I know this isn't the right place to be asking...
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on June 18, 2014, 2:38 a.m. by FALLEN-X-ANGEL
I know that this isn't the right place to be asking but, How's life? I'd like to know where to ask some questions that don't have to do with card interactions etc. Like i know about the MTG topics and stuff but i want to talk about something else, yet the format for asking different questions is based on a different format, yet some of them don't get viewed that much. But back to the question. How's everybody doing?
Absinthman says... #3
At the very bottom of the Forums page, there is a section called The Blind Eternities which I think is meant for non-MTG topics.
June 18, 2014 7:45 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #4
Probably would have been better to ask me where to post it first. Moved to BE.
June 18, 2014 10:37 a.m.
derKochXXL says... #5
I'm fine. Thanks for asking. How are you X_Elemental-Remix_X?
June 18, 2014 10:59 a.m.
Servo_Token says... #6
Not great; I hate my job and am quite over-taxed as of recently. I mean, I'm grateful that I have a job and all the amenities of a decent life, but things could definitely be better.
June 18, 2014 11:34 a.m.
derKochXXL says... #7
@ThatBlueMage: But you have that awesome mono-blue tron deck (Liquid Tron, Delicious) going for you, which is nice!
June 18, 2014 11:47 a.m.
Servo_Token says... #8
That is true. That deck's almost foiled out too, which is pretty nice.
In short; my MTG life is significantly better than my real life. :P
June 18, 2014 11:52 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #10
Right now, I'm just trying to finish my MA thesis so I can move out of NYC. Stressful times.
June 18, 2014 12:12 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #11
Army life, meh. My last IQ I attended was a terrible blow out. I finished 56th out of 76. I am most definitely selling off my standard Junk deck pieces, sans shocks. My daughter is wanting to play MTG, she's 8, and while I know she would probably like playing at the shop... I can't bring myself to tell her that modern players are ruthless.
Other than that, not much else going on. I have been challenged to a modern Jund off by a friend, I am working on finishing my legacy Jund deck ( only 7 cards left).
June 18, 2014 12:53 p.m.
SwiftDeath says... #12
I doing alright. I don't have money for new cards and that doesn't help considering I want to get into competitive magic. I have several decks I want to build and I know how to play and play against all the best decks out there. If only I had money for JtMS, Goyf, Bob, Lili, Duals, and a lot more. I don't even have the extra money for $20 rares and I still need a new comp. Other then my MTG life my real life is doing rather well. I have a nice GF and been going steady for 2 years. I also go to a place called Vault of Midnight for Table top night with friends every Thursday and I have Pathfinder on Sundays. The only problem is my dad is going in for back surgery in a few days and I wont be able to go out for a few weeks.
June 18, 2014 2:23 p.m.
Just hired as a sixth-grade teacher yesterday, so there's that.
I'd say I'm doing pretty damn well..
What's new with you guys?
June 18, 2014 2:26 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #15
Exhausted. My cardboard crack addiction is the only thing that keeps me sane sometimes. lol.
Between four kids, upcoming wedding and a job as an addictions counselor I'm worn thin. I'm happy the bills are paid and my kids are busy and cared for. I'm happy my fiancee can stay home with the preschool age ones...so yeah. It's not all bad...just tiresome.
June 18, 2014 3:09 p.m.
derKochXXL says... #16
I like that you aren't taking your job to seriously, MindAblaze!. Cardboard Crack :D
June 18, 2014 5:47 p.m.
FALLEN-X-ANGEL says... #17
I like how everybody has taken the time to comment how they're doing. I'm doing fine just going through the summer. I've read through these and it's nice to know that there's other people out there with things to do, getting to know others you know? Lol, thanks for telling me where to post this in the CORRECT spot now.
June 18, 2014 6:13 p.m.
@JakeHarlow sounds like my most stressful times - finishing a master degree and moving to another state ... it will all be over soon!
@zandl congratulations! I am also planning to apply for middle school teaching jobs soon - but I am behind the game since I needed to reactivate an old license and the state where I live had redone all that paperwork so that it wasn't even available for me to apply for renewal until May - and then there were questions about the new process and there was a week wait time for responses to questions ... I think I will be on track for July / August openings (I could apply now ... but that license is "pending" so I feel a lack of urgency and am carefully rewriting my Teaching Philosophy and revamping my portfolio instead of rushing in). In the mean time I have some summer subbing jobs - which surprised me a lot - and there is always subbing again next year ... but I am willing to move and things often open up in July / August ... can you tell my head is spinning a little?
As for card buying - I almost bought more cards a couple times but my playgroup has been in a "no buying mode" and even though technically the funds are there, I have had to roll with the punches too many times to not want to hold off and just keep that money safe in case things don't pan out ... you just never know ... I think I will go buy the cards on my list if I get news like zandl's in the next few months ... theoretically, if I don't mess things up and drag my feet too long ... chances look very good ... can't decide if it is worth applying early without license up to date and in hand or not ... probably it is ... but the last time I was applying for teaching jobs I got no response whatsoever until my license was issued ... so ... the reluctance sets in ... because maybe it isn't ...
June 18, 2014 6:50 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #19
guessling: Thanks man. It's just gonna be a stressful few weeks, but I'll muddle through somehow.
Nice job on the employment front, zandl. Hope it goes well (things seem to in general when cash flow exists!).
Here's kind of an odd question for the room:
How many of us are 23-27 years of age and are clueless as to what we're supposed to do in life? Any of you older folks ever feel the same around that age? I'm 24 and I feel pretty non-directional at this point.
June 18, 2014 7:27 p.m.
I'm 24 and just now got my shit together. I was lucky to get this job so quickly (I applied on Monday).
June 18, 2014 7:43 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #21
I'm just gonna chill the summer away before corn detasseling and I move to college. Spend some graduation money on some cards, hopefully do well at FNMs... And of course, spend all my free time on the computer here.
Hell, JakeHarlow, I feel that way and I'm only 18. Though I guess I will have college to focus on and stress over...
June 18, 2014 7:51 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #22
That's awesome, dude. I really want to figure out a long-term gig. Been thinking about the Navy for after graduate school. Officer candidate school.
Good luck with the teaching gig though. There are some pretty awful teachers out there, so good ones are incredibly valuable. Hope it goes awesome for you.
June 18, 2014 7:51 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #23
I'm 28 and I just started my career. At 24 I had no idea what I wanted or where I was going I was just living day to day, week to week...pay cheque to pay cheque.
Don't worry too much about it. Little steps and achievable goals. Thats all we can do.
June 18, 2014 7:51 p.m.
I was the biggest slacker in college that I have even known. You just need get yourself organized and buy some nice clothes. Interviewers love nice clothes, a shaved face, and mouthwash-y breath.
June 18, 2014 7:57 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #26
So...no looking and smelling like hangover? Maybe that's why it took me so long to find a job...
June 18, 2014 8:23 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #27
Heh. I hear that. But when else in our lives are our livers able to accommodate such joviality?
June 18, 2014 8:51 p.m.
@ JakeHarlow: Wow it's like you read my mind! I was going to say something about the military. It seems like the perfect situation for those 8-15% of graduates now who are facing unemployment / underemployment, even from fields where getting a job was once considered "a given".
@ zandl: Wow - since Monday already! I had been toying with applying right away - right around then. I might go ahead and do that any day now ... maybe even tomorrow! I thought I should maybe at least "sleep on" my new Teaching Philosophy over night. I have turned in some applications with regrets before when I tried to go too fast ... If I hadn't decided to go ahead and update the portfolio and philosophy, I probably would have also applied on Monday. I don't know if I would have had your success, though ... the updates were sort of called for! It's been about a decade since I looked at the TP and when I threw my portfolio together last year, it was just the tip of the iceberg that is my giant portfolio sitting in my office.
June 18, 2014 10:10 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #29
Yeah, I have been thinking on it for some time. I've realized that the academy isn't where I belong, despite the fact that I've performed well here. I want a different sort of challenge and a constantly self-replicating goal to attack in life. That's what I'm missing and more and more I believe that is what a commission in the Navy could provide.
June 18, 2014 10:22 p.m.
Good luck! I decided that I would be up for supporting the country if we were ever attacked - otherwise I think the military would have a hell of a time breaking me and beating the teacher out of me - it's just there and who I am, no way around it. Eventually I will reach my goal, step by step. If it doesn't work out this year, I won't be played out and will try again next year or even half-semester.
I have thought about it, though. I guess I shouldn't go into all the details here on an MTG forum. I think there is a lot to consider, there. Lots of risk and opportunity. Frankly ... a little bit easier if you are a man ... which I am not ... if I am being totally honest - and I don't have any brothers or parents or husbands in the ranks above me to look out for me ... I'd be screwed, I think.
June 18, 2014 10:59 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #31
JakeHarlow, you are definitely making the "safe" decision. The commission route is one that I should have taken, but alas, I took the enlisted artillery man route with the army.
Either way man, best of luck. Military life ain't easy... And officers get stuck dealing with politics more than actually leading anything. That's probably why I stuck with being a non-com. Doing the groundwork and mentoring a younger generation to me is pretty damn fulfilling.
June 18, 2014 11:30 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #32
Yes, I expect you're right. I will do my best to impact the service positively...and I intend to lead with a clear and just conscience whenever I get the opportunity. I just want to do something that I feel matters in a concrete way. The life of a graduate student has not been fulfilling in the way I'd hoped for.
June 19, 2014 8:54 a.m.
I found graduate work and academia to be both more fulfilling and more challenging than I had expected. I got more out of it and had better experiences than I could have planned for; but I also hadn't budgetted enough time or money to take the time and make the sacrifices necessary to pull through and get the PhD. I came really close but wasn't set up for switching concentrations or taking an extra 2-5 years. It came down to something like a gambling table choice ... to risk my condo and car and savings and start over with a different concentration or school (with no guarantees) ... or just take what I had won at the table thus far and run with it.
In the end, it seems to come down to personality / fitting-in considerations for my career choice. I think I could "keep up" and make contributions on an intellectual level in Academia and found that part to be even more rewarding than I expected in a way ... however, it also became clear that my nature and personality fits that of a teacher and not an academic (or a long list of other roles). I think that is something I could change or adapt (ie taking up a trainer position in industry or something like that - or starting from scratch at the bottom in some other field to adapt my personality etc.) but it just seems to make more sense to go with what fits the easiest on a social / personality level. It seems to me that one possible side effect of widespread technology use is that the value of a human worker becomes so much more social networking oriented and so much less skills oriented.
I also think that I can do engineering work, but I can't talk the engineering talk. I think that this is something that I could change about myself, but am not convinced that such a change would be better than just doing what comes more natural to me if I am able to. When industry professionals look at my resume and see all the teaching credentials, it almost doesn't matter that I did interesting research and an internship in something non-teaching. I shall have to satisfy myself with growing crops of engineers instead of becoming one myself - something I have managed in the past and probably could manage in the future as well. I can plant and cultivate all kinds of .. ideas in their heads. Muah .. muahhaaha ... they will all become science / engineering geeks ...
Let's just say for the sake of argument that I would turn out to be a decisive military personality in crisis situations and an excellent leader for boosting morale and making tough decisions and being consciencious ... but if I don't "fit in", unless there really is an actual crisis such that actual performance and and action and problem solving trumps positioning and politics ... it's just not going to work out well.
So for you, maybe that military persona / culture is just more of a fit for you. There could be social networking factors as well. Such considerations would be different for everyone.
June 19, 2014 9:59 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #34
guessling: Very well-said and I can commiserate with you on every point. I've met some wonderful people in academia and it fits amazingly well with many smart and capable people. It's precisely as you pointed out, though--it's about personality. I've never felt it a good for me. It's not that academia wasn't challenging. Rather, it wasn't the sort of challenge I'm after. I'm looking to find what I'm after in the Navy. But does this mean I regret my time as a grad student? Not at all. I've learned some extremely important things here.
June 19, 2014 10:25 a.m.
Jesus, you're depressing.
Have some positivity once in awhile.
June 30, 2014 2:46 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #36
How very dramatic. Here's what you do.
Get a job. This solves the "no money" problem. Probably will alleviate your depression and boredom, too.
Relax about the SAT. Study. Practice. Take again. You will improve your performance if it's really that important to you. Not everybody needs to go to college right away, or at all. Going into the trades and earning right out of high school could be great for you.
Pick a freaking deck. Set a list in stone and resolve yourself to buy/acquire all of it. Once you've done that, any whims that make you want to change things or whatever will usually amount to singles, which you can trade for or buy via money you made in your job.
Quit adopting a defeatist attitude in life. When faced with a failure or challenge, take it like a man and try again, committing yourself to whatever course of action will ensure success. If you don't have the will to help yourself, all that's left to you is wallowing in self-pity--which is, among other things, undignified (yes, you'll also lose respect for yourself), and distasteful to those around you. Nobody wants to be around a downer.
Chin up.
June 30, 2014 3:28 a.m.
MindAblaze says... #37
It's true. Keep moving forward. Wallowing on your "pity pot" (as my dad would say) will only make it worse. It can be really hard depending on what's going on around you, but if it's really that bad three more things should be considered;
- Exercise increases endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people dont kill their husbands.
- Eat a well balanced diet. There is so much junk food out there and a good body of evidence (start here and here.) Take time to find more information, there are sources with both articles and these are obviously just quick overviews but the down and dirty of it is...you eat bad food, you feel bad. You eat good food, you feel good...eventually.
- Get some counseling. Depending on where you live it may be easier than other places, but JakeHarlows third point may be something that you can't do on your own. Life is a shitty, complicated thing at times, and having that kind of an outlook at 17 is indicative of other things, and tends to make things look hopeless which makes helping yourself even harder. Unless you're just trolling dramatically...then so be it.
Anyway...
June 30, 2014 11:44 a.m.
Also, SAT scores don't mean shit. You'll still be able to get into any public university with a decent application.
Get used to responsibility and don't blow off your first year of college or ditch (often). I blew off a ton of classes and work in my first year of college and I paid for it dearly. I'm 24 and I'm just now getting past all the crap that came from it.
Get into a university, do well, study, concentrate, have fun in moderation (not when you have a paper due; you won't be having fun otherwise), eat well, sleep well (when you can), make friends, go to class, and don't procrastinate on anything.
If you follow those rules, there's no way you shouldn't be able to graduate with a decent GPA in 4 years. ... Unless you're a music major and then it's a 5-year plan.
And, yes; I made all of those mistakes. Take it from me; life seems daunting when you're nearing the end of high school, but embrace the change and accept your responsibility.
Also, play Magic but limit yourself only to FNM and the occasional Saturday EDH games. Think of it as a reward to yourself for finishing the week.
June 30, 2014 11:50 a.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #39
Summer is going pretty well, I have an OK job at a technology/science/engineering-oriented summer camp. Pay is decent, I'm glad it's not cashiering at a retail store or bagging groceries. Heading back to college in the fall, here I come math classes!
I'm going to try to be more active on here during the school year and find a card shop near my school... Last I checked, the closest was a few miles away :S
Glad to hear many of you are doing well, and congratulations on the rapid employment zandl.
June 30, 2014 12:21 p.m.
Life struggles!
Bills are never ending it seems. But M15 makes me happy. Especially since Chord was spoiled so that makes buying a box all the more justifiable (Even though my wallet wont like it)
Just finished school in April for Power Engineering only to have to goto the Government regulating body (Alberta safety boiler association) and write their exam, Which is harder than the school taught lol. WEEEEU studying never ends it seems.
Ps. I wish we could play magic in space... Just throwing that out there.
June 30, 2014 12:30 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #42
@ Caligula Congrats, no shortage of jobs in AB for you. You go to NAIT?
June 30, 2014 12:40 p.m.
@MindAblaze! Yeah definitely no shortage, Tis why I got into Power Engineering, It'd actually be so hard for me not to find a job if I ever need one, Always a need for power engineers.
Yeah I went to NAIT.
You must know some people from here then (or visited :P)
June 30, 2014 12:49 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #44
I do. I had a few friends go to NAIT from my high school grad class. I also lived in the city for 9 years while I was a) finishing up at the U of A and b) seeing what one can accomplish in Alberta with a B.A. Turns out not very much, so I moved back home to the NWT. I had a good time though. I miss city life sometimes.
June 30, 2014 3:06 p.m.
MindAblaze! that's pretty cool man, Yeah the city can be choosy as to what kind of jobs it's offering lol, I was a cook for 6 years and got sick of the BS management and piss poor pay (Just due to management lol)
So power engineering is a much needed change and the City just keeps growing so there's plenty of work for me here.
Cool that you lived here though! It can be pretty nice at times. Alot has probably changed since you last were here then if it's been that long :P
NWT is nice though, But I can imagine it get's stupid cold (No wonder you got into magic =P)
June 30, 2014 3:11 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #46
I was actually just there on Saturday. I used to live about 5 minutes from the River Cree, and that neighbourhood exploded since I moved about 2 years ago. NWT isn't so bad, unless you hate -40 Januarys and swarms of horseflies and mosquitoes in the summer...block heaters and bug dope solve lots of problems though.
You've definitely got the right idea with Power Engineering, no shortage of jobs, especially if you don't mind shift work. It definitely supports the old magic habit...lol. Best of luck to you.
June 30, 2014 3:18 p.m.
That's pretty cool, You must visit here often then?
If you're ever around hit me up, We could do battle sometime (I live right beside West Edmonton Mall)
-40.. Yeah eff that S. I'm pissed when I look and it's -35 with the windchill here, haha all you can do really is put on your best black metal impression and pretend to be grim and ignore the cold.
Thank god for Mosquito bombing, Two years ago they were actually ridiculous here, Couldn't be outside for 5 minutes without getting bitten like 10 times. But ever since they've done some bug bombing it's been pretty decent.
June 30, 2014 3:42 p.m.
Gorgosaurusrex says... #48
Life is the best it's ever been for me. I'm 24, I just bought a house, I'm about to get engaged, I have a job I love (working in the IT department of a car care manufacturer - I get to work on computers AND check out Porsches/Ferraris/McLarens all day), and make decent money. I'm getting a BMW Z3 soon (after I'm 25 so the insurance won't kill me). Don't ask me how I got where I am without a degree, because it wasn't easy lol.
I've just finished my 2 EDH decks (Momir Vig, Simic Visionary and Kaalia of the Vast ), 2 Standard decks (red devotion and Grixis control) and am now working on getting into modern. Modern sure is expensive. Anyone have a playset of Cryptic Command that they would trade for a ride in a nice car?
Anyway, life is good. Glad to hear there are others on this forum that are doing well.
July 1, 2014 7:25 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #49
@ Caligula I think the population around here would be concerned about Mosquito bombing...there's already enough cancer here they don't need any more reasons to complain...whether the risk is real or not isn't even a question. Fear is all they need.
The next time I'm in Edmonton I'll be on the way to my honeymoon, but I'll keep that in mind.
July 2, 2014 12:42 p.m.
Hallowed_Titan says... #50
Seems for the most part everyone is doing alright. Many of you lead interesting lives(kudos to you guys!!). I pretty much just work(group home for people with developmental disabilities) and do my best to take care of my Wife(pregnant with our second child-a daughter) and my 3 yr old son. Not very exciting, but it's nice. I play magic when I can, Tappedout helps take the edge of the withdrawals from not playing more than once or twice a week. Other than that I enjoy playing video games on my 360 and getting out walking/hiking. I try not to stress about having a bit of debt/bills or my car needing serious repairs, usually it works out well for me although I am kept awake at night thinking sometimes... I think that's about it for me. : )
megawurmple says... #2
If you know this isn't the right place to be asking this, why are you asking this here? Epochalyptik will probably be here shortly to move this.
June 18, 2014 6:03 a.m.