Notcoffeetable's recent activity
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Comment on My not so nice thoughts on Battlestar Galactica in ~tv
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
Notcoffeetable Link ParentThanks! I'm pretty excited because the Dark Souls/Elden Ring design philosophy and aesthetic nails my preferences exactly. But no matter much much I tried I couldn't get the mechanics to work for...Thanks! I'm pretty excited because the Dark Souls/Elden Ring design philosophy and aesthetic nails my preferences exactly. But no matter much much I tried I couldn't get the mechanics to work for me. Honestly I credit God of War and Stellar Blade for onboarding me a bit. Getting me to think more about i-frames and what my preferred playstyle actually is.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
Notcoffeetable (edited )LinkA decade of buying FromSoftware games and bouncing off them I started buckling down. After some success in DS3 I wondered how I'd fare in Elden Ring. Embarrassingly Magrit was my white whale. Back...A decade of buying FromSoftware games and bouncing off them I started buckling down. After some success in DS3 I wondered how I'd fare in Elden Ring. Embarrassingly Magrit was my white whale. Back around release I sunk ~30 hours exploring, grinding, and failing to kill Magrit. Last night I rerolled a character and within ~2 hours one shot Magrit. That puts me 3/3 on boss one shots since revisiting the Dark Souls/Elden Ring series. It just suddenly feels easier?
Then last night I started a new character and was just exploring. Eventually found myself at Magrit's bridge. Was down several flasks since I had cleared the whole path up to him including the troll without resting. Touched grass outside his arena but didn't rest (game wouldn't let me for some reason). My ashes were unavailable and figured I'd just give it a shot, die, and then get a rested attempt. Quickly made it into the enrage phase around that time my ashes became available. I popped out the jellyfish and he was just... melting? Hadn't done any other content so was slightly under leveled (17?) and +1 on my katana. Doing a dex/bleed build but really haven't put much into it yet, equipment is all stock samurai, haven't done any other dungeons. Previous attempts I was around RL 30ish with faith/dex builds and the winged scythe. Really happy this type of game is finally clicking for me.
I had assumed it was going to take a significant effort to down Magrit based on previous experience so that was my goal to mark the bingo card. Let's see if I can get every FromSoftware game on my bingo card, requirement being first boss down since that's always been my stumbling block. Next up: Sekiro, DSII, and DS.
(I'm counting horse riding as "having driving" 'cause I'm not gonna check that box with anything else I have on my backlog)
NotCoffeeTable's Git Gud 2024 (3/25)
Mode: Standard Bingo! Finished 3/25 From a studio you haven't heard of before
✔ Humanity (tha ltd)Is considered “abandonware” Uses at most three buttons You can complete it in one sitting Has been banned, censored, or challenged Chosen for you by someone else You own it on physical media Randomness determines your fate It’s already installed An updated version (remake, re-release) of an older game A solo-dev project Great reviews, but not your usual type ★ Wildcard
✔ Dark Souls IIISomeone else has played it for their Backlog Burner Multiple playable characters Recommended by someone IRL You heard about it in our weekly gaming topics Your friend loves it Has more than 82 achievements From now-defunct dev studio Has a review score below 65 Focuses on exploration Has driving
✔ Elden RingPart of a trilogy Is mostly text-based -
Comment on Humble Choice - May 2024 in ~games
Notcoffeetable LinkHi-Fi Rush is a neat little character action type but with some smart rhythm game elements. It has a great art style and the whole world is groovin' to the beat. Actions are more potent when they...Hi-Fi Rush is a neat little character action type but with some smart rhythm game elements. It has a great art style and the whole world is groovin' to the beat. Actions are more potent when they land on the beat but it is fairly forgiving. I played the first hour or so when it was released and it's a game I plan on returning to for Backlog Burner. At one point it was on Game Pass, worth checking if it still is.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon curious what people think of this as an entry point into Yakuza games. I haven't played one but I would like to pick up one. Is this a good place to start?
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Comment on Hey GM: If you want to beat Apple, give people the buttons CarPlay can’t in ~transport
Notcoffeetable Link ParentWhy would Android Auto or Carplay interact with vehicle hardware at all? My 2021 car has physical buttons for all car functions and the touchscreen which supports carplay (with rotary knob for UX...Why would Android Auto or Carplay interact with vehicle hardware at all? My 2021 car has physical buttons for all car functions and the touchscreen which supports carplay (with rotary knob for UX navigation) strictly controls media. I assume if i go into idrive I can change some car settings, but I don't need to because there are physical buttons to do it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Notcoffeetable Link Parent100% yes. The difficulties unlock when you complete a mission at the preceding difficulty. but you can pick whatever difficulty you have unlocked. It's even possible to play the first couple...Would you say that it's still possible to jump in as a newbie and have fun
100% yes. The difficulties unlock when you complete a mission at the preceding difficulty. but you can pick whatever difficulty you have unlocked. It's even possible to play the first couple difficulties solo. I enjoy my time playing with randoms, it's been a relatively low toxicity game in my experience. But it really shines if you can get a couple friends on voice comms.
Highly recommend it.
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Comment on Kendrick Lamar - Meet the Grahams (2024) in ~music
Notcoffeetable (edited )Link ParentI haven't followed this much. I just listened to the diss tracks today. When I first heard about it I was kind of surprised Drake would stir somethin up with Kendrick. Drake has never been very...I haven't followed this much. I just listened to the diss tracks today. When I first heard about it I was kind of surprised Drake would stir somethin up with Kendrick.
Drake has never been very high on my list of artists. I didn't think he was bad but not my style. So I'm surprised to hear anyone thought Drake was a "hard MC." He always came off as kind of as more pop/R&B/rap to me. A guy you'd see at parties/clubs with a large entourage.
On the flip side, I've listened to a lot of Kendrick. He's generally comes off as grounded, aggressive, introspective. His albums containing a lot of autobiographical elements, reflecting on how money and fame impacts his relationships with people he grew up with and how generational trauma keeps its teeth in him.
So while my impression of Drake might not be accurate, this whole thing has gone about the way I expected it. Kendrick has always been able to write searing, pointed criticism usually targeted at himself. Drake (in my estimation) does a lot more "tropey" writing, talking himself up but rarely with depth I think necessary to hold his own in this beef.
I'm seeing a lot of Drake fans saying they never knew Kendrick was this good. I wonder if Drake drank his own koolaid and underestimated Kendrick. But I think what we've seen is a massively successful artist realize that he isn't the artist he thought he was when confronted by an artist who has kept their craft sharp.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Notcoffeetable LinkStill on my campaign to git gud at souls games. So I'm playing Dark Souls 3 I spent a lot of time on the High Wall of Lothric. Practicing my timings and positioning. Racked up a lot of levels....Still on my campaign to git gud at souls games. So I'm playing Dark Souls 3
I spent a lot of time on the High Wall of Lothric. Practicing my timings and positioning. Racked up a lot of levels. While running around I cleared the area around Vordt, only had 2 flasks but figured I'd hop into the fight to feel it out. Equipped the Deep Battle Ax because I was told he is weak to dark but didn't use any buffs since the intent was to gain information about the fight. Ended up taking him down on my first try. Suffice to say that gave me a lot of confidence and I've moved on to the Undead Settlement.
Haven't had any major issues and I've explored most of the settlement. I'm overleveled from all my time on the high wall (31 I think), but it's good because it gives me some margin of error. There are a couple areas I haven't explored but so far so good. Will need to find the friend NPCs and the Undead Bone Shard then I'll take on the Curse Rotted Greatwood.
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Comment on An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing? in ~life
Notcoffeetable Link ParentOne thing to know is that the current NLRB is extremely pro-union. You will have much more of an advantage starting the union process than trying to do an ad hoc collective action. The NLRB is...One thing to know is that the current NLRB is extremely pro-union. You will have much more of an advantage starting the union process than trying to do an ad hoc collective action. The NLRB is extremely political so the current administration impacts union policy very quickly. The current expectations:
- If you get enough intent to unionize cards signed for the union to announce a vote you enter the critical period. The critical period spans from the announcement of intent to when the vote happens.
- During this critical period any union busting the business commits (threats, promises, attempts to figure out who signed a card, etc.) means the vote is cancelled and the union automatically wins.
- The business can do some thing like state facts about how much union membership would cost, etc to try to make their case. But they cannot do anything that would make someone "Afraid" of being pro-union.
This means you don't have really have to worry about retaliation etc.
(This is based off my business's current union strategy. We generally have positive union relationships but get updated regularly on state of play.)
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
Notcoffeetable LinkAfter training 6 days/week for 6 months we've dialed it back down to 3 days/week. And I'm loving the extra free time! Sessions are a bit longer and harder but that's okay. I'm over the next couple...After training 6 days/week for 6 months we've dialed it back down to 3 days/week. And I'm loving the extra free time! Sessions are a bit longer and harder but that's okay. I'm over the next couple weeks some adaptions will take place and it'll feel like a new normal.
I'm going to take a year off from competition. Just focusing on overall health and strength. I think it's important to modulate training in this way. Going hard constantly causes burn out, boredom, and injury.
This week was an intro week since I essentially haven't worked out for two weeks (taper + recovery). It felt good to be back at it though with some different exercises.
I had taken a break from tracking macros because I wasn't at risk of missing weigh ins. But based on some nutrition issues I had week of the meet I'm back at it. I appreciate having the break but am feeling better with my diet back in line with where I want it to be. My tendency is to under eat and then eat a bit more processed stuff. Tracking helps me eat enough and also reduce guilty pleasures (I am a sucker for processed snack cakes and donuts). I don't believe that excluding food is a healthy or sustainable behavior but I feel better when that type of stuff is limited more aggressively. I am way hungrier though, unsure why.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 1 Discussion in ~games
Notcoffeetable (edited )LinkExcited to give this a shot! I have a couple ideas for some of these categories but some are going to be a fun challenge to find. Bingo Card (2/25) Mode: Standard Bingo! Finished 2/25 ✔ Humanity...Excited to give this a shot! I have a couple ideas for some of these categories but some are going to be a fun challenge to find.
Bingo Card (2/25)
Mode: Standard Bingo! Finished 2/25 From a studio you haven't heard of before
✔ Humanity (tha ltd)Is considered “abandonware” Uses at most three buttons You can complete it in one sitting Has been banned, censored, or challenged Chosen for you by someone else You own it on physical media Randomness determines your fate It’s already installed An updated version (remake, re-release) of an older game A solo-dev project Great reviews, but not your usual type ★ Wildcard
✔ Dark Souls IIISomeone else has played it for their Backlog Burner Multiple playable characters Recommended by someone IRL You heard about it in our weekly gaming topics Your friend loves it Has more than 82 achievements From now-defunct dev studio Has a review score below 65 Focuses on exploration Has driving Part of a trilogy Is mostly text-based -
Comment on What do I do if I don't have any clothes? in ~life.style
Notcoffeetable LinkI recommend establishing a uniform as your foundation. What is an easy style you like? For me it's black or white v-neck t-shirts, light wash jeans, and a basic sneaker (like Adidas.) It can help...I recommend establishing a uniform as your foundation. What is an easy style you like? For me it's black or white v-neck t-shirts, light wash jeans, and a basic sneaker (like Adidas.) It can help to identify a style you see on someone else that you'd feel comfortable wearing.
This biggest piece of advice is focus on fit. You can wear pretty much everything if it fits well. You can probably find some type of fashion fitting guide online for your preferred presentation. Some top bullet points with my preference as a cis-male for context:
- Where you like the collar of your shirt to be. I don't like them too high and I like a v-neck. Even button downs I tend to leave a but more unbuttoned because of how they fit me.
- How long do you like your shirts? I have a long torso so I prefer a longer shirt. Shirts you wear tuckered in need to be even longer.
- Where does the seam land at the top of your shoulder. I like it to land right before my shoulder turns down into my arm.
- Where do you like sleeves to end. I like short sleeves to end around mid bicep and long sleeves should just cover my wrist when extended and reveal my watch when my arm is bent 90%.
- Where do you like your pants to sit on your waist?
- Do you like roomier pants or tighter pants?
- How long do you like your pant legs? I like shorts to end a bit above my knees. I like pants to end right near the top of my shoe.
Building the foundation (male but can be adapted):
- T-shirts: I just buy in packs of 4-5 usually they are around the underwear section as an undershirt but the store near me sells a quality brand that is thick enough to wear without layering. I buy white and black.
- Dress shirts: After getting fitted I just go to the same store and buy 3-4 at a time when my others start wearing out.
- Jeans: when I find a brand/style I like I try to buy 2-3 pairs and donate or throw out older pairs that have worn or I don't like as much.
- Socks/underwear: Buy multiple pairs of whatever you like. Get rid of old stuff that you don't wear or is worn out.
- Shoes: it's good to have a couple air of daily wear shoes. They will last longer.
Everything else is bought on an ad hoc basis.
- Sweaters: When I decided to take my wardrobe seriously I bought 3 that I liked from different places. Those last forever. Usually around fall I will consider adding a sweater to my wardrobe and voting out the weakest link.
- Dress pants: If I have a big event coming up I'll try on all my dress pants to figure out what fits best. If I don't like what I have I'll buy a new pair.
- Sweatshirts: If I see one I like I'll buy it.
My partner does a similar thing. She'll pick out some new dresses as summer nears to buy a couple if an event is coming up. Occasionally she'll pick up some new sweaters or pants for work. But generally she wears a uniform of black yoga pants and black tops.
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Comment on US to require automatic emergency braking on new vehicles in five years in ~transport
Notcoffeetable (edited )Link ParentI have a MY 2021 BMW with emergency braking, lane keep assist, and proximity sensors. I find the emergency braking quite accurate. I've only had it activate a handful of time and it beat my...I have a MY 2021 BMW with emergency braking, lane keep assist, and proximity sensors. I find the emergency braking quite accurate. I've only had it activate a handful of time and it beat my reaction by a couple milliseconds. Generally someone slamming on their brakes on the interstate or someone pulling out in front of me in town.
I turn the lane keep assist off except for haptic feedback. It reads lines fairly poorly and I've had it just jerk the car sideways when it reads a merging lane wrong.
The proximity sensors are fine. They a bit over sensitive even turned down to a medium/short range. For example I have a fairly steep drive way and sometimes it will read the road I'm back onto as an obstacle and beep a couple times. Doesn't really bother me because it prompts me to triple check whether anything is behind me.
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Comment on ‘Red One’ down: How Dwayne Johnson’s tardiness led to a $250 million runaway production in ~movies
Notcoffeetable LinkThis is interesting especially in the context of his beef with Vin Diesel over the Fast and Furious series. I feel like he came out of that pretty clean and Vin came out looking like he was too...This is interesting especially in the context of his beef with Vin Diesel over the Fast and Furious series. I feel like he came out of that pretty clean and Vin came out looking like he was too demanding. IN light of this one might wonder if maybe Vin was just expecting a certain level of professionalism and commitment to a big money making project.
But damn if Johnson isn't doing so much all the time. We see a lot of celebs taking on a lot of side projects. I don't follow many, but the amount of stuff Johnson is doing... seems like cracks are starting to show?
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Comment on US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say in ~news
Notcoffeetable LinkGreat! LSD should be moved too but the politicians aren't ready for it.Great! LSD should be moved too but the politicians aren't ready for it.
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Comment on Alan Wake 2 still hasn't earned back its budget in ~games
Notcoffeetable Link ParentAgreed, I'd pick it up if I could buy a physical copy for PS5 or a digital copy on steam. I don't want my paid library spread across multiple platforms that could be shutdown on the whim of a...Agreed, I'd pick it up if I could buy a physical copy for PS5 or a digital copy on steam. I don't want my paid library spread across multiple platforms that could be shutdown on the whim of a corporate owner.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Notcoffeetable Link ParentI have mixed memories of Fallout 4 as well. The dialog was a big let down after Fallout 3 with your attributes never really impacting what you could do socially. My fondest memories were exploring...I have mixed memories of Fallout 4 as well. The dialog was a big let down after Fallout 3 with your attributes never really impacting what you could do socially. My fondest memories were exploring and trying to find all the models of power armor and then spending my time exploring that highly radioactive dust storm area. The crafting was also annoying, I pretty much just used it to make purified water which I'd flip for more power cores.
It doesn't have the same memories as Fallout 3, stumbling onto so many weird little vignettes. In particular I remember my mind being blown when I could become a vampire or finding some of the creepier vaults and discovering their stories.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Notcoffeetable (edited )LinkI had a lot of time to game over the weekend. I might finally be entering my Souls era. It's a genre that always ticked the right boxes on paper but my introduction to it just put up barriers....I had a lot of time to game over the weekend. I might finally be entering my Souls era. It's a genre that always ticked the right boxes on paper but my introduction to it just put up barriers.
Stellar Blade
I only learned of this PS5 exclusive in the last couple weeks via The MinnMaxx Podcast. First heard about it when they addressed some of the contention around it because the main character is kind of trying to do a Bayonetta/Nier thing with a scantily clad lady as the protagonist. When they actually reviewed the game they found that aside from the character designs it isn't a horny game and highly recommended the combat. So I picked it up, a bit apprehensive but happy to support a smaller studio.
My initial impressions from about 4 hours of game play, right up to the first real boss (there is a bit of a tutorial/skill check boss around the 2 hour mark). There are two difficulties by default: "story mode" and "normal." I am playing on normal.
Pros- This combat is awesome! It's your basic fast/heavy attack with parry and dodge. It's kind of like a combination of Nier:Automata, God of War, and Sekiro. You have the acrobatics of Nier, skill trees like God of War (I like Stellar Blade's trees much more), but the emphasis on timing parries, dodges, and positioning of a Souls game. My favorite part is the defensive skill ups. You can rank up dodge and parry to increase the i-frames making it easier. You then unlock offensive skills that you can execute with your dodges and parries. For example Blink is an ability triggers after a perfect dodge at the right moment of a enemy's special attach. If you time it correctly your character teleports behind the enemy and deals a critical attack. It's a fast, acrobatic, and reasonably challenging action game.
- Enemy variety is quite good. In the first couple hours you meet a lot of different enemy designs. They are good at introducing you to a new enemy type in a "safe" area so you can learn the enemy without having much of a run back.
- In fact, they're VERY good at camp placement. Camps are essentially your bon fires. They are liberally placed. You will find one after you've cleared through an area of enemies, after a section of platforming/puzzle solving, or immediately before a boss. Run backs really aren't much of a thing in this game and I love it for that.
- You don't drop your gold pieces (souls) when you die. I understand dropping souls is part of Dark Souls, and that's fine. But not every game needs to do that and I think it's the right decision to not have it in this game.
- You essentially have Estus charges. You start with 3, and I expect you get more eventually. But you can also buy different types in stores. So really you have your 3 charges that refill when you rest, then you can carry another 3 each consumable type. There is a "high potency" potion that works like the rechargable type, and a "lingering potion" that his a heal over time. Good for exploring when you have time between encounters without eating into your faster healing items so you can reserve them for more difficult encounters.
Cons
- Oh god the character lines are awful. You might here that the voice acting sucks but the lines written for the characters are so bad I don't think I would fairly judge a voice actor for their delivery of these. I switched the spoken language to Japanese because I couldn't stand hearing the English voices.
- The story is also pretty bad. So far it's been unintrusive enough that I can ignore it. I heard the devs saying they were inspired by Nier:Automata. It almost feels like poorly written Nier fanfic. But this is coming from someone who thought Nier was so good that I just didn't touch video games for a year.
- Character design is definitely on the gratuitous side. Yes it's a sexy android lady. I don't know why she has the most ridiculous shoes ever or why she is wearing a stupid tie or shimmery fairy wings. I hear there are other costumes in the game, I hope I can find one that doesn't feels like it was designed by a 13 year old who just discovered that girls are attractive. Fortunately it isn't a plot point so I can ignore it.
Dark Souls 3
So after several hours of playing Stellar Blade and finding my groove with the combat I was itching to play a From game. I am the type of person that owns every From game since Dark Souls but I haven't played beyond the opening in any game other than Elden Ring. I usually bounce because of the difficulty. I played a good amount of Elden Ring but never beat Magrit. I want to love these games. But I feel like I always made poor decisions that handicapped me early.So I swallowed my pride and have begun reading everything I can about character building, and area walk throughs hoping to maximize my power at each point so that hopefully I can clear the previous barriers. And it is paying off.
I first played DS3 with a friend who is DEEP into From games. The kind of guy who can speed run Bloodborne or Sekiro without getting hit with the most basic weapon. So when starting he was like "yeah you could start as a warrior or knight but the wretched is the best if you're good." Which did not set me up for success, I didn't understand the wretched is good because it gives you the most most room to build a good character with the trade off being very weak early (and no ability to level before Gundyr). Suffice to say I couldn't beat Gundyr... I got extremely close which is retrospect was actually kind of impressive. This time I started with a Warrior class. OH MY GOD this game is so much easier. I pretty much made every beginner mistake fighting Gundyr and killed him on my first try.
Suffice to say I'm enjoying my time in DS3.
Elden Ring
My success in DS3 also inspired me to start a new game of Elden Ring. Previously I played a Confessor which I think is an okay class but I think the emphasis on pumping faith set me back a bit. I didn't put much time into it this weekend but I'm excited to try a build closer to my preferred playstyle.This is the first time in a while I'm excited to play video games. It really kicked off with God of War (2018) earlier this year. But I'm hoping between Stellar Blade and DS3 I finally make my peace with Soulslikes. They tick all my boxes in terms of lore, itemization, and complexity. I think the combo of God of War and Stellar Blade opened my eyes to how I should approach this era of combat games. Now it's just time to git gud and clear out the rest of my From back catalog.
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Comment on Anyone here suffering from low testosterone? in ~health
Notcoffeetable Link ParentAt 36 I have some of the symptoms you describe. I've wondered about my levels of test but also compete in a tested sport so HRT wouldn't really be an option. What I have found is that the...At 36 I have some of the symptoms you describe. I've wondered about my levels of test but also compete in a tested sport so HRT wouldn't really be an option.
What I have found is that the underlying stress makes a big impact. I track my recovery, workouts, and diet pretty closely. We've identified that about 4 weeks of training is when my performance starts to drop. I'll run a deload week that cuts volume in half. During those deload weeks my drive will spike and energy comes back. Same happens on taper weeks before meets, my energy ends up being much higher and most of the symptoms diminish.
It sounds like you are fortunate to have a low stress life and it doesn't sound like you are exerting yourself too much. But building in some easier weeks to your programming may be beneficial.
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Comment on Clothes shopping as a short & fat (trans) guy with narrow shoulders in ~life.style
Notcoffeetable LinkI have a stockier body. Pants are hit and miss since my preferred size is like 29 inseam, 48 waist. I have success with basic wranglers. Banana Republic also tends to fit well. I can't really...I have a stockier body. Pants are hit and miss since my preferred size is like 29 inseam, 48 waist. I have success with basic wranglers. Banana Republic also tends to fit well.
I can't really recommend anything for tops. It's a struggle for me as well. I need long shirts with broad shoulders but that usually ends up being a giant bag to hide a gut more sizable than my own. My friends who are more slight tend to gravitate towards european or asian brands like Uniqlo.
Do not let people dissuade you from TNG based on BSG. BSG feels like turn of the century camp to me and I didn't really like it.
TNG on the other hand is as relevant (more?) relevant today than ever. Today whole movies are made to discuss social issues that TNG tackled in ~40 mins. Topics covered by TNG in the 80's that are still contentious today:
And over all it is positive. Rather than getting dark and gritty it is a colorful world. Capitalism is considered a failed experiment. Conflicts are resolved through diplomacy and mutual understanding as much as possible.
It's a show I can watch and feel good. People are recognized for their competence and expertise. There are story arcs but each episode is standalone. Some are campy fun adventures to break up the heavier stuff.
It might align with your tastes and I'm not saying anyone needs to watch it. But if someone is curious I'd recommend giving it a spin. People recommend skipping season 1 because it's a bit more off the rails and weird. I didn't and it still hooked me, but if you don't like the first episodes try skipping to S1E1.
It's perhaps the most impactful piece of media I've ever watched. Some books and movies have blown my mind in interesting ways. But TNG changed the future I want to believe in.