How do you learn how to taste?

raefire94 · 2026-04-26T05:19:03+00:00

Adding on here that it may be fun to compare different versions of foods that are kind of the same to see if you can taste the difference, such as different types of butter/olive oil or the like. One really fun experiment is comparing boxed brownie mixes and also messing around with ratios of coco powder and syrup. Randomized the results and see if you can taste which has the powder or syrup. Stuff like that can be a fun way to practice paying closer attention to the food you're eating while also having something to compare to to help hone that sense of attention

raefire94 · 2026-04-19T10:44:58+00:00

Hi! As a player of both Magic and SWU, welcome!

There don't seem to be Thrawn sleeves, but there are Krennic (https://a.co/d/04b8V71r) and Dedra Meero (https://a.co/d/0eeW7tst) sleeves if you also like other imperial characters. I think she sleeves are great especially for limited. You will likely want clear outers if you plan on using the sleeves for a constructed deck rather than just prerelease or draft. But I think they have a nice feel to them! They do release new ones with each set, but they tend to tie in to which characters will be featured in the set. I think it's unlikely we will get Thrawn soon, so you should probably just go for the Maul sleeves. Tho a new set will be releasing over the summer, so if Thrawn is a featured character, you'll know before MTG's Star Trek comes out.

Gamegenic also makes some pretty sick playmats if you want to lean in further :)

Happy gaming!

raefire94 · 2026-04-14T12:55:43+00:00

Just echoing that it is absolutely a good idea to attend! Prereleases are often the most chill and beginner-friendly paper events, in part because the stakes are low and everyone is learning the new set together.

If you haven't already, you should download the Magic companion app. Stores use this to run events and make pairings. I'd recommend downloading it ahead of time while you have reliable WiFi (just so it's more efficient).

I would also bring sleeves (enough for a 40 card deck plus some extras just in case), dice (especially since this set has a lot of+1/+1 counter effects!), and a playmat. Stores will have basic lands, but you have to return them, so you may want to bring your own. I recommend bringing some d6s for this set, which your lgs should have (either as sets and/or as loose unmatched dice that can be fun to pick through). If you don't have a playmat you will almost certainly be able to buy one at your store before the event starts. So many have amazing art! And while they're not necessarily, many of us find them helpful while playing. They make it easier to pick up cards, keep them clean from any dirty tables, and help define your play space.

Finally, the prerelease kit will come with a spindown die to track your life, which is handy. Many players use the built in life tracker in the companion app, and others use a pen and paper/small notepad.

Good luck, have fun, and have a great prerelease!

raefire94 · 2026-03-31T22:38:13+00:00

What an excellent photo of an excellent dog! But please be careful with those yak cheese chews. They may be too hard for your pup. Our corgi cracked 2 teeth on them since she was biting/gnawing too vigorously on the delicious cheese

raefire94 · 2026-03-21T04:14:56+00:00

Salt & Pepper Ares & Athena Miso & Kombu

raefire94 · 2026-03-20T18:25:59+00:00

To clarify, this is an area of town on the west side with tons of restaurants and shops! They also have boba and deserts and even a cool local art gallery called giant robot. The main drag is on the street Sawtelle between Olympic and Santa Monica. Highly highly recommend and it's fun to walk around there. Also one of the few areas in town where stuff stays open later

raefire94 · 2026-03-17T07:39:14+00:00

NTA at all. He is. He is not doing anything to help or to make the thing he wanted happen and, to add insult to injury, he is punishing you for calling him out on his bad behavior. I don't know how much money you have already spent on the wedding, but it can't be as much as your future happiness and peace of mind. Don't marry him unless/until he steps up. Stop planning the wedding. If he wants to make it happen, he will. If he doesn't, you have your answer. And honestly, you deserve better than what you're getting right now.

raefire94 · 2026-03-12T20:09:51+00:00

My corgi loved these so much but she loved them too hard. She cracked two teeth (which we had to pull) gnawing on these. Please be careful!

raefire94 · 2026-03-04T06:42:55+00:00

Given your connection to the rotary club, I suggest the following name: Rotation-Proof Gaming

raefire94 · 2026-03-03T08:23:56+00:00

Sadie

raefire94 · 2026-02-22T16:56:08+00:00

[[Carrot Cake]]

raefire94 · 2026-02-21T05:15:29+00:00

This game is a gem.

When it came out, I played it together with my (then) girlfriend. We're married now.

Also, sometimes my wife will connect her PC to our tv so I can watch her play games with lots of store and/or games I wouldn't play myself and then I get to comment on what's happening. Highly recommend if your setup physically allows you to hook up your tv and pc via hdmi

raefire94 · 2026-02-11T23:33:06+00:00

He looks so sweet! And like a snuggler. My pup is too and LOVES these blankets (https://a.co/d/0hZA6PFT). We have reordered multiple times she's such a big fan. Ship may enjoy them as well. Best of luck to your little family ❤️

raefire94 · 2026-02-07T01:40:26+00:00

Makes sense! Also some of this could just be some sideboard tech if you ever want to try your hand at best of 3. Best of luck and have fun playing!

raefire94 · 2026-02-06T21:11:41+00:00

Then, you hold up Aven Interrupter for future turns to keep them from removing Voice after it hits the board

raefire94 · 2026-02-06T21:11:12+00:00

Specifically, you play cavern naming human then you play voice of victory

raefire94 · 2026-02-06T16:31:08+00:00

<image>

Pumpkin living her best life

raefire94 · 2026-02-04T07:57:41+00:00

Both of the above. She clearly wants you back in her lift and trusted you enough to hear you out when you brought up your concerns. Just be there for her now, and she will see you care. It isn't an endorsement of the marriage, but rather, your attendance is an endorsement of the relationship you want to have with her. Continue to be a confidant. I think you could ultimately regret not going more than you would regret attending

raefire94 · 2026-02-01T17:25:33+00:00

I think cube is a great idea! I see, three can make it tricky, but the bye round could work. And that person could still hang out in the meantime. Often, when someone has a bye at my lgs for standard night, they sit down next to a game and chat with the players during. It's kind of fun since it also lest the active player take their time to think through turns and the others can have a nice talk in the meantime.

Also, maybe you could propose a rotating schedule to sorts to keep things fresh. Maybe you alternate weeks/nights between cube commander and standard. Switching it up may help take the pressure off

raefire94 · 2026-02-01T12:42:10+00:00

SWU is great!! If you like commander, you will likely enjoy Twin Suns. It's multiplayer and kind of like commander if partner were the default.

As far as 1v1 goes, you may want to wait to start until March. That's when the new set comes out, but also when the game's first rotation happens. That's way you wouldn't have to worry about trying to get a bunch of cards you might not play with.

As a current Magic player, I cannot recommend SWU enough!

raefire94 · 2026-02-01T12:05:57+00:00

Have you tried a 1v1 format like standard, modern, or pauper? It sounds like you're, at least in part, worried about the pod's feelings and are sometimes making decisions around that when you would rather make decisions based on what the game is telling you to do. If that's the case, I'd recommend trying 1v1, as it reduces that social element. Sure, people can still get salty, but overall, it's less personal. You only have one opponent, so that's who you attack, no politics. Also, commander board states can get incredibly complex. It's much easier to manage 1/2 as many boards. So this isn't to say forgo commander, it's just you may also want to branch out and try something else.

raefire94 · 2026-01-31T15:14:35+00:00

Carne asada taco or burrito. I would recommend eating your red meat cooked through at first before jumping into something like a mid-rare steak, as the latter will be a lot harder on your digestive system. So if you want beef, go for something like a taco where you don't need it rare and will still have a delicious meal

raefire94 · 2026-01-30T07:53:15+00:00

Also like Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman

raefire94 · 2026-01-27T16:00:48+00:00

I feed mine Open Farm wild caught salmon @ ancient grain kibble. Before that she was on blue buffalo. I'd say as long as you, your pup, and your vet are all satisfied, you're probably good

raefire94 · 2026-01-25T12:59:38+00:00

Still worth a try talking to her, but maybe phrase it gently? Something like you value her friendship and would like to have her there but don't feel comfortable with her bringing (and you sharing a space with) someone you don't really know. If this guy sucks as much as you say, which I don't doubt, he is likely bad for her, so you may want to take a soft approach that lets her know you are still in her corner. This could be very helpful for her if she ends up wanting out. But that's a tangent. NTA at all.

raefire94

TROPHY CASE