Nefara's recent activity

  1. Comment on Follow up on the username thread: What Tildes users do you recognize when browsing and, without being rude or inflammatory, what is your impression of them? in ~tildes

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    Yes, and I keep soapy water handy at all times, even in a spritz bottle in my car 😉 (But I also have a toddler so it comes in handy for that, but I always refill it, for the wizards)

    Yes, and I keep soapy water handy at all times, even in a spritz bottle in my car 😉

    (But I also have a toddler so it comes in handy for that, but I always refill it, for the wizards)

    2 votes

  2. Comment on Follow up on the username thread: What Tildes users do you recognize when browsing and, without being rude or inflammatory, what is your impression of them? in ~tildes

    Nefara
    Link
    Whenever I see @Mendanbar it always reminds me of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. They were the first novels I read as a kid and they hold a special place in my heart. I reread them so many times...

    Whenever I see @Mendanbar it always reminds me of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. They were the first novels I read as a kid and they hold a special place in my heart. I reread them so many times the spines fell apart and I still remember a lot of the content fondly after so many years. So my impression of them is that they have good taste in nerdy fiction books 👍

    4 votes

  3. Comment on How do I trick my brain into accepting eating less? in ~health

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    That sounds like a good idea, I don't make bread often enough for that to work for me but I would certainly try it! You might need to up the moisture in any recipe you use though

    That sounds like a good idea, I don't make bread often enough for that to work for me but I would certainly try it! You might need to up the moisture in any recipe you use though

    1 vote

  4. Comment on How do I trick my brain into accepting eating less? in ~health

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    It's unfortunately a lot like eating saw dust. It's absorbent, so you can mix it in to other foods and it isn't grainy or gritty, but then it's like soggy saw dust. I tried adding it to a few...

    It's unfortunately a lot like eating saw dust. It's absorbent, so you can mix it in to other foods and it isn't grainy or gritty, but then it's like soggy saw dust. I tried adding it to a few things and found apple sauce, oatmeal and rice porridge the least offensive carriers for it.

  5. Comment on US election results (other than presidential) thread in ~society

    Nefara
    Link
    Pretty pleased that a referendum measure limiting PAC donations to $5000 passed in Maine with an overwhelming majority.

    Pretty pleased that a referendum measure limiting PAC donations to $5000 passed in Maine with an overwhelming majority.

    15 votes

  6. Comment on In need of new bedding in ~life.style

    Nefara
    Link
    I've been pretty happy with Bedsure bamboo rayon sheets. For a comforter, it might be worth checking a second hand shop. I keep seeing comforters at Goodwill and Savers from decent brands that are...

    I've been pretty happy with Bedsure bamboo rayon sheets. For a comforter, it might be worth checking a second hand shop. I keep seeing comforters at Goodwill and Savers from decent brands that are 100% cotton and under $15. I know it varies regionally but you might as well look before dropping a hundred + dollars on one.

  7. Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - This is How You Lose the Time War by El - Mohtar and Gladstone in ~books

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    Thanks! I'll decline, I usually follow my own reading list, I just hopped in since I had read this particular book in the past year.

    Thanks! I'll decline, I usually follow my own reading list, I just hopped in since I had read this particular book in the past year.

    1 vote

  8. Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - This is How You Lose the Time War by El - Mohtar and Gladstone in ~books

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    I read the book recently and it wasn't for me. It was florid to the point of obfuscation. I like a clever turn of phrase and I can appreciate poetic prose in the service of story telling but it...

    I read the book recently and it wasn't for me. It was florid to the point of obfuscation. I like a clever turn of phrase and I can appreciate poetic prose in the service of story telling but it felt so heaped in flowery language it became meaningless to me. I was numb to it by the end. I finished the book and just thought "ok then". It was quite surreal and fanciful, and I can see how other people might like to just get lost in it, but to me it felt hollow and substanceless.

    3 votes

  9. Comment on How to handle a breakup? in ~life

    Nefara
    Link
    That sucks, but at least lot of people have had that experience and can chime in. What's worked for me in the past: Keeping busy, working on projects or playing engrossing video games or getting...

    That sucks, but at least lot of people have had that experience and can chime in.

    What's worked for me in the past:

    Keeping busy, working on projects or playing engrossing video games or getting out with friends.
    Watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (when you're ready)
    Having some good cries and letting yourself grieve
    Thinking about times in your life where a big change you were scared of/didn't want turned out for the better

    And of course, as you know, the biggest one is just give yourself time. Hang in there.

    12 votes

  10. Comment on Microplastics are infiltrating brain tissue, studies show in ~health

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    Before the boom of plastic packaging there was glass, foil, cardboard, waxed paper, and cloth. These things are all still used but to lesser degrees because of how light and cheap and variable oil...

    Before the boom of plastic packaging there was glass, foil, cardboard, waxed paper, and cloth. These things are all still used but to lesser degrees because of how light and cheap and variable oil based plastics can be. So do alternatives have to be inorganic? There are plastics made from corn, pineapple leather, algae and all sorts of biological matter. Unfortunately, these are all more expensive options to oil plastics which means that public demand and support for alternatives needs to overwhelm the profit motive and spur governments to do the right thing.

    10 votes

  11. Comment on What are your ten favourite movies of all time? in ~movies

    Nefara
    Link
    I have favorites that I will always watch if I have the opportunity, and favorites that resonate with me on an emotional level. I feel deeply connected to: The Fall by Tarsem Singh, it's...

    I have favorites that I will always watch if I have the opportunity, and favorites that resonate with me on an emotional level.

    I feel deeply connected to:

    The Fall by Tarsem Singh, it's stunningly beautiful in multiple ways.
    The Barbie Movie for message and nostalgia
    Moana, beautiful and optimistic
    The Muppet Christmas Carol, for nostalgia and timelessness

    I will always watch:

    The Princess Bride
    5th Element
    Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
    D&D: Honor Among Thieves
    Pirates of The Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
    Edge of Tomorrow

    3 votes

  12. Comment on What are your ten favourite movies of all time? in ~movies

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    I love Song of the Sea. It's so beautiful and does such a good job illustrating a sibling relationship.

    I love Song of the Sea. It's so beautiful and does such a good job illustrating a sibling relationship.

    1 vote

  13. Comment on What shampoo/conditioner do you use? in ~life.style

    Nefara
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    Have you ever considered using henna to color your hair? It's very limited in the shades it produces but it's truly permanent hair color. The hennotanic acid reacts with and binds directly to the...

    Have you ever considered using henna to color your hair? It's very limited in the shades it produces but it's truly permanent hair color. The hennotanic acid reacts with and binds directly to the keratin that makes up your hair, so it doesn't ever fade or bleed color. When my grays got too much for me I gave it a shot and I'm so glad I did. 100% natural henna will tint whatever your natural hair color is with a warm orangey red. In my case my hair becomes a medium dark saturated auburn. It's a beautiful color that I love and don't have to think about until my roots and grays start peeking. There are also formulations of henna with indigo that give you darker browns and blacks but I can't speak to those personally. It's much gentler on your hair than chemical hair dyes so it might be a good option for you. Let me know if you want more info, I'm happy to share.

    1 vote

  14. Comment on What shampoo/conditioner do you use? in ~life.style

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    That would be nice to try, I've been using what's available at the grocery store. Thanks for the suggestion.

    That would be nice to try, I've been using what's available at the grocery store. Thanks for the suggestion.

  15. Comment on What shampoo/conditioner do you use? in ~life.style

    Nefara
    Link Parent
    I've tried the dusting thing, using it like a dry shampoo, and it does not work without rinsing unfortunately. It just kind of sits in the hair and is even harder to get the grains out. You asked...

    I've tried the dusting thing, using it like a dry shampoo, and it does not work without rinsing unfortunately. It just kind of sits in the hair and is even harder to get the grains out. You asked how my hair looks, well not to brag but it looks great. Lustrous and shiny, not greasy but it has a healthy "weight" to it and moves like the hair in conditioner commercials. The woman who cuts my hair complimented me on how soft and tangle-free it is. I credit the health of my hair to the rye flour "shampoo" and it's definitely worth it, to me at least, to deal with its quirks and inconveniences for the results.

    1 vote

  16. Comment on What shampoo/conditioner do you use? in ~life.style

    Nefara
    Link
    I used to have trouble with my hair being a cloud of frizz around my head like a nimbus. I have fine, thin, wavy hair that I keep short with a long fringe. I stopped using traditional shampoo...

    I used to have trouble with my hair being a cloud of frizz around my head like a nimbus. I have fine, thin, wavy hair that I keep short with a long fringe. I stopped using traditional shampoo about 8 years ago and have been using rye flour. You take it in a small bowl or container with you in the shower, wet it into a yogurt-like consistency, and then smear it onto your scalp and into your hair. You would probably be amazed how well it works to clean hair, it's weird to use and hard to rinse out, but my hair finally looks how I've always wanted it to. On top of that it's inexpensive for an all natural, sulfate free, ph balanced shampoo. It works by gently absorbing excess scalp oils but it doesn't strip any from your hair.

    I don't know if someone with a lot of volume, length, or curls would like the experience, seeing as I find rye flour grains in my hair even when I rinse thoroughly. It gets on my towels and on my shirts after a shower. However, I only use it when my hair gets greasy, and since it doesn't interfere with your body chemistry that can take anywhere between 3 days to a week depending on the weather and my activity level. If anyone has trouble with frizz or their hair drying out it's definitely worth a try.

    3 votes

  17. Comment on How much space do you need to live comfortably? in ~talk

    Nefara
    Link
    I was very comfortable in an 1100sq ft one bedroom apartment with 11ft ceilings. However I didn't have a place to do projects, and now that I have a kid it would not be enough space for the little...

    I was very comfortable in an 1100sq ft one bedroom apartment with 11ft ceilings. However I didn't have a place to do projects, and now that I have a kid it would not be enough space for the little cannonball. I'm tall, my husband is tall, and we have a very energetic future tall person so I'll be honest I like having a lot of space. I'll say about 1800sq ft to be comfortable and 2400sq ft to be happy haha.

    3 votes

  18. Comment on Atheists of Tildes, what alive religions do you find fascinating, excluding Abrahamic ones and Buddhism? in ~talk

    Nefara
    Link
    I find Sikhism to be beautiful. Its core beliefs of equality, honesty, serving community, fighting for justice and radical acceptance resonate with my own values. I also appreciate the aesthetic...

    I find Sikhism to be beautiful. Its core beliefs of equality, honesty, serving community, fighting for justice and radical acceptance resonate with my own values. I also appreciate the aesthetic (turbans are cool!) and the symbolic aspects of the articles of faith one is supposed to carry. The Sikhs I've met have all lived with conviction and been empathetic, kind and supportive people. There was a Gurdwara not far from where I lived for a while that did free community meals for anyone who was hungry nearly every night. I'm sure there must be bad Sikhs out there, no population of millions of people could be without its jerks, but I haven't met them yet.

    37 votes

  19. Comment on Steam Summer Sale 2024: Hidden gems in ~games

    Nefara
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    I didn't call it a hidden gem, but according to MMO population counts I'd say it's certainly overlooked or underrated. Considering the amount and quality of the content, and the population...

    I didn't call it a hidden gem, but according to MMO population counts I'd say it's certainly overlooked or underrated. Considering the amount and quality of the content, and the population capacity of the game, it is certainly smaller than it seems to me it "should" be. A lot of people also have played it at some point closer to release and might not realize how far it's come since then. I've been playing regularly since beta (and played GW1 before that) so I know Arenanet has always sort of been that MMO dev off in a corner doing their own thing their own way, and IMO it works. Except for their marketing!

    1 vote

  20. Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food

    Nefara
    (edited )
    Link
    For summer refreshment I just made a wine cocktail with moscato and a sparkling elderflower and rose lemonade served on ice and diluted with water and wow it's the perfect thing after working in...

    For summer refreshment I just made a wine cocktail with moscato and a sparkling elderflower and rose lemonade served on ice and diluted with water and wow it's the perfect thing after working in the yard on a warm day. I just had three of them and I'm thinking of having another.

    I've also gotten into pasta alla Alfredo the "right" way, with just three ingredients. I watched Tasting History's episode on it and holy crap it's so good and so easy. The yum to effort factor is unreal. The sauce is literally just parmigiano reggiano, butter and pasta water but it's so creamy and flavorful. We had it with chicken and broccoli and I'm tempted to make it again tomorrow because all of the leftovers are gone.

    3 votes