DrEvergreen's recent activity
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
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Comment on What are some accidental life hacks you've stumbled into? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentOoh, putting this on the mental list over someday-purchases! I've worked with one of those professionally. The ability to just wipe it down, roughly getting rid of bits of food and grease, then...Ooh, putting this on the mental list over someday-purchases! I've worked with one of those professionally. The ability to just wipe it down, roughly getting rid of bits of food and grease, then cranking the heat and pouring hot water on it to loosen the rest... So, so much easier to clean than delicate non-stick pans and burnt food inbetween stovetop burners at home.
I had no idea this existed. Thank you for sharing!
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Comment on What are some accidental life hacks you've stumbled into? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentOn the topic of tabs open; I recently realised that my phone's facebook app keeps its own browsertabs open whenever I've clicked a link and surfed "from the app". I had 100 tabs open in that...On the topic of tabs open; I recently realised that my phone's facebook app keeps its own browsertabs open whenever I've clicked a link and surfed "from the app". I had 100 tabs open in that internal browser. Likely maxed out.
I had no idea the app used its own internal browser that kept every clicked link as a tab.
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Comment on What are some accidental life hacks you've stumbled into? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentI like https://www.newsminimalist.com/ for its summary of news, and minimalist presentation. Checking headlines without the tabloid fear mongering is okay for me. A high school teacher way back in...I like https://www.newsminimalist.com/ for its summary of news, and minimalist presentation. Checking headlines without the tabloid fear mongering is okay for me.
A high school teacher way back in my younger years taught us a valuable lesson about how the brain operates. She presented it much better than me, but in essence our brains can't differentiate between hearing about the same event 5 times from potentially different presenters and sources throughout the day, and 5 different events. Times however many topics per newscast/paper.
We also can't quite wrap our heads around the fact that it is being presented over and over because it is novel and stands out.
So we hear something over and over throughout the day, and our bodies take this as a sign of it being very common and happening all the time. For everything.
Conciously reminding ourselves that it's the same news story from earlier, and it wouldn't be making headlines if it was commonplace can be helpful. As can reducing the number of times you check up on events per day.
I used to live with someone that would put on every newscast all day long. There weren't any 24/7 channels where I live back then, but by the gods it just made tensions run high even the 4 times per day it was on. '
I like keeping track of local events by going to a cafe or the library and flipping through an actual paper newspaper now and again. And then use minimalist summaries for somewhat keeping up with the world, but rarely.
It is my firm belief that I am much better at stepping up in the moment whenever something is happening right infront of me (accidents, whatever) precicely because I am not so chronically overwhelmed by "the state of the world" - so the extra adrenaline actually differs from my everyday state. I am actually able to not freeze up and ignore it. More than once, I've been the only one to step in when somene has a sudden accident of some kind. Despite many onlookers.
I attribute this to not being in a state of permament shock.
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Comment on What are some accidental life hacks you've stumbled into? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentWell, what do you know. You just helped me avoid all the irrellevant ads when trying to find local alternatives for something I'd like to buy in an actual store nearby. With actual people telling...Well, what do you know. You just helped me avoid all the irrellevant ads when trying to find local alternatives for something I'd like to buy in an actual store nearby. With actual people telling me what I want to know.
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Comment on Why are American dogs so obsessed with Lamb Chop? in ~life.pets
DrEvergreen LinkI live in Europe, and I cannot for the life of me remember a single dog toy that have looked like that. In real life, I mean. Can't say I've ever paid attention to dog toys in movies or tv-shows,...I live in Europe, and I cannot for the life of me remember a single dog toy that have looked like that. In real life, I mean. Can't say I've ever paid attention to dog toys in movies or tv-shows, so might have missed some there.
What a neat cultural trait! It's fascinating to me what things become ingrained and invisible to us in this way. I love when people make observations like this about my own cultural blind spots too.
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Comment on How to pass the time when you have nothing to do at work and just your phone? in ~talk
DrEvergreen LinkIf you're allowed to be on your phone, I am going to guess that having busy hands isn't a problem. At least for women, hand crafts that involve fabric/thread are usually okay. You can drop that in...If you're allowed to be on your phone, I am going to guess that having busy hands isn't a problem. At least for women, hand crafts that involve fabric/thread are usually okay. You can drop that in a moment's notice and it doesn't have to interfere with the ability to be instantly ready for whomever comes walking by.
If you are a man, then picking up a hobby like that can even be a conversation starter even moreso than for women.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentOh I could only imagine! laughs I have looked up what colours are allowed for legal documents and the likes, since many countries actually have written law stating specific colours only for...Oh I could only imagine! laughs
I have looked up what colours are allowed for legal documents and the likes, since many countries actually have written law stating specific colours only for certain things. Technically... I could use whatever I want, always, where I live.
Seems like yellow highlighter ink in a fountain pen would be especially horrible. laughs again
I've settled for a fuchsia, document proof ink. The colour makes it easy to see if it is photocopied. Not that I ever sign anything of any legal importance. But if I did... It would be hard to fake my signature!
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentThe only reason I reuse old cartridges was that I had bottled ink, and no converter. And then I've just kept doing it that way. No good reason to if you have converterts!The only reason I reuse old cartridges was that I had bottled ink, and no converter. And then I've just kept doing it that way. No good reason to if you have converterts!
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Comment on What's something new you started doing this year? in ~talk
DrEvergreen LinkDoing new things in general. It's been a terrible bunch of years, ongoing trauma that shocks anyone but the most unfortunate people. Top that off with a complete lack of care or help through...Doing new things in general. It's been a terrible bunch of years, ongoing trauma that shocks anyone but the most unfortunate people. Top that off with a complete lack of care or help through healthcare or legal venues.
It stripped me of any sense of future. Of time passing, not just being in a limbo, waiting for the pain to stop. But it never did. And help never came, and I was so often ridiculed and have some pretty nasty reports on me from a psych. specialist that chose to never to the trauma assessments I was referred for. Said it would be ineffectual to offer any kind of help, for as long as the patient isn't willing to admit what is wrong. Me describing my days, my body, my attempts at maintaining a connection with society was apparently not enough. The specialist didn't like how I said I don't have a name for this, which is why I was referred for assessment.
After that, I shut down. Hard. For years. At times not even leaving my bed more than once a day to drink and go toilet.
Circumstances forced a move, changed municipality, and within a fortnight I had several different kinds of support and help set in motion.
This year has been one where I finally was able to say I am ready to live again. LIVE, not just survive. And I will try new things, wherever they show up. Even if I don't like doing new activities all the time.
So far I've found out I am averagely bad/good at beginner's mini-golf, I can somewhat do crafts like embroidery, I've made some small things in a woodworking shop/class, I've joined a weekly swim, I've gotten back into PC gaming, I've accepted at least 10 offers of meeting up for a cup of coffee and a chat. That's about 10 more than I've done for years. I've read books on linguistics, not limiting myself in the belief I won't remember much. I don't, but that wasn't the point either! Laughs
I've made some dinners I've never made before. Some will never be made again. I've finally tasted what MSG is in its pure form. Very, very lackluster. Prefer flavour enhancers like Maggi.
I've done lots of small things here and there. Used other mugs than my favourite, just because. Sat back with less opinions on some things. Leant forward and spoken up more in other contexts.
My plan is to continue pursuing small, manageable, previously untried activities or experiences. No travelling the world or other lofty pursuits. Just pragmatic exploration within my window of tolerance.
Which is a lot bigger than it was a year ago.
I'll never "become my old self again". My experiences changes people on a fundamental level. But I am becoming more at home in my life and body, and more accepting of what was done that can't be changed. Not saying it was okay, not saying I am "forgiving" those that knowingly (sometimes willingly) caused harm.
But I am no longer fighting the idea that these things happened and can't be undone. That has been a MAJOR change for me. I've always been more of an activist type. "If it hasn't changed for the better yet, you just haven't tried for long enough" type. I am a lot more mellow now.
In short, conciously seeking out newness in small ways has been the new thing this year. And I will continue to do so going forward.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentSo do I! Got a second-hand lot of Kaweco cartridges where every colour had no more than 1 used up, some still untouched. The small ones. And enjoyed changing ink and seeing the different shades...So do I! Got a second-hand lot of Kaweco cartridges where every colour had no more than 1 used up, some still untouched. The small ones. And enjoyed changing ink and seeing the different shades and transitions.
Would never sign anything professional with it like that...
But will I doodle an entire page full of lines or squiggles just to see the slow fade? Yes!
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Comment on She didn’t get an apartment because of an AI-generated score – and sued to help others avoid the same fate in ~society
DrEvergreen Link ParentHere in Norway the maximum such issues can be stretched without proof of an actual issue with the place (structural, lacks according to what the contract states etc) is 3 months. And even then,...Here in Norway the maximum such issues can be stretched without proof of an actual issue with the place (structural, lacks according to what the contract states etc) is 3 months.
And even then, rent has to be kept aside and preferably in a specific type of acct one can open with a bank, until the matter is settled and you either get a reduction in rent (still have to pay the rest at that point), or not (have to pay all of it).
This is different from the deposit account btw. Which is also legally required, a specific type of acct. in the renter's name, but where neither party can take the money without proof of rent agreement having come to an end, or a court order due to an issue like described above. It is illegal to not put deposits in a specific account like that. Lots of people dont, but it is illegal and the landlord will be then be liable to pay an 8.5% interest rate on the original deposit whenever the tenancy ends, for whatever reason.
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Comment on She didn’t get an apartment because of an AI-generated score – and sued to help others avoid the same fate in ~society
DrEvergreen Link ParentIn my eyes, 1 and 3 show the same: A lack of issues that the insurance company will have to pay for. 2 shows that you incur extra expenses all the time. To me, the entire notion of a credit score...Someone who has driven for over 100,000 miles without a traffic accident
Someone who has driven for over 100,000 miles with 300 traffic accidents
Someone who has picked up their driver's license but otherwise never driven more than 100 miles.
In my eyes, 1 and 3 show the same: A lack of issues that the insurance company will have to pay for. 2 shows that you incur extra expenses all the time.
To me, the entire notion of a credit score is a variant of your second suggestion. Someone that keeps getting in accidents, but is really good at paying for the repairs.
In my country (Norway) it really is more about showing that you've never mismanaged you finances to begin with. That with todays income and predicted future, you will be able to continue managing your loan even throughout ups and downs in the future. A lump sum/downpayment and/or co-signers for that sum is a part of that assessment. As a way to prove that you are able to save or have someone that is able to save and thus can manage.
I know some people look up their credit scores with companies that offer such services, but it is really not something most people ever do, nor need to. Not even for things like mortgages for homes or cars.
Our "credit checks" are agains the national registry where they keep track of mismanaged bills.
It really is an entirely different way of seeing it.
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Comment on She didn’t get an apartment because of an AI-generated score – and sued to help others avoid the same fate in ~society
DrEvergreen Link ParentEven this is specifically showing them how good you are at taking on, and then managing debt. Whereas where I live, it's the exact opposite. You are assumed to be okay until you prove you can't...Look, this is just flat out incorrect; you're repeating a common financial myth. For credit cards, all that matters is keeping the account open (referred to as "having an open line of credit"). All you have to do is buy a $5 gift card once a year to keep a credit card open to improve your credit score.
Lenders want to know if you're repay the debt they offer you. It's purely a measure of "if I give you money, will I get it back?" which is the same thing I assume most humans do with people that ask them for money.
Even this is specifically showing them how good you are at taking on, and then managing debt.
Whereas where I live, it's the exact opposite. You are assumed to be okay until you prove you can't manage your bills. Income and assets, a lump sum and/or someone co-signing, plus a lack of registered cases of failure to pay is what they look for.
Your final paragraph seems to me to say you kind of agree with me, just seeing it from the other side? That it is in fact about seeing who is good at staying in debt and managing it.
Plenty of people have seen their credit scores drop when they've paid off studen loans or stopped keeping a credit card.
Even if it is only a nominal sum, it is still proving that you're good at staying a little bit in debt, but not too much.
Not incurring debt of any kind to begin with seems much better to me. Showing that you never borrow from tomorrow to pay stupid silly things today.
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Comment on She didn’t get an apartment because of an AI-generated score – and sued to help others avoid the same fate in ~society
DrEvergreen Link ParentIt's a fundamental difference in world view. Paying rent is not credit. I've always chosen to pay ahead of the month, meaning no later than the last day of the month before the payment is...It's a fundamental difference in world view. Paying rent is not credit. I've always chosen to pay ahead of the month, meaning no later than the last day of the month before the payment is covering. So Jan 31 for the month of Feb.
No incurred credit/debt/temporary loan incurred at all.
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Comment on She didn’t get an apartment because of an AI-generated score – and sued to help others avoid the same fate in ~society
DrEvergreen Link ParentLook into redlining in the US. Credit scores are literally a score for how well you manage your credit. Meaning your level of debt, and how maintained it is. Not how much you avoid it to begin...Look into redlining in the US. Credit scores are literally a score for how well you manage your credit. Meaning your level of debt, and how maintained it is. Not how much you avoid it to begin with.
If you are denied loans for a home, denied credit cards, denied car loans etc, you won't be able to own. Meaning your children won't have you to lean on for help with getting started in life themselves, since most of those things that count for credit scores rely on maintaining debt and being allowed to take on debt with co-signers.
These types of societal barriers of entry, and when the wealthy are allowed to make their own way of living the standard they measure people up against, is intimately tied to social classes of all kinds.
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Comment on She didn’t get an apartment because of an AI-generated score – and sued to help others avoid the same fate in ~society
DrEvergreen Link ParentEdited to add: Credit scores only tell banks how good you are at maintaining a level of debt. Because that means they will earn fees off of you. Paying off loans, and not having credit cards...Edited to add:
Credit scores only tell banks how good you are at maintaining a level of debt. Because that means they will earn fees off of you. Paying off loans, and not having credit cards (which are also borrowed money until paid back) will see your score drop. Credit scores are only good for what is literally the name: how good you are at maintaining a credit. I.E. keeping a level of debt.
If you avoid debt to begin with, you have a shitty score. Despite potentially being much better at financial planning than someone that relies on keeping a debt to "build a credit score".
My ex. Who was not set up by his mum (this is the UK) early in life, turned 18 and was still living in the world of cash. Mum not renewing his childhood passport. And then he became an adult and was out of college and...
One of his exes put him on a bank account of hers so he could have a card to use. Teenagers as they were they didn't think much of this. When they split, they talked with the bank and got that account split off to him alone. He lived with girlfriends a couple of times, but other than that lived with his family at their rather large place. Not wealthy, just something bought back before prices exploded.
Then at 30-something was suddenly out on his own when the family couldn't afford the place anymore. At least a proper bank acct, other than that, nothing to his name. No passport for the last 20 years, no tenancies to his name, nothing.
Despite having worked his entire adult life, but mostly for family or on the farm of an ex, or in an ex's shop etc. Phone number from before they started registering those to the degree they do today.
He didn't exist as far as credit score goes, really. Was quite the process when he wanted a passport to go abroad with me.
I'd much prefer the way we do it in my country. You get marks against you for failed payments that go to collections, and then those marks stay for 3 years beyond being fully paid off if they went to collection via a bailiff. But sometimes those are struck off as well when paid. Depends on type of claim.
You are marked as a non-payer if you have bills that have not been paid, only.
A phone bill from your younger years wouldn't scare a bank that sees you haven't miskept anything major.
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Comment on What possession(s) do you have that continue to delight you every time? in ~talk
DrEvergreen Link ParentI have 2 cheap "shark pens" bought from some china-website or other for the equivalent of about €2 each, and 1 "proper" pen that runs about €15-20 depending on where you buy it. I use a blunt...I have 2 cheap "shark pens" bought from some china-website or other for the equivalent of about €2 each, and 1 "proper" pen that runs about €15-20 depending on where you buy it. I use a blunt tipped syringe to fill old plastic cartridges with ink I love that only comes in bottles.
I am beyond pleased with the cheapest ones, and have never had any issues with them. Of the more expensive ones I've tried, only the 1 has stayed with me.
I do not use them for calligraphy, and my penmanship isn't anything to write home about.
It just makes me happy. Shopping lists, doodles, you name it, it makes me happy.
I also don't take them apart to wash all the pieces all the time. They are pens. Just pens.
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Comment on Annual gift of a Christmas tree from the people of Oslo in Norway to London continues – tree was cut down early yesterday morning in woods in the northern part of Oslo's capital in ~life
DrEvergreen Link ParentSo the tree species that is usually sent, as far as I am aware of, is Norwegian Spruce. It does indeed have droopy foliage. Or whatever the name is for the green parts of those trees. Escpecially...So the tree species that is usually sent, as far as I am aware of, is Norwegian Spruce. It does indeed have droopy foliage. Or whatever the name is for the green parts of those trees. Escpecially compared to other kinds of spruce.
However, the trees sent are usually gorgeous examples of whatever type of tree it is. Saying that as someone that lives surrounded by much less gorgeous examples of Norwegian Spruce.
I love the tradition of both us sending, and the English showing love by ribbing on it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
DrEvergreen Link ParentWhat game is "FTL"?What game is "FTL"?
I dug 1 level down, thought I'd open a well to the river beside me, dug out a 1 level pit and opened the wall.
And learned they have water pressure that works the same way as in real life, for the most part. It will continue filling up until it's the same y-level as the source.