Paul26's recent activity
-
Comment on TV series suggestions in ~tv
-
Comment on Ottawa's big bet on world's largest cricket farm ran into a simple problem: the 'yuck factor' in ~food
Paul26 LinkI’d eat this if they packaged it kind of like tofu for example. Or sausage-style: crickets hot dog.I’d eat this if they packaged it kind of like tofu for example. Or sausage-style: crickets hot dog.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 LinkI started Borderlands 4 over the weekend. Still very early into it. Only got the vehicle last night. I'm taking it slow. Chose Vex an my character. The minion reminds me a bit of Moredecai's skill...I started Borderlands 4 over the weekend. Still very early into it. Only got the vehicle last night. I'm taking it slow. Chose Vex an my character. The minion reminds me a bit of Moredecai's skill in Borderlands 1, which was the first character I ever played in this universe back on the PS3. I also liked the siren (Maya) in B2, so this felt fitting. It's a siren with minions. I pulled the trigger on this game because it's on sale on the PS store. I didn't want to pay full price. B3 was my least favorite so I was not sure what to expect from B4. SI was worried about one thing I kept seeing in reviews, and that's the absence of a minimap. But I do see it in the option now, so I guess the developers added it? Either way, I figured I would give it a shot without the minimap (to see how they had envisioned it initially). I gotta say, it's kind of nice. A more relaxed feel where I don't keep looking in the bottom corner half the time. The compass is so-so, I can see how people dislike it, especially if you start having many things on there. Anyway, yeah, so far so good overall in terms of gameplay and characters. Pretty much what you'd expect from Borderlands. The worst thing for me is the menu. The inventory and character used to "pop" more in past games. This has a very sterile "MENU" feel. But there are some cool shortcuts compared to past games too, that basically keep me OUT of the menus: picking up something as "junk" and selling all junk at a vending machine without going into the menu even once, for example. The vehicle spawning is just like Destiny. Miss the catch-a-riiiiide fun, and it was kind of a core thing to the universe, but I'm counting it as a quality of life upgrade overall. What else... hmm... the guns look bad in the menu. I guess that's more menu dislike. In B1 you could see the guns clearly. In this one some just look too similar to one another in the menu, while in the game they do look very distinctive. These are all early impressions so take them with a grain of salt.
I think B1 holds a special nostalgic place for me. B2 was my favorite for sure: long, good story, more of what was good in B1, but a lot of new stuff too. In a comment above, @Pavouk106 mentioned B2. Nice! Have fun! I think it's an awesome game. I replayed that one a few times to try different characters. It also has so many expansions.
Then the pre-sequel (the one on the moon) was pretty fun. I had a blast with that one, the low gravity mechanics and all that. More B2, basically. Felt like a huge add-on. B3 was the one I did not like very much. The improved graphics were nice, but the story and especially the villains just didn't resonate with me. There were some cool levels, but also some annoying parts and characters. Will see how B4 plays out for me as a long time fan of the series! -
Comment on Chuck Norris dies aged 86 in ~movies
Paul26 LinkRIP. I remember seeing some action movies and his show in the 90s as a kid who was into action movies. I thought he was cool back then. Then the memes when that happened - that was pretty funny....RIP. I remember seeing some action movies and his show in the 90s as a kid who was into action movies. I thought he was cool back then. Then the memes when that happened - that was pretty funny. Had no idea about the not-so-great stuff about him until yesterday.
-
Comment on Commonly misspelled words quiz in ~humanities.languages
Paul26 Link ParentYou're right, I don't even think twice when I hear "coup" or "cul de sac". Definitely lots of French words in English like you said. That one just happens to be a less common one, so it sticks out...You're right, I don't even think twice when I hear "coup" or "cul de sac". Definitely lots of French words in English like you said. That one just happens to be a less common one, so it sticks out for me, a lot more than the 4 you listed and especially as part of the 20 on the quiz.
-
Comment on When you were first getting your driver's license, what were you afraid of? in ~transport
Paul26 LinkI didn't want to get a license because I saw no need for one. I rode my bike a lot and took transit. I was OK with it and it felt enough for me. But my parents insisted that I do learn how to...I didn't want to get a license because I saw no need for one. I rode my bike a lot and took transit. I was OK with it and it felt enough for me. But my parents insisted that I do learn how to drive (I was 17-18 or so). I also didn't want the extra responsibility to drive others.
I was not afraid of anything, nor did I consider myself too incompetent to drive. Once I got my license I was and still am a very good driver in my opinion. I never got into an accident. I wasn't worries about traffic laws. I never tried to push the limits of the laws. I didn't fear accidents. I'm in my 40s now. I think I am a good driver. The only thing I am becoming a little afraid of now is driving at night because of the ridiculously bright head lights on SUVs and pickup trucks. The glare is blinding.
I was only in one very minor accident: I was rear ended at very VERY low speed. Barely even scratched my bumper and it was 100% the other person's fault. If I worry about anything on the road it is other drivers, their lack of skill, them being distracted or impaired, or them being overly aggressive on the road.
-
Comment on A hobby of collecting hobbies in ~hobbies
Paul26 Link ParentI turned 40 last year and I'm on job #8. Longest job: 6 years. Shortest: 3 months. I am leaving out some pre-adulthood jobs in retail or fast food, as well as any extra-short contracts in-between...I turned 40 last year and I'm on job #8. Longest job: 6 years. Shortest: 3 months. I am leaving out some pre-adulthood jobs in retail or fast food, as well as any extra-short contracts in-between longer jobs.
-
Comment on Commonly misspelled words quiz in ~humanities.languages
Paul26 Link ParentThis is true, but I feel it more for some words than others. "Amicable" doesn't feel as "out there" as horse doovers (thank you, @balooga, for the improved and much easier spelling).This is true, but I feel it more for some words than others. "Amicable" doesn't feel as "out there" as horse doovers (thank you, @balooga, for the improved and much easier spelling).
-
Comment on Commonly misspelled words quiz in ~humanities.languages
Paul26 Link ParentThe last one is not really an English word... It's French. Hors d'oeuvre? I don't even know if I spelled it right. Who even uses this word?! Sounds like something to make fancy people feel classy...The last one is not really an English word... It's French. Hors d'oeuvre? I don't even know if I spelled it right. Who even uses this word?! Sounds like something to make fancy people feel classy by avoiding the word "appetizers". If we use the French word, we can charge double the amount for the celery sticks with stale ranch dip!
-
Comment on Commonly misspelled words quiz in ~humanities.languages
Paul26 LinkAww man rookie mistake on "possessions" and disappointed I messed up "mischievous". Unacceptable! I went in thinking I'll get 20/20 for sure.Aww man rookie mistake on "possessions" and disappointed I messed up "mischievous". Unacceptable! I went in thinking I'll get 20/20 for sure.
-
Comment on A hobby of collecting hobbies in ~hobbies
Paul26 LinkThis is a really cool thread, @phoenixrises! I would be really curious to know if those who do have or have had many hobbies also had many jobs. Do you find you stick to a job a long time? Do you...This is a really cool thread, @phoenixrises! I would be really curious to know if those who do have or have had many hobbies also had many jobs. Do you find you stick to a job a long time? Do you get bored and move on to a new job/company/industry every few years?
I can say I do see that parallel in myself. I often tire of a job after about 2 years. Basically, once I "figured it out" and I feel like it turned into routine, I start feeling like it's time to move on. As I got older I've done it less, and if the job pays well, I would be more reluctant to make a change. But still, the desire is there and if it were easier, I could see myself switching jobs every 2 years or so until I retire.
-
Comment on A hobby of collecting hobbies in ~hobbies
Paul26 Link ParentLongboarding was fun, for sure. Looking back, I think I may have enjoyed the technical work on the boards more than the actual activity. One of my knees was not too happy with all that pushing,...Longboarding was fun, for sure. Looking back, I think I may have enjoyed the technical work on the boards more than the actual activity. One of my knees was not too happy with all that pushing, and my risk-aversion prevented me from ever pushing the limit and getting better at the actual activity. It never got past cruising along. No downhill riding, no tricks.
-
Comment on A hobby of collecting hobbies in ~hobbies
Paul26 Link ParentDrawing has always been something I enjoy, but not something I count as a hobby as I never do it consistently enough. However, what I noticed is that it works better for me when I have a subject....Drawing has always been something I enjoy, but not something I count as a hobby as I never do it consistently enough. However, what I noticed is that it works better for me when I have a subject. Just sitting down and saying "now I will draw" doesn't work well. For example, after a Dungeons & Dragons game, I will draw a scene from that adventure. I enjoy it, I make it kind of funny, I share it with the other players and they get a big kick out of it. Sometimes maybe this is better than thinking "this is a hobby I am 100% into and I will make sure every week I put in X hours." Not everything needs to be all-in. It's something I have been trying to tell myself.
-
Comment on A hobby of collecting hobbies in ~hobbies
Paul26 Link ParentYou know, this is very true, and I think I can thank Reddit for some of these hobbies. I don't think I would have gotten into some of them had I not discovered a subreddit of very passionate...I can make a hobby out of anything, it’s a true problem.
You know, this is very true, and I think I can thank Reddit for some of these hobbies. I don't think I would have gotten into some of them had I not discovered a subreddit of very passionate people who make it seem like an awesome use of time. Whatever it may be. For example, I think I would never have picked up longboarding if I didn't see videos on reddit and then all the technical talk on them and parts and wheels and all that on dedicated subreddits.
-
Comment on A hobby of collecting hobbies in ~hobbies
Paul26 Link ParentOh yeah, SHAVING! I forgot about that one. I had a stint in that too. Bought a safety razor, blades, brush, special shaving soap and mug, etc. Dropped the whole thing about 6 months later when I...Oh yeah, SHAVING! I forgot about that one. I had a stint in that too. Bought a safety razor, blades, brush, special shaving soap and mug, etc. Dropped the whole thing about 6 months later when I decided it's just not worth the time and effort of the Gillette Mach 3 I had received for free many years ago still did a perfectly good job and you can still buy blades for it in bulk from Costco and 1 pack of those blades last me like 3 years.
-
Comment on Fitness Weekly Discussion in ~health
Paul26 LinkMy own routine has been a bit of a mess since the holidays. I got got sick twice (thanks, co-workers showing up sick!), which threw off. I'm aiming for 5 days a week, maybe 20-30 minutes Monday,...My own routine has been a bit of a mess since the holidays. I got got sick twice (thanks, co-workers showing up sick!), which threw off. I'm aiming for 5 days a week, maybe 20-30 minutes Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, with Wednesdays as stretch/yoga-ish days. Right now I am using mostly Apple Fitness. I'm back to about 2-3 days a week now, but for a few weeks I barely did 1-2 days. On the bright side, I do go for a good 2-5 Km walk 4-6 times a week thanks for having to walk my dog, so at least that keeps me moving. Spring is starting to show its face here too, which has been a pleasant change, and now it gets dark later, so I can make my walks longer.
Today I tried a kickboxing workout and I was sweating pretty good by the end of it! Surprisingly challenging as it's totally new to me, especially the kicks. Punches, I did before and I have some familiarity with the standard boxing punches. Kicks, not so much! The guys is like "now we do roundhouse kick" and I'm like "o....k...." lol. Tried my best, but I am sure my form sucks. I was trying to think back to the 90s and the Chuck Norris movies I was watching.
-
Comment on Let's talk about tropes! in ~books
Paul26 Link ParentI want to see what others think about this too! My take is that a trope is broader and a cliche is more specific, but I could be wrong. For example: is something like "the good guy gets the girl"...I want to see what others think about this too! My take is that a trope is broader and a cliche is more specific, but I could be wrong. For example: is something like "the good guy gets the girl" a trope, vs. "the good guy marries the girl at the end" a cliche?
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 Link ParentInteresting, I didn't know there was such a thing as aggression-based match making.Interesting, I didn't know there was such a thing as aggression-based match making.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Paul26 Link ParentIn spite of all that, it sounds like there are many dedicated folks who love it and have a community around it. My friend pointed out some of the things you mentioned too, like the sheer amount of...In spite of all that, it sounds like there are many dedicated folks who love it and have a community around it. My friend pointed out some of the things you mentioned too, like the sheer amount of XP and time. He wants to play with friends specifically because those things are more fun if you have a friend to chat with as you're doing all that grinding. Unfortunately I will not be joining him, though I do appreciate his excitement of the game and can respect his dedication to it.
White Lotus and Slow Horses were my most recent heavy favourites and pleasant stand outs.
Physical 100 is a fun one if you want something different.