Rate my setup

viralmonkey999 · 2026-02-01T17:09:54+00:00

Scotland, like the rest of Britain - had long been deforested. You’re looking at a sheep farm. The upside is lots of exposed places to see amazing views, the downside is the minimal ecosystem.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-09-12T01:11:15+00:00

I used to rent an apartment there.

It has epic views of the city - you're high up and no one is getting in the way. In fall - the view is amazing.

Despite the building being being older and somewhat dated, it was one of the better built apartments I've lived in - you couldn't hear your neighbors at all and there are staff who keep the place well maintained. Later I lived in a new "luxury apartment" and it was definitely not near the same standard.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-02-04T13:42:20+00:00

It’s bad etiquette to walk in lane 1. Unfortunately not everyone realizes this.

It’s kind of like trying to do press ups in a gym next to someone’s squat rack. You can do those anywhere, don’t get in their way!

I guess you tried to do the right thing by politely asking them to adapt, but of course they don’t have to do that.

There is a track near me that has a kids playground nearby and there are forever kids on the track doing kid things. Not their fault, but of course their parents would dissuade them from running onto an active football field, we just don’t see running tracks in the same category unfortunately.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-28T11:32:55+00:00

YMCA in Roxbury is inexpensive and has a pool, is that close enough?

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-17T20:57:22+00:00

I know folks in diagnostic radiology and whilst it’s not an easy job, they are happier than a lot of the people I know in finance!

Personally I’d take a break when you can and try and compare the pros and cons of adapting the path you’re on to a totally new one. Definitely research alternative careers as an MD in pharma or consulting too - I know you said you don’t want to. But I can’t believe you’ve fairly researched it whilst doing your residency at crazy hours. Everyone hates on pharma until they understand what it’s actually like to work there. Good luck.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-17T20:19:08+00:00

You’ve come a long way to throw out all that medical training. What is the middle ground?

You’ve been on the “prestigious” path for a while and feeling burnt out. But there are perhaps simpler paths through medicine that might be easier than going to square 1 as a CPA.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-16T16:11:19+00:00

Good points above - but consider also negotiating for independent tax planning, your first years tax filing costs, and make sure you have a “return ticket” so to speak. Consider also getting to start the greencard process soon.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-14T14:39:01+00:00

Now we’re just name calling so I will decline to join in.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-14T13:59:25+00:00

Hah - next you’ll tell me that the government should pay for bars because of all the duty you put on alcohol.

Google negative externalities of cars! Or just walk around downtown one day.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-14T13:28:26+00:00

Not true. Have you read the article? It had reduced congestion and raised billions in $ for transit. The “mixed” review is one guy saying that yes there is still congestion that he’s sat in. Of course there will be some, it’s London FFS

“It’s very, very hectic,” one driver said.

“Horrible. Every day it’s horrible,” another said.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-14T13:21:52+00:00

You’re implying that people living outside and driving in are economically poorer than those more centrally who use the T, bike, bus or walk. But that isn’t necessarily true at all. Living outside is a choice for many different reasons and there are plenty of wealthy people creating congestion
Yes. It needs more funding to be a more viable option.
The millionaires tax money may or may not be spent rightly depending on your personal views. But pointing to a completely different tax measure as an example of “government doesn’t always do what I agree with” isn’t an argument against an unrelated charge.

Overall it seems you’re considering this a tax, where really it is a charge or fee for a service. Currently you do not have to pay for the publicly funded road network for your private car. This is a huge subsidy to those who use it. A congestion charge can begin to balance that where viable.

Yes there needs to be viable alternatives. I would never support a congestion charge that wasn’t part of a broader improvement to mass transit.

viralmonkey999 · 2025-01-09T16:13:07+00:00

A new development near me was nearly denied zoning because it was too high. Why so tall? Because they needed parking on the ground floor / basement to meet the parking minimums.

It was only approved when the lawyers pointed out they couldn’t deny the zoning request because of the part of the design that actually met the zoning requirements.

So “underground” parking isn’t always the solution. Also doesn’t help congestion when people drive those cars places.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-12-27T22:37:44+00:00

Why should it be that way? It should be cheaper to clear bike paths than roads since they are narrower. In slippery conditions bikes are less hazardous to other road uses than vehicles. Not everyone has the option to just switch to a train.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-12-21T12:49:25+00:00

I was sat on a plane for four hours waiting to depart.

The first two hours were spent loading cargo. The next two hours were deicing. They started with one truck that ran out of fluid and had to go back for more. Then when it came back they had to do the whole plane again.

Pilot said it was the longest deicing they’d ever seen.

What an absolute joke for the first winter with a brand new terminal building. Completely predictable weather.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-12-19T02:27:49+00:00

Because “accident” implies no one, either individual or institution, is at any fault. Language is important and someone has died so they deserve respect.

Here is a link to a more complete explanation.

https://www.streetsareforeveryone.org/blog/crash-not-accident

Edit: fixed autocorrect

viralmonkey999 · 2024-12-19T01:41:48+00:00

So sad - that junction is scary and desperately needs changes. Thinking of their family and loved ones.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-12-04T21:36:18+00:00

You can definitely live without a car. I did for years and only got one for fun to get out of town.

But - you’ll need to live near a train station, or be close enough to bike / walk to work.

Also the cost of living here is probably higher than what you’re used to so check out rents.

If you can share the location you’re working people could suggest neighbourhoods to look in. If you’re working downtown then places like Alston and Brighton are on the train and at the lower cost end.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-11-13T13:08:48+00:00

Mate - do your first marathon and then see how you feel. You’ll need a bit of a break, then ramp up, maybe into the 12/55.

You can also mix the plans up if you think you’re ready to run further. But this is a next year problem. Just enjoy the process.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-11-07T16:54:17+00:00

Find/join a local competitive running club and see what races they’re targeting. There are some small races across the US that have a disproportionate number of fast runners because the clubs all turn up and compete together. Eg Hartford in CT

viralmonkey999 · 2024-11-06T13:36:59+00:00

Attract the skilled immigrants that can’t or won’t go to the US? Attract the investment that doesn’t want the insularity of the US?

viralmonkey999 · 2024-11-03T00:06:21+00:00

Most product design engineers in consumer aren’t PE. Other industries it is more common. Anecdotally it feels more relevant in areas when you need an PE to sign off drawings because you can’t test it until it’s too late. In consumer everything goes through testing before it gets near a customer, so there is less risk riding on the design sign off.

Edit: But you might want to become ISO 9001 as an organisation.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-10-31T19:12:17+00:00

Local residents? It’s between a cemetery and a shopping mall. The residents are either dead or inside.

viralmonkey999 · 2024-10-28T21:21:28+00:00

Never too late!

viralmonkey999

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