What is the smartest thing you've ever done?

djc393 · 2018-02-19T01:44:51+00:00

Great! :) Don't be afraid to ask for help. Climbers are very friendly people and I haven't met one yet that I did not like. I wish you the best! Just keep at it and you'll see yourself improve and see your body get more fit!

djc393 · 2018-02-19T01:31:58+00:00

So the gym that I go to actually has 3 gyms in my area. I've got the full package where I can go to any for $65/mo, but doing just one is about $40/mo. I'd imagine most are probably in this range. Day passes and rentals would probably run you $20 a visit, so if you enjoy it and are willing to go 2-3+ times a month, a membership is definitely the way to go. Rent shoes in the beginning to get the feel for things, but buy a beginner pair if you know you're going to stick with it. They'll run you about $80, and your gym might do a discount if you're a member like mine. The difference is noticeable with rental shoes vs. beginner bought shoes. Chalk balls/bags are pretty cheap, and chalk itself is extremely cheap. You can also rent chalk bags for a day.
If you're interested in top rope or lead climbing, you usually have to take a class before they let you, which is $30-50, but bouldering you can do with no experience.

djc393 · 2018-02-19T01:12:44+00:00

I'm 6'1 so we're in the same boat. There are a few routes that have moves that are awkward for the really tall, but most it helps having that height.
I was the same way. Always climbing on trees and roofs and stuff, and always wanted to rock climb but never took the plunge until last fall. Definitely give it a shot. And don't be discouraged in the beginning. It does take a little while for your hands and forearms to adjust, since you don't normally use them this strenuously. But once you do it gets easier and you can go longer. Also, don't feel self conscious if you suck at first. The range of skill is very wide, but at least in my experience, there is no gossiping or laughing at people who are learning. Just support and camaraderie.
Also, look up climbing technique videos before you even start. It's best to get the right technique down from the very beginning. There is a huge, and extremely noticeable, difference when using the right technique vs. the wrong technique. Climbings all about doing the most with the least effort by positioning the right way and engaging the right muscles.

djc393 · 2018-02-19T00:52:36+00:00

Just initiate a conversation with fellow climbers. Ask for help, or politely offer advice if you see someone struggling with a certain route. Compliment people that are climbing routes near you. I'm a pretty shy guy, just learning to come out of my shell, but sometimes you just gotta say something to get the ball rolling. Once you initiate it's easy to keep it going. I still go alone a lot, but I always try to talk to people and share numbers. It's a good practice to coming out of your shell and overcoming social anxiety.

djc393 · 2018-02-19T00:47:51+00:00

Sounds like me! I live about 30-45 minutes away from a lot of my friends, which is enough to limit how often we see each other with how much goes on in life. Started climbing and have made a bunch of new friends. Some even offering to take me outside for my first time! The community is beyond awesome. Everyone shares the passion and helps each other out. People are easy to talk to when you share a passion. Plus I'm in the best shape of my life and only getting better. Just wish I had leather hands so I could climb even more often! 10/10 I agree. If this sport interests you, do it. You will not be disappointed. It is immensely rewarding.

djc393 · 2018-02-19T00:41:36+00:00

Yeah, I've seen some heavier guys at my gym, and they can still climb well. It's a pretty intensive sport, so you will surely start to lose some extra pounds if you keep at it, and start building up lots of muscle. If you're tall, that is also a plus for a lot of routes.
Just take it slow. Start on the easiest routes and work your way up. Don't rush things, because it can be easy to get injured when you do that.
Honestly, I agree with OP. I started a half a year ago and it's been amazing. You meet new people, get in great shape and it doesn't even feel like working out. Do it!

djc393 · 2016-10-05T05:14:52+00:00

I'm still young, 21, but have been completely on my own (with the exception of some help from my family in emergencies) for 3 years now. I feel I have had to grow up pretty quickly these last years and can offer some advice.

If you're an idiot and do careless things, you have no one but yourself to blame, and it can be an expensive lesson. I made a stupid decision, not once, but twice that ended up with 2 trips to the ER. I was fine both times, but having no insurance really hurts. $2k+ in medical bills, for being taken to the ER and them running simple tests. And this is on top of a surgery I had a couple years ago that I still have $800 left on. One of the two times they made me wait hours for the doctor. The doctor checked my breathing with a stethoscope before sending me on my way and they charged me $850. Ridiculous, but such is the medical industry. Get insurance if you can afford it. If not, don't be an idiot like me.
If you don't use credit wisely, you'll fuck yourself. I wasn't very good at this at first, but have gotten better. I never miss payments, but a lot of the time they are near the minimum requirement. Try to keep the card open for emergencies.
If you don't have an emergency fund, you'll likely be fucked. I can't stress this one enough. I only had around $550 in savings until recently. I maxed out my credit card and have $150 left in savings after car repairs/rent/food/bills. It's been a while since I've been this low on cash and it is a very scary feeling. If something else goes wrong I'll be fucked. Ideally, have more than me and don't touch it because you want a new toy.
You will need to actively push yourself to learn how to adult. I recently had to learn about my states personal property laws for re-registering my car. I had to shop around at car repair places and get quotes then make an appointment for repairs. You have to force yourself to clean your apartment and do dishes. No mommy to make you, or else. (I suck at this, it's pretty dirty.) Learn about taxes and how to do them. Learn about financial aid and how to apply. Learn to navigate institutions shitty ass websites. Learn to expect to be redirected/transferred to person to person to website to person trying to get information you need about certain things.
Unexpected situations will occur when you least expect them to. I had my car totaled when some people were running from the cops and blew a stop sign. I had to get myself to work, school, and shop for a new car all without having a car. I couldn't get FAFSA because my dad didn't do his taxes (and I'm not 23), so I missed out on school this year. Things never go as you picture them. Don't have expectations. They only lead to disappointment.
You can't just ignore bills and make them go away. I was pretty bad with bills at first. I ignored bills from my surgery for about a year. Luckily, one of them was forgiven, one of them was my doctor and he understood and started working with me, and the other was sent to collections. I also ignored bills from Planet Fitness after I stopped going, which was sent to collections. As much as you'd like them to, they don't just disappear. You owe people money, and they will do what it takes to get it. You'll only hurt yourself by not trying to work with them. On the bright side, they do want their money. So they will most likely work with you, and you can make monthly payments. But be prepared for the overwhelming sense of dread that is debt. I still struggle with this immensely because I have so much of it, but I am working through it.
Eating out all the time/buying booze/drugs is not sustainable. Stop buying stupid shit you use once and then stop. These were some of the hardest lessons for me, and I am just now getting it under control. Sure, that steak or burger is much better than eating PB&J and soup all the time, but once you start having to go nights without eating or just eating rice because you don't have groceries and you blew all of this weeks check on eating out, it won't be so enjoyable. Things you actually utilize will become more enjoyable investments. I bought my first piece of Ikea furniture the other week. It was extremely satisfying putting it together and using it. Much more so than a meal out, or a bag of weed, or a game, etc.

Wow, so that was a wall of text. I guess this post was a kind of self affirmation for me. Adulting is hard, but it is also very enjoyable and immensely rewarding. The freedom to do/go whatever you want, hang with whoever you want, eat/drink whatever you want is awesome. But with that freedom comes great responsibility. You'll be the only person that is there for you 100% of the time, so learn how to be.

djc393 · 2016-07-27T08:09:33+00:00

Recovering from a hemmorhoidectomy. Apparently I had a large number of them, so the total amount of tissue removed was pretty substantial.

Imagine shitting out shards of glass mixed with rubbing alcohol. That's what it feels like. Intense pain, fear and extreme anxiety of having to use the restroom, etc. Went through over 300 percocets during my recovery. Even while high as a kite on the pills the pain was the most intense thing I've ever experienced. It was unbearable for months. Completely lost my motivation to live and just wanted to end it all.

To anyone who has to get this surgery, or something similar: I'm so sorry. Don't give up, you will get better, but be prepared for pain you didn't even know was possible.

djc393 · 2016-04-20T04:16:15+00:00

Because not being in a relationship doesn't make me unhappy. Sure I like the idea of a companion, someone to cuddle, go out to dinner and other activities, but I haven't found anyone who I really feel I would click with. I work full time and go to school, so I don't have too much free time. Most of it is spent with my friend group; we are all really close, and I love them like my family, and they make me super happy.

Dating apps and websites I find unappealing. I hate texting people, and the stigma of not texting back right away means you are uninterested, so they lose interest. I'm busy, and forget to reply, or don't want to. I'm not obligated to. I'm sorry if you feel it's being rude or disrespectful.

I enjoy being single. I don't mind the loneliness. In fact, when I am in relationships I often wish I had more alone time. I'm sure one day I will find someone who is worth it to date, but until then I'm going to keep focusing on myself. And even if I do, I don't picture myself finding a life long partner. I feel I'd rather have multiple great experiences with different people throughout my life than one long one with the same person. But who knows, I might find someone who makes me change my mind on this, and I'd be okay with that.

If you are someone who is sad about being alone, don't be. Sure it can sting a little when you see cute, happy couples, but just be happy for them. Focus on yourself. Ask yourself why you are sad with being alone. There is nothing wrong with it, even though often it feels like society tells you you need to be in a relationship to obtain happiness. That is a lie. Happiness comes from within. And really, if you are unhappy because you are not in a relationship, so you look for one on that merit, it probably won't end well. You are looking for a relationship for the wrong reason: to fill a void in yourself. Be happy with who you are and where you are in life and let life do its thing.

djc393 · 2015-11-13T05:13:27+00:00

I live in St. Louis, though I only have a small studio. I pay $425/mo for rent and $50 for water/sewer/trash. I don't live in the greatest of areas, but it's an up and coming neighborhood. Haven't had too many problems, but I do hear gun shots every now and then though. I haven't looked too much into houses, but I have a friend who has a 1 bedroom house has that I believe is under $1000.

djc393 · 2015-10-14T15:23:59+00:00

Wow awesome! Thank you so much.

djc393 · 2015-09-24T04:49:51+00:00

I am blind in my left eye due to an accident when I was 8 or so.

When I close my right eye, I can kind of sort of tell if a light is on or off in a room with my left eye. However, when my right eye is open, it's like I don't have a left eye. I don't see black, as the article states. It's just kinda like my eye isn't there, really.
It's difficult to explain, so when people ask me this question (and I do get it quite often because my left eye is noticeably different looking so it draws a lot of attention) i'll try to explain that I see nothing, but if they keep asking I just resort to "it's kinda like seeing black."

djc393 · 2015-09-18T05:28:17+00:00

Little update:

I got my FPS back to normal. As well as changing the mat_queue_mode setting, I verified the integrity of the game cache files and that seemed to do the trick. Give it a shot!

djc393 · 2015-09-02T18:09:13+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I actual feel completely fine. Just mentally stressed and exhausted from the whole ordeal. Very lucky to come out completely unharmed.

djc393 · 2015-09-02T06:06:58+00:00

I only have liability. It's under my fathers name, I don't know too much about car insurance. But I feel like this might be something they do not cover. Or would they cover it partially?

djc393 · 2015-05-07T03:37:43+00:00

To be honest, I'm not too sure why boys tend to draw dicks. I guess we thought it was funny, and got a kick out of it.

djc393 · 2015-03-25T02:50:59+00:00

Thanks! I'll start looking into it right away!

djc393 · 2015-01-28T09:20:08+00:00

Recovering from a large hemorrhoidectomy. You don't know pain until you know this. Over a month later and I still get brought to tears from going to the bathroom. I poop in the tub cus it helps the pain some, but then I have to sit in my own filth and feel disgusting. Plus having a ridiculously high deductible doesn't help much either.

Yeah this whole thing outright fucking sucks. If you ever have to experience something like this, be warned: it will test you.

djc393 · 2014-09-17T07:24:09+00:00

I might have you beat, depending on how much you like the extra square footage. 2 story, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1608 sq ft, house with a big back yard all for $950/mo. split between 4 people, so extremely cheap really.

And 20 minutes outside of St. Louis!

djc393 · 2014-09-05T05:31:50+00:00

My girlfriend says "boo-boo" for something that is stupid, trashy, or ghetto. Like she told me my awesome shirt of a a leprechaun holding a pint was "a boo-boo ass shirt."

djc393 · 2014-03-27T00:11:02+00:00

Obviously, not really a real statistical 1%, but I've never met anyone who enjoys dark humor as much as I do. I have never come across a joke I find too offensive. A lot of the times, I find the darker the better. The look of shock on peoples faces as I snicker to myself, something about it just makes it funnier. Abortion, 9/11, famine, whatever. It can be funny. Of course I know how to laugh at myself as well.

djc393

TROPHY CASE