ahatlikethat's recent activity
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Comment on Is climate change driving the global rise in populism? If so ... how? If not ... what is? in ~enviro
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Comment on Best "dad" jokes and puns! in ~talk
ahatlikethat LinkThey only joke I can ever remember...surely that meets the dad joke qualification! A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Why the long face?"They only joke I can ever remember...surely that meets the dad joke qualification!
A horse walks into a bar.
The bartender says, "Why the long face?" -
Comment on Linux Distro Recommendations in ~comp
ahatlikethat (edited )Link ParentI suppose folks can draw their own conclusions. I would disagree about the not learning from their mistakes. If I recall correctly, there was an issue with one of the main guys going awol, and...I suppose folks can draw their own conclusions. I would disagree about the not learning from their mistakes. If I recall correctly, there was an issue with one of the main guys going awol, and with everything registered in his name, it took a while to sort all that out and reorganize. I'm also not to sure why anyone is very concerned about a SSL cert on an archived and therefore non-interactable old forum. I read a lot about security and have found them to keep up security updates at a brisk pace. As far as stability, I have 8 years of stability with them personally, so I am very happy to recommend them.
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Comment on Linux Distro Recommendations in ~comp
ahatlikethat LinkI've been using Manjaro with KDE for about 8 years now. It was the first Linux OS I stuck with after deciding to exit Windows. Before settling with Manjaro I tried a few others, including Mint,...I've been using Manjaro with KDE for about 8 years now. It was the first Linux OS I stuck with after deciding to exit Windows. Before settling with Manjaro I tried a few others, including Mint, but I found the support communities unwelcoming. In contrast, the support community of Manjaro is extremely newbie friendly.
It is a rolling release, based on Arch, so there are frequent updates (about once a month.) In all these years, I have had only one occasion where I had to reinstall everything due to a Manjaro update breaking things. I have had to do some tinkering on occasion, but like I said, support is fantastic. I have also broken my system a few times on my own, and I've had incredibly helpful support people spend hours with me to fix it.
Manjaro is really flexible too, especially with KDE. You can adjust almost anything to your liking, or you can just use as is.
If you never want to update, then Manjaro isn't for you. If you want to learn about Linux, though, I thing rolling releases are a great way to slowly accumulate knowledge and confidence. I really couldn't be happier using Manjaro.
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Comment on I bought a house, now what? in ~life.home_improvement
ahatlikethat Link ParentThe biggest mistake I did with our property when we first bought it was to go for immediate results. A lot of flowers and shrubs in places that they were unhappy with equaled a lot of work and...The biggest mistake I did with our property when we first bought it was to go for immediate results. A lot of flowers and shrubs in places that they were unhappy with equaled a lot of work and money lost. I'd take time to watch your land--how the shadows change over the course of the year, where the winds tend to blow the worst, where the cold seems to sink and stay longer in the day, that sort of thing, before making any permanent or expensive landscaping. For low-investment, high-yield immediate gratification, sunflowers will grow almost everywhere, feed the birds and invite beneficial insects.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
ahatlikethat Link ParentWitcher 3 was my favorite game of all time, until I started playing Cyberpunk 2077. Pretty much everything you write here also applies to that game. (Especially the "I know it was flawed at the...Witcher 3 was my favorite game of all time, until I started playing Cyberpunk 2077. Pretty much everything you write here also applies to that game. (Especially the "I know it was flawed at the time of release...") When I get tired of 2077, I will probably go back to Witcher 3.
With CDProjekt, I feel like their vision always exceeds their technical abilities and/or timeline, but I admire that they keep at it until it truly is a masterpiece. I know folks get mad at buying basically a beta at full price, but to me it's a fascinating window into process of creation.
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Comment on Why are Americans fighting over no-fault divorce? Maybe they can’t agree what marriage is for. in ~life
ahatlikethat Link ParentI think more than that, the right believes that the contract implied in marriage is that a woman is submitting herself as the property of the man, and under his dominion.I think more than that, the right believes that the contract implied in marriage is that a woman is submitting herself as the property of the man, and under his dominion.
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Comment on VHEMT: the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement in ~life
ahatlikethat Link ParentI am with you 100%. Maybe more, because I decided as a teen back in the 80's that the world had too many people, and there was nothing superior about my genes to support the damage done to the...I am with you 100%. Maybe more, because I decided as a teen back in the 80's that the world had too many people, and there was nothing superior about my genes to support the damage done to the world by adding to the population. I figured if I ever felt desperate for children, it would make far more sense to adopt. (Which I never did.) The personal and financial benefits of not having children were afterthoughts, but definitely real. I do think about the environment and I do in fact try to make an impact in other ways--in my case by eating vegetarian and growing organically and supporting native ecosystems on my property. But there are many ways to try to make an impact, and even if all childless people who thought the environmental impact was a primary factor also were attempting to make other positive environmental impacts, those could be widely dispersed and hard to track.
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Comment on What if US public housing were for everyone? in ~life
ahatlikethat LinkI grew up in Montgomery Co, back in the 70s and 80s. In sixth grade there was forced bussing of kids from "the projects" into our middle class (though ethnically diverse) school. I remember...I grew up in Montgomery Co, back in the 70s and 80s. In sixth grade there was forced bussing of kids from "the projects" into our middle class (though ethnically diverse) school. I remember driving by the place where some of my new classmates lived and being shocked at how miserable, dirty and depressing it was.
I am very happy to see that this is changing in a positive way, and I really hope it is only the beginning. -
Comment on What books would you recommend for me? in ~books
ahatlikethat Link ParentI'd second all of these for literary fiction. Flowers for Algernon still tears me apart, though I haven't read it in 40 years. My partner teachers it in middle school so it's not that hard a read...I'd second all of these for literary fiction. Flowers for Algernon still tears me apart, though I haven't read it in 40 years. My partner teachers it in middle school so it's not that hard a read (though he also teaches Macbeth, soo...)
I'd add a few more literary options:
Never Let me Go, also by Ishiguro. It's science fiction but entirely within the realm of possibility in the near future. I think there was a movie, never saw it.Anil's Ghost or The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. Do not be swayed by the horrible and maudlin movie of the English Patient. The book is so much more and so much better. Ondaatje writes like a poet. The English Patient won the Booker Prize. Anil's Ghost is more contemporary a setting, if that matters to you.
Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey. Also has a terrible movie I hope you never suffered through. It takes place in early-colonized Australia, and what people did to make it there. Fits well with your preferred world view and is very well written. Also won the Booker Prize.
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Comment on Ancient Sahul's submerged landscapes reveal a mosaic of human habitation in ~humanities.history
ahatlikethat LinkOK, so anyone familiar with the NY post should know to take everything there with a grain of salt. In this case, the illustrations of greek-style ruins underwater are completely unrelated to the...OK, so anyone familiar with the NY post should know to take everything there with a grain of salt. In this case, the illustrations of greek-style ruins underwater are completely unrelated to the actual article. The scientist found no archeological remains, and are postulating about the populations that the area might have been able to support based on geographical evidence. The time frame of human occupancy is well before the Greek civilization. Just nonsense.
The actual scientific article is interesting enough, no need for the made-up Atlantis angle.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~life
ahatlikethat LinkAfter my stepfather died, for various reasons the most feasible plan was for my partner and I to build an addition to our house and have my mom move in. This brought a LOT of adjustments, a fair...After my stepfather died, for various reasons the most feasible plan was for my partner and I to build an addition to our house and have my mom move in. This brought a LOT of adjustments, a fair amount of emotional difficulties, but once she was diagnosed with cancer, it was definitely the best choice we could have made.
My mother wasn't an alcoholic but had a number of mental/psychological conditions that made connecting difficult. Here are just a couple of thoughts I had after reading your post:
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I commend and completely understand your decision to spend time with him. It is a gift you are giving him, but he may not see it that way. He may be, at various times, put off that you are interrupting his routine, suspicious that you are judging him or threatening his independence, embarrassed or humiliated that he needs your help, angry that you weren't there all along. He may need time to adjust and to process. He may need time alone. I'd suggest going into it with a very open mind and flexible expectations. And give both of you lots of extra chances.
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TV is something I barely pay attention to, but for my mom, some shows were like a second family. Especially when she had cancer, and the pain was so bad, melting into her shows was a serious relief for her. Maybe don't dismiss TV out of hand. I found that sitting with her while she was watching her shows provided an opportunity to be together, see her laugh, let her feel accepted, and also sometimes led to the chance to have meaningful conversations that grew naturally instead of being forced and confrontational.
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As someone with intractable pain, I have noticed how easy it is for other people to forget about it, dismiss it or assume I'm used to it. You never get used to it. Not saying this is what you would do with your dad, just hoping you'll remember.
I sincerely feel for you. The road you are looking at walking is rough and full pf pitfalls. In my case, at the end I was so glad I did everything I could for my mom, even more than I thought I could at times. I know I got to a place with her in our relationship that I never would have otherwise. Of course your situation is different, but I believe the effort you are making will be worth it, even the missteps.
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Comment on Simple Mobile Tools bought by ZipoApps (company offering apps with ads and tracking) in ~tech
ahatlikethat Link ParentYeah, I downloaded from F-droid, but I uninstalled completely just the same. I don't want to waste my time trying to outmaneuver a company I no longer trust. Done that before, it's never worth it...Yeah, I downloaded from F-droid, but I uninstalled completely just the same. I don't want to waste my time trying to outmaneuver a company I no longer trust. Done that before, it's never worth it in the end.
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Comment on What are your favorite Christmastime movies that don't deal with Christmas as a topic? in ~movies
ahatlikethat (edited )Link ParentI have two, for art-movie lovers: Night on Earth (1991), a Jim Jarmusch film with music by Tom Waits. Five cab drives in different world cities on one winter night. It's funny at times but not an...I have two, for art-movie lovers:
Night on Earth (1991), a Jim Jarmusch film with music by Tom Waits. Five cab drives in different world cities on one winter night. It's funny at times but not an in-your face comedy. I think it fits because of its themes of human connection, understanding, and responsibility for each other. Also the last vignette is in Helsinki and there is a lot of snow. A link to the IMDB page
My Twentieth Century ( Az én XX. századom), a film in hungarian by Ildikó Enyedi, from 1989. I chose it because of its attention to wonder, serendipity, and magic. Also it ends up on New Years Eve. I saw this movie back when it came out, and have never been able to shake the beauty of this films use of light and shadow. A link to the IMDB page
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Comment on Simple Mobile Tools bought by ZipoApps (company offering apps with ads and tracking) in ~tech
ahatlikethat Linkwow, that sucks. Thank you for posting. I've been using a bunch of these for years.wow, that sucks. Thank you for posting. I've been using a bunch of these for years.
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Comment on Colorado Amtrak journey in winter gives serious Skyrim vibes in ~travel
ahatlikethat LinkIf you find yourself back in Colorado the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad is a beautiful ride in an old-fashioned train through the mountains at the border of New Mexico and ColoradoIf you find yourself back in Colorado the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad is a beautiful ride in an old-fashioned train through the mountains at the border of New Mexico and Colorado
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Comment on Honest question: Why does everyone seem so hopeless and negative about life these days? in ~talk
ahatlikethat (edited )LinkI have lived in my house for over 25 years. It is in a semi-rural area of the desert southwest US. I have 2 acres with water rights (irrigation via acequia), and well water. One of the things I...I have lived in my house for over 25 years. It is in a semi-rural area of the desert southwest US. I have 2 acres with water rights (irrigation via acequia), and well water. One of the things I loved when I first moved here was how much nature there was. Over time, I have watched this disappear. The summer used to be filled with butterflies. This past summer, most days I didn't even see one. I have swallows that nest on my porch. Three years ago, an entire nest of babies died due to extreme heat. For the past two years, I have kept them alive by opening a picture window to the porch so my swamp cooler will cool the porch enough. This has worked for my swallows, but what about all the others? Several years ago, we had a "die-off" event due to sudden extreme cold in early September (that also killed off a batch of swallows). Among the birds I lost were a local breeding pair of yellow-rumped warblers. I have not seen any since. This all despite the fact that I have spend 25 years adding native plants to my landscape to feed the local wildlife, keep my cats indoors and garden organically. The only improvement I have seen is a steadily growing hummingbird population, but I don't know if I see more here because there is less food for them elsewhere.
The irrigation authority has been steadily cutting back on water use because there simply isn't enough--we've been in drought for years. Fields are fallow, drying out and dust storms are more common. The guys who put in my new well pump say I've got maybe 10 years left on my well, because the water table is dropping fast. Meanwhile, the local government is selling massive amount of water to a bottling company to package our water and sell it elsewhere. This is the desert.
I have a serious autoimmune problem and severe asthma, both of which have a huge environmental component. My neighbors burn trash, burn coal or creosote for heat, and I can't even be mad at them because they're just poor and don't have options. They are vocal supporters of the party most closely aligned with their own exploitation, but neither party is really doing anything to stop our planet from dying, or to help poor rural people live a decent life, so again, I feel like I can't even argue with them.
Every day I feel overwhelmingly sad, just looking out of my window. If I see a butterfly I take a billion pictures, because who knows if it will be the last?
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Comment on App-based guitar or piano learning? in ~hobbies
ahatlikethat LinkI also recommed justin guitar. He has a lot of sheet music and tutorials on a huge variety of songs, including blues. If you have a foundation but just want more blues stuff, I'd try just watching...I also recommed justin guitar. He has a lot of sheet music and tutorials on a huge variety of songs, including blues. If you have a foundation but just want more blues stuff, I'd try just watching youtube videos of blues guitarists. There are some tutorials there too, but they are scattershot.
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Comment on Getting older and nostalgia - what do you miss? in ~talk
ahatlikethat LinkI miss butterflies. We've lived in this house for 25 years or so. Butterflies were everywhere in the summer. Now, despite having land filled with native and pollinator-supporting plants, days go...I miss butterflies. We've lived in this house for 25 years or so. Butterflies were everywhere in the summer. Now, despite having land filled with native and pollinator-supporting plants, days go by without a single butterfly. One day this summer I saw 3 in one day, and it seemed like a miracle. Most days there are none. A couple years back, there was a burst of a particular kind of butterfly that liked to lay its eggs on sunflowers. The neighborhood app was filled with people complaining about the pests that were eating their pretty flowers, and using pesticides to get rid of them.
I miss butterflies and it breaks my heart to know why they are gone. -
Comment on Euthanizing my old friend. When is the right moment? in ~life.pets
ahatlikethat LinkI don't know where you live, or if its feasible, but you might ask you vet about Librela...I don't know where you live, or if its feasible, but you might ask you vet about Librela (https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-approves-first-monoclonal-antibody-dogs-osteoarthritis-pain) shots. It's a monoclonal antibody that targets arthritis inflammation in dogs. I have 2 19-year-old cats who I thought were about to the point of needing euthanasia for similar reasons to your dog. They've now been on the cat version of that medicine for a year are as active and happy as they were 5 years ago. The dog shot was just approved in the US in May, so its only a recent option; your vet may not have had at their disposal at your last visit.
I found an old Guardian article that goes into depth about the nuances of populism and its application by various groups--scholars, media, left and right. It didn't exactly clarify things for me, but it does a good job of showing why (and to an extent, how) someone like Trump and someone like Bernie Sanders are described as populists when their goals and methods are so different.
(edited for typo)