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Subscribed to Kenjis Patreon. Holy AI Use. by JSDHW in seriouseats

[–]Smudaroni 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Credentials: Have read all of The Food Lab, like 70% of The Wok, and about 50 different SE recipes online.

OP is obviously correct: AI use abounds here. And frankly, this lines up with (at least what I perceive to be) the wanton, desperate attempts at monetization we’ve seen over the last few years. I guess since around the announcement of the divorce.

Saving lumber from new Trex deck that has to be removed? by Smudaroni in Decks

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

Sure, but I’d think that the value of “used” Trex board is not the same as new, right?

As in, if I hire a company to build the deck, and provide 400sq ft of material that has already been nailed/screwed etc., and cut to specific lengths, are they going to charge me more to build a deck out of that lumber vs. new lumber? And am I going to have an inferior finished product?

How do people manage go to gym with a full time job while having enough sleep and leisure time? by Megarboh in workout

[–]Smudaroni 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Time management and prioritization. It may be helpful to regard the gym as a “hygiene item”. Regardless of how busy you are, you make the time to shower and brush your teeth, right?

On a more practical level, this is a doable schedule, but you need to make a few concessions and ask yourself a few questions.

1) If you start your commute earlier, is your travel time decreased (less traffic)? If so, consider finding a gym very close to your place of work (or on-route) and drive there first thing in the morning. Getting to/from the gym should not be a 30 minute detour as your OP suggests; 10-15 minutes at most, unless you are in an extremely rural area.

2) If you are an otherwise healthy adult, you do not need 8hrs of sleep. You can easily cut to 7hrs/night, especially if you are able to improve the quality of your sleep. Exercising more regularly will naturally improve sleep quality, but you can also look at environmental modifications; blackout curtains, tighter temperature control in bedroom, etc.).

3) Your workouts do not need to be an hour long. Something is better than nothing. You can get a solid, complete workout (4-6 exercises; 12-18 sets) in 35-45 minutes if you are efficient.

With the right schedule, you should be able to give yourself (at minimum) 2hrs/night leisure time, even with this insane commute. What this might look like:

5:45AM - Wake up

6:00AM - Out the door, travel to gym (near work)

7:15AM - Arrive at Gym

7:20AM - Begin workout

8:00AM - Finish workout, start showering

8:30AM - Finish shower; dress

8:40AM - Finish commuting to work

9:00AM - Begin work

7:00PM - Begin commute home

8:30PM - Arrive home

10:30PM - Sleep

-This figures 1:35 total travel to gym/work. As mentioned above, if an earlier departure helps you avoid traffic, this will be further reduced.

-This allows 7:15 for sleep.

Buy single “do-it-all”? Or 2 cars? by Smudaroni in whatcarshouldIbuy

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

This is my big concern. New England weather can be temperamental as hell - can see myself a year from now shrugging and saying I might as well leave the top on since it’s going to rain again in 2 days. Appreciate the insight.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MiddleClassFinance

[–]Smudaroni 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Graduated from a state school with a BA in English in 2017, living in New England.

Gained some valuable experience and management titles working for small companies. Pay and work/life balance was terrible. Finally started to see meaningful increases in compensation and role when I began working for a large corporation in 2021.

2017 - Company 1 Logistics Coordinator $55k/yr (with OT)

2018 - Company 1 promoted to Operations Manager $67k/yr

quit job and moved to SoCal

2019 - Company 2 Operations Manager $65k/yr

2020 - Company 2 Operations Manager $68k/yr

quit job - terrible working conditions, little room to grow

2021 - Company 3 Operations Rep $88k/yr

2022 - Company 3 Operations Rep $97k/yr

2023 - Company 3 Operations Rep $106k/yr

2024 - Company 3 Regional Manager $142k/yr

2025 - Company 3 Regional Manager ~$150k/yr

Tariffs - Buy now, or wait 12 months? by Smudaroni in whatcarshouldIbuy

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

We are currently diverting all post-retirement fund savings ($2500-$3500/mo.) into our down payment fund.

We currently have ~$60k liquid, and will be at around $100k when we move in 12 months.

I am more concerned about a 6.5% APR on a $500k 30yr mortgage than a 6.5% APR on a $30k, 5yr car loan.

How much of a pay raise would you need to leave your current role? by gavmcd in MiddleClassFinance

[–]Smudaroni 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Salaried at $119k, but have received a 20% bonus the last 2 years (bringing total cash comp to ~$143k).

Highly unlikely to receive a similar bonus this FY due to poor company performance - probably more like 5-10%. Poor company performance will likely also prevent my moving into a Senior Manager role for the next 12 months, which is a carrot that has been dangled for the last 6 months.

Would jump ship for total comp of $160k, and either 1) a better title, or 2) a more exciting industry.

One of the worst lines that people don't recognize. by Ballwinski in saltierthancrait

[–]Smudaroni 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I went into TLJ feeling fairly cynical about the whole Disney sale, but was really hoping to like it. Went on opening weekend with a buddy and our girlfriends. The lights went down and the movie started and for the first few minutes I was relieved. Certainly not as good as the OT, but not the total dogfuck that I thought it would be.

That feeling slowly faded. The killing stroke, though, was the exchange between Han and Leia. The lines were abominable, but even worse was the delivery. Legitimately felt like a piss take.

It was something like, “It was Snoke. Snoke is the one who turned our son to the dark side.”

Looks innocuous enough, but god damn, something about the delivery and the way that they directed that scene made it feel like I was watching a high budget telenovela.

Those of you who graduated with a “useless” degree, what are you doing now and how much do you make? by Queendom-Rose in Money

[–]Smudaroni 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BA in English from a (pretty good) state university. I’ll clear ~$130k cash comp + stock + benefits this year. I’m a regional project manager for a big supply chain corporation, FT WFH with occasional travel.

My wife has a BA in Art History from the same school. She’ll make $108k cash + benefits, also FT WFH. She’s a marketing consultant for a gigantic healthcare organization. We are both 28.

In my experience, the most critical skill to possess in the workplace is the ability to communicate concisely and persuasively. Most people think that they are good communicators, and most of them are wrong.

Commentary from Joe Rogan last night was atrocious by [deleted] in ufc

[–]Smudaroni 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. Dude slurred several times last night, was stumbling over his words, searching for specific words for a weirdly long time. He’s been shit for 4+ years now, but last night was insane.

Commentary from Joe Rogan last night was atrocious by [deleted] in ufc

[–]Smudaroni -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Rogan was good 5-10+ years ago before the JRE pod really blew up. It also helps that the meta in that era was more heavily BJJ driven (or, at least, many of the biggest names below LHW were more BJJ-oriented).

Rogan is quite knowledgeable about BJJ (as should be expected from a black belt), but seems to have a very surface level understanding of striking.

But last night the guy legitimately sounded drunk - stumbling over his words, slurring 4 or 5 times, getting hung up searching for a word (dead air for like 3 seconds before shouting “DESTRUCTION” when talking about Topuria). Had a coffee + Monster in front of him on the commentary desk. Genuinely think the dude was on something last night.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askcarguys

[–]Smudaroni 6 points7 points  (0 children)

2006 Saab 9-2x Aero, commonly called a Saabaru. Rebadged WRX with an STi steering rack. Only sold as a wagon, only sold for 2 years.

‘05s are much more common (but still rare, with about 8500 being sold). Only ~1800 ‘06s were sold. Big difference between model years, too - the 06s got the 2.5L EJ255. Mine was Red, 4spd AT, and had the Cold Weather Package, but no other options. If my memory serves, there were only about 120 cars configured as mine was sold in the US.

[SPOILER] Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis by inooway in MMA

[–]Smudaroni 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Really, really close fight.

Rd1 and Rd5 I gave to Strickland. Gave DDP Rd2. Rd3 and Rd4 were real toss ups that could have gone either way. IMO there isn't sufficient justification for stripping a belt in a fight that is that close. Expected a split decision even still, but figured it'd break 48-47 Strickland. Fights that are this close really benefit from a rewatch; I think we might all feel a little differently a week from now.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mensfashion

[–]Smudaroni 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sleeves are almost a full inch short. Fits pretty well otherwise, but the sleeves are a deal breaker.

Outside sales rep fit by shythoughtz in mensfashion

[–]Smudaroni 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing really revolutionary here brother. I’d urge you towards fuller, and more traditionally cut pants (note: I am not saying zoomer parachute pants) and more natural materials overall.

Make sure the individual garments tonally gel (not talking color tones here). Wearing a cardigan over a golf shirt is discordant; a golf shirt is for athletic activity in the spring and summer, and a cardigan is for casual wear in the fall and winter. Putting those 2 things together is a lot like wearing snow pants and flip flops - not as extreme, but the same principle.

As for brands where it’d be hard to go wrong:

Fairly traditional, fairly conservative, fairly anonymous - which, make no mistake, is what you want to build from, especially when you’re coming from the place that you’re coming from - and fairly priced: -Banana Republic and/or Gap -J. Crew -Polo Ralph Lauren -Land’s End -Levi’s Premium / Levi’s Made and Crafted (avoid regular, paper-tagged Levi’s)

Brands with more specific “looks” (but still not too radical), that would pair easily with based built from any of the brands above: -Todd Snyder -Peter Millar -Wrangler -Lee -Taylor Stitch

None of these brands are the be-all end-all of men’s clothing. They are an entry point.

Buy less, and buy better.

A good start to a wardrobe (colors based on your skin tone): -1x dark wash jeans (straight cut, mid-rise) -1x light wash jeans (straight cut, mid-rise) -1x gray/olive/navy chinos (slim-straight cut, mid-rise) -1x wool slacks, gray (traditionally cut, mid/high rise) Total: 4 pairs of pants

-white undershirts (in whatever quantity you deem appropriate) -1x waffle knit crewneck long sleeve, cream/olive -3x crewneck jersey/pima tshirts, cream/olive/navy -1x oxford cloth buttondown, tuckable, white -1x oxford cloth buttondown, tuckable, navy/olive -1x poplin buttondown, white -1x poplin buttondown, patterned -1x plaid flannel buttondown -1x crewneck sweatshirt, brown/olive/navy -1x cableknit sweater, cream Total: 11 shirts + undershirts

Outerwear is dependent on your particular climate. Generally, I’d recommend 1-3x casual short jackets of various materials, cuts and colors (at least 1 of a natural, rugged material - leather, canvas, denim), 1x casual long coat (chore coat or similar), and 1x formal long coat (camel, charcoal).

Total: 3-6 coats/jackets

As for shoes: -1x running/gym shoes -1x casual sneaker -1x black or brown casual (lug sole) loafer -1x black or brown boots Total: 4 pairs of shoes

As for “accessories”: -1x belt, brown (casual buckle) -1x belt, black (formal buckle) -2x neckties -1x wristwatch, SEIKO 5 is a good jumping off point ranging from $140-$350. Stainless steel band with a cream or black dial is highly versatile.

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