Hobofarmer's recent activity

  1. Comment on How do you want to define 2026 for yourself? in ~talk

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    The biggest hurdle for me was always income. I'm finally in a position where my income is livable on my own. Over the last few years I've also put a lot of work into learning how to budget...

    The biggest hurdle for me was always income. I'm finally in a position where my income is livable on my own. Over the last few years I've also put a lot of work into learning how to budget effectively, which has been a huge help.

    I'm coming up on 40 as well in the next few years, and I'm realizing I have not prepared enough for the future... The least I can do is begin now!

    I like how you brought up patience - you're absolutely correct that it helps to be patient. It's something I've gotten better at with age as well.

    Good luck to you!

    1 vote

  2. Comment on How do you want to define 2026 for yourself? in ~talk

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    It means that I am able to pay down my current debt to zero within the next few months. It means that I have at least a month's expenses in savings by the end of the year. It means I know where my...

    It means that I am able to pay down my current debt to zero within the next few months. It means that I have at least a month's expenses in savings by the end of the year. It means I know where my money is going and why, following my budget.

    These are the specific and actionable goals I've set for myself this coming year, and I'm already well on my way towards achieving them. Additionally though...

    It means freedom from worrying about purchasing things like a lunch occasionally, a game I like when it's on sale, or going out for a drink with friends. I want to be able to afford these small things (<$20) once or twice a week without stressing about it. I've worked it into my budget, so it's no biggie - the hardest part with these purchases is not letting it get out of hand.

    2 votes

  3. Comment on How do you want to define 2026 for yourself? in ~talk

    Hobofarmer
    Link
    I want to continue my path to increased financial freedom and security. I want to continue building my connections and reputation in my new job. I want to create more opportunities to have shared...

    I want to continue my path to increased financial freedom and security.

    I want to continue building my connections and reputation in my new job.

    I want to create more opportunities to have shared experiences with my son.

    7 votes

  4. Comment on Supergirl | Official teaser in ~movies

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    I'm not a dog person. The aggressively friendly kind of dog, like this, is not cute to me, it's terrifying. I hope it stops being normalized.

    I'm not a dog person. The aggressively friendly kind of dog, like this, is not cute to me, it's terrifying. I hope it stops being normalized.

    7 votes

  5. Comment on Millions of Americans mess up their taxes. A new law will help. in ~society

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    Hey, that's my representative! Nice to see he's doing something useful. I've had my own struggles with the IRS - I'm happy to pay my taxes, yet I despise the system for doing so. It is purposely...

    Hey, that's my representative! Nice to see he's doing something useful. I've had my own struggles with the IRS - I'm happy to pay my taxes, yet I despise the system for doing so. It is purposely byzantine and hostile to the average taxpayer.

    10 votes

  6. Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of December 1 in ~society

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    This is such an obvious behind the mask moment for what the administration is utilizing pardons as.

    This is such an obvious behind the mask moment for what the administration is utilizing pardons as.

    6 votes

  7. Comment on Winter boot recommendations for women in ~life.style

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    So regarding value, I recently sent some in for the warranty and they honored it. I'd recommend sending in bulk only because you have to pay shipping to get it to them, but usps flat rate shipping...

    So regarding value, I recently sent some in for the warranty and they honored it. I'd recommend sending in bulk only because you have to pay shipping to get it to them, but usps flat rate shipping is by far the way to go. It isn't terribly expensive.

    3 votes

  8. Comment on Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston and a gaggle of stereotypes introduce Windows 95 features in this time capsule video in ~tech

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    As a kid going through it I had no idea. I went from windows 3.11 (my dad gave me his old machine to play around with in 96) to windows 98SE (my mom got a new pc in 99) though, which was a massive...

    As a kid going through it I had no idea. I went from windows 3.11 (my dad gave me his old machine to play around with in 96) to windows 98SE (my mom got a new pc in 99) though, which was a massive change.

    2 votes

  9. Comment on Do you feel like you’ve had many lives so far? Why, why not? Which? in ~life

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    I quite like this. It opens up a lot of questions to ask about yourself and others.

    One of my favorite quotes is that life is about taking the message you hold as a young child to the old person you will become, being sure not to lose the message along the way.

    I quite like this. It opens up a lot of questions to ask about yourself and others.

    1 vote

  10. Comment on RAM is so expensive, Samsung won’t even sell it to Samsung in ~tech

    Hobofarmer
    Link
    The same RAM I bought one year ago for $120 is now retailing for $500. Is this the vaunted "free market economy" that so many seem to harp on about?

    The same RAM I bought one year ago for $120 is now retailing for $500. Is this the vaunted "free market economy" that so many seem to harp on about?

    25 votes

  11. Comment on Any tips for learning a new language at my age? (50s) via Babbel? in ~humanities.languages

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    This is actually a documented phenomenon. It happens to me all the time as well. I'm English/Dutch fluent, with a smattering of French and Spanish. I'm trying to learn more Spanish since a...

    This is actually a documented phenomenon. It happens to me all the time as well. I'm English/Dutch fluent, with a smattering of French and Spanish. I'm trying to learn more Spanish since a majority (80% or so) of my school's student body speaks it, but French keeps throwing a monkey wrench into everything.

    "What do you mean 'On y va'?"

    2 votes

  12. Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (December 2025) in ~health.mental

    Hobofarmer
    Link
    Honestly, I'm struggling. Really working on just keeping my chin up, and not sliding into depression over a major shift in my personal life which I don't feel ready to dive into yet here. I've got...

    Honestly, I'm struggling. Really working on just keeping my chin up, and not sliding into depression over a major shift in my personal life which I don't feel ready to dive into yet here. I've got a great support network of friends and family, which has been a big help. I feel what I really need is a big change in environment. I can't achieve that though, not yet, and not for a while, so I have to manage what I can.

    Professionally, some of you may recall that I was elated after finding a job last minute this summer (I work teaching elementary school) and it's been such a great transition for me. It shook up a lot of cobwebs for me and had presented amazing challenges to overcome. My coworkers have all been amazing and helpful, without any apparent drama or politicking between anyone. It's so refreshing.

    I was even invited to join a D&D session!

    Currently the major challenges I face are from two students. I'm working with my team to find solutions to help them, yet it's been difficult dealing with consistently disruptive students. I'm working with an entirely different demographic and age, so it's been a learning curve there for me.

    10 votes

  13. Comment on The realities of being a pop star in ~music

    Hobofarmer
    (edited )
    Link
    Is it schadenfraude to feel disgusted and yet desire this lifestyle? We really only see the veneer of most of these artists - what the media shows. What's really going on underneath? One artist...

    Is it schadenfraude to feel disgusted and yet desire this lifestyle?

    We really only see the veneer of most of these artists - what the media shows. What's really going on underneath?

    One artist that always comes to mind is Ariana Grande. She began the same as Jeanette McCurdy and others on Nickelodeon, and 100% was subjected to the same depredations as the rest of the child stars, yet as far as I know hasn't come out and said anything about it. Considering the music they've put out, it seems almost like they revel in it and acknowledge "yes I got here by doing this... And I'll continue." I wonder about her.

    I can't really articulate why fame in general disgusts me. I don't have much more to add right now about it, I just vehemently dislike the automatic respect famous people are given.

    Edit: ok I admit I didn't read through the whole article before posting. I went back, read it, and I'm impressed at the self reflection and introspection of the author. It even touches on some of what I wrote above - which I'm leaving for posterity - and addresses that. A concept of what a pop star is to society, what they ought to be, and the comparison to their old life.

    This is a strongly feminist article in that it highlights specifically the feminine foibles - sex symbol vs whore, vapid vs intelligent, etc. It plays right into my original thought, recoiling away from automatic respect of fame. Do I do the same characterization? Denigrating those who I feel are unworthy of their fortune despite positive qualities?

    I know I have in the past, I'm sure I am now, and I certainly will in the future. I hope I continue to find writers like this author who challenge my beliefs and make me reconsider my views.

    15 votes

  14. How do you design your campaigns?

    ~games.tabletop Ask
    Let me define a campaign as an episodic story with a clear hook, rising action (or actions), climax, and ending. It would ideally be a story that goes for multiple (at least 4 or 5) play sessions...

    Let me define a campaign as an episodic story with a clear hook, rising action (or actions), climax, and ending. It would ideally be a story that goes for multiple (at least 4 or 5) play sessions so as to distinguish it from a one shot.

    How do you, as a DM, develop and run these?

    Over the years in my group we've all taken turns running campaigns, one shots, sessions, etc and what's always fascinated me most is how everyone's planning style is so different. Some get into ridiculous detail, while others (guilty...) tend to improv.

    19 votes

  15. Comment on Thankful for y’all in ~talk

    Hobofarmer
    Link
    Tildes is the warm fire and frosty drink at the end of a long day. Grateful to have this place and all of you, even if I don't post as much as others.

    Tildes is the warm fire and frosty drink at the end of a long day. Grateful to have this place and all of you, even if I don't post as much as others.

    39 votes

  16. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    What do you consider the soul of their vision? Imo my biggest complaint about TF2 vs 1 was that they dumbed down industry. It feels like a much more linear game in a weird way. Also the music from...

    What do you consider the soul of their vision?

    Imo my biggest complaint about TF2 vs 1 was that they dumbed down industry. It feels like a much more linear game in a weird way.

    Also the music from TF1 slaps.

    Ultimately though, it isn't anything I can't fix with mods and I like the slightly updated visuals and extra themes. I'm optimistic for TF3 though I recognize I might not be thrilled about it from the get go. Luckily I'm a patient gamer that can wait for a few patch cycles.

  17. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    What makes you say that about TF1 vs TF2? Not that I disagree but I'm curious about why.

    What makes you say that about TF1 vs TF2? Not that I disagree but I'm curious about why.

  18. Comment on What are the simple things in your life that you are thankful for? in ~life

    Hobofarmer
    Link
    I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given this year, and the courage I've had to pursue them.

    I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given this year, and the courage I've had to pursue them.

    7 votes

  19. Comment on One of Sweden's most famous literary characters, Pippi Longstocking, turns 80 years old today in ~books

  20. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    Hobofarmer
    Link Parent
    Oh I was looking at this. I'll give it a bit more time to cook.

    Oh I was looking at this. I'll give it a bit more time to cook.