We just made the decision to relocate from NYC to Pittsburgh for at least a year, because we don't expect the main advantages of the city (career networking, friends, food, cultural events) to return/be safely available until 2022. It's hard to justify the housing costs in these conditions.
1:. Why can't you just admit you want to live near Moby?
I continue to boggle at how poorly Jammies' school is run. Latest example: there have been three extra early release days since the schools began face-to-fact in October. These are district wide. They were announced back in October, but the reason keeps changing. Originally we were told it was in order for the custodians to do a deep cleaning for Covid. As these are all falling on Fridays, a sensible deep cleaning for Covid would be to do nothing until Monday, but never mind that.
Anyway, for the first one, the high school told the teachers that they weren't allowed to go home early and work from home. That kind of disrupts the deep cleaning narrative, but whatever. It's particularly annoying if you have kids yourself in the district who are getting out early, and especially since it's a goddamn pandemic and everyone is well-equipped to work from home at this point. But fine.
For the second one - right before Thanksgiving break - the high school told the teachers they had to leave early. There was going to be a deep cleaning and everyone had to be gone within 20-30 minutes or so. Fine.
For this third one, they were entirely silent. Jammies asked his department chair, who said "I think they want us to stay, but I told them to make a clear announcement one way or another, and they haven't." It seems, in hindsight, that what they wanted to do was play gotcha with those teachers who headed home to work from home, and dock them half a day vacation if they were caught.
I mean, what the fuck. I knew in theory that we don't trust teachers in this country and treat them like shit, but watching it play out is still a bit of a mindfuck.
I do think that our current district administration is more incompetent than other ones we've had, fwiw.
What's been going on with rents in NY, roughly speaking? Are they plummeting? Are rich expats buying everything up? How is everything shaking out?
Anyway, send me an email if you're around or want local questions answered by somebody who hasn't looked at housing in over a dozen years. My address is this pseud at the usual Mountain View monopoly.
3:. No food that a New Yorker would understand as food.
We have perogies with very thin crusts.
4:. Incompetence,cruelty, or some unholy combination?
Honestly, I think we have lots of cultural events in Pittsburgh. I don't go to them, but people keep mentioning them. I did go to the Warhol Museum once. They had good snacks, but not as good as the snacks at the Carnegie Museum, but you need to be careful because they switch vendors. The museum in Chicago that was suppose to have American Gothic had even better snacks, but the snacks were way expensive and they fucking lent American Gothic to some other museum the one time I was there.
There's no career networking here though. My career networking was basically float along until one of my connections left town for long enough to meet people from other states with money.
No food that a New Yorker would understand as food.
Famously, buttered rolls are unknown outside of Trash City.
So, I was going to make a joke about housing being cheaper in Beaver Falls than Pittsburgh, but I wanted to look up to be sure that's where "Mr. Belvedere" was set. I suspect somebody has been fucking around with the page starting at, "Another episode was penned centering around the AIDS crisis. Mr. Belvedere receives a telegram that his former lover has died of the disease."
12: I've been using mushed crickets.
5:
Most of the rent decreases are in Manhattan, and more on the luxury end of the market. Decreases are still Not large enough to make Manhattan a more attractive proposition than Brooklyn. Housing prices in the starter home range have not meaningfully dropped. There seem to be more one-off rent deals, like 2-3 months free. But even with those and restricting my search to rent stabilized apartments, I'd still be paying twice the rent for half the space, relative to Pittsburgh. Same story if I want to buy.
Also, I'm not really looking to live in Moby's neighborhood. I prefer more hipsters.
Yep, most of the places we're looking at are in lawrenceville. I prefer friendship due to better access to groceries, but the options on the market there are way too big.
Let me be the first to recommend Driftwood Oven if you do need to eat local food. It's the best pizza I've had since Dinette closed. 36th and Butler, across the street from the Capuchins (monks, not monkeys).
Dinette closed?? We used to go there all the time
It's not doing any carryout. Been closed since Covid. I don't know anything about future plans.
The biggest change in the local restaurant scene is the new Arby's in Oakland. It's in the same place as the old one, but now there's a ten story apartment building above it.
I am depressed as hell and have no will to talk to anyone or comment. I am really sorry for everyone's losses in the previous check-in thread: Penny, Parenthetical, I think I missed sending condolences to Bostoniangirl too, and to everyone else having a hard time. I hope you're all doing all right.
Ok, I watched the first four episodes of The Queen's Gambit and I feel like I don't love it as much as I should. I find the drug addiction stressful and I wish the dialogue was snappier. Of course I love the clothes and sets.
Is there a payoff worth sticking out the rest? Or have I gotten the point? I know the whole thing is pretty short.
Lurid, I'm so sorry. I hope you catch a break from this depression - it's unfair and grueling.
25. You've already watched the best parts. The first five episodes were pretty poorly written, but the actors were great and the production design and costumes were gorgeous enough to keep me going. The last two episodes descended into almost unwatchable cliche and also made me really angry.
But you should watch them, so I can complain about it here without spoiling.
25: I feel like the best episodes are the middle few but if the drug addiction bothers you now, you're not going to have a lot of fun with the rest of the show. I don't know if we like the same tv stuff but I will say that my trajectory was I was on the fence after episode 1, then all in until the last two, though I basically enjoyed those as well. It's not a super great percentage for a show that is seven (?) episodes long, but I enjoyed it as much as any other tv in the last....however long it's been since Bojack ended.
Speaking of Manhattan, sort of, I can't bear to see what's happening with housing prices since apparently Elon Fucking Musk has ignited some kind of California cavalcade straight for Austin. There was an article about it in the NYT in the last couple of days and it depressed me so very, very much.
I filled a little sprayer bottle with rum for spritzing my fruitcakes, and a couple times a day I walk through the kitchen and spritz it directly into my mouth, like binaca. This has really improved my December.
I'm sorry, Lurid, and sorry for others' losses. I learned today from my ex-housemate/still-friend that her wife's 68 year old dad died on the first of the month from Covid in rural Kansas. I only met him once (at their wedding) but it's awful, and kind of striking that no one else I know personally has even had the disease, which tells you everything you need to know about how class and geography work in America.
In light of my loss of faith I didn't even know I had in America's future, a combination of alternating overwork and underwork, and some very sudden health issues on the part of my parents, I'm coming to terms with my first relapse into major depression since my early twenties. 2019 was one of the best years of my adult life. I turned 30 (I think I'm by far one of the youngest lurker/commenters here), got into a relationship that excited me for the first time in forever, got a promotion, was cycling and bouldering several days a week, went to Europe with my parents (who may not be flying ever again, at least my dad), and so on. That all petered out, to say the least. I'm excited for Zoom therapy insofar as it will keep me off SSRIs, because fuck SSRIs. I'd sooner microdose.
30: Make the choices that are right for you, whatever. But SSRIs are why I'm alive, and lots of other folks too. So kindly take your sneering attitude about them and shove it up your ass, sideways.
31 They're a life saver for many but some people react badly to them. P may well have a very good reason for wanting to avoid having to use them.
Also, maybe less pointed hostility directed to someone who's just said they're having a hard time? Psyche was negative about SSRIs, but wasn't personally attacking you.
That's why the first 's' is for 'selective'.
3: Wait. Pittsburgh doesn't have food?
No bodegas.
There's probably one in Lawrenceville.
32, 33--Fair enough, and apologies. I'll plead insomnia-driven crankyness (note the timestamp}, but it was an over-reaction. A few too many blithe FB memes poo-pooing meds of late have left me generally quick-to-snarl.
I'm much the same - objectively lots better off than many/most people including some of the commentariat. Resigned myself to spending the holidays alone and grumpy about it. Trying to err on the direction of working too much rather than drinking too much.
I should note that I regret not being able to offer appropriate condolences in a timely manner from the last check-in threads I'm o sorry to hear about the losses others have suffered of late and I hope those who are also struggling (including Psychoceramicist) can reach better places soon.
I'm mostly doing OK, but struggling a bit to get to the end of an extended run of deadline-driven high volume work projects. My avoidance/stress relief activities (excessive reading of crap sci-fi, doomscrolling, poor eating habits, and a slightly elevated weed use) are better than they have been in the past (drinking alone and to excess, panicky self-loathing), but not great.
If I can make it through Wednesday, I will start the longest vacation of my adult life (2.5 weeks, with the proviso that it's a staycation and I'm not counting unemployment as vacation).
I'm just tired. Tired of work. Tired of isolation.Tired of the incessant political stupidity and the constant slow-burning rage it stokes. Tired of no love life. I know I'll make it to the other side of the pandemic, but the 2-4 months to go (or more--I don't yet trust deep down that something won't come along to fuck things up) still feels like a long ways to go. Hopefully the extended break from thinking about work will help me recharge.
Lurid, I'm so sorry to hear about the depression. And to all of you suffering, I hope things get better.
I'm ... maintaining. Having trouble sleeping and that tends to be when I'm the saddest, but I am coping in terms of getting things done both at work and at home, although I wonder at how long I can continue to be quite this productive at work as I find my mind wandering constantly and it is a real effort to keep things up.
Ponder Stibbons, for Pittsburgh food, may I recommend Apteka? I am not vegan (nor am I eastern European), but man, that was very good, inventive food and fun cocktails at reasonable prices.
It has to be reasonably priced because we don't have any career networking.
Just finished a very nice weekend and will be running a drop off cookie exchange this upcoming weekend. Christmas baking hasn't really started yet, but soon-- and, thinking about it, my separate baking was hanging by a thread, but my wife has staff and we have friends who could use some cookies, so maybe I will bake at near normal volumes. (Without family gatherings, I'd been planning on cutting way back... but unloading baked goods on staff is an excellent substitute!)
My wife's digestive issues cleared, and we freed our kitten from the cone of shame (from spaying her) yesterday. Sales are also doing pretty well [particularly against a Covid/stay at home handicap], so my wife's mood is improved for many reasons.
39 - Don't worry about it. In our time of woo and hokum it would have been appropriate to say that I'd really rather not be on SSRIs, not that they're bad. I needed them at one point, but there is lots about them to not like.
It occurred to me that this time last year, we had eight separate kid performances to attend over a span of two weeks.
I genuinely enjoy watching them perform, but I really am enjoying not having that much busyshit to do. I don't know how to retain some time and peace next year when everyone starts overscheduling everything again.
Of those eight, two came with just attending school. Another three came attached to activities that the kids had opted-in to do at school, ie they usually don't require anything extra of us. The last three were associated with dance classes and piano, which is our own fault, I suppose.
As the vaccine nears, I start wondering more and more how to preserve this pace, and I feel kind of bummed that the trade-offs are not easy to determine.
Lurid, I'm sorry for your depression. I've had so much of it over so much of my life and it really is worse than my limited experience of physical illness.
In good news, we have carpets in much of the house, which may seem trivial but I have been camping more or less since the end of October and it gets very old. I wish I were better at clearing the mountains of paper off my desk.
Lurid, be well, as much as possible. Depression's horrible, hope yours ends soon.
Thanks, all. I completely understand hating and wanting to avoid SSRIs, but amid overcommitted bourgeois busyness it's good to have a shortcut.
28.2 I have never made it to Austin, but it does seem doomed to Silicon Valleyfication, probably with more nice parts of Texas to follow, and in principle I hate it all. Except the part where Elon Musk leaves California. That part is fine. (And perhaps the part where Texas politics shift in a positive direction, which may or may not result -- I'm really not sure it will.) I don't know if you read the New Yorker, but in 2018 they ran a profile of Alejandro Escovedo where he talks about moving to Dallas. This article is my reference point for a) being too old to know fucking anything about anything and b) Austin-to-Dallas migration.
We learned last night to our surprise that the rattling ghost of the BART system now finally extends into San Jose.
I remember being surprised San Jose was such a big city. I had no idea it was anything but a suburb of something.
lurid - do you enjoy being in the water/swimming? if so, i would be so happy to meet you for an appropriately-distanced swim at san francisco's aquatic park, it has really been my sanity savior these many past months. i didn't see any meteors this morning during a pre-dawn swim but it was still magically wonderful (was unrealistic to expect meteor spotting, my eyes are crap and my corrective goggles cloud up within a few swims, i don't think the anti-fog coating likes the salt). you can rent a wetsuit from sports basement, probably not a good idea to go with just a swimsuit for the first time in this season. anyways, there is actual data endorsing cold water swimming as protective against depression! mainly tho if you enjoy being in the water, it is just delicious to be in this lovely little cove of the bay. i think you have my e-mail address???
sending warm regards to all.
Still doing fine here. We went to a drive-in Chanukah festival last night which was pretty well done.
You only had enough gas to go one mile but you made it to the festival that was seven miles away.
The last two episodes descended into almost unwatchable cliche and also made me really angry.
I am being entirely non-ironic when I say that I enjoyed the cliched ending, but yeah, I know what you mean. And yes, if someone doesn't like the first four episodes, there's not much in the rest that's worthwhile. Except, as you say, the actors, production design and costumes.
I really enjoyed the way that the series messed with your expectations, though there is probably something paradoxical about saying, "You really didn't expect all the cliches."
(But yeah, no spoilers!)
I genuinely enjoy watching them perform,
The only problem is it's a package deal: You have to watch other people's boring kids perform. I find it especially annoying when the other kids are really talented.
48: I've been hearing about San Antonio as the escape plan. It's cheaper than Dallas but also sleepier. I have a certain affection for Dallas (not common among Austinites, if I can still cling to that toponym) plus it is like the only US city I can think of that spent the last 30+ years building an extensive train system* but unfortunately it's still very sprawly with lots of parts of town that are strip mall after strip mall, and it doesn't really call out to me unless like a dozen of my friends want to move there and start a friend colony, which I'm guessing is not the case.
Most perverse thing I can think of on this subject: apparently Waco is now A Thing, because of that tv show where perky people cover every surface of a house in shiplap.
*while Austin managed to put in one train line that I gather nobody uses
My son was to fly up here tomorrow, to spend Christmas in that 'winter wonderland' that we call Ottawa...
I'd been excitedly preparing, and with a real sense of anticipation: putting up a tree; baking Christmas goodies; and so on.
Last night, J. finally opened and read an email that the airline had sent him on 9 Nov. Thanks to the travel restrictions surrounding COVID-19, the airline has suspended all flights until at least 11 February 2021, and my son is NOT coming up here for Christmas.
As a result: I am basically not doing very well at the moment...
I'm sorry. On the plus side, I feel like I'm not as bad at reading emails as I thought I was.
57: Oh, no! How sad (and a little maddening, but hey, kids are dumb). I hope he can drive or find an alternative way to get there.
Everyone struggling, I am so sorry. The horrors around are going to get better soon, just a few more months. It's dark and gloomy and people are dying, and it's awful. Spring will come, and even without the vaccines to stem the worst, we'll be able to gather outside again and schools will reopen.
Paren, I hope your grandparents are OK. Have been thinking of you and them.
53: I highly recommend the book version of "The Queen's Gambit." I really liked the TV version but its whole tone is different in a way that's somewhat of a spoiler. Reading the book moved me to read "The Man Who Fell to Earth" and "Hustler," also by Tevis.
Paren, I hope your grandparents are OK. Have been thinking of you and them.
Thank you! They are now two weeks from a positive test without any symptoms, so that's one area where I feel like we dodged a HUGE bullet. I am not sure when they are getting their next test but I think they'll be out of quarantine tomorrow.
Hey, here's a cheery FB post from my friend, who is the grandson of Alben Barkley:
The new vice president will preside over the Senate when it meets with a new constitutionally appointed presiding officer, Kamala Harris. She will recognize the first speaker and thus control the floor and proceedings. By precedent dating to a 1937 agreement between my grandfather (then the Majority Leader and VP Garner) the Majority Leader will usually first be recognized BUT no Senate Rule requires this. Thus Harris, if she wishes, can recognize Schumer and never recognize McConnell even if he is the Majority Leader...
Thus Harris can effectively block McConnell from the bottleneck strategy he has successfully used, based on the 1937 precedent, to block floor consideration of House passed bills he does not like. And if the next legislative meeting is coordinated with Harris's schedule, Harris can be sure that she, and only she, will preside over the next session where she can recognize Schumer again while "thee Grim Reaper" fumes.
On the plus side, I feel like I'm not as bad at reading emails as I thought I was.
It's a very low bar; but yeah, you're probably not as bad at opening and reading emails as is my own son.
Ok: Are any of you having trouble accessing this site when you're not on wifi? I keep getting blocked, and I'm getting a message that's specific to T-Mobile (a webguard feature) and I'm going in circles with them, and it's driving me nuts.
It's not limited to this site, but it's consistent with this site. Anyone else?
Perhaps they have discovered Apo's contributions
65. I'm on T-Mobile and am not experiencing that. Using FF for Android. So, on Android OS.
I don't think I have anything like a T-Mobile webguard.
Seems like an annoying prgram, though I'm sure it has good uses for families. It comes by default on prepaid accounts but not for others. Huh?
https://www.google.com/search?q=webguard%20t%20mobile%20bypass
T-mobile has assured me that Webguard is definitely turned off on my account. Then they pass me to someone else who assures me webguard is turned off. Yet this site keeps getting blocked when I'm on data. It's super irritating, especially yesterday when I had an hour to kill at the middle school, sitting in the parking lot. I could have commented up a storm.
Being stuck by yourself and unable to comment here is the worst.