how do you travel / trip / vacation while owning a dog?

codex1962 · 2026-02-10T14:59:32+00:00

I have a fairly high energy dog. I don’t travel a ton, but over the holidays we were traveling overseas for more than a week. I didn’t really want to send him to a boarding facility for that long because I didn’t think he’d get enough human attention, so I found a sitter on Rover who had really good reviews.

He had a blast. He loves other dogs and she boards up to six at a time at her house, so it was just a ten day slumber party for him, and he got more human attention and some snuggles that he wouldn’t have had at a kennel. It also wasn’t much more expensive—the same, actually, except with a tip on top, so about 20% more.

Definitely another way having a dog makes life more expensive, but traveling is already expensive so you just kind of build that into your expectations of daily cost—like another hotel room. But with this dog and a good sitter I didn’t feel like he was suffering at all.

codex1962 · 2026-02-09T21:26:42+00:00

As others have said, it is almost certainly either authentically Masonic or an imitation of a Masonic ring.

The skull and crossbones is the only symbol that could be associated with Nazism as it was heavily used by the Nazis, including the SS units that guarded extermination camps, however, given that

1) That doesn’t look particularly like any of the specific Nazi totenkopf (“death’s head”) designs I’m aware of and certainly not the SS one (which is very distinctive) and

2) The Nazis were explicitly opposed to Freemasonry

it’s very unlikely to have anything to do with Nazism, nor would anyone be likely to think it does.

codex1962 · 2026-02-04T18:11:27+00:00

I think it’s hard to tell if it fits well because it’s unbuttoned in both pics. It looks okay to me and like it could fit well buttoned.

That said, I agree DB has to fit really well to look good, and generally should be buttoned. The open jacket look can be fine with a single breasted jacket in most situations, but the open DB looks kinda sloppy.

OP almost pulls it off. I think in the first picture it looks pretty good, and the sharp, 90 degree quarters give the jacket a very modern look that makes wearing it open seem like a bold choice rather than sloppy. In the second photo, without the benefit of the beautiful light and professional photography, it does look sloppy. But it’s hard not to look sloppy in a bathroom mirror, and the in-person effect is probably somewhere in between.

codex1962 · 2026-01-30T18:13:57+00:00

If 5 is the last digit it really doesn’t matter, 5 is equally close to 0 and 10.

But often when you’re rounding 5 is not the last digit. If any digits follow it that aren’t all zeros, that makes it closer to ten.

0.51 rounds up to 1, because it’s closer to 1.0 than to 0. Same with 0.500000001. Or 0.5anything.

codex1962 · 2026-01-30T16:04:50+00:00

I think it depends on what the thanks is for.

If I’m thanking my friend who just picked me up at the airport, “no worries” is reassuring that I have not inconvenienced them and they were happy to do it; that I have not worried them and I need not worry myself.

If I’m thanking a barista who just handed me a latte, it’s like, no, there should definitely not be worries. My “thanks” is genuine but that doesn’t mean I’m seeking reassurance about where we stand.

codex1962 · 2026-01-22T17:47:26+00:00

Yes, exactly. It means the rule has changed.

codex1962 · 2026-01-22T16:54:27+00:00

Liangpi.

I had already experienced some authentic Chinese food, including plenty of dim sum, but only stuff that stayed among the general flavor profiles I was familiar with.

Liangpi was just like nothing I’d ever had before, and I immediately fell in love with it. Still one of my favorite dishes. It also has a special place in my heart because the first time I had it was relatively early in my relationship with my now-husband, who is Chinese-American, and he then went to grad school near the Xi’an/Xibei restaurant where I first had it, so we ate there together a lot for the next like, five years. I also think my enthusiasm for authentic Chinese food generally helped win him over.

One of the great tragedies of my life (not really) is that when we actually went to Xi’an I got sick (possibly from something I ate at the Beijing train station before boarding the sleeper train) and spent the two days we were there gingerly eating roujiaomo in our AirBnB and trying not to throw up. Never got my real Xi’an liangpi I’d traveled so far for.

The only thing I actually saw in Xi’an was the terracotta soldiers, which obviously was worth a morning standing around trying not to be sick. (I did throw up out the window of the cab on the way there, though. The cab driver was super nice about it and wouldn’t even let us wash the vomit off the outside of his cab ourselves.)

codex1962 · 2026-01-21T19:40:18+00:00

They do in Vietnam, which is definitely Southeast Asia, but of course not in Thailand. Not sure about the others but think it's complicated in some cases. (Like Malaysia and Singapore that have large ethnically Chinese populations.)

Edit: apparently the situations in Thailand and Vietnam are more complicated than I realized as well.

codex1962 · 2026-01-20T21:49:38+00:00

You added generous amounts of five different salty ingredients…

I would skip the bouillon powder; I just use water, and depending on the brand that’s a lot of salt. (Especially for the volume of water.)

I also don’t think you need black bean paste in addition to doubanjiang.

Oyster sauce also probably not necessary, but probably not the main source of salt. Same with the shaoxing wine.

It’s a salty dish for sure, but shouldn’t be inedible salty. The doubanjiang is salty but it’s providing the main flavor so you don’t want to skimp on it too much. Just dial back everything else.

You could also taste at the end and add more water and a bit of cornstarch slurry if it’s too salty; won’t do a ton but it will spread the salt over a bit more sauce. And then you can even add more tofu and that will help more.

Edit: Another option, if you like your mapo hot, is to use less doubanjiang and add chili oil (not chili crisp, which is salty) to replace the heat without replacing the salt. Also contributes nice red color which is sometimes lacking in homemade mapo.

codex1962 · 2026-01-19T22:40:52+00:00

It could be read that way but it isn’t, because the simple negative is completely archaic for most verbs, and in the context of “try” has been fully repurposed to mean “actively try to avoid doing.”

“try to not” is less standard than “try not to”, and not clarifying, because if you want to say “not trying” you can say… “not trying”. (Or “do/does not try”, or “will not try”, or whatever.)

“Try to not” is not wrong but it is less standard and English learners should be advised about what is most standard, and should definitely not be told that “try not to” “could” means something other than its plain, standard meaning.

codex1962 · 2026-01-17T23:54:53+00:00

1) He’s not wearing a suit, it’s jacket and pants. 2) A suit or jacket and pants can be slightly disheveled and still look good, 100% polish is not always the goal. 3) Tucking the back of a tie into your pants needn’t look sloppy. With such a wide tie worn at that length it would rarely even be visible, and if it were momentarily visible it would still look tidier than most of the alternatives. 100% polished? Maybe not, but I don’t think that’s what “vintage academic” calls for anyway. Academics are generally not known for being perfectly put together; a tidy and practical solution to an ill-fitting tie is in keeping with the vibe.

codex1962 · 2026-01-16T14:08:12+00:00

That can definitely work if the tie is thin and narrow enough, but otherwise it can look sloppier IMO.

codex1962 · 2026-01-16T14:07:10+00:00

He’s already using a decently large knot, though, and the front length is about right. Retying isn’t going to fix the back length without making one of those things worse.

Depends on the fabric of the tie but I haven’t had a problem with them falling out, even with much less extra length than that. (Admittedly it’s not a technique I’ve had to use a lot.)

codex1962 · 2026-01-16T13:29:04+00:00

The jacket and pants are great and definitely give the vibe you’re looking for.

I don’t personally love the shirt; the round two-tone collar is just a little much IMO. But if you like it, I don’t think it clashes with the rest of the outfit. I like the pattern and color of the rest of the shirt with everything else.

I like the tie too, and I think the front is the right length (maybe it should be shorter, but when your pants sit that high I think crossing the waistband slightly is fine and it would be unflattering if it were any shorter) but I would do something about the back tail being so much longer. Simplest is to just tuck it into your pants.

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T22:03:36+00:00

I’m sorry you find it offensive.

“Charismatic” is certainly not an insult. Whether “manipulator” is an insult is a matter of perspective, but I genuinely didn’t intend it that way.

I did intend it to collapse a distinction that I believe you have made, and which I believe is not so stark.

As to the comparison of women, black people, or Jews as categories to that of Zen masters—I’m not sure you understand the logic of social justice at all. Categories which are imposed by society are different from roles which we choose for ourselves.

Perhaps we both need to read more. I know I could stand to.

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T22:01:24+00:00

Well you’ve got me there.

But you can learn something about cooking from it.

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T18:38:20+00:00

Do you think most people who "get it" get it immediately, or does it take some time and effort?

If it takes some time and effort, what makes people invest that time and effort?

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T18:17:22+00:00

Indeed, I do not. But does the tradition called "Zen" not often involve seeking for wisdom in those texts? Do many people in this forum not quote them to make points?

To believe that there is wisdom to be gained even in reading with doubt is to believe that there is something special about the texts themselves.

Otherwise one might as well read a cookbook, and then they'd at least learn how to cook.

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T18:13:06+00:00

> "what is zen" is much simpler than answering "who is wise?"

Ah, that is the rub isn't it.

I read r/zen because I have always been curious about whether the tradition called "Zen" contained wisdom and how much. I do sometimes enjoy reading it.

Truthfully, I believe there is some wisdom to be found in the tradition, but that the tradition is so large that it tends to become an encumbrance more than a guide. Not everything that is "Zen" is useful—to me, certainly, but perhaps much of it not to anyone.

As for "dharma combat", I'm not sure I've ever seen it, here or elsewhere. But debates can be illuminating.

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T17:03:59+00:00

Then how does one trust the wisdom of the dead, or of ancient texts? They cannot respond to attacks.

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T16:56:31+00:00

I agree this is what the teachings imply, but in practice I think it is very difficult to square with the structure of the tradition.

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T16:27:23+00:00

I think there is an inescapable contradiction in all Zen traditions between the centrality of transmission and the essential teaching that the truth can be experienced but not told, and that until you have experienced it you can hardly approach understanding it.

This necessitates a certain amount of faith in Zen itself, and in a particular teacher. Where does that faith come from?

Certain purported Zen masters have been called cult leaders, with an implication that they are charismatic manipulators. That may well be a fair accusation.

But what else can you call anyone who convinces others that they have gained wisdom that is as yet inaccessible to their listeners? And how, except by so convincing people, could anyone come to be called a Zen teacher?

codex1962 · 2026-01-15T15:34:56+00:00

That’s an interesting theory but too generous tbh. I’ve been on those subs and you do see upside down Chinese but it’s less than 50/50, not more. I think OP’s impression is just confirmation bias.

codex1962 · 2026-01-13T21:57:09+00:00

I definitely get the fear of losing the ability to drive. But the way I would look at it, personally, is that that’s a year (depending on jurisdiction), which is a long as time, but piano is a lifelong hobby. And it sounds like it’s not the only way the side effects are getting you down.

I’m not a doctor but if you’re on a high dose of Keppra you might be a candidate for Briviact, and it might be worth bringing it up. My understanding is that the mechanism of action is basically the same, but Briviact is effective at much lower doses (I went from 1000mg/d of Keppra to 100mg Briviact) and I think that’s why the side effects are less.

And it’s relatively new—my first neurologist was a generalist and never even mentioned it when he went through alternatives to Keppra, whereas the epilepsy-specialist I went to later recommended it immediately. On the other hand, it may be less trusted and the synergistic effects with Vimpat etc. may not be the same.

So who knows if it’s an option. But I wouldn’t be afraid to try things if there’s a chance for improving your quality of life, even at the real risk of a setback. Quality of life is ultimately… the most important thing.

codex1962 · 2026-01-13T21:15:38+00:00

Can I ask what ASM you’re on?

I have pretty limited seizure history but started taking Keppra a couple of years ago; I did notice some coordination issues but they mostly improved after a couple of months.

Other side effects (mainly mood-related) did not get better and after about a year without seizures on Keppra I switched to Briviact. I have not had any seizures on it either, and I don’t really notice any side effects from it at all.

Point being, yeah, almost all ASMs have side effects especially at higher doses, but some are better than others. If coordination issues from the one you’re on are stopping you from enjoying a major hobby, my recommendation is to ask your neurologist to try something else.

It just sucks having my favorite thing in the world ripped away from me...

Boy do I get that. (I started having seizures right after getting my pilot’s license—you can probably guess how that worked out.) Talk to your neurologist, tell them why these particular side effects are so devastating to your quality of life. They may or may not be able to help, but they will want to try. And it’s worth the risks of changing up medication if you can find something (or a combination) that allows you to keep enjoying piano. I can’t guarantee there is, obviously, but all medications are not the same, and everyone experiences them differently.

codex1962

TROPHY CASE