u/Unique-Ferret-612

I'm new to playing synthesizers. My favorite genres are 90s and 2000s eurodance, deep house, techno, and trance. From what I have heard the Minifreak would have the most options, but I don't know if it would be overwhelming for a beginner. I worry if I would stick with it, and if I should start with a cheap midi controller like the Minilab3. However, I also wonder if I'll regret not going all out and going with the Minifreak at the same time?

I'm going to just be playing in my room for fun, so I don't need anything super extra for concert use. I have seen youtubers cover songs with a midi keyboard like the Minilab 3. I don't know if having less keys will make a difference. I also wonder if with the minifreak I may end up laying more since it doesn't need to be plugged into a computer like midi controllers.

Which of these 3 would you suggest based on my musical interests? What is best for a beginner between the 3?

I'm looking for a date night cologne. I'm torn between these 4. Which one would you all recommend of the 4? Specifically for the fall and winter season coming up. I'm leaning towards Spicebomb Extreme and Valentino Intense, but I don't know if they are redundant? I've heard a lot about Coral Fantasy, but I don't know if the apple note is good enough for a blind buy fragrance?

I'm looking for lodging for a group of 2 for 2 days. I found an Airbnb for 225 for 2 nights and an extended stay hotel for 120 a night. Most of the airbnbs in my area were expensive at around 180 to 300 a night. This one lowered the lost for the second night and was 170 a night.

I'm looking to cook. The hotel doesn't have an oven. Since I'll only be there for 2 days, I might can get by without using the oven. The hotel seems like there would be less random fees, policies, or other things to worry about. I've never used an Airbnb before, so I don't know what to expect?

The one I was looking at was a triplex. I asked the owner if it would be private and just us. He said that each unit in the triplex is separate, so I wouldn't be sharing indoor spaces. To me that sounds like there still would be other guests in the 3 bedroom house. I'm looking for a place with more privacy. To me this sounds like a 3 bedroom house, where they have 3 bedrooms that they are using airbnb for, so wouldn't that be less privacy than a hotel at that point?

Which would you recommend?

I have had the Parker Badger shave brush for 6 years and Edwin Jagger DE89 safety razor for 4 years. Are safety razors good to keep for life as long as the threads and everything are good? For the brush I have had some strands come loose, but other than that it still lathers good. I thought of upgrading to a better quality or butterfly razor for more simplicity. Idk if it's worth the cost, or to keep what I have?

How often do you all update razors or brushes, or do you just keep 1 for life and leave it at that?

I've been working in a variety of tech roles for 6 years from help desk, system admin, to cloud migrations now. I have multiple certifications in Azure, GCP, CCNA, and Comptia. My current role has had multiple layoffs, so I've been looking at where to go next in my career.

I've had one friend say to stay in cloud administration, devops, or to progress to SRE roles because a lot of my certs and what I have learned is similar to those paths. That it would be too long to start over and too hard to learn. He said that it may be too hard to get an interview with all of the candidates that I would be competing with.

However, I have had another friend say to switch to data analytics. He was saying to switch because the data analytics is not as stressful as SRE roles, the interviews may be easier, and there's no on call shifts. I have used power bi and sql in some roles briefly. I just have not had a full fledged business or data analytics role. I would have to take a slight pay cut. Some SRE roles require you to know multiple cloud systems, scripting languages, Terraform, Kubernetes, Grafana, Prometheus, Azure monitor, it gets overwhelming and unpredictable what interviewers will ask about.

Do you think I should stick with devops/SRE roles or switch to data analytics? Does it make sense to switch and is the business or analytics field even easier than devops roles?

I've been using the KJV. I'm looking for a version that's more readable than the KJV, but I don't want it to be so general that it comes out like the NIV. The NKJV I'm not sure if there's much difference between that version and the KJV, but at the same time it still holds the word for word like translation. The CSB I liked and it was the most readable and felt more like a book; however, I'm worried if it will be too far from the working? NASB, it seemed like the wordings were longer, and a lot of verses started out with 'and.' I have heard some say that it is more literal than even the KJV. The ESV was going to be my choice, but then I heard that it has a Calvinist focus. Some verses sound good and others aren't as readable as the NKJV or CSB.

Which of these versions do you like best for readability while still being fairly literal and not overly general?

I'm currently making $103k in a fully remote job while living with family in Georgia. I don't pay rent or most household expenses and have no commute. I have an offer for a $130k hybrid job in Birmingham, but I'd have to move four hours away, pay higher rent and living expenses, and commute three days a week. After taxes and expenses, I'd save about the same or roughly $6k less than I do now. The job is with a manufacturing company spinning off from its parent company, so I'm concerned about potential layoffs or instability. They say the position is due to growth, but I'm unsure how much I can trust that. My current company has also had layoffs in recent years, but I've been there three years, know the job and workload, and could stay with family if I were laid off while taking my time to find another position.

There's also a relationship factor. The woman I'm dating lives about an hour from Birmingham and has talked about us living together. She doesn't currently work and doesn't plan to, so I'd potentially become the sole income source and add her to my insurance. Do you think that is a potential red flag situation? Would it be better to stay with family? Since they are getting older, I may not get to see them much if I move. I could end up regretting leaving working remote or enjoying life with family.

I'm worried I might be making this decision out of fear of missing out on $130k rather than because it's actually the better life choice. Moving could provide better dating/social opportunities and career growth, but I'd be giving up living near aging family, remote work, financial flexibility, and a lifestyle I'm comfortable with. I could also look for opportunities in Atlanta, Charlotte, or other cities instead. Would you take the Birmingham job, stay remote, or keep looking? How much should lifestyle, family, and a relationship factor into a decision like this?

I've been trying to learn Russian for a few years now and I go back and forth between options.

I started with books, which I went back to because it's the most thorough and I'm not learning some random words. The only negative, is often I don't go beyond a certain chapter. If I get busy with work, I'll go back and restart the first 6 chapters or so and never go beyond that. I've been using Penguin Russian, so idk if I just need to try a different book because that one can be pretty dense.

I have another book Tochka Ru. This reminds me of Elementary books that I learned English with growing up and it feels way easier and simpler than the American Russian books I've used like Colloquial Russian or Penguin. However, since it's in Russian I haven't gone past the first chapter.

With flashcards, I thought of trying it but I feel like by the end of it I would have so many flashcards that I wouldn't have anywhere to put them. I tried Anki flash cards but the learning curve can be intense.

Youtube videos feel like a random luck of finding videos that teach you random words, to random livestreams, or people that just seem like they're using generic lessons to link to their own Russian courses. I've found the livestreams were most helpful. However, after a while I would forget the words. Listening to a lot of random words all at once with no context can feel like overload too. I do like that it has a focus on words instead of getting thrown into the deep with grammar lessons like books do.

Apps I used when I was younger. I stopped because most people I saw that used apps would pull it up to get their daily streak. I would only see them use it for like 10 to 15 minutes. Whereas, when I was studying Russian, I would have to repeat the same word over and over, and sometimes handwrite it to help remember it. I do feel like it exposes you to more words than books, where the process can move reeeaallly slow. It makes you feel like you're not learning anything with books. However, I feel like if you were to ask someone who used apps 2 months later and they probably would only remember words from the past 2 lessons and that's it.

Teachers I haven't tried yet. I thought of italki, but there's so many tutors on there that it's hard to choose.

What all do you like best to worst from Books, flashcards, apps, youtube, Anki, or any other resources that you use? Should I stay with books or try some other way?

If you could make a tier list how would you rate these?

What were some things that went against expectations of how you thought joining or going to the Orthodox church would be? For anybody who left, what denomination did you switch to?

Was there anything that made you think Orthodoxy wasn't the true church. Did you feel that the liturgical services were overhyped or random?

I found that when I went to an Orthodox church, it felt like the services had no structure and everyday outside of Communion days felt completely random what was going to happen. I never could find any support for the veneration of Mary, Icons, or proof that it's the original church. Since I grew up in non hierarchical church, that started to become suspect after a while too. What drew me in was I loved the Saints books, teachings, and even the Icons. However, I could never find any support for Icons or Saints teachings and at times it felt like a distraction from reading the Bible, which the Orthodox seem to not encourage followers to read because they say that you need a church leader to properly interpret the Bible.

Has anyone felt similar, and what made you leave or feel off?

I'm currently in Georgia working remotely in a Google Cloud migrations role making $103k. I live with family, so I currently don't pay rent, electric, internet, or other major living expenses, and I don't have to commute. The workload can be heavy, especially during the summer, and I sometimes handle 3–10 migration projects at once, but I know what to expect and have been with the company for three years. The company has also had layoffs once a year for the past three years, so job security is a concern.

I received an offer for a $130k SRE position in Birmingham that would be 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. They are offering $10k in relocation assistance, although I'd have to repay it if I leave within a year and I'm not sure what the stipulations are? The downside is that I'd have to move away from family and take on rent, utilities, groceries, gas, commuting, and other expenses. I'd also have to adjust to a new city, coworkers, management, workload, and working in person after being remote. As well as driving into work and getting used to traffic in a new are.

The company is in manufacturing and is spinning off from another company, which also makes me wonder about job stability if the economy weakens, gas prices, or interest rates go up. After taxes, I'd have roughly $93.5k from the Birmingham job compared with $76.2k from my current job, so the difference is about $17k after taxes. After rent, internet, food, gas, and mobile, the savings would be the same.

Would you take the $130k SRE role or stay with the $103k remote job?

Stay with family in Georgia working remote or move to Birmingham for in person role?

I'm currently working a 100k remote role, and I live in Augusta with family. I got a job offer for an in person role paying 130k, but I would have to move to Birmingham. My current company has had a layoff a year for the past fear years. I don't know if it's worst moving and risk getting laid off at the other company either. I know one person 45 minutes from there, but other than that I would not know anyone in the area.

My biggest worry with Birmingham is the crime. The job I was looking at would be in the Irondale area. I was looking at moving to a city for better dating opportunities and things to do, since Augusta can be really spread out and suburban. I'm not sure if Birmingham would be the improvement I'm looking for though.

If I move to Birmingham I would also have to pay rent, driving, and food expenses, which may negate the 30k extra. However, I don't know when I will get another job offer as well since interviews are hard to come by. I have been looking into moving to different cities, but idk if if Birmingham is the final answer. Or if it would be better to wait it out and apply somewhere like Nashville, Atlanta, or Charlotte. I have also considered moving across the country to SF or going big, but that would be a costly move.

It's also the lifestyle difference of working remote versus in person. For anyone that lives in the Birmingham, how has your experience been and would you recommend it? Would you take the in person role, stay remote in a job where management has done layoffs, or keep applying?

I'm currently working for a remote role that pays 100k. I got an offer for an in person role that pays 130k, but I would have to move to another state. The company I got the offer for is spinning off from a larger fortune 500 company next year, so I'm worried if they will lay off anyone in the future. My current remote job has had a layoff a year for the past 3 years. At least I'm remote and don't have to drive in.

I'm am still worried I will get laid off if I stay at my current role. At least at this role I can stay with family and keep applying for 1000 jobs for a year until I get 1 interview lol. Whereas, if I get let go at the other role then I'd be stuck in a new place, have to pay rent, and hope I could find something quick. A few people have told me to take it because I'd learn more or the higher salary would help for future jobs. However, from what I've seen it's hard to even get any responses on applications. I have 6 years of experience.

I don't know if it's worth leaving family to move to a different state. The other role pays more, but the upcoming spin off is what's worrying me. Along with the lifestyle difference of waking up earlier to drive in. Would you stay remote, take the in person role, or is the spin off a red flag?

I'm currently making about $103k in a fully remote role and living with family in Georgia, so I don't pay rent. I received an offer for a $130k onsite position in Birmingham, which would require me to move out to a different state and pay rent, groceries, gas/commuting costs, utilities, and other living expenses. I've been in tech for 6 years. My current role is working in cloud migrations, and the other role is a devops SRE role. I'm wondering how much of that extra 30k I'd actually keep after taxes and the additional cost of living?

My other worry is my current company has done a layoff a year, so I'm worried about the stability. The other company on Glassdoor has a 3.3 rating, so I'm not sure if the other company will be any better. I'm worried with the job market the way it is if I'll even get another interview? I've had about 3 job offers the past 3 years out of 200 or so applications. I denied those jobs, because they were all for smaller startupish companies owned by private equity firms. They didn't seem too stable. A few of them low balled me and only offered 70 to 80k and didn't even want to budge to 85k.

Would you leave a $100k+ remote job while living rent-free with family for a $130k in-person job? How much would you estimate I'd actually come out ahead each year after rent, food, gas, utilities, and commuting?

I've recently looked at going back to a Baptist church and I'm having a hard time deciding between an IFB or SBC church. I was a KJV only bible reader for a while, but recently I have looked into reading other versions like CSB, ESV, or NKJV for better understanding. I'm looking for a church with a conservative focus. I've considered Methodist or Episcopal, but they seem way too open theology wise. It seems like those denominations have no clear cut doctrine and they're always shifting their belief structure.

The last time I went to church was over 10 years ago, but I'm looking at going back for a better sense of community and to make sure I'm not misinterpreting the word. I'm worried about being left out or going to a church that is highly gossipy or cliquish.

I'm in the Augusta, GA area, so it shouldn't be hard to find either type of church. My main concerns are fitting in, commute, and focus on historical theology. At other times I looked at switching denominations to Orthodoxy or Anglican for focus on liturgy and historical theology focus. However, I'm so used to following teachings of scripture in the bible, and I think it would be hard to get used to a congregational government in the church or confession. Has anyone else had experiences in IFB or SBC churches and which would you recommend?

I grew up a SBC Baptist. I've been considering Orthodoxy for year. Many protestant churches especially non denominational feel like Mcdonalds churches where people just go to be seen and gossip. The liturgy, focus on church history, and Icons are the things I like about Orthodoxy. My main concern is the ethnocentrism and being left out if I'm not related to or the same ethnicity as the particular Orthodox church. Orthodox Christians say they will welcome anyone and that once I attend a liturgy, I will see how anything I had in a protestant church was soulless, prideful, or absent of church and apostolic history that makes Orthodoxy more mystical and soulful.

However, I think with any denomination people are still people and there may be cliques. That along with my anxiety has kept me goin from church and keeping to the sola scriptura. I also think strong beliefs carry on to me from Protestantism and the reformation that make it hard for me to switch to Orthodoxy even with my strong interest in it. For example, the American individualistic ideals that carry over from the protestant reformation, that all I need is my Bible and God, and that any church structure can be corrupt or misinterpret the word of God from the Bible.

From my research into Orthodoxy, the Apostolic traditions of the Orthodox church existed hundreds of years before the Bible. So, it's not possible to have the whole teachings and understanding of Christianity and Jesus without the Sacraments, Eucharist, and Liturgy that came from the Orthodox church. This along with the Saints teachings, liturgy, and and stronger historical references make me want to switch to Orthodoxy. But, my worries are I won't fit due to ethnic differences or the practices will seem to strict or different to what I am used to with Baptist theology. Lastly, an Orthodox church would be a 35 minute drive from where. But, there are multiple Baptist, Methodist, or Episcopal churches within a 10 minute drive.

I also like the Jay Dyer podcasts and he presented some strong arguments for Orthodoxy, and it made me feel like sola scriptura is almost completely invalid since Protestantism was created so many centuries after the Orthodox church, and it's devoid of the Sacraments, Eucharist, or Liturgy.

I also had an Ex that was Greek. I visited an Orthodox church once. But, her Mom was condescending and said oh Baptists they're really strict right. When I was thinking that the Orthodox church would be even more strict. That relationship later ended. Afterwards, I regretted it because I never dated another woman again that was an Orthodox Christian, or even knew what it was, which makes is even more sad. It made me worry if I went fully in and became Orthodox if I would ever find a partner into it or who is okay with it.

Has anyone left Orthodox Christianity from a Baptist church or vice versa, and what was your experience like? I asked this question on the Orthodox thread and got very good answers. However, I'm uncertain if certain people are biased, so I'm trying to get opposing opinions as well in regards to what type of church to attend.

I current read the KJV version Bible, but I'm looking for a version that is more easily understandable. I'm looking for a Bible that leans more towards a Baptist teaching or leaning. I was set on the ESV, but from what I have read others have said that the ESV study bible is more slanted towards a reformed, Presbyterian, or Calvinist theological focus. However, most people tend to recommend the ESV more than any other version. Which version would you recommend between the CSB Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, or CSB Spurgeon Bible?

I recently got remotivated again to go back to a Baptist church after turning away for a few years. I was fully focused on college and work. As I got older I realized that there has to more to life than just working and money. I would read the Bible on my own. I'm wanting more of a sense of community, but at the same time I'm worried of not fitting into a church or being left out.

Decisions between different Christian faiths or denominations

I grew up a Baptist. I was on the fence about leaving and switching to Orthodox Christianity because some Protestant churches have become very liberal or don't have a strong historical theological focus. However, I don't know if that would be good for me since I've always had a heavy focus on Sola Scriptura. The church structure would be different too. I have heard mixed ideas on if the Orthodox church is the true original church or not? Has anyone else had the same choice between Orthodox Christianity or Baptist, and what made you stay Baptist or convert to the Baptist faith?

I have been reading the bible by myself for years since about 2016. I was Baptized in 2002, but I have not been to a church since the 2000s. I'm also uncertain whether to go the SBC or IFB route? I'm sure both will be fine though, but which would you recommend. I have noticed that some Baptist churches don't fall under either banner, so I don't know if these churches are legit? With some churches I'm concerned of going out of fear of being left out or gossip, so I think that's what is making me stay home as well. My main worry is attending a Baptist church where they have devotional praise bands and it feeling more like a non denominational church.

Bible Choice

For Bible recommendations, I used to be a KJV onlyist. I'm trying to focus more on understanding the Bible fully. I have been looking into the CSB Study Bible, CSB Spurgeon Bible, or ESV Study Bible. I'm unsure which one better aligns with Baptist fundamentals? Which of these would you recommend? I was set on the ESV, but it seems like that one is more slated to reformed Calivinist or Presbyterian theology.

I've been reading KJV and I've been a KJV onlyist. I definitely do not like the NIV. I thought of switching to the ESV version for a more readable text. My main worry is the argument that the KJV is more original and that it's based off the Textus Receptus texts instead of the dead sea scroll texts of the ESV.

I thought of the NKJV as well, but I didn't notice much difference between the KJV and NKJV. The ESV did seem somewhat more readable which I liked, but I did not like that some words were replaced like expanse for firmament. Some youtubers stated that certain verses from the KJV are missing in the ESV.

I have a strong sola scriptura focus and lean more towards Baptist teachings. Should I stay with with the KJV or switch to the ESV?