Work.

I’m working about 2-3 jobs these days, and none of them play to my strengths. You’d think I’d be able to make ends meet by working 60+ hours and living with roommates.

I’m also working on a side-project startup so I won’t have to work everyday and I can actually–you know–have a life…and friends.

Agree, it’s like it’s just intense enough to pretend that it’s doing something without actually doing anything. And then you sense when it’s coming to your calves and you just pray that it gets off your calves quickly!

As a Christian, I can completely relate to your sentiment. I’ve found Christians to be the most closed-off, narrow-minded group of people, distrusting and even downright antagonistic of anything that sounds “non-Chiristian.”

As a Christian, I’m sorry you’ve been hurt. It’s not right.

Yeah, I’ve accidentally walked into a seedy massage once or twice…I mean, if you’ve got pain you want got rid of and you see a sign that says, “walk-ins welcome,” you ignore a lot of warning signs. Even though it soon became obvious that I wasn’t their typical clientele, I appreciate how they just get in there and do the job. It seems most legit places are afraid to do anything–which I guess makes sense since massage therapy can sometimes result in sexual harassment suits.

But, yeah, no more Asian massages. Sadly, there don’t seem to be any legit ones, which is a shame because you have shady businesses ruining it for immigrants who legitimately want to provide a good massage.

Walking into an IKEA store.

It was a sensory nightmare.

I’ve only been flying as an adult once, during the pandemic when I could finally afford it (long story). But I loved everything about it, even what most people would consider an “inconvenience.” (didn’t have a seat-kicker, thankfully). I’m always seeking adventure and love new experiences, so I loved it!

Unfortunately can’t afford it again. Don’t you love our upside-down economy?

IME one of my all-time favorite shows. While, yeah, there were some questionable artistic choices sometimes (let’s face it…every show has 'em) all around the show creators seemed to know their audience was intelligent and could handle a complex political drama. I never felt like the plot was spoon-fed to me. All the characters had depth, which allowed for rich interpersonal conflicts to drive the plot.

I also like how they weren’t afraid to go dark, to add twists that were so gut-wretchingly tragic you didn’t know how they’d go on.

But, of course, I also loved how BSG was mainly a mirror about us…from the birds-eye view, the Cylons were a lot more ethical and moral than humans.

A show way ahead of its time. TBF I think it would be way ahead of its time if it was released today, too. Haha.

It’s been going on for over a decade, so I’m pretty much used to it by now. Whether it’s a Republican or Democrat, a racist homophobe, or an anti-business bureaucrat who believes in taxing the hell out of everyone, every politician is a rich elite that ignores the will of the people and completely mucks up everything. I just accept it. I accept that they’re not the King. They’re subject to the Sovereign King, God, and will eventually answer to him, just like I will have to.

Also, I’ve had my own share of issues just finding steady work, so politics is just a background noise when it’s shaky where my next meal is coming from.

Yeah, most online stores don’t accept gift cards, unfortunately. 🙁 Especially Amazon…tried to order some much needed products with Amazon cards, and they require a bank card.

IME, (on Amazon at least…and a few others I’ve tried) masked cards are usually accepted as bank cards. Gift cards are not.

I’d love to build myself a privacy-respecting online store that accepts everything from Monero to cash to Apple pay (for the general populous that doesn’t care), but I sort of lack the capital. 😅

They also make filling up your gas tank an even more unbearable experience.

I was living at or below the poverty line for years before COVID. As a senior developer, I wasn’t finding any work. Then when COVID hit, I wasn’t able to keep up with the work. I was finally earning 6 figures. I was able to travel (like in a jet, legitimate travel) for the first time–just because. It was amazing. I was able to network with people and provide value for people. I felt like my career was suddenly moving!

Then around 2021-2022 all my clients abandoned me, my network ghosted me, and I was back to square one. That’s where I am today.

I’m working on having a breakthrough because someone college-educated with a GitHub profile should not be standing at food bank lines every month.

True, and thanks.

Ah, I see. Yeah, I keep forgetting that a lot of people use LinkedIn for job-searching (I mean, I kinda do too, but been active on it like 7 years without a single follow-through). I see it as a networking tool. Job-searching may be part of it, but business leaders and ultra wealthy use it to make connections and support each other (theoretically). Businesses/creators would be the target market. Maybe some job-search aspect to it at some point.

Haha, this is true. Hence why I was looking for a way to serve people.

Yeah, that’s why I was kinda wondering.

Yeah, that’s what I was hoping for. I’m a believer that money = value. If something or someone is valuable, it should be paid for and there’s nothing wrong with that.

I’m also a believer that you can operate in FOSS/Fedi-mode and still make money.

Yup, an instance would be paid, but if someone wanted to launch a service of their own they totally could…they just won’t have the upstream features and the primary support from the paid instance.

Job-seeker/employer is only a drop in the ocean of what professional networking (and LinkedIn) is about. It’s a community of businesses that all help each other collaborate and build…a way to share ideas and make new connections…at least, I think that’s what everyone wants it to be.

Nope, no verification system…complete opposite…you’d just need to pay an I don’t care who you are (I’d even take crypto like Monero). I think being on week 4 of wrestling with LinkedIn’s verification system (being in LI jail for the 3rd time!) has made me sick of it.

One thing I like about the fediverse is it’s very community-driven. If I come across a spam message on Mastodon, I’ll start to report it to the community but find 10 others who are saying the same thing and within 5 minutes the dude is out. Meanwhile LinkedIn has a draconian verification system that treats its users like toddlers, while every other week I have someone asking to take over my UpWork account (and LI doesn’t ban them).

With me it depends on quality & depth.

If I socialize with a really good friend (or a romantic interest–which hasn’t been for a while 🙁 ) every day, that invigorates me.

But if I drag myself out to even one hour long social event for a week I have to spend 8 weeks recovering. 🤣 (OK, maybe not that long, but you get the idea).