JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on New label suggestion: a removable "One-sided" label that gradually reduces the comment's visibility in ~tildes
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Comment on Tokyo, yeast, and expectations in ~travel
JCPhoenix LinkAppreciate the review of sorts. I'll be traveling to Japan in a couple months for the first time. Though I'll be the "child," since I'll be going with my parents. Hopefully no need to put me in a...Appreciate the review of sorts. I'll be traveling to Japan in a couple months for the first time. Though I'll be the "child," since I'll be going with my parents. Hopefully no need to put me in a stroller or high chair!
many restaurants will not give you a to go box, that's just not a thing there, so expect to simply waste food or money if you order a main for a toddler (because there is no kids meal) etc.
I guess I'm a little confused why you would order a separate meal for a toddler? Why not just feed them from your own plate/meal? Though I don't have kids, so maybe it's normal to get kids their own meal. Regardless, I could see how that and then the lack of ADA/stroller-friendlier spaces would be annoying to a parent. Especially on travel to a foreign country where it can be a little more stressful than usual.
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Comment on Armin van Buuren - Children (from 'Piano' album) (2026) in ~music
JCPhoenix LinkThe almighty algorithm surfaced this for me. Very different rendition and take on Robert Miles' classic trance hit, "Children."The almighty algorithm surfaced this for me. Very different rendition and take on Robert Miles' classic trance hit, "Children."
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Armin van Buuren - Children (from 'Piano' album) (2026)
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Comment on Spirit Halloween parent company to acquire Hot Topic in ~finance
JCPhoenix LinkHuh, didn't know Spencer's and Spirit Halloween (and Christmas? Never heard/seen that store) were owned by the same group. Honestly, didn't even know Spencer's was still around.Spencer Spirit Holdings’ portfolio includes Spencer’s, Spirit Halloween and Spirit Christmas, while Hot Topic’s portfolio includes its namesake brand, BoxLunch and Her Universe. The combined company will have over 3,000 stores across North America.
Huh, didn't know Spencer's and Spirit Halloween (and Christmas? Never heard/seen that store) were owned by the same group. Honestly, didn't even know Spencer's was still around.
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Comment on What are your memorable airport stories? in ~transport
JCPhoenix LinkWell, there was the infamous Delta Crowdstrike incident in 2024. Which I mentioned on Tildes when it was happening. That was "fun." At least got all my money back. Actually, a decent trip...Well, there was the infamous Delta Crowdstrike incident in 2024. Which I mentioned on Tildes when it was happening. That was "fun." At least got all my money back.
Actually, a decent trip disruption was when I was flying home from an overnight trip that I took for a job interview back in like 2016. RDU to MCI via MDW. When I got to my layover in Chicago, I found out that all flights were cancelled due to bad storms coming in. My flight to MCI was auto rebooked for like 7am the next morning.
Since it was weather-related, the airline wasn't going to put people up in hotels. Given that it was like 6pm in Chicago, I didn't exactly feel like spending the next 12ish hrs at Midway. But, since I had lived in Chicago previously, I knew my way around. So I made a little overnight trip of it. Booked a decent, but cheap hotel off North Michigan Avenue. Took the CTA "L" into the city and checked-in.
Unfortunately, the airline didn't release checked bags. So all I had was my backpack and laptop. All I was wearing was jeans and a t-shirt and a light jacket. And it was a little chilly in Chicago that evening, due to the storms that came through. So went to Marshall's to find a cheap long-sleeve button-up. Then went to CVS for a few toiletries and snacks. Then I think I hit up Portillo's for some Italian Beefs and otherwise just walked around town a bit sightseeing, before heading back to the hotel.
I did have to check out super early at like 4-5am to get back to Midway for my morning flight. But I think it was worth paying like $90 to get an actual bed and the ability to shower, and have privacy. And I got to get out into the city. Impromptu Chicago trip, essentially.
The other fun experience was in HKG. It was 2017 and I was flying back to the US from the Philippines. I got to HKG around 11pm and I had like a 12hr overnight layover. Initially, my plan was to try to leave the airport, but given that it was so late, there probably wasn't much I could've done in Hong Kong. So I just stayed in the airport. Most shops and restaurants were closing when I landed, which kinda sucked. But it was also super empty. So I just walked around, exploring the place, while playing PokemonGO for a few hours. Eventually I found a nice, comfy place to sleep. Pretty sure I was the only person in that entire wing. Which was weird to think about. But at least it was quiet. I think around 6am, things started opening up, so was able to get a coffee and re-up on snacks.
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Comment on People who have run events on Tildes or maintaining long running series of posts, any lessons or advices? in ~tildes
JCPhoenix Link ParentHonestly? I don't always have something to say, lol. Like some races are just like, "Hmm, that was boring." But I gotta say something! In many ways, as a community builder -- and that's what I...Honestly? I don't always have something to say, lol. Like some races are just like, "Hmm, that was boring." But I gotta say something! In many ways, as a community builder -- and that's what I think the role is -- I gotta play the part. I am the "host," so I gotta try to be the host. If people need an "ice breaker" comment, then I'll provide one. Even if it's kinda meh.
Not everything has to be profound. I know here on Tildes it often feels like comments have to be academic and dissertation-like. I'm not saying that's what you're saying, but others have definitely pointed out that before about this site and community. And that's what prevents them from doing more than just lurking. The fear of not having something "substantial" to say. Which is unfortunate, to say the least.
The point of the community builder or host, I think, is to nudge things along. You don't have to be the heart of the party. If the topic is interesting, and people are conserving, that will usually get others talking. But someone has to start it, and that's usually the host. Also, the topic doesn't have to be long-lasting. If people are done with it after a day, so be it.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI have tried it! Kinda forgot I had it though. I last played it in November 2023 and it seemed a bit rough at the time. But given it's been almost 3yrs, I should probably give Shadows of a Doubt a...I have tried it! Kinda forgot I had it though. I last played it in November 2023 and it seemed a bit rough at the time. But given it's been almost 3yrs, I should probably give Shadows of a Doubt a try again.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkPaper Perjury, which is a detective game (y'all know me and my detective games), recently came out with a couple free DLC cases. So I played the first bonus case over the weekend. And it was...Paper Perjury, which is a detective game (y'all know me and my detective games), recently came out with a couple free DLC cases. So I played the first bonus case over the weekend. And it was decent. PP is one of the easier detective games out there, so not much of a challenge. Started the second bonus case yesterday, too. Supposedly much shorter than the first.
Because I wanted more sleuthing, I randomly tried the demo for Cyberpunk Inquisitor. Which is basically a procedurally generated Clue-like whodunit game. At first I was like "Idk, do I really want to play cyberpunk Clue?" But it was surprisingly addicting. And the full game was on sale for like <$6. Since it's procedurally generated and there's a turn/time limit, and the choices the player makes matter, the player can't always solve a murder. Which is a nice change from these linear mystery/detective games.
On the not-a-detective-game side of things, picked up Norland. Thought it was gonna be like a medieval Rimworld, but it's really more like an RTS. Kinda like a mix between The Settlers and Warcraft. Seems a little clunky, but I'm willing to keep at it.
And then since Build 42 of Project Zomboid FINALLY released after about a year and a half, a few friends and I are back in zombie-filled 90s Kentucky. Haven't tried much of the new features yet, but the world does look better. Feels more polished than before. Since none of us have played in awhile, we're having to relearn it a bit.
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Comment on What are your favourite anime and/or manga? in ~anime
JCPhoenix LinkI don't really read manga, so the following are all anime: Ghost in the Shell, specifically SAC, 2nd Gig, and Arise, is probably favorite series. I watch those three series/seasons at least twice...I don't really read manga, so the following are all anime:
Ghost in the Shell, specifically SAC, 2nd Gig, and Arise, is probably favorite series. I watch those three series/seasons at least twice a year.
Psycho Pass is another I really like. Kinda got a similar feel to GitS and kinda asks the same philosophical questions.
Code Geass, Cowboy Bebop, and Last Exile probably round out my top 5.
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Comment on People who have run events on Tildes or maintaining long running series of posts, any lessons or advices? in ~tildes
JCPhoenix LinkI do the Formula 1 race weekend posts. Definitely agree with what Kfwyre says. I've basically used the same template for the last 3 years, with some adjustments here and there. Makes it real easy...I do the Formula 1 race weekend posts. Definitely agree with what Kfwyre says. I've basically used the same template for the last 3 years, with some adjustments here and there. Makes it real easy to dump the quali/races results into the template and post it.
The one big thing I've noticed is that it's not enough to just start the post. There have been some weekends where because a race is super late at night or super early in the morning, I'll make the post, but I won't leave a comment or anything. Because I just want to sleep. And then I forget later on to go back and say something. Those are often the worst performing posts. Maybe one or two comments from others. Essentially, I have to "start the conversation."
Once comments start popping up, I'll try to respond to others, to get some discussion going. It doesn't have to be a lot of discussion. But at least it's something.
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Comment on Women should be able to open things in ~life.women
JCPhoenix Link ParentOhh that's a good point about the handholds on trains and such. In some cities, they used like straps/loops that hang down. And those usually are just within reach for me. It's uncomfortable, but...Ohh that's a good point about the handholds on trains and such. In some cities, they used like straps/loops that hang down. And those usually are just within reach for me. It's uncomfortable, but I can use them if I can't grab a handhold on the back of a seat or a pole. Which is rare, all things considered.
But here in DC, in some of the older train cars, the handholds retract upwards. So I'd have to jump up like a child, or stand on the seats to grab one. Which, no, not doing that. And even then, pretty sure I'd be swinging from it like I'm on a jungle gym, lol...
I'm going to Japan later this year. I wonder if their public transit is built more for shorter Asians, such as myself.
At home, in my apartment, I ended up getting a step ladder. My experience is like you at your parents house, so I really only use it for that highest shelf or two. But I could see that being really annoying if you had to constantly use a stepladder or step stool for even the lowest ones every time. Or just not using the space you're paying for at all.
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Comment on PC upgrade vs replacement in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentIf this is just be a media server/HTPC or running SteamOS, I'd just go the upgrade route. You can easily get a cheap AM4 Ryzen 5 off eBay. DDR4 is definitely seeing some of the price rises that...If this is just be a media server/HTPC or running SteamOS, I'd just go the upgrade route. You can easily get a cheap AM4 Ryzen 5 off eBay. DDR4 is definitely seeing some of the price rises that DDR5 is seeing because there are many people who are also pursuing the upgrade path instead of replacement path these days. But it's not at the same price level as DDR5. And if you're just looking to get 8GB more, to get to a 16GB base, that shouldn't break the bank.
I don't really keep up with GPUs, so not sure what the best bet is with that.
If you do go for a replacement, there are some cheap computers out there. I recently bought this prebuilt SFF PC during the Amazon Prime Days sale. It was like $80-90 cheaper when I got it, but I think $650 still isn't a bad price. I tossed Bazzite on it and I have it hooked up to my living room TV for light Steam gaming and streaming Crunchyroll or shows/movies I've downloaded. Running great.
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Comment on Women should be able to open things in ~life.women
JCPhoenix Link ParentAnother short guy! I'm 5'4". The place where I've noticed tables and chairs being a problem is restaurants. Not so much my legs dangling when sitting down, but like the table or bar-top being too...Another short guy! I'm 5'4". The place where I've noticed tables and chairs being a problem is restaurants. Not so much my legs dangling when sitting down, but like the table or bar-top being too high. It's not every restaurant. But it's just common enough that I (and my other short family members) notice it.
But everywhere else, like in the office or at home, yeah not a problem.
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Comment on CGA-2026-07 🕹️🔥⚔️ REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentThat 11hrs definitely includes some AFK time. I'd often get distracted with something else then just have the game running in the background. But I wouldn't say I left it running for hours either....That 11hrs definitely includes some AFK time. I'd often get distracted with something else then just have the game running in the background. But I wouldn't say I left it running for hours either. There was definitely some time spent making sure I got all the hidden chests and such in dungeons, so lots of going back and forth. Plus, doing a little grinding just for the hell of it.
I wouldn't not recommend RPGs/JRPGs in the future. I don't think there's an expectation that anyone finishes a CGA game. Or even gets that far. It's more important that people try the game at all. Though of course, there are some genres or titles, period, that I'm just not interested in. So I haven't played most of the CGA choices. Regardless, I appreciate that someone is recommending JRPGs!
Back to the game itself, I did wonder if I was being unfair to compare Lufia II to its peers, rather than looking at it completely stand alone. But it's not like my criticisms would've gone away if I had looked at Lufia II that way. For me, I tend to evaluate on lore, story, characters, etc. Less so on mechanics and gameplay. Most JRPGs that I've played, that I've enjoyed, aren't doing anything groundbreaking mechanically or through gameplay. They're just telling an interesting story with interesting characters in an interesting world.
But like Akir said, which I agree with, these things aren't memorable here. These towns and kingdoms can be substituted with each other and I wouldn't notice (which isn't unique to some of the earlier JRPGs). The characters, so far, have no depth or personality.
Now I don't doubt that the story gets better. And maybe so do the characters. But then that's its own issue. When does it get better? After several hours of waiting for "the hook," how much longer should I wait?
At the end of the day, I'm just prioritizing a different set of factors.
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Comment on CGA-2026-07 🕹️🔥⚔️ REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )LinkI am like 99% positive that I rented this game from Blockbuster back in the day as a kid. But I don't remember any of it. Which I guess isn't that unusual; I don't remember every game I ever...I am like 99% positive that I rented this game from Blockbuster back in the day as a kid. But I don't remember any of it. Which I guess isn't that unusual; I don't remember every game I ever rented. As such, playing Lufia II this month is basically a completely new experience for me.
Context: I played about 11hrs total. The last place I got to was the tower west of Gordovan, after it just got destroyed. I played the US version via emulator (the new ZSNES emulator is pretty nice btw).
I'll start with two things I liked. The first one is the puzzles. It's a nice way to break up the monotony of moving through a dungeon. While I didn't need a guide for most of the puzzles, there were definitely a few times I was like "Screw it, give me the guide," if I couldn't figure it out after a few attempts. But there was never a time I was exasperated by them.
The other is that I think the game did a good job of explaining what various spells and IP skills (special moves attached to various equipment) do. I feel like games of that era often didn't do that. Like you got a new spell or ability, and really the only way to tell what it did was to use it. If you were lucky, you got a brief though almost cryptic description. But with Lufia II, you actually get stuff like "3 times more damage than normal attack. Effective against enemies vulnerable to ice." Nice! Honestly, sometimes even more modern JRPGs aren't that descriptive!
And those descriptions are super helpful. Case in point, the spell "Poison." What's its description? "Antidote for poison." Wait, wut? Well glad that the descriptions are decent! 😅
On the other hand, I found the dialog to be pretty disappointing. It's super basic. And the little dialog that is there feels forced. Nothing the characters say feels worth remembering. Many times, I just found myself quickly skimming dialog so I could see where to go next.
Additionally, the overall gameplay loop felt pretty basic, too. By the time I got to the tower in Gordovan, I was like, "Again? Another tower already?" I understand that JRPGs have a pattern. Start in town, get quest to save/retrieve person/item, go to dungeon to save/retrieve person/item, head back to town to turn in person/item, then go to next town and do it again.
But it's very in your face here. It doesn't feel very "hidden" underneath the overall story. Hell, where are the sidequests? This is a surprisingly linear game, even for a JRPG. Almost felt like Final Fantasy XIII, where you're just constantly, go, go, go, go, go!
Which got me thinking, "When did this game come out?" Because it feels quite dated. And not just in dialog, but like...everything. Well almost everything. The whole Pokemon-esque thing, which I didn't really understand why it's there, is obviously a bit forward thinking.
Anyway, surprisingly, it was 1995 (released in 1996 for NA). Hmm...Wait, what other games came out around this time?
- Chrono Trigger in 1995
- Super Mario RPG in 1996
- Final Fantasy VI in 1994
- Earthbound in 1994 (1995 for NA)
- Secret of Mana in 1993
- Illusion of Gaia in 1993
Quite the competition. As such, Lufia II feels like it could be a late NES game or super early SNES game (Final Fantasy IV came out in 1991, for example).
Perhaps I need to play more of Lufia II. And I think I will. I probably won't finish it; I don't finish most JRPGs. It's definitely not what I was expecting. I place a lot of emphasis on story, characters and dialog, and world building and lore. And I'm just not really seeing much of that here. Yet, anyway.
Maybe that's why I don't remember playing Lufia II back in the day.
Regardless, great choice by @zod000 and the rest of the community for CGA! I get that Lufia II stands in the shadows of its more well-known peers. But that doesn't mean it's not part of the "JRPG canon." And as someone who really, really enjoys JRPGs, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to play it.
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Comment on Reminder to myself that my employer does not give a shit about me in ~life
JCPhoenix Link ParentNo way. Any paid time not at work is by definition not a wasted day, even if I'm just gaming or watching TV all day or sleeping. I've even gone on trips where sometimes I just spend the day in the...No way. Any paid time not at work is by definition not a wasted day, even if I'm just gaming or watching TV all day or sleeping.
I've even gone on trips where sometimes I just spend the day in the hotel, or if I'm visiting my family, their house, where I'm just lounging on my computer all day. Only occasionally chitchatting with my dad or mom or brother (when he still lived with them). That's time well spent, I'd say.
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Comment on Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
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Comment on Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentI think over in IndyCar, blue flags aren't a thing. At least not to the extent of F1. I think cars that are lapped are able to defend their position from leading cars if they want to. They don't...I think over in IndyCar, blue flags aren't a thing. At least not to the extent of F1. I think cars that are lapped are able to defend their position from leading cars if they want to. They don't have to automatically give way like in F1, unless race control or the team specifically orders it for some reason.
And I actually think that makes more sense. If this is the "pinnacle of motorsports," than they shouldn't have it easy. Even if F1 backmarkers can't be aggressive with the leading drivers, why should lapped drivers have to stop their fights for other cars? And I'm pretty sure Carlos was fighting with one of the AMs around the time that Sainz hit Piastri. Obviously Sainz shouldn't have hit Piastri in any situation. Not saying that's OK. But it's a valid track situation that lead drivers should be expected to navigate.
I'm sure there are historical reasons why I'm wrong.
Anyway, however, so long as the rules say backmarkers should get out the way, then they should. Or at least be aware of their surroundings so they don't accidentally hit someone who they're not even fighting.
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Comment on What are your favourite fragrances, and why? in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkOnly two colognes I've ever used long-term: Chrome by Azzaro and Reaction by Kenneth Cole. That said, I stopped using Chrome long time ago. Like early college. Something about it changed for me. I...Only two colognes I've ever used long-term: Chrome by Azzaro and Reaction by Kenneth Cole. That said, I stopped using Chrome long time ago. Like early college. Something about it changed for me. I don't know if the formulation changed, but it wasn't as good. Or maybe my tastes (smells?) changed, in the sense that I didn't feel like it fit me anymore. It felt "too soft.' I'm not mister masculine by any means, but it just didn't fit how I viewed myself any longer.
Since then just stuck with Reaction. Which I think strikes a better balance between light & refreshing while not being super "soft." Though it's also not overpowering and doesn't scream "MAN." Which is perfect. In fact, I think the fragrance's problem is that it doesn't last very long at all. Anyway, I ran out last year finally and still haven't bought a new bottle.
I remember almost buying a DNKY men's fragrance once. Don't remember which one. Maybe I should look (smell?) into that again.
That's been my experience, too. I largely see the same usernames over and over. When I look at people's profiles, if their username isn't one I recognize, I still often see they've been a community member for 2-3yrs at least. Now I'm not checking out everyone's profiles. But I look at enough and it's rare they're brand new. Which makes me think we're in a steady state.
@Bauke actually has a Tildes Statistics site. Though it only goes back 30 days.