Posts by northerncyclist2

I'm feeling a little bummed out because nobody really jumped on board with my suggestion about those Gideon 800 * 600 Gideon images... 😁

If you ever run out of smileys, you can always just send a little vibration ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🤦

Since we're already limiting the number of smileys, I guess it might also be a good idea to just completely disable the BBcode for coloring posts... I mean, this is a forum, not a preschool.

I’m kind of against it... posts with more than 10 emoticons just look messy to me.

James Fowler3 said:I really appreciate you taking the time... This whole ordeal actually kicked off a few months back, and while there are moments where it seems to subside—usually just for a few hours at most—it inevitably crawls right back... I’ve always dealt with allergies, of course, but nothing quite like this has ever happened before. As far as getting actual testing done goes, my ENT specialist is being incredibly dismissive; they won't even perform further diagnostics and seem perfectly content to just ignore this constant crackling sensation. Perhaps they suspect it might be tinnitus, but based on everything I’ve read regarding that condition, I don't think that's what I'm dealing with, especially since the issue is isolated to just one ear and remains silent when I'm in a quiet environment. (Though, I suppose there is the minor detail that whenever I lie down and press that ear against my pillow, I catch these faint metallic sounds... but that isn't nearly as bothersome as this persistent clicking that I can't simply tune out).
Is there anything at all I can do to address this situation?

I’m dealing with something pretty similar... honestly, the answer is probably no. Doctors don't really have a clue (and believe me, I've seen a few good ones out here) 🤷

The only thing you can really do is just protect your ears from loud noises—like, all the time, no exceptions!—and just hope it doesn't get any worse down the road.

I guess my own issues started after one concert that was way too loud. As for what’s actually damaged—whether it's a nerve, the cells in the ear, or the tiny muscles near the eardrum... who knows? There isn't really a way to diagnose that with the tech we have today. Constant tinnitus (the kind that isn't pulsing) might be a sign of sound trauma, but then again, it could be caused by a bunch of other things too.

I’d suggest getting an audiometry and tympanometry test just to be safe, though your audiogram will probably come back totally fine.

On another note... I also feel that hard little bone right under that ear, and I have some even nastier issues with my jaw joint—so maybe it’s related to that. How is your jaw feeling lately? (It's super close to the ear area)

Huge thanks to everyone who stepped in to explain the technical side of how images show up here. I guess I should just add that when you embed an image on a site like Reddit, the server isn't actually doing the heavy lifting—your own browser is.

Basically, your browser asks the forum for a post, the forum hands over the text along with instructions on where to find the image (that's the URL you paste into your post, which stays the same regardless of how big the file is). Then, your browser just takes that URL and goes off to grab the image itself to display it within the thread. 😉

The only images actually stored directly in this forum's database are things like avatars and certain UI elements. But even then, they're only downloaded once; after that, your browser just pulls them from its own local cache—you know, that little storage spot where it keeps stuff it's already downloaded so it doesn't have to fetch it again later.

Regarding the image rules, I kind of wish they weren't enforced quite so strictly. For example, if someone uploads an image that's 300x780, it technically breaks the rules, even though it actually has less total surface area than a standard 640x480 photo.

I really hope I'm not one of the reasons things are getting messy here. I'll admit, sometimes I get a bit stuck on things, or maybe I get a little too hyped up (though I always try to keep it somewhat lighthearted 😁), but generally speaking, I try my best to follow the rules. 😉

I think Dajrica is onto something regarding how the standards for what gets posted in the trash section have shifted compared to a year or two ago—which, if you ask me, is probably for the better.

In my opinion, a small subforum like this doesn't really need a moderator who just goes around handing out bans left and right. It would be much better to have more of a guiding hand that helps steer the conversation and keeps the discussions growing.

Brandon Lopez6 said:Personally, I think this size is just right—you can actually see what's going on in the photo without it being a total mess. When images are way too huge, they just warp my screen and I end up giving up on reading the thread entirely.
Also, let's be real: any page loaded with massive files (or a bunch of them in a row) takes forever to load compared to a page with standard-sized images.
I'm digging this layout; it's clean. Besides, let's go with that old mantra: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." 😬

Wait, you think an 800*600 image is considered large? 🤔

Reddit is pretty much the only forum out there that doesn't allow that size, even though it's basically the unwritten standard for image sizes online. And I've definitely spent enough time browsing different forums to know that. 😁

Just for comparison:

Under the current Reddit rules, the maximum image size is capped at 640 * 480 px. I guess that rule probably dates back to when monitors were tiny and most Americans were still stuck using slow dial-up connections.

But things are totally different now, I mean, almost everyone—probably 99.9%—has high-speed broadband or fast mobile data, plus big high-res monitors, and even phones. Images that small just feel way too tiny these days.

So, I was thinking maybe we could bump the maximum image size up to 800*600 pixels, or maybe even 1024*768 pixels if it makes sense for the specific vibe of a certain sub-forum.

If you guys are on board with this, maybe cast a vote in the poll and leave a comment 🙂

Just a little side note: changing the image size won't actually affect the forum's performance or the server itself, since the images aren't even hosted on the Reddit servers and nothing is being processed there during loading.

It really just depends on how fast the driving school moves. Usually, you’ve got about a week of classroom sessions covering all the rules, and then there’s an exam right after that. Once you pass that, you can finally get behind the wheel for the actual driving portion—it’s roughly 30 hours if I remember correctly. So, if you’re doing two-hour sessions three times a week, I guess you’re looking at maybe six weeks of practice. Then, of course, there's the final road test.

On top of all that, you have to clear the First Aid course too. I think it’s just three lectures followed by a test. All things considered, I’d say two months is a pretty reasonable timeframe to get everything done.

To actually get the license, you also have to go through some testing, like a medical checkup that covers both physical and mental fitness.

So, I’ve been thinking about this lately... I'm really curious about how some people just seem to move through high-stakes communication like they're totally in their element. You know what I mean? Like, in those intense situations where you have to nail the verbal stuff, the body language, the posture, all of it—they're just smooth. They glide through it like a high-end Porsche carving up a winding road in the Rockies. But then, there are others who, despite trying so incredibly hard, just seem to stumble. They act all awkward and clunky, almost making things feel weird or even funny during the simplest little interactions.

I guess I'm wondering... how much of that effortless grace is just something you're born with, and how much of it is actually something you can learn? And if it is something you can pick up, how does one even go about getting it?

Wait, what exactly is CNN? 🤔

Hannah Allen5 said:Things are feeling a little better now, I suppose, though I really wish I could have gotten some more constructive feedback from everyone... just so I’d actually know how to "handle" things if this whole mess ever happens again. 😬 Even though I’m still feeling pretty confused and totally overwhelmed by the whole ordeal, that massive "bomb" of emotions and racing thoughts in my head has finally quieted down. 🤷

And look, maybe she just had what I call a "mental hiccup." It's one of those reactions where even the person having it isn't quite sure why they did it—it's just totally out of place for the situation and doesn't even match how they actually think or feel. It usually pops up as this defensive reflex triggered by some irrational fear. The thing about it is, it hits you out of nowhere and then vanishes just as fast.

I suppose the best way to handle it is to just take a breath and count to ten. Don't take anything too seriously unless things stay weird for a few days. You definitely shouldn't feed into the reaction; honestly, it's probably best to just let them know you're there, but stay passive.

This probably won't be much help, I guess, but you aren't exactly alone in feeling like you have absolutely no clue how the hell the world actually works, or what people think about everything, or even what you're actually thinking yourself. 😁

Andrew Lopez10 said:she loves me unconditionally and without limits 😁
is that going too far? 😛

I mean, honestly, that’s kind of like asking a sex worker for true love. No offense, though. 😁

I guess I should probably start by saying that I really appreciate what redtiger35 was trying to get at earlier. It’s funny how things work out sometimes, isn't it? Maybe I'm just overthinking it, but I felt like there was a bit more to the conversation than what we initially saw on the surface. I mean, if you look at it from a different angle—not that there's a right or wrong way to see it—it kind of changes the whole vibe of the discussion. Anyway, I just wanted to throw that out there. I hope that makes sense!

redtiger35 said:Oh yeah, people stay in puberty forever these days. Some schools even argue that men might stay there indefinitely. 😁 I personally think I'm still hovering around that stage and dealing with some "childish growing pains," even though I'm a bit older. I read somewhere that this is a hallmark of our generation—we stay in that adolescent phase longer because we're more dependent on our parents, we get more support, and there's this underlying insecurity that makes us run away from facing reality instead of confronting it...

My bad experience with the psychiatrist was basically a trip to the trauma ward! Our session actually got cut short because the police brought in some woman who had tried to set a house on fire. 😁 So, she wasn't exactly focused on my minor issues, even though she did diagnose me with depression and warned me that I need to keep up with treatment. It was all through my insurance, so she actually suggested I see a private doctor because she said no psychiatrist would really listen to me or dive deep without being paid out of pocket—those were her words, not mine.

To stay on topic—YES, experimentation over analysis! 👋

Man, you really got me there! 😁

I guess I should probably start by saying that I'm just sharing my two cents here... maybe? But honestly, looking at what redtiger35 said, I can't help but feel like we're all kind of circling the same drain. It’s funny, really. I was thinking about it while grabbing coffee in Seattle this morning, and it hit me—everything feels so much more complicated than it needs to be. Maybe I'm overthinking it, though. I mean, if you look at it from the perspective Elizabeth Robinson3 shared, there's definitely a logic to it. I suppose there's some merit to that approach, too. It’s just... I don't know. Sometimes I feel like we're trying to solve these massive problems without even agreeing on what the actual problem is. It’s a bit like trying to fix a car engine when you aren't even sure if it's out of gas or if the transmission is shot. You just end up guessing, right? I guess what I'm trying to get at is that I think we need to slow down. Just a little bit. Maybe take a breath? I don't know. I might be totally off base here, but I feel like if we just stopped rushing to a conclusion, things might actually start making sense. Anyway, just a thought. Or a rambling thought. Probably both.

redtiger35 said:Oh yeah, people stay in puberty forever these days. Some schools even argue that men might stay there indefinitely. 😁 I personally think I'm still hovering around that stage and dealing with some "childish growing pains," even though I'm a bit older. I read somewhere that this is a hallmark of our generation—we stay in that adolescent phase longer because we're more dependent on our parents, we get more support, and there's this underlying insecurity that makes us run away from facing reality instead of confronting it...

My bad experience with the psychiatrist was basically a trip to the trauma ward! Our session actually got cut short because the police brought in some woman who had tried to set a house on fire. 😁 So, she wasn't exactly focused on my minor issues, even though she did diagnose me with depression and warned me that I need to keep up with treatment. It was all through my insurance, so she actually suggested I see a private doctor because she said no psychiatrist would really listen to me or dive deep without being paid out of pocket—those were her words, not mine.

To stay on topic—YES, experimentation over analysis! 👋

I think I phrased things a little clumsily before—what I really meant was that my psychiatrist works over at the psychiatric ward of the local medical center. I was trying to draw a comparison between my situation and the trauma unit, just to point out how relatively mild my issues are compared to those poor souls who actually have to be hospitalized. I actually connected with her through a mutual acquaintance, so she was incredibly attentive and really took the time to listen to me. She did offer to prescribe a mild anti-anxiety med, but I politely turned her down. I guess I just don't want any kind of digital footprint left in the healthcare system. And no, I’m not being paranoid; if you look at anything happening in the world lately, you see how "secure" these massive hospital databases actually are. Since she isn't a psychotherapist herself, she also suggested I reach out to some specialists over at the Mayo Clinic, though there's that annoying hurdle where you usually need a formal referral to get in the door.

I guess once I start actually paying for something, that whole vibe changes for me. It’s hard to keep things feeling as genuine as just a casual chat when there's money involved. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I start acting all mechanical and I can't help but constantly weigh whether I'm actually getting my money's worth.

redtiger35 said:Oh yeah, people stay in puberty forever these days. Some schools even argue that men might stay there indefinitely. 😁 I personally think I'm still hovering around that stage and dealing with some "childish growing pains," even though I'm a bit older. I read somewhere that this is a hallmark of our generation—we stay in that adolescent phase longer because we're more dependent on our parents, we get more support, and there's this underlying insecurity that makes us run away from facing reality instead of confronting it...

My bad experience with the psychiatrist was basically a trip to the trauma ward! Our session actually got cut short because the police brought in some woman who had tried to set a house on fire. 😁 So, she wasn't exactly focused on my minor issues, even though she did diagnose me with depression and warned me that I need to keep up with treatment. It was all through my insurance, so she actually suggested I see a private doctor because she said no psychiatrist would really listen to me or dive deep without being paid out of pocket—those were her words, not mine.

To stay on topic—YES, experimentation over analysis! 👋

I guess there’s really only one way to figure out exactly how many teeth a horse has. 😁

redtiger35 said:Whoa, whoa, whoa. Definitely hitting up a shrink. 😁

northerncyclist2, I actually saw one psychiatrist once who was totally cold and didn't give a damn, but even she helped me out a bit since she was the only one—unlike everyone else in my life—who actually realized I had a real issue that needed serious attention. I'm super lucky now though, because this current psychiatrist is everything you described: she's fully engaged but stays neutral, and I can tell she keeps her distance just to protect herself (God knows how many people she talks to daily, probably a ton...), yet we have such a great rapport that I'd actually love to grab coffee with her sometime. 🙂

And look, if this psychiatrist failed to figure out you have social anxiety—even though you clearly feel like you're struggling (I mean, you didn't shell out all that cash to a psychiatrist for no reason! Something has to drive a person to seek help)—then yeah, she’s probably just not that good at her job.

I guess we all deal with difficulties at some point—the real question is just how much they bother us and how we handle them. Since I was young, I've always been prone to overanalyzing things. If I take it too far (like, you feel a bump and immediately convince yourself it's cancer, but in a psychological sense), it leads to all these beliefs about different ailments.

The doctor I saw isn't a psychotherapist, so it was just an initial consultation. She deals with heavy cases every single day, so I guess I showed up feeling like a minor burn compared to a trauma specialist. She believed me, but she wasn't entirely convinced 😉. And honestly, even today, I feel a little silly about the money I spent, but I suppose if I hadn't tried, I wouldn't have known if she was any good.

After thinking about it for years, I sort of get the impression that I don't actually have one specific, long-term problem. It's more that I'm generally way too sensitive, impatient, and I tend to blow things out of proportion. And I definitely overanalyze instead of just experimenting with life. But since I feel like I've grown quite a bit in the last year or two, I'd say I haven't totally moved past puberty yet (I'm only 21). 😁

redtiger35 said:Honestly, I was pretty blown away by how much more insight my psychiatrist gained just from talking to me. She isn't just listening to my words; she’s reading between the lines of my tone, my body language, and even the specific things I choose to mention—or leave out. She doesn't fall into my own self-perception traps because she's an outsider using actual clinical methods to process what I'm saying. A psychiatrist isn't a magic fix for achieving total Socratic self-knowledge, but they definitely help you bypass your own mental blind spots to get you to a place where you can see where you went off track and finally heal those wounds.

I'm really glad if it's working for you 👍

I actually went to see a psychiatrist on purpose, because after talking to a few psychologists and psychiatrists before, I kind of got the feeling that I charm them a little too much (mostly older women with kids) to the point where they can't really "push" me where I need to go. Or maybe that's just my impression, but they'd praise me for being so laid-back, easygoing, and sharp during our talks that it actually made me feel a bit awkward. 😁 And that look they give you... like, how can you claim to have social anxiety? I mean, I don't really have it right here, but I guess I do in certain situations 😬

As for this guy, I didn't really vibe with him at first glance, and honestly, that feeling didn't really change during the session 🤷

It's just tough, I guess, to find someone who is engaged enough to really get to know you deeply, while still staying completely neutral at the same time.

Elizabeth Robinson3 said:I've personally never been to psychotherapy.
Lately, though, I’ve felt the urge to go because I struggle to reach any real conclusions when I try to analyze myself. It feels like my emotions, my mental state, and sheer exhaustion cloud my judgment.

That’s why I think having a professional step in becomes essential
when we simply can't access our own logic anymore.

I actually went once just out of curiosity, and honestly, I wasn't a fan at all. It felt like I was just relearning everything I already knew on my own, which was pretty uncomfortable. Plus, I had this nagging feeling that the therapist didn't really care about what I was saying. Given how much it costs (it's definitely not cheap), I guess I expected a bit more engagement. Of course, that's just my experience with one specific person, and I'm sure others are totally different, but I don't think I'll be going back to try it again.

I mean, why would a therapist actually be able to analyze my psyche any better than I can? I guess they probably have a much deeper grasp of how everything works, especially since they’re looking at things from a sort of... neutral standpoint, if you want to call it that. But then again, their entire insight is limited to just what the patient chooses to tell them, which is really only a tiny fraction of the whole picture we carry around in our heads. Plus, everything gets filtered through our own words, so if there are some built-in glitches in our own self-reflection, those are bound to mess with the therapist's assessment too.