bugsmith's recent activity
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
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Comment on What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable? in ~books
bugsmith Link ParentMy understanding of it is that it depends on what energises you. I consider myself an outgoing introvert. I'm highly sociable and enjoy going out and seeing people, doing things with friends and...My understanding of it is that it depends on what energises you. I consider myself an outgoing introvert. I'm highly sociable and enjoy going out and seeing people, doing things with friends and even going to the office occasionally. But it absolutely exhausts me and I need plenty of time between social events to recharge and I thrive on solo time.
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Comment on What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable? in ~books
bugsmith Link ParentI think I'm too European to fully understand this recommendation, but it makes me feel sad :(I think I'm too European to fully understand this recommendation, but it makes me feel sad :(
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Comment on What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable? in ~books
bugsmith LinkI found Atomic Habits by James Clear to be life-changing. I've read many times that it's the ultimate example of a book that could have been a paragraph, or a blog post, etc. But for me, there is...I found Atomic Habits by James Clear to be life-changing. I've read many times that it's the ultimate example of a book that could have been a paragraph, or a blog post, etc. But for me, there is value in spending time with the concepts. I ran the London Marathon this year, which is one of the greatest achievements in my life, and I have no doubt it is ultimately as a result of having read this book a couple of years before.
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What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable?
Which titles have you enjoyed in the "self-help" or personal development category? How did they help you and what lasting changes have you made since reading them?
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Comment on Generals.io: a simple yet very cool online real time strategy game in ~games
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Comment on the power of CHOICE (a short film to motivate you) in ~life
bugsmith LinkWhilst I do find videos like this a bit preachy and showing a black vs white approach, I love them anyway. This one was good, and it's the exact kind of video that pops up on my feed and...Whilst I do find videos like this a bit preachy and showing a black vs white approach, I love them anyway. This one was good, and it's the exact kind of video that pops up on my feed and immediately sparks my desire to "do better", and that helps.
I saw a similar video a while back that had the same style, it may have been an animation though, with a guy making smaller choices, good on one side, bad on the other. On the "good" side, he slowly became slimmer, buffer, and was succeeding at work. On the "bad" side he became fat, lazy and overwhelmed at work. I'll see if I can dig that one out.
Edit: Found it.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
bugsmith Link ParentPotatoes is probably where I've seen the most significant improvement from a traditional convection over - they cook very fast and come out satisfyingly crispy.Potatoes is probably where I've seen the most significant improvement from a traditional convection over - they cook very fast and come out satisfyingly crispy.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
bugsmith LinkI finally bought an air fryer. I've been vehemently opposed to them as being fad mini convection ovens, and pointless for anyone who already has a fan assisted oven. I still kind of think that,...I finally bought an air fryer. I've been vehemently opposed to them as being fad mini convection ovens, and pointless for anyone who already has a fan assisted oven.
I still kind of think that, but the most recent heatwave in the UK made me want something that cooks quickly (i.e not preheating) and without generating too much heat.
I've not used it much yet, but it does noticeably cook things crispier and in less time.
I'm now looking for things that cook particularly well in it, that aren't meat.
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Comment on Digger | Official trailer in ~movies
bugsmith LinkI know nothing about the context of this movie. But... I think I'm going to enjoy it.I know nothing about the context of this movie. But... I think I'm going to enjoy it.
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Comment on Relationship troubles in ~life
bugsmith LinkI find threads like this on the Internet are often unable to capture enough of the context or nuance that could lead to comments feeling anything other than "it sounds over". From what you've...I find threads like this on the Internet are often unable to capture enough of the context or nuance that could lead to comments feeling anything other than "it sounds over".
From what you've described, it doesn't sound like your partner meets, or is interested in meeting your emotional needs. It sounds like they are checked out and not interested in addressing any issues in your relationship.
Is it possible you're just together through inertia at this point? Or sunk cost fallacy?
Ask yourself if you wouldn't be happier to separate, have some time for yourself and eventually look to meet someone who better matches who you are today.
In my experience, people change but only gradually. It took nearly ten years to go from where they were to how they are now. How long would it take to get to where you want them, if they are even willing?
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Comment on Official retailers in Europe have sold out of the Norwegian national football team's jerseys ahead of Saturday's 2026 World Cup quarter final between England and Norway in ~sports.football
bugsmith Link ParentOh god, stop... It's all I've heard all day and yet I know my heart is going to break, once again, when Haaland sends us home later!Oh god, stop...
It's all I've heard all day and yet I know my heart is going to break, once again, when Haaland sends us home later! -
Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
bugsmith LinkI've finished book four of Dungeon Crawler Carl and am starting... Three books. Which will be interesting. I'm starting Pachinko by Min Jin Lee as part of my work's book club. I've heard many...I've finished book four of Dungeon Crawler Carl and am starting... Three books. Which will be interesting.
I'm starting Pachinko by Min Jin Lee as part of my work's book club. I've heard many great things about this book, so I'm very excited to get started on it.
Based on my brother's recommendation, I'm listening to the audiobook of The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters. He read the physical book and said it has helped him immensely, and assisted him in overcoming dartitis, which he was shocked to discover is a real thing.
And finally, I am delving into Designing Data Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann in preparation for a systems design interview I have upcoming. I'm terrified as I've never done such an interview before, and honestly know very little about formal system design. This is stage four of the interview process, which has otherwise gone really well and I don't want to ruin it at this stage. I'm at chapter 6 now and have found the book incredibly insightful already.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
bugsmith Link ParentElantris is also my least favourite of his Cosmere universe, but I do still like it. It just stands out as being representative of his earlier work. The concept of it is great.Elantris is also my least favourite of his Cosmere universe, but I do still like it. It just stands out as being representative of his earlier work. The concept of it is great.
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Comment on Give me your culture clash stories in ~travel
bugsmith Link ParentAh, fair point! We did a trip from LA up to San Francisco and then cut through Las Vegas to Sedona, AZ (with many stops along the way). So California, Nevada and Arizona (we also dipped into Utah...Ah, fair point!
We did a trip from LA up to San Francisco and then cut through Las Vegas to Sedona, AZ (with many stops along the way).
So California, Nevada and Arizona (we also dipped into Utah but mostly interacted with other tourists there).
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Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
bugsmith LinkAfter years of an on-off relationship with lifting at the gym, I am more motivated than ever to build muscle and lose fat. Unfortunately, I don't want to increase my caloric intake as I really...After years of an on-off relationship with lifting at the gym, I am more motivated than ever to build muscle and lose fat. Unfortunately, I don't want to increase my caloric intake as I really don't want more fat. Which is a detriment to building muscle... I think I'm at the point where I need to eat more though, because my bench press and overhead press are both stalled (at 60 kg and 35 kg respectively).
My current plan is to just eat at a very slight deficit and lift three times per week and slowly try to lean out. Perhaps doing a higher deficit would be the 'better' choice, but in the past that has been the quickest stripper of any motivation.
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Comment on Give me your culture clash stories in ~travel
bugsmith Link ParentFor anyone else planning a trip to England who happens to read this: There is another neolithic stone circle not far from Stonehenge called Avebury. It is, in my opinion, a far more impressive...I found myself taking a bus to Stonehenge. Amazing site, highly recommend
For anyone else planning a trip to England who happens to read this: There is another neolithic stone circle not far from Stonehenge called Avebury. It is, in my opinion, a far more impressive site with far fewer tourists and I would implore anyone to visit that one as well (or even instead).
Americans seem to have a shared understanding that rules, including laws, don’t always need the utmost respect.
I think this is regional in the UK. Up north I think your bus experience would have been quite different, with either the driver letting you on and commenting on the weather, or at least opening the door and apologising if they didn't let you on for some reason.
But yes, this is definitely not an uncommon experience here and I too find it baffling!
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Comment on Give me your culture clash stories in ~travel
bugsmith Link ParentThat is very much the response I tended to receive before realising the error of my ways. Or someone would check over themselves and respond, puzzled, "Yeah... why?"That is very much the response I tended to receive before realising the error of my ways. Or someone would check over themselves and respond, puzzled, "Yeah... why?"
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Comment on Give me your culture clash stories in ~travel
bugsmith LinkGrowing up, because of the shared language and media, I always assumed the UK and America would be culturally similar. I was 22 when I first visited the states and let me tell you, it was a...Growing up, because of the shared language and media, I always assumed the UK and America would be culturally similar.
I was 22 when I first visited the states and let me tell you, it was a shocking revelation to realise how much more similar we are to our European neighbours. Perhaps obvious, in hindsight, given the distance and shared history.
This has only been reiterated over time as I've spent more hours working with various American and European companies.
A particularly British shock was finding out that saying "You alright?" is NOT a greeting in the states and people react with surprise that you're inquiring about their health so casually.
Sorry, I didn't really give a story as requested though... I definitely have a few and will endeavour to return to this thread and share some. I'm British and married to an Italian, so we've definitely had our fair share of culture clashes over the years.
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Comment on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is coming this fall in ~anime
bugsmith LinkI'm really looking forward to this. I am always in need of reasonable short season high impact shows, as I rarely have time to invest in a slow burn (as much as I adored shows like Better Call...I'm really looking forward to this. I am always in need of reasonable short season high impact shows, as I rarely have time to invest in a slow burn (as much as I adored shows like Better Call Saul, and anime like Monster).
The first was excellent, so I have high hopes for this.
I'm about a third of the way into Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.
It's gripped me so far. It has managed to keep me perfectly balanced on the edge of expecting everything to be fine or be a total disaster.
I'm really enjoying the setting. I've read a few books now set in east Asia and I really love exploring the cultural differences (whilst appreciating many of them will be exaggerated, embellished and characateured when consuming them indirectly through literature). I'll be looking for more novels set in Korea and Japan particularly.