fishy

good thread.
 
re: music, i like seeing how other people organize their interests. i'm a slut for creating spotify playlists, and i do a themed one each week. why? no good reason other than to say i have them. it's also a fun and easy way to get song recommendations from people–i just say "send me a song that has 'sweet' in the title, artist, or album name," and i get a handful of new songs to listen to. the only fault i've found is when i did transportation and @Garsh recommended wheels on the bus. it followed the rules, so i couldn't refuse, and now i just have to pray that no one is creeping on my spotify listening when that song shuffles in
 
in terms of my life more generally, i'm doing really well for the first time, like, ever. i moved to WI in october and was extremely depressed for a few months. multiple calls to the suicide hotline, inability to feed myself, actual anger at the fact that i was alive every single day. one night, finally, while i was journaling about how i didn't "want to do this anymore" i just kinda decided not to, but not in the negative way. i taught myself how to crochet, started walking on the treadmill while i read, and cooking. i have hobbies now, and the silly little corporate job i have doesn't feel like my whole life.
 
i've had a really great time learning to invest in myself. i do things that i like because i like them. i feel better when i eat and go to the gym, even if sometimes i just read a book while i walk for 30 minutes. i sleep better when i take time away from my screens. it's been a really pleasant experience to, for lack of a cliche term, actually learn how to be happy and like myself. small things go a really long way, and i also feel like i'm more interesting to myself and other people now that i do something that i actually give a shit about instead of watching discord all night waiting for it to be bedtime.
 
in terms of money, i've always been a saver because i am (for really no good reason) terrified of spending money. i built a really simple budget and started organizing my funds a few months ago, and it's easier for me to feel comfortable doing things like grabbing dinner with my friends or planning a somewhat spontaneous trip to europe or get the tattoo i've been wanting. it's the small things–i know that my pleasure account is there specifically to do things for funsies, so i frickin use it

good thread.
 
re: music, i like seeing how other people organize their interests. i'm a slut for creating spotify playlists, and i do a themed one each week. why? no good reason other than to say i have them. it's also a fun and easy way to get song recommendations from people–i just say "send me a song that has 'sweet' in the title, artist, or album name," and i get a handful of new songs to listen to. the only fault i've found is when i did transportation and @Garsh recommended wheels on the bus. it followed the rules, so i couldn't refuse, and now i just have to pray that no one is creeping on my spotify listening when that song shuffles in
 
in terms of my life more generally, i'm doing really well for the first time, like, ever. i moved to WI in october and was extremely depressed for a few months. multiple calls to the suicide hotline, inability to feed myself, actual anger at the fact that i was alive every single day. one night, finally, while i was journaling about how i didn't "want to do this anymore" i just kinda decided not to, but not in the negative way. i taught myself how to crochet, started walking on the treadmill while i read, and cooking. i have hobbies now, and the silly little corporate job i have doesn't feel like my whole life.
 
i've had a really great time learning to invest in myself. i do things that i like because i like them. i feel better when i eat and go to the gym, even if sometimes i just read a book while i walk for 30 minutes. i sleep better when i take time away from my screens. it's been a really pleasant experience to, for lack of a cliche term, actually learn how to be happy and like myself. small things go a really long way, and i also feel like i'm more interesting to myself and other people now that i do something that i actually give a shit about instead of watching discord all night waiting for it to be bedtime.
 
in terms of money, i've always been a saver because i am (for really no good reason) terrified of spending money. i built a really simple budget and started organizing my funds a few months ago, and it's easier for me to feel comfortable doing things like grabbing dinner with my friends or planning a somewhat spontaneous trip to europe or get the tattoo i've been wanting. it's the small things–i know that my pleasure account is there specifically to do things for funsies, so i frickin use it

good thread.
 
re: music, i like seeing how other people organize their interests. i'm a slut for creating spotify playlists, and i do a themed one each week. why? no good reason other than to say i have them. it's also a fun and easy way to get song recommendations from people–i just say "send me a song that has 'sweet' in the title, artist, or album name," and i get a handful of new songs to listen to. the only fault i've found is when i did transportation and @Garsh recommended wheels on the bus. it followed the rules, so i couldn't refuse, and now i just have to pray that no one is creeping on my spotify listening when that song shuffles in
 
in terms of my life more generally, i'm doing really well for the first time, like, ever. i moved to WI in october and was extremely depressed for a few months. multiple calls to the suicide hotline, inability to feed myself, actual anger at the fact that i was alive every single day. one night, finally, while i was journaling about how i didn't "want to do this anymore" i just kinda decided not to, but not in the negative way. i taught myself how to crochet, started walking on the treadmill while i read, and cooking. i have hobbies now, and the silly little corporate job i have doesn't feel like my whole life.
 
i've had a really great time learning to invest in myself. i do things that i like because i like them. i feel better when i eat and go to the gym, even if sometimes i just read a book while i walk for 30 minutes. i sleep better when i take time away from my screens. it's been a really pleasant experience to, for lack of a cliche term, actually learn how to be happy and like myself. small things go a really long way, and i also feel like i'm more interesting to myself and other people now that i do something that i actually give a shit about instead of watching discord all night waiting for it to be bedtime.
 
in terms of money, i've always been a saver because i am (for really no good reason) terrified of spending money. i built a really simple budget and started organizing my funds a few months ago, and it's easier for me to feel comfortable doing things like grabbing dinner with my friends or planning a somewhat spontaneous trip to europe or get the tattoo i've been wanting. it's the small things–i know that my pleasure account is there specifically to do things for funsies, so i frickin use it

good thread.
 
re: music, i like seeing how other people organize their interests. i'm a slut for creating spotify playlists, and i do a themed one each week. why? no good reason other than to say i have them. it's also a fun and easy way to get song recommendations from people–i just say "send me a song that has 'sweet' in the title, artist, or album name," and i get a handful of new songs to listen to. the only fault i've found is when i did transportation and @Garsh recommended wheels on the bus. it followed the rules, so i couldn't refuse, and now i just have to pray that no one is creeping on my spotify listening when that song shuffles in
 
in terms of my life more generally, i'm doing really well for the first time, like, ever. i moved to WI in october and was extremely depressed for a few months. multiple calls to the suicide hotline, inability to feed myself, actual anger at the fact that i was alive every single day. one night, finally, while i was journaling about how i didn't "want to do this anymore" i just kinda decided not to, but not in the negative way. i taught myself how to crochet, started walking on the treadmill while i read, and cooking. i have hobbies now, and the silly little corporate job i have doesn't feel like my whole life.
 
i've had a really great time learning to invest in myself. i do things that i like because i like them. i feel better when i eat and go to the gym, even if sometimes i just read a book while i walk for 30 minutes. i sleep better when i take time away from my screens. it's been a really pleasant experience to, for lack of a cliche term, actually learn how to be happy and like myself. small things go a really long way, and i also feel like i'm more interesting to myself and other people now that i do something that i actually give a shit about instead of watching discord all night waiting for it to be bedtime.
 
in terms of money, i've always been a saver because i am (for really no good reason) terrified of spending money. i built a really simple budget and started organizing my funds a few months ago, and it's easier for me to feel comfortable doing things like grabbing dinner with my friends or planning a somewhat spontaneous trip to europe or get the tattoo i've been wanting. it's the small things–i know that my pleasure account is there specifically to do things for funsies, so i frickin use it

good thread.
 
re: music, i like seeing how other people organize their interests. i'm a slut for creating spotify playlists, and i do a themed one each week. why? no good reason other than to say i have them. it's also a fun and easy way to get song recommendations from people–i just say "send me a song that has 'sweet' in the title, artist, or album name," and i get a handful of new songs to listen to. the only fault i've found is when i did transportation and @Garsh recommended wheels on the bus. it followed the rules, so i couldn't refuse, and now i just have to pray that no one is creeping on my spotify listening when that song shuffles in
 
in terms of my life more generally, i'm doing really well for the first time, like, ever. i moved to WI in october and was extremely depressed for a few months. multiple calls to the suicide hotline, inability to feed myself, actual anger at the fact that i was alive every single day. one night, finally, while i was journaling about how i didn't "want to do this anymore" i just kinda decided not to, but not in the negative way. i taught myself how to crochet, started walking on the treadmill while i read, and cooking. i have hobbies now, and the silly little corporate job i have doesn't feel like my whole life.
 
i've had a really great time learning to invest in myself. i do things that i like because i like them. i feel better when i eat and go to the gym, even if sometimes i just read a book while i walk for 30 minutes. i sleep better when i take time away from my screens. it's been a really pleasant experience to, for lack of a cliche term, actually learn how to be happy and like myself. small things go a really long way, and i also feel like i'm more interesting to myself and other people now that i do something that i actually give a shit about instead of watching discord all night waiting for it to be bedtime.
 
in terms of money, i've always been a saver because i am (for really no good reason) terrified of spending money. i built a really simple budget and started organizing my funds a few months ago, and it's easier for me to feel comfortable doing things like grabbing dinner with my friends or planning a somewhat spontaneous trip to europe or get the tattoo i've been wanting. it's the small things–i know that my pleasure account is there specifically to do things for funsies, so i frickin use it

I'm a high school track and cross-country runner. Not the best, however I'm one of the better distance runners on my team and could probably run at a local D3 college if I wanted to. Right now, I'm in my junior year track season and it's technically my first ever. Freshman year was COVID, sophomore year I suffered a stress fracture and was out for pretty much the entire track season.  My goal at the beginning of the year was to run a sub-5:00 mile and I (barely) accomplished that last week with a time of 4:59.8. Now, I'm just trying to keep pushing that time every meet and also stay in shape for my final cross-country season. My best time there is a 17:23 5k (3.1 mi.) and my goal is to run a sub-17:00 5k.
 
For those curious, no running is not fun. Here's to doing it six days a week.

I have like 3 weeks until I'm done with my first year of college which is cool I suppose. Got alot of work to do that I don't want to do but that's expected. Slowly but surely making it through. I am very excited to go home.
 
Rowing just had our state meet which went very well. Lots of boats going home with medals and we won team overall. 3 more races over next 2 weeks and then nationals for some at the end of May. I have a 2k tomorrow which makes me a little sad because who likes those? no one. But hopefully it will go well. Looking to PR and secure my place in a boat for upcoming races. It's been a great first year of rowing and I'm excited for the rest of the season along with all the future seasons to come.

Lots of really cool shit happening in people's lives, mine is arguably less exciting but I can manage.
 
School is a constant, and will be for a while. My grades are fine, I got a 93 average I think, and taking math and french courses a grade up. Exams are within a month or two, and I can predict I won't have much time for VHL for maybe a two week period there. Until then, and after then, I will be here. 
 
Hockey is interesting. I'm entering my U16 year, which is my OHL draft year, and some of my friends are keen on getting picked. I played AA (second best level) last year, on one of the best teams in the province, and a lot of my teammates have left to play for AAA (top level) teams. The issue is, most teams, especially in the OHL-factory of the GTHL, have already filled out their rosters. I considered going to a very weak AAA team in another center, but I figured that the advantage of being seen by OHL scouts would be diminished by being pummeled by powerhouses all year and the center is not close. I also went to a few skates for the AAA team in my center, but they have informed me that I will not be making the team. So I think my best bet at this point is to put together a dominant AA season and hopefully make U17 AAA once I grow and mature physically a bit, then ideally play Junior A then at either an American or Canadian university. It's a pipe dream right now, but I've moved my goals past the OHL and onto the NCAA, which I guess is better for late-blooming players. I'll ultimately just go as far as I can.
 
Yeah, that's pretty much it. School and hockey make up most of my life right now. I do plan to ask for tickets to the Red Hot Chili Peppers this summer for my birthday, when they come to Toronto. 

Hm, interesting thread. Before I say anything about my life, that jazz/hip hop song was dope. I like jazz (and play it) and hip hop isn't that bad (Taylor Swift country ftw tho)
 
As for me, I'm all right. School continues to just kinda happen, I guess. With a month to go it's all a little repititive and stuff. Woke up this morning and thought "Damn, I can't wait to go to sleep tonight" and to be honest, I still feel like that, 14 hours later. Been trying to cut out sim leagues from my schedule (yeah, VHL is here to stay) and it has been helping my schedule, but I've still got work to do. Got a project for Career Prep (stupid class, my God. I could make a whole article about why it sucks) due Wednesday and something for History due May 3. However, Imma be at Universal on a band trip from the 28th-30th so tragically I have less time than you think, and then there's just gonna be more random shit assigned.
 
Concerning not-school stuff: For my birthday (40 days-ish ago) I got an Apple gift card, and recently I used some of my newfound wealth on buying two Adele albums (21 and 25). Both absolute bops, and her voice is marvelous. Maybe I'll buy 30 or 19 or some other album by someone (might be One Direction. Might be Gillian Welch. Or The Weeknd. I have no idea), but I do have to save for the4 remaining Taylor's Versions of her albums. Soccer's been fine-ish, but playing 7v7 at age 15 is really lame. Plus I hafta play goalie most of the time, and I hate that (except last practice. I had just gotten some audition results [my placement didn't surprise me. The placement of other people did tho] and I spent almost the entire time brooding and thinking and looking at the trees just beyond the complex), and even though I'm better at goalie than everyone else, we do better when I play center back, since I can just truck people and outrun them and all that fun jazz. Church life is going along nicely as well. 
 
For now, just tryna have fun and keep my 4.25 GPA and ya know, stuff. 

We are almost 3 months in with kid #2 and for having 2 kids 10 months apart, I would dare to say we are killing the game. Our son is 1 year, and 1 month. Our little 3 month sweetheart found her smile, and is sleeping for us 7-9 hours straight at night which is wonderful. My wife and I switch on and off every night for her to keep ourselves fresh, even though she has given us a nights sleep. I instituted the idea of getting her used to her crib off the bat and it has worked nicely so far. Our one year old is running around the house, blabbing away and loves books already. Overall being a dad has been a chaotic, but amazing experience. It is as they say. The older they get, the more I fall in love with them. You put in the hard work to get to the better steps I would say. Not that the toddler stage is not challenging, but I enjoy it far more than the newborn stage. My son is my best buddy, always with me and wants to be apart of what I am doing.
 
Work wise, we are busy as hell despite me finding Discord time to unwind when I can. We are rolling out two-factor authentication, implementing a new e-mail routing security system, getting a completely EDR solution, getting 2k+ new Chromebooks ready for next school year the fun just never ends. it is going to be a very busy summer for us.
 
Personal life, the baby stage has meant not seeing friends as much which has been the one downside since I love getting together with people. I know this is only a temporary "set back" so my wife and I are setting something up for a day/night out in Atlantic City which is one of my favorite places to go. I went there for my 21st and usually go 3-4 times a year. We haven't been since the start of COVID so this will be an incredible reunion as the 2+ years of not being there is by far the longest stretch. There is nothing like getting down there during warm weather early, and doing a bar crawl in the casinos, sportsbooks, beach bars, hitting the beach, then going in for a shower. While the girls get ready, me and the guys hit the casino and gamble a bit then we do dinner, and the whole night is ahead!

Currently doing my absolute best in raising a 4 month old and a 2 year old. It is a battle of attrition every day 😅

Working on managing the Red Wolves and just having a blast with it!

Work is great, I was recognized for an all performers award at our sales conference in Las Vegas earlier this month. I work in a medical instrumentation/testing company and it's bittersweet with Covid going on, because we are doing really well. But it's a good company to work for that is doing their best to provide great products for everyone to test and use, and they definitely put people and their employees first.

My wife and I are going to Italy in a few weeks for a much needed vacation and we are very excited!

Also looking into getting a house but with how everything is going, who knows if that's going to happen anytime soon.

Every week I am learning something new about Babies, Birth and Parenting. For something that happens to almost everyone and people say is very instinctive there is a lot to learn.
 
Trying to record as many podcasts as possible before the baby is born so I can continue my lead for the S84 TPE class.
 
Trying to get Super Coach up and running, obviously I don't know what the BOG think, but I believe there is a possibility it could become a thing.
 
I don't know what it is like over there but the rental market here sucks you have to apply for everything and try and offer above asking to ever be considered so I wish you best of luck with your search for an apartment.

Hi everyone! It's Thursday night, and I'M BORED.
 
I want to know what's going on in your life--good, bad, ugly, exciting, or even boring. Literally anything is cool because I love a good bit of insight into who you are and how you work. I'll start!
 
I've been trying to mix up what I listen to on Spotify because for WAY too long, all I did was listen through my liked songs over and over. I ended up hating quite a bit that I should love and did love for a long time. Lately, I've been finding a lot that I really like by just picking a random playlist or a random artist every day.
 
If you like jazz (or even some forms of chill hip-hop), listen to this. I'll add that it's an absolute masterpiece if you know a thing or two about chord progressions and music theory.
If you like rock, listen to this.
If you like funky pop-rock (or just want to listen to something really fun), listen to this.
 
 
School-wise: it's final project time, and this semester I've got FOUR of them. It hasn't picked up quite yet, but I've got two weeks straight off from work at the start of May and I'll need them.
 
I've started going to the gym for the first time in, well, ever! I have a lot to learn, and two of the three times I've been, I just ran on the treadmill. I haven't run a mile straight since...I don't even know when, but both times I managed to do three miles in total (with breaks). I definitely need the exercise, because even though I've never needed to lose weight, I've also never been in shape, and those are two entirely different things.
 
I'm also trying to spend less money. Usually, I spend how I want because I never blow it all on anything huge, but I recently downloaded Truebill and found that I'm saving a bit less than I'd like to. I'm not in financial trouble at all, but it's made me a bit more conscious of things like "do I really need to buy a snack on my run to the store for something completely unrelated?"
 
Also, HOW DOES ONE FIND AN APARTMENT? I'm poking around a little at listings for next semester, and my problem isn't that I can't find anything so much as it's that I have no idea what to pick and there's so much available. I don't know what to look for, and I'm not confident I can pick anything without seeing it in person.
 
 
But enough about me. What's going on with you?

Hello
 
Hmmm life updates are fun.  Lot of traveling this year which is great, however I loved covid travelling cause it was half price and I wasn't expected to be in the office much.  Have been to Breckenridge, Austin, Vegas and Nashville this year so far, with plans for Michigan 2-3 times, Italy and a few weddings in the midwest.  Maybe Oregon for Labor Day.  Work has really picked up and it will likely be a career year, however materials and labor are really getting strung out with regards to availability so I would suspect 2023 to be a tough one.  Might eventually leave and go back into project management but that is for another time
 
I had a moment in jazz music, played a lot of it in school.
 
I also LOVE that you pulled an absolute GEM from Porcupine Tree (also easy to play on guitar).  Would love to see them live sometime.  If you haven't watched Rick Beato yet I HIGHLY recommend.  He does a lot of cool music breakdown and theory stuff that you would adore.
 
So the funny thing about the gym is it can be super intimidating.  But honestly, ask anyone (as long as they aren't mid-set or wearing headphones) if you have any questions and they would not only help you but probably show you how to do it properly.  2-3 days of cardio a week is great for everything including your heart.  (which reminds me, I really want to invest in a stand-up desk soon).
 
Financially I have a pretty good idea of my patterns and basis, so it works out, but I could certainly stand to monitor it more and not just look at my credit card statements thinking "hmm, guess I'll spend more/less next month" lol.  It is interesting though, over time you learn that you are comfortable cost-cutting in areas that you don't find as much value in.  For instance, I could care less about dining out (unlike fong) so I cook a lot and find it both a good cost-cutting method, along with being a good hobby.  I do, however like to travel and drink, so I try to balance those two   (not 50/50, but close.....)
 
Lastly, I ironically have had a lot of success apartment hunting on CRAIGSLIST of all places.  Met a lot of good roommates the first 4 years out of college in great areas.  I would not recommend living with one other person (2 total) unless you are friends with them.  If you can find it.... in-unit washer/dryer.  You won't go back.
 
 

this is a nice thread
 
i'm graduating high school like exactly 2 months from now, which is exciting but also weird. i've been going to the same school since kindergarten (K-12), so kinda crazy that I will hardly see any of these people that I've known for 4-12 years again. I've technically already graduated, so this semester is kind of just a formality. Just taking religion (required), psych (really fun course), and then AP Math and AP Eng Lit. AP exams are in like a week, and then after that I just have 2 pretty chill classes for the rest of the year which is dope.
 
For Uni I accepted an offer from Dalhousie in Halifax, so I guess I'll be terrorizing Bek in person in 4 months. I'll be studying Commerce and probably specializing in finance, but not really sure where I want to go with that yet, don't really want to work on wall street or anything, I've settled for just working at some chill company office job. I think working in E-sports would be cool, but no idea how to get into that + most are American companies and I don't really want to live there lmao.
 
Also went on a few dates with this girl in my class, was really good and have the next one this sunday, no idea what we're doing yet but if people have ideas hmu

This reminds me of a book I read earlier this year, Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart.  Near-dystopian future where retail/media rule all and both an entry-level employee and his boss falls for the same girl.  Thanks for the suggestion!

As we hit the 10 game mark of the VHL season, and the end of April we are in the thick of it. As I was sitting here thinking what to write, I figured I would incorporate my thoughts on all the different things going on in the league that affect me personally. It is my player Ronan Lavelle's rookie year, so it has been exciting that my player is at the point where he is in the big leagues. I enjoyed being in the VHLM, and of course Lavelle's personal success in the VHLE. But there is nothing even close to the VHL, that is what it is all about. I also have not been part of a meaningful playoff run with Lavelle yet, so to be potentially be apart of one is exciting. I have taken on the role to GM the Houston Bulls in a rebuilding/re-tooling season as we did not have many draft selections this past season. This is also my first season doing VHFL, which has been a fun experience so far. There have been talks about the TPE value of that vs the weekly VHL fantasy picks. There is definitely a way to make the VHFL even more exciting, I will get to that later on.
 
Ronan Lavelle and the DC Dragons

 
The DC Dragons find themselves with a 6-4 record through the first 10 games of the season. This is good enough to put them tied for 3rd in the North American Conference. The league probably considers this a mid start, however it is important to note that DCD G has appeared in 4 of those games. DC is still off to a positive start and has already used half of their backup goalie games. Eno was definitely smart to burn these games early on. Unfortunately we lost 2 of these games to the New York Americans. They have a talented roster, but the DC offense should have been able to produce far better offensive results against goaltender Dexter Vaughn. Unsurprisingly DC's production has been led by Taylor Mourning, who was second in the league in goals last season by just a single goal. Mourning has 16 points in 10 games, 8 of those being goals. This is also good enough for third in the league at the moment. Ronan Lavelle is tied for second on the team in points with Poopy Peepants, both tallying 11. Lavelle has 5 goals on the season, 2 of those being game winners. It is nice to see Lavelle averaging over a point per game so far. He is not far from the rookie leaders, but it's the Chicago Team Clue duo have been the ones off to a great start. Ryan Vidot has 10 points for that PPG average in his first season as a forward thus far. I really believe with Vidot and Mourning being my line mates, all of our production will only get better from here. Especially as we see more Bubbles Utonium and less of DCD G. Speaking of Utonium, Bubbles is off to a 4-2 start and a .926 save percentage, and a 2.38 GAA. A truly awesome start, and I expect numbers like this to continue for our most valued player. I know Tui Sova has been off to a slow start point wise with 7 in 10 games, but Sova's got too much talent not to put his foot on the gas as the season progresses. The difficult thing here is to be patient. With a d-core of Sova, Kitson, Funk and Peepants we are in good hands. With the 4 CPU goalie games, I am happy with where we are at and the expectations are higher going forward.
 
The Houston Bulls GM Experience

 
The early experience becoming the Houston Bulls GM has been an interesting one. This is my first VHLM GM gig in over a decade. The league has certainly changed, especially considering last time I GMed, VHLM teams wwere affiliates of the VHL teams. However, the goal has always been the same. Help your prospects as much as you can. Back in the day, you were responsible for helping your VHL parent team's prospects develop. Also, you would do waiver pitches to new members who would join a VHLM team for that season until the draft the following off-season, like what we have now. Unfortunately for me, our goaltender went MIA in March, so he had to be dropped due to the inactive role. My earliest draft pick was in the 3rd round, and I feel like I got great value there with defenseman Ty Heisler. I also was then able to pickup Doug Britton and his fellow friend Otis Boudreaux. Both have been a great locker room presence, and both have produced with their max amount of minutes. I am trying to set these guys up for success. Both have expressed interest in earning TPE, and it has been a pleasure showing them how the league works. Even though this season has been taking a step back, the goal is to try to continue to try to pickup as many waiver players as I can, and hopefully also get a goaltender if I get lucky. The goal is to just try to continue to set the guys up for success, and helping their players take the next step.
 
VHFL Experience

 
This is my first time also doing the VHFL. I personally went for an offensive based approach, so we will see how that works out. I am currently 3rd in my pool so far. I am a frequent flyer in the Moscow Menace locker room, a lot of my friends on the team, and a lot not on the team usually chat in there. One discussion that took place was how the TPE distribution does not have the same bang for it's buck that the weekly fantasy pick em' does. There were talks about lowering the amount of TPE in the pick em' because the TPE handouts were too high, and re-align the value. You could also go the opposite way. Right now the max TPE you can get is 6 if you win your pool. This can easily be taken a step further if the powers that be think so. On top of the 6 TPE handed out to the group winners, why not also hand out extra TPE for the best of the best? For example, the person who scored the highest amount of points in the whole league should be awarded extra 3 TPE for example. 2nd place would be an extra 2, and anyone in the top 10 an extra 1. It is just a thought, and 1-3 more TPE isn't an absurd amount. It also gives people a more competitive edge, and it's about bragging rights. Not only did you win your pool, but you were the best in the whole freaking league.
 
Word Count: 1153
Claim for: Weeks ending in 5/1 and 5/8
 

I've found that running for speed is not fun, but running for distance (after you're accustomed to it at a certain level) is fun. Ran cross country in high school (we didn't have track) and my best time back then was an 18:57 so definitely nowhere near college level, but usually one of the point scorers for my tiny ass school (the whole team was like 10 guys, so I was usually 3rd or 4th even though on a larger public school team I'd have been only mediocre).

Now though, as the post-high-school portion of my life is now slightly longer than the pre-high-school portion, I've gone the complete opposite direction. I'm slow as fuck now but have done 7 marathons and a 50k. I'd much rather be out there on some long trail course, peaceful as hell, nothing but me and the trees for miles, than trying to shave a few extra seconds off a 5k time. Been out of commission for this since Covid, but 2017-2018 were some huge personal milestones distance-wise. Still slow as fuck though.


(Also, if you're interested, back in 2014 I wrote a poem about where my running journey was at that time, and it's on this forum:) 
 

1. Make a convincing argument for the best time of day to eat breakfast.
Whenever you first feel hungry after your day begins. Ideally, this would be close to noon. That way you can have a brunch, and you're saving money and calories by having skipped an entire meal. It is 100% good for you, doctor guaranteed.
 
2. What is the best thing that happened to you today or this week? "nothing" is not an acceptable answer, I need optimism and details
Well it's only Tuesday, you're really setting expectations for the week high. I suppose yesterday I worked a 16.5 hour day, which I've decided to translate into a day off today 😛
 
3. You're sitting in a living room with your teammates. There's a couch, the floor is carpeted, kitchen chairs not far away, and a couple bean bags. Where do you sit, and why?
There's a lot of factors in making this decision. If it's a big ass beanbag that I can just sprawl on, maybe I beeline it for that. Otherwise, I'm fairly polite and will let others choose their preferred seating before selecting mine. All things being equal though, I probably go for the couch because I like soft seating. However, if there's a dog in the room I'm inclined to lay on the carpet with it.
 
4. You have the option to rebrand in the VHL without anyone remembering who your previous persona was. Do you take it? If so, what direction are you taking? If not, how would you describe your current brand?
I suppose it would be nice to undo some of my more problematic posts in the past, but otherwise I'm fairly pleased with my brand then and now. I'd describe it as fun and carefree! I'm like whatshisface from The Outsiders, the one who could pull off stealing a gun from a police officer without getting arrested or the shit beaten out of him.
 
5. Did you do predictions? If so, how are you feeling about them now that the season has come to life? If not, why not? You scared? come on bro
Yeah, I've been historically pretty shit at predictions. I'd say they're going pretty poorly so far, I picked Duncan Idaho for a lot and he's been overshadowed by a number of people so far. I also keep forgetting about Battre Sandstrom so I don't think I picked him for anything because I'm a moron. Also I'm plagiarizing this question for my own Press Conference, fight me.
 
6. Any VHFL sleeper picks you're predicting that you haven't seen anyone else mention, that someone else mentioned and they're onto something, or that's now a bandwagon you started?
No.
 
7. What does your optimal Saturday look like? How is that different from what your player would say?
My optimal Saturday would be 72 hours long. I'd sleep/lay in bed until I felt like getting up, go for a tasty brunch, maybe have some mimosas. Then I'd like to send a sunny afternoon and evening hanging out with my friends, maybe BBQing and playing lawn games.
 
Poopy Peepants would probably spend a lot of his free time reading comic books and perusing deviantart.
 
8. What is the best or worst light source? Make an impassioned argument. I need many exclamation points
You think the Sun is pretty fucking great don't you? Well it's hard to argue that, it provides us with warmth (which I love), and generally light (which is also rad). It's essential to all life I suppose.
 
HOWEVER!
 
HAVE! 👏YOU! 👏EVER! 👏TRIED! 👏DRIVING! 👏INTO! 👏A! 👏SUNRISE! 👏OR! 👏SUNSET!? 👏
 
IT'S FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!!!
 
You're subject to km after km after mile of DIRECT RADIATION TO YOUR EYEBALLS and it feels BAD man! You can have some nice and effective sunglasses on but it doesn't do enough for the fact that you can't see SHIT while doing THE SINGLE MOST DANGEROUS DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITY POSSIBLE, all while getting an ever increasing headache!!!! Add a dusty interior windshield into the mix that you otherwise can't even notice, and you have the worst possible living conditions known to all of humankind!
 
FUCK THE SUN!!!!!

tbh that looks cool

2-0 SIM!! 🔥🔥🔥🚨🚨🚨
WE HAVE HUMBLED ONE OF THE WORST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE!

dragon.gif
 

I didn't read cuz I have a huge brain and already know where to find everything, but great idea to write this up.

1. I think when you first wake up. You have not eaten in 6+ hours (8+ if you get sleep). You probably wake up hungry, give your body the fuel it requires to start the day off with success. 
2. My son has started to become a big cuddler. I was laying with him in bed the other night putting him to sleep and he rolled into me and nuzzled his head into mine. He has done this every night since and I am soaking up every moment of it.
3. If there are no bar stools, I will take the bean bag! What’s better than a nice bean bag circle?
4. No, I like everyone knowing who I am. Even though I have a made up player in the league, I am genuinely who I am on Discord. I find it fun, and I hope others have felt that way about me too. 
5. I did, and I’m feeling good about them! The team I picked to win it all is in first. And my ROTY pick is no doubt taking home the gold. 
6. I wish I could say yes. I picked all brand names I would say, no one out of the ordinary. 
7. Being out back, grilling some surf and turf and having a few beers with music playing on my outback speaker system I installed last summer. It’s simplicity, and it’s relaxing. I love being in the sun, and then I love being under the stars. Doesn’t matter the time of the day, I could sit back and watch the sky over some beers any day. 
8. Best light source is my phone flash light! That thing has provided more light and detail than anything else. No natural light or LED lighting has matched it. I stand on this hill! The worst is BY FAR FLORESCENT LIGHTING IT SUCKS SO FUCKING BAD! It is horrible on the eyes and it provides horrible detail. I would rather put a campfire out with me face!!