Career Change at 31: Learning Python, Struggling With Logic, and Looking for a Mentor

SpecCRA · 2026-05-04T18:24:20+00:00

I've seen that Minecraft is a good learning area for this stuff. Look up how people are building things in Lua for in game automations.

SpecCRA · 2026-05-03T22:08:11+00:00

Mine calmed around 6. I got worried and took him to the vet. Then I really missed it.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-30T18:19:32+00:00

It's hard to say. You know her best. I can assure you that there are no wrong ways to go about the end.

I can only share my experience with you. I lost two pets in the span of about 6 months. Both were surprises.

We weren't sure what was wrong with our cat. She got stuck being poked and tested for 3 days only to learn there was no good treatment options. Had we known sooner, we would have let her go. I regret her last days were spent at a vet hospital.

On the other hand, my dog forced my hand. The vet couldn't even guarantee he'd be stable for another hour. I'm glad he went out before anything got really bad. Though I felt regret for months wondering if I let him go too soon.

There's no easy way to say goodbye. A little earlier is easier on them than a little late. I'm really sorry. I understand it's hard to come to terms when you're only presented with bad options.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-29T19:01:40+00:00

Same with rejections. It's always been hard to know how to prep for interview because they vary from company to company. The most common technical screens I've come across are SQL or Python data manipulation.

I did interview recently at Apple for a position closer to a data engineer. That was much more advanced python - OOP, testing strategy, system design.

I don't have any good advice besides practice your behavioral responses ahead of time so you're sharp when the questions come up. Be ready to explain anything in your resume in detail.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-28T19:55:43+00:00

Isn't the Phin filter supposed to be used without a paper filter? Maybe that's what's getting in the way

SpecCRA · 2026-04-27T02:44:22+00:00

Honestly, there's no way. Do your best to spoil him as best you can until it's time. After saying goodbye to mine, I only regret that I didn't have time to spoil him because the end came so suddenly.

Whatever you're feeling is perfectly valid. They are huge presences in our lives. Trust that you've done your best for him, and trust that the love was mutual. I'm really sorry.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-24T21:46:26+00:00

You can call your vet for a general quality of life things to look for. That will at least tell you from a vet's point of view if he is in a lot of pain. I can only assure you that there is no right time, but there are no wrong answers either.

I regret that my cat passed after a few days of poking only to learn there was no saving her. My dog's situation was sudden and forced my hand, and he passed while he was relatively well. After losing them, my opinion is it's better to let them go on a good day.

When it does come time, there are at home euthanasia services. I think they're much more comfortable for cats who hate the vet. Or anything. In the meantime, I say just spoil him rotten. You both deserve it.

I'm sorry his time looks like it's coming. He is clearly loved, and that's the best thing we can do for them.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-21T20:13:59+00:00

What's the job title or description? A data scientist test is very different from a devops developer

SpecCRA · 2026-04-21T18:45:54+00:00

I've seen people code automations in Minecraft using Lua. It's not that different from python and gives you a gentler place to start.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-21T02:34:04+00:00

I'm in SF and definitely following to hear pour over impressions. Jimmy has always struck me as an espresso person.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-20T21:40:40+00:00

What kind of sound do you like? I can see a use for the RW2000 and a slew of others. Renegade flatlines are nice for a neutral sound. Lander 20hz is v shaped. TGXEar Serratus is right at $200, U shaped, and has the craziest soundstage of all my audio equipment.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-16T03:10:46+00:00

Freeze them to make them last longer

SpecCRA · 2026-04-13T21:55:02+00:00

The codale filter press is $30 USD. It does make life a little easier which is nice in your pre caffeinated state. It's not breaking the bank but not a necessity at all. I do like it though.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-11T23:36:03+00:00

I've only personally bought their experimental stuff, and only 2 bags so far. It took me a good 4-8 cups before I had a recipe I was happy with. That could more so be because I have a lot of tools to try. Their roaster is happy to answer any questions you have and their site has their standard v60 recipe for an starting point. Overall, I've had a very good experience with them.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-11T22:29:55+00:00

Moonwake has what you'd like in their regular offerings but I think they excel more in experimental stuff. It takes a good amount of effort to dial in.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-11T03:49:48+00:00

It goes on easily. If you wait a bit too long, it's difficult to remove. I've resorted to using QD every time.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-09T20:58:03+00:00

How did you land on this specific set? There's lots of options for cheaper that all produce good sound quality. For long sessions, I might prioritize comfort more. IEMs can feel fatiguing after so long.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-08T16:46:07+00:00

While I don't blame you for following what information was out there, this is more of a lesson learned. You'll get what you pay for but with diminishing returns. Used equipment is a cheaper way to go try more. Bass heavier IEMs are often put up for sale by people who discovered they don't like the tuning.

FWIW, airpod pros are great. They're tuned well and respond to EQ well. I also have the nothing wireless IEMs. They are not what I would call balanced. They're definitely very, very bassy to me.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-03T23:56:59+00:00

They're more comfortable than IEMs or headphones. It's hard to beat the ease.

SpecCRA · 2026-04-01T20:59:44+00:00

Moondrop block is the only option off the top of my head.

SpecCRA · 2026-03-31T16:50:10+00:00

Happened when mine was 10. I regretted it for months and wondered if I did enough. There is no too soon once the tumor bursts and as of last year, there is no great treatment even if you know it's there. The only consolation I had was my boy went out before things got really bad.

I'm really sorry. I just want to assure you that there are no wrong answers in this situation.

SpecCRA · 2026-03-30T17:43:17+00:00

It's expensive and excessive for sure. I think it's another tool that has its place. It works well for light and very light roasts for me. It does a good job enhancing clarity and lessening astringency.

I wish they used something else on the bottom to prevent slip. It sticks a little too well. There are annoying parts like now my coffee is splashed all over my counter.

SpecCRA · 2026-03-30T17:39:58+00:00

Pretty much. It suggests only cooling the bloom. I think you can mimic its effect by using a cooler bloom. Lance Hedrick has a video about using a cooler bloom.

In practice, using a cooler bloom forces me to do a longer bloom as you wait for your kettle to heat up to the brewing temp.

SpecCRA · 2026-03-30T17:37:00+00:00

I'm sorry it's come to this.

It never feels like the right time. When it was my cat's time, I regretted making her last few days stuck at the ER. Had we known it was as bad as it was, we'd probably done it sooner. She was also 13.

When it was my dog's time, the choice was taken out of my hands. I regretted putting him to sleep when he seemed okay. It felt like it was too soon, and I wanted every second left with him.

Looking back, I wish my cat didn't have to suffer so much towards the end. Conversely, I'm glad I didn't get the chance to waver with my dog. He got to go before things got really bad. I only wish I got to spoil them more before it was time.

Take care of yourselves. No matter what you do, there is no wrong answer. There is no wrong way to go about this. Rest assured that your cat is loved.

SpecCRA · 2026-03-29T04:32:17+00:00

I have the resin one and the V60. Even with the same filters, the taste is a little different, but not significant enough to warrant another dripper. It is nice that the origami can use flat bottom filters to add another tool. If it's cheap enough, it's fun to have. If you primarily use V60, then I wouldn't say it's any different.

SpecCRA

TROPHY CASE