What's your current headache?

Why, Bourns, why??? Reversed pinout on this trimpot. You turn it CCW and it's at max. CW is at zero. Now the gain adjustment on all my shiny new boosters is bass ackwards, because who the hell even noticed such oddity in the datasheet? It's just a set-and-forget trimpot, but still, my OCD is killing me.

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School stuff, or mental stuff. Or maybe both.

Been in the studio anywhere from 10-20h (mostly on the upper side of that) every day (including weekends) since the semester started, working on stuff for a solo exhibition. Admittedly my communication with my advisor has been terrible, largely because a) the isolation of working in a cold mostly dark basement day in and day out, totally alone for 95% of the time, with none of the people who told me they’d visit me all the time having actually stopped by even once, has been terrible for my mental health and b) I felt like I was letting my advisor down every time I talked to them because I didn’t have enough tangible work to show made me start avoiding them as I frantically tried to catch up.

Well anyway, I was planning on meeting with my advisor again today— five days before I’m set to install, and right as I’ve been in the middle of a mind crushingly difficult crunch time –but this morning I got an email suggesting that being my advisor was maybe a mistake, that my grades will be negatively impacted by all of this, and some words that leave me now wondering if I’ll be having an exhibition at all.
I asked to still meet today so I could try to explain myself and actually show what I’ve been working on, but then I had a full blown panic attack while I was alone in the studio while I was on ft with my girlfriend, during which the only thing I could manage to do was beg her to email my advisor explaining why I wasn’t able to meet when I said I would so they wouldn’t think I was avoiding.

Sorry for the trauma dump or whatever this is, but god it just sucks so bad. I haven’t heard anything back and I don’t know what to do anymore because this week was gonna be all 20 hour days trying to pull things together for install, and now idk if I even have a show or an advisor anymore (not to mention the fact that the advisor has been super important to me for the past 3 years, and now I feel like they might be done with me and writing me off altogether), and with today being a total loss, idk what I can do to try pulling everything together into a passable exhibition when even at full productivity it would be a mostly impossible feat in the time remaining, not to mention the fact that after this whole ordeal I feel broken, defeated, deflated, and humiliated, and that’s certainly not the kind of mindset that can mentally or physically withstand more lonely sleepless high-anxiety nights.

Not looking for pity. I fucked up, but what frustrates me is that I don’t know that I really could have done things all that differently. And it’s killing me not that my fuck up was being lazy or not working hard, but that it was just my letting fucking anxiety make me hide away and hide that I was pushing myself too hard.

I’ve had a lot of regrets in my life, but this sucks in a different way that I really can’t articulate. I wish I could go back and redo every part of my life that’s put me where I am right now.
 
Bricksnbeatles said:
School stuff, or mental stuff. Or maybe both.

Been in the studio anywhere from 10-20h (mostly on the upper side of that) every day (including weekends) since the semester started, working on stuff for a solo exhibition. Admittedly my communication with my advisor has been terrible, largely because a) the isolation of working in a cold mostly dark basement day in and day out, totally alone for 95% of the time, with none of the people who told me they’d visit me all the time having actually stopped by even once, has been terrible for my mental health and b) I felt like I was letting my advisor down every time I talked to them because I didn’t have enough tangible work to show made me start avoiding them as I frantically tried to catch up.

Well anyway, I was planning on meeting with my advisor again today— five days before I’m set to install, and right as I’ve been in the middle of a mind crushingly difficult crunch time –but this morning I got an email suggesting that being my advisor was maybe a mistake, that my grades will be negatively impacted by all of this, and some words that leave me now wondering if I’ll be having an exhibition at all.
I asked to still meet today so I could try to explain myself and actually show what I’ve been working on, but then I had a full blown panic attack while I was alone in the studio while I was on ft with my girlfriend, during which the only thing I could manage to do was beg her to email my advisor explaining why I wasn’t able to meet when I said I would so they wouldn’t think I was avoiding.

Sorry for the trauma dump or whatever this is, but god it just sucks so bad. I haven’t heard anything back and I don’t know what to do anymore because this week was gonna be all 20 hour days trying to pull things together for install, and now idk if I even have a show or an advisor anymore (not to mention the fact that the advisor has been super important to me for the past 3 years, and now I feel like they might be done with me and writing me off altogether), and with today being a total loss, idk what I can do to try pulling everything together into a passable exhibition when even at full productivity it would be a mostly impossible feat in the time remaining, not to mention the fact that after this whole ordeal I feel broken, defeated, deflated, and humiliated, and that’s certainly not the kind of mindset that can mentally or physically withstand more lonely sleepless high-anxiety nights.

Not looking for pity. I fucked up, but what frustrates me is that I don’t know that I really could have done things all that differently. And it’s killing me not that my fuck up was being lazy or not working hard, but that it was just my letting fucking anxiety make me hide away and hide that I was pushing myself too hard.

I’ve had a lot of regrets in my life, but this sucks in a different way that I really can’t articulate. I wish I could go back and redo every part of my life that’s put me where I am right now.
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That sucks man. I’m happy to chat if you ever need it.
 
In situations like this I think speculating on what the advisor is thinking and the ambiguities of tone in written emails are really stressful and it's easy to get in a mental loop. I'd try to meet with the advisor in person to get a clear read on the situation and share your perspective. This isn't just a random person, you've worked with them for 3 years.
 
I feel for you, I really do. Even though it's nigh twenty years since my final project/install, I still remember the run up. You'll get through it, I know you will. Best of luck and good vibes.
 
Rich people
I'm out here working in Atherton, CA. Doing the HVAC startup on some super wealthy person's brand new home.

And cell phone reception is atrocious. Seriously. Not a wiff of 5G in sight.

Which makes me wonder...what's the overriding reason for that here? Are residents opposed to cell towers for aesthetic reasons? Or...

Are they all 5g pilled and think the waves are going to activate the nanobots in their blood and give them all cancer?

I choose to believe that it's the latter.
 
5G... dude I bought a new battery for my Siemens S25 which works well until they power off 2G in the next years.
Ok just joking, I used it for fun and to remenisce the good old days.
But for work I have an cheap Nokia 215 4G which is a blessing.

My current headache:
I designed a few pedals and slapped the very last sticker sheets on the wrong enclosures. I noticed after I was finished.
But it's a hobby, otherwise I would spend hours playing stupid computer games.
 
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Bricksnbeatles said:
School stuff, or mental stuff. Or maybe both.

Been in the studio anywhere from 10-20h (mostly on the upper side of that) every day (including weekends) since the semester started, working on stuff for a solo exhibition. Admittedly my communication with my advisor has been terrible, largely because a) the isolation of working in a cold mostly dark basement day in and day out, totally alone for 95% of the time, with none of the people who told me they’d visit me all the time having actually stopped by even once, has been terrible for my mental health and b) I felt like I was letting my advisor down every time I talked to them because I didn’t have enough tangible work to show made me start avoiding them as I frantically tried to catch up.

Well anyway, I was planning on meeting with my advisor again today— five days before I’m set to install, and right as I’ve been in the middle of a mind crushingly difficult crunch time –but this morning I got an email suggesting that being my advisor was maybe a mistake, that my grades will be negatively impacted by all of this, and some words that leave me now wondering if I’ll be having an exhibition at all.
I asked to still meet today so I could try to explain myself and actually show what I’ve been working on, but then I had a full blown panic attack while I was alone in the studio while I was on ft with my girlfriend, during which the only thing I could manage to do was beg her to email my advisor explaining why I wasn’t able to meet when I said I would so they wouldn’t think I was avoiding.

Sorry for the trauma dump or whatever this is, but god it just sucks so bad. I haven’t heard anything back and I don’t know what to do anymore because this week was gonna be all 20 hour days trying to pull things together for install, and now idk if I even have a show or an advisor anymore (not to mention the fact that the advisor has been super important to me for the past 3 years, and now I feel like they might be done with me and writing me off altogether), and with today being a total loss, idk what I can do to try pulling everything together into a passable exhibition when even at full productivity it would be a mostly impossible feat in the time remaining, not to mention the fact that after this whole ordeal I feel broken, defeated, deflated, and humiliated, and that’s certainly not the kind of mindset that can mentally or physically withstand more lonely sleepless high-anxiety nights.

Not looking for pity. I fucked up, but what frustrates me is that I don’t know that I really could have done things all that differently. And it’s killing me not that my fuck up was being lazy or not working hard, but that it was just my letting fucking anxiety make me hide away and hide that I was pushing myself too hard.

I’ve had a lot of regrets in my life, but this sucks in a different way that I really can’t articulate. I wish I could go back and redo every part of my life that’s put me where I am right now.
Click to expand...
Hey, I want to start by saying that you're incredibly self-aware, and that's a huge first step. Recognizing that anxiety has been holding you back and being open about how hard this situation is for you shows a lot of strength. It sounds like you’re dealing with some pretty intense pressures, and anyone in your position would be struggling too. Given everything you’ve described, I think reaching out for psychiatric and therapeutic support could be incredibly beneficial. A therapist or psychiatrist could help you build tools to manage your anxiety, which might feel overwhelming now but is entirely manageable with the right support.

Also, I really encourage you to talk to your advisor honestly about what you’re going through. Let them know that anxiety has been a big challenge, but that you’re actively working on addressing it and taking steps to improve. Professors and advisors generally understand how demanding school can be, and they’re more likely to offer you leeway when they see you’re making a genuine effort to take control of the situation. Being transparent about your struggles could open the door to more empathy and support than you might expect.

This time is challenging, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Seeking help can make a big difference, both in getting through this exhibition and in your life moving forward. Taking these steps now can be the key to setting yourself up for the success and stability you deserve.
 
Refurbing an old Gibson GA-8T. After I rebuilt the B+ and added a grounded cable....the power transformer is now pushing out 550 VAC and 7.2 on the filament winding. I've never heard of a transformer overvolting like this?!? I know old transformers are looking for 110 sometimes, but I had to drop it to 70VAC in order to get the proper B+. I can get a new tranny from MM, but I was wondering if any of ya have heard of a transformer doing this?
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