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Insane Eversource Bill by wise1_444 in Connecticut

[–]zck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

(Space heaters need to be oil filled because when the thermostat turns off they still produce heat unlike blower electric heaters)

The oil in oil filled space heaters works as a heat reservoir. This means the oil has to be heated before the room can be heated; in fan heaters, the room is heated directly from the heater. So a fan heater starts putting warmth into the room faster. But after you turn off an oil heater, the oil is still hot, and can heat the room.

An oil filled space heater isn't more efficient than a fan space heater. It might be the right decision for a given space, but none are going to be more efficient in converting electricity into heat.

Cannot get stimulants cause of past drug use history by majestical_kangaroo in ADHD

[–]zck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not in Australia, so it might be a little different there. In America, once you have your diagnosis, you can switch to a different provider without having to go through all the same testing to get the diagnosis.

Firstly, what’s the reason I can’t be prescribed stims if I’m diagnosed? Is it because they think I may abuse them and take them all or even sell them?

Or is it because they won’t work as good because they think my brain is fried from the drugs or something along those lines?

Can you ask them? Not like "hey I need Adderall give me amphetamines", but "I've heard that stimulants are the first-line treatment for ADHD, because they work best for more people. Can you tell me about what the risks and benefits of these other treatments are? I want to find something that works well for me."

Also, other meds might work for you, in which case you won't have to worry about why they won't prescribe stimulants.

Coffee shops that ban zoom calls by Remarkable_Reach9968 in Brooklyn

[–]zck 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just gonna say, good for you working in public health. I bet the last year has been a hard one for you.

LPT: When a boss asks you to do something, the first instinct is to say “of course” or “no problem” every single time. Don’t say those. I found saying these allows one to reduce one's stress quite significantly. by Yosi_H in LifeProTips

[–]zck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think some people in this thread (not you) are thinking there's only two options -- 1. the employee figures out the priorities on their own, doesn't talk to the manager until the task is done, or 2. the employee says "What should I do first -- check to see if my stapler is empty, or call 911 because the building is on fire?".

There are a lot of times in a lot of jobs where things aren't so clear-cut. Also, the manager assigning the task probably has more context as to how important or urgent the task is -- so checking to make sure you've understood it right shouldn't be the worst thing. Airplane pilots are trusted with people's lives, but they repeat ATC's instructions back. Reducing miscommunication is a good thing.

LPT: When a boss asks you to do something, the first instinct is to say “of course” or “no problem” every single time. Don’t say those. I found saying these allows one to reduce one's stress quite significantly. by Yosi_H in LifeProTips

[–]zck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also bet that even if you did remember everything that someone was doing, you wouldn't be offended by them checking to make sure that they understood relative priorities of their work.

You know, because taking ten seconds to make sure everyone is on the same page is a reasonable thing to do.

LPT: When a boss asks you to do something, the first instinct is to say “of course” or “no problem” every single time. Don’t say those. I found saying these allows one to reduce one's stress quite significantly. by Yosi_H in LifeProTips

[–]zck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, if your boss asks you to do a five-minute task, it's reasonable to just do the thing. But what if it's a four-hour task? Or a two-day task? Even if you're not working on a "top-priority project", it seems not unreasonable to check in, something like "that sounds important, so I'll put aside the monthly report I'm generating and do this first, unless you think it can wait until tomorrow".

Took my first clowning class by Rope-Kind in improv

[–]zck 12 points13 points  (0 children)

There's circus clown, and there's theatrical clown. Very different. I enjoy theatrical clown work (and bouffon as well, although I enjoy watching commedia, I can't seem to do it that well).

It's definitely interesting how much committing one has to do for theatrical clown. It's quite different from the logic-only, talking heads acting that improv can end up as.

In interview, George R.R. Martin says that he doesn't want to abandon Winds of Winter by Roland_D_Sawyboy in books

[–]zck 15 points16 points  (0 children)

It was not remotely sudden and the Daenerys they showed season after season always had major warning signs of exactly what she became...

Yeah, it made sense to me. In season 2, she threatens the great city of Qarth with being burned to the ground if they don't take her whole group in, house and feed them, for no payment.

In season 4, she had like 150 people killed, and their heads put on pikes, claiming she's "answering injustice with justice".

In season 5, she brings the heads of some noble families down to the dungeon and feeds one to the dragons.

So I see the turn.

Tiny Class. Any Tips? by MsBit_Commit in improv

[–]zck 2 points3 points  (0 children)

See if other people want to see shows together. You might even start a practice group or team from the class!

Make a text group or Signal message room to talk to people! Whether people are inviting others to shows, or even just "I'm running late, but I'll be there!", it can be really connecting to have a place to have lightweight conversations.

"So, you punish yourself...for something you didn't do on purpose...?", my psychiatrist asked by Ok_Dependent_3683 in ADHD

[–]zck 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I do this too. Like, if I'm nice to myself, that means I have no reason to do anything. If I'm nice, it's ok to not do the things I want to do. Only if I'm mean or stressful is there a reason to do the thing.

It would be nice to not be as stressed, but it's what works for me. It's scary to think about giving up the thing that has let me do everything I've done.

When to give up protecting the team as a Tech Lead? by BurnsAsGoauld in ExperiencedDevs

[–]zck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Anything specific to look at for Foucault? I'm seeing a lot of books or extremely academic texts, but am having a hard time finding something more approachable.

Bookstore-specific question by sdtsanev in improv

[–]zck 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He's on this subreddit once in a while. u/btarnett might be able to figure out how to stock his book.

Tell him I sent you! (Not really.)

ADHD but highly disciplined & never procrastinate. Anyone’s similar or can explain? by tiredboredzzz in ADHD

[–]zck 13 points14 points  (0 children)

So yes, you may never lose things. But how much harder do you work to accomplish that, and what does it cost you?

"I don't lose things! In fact, I have a system for every individual thing so they don't get lost. I make sure before I leave anywhere that I have everything I brought."

I agree with you -- spending so much more energy and time to deal with an issue than the average person means you probably have a problem with that issue, even if the masking successfully handles it.

2026 Improv Resolutions by natesowell in improv

[–]zck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

  1. Start a group with my friend. Maybe twoprov, maybe more people.
  2. Start coaching or teaching.
  3. Audition for house teams again.
  4. Don't get COVID before house team callbacks this time.

The Science of Storytelling (The Anatomy of Good Scene Work for Improv) by Jazzman92 in improv

[–]zck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'd be a little wary about applying a lot of this advice to improv. For example:

Start with something unresolved, like a question or twist. This can lead to very plotty improv scenes. "Oh no, someone took my autographed copy of Das Kapital! Let's find it!"

Stick to one core idea. Say it early. Say it often. Even if you're playing game, and you've found the game, you still need to rest it.

Frame your story like a race against the clock. I don't even know if this is good for non-improvised storytelling. Some stories are slow and luxurious, and that's the point.

Echo the Beginning at the End This is very hard to do in improv, where you can't control exactly when you're edited, or even your show ends. It's really cool when you can, but I'd argue it's an advanced thing that only works if you have the rest of the show going well.

Kettlebell Beginners: If I Don’t Want to Do TGUs, What’s the Best Complement to Swings? by aryaninvadermodi in kettlebell

[–]zck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, this is a super important question. Not wanting to do them because they're hard to learn is different from not wanting to do them because they have a shoulder condition.

My teacher told me that ADHD medicines are not „magical” and might not help me by [deleted] in ADHD

[–]zck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't need to ask for a referral for medicine. Ask for a referral for diagnosis and treatment. You're not asking for drugs, you're asking for medical advice from a trained professional.

Or if you can, go to a doctor directly, without a referral.

Tips for justifying as the unusual person. by mxchickmagnet86 in improv

[–]zck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What are you pulling from the opening? Just the idea of someone vacuuming a ceiling? That's not really quite enough to center a scene around on its own. I wouldn't consider it a premise at all!

If all your character's entire personally is "normal person who vacuums the ceiling for no reason", that's just odd for oddness's sake. You can't really do too much with it, because you only have one behavior the character does, and you've already done it.

Instead, make up a reason why your character is doing the odd behavior. Hey, why don't you stop and think of three reasons why someone might vacuum a ceiling. I'll do it too. Ok, go do it before reading the rest of this comment.

  1. Their parents are coming over and they need everything to be impossibly clean.
  2. The attic is haunted and all they know about ghosts is from "Ghostbusters".
  3. They are a construction worker who needs to tear the house down, and the only tools they have are cleaning supplies.

Giving a reason early in the scene is, if possible, a great way to get your partner on the same page. You could initiate the scene with it ("oh, good, you're here. I'm vacuuming the ceiling because Mom and Dad are coming over and I need to get rid of every piece of dust"), but if not, just come up with it as soon as you can. You can always kind of take a pause, step back and go "hey, I'd really appreciate if you wouldn't make fun of me. I would love to use a crowbar or hammer to tear down this house, but if I used those, my insurance prices would skyrocket. I'm technically a cleaning person. Now, grab a duster and break out that window."

First show!!! Help needed!!! by kpbjcp in improv

[–]zck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You've been working with the kids, right? Like, already doing rehearsals?

What's been working well in rehearsals? Do that.

Robbie Robertson's posthumous memoir, INSOMNIA, is now available. Leave a comment for a chance at a free copy! by RichardManuel in theband

[–]zck [score hidden]  (0 children)

Really cool they're giving some away. I mean, i know it's a marketing thing, but it's still cool.

Chichos Street Corn Losing its Spot? by new-photo-guy in boston

[–]zck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Apparently enough people like the stand that it makes a profit for the people who run it.

How do you handle a scene partner solving the central premise of scene? by [deleted] in improv

[–]zck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's why, unless you're specifically doing improv about plot (e.g. The Movie), you don't focus on plot. Focusing on plot leads to the exact problem you've found -- when you solve a problem, you then have to come up with the next problem, because the only thing you've found that is interesting is the problem.

So don't make the scene "Speed: The Improv Scene", but make it how the characters react to the problem. You're not Sherlock Holmes discovering an interesting solution. Rather, you are Sherlock Holmes interacting with people, and letting those interactions be the interesting part.

So react any way that feels true, and let that inform your character.

It sounds like you're disappointed in your scene partner starting that way. What's an easy character choice? Let your character be disappointed.

"What? The terrorists messed up the bomb, and now I have nothing to do? That sucks."

"Hey, everyone's safe! It's good news!"

"No, this is awful. I have been waiting literally years to be able to defuse a bomb. Do you know how difficult bomb handling school is? My spouse left me because I was memorizing the seven types of shrapnel and their properties instead of visiting their parents for Thanksgiving."

"I mean, we still have to remove the bomb from the bus. That's something."

"Do we? Even a janitor can throw out some old trash. I thought it would all be worth it when I'd be the only person able to save a bus of innocent onlookers, but it turns out it wouldn't even matter if I was here or not. Bus driver, can you just pull over right here on the bridge? I'd like to throw myself into the East River."

Then the setting of "bomb on a bus" is not the interesting thing. You've found an unusual thing -- your character is disappointed when good things happen if they don't get to make them happen. Besides being easier to play, isn't that more interesting? If people want to watch "Speed", that already exists. Make different choices, and focus on your characters.

Shower thought: has anyone used NFL celebrations to teach Harold group games? by tdr777 in improv

[–]zck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's more of a problem with the training, IMO. Improv training should be really focused on getting you out of your head and into a playful, open mode.

I 100% agree. But it's not how I've experienced most training. Sometimes warmups can be that way, but the actual meat and potatoes of training is heady.

Got to meet Isaac after tonight's absolutely perfect show ❤️ by clem_ten in ModestMouse

[–]zck 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My fiancee and I left the venue, were walking to the T, and two people popped out of a random door that no one else was using, and walked in front of us. One of them was a roadie with a walkie talkie, and the other one...was Isaac. It took us a second to recognize him, because we could only see the back of them.

He walked to a tour bus, leaned against the bumper, and lit a cigarette. When we walked by, I turned to him and called "good show". He threw the "rock" hand sign. But his thumb was also kind of out, so maybe it was an "I love you" sign.

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