JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear? in ~life.style
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentAgree on playing Earthbound before the others. You can play Mother 3 before Earthbound; while there is an important character from EB, it's not that big of a deal IMO to not know their importance....Agree on playing Earthbound before the others. You can play Mother 3 before Earthbound; while there is an important character from EB, it's not that big of a deal IMO to not know their importance. But for the "real Mother experience," EB is a better starting point. And personally, Earthbound I think has a better story and mood or atmosphere. Mother 3 is quite different from EB.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )Link ParentI just want play some more point and click adventure game. Ys Origin definitely looks interesting. I played Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim on, I think, my PSP back in the day. Didn't get super far,...I just want play some more point and click adventure game.
Ys Origin definitely looks interesting. I played Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim on, I think, my PSP back in the day. Didn't get super far, but did like the concept enough and always did want to go back to it, but never did.
And with the recent Starcraft: Dominion trailer, definitely have it on my mind. As in, I should probably finish SC2. But I'd be down to play Starcraft and BW, too.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkSpooky Mansion Adventures (5) Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist (5) Beneath a Steel Sky (4) Ys Origin (3) StarCraft (3)Spooky Mansion Adventures (5)
Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist (5)
Beneath a Steel Sky (4)
Ys Origin (3)
StarCraft (3) -
Comment on Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentJust came across this graphic on r/formula1 (imgBB link for those who don't want to go to reddit). FOUR on-track overtakes. Monaco this year at least had ten. Pathetic. And yeah, watching the F2...Just came across this graphic on r/formula1 (imgBB link for those who don't want to go to reddit). FOUR on-track overtakes. Monaco this year at least had ten. Pathetic.
And yeah, watching the F2 races right now. I'm sometimes watch these because they're a little more exciting. But this really is just as bad as the F1 race.
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Comment on Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkDuring the free practices and qualifying session, seemed like this could be an interesting race. Mostly from the perspective of this being a new track, tight spaces, the gigantic banked curve that...During the free practices and qualifying session, seemed like this could be an interesting race. Mostly from the perspective of this being a new track, tight spaces, the gigantic banked curve that is 'La Monumental`...and maybe some chaos during the race like we saw in FPs!
But honestly...was a bit of a snoozer. Seemed like there were relatively few overtakes.
Obviously the big topic, once again, is McLaren's "strategy." Sure, the VSC was called after Lando passed the pit entry, but then seemed like a bad decision to not cancel the call to box as it was ending. Why not just stay out, maintain track position, and see what happens later? But nope. Compounding that was the bad stop, where the pit had trouble getting the front right tire off (probably heat related).
That said, he still came in P3, which is a great recovery drive. Though like Kimi said in multiple post-race interviews, that was Lando's race to win.
I did like the bit in the cooldown room where Lando was drinking a can of Coke and almost got it taken away! I noticed right away that he had a Coke; never seen that before by any driver. But good on him for being like, "I just finished a race; I can drink whatever, please and thanks."
We have a little break from Formula 1 next weekend. Which is perfect, because I'm going out of town. So yeah, see you all in two weeks for Baku. Hopefully that should be A LOT more exciting than Madrid.
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Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion
Warning: this post may contain spoilers
Spanish Grand Prix
Madring
September 11-13, 2026
Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:33.469 1:32.873 1:31.824 19 2 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:33.267 1:32.591 1:31.835 20 3 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:33.381 1:32.431 1:31.964 18 4 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:33.531 1:32.710 1:32.013 21 5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:33.532 1:32.755 1:32.019 21 6 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:33.211 1:32.850 1:32.149 22 7 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:33.829 1:33.204 1:32.294 22 8 30 Liam Lawson Red Bull Racing 1:33.310 1:32.780 1:32.316 18 9 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:33.963 1:33.038 1:32.903 17 10 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:34.340 1:33.204 1:33.041 21 11 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:34.417 1:33.223 13 12 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:33.986 1:33.388 12 13 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:34.667 1:33.667 11 14 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:34.246 1:33.753 11 15 22 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 1:34.311 1:34.084 15 16 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:35.307 1:35.532 14 17 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:35.312 9 18 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:35.388 9 19 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:35.913 9 20 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:38.011 8 Source: F1.com
Grand Prix Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 57 1:34:23.754 25 2 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 57 +4.351s 18 3 1 Lando Norris McLaren 57 +5.089s 15 4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 57 +29.116s 12 5 63 George Russell Mercedes 57 +29.829s 10 6 30 Liam Lawson Red Bull Racing 57 +86.746s 8 7 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 57 +94.281s 6 8 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 57 +95.839s 4 9 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 56 +1 lap 2 10 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 56 +1 lap 1 11 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 56 +1 lap 0 12 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 56 +1 lap 0 13 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 56 +1 lap 0 14 22 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 56 +1 lap 0 15 23 Alexander Albon Williams 56 +1 lap 0 16 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 56 +1 lap 0 17 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 55 +2 laps 0 18 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 54 +3 laps 0 NC 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 43 DNF 0 NC 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 31 DNF 0 NC 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 12 DNF 0 NC 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 6 DNF 0 Fastest Lap: George Russell // 1:35.587 on lap 49
DOTD: Max VerstappenSource: F1.com
Next race:
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Baku City Circuit
September 24-26, 202613 votes -
Comment on What is your "when I found out about 9/11" story? in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkI was 14yo. A freshman in high school. My family was living in the suburbs of Salt Lake City at the time. I remember being dropped off at school, going to my first period class, which was Band. As...I was 14yo. A freshman in high school. My family was living in the suburbs of Salt Lake City at the time. I remember being dropped off at school, going to my first period class, which was Band. As I walked into the band room, I looked up at the TV. Band director always had news on in the morning before class started. So I casually glanced at it and just saw smoke being shown. I remember asking a classmate, "What's going on on TV? Another forest fire?" And he said something like,"No, a plane crashed into a building in New York." And I was like "What??" The news was showing a split screen. One was one of the Twin Towers burning, the other was either the Pentagon burning or the plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA.
Throughout most of the day, we obviously had TVs on. TVs were wheeled into the lunch room so students and faculty could stay informed during the lunch periods. Though I did have one class where the teacher was like "Yeah something terrible has happened, but we have Biology to study." I think that was the only class that day where the TV wasn't on. In homeroom, which was after first period band class, our teacher had no clue what was going on. When we demanded she turn on the TV she was like "Uhh, why?" So we told her and she thought we were just pranking her. So she went next door to ask another teacher. And when she came back, she was practically in tears.
Obviously being so far from the East Coast, there weren't many immediate direct effects. Though I did hear that one student at school did have a relative who died in the attacks that day. My dad is a federal employee, so he was home already when I got back from school, because his agency just sent everyone home early.
9/11 and the ensuing GWoT, was what caused me to get interested in politics, both domestic and international. The way the nation processed 9/11 over the ensuing years into my young adulthood definitely shaped my political beliefs. And these days, I too am a federal employee. For a department that, rightfully or wrongfully (probably the latter), only exists because of 9/11 (though my agency existed before 9/11).
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Comment on Apple announces iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentTrue...but I can't do all the things I do on my MBP on my phone. Like game (yes, I game a bit on my MBP). Which has always been a bit weird to me. All this power inside an iPhone, or even an iPad,...True...but I can't do all the things I do on my MBP on my phone. Like game (yes, I game a bit on my MBP).
Which has always been a bit weird to me. All this power inside an iPhone, or even an iPad, comparable to perhaps a Macbook Air or better, yet for what?
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 nominations topic in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkBoost: Freddy Pharkas: Frontier PharmacistBoost: Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist
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Comment on Apple announces iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone in ~tech
JCPhoenix LinkI'd be interested in getting one of these, but...$2000 for a phone is a bit much. Like I know the price is actually decent for newer tech like this. But I paid like $1800 a couple years ago for my...I'd be interested in getting one of these, but...$2000 for a phone is a bit much. Like I know the price is actually decent for newer tech like this. But I paid like $1800 a couple years ago for my M3 MBP. A full on actual computer. Plus, still got like 9mos to go on my payment plan for my 16 Pro (which I thought was a lot at $1300). Which serves me perfectly well. And I expect it to do so for at least 5yrs (got like 3.5yrs to go).
I do have a friend who has a foldable Samsung. He says he's had no problems with it for the last couple of years or so. But he'll never get another because of how expensive it was. Think it was also as much as my MBP.
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Comment on Denmark is a cycling nation, but our research shows rates are declining – here's why in ~transport
JCPhoenix Link ParentAre they even touching grass anymore? Like I'm one to talk...spent previous 4 days almost entirely in my apartment... Idk, I always hear that younger folks are staying in more. I don't know how...the youth are using for transport.
Are they even touching grass anymore? Like I'm one to talk...spent previous 4 days almost entirely in my apartment...
Idk, I always hear that younger folks are staying in more. I don't know how true that is, and even then, it's US-centric hearsay. But maybe if it is true, it's a worldwide phenomenon.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI played Xenosaga Ep 1 when it came out. IIRC, that was one of the hardest JRPGs I've played. Constantly felt like I was underleveled. And the story and concepts were confusing. That said, the...I played Xenosaga Ep 1 when it came out. IIRC, that was one of the hardest JRPGs I've played. Constantly felt like I was underleveled. And the story and concepts were confusing. That said, the story and worldbuilding of the series is fascinating to me. Like I've spent hours on the Xenosaga wikis reading about all the various concepts and such. I would like to eventually replay Ep 1 and actually play Eps 2 and 3. I'm pretty sure I still have physical copies of 1 and 2 (bought the latter, but never played it) somewhere.
Allen is definitely whiny. But I remember feeling like he was just swept along for the ride. Though it's been so long since I've played it, maybe I'm misremembering.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentOne of the weird things I noticed going (back) to Cold Steel, that was present in at least Zero and Azure, is the sudden lack of a dialog log. There's the active voice log in the notebook, which...One of the weird things I noticed going (back) to Cold Steel, that was present in at least Zero and Azure, is the sudden lack of a dialog log. There's the active voice log in the notebook, which records when a character goes, "Ooh, a treasure chest!" or makes some other inane comment while out in the field. But those aren't anywhere as important as the actual dialog in cutscenes and such. Weird thing to exclude, given how dialog heavy these games are. Hopefully that makes a comeback in the latter titles!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )LinkFinally finished Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (Steam). This is a JRPG, the fifth entry in the long-running, all-connected, like 13-games series. Took me almost 100hrs over the last six months...Finally finished Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (Steam). This is a JRPG, the fifth entry in the long-running, all-connected, like 13-games series. Took me almost 100hrs over the last six months (took lots of long breaks). I didn't go full completionist, but I had a guide and was playing in the direction. Which definitely took up a lot of time. The last dungeon alone took me several hours.
Which means I've started a replay of the next entry, Trails of Cold Steel. Played it on my Vita back in the day, but I want to play them in proper story-order. Technically, "Azure" and the game before it take place roughly at the same time as "Cold Steel" 1 and 2, just different locations in the world, but the events that happen in either arc are often related and even sometimes outright references. Sometimes characters from one game and location show up in other games. So here's looking at another probably 100hr playthrough. Maybe I'll finish it early next year.
I think this might be my new favorite series, displacing Final Fantasy. The story, the world, the lore are just expansive in a way that Final Fantasy isn't. All the mainline FFs are separate games from each, after all (Maybe FFXI and XIV as long-running MMOs are as big). But in the Legend of Heroes "Trails" series? It's all one gigantic, continent spanning, multi-year, story of political intrigue, war, and unlikely heroes. And it's not afraid to get into some darker topics (aside from war) that one would find in a "real" world." Classism, Drugs, human trafficking, human experimentation, child abuse and prostitution, etc. The game is full of bright colors and anime characters, but it's a gritty, messy, fucked-up world, just like ours. And I appreciate when games acknowledge that.
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Comment on Ig Nobel Prize winners 2026 in ~science
JCPhoenix Link ParentI wonder which we'll have first: fusion energy or splash-free urinals. Hmm, maybe the latter depends on the former. Or the reverse!I wonder which we'll have first: fusion energy or splash-free urinals.
Hmm, maybe the latter depends on the former. Or the reverse!
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Comment on Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentEven if Kimi is getting special treatment -- I'm not saying he is or isn't -- he's clearly the Number 1 driver on the team. And he has the receipts to back it up: He's literally leading the WDC,...Even if Kimi is getting special treatment -- I'm not saying he is or isn't -- he's clearly the Number 1 driver on the team. And he has the receipts to back it up: He's literally leading the WDC, 66pts ahead of George. Sure, George is the more experienced, the more senior driver. But, like I said earlier, winning is what matters here. And Kimi is ahead in that department. So why shouldn't the team try to maximize the success of the driver who's ahead? That doesn't mean the second driver is SOL, of course. Obviously a team wants both their drivers to do well, especially for the WCC. But there can only be one person ahead.
If Mercedes didn't, they'd end up like McLaren last year, or Ferrari...basically every year since I've started watching in 2021. McLaren last year couldn't seem to figure out who their number one driver was, didn't want to appear to be playing favorites, which led to all sorts of issues on-track. Papaya Rules and all that. And Ferrari is the master of this, where the team constantly wants to appease both of their drivers, but ends up pissing both the drivers -- and the tifosi -- off with their terrible "strategies."
I get that this is the problem with having two top drivers. But let the results speak for themselves. And I think today's results for Mercedes' drivers definitely say it all.
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Comment on Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkFirst Italian home win since 1966. And this looks like it could be the first home win for Kimi in a string of them for at least a few years to come. What a drive though. P19 to P1. I think he...First Italian home win since 1966. And this looks like it could be the first home win for Kimi in a string of them for at least a few years to come.
What a drive though. P19 to P1. I think he lucked out a bit with the Red Flag, but at the same time, he was just slicing through the field and pretty quickly at that. Maybe he would've clinched it, regardless.
There's a side of me that's a bit "Poor George..." because it did seem like George drove pretty damn well. But Kimi is quicker. And that's what wins.
Glad Charles was OK after that massive shunt into the barriers. Glad to see Max on the podium. And most importantly?
Yuki brought home points! Well, a point!
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Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion
Warning: this post may contain spoilers
Italian Grand Prix
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
September 4-6, 2026
Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:22.612 1:22.077 1:21.786 18 2 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:22.779 1:22.161 1:21.846 17 3 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:22.924 1:22.017 1:21.966 18 4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:22.902 1:22.509 1:22.004 18 5 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:22.847 1:22.516 1:22.011 15 6 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:22.631 1:22.188 1:22.070 17 7 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:22.758 1:21.882 1:22.093 18 8 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:22.662 1:22.400 1:22.220 18 9 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:22.659 1:22.067 1:22.256 19 10 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:22.727 1:22.345 1:22.286 18 11 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:22.946 1:22.517 12 12 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1:22.906 1:22.756 15 13 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:23.440 1:22.779 12 14 30 Liam Lawson Red Bull Racing 1:22.989 1:22.821 17 15 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:23.616 1:23.453 15 16 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:23.466 1:23.454 15 17 22 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 1:23.755 6 18 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:24.356 6 19 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:24.364 9 20 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:24.595 9 21 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:25.150 6 22 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:25.222 9 Source: F1.com
Grand Prix Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 53 1:51:15.281 25 2 63 George Russell Mercedes 53 +3.857s 18 3 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 53 +14.718s 15 4 1 Lando Norris McLaren 53 +19.056s 12 5 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 53 +19.253s 10 6 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 53 +24.655s 8 7 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 53 +27.351s 6 8 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 53 +45.136s 4 9 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 53 +47.353s 2 10 22 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 53 +58.187s 1 11 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 53 +65.187s 0 12 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 53 +66.187s 0 13 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 53 +74.117s 0 14 30 Liam Lawson Red Bull Racing 53 +75.609s 0 15 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 53 +78.958s 0 16 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 52 +1 lap 0 17 23 Alexander Albon Williams 52 +1 lap 0 18 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 52 +1 lap 0 19 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 51 +2 laps 0 NC 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 26 DNF 0 NC 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 23 DNF 0 NC 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1 DNF 0 Fastest Lap: Kimi Antonelli // 1:23.504 on lap 53
DOTD: Kimi AntonelliSource: F1.com
Next race:
Spanish Grand Prix
Madring
September 11-13, 202610 votes -
Comment on How do you find new anime to watch? in ~anime
JCPhoenix LinkI have a couple of friends who regularly watch anime. While our tastes aren't exactly the same, there's enough overlap. So their recommendations are usually pretty solid. Just perusing Crunchyroll...I have a couple of friends who regularly watch anime. While our tastes aren't exactly the same, there's enough overlap. So their recommendations are usually pretty solid.
Just perusing Crunchyroll is another method. Sometimes a thumbnail will catch my eye, so I'll give it a go. I won't always watch all of it, but other times I will. Like I'm watching through Classroom of the Elite just by seeing it on CR.
Lastly, trailers/teasers on YouTube have been pretty fruitful. I think I found Gnosis, Nippon Sangoku, and Witch Hat Atelier that way. Also the latest Ghost in the Shell series (easily my favorite IP). They just showed up on my recommendations and they looked cool. The World is Dancing is another that I'd like to watch, that I found through YouTube. I'll also include the Trash Taste boys here. I don't run out and watch that many of the shows they talk about, but I do keep some of those shows on my mental "I should watch that someday" list.
I have Quiksilver track jacket that I got when I was a senior in high school during a marching band trip to Los Angeles. That was Thanksgiving 2004 when I was 17, and now I'm 39. So 22yrs. I don't really wear it when I'm out -- haven't in a loooooong time -- but I definitely wear it around the house. It's still in decent condition, even though I wore it tons the remainder of senior year and probably over the next year or so into college.