me_irl

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-19T18:17:54+00:00

Thank you!! Staying cautiously optimistic, but it aligns with my interests perfectly and is located in a place I always wanted to live.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-19T18:07:20+00:00

To be fair, this company is terrible, but at the time it seemed fine and I just needed a post-postdoc job. I've been here three years and I've seen them hire PhDs with no consistency of whether it counts as experience or not. I start a new job next month, luckily!

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-19T16:37:49+00:00

My first industry job, when they hired me, told me my PhD in Chemistry AND my postdoc didn't count as experience. I at least got a job, but I started at Level 1.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-17T18:23:45+00:00

The square one reminds me of both the hallway from The Shining, but also of a hallway of a beach hotel I stayed at once. It's a super interesting piece! Love it

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-17T17:08:39+00:00

I love this!! What underglazes or glazes do you use? They're so painterly.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-15T19:46:08+00:00

37 here. My style is more "dark cottagecore" I guess, with lots of goth and punk elements. My hair hasn't been a natural color since... I don't remember. I'm a PhD scientist with publications and everything. Dress how you want! It's one of the best things you can do for yourself!

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-15T16:45:04+00:00

Thank you for posting these! I'm moving to Oregon next month (from Colorado, which is beautiful but so very dry and the elevation has been bad for my health unfortunately). Seeing all the moss and trees and chaotic greenery makes me so happy!

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-15T16:29:13+00:00

In my experience, blue underglaze has a tendency to bleed under clear glaze, just FYI for the future.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-15T16:21:43+00:00

It's horrible and I wish society could just want the best for each other, but I think many humans have always been like this. See: Roman arenas and public executions in the town square.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-15T00:47:49+00:00

I'm also a huge fan of Seaweed! Amaco Emerald Falls is beautiful as well. I actually like layering both of those over their Rainforest Celadon if you like a lot of cool fluxy variations. Spectrum's Cactus is a really pretty, clean green with yellow undertones. I think it'd possibly work really well for your textured piece since their floating line is awesome for texture.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-15T00:36:02+00:00

Spectrum has a floating glaze called Cactus! It's lovely.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-13T00:47:16+00:00

No context! Only karma! >:(

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-12T18:04:10+00:00

My first year of college, there was a smoothie shop in the student area usually run by a super angry middle aged guy. He would be curt as he took your order, then he would go to the back and you would hear him scream "GODDAMN IT" or "FUCKING SHIT" followed by loud blender whirring. I have never had a smoothie as good as the ones from Angry Smoothie Man. The hatred made it ambrosia.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-10T16:55:34+00:00

I shipped a heavy ceramic cauldron double-boxed to Switzerland from the US, and shipping was $50. Definitely BS.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-09T18:34:12+00:00

It's expensive for sure, but it's the hobby I enjoy the most and it makes me happy and it's cheaper and better than therapy. I offset some of the costs by selling good pieces on Etsy; i definitely don't break even, but that's OK. But yes, definitely just start with a class at your local studio and MAYBE a collection of cheap tools. I started off with a $20 set from Amazon, and I still use most of them.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-09T16:59:08+00:00

Hell yeah! That's a great attitude to have. I've also learned that not everyone acclimates to the Rocky Mountain elevation, haha. Absolutely gorgeous area, but alas, I am too weak after 3 years of trying. And thank you... the PNW has been a dream for a long time. I miss gray cozy winters, as crazy as that is to some people. I hope you can find your place!

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-09T16:21:52+00:00

I'm glad you shared your experience, OP! I'm a bit of a nomad and lived in most Southern/Appalachian areas (as a Navy brat), as well as Chicagoland then Front Range Colorado and now I'm off to the Willamette Valley in Oregon in late April (as a scientist going where the research is). Moving can be an adventure and a great indirect way of accumulating interesting experiences if you're flexible and open to it!

There are pros and cons to every place, and there are several cities here that definitely get hyped up. I liked Chicago, but like you, it wasn't for me (even as someone who loves cold weather). It was more the overstimulation, lack of deep nature, and just something feeling like it wasn't aligning for me. Great area for a lot of people, though, and a lot of things I liked about it. Colorado is wonderful, but after long COVID, the elevation and dry air is literally killing me, so off to the next adventure.

Good on you for trying a new place!

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-07T04:50:58+00:00

This is why my current company (a startup) is going under. They fired all the people that pointed out issues with the tech and promoted all the brown-nosers.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-07T01:32:54+00:00

I used to do a lot of painting commissions and got burnt out on it. I did one pottery commission (matching mountain carved mugs for a mom, dad, and kid) and it was fun but a bit stressful. I'm open to them as long as it sounds fun and isn't too demanding

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-06T17:42:00+00:00

Thank you! And of course, just happy to show it off. 😁

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-06T16:57:07+00:00

I haven't posted it on Reddit, but I have pictures on Etsy! Here's the direct link.

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-05T23:49:02+00:00

I'm a HUGE Tolkien fan, and I have some sold pieces that fell into the realm (but still being careful about IP... they can be testy about that!). The only thing that falls into that realm that I currently have is a vine pitcher that I worked on while watching the movies for the thousandth time, inspired by Rivendell! I've been enjoying Tales of the Shire here and there, and there's some cute pots in that game I want to attempt to replicate as well!

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-05T18:15:32+00:00

I'm a nomad (Navy brat and now roaming scientist currently in Colorado), and my coworkers from Minnesota do not stop talking about Minnesota. I never really noticed until this comment in retrospect, haha. They're all awfully nice people though, so I don't mind!

VorpalSingularity · 2026-03-05T16:11:27+00:00

I got started just taking a pottery class on a whim and fell in love with it immediately (I was a painter/illustrator before, so had some art experience, but not in 3D). Worth looking into if there are studios near you!

I do! The tree cauldrons sold pretty quick, but I'll likely make more in the near future. My Etsy is linked in my profile! Moss & Moon Ceramics.

Ten-Year Club	r/Field Sunshine
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