(Part 2) Best products from r/CasualConversation

Start by putting down the phone. I got rid of Facebook and Instagram off my phone and it was the best thing I have ever done. I have them back now because I would check them on my browser and have like 20 notifications from last week so they were irrelevant when I would read them. I have significantly decreased my intake though and feel way better for it.

But what to do with your spare time? I would say put down any form of screen (no gaming or YouTube/Netflix binging) and instead pick up either a book or a deck of cards. They have expanded my mind and have made it easier for me to fall asleep. In terms of books, I would recommend Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson (he does a great job of explaining complex principles regardless of your knowledge level). I would also recommend The novelisation of 'The King's Speech' which I think is beautifully written and has some brilliant source material attached to it. It has so much more historical depth than the movie. In terms of cards, set up a game of Solitaire with yourself, the simplicity of it is incredibly soothing.

Outside of this, make sure you're having a good night's sleep, get up early and have a decent breakfast.

Hope this helps you out my friend.

Meditating and giving less fucks.

You can search up introductory meditation videos but here is one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPpUNAFHgxM

As for giving less fucks this book is pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019MMUA8S/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Cutting deep to the heart of the issue. Barring all the spiritual connotations, the core of meditation is getting your brain to calm down/shut up for a bit. If you can't stop thinking for even a second, meditation can help you chill out.

Giving less fucks is pretty much that. Worrying less, accepting that your mood can change, not wanting what you can't have, not worrying about what you can't control, it all ties into that.

Hope that helps :)

Also if you DM me I can probably hook you up with a pdf of the book I mentioned if you have a (throwaway) email

Try this test. That may tell you a great deal about yourself. It's based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, an early personality profiler based on Jungian theory.

And realize this: being introverted doesn't necessarily mean you don't like people or even that you're shy. It simply means that being around people tires you.

Another great resource: How to Win Friends and Influence Enemies. A classic book but absolutely gospel when it comes to dealing with others.

A lot of easy lessons to learn. You may find that it enables you to talk to people.

As an example, I'm INFP. But everyone at work loves me because I'm gentle, funny, and interested in them. They don't need to know how tired I am at the end of the day, often because of my interactions with them.

You can do this.

I ordered this, a wake up light. A friend of mine suggested it for waking up easier. I did my research and most every review said it works great. I'm in grad school so I'm usually up early to make it to campus, and I figured it might help me get a better start to my day. So I used a little money from the holidays for a gift from me to me!

Honestly, I'd like to do a bit of shameless self-promotion.

Please consider picking up a copy of my short story "The Equestrian", a creepy little yarn about a jockey, his horse, and the mysterious cult that imbues both with a strange and horrible ability. It's weird and funny and scary. I think you'll dig it.

I have several other stories I'm currently submitting to journals and contests, and I'm also querying agents with my first novel at the moment.

I decided to use "The Equestrian" as a guinea pig to see how self-publishing works, and so far it's been interesting to watch the occasional waves of high sales between doldrums.

It's a story I'm quite fond of. I'd love it if any of you would check it out and, if you like it, spread the word. I plan to have much more of my writing available soon, so I'm trying to slowly build a bit of an audience.

Thank you so much for taking the time, and extra thanks if you decide to buy a copy!

Oh wow that's crazy tounread that in fourth grade! I don't know if I could handled that so young. i could barely do it at 15!



I love them too! I love that you get to play through the second game as a Big Dadsy and get to interact with the Little Sisters more. It's really cool to explore Rapture from a different perspective. Is it this book. I have this book and have yet to read it. Did you not like the second one? Doesn't seem like many people do.



It is a lot, and a World History class should be broken down into like 5 classes or so cause that's a ridiculous amount of history to know. I also get mixed uo on differenr battles.-. There really is too much too remember, but finding one or two things that makes it fascinating or ar least stands out, always helped me remember the rest of the "story." Haha I've heard of that, I definitelt have the english/history brain. I can compehend most math, but science goes right over my head. I've always been envious of people who can actuallt understand science. High school does cram a lot way too fast. Going to college I was surprised at the difference in how there was less of a rush to learn it all.

> this is a very interesting time for american politics...

...which is why it's so painful you can't really talk about it without upsetting people, especially now. All of my friends are of an opposing political persuasion. That's not a problem in itself, but everyone takes things so personally. To me, politics is just business... most people I know don't see it that way.

> please help me out because I would like to watch some of those films

There is no shortage of classic movie lists online, but I'd suggest picking up a copy of Roger Ebert's The Great Movies and start working your way through the films in the book... or check out his expanded and more imposing list on the website. Not all of the movies discussed are particularly old, but they are all worth seeing.

You could go either the new or used route for turntables. Although buying used is tricky since you can't actually test it out, you end up getting a better deal especially if it was made in the 70's.

To start out, I like to recommend the Audio Technica AT-LP60. It's cheap and very functional. The great thing about it is that it comes with a built-in preamp so you can just connect it to a pair of speakers.

I don't recommend Crosleys as you'll likely want to upgrade and the quality isn't that great. I personally use Technics SL1200 which is built like a tank. But you can't go wrong with Audio Technicas as the difference between other turntables is pretty negligible I think.

I'm 43 years old, I've been writing and recording songs since I was 15. So it would be really hard to make a list. They run from the more healing and catharsis to more silly and trite. I might write a song about some thing I think is a profound situation or some random silly moment in time.

Like I just finished (haven't even shared it anywhere else yet because it isn't live yet on iTunes etc.) a video for a song about a friend that unfortunately I lost to a drug overdose. It is my eulogy for him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmYCgfjzhB4

I've written a song as silly as being about imagining a tree was in love with someone

https://www.amazon.com/Tattoo/dp/B00FYECELK

I think a lot are a bit in-between. Like there might be some more in depth emotional thing, but the song is about a single minute in time. Like someone just wanting to be friends with benefits and realizing you weren't really being able to stay in that zone.

https://foglings.bandcamp.com/track/like-a-clock

If you like video games and delving into backstories...

Bioshock: Rapture by John Shirley

Sci-Fi / Horror(?)

I particularly like it because it was able to capture the feel of the Bioshock series - dark, mysterious, dramatic and sometimes creepy. I love the fact that radical political ideologies come into play, and the story line is much deeper than most common video games out there. It enriches your experience for the series, and John's writing is easy to read.

I haven't personally gotten one, but I've heard good things about some micro quadcopters on amazon. To my understanding, they work pretty well for their size for the most part, but the blades can break off if you're not careful with it.

Yeah, I might go with this. It's cheap, easy, actually serves a function. Cause I don't want to get someone a thing that will just go in a closet or be thrown away pretty soon. Maybe I will get em hot sauce, that is always good!

http://www.amazon.com/Sir-Perky-Novelty-Bottle-Opener/dp/B002J46RS4/ref=pd_sim_a_20?tag=ohmy0c-20

Strong recommendation for David Mitchell's The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet (Dutch clerk in late 18th/early 19th century Dejima, lots of depth, gorgeous prose) and for Walter Moers's Rumo and his Miraculous Adventures (fantastical but oddly profound; I'd pick it up even if it doesn't sound like something you'd enjoy). I finished both of these very recently and they were amazing. They hopped right on my list of favourite books, if I'm honest.

Otherwise, I'd very much recommend my all-time favourites: Le Petit Prince (in French or English), Under Milk Wood, Cloud Atlas, and To Kill a Mockingbird (which is always worth a re-read, too).

I included Amazon links so that you know exactly which books I'm talking about, but please consider buying from local bookshops!

I do have a small vinyl collection (~30)! Right now I'm using the audio-technica at-lp60. $89 atm. If you look more into this turntable, you'll hear differing opinions about its overall quality, but I've had the turntable since 2014 and haven't had problems. Check out r/vinyl as well, there are some experts there and a lot of good advice.

The only turntable I would recommend against is Crosley. They are sold at Urban Outfitters, Target, etc. for prices that would seem like a steal for a turntable, but I've heard nothing but issues from people that have gotten them.

Nope American. A friend had brought it up that he got one recently and it was great so i decided to go for it. Got this one. They turned out to be cheaper than I thought they would be and it works great.

https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive-ebook/dp/B019MMUA8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520489778&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+not+give+a+fck+book

This book doesn't necessarily answer those questions, but it does help you answer them. I can honestly say it changed my life.

Pretty much the standard when it comes to social interaction is How to Win Friends and Influence People



You are a Bad ass is another self help book that you maaay be interested in



JBP can be a bit divisive to people but I think this book is worth a look too.

RC Helicopter. It is VERY stable and fun to fly. $15 http://www.amazon.com/Syma-S107-S107G-Helicopter-Gyro-/dp/B00F4WMAAW/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1462581942&sr=1-4&keywords=syma+helicopter

A 50-60 foot flat sewer snake/tape. Hold on! Don't stop reading! I bought a 60 foot sewer tape/snake and it has paid for itself at least four times over. When you get a plumbing backup, find your clean out, and auger it out yourself. Every time I use it I save $125 that I would have to pay a plumber. I will link to an example of what you might want.


https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-60500-Flat-Sewer/dp/B0000DGARJ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Sewer+Rod&qid=1566962919&s=hi&sr=1-2

Thanks for asking!

I self published. I actually did the very thing they tell all aspiring writers not to do: I quit my day job to write full time. Miraculously, it worked. I do not recommend this.




After half a year of climbing mountains and living in the woods, followed by a solid year of writing, edits and re-writes, I finally published Where's the Next Shelter? last month.

Here's the cover: http://i.imgur.com/yJWzu5m.jpg

I worked with a professional illustrator on the cover, and (one of the smartest things I ever did...) I hired an actual editor. This extended the process by months, but after seeing the end result I would never not hire an editor again.




AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Wheres-Next-Shelter-Gary-Sizer-ebook/dp/B017QCTR2G/

Thanks. I do use Flux, and also have a sun-esque light alarm which is super cool. I used to have an alarm where I had to go outside and take a picture of a certain tree for the alarm to turn off.

(If anone is interested: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Wake-Up-Colored-Simulation-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM/ref=pd_cp_121_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0093162RM&pd_rd_r=4VXJN99CQ009Z4TQYW9W&pd_rd_w=ccJd6&pd_rd_wg=wr8Yq&psc=1&refRID=4VXJN99CQ009Z4TQYW9W)

I think I am just some kind of night creature.

Early to mid 20s suck ass. I guess it's not a HUGE sample size to go off of, but both my sister and I agreed that the 20s suck, and both of our lives started really getting a bit better around the late 20's/early 30s...and I feel like a lot of people would agree with that. I know for people with bipolar (which is a part of my illness), you start to age out of it around the mid-30s...if you have been practicing healthy habits up to that point as best as you can, and maturing as a normal human being.

Do you believe that suicide will take one to hell? Also, yeah, I have met a lot of people who don't believe I'm going to hell...I think it's possible, since I have accepted Jesus as my savior, but I also think I may be too late. Can't really control it at this point. But I have other varying beliefs such as, the intensity of hell may depend upon what I do from here on out, so I still have some sort of control over my fate.

I tried practicing mindfulness a few times over the past few years, and did it wrong which actually made me feel worse (I found out the hard way that the key to living in the present is to also be equally nonjudgmental and accepting of the present moment) but I have been reading "The Mindful Way through Depression" and it has explained it better than any other book or website I have come across. Also I have finally gotten back into the habit of meditating which helps too, LOL

You mentioned drones...do you have a drone? Those can be really fun and can really be had for whatever price you want. I had this exact mini drone for a while:

https://www.amazon.com/Cheerson-CX-10-Mini-Quadcopter-Drone/dp/B00KXZC762/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500911159&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=cx-10+drone&psc=1

It's ridiculously tiny, (like only a few inches), but that thing is so fun (and challenging) to fly! My full size drone is actually way way easier to fly than that one. Just something to consider!

I've got one of those too! (As you may have guessed, I do not do well with the lack of sunlight during winter months.) I like this one because it's a little tinted – starts out with a reddish hue when it's dim and then gets really bright, like an actual sunrise.

Congratulations!

If you're looking to learn scales and how to start building your own solos, or speed up your sight reading, try "Guitar Solos in 3 Lessons."

Everything you need is laid out in this easy to follow, step by step guide- all of the core basics in one place, professionally written and researched, based on years of real world experience.

And it's just 99p!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Solos-Lessons-Complete-Beginners-ebook/dp/B07ZN8TX6L/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=guitar+solos+in+3+lessons&qid=1572297130&sr=8-1

Well, to be fair, you can get a simple bidet on Amazon for $25. In the long run, it'd end up costing less since its life span is certainly longer than toilet paper.

For what it's worth, I don't ruminate during the day either — only at night lying in bed. My mom does it too, though she unfortunately doesn't see how it's affecting her sleep.

When we're in these kinds of mental states, like feeling worthless or ineffectual, it's difficult to apply logic. So it's hard for me think of something specific to say that you probably haven't thought of, other than to remind you that you are doing what you can.

If it helps, or you haven't, I can't recommend meditation or a mindful practice like yoga enough. Our ego only has the power that we give it. All these internal thoughts come from a part of your brain that's trying to protect you - it's a mental fight or flight mode. It's like we're so bored and feeling so safe that we need to create "problems" for ourselves when we're just trying to sleep.

Yoga helped me because if you stop paying attention, you fall. It lead me to meditation, though I don't practice as often as I should. If you want a meditation buddy, I'm down.

This book is great. It explains a lot from a scientific as well as philosophical and practical level:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mindful-Way-Through-Depression/dp/1593851286

I'm getting this for all of my friends. Who doesn't want a helicopter?

I found that I always have an easier time getting up if light wakes me up. So I got this alarm clock that slowly wakes me up with light and sound. Expensive but it's so much better not being jolted awake in the morning.

Even if I have to wake up at 3 am to catch a flight, it feels better than an alarm.

It's about $115 now

Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-HF3520-Wake-Up-Colored-Simulation/dp/B0093162RM/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1451703068&sr=1-1&keywords=philips+wake+up+light

Where do you live? I live in NYC and I'm in constant fear that this winter will suck as much as last winter did.

It's not so bad here now, but I'm preparing for the worst. I bought myself a new coat and some kick ass boots. I'm also going to get one of these bad boys to cope with the lack of sunlight.