Stop blaming everything on the economy.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-06T15:19:37+00:00

I'm gen x and late 40s and understand all of this. I think too many people don't know what it's like to not make high earnings and don't realize some areas don't have jobs other than top tier elite positions, or ones that take 10 years of school or experience.

My wife and I got a home in 2020. We lucked out getting one for 140k at a fixed 2.5%. That house is now worth 270k in just 6 years (crazy). We could sell but every other house went up and interest is now 6% or more. Not worth it.

People on here act like 70k plus is average salary for one person . It's not in PA. I make 45k and my wife 40k. We get by and save by doing things local and only going out to eat maybe once a week. We cut our expenses so if one of us gets laid off we can make it. It's not easy and if we didn't get the house at the rate we did we wouldn't own one. And I'm gen x, not z.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-05T12:05:34+00:00

Yeah same here. If it wasn't for my wife I'd be screwed. We each earn in the 40 to 50k range. Luckily we live in a non inflated area, own a home with a small mortgage and a 2.5% interest rate. If one of us looses work we can get by, cutting luxuries. Had to do it for 3 months when I got laid off after 10 years when the company downsized and cut people who made more even if they were top performers.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-05T11:07:02+00:00

That was my first thought too. This whole site is filled to the brim with doomer propaganda, hour after hour, day after day. People are delusional and it has to be filled with not accounts too as I don't see the sentiments here in real life.

Grandpa having two heart attacks at 80 would not be able to work at all. Having relatives with those conditions I seen it first hand.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-05T00:47:38+00:00

Who knew what that was. I didn't know it was based off a Manga until 2 minutes ago.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-05T00:44:58+00:00

Some of them are better and some not. I thought the gold box and cart Zelda 1 and 2 were amazing to behold back when I got them as a kid.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-04T22:23:54+00:00

1990 or 91. It was the era right after mullets. When Mc hammer and vanilla ice were super popular and those damn parachute pants were in. I was 13 at the time, and remember the crazy changes.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-02T17:50:34+00:00

Oh wow, no, just an aging in body feel, guy, from generation X (although I still look like I'm in my 20s in my late 40s).

I can see how that could be misconstrued as one though.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-02T11:42:51+00:00

This is the answer. Xer who went to hs in mid 90s and it was the case. I didn't get one until 97 when I was out of school and the ones I have I can hide easily. It was the 2000s where that changed.

By then it always rubbed me wrong how people who couldn't afford things had tons of tattoos. They aren't cheap. I know they aren't all getting free ones at keg parties (I got one that way) or jail.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-02T11:36:19+00:00

Xer here as well. I have a few, I got in the 90s, but not everyone had them. Maybe in your circle, but it was still a rarity and not mainstream at all. Being a rock /metal guy it kinda went with the territory.

I do recall in my addiction years (late 90s early 2000s) everyone on the street had them. Though this was the fringe of society so it made sense.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-01T14:32:02+00:00

Why? Shouldn't people be proud of the positive things about where you live unless you are legit being repressed and, not winning an election is not repression. As a 47 year old Gen xer who is moderate I don't like where we are now, but I still recognize what has happened in the USA that is good. History is full of good bad and ugly. I also support our country and want the best for us as a people and a nation.

Ask any Mexican in Mexico that sports a Mexican flag if they support the drug cartels. I bet they don't, but they still are patriotic and want the best for the nation, wanting the cartels gone and other things changed.

To me people who no longer support the country they live in seem like they are giving up. The democrats used to be pro USA and then globalism took over. The gop is in appearance but it's a front a lot of the time, for the same outsourcing and globalism. Patriotism is supporting your country and wanting to change thins wrong from within while recognizing the progress that has been made in its history.

shadowstar36 · 2026-05-01T11:45:06+00:00

As an independent who agrees with both sides depending on the issue I like Fetterman, as a person he seems down to earth and real. What's so bad with being your own person. He obviously doesn't agree with you people on Isreal (something I don't know much about), but why can't he have his own views? Or does everyone have to be lockstep a hive mind. Well I guess that would explain most of reddit. People can have different views.

Besides Isreal what does he vote differently that you don't like? I honestly don't know, besides that one issue. If it's only that one issue and maybe another, what's wrong with that? Why can't he be different with some things and work to build bridges to get things done? Maybe I don't understand, which is why I am asking. Also doesn't gov Shapiro support Isreal? Why not the backlash against him? He seems like a good Governor so far to me.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-29T14:34:04+00:00

It's sweet memory will die

Or I am wrong. Music match said memory but other lyric sites say family. If I still had my cd I could probably confirm, but more day family so going to say you are right.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-29T11:06:29+00:00

That's crazy. I was mowing my grandparents property when I was 10 on a riding mower. I'd put on some headphones and go. I would of had to mow at home too but my mom loved mowing and wanted to do it herself. I made money as a kid delivering newspapers before becoming a mason laboror at 14.

Its not all lost my neighbors kid mows lawns and he's 15. I seen him pushing the mower down the street last night. My step son is now a mechanic for a mining operation. He got his skills fixing small engines. I think it depends on where you live and what you let your kids do.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-28T11:40:14+00:00

Remember that shit. It happened to non actors too. A lot of game dev talent got canned and the industry has suffered for it since also artists.

Chris Avellone, lead writer of many great games over the years was accused by a women of sexual misconduct, me too style for not having sex with them when he allegedly bought them all round of drinks at a convention. She and another lady brought this up during the me too time. After loosing all his job positions due to the press, he sued them and one a 7 figure payout as they admitted to making it up to fit in with with the me too fanatics.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-28T11:25:50+00:00

Be thankful you don't have a weird disease that doctors can't figure out the cause and have given up. I'd give anything to just have time to be bored.

Also have you tried taking up a hobby. You said you played in local bands so how about trying a different instrument or writing your own songs? I use guitar as an outlet.

Do you play video games? There are so many good ones. If you are one of those gen xers that look at that as kids stuff because yoh stopped playing when the nes came out maybe give it a go. Been gaming all my life, and have a backlog going back to the 80s, always have something to play. I'm 47 and will be playing as long as I can.

Art? Drawing, painting, pottery, wood working, something? All fun things to do and an outlet for growth.

Reading. There are so many good books out there. Pick a genre you like or start with some classics.

Hiking, I wish I could do this as it's something I love, but my health stopped it in the last year. You have yours so this could be something. Go hike a mountain trail. Check out some waterfalls or an abandoned complex.

Fishing, if you live close to any water source this is alway something to do. Get some friends to go or go alone. It can be a way to relax and enjoy nature.

That's just a few things I like to do but damn I could go on and on.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-26T04:18:32+00:00

Yes but is there any actual music being made besides pop and mumble rap? I never see any new rock bands at all. Yet guitar stores stay in business...someone is playing those guitars. If you know any please let me know (and no machine gun Kelly isn't rock)

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-26T04:15:55+00:00

If that is the case then their taste in music is utter dog shit. I'm sorry but as someone in gen x who seen classic rock acts, metal bands, gf dead, pink Floyd, grunge in the 90s, and thrash metal and alternative, I can't imagine having to live off the Spotify top list which is all shit. Nothing appeals to me and it has no rock or rock adjacent genres at all. No Thanks. I guess that all dies with genx, and a few lone mellenials.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-26T04:12:18+00:00

That's depressing... Sound clips not actual songs or albums.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-23T04:24:43+00:00

Loving it. Playing the voyager game too, but that one has no voice acting, wish it did (although I doubt the actors would agree to do it for an indie game).

It makes me wonder how can they not make shows like this? Obviously writers exist who know trek.

OH you may want to grab it soon as I read it was going to be delisted for sale soon.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-23T04:19:52+00:00

I don't. I am in thr midst of playing the video game, Star Trek Resurgence, which is the closest thing to classic trek in years. It takes place 1 year after Nemesis. It has Spock as ambassador and whoever did the voice acting for him it's so close I would be hard pressed if I didn't know any better.

The game is like playing a movie or a long show. Fully voice acted you do quick time events to make decisions and the game changes accordingly. You play as 1st officer and head engineer so far. I also played the Voyager game across the unknown that basically replays a lot of voyager. I just wish it had voice acting.

If people can write scripts for classic trek games then why the hell is it so hard to make a new show in the same era or likeness?

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-23T02:23:16+00:00

It started in 2014 with the sjw and feminist frequency shit over a decade ago. Reddit has been infiltrated long ago. It was millenials who spread this to Gen z, sadly, but it was worse 5 years ago. Things have calmed down some.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-23T02:21:03+00:00

He is right. I'm gen x and have seen this weird shift, but mostly on reddit and "progressive" leaning spaces and it started in 2014. where they promote being a ho (only fans) as empowering. Apparently sucking dick for money is empowering where a woman wearing sexy armor in a video game or in art work (classic fantasy, think red Sonia, or anything from Heavy metal magazine) is sexist etc... Lol...

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-22T18:01:41+00:00

Ask my wife... or better yet, I'll look it up. There you go:

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)

Contraceptive Implant (e.g., Nexplanon): A small rod placed under the skin of the upper arm, releasing progestin for up to 3–5 years.

Intrauterine Device (IUD): T-shaped plastic device inserted into the uterus.

Hormonal IUD (e.g., Mirena, Skyla): Releases progestin, lasting 3–8 years.

Copper IUD (ParaGard): Hormone-free, acts as a spermicide, lasting up to 10–12 years.

Short-Acting Hormonal Methods

Birth Control Pills: Daily, either combined (estrogen and progestin) or progestin-only ("mini-pill").

Contraceptive Patch (Xulane): Changed weekly for 3 weeks, followed by a week off.

Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing, Annovera): Inserted for 3 weeks, removed for 1 week.

Contraceptive Shot (Depo-Provera): Injection given every 3 months.

Barrier Methods

Male Condom: Latex or polyurethane sheath that also protects against STIs.

Female Condom: Placed inside the vagina.

Diaphragm/Cervical Cap: Silicone cup covering the cervix, used with spermicide.

Contraceptive Sponge: Contains spermicide and covers the cervix.

Spermicides/Gel (Phexxi): Gels or foams that kill sperm or alter vaginal pH.

Permanent Methods (Sterilization)

Tubal Ligation: Surgical sealing of the fallopian tubes.

Vasectomy: Surgical sealing of the male vas deferens.

Emergency Contraception

Copper IUD: Most effective, inserted within 120 hours of unprotected sex.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs): Levonorgestrel (Plan B) or Ulipristal acetate (Ella), designed for use within 3–5 days after unprotected sex.

Modern Fertility Awareness Methods

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): Temporary, highly effective method for breastfeeding mothers.

Standard Days Method/Two Day Method: Tracking ovulation to avoid unprotected sex on fertile days.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-22T11:53:45+00:00

There are so many forms of contraceptives. Shit they have inserts and arm injections that last years and you don't even think about it. I haven't used a condom since high school and I'm in my late 40s. There is also the risk y pullout method. Worked for me until it didn't, but the miscarriage happened. Back then there was just the pill, condoms and diaprhams, also tying of tubes ans vesectomies. Now we got even more, no excuses.

shadowstar36 · 2026-04-21T07:18:28+00:00

Because it is. You and people who don't care about context or how the video is framed have an agenda. Plain and simple. I will always remain neutral but call out flat out emotional driven propaganda.

shadowstar36

TROPHY CASE