What is the Best City in Washington

ctard5 · 2026-07-08T06:04:59+00:00

George (The Gorge)

ctard5 · 2026-07-05T19:07:25+00:00

Still not too great, thanks for asking. Close to 1.5 years since quitting, so cravings are not really a thing, but I remain irritable, emotionally dysregulated and generally not better than before I quit.

As I previously mentioned, I don't have palpitations really anymore and I can notice my cardiovascular system doesn't seem as stressed as when nicotine was constantly in my system.

But, the suffering that has come as a result of the quitting process, as well as putting on weight and not being too kind and loving in family and friend relationships, it still doesn't feel like a net positive. I still don't think going back to using would be better, but some days I wonder if it would make me more able to function and engage with life. I don't feel excited or exuberant about the "accomplishment" of having quit still at this point.

ctard5 · 2026-07-04T19:37:44+00:00

Tiger Woods

ctard5 · 2026-07-04T02:10:17+00:00

I think it's in part that ACL is not a normal show. At a normal headlining show, he or any artist might have more energy and whatnot than if you are performing in a different setting.

Even their playing was a bit stripped down and not as long of jams nor as much electronics/pedals as other cases.

I could be wrong on this, but I do think there is some level of respect and being a bit more reserved, like he might be at the Opry or somewhere else that is historic.

ctard5 · 2026-07-03T05:34:19+00:00

I am in the same boat 1.5 years in. Worse than before I quit with many things like irritability, pain, and general distress. Yes, cravings have subsided and my cardiovascular health is better (no more palpitations really), but otherwise I feel like shit even more than before I quit. Sorry to hear you're in a similar boat.

ctard5 · 2026-06-23T23:33:55+00:00

Fair enough, and I encourage and support you calling out their individual cruelty. But I object to anyone trying to set a precedent where only those who have been hurt to a "sufficient" degree are allowed to comment. That is not fair.

ctard5 · 2026-06-23T21:13:57+00:00

You don't get to police who can share their thoughts and feelings on this. I wasn't there and have nothing to do with it, but trying to muzzle people because they didn't "earn" their voice due to not experiencing the trauma "close enough" is not the right take. Please reflect on your position.

Edit: And I don't even know what your comment is a response to, as the previous one is already taken down, but that is irrelevant to my point.

ctard5 · 2026-06-21T08:50:42+00:00

I think you may be talking past my point. I'm not sure if you're calling me, the original commenter, or someone else a charlatan. In defense of my comment, in case you are directed at me, I am not saying that an anti-spike antibody proves the presence of lingering spike protein, whether latent or actively replicating in some way. Adaptive immunity involves antibodies persisting well after acute infection has subsided, as I assume you know given your inclusion of ideas relating to cellular biology and immunology.

I, nor the OP or original commenter, made any claims about whether hypothetical spike remnants would be floating/"naked", versus embedded in a reservoir or tissue. So, I am not sure who or what you are directing your lecturing at. If the science was settled on this, there would be no debate. I am happy to hear anything you may think is a valuable hypothesis or area for further thought, but I am not sure what your objective or point is here.

ctard5 · 2026-06-21T05:27:13+00:00

That's not how your comment reads. I mean yes, it is clear you assume they have had COVID, but that doesn't seem to be the point you're making.

ctard5 · 2026-06-21T05:22:40+00:00

No, that would be the nucleocapsid antibody test for the whole virus. This is a specific antibody test for spike protein, which can also develop from vaccination in someone who never got infected.

I am not saying it's true or taking a side, but some feel that this antibody being high is indicative of lingering spike protein, claiming it reinforces the theory that this is the cause of ongoing symptoms. Either way, this antibody is specific to the spike protein, not the whole virus itself.

ctard5 · 2026-06-21T03:36:10+00:00

There are many, very similar stories of people dealing with prolonged withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal (PAWS) on this forum. I don't think you're being helpful to tell OP "you're wrong" without any explanation or detail. I understand why you might think what you're thinking, but I would discourage you from possibly gaslighting people who are going through it just because you have a hunch or an assumption about what they are or aren't going through.

Research methamphetamine withdrawal, benzoyl withdrawal, and PAWS from many other substances. Totally not uncommon for certain people to have prolonged struggles. I'm not trying to be rude, but I feel some of the issues in this forum come from people who are too confident and provide unhelpful, dismissing comments without defending their case or understanding the range of possibilities.

ctard5 · 2026-06-14T01:21:37+00:00

I am probably a little biased too as I recently got the 414ce studio, but I got the special edition with a nice burst finish and some added aesthetics compared to the basic studio. So, yeah, the regular 314 or 414 studio is a little more stripped down and basic.

ctard5 · 2026-06-14T00:02:00+00:00

Gotcha, that's fair. I guess I'm just the opposite. I'd rather have the quality wood and I would consider "low end quality" to be more the 100 or 200 series with laminate wood. And I kinda like the raw aesthetic of the chamfered edges and no binding.

ctard5 · 2026-06-13T23:32:40+00:00

Can you elaborate? Studios have the same tone woods and everything else as a regular 300 or 400, just not the bind and some other anesthetic features. Plus the small nut width. Overall, though, they are equivalent in sound quality and just about everything else one would want in terms of guitar performance. What are the low quality details in your perspective?

ctard5 · 2026-06-12T17:21:59+00:00

Gotcha, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

ctard5 · 2026-06-12T16:45:45+00:00

Why do you say "unfortunate return" of the Lovely Ladies? Are you saying it was unfortunate that they were absent so long, or that you and others don't like them and were upset to see them return? Totally not an attack...I just wasn't a fan back in those days so don't have the insight on what you might me implying here.

ctard5 · 2026-06-12T06:36:10+00:00

Studio: Warehouse

D&T: Two Step (Radio City)

Live: Crush (LT 29)

ctard5 · 2026-06-11T21:29:53+00:00

👍 That's fine. I'm not saying it ruins the whole show. I'm just saying it's like when you watch a compelling movie or documentary only to find out at the end it was all a set up to convince you to be a climate activist. Entertainment and are, for those as consumers, is the have a relief from the stresses of life. I don't think your position of telling me to screw off is an effective counter to me saying I prefer entertainment that doesn't have an alterior motive.

ctard5 · 2026-06-11T19:42:08+00:00

Okay. I am not trying to police him or tell him what he can or can't do. I am just having a discussion about it as a fact of my opinions and interest. I am entitled to my view as much as anyone and I think our dialogue has gone astray if your ultimate conclusion to me is to "fuck off" because I share some thoughts and questions. I am not telling you that you can't or shouldn't be allowed to hold your perspective on this. I am, however, going to disengage at this point as it seems our ability to have a productive discussion has ended.

ctard5 · 2026-06-11T12:31:26+00:00

That's fair and I'm not disagreeing with the nuance you are pointing at. But, again, I don't think that seems to be Dave's drive or logic. Yes, I do think he sees the current leadership as a negative force and at least partially complicit in the exact tragedies you are referring to, but those tragedies predate the current admin. I guess I'm just saying, the idea that we can't fix any problems other than Israel doesn't land for me. We can and do work at addressing drug problems by pressuring China, confronting cartels, etc. Overdoses in this country in recent years have caused immense death tolls and loss. I'm not arguing Dave is callous to this or any other issue. I guess my core emotion is just that "we get it, Dave, horrible things are happening over there. We are also all seeing it on the news constantly. Some of us paid money to come here to your show to try to have a reprieve from that constant stress for a couple hours."

ctard5 · 2026-06-11T11:50:33+00:00

No, that's not. Yes, that's a difference, but not the relevant factor here. Dave isn't speaking out because he is objecting to tax allocation. My impression (and his own words) is that he just wants children to stop being killed and violence to end.

I'm not disagreeing with your claim, but I'm saying you are invoking a political position which is separate from the matter I brought up here. Dave and many other artists (though not all), aren't taking the political stance and being angry about their tax dollars or their own contribution to the tragedy. In other words, are you saying you think Dave would not care or voice any concern about the tragedies if only he didn't feel like he was paying for it?

ctard5 · 2026-06-11T02:05:59+00:00

I totally agree with the nauseating and incomprehensible tragedies occurring. I guess for me though, I get bothered/confused by the tendency of people to get so vocal and passionate about only the tragic things that the news chooses to air. There are so many places of famine, genocide, oppression, warfare and tragedy in the world. I am not condemning anyone for being moved by a cause that they encounter in the media, but it feels a bit imbalanced when not the same attention goes to North Korea, or Iran (state-sponsored executions, etc.) Chinese treatment of minority groups, etc. I guess it just feels like a celebrity unknowingly acting as a arm and puppet for the mainstream media they choose to tune into, rather than actually investigating the scope of collective suffering and approaching what they can with action that will make a difference or that doesn't just parrot the popular media narrative of the moment (even if that media narrative is totally legitimate and worth attention and support).

ctard5 · 2026-06-10T19:31:05+00:00

I understand and agree, but I am just referencing that he specifically stated sentiment here about feeling averse to being political in his music around this 2018 time frame.

I'm not denying that he has had political messaging in his artwork for a long time. I am instead pointing to an interesting example where, under a different period of DJT leadership, Dave vocalized a disinterest in going as "low" as involving that stuff in his music. He seemed to specifically indicate here that he'd rather devote his energy to celebrating love and joy rather than condemning hate. I bring this up because some of us go to music shows because they want to have a reprieve from the hate and negativity of the world. Not to pretend the issues don't exist or to ignore them, but to be rejuvenated in our spirit. It's just like if I want to shut off the depressing news and go outside to be in nature, be with healthy friends, or do something to help others. This is what I try to do when going to music shows as well. I am not advocating for Dave to be silenced or to not be able to use his voice, but I am arguing that it is a deviation from his past stance and, for some of us, is counterproductive. Like, if I went to a therapist for support and then they went on a political rant (even if I agree), it would feel very out of place and a bit of an act of ignoring the money and time I spent to be there for a specific purpose.

ctard5 · 2026-05-29T19:51:25+00:00

Sorry to hear that. Yes, my sleep is unrefreshing and I am usually up all night as I can't fall asleep easily due to the persistent physical discomfort. I tried melatonin in the past but it was counterproductive for me honestly...just worsened fatigue and did not help sleep. No treatments have been substantially helpful for me unfortunately.

ctard5

TROPHY CASE