u/Biospark08

Hello! I grew up in the north woods of MN but had to transplant to a mid-sized city in WI during covid for work. The culture here grinds my gears, so I'm headed back to MN. Circumstances make St. Paul a primary option but every city and region of MN has it's own vibe.

Beyond the general MN feel are there any Saint Paul specific cultural notes I should be aware of that might get in the way of my re-integration into MN society? Meaning, being that my original brand of MN was north woods, how does Saint Paul significantly differ?

Thanks!

Edit: omg... the comments are almost making me cry in a good way. Even just how folks from MN write their thoughts has a kind of vibe to it you don't find elsewhere. It's making me miss home even more. Thank you all so much for your input on this, it's really appreciated ❤️

I'm trying to upgrade my extractor modules from mark 1. I need at minimum a gold upgrade chip as part of the process. This requires a Logic Processor. When I check in NEI, the only ways to make it are either with an inscriber (which takes EV chips to make) or an EV laser engraver due to needing the forming press mold (inscriber logic press) that is made in those 2 machines.

Can you really not upgrade the rate of logistics pipe extraction until EV at all or am I missing an obvious way to make Logic Processors for gold upgrade chips that isn't shown in NEI? Alternatively, is a chassis + extractor module not even needed and I'm barking up the wrong tree?

So I triple checked the math and because of the efficiency of the EV and IV singleblock generators (IV for gas at 50% vs semifluid at 75%) I'm showing Creosote as a viable fuel pre-nuclear, hosting almost 50% more EU per second per generator based on a single production line vs benzene using pyrolyse ovens to produce.

While looking at RF-1 production, I realized it could be automated using cactus/sugar coke. 1 pyrolyse ovens making cactus charcoal feeds into 2 ovens making coke, then 1 oven turning the coke into coal tar, etc.

The process yields tons of creosote per second, equivalent in EU available per second to 1 pyrolyse making benzene 24/7. However, the 4 ovens making coke end up using basically the same EU to produce creosote as that 1 benzene line uses. So, it ends up just being the cost of building 4 pyrolyse vs building 1 for the same EU worth of fuel per second. It's just that extra 25% efficiency in the singleblock generator that makes the difference.

I checked the piping requirements and stainless steel should be fine to route enough creosote around to feed EV and IV singleblocks (eventually I'd upgrade to the multiblock semifluid generator).

So!!! All that said, because I need an RF-1 line anyway, I'm considering converting my base to creosote power until nuclear and just wearing rubber boots to survive the semifluid pollution levels.

Is this a silly idea? I figure, since I need RF-1 anyways and could use rocket fuel generators if it's overproduced... it all seems to make sense.

I've been on HRT for just under 2 years. I've changed enough to where it's clear that I'm transitioning but can't pass yet on cursory visual inspection.

I used to coast through life as a nobody, just some dude making his way through life and having no need to make waves. While things were rocky sometimes, I could usually get things done when I set my mind to them.

I realize now that such a life is privileged. So, so much of "set my mind to them" is wholly reliant on the cooperation of other people. Now that my existence comes with the "She's Trans" tag, I've become hyper aware of the parts of my life that other people control.

I'm at a juncture where applying for a new job and housing in a different state is the next correct move... but I've been stuck, paralyzed in inaction for 2 weeks because I will have to explain why my name doesn't match my legal one, why I look the way that I do, etc.

That extra layer of explanation and vulnerability has me freaked out and unsure how exactly to cope or "get over it". How do you do it in your life?

Hello! I've been working in a Pricing department for 6 years, as it's a stable yet soul sucking job. The soul sucking part has caught up with me, so I'm looking to pivot. Thing is, It's tricky for me to even conceptualize what might be out there. So, looking for recommendations based on what experience and education I've developed.

I have a B.S. in psychology. I worked in adult group home care for violently neurodivergent folks for about 3 years. 2 years in childhood autism education. Then 6 years in a white collar Pricing dept.

I know how to administer meds, write and mantain IDP's, use Excel at an intermediate level, and I've been the primary trainer at my current job for 3 years across 2 roles. I'm comfortable with multiple CRM and SAP type systems.

I've identified that I'm really good at training people and get a decent amount of fulfilment from it. I also love diagnosing technical problems like "why is the CRM system doing X or Y error?".

Unfortunately, hands on psych work isn't an option - burned out HARD in that line of work. However, I've been leveraging the psych degree really well in working with sales folks and training employees.

Any thoughts, recommendations, or out of the box ideas that spring to mind with the above? I'm considering becoming a full time trainer in Employee Development but I'm a bit spooked, as that's a wing of HR which has notoriously high burnout rates.

Thanks!

It has been a domino effect... transition that is. Idk about y'all but my prior life was a bit of a shit-show of suffering and boy-howdy did I take on a pretty big load of learned helplessness through that constant pain.

I would just put up with anything and everything because "what's the point of resisting? Life is just suffering, after all."

Not anymore! Through transition I regained the teensiest sense of autonomy, relief from suffering, and control over my life. That's been snowballing into retaking agency.

I'm now on the cusp of escaping a toxic job in a toxic state to get myself to a blue state in a new career, closer to those who support me. I never would have had the courage beforehand, nor the "give-a-damn".

Anyone have a similar internal revolution get triggered by starting transition?

H-okiedokie, this one'll probably be fun for us neurology nerds... when I realized that I'm trans I entered this super stressful 6-8 month time period of life. Just 100% full tilt anxious and worried about everything.

This resulted in my dorsal vagal complex getting activated and... well, 1.5 years after my trans realization IT FINALLY DEACTIVATED!!!!! WOOOOOOOH!!!

I can feel again!! Holy crap y'all, did you know that the world has COLORS!?!? And cat fur is soft! Some people are super pretty! Etc, etc, etc.

For those who don't know, the dorsal vagal complex is responsible for freeze responses and longterm anhedonia spirals.

I've been a total husk for almost a year. Then today, legit like 45 minutes ago, it switched off without warning or apparant cause.

I was hit with a huge flood of emotion that I couldn't previously feel. Some good, some bad but lemme tell ya... I am so freaking glad to be transitioning!!

I can now feel the full force of gender euphoria!!! Wtf!!!! Wooooooh!!!!

Idk, as a trans neurology nerd this made me super skippy :3

And that's a-okay by me! She's a badass, so I'm glad 😊. I still have my dad's honker of a nose, but tbh the feminization of my face is actually making my schnoz kinda cute in a weird goblin sorta way lol.

Yay HRT! 🩷🤍🩵