Your buddy Mike swore by zip-ties, but that setup clearly isn't working for you. I'd skip the tight bundling and just use a few wide velcro straps to keep cables loosely together along the back edge of the desk. Your legs will stop hitting them and you won't have to redo everything when one cable comes loose.

Wait, did you read that article from Fine Homebuilding a few months back about measuring tricks? They had a whole section on the tape hook thing and how different brands have different flanges that throw off your measurements. I swear it's one of those things that seems like it shouldn't matter but it absolutely does. My old tape measure had so much play in the hook I was always off by like a sixteenth and would blame the wood or the humidity. Finally got one of those self-locking ones with a tighter hook and it fixed half my problems overnight. Still have to remember to mark my reference points though, that sharpie line trick is gold.

Honestly, reading about that warm compress with tea tree and jojoba makes me think of something my buddy tried once. He had this gnarly cyst on his back and instead of doing the whole routine he took a hot shower then slapped a slice of raw potato on it for like 20 minutes. I thought he was messing with me but the next day that thing was way less angry and some of the gunk actually started draining out on its own. I have no idea if the science holds up but I guess the warmth and moisture can sometimes trick the skin into letting go. Anyway sorry for the weird potato story but sometimes the weirdest stuff works.

Shop around now before you lock anything in. Got a quote from three different lenders when I did mine and it saved me about $600 on origination alone. The paperwork you started isn't lost yet, just tell them you're comparing offers and they'll usually match or beat the lower price.

Nahhh man, $25 earbuds are literally the cheapest trash tier you can buy, they're basically disposable. You absolutely get what you pay for with audio gear, cheap drivers are just built to fail.