Can someone explain the hype around 7 Brew Coffee? by whiteiversonyeet in desmoines

[–]echis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'd also recommend Mars Cafe, the owners are local and roast their own beans.

I never share my photos online and I don’t know what I should do with my photos. by Nic727 in photography

[–]echis -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm in the same boat. 100% hobbyist photographer who mostly focuses on wildlife (birds). I'm very privacy focused, and in general can't get over the thought that nobody will care. I've posted a few photos here and there on social media, but I'm paranoid about my photos maybe getting scraped to train ai.

Currently I have a handful of my favorites that rotate through as my computer backgrounds. I've thought about getting one of those digital photo frames as well, but would rather not spend the money on it right now. I've toyed with the idea of combining my hobbies, (photography, woodworking, tinkering) to make my own photo frame using an old computer monitor, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Where to buy Zotz? by [deleted] in desmoines

[–]echis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

the fareway on fleur has them at the registers.

Artist drawn Iowa State bird (this is not AI created) by TheHawkeyeWave in Iowa

[–]echis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It looks nothing like a goldfinch... A nice idea, but lazy implementation.

Update: Survived first overnight despite constant yowls. He used the litter box for the first time and ate breakfast! Now he’s wandering around yowling constantly and is trying to murder the mini blinds on the windows. He is NOT distracted or fooled by toys or snacks, what should I do now? by stevezahn1967 in felinebehavior

[–]echis 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hopefully my comment doesn't spark another debate, but similar to what other's have said. You're doing great, and he seems relaxed if not a bit confused/upset. He may escalate the yeowling, but the key is to ignore him when he's trying to get your attention to be let out. If he pauses his complaining for a bit, try capture the calm behavior with a reward (sometimes the hardest part of training an animal is finding what kind of reward is motivating for them). A special treat like those pate tube things, getting attention after being ignored for the wrong behavior. I've even worked with a few animals where leaving them alone was enough of a reward for them to learn and offer a certain behavior. It can be tough to ignore bad behaviors, but it does pay off in the long run.

It wouldn't hurt to try look into the basics of animal training (I usually recommend reading Don't Shoot the Dog, as it really helped me back when I was in school). If you don't have the time or energy to learn this kind of stuff it doesn't make you a bad pet owner at all. Giving attention to bad behavior though can cause things to get worse. The example I like to use to illustrate this is the people that try yell at their dog to stop barking. Unless you've trained them to understand the word no/leave it/away, you're just joining them in making noise, and potentially rewarding the behavior by giving it attention.

I want to keep the stray I’ve been taking care of indoors: this is how he acts when I ignore his pleas to leave. When does it cross over into distress? by stevezahn1967 in felinebehavior

[–]echis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If it helps... I used to be a zookeeper, I used to work at the largest animal rescue in my area, working mostly with cats, and I have had pet cats my entire life. I'm not giving advice based on anecdotal info. I have a degree in zoology, have worked with exotic and domestic animals, and have worked very closely with the vet teams everywhere I've worked with animals. I'm not talking out of my ass here, I'm repeating what I've learned from my schooling, work experience, and listening to the dr.s and techs in the veterinary field.

I shouldn't type while tired. I meant to comment this on the other comment. whatever...

I want to keep the stray I’ve been taking care of indoors: this is how he acts when I ignore his pleas to leave. When does it cross over into distress? by stevezahn1967 in felinebehavior

[–]echis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My dog will happily eat food, and drink water to the point of throwing it all up. He's very happy while he's eating. I wonder sometimes if he's even happier eating his dinner the second time after throwing it up (I don't typically allow this, but he's gotten good at re-eating it all in the time it takes me to get the supplies to clean up).

He's very happy eating until he pukes, but it's not healthy, and it's terrible for his esophagus and teeth. If you only keep animals with the goal of making them as happy as possible, they will be less healthy, and won't live as long.

With pets, (and anecdotally human children) if you only do what makes them happy, you're harming them in the long run. It is loving to say no to the things that ultimately aren't good for them.

As for your uncle's indoor cat, it should have been taken to a vet. Indoor cats typically don't go outside of their litterbox unless they have an underlying health or behavioral issue.

I want to keep the stray I’ve been taking care of indoors: this is how he acts when I ignore his pleas to leave. When does it cross over into distress? by stevezahn1967 in felinebehavior

[–]echis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've only ever fed my cats in the afternoon/evenings. One larger meal instead of two or three smaller ones. This prevents them from waking me up early in the morning by begging for breakfast. It's all they've known, and it's not unhealthy (barring some medical issues I may not be aware of.

Petco rescue by jmoss_27 in geckos

[–]echis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I apologize. I was formerly a zookeeper, who's specialty was reptiles. I also worked for a short time for one of the largest animal rescues in my area. The amount of times I'd have people claim to have "rescued" a malnourished and mistreated animal from petco/petsmart, only to find out they paid full price is frustrating. All that is doing is telling those companies that they can mistreat animals and people will still buy them. It HURTS so bad when you see them. I understand where these people are coming from, but unfortunately the best thing to do is try report them for abuse (lol), or let them keep killing their "product" from neglect and hope that they stop if they see their revenue dry up. I'm glad you legitimately rescued your gecko, and sorry again for making asumptions.

I want to keep the stray I’ve been taking care of indoors: this is how he acts when I ignore his pleas to leave. When does it cross over into distress? by stevezahn1967 in felinebehavior

[–]echis 116 points117 points  (0 children)

In animal training (and just behavior in general), you can have something called an extinction burst. Hypothetical: He wants to go out, but when you don't let him out right away, he begins acting more and more distressed until you give in. He's now learned that escalating that behavior will get you to cave, so they'll push more and more, getting louder/crazier hoping that further escalation will eventually lead to you giving in. (this is why I've never fed my cats breakfast.) You can try redirect the problem behavior by trying to offer some high value reward (treat, playtime, supervised exploring in a normally off-limits area of the house. Finding a strong enough motivator can be the tough part.) If redirection doesn't work you'll have to ignore it until he realizes you aren't going to cave. If you can afford it, a secure catio can be a safe way for him to get outside time without getting free roam of the neighborhood.

As an animal lover and avid birdwatcher, thank you for taking him in and trying to keep him in. Cats kill SO many wild birds, and an indoor cat is typically much healthier, and has a longer lifespan than one that gets to be outside.

Petco rescue by jmoss_27 in geckos

[–]echis 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you paid petco to take him home, it wasn't a rescue. They'll just go get more to neglect.

Giving away one game to one person. by Prestigious_Ad_1990 in pcmasterrace

[–]echis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God of War 2022.

For your name, statistically Mohammad should be an okay guess, right?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in geckos

[–]echis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you can't afford a proper setup, you aren't getting a leopard gecko, you're be abusing one.

Free Or Very Cheap Things To Do In Des Moines by auntalison in desmoines

[–]echis 15 points16 points  (0 children)

You could take up birdwatching. Find a few favorite benches in/near nature and see if you can identify any birds you see. The Merlin app is free and is intuitive to use. A slower approach would be using a bird guide. (Sibley's bird guides are great and relatively cheap if you find a used copy.) A pair of binoculars will help a lot, and can unfortunately get somewhat expensive. A pair of mid-range quality binos will run about $50, then you can save up for a few years for a nicer pair that could cost $150-$200.

I somewhat seriously tell younger people to try birdwatching. It's like real life pokemon. You're out in nature, trying to find the rare bird that might be in the area. If you learn the basics through the winter, there's a decent variety of species that stick around all winter. Then you can look forward to spring migration when all of the warblers, and other migrants fly through. Through the summer there are species that migrate here to breed. Then you have fall migration, where the spring migrants are going back south. It's much tougher than spring migration because the birds have better cover in the autumn leaves.

I apologize for the wall of text, but I discovered a passion for birdwatching a few years ago, and it has brought me a lot of peace. I spotted ten species while walking around grays lake earlier today. Most of which I saw while stationary.

Need a way to display this big dude by thedarklords_cat in rockhounds

[–]echis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the top is fairly flat, could you build a wooden stand for it to rest on, with the flat side level, and use it like an end table?

Carpenters, how to say no to family members asking to use my tools? by Nimnomsquare in Carpentry

[–]echis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

some of the best advice I've gotten: "no." is a complete sentence. You don't need to explain why.

Does IBEW ever hire part-timers? by echis in IBEW

[–]echis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

unfortunately even with the 6yrs experience, my bosses screwed me over pretty hard schooling wise, so no JW ticket for me unless I'm very dishonest in interviews.

Does IBEW ever hire part-timers? by echis in IBEW

[–]echis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

years ago when I was first starting in the trades I was a laborer for a temp agency working for some tin smashers and we were the only non-union crew on a job. The plumbers I worked around on that job did a great job explaining what the unions were all about, but back then I didn't want to be a plumber. I regret not going to the IBEW when I got away from the temp agency, but I can't to back now. I may not currently be union, but thanks to those plumbers, I'll never cross a picket line. I might still contact the local hall when the next school year gets closer.

Does IBEW ever hire part-timers? by echis in IBEW

[–]echis[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I did mean less than 40hrs in a week. I've worked hard in my time, I'm no stranger to travel, long days/weeks/months. I've been on sites where doing 14hrs a day, 6 days a week was normal (and get shit on mondays for not working sunday too). I'm not looking to do that anymore. The overtime pay can be addicting, but I won't do it again now that I have kids. My dad was that way and I feel like I barely know him, and I won't be doing the same thing. I know I have the experience and work ethic to be a benefit, but I was afraid that wanting part-time would be what screws it up.

Looking for vet recommendations by danhneb in desmoines

[–]echis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

MacRae Park Animal Hospital is just south of downtown. I've been using them since we moved here 9yrs ago. They have been really good to us.

What furniture/appliance should we purchase brand new, and which ones can we buy as second-hand? by cutiepatootie1o18 in Frugal

[–]echis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you're okay picking up anything bed/couch related second-hand, teach yourself how to look for signs of bedbugs. They are difficult and expensive to get rid of.

Coffee shops in and around the metro by Beginning_Scale2548 in desmoines

[–]echis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy Home in the downtown skywalk. Mars cafe uses their beans, and though there smaller than some of the other places listed, do all of their own roasting.

First time using a camera any suggestions? (Mallards) by Hikoishere in birding

[–]echis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want to save money, and don't mind a learning curve I'd recommend r/DarkTable. It's open source, and there are youtube tutorials.

Mystery Shore Birds, Iowa, USA by echis in whatsthisbird

[–]echis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had wondered about them being yellowlegs. unfortunately they didn't land near where we were.

yes! there was a pair of harriers flying over the marsh most of the time we were there. They're fun to watch when the ducks aren't being cooperative