lackofaname's recent activity
-
Comment on What was the best job you ever had? in ~life
-
Comment on What was the best job you ever had? in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentMay I ask what, at a high level, you do for self-employment? I used to work freelance (editor) so get the feeling, although I personally also don't mind working for an employer.May I ask what, at a high level, you do for self-employment? I used to work freelance (editor) so get the feeling, although I personally also don't mind working for an employer.
-
Comment on What was the best job you ever had? in ~life
lackofaname LinkI'd have to say freelance editing, because I worked when and where I wanted, my specialty was in topics that interested me and felt societally valuable, and it was decent pay + lots of work...I'd have to say freelance editing, because I worked when and where I wanted, my specialty was in topics that interested me and felt societally valuable, and it was decent pay + lots of work available (at the time - sadly neither the case anymore).
The only real downsides were inconsistent pay, and I got paid exclusively for the exact time worked/output, no paid breaks or benefits (both big positive changes for me when I went corporate). Also, frankly I'm not the best at self-promotion, which did limit my opportunities to continue that life.
I do miss the feeling of being able to take an afternoon off just because I had no deadlines and I felt like it (well, I can but I'd burn through vacation time). Or, flip side, having the flexibility to travel and bring work with me; although at the time I felt like I didn't take very much advantage of that, it still afforded me multiple weeks/months of visiting family far from home or impromptu road trips.
-
Comment on What was the best job you ever had? in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentThat's a gorgeous view! I imagine you did a lot of hiking/outdoor activities in your spare time?That's a gorgeous view! I imagine you did a lot of hiking/outdoor activities in your spare time?
-
Comment on World's first vaccine for Lyme disease could be available in 2027 in ~health
lackofaname LinkI found this press release from Pfizer more informative. I remember news from a few years ago about a potential vaccine that triggered an allergic reaction, allowing people to feel tick bites and...I found this press release from Pfizer more informative.
I remember news from a few years ago about a potential vaccine that triggered an allergic reaction, allowing people to feel tick bites and remove them before infection. It seemed a bit of an odd mechanism but I'd have taken whatever I could.
This, it turns out, is not that. This works by triggering the body to make antibodies that enter ticks during feeding and bind to the bacteria, preventing them from transmitting to humans. If I'm interpreting it right, it seems like 4 vaccines over 2 years. Really hoping this makes it to market. I'm in a tick/lyme hot spot and like to spend time outdoors.
-
Comment on Dutch YouTube creators behind Alberta (Canada) separatist videos getting millions of views in ~society
lackofaname LinkIt would be nice if there were some form of legal repercussions for the people running these channels, though I imagine that's a pipedream given the complexity of international laws/foreign...It would be nice if there were some form of legal repercussions for the people running these channels, though I imagine that's a pipedream given the complexity of international laws/foreign relations.
It's just really frustrating how people with no morals can game the system to their advantage, causing damaging side effects in their wake. These types of antisocial actions need to be discouraged.
-
Comment on Do you prefer chunky or smooth peanut butter? in ~food
lackofaname LinkSmooth all the way, only natural. No extras like sugar, salt, or oils, thank you! That said, I don't mind the idea of crunchy, but in the past found the crunchy bits to taste stale/off. Even if it...Smooth all the way, only natural. No extras like sugar, salt, or oils, thank you!
That said, I don't mind the idea of crunchy, but in the past found the crunchy bits to taste stale/off. Even if it was just the particular PB i tried at the time, that's now what I associate crunchy with.
-
Comment on Taskmaster Season 21, Episode 1 - 'Cube is good.' | Full episode in ~tv
lackofaname Link ParentYea, fair! I appreciated that they included an extended version of Joanna's sherry fish story, too funny!Yea, fair! I appreciated that they included an extended version of Joanna's sherry fish story, too funny!
-
Comment on Taskmaster Season 21, Episode 1 - 'Cube is good.' | Full episode in ~tv
lackofaname Link ParentI was just lamenting to myself that I wished I had something to watch and chill out to. Perfect timing!I was just lamenting to myself that I wished I had something to watch and chill out to. Perfect timing!
-
Comment on What are your go-to meals that you cook? in ~food
lackofaname LinkStirfried veggies with scrambled egg comes together about as quickly as it takes for rice to cook. Great for using up whatever veg I have on hand. Pasta with a quick red sauce and maybe meat or...- Stirfried veggies with scrambled egg comes together about as quickly as it takes for rice to cook. Great for using up whatever veg I have on hand.
- Pasta with a quick red sauce and maybe meat or lentils in the sauce. Lately, I've been making some variations on lentil pasta, which is great because it incorporates more veg protein and it's a one-pot meal
- Loaded sweet potato: This is for when I really dont want to cook. Microwave a sweet potato, and load it with whatever I'm feeling/have: canned beans, bell pepper (sauteed or finely diced raw), freezer corn, sour cream/yoghurt, cheese, salsa or hot sauce, herbs, avocado, etc.
- Stovetop frittata: blend up eggs, add some diced veggies, add herbs/flavours, cook covered on stovetop, when top nearly cooked, add cheese if you like. Eat as is or serve with toast or rice.
- Rice pilaf: One recipe, but you can endlessly tweak to your flavour preferences; I often go herby and lemony instead of warm and spicy. I like to load in veggies and nuts to make it a one-pot dish, or use whole-grain rice for its healthiness. Another one-pot meal that's freezable, too.
-
Comment on Tildes Book Club - How are you progressing on The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See? in ~books
lackofaname LinkI fell off the bookclub bandwagon recently but on a whim checked and noticed this audiobook is available, so I'm starting it now. I'm going in completely cold, but based on the name and other...I fell off the bookclub bandwagon recently but on a whim checked and noticed this audiobook is available, so I'm starting it now.
I'm going in completely cold, but based on the name and other comments I suppose I'll add: I've mostly stopped drinking caffeine for now, but started favouring tea over coffee for a while before that. Perhaps I'll indulge in a cup now and then :)
-
Comment on For $700 a month, sleeping pods make San Francisco more affordable, but at what cost in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentI'd actually love a cheaper option like this in the bigger cities near me. I have a home in a city where my partner is setup to establish their career, whereas I've been exploring ways to work in...I'd actually love a cheaper option like this in the bigger cities near me. I have a home in a city where my partner is setup to establish their career, whereas I've been exploring ways to work in nearby cities to open more career options.
A more affordable and more temporary option like this would suit my use case really well!
-
Comment on Boards of Canada - Tape 05 (2026) - Looks like a new album is coming out soon in ~music
lackofaname Link ParentBig enjoyer of BoC here. I don't really follow music stuff, so never considered them putting out more music one day. Someone commented with this info in a news subreddit post, of all places. That...Big enjoyer of BoC here. I don't really follow music stuff, so never considered them putting out more music one day. Someone commented with this info in a news subreddit post, of all places. That was a very pleasant surprise!
-
Comment on Things that don't suck in ~talk
lackofaname LinkIn Toronto, a cobbler was at risk of going out of business after his (very expensive) machine broke. A regular set up a GoFundMe, and the community raised more than the goal. The cobbler now has...In Toronto, a cobbler was at risk of going out of business after his (very expensive) machine broke. A regular set up a GoFundMe, and the community raised more than the goal. The cobbler now has his new machine and the rest of the funds are being donated to a charity!
-
Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 6/4/26 in ~hobbies
lackofaname Link ParentI've been planning on starting only a few seeds this year, but haven't yet and am not particularly bothered by my slowness. Maybe today finally? Usually I start by mid-march indoors, but then have...I've been planning on starting only a few seeds this year, but haven't yet and am not particularly bothered by my slowness. Maybe today finally?
Usually I start by mid-march indoors, but then have to keep them indoors until early-mid may, and it's a whole lot of space and care that I don't really have the wherewithal to deal with this year.
(Plus even in years where Ive been more on top of things, direct sows have to wait until may)
-
Comment on University at forty in ~talk
lackofaname LinkMy partner returned for an additional degree in his mid-30s. It may be a different perspective because he got a degree when he was young, and this time returned for a specific field of work....My partner returned for an additional degree in his mid-30s. It may be a different perspective because he got a degree when he was young, and this time returned for a specific field of work.
Before he ever considered going back to school, he spend time with a career counsellor to figure out what exactly he wanted to transition to, and got an entry level job in the field to get a sense of whether it was a good fit. He also took a couple online standalone courses first, which I think helped him get into the learning mindset.
For me, seeing him in school with this focus and passion, and contrasting it to my own approach when I was younger and in school, has left me thinking 'damn, I wish I'd had that pragmatism and drive back when I was in university.' I think there can be huge advantages to getting a degree when you're older and know yourself, the world, and what you want to get out of the effort. But also, his preparation was because although he didn't need loans for school, it was a financially tight decision that felt like a bit of a scary leap of faith to attempt, so he wanted to be sure he was doing the right thing for him. In school, and in his new field, I can say I swear he sometimes comes home with more energy than when he left in the morning, so that leap certainly seems to have been worth it.
On the social side, his classes have been very collaborative (this would be very program-specific though), and he's gotten along great with his classmates despite age differences. He hasn't socialized outside of classes really, but also, he has his own life and doesn't really want that.
One idea if you're not sure: can you take one-off or continuing education classes at your local university in subjects you're wanting to learn about? It might be a way for you test the idea, see if you'll get what you're hoping for, before fully committing.
And on a side note, can I just say that your life story sounds like you've led an interesting and fulfilling life so far.
-
Comment on See how Hollywood’s job market is collapsing in ~movies
lackofaname Link ParentNot entertainment related, but I can commiserate with losing an industry you enjoyed. For one of my past jobs, I saw the writing on the wall re:AI impacts, and expanded my skills back around...Not entertainment related, but I can commiserate with losing an industry you enjoyed. For one of my past jobs, I saw the writing on the wall re:AI impacts, and expanded my skills back around 2018~2019. At that time, I was able to keep doing what I enjoyed on the side, but the past couple years the work's died.
I realized recently just how much I miss certain aspects of the old work, and how much doing it on the side kept me grounded. I'm grateful to have transitioned early, and to be employed, but it still kind of sucks.
-
Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
lackofaname LinkOk ok, all the news about the knock-on effects of oil prices and whatnot have gotten to me, so I bought a couple bags of potting soil this weekend. Still keeping things pretty simple with the more...Ok ok, all the news about the knock-on effects of oil prices and whatnot have gotten to me, so I bought a couple bags of potting soil this weekend.
Still keeping things pretty simple with the more easy-growing veg in pots, but I'm going to try to get myself to start a few seeds (I was just going to buy transplants this year). In my growing zone I'm a little late for some plants, but not really for others. I'll have to take a look at what I already have and decide from there. Probably some leafy greens, herbs, and maybe summer squash.
-
Comment on Air Canada CEO will retire this year after his English-only crash message was criticized in ~transport
lackofaname (edited )Link ParentRespecting that you mention you're not in that world (which I might take to mean Canada generally?), so just providing a little context (though, as an anglo). In the Canadian context generally,...Respecting that you mention you're not in that world (which I might take to mean Canada generally?), so just providing a little context (though, as an anglo). In the Canadian context generally, no, subtitles aren't a token effort. Even less so in a Quebec context, where it might literally have been a legal requirement to have the french subtitles (there are laws that require French language availability).
As understanding as I am that learning a language as an adult can be difficult (hell, my own french is mediocre), he took on a high-responsibility job with a certain requirement that he'd already been called out on and failed to uphold a promise to improve. He has all the resources available to him and lives in a bilingual city. This shows a lack of respect. Add on to that the emotional facet that one of his francophone workers died only heightens that sentiment.
(Edit - sorry, didn't mean to dogpile. I was slowly writing my message while someone else replied!)
-
Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 24/3/26 in ~hobbies
lackofaname LinkThere's still snow where I live, so outdoor gardening isn't underway. Actually, neither has any indoor gardening. I'm only growing veg in containers right now, but I've had limited success in the...There's still snow where I live, so outdoor gardening isn't underway. Actually, neither has any indoor gardening.
I'm only growing veg in containers right now, but I've had limited success in the past, outside leafy things (and radishes). Does anyone have tips for growing different veggies in containers? Things like peas, zucchini, squash, maybe a tomato. Or even recommendations for plants that do well.
--
I have had one overwinter success story: last year I had a couple plants left unplanted. Some I placed in-ground in their pots; fingers crossed they made it. A little pot of sweetgrass, however, I forgot on my porch well into winter after several -20°C freezes and thaws. Around new year, I brought it indoors hoping it would revive, and it has! I need to find a home for it in-ground this year.
I'm imagining that some people saw you riding off, and you became a small office legend for a while. In your ex-coworkers minds, synonymous with following your dreams, brought up around the water cooler when the work was just a little too dull.