u/teddyy-grahamm

Apologies if this is repetitive or dumb: I’m turning back to physical media and want to stop relying on streaming subscriptions, but I just found out that my local libraries no longer offer physical CDs. I used to burn CDs all the time in high school, using a PC and windows media player. Now I’m a Mac user and I don’t know what programs to use or what my options are for safely downloading and burning music.

What would you recommend I use as far as sites or programs that don’t take up a ton of space? Or a link to a good tutorial I can go through? I’m a little overwhelmed by all the options online, what to use, what to avoid and how to transfer. I have an old Mac with no CD drive so I know I need to get an external one and a stack of blank discs but other than that, where to start?

TIA

Are there any locals here that work in production (tv, film, live event), and have advice for someone looking for PA, equipment assistant, or stagehand work?

Before moving to Richmond, I worked as a production assistant for 4 years living in Atlanta (mainly as a set and office PA, moving towards art dept and set dec). During the pandemic I made a pivot and started working in social work and health outreach and advocacy and moved to Virginia. I would love to get back into production work, but all of my old connections are in Atlanta or LA and I really want to keep Richmond as my home (even if it means a long commute or some travel).

I’m familiar with the Virginia Film Office and Virginia Production Alliance, and see a couple crew calls and background casting calls here and there (and have pursued them), but don’t have many other leads on work. If any VA locals in this field can share any advice, suggestions or resources they’d recommend, please let me know!

Richmond was not required to issue a boil water advisory after a recent water main break. But the state's top drinking water official says the city could have issued a precautionary advisory for residents who experienced prolonged water issues and chose not to.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaiGT2IDZCF/?igsh=MTF4bG1vaGpnemNmcA==

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/richmond/water-main-break-july-3-2026

I try to avoid them because every July 4th, NYE, and even Memorial Day weekend it’s like D-Day and War of the Worlds combined at my house.

I put on white noise and prep lick mats, get the trazodone but my dog still paces up and down crying and barking at the wall because he’s terrified. If I try to time the drugs right (and the dosage) he’s either unconscious or stumbling around each night like he’s drunk.

This just doesn’t seem worth it for a bunch of explosives and bright lights. Each year it feels like people just keep extending it, setting them off in the street every night leading through the holiday weekend.

Edit: I can’t speak for every person with ptsd or autism or sensory processing issues but I can speak for myself and my dog and I struggle with these holidays.