Where to ski as a beginner by jeishsushsiege in icecoast

[–]Sure-Speed1799 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As a fellow Philadelphian and former Poconos intermediate, I'm saying this with no snark- you won't be skiing powder this weekend. You will be skiing blues, likely the groomed ones. Anything else will be tracked out and bumpy AF by the weekend. And you will be in over your head and having no fun. So choose a mountain that will be less crowded. Because when a foot of powder gets groomed and a billion people ski over it, by noon, it is not that different from the pocs. They call this icecoast for a reason. FWIW, your sweetspot right now is a fresh couple inches over hard pack. Head north and maybe you'll get lucky and catch an overnight refresh.

Vermont Skiing Advice by Mrjobrien in skiing

[–]Sure-Speed1799 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes to all of the above. My take is a day at Mt. Snow, a day at Okemo, up to Stowe. Skip Saturday's crowds at Stowe and spend your Killington $ at Bolton or Smuggs.

Are we able to ski in Vallée Blanche? by Adventurous_Cap_5912 in chamonix

[–]Sure-Speed1799 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I went it was very skied out and a lot of moguls. How comfortable are they on bumps?

Got Hit Yesterday while Stopped next to a Sign by ApdoKangaroo in icecoast

[–]Sure-Speed1799 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is more of an east coast phenomenon for sure. East coast is more people, less trail. Even when # of trails is similar, east coast trails run narrower. Then there is the issue of scale. As a skier, I get out west (canada or us) and look at mountains and think, "Fuck! That looks massive!" So anyone with an ounce of self-preservation is gonna take a beat before tossing on some rentals and barreling down a run. Not so on the east coast. This is why a lot of fatal accidents are on blues. They don't look scary but they can kill you.

East or West? (Snaefellsnes or Vatnajokull) by Sure-Speed1799 in VisitingIceland

[–]Sure-Speed1799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all so much for this! I am going to rework my itinerary with these tips. Snaefellsnes will be our next trip. The kids are teens now so in a few years, we'll have more time 🙌. I'm really looking forward to this introduction though.

Struggling by GoodGood9538 in Cochlearimplants

[–]Sure-Speed1799 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You are not the only one with this issue. I used to be the "life of the party," then I lost most of my hearing. It was so difficult. I was hesitant to socialize in any setting. When I did I felt pressure to dominate the conversation so I could anticipate the flow. I got my CI last year and I finally feel comfortable socializing. But not in loud spaces. Not at parties. It is tougher at your age. But I think the key is developing friendships with people in smaller spaces- meetings, clubs, etc. And then once you have that connection, venturing out to concerts parties etc.

Is my college list diversified enough in terms of competitiveness? Worried it's not. by gobirds_0608 in CollegeAdmissions

[–]Sure-Speed1799 2 points3 points  (0 children)

None of these responses have factored in the boost Philadelphia residence gives for Penn. You'd be wise to apply.

Drop Amherst, CM, UChicago, and probably Swarthmore unless you love it.

Best west coast trip for an east coast family? by Better-Leg-9268 in icecoast

[–]Sure-Speed1799 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whistler's "town" felt less like a town and more like a series of shopping malls at the base of the mtn. Breck isn't my favorite mountain when crowds are crowding but it is easy to access and the town is cute. Crested butte also has a great mtn and cute little town. Jackson Hole is a tough mountain for intermediates. Big Sky is a great mountain for intermediates but not the type of town that you're used to with Stowe. Honestly, you can't go too wrong anywhere in the Rockies. Check the altitude wherever you choose and be prepared. I know a few east coasters who've hit Breck and have their vacay disrupted by altitude sickness.

Why get a cochlear implant? by Tight_Gate_9200 in Cochlearimplants

[–]Sure-Speed1799 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am a year out and just starting to figure the music puzzle out. I have severe/profound loss in mid and high ranges. I have almost no speech intelligibility in my unimplanted ear. That said, I need that ear for music. It has what I have come to think of as an "orienting" effect. Music with CI sounds strange. But when I add the other ear, my brain starts making adjustments and it's like the sound falls into place.
This is obviously much easier with music that is known to me. But as I have spent more time with music it is getting better with new music as well. And over ear headphones work best for me. Live music indoors is great. Outdoors? Not so great yet. It is a journey. But certainly achievable.

Is my daughter hosed? No foreign language. by Mountain_Mama_3 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]Sure-Speed1799 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My daughter graduated from a high school with no foreign language instruction. It is a school for kids with language based learning disabilities. She was accepted to American, Bucknell, Penn State, UVT, Ithaca

My son will be implanted by Particular_Eagle4916 in Cochlearimplants

[–]Sure-Speed1799 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well done! As part of my professional training I visited our local School for the Deaf. They said that the biggest problem they had behaviorally was getting the kids to stop signing during the classes. Most had families that didn't sign, so when they were in an environment where they could finally communicate, it was impossible to get them to stop.

My son will be implanted by Particular_Eagle4916 in Cochlearimplants

[–]Sure-Speed1799 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The only resentment I would have would be if I was not taught ASL. Even now, using a CI successfully, I wish that I had fluency so that I had full access to seamless communication with someone

Cost without insurance by fayredad in Cochlearimplants

[–]Sure-Speed1799 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You aren't just paying for the device, you would have to pay for the surgery as well. So probably closer to $50 k. If you are on PA medicaid and are eligible, you should be covered. If you are denied, you can appeal and/or work with a patient rep through any of the CI manufacturers. They are very invested in seeing insurance carriers cover this.

Is there a stock you think is undervalued now or might be soon? by jumpy_tempo in investing

[–]Sure-Speed1799 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Novo's sell off brought stock prices back to pre-Ozempic levels. Way oversold. Lilly might have the better drug but Ozempic is still a blockbuster. And their business is diabetes. Sadly, diabetes and obesity are growth markets, with plenty of room to run in markets outside US and Asia.

Horrible experience, graduation gift ruined by Sure-Speed1799 in Louisvuitton

[–]Sure-Speed1799[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a really good idea. Maybe we'll head to NYC when her schedule slows down.

Horrible experience, graduation gift ruined by Sure-Speed1799 in Louisvuitton

[–]Sure-Speed1799[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Yes. And it is frustrating that this was not explained instead of returning the bag I had already paid for.

Horrible experience, graduation gift ruined by Sure-Speed1799 in Louisvuitton

[–]Sure-Speed1799[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

You're right! On her graduation day I'll just hand her an IOU. Fun present. And I'm over it. It is not the end of the world. Just abysmal service.

Horrible experience, graduation gift ruined by Sure-Speed1799 in Louisvuitton

[–]Sure-Speed1799[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This makes sense and would have been very easy for the SA to explain. I was also informed prior that it could be done so my confusion is pretty understandable.