lackofaname's recent activity
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Comment on How has inflation changed your quality of life? in ~finance
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Comment on How has inflation changed your quality of life? in ~finance
lackofaname LinkI'm in a comfortable enough position financially at the moment, but my typical savings just aren't coming naturally like they used to because of spending more on basics. I have to be much more...I'm in a comfortable enough position financially at the moment, but my typical savings just aren't coming naturally like they used to because of spending more on basics. I have to be much more intentional about putting aside savings regularly. At the same time, because things just keep getting more expensive, I get into debates with myself over whether to buy/do things now vs later.
I'm also feeling more anxious and tired. I had been hoping to take at least a bit of extra unpaid time off work this year to recharge, but now I'm feeling it wouldn't be wise. Betwen the chaos of a reorg, the loss of a side gig that used to be my backup plan, and a terrible job market, I'm trying to hold on to my job for now. At least until I can figure out where to land next (I posted a while ago about considering a new career direction; I'm still unsure but am poking around more actively now).
All in all, just trying to figure out what the right decisions are while managing my own tendancy to stress.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - April 2026 - The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See in ~books
lackofaname Link ParentI don't have much of substance to add, but I wanted to say that your reponses have been really insightful. This one in particular offers a different take that I hadn't considered. Thank you!I don't have much of substance to add, but I wanted to say that your reponses have been really insightful. This one in particular offers a different take that I hadn't considered. Thank you!
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Comment on Tildes Book Club discussion - April 2026 - The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See in ~books
lackofaname Link ParentI really enjoyed the weaving of Xian-Rong throughout the story to pull it all together at the end. At first, he's presented as a just a child, and I dismissed him as a background character. I felt...I really enjoyed the weaving of Xian-Rong throughout the story to pull it all together at the end. At first, he's presented as a just a child, and I dismissed him as a background character. I felt quite surprised in the way he returned when LiYan's puerh tea shop was mired by controversy (tbh, I didn't guess the secret partner). So, at the end when Haley met Xian at the end I thought it was quite a cute way to tie things off.
While reading, I did think it was a bit heavy-handed that LiYan kept stumbling 'upward' so easily: into school, both training streams, and her tea shop; though those were ultimately explained. In the end, probably only Jin's extreme wealth felt eyerolly and kind of Disney princess.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentCardamom is a spice I've been slowly warming up to. I've never disliked it, I've just found it to easily overwhelm. Those buns looks delish, and I'm going to have to remember this recipe come fall.Cardamom is a spice I've been slowly warming up to. I've never disliked it, I've just found it to easily overwhelm. Those buns looks delish, and I'm going to have to remember this recipe come fall.
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Comment on San Francisco Sign Guild in ~arts
lackofaname LinkThese are amazing, I love seeing a little bit of absurdity injected into everyday things. May I ask, what was the motivator that pushed you beyond daydreaming to actually making the signs? Do you...These are amazing, I love seeing a little bit of absurdity injected into everyday things.
May I ask, what was the motivator that pushed you beyond daydreaming to actually making the signs? Do you otherwise have artistic endeavours (you mentioned grants), or is this a new type of activity for you?
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Comment on The 100 best novels of all time published in English in ~books
lackofaname LinkThe critiques in the methodology here are making me feel better about my ignorance of so many of these titles! In quintiles (starting at 1-20 ending at 81-100), I've heard of, but not necessarily...The critiques in the methodology here are making me feel better about my ignorance of so many of these titles!
In quintiles (starting at 1-20 ending at 81-100), I've heard of, but not necessarily read: 15, 14, 6, 6, and 5 books on the list. Read only 11 (plus a couple more dnf'd).
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 18/5/26 in ~hobbies
lackofaname LinkPhwew, finally did some work! I completely refreshed a couple small raised bed planters, and put in a couple tomatoes, couple hot peppers, bunch of herbs, and winter squash. Squash has been my...Phwew, finally did some work!
I completely refreshed a couple small raised bed planters, and put in a couple tomatoes, couple hot peppers, bunch of herbs, and winter squash. Squash has been my nemesis due to pests (squash borer, beetles, mildew, you name it), but I've never tried in my current location so fingers crossed.
I've additionally potted up a bunch of greens: celery, chard, collards, more herbs. I think that's about all I'm going to do this year for veg. It's the first year I've completely abandonned starting from seed but I needed the convenience to do anything!
I've also been working on fixing up the lawn. I know I know, f* lawns. But we want to use some of our yard. We're in a tick hotspot, so prefer low manicured cover. And, the soil is extremely clayey and sticky after it rains, so ground cover like clover isn't dense enough. I am mixing the grass seed with yarrow and a bit of clover, and am focusing on planting native species in dedicated (and evergrowing) garden space. It's a nice balance for us!
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Comment on Tildes Survey #5: Pineapple on pizza? (Results) in ~talk
lackofaname Link ParentOoh yes, fruity-spicy is a great combo. I'll absolutely be adding jalapeno (or whatever peppers I have on hand) next time I make pizza.Ooh yes, fruity-spicy is a great combo. I'll absolutely be adding jalapeno (or whatever peppers I have on hand) next time I make pizza.
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Comment on Tildes Survey #5: Pineapple on pizza? (Results) in ~talk
lackofaname LinkMissed opportunity. I'd have liked to have seen an 'If yes, what with?' follow-up. I'm sure bacon/ham would be a big one, but I'm a huge fan of pineapple with green olives for that sweet and salty...Missed opportunity. I'd have liked to have seen an 'If yes, what with?' follow-up.
I'm sure bacon/ham would be a big one, but I'm a huge fan of pineapple with green olives for that sweet and salty hit. I'm curious what other interesting pairing there are out there!
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Comment on DARA - Bangaranga (LIVE) | Bulgaria 🇧🇬 | Grand Final | Eurovision 2026 in ~music
lackofaname LinkI was rooting for Bulgaria after their performance, it was just such fun energy! Glad they won. Not gonna lie, I also really enjoyed Italy's song, but I was a little surprised it ended up making...I was rooting for Bulgaria after their performance, it was just such fun energy! Glad they won.
Not gonna lie, I also really enjoyed Italy's song, but I was a little surprised it ended up making top 5. I guess I thought people would see it as too old school/boring.
Finland was another of my top picks, and I thought it'd do better than it did!
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Comment on What was the best job you ever had? in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentI'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...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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
I'm with you on a lot of this, but particularly the farmers market purchases. Even at the higher price, it feels good to buy from my local farmers market, but now I skip weeks and buy less when I go because the rest of my expenses are also higher.
Of all the ways I look to save, this one makes me feel particularly bad, because food resiliency is so important.