Skaliq's Journal

[Guest]

Day 33:  Digital Life

Going paperless meant erasing the last remnant of analog from my life. For the most part, it's beneficial. My once-haphazard pile of notebooks are all neatly organized in Evernote and indexed with its OCR technology. There's less clutter in the room. Everything else in my life is also digitalized - books, journaling, scheduling, news, etc. - and indexed in Evernote, if necessary. My school is very progressive at adopting technology to the classroom, so homework and classes are 100% digital. Except for the daily workout, all of my hobbies are digital, too. Digital painting. Programming. Watching anime. 

The point is that as a relatively early-adopting individual who takes obsessive care of my mac, I spend almost the entire day in front of a screen. From dawn till dusk, a workout session and three meals are the only exceptions.

Is it a good thing, as someone who still intermittently gets cravings, to be so connected to devices that can run (albeit shitty mac) games? Should I go outside more? (That's the thing, too. Since I workout at a gym, I almost never stay outdoors.) It's worth the consideration, I think, though I probably won't change my lifestyle. 

[Mettermrck]

There is something to be said for being outdoors and being exposed to natural sunlight. I've heard it's good to fight depression.

[Guest]

Day 34:  "Just a bit longer." 

It's days like today when I'm physically not feeling too well, just overall a bit lethargic, when I get cravings.  And I really seriously started considered gaming again, but the thought of "let's just wait till 60 days" made me stop. That badge on r/StopGaming really is just a number on an online forum, but the eagerness to reach 60 really is enough. Whenever I try to decide grand things like what to do after 90 days, my thoughts lean towards gaming. That's why I decided not to worry about that for now. I'll first reach 60 days, then think about it again. But on day 60, I'll delegate the decision of whether I should game in moderation or not to myself 30 days in the future. Then, at 90 days, delay the hard thinking again. And again. And again. In an infinite loop and eventually, I'll have quit for so long. At least, that's what I think I'll do. 

[Mettermrck]

Yeah it's best not to decide until the detox is completed. When you get there, think about any positive changes you've experienced in your life and whether these would vanish if you went back to gaming.

Edited August 22, 2017 by Mettermrck

[HappyCat]

There's a common technique of quiiting. "I just skipping this one time" every time instead of "I am quitting".

[Tom2]

다른 뭔가에 빠지면 확실히 더 참기 쉬운 것 같아요 ^^

[BigPete247]

Day 34:  "Just a bit longer." 

It's days like today when I'm physically not feeling too well, just overall a bit lethargic, when I get cravings.  And I really seriously started considered gaming again, but the thought of "let's just wait till 60 days" made me stop. That badge on r/StopGaming really is just a number on an online forum, but the eagerness to reach 60 really is enough. Whenever I try to decide grand things like what to do after 90 days, my thoughts lean towards gaming. That's why I decided not to worry about that for now. I'll first reach 60 days, then think about it again. But on day 60, I'll delegate the decision of whether I should game in moderation or not to myself 30 days in the future. Then, at 90 days, delay the hard thinking again. And again. And again. In an infinite loop and eventually, I'll have quit for so long. At least, that's what I think I'll do. 

Yeah it's best not to decide until the detox is completed. When you get there, think about any positive changes you've experienced in your life and whether these would vanish if you went back to gaming.

*sigh* I guess i was a little too harsh on myself when i meant what i said about quitting gaming, you guys are right, it really depends on how far your life has progressed during the 90 days vs. just beating the calendar, think it might be better if we actually sit down and really think about this after the detox rather than going on a whim.

[Guest]

Day 35:  Just Dreaming

All this college research is making me think more about how I might live after high school and college. Ofc during (at least the first year of) college, the budget and sharing houses take priority. But when I do become independent, I want to live small - very small - and in an urban area since I hate having any extra space. That's the only affordable option anyway. Preferably somewhere with a vibrant tech industry for careers. 

I'm already quite minimalistic, as I owned 125 objects the last time I counted, and I think I may cut down even further. Lean closet, fully digital and what not. My intention is always is to spend infrequently but to invest in quality then use it to death. My family members are on the opposite end of the spectrum and I hate my guts to look at all the clutter. Being minimalistic helps with the budget, too. 

I'll have to learn how to cook, too. I did learn a few Chinese dishes but honestly, they're the opposite of healthy. (The Chinese fry everything, even vegetables for soup.) I approach my fitness in a very realistic way, where I don't follow a rigid routine or anything. I work out 5 to 6 days a week, 3 of which are weight training. I try to use as little machine as possible. I just work out to an extent where my body feels good. The point of this rant is that I think the same with cooking. I don't see the benefit of counting calories or macros as long as the meals make me feel healthy. 

Then there are more aspects of finance to worry about, from a more comprehensive budgeting to short-term and long-term investing, then eventually real estate and ticket items. 

A whole lot of life skills too, stupid little things that would come with living on your own.  My experience with living on my own (not on a camp of sorts) is less than a month, but it did teach me how deceptively time-consuming cooking, cleaning, and laundry can be. Self-control seems to be harder without parents, too. 

/end rant

Edited August 23, 2017 by Guest

[Mettermrck]

I think you have a good minimalist approach. I've never counted everything that I own but I try to digitize as much as I can too.

[BigPete247]

It's alright, Skaliq, my grandmother was like that too. You're awesome for taking initiative in your life.

[HappyCat]

"but it did teach me how deceptively time-consuming cooking, cleaning, and laundry can be."

Do you mean it actually takes too little time?

[Guest]

@Mettermrck Counting all your stuff is an excellent exercise! You almost certainly own more things than you think, and this exercise makes you realize that. Related Zen Habits post.

@PigPete In which areas of life? I'm curious. 

@HappyCat They take longer and are more tiring than I imagined. Part of it is inexperience, however. 

Day 36: This Physics Experiment Thing

Yesterday, I binged Youtube and stayed up till midnight. Oops. 

Other than being slogged all day from sleep deprivation, I worked all afternoon on a design experiment I'm conducting for high-level physics. So there is this device called tachometer that I'm using for analyzing rotational motion, but this device has stringent limitations and doesn't work if anything goes wrong. So I fix that. And then, the rotating object (a diabolo of sorts) won't stay still, and measurements are impossible. Okay, so I decided to change my research question a bit and work with pinwheels instead. It takes two hours to figure out how to make a pinwheel that spins steadily, but I manage to do so and make ONE measurement after the entire day. 

The reality is that design experiments are a lot messier and more complicated than reading about experiments from a book. There are a thousand "IRL" problems that textbooks omit for simplicity's sake. 

Edited August 24, 2017 by Guest

[HappyCat]

If my memory serves me, Richard Feymann wrote about such things in his autobiographic book. Unfortunately. I can't find it's original title atm.

[BigPete247]

@Mettermrck Counting all your stuff is an excellent exercise! You almost certainly own more things than you think, and this exercise makes you realize that. Related Zen Habits post.

@PigPete In which areas of life? I'm curious. 

@HappyCat They take longer and are more tiring than I imagined. Part of it is inexperience, however. 

Day 36: This Physics Experiment Thing

Yesterday, I binged Youtube and stayed up till midnight. Oops. 

Other than being slogged all day from sleep deprivation, I worked all afternoon on a design experiment I'm conducting for high-level physics. So there is this device called tachometer that I'm using for analyzing rotational motion, but this device has stringent limitations and doesn't work if anything goes wrong. So I fix that. And then, the rotating object (a diabolo of sorts) won't stay still, and measurements are impossible. Okay, so I decided to change my research question a bit and work with pinwheels instead. It takes two hours to figure out how to make a pinwheel that spins steadily, but I manage to do so and make ONE measurement after the entire day.

@Mettermrck I was thinking the same thing

@Skaliq  Saving all the Moola, plus we only did Kinematics and the laws of thermodynamics, i wish i could've learned more.

@HappyCat True

[Guest]

@HappyCat If you're talking about "You must be kidding, Mr. Feynmann!", I've recently started reading it. Great book, love his writing style. 

Day 37: College Admissions

Today, the school arranged a "senior retreat" day during which we worked on the nuts and bolts of college admissions. Getting letters of recommendations ready, writing some forms, preparing essays and lists of activities, etc. 

My biggest dilemma is to whether aim for good private universities that are pretty darn expensive, or lower ranked public universities that are way cheaper. Of course, in the highest end of all universities, I would be able to attend state-of-the-art government-funded research institutions with an excellent reputation for almost free(!!!), but they're some of the hardest universities to be accepted to in Korea. 

[Mettermrck]

If I could do it over again, I'd pick a cheaper public university. Unless you're going into a specialist field, I found the public university to be just as good as the private school and more diverse too.

[BigPete247]

@HappyCat If you're talking about "You must be kidding, Mr. Feynmann!", I've recently started reading it. Great book, love his writing style. 

Day 37: College Admissions

Today, the school arranged a "senior retreat" day during which we worked on the nuts and bolts of college admissions. Getting letters of recommendations ready, writing some forms, preparing essays and lists of activities, etc. 

My biggest dilemma is to whether aim for good private universities that are pretty darn expensive, or lower ranked public universities that are way cheaper. Of course, in the highest end of all universities, I would be able to attend state-of-the-art government-funded research institutions with an excellent reputation for almost free(!!!), but they're some of the hardest universities to be accepted to in Korea. 

Here's what i learned, if you are going public, you will occasionally run into new teachers that are hired quick to fill in. So i would suggest using Rate my Professor. If you are going private, please be prepared to save money as you will have to pay for things your school ID won't grant you access to. It's a tedious post but it helps man, trust me.

If I could do it over again, I'd pick a cheaper public university. Unless you're going into a specialist field, I found the public university to be just as good as the private school and more diverse too.

Agree with you @Mettermrck, if only i didn't mess up my GPA

[Vlad]

@HappyCat If you're talking about "You must be kidding, Mr. Feynmann!", I've recently started reading it. Great book, love his writing style. 

Day 37: College Admissions

Today, the school arranged a "senior retreat" day during which we worked on the nuts and bolts of college admissions. Getting letters of recommendations ready, writing some forms, preparing essays and lists of activities, etc. 

My biggest dilemma is to whether aim for good private universities that are pretty darn expensive, or lower ranked public universities that are way cheaper. Of course, in the highest end of all universities, I would be able to attend state-of-the-art government-funded research institutions with an excellent reputation for almost free(!!!), but they're some of the hardest universities to be accepted to in Korea. 

I would mostly consider the exit opps and how fun the college is. If the career prospects are not very different then pick the fun one.)

[Guest]

Thanks for all the advice guys! Somewhat anticlimactically, I realized after running all the numbers that public is the only affordable option if I decide to study abroad in Hong Kong or NA, probably Canada. Back in homeland Korea, there are more options, as international students always pay a premium fee. 

Day 38: Let's just pretend that I skipped this day on purpose. 

Day 39:  A stop gaming haiku because why the hell not

The cake is a lie,

the realization that can

save the last of us. 

+ Because this entry is short why not feature my favorite haiku (please somebody get this)

Crab, snail, monkey, snake

Pimping with my dope harem,

Arararagi. 

Edited August 27, 2017 by Guest

[HappyCat]

Hm. Was day 38 a cake-expecting day?

[Vlad]

You shouldn't pimp your harem . It's supposed to be for personal use.

[iamthemithras]

That's the best haiku i've ever read. You should copyright it or something.

[Guest]

@ Vlad Arararararagi is the most well-written harem protagonist I've ever seen, heck he chooses a girl straight away so it's technically not a harem? So he really has his one girlfriend for "personal use." 

@iamthemithras Can't tell whether your comment is sarcasm. Here's a smiley face either way

Day 40: On Nutrition

Frankly, I've been quite unproductive the last few days, with Rescuetime productivity score dipping down to the 20s. But that's not today's topic, for I've dealt with this issue in many entries. 

Today, I tried to really control my nutrition for the first time. I had three meals composed of lean meat, eggs, green plants and sweet potatoes. While I liked it, and such a diet plan would surely help achieve my fitness goals, it made me realize just how unhealthy I've been eating so far. Eating out frequently? Check. High, unhealthy carbs? Check. Fried Chinese cuisine? Check. Deep fried snacks? Check. 

Ehh. Every change takes time and I'm sure I'll get used to eating healthy in a while. 

Edited August 28, 2017 by Guest

[BigPete247]

What was that about Chinese food, Skaliq? Go ahead and order me a plate to go. XD. But seriously, its good to take care of your body and fill it with pure foods (that are cooked all the way) and occasionally fruits and vegetables, mainly processed beans.

[Vlad]

Great job on nutrion! Good food really makes you feel and perform better, no sugar crashes and stuff.