bugsmith's recent activity
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Comment on What are your favorite funny, silly or wacky games? in ~games
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
bugsmith Link ParentMy Italian partner had the same experience when she came to the UK. She told me that Italians regularly make fun of us for our consumption of this meal (and many other things we eat...). For her,...UK: Beans on toast -- always thought it sounded a little gross, but turns out I love it.
My Italian partner had the same experience when she came to the UK. She told me that Italians regularly make fun of us for our consumption of this meal (and many other things we eat...). For her, it was a saddening but enlightening day that she first tried this delicacy. I was careful to ensure she had Branston beans (the super brand of baked beans, of course) and an immodest quantity of salted butter on the toast.
It is now a bit of a treat when we're tired from work and can't be bothered to cook something more proper. But it is something she hides from her friends...
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
bugsmith Link ParentYou have transported me back nearly ten years. I used to travel to Dublin and Belfast for my job and totally fell in love with Irish pubs and food. I am British, so our pubs and cuisines are quite...You have transported me back nearly ten years. I used to travel to Dublin and Belfast for my job and totally fell in love with Irish pubs and food. I am British, so our pubs and cuisines are quite similar (as you may well know), but for me there is just something special about Ireland. I think it's the people more than anything else.
Anyway, all that to say, I have had my fair share of coddles and variations of it, and I completely agree - total comfort food. Nothing better to raise your spirits on a dark winter's eve.
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
bugsmith Link ParentOh yes, Tibs are phenomenal. I don't get them anymore as I've stopped eating meat, but definitely something I recommend to those who do.Oh yes, Tibs are phenomenal. I don't get them anymore as I've stopped eating meat, but definitely something I recommend to those who do.
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
bugsmith Link ParentAmerica is a big country with a whole lot of variation from region to region, so I cannot speak for the whole place. That said, I have eaten American Indian food in a few places and found it quite...America is a big country with a whole lot of variation from region to region, so I cannot speak for the whole place. That said, I have eaten American Indian food in a few places and found it quite different. Oddly, the only place I tried it where it felt similar to back home was in Las Vegas (a place I otherwise despised visiting).
My understanding is that British Indian food is actually more strongly influenced by Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants. Things like Tikka Masala and Butter chicken were similar (but definitely not the same), but things like Vindaloo were completely different (and actually the US version I tried was much closer to authentic Goan vindaloo). Neither were better nor worse in my opinion, but definitely different.
The place you described may be a bit more similar to BIR that tends to be quite tomato forward.
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
bugsmith Link ParentI am very much biased (being from the UK), but I think our best food is (like much of the best parts of our culture) stolen and adapted. British Indian Restaurant (BIR) is ridiculously tasty, and...I am very much biased (being from the UK), but I think our best food is (like much of the best parts of our culture) stolen and adapted. British Indian Restaurant (BIR) is ridiculously tasty, and usually a pretty cheap option compared to other restaurants.
It's similar to typical Indian food, but adapted to the British palate. Most curry's will be wet, consisting of what is effectively a spicy gravy filled with different types and cuts of meats. Favourites include Chicken Tikka Masala, Korma, Balti, Madras and Vindaloo (all quite different to their traditional Indian counterparts). I usually recommend the former for people new to the cuisine, followed by a good Balti for those with a higher spice threshold. The latter two are much hotter, and really only enjoyable for those that love their food when described as 'Fiery Hot' (a group I include myself in).
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
bugsmith Link ParentI'm from the UK and Greek food is definitely considered quality cuisine. Unfortunately, a lot of 'Greek' food and 'Turkish' food (also amazing cuisine) gets swallowed up by our ubiquitous kebab...I'm from the UK and Greek food is definitely considered quality cuisine. Unfortunately, a lot of 'Greek' food and 'Turkish' food (also amazing cuisine) gets swallowed up by our ubiquitous kebab shops that serve a lacklustre imitation of either, typically consumed when drunk at 01:00 in the morning.
If you find yourself in a shop calling itself a 'Greek Taverna' you're likely in for a good time though.
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
bugsmith LinkFor me, it's Ethiopian food. I say this as someone who has not yet visited Ethiopia (although it's very much in the plan). I was introduced to it by a friend and have since visited several...For me, it's Ethiopian food. I say this as someone who has not yet visited Ethiopia (although it's very much in the plan). I was introduced to it by a friend and have since visited several Ethiopian restaurants.
It's a particularly vegetarian friendly cuisine (and vegan too, actually). Lots of texture, lots of spices (Berbere is amazing) and super simple, flavourful food.
Wat is probably the most well known, and it's absolutely one of my favourites. "Wat" is less a dish, and more a type of stew that can come in many varieties. When I've visited restaurants, I have ordered a dish that comes with an Injera (delicious Ethiopian / Eritrean flatbread) with a variety of Wats on top. It's an excellent introduction to the cuisine.
If you're a somewhat (had to resist the impulse to write sumwat...) adventurous cook, it's reasonably approachable in a western style kitchen if you're in a built-up area with access to what you might refer to as 'ethnic ingredients'. Give it a go!
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What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine?
It doesn't need to be from countries known for "bad" cuisine. Just try to avoid obvious countries like Italy, France, Japan or China (as a handful of examples). Having said the above, that is also...
It doesn't need to be from countries known for "bad" cuisine. Just try to avoid obvious countries like Italy, France, Japan or China (as a handful of examples).
Having said the above, that is also coming from a western (European) perspective. If those countries are not well known for their cuisine in your area, then feel free to choose them!
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
bugsmith LinkI have been obsessed with Pinto beans lately. I like to buy dry and pressure cook when I have time, but I have actually been eating canned recently. Most of the time, I mostly drain a can and then...I have been obsessed with Pinto beans lately. I like to buy dry and pressure cook when I have time, but I have actually been eating canned recently.
Most of the time, I mostly drain a can and then dump it into some garlic (two cloves) and cumin seeds (0.5 tsp) I have been frying for a few mins. Add salt to taste and mash a few of them, then cook until breaks down a bit.
I guess it's a lazy refried beans that I leave mostly whole rather than totally mashing. I absolutely love it, and think I could eat it every day and as a side to everything. It's an amazing taco filling when paired with some crunchy vegetables (and optionally a bit of cheese too).
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Comment on How often do you brush your teeth? in ~life
bugsmith LinkNot as often as I wish I would... I brush at least once every day, which I aim to be sometime between my final meal of the day and going to sleep. This means I am covered right through the night...Not as often as I wish I would...
I brush at least once every day, which I aim to be sometime between my final meal of the day and going to sleep. This means I am covered right through the night and up until I next eat, which will often be around noon the following day.
I do also like to brush my teeth in the morning, mostly just to freshen up and help alleviate morning breath, but I don't do this consistently. Worst of all, for some reason, on the odd occasion I have breakfast I often forget to brush afterward - when it would have really counted!
I am also a terrible flosser. I will not floss for months on end, and then after the guilt has built enough I will floss fanatically for several weeks in a continuous cycle.
At one point I also used midday teeth brushing after lunch as a tool to curb afternoon snacking, as I'd gotten into a terrible habit of eating snacks right after finishing lunch.
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Comment on How frequently do you shower? in ~life
bugsmith Link ParentDo you not feel it would be better to proactively prevent the ick/stink than wait for it to actually happen? Likely, if you can smell yourself or give yourself "the ick", others have smelt you...Do you not feel it would be better to proactively prevent the ick/stink than wait for it to actually happen?
Likely, if you can smell yourself or give yourself "the ick", others have smelt you long before.
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Comment on How frequently do you shower? in ~life
bugsmith Link ParentThere's more variables than that though. The flow rate of the shower and the type. At least here in the UK we have both electric showers that heat cold water at the point of showering, but also...There's more variables than that though. The flow rate of the shower and the type. At least here in the UK we have both electric showers that heat cold water at the point of showering, but also mixer showers that make use of stored hot water that is typically heated with gas.
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Comment on How frequently do you shower? in ~life
bugsmith Link ParentHaha. I already have it on standby, waiting for him to smell. Hopefully he'll take me up on it immediately otherwise, like many other boys of that age, it may take an off comment from someone...Haha. I already have it on standby, waiting for him to smell. Hopefully he'll take me up on it immediately otherwise, like many other boys of that age, it may take an off comment from someone outside the family to prompt the change.
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Comment on How frequently do you shower? in ~life
bugsmith Link ParentInteresting. We also reduced showering for environmental reasons, but - rather than reducing the frequency of showering - we reduced duration and temperature. I am able to shower, thoroughly,...Interesting. We also reduced showering for environmental reasons, but - rather than reducing the frequency of showering - we reduced duration and temperature.
I am able to shower, thoroughly, within five or so minutes. This includes shampoo and conditioner. This is admittedly much easier as a man with reasonably short hair. Mostly it was a case of making showering purely functional rather than for enjoyment. I get in, get wet and immediately wash my hair, then my face and so on. I don't just stand under the water contemplating as I used to. I also turn off the water while I lather.
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Comment on How telling people to die became normal - merciless trolling is a fact of online life that may never go away in ~tech
bugsmith LinkA friend of mine recently attended an after-work social at a pub. 90% of the people attending would have been forty or older, and several including him were early thirties. There were also two...A friend of mine recently attended an after-work social at a pub. 90% of the people attending would have been forty or older, and several including him were early thirties. There were also two nineteen year-olds that had joined the company about six-months prior to this.
I was absolutely shocked to hear that after getting quite drunk and letting their hair down a bit, they started harassing a few other members of staff by telling them that they were overpaid for how easy their jobs were and that it's ridiculous they aren't making the same money.
It was initially taken as young men not knowing what's acceptable or not, but after it continued for a while it ended up with quite a few people getting upset. My friend took one of them aside and told him how inappropriate the behaviour was and that he should not drink so much if this is the result. He took it pretty well and calmed down a bit.
Later, the same young colleague was mocking another in a bit of back and forth banter (totally acceptable), but a lot of his humour was just lost on the older crowd which I think frustrated him. My friend asked him something like "how much did you pay to get your haircut like that?", which was humour appropriate to the current conversation, but he absolutely shocked the table when he turned around for his witty retort and asked "when was the last time you thought about killing yourself?".
When I was told about this, I as absolutely shocked. Never before have I heard of someone who was put together enough to get themselves a decent job in a corporate setting, but didn't have the presence of mind to know that something like that was far, far beyond acceptable.
I don't know if that's something related to the humour of his generation or just something off about this particular person - possibly a little of both by the sound of it.
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Comment on Many people think cannabis smoke is harmless − a physician explains how that belief can put people at risk in ~health
bugsmith Link ParentI think you're over valuing your anecdotal experience there. A lot more people smoke cannabis than the people involved in social circles around it. There are many people who partake non-socially....I think you're over valuing your anecdotal experience there. A lot more people smoke cannabis than the people involved in social circles around it. There are many people who partake non-socially. The equivalent to someone opening a bottle of wine on a Friday to unwind will roll a joint for the same purpose, but may not touch it during the work week.
While I personally have no idea what is truly considered "heavy" or "light", I would certainly consider a joint per day to be heavy (as I would with someone drinking wine or beer every day). In my own anecdotal experience, I have worked in several organisations rife with people who seem to smoke it in the casual manner I suggested - and I know a handful of people who smoke to deal with chronic pain, but typically only smoke when it gets very bad.
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Comment on How frequently do you shower? in ~life
bugsmith LinkI shower once per day as a baseline. For me, I need at least one in the morning because I typically sweat at night, both in summer and winter. If nothing else, my hair will be like a bird's nest...I shower once per day as a baseline. For me, I need at least one in the morning because I typically sweat at night, both in summer and winter. If nothing else, my hair will be like a bird's nest in the morning, and as I'd need to wet it to regain control of it anyway, it would be silly not to just have a shower. I also don't feel clean without that morning shower, and will feel self conscious about it if it's missed.
The climate in the UK is rarely hot, but we do get weeks at a time where it is both hot (27 °C - 30 °C) and humid. During these hot weeks, I'll often have another shower before bed too. I will also have another one if I go out for a run (often I mitigate this by running before my morning shower).
I will often have a second shower later in the day if I'm going out in the evening too.
As a counterpoint, my son hates showering. He begrudgingly has one each evening after school - but I suspect as he moves toward teenagehood, that he will also need a morning shower. On the occasions I insist on a second shower for whatever reason, it provokes moral outrage and disgust.
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How frequently do you shower?
I'm interested to know how often people shower or bathe - but I'd also be interested on your thoughts about other people's frequency. Do you feel strongly about how often one should be cleaning...
I'm interested to know how often people shower or bathe - but I'd also be interested on your thoughts about other people's frequency. Do you feel strongly about how often one should be cleaning themselves, and what factors go into this? I would certainly hope it's reasonably frequent for warm-climate athletes, for example.
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Comment on How long was it before you let your dog off leash? in ~life.pets
bugsmith LinkThere is a definitely a bit of culture clash in this thread going on, but I suspect it's just because people are unfamiliar with the modus operandi of other countries when it comes to dog walking....There is a definitely a bit of culture clash in this thread going on, but I suspect it's just because people are unfamiliar with the modus operandi of other countries when it comes to dog walking.
I am from the UK and my partner is from Italy. In both countries, there are different levels of dog off-leash acceptability and in Italy it actually seems to be more region specific (as does everything with Italy though). In both countries, off-lead walking is mostly accepted and common.
In the UK, it's totally okay to have well behaved dogs with good recall off lead during a walk through fields, woods or anywhere that isn't a residential neighbourhood or next to a busy road. However, in my experience, it is expected that the dog remain close to the owner and when another person or dog is spotted, they are recalled and potentially put back on lead until it's make clear by both parties that the dogs can interact (which would be typical).
I think it is really bad form when a dog is allowed to effectively free roam and approach people and dogs without permission. One recent situation that really annoyed me was when I was in a public park with my son (massive green space with trees, tennis courts, flowered areas, etc) and we were playing catch with a tennis ball. On a missed catch, my son went to collect the ball and was beaten to it by a springer spaniel with no apparent owner in sight. We both try to encourage the dog to drop the ball, but what it actually did was to keep dropping it until we approached and then picked it back up and ran away.
Eventually, a family nearby turned from their picnic to see what had happened and came to take the ball from their dog. They had to take it by force and by the time we got it back it was a dirty, soggy mess. They tried to laugh it off as "dogs huh, what can you do?". We didn't find it funny and I recall one of them saying to another that we needed to lighten up, not so discreetly.
Anyway, I think it's totally acceptable for a well trained dog to be kept off leash and close by, but the concept it ruined by irresponsible owners who don't seem to understand that not everyone is as keen to interact with their dog as they are.
I absolutely adored Patapon. An absolute gem of the PSP. Thank you so much for making me aware of Ratatan!