Speaking of putting slabs flat on the ground, my friend Dave did that for a little patio area. He just set them right on the dirt, no gravel, no gaps. After a good rain, you could see mud oozing up between every single slab. It was a slick, muddy mess every time it got wet, and the slabs started rocking when you stepped on them.

But a lot of store-bought stands are wobbly junk too. The problem is usually rushing the build or using a bad plan, not the idea of making one yourself. I've used a homemade stand from wood and pipes for years that's way more solid than some flimsy tripod I could have bought. It just comes down to taking your time and not cutting corners.

Ever notice how you only miss friction when it's gone? @angela_knight3 has a point that we buy for grip, but we don't call it that. My new socks on a wood floor are a silent miracle until they wear out. Then you're just sliding into the kitchen table.

Keep a physical backup in a secure spot at home.

Last conference I went to, I stopped trying to remember titles altogether. I just ask "what are you working on right now" instead. Got a way better chat with someone who just said "supply chain" but then told me about the project to get emergency medicine into remote areas. Their title was some long acronym, but who cares, you know?