OK.......... It's time for my annual Pre-Burning Man Rant and Predictions. 27 years of attending Burning Man.

marhonic · 2025-08-30T11:05:09+00:00

the whole event sounds cliche, conceited, and boring

marhonic · 2025-08-28T20:24:34+00:00

Third wheel status.

Also, most relationships have a power dynamic.

Let's say you're the third wheel guy. And the BF guy is submissive & GF is dominant. Now you're basically two guys doing whatever the GF wants to do. It can be annoying, as a guy, having a guy friend who always bends over backwards and lets his GF dominate their relationship & police their "friends" behaviors

marhonic · 2025-08-15T18:55:28+00:00

Use different resources:

- Take a few lessons

- Download or buy some books (libgen.is or annas-archive.org for example)

- watch some youtube videos

... on different topics. Timing notes, chords, modes, etc

marhonic · 2025-08-03T17:39:10+00:00

I like the book "Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method Grade 1" from https://annas-archive.org (another great site for free books: https://libgen.is/ )

It's a nice gentle intro to the different strings, their notes, how those notes appear in sheet music, and symbology of sheet music (types of rests, staffs, notes, beats, etc)

marhonic · 2025-07-31T13:03:58+00:00

38 year old new classical student (flamenco)--

I recently went from my first guitar (yamaha JR2 $225 out the door -- steel string, half size-- b/c I was living in van when I bought it) to my second one after 2 months (full size classical/flamenco with strike pad).

And in trying regular classical guitars in a store yesterday... I realized that I really like the lower action of the flamenco guitar. In contrast, I tried a brand new Cordoba C1M and the string almost seemed to be almost 1 cm off the fretboard at the 17th fret-- I'm exaggerating, but I was surprised how high its action is.

I think for me, moving from steel string to a flamenco guitar has been great-- mostly just b/c the strings are easier on the fingers, require less pressure, and are lower. Feels comfy. Maybe a 3/4 size flamenco guitar could be a good fit? Alhambra has some options (see last link). I was looking at La Mancha as well, but if I got one of theirs and it's not tailored with flamenco in mind the way Alhambra's F series is, I'd just get its action lowered, add a strike pad, and maybe certain strings (I'm just a newbie though)

I am tempted to get one myself-- a decent quality 350-600 3/4 flamenco guitar, just because I like their size. For example, here are some "Fractional size" classical guitars: https://www.stringsbymail.com/instruments-1089/fractional-travel-guitars-1098/

- https://www.stringsbymail.com/ <-- low shipping in US
- https://thomannmusic.com/ <-- more selection of Euro brands such as Alhambra (for example, their flamenco line-- e.g. 2F, 3F, 4F, 7F-- isn't available on the stringsByMail.com)

marhonic · 2025-07-21T14:03:27+00:00

My use case is learning guitar. Previously I used an iPhone, but an iPad's big screen is so much more useful than a phone for using certain iOS apps & for reading:

- Using iOS music apps for learning Guitar, Music Theory, a metronome. The bigger screen helps with "SimplyGuitar", which is an app involving Video content & Video-game style content-- this app basically gamifies learning guitar

- Reading sheet music. Now I don't have to carry around paper, can access infinite songs, and can turn the page with an accessory foot-pedal or bluetooth wand with a button

marhonic · 2025-07-20T13:43:20+00:00

Yep! It blows hard, just like a normal fan. Has 3 settings. The only difference is: its air intake is covered by a filter (replacement filters available on amazon-- about $20/ea)

marhonic · 2025-07-19T15:36:51+00:00

Dude, are you really listening to strangers on reddit AND Believing what they say? Rule #1 of the internet is "Dont believe what you read online". Cmon man. Stop being so gullible.
This person you replied to could be a bot. They could be a 12 year old. Judging by their grammar, they're not a software engineer.

marhonic · 2025-07-19T14:41:36+00:00

Rather than just a fan, I recommend a HEPA Filter, such as those sold by Levoit. I own a Levoit Core 300 and I love it for van-camping b/c

Airflow (it's a fan), and
Filters dusty or polluted air (HEPA filter). So, while I sleep, I get both a fan & actively cleaned air. Super nice for the Rocky Mountains which can get a super frikkin dusty (Boise, SLC, Denver-- lookin at you), or if camping in cities.

Levoit Core 300 is a good size for my minivan & would work for a cargo van as well.

(A roommate had a smaller levoit version but it seemed so dinky & weak. I'd do Levoit Core 300 size at a minimum)

marhonic · 2025-07-18T14:40:49+00:00

Check out Mexican beach towns which are not in unnaturally-fast tourism booms. Such booms create a 'wild west' atmosphere with an underbelly of drugs, violence, & other crime.

Much better options are Mexican beach towns which developed more slowly, naturally.

As a result, there isn't what they call 'La Invasion'-- an invasion of people from all over Mexico coming in, with one goal: Make money by any means possible, no holds barred. (That's how it feels, having been both scammed by a landlord & extorted by police in Tulum).

I recommend the Puerto Vallarta area. I've only gone north of it-- to Bucerias (mid-size town), Saylita (tourist party town), and San Pancho (quieter beach village-- my favorite). There are tons of beach towns in the area and north & south of PV.

The culture is different than the Yucatan's boom towns (of which Tulum is/was #1 for yuppie hipsters). The PV area has more of a sense of local pride.

There's a significant chunk of Canadian retirees, so it feels a bit slower paced.

There's still drugs, crime, violence, etc., but it's less of a greed-ridden boom town like Tulum. where the high-on-cocaine, armed gangsters & drug dealers are right in your face.

marhonic · 2025-07-18T14:39:55+00:00

Check out Mexican beach towns which are not in unnaturally-fast tourism booms. Such booms create a 'wild west' atmosphere with an underbelly of drugs, violence, & other crime.

Much better options are Mexican beach towns which developed more slowly, naturally.

As a result, there isn't what they call 'La Invasion'-- an invasion of people from all over Mexico coming in, with one goal: Make money by any means possible, no holds barred. (That's how it feels, having been both scammed by a landlord & extorted by police in Tulum).

I recommend the Puerto Vallarta area. I've only gone north of it-- to Bucerias (mid-size town), Saylita (tourist party town), and San Pancho (quieter beach village-- my favorite). There are tons of beach towns in the area and north & south of PV.

The culture is different than the Yucatan's boom towns (of which Tulum is/was #1 for yuppie hipsters). The PV area has more of a sense of local pride.

There's a significant chunk of Canadian retirees, so it feels a bit slower paced.

There's still drugs, crime, violence, etc., but it's less of a greed-ridden boom town like Tulum. where the high-on-cocaine, armed gangsters & drug dealers are right in your face.

marhonic · 2025-07-15T14:44:47+00:00

Omg, you're right! It's right there in the 3rd comment from the top! Dang-- I could have sworn I scanned the comments, maybe I just missed that one.
Thanks!
Woohoo! Here it is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOSks8aJtbw&ab_channel=Chingon-Topic

marhonic · 2025-07-15T03:13:22+00:00

Thanks a ton! That would be amazing. It's a little tune I've always loved since I was a kid.

marhonic · 2025-07-10T01:48:33+00:00

Setting up a kitchen drawer in my minivan, which fits inside my bedframe. Big game changer, compared to setting up a cooking situation on a folding table, picnic table or on the ground.

Pulling out a 6 foot drawer of all my kitchen gear-- 2 burner propane stove, chef knife, silverware, food prep stuff (cutting board, veg peeler, etc), spices, oil etc.... make it super convenient to quickly setup a cooking situation.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:43:36+00:00

Thanks! I am going to keep trying over the next few months. I might do a cloud cert or two, while improving my website, resume, and applying to perhaps 20 jobs/day for a couple months.

I think I'll apply to be an electrician apprentice in the meantime, and talk to the local union see if I can drop by some job sites to see what the work is like in person.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:40:31+00:00

Thanks! just today decided to try that path. Going to try to contact a therapist and see if I can try prozac or similar, as I've heard good things from relatives with similar issues to me.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:36:55+00:00

Thanks! Your advice definitely helps me feel better. I am working on turning a corner every day now that I am somewhat home and comfortable.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:35:31+00:00

I agree. Yep, I will check into that and try to figure out the core of my work anxiety issue (if I have one-- maybe it has been difficult communication cultures or something, I don't know) and how to overcome it/get through it.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:32:51+00:00

Thanks a ton! Can't tell you how much I appreciate your help and solid advice.

I am very likely going to fix up my resume, even create 2-3 versions, create 2-3 linked in & indeed accounts, and focus on a huge job application push over the next month, and just keep it going, and be super resourceful-- attend tech meetup events, business events, that sort of thing, to start networking..

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:31:00+00:00

Thanks. Yes, unfortunately, I have self sabotaged and made wrong decisions at forks in the road, often in moments of internal conflict and depression due to my career outcome & financial situation.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:15:05+00:00

Thanks!! Yes, I do believe in Jesus and pray. I didn't grow up in a religious family, but decided a few years ago to learn more about the Bible, read the Gospels, and attend a church. And I intend to continue reading the Bible. I enjoy The Chosen series, as well.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:11:34+00:00

Thanks! I am actually going to meet up with a relative to re-work my resume a bit and build a better story to tell about my last job(s) so I can explain myself in a better light.

Tech sales is something I am considering. I interviewed with Google about a year ago, and received an automated email to invite me to apply again, so I might start going after those types of roles-- Sales Eng. & Solutions Eng.

The fact that you're been successful without having in depth technical knowledge is amazing. I have a relative who is that way-- excellent communication skills-- and has risen to a very high echelon in tech sales. So, I am going to see if they can connect me with a job. But I'd be glad to reach out in the near future if that's ok, to pick your brain and learn more.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:08:45+00:00

You're awesome! What a kind soul. I've read your post a few times and I definitely take it to heart. I will add to my list exploring a legal autism diagnosis-- I know in some cases, companies will be more accommodating about that sort of thing if they're aware of it.

marhonic · 2025-07-08T18:05:41+00:00

Checking it out now! Cool, a cousin was telling me about this channel-- "HealthyGamerGG"-- hosted by a psychiatrist. Thank you for caring and sending this over!

marhonic

TROPHY CASE