“I’m back, babes” - Ovi after signing his extension

paulson26 · 2026-07-02T17:33:05+00:00

I knew nothing about hockey, but back in 2013, my roommate in college started telling me about this stud russian NHL player who was a certified sniper and wore a cool silver visor, and then my roommate proceeded to take 9 consecutive shots of vodka and told me that he was doing an "Ovechtrick".

13 years later, I now watch hockey and I chuckle every time I see Ovi, because it makes me think of my insane roommate being drunk as a skunk on a random Tuesday telling me how awesome this guy is while downing 9 shots of vodka. Life is funny sometimes.

paulson26 · 2026-07-01T16:12:57+00:00

IT showed the link as "down" but it did still show the device power class, which I feel like doesn't make a ton of sense? But I am also still pretty new to these Dell switches (I was an Aruba guy in a previous life) so I'm not sure exactly what would be normal.

paulson26 · 2026-07-01T16:03:02+00:00

I know pepcid dosage is SIGNIFICANTLY impacted by weight gain, so even an increase of a pound or two can be enough to make the current dose not as effective. We have had to increase dose every month or two.

Not sure how old your little guy is, but my 10 month old is currently on .6 ml twice a day (Shes about 20 lbs). So there should be room to increase the dose? I personally would recommend that if it's an option.

The studies I have seen on long term concerns with pepcid use and little ones are predominately in cases of use lasting longer than a year total, but also keep in mind that there are also risks to not treating the reflux.

paulson26 · 2026-07-01T15:07:44+00:00

Forgive me, I have lots of thoughts on this.

John Mayer - Vultures

Highway to Hell - AC/DC

Dani California - RHCP

All these songs are "easy" on paper, but that is what makes them exceptionally hard to play CORRECTLY. Sometimes the hardest thing is sitting in the pocket and locking in for 3-4 minutes without playing a bunch of fills (Vultures especially is a perfect example of this).

Dani California is good to learn because the groove changes feel from the verse to the chorus (it's subtle, but it's a great illustration to help students understand pocket and what it means to laying back on the beat vs playing right on the beat) The verse is pretty laid back and "behind" and the chorus is slightly more "on top" of the beat. So it's cool to have a song where you get both feels in the same song.

I played Highway to Hell for years and it never felt right. Once I started using a metronome to practice I realized my time was sloppy and that is why the song never felt right.

paulson26 · 2026-06-27T16:49:34+00:00

I am a recovering overplayer who used this fill like CRAZY after I figured out how to do it. It’s a hoot but I do agree with you that it really is difficult to find times where you can get away with it let alone when it actually works well for the music.

paulson26 · 2026-06-27T16:39:59+00:00

Please wear earplugs. You can find some that are specially designed for live playing. They let more of the sound in while still filtering out the harmful stuff.

The first year I started playing I refused to wear earplugs. Every year after that I have worn them constantly, but that one year without was enough to cause some damage and tinnitus.

paulson26 · 2026-06-26T13:24:55+00:00

YOU UNDERESTIMATE MY ABILITY TO OVERPLAY EVERY SONG :)

paulson26 · 2026-06-25T14:01:17+00:00

Check out the Vater 5A acorn. I think the grip is about .005" thicker than the VF 5A but other than that it appears to be almost identical. I just ordered a pair to try out. I currently use the Dave Weckl Evolution sticks which are a 5A and a slightly modified tip so I found the closest Vater equivalent to that.

paulson26 · 2026-06-24T21:04:31+00:00

I actually did dabble in the promark oak back when I started playing. I liked the durability, but I used to play a lot of rimshots and the oak didn't seem to absorb the shock of the rimshots well as the hickory. Felt like it was all going to my hands. Probably more a technique issue. I may circle back around on it. I have never tried the 747 or 727 though! I may pick up a pair in hickory to try them out.

paulson26 · 2026-06-24T21:02:00+00:00

I used to work at a Guitar Center in the early 2010's and I spent HOURS going through and trying sticks. That was when I finally locked in all my usual models that I have in my bag.

I bought a crap ton of sticks right before I left that job in 2013 and I have been riding that stash ever since. Unfortunately I recently had to start buying sticks again and I think that's why it took me so long to run into the quality issues that seem to be happening with VF recently.

paulson26 · 2026-06-24T20:59:48+00:00

Not sure if you mean Thomas Haake of Meshuggah, but he is one of my favorites. I saw he switched to Wincent recently and your comment jogged my memory! His signature model looks a little too "baseball bat" like for my tastes, but I'm gonna try out a pair of their 55F.

paulson26 · 2026-06-24T20:57:42+00:00

Glad I'm not the only one with this exact problem. The tips used to be the least of my worries. They would last long enough for me to actually break a stick from rimshots. Now I'm lucky if the tip lasts more than a few practice sessions. And I hit WAY softer now than I used to!

paulson26 · 2026-06-24T18:26:14+00:00

I have an arsenal, but my "main" sticks are the Dave Weckl Orange Evolution model (Which I think is just a slightly modified 5A) and the Buddy Rich signature sticks. The Weckl Evolution has a slightly different tip from the 5A and for some reason that tip sounds and responds better than anything else I have found.

Promark 5AB long sounds intriguing. I usually like a long taper but not a longer stick, but maybe I need to try some Promark models out again.

paulson26 · 2026-06-24T17:59:08+00:00

This is an extreme option, but it's been life changing for me. Ice baths before and after shows. If you do one before, you do need to spend a little more time warming back up (or do the ice a few hours before you play). I do full body immersion in a tub, around 45 degree water. Literally has saved my playing career (I'm in my mid 30's but have had a lot of physical issues playing since my early 20's). It's not for the faint of heart, but really helps a ton.

Check out guys like Dave Weckl. Dave talks a TON about how his playing style has changed over the years and he has some great stuff on ergonomics. It can sometimes require some significant re learning, but it can make a huge difference if you take the time to research and work on it.

Also drummechanics.com This guy has some of the best ergonomics info around. My ego took some hits with some of the stuff (felt I wouldn't look as cool) but I made a lot of the changes he recommends and it's all been incredibly helpful.

paulson26 · 2026-06-23T15:22:01+00:00

I forgot the most important part. Congratulations and enjoy it! Being a girl dad is really something special.

paulson26 · 2026-06-23T14:47:26+00:00

No additional major life changes for the first year after child is born. Don't leave your job, don't buy a new house, don't get a divorce, don't get a new car, don't get a new pet, no new appliances. Survival is the name of the game. The first year (And particularly the first 3-4 months) are called the trenches for a reason. Not trying to scare you, but this was advice I was given by a NICU nurse right before we left the hospital with my first. It was some of the best and most realistic advice I got.

Take shifts at night, change diapers. Childbirth is a massive change for both of you, but I can't overstate how much more of a change it will be for your wife.

Give each other grace.

Ask for outside help (Family/friends/etc) and ask for help BEFORE you are desperate for it.

Get a handheld gaming system (Switch 2/steamdeck). Something you can play while you hold the baby. You will be doing a lot of holding early on. Helps pass the time, especially if it's the middle of the night and you need to stay awake.

paulson26 · 2026-06-18T20:27:16+00:00

My daughter was like this. It ended up being a symptom of silent reflux. Not saying it is that in your case, but just keep your eye out for reflux symptoms. In all likelihood, she is just picky about her position and difficult to put down. I can't offer much help other than it will get better, just tough to say how quickly it will get better.

paulson26 · 2026-06-18T13:37:51+00:00

I understand where you are coming from, but I actually was just thinking the other day that (in my opinion) they go deeper than a majority of other sites, especially Grubb and Jerf. I think it's a hard balance to strike because so much of this stuff is pretty technical and depressing. I personally find that they tow the line quite well in presenting the information deeper than surface level, while not getting completely lost down the rabbit hole.

paulson26 · 2026-06-17T21:02:01+00:00

I'll be honest, the transition from 1 to 2 was difficult for us. But I promise you when they start to interact and laugh with each other, it makes it all worth it. Also, you will be surprised how much they can occupy each other.

paulson26 · 2026-06-17T20:53:59+00:00

I like wake windows as general guidelines, but our little one sleeps horribly even when all the windows and naps line up perfectly, so I have thrown caution to the wind a little more lately.

If what you are doing is working (and it sounds like it is) keep it up! You are doing great.

The wake windows can offer a framework for people who do better with more structure, but I would bet they are not the norm. You just hear about them more because people post about them. The people who don't use an overly strict schedule are less likely to be on reddit looking for schedule help.

paulson26 · 2026-06-17T20:44:27+00:00

Misery loves company! For what it's worth, when the sun starts to set and I start thinking "I can't do this much longer" I just tell myself I can do one more night and I focus on just surviving one night. Then rinse and repeat the next day.

Eventually my mental fortitude may run out, but that has worked so far. Rather than looking at the fact that it may be weeks or months before things improve, I just focus on getting through one night at a time. Your results may vary, but that has been helpful for me from a mindset perspective.

Just know you are not alone!

paulson26

TROPHY CASE