Goals - The Duncan Trussell Family Hour Forum

Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and making a living from home.

nick_sage — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:32:15 -0400

I spent my childhood wholeheartedly believing in the first two. I'd like to hear any stories that will help me believe in the 3rd one. I'm likely to be in a position where I have to do this, and I know there is an entire universe of bullshit leads.

If you or someone you know is actually making this work in a way that is sustainable and not soul-destroying, I'd love to hear about it, and I'll bless your house. Thanks y'all.

Getting Prescribed ADHD Meds at age 25? Should I?

creamyhole — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:15:54 -0400

I'm now 25, at age fifteen I recall taking 5 or 10mg of Adderall XR before school for a full semester. This was the only semester in High School I made honor roll. I never told anyone this because it was an extra prescription bottle left over from my sister (illegal), perhaps I should have told the truth to my psych so he would prescribe me the correct medications instead of forcing me to taking various shitty SSRI meds for three years. Every other semester I had Mostly D's and C's. If I didn't take the Adderall as soon as I woke up I'd have trouble sleeping at night, otherwise I was fine.

After being out of college for three years now, my work ethic comes in small bursts; not nearly enough to achieve what I would like to. So recently I tried a friends 10mg Focalin Instant Release, I got in a solid 5 hours of concentration without random thought distractions interrupting my brain; no side effects. Yesterday I tried a friends 20mg Adderall instant release, felt very similar to the Focalin; no side effects.

If I feel I'm benefiting from these chemicals allowing my brain to function more unidirectional, would it be healthy to consider consulting my doctor on this? I know most doctors don't know shit about drugs, so I'd prefer to get an opinion of some more experienced people from our family here. My doctor is fairly decent about prescribing me what I request if I approach it with knowledge on the topic.

A bit about myself: I eat rather healthy, take a sports multivitamin and some other supplements daily, have decent cardio and muscular endurance, and dispatch my globby loads 2-7 times per week, unless if I get shower soap in my urethra which generally takes about a week to recover from (this happened once). I've tried Alpha Brain but it didn't provide enough of a clarity boost, granted it did help slightly.

Questions for the family:

1. Which ADHD med would be best for dual 24" LCD computer monitor multi-tasking for 4-8 hours, 4-5 mornings per week?

2. How many years could I be able to take them for at this rate without fucking my brain up?

3. Is it possible my personality will shift for better, or more likely worse?

4. Should I buy a Fitbit to see if it's fucking with my heart/sleep patterns?

I'm Disgusting: Time to Workout - DAY 180 UPDATE PICS!! 3.30.13

ArgoD — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 03:08:14 -0400

I have been neglecting my health and body for far too long, well over 2 years. I think it is tied to my cigarette habit which I didn't pick up until I was 23, right around the time I quit giving a shit about how I look and feel. I have worked out on occasion since then but quickly lose motivation after a few days. I guess when I smoke I logically know I am killing myself so any justification to workout seems pointless. Why do 1 if I do the other (flawed thinking I know).

I looked at myself in the mirror today and took some before/after pics and felt ashamed and disgusted with myself. Repulsed. I am sick of worrying about this and nothing is going to change unless I do something about it. I want to feel better/look better/be more attractive/etc. Furthermore, I want to be in great fucking shape so when I take my shirt off some place girls instantly get dripping wet from my physique.

If they saw me today and smelled my cigarette breath they would likely run away in horror.

Gonna post Day 30 and Day 60 Photos along with regular updates as to how its going...I got those Sean T Insanity DVD's, so if anything it should be a testimonial if it works or not ( I think all of them work its just a matter of doing it)..

Motivation and support is appreciated and if anyone wants to match me, I can send a link to the DVD's or mail a copy..

Peace

All About Suicide

megarobot — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:50:19 -0400

I've heard suicide discussed on the family hour a bunch and wanted to share my thoughts on it. I think that it is wrongfully ignored in Western culture (death in general is "swept under the carpet" as Alan Watts says). I've heard Dunky Baby mention it on Chelsea's podcast, as well as the latest one with Mr. Bolelli.

Thinking about suicide can be very constructive and could actually make you appreciate life in a new way. I don't mean to use it as a tool for self pity or manipulation (and I am certainly guilty of this), but to explore it as an idea, which brings me empathy and mindfullness; it is empowering. Whenever I am depressed and I think about it, it's like exploring a dark corner of my mind. A lot of my favorite musicians sing about and are inspired by that same place, the concept of self destruction, and all the possibilities that it entails. Think of all the actors, musicians, and intellectuals in general who have died from sleeping pills, drinking, and smoking. We kill ourselves every day!

In the end of the day, however, I always find a reason to live. That's why it is important to have stuff to fall back on, mine being the podcast, running, and music. Perhaps that's why my (and I believe many of yours) appreciation for the Family Hour extends deep into our hearts and third eyes. Also, I am too lazy to kill myself.

What food has changed my mind, body and soul if any?

Jon — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:02:09 -0500

Mine would be green vegetables and coconut oil

BEST WORKOUT MUSIC?!?! [Collective Compilation]

Himanshu — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:38:05 -0400

Hello fellow workout-ers! A friendly thread that details a list of songs (with your help) to pump you up and break plateaus.

Basically, post a link to your favorite song(OR SONGS), so other gym-rats can get pumping.

[SIGN OF CAUTION] --- Please, PLEASE! Do NOT judge anyone's music choice and preferences, so post any genre of music you listen to when pumping iron. Post freely!

I'll start off by a couple of links:

Studying

mundungus — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:12:59 -0400

I think we have a considerable student contingent here and plenty of people who like to learn. So what strategies or tips can you share to help with absorbing/retaining information, speed reading, exam and essay writing technique and all that shit.

Let's help get each other's brains all big and juicy!

insomniacs

EW — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:11:56 -0500

Hi all,

I've been a nocturnal wreck for at least 8 years. Sleepless nights are no new thing, even if I bust my ass, burn calories, feel at peace, etc. It's exhausting.

Do any of you have a similar problem, or have you in the past? What has been the one thing that helps you get to sleep?

I know this topic feels common-sensical, but a support thread might help me make sense of insomnia and my fucked up circadian rhythms.

It's the morning now and I have to leave and it makes me sad, but I'll drag myself like a champ like always.

Let's maybe share stories and hold e-hands. Bless

Ibogaine treatment

kktris — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:41:40 -0400

High Y'all

I have been struggling with alcoholism and addiction for many years and about two years ago I started to shoot heroin and I can't get this monkey off my back and it has the hooks in real good. I've decided that I'm going to try Ibogaine treatment and I am now in the process of gathering information on different clinics. If anybody has any information on clinics such as location, cost, duration of stay and overall experience, I'd greatly appreciate it if you share it with me. If you do not want to put it out there that you have went to a clinic, please direct message me and I will keep it on the down low.

Thanks,
kktris

Self Acceptance

Pharmaecopia — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 17:35:56 -0500

Hey, first time visitor to the forum. Big fan of the podcast. I don't exactly know what I intend to accomplish with this post but I need to do something.

Self acceptance seems to be something I'm unable to do. When I was in middle school - I was very unhappy for being a small kid. Under height, under weight. Then high school came around, the first year was pretty bad. Was 5 ft even, 100 pounds, and didn't make many friends because I couldn't accept myself for who I was. Lost most of my friends, really.

Then Sophomore year came around, I had finally gotten a growth spurt! I was around 5' 5" and 110 pounds. My happiness was short lived, however, because I had developed gynecomastia. It was around the size of a golf ball under each nipple. I was sent into a deep depression that caused me to have virtually no friends, didn't pay attention in school, and sure as hell had no luck with the ladies. Still haven't :(

Graduated high school, 5' 10" 135 pounds and gynecomastia still with me. I became even more depressed as the months rolled by after high school. I was feeling lost, confused, and betrayed by the universe. When I would think to myself, "There are people who have it way worse off than you, WAY worse, you are relatively normal and have a stable job so stop your crying." it would only make me feel worse about myself since I was unable to feel better about anything. Suicide would cross my mind several times a day for around a year or two, but knowing how it would destroy my family made me stick around.

Fast-forward to now. 20 years old, still feeling lost. Kissless-virgin. I have no hobbies or skills, no interests or desires, and working 40 hrs/wk has left me constantly fatigued and stuck in a routine without an envision to free myself from it.

A few months ago a relative came into some money and was able to pay for me to have gynecomastia surgery, $6,000 it costs. I was so excited! I had surgery a couple of weeks ago and had many plans to begin taking my first steps into being a satisfied, responsible, fulfilled adult. Unfortunately, having the surgery didn't fix my emotional problems. I don't know why I thought it would. Everyone in my family expects me to walk around with a huge grin on my face now, but the feeling isn't there. Surgery seems to be going alright, it's not perfect. I have a large indent on my left pectoral muscle above the nipple that will be there forever and a small indent under my right nipple that I believe will be there forever as well. Also, the possibility of it returning will always be in my mind, I won't be able to take many medications in fear of it returning since I'll be forever susceptible to gynecomastia related side-effects.

This has been giving my constant anxiety for the past week and I feel as though I'm just ready to stop. Ready to stop letting external conditions affect my internal happiness. Life is filled with both misery and happiness. You can't have one without the other, but you can choose which one comes to visit more often.

I'm still going to follow through with the plans I've been fantasizing about since I was 15 and vowed I would do when the day came to have my breasts removed. Here is a small list of things I want to do to get my head on straight and feel healthy.

-Gain some damn weight/muscle (still 5' 10" and shift around 120-130 pounds.
-Stop smoking cigarettes
-Limit alcohol to once every two weeks or a month
-Pick up some hobbies like; drawing, music, ....taking suggestions on some hobbies
-Focus on positives aspects of my life
-Start meditating
-Go to school to at least brush up on some forgotten things like math.
-Be more outgoing
-Be willing to take my shirt off in front of people. (I have not been swimming in nearly 7 years and it was one of my favorite things to do. I can feel myself taking the necessary steps in order to just not care what happens with my chest, whether the scars and deformities look strange or if my genecomastia returns - I need to be able to shrug off weird looks and judgments and enjoy the things I want to enjoy. I believe this will weed out the people who will bring my life down and surround myself with those who will lift me up.)

I feel better just writing this, hopefully someone will feel better reading it. If anyone has any advice on feeling more productive with their life and self acceptance please share. I and many others would benefit greatly.

I would also like to add, as low as I feel now in my life, I would be much lower had it not been for The Duncan Trussell Family Hour and the Joe Rogan Experience. I listen to these podcasts almost everyday commuting to and from work and everywhere else I go :) It's time I stopped just listening and started acting.

Heroes

Pat_Hartman — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:28:26 -0400

This is what civil rights activists marched for and Freedom Riders died for. No sarcasm or irony here. In all seriousness, and with all the respect and love in the world. It wasn't only about votes and the right to eat lunch at the dime store, and the idea of educating all the kids together in the same schools. It was for this. Goddess, bless all those raggedy-ass people who got their heads bashed in and went to jail so we could see this day.

Learn how to become self employed

JeremyCookson — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:27:10 -0500

Hey everyone.

I created a website for people who want to learn how to become self-employed.
you can visit it here: http://selfemployedstrategy.com

I know this is my first post and I'm promoting my own website, but I thought this would be a great place to share it. I am a fan of duncan, and I think my site will be really helpful to anyone here who is interested in becoming self-employed.

I just started it a couple weeks ago, so i'll be adding a lot more content to the site in the future.

Swagger & "The Zone" As discussed on JRE #329

ErikStenqvist — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:34:21 -0400

Hello everyone!

I've been a fan of the JRE podcast for a long time but haven't really been active in the forums as you can see. After a break I got back to listening to my favorite guest. You Mr.Duncan Trussel on #329!

I was originally going to post it on the Joe Rogan board but ended up here and it feels like the better choice for some reason. But I'm too lazy to change it so here it is in its original version :)

I am a professional poker player but I also “Mental Game” or mindset coaching for poker players. To help them deal with the negative emotional side of the game, repetitive negative thought patterns, and also how to be in a state where you are able to play your A-Game. This is also referred to as playing in “The Zone”. This is something that is very dear to me so when I heard that they talked about it and it didn't seem that they felt they got to the bottom of it. So here is my take on the subject because I find it so fascinating and I work with trying to achieve this state of being, presence, or being in a very alert and attentive state were you perform at you best. For anyone who has done any kind of sport, writing, or need to perform in a competitive environment this should be familiar territory. This is something that I now try to bring into every single moment of my life, to be the nicest, most effective, loving, kind and coolest person II can be. And it's working great for me so maybe it can work for some of you! :)

In the beginning of the podcast during the commercial they touch on the topic of “The Zone”. This is the transcript of the conversation so you don't have to search through to find it. This is more or less how the conversation goes.

“Joe: What is that? When you feel great. When your life is fucking rolling on perfect it's on the perfect frequency. And you have that feeling of just walking. It's not swagger, it's kind of a swagger but swagger is too gross of a word. But we have to have to have another 'word for it. What is that that feeling like when you are at your best? Like wow! I'm about as happy as I have ever been?

Duncan: Being in the zone?

Joe: What is that?”

I will use poker as the “arena” where I make my examples but you can use any kind of stressful environment that is more applicable to you. Whether it's work, sports, or dealing with you in-laws for example.

In poker what the game is really about is that you have a game of incomplete information where you have to be able to reach correct decision more often than your opponent. The decisions are in the form of table selection, what card to play and what to fold, callin/raisring/folding and betsizing for example. If you are able to to do this you will because of this make money from other players that are not as skilled. As we all know though poker has a huge amount of luck involved. There is little to no control over a single hand or a single session which brings with it frustration, the feeling of lack of control and the “unfairness” just to name a few. This also makes it possible for lesser skilled players to overestimate their own skill. Because anyone with no experience of playing the game can and will beat players that are much more skilled than them every now and then. This is where poker is different from a game of chess with complete information and no luck to speak of.

So if we look at poker from a different perspective we have an arena where you have to make qualified decisions, with limited time, for money, with huge amounts of luck, and we have to do this while remaining calm and in the present moment. In this turbulent environment players sometimes find themselves in what we call “The Zone” or “A-Game”. When we are state of mind, presence, or harmonic inspired state of mind we tend to play at the top of or very close to our best possible game. When players are asked to describe this state these are some of the characteristics that almost always come up; harmony, attentive, focused, motivated, alert, creative, and in the moment. This often leads to them on the spot coming up with new creative plays, raises, bluffs and call downs they had not thought of or been able to implement in their game before. This is something we often hear from writers writing articles or books when putting the words on paper come effortlessly. I would guess Joe or anyone else that plays pool can easily associate with this state of being. Pocketing ball after ball and you are just flowing through the movements and everything just seems to effortlessly fall into place.

One characteristic that is apparent when in this “mode” is that there is little or no thought. If I would have to put a percentage on it would say there is almost an 80% reduction of thought. The thoughts that do come up however tend to be qualitative in the way that it lets us deal with the task at hand in a constructive, focused and effective way right now.There is little or no negative thought patterns stealing focus, nervousness or fear is reduced significantly or completely, and we are in the present moment. We are in the now.

This is often something that comes to players naturally or buy chance depending on how used they are to being in their environment. Some people can achieve this but only in certain fields, sports or meditation for example. It's a bit tricky to explain or know what exactly is happening here. From my experience it is also a large part individual and personal what it feels like and how we get there. The best thing I feel is to get inspiration from others and playfully try to out the way they do and see what works for you.

When we play poker for example we want to consistently reach this in an structured fashion so that we play our best and handle the emotional and financial swings of the game without it letting affect our decision making. And we have all seen how hard this can be for us in any stressful environment. The way that we do it in poker is to actively remove the negative thought, dig into and root out old negative emotions, and practice staying with and not reacting instinctively to negative emotions. This is very hard to do so we have to practice this away from the tables but writing, analyzing, meditation/mindfulness and slowing our minds down so that we are more in the present moment. By that I mean that we try to bring as much awareness or consciousness to the tables that the we are able to recognize the negative signs in real time before they take over and “tilt” us as we say in poker.

We also want to approach the session in a structured fashion with a solid Warm-Up routine so we let go of negativity or issues outside of the session, prime our brains for the task at hand with visualization. We are then more often able to create the stillness or harmony we need so that we can let our full creativity blossom or burst forward for the lack of a better description. If you've remember from the show the concept of that we are like radios and that consciousness or a part of it is almost like an external stream that we need to connect to to be create, evolve intellectually and spiritually. Which is such a red line in this pod cast and is seen growing more and more around the world. What I believe is happening is that if we are able to throw out the old skeletons and garbage, find our passion, and create this stillness. Then we are able to tune in to that frequency and the universe, consciousness or spirituality (or whatever feels true for you) come and backs you up in this present moment. Right here, right now.

Treasure Trove of Great Marketing Books from Jay Abraham

kulashaker — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:18:12 -0400

The guy is a genius, and very accessible. He recently made a large number of his materials available for download.

He's really, really good when it comes to marketing your business and persuading people to choose your product service.

http://www.abraham.com/gifts/thankyou.html

My deal with the universe.

StoneMan — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 18:52:03 -0500

I listened to the Dan Harmon episode yesterday and it really resonated with me when Dan spoke about how he quit smoking and later got the writing job. It inspired me to make my own deal with the universe or god whatever and that is to give up drinking for the most part and only drink once a week (I stay up all night and drink beers for nights in a row and it is not good), give up shitty food and make a valiant effort to write and work out everyday and in return positive things that I need in my life will happen. So that's my deal and I would like to hear some of yours!

I performed my first comedy set the other night.

SageNesquick — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:38:05 -0500

Family,

I faced my fears on Monday night. I wrote some jokes and performed in the first heat of a comedy competition; it was for a spot in the Melbourne international comedy festival and $10,000.

I missed the opportunity, due to the fact I wasn't 100% ready (for television.) However, I had a blast. That's all I wanted, too. I went up there, facing off against 25 other contestants and came out in the top 4. I couldn't be happier, considering I didn't actually expect to do well at all. I was given some great feedback on my work and enough encouragement to decide to take this much further. I'll be seeking out more open mic's and keep working towards this.

If you're thinking about doing comedy. I highly recommend you do so; the rush of being on stage was incredible and the waves of laughter were nothing short of inspiring. I feel like a new man.

The Federal Reserve killed JFK for printing dollars backed by silver. What say you Yeah or Nay?

JockObushveldt — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:02:49 -0500

JFK Vs The Federal Reserve
By John P. Curran
4-19-7

On June 4, 1963, a virtually unknown Presidential decree, Executive Order 11110, was signed with the authority to basically strip the Federal Reserve Bank of its power to loan money to the United States Federal Government at interest. With the stroke of a pen, President Kennedy declared that the privately owned Federal Reserve Bank would soon be out of business. The Christian Law Fellowship has exhaustively researched this matter through the Federal Register and Library of Congress. We can now safely conclude that this Executive Order has never been repealed, amended, or superceded by any subsequent Executive Order. In simple terms, it is still valid.

When President John Fitzgerald Kennedy - the author of Profiles in Courage -signed this Order, it returned to the federal government, specifically the Treasury Department, the Constitutional power to create and issue currency -money - without going through the privately owned Federal Reserve Bank. President Kennedy's Executive Order 11110 gave the Treasury Department the explicit authority: "to issue silver certificates against any silver bullion, silver, or standard silver dollars in the Treasury." This means that for every ounce of silver in the U.S. Treasury's vault, the government could introduce new money into circulation based on the silver bullion physically held there. As a result, more than $4 billion in United States Notes were brought into circulation in $2 and $5 denominations. $10 and $20 United States Notes were never circulated but were being printed by the Treasury Department when Kennedy was assassinated. It appears obvious that President Kennedy knew the Federal Reserve Notes being used as the purported legal currency were contrary to the Constitution of the United States of America.

"United States Notes" were issued as an interest-free and debt-free currency backed by silver reserves in the U.S. Treasury. We compared a "Federal Reserve Note" issued from the private central bank of the United States (the Federal Reserve Bank a/k/a Federal Reserve System), with a "United States Note" from the U.S. Treasury issued by President Kennedy's Executive Order. They almost look alike, except one says "Federal Reserve Note" on the top while the other says "United States Note". Also, the Federal Reserve Note has a green seal and serial number while the United States Note has a red seal and serial number.

President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 and the United States Notes he had issued were immediately taken out of circulation. Federal Reserve Notes continued to serve as the legal currency of the nation. According to the United States Secret Service, 99% of all U.S. paper "currency" circulating in 1999 are Federal Reserve Notes.

Kennedy knew that if the silver-backed United States Notes were widely circulated, they would have eliminated the demand for Federal Reserve Notes. This is a very simple matter of economics. The USN was backed by silver and the FRN was not backed by anything of intrinsic value. Executive Order 11110 should have prevented the national debt from reaching its current level (virtually all of the nearly $9 trillion in federal debt has been created since 1963) if LBJ or any subsequent President were to enforce it. It would have almost immediately given the U.S. Government the ability to repay its debt without going to the private Federal Reserve Banks and being charged interest to create new "money". Executive Order 11110 gave the U.S.A. the ability to, once again, create its own money backed by silver and realm value worth something.

Again, according to our own research, just five months after Kennedy was assassinated, no more of the Series 1958 "Silver Certificates" were issued either, and they were subsequently removed from circulation. Perhaps the assassination of JFK was a warning to all future presidents not to interfere with the private Federal Reserve's control over the creation of money. It seems very apparent that President Kennedy challenged the "powers that exist behind U.S. and world finance". With true patriotic courage, JFK boldly faced the two most successful vehicles that have ever been used to drive up debt:

1) war (Viet Nam); and,

2) the creation of money by a privately owned central bank. His efforts to have all U.S. troops out of Vietnam by 1965 combined with Executive Order 11110 would have destroyed the profits and control of the private Federal Reserve Bank.

Executive Order 11110

AMENDMENT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10289 AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS AFFECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. By virtue of the authority vested in me by section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, it is ordered as follows:

SECTION 1. Executive Order No. 10289 of September 19, 1951, as amended, is hereby further amended - (a) By adding at the end of paragraph 1 thereof the following subparagraph (j): "(j) The authority vested in the President by paragraph (b) of section 43 of the Act of May 12, 1933, as amended (31 U.S.C. 821 (b)), to issue silver certificates against any silver bullion, silver, or standard silver dollars in the Treasury not then held for redemption of any outstanding silver certificates, to prescribe the denominations of such silver certificates, and to coin standard silver dollars and subsidiary silver currency for their redemption," and (b) By revoking subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 2 thereof. SECTION 2. The amendment made by this Order shall not affect any act done, or any right accruing or accrued or any suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil or criminal cause prior to the date of this Order but all such liabilities shall continue and may be enforced as if said amendments had not been made.

JOHN F. KENNEDY THE WHITE HOUSE, June 4, 1963

Once again, Executive Order 11110 is still valid. According to Title 3, United States Code, Section 301 dated January 26, 1998:

Who else has started being honest with their life?

Snelgrove — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 09:45:58 -0500

I have started being completely truthful to myself I.E. Looking in the mirror and saying I can do better, or my diet is shit and I need to fix it. Rather than say I'll do it tomorrow. If every one ment what they said when they say I'll do it tomorrow there would be no fat sacks of shit

How to find a goal?

Robituss — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:18:14 -0500

First off I'm new to this place, so hello everyone, pleasure to be here.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to have a goal. It seems whenever I try and think about the future and how I fit into it, I can't come up with anything. Completely blank. I already tried the college route fresh out of high school (multiple times lol), kept failing because the only reason I was there was because I unknowingly internalized the idea that I'd be a loser if I didn't go.
Right now I'm just living in Duluth, MN (21 yrs old) in a house with some friends, working shit jobs, just getting by, smoking weed, having fun, trying to try a psychedelic (super difficult for some reason).

For example, questions from job interviews like 'where do you see yourself in 2 yrs.' hmmm...
Anything career-related, even relationship-wise I don't really care, I just sort of let everything come my way, haven't really done much seeking I guess.

I just feel overwhelmed, when I think about all the multitudes of things people in this world do for money, it just seems
too big. What's the point in making a choice when there are so many options? almost makes the choice meaningless.

It feels like more and more this motif keeps popping up in my life. 'What do you really want"?
'What is it that's really important to you'? I'm starting to feel like a ghost, no desires, no dreams, nothing.

Back in high school I really got into music, was into all the band shit, took private lessons, got fairly good at saxophone. To this day I still mess around on the keyboard, it's really nice to have a creative outlet; It's just not really my life's passion anymore, by the end of it I felt like I was still doing it as a habit more than anything else so I sort of fell out of it.

But every since the music phase ended I haven't had a 'thing', you know? before I could say oh yeah music's my deal, now I'm blank and its been bothering me.

I guess I just feel like life in general is a glass wall, I can't find any niches or handholds to get moving, I keep sliding back down, nowhere to go.

Any thoughts?

Make £1,000,000:- Save The World!

After1mage — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:08:58 -0500

This I pledge:

1) In the real world:

I will build steadily growing, nation-wide, time-share, open-access, mini-fabrication laboratories with instructors working for them. I want them to be ubiquitous: Providing hobbyists of all stripes, part-time or full-time inventors, with hard tools & simplified training in:

- 3D Printing.
- Injection Moulding.
- Programming Tools.
- Design Software.
- Modules for Electronics.
- CAD Cutting Tables
- Metal Tools.
- Joinery Tools.
- Glass cutting.
- Links to mass production depots.
- Instruction for these things.

I want these workshops to be communities of mad inventors. Places to spend 10 hours on your days off. To take turns deciding what podcast, music or audiobook should be on the overhead speakers. To sit on old couches! To chill, eat, drink, make friends with others - smoke weed, share ideas, form groups, one day start-ups which might get you to quit your day jobs to become fully involved in the process of being inventors consumed by the fun of creation!

I want invention to be the top thing one could aspire to become involved in! Not stand up comedy! Not managing hedge funds!

To become entrepreneurs spearheading your burgeoning companies! To make profit! Be it massive wealth with or just extra income. I want to pay the taxes you would otherwise incur so you would have the full incentive to build your companies for your own benefit! To sell them later, to merge them with other start-ups, to use the experience you gained to get gainful employment with others!

2) In cyberspace:

This will work in combination with what I want to create online: The internet community for inventors.

It will be somewhere, where, if nothing else, you can submit ideas for inventions, to make money from selling them to this infrastructure of mini-fab laboratories full of young people - or for royalties off the finished products! I myself have three inventions I wish I could put together! Ebay let you sell your stuff: I want this to let you make money just from ideas! I want you to spend 10 minutes each day, perhaps during your commutes, trying to think of something cool to invent! To make side-income, if nothing else from it!

This online community will have online shops displaying the latest in inventions! It will streamline & simplify distribution, tax, financing, accounting, incorporation! It will pool peer-reviewed e-lancing services for programming, design, music composition, film production & legal services. It will provide the platform for internet crowd-financing in ways kickstarter has only just started exploring!

We've been told it would be up to future generations to shoulder the burden of previous generations' debts. So be it! With what I want to call the Micro Industrial Revolution, we're far stronger than any recession! Let us change the face of modern production by making low access industrialisation possible: Generating thousands of Thomas Edisons! Thousands of start-up companies! Thousands of jobs! Thousands of new products!

We will be the Invention Generation!

True, ethical capitalism is the only force which works: We must bring it back.

I can do this, with your support. However, I want to know what you think first.

So, discuss?

x

healthy eatting

purpletom — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:15:29 -0500

so i guess i'll put this here i'm on a new goal to get in better health i was looking for suggestions on what recipes you guy might have or maybe even good food i haven't heard of? mind you i'm looking for cheaper options but medium priced range stuff is good too.

delete

brandon — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:58:12 -0500

delete

Ideas on killing the vampire in my life?

logie100 — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:08:16 -0500

Hey guys :) I have a vampire in my life and that is my dependance on the internet. I'm on it for too long each day and I think its one of my vices that seem to enhance my life but really restrict it. I started my dependancy because halfway through high school I realised I had no true friends, so I joined online penpal websites and have made some really close friends on there. I care for my online friends like people would care for their best friends in real life. My online friends all have large social circles whereas I just have them. I know they care for me, but not in a way that I care for them. If I stay away from the internet too long I often think about my online pals and miss them. In a way, the internet is a blessing and a curse for my social life. On one hand it has given me some great friends, on the other hand, I can't meet those friends since they live in different countries and by only being friends with people online my friend making skills have suffered a lot.

In my real life I have a few people I talk with at university, but I don't hang out with them out side of university because they are all busy with their other friends, and sorry to say, they aren't people who I'd want as close friends.

Has any of you had a similar situation, and how did you overcome it?

Thanks, Logan

The "Get A Job, Drug Test, Waiting for Results" Blues

JayDP — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:46:35 -0500

Hello family members. I can't stop obsessively thinking about the precarious position I find myself in and I figured explaining it to y'all might at least be thinking about it in a slightly more healthy manner. I apologize for length. The short story is this:

I quit my shitty food service job riiiight at the end of December looking for almost anything else, with one particular job at the fore of my focus. Unfortunately this job D-D-D-D-DRUG TESTS. Over the course of the next month and a half I quit smoking, re-uptook smoking (took down probably half an eighth in a week or so) stumbled upon an 'in' at this job, quit again, didn't hear back from him, smoked a bit at night, followed up, heard it was a go, and quit again for two weeks. In those two weeks I interviewed, got the job, and ultimately drug tested. So... since the end of December I was 2 or 3 weeks off smoking, 1 week on, 1 week off, a couple hours on, 2 weeks off.

Before then I was an everyday smoker with semi-regular 1-2 week breaks every couple of months or less. When I'm on I take down an eighth in like two weeks.

In those last few weeks I also drank shit load of water, exercised a bunch, and then for the last week purposefully ate mostly shit to smother any of the remaining cani-soaked fat cells with good, clean, American McFat. I also drank a fair amount of water & coffee the morning of. Not enough (I believe) to raise suspicion but hopefully enough to skew in my favor.

Anyway, test was Thursday and now I pretty much can't stop fucking thinking about it. If I pass I get a great fucking job that's perfect for me in almost every way. If I fail I'm again without a job, mostly penniless, without any prospects. I'm fucked. And I have no idea what to think. My friends say I don't need to worry, all the shit I can obsessively look up on the internet seems inconclusive for my specific schizophrenic smoking pattern, and I don't know what to think.

And the best I can hope for is to not hear anything til the job starts next Tuesday. Maybe I'll follow-up on Wednesday or Thursday asking further job questions and take a pleasant conversation as being good to go. No matter how much positive or meditative or whatever thinking I attempt I always go back to this. I can't stop thinking about it. I can't even relax by, you know, smoking in case something funky happens with the test. And today I'm hungover which means my negative thinking is shot up like 200%.

Anyway that's all - and the short version, if you can believe it. Obviously I'm looking for positive reinforcement but if nothing else it's been good to not thought-attack myself for an hour or so. I thank you all for the space and for being here. Whether you read this or not.

Travel for the rest of your life.

nosejob — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:47:26 -0500

I Fucked up..
I started on a master degree in economics, but a square a4 life is not very appealing to me.

I’m 22 years old, I traveled alone for 1 year, and saw Australia, Thailand, China and most of Europe, been to India and USA as well, and one thing is sure, I never felt so good as when I was traveling. All the different cool people I met, what I learned from them, all the different impulses I experienced. It’s not one day I dream about adventure and just leaving the shit whit my backpacker bag.

I’m getting suffocated in Norway, I don't like my studies or what path the business studies are leading me in. I feel like the more I study, the more stuck I will get.

I know that I have to change my career drastically, but I have no Idea what I should do, I’m thinking about going for nursing school; try to join doctors without borders, or start my own independent business in something, maybe just get jobs as dishwasher, fruit picker, flight attendant, table cleaner, whatever I can get, just to get the opportunity to travel. I don’t care about nice shoes, nice hotels, nice pants, nice cars, messed up power games in social relations, high status jobs or the perfect wife etc..

I want to surf, rock climb, dive, do hiking, I want to have cool real relations whit people I meet. (I hate all of those retarded social games going on my school; it’s just so fucking boring and meaningless. I thought I was done whit that in high school, but I where wrong, it’s just more complicated know.) I want to sleep on a beach or in a mountain looking at the stars, smoke weed, and get drunk, read books that I actually enjoy reading, listen to music, enjoy the earth, feel it, I want to break out of the system, live by my own rules.

Well I’m sorry, I know I’m selfish. I should probably just say, “thank you, lord” For what I have and stop whining about having a predictable and “safe” future.
In Norway we have a King, and he quoted from the lord of the rings in the New Year’s Eve speech, and he said: “Become, what you are born to be” What the message that he tried to communicate to the people in Norway, I don’t know. But I choose to believe that we should all do what we want to do. I reject to follow the social accepted rules and become a soul sucking Vampire, (business man). Fuck that!

Have anyone here found a way outside the system?where you are actually is doing what you love? I would really appreciate if you would share that whit me.

I’m going to break out, that’s for sure. I just don’t know how yet.

I'm trying to do make money doing what I love. Can you help me?

Rhawry — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:26:00 -0500

I understand that anything done professionally takes countless hours of practice.
Though I'm only just shy of a 2 years into photography/videography, I am determined to have this be my job (at least part time)

If any of you have suggestions, helpful criticism, or someone to contact please let me know
:)

I am most interested in bands and skateboarding
I generally like to lower saturation, to stand out in a highly "boost the color" popping world.
(Although if I am working for someone, I talk about my style, what they would like, and try to find the best course of action from there)

Thanks guys.
Duncan and Deathsquad have truly helped me get my shit together.
I don't want to waste my life.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhawry/sets/72157632720438348/

starting stand up comedy

greenerwrestling — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:24:49 -0400

one of my goals right now is to preform at an open mic night. i have begun writing material and such. Have any of you attempted stand up yet and if so would you mind sharing your first time stories

Running the LA MARATHON MARCH 18th

DanSpin — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:59:00 -0500

Hey All,

I'm planning on running my 1st marathon this year in LA . Just wanted to see if any other of Duncan's Family members is planning to run.

I'm living out in the Inland Empire if anyone want a training buddy.

My goal is to get under 4 hours, although I'm not sure if that going to be able to do it. I ran my longest two weeks ago of 16miles but was closer to 11 mins a mile. Still have 2 months to get ready.

For my training I've just been basically using this.
http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51137/Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program

Wish me luck!

Hey DTF, I was 500LB & I want to share my life with you.

Roadblocked — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:16:10 -0500

I'm not sure if any of you are familiar with my story, but last year I was 500 pounds, With the wisdom and insight Joe Rogan, Duncan, Joey Diaz and Ralphie May, I have lost 220 pounds in 12 months, and am still going strong.

I started a blog that details very personal aspects of this journey, and the vampires I have had to slay along the way. If this inspires or helps you in any way, I encourage you to share it with your friends and family. I just want to let people in this position that they are not alone.

Gainsthroughloss.blogspot.com

Here is an anecdote I wrote about what it was like for me shopping for clothes at a quarter ton.

gainsthroughloss.blogspot.com/2013/01/welcome-to-my-nightmare.html

I made a Youtube video full of of positive subliminal messages to enhance happiness and self esteem

demosure — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 01:12:17 -0500

Dear Forum,

I feel that you 'get' me because we love TDTFH. I think I am addicted to this podcast. In the past year I have been trying to deprogram my mindstream and blast all the negative redundant thought habits that my parents inadvertently installed. I suffered from depression for many years (my psychiatrist says it is completely in remission, now!) To help the process along, I watched many youtube videos full of binaural beats, positive affirmations, and audio and visual subliminal messages. It was cool, I liked watching them as part of my daily "therapy" routine. I created a playlist of some of my favorite helping videos and my subscribers seemed to like watching the playlist. Then I thought to myself, "I should do something like this on my own, in my style, to help people, I know what messages really work for me, and I know talented musicians who can provide a killer soundtrack." So I did.

I used happy footage of aunny late summer, blooming flowers, angels, and honeybees to create a powerfully positive work of video art. Here's the link:

Interesting fact: While filming this video, bees kept landing on me and crawling all over. Dozens of fuzzy little bees. It kind of tickled & I liked it. I was never afraid.

I am (*anaphylactic) allergic to bee strings. I was so full of love and respect and gratitude to the excellent work they were doing pollinating the flowers that I wasn't scared at all. Mind over matter really does work - I did not get stung once. However **disclaimer** **do not try this at home. If you are allergic to bee stings, ask your allergist about de-sensitivation (allergy shots) therapy & keep a safe distance!

After watching the video, if you notice an 'energy change,' please let me know, I'll check back here regularly.

Thanks all,

Hugs and Light,
Denise

I'm putting this here as an exploration of True Will, mission statement/hypersigil.

nick_sage — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:51:08 -0500

The idea of this exercise is to imagine one’s perfect musical future. Time to start.

I am sitting in a room, lit with soft colors, in a chair that never argues with my back. The room is in a house, in a beautiful place. I won’t try to define it much further than that, because that would limit the possibilities. I’ll say only that the house is comfortable, and the space around it is friendly. Sunrise and sunset, the moon, and the stars are easily enjoyed there. Birds, insects, frogs, and trains are part of the sonic scenery, but not invasive. I’m close enough to visit my neighbors at will, but I don’t hear their conversations, and I need not fret that my music is keeping them awake. There are trees, probably fruit trees, and a garden. I’ll stop there. Life will fill in the rest of the blanks.

I am at a desk, with everything I truly need at arm’s length. Speakers are at ear level. Headphones are at the ready. A computer is available, but it does not dominate the space. It is there to serve, not to direct. Upon the screen is a clean layout, as intuitive as the desk. Only what works, only what I love to use, is available. The computer is trustworthy and stable. It is loaded, but not overwhelmed, with flexible, dependable software. I have taken the time to get to know each piece of this software intimately, so that I barely have to think in order to use it. It, and all of my other hardware, are merely extensions of my mind and body. I will sit down and play the desk the way some play the piano. I play the piano, too.

The room is clean and quiet. It can be as dark or light as I need for different tasks. It is, perhaps, tucked away from the street, and from other sources of distraction. Maybe it’s a guest house. Maybe it’s a basement. Maybe it’s the garage, as it is now. The computer will not be connected to the Internet unless I am uploading finished work, or partial work intended for collaboration. In fact, I may avoid connecting it at all through the use of portable drives, etc. The effects processors and other hardware will be wired cleanly, and as neatly as possible. If a unit is such that I need to be able to twiddle knobs at whim, it will be close at hand. If the unit is such that I can set it and forget it, it is placed accordingly.
Even with everything on, the room is relatively still and quiet. I have prepared an area with foam and blankets that masks most of what noise there is. If I need a cleaner recording, I can get one by taking the sound source/instrument and my portable recorder to a number of alternate sites. For example, perhaps I can drive out to the middle of nowhere and record in my car. There are other uses for this technique. I have a notebook of sites with sonic properties I find particularly useful: a wooded area that generates perfect backing tracks automatically, a parking garage that’s empty at 1 AM and has amazing reverb, a playground with really good swing squeaks, and so on. I’ll need another notebook soon.

I have a kit, ready to go at any time, on an easily accessible shelf in the room. The kit includes my recorder, extra memory, extra batteries. Collapsible stand, windscreen, compact but faithful headphones. A parabolic dish, homemade if need be, but still effective at catching distant sounds and bringing them home. A small selection of trusted, rugged microphones in case I need a different flavor, or in case I get the inspiration to sing in a boxcar or something. A portable magnetic pickup, contact mics, and a tiny amp. A bow and a little rosin in a bag. A clamp or two, and tape. Just in case. This all fits in a small case or bag, probably a backpack.

I go into the main house, where instruments decorate the walls, and grab one. Let’s say it’s the banjo today. I had a banjo type of idea on my drive home and it’s time to sketch it out. Luckily for me I’ve had a great teacher, and practice as regularly as I can. I take the banjo out to my little fortress of sound, and into my makeshift isolation booth. There’s a microphone in there, ready to go at the flip of a switch, and I let the computer record, having set all this up in advance. I sit down and improvise until I find my groove, and then I record it, over and over, until I feel I’ve captured it. I save the file, making notes if I like. I shut down the computer, unless I am inspired to do something else at the moment. I put the banjo back on the wall, have a snack, and do something else for a while. Whatever it is, I do it with gusto, because I have that satisfaction of either capturing the moment that I wanted or being led to a better one in the process, which is more often the case.

All of the above is part of the process of discovering sounds, harvesting them, and exploring the possibilities implied. One of my jobs is freelancing sound, both effects and musical scores. Sometimes, I’m composing a piece for someone else, and sometimes, just for myself. You say you’re making a documentary about the disappearing glaciers and you need music that implies ice? You come see me. You’re making a film and you need the voice of a humanoid insect? I’m your guy. This job is only really a job at all because there are deadlines and edits. Inside I’m having a ball. I bring my best to each gig, ship off my stuff, and move on to the next one, satisfied.

Sometimes, that’s what I do for a living. Other times, and more frequently, I teach. I’ve had classes going for a while now on a variety of topics, for a variety of students. Some I see one-on-one, but mostly I teach workshops to groups. It started small, but honest, and picked up from there. With the young kids, I focus on helping them cultivate wonder through the joy of sound. I teach them the basics by showing them how to build basic instruments from common materials. This, I hope, shows them a few things at once; the pleasure of re-purposing (what else can this be?), the joy of creation (I made this!), critical thinking (why doesn’t it sound right?), but most of all, how to find music everywhere (who knows when they’ll need it?). It’s my aim to send these kids off with bigger ears than they came in with, something that will serve them for life.

I teach older kids, too, but most of them already know how to listen. It’s their already hungry ears that got them into my life. They want to learn to build more complex instruments. They want to learn how all this stuff actually works. I remember that hunger. I’m happy to show them what I know, but secretly, I’m more excited to discover what they can teach me as we go. I dream of the day when I’ve been doing this long enough to watch kids grow up over years of classes. I can think of no better way to repay the musical gifts given me over the years than to cultivate that same sound-love in as many young minds as I can. That, to me, is a pretty good legacy.

I’m still writing, of course, and now I have something wonderful to write about. I’m nearly done with my first book, which is kind of a love letter to sound. I’ve also begun writing a chronicle of my teaching experience, and of course when I can hang on to a memory for a while, I add it to the ongoing memoir. That’ll be a while in the making. I have a lot of stories left to tell, I feel.

The best part of all of this is being able to share it, and not only through writing. My girlfriend turned out to be my greatest teacher, so I made her my wife, and she continues to blow my mind. I’ve kept old friends, but made so many more through this work. I feel like I have a very large family. For an only child, it’s an incredible feeling. I’ve got to stop writing for now. It’s time to get some rest, so I can get back on the horse tomorrow. Practice, as it turns out, actually does make perfect.

Fitness questio

iamalex4life — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:16:39 -0500

Hi, I want to get in shape cause i'm pretty fat right now and was wondering if either I should buy a punching bag or a 3-in-1 machine thing... do any of you have either? experiences?

Duncan Trussell wikiquote

dwukich — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:06:48 -0500

I think Duncan Trussell should have a Wikiquote page.

!!*HELP ME GET OUT OF THIS RELATIONSHIP! She doesn't get it!

blamehofman — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:53:30 -0400

So I have been with my girlfriend for the past two years, and things have been going down the drain for a while now. Every time I break it off with her, she always finds a way to sucker me back in. I feel like I can't be myself or do anything right for her, but when I try and get out, she'll start obsessively calling and leaving me voicemails, constant texting, and showing up at my house telling me how she can't live without me and how nobody has ever made her as happy as I have. Coulda fooled me.

She tries to make me feel bad because apparently her ex treated her like shit, so now she hates girls and doesn't have a lot of confidence, which I feel has worn off on me. She says that I need to be patient and work with her, and I have tried for the past two years, but nothing gets solved. There was some unfaithfulness in the beginning of the relationship that I caught on to, and I broke it off. But after she apologized for everything that she had done, I thought we could make things work again. Did I also mention she systematically eliminated most of my friends because of a stupid facebook post that wasn't even directed to her? On the other hand, they were all alcoholics that did nothing but drink all the time, so maybe that was for the better? I now rarely drink.

Lately, it seems things have been about her. She gets on my case about how I don't compliment her enough, how I don't think she's sexy, how I don't want to have sex etc etc, but after hearing it all the time, it get's to me and it makes me care less about the relationship. She doesn't seem to get this. She also snoops through my browser history and if she happens to find some random "adult" content, it's the end of the world and she goes off on a rant about how that is just as bad, if not worse than cheating. However, she's allowed to keep her phone on silent and tucked away in her purse 90% of the time, and if I try to touch it, she flips. She knew I looked at it before the relationship started, but all of a sudden now it's an evil thing. Yes, I'm trying not to watch it, but every now and then, you gotta do what you gotta do. It's not like I have a habit, it's once or twice a month if that. But even if I glance (glance for a second, not "eye up") at another girl in public (a natural healthy male reaction, that I have no control over) or look at sports illustrated or a men's magazine or site with a sexy girl, she flips out.

She also gets on my case about how she should have an engagement ring by now, and that she wants kids by the time she's 30 (she's 27 now), and that she wants to get married before her grandparents pass away. All of this is understandable, but if I'm not ready, I'm not ready! I try telling her this but it doesn't seem to click. Hell, I'm 28 and staying with my parents because my shitty job doesn't pay enough to cover my student loans, car payment, bills, and a place to live. How am I supposed to deal with a wedding and a baby if I'm having a hard time taking care of myself? Not to mention that I've come to the realization since the Duncan and Rogan intervention in my life that organized religion marriage is not for me.

After visiting my out-of-state friends this past weekend, and seeing how great him and his gf get along, how they legitimately make each other smile and laugh, and how they effortlessly she love and affection towards each other, I want out. I want to be done with the past two years. I want to find someone that can legitimately make me laugh and smile, and accept me for me, faults and all, and not try and "change" me. I never knew what people meant by saying "You're lucky that you're single". Most of my young adult life I was always the one yearning for a relationship, wishing more than anything to have someone to care about. Now I understand how great single life was.

Any words of advice? Like I said, we have probably "broken up" about 20 times now, but it seems like it always blows over the next day and we're back together. I want to be done, work on myself for a while, and eventually find that happiness with someone genuine.

Sorry for the aimless rambling. It's nearing my bedtime and I guess I'm just trying to get this off my chest since I have no-one to vent to in person.

Workout Partner

HankTheTank — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:12:44 -0500

Moved to Rhode Island about 2 years ago looking for someone needs an exercise buddy. No weird stuff. Just a like minded dude (my lady wouldn't like me being sweaty with another lady) that wants to get/stay in shape. This thread might be weird but it's safer then me asking someone at my gym if they smoke or want to talk about the simulation whilst working out. Just thought I would see if I'm alone in wanting a squats partner.

Tired of not waking up on time? (especially for teens, no pun intended)

DanB — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:30:06 -0500

Just read this pretty enlightening article on "chronotypes":

http://nymag.com/arts/books/reviews/till-roenneberg-internal-time-2012-5/

tldr; brief summary:

Basically, the guy's saying that our "chronotype" (which determines whether we're "early birds" or "night owls") are controlled by our genes but more so by our age.

Young children are early risers, teenagers are night owls (stay up late, wake up late) and at around 19 1/2 for girls and 21 for boys, the chronotype changes so that they become early risers.

It might have been this article (or maybe this one, i don't remember: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/05/11/internal-time-till-roenneber/) that also talks about how schools that require teenagers to get up early (disrupting their circadian rhythms) are counterproductive to effective learning.

This explains why I MUST have an alarm clock to wake up "on time" and I find it hard to get to sleep (I'm 19). So since I'm at Uni which means I have a schedule flexible enough to do this; no longer will I be forcing myself out of bed (and I mean forcing) at 7:30, I'm going to just go to bed when I feel tired and wake up when I wake up for the next week (setting the limit for waking up to 10am).

To help regulate my body clock with light / dark cues, I'm also using the "f.lux" app to cut down the blue light emissions from my laptop in evenings if I'm on it and I'm going to avoid any artificial light after dusk. As well as this, I'm going to open my curtains before I go to bed so that I am exposed to the sunrise. And then I'll probably try and get out for a walk when I wake up too. It'll be interesting to see how this goes...

Cycle across the country

MarioPet — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:49:12 -0400

I am a 31 year old man fed up with the shitty job I have had for the past 10 years- an occupation which was supposed to last "until something better came along." I constantly find myself lacking in confidence and motivation, sometimes I can barely muster the strength to get out of bed. As mentioned by the myriad of folks on this message board, I found a sort of salvation in connecting with the DTFH as well as other podcasts of the same ilk. Because of Duncan and friends I have decided to take life by the balls and do something radically beautiful.

I recently paid off all of my debt- invested in a sweet bicycle- and will be headed to ride across America next May. This decision has given my day to day grind purpose-- the purpose is to bank enough loot to make my trek comfortable enough so that I won't be assed out of funds/supplies when I am in the middle of bum fuck Kansas with a flat tube.

Special thanks to Duncan for connecting with all of us and for making the monotony of life's dull displeasures way more bearable.

Check out the route I will take:

Cannabis extends cell life

rawhemp — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:01:59 -0500

Senescence is not the inevitable fate of all organisms, and animal organisms of some groups (taxa) even experience chronological decrease in mortality, for all or part of their life cycle.
("Evolution's greatest mistakes". The New Scientist 195 (2616): 36–39. doi:10.1016/S0262-4079(07)62033-8.)

"We are flow dependent structures. If we're not eating, breathing, getting rid of our wastes, we cease to exist as a flow dependent structure: we undergo a shift change to a more random state - we commonly call that death.
So, in contrast to conventional pharmaceuticals, extracts of Cannabis Sativa plant contain over 100 biologically active compounds: terpenoids, flavanoids, cannabinoids - all of these things; and many of these things have many important biological modulatory properties.
So, you're not tweaking one thread of a 4 dimensional system, the fourth dimension being time, right - because we're flow dependent.
So, instead of pulling one thread in a system that's designed to compensate for change, the Endo-Cannabinoid System has the opportunity to impact on that three dimensional fibers that are modified through time as we go through time and embrace the changes of time.
Life in general, has emerged from the flowing energy that intrinsically organized mass. . .
"We are actually the children of the arrow of time, of evolution - not as progenitors" The End of Certainty
By Ilya Prigogine
Life is a negentropic web - negentropic means information - negative entropy as opposed to entropy - is disorder. A negentropic web of flowing energy and mass with fractal properties that create scales of complexity measured by relative distances from equilibrium.
In other words, if we as living systems are charged up appropriately, we are further from equilibrium.
Aging is the process by which we accumulate biological friction and move closer to equilibrium.
Of course, our little illnesses are little non-linear jumps when we are sick and hopefully we recover - but ultimately we are all on on that slide back to equilibrium. Back to the phase change of death.
So, in order to understand more fully and appreciate the vast potential the Cannabis based medicines to positively impact Human health and understanding, the physical basis of life must be considered.
The all-pervasive Endo-Cannabinoid System is the unique manifestation of evolution, driven by the basic principles of far-from-equilibrium Thermo-dynamics.
Flowing energy organizes matter and this results in oscillatory behavior.
What happens when you have these non-linear changes - giving us life, giving us forms of differentiation, learning e.t.c - there's always a balance of opposing forces and the Endo-Cannabinoid system is increasingly intrinsical in an all pervasive manner, creating all of these balances.
We are basically bio-electric machines, where the reduced hydro-carbons and fats and things that we eat are ultimately broken down into C02 and water via a series of enzymatic reactions.
In other words, life is not a violation of the second law of Thermo-dynamics - that disorder & entropy must increase, but rather is consistent with us: because the structures that I'm talking about, be it us or chemical example - what they really are doing is generating more entropy to the universe by them being there.
So, in other words systems - collections of molecules - get smarter, more organized, negotropic; as long as they can make the Universe stupider quicker: more entropy.
Conventional pharmaceuticals attempt to shift the system to a state of health by manipulating a single fiber - but you're trying to kill Cancer cells that are your own cells - we have many other cells that have similiar and related properties, so this "Magic Bullet" approach - again - is flawed.
Cures for illnesses other than infections are rare.
The Tree of life is the Cannabinoid plant. The Endo-Cannabinoid system is uniquely suited to holistically modify the multi-dimensional interacting limit cycles that determine a systems health at any instance as well as how it evolves over time." Dr. Robert Melamede, POT Conference 2012

"Morocco may be the only place on the planet where men live longer than women. The cultural aspect is that men sit around and smoke this hash together that is 40-50% CBD. And so, by accident or societal prudence, that are consuming a significant quantity of these 'prophylaxis' cannabinoids, and it appears to have given them a capacity to weather the rough lifestyle and add years to their lives." -Dr. William Courtney

"Science is overwhelmingly clear that the body regulates itself intimately with the Endo-Cannabinoid system, and that Cannabis for 34 million years of co-lateral evolution has consolidated these 20 carbon molecules, we're over 100+ of those now, to assist the Endogenous Cannabinoid system system in its goal - to maintain Homeostasis, so if a cell becomes over active it will down regulate it, if its under active it will up regulate it. - Dr. William Courtney

Thinking about joining the military

LFHaunt — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:00:20 -0500

I've been thinking about joining the military lately. I've been thinking about how the GI bill/money would take care of my tuition once I get out, since my mom is taking care of my family alone, struggling. I've been thinking about the physical training, it excites me, like a kid going camping with his boy scouts, but then I think about how that adventure can lead to death. I've also been thinking about the series of shots they give you, I feel like they will make me healthier. I've also been thinking about where I'm at now, playing video games 8+ hours almost everyday, getting declined from every job I apply for. I am doing good at college right now but I'm not taking a lot of classes right now.

So with all these thoughts lately I've been trying to look for an answer as to what I should do. I would like to hear other peoples opinions about this, especially from those that have though about joining the military but didn't end up joining, but from those that did decide to join aswell.

A neat tool for creativity, introspection and self-analysis.

goo — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 04:58:05 -0400

I just discovered a neat tool. A minor miracle happened for me when I followed through and used it. I found the results similar to the self-explorative sessions I have while on psilocybin, albeit less psychedelic but equally valuable. I challenge you all to try it for yourselves, but it requires a month-long commitment.

I recently finished reading The Artist's Way. There's some cheezy fluff to navigate through but the tool I found in the book is called Morning Pages. The process is deceivingly simple: set aside time every morning and write out a single page before the thoughts and urgency of the day trickle into your mind. Think of it as just transcribing your thoughts onto the page. These aren't meant to be read by anyone. The book insists on writing it out longhand. Fuck that noise. I type it out. It's part journal, but also similar to automatic writing and a little bit like therapy. Some of what you write might be repetitive jibberish, full of whining and complaining. A lot of it might be poorly written and full of spelling mistakes. The sentence, "I don't know what the fuck to write" will probably appear. This is all fine. The important part is that you show up and just write, every morning and fill a page. Resist the urge to read it over and criticize or edit yourself. Just write it out and leave it alone. Writing more than a page is great. Writing less is not.

After one month, you'll have at least 30 pages. Now print it all out. Smoke a bowl, grab a coffee and set aside a few hours. Read all the pages with 2 highlighters: one color is for new insights or ideas and the other is for actions you can take. Hopefully you will learn a shit-ton about yourself, like I did and more importantly, notice that the answers to your problems naturally bubble to the surface. You might find and pluck out little creative gems that are seedlings for bigger creative projects. You might find recurring issues that are pulling out the rug underneath your feet. You might reach an epiphany and change the trajectory of your life.

If you're an asshole like me, another major benefit is saving your friends from the ear-beating you sometimes give them by exhausting all that black-hole energy into your morning writing.

Goodluck and I hope you get something out of this.

230 DAYS.

cp842 — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:28:14 -0500

I will be vacating the military in 230 days. I am genuinely considering a trip to Peru, for a cosmic "cleansing". I feel like I may have accrued a karmic debt that might not be re-payable in this lifetime, but I'm sure going to give it a go. Eventually, I'm aiming to end up in either Portland, or Denver. Thoughts?

Skill Swap

DjMagik — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:35:03 -0500

It has been a goal of mine for some time to create some time of website or community that deals with people who have common interests and want to trade learning from one another. I know this will be hard since there is no building or such but for example I live in the Houston area and I am an upcoming mma fighter and help teach some aikido a few times a week. One of the people I was training got tired of paying the crazy membership fees but she is also quite good at the guitar so I'm considering offering a skill swap.

Just wanted to get your guys' take on the idea or if you even live in the Houston area and want to learn Aikido or even basic BJJ(I have trained at gracie barra for half a year now with draculino) as well as basic muy thai I would love to see if anybody is interested just hit me up.

The Official 2013 New Year's Resolutions Thread!

cantorset — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:18:02 -0500

So, what'll it be?

Building on this year's resolution(s)? Starting something new?

The top resolutions for 2012 are pretty much what you'd expect and not very SMART...

01 Lose Weight
02 Getting Organized
03 Spend Less, Save More
04 Enjoy Life to the Fullest
05 Staying Fit and Healthy
06 Learn Something Exciting
07 Quit Smoking
08 Help Others in Their Dreams
09 Fall in Love
10 Spend More Time with Family

Is yours on the list? Is there anything you're eager to start?

Honesty equals loneliness?

megarobot — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:49:21 -0500

Every time a throw a coin into a fountain, or do some other pagan ritual, I wish for myself to be honest and stay true to myself, which inevitably brings me loneliness. I've been talking to myself a lot lately and the phrase "honesty equals loneliness" came up. I am at a point of my life where I am done with college and have been navigating into the world of professionals, go deep non-believers, and people who utter "facebook" every time they take a photograph. Naturally, being honest in that kind of environment brings up...yes, loneliness. It is a special kind of loneliness though, loneliness that lets you figure shit out. It is hard to convey to other people the positive aspects of it.

Wikipedia explains loneliness as:

"An unpleasant feeling in which a person feels a strong sense of emptiness and solitude resulting from inadequate levels of social relationships. However, it is a subjective experience. Loneliness has also been described as social pain - a psychological mechanism meant to alert an individual of isolation and motivate her/him to seek social connections."

Isn't it funny how loneliness brings people together and then sets them apart. Loneliness has been the first thing I cherish after a relationship, and the first thing that gives me inspiration. So I guess honesty and loneliness is a powerful combination.

Just some thoughts.

The universe talking to itself,

Z

Young's attempt to e-date

Youngonzalez — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:58:06 -0500

http://www.okcupid.com/profile/legendaryfrank/

Hello. Something positive about myself is...

MrAgileBeast — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:30:14 -0500

I love being open to new ideas and always try to look at many sides of things/arguments/discussions

How about yourself? Throw out 1 positive thing about yourself

Travel Discussion

ColinJ — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:25:15 -0400

Seems to me the best way to fight the media vampires who just want to make us fear and hate each other is to travel the world and meet people of different cultures. So I'm inviting people to share cool travel stories, advice or even photos.

In just over a month I'm going on a cargo ship for six weeks and I'm incredibly excited about it. Ports of call are New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong, so I'm hoping to get a decent chunk of shore leave in each.

To be honest, I'm also kind of running away from a heartbreak, and I guess travel is a great way to fill your mind with other things besides the pain of rejection and being dumped.

But whatever your motivation is, who here likes to get out-and-about?

How do I find what I want to do with life?

SnorkBoard — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:39:55 -0500

I've got another longer post I made in another forum, but it died and I'll save you all by cutting down to the basics.

I'm 19, Did a semester of college and dropped out, partially because I decided to go out of state where I didn't know anyone and was really lonely, but I also don't know what I want to do with my life or really feel pulled to any field.
So I talked to my parents, and they said I could come home, work, and figure out what I might want to study when I go back. I've been back, and for the first few months it was awesome. I got to snowboard everyday, party every night, had a lot of fun. Then my friends kept sealing from me and fucking me over and I can go into that in more detail if you want but its not important right now. But, after that happend I've pretty effectively isolated myself from them, mostly doing things with my family. In a town of 6000, a town most people get out off when they turn 18 then come back to when they retire, finding new cool people is very hard.

But now, almost a year later, I'm still at home, not really any closer to finding something I'd like to do with my life.
In high school, I was quiet, got good grades, followed directions and didn't cause trouble. I feel like all the creativity and passion was zapped out of me, I was one of those people that most of you probably hate, brain washed to do what your told and end up in a cubicle working a 9-5. In high school I thought and was told I'd be a very good engineer, and suffered though all the calc, physics and chemistry classes that go with it. But then I started looking at other people, people with a natural gift for writing or drawing or music. They're chasing there dreams, and I'm feeling like I've realized everything I was told was a sham. I don't even know if I want to be an engineer. My dads a doctor, so he keeps pushing for something in that direction, like dentistry or a pharmacist or taking over his practice when he retires. But none of that appeals to me either.

How do I figure out what I'm passionate about? How do I find something I'd like to do for the rest of my life, that will make me happy and feel good about what I'm doing?

Just met my goal of graduating college in < 5 years

minotaur — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 20:30:55 -0500

It feels good. I can now focus on working and doing the hobbies, etc that ive been kept from doing while in school.
Who else has graduated recently and what was your favorite or least favorite thing?
My favorite thing was my literary theory and criticism class with professor who was an ex-Pakistani army sniper who smoke weed, did shrooms (and joked about those), socialist, had chickens, goats and sold orchids as a side job.

Giving up alcohol for a year.

Karasu — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:10:23 -0400

Started July 28th. Envisioning a tasty sip at Burning Man 2013.

Hope ya'll wish me luck because it certainly is difficult. Espesh when one lives in an area that is surrounded by bars. E_e

And when all your friends drink.....

Anyone else in the same boat?

Goals - The Duncan Trussell Family Hour Forum

Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and making a living from home.

Getting Prescribed ADHD Meds at age 25? Should I?

I'm Disgusting: Time to Workout - DAY 180 UPDATE PICS!! 3.30.13

All About Suicide

What food has changed my mind, body and soul if any?

BEST WORKOUT MUSIC?!?! [Collective Compilation]

Studying

insomniacs

Ibogaine treatment

Self Acceptance

Heroes

Learn how to become self employed

Swagger & "The Zone" As discussed on JRE #329

Treasure Trove of Great Marketing Books from Jay Abraham

My deal with the universe.

I performed my first comedy set the other night.

The Federal Reserve killed JFK for printing dollars backed by silver. What say you Yeah or Nay?

Who else has started being honest with their life?

How to find a goal?

Make £1,000,000:- Save The World!

healthy eatting

delete

Ideas on killing the vampire in my life?

The "Get A Job, Drug Test, Waiting for Results" Blues

Travel for the rest of your life.

I'm trying to do make money doing what I love. Can you help me?

starting stand up comedy

Running the LA MARATHON MARCH 18th

Hey DTF, I was 500LB & I want to share my life with you.

I made a Youtube video full of of positive subliminal messages to enhance happiness and self esteem

I'm putting this here as an exploration of True Will, mission statement/hypersigil.

Fitness questio

Duncan Trussell wikiquote

*!*!*HELP ME GET OUT OF THIS RELATIONSHIP*!* She doesn't get it!

Workout Partner

Tired of not waking up on time? (especially for teens, no pun intended)

Cycle across the country

Cannabis extends cell life

Thinking about joining the military

A neat tool for creativity, introspection and self-analysis.

230 DAYS.

Skill Swap

The Official 2013 New Year's Resolutions Thread!

Honesty equals loneliness?

Young's attempt to e-date

Hello. Something positive about myself is...

Travel Discussion

How do I find what I want to do with life?

Just met my goal of graduating college in < 5 years

Giving up alcohol for a year.

!!*HELP ME GET OUT OF THIS RELATIONSHIP! She doesn't get it!