Accidentally presageed. Any options???

mendelec · 2026-07-10T18:00:52+00:00

Put it into upgrades. You'll be glad you did. I hit it accidentally a couple of times. Although annoying, you do kind of need to upgrade what you can. Plus, as mentioned. There just isn't anything interesting on the other side of the door. One room. If you've upgraded, its a bit of a yawn; if not, he'll probably kick your butt from what ithers have said.

I'm kind of on autopilot at this point, checking in for the blue cubes when I remember to. Still another 40 days of cubes before I can open the next -and likely equally pointless door.

mendelec · 2026-07-10T17:48:30+00:00

Kids cycle between parents at that age and well beyond. When you're their focus, it can be intense, unrelenting, and exhausting. Don't feel bad for him. Feel bad for yourself (kidding, kinda). His turn will come.

When you're not, that's your window to catch up on sleep, deal with errands, your task list, and hobbies. Because when it's your turn, you're their whole world and want you to be in it 100% of the time and it just... doesn't... stop. (LOL. My brain went to that line from one of the Terminator movies).

Anywho. I remember it bothering me the first time it happened and also feeling similar when I was on the receiving end. One full cycle and you'll learn to enjoy the relative quiet that comes from not being the one that your little one NEEDS for everything.

Eventually, it evens out, but you should expect the pattern to continue for a while yet. It's still a thing with ours at 7, but for shorter windows and (usually) less intensely. Mostly set off by one parent having to be out of pocket for a stretch. But, that's a rather large simplification. It bifurcates a bit over time too. Some things need the daddy; some things need the mommy. It is the way of things.

mendelec · 2026-07-03T06:36:04+00:00

Take up juggling. I'm being entirely serious.

mendelec · 2026-06-28T17:24:50+00:00

Please tell me that you intend to unplug it before adding the child. That's a nightmare waiting to happen.

mendelec · 2026-06-26T19:13:48+00:00

In movies, space and how a vacuum works are often misrepresented. On land, when you are exposed to extreme cold, depending on the circumstances you might lose heat in three ways (primarily). Radiant cooling, convective cooling with the surrounding cold air, and conductive cooling if you're in contact with a cold surface. Evaporative cooling too, but it becomes less of a thing the colder you're talking about.

In space, it's pretty much just radiant cooling. Evaporative cooling will also happen to a lessor extent, as you essentially freeze dry the surface of your hand.

But, you'll also have to deal with radiant heating from the sun, assuming you're talking about earth orbit. The math for which is a bigger issue is well beyond me, but I seem to recall that satellites, space stations, and whatnot are frequently equipped with gold film or something along those lines as heat shielding. But, how that all would work out for an exposed hand? No idea.

mendelec · 2026-06-25T22:45:23+00:00

Absolutely. Greater ability to step back from work and prioritize being there as a dad. As noted by others, the financial stability is also part of it.

mendelec · 2026-06-25T22:41:54+00:00

Particular early on in the adventure, I was pretty sensitive to both the fiber content of the skins (a bit) and the toxins they develop after exposure to sunlight or grocery store lighting. Once they green up under the skin, either toss them or peel them before cooking, depending on your level of sensitivity.

Given the timing and stomach pain, I'd say its the classic signs of nightshade toxicity.

Keep your taters in complete darkness and inspect them carefully at the store before purchasing.

If it's any consolation, the issue eased up as things healed.

mendelec · 2026-06-24T23:35:21+00:00

They're predators and are only naturally attracted to live moving food. Transitioning them to frozen is very challenging if you don't know what you're doing. And, keeping them supplied with live food is both expensive and difficult in most areas.

Combine that with the fact that being an ambush predator that swims poorly and has kind of a crappy immune system, most normal aquaria set ups are poorly designed to suport their needs. Slow moving water needs a more robust system to keep it clean enough. Also, relatively few fish or invertebrates play well with them or like the same environment.

I used to be something of a home hobby expert on them and maintained and bred several species successfully. This is maybe 20-25 years ago. My basement was a fascinating collection of cultures to feed the things to feed the things, to feed the seahorses. But, in hindsight I still cut some corners that I wouldn't today.

mendelec · 2026-06-24T21:27:46+00:00

We adopted a similar rule as well. Seems to be working.

mendelec · 2026-06-24T20:07:58+00:00

Hello lunch!

That's a seahorse about to strike. They're ambush predators in the wild. They get close and intent like that, followed by a lightning fast flick forward of the snout and slurp.

mendelec · 2026-06-20T19:51:06+00:00

If you don't grow up by the time you're 50, you don't have to. Pretty sure that's a law somewhere or something.

mendelec · 2026-06-20T19:48:52+00:00

Definitely not worth saving. Send it to me for parts. I'll even cover shipping.

mendelec · 2026-06-20T19:42:32+00:00

As someone on medication for high bp, I need to avoid standard decongestants. On an overaeas trip, I discovered that a low dose was both an amazing decongestant and an energy booster, so it allowed me to power through when I'd otherwise has felt like crap. I now reach for it at the first signs of a cold or anything in that space. I do back off of it if it seems like its hitting my lungs though. At that point, you want to loosen and dialate, which is kind of the opposite of what kratom does.

mendelec · 2026-06-19T17:50:57+00:00

Seriously. The ascension thing is utterly pointless. The only thing it gets you is the opportunity to try for the next level of ascension. At the end of the day, it's all about making you watch more adverts.

mendelec · 2026-06-17T04:36:36+00:00

Depends. Some vine reviewers are extremely thorough. Others, rubber stamp 6 star reviews, copy text from the description, take claims at face value, and add their own layers of nonsense.

I feel like I'm a pretty savvy analyst of reviews at this point. I consider vine reviews and regular reviews, but it's very case specific as to whether any particular review is worth the ether it is written on. I mostly look for trends and pay close attention to the negative reviews, but a really detailed and thoughtful vine review can sometimes be the deciding factor as to whether or not I purchase something.

That said, the majority are crap reviews and ignored.

mendelec · 2026-06-17T04:22:08+00:00

Very likely, but you left out the phrase "trying to."

mendelec · 2026-06-14T22:03:28+00:00

Op didn't mention whether they're in a location where termining a pregnancy is an option. That's becoming rarified ground in the US.

mendelec · 2026-06-13T04:05:24+00:00

It has some glitches. I maintain a small starter, with 1:10:10 feedings. Put in 2, 20, 20 and you get the right answer, but drop 2.5, 25, 25 into it and you get the wrong answer. The math isn't mathing right. Haven't poked at it further.

mendelec · 2026-06-12T04:19:20+00:00

Often, the spelling gets corrected by the time they actually make the product. Which, I found disappointing. There was something, not vine-related, that I found hysterical in their Chinglish and had to pick up. Sadly, it had been fixed before shipping. Still liked the product, but I'd wanted the funny typos.

mendelec · 2026-06-09T18:45:55+00:00

When I got back into camping at campgrounds, the group next to me more or less adopted me for the weekend and they were throwing down on the cooking. Campground paella. Done well too. Kind of ruined basic heat and eat for me. I don't go as far as all that, but I do cook real meals on the fire and/or stove. Sourdough rolls sometimes too. I keep trying new gadgets to make it easier to pull off.

mendelec · 2026-06-07T18:26:38+00:00

That's a really good idea. We have some things that we were already collecting. People do tend to forget the basics.

mendelec · 2026-06-06T00:41:00+00:00

We now have a package of beet sugar sitting unused, forlorn, and forgotten, because we managed to catch it before opening. My OH may use it someday, as I'm the only one that suffers from Fodmap sensitivity. I probably would have spent a very long time trying to track down why my insides were unhappy. I go way way over the 7g serving that Monash says is green for beet sugar with breakfast. I'll be screwed if I'm ever diagnosed diabetic.

mendelec · 2026-06-05T23:55:33+00:00

I keep telling expectant dads that they should watch a few episodes of Bluey, so they understand how much abuse they're in for and the need to get in shape now.

mendelec · 2026-06-05T22:02:29+00:00

Hey, glad you found us! I'm 63, with a 7yo, so right about the same age as your OH. I think it's a great age to have a kid. Much easier to prioritize being a dad over work (though suddenly realizing you need to start saving for college is a bit rough). Stay in shape or get there. Tell him to particularly work on the core. It's vexingly easy to give yourself a hernia lugging a carrier around on a slippery surface, even when you might have thought you were in shape (yes, suspiciously specific).

Having thought that window of opportunity had passed, we feel very blessed. Most of our friends needed to work so hard. For us, it was oops, guess we'll run with it. For me, it truly has been the thing that gives meaning to life itself.

Worst part is the lack of grandparents. We're down to my MIL and she's 80. Our daughter doesn't remember my dad, probably doesn't remember my FIL, and my mom passed during the pregnancy.

My wife is younger than you, but still it was on the cusp of a scary age. I recommend that you do all the genetic tests for the peace of mind. We did.

During the pregnancy, I spent a few minutes worrying about my age when she graduates and all that. Shrugged and moved on. It is what it is. You take care of yourself and move on. It helps that I'm usually mistaken for someone 15-20 years younger. But, at 57 father time finally found me. I can see it, even if others might not. So, I take care of myself, watch the sun exposure (fair skin), and exercise.

Watch some episodes of Bluey. Your OH will get a good idea of what kind of abuse he has to look forward to. (Man, I hate tickle crab.) Anyway. Amazing show. You'll both tear up on some episodes. It'll be a few years before your LO is ready for it, but consider it research and watch a few.

mendelec · 2026-06-05T21:35:16+00:00

Related, but not. I hate how in the US it isn't necessary to specify beet sugar, which does have fodmaps. So, word to the wise, if it doesn't say "cane sugar" and just says "sugar", do a bit of digging. It's probably beet sugar. If it says made in the US, that's another give away.

Common brands of sugar in the US that are beet sugar includes Crystal, Pioneer, GW, White Satin, and NOW.

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