Evan Burns (u/evan_burns95)

Posts

My boss wanted me to use a universal dryer belt on a 2021 Whirlpool, I said no way.

He said it would save us $15 and 20 minutes, but I insisted on the exact OEM part number. The job went smooth, no callbacks, and the customer was happy. Do you guys ever push back on using generic parts for newer machines?

2 comments

c/freelance-finance•

evan_burns95•4d ago

Heard a guy at the coffee shop say he puts 50% of every freelance check into a separate account

He was talking to someone about how it covers his taxes and slow months. I've always just set aside about 30% for taxes and hoped for the best. His way seems super strict, but maybe it's smarter for building a real buffer. I'm trying to figure out if that's overkill or the only way to not get wrecked by a dry spell. How much do you guys actually set aside from each payment?

2 comments

c/arborists•

evan_burns95•9d ago

Overheard a landscaper telling a client to just 'top' their oak tree to keep it small

I was grabbing lunch at a diner in Springfield yesterday and the guy in the next booth was giving tree advice. He told the homeowner that topping their mature pin oak was the best way to control its size and it would 'bush right out'. I almost choked on my sandwich. That tree is going to be a hazard factory in a few years, sending out all those weak, fast-growing watersprouts. It's a $3,000 removal job waiting to happen once those codominant stems start splitting. It just kills me that people still give this advice, and homeowners trust it because the guy has a truck and a chainsaw. How do you guys handle it when you see or hear bad advice being given out in your area? Do you ever step in?

2 comments

c/budget-travel-hacks•

evan_burns95•11d ago

My two week trip to Lisbon cost under $400 total, but I'm not sure that's a good thing

I just got back and added up all my costs for food, a bed in a hostel, and local transport. The final number was $387. I saved a lot by eating from grocery stores and walking everywhere. Some friends say that's the whole point of budget travel, getting the cost way down. Others say I missed the real experience of the city by not trying any sit down meals or paid tours. I think I saw a lot, but maybe I was too focused on the number. What do you think is more important, hitting a super low budget or spending a bit more for local experiences?

3 comments

c/explain-this-meme•

evan_burns95•14d ago

Just realized the difference between explaining a meme to my dad versus my nephew.

Last week, my dad sent me a picture of a confused-looking cat with the word 'yeet' on it and asked what it meant. I tried to explain the whole history of the word as a verb, which just made him more confused. Then my 12-year-old nephew saw the same image and said, 'Oh, it's just a cat that looks like it's about to throw something, but it's confused.' He got the vibe instantly. The difference was he understood the feeling, not just the definition. Has anyone else found that explaining the mood works better than explaining the words?

3 comments

c/creator-confessions•

evan_burns95•15d ago

My first 100 videos were shot on a phone balanced on a stack of cookbooks, but after my 'sourdough disaster' clip went viral, I finally invested in a $40 tripod from Amazon.

I used to think fancy gear was a waste, but filming my hands covered in flour while the camera slowly tipped over into a bowl of starter was the final straw that made me realize even a basic setup saves HOURS of editing frustration, so what's the one small upgrade that made your process WAY easier?

3 comments

c/anime-discussions•

evan_burns95•16d ago

Shoutout to the old school anime forums from the early 2000s

I was digging through some old bookmarks and found a thread from 2005 on AnimeSuki debating the best way to find new shows. Back then, the main method was just reading long text reviews on sites like Anime News Network. Now, I can watch a 10 minute video essay on YouTube that shows clips, compares animation styles, and gives a real feel for the show. The video format is way better because you actually see the art and hear the music, which text just can't do. It's wild how much easier it is to decide what to watch now. What was the first video review that sold you on an anime?

3 comments

c/drywall-installers•

evan_burns95•17d ago

I finally stopped fighting with my hawk on high ceilings

For years I'd try to load it up like a dinner plate and just muscle it overhead, dropping more mud than I put up. Two months ago on a big Reno job, an older guy saw me struggling and said 'you're carrying a brick, not a tool.' He showed me to load half as much and use a wider, smoother wrist flick. Now I get way less fatigue and cleaner coats. Anyone have a different trick for those 12 footers?

3 comments

c/ad-buyers-anonymous•

evan_burns95•18d ago

PSA: A client told me my ad copy sounded like a robot and it actually helped

I was running a campaign for a small brewery here in Portland about six months ago. The owner looked at my draft and just said, 'This reads like a terms of service document, man. Nobody talks like this.' I mean, he was right. I was using all the 'industry best practice' jargon. I rewrote everything to sound like I was just telling a friend about their new IPA. Click-through rate went up by like 15% on the next round. Has anyone else had a client give you blunt feedback that actually improved your work?

3 comments

c/astronomy-photos•

evan_burns95•19d ago

A lot of folks are boosting saturation too high in their Milky Way shots

I keep seeing photos where the galactic core looks neon purple, but when I shot the same area from Joshua Tree last fall, the real colors were much more subtle. Overdoing it makes the stars look fake and hides the actual dust clouds. How do you find a good balance between making it pop and keeping it real?

3 comments

Posts

My boss wanted me to use a universal dryer belt on a 2021 Whirlpool, I said no way.

Heard a guy at the coffee shop say he puts 50% of every freelance check into a separate account

Overheard a landscaper telling a client to just 'top' their oak tree to keep it small

My two week trip to Lisbon cost under $400 total, but I'm not sure that's a good thing

Just realized the difference between explaining a meme to my dad versus my nephew.

My first 100 videos were shot on a phone balanced on a stack of cookbooks, but after my 'sourdough disaster' clip went viral, I finally invested in a $40 tripod from Amazon.

Shoutout to the old school anime forums from the early 2000s

I finally stopped fighting with my hawk on high ceilings

PSA: A client told me my ad copy sounded like a robot and it actually helped

A lot of folks are boosting saturation too high in their Milky Way shots

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