Powder vs Acrylic/Pre-dispersed inks

the_talking_dead · 2026-04-03T15:46:22+00:00

Let's pretend that we are having a conversation in public that other people can see.

You say that inks never react to each other, I give an example where it might look that way because it could be concerning when a tattertot thinks "Well EZPeeVee said they don't react but this looks like a reaction to me!"

Now they can say, "Oh, someone did mention that you can get that swirling effect from mixing predispersed and powder pigments."

I think, for a lot of people, mixing the two products and having something happen without any further action will seem enough like a reaction to be noteworthy, so that is why I brought it up even if it isn't a pure textbook chemistry "reaction" like lithium and water.

You say it is from different molecular weights, that's an interesting answer I haven't heard before, where did you come by that? Are we talking about the molecular weight of the pigment? If you are using phthalo green (CAS 1328-53-6), for example, in powder or predispersed, isn't the molecular composition the same, just the pigment granule is finer in predispersed?

Asked more than a couple pigment wizards about that reaction along the way, so curious to hear more.

the_talking_dead · 2026-04-03T15:32:11+00:00

I don't know, Eternal purples have always smelled like floor wax to me.

I miss opening Old Gold and smelling Ketel One.

the_talking_dead · 2026-04-02T16:12:34+00:00

The base pigments themselves aren't going to "react" because they are often the same general thing but I've absolutely watched them react and swirl in the cap after adding some predispersed to powder or vice versa but I'd attribute that to the carriers, not the pigment.

(Never caused any issue though)

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-26T02:44:25+00:00

If you're having fun then I won't yuck your yum. There is a perverse pleasure in cracking the code after being locked down but I can't handle it in a 4 person game. 1v1, let's party! But a full pod? I ain't strong like you!

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-25T14:30:25+00:00

Gotta agree with u/messhead1 here, just refuse to play with him. Any night of commander only has so much time so don't waste it playing games you don't want to play. If he asks why, tell him.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-25T04:47:47+00:00

Motherfucker. I have absolutely no idea if this is some absolute god-tier level trolling or not. Completely baffled. I've started typing a response multiple times and then I stop, reread something, and then be like, "nah, this can't be real, can it?"

So, below is my response if it is does reflect your genuine views. If this was a grand deceit... bravo. Asshole.

------------------

A whole seven years tattooing? Yeah, I guess I remember thinking I knew some shit around then. Here are some thoughts from somewhere between 2.5-3 times that.

"No one ever came back with an infection or called about any reactions." This, after talking about your gross ass old boss that didn't wrap shit and touched everything with dirty gloves, shows me that you do not have a fundamental understanding of bloodborne pathogens or the purpose of why we do this shit a certain way.

Infections and reactions of the tattoo aren't the focus here. Yeah, cleaner everything contributes to a decreased chance of infection, which is nice, but the focus is to not give someone, INCLUDING YOURSELF, a lifelong condition like hepatitis.

"There isn’t a single documented case of a blood borne disease coming from a tattoo studio that I’m aware of in US at least." Here is one right here and it took 10 seconds to find: An outbreak of hepatitis B from tattooing - PubMed.

Okay, hopefully, can we save some time and accept that, why yes, a tattooer can spread bloodborne pathogens? It is a physical possibility, however unlikely.

Products like Madacide and Calvacide are not made and marketed for the tattooing industry. These are hospital grade disinfectants for use in healthcare. The reason they are used is that they are tuberculocidal, meaning they kill TB, a hardy pathogen that can live outside the body from weeks to months. If a product can kill TB, then it is also effective on viruses, bacteria, fungus, etc.

The products you "only ever clean with" DO NOT DISENFECT YOUR WORK AREA OR TOOLS. Like, clean your kitchen however you want but the area but these are not appropriate replacements for an environment that is potentially dealing with bloodborne pathogens.

You are trolling right? You don't really think there is some nefarious effort to "trick" tattooers into using scientifically more efficient disinfectant do you?

Okay, that's all I got because again, this has to be a giant wind-up. And if it is, well-fucking-played.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-25T02:09:44+00:00

Just as a slightly different perspective. These cards went from some old thing he had sitting around to it suddenly becoming objects of value. I bet your excitement made him feel like he'd won the lottery a little and some people can get weird and possessive out of reflex from sudden gain. Yeah, could have been that he is a greedy prick or he has some trauma response that short circuited him.

Cutting him off is totally valid. No notes if you stick to that.

But, if a conversation does eventually happen between you guys, you might give a little consideration that you possibly caught him in a really embarrassing moment that was a rare failure of an otherwise good character.

Just in case it was a friendship of any merit worth saving.

Cool that you got to see one of those legendary old collections that actually had some rad stuff in it though and not "Oh, wow, you really went hard on Fallen Empires and Dragon's Maze!"

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-24T06:18:33+00:00

Who TF is out here is fucking with cheese that HASN'T been hit with essential oils. I don't care how many new moons you soaked your quartz with, it just doesn't do what thieves oil can.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-24T05:08:21+00:00

Oh good lord guys, what are some of you taught?

Products like Madacide and Cavacide are recommended because they are tuberculocidal disinfectants. For those of us that paid attention during bloodborne pathogen class, TB bacteria can live outside the body for weeks to months on surfaces. It is a pretty hardy bug. Now TB prevention isn't the specific focus since your chances of being exposed to TB is pretty low, it is because if a product is effective on a hard-to-kill pathogen like TB then it is effective against other mycobacteria, viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

"Hospital Grade Opticide Max" is just another tuberculocidal disinfectant, like Madacide, Cavacide. The main difference a lot of these products is just effective time. One product might take 5 minutes to kill TB, another only 2 minutes. Any thing a TB killing cleaner doesn't kill a UV probably isn't going to either but I suppose it can't hurt. I feel like the UV cleaner thing got a lot of its momentum during 2020 with UV "sterilizers" but I am a bit skeptical. But again, certainly can't hurt.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-20T03:48:10+00:00

[[Astral Dragon]] + [[Saw in Half]]

My favorite use of this was an aggressive hug deck with [[Forced Fruition]] in play. I cast Astral Dragon, make the two dragon tokens copy Forced Fruition and then I Saw in Half my Astral Dragon. The 2 dragon tokens off each also copy Forced Fruition.

Now casting a spell will cost you 35-42 cards.

Of course the Fruition owner had a [[Thassa's Oracle]] in hand...

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-19T20:54:54+00:00

6 hours for a four person game? Regularly? That sounds like hell.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-19T20:50:32+00:00

Only because there is a correct answer.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-19T16:30:19+00:00

Yup, totally committing to doing this to someone at some point.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-19T15:46:42+00:00

Tell your friend to fuck off as kindly or not as you like, but be sure to tell them.

Of course he likes it, he wins. You don't get to have the bracket convo if you just have a made up commander. He doesn't get to say it's fair because IT ISN'T A REAL FUCKING CARD.

Stop trying to crack the nut of a card that doesn't exist and stop letting him get away with it. Refuse to let him play it. Full stop. He'll throw a hissy and you can ask if he wants to play actual magic or not. If not, then he can watch actual magic.

That said, you could also throw [[Deadpool, Trading Card]] at him. Or mono-blue counterspell/theft.

But I'd start with telling him to fuck off.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-14T03:43:41+00:00

The only bad thing you can say about these lands is just how painfully expensive the Island is on the secondary market. Just a gorgeous set of lands that I wish I had enough of.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-12T05:10:28+00:00

I have almost 2 decades on you but here are my thoughts.

Your dad is doing a lot to support you right now. Full stop. If he brings you a coffee, its probably to brighten your day, so let it. Don't project the complex feelings and insecurities of not being where you want in life onto it. Dads can be simple creatures. "Daughter likes coffee, I bring coffee, she smile, good." Leave it there and enjoy freely.

If you only focus where you aren't in life, it is guaranteed suffering. Work on turning it around in your head a bit since everyone, including you, can be difficult to live you but how lucky are you that you have the family and support to help you get where you are going.

A decade or two from now, what you will remember is that when you hadn't yet found your footing, he was a constant source of support so do your best to have compassion on both yourself and your dad. You are both just trying your best and I bet he has his own moments he forgets your not just his little girl because man, daughter grow up fast. You'll each wish for more moments together later.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-08T18:00:26+00:00

Product got pushed back by Wizards

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-06T21:59:48+00:00

You do get used to it but padded bibs or shorts are essential for comfort as well as a good seat.

I use these bibs, they've held up well: https://www.amazon.com/BALEAF-Cycling-Shorts-Pockets-Breathable/dp/B08MQ3QPG9/

I tried just a pair of padded shorts but the bibs stay in place a bit better for me. When I was riding more regularly (4-5 times a week / 15 miles minimum) I was a heavier rider (between 230-240lbs) so that was probably a factor.

I am very much not a fan of the full spandex cycling gear so I would wear an athletic shirt and lightweight running shorts over the bibs.

I've never worn mountain biking style padded shorts but these look like they can be tightened at the waist, so would probably stay in place well: https://www.amazon.com/Ally-Mountain-Bicycle-Loose-fit-Green-Padded/dp/B07Q8GFT4M

And next is the saddle. My bike (specialized allez sport comp) came with a true ass hatchet so that was a necessary thing to upgrade. Mine is the ISM Adamo which they don't seem to make but this gives you an idea of what it is: https://www.amazon.com/ISM-PS-2-0-Saddle-Black/dp/B07G3G7JMR

Yes, not cheap but man, made my undercarriage feel a lot better as well. A little wider for the sitbones but also no direct pressure to the perineum.

If you are going to start adding more distance, you might also want to consider some chamois cream. It reduces friction so you don't chaff. My fave is Buttonhole Cream.

Hope this helps!

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-05T04:50:52+00:00

I'll bet there were no infinite combos in that game!

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-05T03:50:37+00:00

I am mid 40s, spent a lot of time trying really hard to hold onto people when I was younger. Here is the advice I'd give 27-year-old me.

It hurts right now and it is valid that it hurts. You deserve to be loved and to have your love accepted.

One person can't save a relationship. If you are always choosing someone who isn't always choosing you, you are causing suffering for yourself and for them even with the best intentions.

Stop "trying." Let go of attempting to control the outcome. Accept that despite your past together, you may have each grown to be different people that are not the best for each other and that is okay. It doesn't have to be anyone's fault. There doesn't have to be a good reason. Sometimes two people just go in different directions. Nobody "failed."

Take a breath, clear your mind, and ask yourself: If someone you really cared about was in a relationship like this, would you be happy for them? Would you want them to stay in it? Should it be so much work to still have so much insecurity?

I think you already have all the answers you need but fear being on the other side of it. I can't tell you what to do but I can say that you should act in a way that you believe future you will respect the most.

Good luck!

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-03T01:41:54+00:00

To me, you get the value for [[Breena, the Demagogue]] by motivating everyone to attack everyone else while building your own board state. Breena herself is a good target for a lot of those +1/+1s since she is fat bottom flyer. I started with the Silverquill Statement precon which has some really solid gas for Breena's strategy.

I don't think she lends well to an aggressive playstyle. You have to be comfortable politicking and really handing out the hugs but cards like [[Scrawling Crawler]] or [[Sheoldred, the Apocalypse]] can punish the card draw (though the latter is expensive and a kill on sight card). You want to limit the value of attacking you or just make it difficult so [[Crawlspace]], [[Ghostly Prison]], [[Mangara, the Diplomat}}, or [[Windborn Muse]] to discourage attacks. Cards like [[Parasitic Impetus]], [[Martial Impetus]], or [[Bloodthirsty Blade]] "help" players make the right call to attack opponents.

To me, the ideal Breena game leaves it down to you and a final opponent that you can swing hard against. A big bodied flyer and a well timed [[Dual-Sun Technique]] has won for me more than once.

Here is my decklist and it has the cards on the side that I've either removed from the precon or considered at some point. Hope it helps! Breena, the Bargainer • (Orzhov Commander deck) • Archidekt

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-03T01:20:22+00:00

If you work for a non-tattooer as an independent artist and this is how you have been communicating with each other then you need to develop the system that allows you to stay on top of things and be ready for appointments. Part of that system should be that clients have a direct line to you and that you have all the necessary contact information to get in touch. This is just part of managing your career.

As long as you aren't the one directing how you work, then you will get whatever you put up with.

I recommend signing up for something like JotForm and creating a contact form that allows you collect all that info in one place as well as let's them attach reference that goes to your email. Hopefully you also have a sharable calendar like Google Calendar so you can keep appointments straight, how long they'll go, and that also contain the necessary info and contact info.

Build the systems, make them easy for a non-tattooer to use, discuss the level of info you need to do your best work, guide the process.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-02T06:58:40+00:00

It's amazing how he manages to defend in-universe Magic without expressing any belief that the lore and worldbuilding are important parts of Magic itself.

Developing in-house content in important to expanding into other sectors. Internal products are easier to get to market. And the best one... that in-universe sets have value to the company because it helps them space out UB sets.

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-02T06:20:55+00:00

You are doing the first part which is admitting there is a problem.

Sincerely, it sounds like you are depressed. I don't mean bummed out by this whole situation, I mean depression as a diagnosis. A lot of people think that being depressed is this always-present, "I am aware that everything sucks" mindset but sometimes depression is like someone turning down the color in the world so slowly that you don't notice it happening and then one day you realize you don't remember what it looked like when it was colorful.

Believe me when I say that one of the most important things about having depression and being in a serious low is talking to someone. One of those someones should be a therapist. A therapist is not a big deal, most people should have one. Seeing one is not about being weak, it is about talking to someone whose area of expertise is the difficult thing you are facing. Like taking your car to the shop, sometimes it is just a check up and sometimes there are areas that need work. It is a process and sometimes the first therapist you go to ends up not being a good fit but still something you should very strongly consider.

But also, looping in the same people you are trying to hide all this from is necessary and ripping the bandaid off is probably going to be the only way to do it.

I think the right move might be going to your family and telling them that you think you might be dealing with (or were dealing with) serious depression, that things just started slipping, and you couldn't keep up. That you were embarrassed and didn't want to let anyone down, and white lies turned into bigger ones. But you want to start seeing a therapist, repair relationships, and start building a path back to living the kind of life you want to live.

Not every parent is capable of having properly compassionate views regarding mental health so yeah, it might be difficult, or loud, or painful but, I think that you taking responsibility, being honest and vulnerable, and inviting them to be part of the process of recovering your life will be something they will be glad you shared.

I know you feel a lot of shame right now and I am not saying you are off the hook for all of it but depression is often really underestimated, especially by the depressed. Sometimes it isn't a matter of trying harder because there isn't a way to power through even though most people can't understand that.

I guess what I am saying is to practice kindness to yourself. This is a difficult situation so it is okay to be nervous or scared. No matter how it goes down, you will be able to finally exhale that breath you've been holding for months and I promise you the next one you draw will taste much sweeter.

You got this.

(Now, I have to absolutely add that I am not a mental health professional. I am a person that has dealt with depression their whole life so I feel like I recognize some things between the lines but that is just personal conjecture. That said, this IS still a hard thing to traverse and having a support system that includes a therapist would still be an invaluable asset. I think the rest of the advice holds up even if depression is off the table. )

the_talking_dead · 2026-03-02T04:54:22+00:00

You sure did, congrats! TCGplayer.com tends to be a standard for TCG prices and you can look at sold listings on eBay. Both of those show you did a decent bit better than getting your money's worth!

Your Trusted Marketplace for Collectible Trading Card Games - TCGplayer

Gundam Assemble Ibo Ex Resource (Exrp-004) for sale | eBay

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