parenthesis's recent activity
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Comment on What's something you want to understand the appeal of? in ~talk
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Comment on What's something you want to understand the appeal of? in ~talk
parenthesis Link ParentI can take a shot at the appeal (for me). I've been getting tattooed since I was 18, but it's only in my 30s that I'm getting super into it now that I have the money and am getting work by high...I can take a shot at the appeal (for me). I've been getting tattooed since I was 18, but it's only in my 30s that I'm getting super into it now that I have the money and am getting work by high quality artists. I have about 70 hours of work at the moment.
It is mainly about the aesthetic. I like how being heavily tattooed looks, and I always have. It makes me happy to see tattoos on my body. The more I get, the more I want to fill in the empty skin. I don't particularly care about showing them to other people, and most of my work isn't visible in my regular clothing. It's just something that makes me feel good.
I also have a lot of admiration for tattoos as a craft. There are artists out there doing work that takes an incredible amount of skill and dedication on the part of both the artist and client. It's fun to collect pieces that highlight different artists' style and talents.
As far as regrets, I don't have any true ones. I recognize that some of my earlier work isn't the best quality or that I didn't pick the best artist for it. Instagram has really changed tattooing and made it easy to find an artist whose style is really what you're after. I give artists a lot more freedom now and choose people whose work looks like what I want. The results are much better. But my old work is part of me. Much of it has been there for essentially my entire adult life, and I'm used to it. I sometimes wish I could have the space back to do things that are more in line with my current tastes, but that's about it. I might eventually cover one or two, but I've never considered removing any.
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Comment on What are some high protein vegan foods that don't try to emulate meat? in ~food
parenthesis LinkLong time vegan here! I'd suggest avoiding most premade products and looking for dishes that are traditionally vegetarian/vegan if you don't like meat substitutes. It's also totally okay to eat...Long time vegan here! I'd suggest avoiding most premade products and looking for dishes that are traditionally vegetarian/vegan if you don't like meat substitutes. It's also totally okay to eat carbs! Carbs are filling and delicious and most of them do have some protein. Whole grain versions tend to have a bit more protein than refined carbs. Fat is also super important for keeping you feeling full.
Some of my favourite higher protein foods are lentils and beans. I use them for things like Indian curries (served with rice or flatbread), tacos/burritos/burrito bowls, and soups. If you can find frozen shelled edamame, they're an easy addition to stir fries and very high in protein. I like just adding them to whatever veggie stir fry I'm making and serving over rice, and they're also great in noodle salads. Nuts are also a great source of protein. Using peanut sauce or adding peanuts to stir fries is great. There's also a ton of recipes for creamy sauces using a cashew base if you're into that.
If you don't like chewy tofu, then you can also use it in other ways! You can make "eggy" dishes like this quiche https://ohsheglows.com/2013/08/27/sun-dried-tomato-mushroom-and-spinach-tofu-quiche/ I also use crumbled tofu seasoned with herbs and lemon as a ricotta substitute in lasagna.
If you like coarse soybean flour but aren't into the texture, I'd suggest finding dishes where it's not the star. My favourite dumplings right now are https://chejorge.com/2020/07/21/pan-fried-dumplings/) and I also just made a batch of Korean mung bean pancakes based on Maangchi's recipe subbing TVP in for pork with great success.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
parenthesis LinkA friend and I just finished Children of Morta. It was a fun enough way to hang out, but I didn't love the game. I found the story confused and the narration was mostly written in passive voice,...A friend and I just finished Children of Morta. It was a fun enough way to hang out, but I didn't love the game. I found the story confused and the narration was mostly written in passive voice, which was very odd. The gameplay was fun, but the difficulty curve felt off. We found the beginning of the game quite challenging and then suddenly during the second world it got very easy. I suppose there is meant to be progression in a roguelike, but it felt abrupt to in this game.
I also just started playing Forager. It is SO addictive. It's the kind of game where you start playing then look up and 2 hours have passed. It reminds me a lot of Stardew Valley with a bit less charm. I definitely see myself sinking a bunch of mindless hours into this title.
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Comment on Does anybody here use a wake up light? in ~health
parenthesis LinkI'm probably not using it quite as you're meant to since I also sleep with the blinds open, but I've used one for many years. It helps especially on cloudy days or days when I have to wake up...I'm probably not using it quite as you're meant to since I also sleep with the blinds open, but I've used one for many years. It helps especially on cloudy days or days when I have to wake up before sunrise.
The light on its own doesn't always wake me up fully. I have mine set to a birdsong alarm, which starts off super quiet, in addition to the light. I'm a light sleeper, so the quiet birdsong plus the light wakes me up in a pretty peaceful way. I don't mind the sound even after all these years (and I sure do hate being startled awake by traditional alarm clocks and phone alarms).
Mine is a Phillips model I bought in 2012 for under $100 CAD. I believe it was the most basic one they had at the time.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
parenthesis LinkI started playing Celeste over the weekend, and so far I'm really into it. I am NOT good at platformers (I'm three chapters in with over 700 deaths), but I've found this game feels good to play...I started playing Celeste over the weekend, and so far I'm really into it. I am NOT good at platformers (I'm three chapters in with over 700 deaths), but I've found this game feels good to play regardless. When I die, I can usually see how it's my fault, and the game feels fair. It's frustrating enough to feel great when I succeed, but not so much that I want to quit. I'm just getting through the chapters and only going for a handful of strawberries each time, so I also really appreciate the game itself telling me it's okay not to be completionist.
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Comment on Ahoy vegans; do you make yourself breakfast every morning? If so, what is it? in ~food
parenthesis LinkMy usual go to breakfast in the summer is also overnight oats. @mat covered it pretty well! My favourite is peanut butter with a little maple syrup and some chia seeds for texture. Museli with...My usual go to breakfast in the summer is also overnight oats. @mat covered it pretty well! My favourite is peanut butter with a little maple syrup and some chia seeds for texture.
Museli with vegan milk or yogurt is also a pretty solid option. Store bought ones often have a lot of sugary dried fruits, but you could make your own without or with less.
I'm also really into ful medames for breakfast. There's a lot of variations, but I make it with a can of fava beans with some olive oil, sauteed garlic, cumin, and a dash of cayenne with some lemon juice added after cooking it down for a few minutes. I serve mine with crusty bread and olive oil, but you could eat it with GF bread or veggies (tomatoes and cucumbers would be good I imagine!).
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Comment on Tildes User Income Survey in ~finance
parenthesis LinkWelp I messed up and put my income in CAD instead of USD. It would have been nice to have that warning in the text of the survey! That said, I'm doubtful that converting would give an accurate...Welp I messed up and put my income in CAD instead of USD. It would have been nice to have that warning in the text of the survey! That said, I'm doubtful that converting would give an accurate representation of my purchasing power/income percentile. I suspect the conversion would make me look a little worse off than I actually am.
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Comment on What is the size of your smartphone? in ~tech
parenthesis LinkI have a Huawei p20 which has a 5.8" screen. It's WAY bigger than I wanted when I was shopping for a phone, but I ended up compromising. I have medium-size hands, and I don't find it very...I have a Huawei p20 which has a 5.8" screen. It's WAY bigger than I wanted when I was shopping for a phone, but I ended up compromising.
I have medium-size hands, and I don't find it very comfortable to use with one hand. Sticking a little phone strap on the back has helped tremendously though, and I can use it one-handed with that.
Having a bigger screen has grown on me despite having some downsides, and I don't regret getting a bigger phone than I set out to.
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Comment on How much actual work do you do in a day? in ~life
parenthesis LinkHow much I work varies a ton from day to day. Some days I just have to respond to a few emails and spend the rest of the day chatting with coworkers, reading news vaguely related to my work, or...How much I work varies a ton from day to day. Some days I just have to respond to a few emails and spend the rest of the day chatting with coworkers, reading news vaguely related to my work, or just straight up browsing. Other days I'm busy all day and put in a full 8 hours, or on rare occasions have to do a 12+ hour day where I'm actually working the whole time. I also often do facilitate workshops outside the office, in which case I'm working the whole time I'm there.
That said, my work environment is pretty chaotic and full of interruptions, so tasks that might take me 20 minutes at home can take hours in the office. If I worked from home or a quieter place, I could get the desk job parts of my work done in 8-10 hours most weeks, and I normally work 32 hours a week.
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Comment on American asking - how does your country's healthcare system perform for you? in ~health
parenthesis Link ParentAnother Canadian here! Overall I also really like our system, and I generally don't worry too much about my health costs. I live in Quebec, and we do have government provided prescription drug...Another Canadian here! Overall I also really like our system, and I generally don't worry too much about my health costs.
I live in Quebec, and we do have government provided prescription drug insurance here. It's only open to people who don't have private drug insurance through work/school. We pay a copay for drugs, but it maxes out at around $90 per month, so if you're on an expensive treatment, it's still reasonably affordable. The premium cost comes out of your taxes, so it varies depending on your income. People under 18 and people on social assistance don't pay for drugs. It's fairly good system, and I like knowing that if I do ever need expensive medications, it won't bankrupt me.
Lots of people in Quebec don't have a family doctor, and the wait lists for one are absurdly long. I'm honestly not sure if it's worse here than other places, but we do like to complain about it. However, there are lots of walk-in clinics, including some that will give you an appointment so you don't have to wait around for hours, so routine care is fairly accessible.
I wish things like dental and vision were covered by the government. Lots of people get coverage for them through their employer, but my workplace doesn't offer health insurance, so I find myself limiting how much I access those things.
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Comment on What are the best science fiction short stories, novellas, and novelettes you have ever read? in ~books
parenthesis LinkMeanwhile, Elsewhere is one of my favourite sci fi anthologies. All of the stories are by different trans authors. It's a mixed bag in terms of quality, but I really loved a lot of the stories. I...Meanwhile, Elsewhere is one of my favourite sci fi anthologies. All of the stories are by different trans authors. It's a mixed bag in terms of quality, but I really loved a lot of the stories. I especially highly recommend it to anyone who's trans!
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Comment on What book had a most unexpected twist you really didn't see coming? in ~books
parenthesis LinkFor me it was The Traitor Baru Cormorant. In a sense the ending wasn't a twist because you're sort of told what will happen (I mean the title itself is a big hint!). But I realized that I was in...For me it was The Traitor Baru Cormorant. In a sense the ending wasn't a twist because you're sort of told what will happen (I mean the title itself is a big hint!). But I realized that I was in the same kind of denial about how the book would end as the protagonist was. I haven't read many books whose endings have crushed me like the end of that one did.
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Comment on What do you do when your favourite game goes to shit? in ~games
parenthesis Link ParentA few things season 7 has: flying around in planes smashing builds and third partying with impunity; an OP sword that spawns in a set location where everyone now lands and dies before the first...A few things season 7 has: flying around in planes smashing builds and third partying with impunity; an OP sword that spawns in a set location where everyone now lands and dies before the first circle; massive lag when you kill the last player, to the point where you wonder if lost every time; poor optimization, sound issues, and other fun bugs.
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Comment on What do you do when your favourite game goes to shit? in ~games
parenthesis LinkI don't have a great solution, but I wanted to commiserate as I'm in a similar situation with Fortnite! And I stopped playing WoW during Legion, but that was also a big change for me as it's by...I don't have a great solution, but I wanted to commiserate as I'm in a similar situation with Fortnite! And I stopped playing WoW during Legion, but that was also a big change for me as it's by far the game I've sunk the most hours into, and to this day is still the only game I've really felt at home in.
One thing that's sort of helped me is playing with friends. I've been playing a lot of Fortnite season 7 even though I don't like the changes because I have a friend who's really into it. Playing with someone more casual helps me take the stuff I don't like a bit less seriously.
Otherwise, generally when I stop being into a game I've put a lot of time into, time is what eventually makes it better! The good old days feeling never comes back, but eventually a new game comes along, and the cycle starts again. In the interim, I do other stuff or play single player games.
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Comment on Genderqueer/gender bender/genderfuck fashion in ~lgbt
parenthesis Link ParentFair enough for the nails! I feel pretty blessed for not being disposed to picking and for having strong nails. And that sounds like such a nice moment! It's always good when strangers surprise...Fair enough for the nails! I feel pretty blessed for not being disposed to picking and for having strong nails. And that sounds like such a nice moment! It's always good when strangers surprise you like that.
My pronoun is they/them. Yourself?
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Comment on Genderqueer/gender bender/genderfuck fashion in ~lgbt
parenthesis LinkI'm late to the party, but happy to see this thread! I'm non-binary and AFAB but usually get read as a guy. I've taken to maintaining long painted nails, and I've started to get into doing nail...I'm late to the party, but happy to see this thread!
I'm non-binary and AFAB but usually get read as a guy. I've taken to maintaining long painted nails, and I've started to get into doing nail art as well. I'm usually pretty lazy about my appearance, but keeping my nails looking good makes me feel femme and fab. I get a surprising number of compliments from unexpected people as well.
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Comment on It’s OK to call racists ‘racist’ in ~misc
parenthesis Link ParentI agree with most of what @Catt said in terms of why Quebec is more (openly) racist than much of the rest of Canada. I would add that French Canadians are a historically (and in some ways...I agree with most of what @Catt said in terms of why Quebec is more (openly) racist than much of the rest of Canada. I would add that French Canadians are a historically (and in some ways presently) oppressed group in Canada, and in Quebec, they make up the majority of the population but until recently did not have equal access to education, wealth, and political power. This might be in part why white francophones here perceive becoming a minority as a threat, as their access to power is recent and hard fought.
I would also say that multiculturalism as an ideal is not popular in Quebec, and people tend to expect minority groups to conform to the majority (white francophone) culture. This means that policies that enforce this, like face-covering bans, are more popular politically and with the public than they are in the rest of the country.
I think that the First Nations situation is a bit more nuanced than what you saw on your trip. For instance, the first modern land claims treaty, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, was negotiated by the Quebec government. It gave certain Cree and Inuit nations increased control over their governance, education, and health systems. Many Quebecois also regard the Indigenous nations here as historical allies against the English. My anecdotal experience is that individual prejudice against Indigenous people is widespread across Canada, and if anything it's more common in the western provinces which have higher Indigenous populations.
And I'm editing to add that this comment was meant to give insight into the Quebecois perspective based on my experience living in Quebec for the last decade, but that I don't actually agree with Quebec's racist attitudes and policies!
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Comment on Anyone here play Warframe? in ~games
parenthesis Link ParentVery good to know. Thank you!Very good to know. Thank you!
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Comment on Anyone here play Warframe? in ~games
parenthesis LinkI actually just downloaded it, but I haven't tried it yet. Any advice for someone who's brand spanking new to the game?I actually just downloaded it, but I haven't tried it yet. Any advice for someone who's brand spanking new to the game?
For me anyways, exactly. I'm okay with having pieces that I don't have the same emotional connection to any more. They're still a reminder of a particular time in my life. And it's not like my tastes have changed so much that I actively dislike anything I've chosen to put on my body.
For more this is less clear, but it's definitely the case that the more tattoos you get the more they blend together. A lot of heavily tattooed people have some really badly done pieces on them, but you tend to notice them much less than you would if it was the only thing on them.