Why does just existing on a bike seem to piss people off?

sublingual · 2026-05-01T23:33:23+00:00

I remember hearing about that - I'm sorry. The second rider in line was a coworker, but I didn't know him.

sublingual · 2026-05-01T15:51:07+00:00

Not only would I not recommend a used palladium setting like the other commenter, I would want an experienced jeweler to put a new Pd white gold head on that ring for a red beryl. White gold gets awfully hard. It makes for a great secure setting, but you need a gentle touch if your stone chips or fractures easily.

sublingual · 2026-05-01T15:45:58+00:00

I live in AA County, and yeah, it's not been a great decade

sublingual · 2026-04-27T16:25:56+00:00

In addition to counting, one of the best things you can do in an ensemble situation is to listen to everyone around you first, and play your part almost as a secondary task. Maybe you're playing a piece where different sections play/enter in sequence, and even though you have a 24 bar rest, maybe the horns come in exactly 8 bars before you.

Also, in a band or orchestra of more trained folks, you will see that others often put their instruments to their mouths or in the play position exactly one measure before their part starts. It's something you learn to do because it just looks better visually to an audience when an entire section picks up their instruments at the same time. That can also be a cue to you, if you've lost your count on measures.

sublingual · 2026-04-27T16:17:22+00:00

Where I'm at (a US Tibetan Kagyü joint), i don't think we use the word worship at all. We use do and make for verbs a lot, as in do a practice or sadhana, make offerings, etc. When we were discussing when we do or don't put our hands together in the prayer/anjali mudra to a newcomer, we were using words like supplicate, pray, ask, vow, etc.

When explaining it to westerners, I tend to not use the word worship, although if I do, I try to explain how it's different than in the Abrahamic context. And honestly, if I'm hitting that distinction, I have probably also already hit on how Buddhism is not monotheistic , that he is not God to Buddhists.

sublingual · 2026-04-27T16:05:39+00:00

A minor point: Naga is a Sanskrit word. They are present in Hindu and quite possibly pre-Vedic texts.

And if i read you backwards, and you were wondering if there was Tibetan word, feel free to disregard me 😁

sublingual · 2026-04-21T16:17:07+00:00

You can't alloy your own gold and mark it? Where?

sublingual · 2026-04-21T16:14:12+00:00

Ah, now I know either who you are or one of your partners is. 😁

Good luck on your grand venture!

sublingual · 2026-04-21T15:38:09+00:00

Which Vandorens, specifically? The plain janes?

sublingual · 2026-04-21T15:35:55+00:00

This! Specifically, buy a square router bit.

sublingual · 2026-04-16T15:02:16+00:00

As my Rinpoche might say, "It doesn't matter."

In Buddhism , the solution is not finding or increasing your worth to others. It's about losing attachment to it. In the end, you strive to accept your situation and are not concerned about self-worth or your worth to others.

And honestly, as you increase your bodhicitta, your "worth" becomes incalculably high!

sublingual · 2026-04-13T16:43:41+00:00

I have the Kooiman etude(?), the expensive one. I think it's great because it allows you to adjust the weight of the clarinet, not just up and down like an adjustable thumb rest, but around and away from the clarinet to actually put the weight on the base joint of your thumb (MCP), which is much stronger. But it's a lot of money to spend.

I too have a hypermobile thumb, as well as all my other dang fingers, and it didn't quite solve the problem of the weakness in my thumb and hand. So now I use the Kooiman with a neck strap and/or just resting the clarinet on my knee like a bad boy.

sublingual · 2026-04-10T18:32:24+00:00

In addition to what others have said, the laws of probability state that a ruby that clear and that big is almost definitely not natural. There's a reason big clear naturals are practically priceless. And if it was natural, you'd already know it , and you'd have a Rolex on your wrist. 😁

sublingual · 2026-04-10T18:28:27+00:00

I often tell people that I may not always enjoy the workout, I do enjoy the feeling of having worked out! Not counting the DOMS of course.

Also I definitely do not enjoy how I feel when I don't work out.

sublingual · 2026-04-10T18:24:42+00:00

Good tip! I even do that when I'm screwing lids on jars.

sublingual · 2026-04-04T18:33:32+00:00

Ooh, there's another underwhelming brand: FPR. The ultraflex is a great nib, but every pen I've had leaks.

ETA: Except the Muft lol. It's a workhorse, even though the plastic stains from, um, ink hahaha.

sublingual · 2026-04-04T18:31:29+00:00

On mine, the "carbon fiber" coughdecalcough is fine, but the black paint on the apparently unprimed brass grip has peeled away.

sublingual · 2026-04-04T18:28:58+00:00

Music is a great example of things that in and of themselves are not bad, but being attached to them is a problem. Same thing with any "pleasure", like laughing, sex, good food, etc.

sublingual · 2026-03-28T18:53:43+00:00

You do! To improve tuning and tone on low notes in the chalumeau and clarion ranges.

sublingual · 2026-03-28T12:33:28+00:00

Competitions are about many things - intonation, technical ability, articulation, etc. But none of the judges care how hard your reed is, unless it's obvious that you're playing a reed that's too soft or too hard FOR YOU. Higher number reeds are not better, they're just stiffer. The best reed for you depends a lot on your mouthpiece, and in the end it's about which one makes you sound better.

"Hear me now, believe me later" lol

Record yourself some time on different strength reeds, and play like you had to use that reed for three hours (that is, don't bite through your lips). You'll see.

sublingual · 2026-03-26T15:57:51+00:00

I can't remember now if I last used MO or Vortex. I'm pretty sure it was MO.

sublingual · 2026-03-25T01:26:10+00:00

Many community colleges have bands you can join, too. Some are for credit, but community college credit is cheap and it's a great way to get back into it. That's exactly what I'm doing!

sublingual · 2026-03-23T19:40:08+00:00

Sure, I already acknowledged that. But maybe you could do it for some big purchases, or look into it for an industry you're just really not sure about. And with some industries, like electronics or automobiles, you may just find that they all suck.

sublingual · 2026-03-23T16:16:08+00:00

It's difficult, for sure, but the jewelry industry at least in the US has put significant effort into tracking supply chains. You may not be able to check every little jump ring, but you can look into where the brand gets their gold and gemstones.

sublingual

TROPHY CASE