insomnic's recent activity
-
Comment on The main problem with the Fediverse is that people mostly just use it to talk about the Fediverse in ~tech
-
Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
insomnic Link ParentUpdated my Foo Fighter collection just this week and added the new “But Here We Are” album and really enjoying both the nostalgia of the older stuff and the new music.Updated my Foo Fighter collection just this week and added the new “But Here We Are” album and really enjoying both the nostalgia of the older stuff and the new music.
-
Comment on What are some of your favorite cookbooks that you find yourself returning to time and time again? in ~food
insomnic Link ParentAlong the same lines is Betty Crocker cookbooks … which are regularly updated (more vegan dishes lately for example). It has all the basics for foundational cooking recipes but also interesting...Along the same lines is Betty Crocker cookbooks … which are regularly updated (more vegan dishes lately for example). It has all the basics for foundational cooking recipes but also interesting recipes and lots of beginner presentation. Very accessible cookbook.
-
Comment on What is the oldest TV show you actually enjoy? in ~tv
insomnic Link ParentWas watching Scrubs recently (2nd time for me, 1st time for wife) and she mentioned never really watching MASH when I mentioned they were similar medical "dramedy" shows. So we interspersed Scrubs...Was watching Scrubs recently (2nd time for me, 1st time for wife) and she mentioned never really watching MASH when I mentioned they were similar medical "dramedy" shows. So we interspersed Scrubs with MASH for a bit and really they kinda worked together and MASH held up better than I thought it would - she loves 'em and doesn't have nostalgia attached to them.
-
Comment on Can anyone help me with home security systems? in ~tech
insomnic LinkThe security advice I've seen mentioned most - and am using myself - is to put up a sign from an actual security service up (and the stickers). Most security companies sell their signs and...The security advice I've seen mentioned most - and am using myself - is to put up a sign from an actual security service up (and the stickers). Most security companies sell their signs and stickers so don't use a fake one from Amazon as those are recognized as fake evidently. For additional display, put a dog bowl in the back yard and maybe hang a leash near an entryway window. The sign alone will prevent a significantly large percentage of opportunistic home invasion. Like most security, you don't have to outrun the bear, you just need to outrun the other guy.
I have cameras but those aren't very preventative at all because without more info, having a picture of the person doesn't mean anything typically - there is no "scan the database" like you see on TV - unless they are already known to police. They can be useful for after the fact proof (police, insurance, delivery thefts) and to just keep an eye on things at home.
-
Comment on When did you first start watching anime? in ~anime
insomnic Link ParentBecause our age bracket put us in such a niche group with limited anime selection at the time we'll all have very similar "first anime" stories from us I think...Because our age bracket put us in such a niche group with limited anime selection at the time we'll all have very similar "first anime" stories from us I think...
-
Comment on I've taken the leap from Reddit in ~talk
insomnic Link ParentOne thing I noticed with recent users is a focus on r/all and the default subs. A lot of new users of reddit didn't seem to be familiar with the process or function of curating the r/frontpage...One thing I noticed with recent users is a focus on r/all and the default subs. A lot of new users of reddit didn't seem to be familiar with the process or function of curating the r/frontpage setup outside the default subs.
As a newer user to reddit, how did that aspect of reddit come to you? I have just a few personal anecdotes from friends that joined recently and they definitely seem to focus on r/all and the defaults subs of r/frontpage - had no real knowledge of the difference or customizing subscriptions. They aren't very savvy though so I'm curious about your experience in that regard.
-
Comment on What was your fondest memories of anime? in ~anime
insomnic LinkPassing Fist of the North Star fansubbed VHS tapes around school... and knowing I helped add some of the missing subtitles and created a few extra copies (Dad had the tech I knew how to use and...Passing Fist of the North Star fansubbed VHS tapes around school... and knowing I helped add some of the missing subtitles and created a few extra copies (Dad had the tech I knew how to use and friend had the language skills). Felt so "underground club" for a geeky kid.
More importantly, I'm glad anime has become so easily accessible to others now that they can make their own memories (even if some of them make me feel really old).
-
Comment on All 230 new emojis coming in 2019 in ~tech
insomnic Link ParentI think it depends on who you are communicating with and the context. I never used emoji in professional emails but it's become common to at least include a smiley or wink to help convey tone -...I think it depends on who you are communicating with and the context.
I never used emoji in professional emails but it's become common to at least include a smiley or wink to help convey tone - particularly with people I don't interact with very often in person.
Emoji can be useful to convey tone outside of the stated text to apply an emotional context to the words. I think things like "LOL" or other shorthand work as well (
*smile*or*wink*) depending on platform and who you're conversing with - but emoji are pretty universally "felt" because of the imagery. -
Comment on your ways of staying healthy? in ~health
insomnic LinkAlso tied to a desk most of the day... wasn't worried about being fat but wanted to feel healthier (aches and pains... general tiredness... etc). This is what helped me. Get Up --- just get up for...Also tied to a desk most of the day... wasn't worried about being fat but wanted to feel healthier (aches and pains... general tiredness... etc). This is what helped me.
- Get Up --- just get up for a few seconds every 30 minutes or hour. Doesn't even have to be that much... just stand and stretch and then sit back down.
- Light Exercise --- I setup a short morning routine of one set of pushups, situps and squats (with light stretching in between) most mornings. Not even much to work up a sweat just enough to feel that I've used the muscles (usually just did the "until tired" instead of counting reps). Really short - like 5-10 minutes.
Really, the regular small dose of exercise built up over time to help me feel generally healthier. I wasn't trying to be buff or skinny ... just healthier ... and those two simple things worked well for me.
I started doing isometric stomach exercises while brushing my teeth ... two minutes of "try to flex your abs into your spine" and you'll feel it (should feel similar to trying to force all the air out of your lungs) ... a long time ago when a physical trainer mentioned it as a simple way to work core exercises into regular daytime routines. It really helped after a few weeks\months and that's what pointed me towards the short but regular exercise routine idea.
As a note - I varied the style of sit-ups and pushups after awhile to keep it from being repetitive and hit some different muscle groups. The idea was to just build up the core sets of muscles so I often ended up combining a few different stomach\back exercises (plank and leg lifts and so forth). I also got a pull-up bar eventually and use that at random times throughout the week and that helped a bit too.
Hope this helps or maybe someone with more fitness experience can expand on this type of routine.
-
Comment on I cut Google out of my life. It screwed up everything in ~tech
insomnic Link ParentI recently switched to ProtonMail (or at least in the process) and it works well... it's getting regular updates and upgrades to functionality so some of the irritations of the app or web...I recently switched to ProtonMail (or at least in the process) and it works well... it's getting regular updates and upgrades to functionality so some of the irritations of the app or web interface do get addressed.
-
Comment on DuckDuckGo will use Apple Maps in search results in ~tech
insomnic Link ParentI believe Apple Maps is getting away from TomTom as they are currently testing their own database in ... California I believe? ... so they can own and manage the data themselves. Here is a short...I believe Apple Maps is getting away from TomTom as they are currently testing their own database in ... California I believe? ... so they can own and manage the data themselves. Here is a short rundown of their "street view" data collection schedule: https://maps.apple.com/vehicles/
I'm hoping it works better for mapping and navigation as Google Maps has become a bit more of a guidebook.
-
Comment on Conservative Christian group launches campaign against “Buddhist meditation” in public schools in ~humanities
insomnic Link ParentI think you have a good point. Posting the article is fine I think but some comments are definitely "Christian bashing". If some of these same comments were used in other topics they would have...I think you have a good point. Posting the article is fine I think but some comments are definitely "Christian bashing". If some of these same comments were used in other topics they would have been called out as low effort that didn't contribute to the conversation if not outright against the "be civil" policy.
-
Comment on Former President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the ‘state of our democracy’ in ~news
insomnic LinkI missed it by 15 seconds ... just saw the cheering and the wave goodbye. But didn't miss the live comments thread... oh my.I missed it by 15 seconds ... just saw the cheering and the wave goodbye. But didn't miss the live comments thread... oh my.
-
Comment on Trying to de-Google my life bit by bit. What should I do to move away from gmail? in ~tech
insomnic LinkEmail changes are, from my understanding, the most difficult part so I like seeing the recommendations here. For my de-googling - bit by bit - I'm cheating by switching services to the Synology...Email changes are, from my understanding, the most difficult part so I like seeing the recommendations here.
For my de-googling - bit by bit - I'm cheating by switching services to the Synology services on my prebuilt home server from them. The "Moments" photo sync and organization is practically a clone of Google Photos and iCloud Photos and it's what made my choice to get away from Google a bit easier - Google Photos just works so easily! They have Docker support as well for hosting lots of other non-native services easily as well (like BitWarden self hosting which is what I'm looking into now).
-
Comment on People are destroying their Nike gear to protest Colin Kaepernick’s ‘Just Do It’ campaign in ~sports.american_football
insomnic LinkI guess donating them so people who don't have shoes can use what they don't want themselves? I mean "I won't support them so I won't have them in my life anymore" can be a donate moment rather...I guess donating them so people who don't have shoes can use what they don't want themselves?
I mean "I won't support them so I won't have them in my life anymore" can be a donate moment rather than a burn it up moment right?
-
Comment on People Start Hating Their Jobs at Age 35 in ~life
insomnic Link ParentI had a really shit job recently - but I didn't mind going in because I had some of those "work friends". People that I liked chatting with and since leaving that job we still hang out sometimes...I had a really shit job recently - but I didn't mind going in because I had some of those "work friends". People that I liked chatting with and since leaving that job we still hang out sometimes and it's a good thing. They are still my friends even though I don't work there and see them as often. That makes a difference. It's very different from going to work with your friends too - like when a buddy gets you a job - different dynamic occurs when you make friends with work people vs going to work at a place that a friend works.
I stopped worrying about the company after enough buy-outs and lay-off etc ... they don't care about me why should I care about them? What I learned to focus on was the team and people I worked with directly. The people I saw everyday be it cube mates or the folks at the cafeteria. It made work less about the job and more about the people and that was easier to manage. So "work buddies" is definitely something that can improve your work environment.
-
Comment on America might be ready for democratic socialism. It’s not ready for the bill. in ~society
insomnic Link ParentI agree entirely. I think that's a big argument for changes in the tax codes because of those examples you provided. I still think most of those come from people abusing the loop holes. I thought,...I agree entirely. I think that's a big argument for changes in the tax codes because of those examples you provided. I still think most of those come from people abusing the loop holes.
I thought, at least with gambling, you could claim some losses though too? I thought that was how the "no risk but all gain" for the IRS aspect was handled.
And the "death tax" ... I think some of that was because it was being used to avoid paying any taxes on certain types of income. Another closing of a loophole that kinda messes up (but that has dollar value rules like the gifting).
-
Comment on America might be ready for democratic socialism. It’s not ready for the bill. in ~society
insomnic Link ParentAs far as the taxing gifts or gambling, that was implemented because people used that as a way around other tax requirements - gifts and gambling winnings do need to be reported but they aren't...As far as the taxing gifts or gambling, that was implemented because people used that as a way around other tax requirements - gifts and gambling winnings do need to be reported but they aren't necessarily taxed unless they are over a certain amount.
Example, my parents wanted to give their children some of what they put aside for an inheritance now so they could enjoy us using it to do things we wouldn't otherwise normally be able to do (like more trips - particularly with other family members being very distant). In order to do this without a tax burden, they can distribute a specific amount each year as a gift without requiring a tax. It has to be reported, but there isn't a tax on it (particularly since it was already taxed previously as income or dividend or whatever).
Generally there is a rule of thumb that if dollars have been taxed once already, they can't be taxed again - but, there are usually restrictions on it because of closing loop-holes.
-
Comment on <deleted topic> in ~talk
insomnic Link ParentThis is what I'm practicing now to get a better handle on things. The "thinking about thoughts" aspect of mindfulness is really where I found good help. I don't need to suppress anything, just...This is what I'm practicing now to get a better handle on things. The "thinking about thoughts" aspect of mindfulness is really where I found good help. I don't need to suppress anything, just manage some aspects of my thought loops.
So far, the app\service Headspace has worked well for me but it is practice and I fall off the wagon sometimes. Some insurance carriers will even cover the subscription costs for some of the guided meditation apps.
I like IceCubes for iOS - has good features without being cluttered and dev is responsive.