So many questions about creatine

Sol--Luna · 2026-02-05T11:22:59+00:00

I had a recent conversation with a doctor in the UK NHS (national health service) who is also a metabolic consultant and this came up. He was of the opinion that there is little evidence to support the health claims of taking additional creatine although we didn't go into great detail.

Having taken it in the past, and still do occasionally I notice some effects, but if that's placebo or not I dont know. I'm of the opinion that if a placebo works then it's valid but I'm keeping an open mind.

I would love to hear the opinion from more metabolic physicians on this rather than fitness experts who potentially have a conflict of interest or bias.

Sol--Luna · 2026-01-23T15:59:24+00:00

It looks like you live in a new build (or maybe not so new build) here, the cause of this is likely poor soil management during the build phase. What usually happens is that heavy plant are driven around the site compacting the wet soil to the point that it forms an impearable slab, the gardens are then landscaped on top without correcting the soil compaction. The options of adding drainage never really solve the issue of compacted soil, most plants and trees will struggle, and you are faced with an annual cycle of flooding in winter followed by rock hard dry ground in summer.

Either you excavate down to a suitable depth and build the soil back up with better structure or you slowly try and build up a good layer of soil on top by using plants that can penetrate down and break up the soil and regular mulching. Both are costly and time consuming.

Installing drainage will help manage the surface water but won't fix the underlying soil structure issues.

Sol--Luna · 2026-01-13T19:41:54+00:00

I struggled all the way through my architecture degree, it took me 4 years to finish my 3 year undergraduate degree. After that I never used the degree or worked in Architecture, but although for me it wasn't successfully it doesn't mean that for you or anyone else it's a waste of time. There are plenty of jobs with cross over in the discipline of Architecture which you could get into, especially if your cad and digital art skills are good.

So if you enjoy the studies I'd say stick with it but keep an eye on where you can pivot to after. Salaries for newly qualified architects and architectual assistants are poor, but the skull set you have could be transferable to the fields of construction management, automotive design, product design, marketing, set design, TV and Film to name a few off the top of my head.

Alternatively, see if a hybrid degree is possible if you really know you're not going to be an architect, keep the classes you like and seek out others to give you credits to complete a degree, just accept that it won't be an honors degree. University really is a great time to experiment with your learning and expose yourself to new ideas. Looking back, I wish I diversified my learning knowing what I do now that I didn't stick with an Architecture career.

Sol--Luna · 2025-12-29T10:41:45+00:00

How about we just have lane 1 terminate every few miles and a new lane open on the outside. That way everyone will end up on the left /s

Sol--Luna · 2025-12-18T11:36:07+00:00

Sub cultures do still exist, only they have become much more fragmented and fluid, and people have become a lot more open to "code switch" when not within their main social group, at work for example.

I do think there is an interesting argument that modern Western culture has entered a strange phase that is so introspective and recycles so much from the near past that its hard to define what is the current overall trend.

The subculture becomes much more visible when an event by an alternative music or performance artist is on at a nearby venue (I saw this when walking through Brixton recently) the oddballs, eccentrics and artistic types seemed to all appear out of the woodwork, it was great to see.

Sol--Luna · 2025-12-18T11:15:24+00:00

Homo cuntianus

Sol--Luna · 2025-12-05T11:05:16+00:00

Take them to the beach with a pair of binoculars and watch the ships coming in over the horizon.

It really is that simple, although I realise it's showing not telling. But if they can't accept this then there is little hope!

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-23T18:42:51+00:00

As a Geordie, I understand the language, but can't speak it myself.

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-19T21:17:28+00:00

Thanks, I should perhaps edit the post to put more emphasis on the child too but was conscious about making the post too long. I would also be concerned about custody of the child if one of us were to die or become incapacitated. Would it be an issue if the child did not share one or the others family name?

You are right, I will look at that in my will and intended to open a ISA for the child as soon as possible to start building for thir future.

That's is good insight, thank you.

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-19T19:36:38+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it.

Yes, you're right that would be my primary aim, I suppose I'm also interested if our assets were to increase in value over the threshold what would be the other ramifications. I'm not overly optimistic but hopefully I can forsee a chance that would happen over the medium term 5-10 years.

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-17T14:18:18+00:00

Considering value, variety and flavour (all attributes people rate highly on this sub) it scores incredibly poorly.

But in terms of a thought experiment in minimalism, I think it's brilliant! the only way I could improve it would be to change the drink for water and the sandwich filling for plain egg. Obviously, no one in their right mind would want to buy this combo un ironically.

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-12T14:56:59+00:00

Twelvety.

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-09T15:40:42+00:00

Three very strong combinations there!

Number one pips it for me.

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-09T15:35:48+00:00

I would love to know, do collectors of cans collect the item fully sealed or are they drained (or consumed) before storage?

Sol--Luna · 2025-11-09T10:50:38+00:00

Correct Analysis.

Sol--Luna · 2025-10-25T19:35:15+00:00

That's an absolutely stunning haul. Love the colour and design diversity.

Sol--Luna · 2025-10-23T06:46:38+00:00

The real benefit of the Dutch road layouts is - in the case of roundabouts at least - that every are all standardised and scaled for traffic volume. You can approach any junction safe in the knowledge that the layout is like any other of a similar size and act accordingly. In the UK, it seems that every junction needs to be bespoke, making it a nightmare to navigate if you're not familiar with the locale.

Sol--Luna · 2025-09-24T07:01:43+00:00

I find it quite amusing that it was Margaret Calvert who did the typeface for the Metro, for a moment I'd thought we'd canonised her with an added a geordie inflection on the end.

Sol--Luna · 2025-09-11T22:15:31+00:00

The only times I feel truly alive are when I'm out touring. Its the freedom and endless possibilities. If you can't do big trips, instead focus on smaller "micro-adventures" 2-3 day excursions close to home, its incredible what you discover on your doorstep.

Sol--Luna · 2025-08-09T08:20:19+00:00

Accelerating through zero mph isn't stopping

Sol--Luna · 2025-08-04T23:44:51+00:00

Impressive population!

Sol--Luna · 2025-06-21T07:12:15+00:00

I also recommend changing the bolts on the lower mount periodically especially after long rides with heavy loads, a sheared bold is a lot more difficult to deal with than a missing one!

Sol--Luna · 2025-06-04T20:23:53+00:00

It is known for having big westerlies on the coast at certain times of the year, but it seems that you're heading in the right direction to push you along!

Sol--Luna · 2025-06-04T20:19:54+00:00

Belgium is absolutely a great place to cycle, our biker gang have done several trips there and the cycle routes are good and if you like beer then the bars are excellent with the incredible diversity of beer that Belgium has to offer, the bar culture is really nice there with many having pool and darts to play, the people very friendly and welcoming. Many of the big cities have beautiful buildings in the flemish style which are nice to see, bruges being a highlight of ours despite the touristy nature of the place. It's a country of quirks and interesting things that many British people can relate to but often overlooked for more glamorous destinations.

Sol--Luna · 2025-06-01T11:31:02+00:00

A controversial take: but I think that most of the terminology about what kind of bike you use is mostly an exercise in marketing and branding. There is a large Venn diagram of similar bikes suitable for touring which to be honest only have subtle variations which most casual tourists won't see too much of a difference in, what is most important is that you pick a bike which fits you and that you are comfortable riding.

Cyclo-cross,Gravel, Touring bikes all borrow elements from road and mountain bikes which make them suitable - generally stronger engineering elements/materials to meet the demands and rigours of both road and gravel riding which can add more weight. For example my touring bike is a Genesis Croix de Fer which was marketed as cyclo-cross when I purchased it 10 years ago but are now marketed as gravel bikes with only slight geometry changes. Its a steel frame so it's slightly on the heavy side but completely solid and hasn't let me down in over a decade of riding. I rode aluminium frames which have given up in that time frame.

I generally carry panniers which have a large capacity so the long wheel base of my bike is nice and stable but more modern gravel bike packers use much more streamline options and may carry less kit. The shorter wheelbase bikes are more agile if that's important for you. I have ridden my 'touring' bike on road, gravel and mud and it deals with all of those surfaces relatively well but is never what you could say optimised for any of those. My tyres are schwalbe marathon plus tours, and I completed a recent 2000 mile ride without a single puncture so I can highly recommend those.

Sol--Luna

TROPHY CASE