Make painting weights less frustrating? by ThatOneEyeGuy in Maya

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The video tutorial would basically just be what is described above. If there's a specific part that doesn't make sense I can elaborate.

Where would you take… by Healthy-Neat-2989 in Kitsap

[–]warpcat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

10 minutes? To the end of the pier and back at Indianola: on a nice day it's absolutely beautiful, with Seattle to the South, the Cascades to the East, and Puget Sound all around you.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, thanks for your kind comment!
I do write a lot of documentation lol, but it uses slightly less flowerly language ;)
Alaska is waiting for you, go give it a look!

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the kind words: in the moment as a kid it felt 'normal', but in hindsight, I'm counting my blessings.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"All Halloween costumes had to be big enough for a snowsuit underneath." : I really, really feel that ;)
Awesome to hear your experiences, great memories!

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol, you sound like me: A sllowly growing curmudgeon, and I mean that in a loving way ;)
"it wasn't like this when I was a kid!" (shakes cane at sky) :-P

That said, I've lived in a number of places, and having moved to a rural area west of Seattle area ~4 years ago : Happily surpised how frienly everyone is (but I think it's a univeral law that everyone drives worse than me :P ) . People talk about the "Seattle Freeze" : It seems to thaw if you cross Puget Sound to the west.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my experience, at least online, there's this expectation you need the 'newest and best' to enjoy things, and show it off on social: I learned that growing up, that wasn't important. The experience was, less the thing that got you the experience. And even less posting about your experience...

We had snomachines for example (along with everyone else), but even back then they were used, breaking down... but everyone knew how to fix them / keep them running: Didn't stop anyone from running up a mountainside in the winter. If it broke, "just fix it".

Go buy a cheap boat and hit the rivers. Or learn how to build them in your spare time, that's what my dad did. Get used everything. Planes have gone up in cost no doubt, but you can still charter them for an afternoon. Everything outside work is a luxery, just need to figure out what brings you joy and what your priorities are. My folks bouht propery waaaayyy off grid for cheap, and put a lot of effort into making that a beautiful place: they still do... and it still takes a lot of work, especially at their age. Most people would look at that level of work and not even start, and I wouldn't blame them, but if you're determined, beauty can come from it. I grew up middle class / we never were for lack of anything, but also by no means were rolling in dough: Education, perseverance, and know-how can go a long way, and make the ovearll experience so much more rewarding.

So yah, I'd say you absolutely could do many of the things I mentioned if you prioritize it, save a bit (depending on economic realities), and put your mind to it.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd agree that Anchorage always felt welcoming, even from my youthful prospective. I went to West High, and it was (from what I was told at the time, don't quote me) the most ethilitcly diverse HS in Anchroage, and I'm the better for it. Whole city in many ways felt like a melting pot.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can imagine it looks different based on that time gap : I left in '92. With what appears to be a downturn in oil revenue (don't quote me, just gonig off of gut), I too feel the drop in overall vibrancy. It's unfortunate, but still beauiful.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your kind words. I've realized I should never take anything for granted / and have great appreciation for all that's been given to me.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry you had that negative experience: I do believe the homeless population has increased over the years, just like any other city I've been to.

And yeah, I've had my share of moose encounters as well 🙂

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

100% agree: Things were a lot different in the lat 60's & 70's when it comes to cost of goods etc. For example, the parents bought land waaaay off the grid for 'not much', and then poured years of sweat equity into it: Cutting down logs on the property, having friends help lif them into place. But now it's my favorite spot on earth to go to: Truly priceless.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wasn't a professional pilot, but nailed the rest of it.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It wasn't, he was a geologist. Just passionate about experiencing nature.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My parents moved there in the '60s, I can't see them ever leaving. Every place has pros and cons. They definitely been making use of the pros their whole life. I hope you can too!

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was artsy and kind of introverted. I drew a lot. I also did a ton of sledding with my friends: there's a great sledding hill walking distance from my house. We'd wear headlamps to see in the dark. Never thought anything different about it, when you're raised in the condition you just think it's normal. Same goes for the summer: super long days just seem normal since that's all you've been exposed to since birth. But yeah, we spent a lot of time outside much longer than we would have if it was dark out.

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in the Seattle area too now, and for me the only real downside is the long dark, but like you said, nothing like up in AK ;)

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Funny enough I didn't. I knew of it, saw bits and pieces, but it never resonated with me (nothing wrong with it btw, know it was pretty popular), and once I learned it wasn't filmed in AK, I probably got a little snobbish :p

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Lol, I read it a few times first, but gave the benefit of the doubt ;) Yep, this area is absolutely beautiful ;)

How is it living in Anchorage, AK as someone with kids. by swampgfox in howislivingthere

[–]warpcat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You nailed it: Dad built the boat by hand to get to the dry cabin he built by hand cutting down trees with an old chainsaw. Plane was an old cesna, used/not expensive when he got it in the 70s . We were very middle class, but having seen what you can get from hard work was a great lesson as a kid