Spydrchick's recent activity
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Comment on Some thoughts on cleaning up my shitty apartment in ~talk
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Comment on Thoughts on the current state of discoverability and search in ~tech
Spydrchick Link ParentI might have to try this, as others also find it valuable. As much as we all love free, it's starting to come with too many strings.I might have to try this, as others also find it valuable. As much as we all love free, it's starting to come with too many strings.
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Comment on Thoughts on the current state of discoverability and search in ~tech
Spydrchick (edited )Link ParentNot a bad idea. Those used to come up in search along with a few other trusted sources. I like to read a number of articles or papers on a subject to get a better understanding. I may have to go...Not a bad idea. Those used to come up in search along with a few other trusted sources. I like to read a number of articles or papers on a subject to get a better understanding. I may have to go directly to the sites I know and search, which may lead to some decent results, but would leave out undiscovered sites.
I think current search is starting to really dumb down results along with the obvious shoving paid placement being featured. Frustrating to say the least.
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Comment on Thoughts on the current state of discoverability and search in ~tech
Spydrchick LinkI have nothing to add except more ranting. I feel your pain. I used to be able to search medical articles or research papers but now I get Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic or WebMD as top results....I have nothing to add except more ranting. I feel your pain. I used to be able to search medical articles or research papers but now I get Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic or WebMD as top results. They are not exactly bad, but also not what I'm necessarily looking for.
The other thing I've noticed lately is youtube vids rather than well written articles for DIY stuff. This is usually not super helpful and I totally agree it usually ignores part of my search terms. I have a decent understanding of a good boolean search and yet more recent results do not seem as accurate or helpful.
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Comment on I gave up meat and gained so much more | A tale of one person's life, culture, and growing up in ~life
Spydrchick Link ParentThank you for the kind words. This is a go to recipe in our house. They made this at work, everyone thought there was cheese in it! Stuffed shells, about 6 servings For the "ricotta" 1 15 oz block...Thank you for the kind words. This is a go to recipe in our house.
They made this at work, everyone thought there was cheese in it!
Stuffed shells, about 6 servings
For the "ricotta"
1 15 oz block of firm tofu, drained
Juice of ½ lemon
3 Tbl Nutritional yeast
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp granulated roasted garlic
1Tbl pizza seasoning (or Italian seasoning)
salt and pepper to tasteWhir everything up in a food processor until combined
Boil the shells as directed on the package. (16 for this recipe, I used Barilla brand jumbo shells) Drain and stuff, see below
I use 1 16 oz jar of Rao's Arrabbiata (if you don't care for spicy, use marinara) sauce. In a 9 or 10 inch square pan spoon enough sauce to cover the bottom. Stuff the shells with the tofu ricotta. Spoon the remaining sauce over the top. Bake for 45 min at 350°.
Cashew Parm:
1 ½ cups of raw cashews
¼ cup nutritional yeast
2 tsp granulated garlic
generous pinch of saltPulse in the food processor until a crumbly consistency. Store in freezer.
Sprinkle the cashew parm over any dish where you would use parmesean. I haven't tried using it to make a crusted tofu, but I keep meaning to give it a go.
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Comment on Opinions or experiences on Corsair build kits in ~comp
Spydrchick LinkI own an Origin built computer (owned by Corsair) and I really love it. It wasn't a kit but I'm sure everything will be well matched. Kepp us updated on what you do.I own an Origin built computer (owned by Corsair) and I really love it. It wasn't a kit but I'm sure everything will be well matched. Kepp us updated on what you do.
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Comment on I gave up meat and gained so much more | A tale of one person's life, culture, and growing up in ~life
Spydrchick LinkContext: vegan for almost 2 decades, vegitarian or pescatarian for at least a decade prior. This is a beautifully written and compassionate view of what it means to be vegan. This article...- Exemplary
Context: vegan for almost 2 decades, vegitarian or pescatarian for at least a decade prior.
This is a beautifully written and compassionate view of what it means to be vegan. This article resonates because I too live in Wisconsin, and understand the cultural impacts of being vegan along with the realities of factory farming. Veal crates are especially distressing.
The one thing that stands out to me is the abundance of options, when one might assume there is less. If you can cook even a little bit or own a knife, the world of cuisine is just out there. Bread becomes such a joy. Wheat, yeast and water transformed into deliciousness. Beans and rice are the cornerstone of so many dishes from every corner of the Earth. Pasta and noodles paired with sauces and veg. Fruits, nuts become such yummy snacks.
Spices and seasonings open up a huge panoply of flavors and combinations. With some basics: garlic, ginger, cumin, cayenne, ancho, cinnamon, thyme, tarragon, oregano, fennel, bay leaves; you can make almost any dish by blending to create Mexican, Italian, Carribean, Greek, Indian, etc.
I am not secretive about my veganism, but at the same time I do not announce it to the world. I am allergic to dairy (hives and wheezing, not tummy issues), so it makes it easier to refuse food graciously. Other times I just say I am plant based, depending on the crowd. My friends know I'm vegan and my immediate family are also vegan. Day to day is easier. I make no judgements of others as I too was once a meat eater. I love sharing recipes and cookimg for others.
Please consider reading this and maybe also consider moving away from meat and dairy. The resources for doing so are endless and it creates such a positive change. Being a whole food, plant based vegan has improved my health. It has helped me cope with climate change and environmental issues knowing I am no longer contributing to factory farming of animals. And while I still get upset about the animal cruelty, I am no longer a part of that system. By opting out, I get peace of mind.
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Comment on What are three things you're feeling positively about today? in ~talk
Spydrchick Link1: Saw the aurora last night, maybe will again tonight. 2: My brand new Speed Queen washer is the fucking bomb diggity. 3: Finished a bunch of details in the laundry/entry. It looks really nice.1: Saw the aurora last night, maybe will again tonight.
2: My brand new Speed Queen washer is the fucking bomb diggity.
3: Finished a bunch of details in the laundry/entry. It looks really nice.
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Comment on Extreme G5 geomagnetic storm reaches Earth, NOAA says, following "unusual" solar event in ~space
Spydrchick LinkFun link: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental -
Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
Spydrchick LinkBinge watched Dead Boy Detectives. (Netflix) What a fun romp. I hope they renew for season 2 as I'd love to see the Sandman tie in.Binge watched Dead Boy Detectives. (Netflix) What a fun romp. I hope they renew for season 2 as I'd love to see the Sandman tie in.
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Comment on Spring gardening thread in ~hobbies
Spydrchick LinkPrepping for a flower garden. I have the borders marked out and need to turn the soil. I'm going to be planting stuff to attract pollinators and native plants. I also bought a few shrubs for...Prepping for a flower garden. I have the borders marked out and need to turn the soil. I'm going to be planting stuff to attract pollinators and native plants. I also bought a few shrubs for foundation plantings.
New place, new learning curve. I brought all of my of my perennials from my last garden. Clematis, irises and my bleeding heart all have growth. The mini roses have green wood, so fingers crossed. I think it's too soon up here to see peony growth, we will see.
The last owner had daylilies, they are in desparate need of division. There are also random raspberry canes shooting up all willy nilly. Gotta figure out what to do with those. I plan to try to completely cull some nasty shrub roses. They were unsightly in fall and have some wicked thorns and prickers. Still waiting to see what else emerges. Should be a fun season.
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Comment on US senior homes refuse to pick up fallen residents, dial 911. ‘Why are they calling us?’ in ~health
Spydrchick Link ParentWhat's super sad is many of these folks have no one to care for them. Kids and grandkids live far away in other cities, other states. In some cases, family will just dump these poor people in a...What's super sad is many of these folks have no one to care for them. Kids and grandkids live far away in other cities, other states. In some cases, family will just dump these poor people in a facility and then only visit on holidays, if at all.
These businesses know this and use it to their advantage.
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Comment on US senior homes refuse to pick up fallen residents, dial 911. ‘Why are they calling us?’ in ~health
Spydrchick LinkAs someone who had a loved one in a care facility, this is status quo almost everywhere. (in the US) Wall of text upcoming. The staff are underpaid and often deal with understaffing. The charges...As someone who had a loved one in a care facility, this is status quo almost everywhere. (in the US) Wall of text upcoming.
The staff are underpaid and often deal with understaffing. The charges to residents are criminal. There is no way overhead for independent living is much above normal rent, yet they charge residents 2-4 x market rate for a similar unit with utilities included. Part of the scam is they bundle in a certain number of meals. They are usually not creative, tasty, or in some cases very nutritious. My MIL never ate a single meal over several years, yet was always charged the full rate which was non negotiable. Considering how difficult it is to get in to a decent place, they have you by the short hairs amd they know it.
Assisted living is worse. They don't really itemize out costs well, and again bundle services to make it deliberately confusing. Unless the resident has family nearby to make sure proper care is happening in a reasonable and timely manner, things slip through the cracks. Meds not being taken on the correct schedule, incontinent individuals not be cared for with assists and/or changes of Depends, etc. Then there are thefts by staff and other residents, sexual assault which are far more common than one would think. Staffers all have access to keys, so there's little feelings of privacy or safety in many cases. The 911 lifts that are in the article happen alot in AL. They are supppsed to be documented. I assure you this documentation is for the facility so they can move you out if necessary.
Move up to memory care and this all becomes more complicated. There is supposed to be a better staff to patient ratio. Again, understaffing and crappy pay play a part. These residents need far mlre care, are given far less space in general. Think small hospital room. They are forced into group settings. Again costs have risen and many are on Medicaid. If the facility decides you have exhausted your funds (pension, 401k, savings) and they don't take government funds, good luck. These facilities are cold and profit driven, so you are now out of care and a roof over your head. It never got to that point with my FIL, instead, they left him unattended in his wheelchair in his room (against orders) He tried to stand up, fell, and died in the hospital a week later from a broken hip. They family sued and got a pittance. Far less than the facility mafe off my in laws several years there. Lawsuits are baked into their business costs.
So yeah, they will continue to use and abuse this public service until something changes. EMTs are right to be upset about these calls. Staff should be trained to pick up fallen patients/residents. The facility staff should be paid accordingly, there should be proper staffing. But money and profits are more important. If these facilities have to fill out more paperwork and get dinged for non essential calls it might have an impact, but then there might be that chance that the resident needed medical care that staff cannot handle. In that case the EMTs are exactly the right move. It's a hard issue to solve.
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Comment on US to require automatic emergency braking on new vehicles in five years in ~transport
Spydrchick LinkI have an issue with this and would like to know what others think. My 2017 Mazda Cx5 has emergency braking. When I have already used my brakes to slow down to a reasonable speed, generally when...I have an issue with this and would like to know what others think.
My 2017 Mazda Cx5 has emergency braking. When I have already used my brakes to slow down to a reasonable speed, generally when another vehicle is turning in front of me, I let off the brakes and then all of a sudden the emergency sytem kicks in after the vehicle in front has already turned. My braking was precise and correct. The sensor and response was late and potentially dangerous.
The technology is not anywhere near where it should be. Same with the self driving and/or lane assist. In addition, I feel that these sensors and aids instill a false sense of security and safety. I still swing my head around to see what or who is around me. The most recent safety innovation that is most helpful is the back up camera and sensors. But as I live in a place where winter can get fierce, its doubly important to keep your vehicle clean so it continiues to work correctly.
Maybe my vehicle just doesn't perform as well as other, newer models. Thoughts?
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
Spydrchick Link ParentSorry, Ejection Fraction. Normal is 55-80%. If your EF falls below 35%, they generally want to implant a difibrilator as your risk of sudden cardiac death is fairly high. I wore an AED vest 24/7...Sorry, Ejection Fraction. Normal is 55-80%. If your EF falls below 35%, they generally want to implant a difibrilator as your risk of sudden cardiac death is fairly high. I wore an AED vest 24/7 for three months upon my diagnoses. My EF was at 38% at the 3 month point in my recovery.
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
Spydrchick Link ParentDo what you can, that's all that you do. The system lays a heavy burden on individuals, so try not to let that weigh you down. I do think its important to be mindful in everyday choices. We don't...Do what you can, that's all that you do. The system lays a heavy burden on individuals, so try not to let that weigh you down. I do think its important to be mindful in everyday choices. We don't make those in a fishbowl. There are families and friends to take into account, outside pressures, pressures we place upon ourselves. Its very important to be kind to ourselves in the process as well as to others.
I've been fully vegan for almost 2 decades, mostly whole food plant based. That was my choice and I have zero judgements regarding others. I will say I think that lifestyle change made a huge difference in my health in general and my cardiac health in particular. I am always happy to discuss the subject with anyone who is curious.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Spydrchick Link ParentThank you! We made it safe. Lighto is curious but still a little wary, Gipsy has been under the bed since she got out of her carrier. Honestly I just plan to let her be. She'll venture out when...Thank you! We made it safe. Lighto is curious but still a little wary, Gipsy has been under the bed since she got out of her carrier. Honestly I just plan to let her be. She'll venture out when she's ready.
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Comment on Early tests of H5N1 prevalence in milk suggest US bird flu outbreak in cows is widespread in ~health
Spydrchick (edited )Link ParentExactly this. Zoonotic diseases are no joke. I had the swine variant of flu in early 2018. I was a highly active, healthy individual at the time. I ate a whole food plant based diet, exercised,...Exactly this. Zoonotic diseases are no joke. I had the swine variant of flu in early 2018. I was a highly active, healthy individual at the time. I ate a whole food plant based diet, exercised, had an active job lifting and walking all day. I got the flu and never fully recovered. About 2 months later I developed edema and gained nearly 25 lbs over a period of a few weeks.
Then I developed a mild cough as well. I went to the doc and they did an ekg, chest xray, and blood labs at the clinic. They were alarmed and wanted to admit me to ER but I was feeling fine otherwise and declined. They scheduled an echocardiogram and a referal to a cardiologist.
Turns out, that strain of flu killed over 52,000 and many more hospitalizations. Me? The echo showed an EF of 20%. I was in heart failure. I should not have even been walking around never mind I was doing my job of throwing around 35 lb cinder blocks to build tables for nursery sales at a big box store.
Luckily for me, I had insurance, got the care I needed and fully recovered. I am still good with an EF of 51%. Its the lower end of normal and I'm not impaired by it. I maybe could have died like so many others. Instead I forever need to take meds due to the heart damage. I'm okay with that.
The moral being that the overall burden and cost of animal agriculture goes far beyond the obvious. Diseases like bird flu, swine flu and covid that can pass from animal to animal to human are risks that can be avoided. Poor practices in animal ag make it so its not 'if' but 'when' these outbreaks will occur. Something needs to change. I don't know how to fix it. I have opinions on what could be a better path forward, but they aren't worth my breath to air. Sadly corporations and the system are far more insterested in supporting profits over public safety, workers rights and animal welfare.
We have learned nothing. Vaccinations are just a bandaid (For the record I am fully vaccinated).
We need a sea change. <steps on soap box> People need to take responsibility. How you spend you hard earned money can send a message. Think about the fact that each time you buy an animal product that you support alot of disfunction the animal ag indusrty stands for. You line the pockets of those who just don't care about you or anyone else. Again, the burden goes far beyond what you would assume. It impacts every day health, global health and security, reduced forestization, worker abuses, climate impacts, I could go on and on.
<steps off soap box> As you can see, this got personal for me, it may already be personal for you all as well. I wish everyone the best. As always, trying not to let the world's negativity drill into the safe space I try to create for myself. Be well, friends.
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Comment on What do I do if I don't have any clothes? in ~life.style
Spydrchick LinkI'm sorry clothes shopping is causing anxiety. Hopefully this advice will give you a starting point. First off, look for fit, then style. Simple clothing that fits well is classic. When shopping...I'm sorry clothes shopping is causing anxiety. Hopefully this advice will give you a starting point.
First off, look for fit, then style. Simple clothing that fits well is classic.
When shopping buy 3 basic tees or button ups for each more 'fancy' shirt. From your age I suggest you try skater shops if you have one or two available or you can travel. Yes they have tee shirts, but also cool button ups. You can style the button ups over tees for a layered look.
Find a style of pants or jeans that fit your vibe. Buy a few pairs in different colors or washes.
Buy socks and underwear, enough for 2 weeks. Yup, 14 pairs of each.
Find one, two or more stylie belts. This is icing on the cake. If you wear a watch get a nice functional stylish watch.
Buy at least 3 pairs of shoes you like and that fit perfectly. If they don't fit you won't wear them.
Also, don't get too hung up on what you think you like. Shopping for an entire waredrobe is a pain, but its fun to start fresh. Try on everything, put together outfits and look in the mirror to see how the look makes you feel. Swap out a separate to see how that changes it.
There's no magic bullet, you won't do this in a day or even a week, it takes time. The more you look at the clothing on you, the more you will develop a unique style.
Finally, if you love something and it doesn't fit right, see if the store can alter it for you or develop a relationship with a seamstress or tailor. Well fitting clothing looks super chic and is worth every penny.
Good luck!
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Spydrchick LinkMoving. 34 years if accumulated life being moved in a couple of days. And I'm so worried about my kitties making a 4 hr drive when the only travel they ever had was from the Humane Society. (We...Moving. 34 years if accumulated life being moved in a couple of days. And I'm so worried about my kitties making a 4 hr drive when the only travel they ever had was from the Humane Society. (We had a mobile vet). Wish us well, expecting to be unloaded tomorrow, then drive back to the old place and grab the little fuzzies. They will love the new place, lots of windows and wildlife. Gipsy loves woodpeckers and we have a local pileated woodpecker along with downey and hairy woodpeckers. I hope they acclimate quickly.
My best advice is to tackle this in small doses. Start with 10-15 minutes, try not to get overwhelmed.
1: Sort. Put like with like and stuff that goes together, well, together!
2: Trash. Anything not of use, consider donating, selling, or trashing. Sentimental things may or may not be exempt. Up to you, its your stuff
3: Return any thing borrowed.
4: Decide on homes for stuff. Bins are excellent, but if you need a cabinet or bookcase, consider if that will work to store the bins.
5: Don't beat yourself up, and remember to pat yourself on the back every time you accomplish some tasks.
It may get worse before it gets better. That's okay. Be mindful as you go through everything. Remember as you go if it gets to be too much, set that task aside and do something else or another task.
Once done, stand back and admire your work!