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[schimmy]

Just got told off by my landlord for installing a prepay electricity meter in my house. This was an interesting thing to be told off for, considering it's been there since before I moved in.

[Redball]

Please hold me accountable to this!

I'm experiencing a niggle of a nudge of a temptation to take the challenge.

[Barmymoo]

To join in with the C25k? or to hold me accountable? I'm fully in favour of being held accountable, in fact I need it!

[schimmy]

I have decided that since I have (a) a Sicilian girlfriend, and (b) vast swathes of lolling about on the dole in front of me, I am going to teach myself Italian! I bought myself a book, and am learning the basics at the moment. I seem to be okay with learning what individual words mean, and can understand written sentences containing those words, but an understanding of the grammar eludes me; I can't tell whether the grammar is more complicated and stricter than English, or if it's just that the rules are completely alien to me. I think part of it is that, since this is the first time I've ever attempted learning a second language, I've never really had to think about grammar before - there seems to be a lot to learn just to be able to form basic sentences. It's fun, though! Here's hoping I don't lose interest!

[Barmymoo]

I found that learning a foreign language helped me learn english grammar! And teaching english certainly helps, because I have to understand what I'm explaining. You'll probably find your girlfriend isn't great at explaining why the grammar is as it is, most native speakers don't actually know. I'd suggest getting a grammar guide, unless your book is very clear, because grammar is pretty fundamental to fluency. Good luck, I loved Italian when I briefly studied it.

Much as I love my job(s), I am rather annoyed tonight. I agreed last week that I would proof-read two essays this week for £30 each (very easy money, I'm a good proof-reader and pretty fast when I concentrate). I thought that one was due this week, and the other due next week.

I returned the first one this evening, and discovered that the second one is also due tomorrow. She hasn't finished writing it yet. It's 9pm. I get up at 6.30am, so I need to be in bed by 11 at the latest. I was meant to be going to a party. I am not impressed. I would say I can't do it, but £30 is £30 and I will need food money next year.

[The Seldom Killer]

Something about excercise procrastinate before the end of the post... Please hold me accountable to this!

Don't wait until Monday. You have three days in which to get a bit of a headstart here. Do a little bit of pre run stretching and then go for as brisk a walk as you can without needing a sports bra. When you start the running you're less likely to hit some T-junction deflation where you get to the end of the road on your first step out and wonder why it suddenly feels so hard. Resolutions are always better when they start today, you know it's true.

[Redball]

Those of you fluent in a second language may disagree, but from my own limited experience, it seems that trying to comprehend grammar may get in the way of learning the language. In training to go to India, we learned Marathi, the language of the Indian state of Maharashtra, (Mumbai's the capital). I kept trying to comprehend the grammar. Others in the group didn't worry about it. They learned the language more quickly.

[Barmymoo]

TSK, thanks for the advice but I'm not actually procrastinating so much as being realistic about my schedule this week. Tomorrow I have two revision classes to attend


The Cto5k plan actually includes the walking-jogging slow build up over time, you don't launch into a 5k run straight away. I'm not starting tomorrow because I want to go to morning prayer, and the rest of the day is super busy. Could start at the weekend, but I'm already quite busy (and fairly active - 15 mile cycle ride on Friday night). Next week is almost totally empty, I don't even have choir!

[The Seldom Killer]

Cto5K may be a slow build up, but never call it jogging, always call it running. It works better.

[Redball]

To join in with the C25k? or to hold me accountable? I'm fully in favour of being held accountable, in fact I need it!

To join in with the C25k, hold you accountable, hold myself accountable. I jogged from age 47 to retirement 14 years ago, and at times since I've walked fast enough to break into a shuffling jog, even to hold to it for a mile. I'm 178 cm, 82kg , way too much of that in my tummy, slightly embarrassing breasts but not yet in need of a sports bra, a couch potato spending more time on the laptop than the TV.
Printed out the regime this morning. I'll see.

[Barmymoo]

I think it would be useful for me to know you were doing it too, albeit far away! One of my uni friends is considering starting the programme as well, although running on different days to me, so I'd have a little virtual running group! Since the actual college running group is intimidatingly fit.

[Akima]

Those of you fluent in a second language may disagree, but from my own limited experience, it seems that trying to comprehend grammar may get in the way of learning the language.

It is difficult for me to be sure, because I learned English by formal ESL teaching, and immersion through going to school etc. in an English-speaking country, all at the same time.

I think it is a matter of priority. Many second-language courses are very heavily biased towards written communication, simply because it is easier for the teacher, especially where the teacher is not a native (or even fluent, in many cases) speaker of the target language, and easier to assess and mark in exams. Written work in turn over-emphasises grammar, spelling, getting the diacritic marks right, etc. I think it is much more important to use the target language than to study its grammar. Vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency are more important than grammar if you want to use a language, rather than pass exams in it. I went through a "Chinglish" phase where I could make myself understood fairly well, despite my terrible grammar. If self-consciousness about grammar makes you stumble and second-guess yourself, instead of just getting the sentence out there, it has definitely become a barrier.

[Redball]

Chinglish. Interesting: You write so articulately that I don't hear or imagine an "accent." Not that it matters a whit.

[Redball]

I think it would be useful for me to know you were doing it too, albeit far away! One of my uni friends is considering starting the programme as well, although running on different days to me, so I'd have a little virtual running group! Since the actual college running group is intimidatingly fit.

Suggestions for a reporting/supporting communication link? On the exercise thread? PM? Wait a week to see if two of us are left at the end? Out loud might stir some others off the couch. Any others here interested?
In a support group, can one admit one's fears: I'll be lazy. As it heats up here, if I don't get out early, I won't get out. I've been getting up at 6 and 6:30 a.m. lately, an hour that will be cool enough, if I deal with the exercise as a priority. My usual morning habit is at least two hours on the laptop, with this forum, the newspaper comics I get by email, email, etc. Another consideration: Health. But my cardiologist has basically signed off on any level of exercise I feel up to.

[bainidhe_dub]

If this is gonna be a Thing, I might do it too. I've been walking my dog 1.5-2 miles most days, but it's kinda hit-or-miss if I decide I feel like it or not. My dog is overweight with no stamina, and so am I, so maybe C25K would be good for both of us.

[Carl-E]

OK, you made me look it up, but...

I'm afraid I can't.  I had that damn accident in December (hit by a car in the right leg), and it's still giving me pain, especially when I walk any distance.  I can't break into a run at all anymore - it's excruciating.  It's also been 6 fucking months.  The doctor was no help, and the chiropractor straightened out the shoulders and spine, but they all say the pain in the leg's nerve damage, which is not right - I can feel the swelling in the side of my calf when it's hurting, something is still damaged, deep down. 


So I keep walking, and deal with the pain.  I stopped the anti-inflammatories because I was eating too many of them, and I needed to see what the real pain level was.  I think I'm going to go back on them, just fewer, for a little control. 

I participated in a walk/run at the AP reading every year, too - came in 3rd in the men's walking division for the last two years.  This year?  Well, it's in less than a month, so I'm not even going to be able to participate. 

Oh, and I've put on 5 pounds. 




I do NOT want to spend the rest of my life like this. 

[Barmymoo]

Carl, that must be so frustrating. Can you try to find someone else to look at your leg? If you can feel swelling then there must be something they can do. I haven't a clue what though.

Does swimming cause the same pain? It's often a better alternative to impact exercise.

Bainidhe_dub (do you have a preferred shortened form to your forum name? Because it confuses my fingers!), perhaps you need to do Pooch to 5K! I wish I had a dog to run with.

Perhaps we should start a special thread. Then we can check in there and people who don't care can just not read it, instead of cluttering up the general threads.

[Jace]

Folded or hung my laundry and re-organized my one dresser a bit so that I can properly utilize half the drawers for clothes. The other 3 are junk drawer, medical supplies, junk/posters. Eventually I will hang all of the posters and that will free up that drawer for clothes. Now all I need to do is dig out the other 2 smaller dressers from my closet and find a way to utilize those better, since they are buried deep in the closet they are of no help even if I could store stuff in them.

[Welu]

I'm up for a special C25K thread. Having a group, even online, would make it easier and more fun.

[lepetitfromage]

I might try and give it a shot too- I think my hiatus from running might be coming to an end soon. My foot is starting to heal up nicely and I'm a little more energized mentally, getting over that whole I-Suck-Because-My-Legs-Hurt-When-I-Run thing.

Weee 

[Patrick]

Last night I saw definitive proof that spending $5k on a guitar and pedals does nothing to make you a good musician. I'm so lucky I already know there's talent in this town, otherwise I would have just stopped bothering with open mics altogether.

[Akima]

Last night I saw definitive proof that spending $5k on a guitar and pedals does nothing to make you a good musician.

Relax and remember that goons like this support the second-hand market for poor talented people, just like the guys who keep buying the latest carbon-fibre Cervélo or whatever in hopes that it will magically make them fast. Pro tip: It won't.

[Patrick]

I mean, being honest, there's a pretty significant sum of money in my own rig. Only reason for that is because I wanted loud, and I wanted a tube amp (that is the only exception to the rule; tubes make EVERYTHING better). Even if I included every pedal I own, it might be 1/3 of the total cost of the rig he brought with him though, and he didn't even bring an amp!

[Patrick]

Also I don't know why I keep doing this, but the girl who made out with me at Hippie Camp (as I have decided to start calling Livermore's wannabe-Woodstock weekend) keeps asking me to hang out, and I keep hanging out with her. I haven't let her get any closer than friends-only behaviors ever since, and to be honest I feel like she is reading into these hangouts more than she should be. Idunno. I already told her I'm not interested in anything but being friends, and I don't do or say anything to indicate otherwise, but I still feel like I might be leading her on. Opinions and advice welcome.

[Welu]

Was getting slagged off for wearing my headphones all the time. Tried to point out I don't wear my headphones around any more than most people, they're just more obvious than earphones. This concept makes no sense to people I know, apparently. Then I got slagged off because obviously the only reason to wear headphones is to be a big hipster. Reasons like, "They sound better." or "Earphones hurt my ears." are just hipster excuses.

[pwhodges]

They're good in cold weather, too, especially the sealed over-the-ear type that I use.

[Zingoleb]

I don't trust earbuds. I'm terrified of developing ear problems 'cause I expect to use my ears to make a living (saw Rammstein live, wore earplugs, and was made fun of at the concert for wearing earplugs (though I took them out for a few songs that more or less demanded to be as loud as possible, but my ears weren't ringing after the concert, so I'm assuming I protected them enough)). Headphones are more comfortable and sound better, end of story.

[pwhodges]

Some earplugs are of the highest quality - I use Etymotic ER-4Ps for monitoring sometimes.  Comfort is an individual matter, though. 

Damage is simply a matter of sustained volume, and hearing can be damaged using speakers, headphones or earplugs.  However, without experience it is surprisingly hard to judge the volume of headphones, and even more of earplugs, so it is worth the taking the time to calibrate them against speakers before using them seriously.

[Zingoleb]

I just typed in "meanwhile in Finland" and these were the first two results:

[pwhodges]

Well, we know who the second is - do we know the first?

[Patrick]

Oh god. Hearing damage. I'm already a decade of drums too late, I'm afraid. Not only is loud music my living, but my eardrum burst from an ear infection in 8th grade, so loud sounds just don't quite bother me as much as they do others. I always forget to bring my earplugs.

I really have got to make a "going to do music shit" checklist or something.

Today I saw something on Reddit that made me go "a hur dur lolol", so I took a screenshot

[DrPhibes]

im karma slutting the hell out of that picture.

[Patrick]

gb2 r/spacedicks

(don't ever do that, it's a horrible place)

[DrPhibes]

Don't tell me, already went there once.
I'm on /r/community, /r/guildwars2, /r/gameofthrones most of the time.

[Zingoleb]

Well, we know who the second is - do we know the first?

I've seen it posted on these forums before, but it was years ago. I was assuming it was Jens but now I am second-guessing myself? (I know he doesn't live in Finland...)

[DrPhibes]

How do I pick up my internship and study work!

Now:
I wait too long to make materials. Too many distractions from the Internet.
I work on an assignment or text, maybe review it once and come with a result.
Knowledge, feedback and revisions are therefore too late resulting in a nervous and stressed posture.

What has happened:
By too much distractions, I didn't believe in the final result.
I panicked and gave up, leading to more stress and depression in my ability to do something and make results.
Results in material, or classes are not made and knowledge and feedback therefor are missed.

My goal:
At the time I have to make material or knowledge I have to ward of distractions to a few moments on the day.
Work on the assignment or text, revised at least once and sent to the persons needing it at least one week before deadlines.
Combatting the nervous attitude by further expansion of knowledge and reviewing my materials.

Materials can be anything from a class-room assignment for next class to making a whole paper or a lesson in my internship.
I hope this could also help other people.

[ackblom12]

The Finland picture is Dollface, I made that one a few years ago. The picture you linked Zingo was Jens.

[Barmymoo]

Of the two Meanwhile in Finland photos I also thought the former was Jens, but I'm not actually sure because as you say, he isn't in Finland. Which one did you make, Stephen? The one with the swingseat and cup of tea, or the one with the sledge and beer?

[ackblom12]

Oh right, the first one is not Jens at all. I did the Sled and Beer. The first one has been around for... must be 10 years now.

[Redball]

How do I pick up my internship and study work!

Now:
I wait too long to make materials. Too many distractions from the Internet.
I work on an assignment or text, maybe review it once and come with a result.
Knowledge, feedback and revisions are therefore too late resulting in a nervous and stressed posture.

What has happened:
By too much distractions, I didn't believe in the final result.
I panicked and gave up, leading to more stress and depression in my ability to do something and make results.
Results in material, or classes are not made and knowledge and feedback therefor are missed.

My goal:
At the time I have to make material or knowledge I have to ward of distractions to a few moments on the day.
Work on the assignment or text, revised at least once and sent to the persons needing it at least one week before deadlines.
Combatting the nervous attitude by further expansion of knowledge and reviewing my materials.

Materials can be anything from a class-room assignment for next class to making a whole paper or a lesson in my internship.
I hope this could also help other people.

I've been there at times, and I'm somewhat there now: retired, with a few duties (work on a nonprofit board, writing for a distant newspaper) which I can carry out OK, but otherwise too willing to be distracted from productive activity. One of my hobbies is woodworking. I haven't done anything in the shop for a couple of years, since before my wife died. Finishing something, doing good work, feels good. I've been addicted to that kind of success at times in my life. But not now. It may not be helpful, but is it possible that completing one task well and on time would make the next one easier? And both of us probably should limit the Internet.

[DrPhibes]

I'm going to expand on this list a bit Redball. After some talks I figured out this is incomplete. I'll probably make a g-docs out of it in a couple of hours.

[Zingoleb]

Of the two Meanwhile in Finland photos I also thought the former was Jens, but I'm not actually sure because as you say, he isn't in Finland.

Well, I'm glad I wasn't the only one!

[valley_parade]

Oh god. Hearing damage. I'm already a decade of drums too late, I'm afraid. Not only is loud music my living, but my eardrum burst from an ear infection in 8th grade, so loud sounds just don't quite bother me as much as they do others. I always forget to bring my earplugs.

ALWAAAAAAAAAYS. Man. I used to always have a box just for practice.

[Carl-E]

My father was a marine on a gunboat during the Korean conflict.  For being on deck when the 9 inch guns were being fired, each man received a single cotton ball that was pulled in half, each piece stuffed in an ear. 

Several years later, he was plant manager for a foundry, and OSHA instituted hearing rules.  He made sure everyone had earplugs, but would often forget his own when he had to go out on the floor. 

We also lived along a major truck route when I was a kid, which is where some of my hearing loss started. 


Upshot is, the old man's deaf as a post without the hearing aids.  But he just got some new, experimental ones from the VA, and it's amazing - they use dual directional mics for depth and direction, and he says he can hear things he hasn't heard in years. 




When he remembers to put them in...

[Omega Entity]

Related to hearing loss, but not in any meaningful way, but it is kinda funny.

I once told my grandmother when I got hired in at a gas station that I was being trained by the Mayor of Clifford - which was true, the guy that was the assistant manager there was the mayor of a small town north of here.

My grandmother, who hadn't yet succumbed to getting hearing aids and was extremely hard of hearing, gave me a puzzled look as she asked, "You're being trained by an Arab hooker?"

Many laughs were had.

[Welu]

Sick of getting taxis everywhere but if I carry my backpack for long times any more my back will properly give out on me.
Also I've been sitting on the floor the last twenty minutes moving files around and now I can't feel my leg.

In happier news, just need to fix a tiny bit of audio in my film and render it and YAY! One full assignment finished and my first proper short film done.

[Jimor]

I bring earplugs to shows all the time now. It's never too late to start protecting your ears, better to stop the damage where it's at than to let it get to the point where you can't hear anything. On the occasions I do forget, I'll at least stuff some napkin in my ear. I may be only cutting the noise by 10dB, but it's the most important 10dB to cut!

Speaking of music. I'm on the final push for producing the first shoot of a live music TV show I'm creating with the help of one of the major promoters in town. Friday is the first shoot, and we're using the remote studio "truck" (it's really an RV that's been stripped out and filled with TV equipment) from the access station I work at. It's my production, though, not theirs, and I have a great crew of fellow volunteers to help me out.

Most of it's all worked out in coordination with the venue. I just need to create a final production plan and get copies to everybody so that things will go as smoothly as possible that night. We're filming 3 acts, and each act will be turned into a half-hour episode for the cable channel. Then I'll post them online and give you all the link.

[Jace]

I don't protect my ears because I hope that when I finally go deaf the ringing will stop.

[pwhodges]

That's not how it works - you'll end up with the ringing but no external distraction.  Sorry!

[Jace]

Aw dang. I don't wanna get any older now because I know it is only going to get worse.