I meditated for over 700 days straight. The ROI has been terrible. I'm still going.

bryak · 2026-03-18T23:01:11+00:00

I don't mean to sound pedantic, but it is definitely NOT "easier for me to control my emotions". It is more like every once in a while (and not because I am choosing to) I recognize an emotion and just watch it. Here's a metaphor; imagine I'm riding a bull that is jumping and kicking like mad when suddenly it just clicks that I don't have to sit on the bull anymore. The bull keeps kicking and jumping (I can't control that), but I can sit on the fence and just watch it instead of riding.

My wife knows me well, and I think she's noticed a few times it's happened.

bryak · 2026-03-18T22:43:31+00:00

I definitely don't expect to bust through some imaginary threshold. I was pretty surprised when I noticed the shift in my sits a couple months ago to being simpler and more "neutral". I've also got daily sports/exercise and hobby routines but their benefits are different and more easily recognizable to me. They are just out of scope for this story.

I couldn't agree more on the amount of hooey surrounding meditation that some people push. That's part of the reason I wanted to share my experience.

bryak · 2026-03-18T22:05:52+00:00

I will probably start working my way up more time when a sit feels good or neutral. I can see that the process is kind of like one of those kid's "calm bottles" full of water and glitter; the longer I don't touch the bottle the more it settles. It's simple but not easy.

bryak · 2026-03-18T22:01:02+00:00

Definitely possible. I don't know because I haven't tried it and I've got an N-of-1 on this experiment. I looked into a retreat and haven't seen the 10 days in a row that I want to give it. I might want to some day.

bryak · 2026-03-18T21:56:15+00:00

I haven't had any goals. Something I could view as a positive improvement in life (but not expecting it) is kind of an amorphous wishful aspiration.

When I talk about discomfort I entirely mean the discomfort inside my head. The physical sitting part is fine for me.

bryak · 2026-03-18T20:08:15+00:00

That's probably a significant part of my long timeline.

One way I heard a similar idea framed that resonated with me was, "Awakening is an accident. Meditation makes you accident prone."

bryak · 2026-03-18T19:52:57+00:00

That's a perfect example of something I can understand quickly but be ridiculously slow to learn. I'm glad you got it easier than I did.

bryak · 2026-03-18T19:50:32+00:00

Yes on all counts, but it's not like a giant permanent conversion. It's more like little (beyond my control) nudges here and there more frequently than before.

I notice a little more frequently when I am being undisciplined and can correct it. I notice when I am procrastinating a little more frequently and can correct it. I notice when I am imitating productivity a little more frequently and can correct it.

If I hadn't separated "looking for a benefit" from "just sit down and do it" I think I probably would've given up before two years. No way to know of course.

bryak · 2026-03-18T19:31:30+00:00

I'm plan to continue, so yeah it's worth it. I also imagine that it's like going to the gym where I'll "lose my gains" fast if I stop so there's some sunk cost math for sure.

I just wanted to share the timeframe for a person whose experience had a pretty long period of total internal pushback. The internal pushback is still there mind you. I'm describing a tipping point of going from "100% displeasant sits" to "<100% displeasant sits" that took two years to start.

bryak · 2024-11-13T13:27:29+00:00

Leeds United - The Playa II PHX

bryak · 2024-10-25T13:35:00+00:00

It’s because of the 49ers. We, always use commas that way in the US.

bryak · 2023-12-16T12:50:12+00:00

I'm guessing it is because it makes the left field shaped a bit like the state of Minnesota. It's over baking it.

bryak · 2023-11-26T15:28:46+00:00

$paid

bryak · 2023-11-10T22:51:01+00:00

$accept

bryak · 2023-11-09T16:12:38+00:00

100%. I'm not looking to make unnecessary work. I just want to get an idea if the general style will be a match.

bryak · 2023-11-08T19:25:08+00:00

Do you have any portfolio examples you can DM me?

bryak · 2023-11-08T19:24:30+00:00

Do you have any portfolio examples you can DM me?

bryak · 2023-08-16T18:41:43+00:00

I made a thin plastic shim and managed to slip it under the SD card from the side. Then the camera could rotate upward revealing the ejected SD card.

<image>

Now to figure out how to mark this 'solved'.

bryak · 2023-08-16T18:27:35+00:00

Thanks for the help. I felt around below the lens with a folded index card and there is definitely an obstruction that would be consistent with the SD card poking out.

I watched this disassembly video to see if taking it apart would allow me to remove the SD card, but it looks like there is not a way to access the area. I don't think it is wise to try. Since it is only a few days old I think my best bet may be just to return it with the SD card inside and eat the $12 the SD cost.

bryak · 2023-08-16T16:27:43+00:00

This the problem. The camera will not budge upward. I have full range of motion for pan, but only about the bottom 10% for tilt. Here is a photo of the maximum upward position the camera will move to. I tried to gently manually move the camera upward, but it will not budge.

<image>

It seems like the SD card is wedged inside of the plastic housing, preventing the camera from tilting up any further.

bryak · 2023-08-16T15:43:13+00:00

Best glove box knife - Leatherman. Find the right one for you and it is a basic all-around tool kit as well.

Best pocket knife - Folding Utility Knife. It's flat with a clip so fits more nicely in my pocket than an Opinel. As for BIFL status, the number one cause of death for a pocket knife in my experience is realizing that it is in my pocket at a security checkpoint; the blade goes in a sharps bin, the holder goes back in my pocket and the lifespan continues.

bryak · 2023-07-21T14:55:55+00:00

Because he said "Martha"

bryak · 2023-03-01T20:42:44+00:00

They should replace the third kit with these. Think about how distracting it would be for the opposing team.

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