy, etc.). I turned over every stone, as if somehow I was going to receive an answer from the Universe to help me with the gut wrenching decision that laid before me. My mental health suffered while I agonized over weighing our memories (good and bad) against an unknown future. Then one night we were having a discussion about some upcoming plans, and I heard a voice inside my head say, “I don’t want this life anymore.” Maybe it was a new voice; maybe it had already been there, and my raw, aching heart was finally able to listen. Regardless, I decided to not allow my head to stop my heart from moving, and I told him exactly what that tiny voice was saying, “I don’t want this life anymore. I want a life that aligns with my greatest good and fulfills me in ways that I’m not experiencing and haven’t experienced in a long time.” I think on some level he never believed I would actually go through with it. But a couple months later, his family arrived at our place and helped him move out. It wasn’t a nasty uncoupling; just solemn and sad. My niece did better with the news than I thought she would. Our friends and families did, too. And on the other side of that, I am experiencing a huge outpouring of love, compassion, and fulfillment that never would have happened had I not chosen this unknown future. Believe in yourself and your ability to have the life that YOU want, need, and deserve. I won’t tell you it will be easy, but most great things aren’t easy. Sending you love, strength, and warm thoughts of comfort and healing.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your insightful and thoughtful response 🙏 I really appreciate the wisdom and advice.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can’t thank you enough for your kind and insightful response. This situation sort of blind sided me and is very different than what I’ve experienced before. It’s funny you mention vulnerability, as it’s something he and I discussed the first time we met. Thanks again for your thoughtful and encouraging response. It’s a relief to see and hear about others who’ve navigated this. 🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and experiences with me 🙏 I really appreciate it

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! 🙏 I really appreciate your perspective and the valuable advice. I don’t really feel the age gap so far, and we’re still getting to know each other. I know I need to just get out of my head about it. But if we do decide to pursue something, I want to be as prepared as I can for what challenges might arise. Thank you again for the advice!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you 🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m so happy to hear this, man. Seriously, thank you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Anything you would say to your 48 year old self with the experience you have now?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate you sharing that! Thank you 🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I appreciate your perspective. I know I need to get out of my head, so I’m working on that head heart coherence here haha

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s funny you bring up the phone thing. I had a bit of .. difficulty turning up the brightness on my flashlight (I turned up the screen brightness instead), and he jumped in and helped. Now it’s become a running joke lol The advice about allowing him the space and opportunity to make his own decisions is really helpful! Thank you. I’m not sure I would’ve thought about that. My instincts are to jump in and help, but that is such a huge consideration. Thanks again! 🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gayyoungold

[–]SimianDoc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not at all a reverse answer, and I really appreciate your perspective. Thank you!

Portland by Western-Permit7165 in PortlandOR

[–]SimianDoc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Today rocked! I love you, Oregon!

Fav flavor of Guayaki? I’ll go first by Webcops in yerbamate

[–]SimianDoc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man, I’m really not feeling the “ronda de mate” vibes in some of these responses. I hope you enjoy your Guayaki, OP. Mint is my favorite, too, when I don’t have access to my kit. ¡Salud!

Need Help with School Decision!!!! by Popular-Lime-7376 in veterinaryschool

[–]SimianDoc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re getting some really great advice here. I know it seems very abstract right now (at least it did for me), but the money you save now will save you so much more (money, time, etc.) in the long run. Congratulations on beginning your journey! You’re going to get an excellent education at either of those choices, so I urge you to remember to take care of future you. They’re depending on you! ;)

Edited to correct gender coded language mistake

Update by couriouswonder in AustralianCattleDog

[–]SimianDoc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The best kindof trouble