lackofaname's recent activity
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
lackofaname Link ParentCity and the City is such a standout concept! And agreed with Perdido St. Station, and enjoyed its followup The Scar but didn't get very far into the iron council. If you haven't yet, I also...City and the City is such a standout concept! And agreed with Perdido St. Station, and enjoyed its followup The Scar but didn't get very far into the iron council. If you haven't yet, I also really liked This Census Taker, though it's a shorter novella and my only real critique is I'd have enjoyed a deeper dive into the world as a longer novel.
I don't think your strategy is odd! It's like leaving a portion of a really good dessert for seconds later on.
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
lackofaname Link ParentWe've read some similar books this year! I've also been getting into Tchaikovsky, after reading elder race, though I'm going through the city of Last Chances books. I do have a hold on Clay Alien....We've read some similar books this year! I've also been getting into Tchaikovsky, after reading elder race, though I'm going through the city of Last Chances books. I do have a hold on Clay Alien.
I had a big Mieville kick a couple years ago. Any of his novels that especially stand out for you? Btw, I think he has a new book coming out soon, so that's something to look forward to.
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
lackofaname (edited )LinkThis year has been big for series. With everything going on in the real world, I've been finding a lot of comfort in escaping into a fictional world I've grown familiar with. The Murderbot series...This year has been big for series. With everything going on in the real world, I've been finding a lot of comfort in escaping into a fictional world I've grown familiar with.
The Murderbot series made an early appearance. I'd heard a lot of mentions before, but dismissed them because the name sounded so silly and flippant. Then, I read a Tildes comment that painted it in a more nuanced light and was persuaded to check it out. It was nice being able to complete the series before I watched the show (also good!).
I've been blowing through as many Discworld audiobooks as I can get my ears on. I initially read the Von Lipwig books last year on the recommendation of a Tilderinoas an easy entry to Pratchett's style. I've since finished the Watch storyline, the 2 gods-related books, and I'm a couple books into the Witchy storyline.
I also listened to Absolution, the 4th of the Southern Reach trilogy. I enjoyed some sections more than others but overall it was fun revisiting that setting.
Most recently, I listened to the City of Last Chances (Adrian Tchaikovsky). As much as I liked the very short Elder Race for the book club, Tchaikovsky seems to be much more in his element with the space of a full novel. I either didn't realize or forgot it was a series, so it was a happy surprise finishing it and being able to pick up the next one (currently midway through). By chance, I read this immediately after Small Gods (Pratchett), and it was amusing to continue the theme of main characters with tiny cranky gods by two different authors.
I've read and liked others, but when I look at the year as a whole, this trend is what really jumps out at me.
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Comment on Without looking, do you have a vague idea of your coordinates? in ~talk
lackofaname LinkI've looked it up before but completely forgot! Trying to hazard a guess, plus remembering a few markers (eg, the 49th parallel) and general trends, i was almost bang-on with the latitude (half a...I've looked it up before but completely forgot! Trying to hazard a guess, plus remembering a few markers (eg, the 49th parallel) and general trends, i was almost bang-on with the latitude (half a degree) but a good 20 degrees off the longitude, which would have landed me somewhere in the Atlantic!
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Comment on Winter boot recommendations for women in ~life.style
lackofaname Link ParentYes, this is such good advice to cater to your needs! (plus I agree with your opinion of sorels) My go-to winter boots are steel-toed leather blundstones, paired with wool inserts and a couple...Yes, this is such good advice to cater to your needs! (plus I agree with your opinion of sorels)
My go-to winter boots are steel-toed leather blundstones, paired with wool inserts and a couple good wooly socks. I really like how versatile they are for my needs. Light enough for general city use, just high enough for most of the snow I enounter (much deeper and I'd either wear gaiters or snowshoe anyway). Keep the leather well-oiled and they're pretty good against melty snow. I've even used them on a couple short winter camping trips.
I think my latest pair has survived 6 years now, used frequently almost year round, and I'm only now wearing through the outer sole.
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Comment on Winter boot recommendations for women in ~life.style
lackofaname Link ParentI don't know if the composition is the same now, but I had sorels (the classic style) many years ago, and the rubber on top of the foot cracked pretty quickly. I only got maybe a couple years out...I don't know if the composition is the same now, but I had sorels (the classic style) many years ago, and the rubber on top of the foot cracked pretty quickly. I only got maybe a couple years out of them, and didn't feel like they were worth the price or hype. Maybe its not an issue now, or I flex my foot a lot when I walk, but it's something I'd look into before considering buying them again.
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Comment on A rare “Polar Express” winter pattern is forecast over the United States and Canada, following a Polar Vortex split in ~enviro
lackofaname LinkAhhh, it's been hard to ignore the colder than normal snaps where I am. I've almost subconsciously been waiting for the temp to raise again; this feels more like what I'd expect for Jan/Feb. But...Ahhh, it's been hard to ignore the colder than normal snaps where I am. I've almost subconsciously been waiting for the temp to raise again; this feels more like what I'd expect for Jan/Feb. But then another cold wave comes.
The figures in the post are so interesting and clear, I had no clue the polar vortex could split! And mentally, at least I can prepare myself for a miserable rest of December instead of expecting relief any time soon.
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Comment on Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston and a gaggle of stereotypes introduce Windows 95 features in this time capsule video in ~tech
lackofaname Link ParentThis video and your comment remind me of a similar sentiment when I got my hands on a Microsoft Mouse user manual my library was offloading. The contents of the manual weren't exciting, but it was...This video and your comment remind me of a similar sentiment when I got my hands on a Microsoft Mouse user manual my library was offloading.
The contents of the manual weren't exciting, but it was still a very amusing reminder of how novel a device we take for complete granted once was.
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Comment on Any tips for learning a new language at my age? (50s) via Babbel? in ~humanities.languages
lackofaname Link ParentThis happens to me, too, to varying degrees depending on my strength of the language. Like my brain has an 'anything but English bin' it tries to grab from if I dont know/forget how to say...This happens to me, too, to varying degrees depending on my strength of the language. Like my brain has an 'anything but English bin' it tries to grab from if I dont know/forget how to say something. It's boring, but for me it really only seems to lessen the more vocab I learn, and the more I focus on one language.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
lackofaname (edited )LinkBugonia -What an interesting/fun movie. I shared a couple other thoughts in another reply, hidden as I agree with tomf to go in blind. Marcel the shell with shoes on - A very cute, creative, and...Bugonia -What an interesting/fun movie. I shared a couple other thoughts in another reply, hidden as I agree with tomf to go in blind.
Marcel the shell with shoes on - A very cute, creative, and kinda silly/emotional/funny little movie. I was looking for something easy and feel-good and this really scratched that itch. It came out a few years ago but flew under my radar then.
Sinners - I dont like a lot of horror, so put off watching it for a long time. I was thoroughly entertained and it left me thinking about its themes and symbolism after. Still, even though I felt like each scene was very well crafted (especially that music scene) and it was good overall, something felt just a little disjointed or uncohesive at times.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
lackofaname Link ParentI saw Bugonia recently, and really enjoyed it! ... Going into it, I forgot I'd seen a couple other movies by the same director that I didn't particularly like (the lobster, killing of a sacred...I saw Bugonia recently, and really enjoyed it!
...
Going into it, I forgot I'd seen a couple other movies by the same director that I didn't particularly like (the lobster, killing of a sacred deer), mostly because of the fairly emotionless delivery. In this one, I had some good laughs at Stone's character because I could easily relate her cold corporate personality to people I've met.Then, the final act was a pretty fun ride, I'd gave been a bit disappointed if it didn't go the direction it did.
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Comment on Pluribus S01E01 - “We is Us” in ~tv
lackofaname Link ParentAhaha, yea, I'm watching each week, and realizing there's some suspension of belief needed (beyond, you know, the main scifi-y plot). I definitely had to swallow a 'sure, OK' response to the...Ahaha, yea, I'm watching each week, and realizing there's some suspension of belief needed (beyond, you know, the main scifi-y plot). I definitely had to swallow a 'sure, OK' response to the barcode thing, and just go along for the entertainment ride.
It may also be me getting used to this director's style, as I never got into breaking bad, or watched better call saul.
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Comment on Opinions on NPU laptops? in ~comp
lackofaname Link ParentThis is very helpful, thank you! I've realised both the models I was initially looking at contain (intel) processors with an NPU. I may look at some different lenovo models just to compare what's...This is very helpful, thank you! I've realised both the models I was initially looking at contain (intel) processors with an NPU. I may look at some different lenovo models just to compare what's available. Though in the end, I doubt anything I end up doing on my laptop will push a processor to its limits (even for for gaming, I use my partner's desktop), so it'll likely all be picking at straws.
Still, I was getting totally overwhelmed by new terms and marketing, and I'd at least like to have a general idea of what I'm purchasing :)
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Comment on Opinions on NPU laptops? in ~comp
lackofaname Link ParentThank you, these threads have more detailed info than the ones I (admittedly briefly) searched for!Thank you, these threads have more detailed info than the ones I (admittedly briefly) searched for!
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Opinions on NPU laptops?
Looking to buy a new laptop, and of the model I'd like (thinkpad carbon x1), it seems like I can choose one with or without an NPU. My surface-level understanding is they make built in AI...
Looking to buy a new laptop, and of the model I'd like (thinkpad carbon x1), it seems like I can choose one with or without an NPU.
My surface-level understanding is they make built in AI processing and a couple other niche uses more efficient. Flip side, they're maybe a marketing gimmick?
Price aside (price difference doesn't seem too great), I'm wondering: should I buy a model with an NPU to help potentially future proof? Are there potential downsides to an npu model? Upsides?
I know there are lots of technical people here, I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences!
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Comment on How to Make a Killing | Official trailer in ~movies
lackofaname Link Parent'Beyond distressed, into traumatized territory' got an audible guffaw from me. I refuse to blame it on being Old™, I've never understood the appeal of buying new clothing pre-ripped. I'll wear it...'Beyond distressed, into traumatized territory' got an audible guffaw from me. I refuse to blame it on being Old™, I've never understood the appeal of buying new clothing pre-ripped. I'll wear it I out soon enough on my own!
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Comment on How to Make a Killing | Official trailer in ~movies
lackofaname (edited )Link ParentThe pink outfit? I read it as supposed to invoke the look of a classic Chanel skirt-suit but with a .. fun twist .. so yea, fashion. But also a visual shorthand for the type of character she may...The pink outfit? I read it as supposed to invoke the look of a classic Chanel skirt-suit but with a .. fun twist .. so yea, fashion. But also a visual shorthand for the type of character she may be.
Funny enough from your comment I was expecting something wayyy more extreme with distressed/unfinished edges or deconstructed, both recentish trends.
Caveat: I'm not a genuine fashion guru, I just peruse the occasional fashiony blog to look at pretty things.
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Comment on Midweek Movie Free Talk in ~movies
lackofaname Link ParentFlow, that one scene also kinda threw me for a loop, and I never really reconciled it with the rest of the story. Part of me wondered if maybe the story was supposed to have biblical inspiration,...Flow, that one scene also kinda threw me for a loop, and I never really reconciled it with the rest of the story. Part of me wondered if maybe the story was supposed to have biblical inspiration, what with the flood and the boat, and so maybe it represented bird jesus? But I couldn't find any evidence of that from interviews with the director. Anyway, Im not religious and it's very beautiful animation, so in the end I've just left it as being a pretty scene. Overall, I liked the movie so much I saw it 2x in rapid succession.
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Comment on Things to do when you've lost your job in ~talk
lackofaname Link ParentWhat a roller coaster! Congratulations on landing a new gig so quickly, i can imagine the relief :)What a roller coaster! Congratulations on landing a new gig so quickly, i can imagine the relief :)
Children of time is on my radar, but I've not yet, only because it seems to be an audible exclusive and I don't have an audible account.