bgc's recent activity

  1. Comment on What things do you have are surprisingly good / handy? in ~life

    bgc
    Link Parent
    This is so interesting, I never thought to bring my own bed to a friend’s house. This is like a brilliant version of a Murphy bed…. Thanks for the recommendation!!

    This is so interesting, I never thought to bring my own bed to a friend’s house. This is like a brilliant version of a Murphy bed…. Thanks for the recommendation!!

    1 vote
  2. Comment on What things do you have are surprisingly good / handy? in ~life

    bgc
    Link Parent
    This is awesome.

    This is awesome.

    1 vote
  3. Comment on What things do you have are surprisingly good / handy? in ~life

    bgc
    Link Parent
    Oh yes, I also have a big ass screwdriver that has never been used for screwdriving! It mostly is used for weeding.

    Oh yes, I also have a big ass screwdriver that has never been used for screwdriving! It mostly is used for weeding.

    8 votes
  4. What things do you have are surprisingly good / handy?

    As I write this, I’m using a $10 foot massager from Temu that my wife bought. I thought it was totally stupid but it gets nightly use. We lie on the couch and just let it run. Edit2: it looks like...

    As I write this, I’m using a $10 foot massager from Temu that my wife bought. I thought it was totally stupid but it gets nightly use. We lie on the couch and just let it run.

    Edit2: it looks like the LINGTENG one on Amazon - probably white labeled from same factory, nothing special about it but we like the simplicity.

    What has anyone else found surprisingly useful?

    Edit -

    Here are some things that came in mind as I was walking around:

    • Different type of mason jar lids from masontops for sprouting, cold press coffee, pouring spout for watering plants, etc.
    • ifixit kit - originally used for phone fixing now used for prying random stuff - the Ifixit jimmy is really useful, and it’s great to have all tools in one place
    • Shoegoo - originally used for shoe fixing now used for fixing bike parts - time to invest in a glue gun
    • YouTube premium - I originally got a family plan so that my mom wouldn’t watch so many ads, but now it’s an integral part of my passive learning system - languages, guitar, sports, etc.
    • hydrogen peroxide - I got it for wound disinfecting but it has only ever been used as a stain remover.
    • cheap Muji mini umbrella - way more used than my fancy Davek
    60 votes
  5. Comment on What is your favorite Final Fantasy game? in ~games

    bgc
    Link
    FF6 was my favorite. As a kid from the suburbs without a car, it was my first taste of opera, casino / airships, rafting, mining and factory towns, etc. The world building was truly magical.

    FF6 was my favorite. As a kid from the suburbs without a car, it was my first taste of opera, casino / airships, rafting, mining and factory towns, etc.

    The world building was truly magical.

    4 votes
  6. Comment on What's your recommended survival crafting game to play solo? in ~games

    bgc
    Link Parent
    The actual story is a bit clumsily written so you didn’t miss much. I think the star is the gameplay with permadeath - learning to survive despite issues with cannibals, hygiene and diarrhea…

    The actual story is a bit clumsily written so you didn’t miss much. I think the star is the gameplay with permadeath - learning to survive despite issues with cannibals, hygiene and diarrhea…

    1 vote
  7. Comment on Tildes Video Thread in ~misc

    bgc
    Link
    An interview with Paul Singer of Elliott Management - interesting insights from a very sharp perspective on shareholder value. https://youtu.be/3EOLtbqjQB0?feature=shared

    An interview with Paul Singer of Elliott Management - interesting insights from a very sharp perspective on shareholder value. https://youtu.be/3EOLtbqjQB0?feature=shared

    2 votes
  8. Comment on What's your recommended survival crafting game to play solo? in ~games

    bgc
    Link
    I enjoyed playing NEO Scavenger. The graphics are pretty bad and the UI is rough but if you can put up with that it’s fun to unravel.

    I enjoyed playing NEO Scavenger. The graphics are pretty bad and the UI is rough but if you can put up with that it’s fun to unravel.

    4 votes
  9. Comment on An uncompromising guide to sleep masks (for side-sleepers) in ~health

    bgc
    Link
    Great review, keep it up! I appreciated that it wasn’t fluff and very practical.

    Great review, keep it up! I appreciated that it wasn’t fluff and very practical.

    1 vote
  10. Comment on The illustrated encyclopedia of sleeping positions on a plane in ~travel

    bgc
    Link
    Thanks for a quick laugh at work!

    Thanks for a quick laugh at work!

    8 votes
  11. Comment on Recommendations for less mass-produced and more artistic tv in ~tv

    bgc
    Link
    Try a Korean show on Netflix entitled ‘My Mister’ - it’s very famous for good writing.

    Try a Korean show on Netflix entitled ‘My Mister’ - it’s very famous for good writing.

    1 vote
  12. Comment on Sid Meyer's Alpha Centauri lovers, tell me what sets it apart in ~games

    bgc
    (edited )
    Link
    The graphics are nothing to write home about but the balance and deep faction philosophy / lore are what set it apart. As the game unfolds, I find myself sympathizing with different leaders and...

    The graphics are nothing to write home about but the balance and deep faction philosophy / lore are what set it apart. As the game unfolds, I find myself sympathizing with different leaders and their mindsets - even Sister Miriam. The unfolding of dystopian technologies and decisions without judgement is really well done. Finally, (spoiler alert) having the planet itself as an entity with agency and self preservation goals has a very Speaker for the Dead kind of feel.

    https://youtu.be/24OXzIRIiMQ?feature=shared

    There is also an undercurrent of ironic humor that’s prevalent in the choice of quotes - see retroviral engineering, for example.

    The gameplay mechanics are also fun in that you can flexibly customize the units and that adds value to tactical combat beyond most civ games.

    The expansion doesn’t live up to the original.

    18 votes
  13. Comment on Seven things killing movie theaters (and how to save them) in ~movies

    bgc
    Link Parent
    Yes, I agree - as mentioned by another post earlier, the competitive option of at home viewing has become a superior experience at a lower price. Movie theaters will have to adapt - where I live,...

    Yes, I agree - as mentioned by another post earlier, the competitive option of at home viewing has become a superior experience at a lower price. Movie theaters will have to adapt - where I live, the subculture themed smaller theaters are still booming as a hipster kind of outing. Some will live and others will make way for a better economic use of the space (in my city one of the theaters became a giant Asian spa). The production studios will still make money on content.

    1 vote
  14. Comment on Generic preventitive healthcare advice wanted in ~health

    bgc
    Link
    Abdominal ultrasound, vaccinations, scans on any nagging sports injuries, EKGs, dermatology. Look up executive healthcare annuals and that’s a good starting point. Hope that helps!

    Abdominal ultrasound, vaccinations, scans on any nagging sports injuries, EKGs, dermatology.

    Look up executive healthcare annuals and that’s a good starting point.

    Hope that helps!

    9 votes
  15. Comment on E-bikes: Seeking advice on a commuter bike that meets disability needs in ~transport

    bgc
    Link
    I can't speak for the other brands, but I have an Aventon Level 2 Stepthrough and I think it would handily tick off all your use cases. It's a bit heavy but well constructed. The assist has...

    I can't speak for the other brands, but I have an Aventon Level 2 Stepthrough and I think it would handily tick off all your use cases. It's a bit heavy but well constructed. The assist has multiple levels and has been very useful for me. The bike is a very upright position. I remove the battery to charge at home.

    It has a limited suspension in the fork so it eats some bumps.

    I got it from Costco on sale in Canada.

    Cost around $2000 CAD I think before tax

    1 vote
  16. Comment on How Hertz’s bet on Teslas went horribly sideways in ~finance

    bgc
    Link
    I am a loyal Hertz customer but I was pretty confused by the Tesla offering. It was enticing at first because it was cheaper than my usual 'whatever is cheapest' economy car rental, it dawned...

    I am a loyal Hertz customer but I was pretty confused by the Tesla offering. It was enticing at first because it was cheaper than my usual 'whatever is cheapest' economy car rental, it dawned pretty fast that I would have to learn a new driving and charging paradigm for use, and also as a non EV driver, I simply don't know how the app works for a rental or even how long it takes to charge. Too stressful for me regardless of how cheap it is.

    I wish they could have reduced the friction for these things.

    8 votes
  17. Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies

    bgc
    Link
    Wife and I are watching Drive My Car, a Japanese film adapted from the short story by Haruki Murakami. They added material to the short story but it all feels natural. Really good watch if you...

    Wife and I are watching Drive My Car, a Japanese film adapted from the short story by Haruki Murakami. They added material to the short story but it all feels natural. Really good watch if you like slow burn art house films.

    3 votes
  18. Comment on What books helped you deal with the anxiety of life's uncertainties? in ~books

    bgc
    Link
    My favorite is Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. You can find a good free audio version from Librivox. https://librivox.org/siddhartha-by-hermann-hesse/ (Credit to the narrator, A Praetzellis)

    My favorite is Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. You can find a good free audio version from Librivox.

    https://librivox.org/siddhartha-by-hermann-hesse/ (Credit to the narrator, A Praetzellis)

    1 vote
  19. Comment on Favorite hobby / subculture YouTube channels? in ~hobbies

    bgc
    Link
    Thank you! I've already started enjoying all of this content

    Thank you! I've already started enjoying all of this content

    1 vote
  20. Comment on Favorite hobby / subculture YouTube channels? in ~hobbies

    bgc
    Link Parent
    Wow! Loved the old game stuff

    Wow! Loved the old game stuff

    1 vote