BlueRaith's recent activity
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Comment on How did you make the career pivot? in ~life
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Comment on Progressive Punctuation: A collection of non-standard punctuation marks we should be using today in ~humanities.languages
BlueRaith LinkPersonally, the only mark I could see myself using is the interrobang. It's pretty much just the condensing of two already existing marks, and is intuitively read by just about any existing reader...Personally, the only mark I could see myself using is the interrobang. It's pretty much just the condensing of two already existing marks, and is intuitively read by just about any existing reader when they come across it.
The rest, I'm not so sold on. In my opinion, none of them have that same intuitive meaning as the interrobang and thus will probably mean more rote memorization by grammar learners, particularly in English—notorious as it is for being arbitrary with its rules already.
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
BlueRaith Link ParentI usually see guitar players recommend whatever gets the beginner most excited to actually play and practice. No cases, leave the guitar out and in easy reach, and try to do practice with purpose...I usually see guitar players recommend whatever gets the beginner most excited to actually play and practice. No cases, leave the guitar out and in easy reach, and try to do practice with purpose on it if not everyday, then most days, even if for only a few minutes at a time.
I get both views on this, but I think I lean more towards whatever gets a beginner player more enthused about the instrument. I read once that one of the big guitar sites did a survey and found that most new guitar players quit within a year, so keeping up the enthusiasm while instilling discipline seems to be critical in a hobby like this.
That said, I do definitely notice the technical advantages of playing primarily on acoustic at this stage. I was in the position to get both types of guitar, so I did, and was surprised that I am leaning more towards the acoustic guitar. It is definitely easier to play the electric guitar compared to the acoustic, albeit there is a bit of a funny adjustment for a few minutes because electric strings feel... I don't know, more bendy? Rubber band-y? Compared to my acoustic. Likely because of the higher tension. I also have to play more carefully on the acoustic, it doesn't forgive poor technique as much as my electric guitar does, and you can most certainly hear bad buzzing or thunking loud and clear on an acoustic guitar.
Feeling the reverberations from my acoustic guitar is what fascinated me about it at first, and the challenge of playing it anywhere near halfway decent at this stage is what keeps me going lol. But mostly I've been working hard to really internalize that this is a hobby that is, well, forever and thus no real rush to pressure myself to get good at it. I'm hoping to avoid frustration and disillusionment with this stance on it and it has worked so far, but I am long way off from the end of the 'doomed first year' lol.
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Comment on Likely the last Mod post that I'll make in /r/videos. We're shutting down in ~tech
BlueRaith (edited )Link ParentI agree money is the main factor, and part of the reason why I think a sitewide mod strike, rather than sub blackouts, might work, if only as a very risky long shot. If Reddit wants to keep the...I agree money is the main factor, and part of the reason why I think a sitewide mod strike, rather than sub blackouts, might work, if only as a very risky long shot.
If Reddit wants to keep the site palatable for advertisers in the wake of a presumative and hypothetical rise in trolling and spam, and fails to find enough replacement volunteer mods, then they might have to finally consider paid mod positions. We know they've already allowed their employee base to balloon to 2000, likely following the overhiring trend from the pandemic. They announced layoffs earlier this week, though only a minor wave compared to other companies.
Spending more on payroll might not be something they want, but again, I realize this is a long shot and unlikely to take off in the first place because I don't see power mods resigning en masse as likely, and this is assuming that enough bad actors from lack of moderation act in a manner that is noticeable and disruptive.
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Comment on Likely the last Mod post that I'll make in /r/videos. We're shutting down in ~tech
BlueRaith Link ParentI do wonder if that is what it should take to actually gain the leverage users and moderators would need to force Reddit to the table to negotiate the API prices. The blackouts aren't going to do...I do wonder if that is what it should take to actually gain the leverage users and moderators would need to force Reddit to the table to negotiate the API prices. The blackouts aren't going to do anything, in my opinion. Most are for only two days, Reddit will just wait them out. And if only a small number of subs go inactive permanently, then they'll just hand the sub over to other power mods.
For this to actually work, all the power and/or experienced mods would need to effectively go on strike, so to speak. They need to be willing to walk away from Reddit and let the admins scramble to figure out who to hand dozens of subreddits to with millions users, and those hypothetical new mods would need to be thrown into the deep end on how to manage communities with millions of subscribers each.
I would wager there would not be enough people to want to volunteer to do that so suddenly, and those who would are likely not experienced enough to do so well.
But, I doubt power mods on Reddit would be willing to risk everything, so to speak, in enough numbers for this, and personally as a ten year Redditor, I think it's just time to move on. I'm not even mad, sites have died before, or have become untenable to me personally at least. Tildes is very nice for discussion purposes, but I need to figure out a way to replace Reddit for news. Perhaps I will finally look into learning how RSS feeds work.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
BlueRaith Link ParentOoh, I'll have to try this, thanks! I've got an air fryer, and I've been eyeing it too for some simple recipes.Ooh, I'll have to try this, thanks! I've got an air fryer, and I've been eyeing it too for some simple recipes.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
BlueRaith Link ParentI would definitely recommend the Bowflex dumbbells. I use the 500 model, or whatever number the smaller set is. Each dumbbell goes up to 52.5 pounds. I'm a woman, so I haven't hit the max yet...I would definitely recommend the Bowflex dumbbells. I use the 500 model, or whatever number the smaller set is. Each dumbbell goes up to 52.5 pounds. I'm a woman, so I haven't hit the max yet aside from squats and deadlifts, and I haven't moved to a more advanced set list yet either. I've read that folks feel like the adjustable weights feel flimsy, but I've used mine 3 days a week since I've started, and nothing has failed on me yet. Probably folks used to dropping their weights, but I'm in an upstairs apartment and never developed that particular bad habit lol.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
BlueRaith Link ParentI've never used a wok, but might be something I need to look into. If you have any stir-fry recipes you'd recommend, I'd love to have them. Haven't had a decent stir-fry in a while.I've never used a wok, but might be something I need to look into. If you have any stir-fry recipes you'd recommend, I'd love to have them. Haven't had a decent stir-fry in a while.
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Comment on Focused music listening/appreciation projects in ~music
BlueRaith (edited )LinkI usually treat artists I like as a project and listen to their entire discographies. During the pandemic, I wanted to give Country an honest chance because I really just couldn't stand...I usually treat artists I like as a project and listen to their entire discographies. During the pandemic, I wanted to give Country an honest chance because I really just couldn't stand mainstream, radio country. It started with a reddit community playlist for alternative and indie country and I started to quiz people on what they liked as well. I worked at a grocery store at the time and it was one of the few positive interactions I had with customers throughout that time period, particular older customers. One lady lit right up and told me to check out Tammy Wynette, who I enjoyed immensely.
My personal favorite bands like The Dear Hunter and Coheed and Cambria primarily release concept albums with ongoing storylines, so listening to their entire discogs tends to be a project of its own when they release new music.
Other times I'll use sites like Every Noise At Once to determine how Spotify sorts artists into genres and go through artists that are connected that way.
Finally, I'll make a project out of learning how to sing a particular artist's songs, like Dirt Poor Robins and spend a week or two on that.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BlueRaith LinkMarvel's Spider-Man and Hades. I've played both before, but I'm preparing for their sequels and am very excited for them. I know I'll be sobbing tomorrow over SM's ending though lol. Still need to...Marvel's Spider-Man and Hades. I've played both before, but I'm preparing for their sequels and am very excited for them. I know I'll be sobbing tomorrow over SM's ending though lol. Still need to play Miles Morales, and hoping it goes on sale during Steam's Summer Sale whenever that is.
Definitely love both games, extremely well written. Hades, I had already heard its reputation, but was still extremely impressed with. Basically the only roguelike that has held my attention for dozens of hours.
With SM, I was very surprised with just how great its story was. Yes, the MJ/Miles forced stealth missions are tedious in comparison with the rest of the game, but I'm hoping the sequel doesn't completely abandon the storytelling from them and instead tries to build upon the last two MJ missions which were far more fun to play rather than omit them entirely.
Also need to play the DLC for SM as well, but I'm thinking of starting a gaming project that's less action oriented. Maybe the Pathfinder games next.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
BlueRaith (edited )Link ParentRecipes I've tried so far that I'd really recommend are Italian peppers and sausage. Basically just a bag of frozen fajita vegetables with a jar of your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce, the...Recipes I've tried so far that I'd really recommend are Italian peppers and sausage. Basically just a bag of frozen fajita vegetables with a jar of your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce, the sausages, and optionally rice. Added chicken broth for the rice variant for enough moisture. Layer it with veggies at bottom, sausages next, followed by rice and finally sauce and broth. Make sure you don't stir because the vegetables keep a protective layer at the bottom to prevent a burn notice on instant pots. Add seasoning like basil, garlic, etc to your taste.
https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-vegetarian-lentil-chili/
Slow cooker recipes can often easily be modified or wholesale followed for pressure cooking. This chili was extremely cheap and very good. I cut out the coconut oil because that's expensive and I didn't have it on hand, and added beef broth for personal preference along with some serrano peppers for a kick.
Salsa and salsa verde chicken is also very easy and very good. Pretty much the same recipe steps as the Italian peppers an sausage above, but sub the sausage for chicken cuts of your choice and the marinara for whichever salsa type of your preference. I add a can of rinsed beans to this, usually black beans, along with the rice. I would omit broth in a recipe like this if the salsa is particularly wet, and add a packet of taco seasoning if using red salsa along with whichever spices like cumin to your taste.
I want to try making pot roast when that cut is next on sale near me, I hear that's very easy as well. You can up the taste to any of these recipes even more by doing a sauteing step first for the veggies, but I usually skip this step to keep them as easy as possible and the dishes still turn out very good.
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
BlueRaith LinkI've been strength training with my Bowflex dumbbell set for probably about 6 months now, but my diet was my biggest enemy and I knew it. Haven't been cooking and pretty much eating out...I've been strength training with my Bowflex dumbbell set for probably about 6 months now, but my diet was my biggest enemy and I knew it. Haven't been cooking and pretty much eating out exclusively. Bad for wallet and weight goals, I know, but with my depression, cooking has been a huge challenge to have energy for. I've finally managed to actually get back into it with my pressure cooker and making dump recipes. I want to ramp up to skillet stuff next, still keep it simple as my main issue is cooking for one and how even meal kits create so many dirty dishes to keep up with.
So, definitely back to basic stuff, but sometimes that's what you have to do with mental health. I'm already noticing some sweeping positive changes such as more energy throughout the day and sleeping better. Hopefully these things reflect significantly along the waistline in the next couple of months.
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
BlueRaith Link ParentI'm a two month old guitar player myself. Metalhead, but for now I've actually been having more fun playing my acoustic guitar. There's just something about it that makes me feel more attached to...I'm a two month old guitar player myself. Metalhead, but for now I've actually been having more fun playing my acoustic guitar. There's just something about it that makes me feel more attached to it. Learning it is tough on its own, but reminds me of the fundamental work I did back when I played travel fastpitch softball. Something I struggled with yesterday is easier to pull off today and all that.
If you want something to review beginner material, I highly recommend justinguitar. He's who I've been learning with so far, and I'm very happy with him. Most of his stuff is free on this site, but his paid app is very good.
I saved this post back on reddit for my own eventual dive into music theory:
I spent almost eleven years in grocery retail as an assistant service manager. It was never really the plan to stay there that long, but I struggle with ADHD and traditional schooling as well as clinical depression. The job was just comfortable enough and paid well enough for my area to just... keep things the status quo.
And then, of course, the pandemic.
The eight or so years previous in my career, I had the occasional ugly customer, but it all just got so much worse. People were just so fucking rude and cruel for no good reason. My cashiers and baggers skewed to the 16-21 crowd and I had people making those kids cry on the front end at least once a week. Disgusting behavior, and I'd gladly go in there to defend them, but that shit gets to you after a while.
Unhinged lectures by conspiracy theorists popping into real life as though from a fucking Facebook post, threats to spit on us, constant Karen-like complaints dripping in condescension. It was like waking up from a nightmare when I realized I couldn't live like this anymore.
So, I looked up what it would take to get into IT and learned about Comptia certifications. I studied everyday for the A+ tests, no matter how exhausted I was because that was one less video or page to get through the next day.
I had a group of friends who knew how hard I was grinding to get out and they raised money for my second certification exam, and that whole memory is a bright flood light during an otherwise very exhausting and very dark time period of my life.
Passed the tests, applied for any and all entry positions on help desk, one month later and I got my first job in my new career. And I tell you, it's pretty much customer service all over again, but the sheer change in the way people treat their IT compared to their cashiers is night and day. It shouldn't be, but that alone has improved my mental health tenfold.
I still have work to do, more exams to pass, learning doesn't end in this field. I've been coasting a bit this past year, kind of taking the change in and slowly mulling over whether I want to go to school, but it's a fresh start that doesn't lead to a dead end unlike my previous job.