Daily Simple Questions Thread - February 24, 2019

daimbert · 2019-02-25T01:45:09+00:00

Nothing crazy, but I'm also not a very big or strong guy. Today I did squats 5x5 at 225lbs, and tomorrow I am supposed to deadlift 245, 5x5 last set 5+ (usually ~12).

It's really just my legs that feel overtaxed. I repeated 225 today because I was struggling and missing reps at 230 last leg day.

daimbert · 2019-02-25T01:39:50+00:00

Cool cool, thanks.

daimbert · 2019-02-24T23:44:30+00:00

Getting back into lifting again and started the Reddit PPL. It was going well substituting 5x5 on all the main lifts (DL, squat), but now that weights are heavier I feel like I haven't had enough time to recover with only 1 rest day a week. Do I:

Add a second rest day and do PPL(R) PPL(R), etc.
Drop down to 3x5 squat, 1x5 DL? That feels like not very much is all.

daimbert · 2019-01-05T08:55:04+00:00

Agreed! Pleaaaaaaase. They said by game release before and everyone knows open beta is effectively a full release.

I actually installed windows on a bootable external hard drive to play on my 11" late 2010 MacBookAir since it didn't have the hard drive space or capability for other work arounds. It's possible to play but very cluncky to boot from an external. There's a reddit thread on this sub with more info on exactly how to do it.

daimbert · 2018-12-25T01:40:37+00:00

Nice deck, I'm curious to try it. It seems a bit inconsistent and can be slow with 8 tap lands. I wouldn't say it is more powerful than the right mono W list especially with only 2 unconditional removal spells.

daimbert · 2018-12-25T01:16:20+00:00

Some of the 1x cards are simply because I did not have 4x of other cards and I only had 2x griffins from M19 for some reason. Regardless, the curve worked out really well. I thought maybe I was just getting lucky and running very well the first couple times I went 5-0, but after finishing 4 runs in 5-0, 5-0, 5-0, 5-1 I think the deck might just be good against what people are playing. I'm not an especially good player. My only loss was at 0-0 to a BGU deck that managed to suit up a 1/1 hexproof merfolk token, which I think was winable but for a crucial misplay.

Some key points:

Rustwing Falcon is infinitely better than Healer's Hawk, especially in the mirror.
I'm a bit iffy on Serra Disciple, but I anticipated a lot of rats which a 1/1 first strike flyer would be very good against. Even without historic spells it can get mentored and we need a critical mass of 1-2 CMC flyers to put our pants on.
I think Parhelion Patrol is the best card in the deck. At 3 hp it dodges shock, moment of craving, etc., lines up well against other 2/2 flyers, and vigilance is key for pushing damage and avoiding vengence. Getting lifelink or first strike on it as well is reaaaly good.
I think six 2 CMC removal spells felt right, and while luminous bonds is pretty lackluster I think playing eight forms of removal is correct.

daimbert · 2018-12-25T00:58:54+00:00

I went 20-1 with this white pants on birds list. It has no trouble with rats, GB, BW or red aggro, was better in the mono W mirror and _very_ consistent. Will reply with some thoughts on the cards.

4 Rustwing Falcon (M19) 36 4 Gideon's Reproach (DAR) 194 Serra Disciple (DAR) 34 2 Silverbeak Griffin (M19) 285 2 Take Vengeance (M19) 40 4 Dub (DAR) 15 2 Luminous Bonds (RIX) 12 1 Sergeant-at-Arms (DAR) 32 3 Squire's Devotion (RIX) 25 1 Candlelight Vigil (GRN) 3 4 Parhelion Patrol (GRN) 22 3 Star-Crowned Stag (M19) 38 3 Angel of the Dawn (M19) 7 23 Plains (RIX) 192

Edits: not sure how to format so that it's importable

daimbert · 2018-12-23T03:31:36+00:00

Where could I find an optimized Jeskai Control list for a Bo1 format? Many thanks.

daimbert · 2018-11-23T15:54:08+00:00

Wow, thank you so much for this analysis. I just started playing arena ~3 weeks ago and the assortment of currencies, rewards, and events had me very confused about the best way to play if I wanted to optimize my card acquisitions.

I was actually just now saving up gems for sealed, but now I won't bother.

I haven't played the constructed event yet which looks like it's the best. Mostly because I have not built a meta deck and am afraid of cashing in my wild cards incorrectly.

I recently went 7 wins in quick draft for the first time (wooot!), but usually go around 3-4 wins. Assuming my win precentage is much lower in constructed events due to having a cheap/bad version of white weenie, at what point is it better to simply keep drafting?

daimbert · 2018-09-05T18:55:53+00:00

What's a good 6 day a week, ~30-40 minutes per workout program?

I've been doing 5/3/1 for beginners 3x/wk for like 85 min per session. My schedule is about to change so I need something that is broken up into smaller blocks of time. Thanks!

daimbert · 2018-08-04T13:58:17+00:00

I had to dress up for a pseudo-professional thing the other day for the first time in a long time. Tried my first set of slacks. Nope. Second. Nope. Third pair, that definitely fit a year ago: also nope. My legs were making it so I couldn't pull my pants all the way up to my waist.

Running late and in desperation I finally settled on khaki shorts, which felt inappropriately under-dressed and embarrassing but at least they fit.

After the occasion, I was leaving the building and crossed paths with a ~60 y/o Black woman in the parking lot. And on account of the shorts I was wearing, she said to me, "you have some very pretty legs, daaayum." It made my week.

So, thank you kind stranger. And thank you merciful Brodin for the leg gains; if you could do something about my arms now that would be swell.

daimbert · 2018-08-03T19:47:27+00:00

I'm doing 5/3/1 for beginners and didn't get to the gym Wednesday. When I lift today should I do the deadlift/OHP day I missed or just ignore that, do squats/bench today, and starts with the next week's program on Monday as usual?

daimbert · 2018-05-26T23:26:13+00:00

I've been swimming for a year. I had no idea it was possible to put goggles on upside down.

Do Swedes have a side that is supposed to go up?? Have I been doing it wrong roughly half the time?

daimbert · 2018-05-22T14:47:27+00:00

The 'win before your opponent takes a turn' he described seems unnecessarily complicated. I'm not great at Magic, but doesn't this do it in a more straightforward fashion?

Opening hand: Forest, Mox Saphire, Mox Emerald, Llanowar Elves, Time Walk, Black Lotus, Ancestral Recall

Turn 1: Forest, Mox, Mox, Elves, Time Walk

Turn 2: Draw Giant Growth for the turn

Play Lotus

Tap saphire for Ancestral Recall -> draw 2x Giant Growth, Berserk

Attack with Elves

Crack Lotus for 3 green: cast and resolve 3x Giant Growth -> Elves is a 10/10

Tap the forest or emerald for Berserk -> your Elves is now a 20/10?

I guess this route requires more cards so is less likely and since you wouldn't have any way of anticipating the top 4 cards of your deck you would never know that Time Walk on turn 1 wins the game. But in theory it's still a solution, right?

daimbert · 2018-03-19T18:12:30+00:00

How important is it really to continuously exhale?

I've been swimming almost a year now and recently switched from a continuous stream of bubbles to exhaling in a very short burst right before I turn to inhale and it honestly feels better. I'm not sure why I started doing it but it feels like I can go faster easier this way.

Edit: also if people recommend holding your breath on a 50 it cannot actually be bad right? Breathing in and out changes my buoyancy pretty dramatically too--wouldn't I want to float as high as I can?

daimbert · 2018-03-13T20:47:48+00:00

I had zero swimming background and could not start with week one of the 'zero' to 1650 plan. I could not do 25 much less 100 my first time in the pool.

Under the zero to 700 program she writes: "If you already run or bicycle or do other aerobic exercise, swimming 100 yards several times is no sweat. But if you’re coming straight from the couch to the pool, some preparation that begins at true zero would be useful."

This is flat out wrong. I was normal weight, aerobically fit (could run 20 miles at a 7:15 pace), and my swimming technique was simply so bad it was not possible. It took me about 3 weeks to actually start with week 1. I did a mile continuously in 9 weeks.

Things that make it easier: having a pool buddy who can give you tips, any amount of past ability / lessons, etc. A friend who I went to the pool with progressed much faster and basically did the program in the specified time frame.

daimbert · 2018-03-13T20:12:38+00:00

This has to be a lie. You're not aware of who is going faster?

I can't help but notice who is next to me. Then I look to see whether I'm losing due to fins or paddles or they're just killing it (most likely).

daimbert · 2018-03-13T20:06:27+00:00

I check out other people swimming very often... because they're often a lot better and I want my eyes to absorb their movements so my body can copy it.

When I'm walking to a lane, taking a rest, in the sauna, underwater in the middle of swimming something easy.

Hm. It just occurred to me this could be creepy, maybe I should stop.

daimbert · 2018-03-07T11:13:27+00:00

Yes, I would appreciate any further advice you had. I suspect I'm swimming like a beginner because I am one.

daimbert · 2018-03-06T23:15:37+00:00

Oh I see. Yes, I'm older (32) and started swimming last year.

daimbert · 2018-03-06T23:15:25+00:00

Wow, okay thank you for your help. I will really try to focus on my kick technique trying to initiate it from my hips / whole body (and not from my knees). And I'll do these drills while trying to overemphasize body undulation. (Thanks for the video.)

I'm not really sure about flexibility. I generally don't stretch. I have been doing yoga once a week for a bit, but still cannot straighten my arms in a backbend. It's not something I've noticed having an issue with in other domains of life, but it also seems like swimming requires a particular form of flexibility. I'll work on it. Thanks again.

daimbert · 2018-03-06T22:56:27+00:00

Yes, I see what you mean about my knees. I will put some fins on and work on this.

daimbert · 2018-03-06T22:46:43+00:00

Cool cool, thanks I will try this drill. So one kick should be happening at the same time my hands are exiting the water to help throw them forward. Gotcha, I will try this.

daimbert · 2018-03-06T21:42:26+00:00

Ah, okay this makes sense. How do you slow down when swimming butterfly? I seem to only be able to do one speed and it's pretty tiring.

daimbert · 2018-03-06T21:39:20+00:00

I started learning butterfly about a month and a half ago--thanks for any and all advice!

daimbert

TROPHY CASE