closing in on my 40th book of the year; this should optimistically be read sometime next week
I’m starting my bicycle ride to turkey next week. Due to life I ended up coming short 1k on my budget, and so I’ll have to forgo the electronics for now, and only have my legs!! Luckily the nl is a flat country so I’ll be ok for the first month or so. I hope my depression fucks off so I can earn some cash, otherwise it’ll be hell getting through Belgium. Either that or it’ll get really cold this far north.
Otherwise prep has been going well. I’m practicing daily, as I’m excited, but also pulling a cart is a new and unique experience. Today I practiced hitting trash on the road with the cart wheels, as I could hear it get crushed behind me. Parking in reverse is a real headscratcher. Where is a guy when you need one, amirite?
Oh and Saturday was pride here. It was officially the first day of my journey!
Omg so cool that you’re doing this!!
Any particular reason for it or did you just want to prove to yourself that you could?
Is the pride flag coming on the trip with you? 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🇳🇱
Thank you for your support! It means a lot!
I’m planning to get my hair transplant operation done in Turkey. The Dutch healthcare system is like the nine circles of hell and at the end of it they’ll give you a cheap synthetic wig!
And the flag? I suppose I should!
Dutch healthcare system
Oef ja.
Succes 🙏
What’s your plan? Route, expected timeline, countries you will visit, what you would like to see…
I’m traveling spontaneously. I imagine I’ll stay in southern Spain this winter and then continue through Italy and cross by boat to Greece and continue on to Istanbul. Beyond that I can’t really say much right now. I might have to adjust my plans based on safety and infrastructure. Right now I am thinking of circumventing eastern europe for those reasons, but I’ll look into it later and I still hope that it’s possible. Those places are gorgeous and I’d like to spread trans visibility.
Take it then through central Europe. CZ and SK take some routing skills but it is really nice to bike here, don’t worry about Austria the bike infrastructure is top quality. Hungary is good too but it is really boring (too flat). Don’t trust that Romania and Bulgaria are backwards in this regard, it is doable (I would say it is bit worse than CZ and SK).
I wasn’t in all countries I mentioned some of it is from friends who were there. Maybe mention it in bikepacking/touring community (it is on lemmy.world so you will need another account) someone will give you more hands on advice.
Thanks, I’ve saved it!
I’ve always dreamt of visiting Budapest, and even moving there, but unfortunately they have anti lgbtq stuff going on there for now, so I’ll need some experience before I take on that beast.
Yeah politic is messed right now in Hungary and Slovakia in this regard. But I don’t think that it sets general feelings towards lgbtq. As a tourist you should be fine, I had really weird encounters in really rural area in Romania but never felt like I was in danger. Just to be safe I would put the rainbow flag down but that’s all, lots of people are progressive, even in those countries, and assholes are everywhere.
Hit me up if you will ride through Czech Republic, I am not active much on this account so - @plactagonic@sopuli.xyz (my second lemmy account); @plactagonic@f.cz (mastodon)
Thanks, I just followed you with my Mastodon account.
And about weird encounters, tell me about it! To say I have them often would be an understatement. That’s also why I’m not so afraid, because I just don’t think it can get much worse than it is here. In fact that would impress me.
Very cool! Great trailer, I use one almost daily to get supplies for my restaurant. Make sure you know the weight limit!, and how to load so you don’t get the swaying motion.
Have fun and don’t worry about your depression, daily riding will keep that shit in check, for sure. Happy Pride & ride!
Hey banana. Hey tips on loading? I thought simply put the weight as low as possible and balance it.
I’ve got a bunch of stuff and will try out soon. I’m aiming for 60kg max rn. It’s steel so it can carry a lot more.
What kind of restaurant do you have?
Simply put, more weight to the front of the trailer
I originally had a 40kg trailer I abused for 4+years and recently upgraded to one rated 80kg. The new one has a support on both sides of the tires like yours, you should be good to go.
If I was to take a long road trip I would invest in an orange flag on a long whip stick (placed on the left back corner of the trailer), and a red flashing light for the trailer (even for the day). But then again, I’m from the US and drivers in The EU tend to be more aware of pedestrians & bikes outside of the motorways.
I have an American BBQ joint, and we’re celebrating our 5th year next month, which is a miracle since we opened 4 months before the COVID lockdowns…lol.
Makes sense, because it leans on the ball below the seat into the rear wheel, and is less likely to flip up and potentially bend/break something and fall off. Thank you for the idea.
Oh and the video clearly shows it’s like a pendulum otherwise! Wow scary!
Yeah, about the flag, I’m planning to do that. In Germany the clearance is something like 1.2m (not sure), so a lot of people have something sticking out that far.
Currently I’m a bit worried about Spain and Turkey. I know in Barcelona I had to drive on the sidewalks, which was absurd and dangerous so I didn’t do it back then. Maybe you can say something about that?
And Turkey because it’s a carbrained country. I’ll probably upgrade with a motor so I can go significantly faster as to not block traffic too much, and I might get some more powerful bumpers welded on. It’s all steel.
But quite frankly the NL is a dangerous country too. I’ve had people drive straight at me several times. I know staying here only gives the illusion of safety.
Regarding your BBQ joint: wow! That must be a successful business now if you managed to start during corona. I heard restaurants are a hit or miss type of investment?
Have you ever seen the series The Bear?
Barcelona is laid out very well for pedestrians, very wide streets and some good bike lanes (the diagonal street for sure), but I’ve only been there to visit friends & fam. Drunk driving though, is a thing still.
I’ve been in the business (cooking) for 35+ years, and we just had to be very careful with finances, had some great neighborhood support, and good food with good prices and it just kept rolling along…not a smooth ride but we’re in a great place now, a lot of places had to keep thier personnel which absolutely sunk them…we hadn’t hired anyone yet and still only have a part time server in the summer high season.
I watched the Bear until I saw them cooking and only tasting the food after they completed the test plate up… ridiculousness.
The Menu, however, is a beautiful film.
OH, also, make sure you have tire liners, helps a lot saving you from flats.(Between the tube and inside of the tire)
Just started the movie. First of all that girl is unrefined. She’s also too pretty. And someone is definitely going to die. Maybe everyone except her.
I’m not telling any secrets
I’ll check out the movie.
A bicycle freak of mine said that it might be better to go for tyre repair gel instead, as you don’t have the effect on rolling resistence. It’s like this spray that automatically fills the hole.
I remember cycling in Barcelona on one of those e bikes. I know I looked like a total tourist and I loved it. And the shop actually told me to drive only on the sidewalks. I actually tried it but it’s impossible!
Job interview tomorrow weeeeeee 😊😊
It’s at a software development company that one of my best friends works at so I got an easy leg up and kind of just lucked into the easiest application process I’ve ever experienced. Fingers crossed besties 🤞
Good luck, you’ve got this!
how did it go???
Good :) thanks for asking!
There will be an assignment and a second interview to discuss said assignment. Then hopefully get hired :))
Trying not to be too hyped in the mean time but I’m really manifesting this so hard rn
I’m rooting for you! go bownage, go!
We moved 2 days ago, and in the first night one of our cats managed to escape. We’re both broken beyond belief, crying constantly. We’ve been out on the street with treats multiple times, but to no avail. She’s quite a scared cat, so I can’t imagine what she must be going through. We put out flyers, alarted the neighbours, etc.
What sucks most is that it totally could’ve been prevented. The living door was slightly ajar, so she got out and made her way to the basement (because we forgot to close the door…) and she crawled out the basement windows (that I was going to cat-proof ASAP).
Our other cat is obviously distraught. They were a mom-daughter pair, and she’s obviously missing her mom. Frequently, she lets out these gut-wrenching high-pitched miaws, as if looking for her. She also craves attention from us constantly, and refuses to eat or drink.
What should have been a joyous move has really turned sour for all of us. I can’t stand to think abour our poor baby alone and scared on the streets.
ugh that’s terrible! i have an anxious baby too, i don’t even want to think about how awful it would be if he escaped.
Frequently, she lets out these gut-wrenching high-pitched miaws, as if looking for her.
I’m no expert, but if you put Daughter in a cat stroller and took her for walks through the neighborhood, I wonder if that would draw Mom back to you?
Yea we thought of something similar, but we’re too scared. It’ll probably also stress out the younger cat even more, and she already hasn’t eaten for 2 days.
I tried recording her to maybe play back on a speaker while walking around, but it’s very tricky to capture properly.
yeahhhh that makes sense, you have to consider her comfort and stress of course. I’m so sorry, I hope Mom comes home or is found soon 😭
Thanks, I hope so too.
That must be horrible! Did you move far from your old home? She might try to make her way back there if it’s close enough
We moved relatively far, about a 40 min drive by car. I hope she’s not trying to find her way back, but there’s no knowing. She was kept as an indoor cat there too, so I doubt she knows her whereabouts well enough.
Our main hope is that someone will scoop her up at some point, as she’s microchipped. But there’s many free-roaming cats in this neighbourhood, so I doubt anyone would have that reflex.
I wonder if you put some worn clothing (like a t-shirt) outside if it will help her pick up a scent and bring her back
Finally after 2 years making cider. Last year there wasn’t any apples left on trees (I don’t know if they froze or what happened, it was bad year). So it is bit hectic, runs between home, “juicery”, brew shop and my friend home where it stays. I was bit worried my reserves started to run dry and I have 1 archive bottle left. Trying adding hops and spices, more info here.
I’ve never had homemade apple cider before! I bet that’s gonna be delicious
I started with it because I couldn’t get anything decent from store. Now I can get some really good cider from small makers.
For most people it is love/hate, it is really simple and completely dry, it isn’t for everyone. I really like it and now we started to experiment with it more so maybe more interesting brews are coming (I hope that I will make at least one more batch this year).
Awesome!
‘Adventures in OCD (and Other Mental Shenanigans)’ has had about a hundred and fifty thousand sequels at this point and I’m beginning to wonder if I’m maybe growing a bit tired of the overdone and recycled plotlines.
Other than that, mostly meh. Some good, some bad, it’s a veritable everything bagel. I could do with a bit less seasoning, though, if I’m being honest. Like maybe bring it down to a chill poppy seed affair. That’d be nice for a while.
Damn, you’re killing it with the reading! Good for you.
I’m grouchy. I don’t like my new apartment, I don’t like my new town. I’m on light duty and I hate the work. Between moving and family obligations and injuries I’ve barely been to the gym this quarter, and I feel like I’m losing strength.
At my last place, I printed a bunch of photos from fun and significant experiences and hung them up. My family rarely did pictures and never hung them up or even kept track of them, so this was a big thing for me.
Opened up the box to unpack it yesterday. A lot of them were of friends I don’t speak to anymore. That just leaves photo of my family, who I have really conflicted feelings about. I don’t think I feel right hanging them up anymore.
I like to print pictures from the internet that I like. Quite a few off Lemmy
That’s a good idea! Occasionally I find a picture that hits different and put it on the corkboard that was supposed to be for art references. Could transfer em over to lonely photo wall.
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I finally moved! Made the 16hr journey from Kansas City to the Washington. DC. My dad and brother flew out last Thursday to help me load the truck and drive across the country. Got into town late Sunday and unloaded the truck on Monday. Still unpacking and setting things up, and of course getting my bearings, but so far it feels good. I will say that the drive through the Appalachians is stunning. Obviously not the Rockies, but in some ways, I think the Appalachians are more beautiful.
It was definitely a little sad leaving a city that I’d grown up in, that I’d been at for like 30yrs. As I passed through suburbs where I lived or went to school at, I was definitely tearing up a bit. I’d driven east out of the metro to visit St. Louis, Chicago, Columbus, and beyond many times over the years. But this time I wouldn’t be coming back “home.”
I was the last of my family to leave the area, and while I have a few friends there still, we’ve grown apart as we’ve gotten older as they’ve got their own families and such. As such, unless I move back, I’ll probably never return. Or at least, very rarely.
Anyway, I still have like 10 days before I start my new job, so in the meantime, I’m just relaxing and enjoying it. Hopefully this move will be worth it. I think it will be.
Country road 🎶
Take me home…
To the place…
Reading this took me back 25 years when I left the Midwest for California. The journey on the way to your next destination is such an adventure. I’m excited for you, it’s gonna be awesome. Embrace the change, and don’t forget where you came from.
Also, don’t forget to introduce people to that awesome KC barbecue, it’s legit.
Maybe that’ll be the reason I go back to visit: BBQ!
I’m going to my first ever destination wedding. Pretty excited!
Nice! Where’s the destination at?
Aruba. I’ve never been!
I don’t even know where that is.
echo (border collie) started fluoxetine (prozac) last weekend for her anxious tendencies and obsessive behaviors. she also has her urban canine test on wednesday, which i think we’ll pass with flying colors, so long as there isn’t a leaf blower she can hear.
we’ve had a couple of chilly nights, but i know we’re going to have at least one or two hot weeks before it starts to actually cool down for good.
i’ve been spending a lot of work days at the coworking space, and i’m making a lot of progress on my latest project, so that’s nice. forgot how much that helps me get in the right mindset. probably helps that i dumbed down my phone quite a bit recently, too. no more safari, email, social, or needless apps. down to about 1 hour of phone screen time per day, which is pretty good considering my old averages were around 4-5 hours. 😳
I had no idea that dogs could be prescribed Prozac. I’m interested in reading updates on this!
down to about 1 hour of phone screen time per day, which is pretty good considering my old averages were around 4-5 hours.
Quite the feat! What’s your trick?
my older dog, loki (11 year old australian shepherd), has been on prozac most of his life due to anxiety issues, so i’m quite familiar with its use in dogs! basically it allows them to chill out a little bit. both of them are high strung rescue dogs, so the medication definitely helps after i’ve exhausted all other training routes.
Quite the feat! What’s your trick?
honestly, i keep a pack of cards with me to shuffle through (and sometimes play solitaire with) when i’m bored. i also still have audiobooks on my phone, but i play music from a separate digital audio player. it’s nice not to have the compulsion to open mindless scrolling whenever i pick up my phone to do something i actually need to do. most of my time on my phone is now spent using maps for directions, hah.
My partner, myself, and our 9 month old twins all have a cold.
@alyaza Quite well 😁 Looking forward for a few employment processes, hope I get a positive answer to one of them at least.
I got into the rabbit hole of YouTube videos about iPods, iPod refurbishments, upgrade and other media players in general. It’s so fascinating that there are devices designed just for listening to music, especially since even the old Nokia phones came equipped with music players or had music playing capabilities. In fact, I used my phone to listen to music even before getting a smartphone (yes, I know regular mp3 players were a thing, but it was much easier to view what you were playing on a regular color LCD screen with an actual UI). Even more fascinating is seeing people actually upgrading these devices with more storage, larger batteries and new capabilities like wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity (to connect them to wireless headsets), even making them able to stream from youtube.com/watch?v=ZxdhG1OhVn….
In fact, I am surprised that as of speaking, in 2024, there is still a market for music players, some even being Android based and with Google Play Store access, so you could install Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music or whatever you can find out there (be it a streaming service, music player or whatnot).
This, along with the fact that (as I said) I never owned a dedicated media player myself (none of the likes of an iPod at least), I think is what made me to pull an older phone out of the drawer and try to repurpose it as a dedicated media player myself. And so far, it has been a success for the most part. I don’t know how will I use it outside my house in the real world (even inside the house as well, as I already have the bulk of the music on my PC), but it’s just so fascinating. If you’re interested, I can create a separate post on the DIY community so you can get some ideas.
I don’t know how to get a job anymore or even what type job to look for
Good job on the books!
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