Foreword:

We tend to get the same sorts of questions for the same budgets and same scenarios. This is my attempt to codify the good advice I've seen and my own experiences with my own rifles as a long range, non-competitive shooter. These opinions should be largely uncontroversial to the folks who shoot long range.
Prices and ballistics are current as of Mar 12, 2023.

Additional Reading

/longrange
/SmallGroups
Trollygag's Stats on Barrel Length
Trollygag's Opinion on Picking a Barrel Length
On-Paper Cartridge Comparison
Trollygag's Youtube Channel with some parts review and shooting
Trollygag's Noob Guide to the 1000 Yard AR-15
Trollygag's Noob Guide To The Entry-Level Custom, Part 1
Trollygag's Noob Guide to the Entry Level Custom, Part 2
Trollygag's Noob Guide to the 6.5 Creedmoor
Trollygag's Noob Guide to the 6.5 Grendel
Trollygag's Noob Guide to the 308 Winchester pt.1
Comparison between the Athlon Ares ETR, Vortex PST II, and Sightron SIII
Comparison between the Match Pro ED, S-TAC, PST II, Forge
Phildesbois's Ruger Precision Rifle vs Tikka TAC A1 vs Bergara BMP, comparison

Glamour Shots

Super Grendel
Gator Grendel - RIP
One Punch in F/TR dress and in BR dress
Buddy and updated

What you need to know up front

What your budget is.

The budget for the rifle is a start, but a budget for the rifle, optic, and accessories is more ideal. Accessories include:

• Rifle bag or case
• Bipod and/or bag set
• Rails/mounts
• Additional equipment you may need like chronographs or reloading setups

How far you can shoot

This is probably the biggest hurdle to most Americans. Not everyone lives near some place that has enough space and is set up for long range shooting. Pretty frequently we get help questions from people who live in the Northeast where long ranges just aren't that common. It doesn't make sense to spend a bunch of money on a long range shooting rig if your local ranges only go out to 50 yards.
Even at only 100 yards, it is the length of a football field, and you often can't hide one of those easily. Plus there is the NIMBY factor and the danger that most rifle rounds will travel miles before hitting the ground again if they are fired at the wrong angle.
Because of that, long ranges are relatively rare.
What you do have access to can dictate your rifle and cartridge selection.

How much you care about the logistics

What I mean is, how involved do you want to get in the process?
Things like:

• How important is good box match ammo to you? Many long range cartridges are chosen because of the availability of ammo. There are lots of wildcats and special snowflake cartridges (6.5x47L, for example) that lose out to others because of this availability.
• Do you plan to handload? Some cartridges have more, reliable, better load information out there for them than others. Some cartridges have a wider powder selection than others. For example, 6.5 Grendel, 223 Rem, and 308 Win can all use 8208 XBR, a relatively common, premium powder. 6.5 CM really can't. Because of the pressures developed at relatively low volume charges, XBR isn't considered a 'safe' powder in the CM. Varget and some others can be used across all of the cartridges relatively safely.
• Do you plan to stockpile? 6.5CM, for example, really needs a particular powder (H4350) to match the most load data, but this powder is frequently out of stock. It really makes sense to stockpile components, whether it be powder, brass, primers, or bullets, and that can add many hundreds of dollars up front.
• Do you expect Walmart to carry ammo for your rifle? What about Cabelas?

About long range shooting

You don't necessarily need to be familiar with range estimation or how to make a cold bore unknown distance shot factoring in humidity, Coriolis, spin drift, and all sorts of other things...(I sure as hell can't) but you should at least be able to:

1. Shoot a rifle accurately/precisely in the position you will be shooting long range from
2. Know how to arrive at a ballistic solution given your velocity and bullet choice
3. Know how to dial in for elevation and hold off for wind
4. Understand your 'zero', how to arrive at it, how to adjust to it, and have it recorded.
5. Understand the other functions of your optic like parallax adjustment, focus, units of your reticle, units of your turrets, how to convert between them if you need to, and how much elevation you have to work with.
6. Understand the terminology. Understand what a Mil is, what a MOA is, what mirage is, what windage/elevation are, etc.

What makes a good starter long range platform?

There are things that are important for a long range rifle:

1. Comfortable ergos. It can make shooting prone or off a bench for long periods much easier. Part of this is rifle weight. It can be helpful to have a heavy rifle to reduce fatigue over time.
2. The ability to shoot off bracing. This usually means a rigid stock, free floated barrel, so that a bipod or front bags can be used. Ideally, it would have a butt that is shaped either to ride bags or hook into the hand or shoulder. When you are fighting the conditions and the environment, stability and accurate shooting are key.
3. Precision. Not everyone feels strongly about this. Some folks think a 1-1.5 MOA rifle is okay. Personally, I think you should go as precise as you can at close range so that you aren't guessing at what you screwed up at long range. Long range shooting is very difficult to get right consistently. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of learning. Not knowing if you shot a flier or mistaking fliers for bad calls can, IMO, hamper the learning process. I would always prefer to have faith in what I'm shooting on.
4. The ability to zero, make adjustments. There are optics out there that rely more on the reticle than the adjustments, and some people learn on those, but IMO, they are inferior to having a good set of turrets. Good turrets aren't cheap, and it isn't often that a cheap scope has the type of adjustments or the adjustment range for long range shooting. That being said, there are some good options out there for what I would not consider to be outrageous money, and that can get you to any distance you would want to shoot.
5. Capable ballistics. Some folks come from the perspective that you should start with bad ballistics (like 223 Rem) and work your way to something with great ballistics. To me, that is counter-intuitive. It seems like learning to drive on a stick shift, no traction control, no ABS Dodge Viper. IMO, you should give yourself as big of an advantage as you can right out of the gate, and once you've learned the skills, then dabble in something that requires more skill to get shooting well.
6. Ability to handle heat. Rifles can be adversely affected by heat and heat can wear out barrels faster. Heavier profiled barrels can help absorb that heat and dissipate it faster. More heat dissipation means more shooting before you have to break for cooling. It also adds weight, which, as I mentioned before, can be very beneficial. All of the rifles you see me recommend will be heavy barreled.

Expanding on 5, these are the cartridges that I would green light for a beginner to learn on:

• 308 Winchester - High availability of good match quality, tactical type ammo that can reach out to 1000 yards. Federal Gold Medal Match can be had in a 175 gr SMK variant for $1/round or less from Palmetto State Armory. For close range, PMC Bronze at about $0.50/round is great for practicing. For handloading, the 185 Juggernaut, 175 TMK, 155 Palma, and 178 ELD-M are all popular options in this cartridge. Varget, IMR 4064, XBR, H4895, CFE223, BL-C2, Win 748 are all popular powders. Recoil is most stout out of these.
• 6.5 Grendel/6ARC - This is really an option limited to Howa 1500s, CZ 527s, Ruger American Predators, and AR-15s. In the past couple years, availability has gone up. It isn't uncommon to see Hornady Black in gunshop shelves and sometimes even more exotic ammo, like Federal GMB, can be found too. Bulk purchase for $1.50/round for long range shooting, Federal American Eagle or Hornady Gunner for accurate mid-long range, or shoot out to 500+ yards with $0.25/round Wolf steel case. Not anymore. Mild recoil, neat looking, neat shooting cartridge. They are pets of mine. Handloading for this cartridge can be tougher due to availability of load data, die options, and some finickyness with the cartridge, but this is improving all the time and may no longer be true. Typically, 6mm/6.5mm bullets cost as much as 30 cal bullets. Barrel life is longer than any other option on this list.
• 6CM/6.5 Creedmoor - These are the big hot thing for long range. Moderate to high availability of very high quality match ammo, outrageous ballistics compared to the other options in this list. With Hornady American Gunner, you can get high precision 1000 yard ballistics for $0.70/round. S&B also plans to release 6.5CM ammo later this year. For 6.5CM Hornady offers several 147gr, 140gr and 120gr ELD-M options at the $1.40-1.75 price point that are excellent. 6CM, that is a $1.50-1.65/rd 108 ELD-M ammo. There is no super cheap ammo option in this cartridge with entry ammo prices in the $0.85-1 range. Barrel life is also shortest of all of these.
• 223 Rem - This is another option for mid-range shooting, but I would discourage it at very long range if you are shooting box ammo. It goes subsonic at 700-850 yards depending on barrel length and bullet selection, and gets pushed around by the wind a lot. The bullets that are common for ARs are also quite pricey, with match ammo costing as much as 308 Win, 6.5G, or 6.5CM and bullets themselves costing more than the 30 cal Hornady offerings. But in a bolt gun, there are a lot more options for bullets that cost less than the 77gr SMK commonly shot in ARs. Cheap ammo availability is high and there is a wide selection. It, like 6.5G, are great for smaller folks as the recoil is almost negligible. Handloaders can fit very long ogive bullets in the 80-90gr range and extract much better performance from it.

Ammo price comparison - prices are out of date, expect 25% higher prices.
Now, before you get upset that I didn't pick your pet cartridge for the list, realize, there are many cartridges out there that are common or that people love that just aren't good for beginners. 30-06, for example, is a great cartridge with a long history, but is severely lacking in long range match type ammo and therefore does not make the list. For handloaders, it can be great like a 300 Win Mini Mag compared to 308 Win. Same goes for many other cartridges on paper like 7mm-08 or 243 Win. They all have faults on the cost or logistics side that makes them less than ideal options.
For a little further shooting, look into the 6.5PRC, 7PRC, and 300PRC.

Optics

There are too many optic choices to go through so I am going to focus on a few at a few price points and use them for the templated build. You may feel that there are better optic choices out there at a price point, but I haven't been able to handle or shoot on all of them and therefore, I do not include them.
I am going to list fixed, SFP, and FFP models. I do not feel I have gained anything from paying more for FFP scopes vs the SFP versions or the fixed scopes. With the type of shooting I am doing, I typically shoot at measurement magnification.

• $300 ($210 on sale) - SWFA SS 12x42 MRAD/Mil-Quad. Excellent optic. Rugged, accurate adjustments, no-nonsense, great reticle, good glass. There are lower and higher magnifications available. I suggest you stick to the 12x. It is at the sweet spot for magnification and glass quality. There is a MOA-Quad option as well. If you want that instead, then get it. Back in my day there was only a Mil-Quad and Dot, so I haven't played with the MOA model. There is an HD model that costs a lot more. Stick to the one I gave you. There are vari-powered models. Stick to the one I gave you. Its competitors are the Athalon Argos, Sightron S-TAC, Primary Arms 4-14x, and others.
• $450-500 - Bushnell Match Pro - Solid design entry level optic. Good, robust turrets, readable markings, tactile feel, solid internals, great reticle. Illumination costs $50 more.
• $600 - Vortex PST II 3-15x - Good option for illumination and a hunting/crossover form factor.
• $700 - Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30x - This is the new current meta for scope under $1500. Better glass and features than the PST II at similar money. It's primary competitor is going to be something like the Ares ETR, with the ETR having a little better CA performance but the Bushnell having better resolution (IMO).
• $2200 - Vortex Razor HD III 6-36x - This optic came out as the 'ZCO Killer' with near alpha tier glass and every feature you could want from a high end tactical optic. It isn't quite that, but at half the price if you know where to buy, it is so close that a higher end $3000+ optic can be really hard to justify.
• $4000 - ZCO 420/527/840 - This is about the entry to the alpha glass. As close to perfect as you can get in optics, and a price to match.

Mounts - I don't believe in over-spending on mounts.

• Base for your rifle - If you get the SWFA option, you won't need a canted rail, but if you get some of the other options, you may want a 20 MOA cant. You might as well get it canted because it costs the same. I buy Warne, EGW, and Weaver and have never had a problem with any of them. $35-50
• Rings - I am a big ol' fanboy of the Burris Signature Zee rings for really cheap rings. They don't mar your scope, lock up well, won't bend your scope tube, and either come with or have the option for inserts that let you put a cant on your scope from the rings to add or in replacement for the canted base. - $50-60. For most of the scopes in the list above and most contours, you want the High rings. For the 40-45mm, on lighter profile barrels, you want the Medium rings. If you pick a scope with a 34mm+ tube, you may need to spend closer to $150 to get a set of rings that will work for you. Seekins Precision, Vortex PM, and Hawkins rings are all popular options.

Plan for that combo to be +$100

But my budget is only a few hundred dollars and I can't shoot at 1000 yards anyways...

If you are only going to be shooting a few hundred yards, get a Savage Axis II combo and shoot it to death. You won't have most of the points I make above, but it will shoot and out to 500-600 yards, you won't need a ton of fancy features. Strelok (Not with the state department ban, need to figure out what works here, but you can use shooterscalc in the meantime) can tell you where to hold off based on information you get from the ammo box and ammo selection is wide and relatively cheap. Go shoot.

I saw the title and that sounded like what I wanted!

Template build 1:

• Ruger American Predator for $450. Another great choice. Comes in 308 Win, 6.5CM, 223 Rem, and 6.5G. Get the model that has AICS or AR magazine compatibility, not the rotary magazine model. Throw a Bushnell Match Pro on it.
• Howa Mini Action/1500 - Comes in 308 Win, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 CM, and many other cartridges for around $490, more with fancy paint jobs. Throw an SWFA SS on it.

My budget is a little higher... I was looking at the Ruger Precision Rifle and...

• Bergara HMR - $950. They come in 6.5CM and 308 Win, and some others I think. They are very accurate out of the box, almost to the level of the entry level customs that you can read about in the guide above. They come threaded, with good adjustable stocks, DBM systems, and aren't super heavy.
• Tikka T3x CTR - $900-950. They come in 6.5CM, 308 Win, blued, and stainless. The actions are really good, the triggers are pretty good too and come with a really high end set trigger option. The barrels are pretty decent. This is a traditional-form-factor competitor to the Bergara HMR and some other rifles and is a great hybrid hiking and target rifle. They come with muzzle threading and DBM, but use proprietary magazines.
• Howa Bravo - $1100 in 6.5 Creedmoor. Pick the optic you want, but takes AI mags, good barrels, threaded, and a decent stock with lots of add-ons available.

But my budget is $2000+!

This category, you should be looking at guns that qualify for PRS Production class. This used to be a $2000 limit, then was changed to $2500, and most recently, to $3000.

• MPA BA PMR
• Seekins Havak Bravo
• Badrock South Fork - $2000-2200
• GAP makes one that you really want but can't buy
• Bergara Premier Competition - $2750
• ARC Rifle - $2500

Rifles in this price point I do not recommend:

• Christensen MPR
• Savage Precision
• DD Delta 5
• Ruger Hawkeye LR

You could also:

1. Dive into the entry-level customs guide at the top
2. Pick a rifle from the previous section and spend more on glass
3. Ask this again in /longrange, check my post history for information about my own builds.

Okay got it... now what?

Go shoot, ya doofus. Don't put long range on a pedestal. Getting good shooting is something that needs to be done with practice, so stop worrying so much about gear and go shoot.

It’s an HD Supply 137181 model. It seemed simple enough but I hit a roadblock switching out the bottom hinge. It’s one piece and it’s screwed to the bottom of the fridge and attached to one of the feet as well it seems.
https://imgur.com/CENUkz0
Doesn’t help that the instruction manual that came with it is for a slightly different model fridge and it says to just unscrew the two front ones but mine isn’t that easy.
The only thing I can think is to turn the fridge on its back but I’ve heard you’re not supposed to do that. Any ideas?

I’m a little underwhelmed at the options for excursions in Cozumel. I was thinking of mainly staying on the ship and enjoying a quiet day aboard exploring.
I was thinking it might be cool to just go take a quick taxi ride somewhere to get a good, authentic lunch and then go back to the ship. Is this a dumb idea?
Has anyone done this? Any good restaurant recommendations for traditional Mexican food that is within reasonable taxi distance to the NCL port?

I really thought she did, she asked me to go to prom with her. Tbf she did say just as friends but I would definitely say that to my crush so it wouldn’t be as weird. We sat at a table with her friends and she spent the whole time talking to me, we got pictures together, it was just a good time. It wasn’t just last night, I’ve been feeling like we might have something, even before she asked me to prom. She’s always smiling and joking with me, she’s easy to talk to, she engages with me first frequently. One time she even gave me her letterman to wear. I didn’t ask for it or anything she just gave it to me out of the blue. We lock eyes in class a lot.
I don’t think she likes me though. She leaves me on opened on Snapchat. I get such weird signals from her. I know I have more evidence that she likes me than she doesn’t, but that one thing seems so significant. The good stuff could just be in my head, idk. There’s other guys she could’ve asked to go with as friends. I have no idea what to think. I don’t want to be hurt again.

Hello all,
I'm a long time collector (20 years+ ) but haven't played since a few games in fourth edition. Could you please assist with some army building/buying?
I'm big on collecting and painting Imperial Guard and with the (disgustingly expensive) Steel Legion MTO I'd like to come up with an idea of what I need rather than just picking up random bits.
I've got 9 squads of Steel Legion from when they were on last chance, as well as a Heavy bolter, Commissar Yarrick and a Company Comander, but given how expensive that MTO is I'd like some help building an army so I can consider what I need to buy.
I've already got some vehicles and am looking to make a mechanizied force.
I've got the new codex and would like to look to play again by the time tenth comes out.
Using battlescribe (and zero awareness) I've made this list:
 
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium - Astra Militarum) [111 PL, 2,000pts] ++
 
+ Configuration +
 
Detachment Command Cost
 
Gametype
 
Regimental Doctrine: Astra Millitarum
 
+ HQ +
 
Commissar Yarrick [6 PL, 110pts]: Warlord
 
Company Commander [2 PL, 35pts]: Laspistol
 
+ Troops +
 
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 60pts]
. 7x Guardsman: 7x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster
. Sergeant: Laspistol
 
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 60pts]
. 7x Guardsman: 7x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster
. Sergeant: Laspistol
 
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 60pts]
. 7x Guardsman: 7x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster
. Sergeant: Laspistol
 
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 60pts]
. 7x Guardsman: 7x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster
. Sergeant: Laspistol
 
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 60pts]
. 7x Guardsman: 7x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster
. Sergeant: Laspistol
 
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 60pts]
. 7x Guardsman: 7x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster
. Sergeant: Laspistol
 
+ Elites +
 
Command Squad [2 PL, 65pts]
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
 
Special Weapons Squad [2 PL, 45pts]
. 3x Guardsman: 3x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
 
+ Fast Attack +
 
Armoured Sentinels [9 PL, 135pts]
. Armoured Sentinel: Autocannon, Hunter-killer missile
. Armoured Sentinel: Autocannon, Hunter-killer missile
. Armoured Sentinel: Autocannon, Hunter-killer missile
 
+ Heavy Support +
 
Heavy Weapons Squad [3 PL, 50pts]
. Heavy Weapon Team: Mortar
. Heavy Weapon Team: Mortar
. Heavy Weapon Team: Mortar
 
Heavy Weapons Squad [3 PL, 50pts]
. Heavy Weapon Team: Heavy bolter
. Heavy Weapon Team: Heavy bolter
. Heavy Weapon Team: Heavy bolter
 
Leman Russ Battle Tanks [20 PL, 380pts]
. Leman Russ Battle Tank: Battle Cannon, Heavy Bolter, Heavy Stubber, Hunter-Killer Missile
. . 2 Heavy Bolters
. Leman Russ Demolisher: Heavy Bolter, Heavy Stubber, Hunter-Killer Missile, Turret-mounted Demolisher Siege Cannon
. . 2 Heavy Bolters
 
+ Flyer +
 
Vendetta Gunship [11 PL, 230pts]: 2x Heavy bolter
. 2x Vendetta Twin Lascannons
 
+ Dedicated Transport +
 
Chimera [5 PL, 80pts]: Heavy Bolter, Heavy Stubber, Multi-laser
 
Chimera [5 PL, 80pts]: Heavy Bolter, Heavy Stubber, Multi-laser
 
Chimera [5 PL, 80pts]: Heavy Bolter, Heavy Stubber, Multi-laser
 
Chimera [5 PL, 75pts]: Heavy Bolter, Multi-laser
 
Chimera [5 PL, 75pts]: Heavy Bolter, Multi-laser
 
Chimera [5 PL, 75pts]: Heavy Bolter, Multi-laser
 
Chimera [5 PL, 75pts]: Heavy Bolter, Multi-laser
 
++ Total: [111 PL, 2,000pts] ++
 
Is that a mildly payable list? Are there any glaring errors? Anything in production can be considered in the future I'm just trying to see what I need to get this week.
Thank you.

Recently I have been thinking of planes that we could see that could be interesting in both lore and mechanics.
For me a plane idea that I have is one based around the idea of "Art"
Artemlan
Long ago this plane was once whole, but five planeswalkers during the height of their power split the plain and created their own worlds called the "painted lands" within the plane. Each world is dominated by 2 allied paired sources of mana with each land dedicated to what its creators called "art."
Travel to these 5 painted lands are not impossible as on the edge of each plain is a giant painting that acts as a door to the center of the plain, a whirling source of mana that spits out the abstract and surreal that inhabits once was the center of the plain.
This middle portion of the plain is called the Dalimantle, and it is here where the original inhabitants who did not go into the painted lands originally or travelers from the painted lands live as best they can in this surreal and dangerous environment.
The first painted land is called Inglesilven. The primary color pairing here is white/blue. Here is where art is eternal. Across the land are mountains made of natural marble that is ored and carved by the inhabitants that is just waiting to be sculpted and brought to life. Artistry is best when it is long lasted so the humans of this plain made that true by transferring their souls within their Marble creations once their frail and mortal body begins to cease. Eternal beauty and nigh indestructibility are kings here. The primary races here are humans and spirits.
The second painted land is Jarkledon. The primary color here is red/green. Here is where art is an experience. This land is a exciting place. A giant jungle filled with erupting volcanoes, earthquakes, and giant creatures. Yet all of these things don't create dread but excitement among the inhabitants. The dangers create moments, memories of short but unforgettable times where the inhabitants just feel alive. Art is short but unforgettable. Art is felt and then told from one person to the next in such vivid detail that the listener feels everything the storyteller experienced. Here, moments and the stories are king. The primary races here are Viashino and Elves.
The Third painted land is Quilano. The primary color here is Blue and Black. Here is where art is written. The pen being mightier than the sword is the rule of law here. The lands looks like a giant book, that is littered with seas of inkwater that its inhabitants call home. Where your calligraphy helps determine your status the residents here use the written world to talk and craft narratives that seek to inspire learning and ambition. Where every letter looks like it can become alive and be its own thing, because it most certainly could. The residents of this plain are mermaids and sirens
The fourth land is Vertani. The primary color of this plain is Green/White. Here is where art is eaten. Art is to be enjoyed and nothing is more enjoyable than a good meal. Surrounded by lush vegetation and giant beasts the residents here are in no way suffering from famine. Here food is rich and highly decorated. A simple meal here can be considered a masterpiece anywhere else. Decorated to sheer splendor and with nutrients to boot, ingredients and those who gather them are king. The races of the plain include Leonin and Loxodons.
The fifth land is Alegrano. The primary color of this land is Red/Black. Here is where art is the sounds of your own voice. With music around every corner every word contains power. The voice can boom like thunder and every word is as sharp as thunder. How one intertwines their melody with words rise to greatness. The strongest melodies are such that the long dead come to life at the sounds of the cacophony. The primary races here are goblins and vampires.

Hey guys! Im going to uni for art and I haven’t made very many friends, so I decided to come here and explore some online options since I can text better than I can speak lol. Im really looking for anyone that can hold a conversation, offer new perspectives perhaps experiences (i love learning about people and sharing about myself), shares my interests (not required(: ), and is a cool human! A little about me: I like to paint, and any other form of art you can think of, I love looking at art and observing, i like music, listening and performing (im in choir) and i play xbox sometimes… so looking forward to meeting you all!

I’ve been doing some cosmetic upgrades and I have one module that isn’t black and there is no black panel or black version available.
What could go wrong if I just painted the panel black? I don’t need the graphics, it’s a simple attenuator and has LED’s that indicate what’s happening in the module well enough.
Bad idea? Other DIY suggestions for changing the color of a panel?
I know, this would be tagged pointless and obsessive if those tags existed.

“Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.” — Oscar Wilde
There was a scene in the Picture of Dorian Grey where Dorian buries his face in the flowers outside, and Lord Henry tells him that is the way to live life. Rather than flee life, it is always better to reaffirm it. To be in love with one's fate. To engage and sublimate things to serve higher, inspirational ends.
I think that to be cured by the senses means to write. To let your mind loose and just write like there is no tomorrow. I want to do that with someone. I want to write to them like I'm the last person on the planet. To bury myself in their flowery words. To see their soul beat within each word they write. To feel the brightness, the life, the meaning of their messages.
Sometimes I feel like a flower without the sun, longing to belong to something or someone. If I were a flower I'd be a blue flower, because it symbolizes the transcendental striving for the infinite. That's what I live for. I am someone who dreams too much, thinks too much, reads too much. I often go overboard with my desire to do something. I give things my all. I want to be all used up when I die. I want to go out with a bang, not a whimper.
It would be cool if I could meet someone close, someone who shares my wavelength, a kindred soul. I’m from the most expensive city in the US and work in a menial job, yet I look up from the ground to the sky in hopes of finding something worthwhile.
I often feel like I don't belong anywhere, because I'm multiracial and thus culturally rootless. I do the balancing act on the tightrope of culture as I exist within the liminal limbo. Marriage-free, pet-free, and child-free, I lack similarities with those around me. But I think being different can be a blessing too. As Rob Siltanen said:
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
I'm searching for those who think differently, who see things a whole new way with new eyes. I'm searching for dreamers who think of the impossible, for the daredevils who live dangerously, for the Hyperboreans who pursue the labyrinth’s exit, for the Prometheans who take the fire from the gods, for the Slytherins who seek the forbidden, for the witches who explore the unknown. I'm searching for a deep and dynamic long-term conversation. A conversation that doesn't just die after a few messages. A conversation long enough to last for a lifetime.
Jack Kerouac wrote, "the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'" Are you desirous of life and all it has to offer, with a fever in your soul for everything, burning like a meteor en route to a beautiful collision? Then tell me all about it. I want to hear your outward urge, your fernweh, your wonderlust, your drive for the unlimited. I want to hear what sets yourself aflame with passion, what lights up your world in every possible color. I want to hear the mad musical of your life-affirming narrative in all of its notes.
I want to tell you about the books I've read, but I also want to hear about your favorite books, your philosophy, your values, and your take on life. I imagine our conversations as long discussions about various books and their themes, grappling with the meaning of life, analyzing philosophical conundrums, studying pop culture, exploring theories of music and art aesthetics, exchanging obscure historical facts, examining political science and psychological theories.
Let’s have an intimate intellectual exchange of ideas. Sharing is caring and knowledge is power, so let’s learn as much as we can because the more we know the better we become. We can trade poems, quotes, songs, lyrics, proverbs, axioms, and other favorite things to live by, as we expand our horizons together. There's nowhere else to go but everywhere as we walk down the corridors of our minds.
In addition to that, I’d like to make a long-term connection with someone. Someone who I can count on, someone who stays for the whole ride, someone who doesn't vanish into thin air. I want to learn about the things in your soul, the things that keep you going, the things you can't put down. To listen about your day, about the interesting things you've known, about your favorite areas to visit. Let's explore who we are together and why we exist on this planet and what the point of life is. Give me deep things to think about and I'll give you the same.
Nietzsche said, “As soon as you feel yourself against me you have ceased to understand my position and consequently my arguments! You have to be the victim of the same passion!” You have to be a victim of the same passions to understand me. So, are you? Are you seeking to undergo the ultimate metamorphosis, from caterpillar to butterfly? Are you longing to live like you’ll dream forever as Oscar Wilde did when he gazed at the stars while in the gutters? Are you full of the unquenchable fire of learning, willing to pursue knowledge at any cost like Odin?
If so, I look forward to meeting you.

“Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.” — Oscar Wilde
There was a scene in the Picture of Dorian Grey where Dorian buries his face in the flowers outside, and Lord Henry tells him that is the way to live life. Rather than flee life, it is always better to reaffirm it. To be in love with one's fate. To engage and sublimate things to serve higher, inspirational ends.
I think that to be cured by the senses means to write. To let your mind loose and just write like there is no tomorrow. I want to do that with someone. I want to write to them like I'm the last person on the planet. To bury myself in their flowery words. To see their soul beat within each word they write. To feel the brightness, the life, the meaning of their messages.
Sometimes I feel like a flower without the sun, longing to belong to something or someone. If I were a flower I'd be a blue flower, because it symbolizes the transcendental striving for the infinite. That's what I live for. I am someone who dreams too much, thinks too much, reads too much. I often go overboard with my desire to do something. I give things my all. I want to be all used up when I die. I want to go out with a bang, not a whimper.
It would be cool if I could meet someone close, someone who shares my wavelength, a kindred soul. I’m from the most expensive city in the US and work in a menial job, yet I look up from the ground to the sky in hopes of finding something worthwhile.
I often feel like I don't belong anywhere, because I'm multiracial and thus culturally rootless. I do the balancing act on the tightrope of culture as I exist within the liminal limbo. Marriage-free, pet-free, and child-free, I lack similarities with those around me. But I think being different can be a blessing too. As Rob Siltanen said:
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
I'm searching for those who think differently, who see things a whole new way with new eyes. I'm searching for dreamers who think of the impossible, for the daredevils who live dangerously, for the Hyperboreans who pursue the labyrinth’s exit, for the Prometheans who take the fire from the gods, for the Slytherins who seek the forbidden, for the witches who explore the unknown. I'm searching for a deep and dynamic long-term conversation. A conversation that doesn't just die after a few messages. A conversation long enough to last for a lifetime.
Jack Kerouac wrote, "the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'" Are you desirous of life and all it has to offer, with a fever in your soul for everything, burning like a meteor en route to a beautiful collision? Then tell me all about it. I want to hear your outward urge, your fernweh, your wonderlust, your drive for the unlimited. I want to hear what sets yourself aflame with passion, what lights up your world in every possible color. I want to hear the mad musical of your life-affirming narrative in all of its notes.
I want to tell you about the books I've read, but I also want to hear about your favorite books, your philosophy, your values, and your take on life. I imagine our conversations as long discussions about various books and their themes, grappling with the meaning of life, analyzing philosophical conundrums, studying pop culture, exploring theories of music and art aesthetics, exchanging obscure historical facts, examining political science and psychological theories.
Let’s have an intimate intellectual exchange of ideas. Sharing is caring and knowledge is power, so let’s learn as much as we can because the more we know the better we become. We can trade poems, quotes, songs, lyrics, proverbs, axioms, and other favorite things to live by, as we expand our horizons together. There's nowhere else to go but everywhere as we walk down the corridors of our minds.
In addition to that, I’d like to make a long-term connection with someone. Someone who I can count on, someone who stays for the whole ride, someone who doesn't vanish into thin air. I want to learn about the things in your soul, the things that keep you going, the things you can't put down. To listen about your day, about the interesting things you've known, about your favorite areas to visit. Let's explore who we are together and why we exist on this planet and what the point of life is. Give me deep things to think about and I'll give you the same.
Nietzsche said, “As soon as you feel yourself against me you have ceased to understand my position and consequently my arguments! You have to be the victim of the same passion!” You have to be a victim of the same passions to understand me. So, are you? Are you seeking to undergo the ultimate metamorphosis, from caterpillar to butterfly? Are you longing to live like you’ll dream forever as Oscar Wilde did when he gazed at the stars while in the gutters? Are you full of the unquenchable fire of learning, willing to pursue knowledge at any cost like Odin?
If so, I look forward to meeting you.

I'd like to commission an acyrlic or oil painting of this stanza from Morrissey's "I Wish You Lonely":
​

I wish you lonely Like the last trapped humpback whale Chased by gunships from Bergen But never giving in, never giving in

​
Later song revisions change Bergen to Norway.
​
Budget is $150+. Private Message me your background and portfolio examples, your idea/sketch, timeline and terms. Thanks.

I (28F) have been a smoker for 10+ years, and a serial quitter. But this time it's going really well. I'm on day 3 of cold turkey, no nic replacement or anything like that. It's just me, regular chewing gum, a plan to stay busy, and Jesus. The thing that made this time different than last time is a dose of shrooms the day before my quit. I didn't even plan on quitting. I just finished my pack and was thinking about buying another, but something in me said "nah, I'm good." Something about that trip really set me straight on my path, and the determination has stuck around (which is surprising, I've always had the willpower of a wet noodle.) It's only day 3, but I've had no withdrawal symptoms, no horrible cravings. Maybe a little anxious, but nothing unbearable. It's crazy how easy this is so far, and the only thing I've done different are the shrooms.
I'm morbidly obese (340lb) and I'm on a fitness journey as well, and I was really worried that quitting smoking was going to make me an insatiable monster (it has every time I've tried) but I've truly been putting mind over matter for the first time ever. If I'm STARVING I can eat cucumbers or celery, a handful of almonds or if I'm desperate an avocado, and I feel much better. I've been working out and detoxing, trying to be productive in every way possible. Even when I sit down for the day and get on my laptop, I set my sights on something productive. Reading, writing, researching. I've had a really rough year, but I'm about to invest in some hobbies that have me excited to live again. (I'm buying a 3d printer and some resin molds. I have lots of ideas, but I'm initially starting in making chess sets because I'm a chess nerd lol.)
Day 3 isn't much to celebrate, but I'm just really happy with how smooth it's going and that I'm staying strong. Haven't made it three days in years. Right now I'm going to do some Bible study and then take a long glorious nap lol. It helps with cravings, and I recently researched that a midday nap can help with weightloss. I'm so hype that I can count a nap as productive 😂

So, let me start this post by clarifying the issues I am suggesting to fix. Across the vast number of instances there are many way to end up teleporting out leaving loot on the ground and losing it.
Here are some examples:
1.Full chests: Many chests in the game such as Zuk or the ED chests, ED4 is a huge offender, can fill resulting in your rare drops ending up on the floor instead of in the chest and if you don't notice that your drop didn't go into the chest then it will be lost upon teleporting out. (Side note: Please make ED4 chest larger.)
2.Area loot bug: Area loot has an issue where sometimes if you open it then walk within range of loot it takes a few seconds or a reopening of area loot for the loot to appear and when coupled with unstoppable teleports such as wars it becomes very easy to leave loot on the ground when not intended.

1. Double deaths: If you kill a boss the same tick it kills you the loot drops to the ground and you have no way to pick it up. You can only hope it doesn't happen to you more than once or the item reclaim system will deny you.

These are all issues that most players have encountered at least once. Some of these even affect non-instanced boss encounters like Araxxor.
There are two ways that I see to fix this problem as the current item reclaim system is not up to the task. The first is to have a chest in Wars or somewhere easy to access, this chest's whole purpose is to hold dropped loot from your last instance that was not picked up when the instance closed. It will only hold the previous instance, so if you enter a new one and then leave it will delete anything it was holding. It cannot be used to store items but it will protect against losing items to instances closing.
The second and likely harder to implement idea is to completely rework instances and when they can close. So, instead of closing the instance the instant the last player inside leaves, keep it open for a few minutes allowing players to rejoin that same instance if they were quick in getting back. This would also close the old instance if the players from that instance enter a fresh one.
Even if its not these specific fixes I would like to see work be done on some method to reduce items lost in instances since so much of the game is in instances now.

I (23m) have been dating my GF (20f) for just over 3 months and we’re moving out of that honeymoon phase of things. I get that sex dropping off is normal but it’s just putting me on edge because most of my relationships tend to end soon after the honeymoon phase.
​
We haven’t had sex in about a week or two, I haven’t really been counting because she admitted she felt like my libido is significantly higher than hers and it makes her feel like I only care about sex. As a result of our discussion and me trying to make her feel better we’ve had more long term discussions (family, kids, marriage, moving in, work, etc). I also asked her to establish a sort of system where she has a bracelet she can wear when she feels in the mood for sex, that way I’m not just poking and prodding.
​
Now gets to the hard part, I tried initiating this morning when we both woke up and she just wasn’t in the mood which is cool. My problem is she said if I got breakfast then she “might” be and now I’m feeling like we’re in a place of quid pro quo’s. I want to say I initiated this via the bracelet idea without thinking, as a matter of fact I feel responsible.
​
On the way home with breakfast I got depressed thinking about if I really wanted to be in this type of situation 5, 10 or even 15 years from now and I think I brought that energy home because she left kinda distant a little bit ago. I’m not mad at her, and certainly don’t blame her, for not wanting sex as often I just wish I knew how to get both our needs met.
​
I just wish she would initiate more without me having to become distant. Like I get some people aren’t as affectionate when things are going good but I’m worried that she’ll only ever initiate when things are rocky and that’s not the kinda relationship I want. I want us to be happy when we’re cuddling and talking and watching movies. I want her to embrace me too.
​
I don’t want to feel like I’m that needy guy who’s only desire is to have sex or one of those guys from deadbedrooms who resents his wife because she doesn’t want sex but doesn’t want the relationship to end. I want to talk with her and explain things but she’s nervous and gets depressive episodes sometimes so I don’t want to add to her plate, especially with feelings that are so selfish. So instead of the million questions I have I just want to ask “If I stopped trying would you ever even try to initiate?”
​
I do care about her but my last 2 relationships ended up going the dead bedroom route and I know I don’t want that. One was 4 months and the other was about 5 or so, so I’m really looking for solutions before I consider ending things. And I know endings things over sex gets a lot of pushback in terms of “how can you be so selfish?” And “What about her feelings?” but I want to be happy and I can’t be happy while knowing my only purpose is to be a painting or object in a museum.
​
TLDR:
I don’t know how to tell her that I’m tired of initiating intimacy. It makes me feel needy and rejected. I just want to ask her if our lack of intimacy is something I should expect but I’m afraid if she says yes that means the end for us. I don’t want her to feel like I only care about sex but after 2 bad relationships and cheating I know sex matters and hiding my feelings will only make things worse.

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There is this weird delusion in this sub that just because the RE market is fucked, everyone else is responsible for it except for the poor souls in this sub that represent the frothiest tier of demand.
That somehow, because everyone is miserable together, that the big bad boogiemen out there (corporations, flippers, investors, Airbnbers, etc) are fully responsible for everything and they are victims.
But every single person on FTHB who has settled for a shit flip, offered above asking to win the bid, waived contingencies, etc : you are also responsible. Your inability to wait, your excuses of why you need a SFH house no matter the cost or financial position you're putting yourself in, you don't deserve much sympathy. I know it's not easy to admit. I know that timing has not been on your side and things are tough. No one will argue otherwise.
But let me repeat this, because I know it's not easy for people to hear: the ravenous desire many of you have to be a homeowner "right now" is a key reason things aren't cooling off faster. You would think tanking affordability via rates would ease demand, but instead it's hurt supply and left an unhealthy, frothy demand just as frothy. And instead of having a rational, financially savvy response to this tough market, this sub seems to just think they must simply squeeze more, make more sacrifices, to accomplish their goals.
Look, I'm not going to condemn people that have bought houses recently, but you waive your ability to complain and point fingers when you're buying into this game. I'm just saying that some of you need a dose of self awareness.
Put on that TSwift and open those checkbooks, your dream house is just 70% of your take-home-pay away!

Hey everyone, I'm back again with another question about fixing our wonky house. We have two weird stains on the wall near the door frame of our bedroom, as pictured here https://imgur.com/a/X1oEDVw. They've been there since we bought the place about 2 years ago and have never changed appearance. I've tried cleaning the stains off with disinfectant, painting over them, and even put some spackle over them, but the stains always come through. Any advice on how to get rid of them or ideas about what it could be? Am I going to just have to cut the drywall out and replace it?
A little more details: That wall has never felt wet or seemed moist at all. One of the stains and part of the other stain is on an exterior wall. We recently had all the siding on the outside replaced and didn't see anything on the outside that seemed off. We live in Florida.