georgeboff's recent activity
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Comment on Tildes Book Club Discussion - October 2026 - Dr. No by Ian Flemming in ~books
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Comment on Tildes Book Club Discussion - October 2026 - Dr. No by Ian Flemming in ~books
georgeboff Link ParentI was familiar with James Bond the movie character (at least in a few different iterations of actors) but hadn't read any of the books before. James is a more well rounded character in the book I...I was familiar with James Bond the movie character (at least in a few different iterations of actors) but hadn't read any of the books before. James is a more well rounded character in the book I think - somewhat resentful towards his boss, suave and cool (the version I think of generally) with most of the people he interacts with, but surprisingly caring towards Honey and Quarrel and some of the other characters on the island. It's something that makes me want to read one or two more of the novels and maybe not watch any more of the movies.
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Comment on Not Solitaire in ~games
georgeboff Link ParentI enjoy Puzzmo games every day - most of them, anyway, as I don't play the poker or chess puzzles often. I've enjoyed not solitaire a fair bit since it came out but have had to purposely limit...I enjoy Puzzmo games every day - most of them, anyway, as I don't play the poker or chess puzzles often. I've enjoyed not solitaire a fair bit since it came out but have had to purposely limit myself because I found myself playing a little mindlessly and that's not why I enjoy doing puzzles. The conscious appreciation of working through a puzzle is part of the charm.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Future in ~books
georgeboff LinkI enjoy the book club and have read all of the books each month, as well as the discussion threads. I do not often comment in those threads, which is my own fault and not due to the way they are...I enjoy the book club and have read all of the books each month, as well as the discussion threads. I do not often comment in those threads, which is my own fault and not due to the way they are organized or to the quality of the conversation. So if we do keep the book club going (and I'd be in favor of that) I will try and do better and leave a comment or three :)
I like the monthly cadence but can understand if that's too busy for folks. I've also appreciated the varied nature of the books, even if I haven't always enjoyed the books (looking at you People's Future of the US) because it's gotten me to read things I might not have otherwise. I'd also be happy to host a discussion thread if needed.
All that to say that I have enjoyed the structure of the book club much as it is, but can be flexible if that's what's needed to keep as many folks as possible involved. Thanks to all those who've put in the work to keep it going up until now :)
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Comment on What is your "when I found out about 9/11" story? in ~talk
georgeboff LinkI grew up in the northern part of NJ about 20 miles from Manhattan. I was in school at the time, and we watched the second plane hit on TV like some other folks here. Pretty immediately kids were...I grew up in the northern part of NJ about 20 miles from Manhattan. I was in school at the time, and we watched the second plane hit on TV like some other folks here. Pretty immediately kids were getting calls and taken out of school. Something like 25 people I knew had parents who either worked in the WTC directly or in the immediate area, and at the time there was quite a bit of confusion and concern as you may imagine. I distinctly remember the Star Ledger headline from the next day TERROR BEYOND BELIEF in huge font over a picture of the burning towers. We later learned of flight 93 that crashed in PA and the one that hit the Pentagon. It was pretty formative for my political beliefs to watch what America chose to do afterwards, both in the hopeful sense (all of the volunteers streaming in, all of the stories of people helping those who lost) and in the terrible sense (so much racism, xenophobia, and the rampant militarism of the next decade).
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Have you started Dr. No by Ian Fleming? in ~books
georgeboff LinkI finished last night! I had seen a few James Bond movies but had never read any of the books. It is obviously a product of its time but overall I enjoyed it. Bond's ability to eat a several...I finished last night! I had seen a few James Bond movies but had never read any of the books. It is obviously a product of its time but overall I enjoyed it. Bond's ability to eat a several course meal and down several stiff drinks and then do super spy stuff is pretty funny. I look forwards to hearing folks' thoughts at the end of the month.
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Comment on End of Series - Tildes Book Club discussion - July 2026 - A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers in ~books
georgeboff Link ParentThis book club has ended up being more of a part of my life over the last few years than I might have anticipated when we started. I haven't enjoyed all of the books, but I have read all of them....This book club has ended up being more of a part of my life over the last few years than I might have anticipated when we started. I haven't enjoyed all of the books, but I have read all of them. I just wanted to add to the chorus of folks being appreciative to you in particular - but I also wanted to shout out all of the other folks who have taken time to write out their thoughts as we've been going along. Some of the conversation about the books have been as insightful or helpful as I could have asked for.
I for one am interested in reading the next few and would be glad to continue on with whatever this community decides the next version of the book club should look like :)
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Have you started A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers? in ~books
georgeboff LinkYes (about 60% through according to Kindle) and I'm enjoying it quite a bit so far! I will echo other comments and agree that I am really appreciating the vibes and world building in this one.Yes (about 60% through according to Kindle) and I'm enjoying it quite a bit so far! I will echo other comments and agree that I am really appreciating the vibes and world building in this one.
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Comment on Wallflower.app -- A "Literary" (read: calm) Mastodon and BlueSky web app in ~tech
georgeboff Link ParentSo it was apparently an account issue - after opening the page up again this evening I did get an error message saying my session had expired and a link to the settings page where I needed to...So it was apparently an account issue - after opening the page up again this evening I did get an error message saying my session had expired and a link to the settings page where I needed to remove and re-add my account. I have done so and reauthorized at bluesky and all is well on the page now.
One note I do have is that when I removed my account it took me to the page to add a new one, but it was specifically the Mastodon account page. I needed to back out and go back to the front to get the bluesky account field.
Thanks again for the program :)
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Comment on Wallflower.app -- A "Literary" (read: calm) Mastodon and BlueSky web app in ~tech
georgeboff Link ParentGood afternoon, I've been using the web app with no issues for the past week or two (I made a bluesky account) and have been enjoying it - thank you :). But today my home feed is empty despite...Good afternoon, I've been using the web app with no issues for the past week or two (I made a bluesky account) and have been enjoying it - thank you :). But today my home feed is empty despite showing posts in the bsky app itself. I can take some screenshots if that'd be helpful. I am using Firefox for Android version 152.0.1.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Have you started How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying? in ~books
georgeboff LinkI have not yet finished Pnin but I'm still working on it - hoping to pick up this one next weekend :)I have not yet finished Pnin but I'm still working on it - hoping to pick up this one next weekend :)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
georgeboff Link ParentI'm actually replaying this one now to get the achievement to reshelve the books without using any of the powers the game gives you to make it any easier. It's very relaxing for anyone who needs a...I'm actually replaying this one now to get the achievement to reshelve the books without using any of the powers the game gives you to make it any easier. It's very relaxing for anyone who needs a relatively straightforward game about cleaning something up until it's all better :)
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Have you started Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov? in ~books
georgeboff LinkI have it on my kindle but have not yet started reading yet. Hopefully looking to start this weekend :)I have it on my kindle but have not yet started reading yet. Hopefully looking to start this weekend :)
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - How are you progressing on The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See? in ~books
georgeboff LinkI finished a few nights ago - it could be a tough read at times and I questioned some of the plot hooks here and there but overall enjoyed it.I finished a few nights ago - it could be a tough read at times and I questioned some of the plot hooks here and there but overall enjoyed it.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - How is it going with The Metamorphosis? in ~books
georgeboff LinkI have also read it before but did read it again earlier this week (after taking a bit longer to finish The Truth than I expected). It is just how I remember it, and at least it's a pretty short...I have also read it before but did read it again earlier this week (after taking a bit longer to finish The Truth than I expected). It is just how I remember it, and at least it's a pretty short read relatively speaking.
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Comment on Tell me about your favourite web-based logic puzzles! in ~games
georgeboff Link ParentI play Puzzmo puzzles every day - I got into them via the crosswords but I do most of the other puzzles (not the poker or chess ones because I'm no good at those). Well recommended from me.I play Puzzmo puzzles every day - I got into them via the crosswords but I do most of the other puzzles (not the poker or chess ones because I'm no good at those). Well recommended from me.
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Comment on Third spaces: What do we want, and how do we get them? in ~life
georgeboff LinkI have a local game store that has a room to the side where they encourage folks to bring in other games or play D&D or the like. They sell snacks but people regularly bring in some food and sit...I have a local game store that has a room to the side where they encourage folks to bring in other games or play D&D or the like. They sell snacks but people regularly bring in some food and sit for a while. Obviously they prefer if you buy some things there but I've been meeting with some friends to play games almost every week for the last several years and we usually spend just a couple of dollars each time.
They also host tournaments, events for children, they organize movie nights when a nerdy movie is playing in the theaters, and generally provide a place for some of those same lonely people to come hang out for a while. I appreciate them greatly.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - February 2026 - The Truth by Terry Pratchett - Have you started? in ~books
georgeboff LinkI will be starting once I finish one of two of the other books I have going at the moment. I have read 10 or so other Discworld novels and enjoyed them so am looking forwards to this one.I will be starting once I finish one of two of the other books I have going at the moment. I have read 10 or so other Discworld novels and enjoyed them so am looking forwards to this one.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - We are Legion (We are Bob) - How is it going? in ~books
georgeboff Link ParentI finished the second one today and am getting started on the third :) I understand some of the criticisms of the characterization but this one hasn't rubbed me as wrong as Project Hail Mary did.I finished the second one today and am getting started on the third :) I understand some of the criticisms of the characterization but this one hasn't rubbed me as wrong as Project Hail Mary did.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - We are Legion (We are Bob) - How is it going? in ~books
georgeboff LinkI started on Halloween and was done by the 3rd. I thought it was great, and I'm 37% of the way through the second one in the series now.I started on Halloween and was done by the 3rd. I thought it was great, and I'm 37% of the way through the second one in the series now.
One note I had already made in the earlier discussion thread was something that struck me as funny - just before James goes on to the adventure of breaking free from Dr. No's maze he eats and drinks as if he was going to sit down for a smoke and lounge afterwards instead of climbing through ducts and escaping from a giant squid. My stomach cramps just thinking about it!