Paul85's recent activity
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
Paul85 Link ParentHave you played these? Wipeout (Omega Collection still available on modern platforms) GRIP (found it recently on PSN, played it years ago on... PC I think) Re-volt (surprisingly good! played it on...Have you played these?
- Wipeout (Omega Collection still available on modern platforms)
- GRIP (found it recently on PSN, played it years ago on... PC I think)
- Re-volt (surprisingly good! played it on PS3 years ago)
- Need for Speed Unbound (not exactly the same, but the campaign is cool, there are effects that make it more arcade/spectacle-like than other NFS titles, and the soundtrack is great).
- Burnout: Paradise (must play IMO, still available on modern platforms). Older ones are even better if you got a PS2 kicking around: Burnout: Revenge was my favourite.
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (November 2026) in ~health.mental
Paul85 LinkBeen a rough week. Needed to vent. Here's the vent: I somehow ended up feeling like the "bad guy" in the parents/sister/me relationship because my mother decided to ask me for help and I said no....Been a rough week. Needed to vent. Here's the vent:
I somehow ended up feeling like the "bad guy" in the parents/sister/me relationship because my mother decided to ask me for help and I said no. My sister is temporarily living with my parents right now as she left her own home due to wanting to divorce her husband (selling their home is taking forever, 1.5 years so far). My parents offered her to stay with them. They are retired and have space, basically a whole guest suite in the basement. Well, the divorce is dragging on and long story short I think my parents are tired of living with her. My mother claims my sister's presence is straining her relationship with my dad. This after the 2 of them separated for a year a couple years ago and got back together. Now my mother asked me if I can basically pay rent for my sister to move out of their house for a few months. I said no, reminded her that my sister is a 40 year old adult, and if having her there is too much, they can kick her out. If renting a place alone is not affordable given the divorce is taking a toll on finances, then seek room-mates until the divorce is over and she is on her feet.
I've been independent my whole life while my sister has been coddled and rescued at any sign of discomfort. At it's peak, I had to divest of a fairly substantial asset to bail out my sister and her husband as they were broke. Even now, with the financial tightness, my sister still seems to find the money to go out, get nails done, short trips to neighbouring cities, etc.
Another instance, when my sister could no longer afford her LUXURY car lease, my father asked me if I can help her buy out the vehicle (for $30,000!) to avoid her losing it and buying a cheap car. Give me a break! I drive a Jetta. If I can make do with a Jetta, surely she can give up her luxury SUV. I said no to that too, to my father's disappointment.
While my parents were separated, I played "mr free therapist" for both of them for one year, multiple calls per week (we live in different cities). I'm not a therapist, but just tried to "be there for them" (listen, advise, encourage, etc.). Eventually they got back together. The shitty thing is that the reason they separated was that they had some major fight in which my mother revealed that she cheated on my dad back in the 90s, and my dad did the same. This from 2 people who all my life focused on values like "truth". They got back together, but did anyone actually apologize for being a piece of shit and cheating on the other, not to each other, but to me and my sister? I can list some unsettling "punishments" and threats that my sister and I endured when we were dishonest as kids. Anyway, I basically took a big step back sine they got back together, both decreasing communication and distancing myself emotionally. I just don't want any part in their relationship troubleshooting anymore.
I live in an average house, average car, I try to always set money aside in case something bad happens like a huge medical bill as they are getting older. I think I am doing enough, but maybe I am wrong? Am I the bad guy? Good or bad, I feel I have the right to say NO. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent, folks.
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Comment on Scientists study thousands of giant space shades to cool Earth in ~space
Paul85 LinkI think they are thinking ahead to depriving the machines of solar power. But little do they know, the machines will use humans as batteries once the sun is unavailable. Could be the plot of a sci...I think they are thinking ahead to depriving the machines of solar power. But little do they know, the machines will use humans as batteries once the sun is unavailable. Could be the plot of a sci fi movie! 😉
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
Paul85 Link ParentBoy oh boy, do I have a method for you! It is the finger method! Instead of stirring the oats and oat milk with a spoon, I use my finger. Over time, I learned what the consistency should be. I...Boy oh boy, do I have a method for you! It is the finger method! Instead of stirring the oats and oat milk with a spoon, I use my finger. Over time, I learned what the consistency should be. I prefer it somewhere in the middle: not hard, not runny. I still miss, but I guess in my case the fix is easy: add a bit more oat milk or water. For you it would be trial and error for a few days.
Other notable details:
- I use quick oats. If you use steel cut oats or the even less processed ones, you may need another method.
- I add all those other seeds. Not sure how they affect the consistency.
- I use the exact same amount and ratio of oats to seeds. I have 5 equal small jars I fill, about 80% oats and 20% seeds. This at least keeps it consistent. I dump a jar into a bowl in the evening, add the milk, stir with my finger, place in the fridge.
- If it's too runny, I will warm it up a little longer in the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes (5-10m), covered. This will fast-track some bonus absorption and dry it out (harden it).
Good luck! :-)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul85 (edited )Link ParentYou saw right through me! It is indeed the autopilot, specifically the updated one that gives Surging. Add some stuff that gives shielding (or better yet, the upgraded shielding that slows down...You saw right through me! It is indeed the autopilot, specifically the updated one that gives Surging. Add some stuff that gives shielding (or better yet, the upgraded shielding that slows down opponents when you hit them - the red shield), take the upgrade that reloads abilities 150% or 200% faster, and put points into the battery. You can spam the auto pilot for like the entire race. I take the perk that gives 2 free random upgrades at the very start, the extra crashes perk, and the 3rd one... I forgot. Maybe the one that limits the part choices but increases the quality. That's probably how I ended up with the really good ability refresh speed and better shield.
Edit: It's not the most satisfying built. The game just plays for you. I was a bit emotionally deflated winning with this, but
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul85 LinkI picked up Star Wars Galactic Racer when it came out, and I finished the campaign on "Ace" ("Hard") unlocking "Champion" (Very Hard mode). But, I find myself demotivated to re-do it with the...I picked up Star Wars Galactic Racer when it came out, and I finished the campaign on "Ace" ("Hard") unlocking "Champion" (Very Hard mode). But, I find myself demotivated to re-do it with the extra challenge. It was pretty challenging on Ace at times, a good level of challenge, and it went well with the rogue-like elements. But then I figured out some really OP parts and options in the build and kind of cruised through the remaining races. It almost felt like cheating. Maybe they need to do some balancing in a patch. I could play multiplayer, I did try it a bit, it's fine. I dunno, I lose motivation when the "story" is over. Guess I was just hoping for a longer story, or a "New Game+", where it's the campaign, but skip the cut-scenes and streamline it? Oh well, for what it's worth, I did love most of this and will likely revisit once I "forgot" enough about it and feel like redoing the campaign, on "Champion" difficulty.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
Paul85 LinkI've been trying hard to cut on laziness and fast food. Not that I eat that excessively, but was starting to be more often than usual. I'd prefer to keep any fast food to once a week (a last...I've been trying hard to cut on laziness and fast food. Not that I eat that excessively, but was starting to be more often than usual. I'd prefer to keep any fast food to once a week (a last resort when the only option around is fast food, or I was so busy I couldn't pack lunch). So, last week went well and this weekend was good too. We went out, but not for junk food (or similar). Last week the menu looks as follows:
- breakfast is overnight oats M-F (oats, my mix of seeds: chia, flax, hemp, and a bit of cinnamon). Add fresh cut fruit and walnuts or almonds in the morning. Using oat milk.
- lunch is packed from home and taken to work. Usually: pita bread (the non-puffy one with the fewest ingredients), hummus, fresh veggies (tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, green pepper, endives). Tofu if I have it. Banana, mandarins, a granola bar.
- dinner: this one is more random. We either cook something together, or have leftover. One evening it was bean soup, another was veggie soup with noodles, another was a big salad with whatever veggies were in the fridge.
Bonus: for about 2 weeks I have been cutting down on coffee, replacing with green tea in the morning. Finally I am feeling "OK" with this, and not extra sleepy in the morning or afternoons, when I would normally have a coffee. I find the green tea still gives me a bit of energy without the jittery feeling coffee imparts. I have come to actually dislike the main "cheap" coffee at work (Tim Hortons). I used to love it, but now I don't. Other alternatives are not worth the $ or I don't like the taste. I should add, I take it black with 2 sugars. No fancy coffees. Starbucks - puke. DeVille (another fancy shop) - good, but at $5 for a small black coffee, it's a pass. 7/11 - actually, TBH I'd probably choose this one if I had to. A&W - on par with 7/11. Instead of all these options, I have a Nespresso maker at the office, so I'll just make an espresso with my own pods. For now, green tea is in, espresso is on pause.
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
Paul85 Link ParentAh yeah those middle 3 are great picks. Sicario and Collateral are a cut above. Such great films.Ah yeah those middle 3 are great picks. Sicario and Collateral are a cut above. Such great films.
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
Paul85 LinkThe opening of Redline (anime movie) the quiet before the race starts, and the first race. The prison break action scene in the first Guardians of the Galaxy.The opening of Redline (anime movie) the quiet before the race starts, and the first race.
The prison break action scene in the first Guardians of the Galaxy.
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
Paul85 Link ParentPretty good! The first season was good. I was very disappointed by season 3. Maybe the manga is better?Pretty good! The first season was good. I was very disappointed by season 3. Maybe the manga is better?
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
Paul85 Link ParentOh man Split/Second was such a great game. I remember playing it on the PS3. We need more racing games like that!Oh man Split/Second was such a great game. I remember playing it on the PS3. We need more racing games like that!
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Comment on Timasomo 2026: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
Paul85 Link ParentAh nice nice! I built models for it around 2012-2014, so that explains why I have not seen these guys (not that I was ever an expert - I built some Tau, Chaos Marines, and Necrons).Ah nice nice! I built models for it around 2012-2014, so that explains why I have not seen these guys (not that I was ever an expert - I built some Tau, Chaos Marines, and Necrons).
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Comment on Airframe Ultra release in ~games
Paul85 Link ParentStar Wars Galactic Racer is out and might scratch the itch for racing similar hover bikes. And the single player campaign is excellent!Star Wars Galactic Racer is out and might scratch the itch for racing similar hover bikes. And the single player campaign is excellent!
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Comment on Originle: Every day, guess the guest's country of origin in ~games
Paul85 LinkVery cool. Some are easier than others but it’s very well made and detailed. Great test of general knowledge about the worldVery cool. Some are easier than others but it’s very well made and detailed. Great test of general knowledge about the world
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Comment on Timasomo 2026: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
Paul85 Link ParentBrowsing the Timasomo Art Gallery my first thought seeing this one was that it’s the woodworking equivalent of your own textile submission! Very neat.Browsing the Timasomo Art Gallery my first thought seeing this one was that it’s the woodworking equivalent of your own textile submission! Very neat.
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Comment on Timasomo 2026: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
Paul85 Link ParentThese look very cool and unique. Almost like an antique artefact. I think even if you don’t make them work they make for a beautiful decorative piece on a wall, set in an X shape for example.These look very cool and unique. Almost like an antique artefact. I think even if you don’t make them work they make for a beautiful decorative piece on a wall, set in an X shape for example.
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Comment on Timasomo 2026: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
Paul85 Link ParentWow! Very nice! Gotta charge those birds a hefty fee for each visit! And make sure they give a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor :-) It turned out great. When my wife and I moved from an apartment to a...Wow! Very nice! Gotta charge those birds a hefty fee for each visit! And make sure they give a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor :-) It turned out great. When my wife and I moved from an apartment to a house I built a (much more basic) bird feeder. A Holiday Inn bird feeder if you will. I used my old licence plate from the other Canadian province I moved from as a way to turn it into something useful and preserve the memory of driving across the country when I moved here. You get a different plate in each province and the old one is basically trash (unless you move back, I guess). Sadly not many birds come as my yard is too open.
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Comment on Timasomo 2026: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
Paul85 Link ParentAh! So cool! At first I was confused but then it made sense. I like that there are photos of each city. The local time on the cards helps a lot. I noticed the option to disable this for a bigger...Ah! So cool! At first I was confused but then it made sense. I like that there are photos of each city. The local time on the cards helps a lot. I noticed the option to disable this for a bigger challenge. I’ll try that next time to see how I do. It will be a real geography test haha. Fun game and knowledge test. Thanks!
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Comment on Timasomo 2026: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
Ah gotcha. The spectacle part was far more pronounced in Split/Second than in the other titles.