lackofaname's recent activity
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Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk
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Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk
lackofaname Link ParentAha, 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.
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Comment on What's a culture shock that you experienced? in ~talk
lackofaname Link ParentSo 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.
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Comment on Golden Globes 2026: ‘One Battle After Another’ wins Comedy, ‘Hamnet’ wins Drama in ~movies
lackofaname Link ParentI 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!
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
lackofaname Link ParentAha, 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 :)
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
lackofaname (edited )LinkI 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.
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
lackofaname Link ParentDevil'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.
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Comment on Pasta al formaggio (mac & cheese): Italian chef Paolo Lopriore rewrites the American classic recipe in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentOne 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!
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
lackofaname LinkAfter 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!
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Comment on Has anyone else intentionally lowered their phone's screen's saturation? in ~tech
lackofaname Link ParentAlso 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.
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Comment on Life: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~life
lackofaname (edited )Link ParentWe'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
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Comment on Life: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~life
lackofaname (edited )LinkI gave a similar reply in the new years resolution thread, as I mostly reflected but it fits better here... My very brief summary of 2025 was that it was pretty boring, a bit stagnant even! In...I gave a similar reply in the new years resolution thread, as I mostly reflected but it fits better here...
My very brief summary of 2025 was that it was pretty boring, a bit stagnant even!
In some ways, this was good and healthy for me: I needed to re-balance myself from the stress the year prior of buying and owning a house for the first time. On top of that, early-mid 2025 felt fairly stressful between everything going on in the world + a work project that ate all my energy for a while. So, my personal time ended up being a whole lot of doing nothing and unwinding.
I had some small wins, though: adopted an awesome cat; helped support my partner make huge strides toward a goal, which should be a big win for them (and so both of us) in the long run; had some small successes in terms of home repairs that helped me learn new skills.
On the flip-side, the closer I got to the end of the year, the more I started feeling like I wanted to do more activities for myself. I've started trying to socialize a tiny bit. I attended a couple community volunteer events that aligned with my interests, and put out feelers to take part in more this coming year. I'm also looking for opportunities to be more active and spend time outdoors. Big questions remain about how much my current job will suck up my time/energy in 2026, and whether I should consider either a different job or entire career change. But, for a couple practical reasons, I'm hoping to suck it up and hold off on any major work changes until next year, so for now I'm still in thinking-about-it mode.
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Comment on Happy new year! in ~talk
lackofaname (edited )LinkHappy New year! Another 'no specific goals' answer. But, I've been reflecting on the past year and have been wondering if my approach to let myself do-nothing in my spare time has maybe run its...Happy New year! Another 'no specific goals' answer.
But, I've been reflecting on the past year and have been wondering if my approach to let myself do-nothing in my spare time has maybe run its course.
On one hand, it's been really good for me to balance out the high stress I was experiencing in 24 and early 25. I also had some fairly stressful times at work last year I needed to recover from. Additionally, I think I've played good supporting role in helping my partner reach a goal; I'm so proud of them and that feels good.
On the other hand, I have barely any highlights from my year, it was very boring. On that note, I think I may like to participate in more actual activities this year. I'm not really sure what yet, maybe more social outings, maybe something educational/training, maybe more outdoors/fitness activites. I've taken a couple first steps already, though (if I include late last year), and otherwise I'm just going to be open-minded to opportunities.
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Comment on Happy new year! in ~talk
lackofaname Link ParentFor a similar reason as you, I've avoided hard goal setting for a number of years now, and i think it's really benefited my mental wellbeing. Not just ny resolutions, but in general. I found when...For a similar reason as you, I've avoided hard goal setting for a number of years now, and i think it's really benefited my mental wellbeing. Not just ny resolutions, but in general.
I found when I set myself a concrete aim, I tend to overdo myself initially, burn out, and then either fail or hard-stop the moment i reached the goal. Neither result ever felt sustainable, so I've switched gears toward focusing more on the journey. Telling myself I'm going to try X and see where it goes feels so much more approachable and sustainable of a mindset for me. I like your framing of this as intentions.
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Comment on What are some of your "life hacks" you use regularly? in ~talk
lackofaname Link ParentI used to do the coin toss occasionally when i was a crewboss. If I had a particularly gnarly task to allocate and 2 people were available where there was really no tipping factor to choose...I used to do the coin toss occasionally when i was a crewboss. If I had a particularly gnarly task to allocate and 2 people were available where there was really no tipping factor to choose between, I'd have them call a coin toss for it.
I'd try to balance out the less pleasant tasks later on anyway, but in the moment, it made it easier for everyone to leave it to fate.
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Comment on Other people might just not have your problems in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentA councellor I spoke to once upon a time called those times where an idea materialises and internally clicks as "Aha moments". Maybe it's not a 100% match (because it can apply to both obvious and...A councellor I spoke to once upon a time called those times where an idea materialises and internally clicks as "Aha moments". Maybe it's not a 100% match (because it can apply to both obvious and unobvious lessons), but I feel it's close to what you're describing.
In my mind I equate what the author is describing as sort of a corollary to both projection and false-consensus (but for skills rather than just viewpoints). And, same, I think it was around my mid-20s that I became properly aware of my assumptions of people's similarity to myself, how different they can be.
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Comment on Books: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~books
lackofaname Link ParentChildren 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.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.
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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.
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.