Posts by granitecrane

Now, let’s not descend into total panic just yet. If we are strictly discussing rapid digestion—and I mean purely physiological, without any underlying psychological shifts triggering your gut issues like they do mine—then you shouldn't be facing a catastrophe.
Everything I previously outlined remains valid; you simply need to set aside the mental health aspect for a moment. 😬
Learning to manage your digestive rhythm means being intentional. You have to give your body the necessary window in the morning, or whenever your routine dictates, to actually get things moving so you can function normally afterward.
If nature isn't cooperating, there are plenty of options at a local CVS or Walgreens, ranging from actual GI medication to various questionable supplements; it is worth some experimentation. I recall reading somewhere that dairy is one of the primary culprits behind digestive distress because of the bloating and cramping it causes, yet most people remain blissfully unaware that milk is the source of their misery. Perhaps limit your intake to a splash in your coffee or a small amount once a day.
The ultimate goal is to become an expert on your own biology. You must understand how specific foods impact your system and track your timing. Ultimately, you want to develop a strategy where you catch your business off guard, rather than having it catch you off guard while you're stuck on a Greyhound bus. 😎

Indeed—one must maintain a certain level of composure during one's morning routine in the restroom. It is hardly conducive to health to remain hunched over and rigid; rather, one ought to sit upright on the commode and perhaps engage in a slight lateral movement of the abdomen—you know, a sort of rhythmic abdominal dance 😁 Perhaps then, the process might proceed with greater ease!

bluefalcon15 said:I feel the same way. It’s starting to become a dangerous burden for me. 😠
Why doesn't any of the experts say anything about this? *sigh*...

What you are describing sounds like anxiety-induced irritable bowel syndrome. It is practically incurable because the issue is rooted so deeply in your psyche, and when you combine that with rapid digestion, you have a truly disastrous combination. You might attempt to mitigate it with herbal supplements, but frankly, most of it is useless junk. A competent psychiatrist might offer some relief, though even that rarely yields practical results in our current system.
However, there are certain adjustments one can make. If you learn to master the mechanics of your own body, you can manage. I have a few recommendations based on my own long-standing struggles for you and anyone else dealing with similar issues.
Generally, once you eat something, it takes at least ten hours to pass through—assuming your digestion is as fast as you say. The key is knowing your schedule a day in advance. If you have to be somewhere by 8:00 AM and that means waking up at 6:00, eating a late dinner is essentially a form of self-sabotage. Aim to have your last meal by 7:00 PM. Even if you aren't going anywhere, I wouldn't recommend eating anything substantial after 8:30 PM. If you don't, you won't just deal with digestive issues tomorrow morning; you'll be struggling all day long.
Furthermore, if you have to head out in the morning, give yourself at least ninety minutes before you actually leave the house. You need to be relaxed enough to handle your business properly at home. Once you wake up, try having a cup of black coffee. Some might tell you that's unwise because it triggers a movement, but that is precisely the point: you want it to trigger while you are safely at home, rather than while you are out in public. That is the entire purpose of the coffee. Similarly, alcohol can act as a stimulant; perhaps a small glass of bourbon the night before might help, but don't overdo it, or you'll end up with debilitating diarrhea the next morning that simply won't quit. I might suggest three ounces of Jack Daniel's in the evening, but even that isn't a guaranteed fix.
It is all highly subjective, but you must understand the rhythm of your own digestion and align your lifestyle accordingly. If your body tends to clear itself in the morning, then ensure you are prepared for that. Some people find relief in the evening, but for most, it is a morning affair. This means you cannot afford to have a friend call you at 9:00 AM demanding you meet them on the other side of town by 9:30. You simply won't have the window of time required to finish your business at home. Because of my own condition, I have caused quite a few embarrassments in various coffee shops and public institutions, so believe me when I say I know exactly what I am talking about; my DNA is practically etched into the plumbing of this country.
Abdominal cramps, gas, the sheer misery of being stuck on a bus or sitting in a lecture hall—I have lived through it all. That is why I am perfectly content staying on my bicycle whenever possible. This condition is a massive hindrance in life; long trips and early morning sightseeing tours in unfamiliar cities are simply not meant for people like us. And, if it makes you feel any better, you are certainly not alone in this.

I find myself facing this exact same struggle. It truly wreaks havoc on one's quality of life. I have developed a profound loathing for public transit—buses and subways alike—yet the prospect of becoming an astronaut remains laughably out of reach. It’s a frustrating cycle, particularly since the issue is deeply tied to my nerves; more often than not, I find myself caught in a crisis while I'm out in the world. If I don't manage to take care of business properly in the morning, I am essentially housebound. It reaches a point where I might have to deal with it five times before I even feel capable of stepping foot outside. DAMN.

electro cute said:Look, I didn't mean any of that. But since it clearly bruised your ego so badly, I'll just stop. Consider yourself ignored from here on out.
btw Mozart is responsible for far more garbage than Kraftwerk, and frankly, Kraftwerk is three times the genius of whatever Mozart band is. Besides, the only good thing about Mozart is those Mozart chocolate candies.🙂

My ego remains perfectly intact, thank you. If anyone is projecting "ego" issues here, it’s certainly you. My point was simple: I would much rather deal with your insults than have people lurking on this forum like creeps, peering into everyone else's business!

But fine, let's agree—Mozart is trash compared to Kraftwerk. I'd rather concede that point to you than waste my breath arguing with someone who possesses such a blatant lack of musical talent! 😁

Adam Moore said:They exist because they live off the Germans; if those people weren't there, they wouldn't even have bread to eat, let alone have the luxury of playing music. As for Kraftwerk, I won't even dignify that with a comment. Mozart was a genius of his era, and Kraftwerk were geniuses of theirs.

Why do I even bother doing this... argh!

You don't need to constantly apologize for addressing me (the idiot). If you lack a sense of self and require someone else to hand you advice on how to interact with specific users on here, then just ignore me instead. If you believe that acting this way will make you more palatable on this gutter of a forum because you can't find your own identity, then please, do me a favor and simply ignore me.

Furthermore, I wasn't bashing Kraftwerk; I was criticizing their legacy—the techno movement that exploded in the 90s, where everyone shamelessly claimed Kraftwerk were their "fathers." I find the Kraftwerk contingent acceptable; at certain moments they are brilliant, but most of the time they are merely mediocre. I harbor no illusions that they were some sort of transcendent deities, and that is all. On the other hand, Mozart truly was a genius for his time, especially when compared to today’s landscape, where every talentless hack manages to convince the masses that they are a "great artist."

Of the few clips I’ve actually sat through—total brain rot and pure garbage. But then again, who gives a damn? And don't even get me started on that one shot where he shows up in those cargo shorts—honestly, give me a break. As if that puffed-up Ciganović could ever pull off a better fit than that. What a joke.

Daniel Bailey7 said:Once Germans learn to tell good music from bad, it'll mean... 😬

Well, back in Mozart's day, they certainly had the capacity to distinguish quality from mediocrity, but then Kraftwerk arrived and completely muddied the waters of what constitutes "good" or "bad." Though, if we are being honest, the fault doesn't truly lie with Kraftwerk; rather, it lies with those pretenders who, two decades later, decided Kraftwerk were the ultimate musical deities. What on earth does The Walkabouts have to do with Germans, for heaven's sake? I am well aware they enjoy more traction in Europe than they do here in the States, but that isn't the fault of the Germans. One might actually consider such nuances regarding musical taste if you—or perhaps I—actually possessed an understanding of music, but let’s be realistic, my dear: we simply aren't built for that level of sophistication. 😈

Daniel Bailey7 said:😘

Ah, that quintessential internet romance! 🙂

Daniel Bailey7 As if anyone actually cares what they have to say:
Not quite; you simply lack any sense of musical taste. 🙂

I am well aware, but I have come to the realization that my sense of taste is somewhat more refined than yours or any of those other bottom-feeders lurking around this forum. 😬

Ashley Brown81 said:maybe that's why I like it 😬 no, seriously, that album is my favorite—it’s just so dramatic, and the arrangements and lyrics are incredible.

I feel the same way. I can't quite wrap my head around why people aren't more into it, but for me, they hit the mark perfectly.

Have you listened to the Devil's Road and Nighttown albums? Those were really the transitional records where they moved from that alt-country sound into something approaching gothic pop. From there, they just kept evolving into deeper levels of melancholy, until eventually, it sounds like... Ended up a Stranger 😁

Regarding the vocals, I wouldn't call her "average"; I'd say she's excellent. Whether she sounds better or worse simply depends on the song, and when they're singing those depressing tracks, there is no need to overstate or force the vocals. Sometimes their songs feel a bit abrasive to the ear, and the reason might truly be those monotonous, improvisational, and imperfect melodies wrapped in heavy instrumentation that adds to the confusion. All their music possesses a certain unique charm because of that, yet I still feel something is missing... perhaps better songwriting? I don't know what the issue is! Perhaps I am merely a damned "perfectionist" expecting something that meets my own impossible standards, which likely wouldn't seem perfect to anyone else 😎
In any case, listening to them is a breath of fresh air compared to all the tired stereotypes we are constantly served.

Ashley Brown81 said:I actually quite enjoy Ended up a Stranger.

Really? I don't know. It feels as though their music has steadily become more lightweight and increasingly somber over the years; listening to them now, they almost sound exhausted. Is it possible they’ve reached some sort of new dimension through this shift? 😬 He sounds like he's practically Leonard Cohen at this point, and the lyrics feel less like songs and more like spoken word poetry, yet they manage to pull it off thanks to those lush, rich arrangements—which truly remain the standout strength of most of their albums.

Jesse Sanchez60 said:The last Walkabouts album I actually loved was Setting the Woods on Fire... so Daniel Bailey7 is making some valid points again...
I still haven't quite grasped how or why The Walkabouts managed to gain such traction within our old grunge-obsessed social circles back in the day.😬

Ah, so you belong to that specific breed of listener who is perpetually stuck mourning a band's debut era. Were they just a bit more aggressive then, making them more appealing to you than anything that followed? Personally, I find their follow-up work to be superior, particularly when you listen to Devil's Road and Nighttown.

hollowseal33 said:I don't have one, though objectively speaking, it depends heavily on how you define the term.

Of course. Everyone has their favorites. You have your Bob Dylan, while I have mine! Music is inherently subjective at times, yet it isn't quite as arbitrary as some would like to suggest—as if we should simply toss garbage and masterpieces into the same bin just for the sake of it.

stormyviper11 said:There isn't.

Actually, there is.

hollowseal33 said:blah blah blah. No self-respecting Bob Dylan fan actually believes he fundamentally altered the course of history, nor do they acknowledge him as some sort of revolutionary (not that he’d ever claim the title himself, right?). What they actually embrace is the Dylan who penned those sweet, sugary love songs—the Dylan with that wonderfully warped perspective on life and the world at large, and the Dylan who was just a hopelessly lovestruck, brilliant, absolute idiot. It's that raw honesty he pours into his lyrics that truly matters.

:trcistavitdylana:

Look, I’m not some anti-Dylan zealot. I’ll take him over ninety percent of the garbage out there any day. But occasionally, certain theories regarding him just grate on my nerves—specifically this tendency to elevate him above everyone and everything else. There are plenty of musicians and composers far superior to him, so when a handful of hyperactive fanatics try to shove their endless interpretations into my head as if they were some holy pop Bible, I simply refuse to entertain it.

Adam Moore, what makes you think Devil's Road and Nighttown aren't up to par? Personally, I find them even more compelling than Trail of Stars... though, I suppose I’ll need to listen to 😁
at least another five hundred times before I can say for certain.

Adam Moore said:Personally, I think Trail of Stars is brilliant; everything else just falls flat for me. As for granitecrane, he’s basically Zlatko Gall in disguise.

No, no, no—I'm actually the handsome one. — Glavan 😬

I find both his and her vocals to be quite good. In fact, I might actually prefer her voice simply because it carries more impact. There are moments when she reminds me of Leonard Cohen. But they are both perfectly fine.

Regarding Bob Dylan, I don't find him particularly special either, and I honestly can't fathom why people obsess over him so much. It is as if he fundamentally altered not just music history, but the entire timeline of planet Earth—maybe even the fabric of the universe itself! Honestly, he and his fanbase can take a hike. He isn't bad, per se, but I have a massive collection of his albums, and those repetitive little counting exercises paired with endless walls of text can be incredibly grating at times, even if he does have some truly excellent work buried in there... though one might argue that's hard to find these days.

Daniel Bailey7 said:the band used to be great, but they've lost their edge

and if you ask me, the frontman isn't exactly a "good person" either...

There are at least fifty superior American bands out there right now; why they still maintain such a massive following here in the States, I truly cannot fathom...

Precisely. Even with {{Bob Dylan}}, people love to point out what a total scoundrel he is.😈