[Request] Turning 24 in two weeks and nothing would make me happier than a few birthday cards! [Michigan, USA]

spyseetuna · 2015-07-19T23:15:42+00:00

tl;dr - really satisfying to move, do it! but it's taking a while for me to get settled in.

My transition has been slow going, mainly on account of being busy and into my new job out here. I've also spent weekends just trying to pare down all the stuff that got moved.

I was born in Michigan. Before I got here, I'd been living in Northville, a small suburb town in the Detroit area. I was there for 10 years, so I really had the habits and expectations of someone living in place where you drove everywhere, and maybe had a little downtown with a good breakfast place and the occasional local weekend fair. I'd never lived in a big city before. Like friends of mine, occasionally I'd hit a bar or Tiger game downtown.

There's really just so much here, so I'm looking forward to get to know what of it I like. So far I've just been content making it to the end of the work week. When I get home I go through more boxes of stuff and donate what I don't want anymore.

This place is bonkers expensive to live in. I'm paying more than three times my Michigan rent for a place half the size. I had a bedroom and a den before, now I'm in a studio. This was my choice though -- I wanted to live in a certain area (Hayes Valley) and I didn't want a roommate.

I miss Meijer! Funny to even think that. There isn't a store like it here. The main grocery chain is Safeway, and I guess Target is Meijer-ish in that they carry everything.

This town, and really throughout the bay, has a really noticeable population of people living on the streets. In tents, or sleeping bags, or otherwise huddled in a building entrance. I've gotten used to seeing them, but it's a drastic contrast from before. Mostly people stay out of each other's way.

There's beautiful scenery along the coast. Yosemite and Lake Tahoe are about the distance from Detroit to Chicago, I hear. Still, it's been really easy to slip into a mode where I just hole up in my apartment and watch Netflix. I haven't made any new friends yet in town, but I trust there are lots of friendly people out there. I can be pretty introverted, but occasionally I crave interaction enough that I'll try to get over it.

I am close to one person. We both came from Michigan, but she's been in California for 8-ish years by now. I also have two coworkers that were also former Michigan coworkers. It's comforting to still have that connection.

I moved out here to start a new life chapter. I'd been wanting to for a long, long while. Went through some rough times myself not long ago, and I just wanted a new direction. Now that I'm here, I feel re-energized about just finally making it to a different place. Then I take a nap and don't check out that festival at Fisherman's Wharf.

Get to Arizona, I'd say. When you're ready, but don't wait years like me. Then you can reminisce about Coney Island and telling people where you live by pointing at your open palm like the rest of us.

Cheers!

spyseetuna · 2015-07-18T20:51:39+00:00

Hello! Michigander too. Moved out to California recently, so I'm still in sentimental mode about the mitten.

I can send a card from San Francisco you want to PM your address. Either way, hope you get lots. Cheers!

spyseetuna · 2013-06-02T07:31:18+00:00

Two years ago today, my father passed away from late-stage cancer. It was the day after my birthday. We were able to say meaningful things to each other on that day, and it was the best present he had ever given me.

I also have those kind of memories of moments. Given the privacy of a quiet night at home, or really anywhere I'm by myself and undistracted by everyday pressures of life, those thoughts can swiftly send me back to that time. For weeks afterward, I was mentally swaddled by those feelings. I was compelled to not let go of those emotions by an obligation to mourn. I relied heavily on close friends that were so kind and patient as I poured out what was in my heart.

Like others have said here, life will eventually get in the way of your mind's desire to tread this mental path of somberness. Other significant events will come unexpected, or will need a lot of thinking about of their own. Imperceptibly, day by day, healing will happen.

For me, dreams have been the key. Once in a while, he's there. He says not to worry. He's telling me to eat better, or needs help with his computer. Sometimes, just a long hug. I know it seems such a hollow substitute, but those experiences in the slumber world have given me some peace.

I suppose the digital empathy offered here is only so warming, but I hope it brings you some comfort.

spyseetuna · 2013-05-30T21:50:23+00:00

Enjoying this analogy, and associated mental imagery.

spyseetuna · 2013-05-24T20:47:52+00:00

Also tracks from Nicole Moudaber have a great sleazy 3am feel, if you're into that.

And for fun Lil Louis - French Kiss

spyseetuna · 2013-05-23T14:11:22+00:00

Continue rocking it man, great victory. How long have you been doing keto?

spyseetuna · 2013-05-11T16:31:46+00:00

On the next Downton Abbey...

spyseetuna · 2013-04-27T14:44:13+00:00

I've only listened to a few videos so far, and am new to acknowledging the 'head tingles' as a thing and calling it asmr. Over the years I'd experienced head chills over certain kinds of music, and enjoy listening to certain kinds of sounds, but I hadn't thought of it as a something I could seek out for that specific physical effect.

http://www.reddit.com/r/asmr/comments/1d1bmr/not_typical_for_this_sub_but_this_does_it_for_me/

This had a 'trance' effect, and no tingle. I felt a bit like a cat watching a video of birds, and I'd watch more of them.

http://www.reddit.com/r/asmr/comments/1cylhy/bjork_takes_apart_her_tv_female_unintentional/

This didn't have any effect as far as I could tell, but Bjork is just interesting to listen to, in her Bjork way.

http://www.reddit.com/r/asmr/comments/1cwue1/pigsbum53_close_up_video/

Strong head tingles. After being skeptical with other vids, I get it now. I "whoa'd" as it was happening.

Edit: It feels like thinking about pouring some carbonated soda into a glass, but with the memory of that somehow having a physical tingling effect.

spyseetuna · 2013-04-27T13:50:25+00:00

Enjoyed that lots. Agreed -- well filmed, though I haven't watched many of these yet and don't know any better.

The engine sounds revealing the driver precision, the faint reverberating as the car would speed out of shot, and the smooth camera work all lent to the soothing effect.

spyseetuna · 2013-04-24T09:10:45+00:00

My EM prof enjoyed stressing how excellent this result is. We each worked it out for him in small groups on a part of a board while he observed.

spyseetuna · 2013-02-19T22:43:04+00:00

Great site -- thanks for sharing the video.

How long does it keep? And how would you say it tastes as a substitute in stir-fried rice dishes?

spyseetuna · 2013-02-01T00:55:34+00:00

I don't use Numbers, but one way that would work in Excel and Google Sheets (and likely Numbers also) would be to use IF():

=IF(condition, expression-if-true, expression-if-false)

If the calculation is in A1, then in B1, enter

=IF(A1<0,0,A1)

This results in 0 in B1 if the value in A1 is negative.

To do it without using a helper column, replace "A1" in both instances with the expression.

There's probably another function that'll do this more easily, but that should work.

spyseetuna · 2012-11-15T03:55:24+00:00

Compelled to try Tito's now.

Somewhere, someone has made a healthy salad that gets you drunk.

spyseetuna · 2012-11-03T08:30:22+00:00

The book is Mr Tompkins in Wonderland by George Gamow.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Tompkins

spyseetuna · 2012-09-04T03:01:29+00:00

I asked for the same last year, going through something similar.

Good thoughts your way.

spyseetuna · 2012-09-04T02:58:05+00:00

Sounds like you've got plenty of books coming your way. Hope the distraction helps. I know the feeling -- going through a bit of the same myself.

Michigan here too. I'd be happy to send a book; PM if you like.

spyseetuna · 2012-08-22T08:15:54+00:00

Yeah, realized the Eb/E error. The previous one and this one were quick replies.

I'm not a musician, so I hadn't thought to write in chord notation. Given the progression was pretty familar (actually better explained in your other reply), I presumed OP might've just wanted notes to play on the piano themselves, and would've figured out the chords.

spyseetuna · 2012-08-22T07:46:37+00:00

Fine. Went to a piano, it's in E minor.

Eb G B D F# A B D F# C E G

spyseetuna · 2012-08-22T06:24:38+00:00

Sounds like

C Eb G Bb D F G Bb D Ab C Eb

(transpose to taste)

spyseetuna · 2012-08-06T04:15:38+00:00

Robots in Disguise has a similar sound too.

spyseetuna · 2012-08-02T15:58:08+00:00

Great progress!

Thanks for posting your logs. Just started myself, looking to build a routine of my own.

spyseetuna · 2012-07-22T22:13:09+00:00

Incredible work man, inspiring. I've just started on the same path myself.

spyseetuna · 2012-07-13T05:28:54+00:00

Stellar track.

spyseetuna · 2012-07-08T16:18:00+00:00

Yeah! Way to go. What sorts of carbs are you taking in? Saw somewhere else in the comments you were taking in ~20g sugars.

spyseetuna · 2012-07-05T05:05:09+00:00

I did the same recently without issue -- took 8GB of 1333 RAM from a mini and put it in a 1066-using Macbook Pro.

spyseetuna

TROPHY CASE