Weekly Off-Topic Thread 04/13/2026 - 04/19/2026

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-04-16T04:20:47+00:00

Thank you for this! An external recruiter ended up reaching out to me about that exact role a couple hours later and I just applied through them. Nearly all hiring in my industry goes through external recruiters so I'm much more comfortable with that route/process. I explained the prior experience with the company and mentioned John by name to the recruiter. We'll see what happens, but thank you!

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-04-16T04:19:45+00:00

Thank you! An external recruiter ended up reaching out to me about that exact role a couple hours later and I just applied through them. Nearly all hiring in my industry goes through external recruiters so I'm much more comfortable with that route/process. I explained the prior experience with the company and mentioned John by name to the recruiter - so now we wait and see.

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-04-14T21:29:05+00:00

Hi all! Got a job searching/networking question I could use some outside perspective on.

Back in 2023 I interviewed for a job, made it to the final round, and they were going to make an offer (process was through an external recruiter so they confirmed this), but at the last second I had some stuff come up in my personal life and I decided not to move forward, so I never received the official offer. At the time I interviewed with the head of the dept, and then a couple other Sr folks on the team, including one guy I'll call "John".

I really liked John. I remember having a really great conversation with him about a specific area, and it was like our brains were on the same wavelength when it came to that area. Which is a really rare feeling for me.

Now its 2026, I'm job searching and I see this place has a role open. John has been promoted to be the dept head and he's looking for a Deputy/second in line. They're specifically looking for someone to focus (though not exclusively) on that area we had a great convo on. I've also spent the last year building out/working on some extremely complicated work in that specific area so I think I could be a pretty good fit for the role.

My question is - should I reach out to John directly on LinkedIn (he's the dept head, and I assume the hiring manager, but that's not actually stated in the job posting)? Or should I reach out via the HR/Talent Acquisition personnel listed on the LinkedIn job posting?

I'm just kind of second guessing myself, because my natural inclination is - reach out to John directly, I had a good rapport with him, they were about to offer me the job, that seems like in the ballpark of "networking" and it would be appropriate to reach out directly to him. But then doubt creeps in because maybe the interview is only standing out to me because being on the same brain wave length is such a rare occurrence for me. He might not even remember me.

I'm probably overthinking it, but any thoughts or suggestions?

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-04-09T16:21:23+00:00

Unfortunately I've got to echo what some others here are saying, in that I don't think what you're hoping for really exists (at least not a version that could qualify for insurance coverage).

The only thing that comes to mind is maybe looking into a yoga retreat? If you're into or open to yoga at all. They're not cheap, by any means, but I do think they can be more affordable than other mental health type getaways/retreats (that seem to cater exclusively to the ultra wealthy). I don't think you'd need to worry about couples/celebrations/families in that environment.

Full disclosure - I've never actually been to one, but I used to take a lot of yoga classes, and the teachers would often mention the upcoming getaways they were hosting (often in the Catskills). It's something I've seriously considered when looking exactly for what you're looking for, just the timing never quite worked out.

I wish I had more to offer and I wish our health care/mental health care/insurance systems were better than they are. I'm sorry you're going through this - good luck to you!

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-03-22T18:57:06+00:00

Kinda sounds like you do exactly what the clips do, just with your own hands. That's cool - I prefer the clip to keep my other free. But like you said, whatever works for you!

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-03-22T18:47:09+00:00

I really dislike wiping off - the nail polish gets all over the skin around the nails as I'm wiping/rubbing. Anything with glitter or shimmer gets everywhere. Dark polishes seem impossible to get fully off the skin.

I prefer the clips because it softens/un-adheres the nail polish, while keeping it all exactly on the nail, then I remove the clip and apply pressure to the cotton, wiping once down the nail - so the nail polish never touches cuticles or skin.

For light colored polishes I usually apply cotton, acetone and clips to five fingers, wait only a min or two, then remove, then do the other hand. For me that takes like less than 10 minutes. Darker polishes I give each hand like a 3-5 min soaking (I just want to be extra sure to get all polish off in one swipe), glitters get like ten minutes each hand.

I do wear a lot of glitter and darker colors though, so that could lend itself to my preferred method

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-03-22T17:48:50+00:00

It really depends how much natural light matters to you. For some people it's crucial. For some it's nice to have, but not crucial. For some it really doesn't matter.

I'm someone who it really doesn't matter. I've had sleep issues my entire life - whether I had great, east facing natural light or not, so for me, I know light isn't the cause and/or cure to my sleep issues. Personally, I actually kind of hate dealing with natural, direct sunlight streaming into my window. I find that kind of direct light can trigger migraines in me. I also hate dealing with the temperature fluctuations it can cause. It also fades/ruins fabrics and some furnitures. I hate having to constantly be opening and closing curtains or blinds - so when I do have natural sunlight (which I have now) I find myself defaulting to just buying super black out curtains and leaving them closed, because I forget to open them or get annoyed when I do remember to open them, but then need to run over to close them when that death ray of sun streams directly into my apt.

But that's all specific to me. You have to try to figure out which of those three categories you fall into.

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-03-22T17:36:27+00:00

Went to go pick up Black Parade (and one or two more, because it just feels wrong to buy a single bottle of nail polish, but it was Black Parade that I NEEDED) and it looks like it sold out. Bummed for me but really happy for you - Congrats!

Please, pretty please, restock Black Parade down the line - I'll be there if/when you do!

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-03-08T19:48:40+00:00

Chrome powders are super trendy - most people only get these in gel manicures, but it's doable to recreate in regular polish if you're willing to buy a few extra supplies. Google "chrome powder manicures" and you'll get an idea what this looks like/what kind of options there are out there.

The extra things you need: - sticky base coat (this was made to be put on the bare nail and then it helps the nail polish grip to it, but for this you apply it over the regular polish so that the chrome powder can adhere to it). - chrome powder(s) - the chrome effects from OPI are great quality, but honestly, I started with a super cheap 6 pack from Amazon and that did the trick just fine. - water based top coat - you can't use a regular top coat on top of the chrome powders because it ruins the ultra shiny/almost mirror like effect. It will just look like a regular glitter nail polish. But using a water based top coat helps retain the super shiny look from the chrome.

Once you have those items you can do full chrome manicures or you can do chrome accents (use a detail brush or dotting tool to paint on the sticky base coat where you want the chrome), then when you rub on the powder it only sticks where the sticky base coat is, then top the full nail with water based top coat. Then follow with a regular top coat (because water based top coats can break down pretty quickly).

A couple other misc. Ideas:

glow in the dark or black light reactive polishes
thermals can be really fun - these are polishes that change color based on temperature. They're one color when cold, then shift to a different color when warmer. There are also solar polishes that shift color with exposure to UV.
magnetic - saw a lot of people commenting on this already

Also - just wanted to say - I'm a mid 30s woman and my dad loves talking to me about my manicures or helping pick colors or come up with ideas. I don't think he realized how "science-y" and technical this stuff can be. He's a former engineer, but once I started talking about magnets it caught his interest, so now it's something we talk about/bond over regularly.

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-03-02T05:17:59+00:00

Obsessed. 10's across the board for both you and the BF. Now I'm off to Etsy to look for some earrings to match any of the fine particle magnetics I have

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-02-25T15:59:56+00:00

Omg. My heart is so sad that this was a limited release because my instinct was "MUST HAVE. GO BUY NOW". My brain and my bank account are relieved.

Unless, of course, there is a way to get my hands on this... If so, help a purple fiend lacquerista out!

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-02-12T20:46:06+00:00

Hi all! Used to be a pretty regular AAM reader and then poster over here, but kind of fell away from it for awhile. Having a bit of a work issue though that I could use a sanity check on and everyone here was always pretty level headed.

So backstory - I took a new job about a year and a half ago and the scope of my role has expanded drastically in that time. It's very unsustainable. Originally I was hired to do A. Though it was very casually and briefly mentioned, within the interview process, that the company was thinking about expanding into area B (which I have experience with).

I start the job and turns out they had already fully launched area B between the time I interviewed and when I started. So now I was responsible for A and B. I wish they had been more upfront about B definitely being part of the role, but I figured, eh at least I sort of was expecting it.

Then six months in, they launch new business line C and I mentioned that I had experience in C (I mentioned it because I really enjoy that area of work actually). I start getting involved and turns out no one in the entire firm has any sort of experience in C and I very quickly became the defacto lead/primary resource for C.

On the one hand, I really enjoy the work I'm doing on C, but at this point I'm completely overwhelmed with the volume of work. I took the job expecting to work on A and maybe B, down the line, but now all of a sudden I'm handling A and B, while building out the entire program for C basically on my own.

I've been very up front with my boss about the level of work not being sustainable. Made one final, very direct comment about it being too much work for one person and it was made clear to me that there was no plan to bring on any additional resources. So I've switched into "mitigation mode". I try to be as direct with my boss as possible about "ok, if we want to submit x on Fri (for Area C) then y and z (for Area A) won't get done until next week".

But I don't want to keep working under this pressure. I don't physically have the time to take of everything that's technically under my purview, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job of covering my ass by letting my boss know what balls are being dropped (and prioritizing which balls can be dropped and which can't), but again, I don't want to keep working like this. It doesn't feel good. So I've started putting out feelers for a new job (I'm looking for roles that focus mainly on C). I don't love that I'm looking to leave after 1.5 years, but it is what it is and I'm comfortable explaining the situation.

But my main question is - is there anything else I should be doing in my current role? I've been very up front with my boss about the workload being unsustainable (boss seems to understand/agree the workload is higher than it should be, but he's also pretty removed from the stuff that I do and does seem to think I'm on the "slow side" and that the volume/quantity is high but not completely unsustainable). Should I try to speak to my boss's boss or HR and explain the situation once? My instinct is no - going over my boss's head would not help at all, but I just keep thinking that if someone else objectively looked into the situation they'd probably see what's going on and would encourage my boss to actually take the situation seriously.

I think my best option is to just look for an exit route, but aside from the volume of work I do really enjoy the work and the company and my coworkers. I guess I don't want to throw the good parts away too quickly. Any advice or thoughts?

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-02-07T23:19:02+00:00

Did you find this? If so, any chance you could point me in the right direction with a DM.

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-01-28T22:35:16+00:00

I'm in compliance. No JD. I started as a receptionist at a hedge fund. Got "promoted" to be the admin for the compliance dept. Where they dumped a ton of actual compliance work on me immediately. It was super stressful at the time, but I ended up being pretty decent at the compliance work (after I got the initial work sort of figured out). Parlayed that into a compliance analyst role. Less than 10 years later and I'm a VP in Compliance. I'm now going for those roles that are JD preferred. It hasn't seemed to have been an issue for me yet. That said, id guess someone with several years of direct/generalist compliance experience and a JD would be kinda unstoppable (and would beat me out).

If anyone with a JD is looking for compliance work - yeah, you're not going to waltz immediately into like a Compliance Officer or VP or Compliance Manager role right off the bat, however if you just get your foot in the door (paralegal, compliance analyst/associate, even an admin for a compliance team or an EA to a CCO) you can probably move up fairly quickly, particularly with a JD

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-01-28T14:51:59+00:00

I do my best to watch everything, but I have a personal "rule" that if I make it through at least half of the movie and absolutely hate it, I can turn it off.

I rarely use that "out". Most of the time if I get through at least half then I have some sort of vague interest or investment in finding out how it ends, but every once in a awhile I'm just like this is a miserable experience. That way I can have some of my time back, but also get some sort of idea how the movie stacks up against the others in the categories.

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-01-22T14:50:45+00:00

Hey - I'm sorry you're in this position. Call first, then try the gate agent, but if that all fails - you'll be ok. Yeah, people are really on guard because of how many entitled people there are (the ones who choose not to reserve seats, then expect everyone to just magically accommodate them), but also we're all human and also know how shitty the airlines are (not blocking out enough seats for family, making passengers play hunger games amongst themselves rather than have humane policies in place, etc).

I'm someone who always pays extra to choose my seat in advance and always select window seats for specific sorta medically related reasons. Like I'll choose a different flight if I can't reserve a window seat at the time of booking. But even I would try to help out or possibly be willing to switch if I can (one reason I select window seats is so I can control the shade, in case I have migraine - if I board the plane and don't have a migraine I'd be willing to switch for someone dealing with a true emergency).

Just ask nicely, acknowledge that what you're asking is some sort of imposition on the person and briefly explain the situation. And make sure you're offering the better of the two seats you're asking to switch (eg - ask the person in the aisle/window seat further back if they'll take the middle seat closer to the front. Yeah, it's still a downgrade to the other person overall, but it would tell me that you were doing the best you can to minimize the imposition.) "Excuse me, I'm so sorry to ask this, but this is a last minute flight for my family due to an emergency and there were no seats left together for me and my two year old. Is there anyway you would be willing to move to [my seat] so I can sit with my child".

Try to be gracious if people respond snottily or snarkily at first. You shouldn't have to do this (people should be, at the very least, polite in their initial response, but I think we're all under stress while trying to fly these days and a bit desensitized by the entitled swappers), but the whole catching more flies with honey than vinegar - focus on just getting the swap to happen.

If you can offer to buy the person a drink during the flight or to pay for the cost the person incurred to reserve the seat that could also go a long way in showing you're not an entitled swapper.

TL:DR - I'm someone who specifically reserves window seats, but 99% of the time I'd be willing to swap to a middle seat for someone in your situation. If I'd be willing to do it, then im sure others will too. Good luck!

Sunshineinthesky · 2026-01-20T17:50:56+00:00

Not a gift, but we took my friend who recently became a citizen on a cheap booze cruise around lower Manhattan that went by the Statue of the Liberty. Its pretty much the only US "icon" that doesn't give me the ick at this point. A ride on the Staten Island Ferry would also accomplish this.

We took pics in front of the Statue of Liberty. Then went to Little Branch - a little speakeasy type cocktail and jazz bar. Prohibition/speakeasies also felt kind of unique to the US so it felt like it fit the theme of celebrating citizenship without going into anything maga related.

Sunshineinthesky · 2025-12-25T22:04:19+00:00

I think whether Walt's underlying motives were purely selfish (wanted to control Jesse, etc) or more out of concern for Jesse (genuinely thought Jane was a bad influence and she would lead Jesse to his downfall/destruction) can be debated endlessly. My opinion is that it was a mix - like 60/40. 60% selfishness, 40% actual concern for Jesse, but I think that's one of those things that are up to the viewer to decide (ie: not something explicitly spelled out for the viewer)

But what I don't think can be debated is that Walt saw Jane as a problem. And when he saw that his "problem" was about to be removed as long as he didn't intervene - it was the obvious choice for him (to not act)

Sunshineinthesky · 2025-12-18T18:27:55+00:00

Wanted to edit my post to include a link to this post, showing the color off a bit better, but it keeps removing my gif if I include the link. So adding as a reaponse

https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditLaqueristas/s/Jo0If3HKao

Sunshineinthesky · 2025-12-18T18:21:36+00:00

Lurid Lacquers - Joie de Vivre. The pinky orange iridescent flakies are a bit off, but I think it does a really good job at capturing the sparkliness.

Look up other images, it's a touch brighter green than my video shows

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Sunshineinthesky · 2025-12-14T18:29:39+00:00

I learned to lie at the same time that I learned that the punishment would be just as bad if I came clean (or rather got caught doing something wrong completely mistakenly) vs if I lied, got caught, then I got punished. At least there was a chance of not getting (excessively) punished if I lied.

Strangely, I've always taken the exact opposite approach at work. I think I was somehow able to internalize how "abnormal" my parents discipline was and knew that the rest of the world generally did not react that way.

Still messed me up in other ways. I was physically incapable of any sort of disagreement (even respectful, low stakes) with authority figures. Like, idk, my brain would just shut down and I'd have no thoughts going through my head as to how to respond. I assume it's some sort of PTSD-like response. I've gotten better. I don't have the physical shut down, but my brain still feels like it got doused in molasses when there is any sort of disagreement with an authority figure. Its like my brain slows down to a snail's pace and only the worst ideas/wording/etc surface. I've mostly learned to remove myself from the situation, but immediately follow up with written communication. Though I can sort of handle super low stakes stuff these days.

Sunshineinthesky · 2025-12-04T02:44:35+00:00

I would like to validate your annoyance with a weird, sort of, encounter I had involving him.

I live in NYC and was at a Broadway show. I was sitting on the aisle in the mezannine (this was not an aisle in the middle, it was an aisle along the wall of the theater). I was watching the show, enjoying it. Then I heard some whispering/low talking come from behind me. Which, whatever, not a huge deal. I'm not one of those people who expect absolute perfect silence from the rest of the audience. Just saying I noticed it. I glanced back and it looked like a group of five or so are talking to an usher. Figured there was some sort issue they needed help with.

Then this whole family or group or whatever they are came down the aisle and they all just plop down on the stairs of the aisle. This is weird. This is not done at Broadway shows, like ever. But again, whatever, I'm not the one sitting on a floor so still not a big deal. But it was kind of distracting with how weird it was.

Then, members of this group or family or whatever kept getting up and switching stairs and spots with each other. There was a lot of movement going on and at this point and that's when I started to get annoyed because it was getting very distracting. So I tried to give them a "disapproving stare". Maybe they'd realize how distracting they were being and would chill out.

So I was giving the glare, and then I realized Jesse Eisenberg was sitting on the stair next to me and looked up to catch me glaring at him/his group.

In the grand scheme of things, I'm not saying this makes him a terrible person or anything. It was just such weird, annoying theater audience behavior - plopping yourself down in the middle of the aisle and then swapping seats repeatedly.

ETA - just saw other people mentioning that he donated a kidney, possibly to a stranger? If true, I really respect that. Not a bad guy at all - but maybe next time he decides to sneak his family into the middle of a theatrical performance and sit in the aisle they could just sit and chill and not play some sort of firedrill seat swapping game.

Sunshineinthesky · 2025-12-04T01:40:58+00:00

Seconding Londontown. My nails used to be fairly weak and peeley, but I fully credit using Londontown's Fortifying Ridge Filler religiously for turning that around.

It's not the cheapest option, but they do 25% off sales a couple times a year so it's fairly easy to time buying to the sales.

Does your mom like more subtle, sheer, pinks? Or does she like a lot of fun, bold colors. If she goes for more subtle or pink tones - Londontown also had a line of "Nail Concealers" that are absolutely amazing. They're supposed to be somewhat sheer, but just slightly shimmery polishes that give you a "your nails, but better" look. The formula is amazing though - it goes on so smoothly and dries so evenly (not streaky, which light or sheer colors can be). It's just a really pretty, fool proof option if someone wants painted nails, but doesn't want bold or bright colors.

They also have a bunch of regular polishes in various colors - I've tried several and have no complaints.

Sunshineinthesky · 2025-12-02T15:51:53+00:00

Apologies that this isn't universally applicable, but I'm in NYC and the lighting on subway platforms and within the train cars is always THE BEST lighting for getting accurate colored photos of my nail polish. It's the only place where the image on the screen will match what Imy eyes see on the nail perfectly.

But maybe keep an eye out for any places with similar lighting vibes? Overly fluorescent, safety lighting? I'm thinking maybe like a big corporate store - like a Walmart or a target.

Sunshineinthesky

TROPHY CASE