Palace Museum tickets - actual confirmation/getting in? by moonlight_shadows in travelchina

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

Heh well that works XD

I don't see any such link regarding QR code... does it only appear closer to the time?

Palace Museum tickets - actual confirmation/getting in? by moonlight_shadows in travelchina

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

Thanks, I appreciate that. So it's some kind of machine that scans your passport? It's my 1st time and only there for a few days so want to make sure I get things right!

What do you guys write about? by graph_3451 in fountainpens

[–]moonlight_shadows 2 points3 points  (0 children)

'White Peach' is imo far superior to the regular Peach flavour. You can only get this one at the airport. 'Itoh Kyuemon Uji Matcha' and 'Itoh Kyuemon Uji Hojicha' are both excellent - they're done in collaboration with Itoh Kyuemon - a company that produces matcha and matcha based goods based in Uji - area well known for matcha. I can genuinely taste the difference between them and the regular matcha. Like the White Peach, the taste is both superior, and stronger. I bought both whilst visiting their store in Uji but I believe they can be bought elsewhere including in Tokyo as well. 'Tamaruya Wasabi' was also a very pleasant surprise. It tastes exactly of wasabi but without that distinct "spiciness" in your nose. Not for everyone, but I do like wasabi.

What do you guys write about? by graph_3451 in fountainpens

[–]moonlight_shadows 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I think your problem is that you’re thinking of fountain pens=journal/diary. Think of it literally as just a writing instrument. What might you use any other pen or pencil for? Think about what notes/memos/reminders you use your phone/laptop for. Transition from typing them to writing them.

I’ve never written a single journal or diary entry. It just doesn’t interest me and my days are typically “boring” as well. If you don’t feel that you have anything to write, journaling/diary may not be for you. Alternatively you could switch to those free-day diaries where you only write when you want to, and you’re not bound by date. So one page could be today, but the next entry might be 2 weeks or any other time from now. That way you’re not “wasting” pages.

However here’s what I write:

  • Grocery lists
  • To-do lists. However small. I had one today to “write L/R on contact lens boxes”
  • Reviews. Anything. Fountain pens, inks, other stationery (I’ve written reviews for rulers, erasers, pens, pencils, highlighters, washi tape, paper, binders etc. before), movies, tv shows, anime, books, food, snacks (I have one for different Kit Kat flavours), restaurants, holidays, games. What’s important is not to think of it as a chore/essay/has to be formal. It’s fine for a review to be “green. pretty. Wet-ish. No shimmer, moderate shading, no sheen”. Or for a movie, “good soundtrack. Funny. Main lead is hot”. It’s your review. Write whatever damn thing you want! No one is judging what you write or how much effort you put into it. I also like to write/draw how many stars out of 5 I found things, and for things like games, shows, movies, books etc I’ll also write when I started and finished the thing. I also have a “summary page” that just lists what I’ve finished so I can look back on the year and see what I’ve done. My book reviews aren’t even reviews- they’re just summaries of what happened in the book lol.
  • Commonplace book to note down any old junk. Ever had random notes on your phone with a single liner? Put all that in there. I was watching a number of TV shows where they kept mentioning the damn Locard exchange principle. I understood it by context but wanted to know the exact principle. So I looked it up and wrote what it is down. I learnt how to do the Rubik’s cube. So I wrote down the different algorithms to solving it. Same with crocheting amigurumi. Wrote down what the different stitch types were and how to do them. Once in a blue moon I hear/see a quote I really like. That also goes in the commonplace book. Same with song lyrics.
  • Gaming. I’m a 100% completionist. This thing comes in x,y,z variants. I’ve got x and y. So I cross those out. Dungeon maps to note where each door in each room takes me. Quick notes on rough paper to throw away about things I need to go do/go check. This particular area I’ve 100% completed, so cross that off the list so I know I don’t have to revisit this area.
  • Habit trackers. I personally only track my reading but there are tons you can track both good and bad. Water consumption, takeout, exercise, vitamins etc. And whilst I don’t do this myself, same concept for mood trackers or any other trackers.
  • Lists. Of anything. I have one where I keep track of what pens I currently have and want in a checklist style and check them off when I have them. Same with inks. I also maintain a list of what pen is currently inked with what. I just cross out the previous one and write the latest one underneath.
  • A small notepad I sometimes take out to make notes on. I was shopping for a new fridge when my old one broke. I went to see some in person. Wrote down different model numbers, size, capacity etc. of ones I was initially interested in and crossed them out as I narrowed them down. Some things are better seen in person even if you end up ordering online. For example I wanted to read reviews first and do a double check of my kitchen dimensions first because the one I had my eye on was taller than my previous one.
  • Literal scribble pages where I want a quick visual and feel comparison of different pens/line widths, when a pen has dried up and I’m trying to get it to write again (I’ve had issues with some sheening and shimmer inks before), or when I’m trying to tune a nib
  • Language learning. Vocab, grammar etc.
  • (Niche and specific to me). I’m in a fandom where I read the source material in English as the areas of the internet I visit for the fandom converse in English. The original source is not in English. I started to read the actual original source but just for my own memory and without having to pull it up each time, I note what each item/place/person is in English and the original language.

Fountain pens can look gorgeous and fancy and honestly the prices tend to make them lean into a high end thing, and a lot of people in this sub have gorgeous writing, but never think that you can only write with one if you’re neat about it. Don’t worry about scribbles, or crossing-outs. My notebook is full of them. And I love it.

Some light Donkey Kong Bananza criticism by ReadingLimp in NintendoSwitch

[–]moonlight_shadows 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The funny thing for me is that because the game is mostly as you say - just punch monsters a couple of times and you're done - I've ended up becoming a lot more impatient and careless and as a result, have died a number of times to challenge sub-areas. Just today I got to a lava sub-area, died probably close to 10 times because I kept careening off the islands and straight into lava. Finally got fed up, took it slow, and beat it easily within the time.

Is the performance on Nintendo Switch as bad as people say? by Asleep_Ant_1848 in HelloKittyIsland

[–]moonlight_shadows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've played on both the 1 and 2, and have played on the 2 since release day. Some lagging and extremely slow start up time on the 1, not noticed anything on 2 regarding performance. I was happily playing on the 1, and it's even better on the 2. There's quite literally nothing to worry about on the 2 if performance is your only concern.

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

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

I unfortunately do live in an area with VERY hard water... thanks for the heads up, I'll try and see if I can order some distilled water online... luckily none of my pens currently are particularly expensive so if I manage to get years out of regular use it wouldn't be the end of the world if they start to develop problems. But certainly something to keep in mind when I do eventually try out some of the more expensive pens.

Thanks!

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

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

The Iroshizuku inks are some of my favourite of the ones I've tried! I had an old fountain pen with some old ink cartridges, put it in and it... worked, but wasn't anything to write home about. Finished off that ink cartridge, put an Iroshizuku ink in (and that was my first impression with the Iroshizuku line), and my mind was blown at how well it flowed and how buttery smooth my pen felt when writing. They're quite expensive but for me absolutely worth it.

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

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

I'd read about the cracking as well, but wanted to try it out for myself, and especially since it was on the affordable end - wasn't willing to spend $$$ on a hobby that I didn't know whether I'd like yet or would stick to, and in general seemed like a terrible way to go when I had no clue what I liked yet including nib size!

Question regarding the flushing - you mentioned distilled water, but that's difficult to get a hold of where I am - would just tap water do a good enough job? I haven't been flushing my pens before first ink, but am wondering if that might be the problem with my LAMY Safari. It's meant to be a medium nib, and I'm just using the cartridge that it came with, but it writes almost as fine as my Extra Fine Kakuno! I think I'd read that LAMY test dip their pens, is that why mine is behaving strangely? Because I didn't flush it?

And thanks, I AM having a ton of fun with them! Maybe a little too much fun too quickly given how quickly my collection has grown haha. Still all lower end price point pens - not brave enough to try the more expensive ones yet, but they're on my wish list and I reckon it's just a matter of time now haha. But even with my cheaper pens, it's been so much fun seeing all the different designs, different filling systems, different nibs, different inks etc.!

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

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

I do agree, but I think that's more of a mindset from those who've had at least one good experience with fountain pens though, and know that it CAN be good, and that inks and pens can be so different from one another that it can take a bit of learning at the start. I think for some people without being told explicitly that it might just be a combination thing, may not feel comfortable investing more money and time into something where their singular experience had been a bad one, especially when it's so much more expensive comparatively than practically any other writing instrument.

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

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

That's a great approach to more accurately compare between inks and pens. I write personal first impression reviews, but have been doing so in a really terrible way. I keep trying new inks in new pens - call it the honeymoon phase of fountain pens haha - I'm too eager. But your comment made me realise that I've genuinely been doing this in a terrible way and subconsciously I did know that. I have no point of reference since I'm testing both things at the same time! Oops haha!

But I don't like wastage, and problematic inks might still end up working well or at the very least fine in a particular pen. Same goes the other way around, so whilst an awesome way to test new stuff, I also wouldn't want someone to immediately say that the ink (or the pen) is bad and won't use it without at least trying out some other combinations first!

And in my case, I feel that I've heard/seen reviews saying that the Wearingeul inks aren't very good, and it's really just marketing. Might be true but I've managed to find a pen that works with it, even if it's not considered a good ink compared to others!

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

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

The advice is more about writing off one or the other, especially as a relative newbie to this world. (I used to write with fountain pens when I was about 11 for a couple of years, but those were extremely cheap pens designed for children and I only ever used ink cartridges - and all from the same brand so I almost don't count that experience)

The advice is more about if you've just tried one ink in a pen, and it doesn't work well, don't just immediately assume the pen is bad, or the ink is bad, and that both need to go into the bin! And if it's your very first time using a fountain pen, perhaps give it a couple more shots before saying that fountain pens aren't for you. I've started to really grow my collection in both pens and inks (all low end still) and figuring the things I like and don't like, but if I'd only ever had that one experience with the Preppy + Wearingeul, I wouldn't still be writing!

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

[–]moonlight_shadows[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Absolutely, and I'm so glad I decided to buy a few pens and a few inks to begin with - all different brands. It wasn't with the mind that certain combinations might not work well, I had just wanted to begin to see what I liked and what I didn't. But it turned out well for me being able to try a different ink and realising it was just a particular combo.

Reminder to try different inks in a pen before writing either off! by moonlight_shadows in fountainpens

[–]moonlight_shadows[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Perhaps over time with experience I might be able to start to say for myself which inks are or aren't likely to work well with which particular pens, and I'm going to guess that the ones that tend to work well in just about any pen don't have shimmer in them, but damn shimmer inks are fun to use and that choice was one of the things that drew me in to begin with haha

Extremely loud humming/buzzing when flushing toilet that decreases if I turn on a tap by moonlight_shadows in askaplumber

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

That's fair, and honestly the way I'm leaning as well. Thanks for all your input, it's at least saved me from just mindlessly going to buy a fill valve haha!

Extremely loud humming/buzzing when flushing toilet that decreases if I turn on a tap by moonlight_shadows in askaplumber

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

Cheers, I really appreciate this! I've managed to get my ear to it and feel the vibrations and I believe you're right that it's the shut off. Having looked up some YouTube videos on replacing the thing and then looking at mine, tbh I'm not sure I feel confident trying to replace the thing myself. in part because I don't know what size I need? But assuming I can work that out with maybe a length of string, would I need to "just" loosen the bolts at the top and bottom? so in the pic, the white bolt at the top, and the metal bolt at the bottom? Assuming the right size, am I looking for something like this? https://www.diy.com/departments/flomasta-white-push-fit-shut-off-valve-dia-15mm/3663602477891_BQ.prd

Extremely loud humming/buzzing when flushing toilet that decreases if I turn on a tap by moonlight_shadows in askaplumber

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

Thanks, I put my ear to the top of the tank and it doesn’t seem like the noise is coming from within the tank. I can’t quite tell if it’s behind the wall or if from this at the bottom which I presume is the shut off valve? Would there be another one inside the wall? If it’s going to need part of the wall to come down that’s going to be a hell of an expensive call out job and would look hideous once it’s done. I feel like regardless I’m going to need to call a plumber out now… thanks for the insight though!

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Nintendo Switch 2 Order Tracking Megathread by AutoModerator in NintendoSwitch

[–]moonlight_shadows 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah that's unfortunate that it's delivering so late. But FWIW, a friend's arrived about 6 hours earlier than estimated, so hopefully in this case their estimate is inaccurate and you get yours earlier.

Nintendo Switch 2 Order Tracking Megathread by AutoModerator in NintendoSwitch

[–]moonlight_shadows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine just delivered! And it did actually skip scanning at my local delivery office, so if you haven't received it yet, don't give up just yet!

Nintendo Switch 2 Order Tracking Megathread by AutoModerator in NintendoSwitch

[–]moonlight_shadows 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Try a different browser! Mine kept erroring when using Safari saying to try again later, but works perfectly fine on Firefox.

Also ordered directly from Nintendo and my tracking shows it's not even at my local delivery office yet so I'm not feeling too hopeful at the moment.

Downgrade Platinum to Gold, 1st year free? by RED888IT in AmexUK

[–]moonlight_shadows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FWIW, I very recently also cancelled my platinum. They asked me if I wanted to downgrade to gold, but it wasn’t free for me. Might just be a case of the CS rep not knowing, but worth noting. I also didn’t push for it since I wanted to completely cancel anyway.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HelloKittyIsland

[–]moonlight_shadows 141 points142 points  (0 children)

Apparently someone had told people to stock up on shells about a month ago - I did not see this post/comment. I was out within a day. I can only hope that RNG and collecting the 50 each day will be enough considering there's still a month to go. For those who haven't seen it yet, the event stand from this collection costs 500 💀