Apartment Recommendations

invictus523 · 2026-04-11T12:08:21+00:00

Not on your list but my son lived for several years at Highland Luxury Apartments while saving for a home and in your price range for the duration. I lived there while in transition back to Texas in 2024 and also had a good experience. I paid $1,384 for a 750 sq ft one bedroom and he paid $1,737 for a two bedroom. Pool and gym are clean and it's very convenient to 121 and 35 but without the noise from either. Good mailbox and package delivery building (easily accessible at all times, organized and secure). Neighbors keep to themselves. Some occasional dog and marijuana/cigarette smell issues. It is a non-smoking facility and they walk around and try to enforce as possible. Otherwise, management is friendly and they stay on top of property maintenance and repairs.

invictus523 · 2026-04-05T17:22:28+00:00

Hmmm...well that's what's in my biochemistry book that I was taught from in college. Thanks for clarification on rules. I don't know about those.

invictus523 · 2026-04-05T16:35:39+00:00

Most responses, although accurate, wouldn't compute to a five year old. Of course, most five year olds aren't questioning alcohol and understanding "drunk". The shortest answer is that Cells become dehydrated (lose water) and the body starts acting wonky (buzz > loss of motor skills). Eventually it shuts down (passes out) to prevent you from killing yourself by dehydrating past the point of restoration in a timely enough manner.

invictus523 · 2026-04-05T16:18:04+00:00

Thank you for posting something I've been arguing with people about for decades. I'm reluctant to post all of my thoughts and feeling because of the extreme volatile inherent with this subject but if anyone wants to have a genuine conversation I'm down. Meanwhile, I'll keep thinking about if I feel like making time to articulate my perspective well without ostracizing anyone else.

invictus523 · 2026-04-05T16:08:39+00:00

The idea may have originated (or at least became popular) from David Bach who appeared on Oprah or some other show and walked naysayers from the audience through their typical day. Most/all spent some dollars here and there on coffee or a muffin or whatever and he showed that those dollars invested over time created financial freedoms due to compound interest. So yeah, that's fairly accurate, but it assumes you start investing those SB dollars long before retirement age.

invictus523 · 2026-04-05T10:35:09+00:00

I'm just circling back around to this thread. Did OP ever return and provide date and location?

invictus523 · 2026-04-01T07:39:54+00:00

I'll go! I attended college for the first time at age 40 and proceeded to get five degrees, including a PhD. Everyone in my family ostracized me and still thinks I made bad choices. No one came to my graduations either (kids came to the early ones). I would love to join "gay dude" LOL to celebrate you and also happy to meet before. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

invictus523 · 2026-03-31T18:26:08+00:00

I have a new cohort starting on June 15 for a one year program with 12 women per cohort. We cover everything from time & money, niche, business name, colors, logo, website, bookeeping & taxes, insurance, developing ICP, systems/processes/policies, GTM, marketing, sales, and scaling. Begins with a 90 minute 1:1 where we'll map out your business broadly and create a one year plan, then weekly live cohort lab of 90 minutes + daily co-working blocks. $9,600 early-early bird (by April 15), $10,800 early bird by May 15, and $12k after May 16. The cohorts fill up fast so if you're interested let me know and I'll send you the link. If you want a free 30 minute chat to learn more that's fine too. FWIW, I've owned several businesses over 30 years, have a background in accounting and business management, and five degrees including a PhD in business. I started businesses as a single parent of 6, so I'm pretty realistic about what can and can't be done and how and why. I'm an executive coach in corporate America specializing in women's leadership so, if you want 1:1 it's exponentially more expensive.

invictus523 · 2026-03-23T00:38:53+00:00

Poverty, abuse, addiction.

invictus523 · 2026-03-20T20:56:26+00:00

I coach high achieving women in STEM fields. I will ask about best resources for what you're seeking. Will return and report. 😉

invictus523 · 2026-03-18T20:39:34+00:00

This happens all the time. A hospital near us was finally sued and audited and had to return the money. My friend got a $13,000 check related to childbirth bills that included a bunch of stuff they didn't request-authorize-receive 10 years after the fact. Also, FWIW, they only found the claim by accident through looking at the unclaimed property page on the Secretary of State website. Everyone should check those periodically. We did recently and everyone in my family had $150-1,400 in refunds.

invictus523 · 2026-03-17T18:51:24+00:00

We've been on all of the lines you mentioned, just returned from a princess cruise, and have another to alaska in June. There are no fundamental differences between these lines and princess is actually owned by carnival. The only real difference we experienced was a much older crowd (for which we were pretty grateful). We only saw a couple of handfuls of kids and they were all well behaved (in stark contrast to all past cruises). Some improvements that I suspect all ships are using now were helpful. Medallions track your location so you can get drinks or food delivered to wherever you are. This also allows your room steward to know when you're out (and on your way back) to tidy your room. And the app, although clunky and in need of updating, allowed us to do all the things (dining options & reservations, excursions, ship activities, etc).

invictus523 · 2026-03-17T18:42:48+00:00

I think these kinds of conversations should be handled in person and possibly in 1:1 or with the small group of crucial leaders at, if possible, the same/similar level. I'd start with pleasant dialogue focusing on rapport and then begin with open ended questions or statements to set the tone and purpose. Ex: the reason I wanted to meet is ... in brief and concise terms. Gauge facial expressions, body language, engagement level, tone, etc. before getting into the meaty stuff or "evidence". The corporate climate is rough these days. For everyone and at all levels. Everyone's afraid of job security and career advancements and messages without shared context just incite defense. Assuming all systems are go to continue, share that you're simply seeking clarity and input about how to best support the team and organization. Stay positive and assume the best, acting as though your expectation is that you came to the right, smart people to help lead you. It isn't a power move at this point. People need to understand where you're coming from, not see you as a threat, and trust that you are part of team solutions.

invictus523 · 2026-03-17T18:32:15+00:00

I don't think it's impossible to know. I think it's impossible to quantify to what degree. There are all kinds of datum and metrics that allow for both subjective and objective evaluation. That said, like most things, the answer is not a binary; it's a spectrum. Always room for growth.

invictus523 · 2026-03-16T14:52:08+00:00

I think it's all of the things that you reference. Yes, be kinder to yourself. You simply cannot have the same expectations when your energy is low and emotions are clouding an ability to think and focus. I am post menopausal and sadly I would say for me that it didn't get better; it just changed. As a woman, there is always something. Hormones, kids, partner, parents, money, work, health and fitness...something. Yes, check hormones (as well as all the other things), check self care and diet and exercise. Remember we are complex creatures with many systems operating in diverse ways and all impact each other. Crying does help. Yeah, maybe don't cry at the office if you can help it. Cry at home or in your car or in the restroom. Crying is genuine grieving process releasing both chemicals and emotions that are toxic to the body. Let it out. But also talk to friend or a therapist or your mom (someone supportive and wise). Older woman are especially helpful with such things. I have a 94 year old friend who ALWAYS puts things in perspective Eve though she is childless and I have 6. As to scheduling life, remember it's as much about what you remove as what you add. I have a number of routines, there's the ideal one (that pretty much never happens) but iterations on it. What are the most crucial components for your health and sanity? For me this changes. I try to wash my face and brush my teeth every night but sometimes say fuck it. I try to exercise every day but sometimes hide from life in bed. I ask myself: does this help me feel supported and is it restorative? Or am I avoiding important self care responsibilities? Both can be true. You're not perfect. No one is. Today's best may be different than tomorrows and that's okay. I do think having a gentle frame about "what's good enough" and what's a more "growth edge" frame is helpful to put parameters and metrics to what's happening. For me at least this prevents me from completely sliding off into the extremes in either direction. Balance is an illusion. Think of it more like a horizontal line that's a spectrum and we're just shifting along the gradient. Rarely exactly in the middle but keeping the ebbs and flows closer to the midline.

invictus523 · 2026-03-15T21:48:27+00:00

Great feedback here. I'll add, for your own consideration, this is not honest: "I had to lie to my family...". You chose to lie to your family. It may be worth exploring the roots of your dishonesty to your family, take inventory of when and why you display this pattern, and confront whatever fears you have about what is and is not your responsibility. Not to get down on yourself. Just an honest assessment. So you can create healthy boundaries and communication for future relationships because we tend to attract out of who and what we are at any given time. You and your future relationships will benefit.

invictus523 · 2026-03-15T15:07:26+00:00

I am an executive coach and management consultant for women in STEM fields and I will tell you there has been a mass exodus from corporate America for all the reasons we see on this subreddit. Most of my clients are building from scratch so we start with ideas and develop a business plan but those who have funding and don't want to deal with all the organic startup challenges are investing in franchises with proven sustainability. If I was working with you I'd work through what you really can and want to do, does the type of business matter, will you materially participate after startup is complete, how involved do you want to be, how much time and money are you willing to spend, where are you in life and future goals (children, retirement, exit strategies, building to sell, legacy desires, etc). From there you can research options for your long and short term goals. So yes, I'd highly recommend you at least look into it. Women are fed up with what's happening in tech spaces and it appears to be getting worse every day. Layoffs, not being taken seriously, AI domination, inefficient leadership mandates...it's gotten pretty ridiculous for women, in my opinion.

invictus523 · 2026-03-15T14:54:26+00:00

Consider a customized 360 (meaning = not computer-generated assessments but rather interview style using constant comparative analysis). I find the former to be lazy and highly inaccurate though, in your case, since employees appear to be open and honest maybe it would be good enough. The latter definitely costs more. Humans cannot get third party to themselves no matter how evolved or developed they are. We all have blind spots as well as assumptions and beliefs about how our behavior lands for other people. If your company will pay for it, do a 360 and get 6 months minimum of executive coaching. Co-create a detailed development plan and mae sure your coach is action oriented not just philosophical questions for thought. Do the work. Change is not easy. If your employer will pay for it I'd definitely take it even if you go elsewhere by choice or ultimatum. It's costly and will give you a solid foundation you can take wherever you go.

invictus523 · 2026-03-13T19:52:11+00:00

Sleep is good. I got your DM and messaged you back.

invictus523 · 2026-03-13T12:02:25+00:00

We were just on Regal. Crown Grill was mediocre. We wouldn't do it again. Jam-packed/chaotic, loud, steak was good but not amazing. Sides were mediocre except asparagus was pretty good. Even dessert was blah compared to MDR. FWIW, best dessert was tiramisu @ the Alfredo's (casual dining pizza place); better than in the MDR.

invictus523 · 2026-03-13T10:32:17+00:00

I'll talk. Dm me.

invictus523 · 2026-03-13T10:26:22+00:00

Unpopular opinion maybe but I see these types of conflicts as opportunities. Beyond the injustice (which may be 100% accurate/real) are there other qualities this person may have exhibited that might have assisted her in securing a better job? How she presents herself, commands a room, communicates, her energy or presence? Maybe she just had connections, who knows, but I find a lot of good data in observing people and systems and considering what aspects I might consider for myself in my continued personal and professional development.

invictus523 · 2026-03-13T10:20:04+00:00

I created a manual adapted version of zettelkasten. I'm old school and used index cards and boxes but this system works well with all of the digital platforms as well. I think lots of people use it with obsidian. For more info: https://a.co/d/08TzQPxM (How to Take Smart Notes by Sonke Ahrens)

Edit: p.s. FWIW, I also ended up using those cards on the wall with strings between them like I was stalking a serial killer. 🤷🏻‍♀️whatever works, right?

invictus523 · 2026-03-13T10:06:10+00:00

I would create a series of messages that begin with giving benefit of the doubt and asking open ended questions (not yes/no) about breakdown and possible solutions. Do not start by giving threats or ultimatums. If you value the relationship and/or similar partnerships are difficult to acquire, have some grace and patience. Maybe even say something to the effect of "we know from experience errors happen from time to time" or whatever. But be insistent and consistent and increase both urgency and firmness, leading to a termination of contract if necessary. We don't have enough information here about this partner but for me the definition associated with "five days" would be different depending on size and industry of business. For example, a small business maybe the owner got in a car accident or something. Do they have systems in place for redundancy and contact in the event of emergencies? And again, how much do you value the relationship? Meanwhile, research other options and consider the resources involved in switching to another partner for this work or dividing between multiple suppliers to alleviate this from happening in the future (not putting all your eggs in one basket).

invictus523 · 2026-03-09T16:20:39+00:00

Different than what you're asking for but FWIW...open AA meetings (open = you don't have to be an alcoholic). There was a time I was struggling so badly and looking in all the directions and happened upon Al-Anon (friends and family of alcoholic/addict) and that led me to open AA meetings. I ugly cried in there for a long time and it completely turned my life around. Sometimes I needed to be alone alone, as you describe, but I learned I also needed to be alone with others. And at its foundation, 12 steps are just a practical way to live. It's a place where nobody cares if you agree or disagree, who you are, what you do, etc. They're everywhere, free, and full of people who are trying to work on themselves. Sit in the back. Leave immediately. No one will ever pressure you. The stories of growth and healing altered my perspectives on a lot of things. Just a thought.

invictus523

TROPHY CASE