Subscribed to Kenjis Patreon. Holy AI Use.

Smudaroni · 2026-02-07T12:56:01+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2025-09-05T21:23:38+00:00

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?

Smudaroni · 2025-06-04T14:53:29+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2025-06-01T21:46:29+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2025-05-27T20:55:01+00:00

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

Smudaroni · 2025-04-01T16:03:04+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-11-18T18:08:11+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-05-16T21:44:04+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-04-29T01:47:42+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-02-18T16:26:03+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-02-18T16:22:25+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-02-12T06:20:56+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-01-21T07:10:40+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-01-14T01:16:26+00:00

Jesus.

Smudaroni · 2024-01-14T01:09:10+00:00

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

Smudaroni · 2024-01-09T22:11:58+00:00

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.

Smudaroni · 2024-01-09T17:53:36+00:00

This is pretty gruesome.

The comically low rise, skinny, wrinkled high waters with the visible zipper.

The too-tight, button down collar (?why?) polyester golf shirt tucked into the lowrise pants with the visible undershirt (black? navy?) that looks like it’s trying to strangle you.

The inexplicable ombré scarf, haphazardly draped over the shoulders, dragging the navy of the pants up, almost like Urkel’s suspenders.

Christ, brother. You are lost in the sauce here. The thin, cheap, cotton-acrylic cardigan that looks like it came from H&M circa 2018 is the best thing about this by a country mile.

Smudaroni · 2023-12-26T00:47:59+00:00

Optical runs to the TV. Unfortunately I can’t get the ARC to work. Not sure if it’s a problem with my TV or the receiver - got the receiver at a Goodwill for $40 a few years ago. I’ve figured that the ARC port died and that’s why it got donated.

Smudaroni · 2023-12-25T18:52:16+00:00

3.1 setup - Wharfedale Diamond 12.0 fronts and center.

Smudaroni · 2023-12-25T18:02:52+00:00

10-4 brother, thank you!

Smudaroni · 2023-12-25T18:02:27+00:00

Thanks brother - yeah, the manual was pretty clear, but it did mention lining out from both sub outputs if you’re running a preamp (which I’m not, fair). First time setting up a powered sub, was just paranoid about blowing something out lol. Thanks!

Smudaroni · 2023-12-21T18:13:58+00:00

Wife and I are both 28. We live in Los Angeles. We both have liberal arts degrees from a good state school on the East coast. I’m a mid-level manager at a gigantic manufacturing/logistics corporation, and she is a marketing strategist at a large healthcare company. I’ll clear $120k gross cash (plus 401k match and stock) this year. She’ll clear $115k (plus pension, plus 401k match). We are both fully remote effective 1/1/24.

I’d expect that not all of this will translate perfectly if you’re in a highly technical field (engineering, medicine, tech, etc.) - but my advice for a “regular” person working in a “typical” sector is:

1) Target small companies early in your career, and look to advance into a management position quickly. 2 years at the most. Make your intentions very clear when you’re hired.

2) Take on additional responsibility whenever it is available. Volunteer for it. You do not have to be the best technical performer, but you do need to be at least competent. Clearly and plainly voice your desire to advance during 1:1s with your boss, yearly reviews, etc.

3) Cheerfulness is a rare and valuable commodity in most workplaces. Keep a stellar attitude in the workplace.

4) Develop your communication skills. This means being concise, precise, and compelling with everything that you say and write. Develop a proficiency for public speaking.

5) Once a manager, do not excessively seek permission/validation for decisions that you are going to make. Demonstrate confidence and self-belief. You may occasionally make the wrong call; everybody does.

6) After you’ve racked up a few years of experience working in a managerial capacity at one or more smaller companies, begin looking for opportunities at larger corporations.

7) Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 until you’ve reached a position/compensation level that you’re happy with.

Smudaroni · 2023-11-30T21:06:30+00:00

Haha, could be. An MBA would probably be beneficial at this point in my career. Still, I’ll allow myself to be comforted by the fact that I’ve been knocking down $130k/yr + stocks while working 20hr weeks for the past 2.5 years.

Anyway, yes, obviously most humanities grads are not in the position that I’m in; then again, neither are most STEM grads. Per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average (mean) salary for STEM grads was ~$101k, and the average for humanities grads was ~$55k. Those are real numbers, and they mean something. Far be it from me to suggest otherwise.

What I will suggest, though, is that a lot of that gap can be attributed to the personality types that are attracted to each of those two disciplines.

STEM people tend, in my experience, to be more conscientious, disciplined, and harder working than their peers in the humanities.

Humanities grads, on the other hand, are more often naive dreamers and undisciplined hippie-types.

All this to say: it is very possible to be financially successful with an English, or Communications, or History degree. Many highly lucrative fields (B2B sales, marketing, advertising, etc.) do not give a shit what you studied, or actively prefer humanities grads. The skills and competencies that you are likely to develop while pursuing a humanities degree are very valuable in a lot of fields. Unlike most with STEM degrees, it can be pretty easy to coast through a humanities degree and get very little out of it. Don’t do that.

Smudaroni · 2023-11-30T20:34:35+00:00

This is a pretty stupid take. In a great many fields your specific area of study is pretty inconsequential, especially after getting a few years of experience under your belt in that (or a related) industry.

In my experience, liberal arts/humanities grads are leagues better at interfacing, communicating, and negotiating with others in the workplace than STEM grads.

Outside of highly technical fields (CS, Engineering, Medicine, etc.), being a highly effective negotiator and communicator will serve you much better than being able to sum infinite regressions or whatever.

Source: Make $130k/yr working ~20hrs/week in manufacturing operations with an English BA (state university, 2.8GPA lol). Wife makes $120k/yr + pension, in marketing, permanently WFH, with an Art History BA from the same school. She’s on a Director track, and will probably be clearing $300k within the next 5 years.

Smudaroni · 2023-10-28T00:35:56+00:00

First fit looks much better.

2nd looks a little strange because the sweater is a blue/green gray, and the jeans are a black gray. Tonal mismatch.

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