lackofaname's recent activity
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Comment on Library resources megathread in ~books
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Comment on Easily discover partner libraries with new Libby update in ~books
lackofaname LinkI have primary access to two libraries on Libby: one big city and one small city. The small city has partnerships with a bunch of other small-medium city libraries, which I've set up access to for...I have primary access to two libraries on Libby: one big city and one small city. The small city has partnerships with a bunch of other small-medium city libraries, which I've set up access to for a couple years now.
It's shocking to me just how much the big-city library blows the combined partner network out of the water by orders of magnitude. Without access to the big-city library, audiobooks would be nearly inaccessible to me; often none of the other libraries have even a single copy available (or if they do, often a long wait for just one or two copies).
Anyway, excellent update by libby (it's flagged one partner library I missed), and support your local library!
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Comment on What's something that's more challenging for you than it is for others? in ~talk
lackofaname Link ParentThis is similar to what I was going to answer. I have a crummy memory for details in general. Terrible at names (but actually, good at faces). So often my partner will mention "Hey, do you...This is similar to what I was going to answer. I have a crummy memory for details in general. Terrible at names (but actually, good at faces). So often my partner will mention "Hey, do you remember when we did THING?" and I have zero recollection.
At least it helps prevent me from holding grudges! And I can reread books/rewatch movies and be entertained all over again!
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Comment on (book impressions) Mudgirls Manifesto: Handbuilt Homes, Hand Crafted Lives in ~design
lackofaname Link ParentThat makes sense. I think even in cities, neighbours tend to be a source of complaints triggering inspections. I've heard in some areas, inspectors will use google sat imagery to help them find...That makes sense. I think even in cities, neighbours tend to be a source of complaints triggering inspections.
I've heard in some areas, inspectors will use google sat imagery to help them find unpermitted work. In my city, there was a crack down on pools a few years ago done through this method. I can see it potentially being effective for identifying more remote areas, assuming up to date sat images are available.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentIf you're looking for more salmon (with greens) inspo, I'd recommend this recipe: https://ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/recipes/zaatar-salmon-tahini. It's unbelievably good, and a totally different spin...If you're looking for more salmon (with greens) inspo, I'd recommend this recipe: https://ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/recipes/zaatar-salmon-tahini. It's unbelievably good, and a totally different spin on salmon than I'd had before.
Personally, I tweak it by using frozen spinach that I add straight to the tahini mix, so skip the wilting step. Makes it a bit simpler, and I usually already have frozen spinach on hand.
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Comment on (book impressions) Mudgirls Manifesto: Handbuilt Homes, Hand Crafted Lives in ~design
lackofaname Link ParentThis is such a neat idea, thank you for sharing. The one thing I wonder is how they evade local building codes, especially as they become publicized? Are the structures always built in...This is such a neat idea, thank you for sharing. The one thing I wonder is how they evade local building codes, especially as they become publicized? Are the structures always built in unincorporated municipalities, or similar, where there are no nosey neighbours/inspectors available to stop their work? Are there loopholes in BC that make this work?
Here's another book this topic reminded me of: https://www.juliawatson.com/lo-tek-design-by-radical-indigenism. It provides a review of various indigenous building strategies from around the world and is pretty cool.
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Comment on Being well prepared makes me feel 😌 in ~life
lackofaname Link ParentMy umbrella is the Muji 2-way folding umbrella. I just weighed mine in at ~200 g, and it goes quite small and thin, but has a funny partially manual folding mechanism (you have to manually 'snap'...My umbrella is the Muji 2-way folding umbrella. I just weighed mine in at ~200 g, and it goes quite small and thin, but has a funny partially manual folding mechanism (you have to manually 'snap' each arm in half to put it in its smallest configuration).
Admittedly, it's probably not the most durable for high-wind weather but for me it's perfect when there's a chance of rain and I want some form of rain protection. I'm not sure if the brand you linked is available in Canada, but it does look very good!
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Comment on Being well prepared makes me feel 😌 in ~life
lackofaname LinkSame, though I've gotten much better about it. I've enjoyed organzing better so I don't end up carrying more than I need/duplicates. Also, finding lighter, smaller versions of the things I like to...Same, though I've gotten much better about it. I've enjoyed organzing better so I don't end up carrying more than I need/duplicates. Also, finding lighter, smaller versions of the things I like to pack has helped. Like my super lightweight umbrella that barely weighs anything, and a smaller cardholder over a traditional bigger wallet.
Funny enough, I tend to pack very light when I fly, and can usually get away with just a carry on.
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Comment on What are your thoughts on audiobooks? in ~books
lackofaname LinkA late response but another audiobook lover. I used to be an avid book reader when I was younger, but between life getting busy and eyestrain from reading screens all day, I stopped reading for...A late response but another audiobook lover. I used to be an avid book reader when I was younger, but between life getting busy and eyestrain from reading screens all day, I stopped reading for years. I stumbled across audiobooks a couple years ago and they reignited my love of books. Now I almost exclusively listen to audiobooks.
I tend to enjoy them when in calm driving conditions, while doing chores like gardening or cleaning, and while napping/before bed (this one's dangerous as I often fall asleep and then have to rewind).
I have access to a couple public libraries, so use Libby to borrow audiobooks. Some libraries have tonnes of digital materials and others few, so yymv.
Some books I listen to sped up a bit, and others I actually slow down a smidge. It really depends on the narrator's cadence.
In terms of suggestions: a lot of the books I listen to are for the stories and not so much the quality of narration. But, BBC Radio has a series of full-cast dramatizations, and the ones Ive listened to are fantastic. Another seemingly random suggestion is World War Z; it's read by a full cast with some pretty famous voices.
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Comment on What just happened to TheNumbers.com should worry us all in ~tech
lackofaname LinkThe numbers here were really eye-opening read for me. Yea I've heard the headlines about dead internet theory, bots > than humans, and the prevalence of crawling with ai, but I really had no idea...The numbers here were really eye-opening read for me. Yea I've heard the headlines about dead internet theory, bots > than humans, and the prevalence of crawling with ai, but I really had no idea of the scale, so seeing the ratio of 38,000:1 anthropic crawls:visitor was honestly shocking.
Also really interesting to see how, in the case of The Numbers, they're treating the crawlers as the audience to increase paid services.
Flip side, though: this really highlights how irresponsible the ai companies comes across to me, releasing such powerful tools into the wild and only then playing whackamole to put up guardrails and fix problems that could reasonably have been anticipated (though I'll grant, devious people can be clever as hell).
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Comment on Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits in ~hobbies
lackofaname Link ParentStunning! Pic 2 in particular took my brewth away. Best of luck finding your ptarmigan :)Stunning! Pic 2 in particular took my brewth away.
Best of luck finding your ptarmigan :)
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Comment on Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits in ~hobbies
lackofaname Link ParentYour enthusiasm is infectious! I've finally downloaded the merlin app, so it's available if I'm out walking or paddling and curious about a bird I encounter (for what it's worth, I'm in my late...Your enthusiasm is infectious! I've finally downloaded the merlin app, so it's available if I'm out walking or paddling and curious about a bird I encounter (for what it's worth, I'm in my late 30s now :)
I grew up very interested in nature, but my focus has generally been drawn more towards plants and fungi for whatever reason. Nonetheless, I'm always up for expanding my repetoire; thank you for sharing your resource recommendations.
I'll say, while I know relatively little about birds, their behaviour can be pretty interesting. I'll end on my favourite bird story: I've retained a particular memory of a paddling trip as a kid, crossing a lake with a huge number of loons on it; it had to be dozens. I only knew of loons as solitary, so this encounter stuck deep in my memory. Decades later, I was listening to a radio program and the guest discussed, of all things, the congregating behaviour of loons. It was so exciting to have my memory validated!
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Comment on Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits in ~hobbies
lackofaname Link ParentThank you, bookmarked! I've been looking for things to watch to decompress after work.Thank you, bookmarked! I've been looking for things to watch to decompress after work.
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Comment on Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits in ~hobbies
lackofaname Link ParentMaking a career out of bird sounds like the extreme logical conclusion of being into birds. That's very fun for the family to have an expert in the mix. Is there anything in particular you're...Making a career out of bird sounds like the extreme logical conclusion of being into birds. That's very fun for the family to have an expert in the mix.
Is there anything in particular you're hoping to see while you're visiting the park?
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Comment on Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits in ~hobbies
lackofaname LinkI saw this article the other day, and its positivity struck me. I have a couple friends in the millennial the range who do enjoy birding frequently. I've never gotten deep into birding myself, but...A growing number of Torontonians are flocking to analog hobbies like birdwatching to make new friends and reconnect with nature.
Birding has “historically been seen as an old white guy thing,” said our group’s co-leader, May Matchim, a naturalist and documentary maker. But in the past decade, a flood of younger and more diverse Torontonians has breathed new life into the hobby. “It’s been really lovely to see that change happen in real time.”
I saw this article the other day, and its positivity struck me.
I have a couple friends in the millennial the range who do enjoy birding frequently. I've never gotten deep into birding myself, but can appreciate how cool they are and have been meaning to try out the Merlin app on walks.
At a time of shrinking attention spans, birdwatching can be an exercise in mindfulness and living in the moment. “It’s a meditative activity,” said Agatha Nyambi, a 34-year-old Ph.D student...
Another major benefit of the hobby is it’s often done in a group. “When you spend time with birding groups, you start to recognize people and it helps you feel like part of the community,” Nyambi said.
“I think there is something about birds and our appreciation of them — their strangeness, their beauty — that compels us to think outside of ourselves,” said Dr. Jonathan Rosand, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School...
Anyone here enjoy birding? Noticing similar trends in birder communities local to you?
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Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits
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Comment on Do you cook with cast iron? Is it the hassle everyone says it is? in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentMy absolute favourite cast iron pan is an old mid-century 5-inch pan I bought for $10 from a flea market; after cleaning off the gunk and rust, it's the smoothest, nonstickiest pan I own. I have...My absolute favourite cast iron pan is an old mid-century 5-inch pan I bought for $10 from a flea market; after cleaning off the gunk and rust, it's the smoothest, nonstickiest pan I own. I have two other cast irons I abuse for whatever, but this one is my egg-only pan that makes perfect nonsticking eggs.
I have no real point to this, just backing up the love for thrift finds!
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Comment on Do you cook with cast iron? Is it the hassle everyone says it is? in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentI'm going to tack my tip onto your comment because I follow your philosophy of simplicity: After cooking and regular cleaning/wiping with a little bit of oil, I store my cast iron pans in the...I'm going to tack my tip onto your comment because I follow your philosophy of simplicity:
After cooking and regular cleaning/wiping with a little bit of oil, I store my cast iron pans in the oven, so every time I use the oven, they get a bit of an extra seasoning without me having to think about it. Easy peasy.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
lackofaname Link ParentI often have one banana out of a bunch that goes overripe. Rather than force myself to eat it or get rid of it, I toss it in the freezer to make banana bread once enough have accumulated. The nice...I often have one banana out of a bunch that goes overripe. Rather than force myself to eat it or get rid of it, I toss it in the freezer to make banana bread once enough have accumulated. The nice thing about freezer bananas is they mash up more easily, too!
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Comment on How much of an echo chamber is Reddit/the internet, really? in ~tech
lackofaname Link ParentI started reading French-language subreddits to improve my french not long ago, and recently came across the exact same comment in two different posts; it was unique enough to stick in my memory....I started reading French-language subreddits to improve my french not long ago, and recently came across the exact same comment in two different posts; it was unique enough to stick in my memory.
I knew bots are ubiquitous, but I was honestly surprised to see it in a non-English language, in smaller regional/niche subs. I guess I was naive and thought it was moreso a problem in the bigger, main subs. It's really extra-soured me from reddit.
My local libraries offer the same.
Also library-specific, but in my neck of the woods, many libraries have stepped into the maker-space and offer free access to machines like 3D printers, button presses, and lazer engravers. Some also offer certain take-home tools, like energy meters and even kitchenware!