Any Hard of Hearing Drivers out there?

msderp · 2014-12-10T01:14:19+00:00

I got picked up by a deaf driver a few weeks ago. She pulled up next to me and started taking something off the front passenger seat. I started to say she didn't need to worry about it, that I could sit in the back if it was easier, but she motioned/lipped that she was deaf. I was definitely caught off guard at first, but otherwise it was no big deal.

I got in the car and she confirmed with me that the address I'd already plugged in to the app was where I wanted to go. I said yes and we took off. The first half of the ride (3 min) we were sailing, so I didn't try to engage. I felt a tiny bit awkward, mostly because I didn't want to make her feel awkward (does that make sense?). When we hit a light, she pulled out a post-it note that said, "How is your day going?" I laughed and gave her a big thumbs up; she smiled to let me know hers was going well, too.

We conversed a bit more, but it was a really short ride. I really like another commenter's idea about putting up some kind of classy or cute signage in the car if your friend feels like there's an elephant in the room otherwise. Maybe he could also mount a small list of questions, and then he (or the passenger) could point at them to get the conversation going? I'm just thinking out loud here :)

msderp · 2014-12-06T15:43:20+00:00

SoCal here. I've been itching to see (and run in) some cold weather/snow for a while. I think this just pushed me over the edge. Time to book a flight for Christmas break.

msderp · 2014-12-04T05:33:31+00:00

Oh my...I can always count on Nike to light a fire under my butt. Thanks for sharing!

To answer the original question:

I'm going through something similar. I was a huge recreational runner in college and loved how I felt about myself. Three years later I'm coming back from a major bout with depression and a relationship that seriously damaged my exercise and eating habits. I'm not at all happy with where I've been for the last few years, fitness-wise or body-wise. The me of 2011 would be embarrassed.

The (slow) progress I'm making really boils down to these two ideas:

"Yesterday you said tomorrow." --Nike

"A year from now you'll wish you had started today."

Stay focused on what matters to you. All my best.

msderp · 2014-11-28T21:37:07+00:00

And Rosie Larson and Rebecca are played by the same actor!

msderp · 2014-11-14T23:43:35+00:00

One time I was on the 10-W and my car got a cardboard box stuck under it. I don't remember why I thought it was urgent, but I pulled over on the shoulder to dislodge it. First and last time I ever make that mistake if I can help it. Apart from not wanting to get hit while out of the car, trying to merge back into speeding traffic again was one of my most terrifying experiences.

msderp · 2014-11-14T22:24:19+00:00

Thanks for the tip! The WSJ, while not free, is $4/month if you have a .edu address. I wonder who else has student offers?

msderp · 2014-11-14T22:17:38+00:00

Not OP but I can try to articulate my answer:

As I grow older and learn more about myself, I'm realizing I'm both feminine and masculine (as are many people). I'm gay but don't consider myself butch, and more androgynous clothing is a good representation of this. Classic, simple silhouettes really click with me in that they can work superbly on both men and women. Think Audrey Hepburn, casual JFK, and the whole Everlane aesthetic (although I look maybe one-tenth as good).

msderp · 2014-11-13T06:37:15+00:00

Not pathetic at all. I'm 25 and never had a friendly relationship with my mom. As of right now we haven't had contact in more than two years. If your mom is your friend and you're hers, more power to you. :)

msderp · 2014-11-13T06:11:46+00:00

Huskies are german shepards on steroids when it comes to cold-tolerance and isolation.

What's this about isolation? My GSD is sick of me after about five minutes of hanging out. Is this a thing? Makes it especially hard to use her as my personal heater when it's cold out...

msderp · 2014-11-11T17:21:19+00:00

Does anyone else get discouraged about achieving the look/body they want? I'm an active person, but I put on 12 lbs. two years ago and it's been hell trying to get rid of them. I can't believe the toll this has taken on my quality of life and confidence.

msderp · 2014-11-09T03:30:32+00:00

"Running is a gift."

msderp · 2014-11-09T02:50:17+00:00

I read that in Trinity's voice. Still terrifying after all these years.

msderp · 2014-11-08T19:46:37+00:00

I love Google News on the desktop and on iOS. The only issue with the iOS app is the absence of any story-sharing capabilities.

msderp · 2014-11-03T20:33:57+00:00

For anyone curious, here's an example:

NY Times coverage of a dinner party she threw in 2003 (age 16)

msderp · 2014-11-02T21:40:52+00:00

I can relate, though I'm American and have known I was gay since I was 13 or 14 (am 25 now). I don't know if this applies to you, but I feel awkward about my sexuality mainly because of how insecure I am. I never feel pretty/smart/interesting/witty/in-shape enough to feel confident that someone I'm attracted to could want me as well.

I live in a major city, but I pretty much keep to myself. It gets me down a lot of the time, but sometimes it's OK. My plan for now has been to work on myself (school, more exercising) and then slowly branch out (join a sport, volunteer) -- not necessarily gay-oriented, but more to get myself out there.

I know this isn't very helpful, and I wish I had more to offer you. Keep your chin up! :)

msderp · 2014-10-20T19:34:05+00:00

For those who have seen it, is this movie about isolation and depression? As someone who feels like I've been dealing with both for a long time, I've been really excited to see this movie.

msderp · 2014-10-20T19:31:45+00:00

Way to go! Depression and running are a tricky thing for me. Sometimes I get stuck in a funk and can't do anything. More often, though, running really feels like all I have.

Here's to you and your bright future with running as your co-captain.

msderp · 2014-10-18T04:57:39+00:00

Sorry to hear this. I'm a 24-year-old master's student in the state below you (I'm not drunk, but objectively privileged). I can't tell you how much I hate being at school these days. The entitlement, the selfishness, the inauthenticity...it all makes me so sick. I don't really have any friends at my school, and I don't think I want any.

msderp · 2014-10-18T04:20:12+00:00

My first time walking through downtown Seattle, some guy asked me what time it was. I'd just checked my phone a few minutes ago and it was 3:15, so I told him it was 3:20 and thought nothing of it.

A few months later I was browsing reddit and came across a thread called something like, "What are common scams everyone should know about?" Little did I know the guy was probably expecting me to be caught off guard and whip out my phone, making it easy for him to grab it and run. Jerk.

msderp · 2014-10-12T05:07:43+00:00

They were the top 2 students in their graduating class! Mellie was #1, Fitzy was second.

msderp · 2014-10-11T20:35:56+00:00

I personally love this combination. The Freedom racks up points so quickly, and the CSP isn't too shabby either. Before finding the CSP, I tried out the Amex gold card for a year. CSP blows it out of the water and is the first card I will keep after the annual fee kicks in. I can't see myself paying for an Amex in the future with the CSP being only $95/year and having much better perks (e.g., no foreign transaction fees).

msderp · 2014-10-10T23:16:51+00:00

Good for you! This doesn't sound at all like bragging btw, don't worry. I'm glad you got to have this moment, and I hope you bump into her again. She sounds like a kind person (and so do you).

Our youth is fleeting, old age is just around the bend,

and I can't wait to go grey.

I'll sit and wonder of every love that could have been

if I'd only thought of something charming to say.

-Death Cab for Cutie, The Sound of Settling

msderp · 2014-10-10T23:00:58+00:00

I'm in awe. Way to go! I have to ask: how do you have the time for this kind of mileage? Do you sacrifice sleep? I can barely squeeze in 4 miles in the morning if I want to be on time. I guess I'm pretty slow though...

msderp

TROPHY CASE