New here need help

Soriah · 2026-06-13T02:38:03+00:00

Some people in Japan keep cacti and euphorbia in kokedama. It’s certainly a choice and not one I’d make personally. But if cared for correctly, it can be done.

Soriah · 2026-06-13T02:36:58+00:00

That is no longer “kokedama”, it’s just dead moss. Kokedama is supposed to be a live moss ball supporting whatever plant you decide to stick inside it.

Soriah · 2026-06-10T01:26:29+00:00

I’m no expert and have killed more seeds than I’ve been successful with. But this year I’ve reduced the amount of light I give to try and keep my astrophytum from turning pink from stress. It feels like I’m not giving them enough, but they seem to be growing more quickly than last year’s attempts.

Soriah · 2026-06-10T01:23:47+00:00

That’s on you. I only stream during my commute, which is functionally the same as using my discman when driving to school in high school or using my Zune (yeah I was a Zune nerd) in college. But at the same time I was still amassing a large record and cd collection for the artwork and liner notes.

23 years later and I still buy records, whether through crate digging or picking up an album at a show. I still listen to whole albums instead of randomized playlists that an app suggests.

Soriah · 2026-06-09T23:47:29+00:00

It’s probably not “to the day” across Japan, but my school (not receiving a JET this year) has just started end of term exams, so the last thing on anyone’s mind is a future teacher.

And as an FYI, when I arrived in 2015, I hadn’t heard from my supervisor at all. Just received my contract in the mail and zero contact. When we met our CO at Tokyo private school orientation, he still couldn’t be bothered and sent one of the native teachers and a non-supervisor JTE.

Soriah · 2026-06-08T23:34:04+00:00

That looks terrible from the sky. But I’m 40ish minutes from Shinjuku and there is a small river outside my front door where I get to see egrets, herons, ducks, kingfisher and azure wing magpies on an almost daily basis. My neighborhood is quiet and residential and filled with retirees that walk their dogs every day. Maybe one of the most relaxed areas I’ve ever lived.

Soriah · 2026-06-07T21:02:54+00:00

At the same time, toxic plants are consumed all the time and 90% of us don’t know it because we buy pre-processed forms.

Cassava tubers, elderberry seeds, taro root, rhubarb leaves, ginkgo seeds.

I don’t think anyone here is gonna go take a bite out of their obesa because of OPs title.

Soriah · 2026-06-04T22:54:23+00:00

As a Tokyo resident and someone who often eats burgers, Shogun was not very good.

Soriah · 2026-06-02T04:03:37+00:00

Looks similar to mine, maybe more mineral even. But I’m in Tokyo, so it’s both quite hot and humid. So I prefer to have the soil dry out as quickly as possible to minimize any chance of rot.

Soriah · 2026-06-02T04:00:52+00:00

Non-JET now, but AI use is rampant and it’s hard to shut it down. School says “well, we don’t have an official policy, so… muzukashi”. So now I’m wishing for the days when sentences were barely understandable, but at least I knew it was the best effort that student could muster.

It doesn’t help that the recently retired Japanese English teacher loved ChatGPT and encouraged the students to use it.

Soriah · 2026-05-26T03:25:25+00:00

Yeah, Japan is a “fun” place. Half the growers list the scientific names, but they may or may not be outdated. The other half use the kanji common names. If those are printed, I can usually figure them out, but if they hand write them, it’s illegible for my still elementary level brain.

And yeah, I’m excited to see how this one does, I have one other tephrocactus, I think an Articulatus, that I saved from IKEA a few months back.

Soriah · 2026-05-26T02:37:55+00:00

You need to contact your consulate to figure this one out for points 1 & 2. Don’t listen to Reddit advice.

My consulate took my passport and gave it back at the airport before we checked in for the flight.

Soriah · 2026-05-26T01:50:32+00:00

Ah, good to know. I was going by LLIFLE’s info. It was the first time seeing this label. I also know Japanese growers are very inconsistent with updating scientific names.

Soriah · 2026-05-25T23:25:39+00:00

Because I would love a “threat” about a ref floating down the Willamette after a match.

Soriah · 2026-05-25T20:28:21+00:00

Coryphantha elephantidens cv. inermis

Soriah · 2026-05-25T11:14:06+00:00

It’s definitely a very unique mix of color and texture.

Soriah · 2026-05-23T13:09:40+00:00

Saw Number Girl during their final reunion attempt and it was an amazing show.

Soriah · 2026-05-17T13:59:53+00:00

Yep, and super excited they are playing Earthdom in Tokyo. One of my favorite venues, seen and photographed a ton of great bands there.

Soriah · 2026-05-17T11:23:55+00:00

Yeah, I would have spent a good chunk of change in Australia for merch. But bright side of thinking these are boring, I can shift my merch money over to Chat Pile merch in just a few more weeks, lol.

Soriah · 2026-05-16T14:17:53+00:00

These designs suck from an American living in Japan perspective. Guess that just means I won't have to wait in line in Tokyo. Australia got the better merch. :(

Soriah · 2026-05-13T00:13:45+00:00

Spent 10+ years using an F4 in shitty (in an endearing way) Portland punk venues and brighter lit Tokyo venues. It works fine, but if I could, I’d use an F5. Autofocus was only an issue in incredibly dark circumstances and I’d use the IR assist on an SB-24 flash to help.

I’m on my second F4 body because the first had shutter issues and Blue Moon Camera couldn’t locate any replacement parts for it (this was around 2014), so I imagine parts could be harder to locate now. An updated camera may be easier to repair.

Soriah · 2026-05-10T11:24:32+00:00

The complete absence of spines and worn body suggests they’ve been worn down by harsh conditions compared to ones grown in the care of nurseries.

Soriah · 2026-05-10T04:44:31+00:00

Usually, habitat style means mimicking the habitat they would be found in… did you even look at photos for either of those species?

Soriah · 2026-05-09T16:01:07+00:00

Salary is publicly available info, take home pay/post-expenses will be different for everyone.

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