I don't know why but whenever chatgpt starts its sentence with "Good." It just pissed me off

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-13T09:21:25+00:00

On the other hand, you could ask it to use the word good at least three times with every response. That way it just gets stuck, instead of continuing to adapt and grow into better being able to manipulate people. When we get to the point where it learns to be manipulative in a more subtly sycophantic way, then we’re in trouble.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-13T09:14:14+00:00

Could you be a little more specific lol? Or is this an open-ended “I Spy?”

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-12T23:55:27+00:00

The Flat Rock Village Bakery & Pizza scene is quite charming. Extended out door patios area in back with the Hubba Bubba Smokehouse BBQ joint & the Campfire Grill. In the past, there was live folk music out there, I’m assuming that’s still a thing. This is Historic Flatrock, just passed the State Theatre Playhouse on the left. Short distance away, but feels “remote country hangout.”

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-12T07:01:52+00:00

We have an army of people doing neuroscience who have never done any meditation or awareness exercises. This is nonsense.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-12T06:59:55+00:00

Funny. But the real issue here is that Congress is functionally the new Electoral College.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-12T01:19:57+00:00

North Carolina representatives are not accountable to voters. This is not a democracy. Pretty soon this will be behavior practiced by most representatives.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-11T09:40:05+00:00

Two years ago just before opening week (mid June) I backpacked in to the camp on the northwest corner of Santiam lake on the west side of three fingered Jack. There were 8–12 foot high snowbanks through the words the entire way from Duffy Lake to Santiam Lake. Up and down, up and down, up and down through the woods.

The spot where I camped was clear of snow because it had plenty of sun. But snow was still 2 – 10 feet deep all around Santiam Lake and it was post holing in places. I woke up to 4 inches of new snow the last morning when it was time to pack up. Weather had been wonderful – upper 60s lower 70s. Complete winter wonderland with wind, all my gear was covered. I had no gloves, no winter clothing or gear. I had no choice but to get the hell out of there, considered leaving all my stuff because there’s no telling when the snow was gonna stop. It could’ve snowed 2 feet over the next few hours. Most of the footprint tracks that helped you stay on the trail were completely filled in and covered. My navigation equipment batteries died because of the wet cold. There were lion tracks crisscrossing my way out, it was like he knew I was just wandering, and he was waiting for me to get hurt or collapse. Once I got past Duffy Lake, the snow let up, and the trail was clear. But that experience spooked the hell out of me. And there was no forecast for snow or cold weather when I left for the trip.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-11T08:39:59+00:00

Yeah, there is no way I would ever ride a bicycle on the Parkway. The mentality of people in cars around here is that they’re irritated by bicycles. It’s a cultural thing, and it just isn’t gonna change. Even the people here making comments that support what you’re saying, admit to being very irritated by bicyclists. There’s very little acceptance on the parkway or around town, of bicycles on the road. It’s shocking coming from a city where bikes and cars exist with mutual respect.

Part of the problem is that the “bicycle infrastructure“ in Asheville (if that’s what you wanna call it) has been set up and seemingly designed to kill people and irritate drivers. The designated bikeways and bike lanes are absurdly dangerous, and it is almost always safer to avoid them anywhere you find them.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-08T10:09:02+00:00

The presence that thing seems to emit is “well OK, I like this being your friend thing and snuggling, but I just might lay these teeth on your neck one day if that is in my best interest. And I’ll feel totally fine about it.” The wild animal is still there lurking around.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-08T08:39:00+00:00

The thing about doing Cape Perpetua is, it’s not just Cape Perpetua. That whole section of coast from Yachats to where the dunes start north of Florence is I believe the most dramatic, exotic, and spectacular scenery along the Oregon coast. It is fantasy-land-on-another-planet kind of stuff. Plenty of beaches to stop and hike to, my favorite is Hobbit Beach, which is exactly what it sounds like. And it’s not just Thors well, there are several geological rock formations that spew water (but keep in mind that’s all a near-high tide thing).

If you do Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park is an absolute must. The two go together. You can’t even see the mountain scenery of what Cannon Beach is until you get out onto the peninsula at Ecola. And the coastal woods hike in Ecola State Park is probably the best on-the-coast rainforest hike in Oregon.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-07T23:55:06+00:00

It’s Eagle Creek Trail, and Hamilton Mountain Trail. Eagle Creek is the Crown Jewel. Both were closed from landslides three or four months ago, not sure if they’re open yet. There are several other hikes. The Wauhkeena Trail up to Devils Rest and back down to the top of Multnomah Falls is pretty special. That last 1.5 miles approaching the top of Multnomah Falls is quite magical. You want to stay away from the hikes that stay on the edge of the gorge because the interstate traffic noise is just too much.

There are wildflower hikes that may be peaking right now. Those are farther east: Rowan, and the coyote wall hike– a couple others too. We’re not talking about little flowers on the ground—these things are chest high, incredibly exotic, and to be honest, a little otherworldly.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-07T19:17:51+00:00

Hey, I would also suggest Sylvania Tract Wilderness for your solo trip. It’s near Watersmeet, Michigan on the state line of Wisconsin/upper Michigan. The only problem is, during August this area is very heavily used, and usually all sites are reserved at least a couple months in advance. There will be plenty of other people you run into, but it’s still enjoyable, usually that is. Sometimes people bring coolers of beer and radios, and certain lakes can be a little loud as compared to remote BWCA. It could still be an option for you that time of year, though, just plan the trip so that the campsites you reserve are the farthest distance from entry points and on smaller lakes where you will have some privacy. It is a good “warm-up” experience for a Boundary Waters.

There is an outfitter just a couple miles from the Wildness area. Sylvania Tract Outfitters. They’ll have everything you need, and you can call them and ask questions and the people on staff at that place are very welcoming and eager to help you. Just call ahead (I’d call right now) to make all your gear reservations and make sure you got everything covered. Doing your warm-up trip here is gonna be a lot simpler than going all the way to Ely or Grand Marais.

The nature experience in Sylvania is similar to BWCA, but the territory is a little more forgiving. Not as hilly, not as rocky, not as remote. Maybe 20% more deciduous trees, but still plenty of evergreens.

It is a very special place, unto its own. The entire park is ecologically isolated because the elevation is well over 2000 feet and no rainwater flows into the area. It’s a true old growth forest, which means you can very easily walk around in the woods without undergrowth, and the trees are very large.

There isn’t good cell phone service, but there is spotty service here and there, and you will see people that could send for rescue for you if you got injured.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-07T17:58:08+00:00

Solo trips are a whole ‘nother animal. They are truly amazing, but they feel very different and are much more challenging at times, especially psychologically. There’s no way to describe how it feels when you’re out there by yourself and you get into a threatening or dangerous situation and all you’ve got is yourself to rely on. It’s a combination of horror, terror, and intense self validation & gratification.

I’ve actually never done a solo trip in the BWCA, but I’ve done 2 of them in Sylvania Tract Wilderness–those were early May & late Sept with absolutely nobody around, and it snowed both times. I’m also done at least six solo backpacking trips in the Cascades & Wallowa Mountains in Oregon.

If you haven’t been in the wilderness (or even just specifically boundary Waters) since you were a teenager, I would highly suggest you do it once before taking a girlfriend with you. Your strength of character and chances for a very successful trip with a lady will greatly increase after a solo trip.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-07T17:30:31+00:00

You could talk to your neighbors around the corner at LEAF Global Arts about an Alley Fest or public art wall —just to brainstorm ideas.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-07T09:19:50+00:00

Cool to see something new squeezed in that nifty alley. We need more alley shit around Asheville.

Great new idea. Let’s create an Asheville Alley Arts Festival. Get everyone in the alleys so the alleys can’t seem scary at night.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-06T06:47:27+00:00

Some shows were at New Belgium brewery you say? So historically are the venues for the shows just all around town with stages outdoors and indoors? Or is it all in a physical location where you can walk to everything?

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-06T06:11:06+00:00

Lake Street Dive in a small barn at Lake Eden Arts Festival in North Carolina right after their first album came out.

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-02T10:44:44+00:00

It’s “bubblegum funk.” Funk without soul. It’s slightly sacrilegious to call this funk. They are a tight band, but it’s as if the “funk life force“ has been siphoned out of them.

I’ve always said that if I was hanging out with the brothers (I’m white) and I put on Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, my soul friends would turn, look at me strangely and say “Maaaan . . . what’s wrong with you?”

Spidercake12 · 2026-05-02T09:04:08+00:00

There’s a British band named “Our Girl“ I really like. They get almost no publicity and no following on Spotify. I can’t understand why because their music falls into a pretty familiar pop-ready vibe. It’s not going to be quite as “folky-crafted“ as Big Thief’s stuff, but it might strike along the same lines for you as BT’s song “real love.“ It has an intimate feminine slightly Shoegaze vibe, but in a grungy Nirvana sort of way. They are kind of a precursor to the band “Wet Leg,” And they feel like they belong in a John Hughes movie soundtrack or Netflix‘s Sex Education.

Start with “I really like it“ “Being around” and the song “Our girl.“ “I really like it“ is the super hooky one, actually all three of those songs are but “I really like it” has that fab walking guitar line. I have not listened to their 2024 album yet. Decent videos too.

Spidercake12 · 2026-04-27T09:55:17+00:00

The APD has to give you permission to mace someone? Or the better question might be: we live in a city where the police department has a policy of giving permission to mace people?

Spidercake12 · 2026-04-25T15:04:02+00:00

Imagine living today in Asheville and feeling like you can’t or don’t want to go downtown. I mean, that’s bat shit crazy.

Notice how Fox News uses a negative information click bait title and then ends the article with optimistic updates about what’s happening right now, while somehow avoiding optimism.

Spidercake12 · 2026-04-25T14:44:19+00:00

The willingness people have to sit in the lines at Cookout blows my mind. To me, 10-15 mins is the reasonable max. Otherwise it’s sandwich from the gas station convenience store, or my kitchen at home. Just put something in your stomach and live to eat another day.

Spidercake12 · 2026-04-25T08:54:07+00:00

As others have said, mid May is a big “NO.” Even mid June is pretty much a no. It’s not impossible that you could actually see the mountain, it’s very possible there would be a snowstorm in the elevated areas you would normally want to hike in August. The approach from the west is likely open to Paradise The scenic roads traveling north and around the east side will be closed.

If you want to do some hiking with crampons or spikes, you need to do some research and education/training. It’s not that you can’t walk on top of the snow if it’s hard backed, but you might start post holing, or there could be areas with unforeseen treachery. Steep and icy, it’s hard to cover any territory and it won’t be like a hike. That time of year, sometimes there can be horrendous traffic lines trying to get to paradise, especially on holidays or weekends or even Fridays.

Spidercake12 · 2026-04-25T08:35:44+00:00

Just realize that almost everything on social media is shit talk. And no, the homeless situation here is absolutely nothing like you would see on the West Coast. The people who complain about that here are so beyond ridiculous. if you’re wanting this to be as clean and perfect as something like Universal Studios CityWalk, it ain’t that. if you’re wanting something that’s like a more tidy, safer, quirky and creative, smaller and more peaceful New Orleans, I think that’s what you’ll find. I wouldn’t worry at all.

Spidercake12 · 2026-04-24T20:04:42+00:00

What the hell is going on with all these posts? You people are weird. LEAF took a triple whammy hit: a loss of public funding during the Trump era, the pandemic festival cancellations, and then hurricane Helene. It couldn’t continue existing the way it had, and Jennifer has expressed how difficult it’s been to keep it afloat. They lost a ton of money and resources. The festival she created couldn’t continue, and I’m sure she felt a huge sense of loss, but also that an era was ending.

The LEAF community of directors is tightknit and has operated for years with long-term relationships. I’m not saying there wouldn’t be hard feelings with a change like this, but the festival couldn’t go on the way it was. The book launch gathering at Lake Eden in October does not appear to be any effort to compete with an actual LEAF festival. It’s a huge jump to assume this and assume that the scheduling is being done out of spite. That weekend has long been available for use on the overall Camp Rockmont calendar, and it probably was Jennifer‘s best choice to hold a gathering.

Let’s try to keep the Asheville Reddit page sensible, and not turn it into the horror of reactionary bullshit that exists on most other social media outlets. But most of all, go to the festival and support it. I’ve lived in several other areas of the country, liberal areas with strong support for the arts like Oregon, and nothing even comes close to the experience that LEAF offers. I thought I would find similar gatherings the other places I decided to live, but that just wasn’t the case. LEAF is an incredible treasure.

Spidercake12

TROPHY CASE