BeardyHat's recent activity
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Comment on Looking for an app to help with some reading practice for a five year old in ~tech
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Comment on CGA-2026-07 🕹️🔥⚔️ REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentI definitely enjoy turn based games--I'm actually very into tabletop wargaming and have played I don't know how many hours of Civ, Heroes of Might & Magic, as well as numerous turn based RPGs--but...I definitely enjoy turn based games--I'm actually very into tabletop wargaming and have played I don't know how many hours of Civ, Heroes of Might & Magic, as well as numerous turn based RPGs--but I did wnat to mention, something I forgot which @JCPhoenix mentioned is that I really did like the puzzles.
They weren't overly challenging or anything, but I appreciated the fact that they were there and gave a little more life to the world. JRPGs often feel quite lifeless to me, so to have even these basic puzzles in the game lent it something a little bit more than other games I've played in the genre.
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Comment on CGA-2026-07 🕹️🔥⚔️ REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals in ~games
BeardyHat LinkI actually really enjoyed this one, though I did only play for three hours and fifteen minutes, according to my save file. This is my first experience with Lufia and I am very typically not a fan...I actually really enjoyed this one, though I did only play for three hours and fifteen minutes, according to my save file.
This is my first experience with Lufia and I am very typically not a fan of JRPGs, with a handful of exceptions. Upon first starting the game and seeing the art style, I really didn't expect much of this one and went in thinking, "Oh, another one of these.", but ended-up pleasantly surprised.
I very much enjoyed the combat in this game; I was expecting something akin to Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy, but it felt decently different and each encounter I did felt pretty fun and interesting. I also very much enjoyed the music and I think the battle music will be stuck in my head for quite a long time.
One other thing that very much pleasantly surprised me was being able to see the enemies before I encountered them. One of my biggest bugbears with the genre is random battles and in Lufia, it felt like I could avoid them if I wanted to or, most often, engage the enemies. Going into any given room, it felt like there was life there for lack of a better term and not just an empty dungeon with random battle screens. I really, really liked that about this one.
Ultimately, as much as I enjoyed it, I'm probably good on this one and don't think I'll be continuing and have no real desire to go back to it. It just isn't my style of game, but again, I very much did enjoy what I played of it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentThis one has been on my wishlist for quite awhile now. Keep meaning to pick it up every time it's on sale, but just haven't made the jump yet.This one has been on my wishlist for quite awhile now. Keep meaning to pick it up every time it's on sale, but just haven't made the jump yet.
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Comment on What are you looking forward to? in ~talk
BeardyHat LinkI'm nearing the end of a six and a half year personal project, which I was never sure would see completion when I first started it. In fact, large projects like this in the past for me have almost...I'm nearing the end of a six and a half year personal project, which I was never sure would see completion when I first started it. In fact, large projects like this in the past for me have almost always been abandoned, but I was motivated to see it through this time and prove to myself that I could do it.
Lots of other things got in the way, including new (now old) hobbies, new and different projects, my kid that went from two and a half to almost nine now and the addition of my new kid where there wasn't before who is now six and a half.
There's still more to go and there will undoubtedly be kinks to work out once it's all back together, but I hit a major milestone this weekend after a five hour day of working on it and pretty much everything from here on out is pretty little and easy.
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Comment on What pre-NES games do you still recommend today? in ~games
BeardyHat LinkQix had me addicted for a good long while. My wife, my brother in law and I were competing for the top score for weeks. It's got a nice combination of strategy, quick reaction and RNG that makes...Qix had me addicted for a good long while. My wife, my brother in law and I were competing for the top score for weeks.
It's got a nice combination of strategy, quick reaction and RNG that makes it pretty interesting and fun to play.
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Comment on The Filipino virtual assistants behind LinkedIn’s “thought leadership” content mill in ~tech
BeardyHat Link ParentYeah, I'm just exploring all avenues at this point, since I've been out of the game for a long, long time. I'm not even sure I want to go back to the field I was in or if I'll even be able to do...Yeah, I'm just exploring all avenues at this point, since I've been out of the game for a long, long time.
I'm not even sure I want to go back to the field I was in or if I'll even be able to do the work, given its been so long.
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Comment on The Filipino virtual assistants behind LinkedIn’s “thought leadership” content mill in ~tech
BeardyHat Link ParentHonestly, at this point I just need a job and I want it to be a white collar job again. If I need to kiss a little ass so I can nab a paycheck and stop worrying about money, so be it, because...Honestly, at this point I just need a job and I want it to be a white collar job again. If I need to kiss a little ass so I can nab a paycheck and stop worrying about money, so be it, because it'll at least get my foot in the door again.
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Comment on The Filipino virtual assistants behind LinkedIn’s “thought leadership” content mill in ~tech
BeardyHat Link ParentI feel like it's still required, however. I've been out of the office world for about 8-years now and am finally ready to jump back in here now (terrible timing, I know), so I've been updating my...I feel like it's still required, however.
I've been out of the office world for about 8-years now and am finally ready to jump back in here now (terrible timing, I know), so I've been updating my Linked In, just so it looks relevant because I know people in the business world still value it for some reason.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
BeardyHat LinkI've been desperately wanting to play PC games recently, whether on my laptop, desktop or Steam Deck, but I just haven't been feeling them. I've tried numerous games, but nothing is sticking; not...I've been desperately wanting to play PC games recently, whether on my laptop, desktop or Steam Deck, but I just haven't been feeling them. I've tried numerous games, but nothing is sticking; not sure if that's just because I'm not interested in what they're offering right now or if it's because it's so damn hot, it's hard to focus and be around hot PC hardware.
So I've been playing a good amount of Nintendo DS games instead. I think I'm on the last mission of Advance Wars - Days of Ruin, which will be something that I've been meaning to go back to for 18 years. It was my first Advance Wars game I ever played and while I liked it I didn't get it, if you know what I mean. I was a tender 24-year old at the time and hadn't yet entered my Turn Based Strategy Dad Era yet. Since then, I've played and completed every other Advance Wars game, but Days of Ruin has always been a bit of an albatross around my neck (I mean, not that bad, but you get me).
I very much like the mechanics of the game and feel like they've added a lot of great units, but I hate the art style and the very silly story. I really appreciate the general carefree and colorful attitude of all the other AW games, so DoR has been tough for me over the years. But I've finally persisted this time and aside from those complaints, I'm really enjoying the game and as mentioned, am getting close to the end. I've been playing for several months now off and on and am very much looking forward to starting the entire series over again, starting with the GBA games.
Though, I do have an English translation of the Gameboy game and I'm pretty sure translations exists for the Famicom Wars games, so maybe I'll explore those a little bit after I finish this one up.
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Comment on I am a transwoman, I am in the closet and I am not coming out in ~lgbt
BeardyHat Link ParentThat seems like what the author is getting at though, right? That support based on her transition feels disingenuous. If someone is telling you you're shit because of the way you look, but...That seems like what the author is getting at though, right? That support based on her transition feels disingenuous.
If someone is telling you you're shit because of the way you look, but suddenly you're valid when your change your look, it feels off for lack of a better term. It doesn't feel like that person ever actually cared about the person you are and is far more interested in identity as the sole arbiter of validity or not.
Interestingly, as a cis man, who took many women's studies classes, enough that I could have taken only a handful more and had another minor in it: I never encountered these types of people who were so critical of my masculinity. My professors and peers in class always felt thoughtful and inclusive and this was all in the late 00s. I never felt like I was being excluded because of my identity.
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Comment on 8BitDo FlipPad in ~games
BeardyHat Link ParentI own a Pocket Taco, which is similar (as well as a bunch of other handhelds). I appreciate that it was cheap and I have carried it around with me to pop on here and there. I like it for the fact...I own a Pocket Taco, which is similar (as well as a bunch of other handhelds). I appreciate that it was cheap and I have carried it around with me to pop on here and there.
I like it for the fact that it makes 3DS a little easier to play (I don't have a 3DS capable handheld), but don't see much use for it outside that. It's just about the size of the Miyoo Mini and I'd rather carry that around, because the screen size ends up being about the same for 4:3 games on my phone and I'd rather carry my RG DS for DS stuff because it fits comfortably in my pocket and is nicer to use with the ability to access all functions and snap it close in an instant.
Which is another issue with device/pocket taco. It covers half the screen, which means you can't access certain things without partially removing the thing. For instance, when I go into Retroarch on my phone, I have too many folders and can't see my SNES folder at the bottom due to the Taco covering it. For DS and Drastic, I can't access the menu for Quick Saves without partially removing the device.
I do think it's cool and again, it was cheap, but I don't know that it's more practical or useful than a standard handheld.
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Comment on Wildfire smoke from Canada will soon spread across the Midwest and East United States in ~enviro
BeardyHat LinkI was visiting Chicago for five days and just left for home on Monday. I live in Colorado and prior to leaving the smoke from our wildfires was choking me. I was in my house, short of breath, as...I was visiting Chicago for five days and just left for home on Monday. I live in Colorado and prior to leaving the smoke from our wildfires was choking me. I was in my house, short of breath, as well as having severe allergies, as I'm allergic to smoke.
Being in Chicago was such a nice break for me. Ironically, now that I'm back home, the smoke in Colorado has largely cleared and everyone else is dealing. Sorry y'all gotta put up with it now, it sucks ass.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 13/7/26 in ~hobbies
BeardyHat Link ParentMy sunlight is pretty much always fantastic. I noticed one of my peppers wilting the afternoon sun, which definitely shouldn't be happening, so I ended-up altering my watering schedule to give...My sunlight is pretty much always fantastic.
I noticed one of my peppers wilting the afternoon sun, which definitely shouldn't be happening, so I ended-up altering my watering schedule to give them some water in the morning, around 7am and then again at 7pm. I'm hoping that'll help keep the soil a little more hydrated than what I was doing (one big water around 4am), so we'll see what happens.
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Comment on Geo-tech? What kind of professional do I call for evaluating safety of a home? in ~life.home_improvement
BeardyHat Link ParentHow old are we talking? My current home is the newest one I've been in, built in 1966. The other homes I had inspected or bought were late 1940s, early 1950s. They all had issues and it also...How old are we talking? My current home is the newest one I've been in, built in 1966. The other homes I had inspected or bought were late 1940s, early 1950s.
They all had issues and it also depends on the company you hire. Shortly after I bought my first house (I hate how bougie this sounds, but I can't think of any other way to say it), I had a Foundation company come out and give me an estimate, given the inspection found lots of cracking and efflorescence. The Foundation company told me it would be $50k to pier it and I told them to go ahead and just leave.
We lived in that house for 3 years before selling it without any problems and we never resolved that issue. We did some little renovations to the bathroom and fixed some plumbing, but left it at that. The house is otherwise still standing and (according to Zillow) is still owned by the people who bought it from us eight years ago.
But those are the oldest homes I've dealt with.
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Comment on Geo-tech? What kind of professional do I call for evaluating safety of a home? in ~life.home_improvement
BeardyHat LinkI'm my experience buying two separate houses and having others inspected (before backing out, due to poor inspections), it's simply just a House Inspection. My Inspectors would get in the crawl...I'm my experience buying two separate houses and having others inspected (before backing out, due to poor inspections), it's simply just a House Inspection.
My Inspectors would get in the crawl space, look for water damage on the foundation (efflorescence) or a sinking foundation, as well as examine the roof and see if that needed replacement. They'd examine pipes, including scoping drains and stuff to look for damage.
In my experience, it's a pretty thorough inspection and we ended up backing out of a sale or two based on them due to foundation issues.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 13/7/26 in ~hobbies
BeardyHat LinkI finally picked up my garden again after neglecting it last year. Unfortunately, it's not doing much, even after more than a month of being planted. Nothing is outright dying, but nothing is...I finally picked up my garden again after neglecting it last year.
Unfortunately, it's not doing much, even after more than a month of being planted. Nothing is outright dying, but nothing is really happening with it either. I have a drip watering system that usually works great, but I'm kind of wondering if it's plugged because I ended up burying parts of it around the roots of the stuff I planted. Or maybe the nutrients are drained out of my soil after many years?
I ended up upping my watering time by 15 minutes to see if that makes a difference, because I was really hoping to get Cucumbers and Jalapenos this year for pickling.
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Comment on Relationship troubles in ~life
BeardyHat Link ParentPhysical compatbility is important in a relationship and you two may not be compatible in that regard. My wife is very into physical affection and really needs a lot of hugs, squeezes, kisses, etc...Physical compatbility is important in a relationship and you two may not be compatible in that regard.
My wife is very into physical affection and really needs a lot of hugs, squeezes, kisses, etc to feel validated. I like those things, but they're not super important to me, but I care about her and her wellbeing, so I make the effort to ensure she gets those things, even though I definitely don't do it enough for her. That said, it's about making the effort to do it and making sure her needs are met, because she's my partner, my teammate and I want to make sure she's in tip-top shape so we can both fulfill our potential.
There's lots of things I do for my wife, just because I know it's a necessity for her and I'm sure it's the same for her when it comes to my needs. But that's what a partnership is about, compromise and understanding. It sounds to me, from the outside that there isn't a lot of that going on here and your relationship has run its course. It's unfortunate to hear, but it sounds like your emotional needs aren't being met and it's going to continue down this path in the most likely scenario.
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Comment on Stellantis to sell small Fiat Topolino electric vehicle for $13,995 in US in ~transport
BeardyHat Link ParentAt least we banned them so our automakers don't have to compete. God bless AmericaAt least we banned them so our automakers don't have to compete.
God bless America
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - June 2026 - How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler in ~books
BeardyHat Link ParentI'm not officially part of the book club, but I was looking for something to read in June and ended up checking this out from the library after seeing it was the book of the month here. I'm...I'm not officially part of the book club, but I was looking for something to read in June and ended up checking this out from the library after seeing it was the book of the month here.
I'm actually a pretty crass person myself, though contextually only with people I'm well familiar with (my wife, my friends of 30+ years). I ended up putting this book down after just the prologue. The crassness of it just felt very edgy and try hard, just as you reference it being like coming from a teenage boy and the character absolutely reads like a woman being written by a man (breasting boobily), given it is.
I was just skimming this thread to see if anyone else had that thought or maybe if I'm just wrong and being to harsh. So, glad I'm not totally alone.
This isn't what you're looking for, but I have an almost 9 year old who is an excellent reader and a six year old who just learned to read and is pretty exceptional for their age. We haven't explicitly practiced with cards or apps or anything besides occasional books. But one thing I've made each of them do is read constantly whenever we're out and about.
If they ask me a question, "What does that say?" I tell them, "Let's sound it out." Random things like car names, signage, video game menus, whatever; anything that can be read, will be read. It's been easier for us because it doesn't take those long periods of focus where kids rapidly lose it (as you know), but instead is just constant practice throughout the day, one thing at a time.