lackofaname's recent activity

  1. Comment on Moving back to the US (after 7+ years living in Germany) in ~life

    lackofaname
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    I can't share personal advice or experience, but reading your post made me think of a youtuber, Eurobrady. He's a therapist that does let's plays from that lens. He's also an American that...

    I can't share personal advice or experience, but reading your post made me think of a youtuber, Eurobrady. He's a therapist that does let's plays from that lens. He's also an American that emigrated to Europe for many years but ultimately had to move back home. He sometimes speaks about that experience and his personal journey through it; perhaps you'd find common ground? Though, those stories are mostly interwoven sparcely throughout his videos, so I'd only really suggest it if you either like the lets play format or the games he plays (I personally enjoyed Disco Elysium and Slay the Princess). Wishing you the best in your next steps and travels!

    3 votes
  2. Comment on Offbeat Fridays – The thread where offbeat headlines become front page news in ~news

  3. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Ive used my phone before in a pinch and found it didn't really work for me, personally. Still your comment made me curious if androids have something similar to the ios built-in noise option. It...

    Ive used my phone before in a pinch and found it didn't really work for me, personally.

    Still your comment made me curious if androids have something similar to the ios built-in noise option. It looks like some do (or at least did at one point), though my phone doesn't seem to have it available.

    1 vote
  4. Comment on How I stopped cooking breakfast every day - baked oats in ~food

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    When I make steel cut oats on the stovetop, I'll also make enough for a few days and reheat as needed - they just take too long otherwise, and I really can't be bothered to remember to soak a...

    When I make steel cut oats on the stovetop, I'll also make enough for a few days and reheat as needed - they just take too long otherwise, and I really can't be bothered to remember to soak a single portion every single night!

    I was initially kind of dismissive of the baking idea as unnecessary, but actually really like the idea of cooling them into portable blocks for the days I need to leave extra early. Good share!

    5 votes
  5. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Oh, I can relate! I sleep with a fan on and either have to 'wean' myself off the sound before I travel where there won't be one, or just bring a fan with me.

    Oh, I can relate! I sleep with a fan on and either have to 'wean' myself off the sound before I travel where there won't be one, or just bring a fan with me.

    1 vote
  6. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Well, it's good to know I probably offended more than a few people back when I visited France for a short while, though my medeocre accent probably gave me some grace :) Work's been too busy for...

    Well, it's good to know I probably offended more than a few people back when I visited France for a short while, though my medeocre accent probably gave me some grace :)

    Work's been too busy for me to remember to ask around about Quebec practices, but I'll try to remember to share if I do find out!

    2 votes
  7. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Ahaha, that 'pretend to be sick' solution takes on a whole new meaning after covid!

    Ahaha, that 'pretend to be sick' solution takes on a whole new meaning after covid!

  8. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Note to self, don't move to Belgium! This sounds very stressful, at least to a foreigner like me :'D

    Note to self, don't move to Belgium! This sounds very stressful, at least to a foreigner like me :'D

  9. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Oh, interesting, one of my elderly relatives would do the little kiss on lips to me when i was a young child. Her heritage was eastern european, and even a couple generations removed I wonder if...

    Oh, interesting, one of my elderly relatives would do the little kiss on lips to me when i was a young child. Her heritage was eastern european, and even a couple generations removed I wonder if that's how it was passed down. No one on other sides of my family did.

    3 votes
  10. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link
    A reverse culture shock: Coming home from remote summer work to the overwhelming noise and crowds and shininess of modern city life, it always took me a couple weeks to readjust. To expand: I...

    A reverse culture shock: Coming home from remote summer work to the overwhelming noise and crowds and shininess of modern city life, it always took me a couple weeks to readjust.

    To expand: I spent my younger summers tree planting in northern canada (it's a real job that can make good money, not, like, a feel-good volunteer thing). The companies I worked for had bush camp setups in reasonably remote locations, where the amenities were our own tents, outhouses, bathing in the nearest lake/river, and a cookshack run off propane + mess tent. I did this long enough ago that starlink didn't exist, and there was usually little to no cell service in these areas. The nearest towns were often 1-2 hours away, and we'd go in only once every week or two. We worked hard and had fun, but man were we ever in our own world! Coming home was such a major adjustment to all the stimuli.

    10 votes
  11. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Aha, this reminds me of when I (from canada) was younger and staying briefly in france, I just couldn't get the whole cheek kiss/bise thing. I was invited to a little party and trying to fit in,...

    Aha, this reminds me of when I (from canada) was younger and staying briefly in france, I just couldn't get the whole cheek kiss/bise thing. I was invited to a little party and trying to fit in, and at some point someone explained to me noo you dont lean in like that, that's what little kids do! (Or something to that effect). I gave up, decided I was happy to resign myself to not understanding this greeting.

    3 votes
  12. Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    So interesting! Do you know, is this a France-french thing (and are there regional differences), or have you seen it in other French cultures? I'll have to ask my french colleagues whether quebec...

    So interesting! Do you know, is this a France-french thing (and are there regional differences), or have you seen it in other French cultures? I'll have to ask my french colleagues whether quebec has a similar tendency.

    7 votes
  13. Comment on Golden Globes 2026: ‘One Battle After Another’ wins Comedy, ‘Hamnet’ wins Drama in ~movies

    lackofaname
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    I didn't even pick up on the fact that the two brothers were the same actor for a couple of scenes. Thats probably more an indictment of my observation skills (and I went into the movie basically...

    I didn't even pick up on the fact that the two brothers were the same actor for a couple of scenes. Thats probably more an indictment of my observation skills (and I went into the movie basically blind), but still, Michael B. Jordan sold the different characterisations so well!

    1 vote
  14. Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv

    lackofaname
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    Aha, fair point! I was definitely sharing/projecting my own perception in that comment :)

    Aha, fair point! I was definitely sharing/projecting my own perception in that comment :)

    1 vote
  15. Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv

    lackofaname
    (edited )
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    I felt similarly around the pacing and likeability of characters (not for lack of acting!). I often enjoy fairly slow shows/movies, so I don't think it was either characteristic alone but both in...

    I felt similarly around the pacing and likeability of characters (not for lack of acting!). I often enjoy fairly slow shows/movies, so I don't think it was either characteristic alone but both in combination. I watched each episode as they came out and felt like it was a character study of peopleI wouldn't really want to be around.

    That said, I liked the questions it poses (even if I felt like it sometimes took too many liberties in the assumptions it makes), the acting is great, and the finale was probably my favourite of all the episodes, so I'm intrigued by what a second season brings.

    1 vote
  16. Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Devil's advocate, but the pluribus are shown in various ways to draw on the individual experiences/expertises of former individuals. Even if they can't experience individual emotion anymore, there...

    Devil's advocate, but the pluribus are shown in various ways to draw on the individual experiences/expertises of former individuals. Even if they can't experience individual emotion anymore, there are huge numbers of members who would have been expert psychologists, psychiatrists, councillors, and communicators, and their collective knowledge could surely be intellectualised and applied in the absence of feeling emotions.

    Jamfox's question is one I also had, though I ultimately felt I had to let go these lines of critique and go with the flow to enjoy the show.

    4 votes
  17. Comment on Pasta al formaggio (mac & cheese): Italian chef Paolo Lopriore rewrites the American classic recipe in ~food

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    One of my very simple comfort meals, a cheesy veggie pasta, is cooking pasta in a mix of broth and milk. Add a little oil or butter, veggies, herbs/flavours, and finish it by melting in cheese at...

    One of my very simple comfort meals, a cheesy veggie pasta, is cooking pasta in a mix of broth and milk. Add a little oil or butter, veggies, herbs/flavours, and finish it by melting in cheese at the end. The only real trick is to cook at a simmer, don't boil on full heat or the milk will boil crazy and curdle.

    Similar idea to the video but way more basic and easier to justify as a meal!

    2 votes
  18. Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food

    lackofaname
    Link
    After looking over my spending/ savings last year, I'm feeling i could be more mindful of my spending in some areas, including food. Not sacrificing nutrition, just dialing back on...

    After looking over my spending/ savings last year, I'm feeling i could be more mindful of my spending in some areas, including food. Not sacrificing nutrition, just dialing back on splurges/extras, processed snacks, bakery goods, etc.

    On that note, I did a bit of baking over the holidays, for the first time in ages, to satisfy my sweet tooth, including oatmeal cookies and bread pudding. The cookies were excellent. I didn't have any raisins, so i chopped up some dates as a substitute and it worked really well!

    3 votes
  19. Comment on Has anyone else intentionally lowered their phone's screen's saturation? in ~tech

    lackofaname
    Link Parent
    Also Android, and also the 2 features I use. I keep a very orangy night light (eye comfort shield) on almost all the time (except when I'm specifically looking at colours), and extra dim in low...

    Also Android, and also the 2 features I use. I keep a very orangy night light (eye comfort shield) on almost all the time (except when I'm specifically looking at colours), and extra dim in low light.

    I looked into the greyscale option, but i wasn't a fan of 100% greyscale and couldn't find a built in slider setting for it. I do think I'd enjoy a partially reduced saturation if it were an option.

    3 votes
  20. Comment on Life: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~life

    lackofaname
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    We're probably in different jurisdictions with different code requirements, but at a high level, how did you go about learning to do your own electrical? I have a general understanding of how...

    We're probably in different jurisdictions with different code requirements, but at a high level, how did you go about learning to do your own electrical?

    I have a general understanding of how electricity works, and can do basic fixes care of youtube university, but I've had it in the back of my mind that I'd like to really dig into learning about residential electricity so I can gain the confidence to pull permits and do bigger fixes myself (allowed where I luve in canada).

    Edit - on the note of deer and gardens. I've had success in the past (in a rural location where there was plenty of other foraging opportunities) with very simple 4-ft metal chicken wire + t-posts as enough of a deterrent for the deer to stay out. I also tied up long ribbons to the posts to try and keep them from jumping in; I can't confirmed it actually helped, but I had heard the movement can act as a deterrent and it certainly didn't do any harm. I don't think this system would work as-is if you're in a location where deer have few other foraging opporunities, but figured I'd share as an idea

    1 vote