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deaddmwalking
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Post by deaddmwalking »

Prak wrote:This is sort of more of a "random, stupid question" but I don't think those really need their own thread. And this counts because I'm sure others will find it annoying-

What in D&DLand would fill a similar cultural niche to chinese food? By which I mean, the weird fusion thing we eat in America that was created by asian railworkers trying to recreate their native cuisine with things they could find here in America, and is now a common cheap food eaten by twenty somethings and college students precisely because it's cheap and served family style by default.
That is by no means exclusive to Chinese food. I remember discussing with a food historian whether English cook books that provided Indian recipes and suggested using apples in place of mangoes represented cultural appropriation. But if you find an interesting dish but don't have all the ingredients, you substitute.

If it works, the substitute may become more popular than the original, especially if the supply remains scarce.

Compare with Confederate soldiers using 'chickory' in place of coffee. If coffee isn't available, people decided that was close enough. But it wasn't as good, so as soon as real coffee was available again, it gets dropped.

So effectively, assuming that you know what foods are available regionally, you can determine what substitutions would be required in another region.
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Prak
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Post by Prak »

Grek wrote:Goblin food.
That's kind of what I was thinking, yeah.
deaddmwalking wrote:
Prak wrote:This is sort of more of a "random, stupid question" but I don't think those really need their own thread. And this counts because I'm sure others will find it annoying-

What in D&DLand would fill a similar cultural niche to chinese food? By which I mean, the weird fusion thing we eat in America that was created by asian railworkers trying to recreate their native cuisine with things they could find here in America, and is now a common cheap food eaten by twenty somethings and college students precisely because it's cheap and served family style by default.
That is by no means exclusive to Chinese food. I remember discussing with a food historian whether English cook books that provided Indian recipes and suggested using apples in place of mangoes represented cultural appropriation. But if you find an interesting dish but don't have all the ingredients, you substitute.

If it works, the substitute may become more popular than the original, especially if the supply remains scarce.

Compare with Confederate soldiers using 'chickory' in place of coffee. If coffee isn't available, people decided that was close enough. But it wasn't as good, so as soon as real coffee was available again, it gets dropped.

So effectively, assuming that you know what foods are available regionally, you can determine what substitutions would be required in another region.
True, it's not exclusive to chinese food, but it's the main example in the US, where I live. Indian food fills pretty much the same cultural role in Britain, and I'm sure there are more such cuisines.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
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Post by OgreBattle »

Where's the cheapest place to live in America
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deaddmwalking
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Post by deaddmwalking »

You might try this article.

1. Harlingen, Texas
2. McAllen, Texas
3. Norman, Okla.
4. Memphis, Tenn.
5. Fayetteville, Ark.
6. Wichita Falls, Texas
7. Pueblo, Colo.
8. Springfield, Ill.
9. Conway, Ark.
10. Idaho Falls, Idaho

This is based on 380 Metro areas, so is a list of cities; you could potentially find less expensive places elsewhere. On the other hand, jobs are usually of lower quality, so you'd probably have a much lower income if you plan on working.
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Post by Eikre »

If your assessment is based on the average wage minus cost of living, then the answer is Houston.
This signature is here just so you don't otherwise mistake the last sentence of my post for one.
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Post by Grek »

Don't move to Houston, Houston is ass.
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Post by Shatner »

I mean, the weather is pretty nasty, the bugs are of epic proportions (and pretty ubiquitous), and heavy humidity combined with summer-like heat for 7+ months a year does not make it a particularly nice place to live, even in Texas.

However, you're going to be staying indoors all the damn time anyway and there are only 4 real places to live in the entire gigantic state (Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio plus the plethora of satellite communities around said cities). At least in one of those 4 places you'll have good food, culture, and entertainment to spend your increased amount of disposable income on.

I've lived in Texas my whole life. I wouldn't choose to live in Houston but I make enough I get to be pickier. But if I were to do it on a budget, Houston would probably be the best option. I mean, the alternative are scattered towns like Marble Falls; some of them have their charm but you'll be at least an hour from anywhere worth being, the economy is sluggish, and the local politics are staggeringly retrograde.
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Post by erik »

Indianapolis isn't terrible for cost of living vs. jobs. Of that list of 10 cities, Pueblo, CO sounded interesting. I was in Denver a few months ago briefly and was thinking living on mountains is nice.

Problem with a lot of the cheap cost of living places is that their local economies are weak. That's why I give the nod to Indy.
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Post by Prak »

How the fuck do I actually find "Affordable Housing"/Section 8/whatever?

I'm 30, so while I agree with my parents that I should move out, because as much as they feel like offspring who happens to be walking sin by their closeminded religion is too much of a burden even when said walking sin barely fucking eats their food anymore, actually BEING said walking sin in that fucking house IS an actual burden, 14-25 hours a week delivering pizzas for minimum wage is not going to get me... anything. I think I'm even too broke for fucking refrigerator boxes in alleys.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
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FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
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Post by deaddmwalking »

Your parents are probably more worried that you lack direction than that you are living with them (albeit the two are related). I don’t know where you live or what opportunities are available, but you might want to look for entry level positions with large companies (that offer advancement opporunities). If you're working toward financial security, they might be cool with giving you more time. Alternatively, you might see if they'll let you obtain a degree while staying with them. That might open more doors for you down the road.

I don’t know your parents, but I am one. Your parents probably want you to be happy and they don’t think you are. Being successful (having extra money) seems like a way to advance your happiness. Maybe move you toward settling down and raising a family. Parents in their 50s and 60s may want grandkids while they're well enough to enjoy them.
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Post by Prak »

My parents are catholic conservatives. I'm a genderqueer satanist with two AAs. In fact, I might actually have more education than my father.

My millennial existential despair and apathy aside, my lack of direction is not what they have a real problem with. What they have a problem with is my identity, because they want me to be a perfect young catholic man, with short hair, an aggressively cishet gender identity, and maybe not necessarily, but I'm sure they wouldn't object to, a daily wardrobe of buttonups and slacks.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
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Post by OgreBattle »

Become an English teacher in China
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Post by Maxus »

Prak wrote: 14-25 hours a week delivering pizzas for minimum wage is not going to get me... anything. I think I'm even too broke for fucking refrigerator boxes in alleys.
Well, if I recall, you're in California, right?

Housing is a good deal less affordable there.
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Post by Chamomile »

OgreBattle wrote:Become an English teacher in China
How does that work? I've heard that basically anyone who speaks English can get a job teaching English in China, but, like, where do you apply? Currently I drive for Uber, and that's a job which Uber is actively trying to get rid of, so I'd feel a little better knowing that there was a backup plan waiting for me if I don't get a more stable job before Uber invents robot cars.
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Post by Count Arioch the 28th »

Do you know any people you can stand for periods of time? You might need roommates.
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Post by Prak »

Count Arioch the 28th wrote:Do you know any people you can stand for periods of time? You might need roommates.
The main problem is that the people I can stand for long periods of time don't need roommates.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
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Post by phlapjackage »

Chamomile wrote:How does that work? I've heard that basically anyone who speaks English can get a job teaching English in China, but, like, where do you apply?
There are a ton of companies that are looking for English teachers here in China..but I'm not sure of where to apply, most of it is word-of-mouth or Wechat groups. If you're genuinely interested, let me know and I can help (Beijing or Shanghai).

A few caveats:
1. You don't need a teaching degree, but that limits the teaching jobs you can get; basically the less "qualified" you are, the more sketch the job can be (lower pay, fake visa, treated not so well, etc)
2. One of the best qualifications is being white. This can tend to also increase the sketch factor if it's one of your only qualifications.
3. China is starting to crack down on just allowing anyone in, it's not quite the free-for-all it supposedly was years ago. If you want to come to China to teach, do it sooner rather than later...
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Count Arioch the 28th
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Post by Count Arioch the 28th »

Prak wrote:
Count Arioch the 28th wrote:Do you know any people you can stand for periods of time? You might need roommates.
The main problem is that the people I can stand for long periods of time don't need roommates.
Yeah, I've been there before.
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Post by Eikre »

the real question is if you know anybody who can stand you for periods of time

*sets up basketball hoop directly over ur head*
*dunks it*
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Prak
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Post by Prak »

That is the other problem, yes.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
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Post by ...You Lost Me »

Eikre wrote:the real question is if you know anybody who can stand you for periods of time

*sets up basketball hoop directly over ur head*
*dunks it*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmaWsFdbYx0
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erik
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Post by erik »

Any advice from people on serving on a jury? I'm serving tomorrow not too proud to think I know everything.
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Post by Pixels »

You don't need to know anything about the legal system up front. Court staff will explain anything you need to know. They may provide hot drinks and snacks, but if you might be there for a full day (rather than a half day) I'd pack a lunch.
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Post by Kaelik »

erik wrote:Any advice from people on serving on a jury? I'm serving tomorrow not too proud to think I know everything.
Probably just trust your instincts and be aware that people in juries are usually talked around to agreeing things they wouldn't normally agree with, so be the one that talks everyone else around instead of the other one.
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The U.S. isn't a democracy and if you think it is, you are a rube.

That's libertarians for you - anarchists who want police protection from their slaves.
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Prak
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Post by Prak »

OK, let's say that some US president in the near future got a hair up their arse about peak oil, and wanted to change the country over to electric vehicles.

And let's further dream that they are able to sell conservative politicians on this by calling it a matter of national defense (reduce dependency on a resource that is produced cheaply by foreign nations), the middle class (save people a bunch of money on gas), and jobs (we'll need a lot more charging stations), and manages to get stuff conservatives to approve using 2% of the DoD budget to fund a trade in voucher program.

Assuming that politics don't get in the way, how feasible is this? I looked at some quick back of the envelope numbers last night and figured that a $20k voucher for every registered vehicle in the US would amount to something like $5.1 billion, which is about 1% of the 2016 DoD budget. This was based on my incorrect estimate of $20k as the average cost of a pev. Average is probably more like $35-40k, but we also don't necessarily need to give everyone a voucher for a fully electric BMW... And making the vouchers small enough that all but the cheapest pevs will still cost consumers $5k or more would likely help get automakers on board.
Cuz apparently I gotta break this down for you dense motherfuckers- I'm trans feminine nonbinary. My pronouns are they/them.
Winnah wrote:No, No. 'Prak' is actually a Thri Kreen impersonating a human and roleplaying himself as a D&D character. All hail our hidden insect overlords.
FrankTrollman wrote:In Soviet Russia, cosmic horror is the default state.

You should gain sanity for finding out that the problems of a region are because there are fucking monsters there.
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