Posts by boldnomad45

Jamie Rivera78 said:The last time I caught the flu—and man, it absolutely wrecked me—was right after my last vaccination. That was over 25 years ago. Since then? Zero shots, zero flu. Just living life.

I’m not coughing because of any vaccine. I could get one, sure, but I haven't dealt with the flu in twenty years or more, and I haven't bothered with shots. It feels like I shouldn't mess with my immunity. This year, I'm just being extra careful—masks and all.
I’m probably not the smartest person here. Has anyone else actually gone and gotten vaccinated recently?

Daniel Davis40 said:Can someone explain why you’re so desperate for that $25,000 that you'd be willing to do just about anything to get your hands on it?
Look, my take might not be popular here, but I honestly don't get it—how can people working full-time for seven months straight not manage to save $8333, yet they genuinely believe they'll somehow scrape together enough to pay it all back—plus interest—in the next seven, fourteen, or twenty-one months? Some people clearly lack even a shred of self-awareness or basic logic.

Edit: Just caught the last post. Honestly, I don't understand the math behind these moves—taking out a second loan just to cover the first one? It would be so much simpler to just tighten your belt, pay off the debt without piling on more, and then actually live within your means.

I've always wondered who takes out loans from loan sharks if they aren't a gambler.
Go work in Ireland, or maybe Austria for a few months; you'd make that kind of money.
And I'm genuinely curious—what's so urgent that you're even considering loan sharks?
You're anonymous here, so just say it.

Susan Martin4 said:It’s specific to the forum. You won't find it in a browser.

Fine. Thanks for the heads up.

iPhone using Twitter

Is there an issue with the app and Reddit, or am I just losing it?
The option to filter for unread posts isn't working for me.

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Tyler Kim said:Honestly, I don't think I have a "middle ground" in my DNA; whether it’s something good or something bad, I just don't know how to do things halfway—everything has to be extreme.
Like, if I decide to grab a beer, I’m not just having one; I’m basically finishing off a whole six-pack.
And if I start smoking, it’s never just one pack a day, it’s somehow always three.
And man, the list goes on and on.
I’ve spent so much of my life chasing highs or getting hooked on stuff: gambling, booze, porn, nicotine, gaming... even fitness. I had this massive phase where I was hitting the gym for four hours every single day; everything in my body would be screaming in pain because I wasn't giving myself time to recover, but I’d feel like absolute garbage if I actually skipped a session.
It feels like I’ve spent my entire existence searching for something to fill this void inside me, and while I usually find something that works, it’s always just temporary before the cycle starts all over again with some new kind of madness.
I guess I'll end on this note: I’ve managed to kick most of those addictions, or at least dial them back significantly... they're still part of who I am, but they're dormant right now.
But I already know that if I light up just one cigarette tomorrow, by the day after, I'll be tearing through two packs.
That "all or nothing" streak in my personality is actually the main reason I've never touched drugs... even though I've been battling anxiety and depression for years.

You answered your own question.
You're trying to self-medicate anxiety and depression with anything that provides a temporary serotonin spike.
Ultimately, the only thing that works is realizing when and why—understanding what shaped you into this person.
What kind of emotional trauma occurred, and how? It isn't just one single thing that quiets anxiety to a manageable level; it's more than that. It's healthy habits, exercise, peace, nutrition, the people you surround yourself with, building healthy relationships, work, and therapy to uncover the roots of that anxiety. All of it together. It's like a chronic illness, say diabetes or a spinal issue. Those people have to stay active and watch their diet constantly, because the moment they stop, the condition flares up.
The same goes for anxious personalities. You have to constantly check yourself, keep working on yourself, maintain a healthy lifestyle, stability, and honest conversations with yourself.

granitegardener said:Any good ENT specialists in Chicago? Specifically looking for a hospital recommendation regarding nasal congestion issues. A friend mentioned that for rib issues, I "won't be happy" because they "just look in your nose" without any cameras or actual 21st-century tools.

Klapan

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Betty Jackson7 said:This isn't an official recommendation and I don't have a referral, just sharing my experience. Someone suggested the Ribnjak Clinic and Dr. Smith. When booking, I specifically requested him. I went in because of knee pain and my feet rolling inward—not flat feet, just poor alignment. Naturally, I was seen by a different doctor instead. Since it was my first visit, I wasn't aware. He basically told me everything would just "settle down" once I hit 40 or 50. He checked my knee with an ultrasound, but didn't even look at my foot or my gait. It was a total waste of money $100.

Try Ligament. They do great exams and provide orthotics.

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velvetbear372 said:Hey there. I’m a guy and I could really use some advice here. Where can I pick up some socks that won't leave my feet sweating? Is there a specific type I should be looking for—maybe a special name or a particular material blend?

I saw some men's socks at Walmart labeled for bikers and stuff. They felt comfortable enough, so give those a shot.

Brenda Alvarez24 said:Do your GPs have email? And if so, do they actually use it?
My boyfriend stays with his doctor at the Maksimir Health Center (NYC)—his parents go there too since they deal with quite a bit due to age and health issues—because the doc uses email for almost everything. Basically, after an exam or a lab test, he’ll just email the results, then send the prescription straight to the pharmacy. No need to physically lug paperwork around...
I’m over in New York City at the Siget Health Center, and my doctor refuses to touch email under any circumstances.
It would be so much faster and easier if I could just email a sick note and get a prescription sent over, instead of having to drive out to see him every single time. Or even blood work results. I know I still have to show up for certain things, but handling the rest via email would be a lifesaver.
How does it work with your doctors?

Mine uses email, and it’s fantastic.
I just send an email to request refills so I don't have to call them constantly.
It works for prescriptions too; I just send the email and they're ready waiting at the pharmacy.
A total game changer.

Olivia Smith2 said:My imagination basically built me an alien from another planet. I know it now—and honestly, it's probably for the best. During my psychotic episode, I was actually terrified of her. I thought she had some kind of magical power over me... it was a living nightmare!

I've been trying to focus on her flaws for a year now, but even the things most people would call red flags—things I didn't even notice before I fell for her—still feel like virtues to me. 🤣

A huge thanks to you and everyone else who helped me try to shift my perspective. I think that's the core issue here. The reality is, she's unfaithful, an alcoholic, and incredibly volatile.

Still, I can't believe how quickly she found someone else to turn to. I feel like a gust of wind that just gave her a little breeze, and now she's all bundled up in something warmer and moved on.

As for the phone and the constant checking... I might just smash it. I swear. 🙂 I've been reading about romantic psychosis and extreme projection during infatuation... sometimes a breakup can cause more PTSD than actual combat. That's exactly how I feel.

There’s also this obsession with podcasts about people who have gone through the exact same thing.
Give them a listen; you might understand yourself better.

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Susan James said:It’s quite the contrast to those who *do* believe in divine retribution but still drive recklessly without a license, thank God instead of their doctors when they recover, and offer a rosary as a sort of half-hearted apology. It feels like if you're just afraid of hell, you can simply go to confession, say a few prayers, and consider the slate wiped clean.

If anyone thinks I’m oversimplifying things or making fun of believers, that’s not it at all.
I’m talking about something I’ve witnessed for decades: children absorbing these lessons and watching how the world actually works. They grow up believing that as long as they avoid divine wrath, they’re fine—and in this life, they figure they can just focus on getting rich.

You see it everywhere, from high-ranking politicians sitting front and center at major holiday services to people invoking God after tragic accidents. And these are often the same people facing all sorts of legal troubles, from minor infractions to actual felonies, yet they're still held up as the ultimate examples of faith.
Just a segment of the flock.

I've accepted that while New York and California exist, there's also the Bible Belt. Our society has opted for the Bible Belt worldview. That's who we are becoming. A growing class of the uneducated, fueled by increasing resentment, flocking to churches. That's the reality. I'm just waiting for OxyContin to hit the mainstream, the Republican Party to take over, and homeschooling to become the norm—either at home or in church. God bless America. Being a nation of knowledge isn't the goal anymore; that's for idealists. Now, being religious comes before everything else. Right until the end. We're heading straight back to the Paleolithic era.

iPhone

So I’m reading Professor Bradaric, and his advice is clear: don't even think about hitting the sauna while you're sick or even right after recovering from the flu. The human body is designed to self-regulate at around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to keep viruses in check. If a virus has already taken hold, stepping into a sauna will just make things worse by making breathing more difficult.

The medical guidelines here are also pretty blunt—using a sauna when dealing with the flu is dangerous. The constant shifting between extreme heat and cold can wreck an already compromised system. Your body will just crash.

nimblemoose2 said:Is that a certainty? Could you provide a few arguments so I know why I should stay away?

I've been doing some digging and found advice suggesting it's actually a good idea.

The first two days really knocked me sideways, but today I feel about 80% back to myself. My throat is still a bit raspy and my head stabs for a second whenever I sneeze. I want to speed this up so I'm back to 100% by Wednesday.

https://olympichottub.com/hot-tubs-s...your-recovery/

https://www.quora.com/How-is-a-sauna...u-have-the-flu

I can't recall the exact source, but since I hit the saunas pretty regularly myself, I remember reading somewhere—maybe in a manual or some medical advice—that you should definitely avoid them when dealing with the flu or a virus. It's the hydration issue; you lose too much fluid, I think.

nimblemoose2 said:This flu has been kicking my butt for a few days now. I don't start work until Wednesday, so I’m hoping I can pull myself together by then.

I'm definitely feeling better than I did on day one, though I've been losing my lunch constantly with nothing but some lemon and orange helping.

Do you think hitting the sauna would help break this fever, or would it backfire and just drain my energy even more instead of helping?

Don't go hitting the sauna when you've got the flu.

driftingcobra472 said:Ugh, seriously though, how long did that actually take you?

Five days. High fever and vomiting twice.

driftingcobra472 said:Man, this thing totally wrecked me yesterday morning. Like, I woke up with this nasty, productive cough that just wouldn't quit. My fever wasn't even hitting 100.4 yesterday, but now? It’s already sitting at 102.2.

Does anyone know how to tell if it's actually pneumonia or something?

I haven't really done anything else, just lying here and mostly sleeping. Honestly, I've even been throwing up from coughing so hard. It feels pretty awful.

I had exactly that last Saturday. A virus, not the flu. But it was brutal.

Betty Fowler said:Sure, but alcoholics feel shame and disgust too, and that doesn't mean they aren't getting a hit from the booze.

They aren't enjoying it. It's compulsive. They're just burying some unresolved trauma. They think they're processing it, but really, they're just subconsciously trying to shield themselves from the pain.

wanderinghawk30 said:The funny people I know? They’ve got it built-in. It’s just part of who they are. It’s effortless—they aren't trying too hard, it just radiates from them naturally. 😍

As for the alternative... I have no idea where one would even go to "learn" that. All I know is that the people who force themselves to be witty or entertaining usually end up looking just pathetic and irritating. :/

To be witty, you actually need a soul. People with substance recognize it and laugh. On the flip side, you have the empty, dim-witted crowd that falls for cheap, mindless jokes—the low-brow types, like those hack comedians you see on late-night TV. Mediocrity loves emptiness.
You could basically just listen to actual stand-up comedians, parrot their thoughts and routines, and make a living off the mediocre masses.

Betty Fowler said:But what does the origin of a fetish have to do with anything? If it’s a fetish, then by definition, it’s considered sexy.

Not quite. Listen, if you actually care about the reality of women and men being forced into compulsions—specifically the fantasy of sexual assault—it isn't "sexy." It's deep shame, disgust, and a complete lack of pleasure. It's torture. It's pathology. But I suppose none of that is relevant to this discussion.

Betty Fowler said:That kind of thing isn't really my thing at all, even if it’s clearly a huge obsession for plenty of other people—especially women.
Like I was saying, it’s a strange thing to realize you can find footage of someone being decapitated by a chainsaw, yet videos of sexual assault are often harder to come by. Both are horrific acts, obviously, but I can't help but feel one is fundamentally worse than the other. It's more extreme on every level—visually, audibly, and morally speaking.

God, regarding that whole rape fetish nonsense. It stems from trauma when someone was abused as a child. There is absolutely nothing sexy about it.