same old stan

[Leo]

I stopped going to any classes about a year ago and now train on my own. As for music, I've been playing bass for 10 years and own 3 basses. None were crazy expensive. But I also write and record music, so there's equipment involved with that too. You need a computer powerful enough to run your software, you need the software itself, then you need studio monitors (speakers and headphones) for mixing and mastering, plus all the recording equipment like interfaces, cables and microphones. And then if you want it on streaming services you need to pay for distribution, or you have to pay for CDs. It's still cheaper than mountain biking by a long shot. I probably spend more on gas every month than I do on music on average. Mountain biking is so expensive I've nearly given up on it until I can afford it, because new parts can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. A brand new mid level bike goes for around $6000 which is just ridiculous so I've always done it a la carte which saves you money since you aren't paying for the labor of assembly and it gives you more control over the parts. Yeah my bike cost more than my car. At least I don't have to pay insurance on it though.

[Lil Lola]

A, classic "he'll become more conservative with age". The notion that conservatism is founded in maturity, the argument is old as time. Yet Bernie is what, 83? And he's only moved farther left over time. Cmon Lola you should know better.

I never said conservative. I said even out. You're all over the map. Like butterfly.

[Dmanwuzhere]

I'm not sure when you went to prison because I'm not sure how old you are but 13 dollars when I was a toddler went way further than $13 now. Sure minimum wage is ok for teens who just want a little bit of income to buy stuff or save for something but minimum wage for an adult does not go nearly as far. This could be wrong but the absolute lowest minimum wage I've searched up is $7.25. Usually most people work 8 to 10 hours. 8x7.25= $58
Some states apparently the minimum wage is $15 an hour. 15x8= $120. Now I'm assuming and I could be wrong that more states have their minimum wage at $15. If you worked every single day you would get $840 dollars but at least in Australia almost every employer gives their workers one day off per week to reduce burnout. Not sure if it is the same in America but that would leave you with a wage of $720 per week which is not much considering you will have very little once you pay for groceries, power, gas, water, mortgage or if you rent then just rent. That is not much. But sure technically you can live off it but barely. With a wage like that you won't ever be able to buy a house even if you buy just the essentials and no luxury or recreational things and save all the spare money you have.

Now I have no idea if your story is true because I can't verify myself but I'm going to assume it is truthful. In that case I admire your determination and courage to work hard and provide for your family.

My better half and other family play this game... kinda makes lying a nonissue

Goals... plans to meet those goals... the execution of plans determine your seriousness.
I just turned 53
I hear complaints about a 40 hr week, and I think you aren't serious.
If 1 job doesn't finance your goals, then you get 2.
I had a job at Southern Cast Stone where, 8-9 hours a day, I palletized cinder blocks
Then I clocked out, ate dinner, then clocked back in and spent 9 hours cleaning the 2 mixers with pneumatic chisels
They were huge you climbed inside and had walking room inside them lol
6 days a week
I slept all Sunday and never got to do more than have my sister deposit the check for me.
But I stacked that cheese.
No, I didn't live as Leo thinks one should, but I was never one paycheck from homelessness either..

I don't need to be flashy or show wealth I'm happy to have any old Chevy truck and a great family
I would never be considered to be living according to Leo
But then it saddens me that he will never know happiness with his current state of mind

I'm not sure where you thought I was complaining about a 40 hour work week. I would consider that fine. Because I study full time though I've never worked close to that many hours except on the holidays where in a previous retail job (at an Australian retail chain called Myer) I had I think I did just past 30 hours a week (maybe somewhere between 32 and 34) and because I was a casual worker got paid a few dollars more than the permanent workers which was nice. I only got that many hours though because it was December so almost christmas time. I don't think it's the norm though to work 9 hours, have a little break and then clock back in to do another 9 hours. Sure short term if you are in need of cash you can do that but I don't think it's healthy to do that long term.

The complaining was aimed at Leo with you as a maybe.
Healthy? In cases requiring stamina and strength, youth or 30s is the best time for that double-time work.
I can say I was in great shape due to the job.
But you will find if you're mentally okay with the job, you will be fine.
If you resent it and work it, eventually, it will wear you down.
There were 3 others at different times envious of my check amounts that tried it, but none of them could go more than 3 months before dropping out, even though with 2 of us, it only took 6 hours instead of 9.
They were beaten mentally, and it only took 2 weeks or so before they were griping, and the rest of the time was their mind telling them they should quit lol.
Leo will always hate work, and that resentment will make it hard for him to keep long-term jobs

[Dmanwuzhere]

A, classic "he'll become more conservative with age". The notion that conservatism is founded in maturity, the argument is old as time. Yet Bernie is what, 83? And he's only moved farther left over time. Cmon Lola you should know better.

You mean the Bernie that hated millionaires until he became one and now only hates billionaires... such a grifter
I mean... isn't a millionaire socialist an oxymoron?
I know he has the moron part down pat either way

[Lil Lola]

Awe Leo pick your battles better. That’s all I meant. Somethings are worth your time and somethings are horseshi*. You will see. You will also learn somethings are not reasons to sound an alarm over even though they tell you it is.

[Dmanwuzhere]

I gotta have a license to fish, and people like Leo can procreate unchecked?
Make it make sense

[Leo]

Ooh maybe we should make it so you need a license to have kids. Surely nothing could go wrong with that. Sounds like a black mirror episode.

[Lachlan]

there are exceptions to general rules Leo. An old saying I recall hearing went like this.

Anyone under 30 who isn't a liberal has no heart. Anyone over 30 who isn't a conservative has no brain.

Also Lachlan, martial arts and music are pretty expensive hobbies-at least to get into them. With martial arts, you typically need to pay for someone to teach you. Now, those prices can vary based on where you go and who you hire, so it could be affordable, but it's like saying a massage isn't expensive because you can find some back alley fellow to give you one for 5 bucks. You tend to get what you pay for. The big cost of music is buying the instrument. Now, once you've trained in the martial art, and no longer need instruction and can just practice at home, and you bought your instrument and all the training required to play it, then it's not bad. Just need to pay for maintenance on the instrument.

Also depends on what kind of instruments you buy. Some are more expensive then others, plus different brands and qualities.

I would say all the hobbies Leo listed are not the most expensive hobbies out there, but they certainly are not cheap ones by any measure. Depends on the quality he pays for.

Yeah okay, I assume you are right about the martial arts because I've never done martial arts before but knew a lot of people who did do martial arts and their families werem't rich or anything so I assumed it was relatively affordable.

Sure musical instruments can be expensive but you can get cheap instruments as well, especially if it is just a hobby

[Lil Lola]

I gotta have a license to fish, and people like Leo can procreate unchecked?
Make it make sense

I think a license to fish just helps with overfishing. I gotta get one too Dman. Plus Leo can get the snippetity-snip.

[Dmanwuzhere]

Ooh maybe we should make it so you need a license to have kids. Surely nothing could go wrong with that. Sounds like a black mirror episode.

Never heard of black mirror, and I'm not gonna Google it. It might infect me with liberlisimitis
Actually, it might keep unborn babies from being killed in such large numbers.
So tired of my body, my choice when they are past the point of making good choices.
I mean, it's not that hard: trojans sponge or whatever method you choose .... BEFORE,,, a child is conceived.