u/LCTx

Serious question. I’ve suffered SpeedX, UniUni, and soon to experience GoFo. Sadly, I buy things unavailable except from Asia.

People say, “don’t buy from companies that use XXX.” - But most (not all) of the companies I buy from never say who their primary shipper is, and never who the Last Mile delivery company is.

So what to do? Only buy from Walmart & Amazon? The only way to do that for me in this situation is just stop buying.

I just worked an archive puzzle and really enjoyed it. Lots of clever but not evil clues and refreshing out of the ordinary answers. Specifically, the constructor was Brian Thomas.
Do folks have their favorite constructors? Do constructors appear enough for it to matter?

I have compiled a small list of pens I have seen carpenters use to mark joinery instead of using a traditional carved bamboo sumisashi. I just thought I’d share. I’d be interested in hearing what other pens the folks here use. 

Sakura Micron 03

Pilot Acroball 05

Zebra McKee?/Macky? Extra Fine permanent

Pilot Frixion (erasable)

Who is your current fav proxy service?

Buyee, ZenMarket, Sendico, Doorzo, ???? (And why?)

I got my package after leaving front gate unlocked and waiting all day.

It arrived at 11:38pm!!!

….after giving up at 10pm, locking the gate, and going to bed.

I checked tracking at 5am

at least there was a bush to hide it under.

im surprised the homeless folks didn’t see driver stashing it there.

also, I gave up at 10p after trying to get an answer from their bot as to how late they might deliver.

total waste of time.

i added a delivery note for the next day I thought that gate would be unlocked, and status notification on tracking page threw a red “Issue reported” message.

anyhow. I got it. heads up, they might deliver late. almost midnight!!

(Layperson- Not an ME)

I‘ve been watching (with great interest) the news about the new highway bridge in Pittsburgh being slid into place after being constructed adjacent to it.

I’m curious about how the new bridge interfaces with the existing roadway. I read it will be lowered onto some type of connectors?

Does anyone here have any sort of insight into the specifics? Is it a simple rod and hole and gravity? Or threaded rods/nuts? Would there be alignment grooves and ridges designed in?

Just curious.

I read it weighs 11,000 tons.

(Layperson- Not an ME)

I‘ve been watching (with great interest) the news about the new highway bridge in Pittsburgh being slid into place after being constructed adjacent to it.

I’m curious about how the new bridge interfaces with the existing roadway. I read it will be lowered onto some type of connectors?

Does anyone here have any sort of insight into the specifics? Is it a simple rod and hole and gravity? Or threaded rods/nuts? Would there be alignment grooves and ridges designed in?

Just curious.

I read it weighs 11,000 tons.

I completed it. I just don’t understand the “clever” clues and answers.

So, mostly good news. I am in a major urban area in the US with a major airport.

I had read UniUni was doing all ECMS US deliveries now . NOT TRUE! Just know:

ECMS Package Delivery by FedEx (US)

Of course, I missed first attempt because I didn’t know it was coming and didn’t unlock gate. ECMS tracking only said it had left Tokyo. It did have a new “Delivery Number”. No carrier ID’ed. I’ll get it tomorrow.

I’d have to figure out the timeline to say how long.

No real heads up from FedEx. ECMS Tracking def behind.

And it’s a big package: 40lbs

So other than the disappointment of missing today’s attempt, I’m mostly pleased.

What a fitting, great prize at KezuroukaiMiki! A chisel set with a chisel by 13 of the notable region blacksmiths!

( posted on IG by the Kez org )

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZm1FlCoiCF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

KezuroukaiMiki2026 countdown is underway and I’m seeing lots of attention and activity on SM - more than previous years. I’m seeing lots of first times who have been practicing and lots of pros really getting serious. One daiku I follow has shrink wrapped his kanna arsenal to help mitigate dai changes. And seeing lots of 3 micron pulls. Of course SM is curated lies but I still it’s going to be a great Kezuroukai. I will only be able to watch vicariously, but hope some folks here are able to go! 

So I had an interesting revelation the other day concerning my fatigue and PEM. 

I was thinking, “What is fatigue? Why do I need to lay down? What does lying down mitigate? Why does even sitting upright cause fatigue?”

This is what I came up with:

When I over-exert, I get “Gumby” arms and legs. My muscle control loses clarity, precision and strength. We know there is solid evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction that contributes to/causes this. 

And I realized that the same muscle malfunctions in my arms and legs must exist throughout my body - head, neck, chest, torso, abdomen, and core. And except for perfectly centered zazen meditation posture, sitting does require muscle exertion to hold things up and erect. 

So laying down allows all the muscles throughout my body to relax.

This was very useful to me to understand and has helped alleviate some of my frustration (and anxiety about possible comorbid issues)

Thoughts?

PS Thanks to this group and everyone on it 🙏

70yo male, fit car-free cyclist/bicycle commuter before LC. Now 3 years LC. Primary issues: fatigue, PEM, along w others.