bonedriven's recent activity
-
Comment on Hey parents, how many of you read vs. tell stories before bedtime for your kids? in ~life
-
Comment on What side-gigs or passive income methods have you found helpful for earning a small amount of extra money? in ~finance
bonedriven Link ParentSee my reply above - many papers have open submissions for some of the year and they have specification sheets. You mail your puzzle to the editors and if they like it, they pay you for it!See my reply above - many papers have open submissions for some of the year and they have specification sheets. You mail your puzzle to the editors and if they like it, they pay you for it!
-
Comment on What side-gigs or passive income methods have you found helpful for earning a small amount of extra money? in ~finance
bonedriven Link ParentI was bored during lockdown basically, and I came across a submission link for the NYT crossword after reading the wordplay blog. I then slipped further down the rabbit hole! I think I enjoy the...I was bored during lockdown basically, and I came across a submission link for the NYT crossword after reading the wordplay blog. I then slipped further down the rabbit hole!
I think I enjoy the challenge of constructing more than solving, actually.
The NYT have a good guide on how to get started here - that also contains a link to the crosscord discord server which is frequented by a ton of pro constructors as well as amateurs starting out, and has a load of resources.
There are spec sheets maintained there for venues like LAT, universal syndication, the New Yorker etc as well as indie venues. You basically submit to the editing team during submission windows and cross your fingers!
-
Comment on What side-gigs or passive income methods have you found helpful for earning a small amount of extra money? in ~finance
bonedriven LinkI construct crosswords as a hobby. I've sold a few so far - newspapers and some other venues will pay anywhere from $75 - $750 dollars for a 15x15 crossword (average is $150; $750 is the NYT rate...I construct crosswords as a hobby. I've sold a few so far - newspapers and some other venues will pay anywhere from $75 - $750 dollars for a 15x15 crossword (average is $150; $750 is the NYT rate for experienced constructors).
I've made about $1,000 this year for something which is a hobby I enjoy.
It's certainly not dependable - I haven't had anything accepted for publication in 4 months - but I treat it as an added bonus for something I get a kick out of.
-
Comment on Best "dad" jokes and puns! in ~talk
bonedriven LinkWhat's red and bad for your teeth? A brickWhat's red and bad for your teeth?
A brick
-
Comment on Folks in those $100k+ jobs, corporate types, office workers... What would you say you actually do? in ~life
bonedriven LinkI work for a Pharma multinational in a governance role making > $150k. I do a lot of things, but where I earn my pay is decision quality. Understanding of organisational politics, broader industry...I work for a Pharma multinational in a governance role making > $150k.
I do a lot of things, but where I earn my pay is decision quality. Understanding of organisational politics, broader industry trends, short term budget demands, regulatory requirements and how compliant is compliant enough is hard. In addition, I have a PhD in my area and understand the technical details deeply - and can translate this for senior leadership. I have a track record of making good decisions which I have been able to build on to create a brand / trust in my organisation which I leveraged to gain this current high paying role.
I have key seats in the company's governance structure so have a substantial span of control - decisions I make/influence can have impacts in the tens of millions of dollars range. This is a common theme in replies I think - if you act as a force multiplier then in the greater scheme your higher income can be justified. If I just saved the company $2m, I'm basically free for a few years.
-
Comment on Microsoft Teams is/was down. What's your fallback? in ~tech
bonedriven LinkHonestly, if it's to cover a couple of hours outage a year, Outlook probably suffices for a lot of organisations. Has worked fine for my place (mid-sized multinational / manufacturing) over the...Honestly, if it's to cover a couple of hours outage a year, Outlook probably suffices for a lot of organisations. Has worked fine for my place (mid-sized multinational / manufacturing) over the last few years. A couple of hours even with a full network outage just isn't that much to us - but obviously ymmv depending on your sector.
We have business continuity plans to roll back on when there is a major net outage (hard copies of key processes and forms, chain of command) and fall back to telephone / face to face if needed.
-
Comment on Grace Young and her ever-growing wok collection in ~food
bonedriven Link ParentYes, pretty sure I wiped too much off - but I'm definitely not an expert. The surface was streaky and definitely not sticky, with the patina very thin in places. Cooked fine once or twice but even...Yes, pretty sure I wiped too much off - but I'm definitely not an expert. The surface was streaky and definitely not sticky, with the patina very thin in places. Cooked fine once or twice but even with gentle cleaning some of the bare steel became exposed.
-
Comment on Grace Young and her ever-growing wok collection in ~food
bonedriven Link ParentI feel you. I spent an age stripping my wok last weekend and made a mess of the seasoning - not enough oil - so stripped again, repeated, and made the same mistake again. I'm seriously considering...I feel you. I spent an age stripping my wok last weekend and made a mess of the seasoning - not enough oil - so stripped again, repeated, and made the same mistake again. I'm seriously considering buying a pre-seasoned wok as I don't think I can handle another scouring session.
-
Comment on Refurbed Lenovo ThinkPads - whats the "current gen"? in ~tech
bonedriven Link ParentYeah, fair point. It's mainly for web browsing, some non-demanding software etc. No gaming or taxing applications - Photoshop is probably as stressed as it will get. I've replaced laptop ram in...Yeah, fair point. It's mainly for web browsing, some non-demanding software etc. No gaming or taxing applications - Photoshop is probably as stressed as it will get.
I've replaced laptop ram in the past but didn't consider it here - good tip.
-
Comment on Refurbed Lenovo ThinkPads - whats the "current gen"? in ~tech
bonedriven Link ParentIt's the Pentium, a real dog of a laptop bought cheap by my wife for a course years back. I'd love a desktop but we don't have the real estate for one downstairs - the laptop gets stashed in a...It's the Pentium, a real dog of a laptop bought cheap by my wife for a course years back.
I'd love a desktop but we don't have the real estate for one downstairs - the laptop gets stashed in a cupboard and used on the island in the kitchen as needed.
-
Refurbed Lenovo ThinkPads - whats the "current gen"?
I'm in the market to hurl at a wall upgrade our badly ageing general use family laptop (Lenovo V110). I've used ThinkPads in the past for work and due to their ubiquity there is a value to be had,...
I'm in the market to
hurl at a wallupgrade our badly ageing general use family laptop (Lenovo V110).I've used ThinkPads in the past for work and due to their ubiquity there is a value to be had, I believe, in corporate refurbs.
However, it's been a good few years since I used one - think it was a T440 - and am looking for some advice on what the most recently obsoleted gen is that I should be looking for, or where people have found a sweet spot on price/performance. Any pointers?
16 votes -
Comment on What are your traditional Christmas dinners, and do you do anything that's unusual in your country? in ~food
bonedriven Link ParentSounds good - similar to an Oepsie - bacon wrapped cherries usually grilled on a bbq on a skewer. It's a South African thing a friend introduced me to and they're fantastic. Totally agree it's...Sounds good - similar to an Oepsie - bacon wrapped cherries usually grilled on a bbq on a skewer. It's a South African thing a friend introduced me to and they're fantastic. Totally agree it's more than the sum of its parts, the juiciness and the sweet and salty all together, I'm drooling thinking about it. Must give your version a go.
-
Comment on Honest question: Why does everyone seem so hopeless and negative about life these days? in ~talk
bonedriven Link ParentYes, this didn't resonate with me at all. I'm based in Ireland so ymmv but for any job where a college education is a prerequisite to entry (pharma, finance, engineering etc.) bonuses are the norm...Something like "executives get bonuses, not the rank and file" is not a basic fact, or a fact at all. It's a broad generalization, too broad to meaningfully grapple with. Who gets bonuses varies by industry. Companies aren't all the same either.
Yes, this didn't resonate with me at all. I'm based in Ireland so ymmv but for any job where a college education is a prerequisite to entry (pharma, finance, engineering etc.) bonuses are the norm across all levels.
-
Comment on Album of the Week #10: The Undertones - The Undertones in ~music
bonedriven Link ParentI agree that The Undertones are fairly mild, and not particularly political which is somewhat antithetical to the punk label. I would categorise another Northern Irish punk band - Stiff Little...I agree that The Undertones are fairly mild, and not particularly political which is somewhat antithetical to the punk label.
I would categorise another Northern Irish punk band - Stiff Little Fingers - to be much truer to the genre. They released the phenomenal Inflammable Material in the same year (1979) and it is well worth a listen for some raw punk from the height of the Troubles. You might be have come across Alternative Ulster which is the most well known song from that album.
-
Comment on Chef knife recommendations? in ~food
bonedriven LinkAt that price point you can't go wrong with Victorinox Fibrox knives - they're excellent value. Should be able to pick up an 8in for $50 or so.At that price point you can't go wrong with Victorinox Fibrox knives - they're excellent value. Should be able to pick up an 8in for $50 or so.
-
Comment on Steam Deck users, has anyone found a compact docking setup? in ~games
bonedriven Link ParentI've only seen a "portable monitor" before that was a laptop screen jerryrigged with a rats nest of cables - tech has obviously come along! The ZenScreen & portable keyboard looks like an neat...I've only seen a "portable monitor" before that was a laptop screen jerryrigged with a rats nest of cables - tech has obviously come along! The ZenScreen & portable keyboard looks like an neat solution
-
Comment on Steam Deck users, has anyone found a compact docking setup? in ~games
bonedriven Link ParentThat is pretty much exactly what I was looking for - thanks, I'll look into it!That is pretty much exactly what I was looking for - thanks, I'll look into it!
-
Comment on Steam Deck users, has anyone found a compact docking setup? in ~games
bonedriven Link ParentYou know, I didn't even consider that option as I was so focused on trying to replicate a standard PC setup. A Deckmate sounds like a good investment that will cover at least some of the use cases...You know, I didn't even consider that option as I was so focused on trying to replicate a standard PC setup. A Deckmate sounds like a good investment that will cover at least some of the use cases I had in mind.
-
Steam Deck users, has anyone found a compact docking setup?
I live in a pretty compact house, and have my work office upstairs in a corner of one of my kids bedrooms. Obviously, gaming in there after they are asleep is a no go! Our one tv is usually given...
I live in a pretty compact house, and have my work office upstairs in a corner of one of my kids bedrooms.
Obviously, gaming in there after they are asleep is a no go! Our one tv is usually given over to my wife on evenings I break out the Steam Deck - which has been my first foray back into gaming since having kids and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
However, I'm interested if anyone has found a neat solution to use it in e.g. desktop mode without a conventional monitor or TV to dock with, that I could break out quickly on a breakfast bar and then stow easily.
I'm envisaging some kinda of Frankensteined cheap laptop shell housing to contain the screen and keyboard-
Steam Deck -> USB C Dock -> HDMI out to laptop screen and USB out to keyboard.
Anyone familiar with something resembling this kind of setup, or something similar?
19 votes
I've got a 5 year old, and reading has always been a part of both their bedtime routine.
Casting my mind back a bit, at 3.5 years we were reading 3 or 4 short books every night in their room before bed. The books tended to be ones for slightly older kids but which had fun rhymes or nice pictures (though we never read picture books at bedtime, or at least bedtime stories had a decent bit of reading in them - my assumption being that hearing our voice was important). They would often interrupt and ask questions about a picture ("what's that?" "where is (character x)?") and we were always happy for it to go off track.
Now that they are a bit older, we start with reading a few books and then we have "made-up stories" after lights out. This is me making up a story that is sometimes by request (I want a story about a giraffe) or something I come up with. Usually some variation of an animal or kid up to mischief, often nonsense but always happy/funny endings (mouse getting into a bakery and eating all the food, boy floating to space on a lawn chair with balloons tied to it, baby with metal teeth that kept chewing it's way out of its crib and waking up it's parents).
Beyond the prompts for stories they don't tell a whole lot of stories themselves.
One thing we are doing recently is jokes - there was a story which ended with a prompt to consider the punchline for a joke "what do crocodiles eat for breakfast" and this has kicked off me sharing some simple jokes (how do you catch a rabbit? Hide behind a bush and make a sound like lettuce) and them coming up with their own bizarre anti jokes which are hilarious (why was the boy inside the raisin? Because the raisin ate him). These often feel like the kernels of stories.