JPhikes's recent activity
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Comment on What are your favorite "durable" food items that would be good in a backpack? in ~food
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Comment on Do you have favorite lighthearted or silly songs? in ~music
JPhikes Link ParentToo Many Dicks On the Dance Floor is a stone cold masterpiece.Too Many Dicks On the Dance Floor is a stone cold masterpiece.
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Comment on Books that changed your perception in ~books
JPhikes LinkI’ll add two books I haven’t seen mentioned yet. These are both books I read over 30 years ago, but they’ve stuck with me. A high school teacher loaned me A People’s History of the United States...I’ll add two books I haven’t seen mentioned yet. These are both books I read over 30 years ago, but they’ve stuck with me.
A high school teacher loaned me A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn. I was shocked to learn there’s (at least) two sides to every story, and to ask whose perspectives have been omitted from the stories we’ve been told. Teenage mind blown. This book would make a great gift for the smart young people in your life, or for yourself.
I read Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez after college. It’s ostensibly a personal finance book, but it’s really a work of philosophy that laid the foundation for the FIRE movement. When we work, we trade our priceless, finite life energy for money, so we can buy things. We trade our life for things. If we consume less things, we can choose to work less and live more. This book inspired me to live as frugally and as lightly on the Earth as possible.
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Comment on What is some life advice that has stuck with you throughout the years? in ~life
JPhikes Link ParentAt my first real professional job an older colleague told me “Done is good!” As in, it is better to be done with something than nothing. If you’ve done something, either it can be improved or...At my first real professional job an older colleague told me “Done is good!” As in, it is better to be done with something than nothing. If you’ve done something, either it can be improved or accepted entirely as it is. If you’ve done nothing, neither of those things will occur. Her advice has stuck with me over almost 30 years.
Another later boss told me to always WAIT before saying something - ask yourself Why Am I Talking? Think what you are trying to say, to whom, and why. This advice has helped me keep my mouth shut, often to my benefit.
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Comment on First time homebuyer who just closed on a house, does anyone have any general advice? in ~life.home_improvement
JPhikes Link ParentWhere I live, the utility company contacts with a nonprofit that actually does the energy audit. The homeowner pays a nominal fee ($35 last time I got one). I’d start by calling your utility provider.Where I live, the utility company contacts with a nonprofit that actually does the energy audit. The homeowner pays a nominal fee ($35 last time I got one). I’d start by calling your utility provider.
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Comment on First time homebuyer who just closed on a house, does anyone have any general advice? in ~life.home_improvement
JPhikes LinkOne thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet is to get a home energy audit. They are inexpensive or sometimes even free, and can be a great way to reduce your utility expenses. They’ll do a blower door...One thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet is to get a home energy audit. They are inexpensive or sometimes even free, and can be a great way to reduce your utility expenses. They’ll do a blower door test and thermal imsging to find air leaks, replace incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs, add weatherstrip to doors and windows, and recommend ways to upgrade your systems for maximum efficiency.
I had an audit at my last house and they discovered a hidden wall cavity that was leaking a massive amount of warm air into the attic - like the equivalent of a large window always open! It was easily and cheaply fixed, and made the entire house noticeably warmer in winter.
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Comment on Let's share some obscure forgotten tunes (<20K plays/views) in ~music
JPhikes LinkFrom Minneapolis, the wonderful Ashtray Hearts are one of my favorite bands ever. Dreamy, atmospheric Americana - they call it “apartment music” and for whatever reason it just seems like a...From Minneapolis, the wonderful Ashtray Hearts are one of my favorite bands ever. Dreamy, atmospheric Americana - they call it “apartment music” and for whatever reason it just seems like a perfect description.
Their album Perfect Halves is on YouTube. My favorite track is Valentine, with a total of 876 views, but you really can’t go wrong with the whole album.
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Comment on What is your favorite live album? in ~music
JPhikes LinkI love live albums. Here are my favorites: Rock of Ages - The Band Live at the Fillmore East - Allman Brothers Band Waiting for Columbus - Little Feat It’s Too Late to Stop Now - Van Morrison Stop...I love live albums. Here are my favorites:
Rock of Ages - The Band
Live at the Fillmore East - Allman Brothers Band
Waiting for Columbus - Little Feat
It’s Too Late to Stop Now - Van Morrison
Stop Making Sense - Talking Heads -
Comment on Artists you love, and are surprised are not more popular than they are? in ~music
JPhikes Link ParentI came here to say Tedeschi Trucks Band but you beat me to it. They’re SO good. Everyone, check them out! I’ll add two regional musicians from the upper Midwest: William Elliot Whitmore from Iowa...I came here to say Tedeschi Trucks Band but you beat me to it. They’re SO good. Everyone, check them out!
I’ll add two regional musicians from the upper Midwest: William Elliot Whitmore from Iowa and Charlie Parr from Minnesota. Both are very strong independent artists with distinctive sounds.
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Comment on What are industries and specialties where you see demand for employees? in ~talk
JPhikes LinkWhere I live, there are tons of jobs available in human services. I work part time (in addition to my regular gig) in a housing program for people with severe mental illness, and the mid-size...Where I live, there are tons of jobs available in human services. I work part time (in addition to my regular gig) in a housing program for people with severe mental illness, and the mid-size agency I work for has around forty open positions right now. Entry level positions are especially hard to fill since pay is relatively low, but there’s a clear path upward for anyone who puts in the time. My agency even pays an annual bonus, which I’ve never gotten anywhere else. The work can be challenging, and it’s certainly not a good fit for everyone, but it’s rewarding to build trusting relationships with people and see them change over time.
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Comment on Is there any book that you keep trying but can not get through? in ~books
JPhikes Link ParentI got through Moby Duck by committing to read at least one chapter every day until I finished, even if it took six months. It was not at all what I had expected. It’s a fever dream of a novel,...I got through Moby Duck by committing to read at least one chapter every day until I finished, even if it took six months. It was not at all what I had expected. It’s a fever dream of a novel, with many profoundly beautiful passages, a surprising amount of humor, and tremendous characters, but it’s also definitely heavy going in many places (I can say with confidence that whale biology is not my thing). Still, I highly recommend reading it.
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Comment on What are some of your favorite cheap, easy and healthy recipes? in ~food
JPhikes LinkAn easy, healthy vegan summer recipe I really enjoy is roasted chickpea and tomato salad. I discovered this at my local food co-op deli, then found their recipe online. It’s easy to tweak to suit...An easy, healthy vegan summer recipe I really enjoy is roasted chickpea and tomato salad. I discovered this at my local food co-op deli, then found their recipe online. It’s easy to tweak to suit your own preferences, or use up whatever happens to be in your fridge.
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Comment on I would really appreciate some help. Looking for moving, thoughtful or observant or interesting songs that aren't metal or rap/hiphop in ~music
JPhikes LinkYou can’t go wrong with anything by the amazing Tedeschi Trucks Band, but I’m especially in love with Keep on GrowingYou can’t go wrong with anything by the amazing Tedeschi Trucks Band, but I’m especially in love with Keep on Growing
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Comment on Does anyone here enjoy poetry? If yes, what are your gateway drug poems and what are your hidden gems? in ~books
JPhikes Link ParentI came here to say this. Mary Oliver writes with a clarity and brevity - saying just enough, never too much - that I find lacking in other poetry. “Tell me, what is it you plan to do, with your...I came here to say this. Mary Oliver writes with a clarity and brevity - saying just enough, never too much - that I find lacking in other poetry.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do, with your one wild and precious life?”
The Summer Day -
Comment on A reading challenge! in ~books
JPhikes Link ParentA Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. Certainly one of the finest and funniest novels ever written, this story follows our antihero Ignatius Reilly (neckbeard extraordinaire) as he seeks...A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. Certainly one of the finest and funniest novels ever written, this story follows our antihero Ignatius Reilly (neckbeard extraordinaire) as he seeks employment in 1960s New Orleans. After finishing it the first time, I immediately read it again, which I’ve never done with another book.
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Comment on A reading challenge! in ~books
JPhikes Link ParentIs it trite to suggest Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, in a thread started by Agnes Nutter? Hopefully not, as it’s one of my top books ever and will surely accompany me to that...Is it trite to suggest Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, in a thread started by Agnes Nutter? Hopefully not, as it’s one of my top books ever and will surely accompany me to that proverbial desert island. It’s got it all: satanic nuns, a hellhound, the apocalypse, misplaced babies, angels, demons… a truly original and hilarious book.
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Comment on Who’s into hiking or backpacking? in ~hobbies
JPhikes Link ParentIs there one route that you preferred to the others? Does each route have a distinct character or is the experience similar regardless of which you choose?Is there one route that you preferred to the others? Does each route have a distinct character or is the experience similar regardless of which you choose?
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Comment on Who’s into hiking or backpacking? in ~hobbies
JPhikes Link ParentGlad to hear it had that affect on you too! I really, really loved Philmont-after my three treks I did four summers on the backcountry staff. That was probably the peak experience of my life,...Glad to hear it had that affect on you too! I really, really loved Philmont-after my three treks I did four summers on the backcountry staff. That was probably the peak experience of my life, spending months in those beautiful mountains. I’ve always wanted to backpack or maybe even bikepack through the Valle Vidal north of Philmont, which is really open and has some of the most amazing views. It’s on the “someday” list.
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Comment on Who’s into hiking or backpacking? in ~hobbies
JPhikes LinkI started backpacking when I was in Boy Scouts, with three trips to Philmont in northern New Mexico, and I’ve enjoyed hiking ever since. This summer I’m taking my ten year old son on his first...I started backpacking when I was in Boy Scouts, with three trips to Philmont in northern New Mexico, and I’ve enjoyed hiking ever since. This summer I’m taking my ten year old son on his first backpacking trip, to Isle Royale National Park (which I’ve visited ten times previously). Then, later in the fall I’m doing part of the Superior Hiking Trail in northern Minnesota - hoping for beautiful fall colors! My retirement plans, hopefully coming to reality shortly, include thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and walking one of the many Camino routes in Spain. I’d love to hear from anyone who has done either (or both!)
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Who’s into hiking or backpacking?
Do you love a good trail? Are you a hiker, backpacker, trail runner, or neighborhood saunterer? If so, this conversation is for you! Share your favorite routes, dream trips, the gear you love,...
Do you love a good trail? Are you a hiker, backpacker, trail runner, or neighborhood saunterer? If so, this conversation is for you! Share your favorite routes, dream trips, the gear you love, where you find inspiration, or essential advice. Got any cool trips planned, in the near or distant future? Whether you’re a newbie or trail-tested veteran, share what you know!
36 votes
You’ve left off the ultimate backpacker food, Little Debbie brownies. They’re one of the cheapest, most durable and calorically dense food items in existence, are unaffected by heat or cold, can be repeatedly smashed into the corners of your pack, and even taste good (if you’re hungry enough).
Also, while this is entirely not what OP asked for, I can’t not mention the guy who hiked a long stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail eating only 27 McDoubles from McDonalds.