Wow. Can I just say, WOW??? The response to last week’s “What Kind of Tapper” post was overwhelming and amazing!! We were really excited to hear from so many of you who “came out of the shadows” to comment, offer your insight to how you play, and generally, just join in the fun. All comments, from all tappers are more than welcome here, and it was great to see so many new faces.
To continue with the theme… what I want to know this week, is “the rest of the story” as Paul Harvey used to say (does anyone remember Paul Harvey?). While I realize that many of the most ardent commenters on the site appear to be TOT++++ tappers with huge amounts of time dedicated to their tapping obsession (the “O” in TOT), there is a large number of you who seem to have found balance in your tapping lives, in order to…well…have a life!
In one of the updates, they started using a term that really struck me as a perfect description of time in the non-tapping and tapping world. “Life Currency” is something that really resonates, especially for those of us of the “age challenged” sector that are realizing the finite reality of this form of currency.
Time…and what you do with it outside of the game is what this post is all about.
Consider this post and basic question to be similar to what happens when you go to a regular meeting of some hobby group, or special interest gathering. Yes…you were all brought together in the same room due to your avid interest in quilting, or model railroading, or stamp collecting, or mushroom gathering, or collecting stamps with pictures of mushrooms and model railroads on them (it’s a very select group). But, once you have covered all of the minutia about the topic at hand, you might actually ask someone standing next to you, “So what else do you like to do?”
Now. I realize that this may provoke an intense, and horrified look of disapproval from a truly obsessive club member, as if to say, “What ELSE DO I DO?? Why…THIS IS MY LIFE!!! THIS IS WHAT I DO!!!!!!!” In which case, you should smile, and step away from the bar, and look for someone else to talk to.
But, in most cases, you will be surprised to find out that the person you asked, has interests and backgrounds, and histories that are wide-ranging from what you might suspect. I am always amazed to find that guys with whom I play golf regularly, actually have lives outside of the golf course. Really! Even those who golf almost every day!
Similarly, as I have been a TSTO blogger, and have asked readers this question before, I have been amazed at the breadth of occupations, avocations, and special interests that come from asking. I have TSTO Friends who are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and investment bankers. They all play for various reasons…but, “keep it real” by having broad, wide-ranging interests outside of TSTO.
Of course, we all tap. I get that. But, I am more than just a tapper, or even a just a tapper who blogs about tapping. Really! I’m not kidding!
As I have mentioned (and as you may have seen by one of the poses in my newly minted avatar) I golf….and am a U of O Duck fan. I have a long history of music and multimedia production. I did all of the music for a show that won an Emmy, and worked with the guy who is married to Matt Groening’s sister, Lisa…and I have five daughters, and four grandkids, and am married to the most patient, amazing wife in the world (she doesn’t restrict or deride my tapping).
Oh. And because of my connection to a ton of people who wanted to do “More than just Tap,” I started a non-profit organization to help a school in rural Uganda.
It was, and continues to be, primarily driven and supported by TSTO Tappers. Imagine that!!!
I won’t go into the details here…as what I REALLY want to hear about is you!!
However…IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO OUR LATEST ROUND OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES, or learn more, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.
It’s all good. Really. No pressure. But, I thought that some of you might want to know…and join in the fun.
So, that takes us back to the REAL Question at Hand…
WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE TAPPING WORLD? Do you spend your “Life Currency” on pursuits away from your padular device? Do you seek and find pleasure and fun in pursuits that don’t reward you in “multipliers” and XP?? Do you find ways to offset countless tapping hours with something equally or even *GASP!* more rewarding?
WE WANT TO KNOW!! Tell us “the Rest of the Story!!”
So interesting reading everyone’s stories, what a lot of variety! I’m half a world away from most of you, living in New Zealand (although I have visited the US a couple of times and love your country). I’m half Maori, so being from NZ is a big part of my identity.
I’m a 22yo female (23 next month) and I’m about to finish my final (sixth) year of University here in NZ with a bachelor of medicine and surgery. I’ve been offered my first job as a junior doctor starting in November, which is very exciting and scary!!
I’ve been tapping several times a day since Halloween last year and have amassed about a 140% multiplier (although I’ve seen that some of you XP farmers here have over 1000%… WOW!) and have kept up with events. My favourite part of tsto has probably been Springfield heights. It doesn’t seem to be too popular among other addicts, but I just loved the grind 😀
I’ve been visiting tstoaddicts pretty much since I started playing the game. I’ve mostly been lurking for the better part of a year, but I think I’ve been drawn out of the shadows by some of your recent posts! Thanks for the incredible work you guys do in providing us with this awesome site alissa, bunny, wookie, and Patric!
Very cool! I got a chance to play against the All Blacks when8 played rugbY. They annihilated us!
Lately, not much, reading, to music. Seeing doctors. Getting enrolled in school. Hang out in parks with friends. Rarely go out anymore, I used to come home with the dawn. Now I’m home by 10 at the latest.
Used to work as a server, had a couple of strokes and can no longer keep up with the pace. My only other experience is in insurance and I learned too much about the insurance industry to explore furthering my career in such a vile business.
So figured better go back to school so since the next term isn’t until January, not doing a heck of a lot.
Best of luck! Keep tappin’…
So sorry to hear about the strokes…were those recent?
Most recent one about a year ago. Maybe some small ones since. Either that or seizures. Not real sure
Damn…knew you were still dealing with the older stuff, but didn’t realize you were having new issue, too (and that you had had to stop your work as a server completely). So sorry to hear about all of that…sending virtual hugs your way, for however much that helps. 🙁
Thanks. It’s all good just a transition.
I’m 46 and live in south normanton in the UK I have one grown up daughter and a partner who is also my full time carer as I’m severely disabled we busy ourselves with our allotment and two Siberian huskies I also spend a lot of time in hospital
Howdy Patric, and Tappers.
I also live in Oregon, like you Patric, in Washington County. And due to some real life issues I encountered I have gotten really involved in homelessness, hunger and housing issues. The absurd cost of local housing has led to an alarming increase in homelessness here, especially among senior citizens…and the astronomical rents have caused many families into hard decisions between keeping a roof over their heads or putting food on the table. Many times they can’t do both.
Subsequently I volunteer with several food pantries, and have even started participating with the Oregon Food Bank on advocacy issues regarding hunger and housing on a local and state level.
Also, I am an officer on the board of a local coalition trying to help the homeless and at risk families. We coordinate resource materials and provide some services like severe weather shelters and shower/laundry events to try and address some of the most blatant issues facing the homeless.
Lastly, I round out my volunteering with tech tutoring at 2 local libraries. Can’t help it, I am a geek and love seeing someone “get” the knack of their device.
Thanks again for providing another thought provoking topic. It has certainly been interesting reading the responses.
Pam…so cool…and Good On Ya!! It is still staggering to me that homelessness is still in a country of such wealth.
i stated earlier,
Uke sum, ergo sum.
Which is from a t-shirt I own, meaning…
“I ukulele, therefore I am.”
I own five, and recently hung three on the wall so that they are not cluttering the floor on various stands that I purchased or made.
Whether it is a small, or large Uke, a four string or eight string, my self customized true ‘baritone’ tenor or my Banjolele….
Playing them becomes mindless escapism.
AND, it don’t costes me no donuts.
Excuse me, I need to leave and pluck some strings.
I have a feeling that Grace winning AGT may bring another resurgence of uke players!
That’s so neat! I’ve always wanted to learn to play the ukulele….is it hard to pick up?
It’s very easy to pick up. Much more so than say, a tuba. (cue the rimshot!)
Ukes are easy to play compared to almost any stringed instrument. Small fret board…and only 4 strings.
Thanks for the chuckle. It was much appreciated.
38yo, married, 1yo daughter, grew up in CT but I live in CO. In the wintertime I teach snowboarding lessons and in the summer I guide hiking, biking, jeeping and rafting trips, anywhere from 3 hour to 3 week long adventures. I love, love, love watching movies and talking about movies. I read a lot of fiction; King, Palahniuk, Welsh, Koontz, Garland, Hornby and Arnoldi. My coolest hobby, and the hobby that consumed my 20s, is distance backpacking. These days, I do a lot of day walks with the kiddo in a backpack. I’m a huge proponent of the “Make Tapped Out More Difficult” movement. I started playing in ’13 and now the game is too easy. I really wish it would keep getting harder. I like it when Tapped Out has events in the spring and fall (like Halloween!!!) because those are slow times for me, career-wise.
Coll! Baby packin’…a new Olympic sport?
I’m retired and in my 50s with four adult successful kids raised. My husband and I live in Texas but travel as often as possible. We go RVing and both ride our own motorcycles. Two years ago (with lots of extra time on my hands) I went on line and did a search for the best game apps for adults. TSTO was number one, and the only game that I downloaded to my phone. I got hooked quickly, one week later my husband downloaded the game on his phone also. We are both avid players. I’m freemium, he is a little premium as the kids and I get him gift cards for all occasions. We have no wifi and come very close to our data limit each month because we play the game so much. So far we have not missed getting any of the prizes. We visit neighbors daily and really like looking at their designs. I don’t like to see the towns all jumbled together and having no streets.
Sounds like TSTO is part of a very fun, active life!
I’m 37, and I’ve been teaching (at college and high school) for fifteen years. I decided to get my Ph.D. last year so that I can teach new teachers and help to make our public schools better. I’m currently on an insane schedule to finish my degree in as short of a time as possible.
Sounds good, Sam! I come from a family of teachers and administrators…and “new, dedicated, talented” teachers are always in demand! My wife has a new student teacher she is mentoring this year- she is amazing! Nothing like classroom experience to cut the wheat from the chaff though.
I’m in my late 30’s and live in Brazil, São Paulo city. I have a two years old daughter. I have a degree in Computer science and telecommunications. Work at a multinational bank with contact center technology.
Like to cook and go to restaurants.
Used to swim. No more time for that now. 🙂
Hi all. I am forever young and will never grow up, but I have been married for 27 years and have two daughters, 25 and 24 who are in college. My husband was in the US Air Force and reserves for 20 years. I work but my real fun and passion is my business which I am slowly growing so I can just work for myself. My husband works in maintenance and we love to ride his Honda Goldwing as much as possible. I love watching TV, reading and tapping. We are planning to retire in 10 years or so and live in an RV full time and see this beautiful country we live in. 🙂
And what kind of business are you growing, Ellie? A chance for a shameless plug here!
I buy product and resell it on Amazon for profit. So we’ll plug Amazon here. Go buy stuff on Amazon. 🙂
It is amazing how many new businesses have been invented with the advent of Amazon and Ebay. Good for you for using technology to prosper!
I’m a happily married 30 yr.old mother of 5 beautiful handsome and amazing children. I have 2 beautiful daughters that are 11 and 12 yrs old (they will be 12&13 in March. They are exactly a year and 6 days apart).My 12 year old is actually my “STEPDAUGHTER” but we DO NOT BELIEVE IN “STEP” in our family the only steps we have are the ones at the front and back doors.
We also have 3 handsome boys,
A 4 year old, a 7 year old and a 9 year old. My 4 year old will be turning 5 in April and also starting Kindergarten, my 7 & 9 year old will be turning 8 & 10 years old in January. My two older boys will celebrate their birthdays together. They are not twins but they are exactly 2yrs.3mins.& 4 Oz. apart even though my due date was 2 weeks after his brother
was born but he decided to make an early arrival and come on his big brothers special day just 2 years later (January 2007 & 2009).
They only problem we have is my 9 year old is in Kentucky and has been there since 2010 but we finally got to spend a whole week with him back in July for the first time in 6 years. It was the best 7 days I’ve had in years not to mention My husband, my 12 year old daughter and my 4 year old son got to meet him (each other) for the very first time. The worst part was helping him pack his clothes and things for him to go back to Ky to get ready for school, my heart felt like it litterly broke into a GAZILLION pieces that day that was the worst day of my life.
I hope I’m not getting to carried away with this and putting people to sleep or boring them bc I love to go into detail when I’m talking or telling about my life or kids… So please forgive me if for some reason you got bored with this. Now I can move on to the rest of my story.
I work for The Local Daily News as a Carrier.
I’m gone a total of 3 hours every night, During the week the papers are to be delivered before or by 6:00 AM and on the weekends it’s 7:00 AM so during the week I won’t leave home until 2:30-3:00 and I’m home by 6:00-6:30 at the latest and that’s with driving 20 mins to the shop then 3-5 mins loading up the papers and bagging the tosses or all of them if it rains and I have right at 300 Customers I deliver to each night, on Friday and Saturday nights I don’t leave home until 3:30-4:00 if not 4:30 depending on how I feel and I’m back by 7:30-8:00 AM and the best and most fun part about my job is I can take my kids with me every night if I want, they love being able to go to work with mommy especially my 2 boys. The downfall about it is I drive my own vehicle, pay for gas and any maintenance that needs to be or has to be done on it but I get it back during tax time. So yeah I guess you could say it’s probably one of the easiest and shortest jobs ever, not to mention the PAY IS very well WORTH .
I love spending as much time with my husband and kids as possible when he isn’t working and their not in school.
During the summer we spend probably 50% of our time at the In-laws swimming or helping with things around their house. we love going to the beach and to my father in laws beach house for a weekend or maybe a week or two.
When we aren’t out and about we are home having a family night watching Netflix or Hulu
or I’m watching my hubby play video games on the PS4 while the girls are on their phones or laptops and the two boys are playing games on the Wii but when I don’t feel like watching tv or video games and things like that my eyes and hands are glued to my phone bc I’m playing TSTO it is litterly my most favorite game of all I have spent 5-6 hours in a day playing TSTO or buying land and expanding my Springfield.
My husband started playing TSTO 3 in a half to 4 years ago at first I wasn’t even interested in attempting to download it and play it but once I saw how easy and fun it was from my husband playing all the time before work and after work that’s when I decided to download it and give it a shot and I’m so glad I did bc I’ve been playing for almost 3 years and I’m on Level 109 my husband is on Level 113 and omg his Springfield puts my Springfield and all of mine and his friends Springfields to shame. Everything is so perfect and he has spent so much time building and rebuilding his town over and over to make room and it’s absolutely Jaw Dropping incredibly amazing just to look at. If there was a way to get his town recognized I would not stop until someone gave it a shot and checked his Springfield out I can promise you and everyone else you wouldn’t get disappointed when you see it.
Not only does my husband & I play TSTO but Both of our girls, our 7yr old son, my husband’s twin brother, my sister-in-law, a few of my cousins and some of my high school friends are also playing. it’s not just another “one of those games” it’s more like a family oriented game with my family cuz if we are all around each other and one startes playing then we have a chain reaction starting to form and before we even realize it everyone is on their phone or tablet playing TSTO I never thought I would find a game that addicting but I’m glad I did because when I’m stressed bored aggregated or getting ready for bed I start playing. My 4 year old absolutely loves sitting with me and playing TSTO that’s about the only time he is calmed down. I love it. I’m just so afraid they are going to stop at like Level 130 or something then I’ll be upset lost and heartbroken… Lol
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who has helped make TSTO the #1 Best Game for me and all of the other TAPPERS OUT THERE
WOW!!! Now that is a detailed look at your life…thanks for sharing!
I still get the daily paper here in Eugene– and always tip our carrier a ton, and give them Christmas presents, because I am “one of those guys” who gets up early (5A) and wants the paper there with my morning coffee. They almost never miss, in almost 16 years at this house!
When we had our deliver suspended during our month-long trip, our carrier left a personal note, asking if everything was OK. Sweet!
I’m a twice a day tapper, i start at 5:30-6:00 a.m. set everone for 12 hour tasks after doing all the event related tasks. Go to work for ten plus hours, no time to tap during work : ( come home and do it all again around 6-6:30 p.m. and visit friends too. In the real world i deliver car parts from Stephen’s auto mall in bristol Connecticut. I like checking in on this site every now and then. And like checking out neighbor’s towns out to compare with mine.
Sounds good, Jeff! Sounds like you work a lot…but find time to Tap!
I am a PhD student in mathematics and am finding it hard to devote as much time as I use to to tapping (imagine that!).
Not sure what the equation is for a balanced life…but I am guessing you will find it! LOL!
Well, if your degree program is in applied mathematics, rather than theoretical mathematics, maybe you can do a research project on maximizing various returns in TSTO! 😉
I’m only 12, so I have nothing to do with my life yet.
To the contrary Nathan! I remember being 12 as one of the busiest times of my life…because I could explore anything I wanted to with no real restrictions. Being an adult…comes with a lot more “duty” and a lot less “free time.”
I was about to say pretty much the same thing as what Patric just said. There’s so much that a 12-year-old can do! You could learn an instrument or a new language, study the stars, work on a political campaign (we’ve had kids working on campaigns I’ve been involved with before), write songs, stories, or poetry….the options are virtually endless!
And, if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration about some more altruistic (look it up) things kids are doing, here’s just one little article among many: http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=13432
I can hear him now…”Thanks Auntie Sandra…” with his head bowed over his padular device. LOL!
Honestly, I’m just jealous…would love to be in the 9-12 age range again!
Age 12 can be kind of stinky because of all the peer pressure to conform (heck, adults get stuck in the same conundrum), but it is cool because of the possibilities that exist. You may not have DONE much yet, BUT you DO have much TO DO. Don’t put yourself down, you probably have a lot of talent that either you minimize, or you haven’t discovered. As Patric stated, EXPLORE, discover what excites you, what ignites your passion, what makes you happy.
Pick up a ukulele and learn to be a star – and if you are in the San Francisco East Bay, maybe we can jam together.
Good luck as you start a new year at school, sixth grade? One more year and you’ll be a teenager!
Early 30s, I’m an accountant, but I love history and politics. My masters is in Middle Eastern Studies with a focus in Political Science. I live in Utah, speak Spanish and Arabic, and I co authored the 2009 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report. I got married last November so I took a break from the game from September to January because of wedding stuff, and moving my wife’s things to my place, we didn’t live together before we married. We just bought our first home in July. I love to read, watch baseball, especially the Sox and the Dodgers, go swimming and hiking with my wife, and visiting our nieces and nephews. I love to cook and eat. I spend a lot of time just enjoying life, and this game is a nice little way to step out of the hustle and bustle of every day life.
Very interesting interests. I could spend hours with you trying to figure out how the current state of religion is regionalizing the world. It sounds like you two have a very fun, interesting life…and Tapping is just part of it.
Love reading everyone’s background. I grew up in Philadelphia. I spent most of my time going to school and playing basketball for fun. Unfortunately, I got mixed up with the wrong group of people and was forced to move out of the city. Now, I live on the west coast. It was a blessing in disguise. I am married to a beautiful woman and have a few kids. Besides Tapped Out, I have a bunch of hobbies – I study sports-related head injuries. I like to box (Ali is my idol). I’m really into aliens. Actually, when I think about it – I really like them. Overall, I’m just trying to spend each day pursuing happyness.
Sounds like your life choices and experience have lead you to a new beginning…and the best part is, you know it! After spending half of my life banging my head into people in football and rugby…I admit to being a “student” of CTE myself. Still watching for the signs…Knock on wood…just not with my head!
From a bad boy to the wild, wild west. Sounds like the making of a legend. Probably hard to explain to your family back east. Parents just don’t understand.
Half of what I could share about myself is filled with more adult content then is allowed here lol but I’ll see what I can put together 🙂
I’m in my late 30’s and live in Canada. I have a degree in Psychology with a minor in English. I love to read, cook, cross-stitch, play board games, listen to music and swim. I also collect movies (actual movies not digital versions) and have around 1350 titles in my collection currently. I’m lucky enough to have a job that gives me the freedom to tap frequently during the day so I almost never stress about whether or not I’ll be able to gather all of the prizes during events.
Well…of course we all want to know about the “adult” side you can’t talk about. It’s like having a movie, but missing a reel…right? So, when you say “movies,” do you actually mean film versions? As in 35mm film? How do you store them all?
What do you do apart from tap …….. Don’t really understand the question…. Does breathing count!? 😀
I didn’t get to comment last week either so I have been playing since just before the first whacking day but had a break of about 10 months after THAT Easter event made me give up (but like a true addict I relapsed at Christmas…).
I’m 46, I live in northwest England and I am married with 2 kids (11 and 10), my Son playing tapped out on his mums iPad is what got me started but I only came in when the Android version released. I work for the National Health Service as a Therapist for people with anxiety and depression. I like endurance challenges and in July I completed my first Ironman distance triathlon, but as always I take a “few weeks off to recover” which turn into a few months! I have a marathon planned for next April so trying to get myself back into training, but keep getting distracted by TSTO events!
LOL. Sounds like you might need to mount a waterproof padular device on your arm!
Hello hello! I’ve been really bad about commenting the past uhh… 4 months 😳 oops. But this is actually the perfect post to explain why!
Just like you Patric, I have 5 kids. Not all girls though! We have a blended family with the oldest being 9yrs old, three 6 years olds, and the youngest is 1 1/2 (my husband had two boys from a previous marriage, I had twin girls, and together we have one boy). I’m in my mid 20s and am currently a stay-at-home mom, at least until the youngest is in preschool. I plan to back to school to get my master’s but I’m not sure if I want to continue pursuing a field in psychology or switch directions.
If I have time left in my day after taking the boys to baseball practice/games, the girls to ballet, 4 of them to and from school, chasing after my toddler, and all the other super cool mom/wife duties, I like to take naps. Lol, just kidding (kind of). What I REALLY love to do is read, binge on an entire season of television in a couple days, bargain shop for the hell of it and play TSTO. Really, it’s the only game I play on a daily basis!
Also, to answer the other post, I really toned my tapping down over the summer and until we got back into the school routine. But I lurked for months (so creepy) started commenting fairly often then disappeared because I signed my kids up for too many summer activities haha. I have spent real money on donuts ($10/20 worth) because I “needed” something, spent hours on arranging my town, “needed” to get all the prizes from events, and even convinced my husband to play TSTO on his phone too. So I guess I’m anything but a casual tapper?
Well…you sound like a very Casual Tapper with a not so casual life!! We will have to come up with a designation for that.
I teach confidence through ballroom dance for my career, and I spend my time off with equal parts suspicion and scheming as I play Werewolf(/Mafia) on Sparkbomb. I started playing Tapped Out while recovering from surgery three years ago, and it helped to generate a couple ideas for games. One of which was forgotten after the initial beta run, and the second is still in development. I’m also an avid writer and role player, at least when writer’s block isn’t rearing it’s ugly head.
Interesting! Does EA actually give you credit if they use one of your ideas?
I meant for my own games. Playing TSTO is a pretty zen and relaxing experience for me. The games I’m working on have virtually nothing in common with it.
I am a 58 year old father of two sons, 25 and 26 years old. My wife and I have been together since we were 17 year old seniors in high school (wow, that is 41 years now). We married in 1977 and waited until 1991 to start a family. That was because I spent six years in the Navy as a nuclear reactor operator and did not want to raise children when the aircraft carrier (USS Enterprise CVN-65) would go to sea for up to eleven months at a time.
After the Navy, we both went to college (Go Illini). I retired in 2013 at 55 and a day (Sunday birthday) and now spend a lot of time on the computer trading stocks, which was my ‘hobby’ during the 27 years I was working as an electrical engineer and control room supervisor at a nuclear plant. This hobby is what allowed me to retire as soon as I qualified for retiree medical coverage.
I usually have my laptop on my charting and streaming service, my old iPad 1 reading financial news and my new iPad Air 1 (new to me at least) playing TSTO. I set any of my players not actively involved in events on four hour tasks. I do some grinding on Springfield Heights when I am really bored.
Lately, I have been spending a great deal of time refurbishing the cedar deck around our pool. It was put in 18 years ago and never really properly maintained. I highly recommend using cedar if you ever build a deck. It may cost a bit more up front, but boy has it held up well over that eighteen years. I power washed it, cleaned it with deck cleaner and now am taking off about the top 1/16th of an inch with 80 grit sandpaper. After I finish sanding (it has taken me about two months so far because I have to wait so long after it rains), I am going to stain it with a very lightly colored stain. Then, based on what kind of information I can get from others, I will either waterproof it before winter or, if it is best for the stain, wait until Spring to do so.
That is my life integrated.
I forgot to add, my wife still works because she loves her job at the Community College where she helps disadvantaged kids. I keep her happy by taking her to the Bahamas so she can get her beach time and sea glass hunting time.
First. Thanks for you service! The Enterprise…man…what a ship!! I see that your former “floating city” has been decommissioned. A pity.
Next…amazed at your super-long and successful relationship! I love to hear stories of lifelong sweethearts. It always made me look very carefully at the suitors of my 5 daughters when they were in high school!
I will take your advice on decks! I have an extensive deck that needs to be replaced after 40 years…and they DIDN’T use redwood! It is rotting away. So this time…redwood!
She had eight reactors and I operated them all. That is also why it is not being made a museum. There is just too much that has to be cut out and properly disposed. It would cost to much to make it water proof again!!
Eeek….yikes.
Boy – I can’t believe what a long-term project that deck project has turned out to be! Are your arms still sore? Maybe it will help you to become a karate master (“wax on, wax of; up, down, side, side”)! 😉
I am using a 18 inch belt sander. But, it still is a pain in the arms because it wants to take off across the deck and I have to hold it back. I am taking off so much material (power washing removed a great deal of it in-between the grain) that I am basically removing about an eighth of an inch.
I move the sander about a foot in 20 seconds and have to go over each section about 10 times. Then I use an orbital hand sander to go over all of it again to get the places the belt sander won’t. My arms get so tired I can only go for about 45 minutes at a time. Then I take a half hour rest (so I can go tap!!!), then start the process all over again. There are 45 boards that are around 20 foot long and another 30 that are 4 foot long.
I had friends come over the other day and they could not believe the difference between what was done and what was not. They said it looked like a brand new deck. That was exactly what I needed to hear at this point in the process to keep me going with the ‘perfectionist’ attitude I have had with this project. It is good to have friends that say the right thing at the right time.
I’m a College Junior (Bio Major)
I’m a mom of 2, 5yo and 9yo and may hide in the kitchen to tap cos, you know, don’t want my kids to be screen addicts like mommy. I’m a canadian pharmacist working as project manager in clinical studies in Germany. I do hot yoga. A lot of fitness at home (fitnessblender is one of my other addictions). I sew and knit. And read lots of related blogs. I cook and bake. Read. Travel. Watch movies.
I once the part about hiding so our kids won’t become addicts… Too funny!
I’m in my mid 30’s. Married, about to be a father in a few days. I manage an race track and race motorcycles. In a previous life I played minor (very minor) league hockey. I was a goalie and recently had all my teeth reinserted into my skull since I no longer play.
I didn’t participate in the comments for part 1. I’d have to say I’m a narcissistic completist. I take full advantage of glitches and mostly focus on designing my town.
Well…it’s good to know who you are! LOL! The teeth thing. I know that one. Football and rugby.
Congrats on your impending “delivery”! Boy or girl (or are you waiting to be surprised)?
I work
I do yoga
I go to the gym
I visit the Buddhist Temple
I volunteer (food bank, animal shelter)
I remodel my condo
I visit theme parks (Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Hollywood)
I enjoy time with Cat 🙂
I Tap throughout the Day
For a minute…I thought you were Lisa Simpson. Thanks for sharing!
Lol – I was gonna say the same thing!
Married mom of three (12, 11, and 7). I have a Masters degree in linguistics and applied language studies and work as a project manager for the a global IT company (You may have heard of a supercomputer that won Jeopardy). Free time? Ummm….well I practically live in hockey arenas, music studios, and am a leader in Girl Guides (Girl Scouts for you Americans). I love camping and the outdoors, and reading. I also love to swim and still play waterpolo regularly. I do enjoy cooking for fun, but detest the daily grind of feeding the family. Love to travel, but don’t get to do it much these days. Guilty secret? Since I work from home, I often do my TSTO neighbour visits during boring conference calls that I shouldn’t have been invited to anyway. :)) When we’re not on devices, or doing any of the stuff above, my family enjoys board games and being dragged on walks so I can log enough steps on my Fitbit. I also enjoy playing my cats – a beautiful calico, and an orange tabby.
So many bright family tappers! Maybe you can loan EA the super computer to fix some of their buggy updates!
Haha. Not sure it codes, but maybe it could help with the dialogue (although I personally find that to already be brilliant. The last few updates have been fantastic.)
Yup – I’m guilty of playing TSTO during a conference call/webinar here and there, too….shhhh….. 😉
This is a neat idea, I like reading everyone’s little story.
Im in my early 30’s in Canada, have 2 undergraduate and one graduate degrees. I’m independent and single, recently moved to an isolated city, but was having fun with it. Work in a post secondary school. It has its challenges, especially now around September.
I’ve always enjoyed gaming, but lost my enthusiasm for most of it because the student loan and the hard work takes a lot out of me. I love tsto because the pace (was) reasonable. I loved having down time and being able to design new sections of town when nothing was happening. Also loved the at -your -own pace of level updates (all gone now).
What I do for fun is go out dancing, eating and to shows with friends. Visit family and nieces. Travel to visit friends. But recently I injured my knee and waiting for more tests… So life’s been a bit hard. Not able to do much. Besides that, I’m rolling along 😉
Thanks for sharing! You’ll get through this… You sound like a survivor!
30’s. love audiobooks, podcasts & music. Wife and 4 kids. Love them all. Like to play games with the fam: canasta, dragon wood, settlers of catan. Fave outdoor activity: golf. Love my job. Work mostly with teens. Also, just started teaching drama to middle schoolers. Youngest is turning a year old in 12 days. Like to cook meat. Especially on the grill (charcoal only).
Also, live in Phoenix. If there are other tappers in the area, I would love to grab a coffee and chat about tsto.
I think if you read below…you’ll see another from your area…
I’m an early 30s, Kansan, married, almost two year old son, double major BA, currently work part time evenings in a union job and care for son during the day. I spend my weekend with my immediate and extended family. We like to travel to nearby cities during the weekends to go to fun events or stay home to work on the house or attend in town functions. I like to collect fossils. If I had more time and money I would do more of that. I also love to collect seashells but being landlocked and afraid of flying I only get to do that every couple years or less when we drive out east to visit the majority of my family. I’ve recently started with a nutrionist 8 weeks ago and am down 8 lbs. My husband purchased me a Fitbit for our anniversary and I’ve having fun doing the courses where you get to pretend you are walking to real landmarks. Plus the friends competitions are fun. So lots of walking and family fun for me when I’m not on here. I get most of my game time in if my little guy takes a nap and then in the evening once the fam is all asleep. I get insomnia and TSTO helps me pass the time without walking anyone. Never want to wake the baby 😉
Ahh…a late night tapper. itnalways blows my mind that there are ocean fissile in the Midwest…soooooo flat and away from modern oceans. Very cool.
If you ever are out in Kansas go to Castle Rock. So beautiful. You aren’t allowed to dig for fossils there but you can pick them up off the group if they are laying loose. We went after a rain storm and found an old jaw from an ancient fish (I have the name written down somewhere) and some other smaller fossils. Very cool area to explore but the main rock feature may be gone in the next 15 years due to erosion
I’ve been through Kansas…but not there. On my “next time list!”
I’m a 41 year old, married, no kids, but my husband has two. One that graduated from Cornell university in NY and the other who now attends FL university. I am a VP of products w the # 3 lender in the country and I play to get away…. I am also in school towards my bachelors in leadership and originational studies at Bay Path university and will complete my masters at Boston College or FL university (haven’t decided which yet)… I love shopping and New England spots teams and love reading during non school secessions. I will say that I’m excited about the “new” old school Nintendo that is coming and my husband have talked about a duel in Mario brothers (we have know each other since I was 11).. I have been addicted to TSTO for about 3 years (maybe 4) now… And was estatic when I found this site! (This is my first post).
Thanks so much for coming out of the shadows to comment! You’ve known each other since 11??? Wow! Does he ever ask about the “mystery years” before you met?
Sounds like we’re fairly local to one another! I lived in the Allston/Brighton/Brookline area for 8 or 9 years (did my undergrad and grad school at BU) and live in the metrowest area now.