[MSFTisMIA]

They are the two questions running through my mind at the moment as well.

I was referring generally how I feel and what I've found. Each person needs to sort out what works for them.

Being in the position I am and having to come up with Plan A, B, C, D etc on where to go next in life, preferably in the next two years, these two questions are weighing heavily on me and there are factors well beyond my control with them. The answers are not easy at all.

We've decided a plan but that doesn't meant it's going to go that way.

Hence the other plans. My life has been a bit like this in the last 14 years... I'm a bit used to it but it does get tiring sometimes.

Such is life.

Understood. My own plans can blow up in a few months to a year's time.

But, I step back and casually say: 13 years ago I moved to the US only with my documents and my life in two suitcases (one of which had college and high school textbooks I liked). If I worked through that to get to where I'm at, I'll work through these next round of challenges.

[MSFTisMIA]

I just had lunch and in a word it was.... Underwhelming.

My stomach was not pleased...

[libra89]

My stomach was not pleased...

Aw that sucks. :(

I missed the chance to ask why it was underwhelming. Was it just not as good as you hoped?

[MSFTisMIA]

Aw that sucks. :(

I missed the chance to ask why it was underwhelming. Was it just not as good as you hoped?

It looked better than it tasted - flat and with no flavor. There's a reason why I'm picky when it comes to "Chinese" food...very few places make it in sch a way my bod tolerates it well these days - usually the better the ingredients, the easier it is to eat.

My stomach was so displeased I had to do something I very rarely do - use a public restroom...

[libra89]

It looked better than it tasted - flat and with no flavor. There's a reason why I'm picky when it comes to "Chinese" food...very few places make it in sch a way my bod tolerates it well these days - usually the better the ingredients, the easier it is to eat.

My stomach was so displeased I had to do something I very rarely do - use a public restroom...

Ahh I hate it when that happens. :/ Sounds like you have reason to be picky.

[MSFTisMIA]

Ahh I hate it when that happens. :/ Sounds like you have reason to be picky.

Yup. there have only been 3 "Chinese" restaurants I'll eat from here in NYC so far, and two are closed. The other one swapped out their ingredients and now they taste even better.

[Laura Knotek]

It looked better than it tasted - flat and with no flavor. There's a reason why I'm picky when it comes to "Chinese" food...very few places make it in sch a way my bod tolerates it well these days - usually the better the ingredients, the easier it is to eat.

My stomach was so displeased I had to do something I very rarely do - use a public restroom...

I'm sorry that this food was so disagreeable. 😞

[worldspy99]

Yup. there have only been 3 "Chinese" restaurants I'll eat from here in NYC so far, and two are closed. The other one swapped out their ingredients and now they taste even better.

I steer clear of most Chinese restaurants. I make my own Chinese food at home.

[MSFTisMIA]

I'm sorry that this food was so disagreeable. 😞

It happens, so that's OK.

[worldspy99]

Well TMO is delivering the S8 tomorrow while I'm stuck in an all day meeting in Minneapolis....Grrrrr.

[MSFTisMIA]

I steer clear of most Chinese restaurants. I make my own Chinese food at home.

Agreed. That's why I only eat from this one place...

[MSFTisMIA]

Well TMO is delivering the S8 tomorrow while I'm stuck in an all day meeting in Minneapolis....Grrrrr.

#firstworldproblems

[libra89]

Well TMO is delivering the S8 tomorrow while I'm stuck in an all day meeting in Minneapolis....Grrrrr.

[Laura Knotek]

It looks like I'm getting new speakers tomorrow, speaker wire and banana cables on Friday, and an amp on Monday. So I won't be able to use the speakers until next week.

[N_LaRUE]

It looked better than it tasted - flat and with no flavor. There's a reason why I'm picky when it comes to "Chinese" food...very few places make it in sch a way my bod tolerates it well these days - usually the better the ingredients, the easier it is to eat.

My stomach was so displeased I had to do something I very rarely do - use a public restroom...

I had a bad experience with Chinese food in California when I visited a few years back. Was by far the worst I ever had.

The UK is not great for Chinese food, even in London's China Town. It's pretty average and trying to find a good place is difficult. Australia was the best by far. In general you can find a good place pretty much anywhere.

I'm also no fan of public toilets... :/

[N_LaRUE]

It looks like I'm getting new speakers tomorrow, speaker wire and banana cables on Friday, and an amp on Monday. So I won't be able to use the speakers until next week.

What speakers and amp did you get? You're getting right into your stereo system! Did you go fancy with the speaker cable?

I've downsized. I got rid of my mini system and now only have two Bose Mini Soundlink II speakers.

[N_LaRUE]

But, I step back and casually say: 13 years ago I moved to the US only with my documents and my life in two suitcases

I did this in 2003 when I moved to Australia. I didn't have much to take anyway so my life fit easily in two suitcases (one large, one small). My wife (then girlfriend, who lived in Australia) didn't have a place of her own and we started life from scratch in Brisbane.

In 2009 I did this again when moving to Finland, this time with my wife. We've left some things in Australia which we have plans to hopefully sort out next year. Personal things, not furniture or anything like that. Then we'll hopefully ship what's left to our new place, wherever that may be.

And I did this yet again when we moved to the UK. It's easier to move around with less stuff.

Our next step might not be as extreme but it's likely we won't take much with us for the next move either. Also we have a cat now so that adds a new element.

I've seen a few 'moving overseas' shows where people take all their stuff with them. The costs associated with that is ridiculous, especially anyone moving to Australia. I get the idea that people are attached to their stuff (even cars!) but really, you can get similar or even better things when you get there. Best to just start fresh. That's my main advice to anyone moving overseas. Take what you need you'll be less stressed about the whole process.

[MSFTisMIA]

I did this in 2003 when I moved to Australia. I didn't have much to take anyway so my life fit easily in two suitcases (one large, one small). My wife (then girlfriend, who lived in Australia) didn't have a place of her own and we started life from scratch in Brisbane.

In 2009 I did this again when moving to Finland, this time with my wife. We've left some things in Australia which we have plans to hopefully sort out next year. Personal things, not furniture or anything like that. Then we'll hopefully ship what's left to our new place, wherever that may be.

And I did this yet again when we moved to the UK. It's easier to move around with less stuff.

Our next step might not be as extreme but it's likely we won't take much with us for the next move either. Also we have a cat now so that adds a new element.

I've seen a few 'moving overseas' shows where people take all their stuff with them. The costs associated with that is ridiculous, especially anyone moving to Australia. I get the idea that people are attached to their stuff (even cars!) but really, you can get similar or even better things when you get there. Best to just start fresh. That's my main advice to anyone moving overseas. Take what you need you'll be less stressed about the whole process.

The GF and my sister asked me once why I didn't add more personality to my apartment. My response was that it's not going to be my permanent home. I knew I was going to move eventually, so keeping it light is an advantage for me in this case. I think that until I find a true home, I'll always keep it light wherever I'm moving to.

[N_LaRUE]

I always find it slightly amusing that when things are dire for WM a 'happy' thread pops up.

Well, it's sad really but amusing nevertheless.

[N_LaRUE]

The GF and my sister asked me once why I didn't add more personality to my apartment. My response was that it's not going to be my permanent home. I knew I was going to move eventually, so keeping it light is an advantage for me in this case. I think that until I find a true home, I'll always keep it light wherever I'm moving to.

We have stuff but typically sell it before moving on. That way we leave with some cash and no stuff.

It's a bit of a pain but there's always someone looking for a 'deal'.

[Laura Knotek]

What speakers and amp did you get? You're getting right into your stereo system! Did you go fancy with the speaker cable?

I've downsized. I got rid of my mini system and now only have two Bose Mini Soundlink II speakers.

I'm getting these speakers. https://forums.windowscentral.com/e?...token=zFr72OD7

The speaker wire is 12 gauge.

This is the amp. https://www.amazon.com/Gemtune-X-1-I...pUvbUpU3653666

What speakers and amp did you get? You're getting right into your stereo system! Did you go fancy with the speaker cable?

I've downsized. I got rid of my mini system and now only have two Bose Mini Soundlink II speakers.

[N_LaRUE]

I'm getting these speakers. Fluance SX6-BK High Definition Two-way Bookshelf Loudspeakers-Black | Fluance

The speaker wire is 12 gauge.

This is the amp. https://www.amazon.com/Gemtune-X-1-I...pUvbUpU3653668

Nice!

12 Gauge! Are you doing long runs?

[Laura Knotek]

Nice!

12 Gauge! Are you doing long runs?

Not really. I live in an apartment, so I don't have a huge living room. I just want better sound, and I'm all about analogue and vinyl records these days.

[N_LaRUE]

Not really. I live in an apartment, so I don't have a huge living room. I just want better sound, and I'm all about analogue and vinyl records these days.

Just an electrical person's perspective on this. There's lots of information around, most of it wrong.

For any distance under 50 ft (15m) you do not need to use heavy gauge cables. Humans cannot detect any deterioration (there is none) when using smaller cables at these distances.

It's more important to use quality cables rather than heavier gauge.

[Laura Knotek]

Just an electrical person's perspective on this. There's lots of information around, most of it wrong.

For any distance under 50 ft (15m) you do not need to use heavy gauge cables. Humans cannot detect any deterioration (there is none) when using smaller cables at these distances.

It's more important to use quality cables rather than heavier gauge.

That's what the manual for the speakers recommended.