GodzillasPencil's recent activity
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Comment on Unique things to do in Las Vegas? (and Los Angeles) in ~travel
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Comment on US stores increasingly reverse course on self checkout in ~tech
GodzillasPencil LinkI avoid self checkout whenever I can because I'd that rather people in my community have jobs. I've worked as a cashier for pay in the past and I see no reason to do the same job for free as a...I avoid self checkout whenever I can because I'd that rather people in my community have jobs. I've worked as a cashier for pay in the past and I see no reason to do the same job for free as a customer.
There was a lot of talk about retraining cashiers for other, better jobs when these machines were first installed. Like most corporate promises, it seems to have largely been a cover for cutting staff and retaining more profit. The last decade has left me much more human-focused, less inclined to believe the corporate line about these kinds of things.
In many parts of the world cashiers have a nice ergonomic chair to sit in. It seems punitive that we don't do that here in the states.
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Comment on Thoughts on friendships after marriage & setting appropriate expectations in ~life.men
GodzillasPencil LinkGood advice from an acquaintance of mine: Friendships are like the sea. Sometimes the tide is in, and sometimes the tide is out. The fact that you don't see them much right now doesn't mean the...Good advice from an acquaintance of mine: Friendships are like the sea. Sometimes the tide is in, and sometimes the tide is out. The fact that you don't see them much right now doesn't mean the friendship is over. Things evolve, and it's okay to let them be.
All of that said... I'm sorry you're going through this. I can empathize. I recently noticed that I was always the initiator for a group I hang out with, and that they seemed fairly... indifferent when we did hang out? I stopped initiating and the get togethers stopped happening. I've decided to put my energy elsewhere, but of course it still stings.
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Comment on ‘The Marvels’ meltdown: Disney MCU posts lowest box office opening ever at $47m — what went wrong in ~movies
GodzillasPencil LinkI saw it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our showing was full of middle-school age boys and they seemed to be having fun too. It had the typical issues I associate with every post-Endgame Marvel show,...I saw it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our showing was full of middle-school age boys and they seemed to be having fun too. It had the typical issues I associate with every post-Endgame Marvel show, which is: the plot logic falls apart when you poke it with a stick, but I also found it to be fun, silly, and unusually well paced for Marvel. I'm a long time Ms. Marvel comic book fan, and the young actress playing her did a bang up job. The character was a good foil for Captain Marvel, who I've always found a bit... stiff.
All that being said, the only reason I saw this movie is that I really like Ms. Marvel. It was fun to see my favorite superhero on the big screen
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Comment on Spotify has added audiobooks to its subscription model – reaching millions of people, it may revolutionise the already booming audiobooks business in ~tech
GodzillasPencil Link ParentHere's a bit of inside baseball on this topic: Spotify announced their included audiobook-hours perk while quietly telling authors that they'd get compensated on a similar model to how musicians...Here's a bit of inside baseball on this topic: Spotify announced their included audiobook-hours perk while quietly telling authors that they'd get compensated on a similar model to how musicians are paid. AKA, extremely poorly, via a divvied-up a pool of money via some opaque streaming calculation.
To go back further, Spotify bought the only competitor to Audible (Findaway voices), in a move that seemed designed to bolster their streaming content, although they downplayed the streaming angle to authors and narrators at first.
The writing was on the wall when Spotify quickly shut down the "Authors Direct" service that Findaway voices offered. It had allowed authors to sell audiobooks directly to readers via mini storefronts for a modest percentage of the sale. They also shut down the Authors Direct app, essentially cutting readers off from the books they'd purchased. Authors were encouraged to distribute through the Spotify catalog instead.
Then, a clause buried deeply in the Findaway Voices TOS seized permission to use narrator voices to train AI, even though in many cases the narrators weren't a party to the contract and didn't give consent. SAG-AFTRA had to send in the lawyers.
Sanderson made a deal with Spotify for an undisclosed amount that he was happy with. I'm glad he was able to do this, but he's a powerhouse and these deals are a rarity. Sanderson was right about Audible, but unfortunately Spotify isn't much better for an average author. And Audible and Spotify are essentially the only two games in town. You can't even get your audiobook in other stores (like Barnes and Noble, Folio.fm) without going through Findaway or Audible as a middleman.
TL;DR: They both stink. Sorry.
Source: I'm an author.
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Comment on Does anyone use Framework laptops? What has been your experience? in ~comp
GodzillasPencil LinkI've had a Framework 13 for about a year and it's as solid as any other laptop I've owned from a reliability and functionality perspective. The "right angle" USB end of my laptop charger frayed...I've had a Framework 13 for about a year and it's as solid as any other laptop I've owned from a reliability and functionality perspective. The "right angle" USB end of my laptop charger frayed after about a year of heavy use and I replaced it with a $9 USB cable. The power block was still in perfect shape, so it was an easy fix.
Swapping ports is a game changer. I swap in a mini SD reader when I'm doing a lot of camera work and have cards to pull data from. I switch which ports are on which side when adjusting my desk setup.
I've tossed perfectly healthy laptops in the past when an irreplaceable battery died. I'm so glad to know that when my battery (or keyboard, or trackpad) gives up the ghost I can just fix the broken part.
It's a real laptop, not a tinker toy like the Pinebook.
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Comment on Rick and Morty | Season 7 official trailer in ~tv
GodzillasPencil LinkWell done, Adult Swim. The voices are a good match (not exact, but close) and the acting sounds good. I'm enthused!Well done, Adult Swim. The voices are a good match (not exact, but close) and the acting sounds good. I'm enthused!
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Comment on Hasan Minhaj’s “Emotional Truths” in ~life
GodzillasPencil LinkI remember enjoying his show Patriot Act right up until the point where he covered a topic I had some familiarity with. The episode was so slanted, so misleading, that I realized I'd probably been...I remember enjoying his show Patriot Act right up until the point where he covered a topic I had some familiarity with. The episode was so slanted, so misleading, that I realized I'd probably been taken for a ride in the other episodes. It's just that I lacked enough knowledge to see it. It's difficult to keep a clear head when someone is telling lies that fit your preconceptions of the world.
Comedy is comedy, but given that it sounds like he's smearing real people, and spinning fictions about how his family is being threatened, the fabrications cross a line into ick.
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Comment on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02E10 - "Hegemony" Episode Discussion in ~tv
GodzillasPencil LinkI thought it was fun, but Chapel being the only survivor on that big ass ship was so convenient as to be completely unbelievable. I’m not mad, but come on. The Ready Room had interviews with the...I thought it was fun, but Chapel being the only survivor on that big ass ship was so convenient as to be completely unbelievable.
I’m not mad, but come on.
The Ready Room had interviews with the practical effects crew that built the Gorn. Worth a watch if you like seeing how creatures are made.
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Comment on Any people here who are also interested in a "low-tech lifestyle?" in ~tech
GodzillasPencil LinkI enjoyed those same subreddits and lusted after the Lightphone for a while. I suspect there are a lot of people who are quietly downgrading or de-emphasizing certain tech for better contentment...I enjoyed those same subreddits and lusted after the Lightphone for a while. I suspect there are a lot of people who are quietly downgrading or de-emphasizing certain tech for better contentment and peace of mind. Rather than buying a Lightphone I ended up creating a "dumbphone" shortcut on my iPhone which turns off all radios except for phone and SMS. It's a bit easier to live in "dumbphone mode" when I know I can temporarily flick the smartphone on when I need to do something like look up an address or download tickets to a show.
I've experimented a bit with lower tech solutions in other areas. I wear a Casio watch. I have offline Wikipedia (through Kiwix) and hardback reference manuals. I use a physical dictionary. I often check my email first thing, then flip the internet off until days end and it feels great to be unbothered. At home we have a Jellyfin server with our own purchased media (DVDs and Blu Ray) and are weaning ourselves off streaming, although we indulge occasionally.
I still use a lot of tech but I try not to let it use me. I don't think being endlessly plugged into the internet hive mind is a healthy thing.
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Comment on Futurama Season 8 Episode 2 discussion in ~tv
GodzillasPencil LinkI’ve found the first two episodes enjoyable in a familiar-cozy kind of way. I haven’t laughed as much as I used to, yet, but I’m glad they’re continuing old storylines and staying true to the...I’ve found the first two episodes enjoyable in a familiar-cozy kind of way. I haven’t laughed as much as I used to, yet, but I’m glad they’re continuing old storylines and staying true to the characters.
I rewatched the old episode about Kif’s pregnancy in advance and was amused when they cleverly dropped the clips into the show as reminders.
Apparently everyone still has an eye phone! :)
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
GodzillasPencil Link ParentI haven’t wanted to go to the theater in quite a while. The tickets are expensive and I can’t abide the super-loud commercials before the movie. We went to a small independent theater to see...I haven’t wanted to go to the theater in quite a while. The tickets are expensive and I can’t abide the super-loud commercials before the movie.
We went to a small independent theater to see Barbie yesterday (also a $6 Tuesday; we spent the rest on popcorn) and had SUCH a good time. The film was so smart and funny, and Ryan Gosling was phenomenal as Ken. The crowd was enthusiastic and there were no ear-splitting ads. It made me realize I don’t hate going to the movies so much as I dislike paying a bunch to see mediocre movies in unpleasant corporate-run chain theaters.
It got me thinking maybe I’ve been going to the wrong movies and the wrong places.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~life
GodzillasPencil LinkI can share some of my experience in the coaching industry, but keep in mind that it’s just one person’s opinion. I’ve worked as a (niche business) coach, and I have several acquaintances who work...I can share some of my experience in the coaching industry, but keep in mind that it’s just one person’s opinion. I’ve worked as a (niche business) coach, and I have several acquaintances who work in life coaching.
I believe life coaching is largely a waste of time. This may sound strange, given that I know several kind and well-intentioned people who work in that space. I like these folks on a personal level, but it’s my observation that most life coaches are essentially professional cheerleaders with limited expertise and a tendency to overestimate their skills.
Also, because life coaching has a blurry scope, life coaches sometimes do significant harm by acting as therapists without the training and mentoring mental health professionals need to do that work safely.
Bona fide career coaches do exist, and they focus on things like helping clients research different careers, write resumes, and prepare to interview. Coaching can be helpful for practical skills like that, or sharing recent trends in interviewing or industry changes. But as pseudo therapy or paid friendship - dealing with the emotional aspects of change - I’ve never seen coaching deliver what it promises. Working with a qualified therapist is often a better choice, or even talking things out with a trusted friend. Sometimes we need to sit with our big existential questions for a while, to give ourselves time and space to figure out who we are becoming.
You will find no shortage of upbeat coaches eager to help you work through your challenges for $150+ per hour. If you do decide to try it, don’t feel locked in, and don’t let the coaches’ enthusiasm or flattery suck your wallet dry. Are they offering you a pom-pom shake or something more?
Okay. Enough rambling. :)
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Comment on What are some short story collections you'd recommend? in ~books
GodzillasPencil LinkThe Story of Your Life and others by Ted Chiang.The Story of Your Life and others by Ted Chiang.
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Comment on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02E05 - "Charades" Episode Discussion in ~tv
GodzillasPencil Link ParentI kind of see where you're coming from, but I didn't see T'Pring or her father as assholes. I'm very sympathetic to T'Pring, and I like her. They're certainly playing up cultural differences as an...I kind of see where you're coming from, but I didn't see T'Pring or her father as assholes. I'm very sympathetic to T'Pring, and I like her. They're certainly playing up cultural differences as an element of Spock's story, but personally, I perceived T'Pring's mother's behavior not as an anti-Vulcan stereotype but as an example of a bigoted relative, something many people have had to deal with, and bigots often use culture as an excuse for their biases.
I did wonder about the buffer patterns. Sometimes you can feel the hand of the writers at work setting things up in a very specific way and for me, this was one of those times. While I liked the episode, the whole "we must get the solution prior to the mind meld" felt like an artificial ticking clock. They've been building up to the Spock-Chapel thing for a while, and I had fun seeing that play out.
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Comment on Does anyone have recommendations on an office or gaming chair for short people? Preferably something that doesn’t absolutely break the bank? in ~life.home_improvement
GodzillasPencil LinkI'm 5'1" and my setup is a used Aeron chair (small) with a half-cylinder shaped footrest. I hunted a while to find a used Aeron I could afford, and it's been such an excellent setup (zero pain,...I'm 5'1" and my setup is a used Aeron chair (small) with a half-cylinder shaped footrest. I hunted a while to find a used Aeron I could afford, and it's been such an excellent setup (zero pain, zero strain) that when my Aeron breaks someday I'll cry and probably cancel a vacation to buy a new one. I had an ergonomics consult years ago and the footrest makes a big difference in reducing pressure in the lower back and knees.
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Comment on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02E04 - "Among the Lotus Eaters" Episode Discussion in ~tv
GodzillasPencil LinkI liked how they gave different crew members their moments to shine. Ortegas having a moment with Spock, and the doctor struggling a bit with his soldier nature, they're layering in genuine...I liked how they gave different crew members their moments to shine. Ortegas having a moment with Spock, and the doctor struggling a bit with his soldier nature, they're layering in genuine personalities and struggles, and it feels good to root for the characters. The plot was kinda simple this week, and it reminded me of the original series, but I enjoy the variety in episode styles, so it's all good.
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Comment on Tips and tricks for remaining scheduled and motivated with unscheduled time? in ~creative
GodzillasPencil LinkOthers have suggested great resources, and what works for you is likely to be personal, based on your personality and what motivates you. As one more anecdote, here's what works for me as a...Others have suggested great resources, and what works for you is likely to be personal, based on your personality and what motivates you. As one more anecdote, here's what works for me as a self-employed person working on projects that don't involve a ton of collaboration and external meetings.
Having a daily routine for non-work stuff has been hugely helpful in working independently and not sliding into bad habits. Wake up around the same time, go to bed around the same time, start the day with whatever gets you going; a walk, coffee, etc. Not going into an office strips a lot of structure away, so it's helpful to have some daily scaffolding.
For tasks, I've tried a zillion things. Bullet journals, Kanban boards, etc. But outside the go-go corporate world I've found those things less useful and more complicated than I need. Sometimes the tools themselves can become a source of procrastination for me! These days I have a to-do list and a calendar for appointments. Most days I wake up with 2-3 things I want to get done, and I don't even need the list.
Your coming time off sounds like a mix of work and play. Enjoy it! You can be productive without micromanaging yourself, especially if you're working independently on hobbies. If internet distraction is a concern you could try putting your devices in airplane mode and listen to music. Flip the internet on as needed to complete a task. Working on something you're truly excited about also helps. Browsing is poor competition compared to something you're truly jazzed to do.
Good luck. :)
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Comment on Why does it seem that FOSS users don't value user-friendliness very much? in ~tech
GodzillasPencil LinkI'm a non-techie and I don't find FOSS software unfriendly at all. iOS is probably considered the most user friendly operating system, yet the software is super boxed in, limited, and usually...I'm a non-techie and I don't find FOSS software unfriendly at all. iOS is probably considered the most user friendly operating system, yet the software is super boxed in, limited, and usually subscription based. Also, the hardware is expensive. FOSS software is most always user-respecting, private, and customizable. I use LibreOffice and VLC every day.
I'd have no problem recommending a machine with Ubuntu or Linux Mint to grandma. Maybe she'd buy one with the OS preinstalled, but it's not like she's installed MacOS or Windows from scratch either.
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Comment on At 31, I'm looking to read my first romance novel. Suggestions? in ~books
GodzillasPencil LinkA mainstream romance novel I enjoyed was Beach Read by Emily Henry. For LGBT romance, you might also like the "For the Love of the Game" series by Alex Washoe. I especially enjoyed Racing Hearts.A mainstream romance novel I enjoyed was Beach Read by Emily Henry. For LGBT romance, you might also like the "For the Love of the Game" series by Alex Washoe. I especially enjoyed Racing Hearts.
I'll second the praise for the pinball museum, but my favorite offbeat Vegas attraction is The Mob Museum. It's a fascinating little museum about the history of organized crime in the US and there's a speakeasy in the basement.