How are you? (December 2021 and Giveaway Update)

[wintercept]

Woah. Hey! It’s 12 errr 10… I mean 5 days till Christmas! I started this thread mainly to give an update on the giveaway I have planned. I’ll also ramble a bit since I’ve been gone a while, and finally ask: how are you doing during this crazy time? And, what are your holiday plans?

First, for my Sugarbag OD giveaway: I have had the PCB for a while now. Unfortunately, I have not been able to give this project the attention it needs, so I will push it to January. I am also trying to figure out Tayda UV print stuff, because I want this build to be my most professional one yet. Thank you for your patience and I apologize for having to delay it. I hope to iron out all the wrinkles with this giveaway so future ones can be better!

Now me: feel free to gloss over this part. It might provide some context for the delay, but I consider it more of a personal-public diary…

This week marked the end of my second-to-last semester of college. I did not have final exams for any of my classes, but the usual essays and homework. I also wrapped up my internship, which was with the marketing and communications department of a local private school. The people there were great, and I’m very happy to have made those connections.

First of December, my car blew a head gasket at school. I almost made it home but it overheated. My parents rescued me and my Dad has taken it to bits and cleaned it. Today we replaced the gaskets and put the heads back on. Hopefully I’ll be mobile again soon. Although, I have been spoiled driving my Dad’s car which is the same model as mine but a full decade newer.

This semester has kicked my butt… Most days I came home and just crawled into bed. My Grandpa passed away in October. I had to drive a lot because I had school and internship on the same day, and each location is in an opposite direction from my house. Maybe car would’ve lived otherwise… The covid booster made me sicker than the first round of shots. I didn’t see my friends as much as I wanted. And I do nearly enough pedal building!

But I have to say, I feel great right now. I feel very fortunate that everyone at school and at my internship worked with me through the shitty stuff. Car might love. I got the booster! The few times I saw my friends were some of the best days/nights of my life. And I have many more pedals to build among other projects!

Next semester also looks to be easier, as I only have class on campus two days a week instead of four and no internship. So that means I’ll have both more time to be on campus to hang out with friends and work, and more time to be off campus with myself, family, and other friends. I just have to get employment lined up by graduation…

But for now I will be taking this time in for myself. Christmas snuck up on me, and I also dropped the ball on gift giving this year as a result. I’ll be seeing family during the evening Christmas Day.

Now you: How have you been and what are your holiday plans? Are you excited for the New Year?

I appreciate all of you and this nice community we have here. Although I’ve been pretty silent, I’ve been popping in and reading quite frequently.

I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season, however you celebrate it!

Merry Christmas!

 

[wintercept]

Sheesh that’s a lot eh? Maybe I ought to start an actual private journal/diary..

 

[Harry Klippton]

Hi @wintercept sorry to hear about your grandfather. Sounds like your car is in good hands, and that you're handling life's challenges well otherwise.

Since you asked, I'm doing about as well as I could be given the circumstances. I'm still trying to finish all the pedals I started this year before the end of the year. I'm close but I don't think I'm gonna make it. Other than that, I'm tired of being at home all the time

 

[Paradox916]

Other than that, I'm tired of being at home all the time

I feel ya, having a little grubblet right now isn’t an easy gig, especially if you are use to being outside all the time...

 

[PBWilson1970]

Life just got real for many people over the last year or so. Wrapping up college is a major feat and the hours, the thought, the worry, the isolation and all can take a toll. You're not alone, even if it feels like it at times. I'm glad you feel stronger and more positive now. It's good to hear success stories because lots of people suffer in silence and can't see that things may be different one day. We don't know each other but it's cool that a shared interest can "connect" people in positive ways. Be well.

 

[wintercept]

Hi @wintercept sorry to hear about your grandfather. Sounds like your car is in good hands, and that you're handling life's challenges well otherwise.

Since you asked, I'm doing about as well as I could be given the circumstances. I'm still trying to finish all the pedals I started this year before the end of the year. I'm close but I don't think I'm gonna make it. Other than that, I'm tired of being at home all the time

Thank you. It’s good to hear from you!

I totally feel the same about being stuck at home. When the pandemic started that part didn’t really phase me but after a year of it I started to feel stuck. This year I was able to get out a bit more, attend school in person, etc. But I still wish I had some more me time out of the house.

 

[wintercept]

Life just got real for many people over the last year or so. Wrapping up college is a major feat and the hours, the thought, the worry, the isolation and all can take a toll. You're not alone, even if it feels like it at times. I'm glad you feel stronger and more positive now. It's good to hear success stories because lots of people suffer in silence and can't see that things may be different one day. We don't know each other but it's cool that a shared interest can "connect" people in positive ways. Be well.

Thank you for the kind words!

I agree it’s one of the best things about this forum, and why it’s pretty much the only one I am active on. Being able to connect more personally with people takes this hobby to a new level for me.

 

[Mentaltossflycoon]

Good luck on that final term. Someone asked me after I graduated if it was a weight of my shoulders. I said "kind of, only it's more like the feeling you have after taking a giant shit."

Holiday plans are to make vanillekipferl and cardamom buns. I bought SO. MUCH. BUTTER.

 

[wintercept]

Good luck on that final term. Someone asked me after I graduated if it was a weight of my shoulders. I said "kind of, only it's more like the feeling you have after taking a giant shit."

Holiday plans are to make vanillekipferl and cardamom buns. I bought SO. MUCH. BUTTER.

Thanks. Those plans sound delicious!

 

[spi]

And, what are your holiday plans?

We're going to visit my mother. I am not looking forward to this. My mother has opposite views than my wife on how to behave during a pandemic. My mother wishes to pretend it doesn't exist, and my wife thinks Omicron should be taken seriously (my views are in the middle: I'm cautious, and with boosters think we don't have to be as limited as last year, but I need to side with my wife on this).

Man, holidays are supposed to be a good time, but all they do is cause stress. Sorry to be a downer here, and thanks for letting me vent a little. I'll make the best of it (always manage to try).

New Years will be great--back at home celebrating quietly and enjoying some time off from work. I even have some PCBs ready to build.

 

[wintercept]

We're going to visit my mother. I am not looking forward to this. My mother has opposite views than my wife on how to behave during a pandemic. My mother wishes to pretend it doesn't exist, and my wife thinks Omicron should be taken seriously (my views are in the middle: I'm cautious, and with boosters think we don't have to be as limited as last year, but I need to side with my wife on this).

Man, holidays are supposed to be a good time, but all they do is cause stress. Sorry to be a downer here, and thanks for letting me vent a little. I'll make the best of it (always manage to try).

New Years will be great--back at home celebrating quietly and enjoying some time off from work. I even have some PCBs ready to build.

Thank you for sharing. I have the similar thing going on with my extended family, which is why we are just seeing them for dessert Christmas evening.