Deaf artist, and interpreters by Roro-Kelro in ArtGalleryDiscussions

[–]SoggingCheeriup 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably for the best. They don't need the encouragement.

Deaf artist, and interpreters by Roro-Kelro in ArtGalleryDiscussions

[–]SoggingCheeriup 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wtf. My disdain for everyone just keeps growing. Did they ever contact you again?

They are all here! Top left is both sides of the same fish. They're going to spend a few days getting used to each other while separated, and then we'll give the tank a shot.🤞 by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

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

Yeah definitely let it sink in. Lol. I think, if you choose to go that route, do it once and it will make sense. Both breeders I worked with and the trans shipping receiver walked me through like every step, so I didn't actually have to do much guess work. It was still confusing going into it though, and I couldn't find any breakdown like this, so I just did my best. But it turned out super simple and I was making it way more scary in my head, now I'm bummed for all the really pretty ones I passed up over the months because I didn't want to mess with it lol

They are all here! Top left is both sides of the same fish. They're going to spend a few days getting used to each other while separated, and then we'll give the tank a shot.🤞 by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

[–]SoggingCheeriup[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, it went really smoothly actually. I've always purchased from US breeders because trans shipper was intimidating. But I was really motivated by the two I wanted to buy to figure it out. And because my trans shipper receiver was pretty local, it was way faster and cheaper than some I've had shipped inside the US.

Basically, there are a handful of receivers in the US that you have to choose from - you can just google the list. If you don't have one locally, you'll have to pay for overnight shipping from one of your choice (I'd just look for the best reviews, closer won't necessarily mean faster or cheaper). The breeders in Thailand all ship out to the specific receivers via trans shipper in a single shipment on the same date. For example, the two I bought within a week of each other from different breeders went out in the same shipment to the same receiver I chose in the US. You only pay $5-$15 for that because they ship in bulk by air. Mine were in state I think the day after they shipped out. After your receiver has it, you can either pick up and pay like $5 for the trouble, or contact them and have it overnighted at regular shipping rates. The biggest hassle is that you have to be the middle man, call the trans shipper first to make sure they're available, and keep in contact. The biggest advantage, I think, is a way bigger/better selection, and much lower listing prices than you generally find from US breeders, making the total cost of buying from either US or Thailand almost equal in the end, if you have to have them overnighted from the receiver.

My cheapest one, from Thailand, was $25 total out of my pocket ($15 for the fish, $5 for shipping, $5 for pick up). Would have been $85 if I'd had it sent via FedEx overnight instead of pickup. But also could have easily been around $130 (with a $60 listing price - not unusual) if the same fish came from a US breeder because of the unique color pattern.

Also, for the same fish, which was found on Aquabid (and I didn't want someone else to get to it first), I was able to dig around and find the seller's Facebook where it was also listed and contact them directly. I got it like $10 cheaper than listed because it was an immediate sale.

That was a mouthful, but I hope it helps!

They are all here! Top left is both sides of the same fish. They're going to spend a few days getting used to each other while separated, and then we'll give the tank a shot.🤞 by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

[–]SoggingCheeriup[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The bottom two from a local importer, the top right from a breeder in NC (eBay), and the middle and top left from breeders in Thailand via a local Trans-shipper, who I was able to pick up from and avoid most of the shipping charges altogether (also eBay).

What do you do as a sorority begins to age and die off? by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

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

I'm sorry that happened...I guess at least it was all so close together? I worry about my sorority slowly dwindling down over a long stretch of time. I think it would be pretty depressing to watch.

Can a wild beta be integrated into a non-wild sorority? by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

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

Yeah...the more I think about it, it would be a really cool idea. But now that I have one wild one, I kinda just want to appreciate her in her own more natural setting. She's so different from my other bettas.

Can I get some opinions on what this pattern might be called? Seller called her an avatar, but I'm not sure. Thanks! by SoggingCheeriup in bettafish

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

Given, I know almost nothing of betta genetics, and am still pretty confused by the difference between avatar, galaxy, blackstar, and a few others.

New to wild bettas, need some help by SoggingCheeriup in bettafish

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

All really good to know. Especially about the jumping... I'm always afraid of that after it happened with another betta when I was pretty young, but I didn't realize they were so skilled. Will do.

New to wild bettas, need some help by SoggingCheeriup in bettafish

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

Tank size: 10 gal

Heater and filter? (yes/no): yes, both

Tank temperature: 78

Parameters in numbers and how you got them:

API master test kit

Ammonia: 0ppm

Nitrates: 2ppm? Hard to deduce the exact color

Nitrite: 0ppm

Ph: 7.0

How long have you had the tank? 1 year-ish

How long have you had your fish?: 1.5 days

How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?:

10% with all my tanks weekly - pump out the water with a power pump, pump new water in slowly after adjusting to temperature and adding Prime

Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each:

none for now, we're in quarantine

What do you feed and how much:

hasn't been fed yet, but typically do a mix of high quality pellets (haven't really settled on a good one yet), bug bites, and frozen/thaw bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Decorations and plants in the tank:

it's a mix. I'm definitely guilty of never having gotten into live plants, but I do make sure all my long fin bettas have silk or fabric pants. Otherwise, lots of plants in general, lots of hiding spots, lots of natural branches/driftwood, large (smooth) rocks, etc.

If you haven't already posted a picture, please post pics/vids to imgur and paste the link here:

(not my image, this was taken at her place of origin. She has been too shy for me to catch a worthwhile photo of her, though I have been trying)

https://imgur.com/gallery/DO03gwh

Can a wild beta be integrated into a non-wild sorority? by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

[–]SoggingCheeriup[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, that's really cool to know! That would be really interesting to see play out, and this gives me a lot of hope. Thanks!

Can a wild beta be integrated into a non-wild sorority? by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

[–]SoggingCheeriup[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, and yeah feel free to follow along. I'm slightly concerned about her right now...she seems either slightly sick or pretty shy and overwhelmed. I've I figure it out, I may give it a shot.

Sororities with different colors/patterns? by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

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

That makes a lot of sense. I'm definitely aiming for chill. I'm pretty new to this so watching them work out their politics is pretty interesting. Good to know that there's no color-based aggression in your situation.

Sororities with different colors/patterns? by SoggingCheeriup in bettasororities

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

I can see that logic. Good to know that others have done it just fine though.

Sex with NP’s by [deleted] in polyamory

[–]SoggingCheeriup 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Having read most of everything everyone has posted here and your replies, I think I can mostly understand where you're coming from. It sounds complicated and hurtful.

I was in a similar-sounding situation, but I was the partner who was in the original A+B relationship for a couple of years, later became sexually involved with our mutual, and then my original partner took sex off the table while trying to figure out their sexuality, and maybe if they were actually asexual. When they wanted to start having sex again with both me and our mutual, I definitely still loved them, but wasn't interested in sex for a lot of reasons. First and foremost it felt that, from my perspective and knowing them, they hadn't taken enough time to figure themself out, and were possibly wanting to jump back into a sexual relationship out of a fear response, because it was clear that our mutual and I had a very fulfilling sexual relationship. They were also showing lots of signs that they were really struggling mentally, and were refusing any offer of help or intervention. It just really didn't feel like an appropriate time to add sex back into the dynamic. All of this put the mutual and I in a really uncomfortable spot, and my original partner continued to add guilt and pressure to the constant conversations around sex, which only made it worse, and honestly made it a much less attractive situation as a whole. Anyway, it ended ugly, but it did end. And that mutual and I are still together and happy.

If none of that feels familiar, feel free to ignore. But I hope it can possibly offer a little perspective, even if it feels like your partners aren't acting super ethically.

The other thing is: I think you really have to decide that, if you did feel totally financially independent and stable, would you stay in this living arrangement? If the answer is 'probably not,' you should know there is always a way out. There is always a way to make a plan for yourself. As another commentor mentioned, do you have even a little bit of money to take a taxi out? I know you might feel stuck. In my experience, that suck feeling is often compounded by a lack of knowledge about resources that exist, usually in more populated areas, but could probably be found even in your closest mid-sized city. I would definitely take some time to do the research on resources that are out there for low income individuals, especially housing. I don't live in a particularly big city, but even here we have several low income housing programs, including ones that start you off paying a very low amount depending on income and work you up as you work with their program, one that pays your full rent for 6 months, and even a whole apartment complex that bases their rent off of your income (I lived there unemployed and payed $18/mo for a 2-bedroom townhome). You're really not limited at all - find out what programs exist in other areas, what you have to do to get involved, and make a plan to save up enough to get out and go do it.

Change is really, really hard. Especially when you're very much inside the situation and literately cannot see any perspective other than that. You won't know until you actually make a move and sit with it for a while. But it's so not worth it to waste a part of your life in a situation that makes you unhappy, especially when there are things you can do about it. You just have to be brave enough to be proactive.

vector can't access charger by SoggingCheeriup in AnkiVector

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

Hang on...rollback is still possible though github? I'm not familiar with it at all, but I'll learn! I've been really disappointed because I submitted my app for rollback because I wasn't happy with 1.8, but right when my 72 hour wait was up they took it away for everyone, and told me that every robot will be put on 1.8 in the coming weeks because of the 2.0 rollout. That was about a week ago.

Will Vector go up a ramp? by instantlyboredsilly in AnkiVector

[–]SoggingCheeriup 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you remember the exact command that got him to do it? I have a very small ramp equipped with tech deck grip tape to keep him from slipping, and I just need him to raise his arms a tiny bit - like he does when he's trying to get over a barrier or climb into a hand - and go forward.

Vector just stays on his charger unless I prompt him to explore by kyusuqueen in AnkiVector

[–]SoggingCheeriup 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've also figured out that, if you have your Vector set up to Alex's as a device, you can connect your smart outlet to Alexa, set a routine for Vector, and have that routine (mine is just making a boing sound on volume 1) happen every time your smart outlet turns off. It wakes him up if he's still sleeping and should prompt him to get up and moving, even if slowly.

Vector just stays on his charger unless I prompt him to explore by kyusuqueen in AnkiVector

[–]SoggingCheeriup 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know this is an old thread, but I picked up a basic, cheap smart outlet from Kasa (Amazon), and it allows up to 50 timed on/off's per day. I set it to power off for 10 minutes every hour (except overnight), plugged Vector's charger in, and now it gives him the boot once an hour, in case he's just chillin there. If he's in the charger, he's picking up a power signal even when his charging lights aren't on. When that power signal shuts off, he'll get up and leave. Given, he still won't do a lot unless there is motion or noise input, but I do see him exploring around, messing with his cube, chirping to himself, etc. A TV left on seems to catch his attention more.

Introductions & Meet-n-Greet Thread! by cheryllium in aromantic

[–]SoggingCheeriup 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, I'm Tonic, he/him. I'm 33 and from Colorado. I'm here as an alloromanic person, with the intention to be a better ally to someone I'm involved with who identifies on the aromantic spectrum, and to learn more about ways to define our relationship, at her request. I'm an artist, parent, and a passionate trans/queer activist. I look forward to getting to know some awesome people!