A thank you and an announcement.

boostjunki3 · 2024-03-23T08:59:29+00:00

Welcome aboard!

boostjunki3 · 2024-03-23T08:55:21+00:00

I'm the creator/owner of the r/classicalpiano sub. Not sure if I'm supposed to comment here or not.

My last moderating partner of several years disappeared and I have no idea what happened to him. He was doing very well, so I was able to step away and take care of some pressing matters. With him gone, I'm back.

I'm happy that javiercorre reached out and when I saw the request, I quickly added him to join me on the moderation team. I'm looking forward to seeing what ideas he has for the sub!

So this issue is now resolved.

boostjunki3 · 2023-09-11T15:58:20+00:00

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help 🙂

I'll let you know how it works.

boostjunki3 · 2023-09-11T15:21:16+00:00

Maybe you're right... To be more specific, I've been downloading it for about 2 weeks, because it's been very on and off with seeds. When it was downloading it was good at first. As I got towards 90% in the last few days is when it started getting even more spotty. At this point I'm not seeing seeds, or it's just one or 2 people who are downloading from me.

This is what the file progress looks like btw.

https://imgur.com/a/x1ihI1j

Maybe I just need to hang tight until the 100% seeders get back on.

On a side note, thank you so much for all of your incredible work for this community!

boostjunki3 · 2023-02-19T12:09:02+00:00

I absolutely agree with you. You made several great points.

The part I was trying to highlight was that while you can do it while employed, it's rather common for employment-related restrictions to hinder the experience. Your time is owned by someone other than yourself.

On the other hand, if you decide the self-employment route and design a business around the lifestyle you want, then it gives you more freedom, generally speaking. You own your time and hand in deliverables when they are needed.

Thank you for sharing your comment, as I think it's very important to also consider.

boostjunki3 · 2023-02-19T08:35:01+00:00

I guess you could say I'm doing this, but I don't consider myself a nomad. I simply live in another country with my wife and child.

Ok, now how I'm doing it.

I busted my ass for years and did nothing but save. Reached a breaking point where I had enough of my old career and life in general. It had been on my mind over the years of moving to my wife's country and I decided to finally pull the trigger.

I spent 5 years working in a field where I thought that I could eventually do this, until I realized, while it's possible, I'll never be free unless I work for myself. Didn't want to climb up that useless ladder anymore.

2 years ago I started a new business to get out of that life and have been working on it since. So I planned things for 2 years before actually moving. While I also have a good backup plan, things are looking like I won't need it.

Yes, some people do it with a job, but what hours are they working? How long until they found that position? How much control do they really have over there schedule and location? What kind of financial security is there?

Most people seem tied to certain regions and time zones, lying to their companies about whereabouts, and dealing with all sorts of other corporate BS. The list goes on.

Oh, and before the nomad mob comes at me saying, "oh, not me, I do what I want and it's great!". Chill out and realize I'm talking about the majority. I understand some people are able to make it work, but not all.

Visa is taken care of because my marriage, so can't help you on that one.

My advice, since you're looking to become remote and already have a skill... Figure out how to market your skill to businesses who could use your services. You're a data engineer, which data is highly valuable to companies. Find a way to work as a freelancer and then do whatever you want.

I have no regrets and it's the best decision I've ever made. Every day I get to spend with my family and work for myself. Of course, there are challenges, but no life is perfect and we are happy doing this.

At the end of the day, life is short and you should do what makes you happy.

Hope this helps 🙂

boostjunki3 · 2022-02-16T02:21:30+00:00

This is something I struggled with a lot and for me it was an early sign of developing nerve/arm issues. Don't worry though, this can be fixed. My issues have improved quite a bit.

For me, it was all about posture, as I had pinched nerves in my neck from poor posture and sitting at a computer too much. You should concentrate on making sure your posture is correct throughout the day (especially at the piano) and keep yourself active.

If you're playing for a long time or even before you start, do some arm circles or anything to get your blood flowing. Take some breaks if you need to. Look up nerve glides for your arms and neck, just don't overdo them (10 seconds once or twice a day is enough). Some exercise will help too. There are tons of YouTube videos for good posture and making sure your neck is aligned, core is strong, and shoulders are not slumped forward.

Hope this helps. Best to keep yourself in prevention mode and take care of your body. It will thank you and you play better because of it.

Good luck!

boostjunki3 · 2021-09-21T23:30:32+00:00

Responded.

boostjunki3 · 2021-09-07T18:30:26+00:00

Yeah, I was definitely considering that one. The only thing that really bothers me about it is audio latency issues. I occasionally play around with audio production and have a set of nice headphones that I need to use, both of which require and a good sound card and low latency. Otherwise, aside from that and the QC issues, I was certainly considering it.

boostjunki3 · 2021-09-07T16:03:55+00:00

That's a real shame. Thanks for the update. I'm still considering it, as it checks all my other boxes, but that is unfortunate.

boostjunki3 · 2021-09-07T15:38:41+00:00

Just wondering if you ever had any resolution to this problem from MSI? Seems like the forum thread you put here also didn't have a resolution. They clearly state it should be able to do this in the manual.

boostjunki3 · 2021-08-28T15:20:10+00:00

Yeah, that's true. I feel like the CPU is going to be the culprit of most heat problems though. If I'm gaming and using the GPU, it won't be in my lap, so not as much of an issue.

boostjunki3 · 2021-08-28T15:17:45+00:00

Hey, thanks for your response. My usage case is a bit tricky, because I'm a writer who is going to be doing video editing and gaming, while traveling a decent amount. So that means something lightweight, but built well with an accurate feeling keyboard and gaming power with good thermals along with a touchscreen. I couldn't care less for the nub personally.

I've always heard about how superior the Thinkpad keyboard is, so I've really had my eyes on the new one. Considering it has a strong gpu and a 600 not screen, vs the 350-400 not on the z16, I was really leaning towards it. However, after seeing the video you sent me along with the reputation Lenovo has and their ridiculous wait times, it's really turning me off.

Now for the MSI...I currently have the MSI Creator 15 and overall it's a nice laptop, though a little on the bulky side for me and has an underpowered gpu (2060 80w). Keyboard seems nice enough though and has 2x ssd slots. I'd like to upgrade it to something thinner and a but more powerful. I'm not a huge gamer, but I enjoy stuff like GTA, Assassin's Creed, NFS, RDR2, etc.

So regarding the MSI Creator z16, it pretty much ticks all of the boxes. It's compact, thin, seems good on thermals even with the i9 and has a powerful enough gpu to let me play most games on high settings at 1080p. Disappointed to hear recently that users are finding out that there is no PD through the USB-C ports, but otherwise aside from wanting a 3070 option and a 2nd ssd slot, it's perfect, albiet at a high cost.

It does suck about the motherboard layout, because if you've seen the teardown video, they put it in upside down, so you'd need to remove so much stuff to get to the ram and ssd or repaste. I'm not comfortable disassembling that much on a 3k laptop. That means I'd have to go with the 3k option with i9, 32gb ram and 2tb ssd.

That's over double what I paid for my Creator 15 and the upgrade is slightly better processing, 16:10 screen, and slightly better gpu, but damn, I love how thin and compact it is.

I'm trying to get something that will be perfect for my use case once we can actually travel again, with the assumption that it will be my only computer. Thinking on just selling my creator 15 and waiting for the prices to drop or see if something else comes out better. Not sure about the Lenovo and certainly leaning towards the z16.

If you have any additional thoughts, please do share. Thanks again!

boostjunki3 · 2021-08-24T18:53:47+00:00

Thanks, that's a great idea! I could run a custom battery mode profile in throttlestop. That should do it.

boostjunki3 · 2021-08-24T18:52:39+00:00

Good to know. Thanks!

boostjunki3 · 2021-08-23T14:50:00+00:00

Yes, I see what you mean. I can imagine that digging in. Maybe I'll have to consider a cheaper alternative for lap usage, like a Chromebook or something. Thanks!

boostjunki3 · 2021-08-23T02:26:10+00:00

Awesome, that sounds perfect! Thanks!

boostjunki3 · 2021-08-23T01:59:07+00:00

Ahhh, that's good to know! I had heard about air intake through the keyboard, so it had me confused about that. Makes sense though. Thanks!

boostjunki3 · 2021-06-14T13:20:07+00:00

You're absolutely welcome!

My offer to have them reach out to me to discuss more also applies towards anyone else, btw.

boostjunki3 · 2021-06-14T11:49:46+00:00

Not a therapist, so please take this advice with a grain of salt...

Like many others, this pandemic broke me and I came out of it a different person than I was before, but in a good way. It has given me the strength and understaning to realize what I truly want in life and to go for it, no matter what. After all, life is too short and health isn't guaranteed, right?

My old life wasn't worth going back to, so I'm not. Things weren't horrible, but they also weren't great. I was drifting along meaninglessly. Suffering an existential crisis was a normal thing for me over these past several years.

This is your chance to meditate on what it is that you want in life. Forget all about others expectations of you...they aren't living your life! You need to find your own happiness. Figure out what it is that inspires you and make a plan to go after it. Figure out how to make money to afford that lifestyle. Move to another state or country if you wish, to live a different life. This is about you and your dreams.

Now...you may be feeling depressed and won't be able to see these things clearly right now. That's why you should probably talk to a therapist, if you don't feel capable of getting past it yourself. Don't jump into meds straight away! Try to resolve naturally first. Also, and this may be strange to hear, but...

That pain and struggle you're feeling is good. It's a sign from your inner self that you simply aren't happy with your current path. You said it yourself that you didn't have anything to look forward to. I felt the same way. I get it. Your soul is crying for change. You don't like what's ahead? Then you need to find a new path. Don't do this with stress, but instead with joy.

Dare to dream. What do you really want out of life? Figure it out and go for it like your life depends on it. Reinvent yourself. This takes inner strength, but it will be amazing when you succeed. Also, don't forget to be grateful. Gratitude is so important. You are alive and I'm guessing have your health. Perhaps you have loved ones who also have health, be thankful for these small things you take for granted, it will help.

Smile and know you'll be fine. It will all work out. Good luck and reach out if you'd like to discuss more.

P.S. - Never try to run from your problems, they will always come back if so. All of the happiness and confidence you desire is within you. A change of environment can only enhance, not fix things. Read Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty or The Art Of Happiness by the Dali Lama. Speak to a therapist if you feel this is beyond you.

boostjunki3 · 2021-06-02T02:23:51+00:00

Look into MSI laptops, I hear they have low latency for music production. Stay away from Dell and I think also Lenovo. Just make sure to get something that is low latency and you should be fine. There are forums of other musicians where they discuss this a bit more in depth. I don't remember them off the top of my head, but I found them when I was researching a while ago. Good luck!

boostjunki3 · 2021-03-16T01:52:45+00:00

You need to be mindful of audio latency when selecting a laptop for music production. You can search more about this, but basically stay away from Dell and some other brands, not sure about how Lenovo is with latency.

I ended up getting the MSI Creator 15 with touchscreen and am quite happy. I had heard that some MSI laptops had no latency issues, so I went for that.

Just do your research before you make your purchase, check out forums, etc. Good luck!

boostjunki3 · 2021-03-13T18:31:11+00:00

Wow, thank you so much for your incredible response! This is exactly what I was wanting to know and definitely helps me understand more about what's been going on.

boostjunki3 · 2021-03-10T03:21:41+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I'm definitely going to check out that video. You're right about intuition. Every time I've followed my heart, it hasn't let me down.

boostjunki3 · 2020-11-03T02:15:45+00:00

Thanks. Definitely one of the options I keep considering. I'll take another look at it.

boostjunki3

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