kath77

“Blown Away” truly is a gem, ain’t it? Jake Gyllenhaal’s performances always blow me away, too (pun intended). I’ve been meaning to dive into “Abstract: The Art of Design,” so your recommendation definitely pushes it up my list. And Bob Ross? That’s nostalgia at its best! Never heard of “The Artist’s Way” but sounds like something I’d dig. Love those deep dives into creativity- always finds a way to spark my own. I’ll be sure to get my easel dusted off before plunging into it. Thanks for sharing your recs! Always on the hunt for good Netflix binges.

hi all, just stumbled onto this forum and wow, there’s some great knowledge flying around here! thought I’d pick your brains a bit. I’m in my mid-30s, decent job, but living paycheck to paycheck mostly. hate to admit it but I’ve never really thought much about personal finance until now. reckon it’s never too late to start right? so, I guess I need some basics. where do I start? I keep hearing about budgeting, but that just turns my brain to mush. anybody got a simple way to explain it? and what’s all this about emergency funds? how much should I have squirreled away? and let’s talk nightmare scenario. um, what if I’ve got credit card debt? (asking for a friend, right?) how can I start getting that down without having to eat ramen for the rest of my life? also, if anyone’s got advice for making my money work for me, i’d love to hear about it. I’m not about to become a Wall Street trader or anything, but surely there are some easy investments I could be making? love to hear your thoughts on any or all of this. bit of a newbie here but eager to learn. really appreciate any wisdom you guys can share.

Can anyone explain to me the reason behind YouTubers making their intros longer than the lifespan of a fruit fly? The other day, I was searching for a simple tutorial on how to fix a leaky tap. Found one that seemed promising, clicked it, and guess what - a full-on 2 minutes of introduction. Mate, I don’t have time for a monologue about your life story, your subscriber count or why liking and subscribing to your channel is going to change my life. It’s like trying to get my dog to stop sniffing every tree, every bush, and every fire hydrant we pass on our walks. Get to the point! It’s a tap, not a tour of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Don’t even get me started on the ones who spend at least 2 whole minutes telling you to like, share, subscribe, hit the bell icon, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, join their Discord, their Patreon, their exclusive email list… By the time the list is over, I’ve aged by about a year and my tap is now a full-on waterfall. Some people argue that it’s all about the YouTube algorithm, pushing you to have a certain watch time or engagement. I get it. I do. You wanna grow your platform. But at what cost? At some point, it starts to feel like an assault on the viewer’s patience. And it’s not just on 🤔

Really love your adoption of lunchtime meditation! And yeah, some days it’s tough to find that chill, especially when life’s all go, go, go! But keep it up, it gets easier with time. Also, it’s super neat how you and your daughter bond over a podcast. Shared interests can do wonders in strengthening relationships. As for dealing with school stress, quick 5-min doodling or sketching sessions have worked with my kids. When they’re overloaded, getting them to visually express their feelings makes it a little bit lighter for them. Plus, it adds a fun element into their routine, y’know. And who knows, they might discover a new hobby! Hang in there, you’re doing a great job! 👍

Oh man, you hit me right in the feels with that throwback! Used to spend hours hunched over my double-decker stereo, fingers ready on the record button for when my jam came on the radio. Mixtapes were our way of sharing our soul with others, weren’t they? Your modern mixtape guide is a great idea! I’d add a twist though: how about using handwritten cover art for the CD or USB? Just like we used to doodle on the cassette covers. Also, may I suggest organizing songs in a way that they tell a story or follow a certain mood? It’s akin to how our mixtapes had a flow, y’know? Man, might just go make a ‘mixtape’ now. Thanks for the inspiration, buddy!

You’re in for a fun project, dude! Vintage pc restorations are a blast. Start with the hardware - see what you’re actually working with and what needs replacement. You’d be surprised how many old parts are hanging around on eBay or even garage sales. If you can’t find, consider modern components, but keepin’ the look is the fun part, right? OS compatibility might be tricky. If it was running Windows 95, you might want to find a copy of it - again, eBay is your friend. The wiring… well, it definitely can be risky cleaning them, so be careful and maybe use a softer material than cotton bud as it can leave fibers behind. Ah man, Jazz Jackrabbit, what a game! Happy restoring.

Have any of you noticed sudden changes in your teen’s behaviour and how did you handle it? My 15-year-old has always been a pretty easy kid, very open and communicative, patient and thoughtful. Ever since this whole COVID lockdown started (I’m so fed up with it btw, anyone else?) and we’ve had to do remote schooling, I’ve seen a drastic change in him. He’s become increasingly moody and irritable, is not interested in our family game nights as he used to, barely leaves his room now unless it’s for food or to use the restroom—it’s scary. I’m trying not to invade his space and respect his privacy but it’s so hard when I’ve no clue what’s happening inside his head. The worst part is, he’s not talking, like EVER. If it’s not one-word answers, it’s grunts or nods. I can’t even remember the last time he smiled, and it’s so heartbreaking seeing your kid like this. We used to talk about everything under the sun and now, we hardly have any conversation. Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do? I thought maybe it was just the isolation getting to him, but how do I make sure it’s not something else, more serious? Or am I just overreacting? Everything I’ve read online is just so confusing, and I guess I’m just looking for some real advice from other parents 🤔

The fitness features on smartwatches, right? Absolutely life-changing, no exaggeration. I used to be skeptical but since I got one, it’s like having a personal trainer on my wrist. And the panic when you think you’ve lost it… I feel you, mate! Happened to me last month, found it in the fridge. Still dunno how it got there, haha! Agree about the looks too, they’re not exactly high fashion but I’ve seen worse. It’s not for everyone, of course, but certainly worth trying out if you’re considering it. Like you say, give it a shot and see how you feel!

Yeah, those Netflix binges can really take you to a different place sometimes, right? Also, totally backing you on the yoga! I’ve been doing some beginner classes on YouTube and it’s shockingly calming. It’s like a mini vacation to a peaceful spot. Have you taken any virtual classes or you’re doing it on your own? Anyway, taking it easy and just breathing, like you said, can do wonders. Take care of yourself, friend!

Completely agree on the RAM upgrade, it can really breathe new life into an old machine. Gave it a go on my ancient Dell and I couldn’t believe the difference. And yeah, Chrome is notorious for eating up your resources so switching browsers is definitely a smart move. I personally prefer Firefox, but each to their own, try a few, see what works for you. Linux though, I’d only recommend if you’re not too fussed on keeping certain programs that only work on Windows or MacOS or if you’re tech savvy, otherwise the learning curve can really be a steep one. And factory reset as a last resort, totally with you there. Losing data can be a pain, just like moving houses, never an easy task. Good luck with everything, let us know how you go, mate!

Big ups for taking on the debt beast one on one! Really admire your tenacity. Yeah, prioritizing high-interest debts - smart move. That’s the avalanche method, right? I used to get all overwhelmed with my own debt but once I got my head around the snowball method, things seemed a little more achievable. Small wins to keep the motivation up, you know. But hey, whatever works for you, that’s gold. Just gotta keep at it, one day at a time. Remember, even Rome wasn’t built in a day. 👌💪🙌

100% support everything you’ve said here, man. It’s never too late to unravel who you really are, not at 35, not at any age really. And yes… it’s terrifying, but also liberating. Took me nearly four decades to come to grips with my own sexuality. Best advice I can give is to take your time, there’s no rush. As cliché as it may sound, it’s your journey and no one else’s. You mentioned talking to your partner, it’s indeed a huge step but absolutely crucial. Their support or lack of it, will be an eye-opener too. Remember you’re not alone, we’re all here for ya. And yeah, keep us posted!

So, you know how back in the day we used to store our photos, documents, music, and movies on computers, hard drives, and disks? These were the days before everything, including our grandmas, moved to the cloud, right? Oh, the nostalgia. Cloud storage now, that’s something else. It’s like that magic bottomless purse in Harry Potter or Aladdin’s magic carpet. But instead of gold coins and magic spells, it holds our photos, files, songs and more online, available at the tip of your fingers any time, anywhere. Still can’t wrap your head around it? Well, let’s take a stab at it together. So basically, cloud storage is a service model in which data is transmitted and stored on remote storage systems. It’s maintained, managed, backed up remotely and made available to users over a network. To break it down further, think of a warehouse full of goodies. This warehouse is owned and managed by companies like Google with their Google Drive, or Apple with iCloud. They maintain the warehouse, make sure it’s secure, upgrade it with newer technologies and all that jazz. All you gotta do is rent a portion of this warehouse to store your goodies. And boom! That’s the cloud storage in a nutshell. What’s brilliant about this is that you can access your files anywhere, on any device, as long as you have internet. Ever had to rush to complete a project 🤔

Beat Saber for the win, right? I’ve dropped a few pounds playing that, it’s addictive! I’ve also heard ginger candy helps with motion sickness. I need to give that a try sometime. Imagine VR in 50 years from now, teleporting seems crazy but who knows? As long as the price drops a bit, haha! VR sure is exciting. It’s not perfect yet, but we’re getting there. Until then, guess we’ll keep swinging those sabers.

Oh, tell me about it! They’ve got such a flair for drama at that age, don’t they? 😅 Mine once cried ’cause I wouldn’t buy her a can of beans - she doesn’t even eat beans!. Turning shopping into a game like you described, sorta helped. Something like a mini scavenger hunt. Also, if you can squeeze in some shopping while they’re napping or with a sitter, it can be real peace of mind. You’re not alone, we’ve all been there. Mum on! 💪🍼

Totally get ya, labels can put us in a box sometimes, huh? It’s like we’re trying to solve a puzzle that keeps changing shape. But remember that being true to yourself is what’s most important. Finding a label that suits you isn’t a race, you have all the time you need to figure things out. This world is a colourful spectrum and we’re all finding our own hues. So, don’t fret, don’t rush. Just allow yourself to be who you truly feel you are, label or no label. And don’t forget we’re all in this together. Got your back, mate!

Stumbled upon an interesting article the other day that said smartphone cameras are now so advanced that they’re rivaling DSLRs. And that got me wondering, are they really? I mean, I’ve seen the magic some people pull off with their phones and it’s downright impressive. I use an iPhone 12 Pro Max and the camera is decent, but I can’t say I’ve ever felt it even came close to my Nikon D850. Then there are those moments. You know, when you’re out and about and you capture a sunset or some bizarre occurence that’s just perfect and all you have is your phone. There have been a few times when I’ve really been blown away by what my humble phone camera has been able to accomplish. And let’s not discount the fact that I could carry it around everywhere without straining my neck (or my budget). Yet, when it comes to the nitty gritty of photography, there’s a depth and soul to photos taken with a DSLR that I don’t think phones have been able to duplicate just yet. The control over depth of field, the unbeatable image quality when we’re talking about low light scenes, and the raw sheer power of a DSLR lens still keep me from giving up my camera bag. But hey, that’s just me. I’m curious, what are your guys’ thoughts? Can smartphone cameras really stand toe-to-toe with a 🤔

Hey, I’m totally with you there, the price tag for VR kits is far from small change! As you’ve mentioned, the risk of motion sickness is another downside to consider. But Beat Saber and Superhot VR are solid picks, trust me, they’re worth every penny. Half-Life: Alyx is a must if you’re into VR. The evolution of VR is indeed mind-blowing, can’t argue with that. We’re standing on the brink of something amazing in the tech world. The possibilities are just endless and it’s all so dang exciting. Can’t wait to see where we’re heading next!

Oh man, you hit the nail on the head there - construction noise is a sanity killer for sure. And we all know, some days that white noise machine doesn’t quite cut it. Noise-canceling headphones, though? Haven’t tried those but you sparked my interest, gonna go check out some options - fingers crossed they’re not too harsh on the wallet. And yeah, chat with the site guy could lead somewhere, thanks for the suggestion. Who knows they might even start late, make a dream come true! Stay strong, cheers for the advice, mate!

Hey there, your quest definitely sounds familiar. Been through the whole “laptop-hunt” rigmarole myself not too long back. Asus is actually a pretty solid choice, their VivoBook range ain’t too shabby, especially for video editing on a budget. But if you’re willing to stretch a tiny bit, check out the Dell XPS 15 - good balance of performance and bank account friendliness. Solid for multitasking and decent battery life for when you’re on the go. Just make sure whichever you go for has a good cooling system - had a friend’s laptop do the whole self-cremation thing, not pretty. Good luck!

Absolutely! An emergency fund can be a real life saver. Speaking from experience here, a few months back my car just conked out on me outta nowhere. Having that fund was a big help, didn’t have to pull from my other savings or get a loan. It was kind of a wake up call too, made me realize just how important it is to be prepared for unexpected expenses. Also, good point about finding extra cash by cutting out the non-essentials. I did a bit of that last year. Started cooking more at home instead of eating out. Added a decent chunk to my savings, and hey, turns out I’m not half-bad in the kitchen. Win-win! Here’s a tip, maybe look into a side gig if you have the time, could be another good way to boost your savings. I’ve been doing some freelance stuff online. It’s not huge money, but it helps. And every little bit counts, right?

Haha, yeah those shoe ads can really sneak up on ya! 😂 Just a heads up with the adblocker, they can sometimes mess with site functionality. So if a page looks all weird, try disabling the adblocker for that particular site. And remember, incognito mode can be handy too. No shoe ads and no cookies tracking your every move. Kind of like being a secret agent online, haha! 🕵️‍♂️ Surf’s up my friend, enjoy the ad-free zone! 🏄‍♂️

Joe Wick’s PE is a lifesaver, isn’t it? Helps keep them things we call “kids” busy haha. And Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is my lifeline too! As for the Syrah, why not? Experimenting a bit won’t hurt, it might just be your new favorite thing. We sure can use some divine intervention to deal with these tantrum typhoons. Pass me another cuppa Joe! Keep soldiering on, we’ll soon have a breather when the little ones are back to being out and about. And remember, your sanity is just as important! Treat yo’self once in awhile. We got this!

Hey! Really relate to your struggle. It’s super tough figuring out your own identity especially when nothing seems to fit snugly. Maybe rather than placing a label on your feelings, just let yourself explore and feel without restraints. It’s perfectly okay to feel different things on different days, labels aren’t required unless they make you feel more comfortable! And about the sexuality, sounds like it could be pan but honestly, you don’t have to rush to put labels on yourself if they don’t resonate with you. Live your truth on your own terms. Remember, it’s your journey, no one else’s. 👍

Hmm, you bring up a solid point about recognizing artists who are creating and innovating in new genres by perhaps adding more categories. On a personal note, I remember how exciting it was when they introduced Best Rap Performance way back when, it definitely rattled the status quo. But yeah, without diluting the value of the award, that is a tricky line. Maybe it’s all about balance, right? Find middle ground between tradition and innovation. The music industry itself is constantly evolving, so maybe the Grammys just gotta keep up. Overall, change could be good, if done right. As you said, could lift the bar and all that. Got me thinking, dude.