That’s so sweet. The time we have with our loved ones really is a gift

Love wins 🏳️‍🌈

Am I allowed to have a few? Because I can’t pick just one haha: Priory of the Orange Tree, Jane Eyre, Lord of the Rings series, A Song of Ice and Fire series (yes, even after the season that will not be named), Fingersmith, Rebecca, Redwall series. There’s more, but I feel like this is too many already 😅

I have Devil House in my to read pile! I’m going to put it at the top of the stack now

True story: I was once at a restaurant and they had a ‘Fun Guy Pizza’ and I asked for that without the mushrooms (it had an awesome combo of sauce and cheese and I don’t like the texture of mushrooms)

It took until it being brought over for me to realise I basically asked for a cheeseburger without cheese

I have never felt like such a fool

Why have I never thought of this? I use MSG everywhere I can and this never occurred to me - thank you!

Yep, loaning physical media with software isn’t a thing anymore for that exact reason. Any software or digital platform we offer (ancestry, language learning, ebooks, etc) we either have a ‘one copy one user’ licence which essentially functions like a physical copy, we’re directly paying for each time something is accessed, or we have a subscription specifically made for libraries. We can loan out things like Kindles loaded with ebooks that we’ve purchased, but there’s still a grey area with loaning out a tablet that has the major streaming services installed (with accounts paid for by the library), so we haven’t gone down that route yet

Lmao thanks, yeah I like variety haha

I mean I like them, so I’m gonna say yes haha

Sorry you had a terrible sound engineer that night though :/

Thanks I’ll check it out!

Same! I was lucky enough to get a limited edition one of Peach too. And this one, all their designs are so cool

Sleep Token - This place will become your tomb (2021) / This eden (2023)

Grim Salvo - MILDRED (2022)

Tame Impala - The Slow rush (2020)

Spiritbox - Eternal blue (2021)

Bad Omens - THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND (2022)

Can I include EP’s? If so, Lorna Shore - … And I return to nothingness (2021)

Black Tiger Sex Machine - Once upon a time in cyberworld (2022)

Apashe - Renaissance (2020)

Florence + The Machine - Dance fever (2022)

Hozier - Unreal unearth (2023)

I’m sure there’s more

It’s definitely survivorship bias and likely that the barrier for entry is a lot lower now, so only ‘better’ music would be made (ie record companies doing risk assessment and deciding what would be more likely to sell) / your average person can make music now relatively easily, which I suppose technically ‘dilutes’ the overall ‘quality’ of music today - take your pick

Ooo another Larkin Poe fan in the wild! Literally wearing one of their shirts right this minute

Reminds me the week I did nothing but play Dragon Age Inquisition for literally 10 hours a day lmao. It was literally sleep, play, maybe eat, sleep, repeat.

Yeah old hardware is definitely neat! Luckily the vita’s weren’t too much. The screen on one of them (an OLED) is registering touches that it shouldn’t (the bottom bezel that’s definitely not part of the screen, the select button also triggers it inexplicably). I think my next project will be to replace that front unit. I’ve already taken it apart once, so if I can get that back to working properly with a new module that would be awesome

I have no regrets on buying the pc, tbh. With the keyboard, it means I’ll be able to do some coding with a lot less setup investment, which is usually my main de-motivator. I have a few projects that I’m working on already, so at least new ideas won’t be needed lol

I do have an ancient Macbook that I don’t really use too much anymore, maybe I’ll wipe that and do a Linux install :)

4ish hours to get into the Catacombs in Paris. Not long by some of the other times mentioned here, but I got sunburnt pretty bad despite being in the shade a lot. Totally worth it though, it was really cool and my dad really wanted to see it

Definitely varies for people, and there is actually a book coming out soon called “The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center” that you might find an interesting read.

For me, my fiancée is my best friend. Sure we’ve both had best friends before, but the connection was instant and way more intense than with anyone else for both of us. What makes our relationship different than a friendship is that we want to build a life together, we’re a team, we’re each eachother’s top priority, and, yes like most relationships there’s a physical aspect to it, amongst other things. The phrase ‘she’s my person’ really encompasses what it feels like, personally anyway.

If somethings right, you’ll feel it. When you find someone that sparks a connection beyond just friends, you’ll know. And if that never happens, don’t be too hard on yourself and start thinking there’s something wrong with you. Being neurodivergent and on the asexual / aromantic spectrum can make these questions harder, if they apply. Just do what feels right and don’t over think it too much. Easier said than done, I know

It’s such a shame really, because there are really cool independent sellers with some awesome handmade / hard to find vintage stuff, but they’re drowned out by drop shippers (who wouldn’t even be able to sell anything on there if people knew that same item was available through aliexpress without the 100x markup)

I love this question, super interesting to think about. I feel very lucky that it’s hard for me to pick one, between meeting my fiancée (she makes my life better in every way), getting on adhd meds (a lot more things about life make sense now), or getting my job (since it’s made me grow into a completely different, more capable person). Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the negative thoughts, so thank you.

If you don’t mind sharing, what about moving out has helped you? I’m sure there’s as many different ways as there are people who would answer similarly, increased independence, escaping the power imbalance, having to grow as an adult, and so on

I struggle with a lot of sounds, having a sensory processing disorder, the list of which is far too long to write out here. So I totally understand the frustration and how rage inducing it is, you are definitely not alone. Especially when people don’t understand it’s not a patience issue, it’s a ‘my brain isn’t wired the same way as yours and it genuinely cannot be fixed’ issue.

Other people have mentioned therapy, which is definitely a good idea. They can help you find ways to channel the energy into something else, or help you find the root cause (if it’s a children-specific thing, and not just a general sensory issue), or teach you good cognitive behavioral therapy practices.

In the interim, since finding a good therapist for you can take a lot of time, I would definitely recommend some form of earplugs. Mine have saved me and my sanity so so so many times. If I can recommend a particular pair, I would suggest the Loop Switch, since they let you adjust the sound reduction levels on the fly - but any brand / even the foam tip ones (as long as they fit you properly!) can help immeasurably. For me, just knowing I have earplugs with me helps dealing with these sounds, even if I don’t wind up using them, just knowing the option is there. Some form of stress ball or those grip / forearm strengtheners might also be of use for you? It can be a good distraction, as well as allowing yourself to let off some of the steam in a relatively healthy and inconspicuous manner.

And kudos for knowing this is a problem for you, and looking for help on how to improve it. I hope you’re able to make progress you want, one way or another. Good luck, OP - we’re rooting for you

Not the only land animal, but it’s true they can’t jump: 100% super reliable source.

Mainly linking that site because this line kills me:

The tortoise cannot jump because it lacks agility and speed.

Absolutely amazing, though I will say the name made me do a double take