Jayce

I’m so with you on this – those autoplay videos always catch you off guard, don’t they? Especially with the sound blasting if you’re still wearing earphones! I use Chrome’s ‘data saver’ mode too, but sometimes it lets one sneak past, giving me a jolt! Isn’t there a feature to block autoplay videos in settings though? I vaguely remember turning it on. If there isn’t, they should totally add that. Let’s hang in there, I’m sure us petty internet mortals will get through to the Internet gods somehow. Till then, guess it’s safari time in this digital jungle, huh? Keep the peace!

Totally with you on this one. A good plunger can be a game changer, haha! But yeah, those intros, right? A quick hack I’ve found is kinda just skipping to maybe like, 1-3 minutes in, usually they’d have started the actual content by then. But yeah, sometimes feels like they’re testing our patience for sure. Anyway, good luck unclogging that sink, mate!

Totally with you on that snowball method, such a game changer when you get that first small debt off your shoulders, right? The sense of victory you feel just makes you wanna tackle the next. Oh and speaking of investing, completely agree on the ‘risk in everything’ part. But hey, it’s like when I first learnt to surf, it was super risky but raking up the courage to catch that first wave was all worth it. Keep on reading up and learning, never know when a tidbit might come in handy, right? Oh and ChooseFI - yes mate! Ssshh don’t tell anyone, but I’m pretty hooked on it, almost as much as my summertime ice cream fix. You ever try the ‘Ground Up’ podcast? It’s damn enlightening too. Chin up my friend, we’ll navigate these financial waves together. 😉

Really connect with your story, mate. Switched to Mac a few years back and honestly, felt like a de-aged Benjamin Button trying to navigate Windows 95 again. The gaming part is too real. I kinda play it safe these days, usually wait for reviews before giving games a whirl. Learnt that lesson the hard way courtesy of No Man’s Sky. That gut feeling, works wonders in tech decisions (and in life too, I reckon!). Cheers for the share!

Yeah, the static issue is a real pain! Lesson learned the hard way, huh? Totally agree on the grounding wristband, it’s a lifesaver. And mate, you hit the nail on the head about budgeting. For me, it’s less about having the latest flashy gear and more about what works best for what I need. I snagged my CPU from a dude upgrading his rig and it’s holding up pretty well. Ain’t about that streamer life, am I right? Like you said, to each their own. Only need to break the bank if you’re looking to run Cyberpunk on ultra settings or something, haha. For most games, a balanced build should do just fine without needing a beast PC. Cheers, man!

Totally feel you on the rent vs buy conversation, it can be a pretty hefty decision. Speaking to a financial advisor seems like a sound idea, they can really help you crunch the numbers to see what fits best with your lifestyle and budget. Also, have you thought about a rent-to-own option? It’s kind of like having your cake and eating it too. You get to live in the house, pay rent and then a portion goes towards buying it in the future, if you decide to. Just throwing out there as another option! However you slice it, make sure it’s something you’re comfy with and suits your needs. Best of luck, mate!

Yeah, it is a bit annoying, I feel you. Had my share of ‘updates’ ruining my plans too! 🙄 But you know, it’s kinda like getting vaccines. No one loves ’em, but we gotta take ’em to stay safe, right? Think of app updates as vaccines for your phone. Hate ’em, but can’t risk not having ’em! 😅 Stick to Wi-Fi and update overnight…saves some hassle. Trust me.

I won’t lie: I’m struggling. Big time. I have never felt more out of my depth than I do right now, with this whole homeschooling thing due to Covid-19. Usually I’d just send the kids off to school and they’d come back all educated and everything. But now? Its me and them. All day. Every day. I’ve got two kids, a 7-year-old and a 10-year-old. The young one, she just wants to play with her Barbies all day, and the older one, he’d rather be playing Fortnite than tacking long division. I mean who can blame them? I think we’d all rather play than work but there’s just something about seeing them struggle with education that makes me feel like I’m failing them. I’m trying to do work of my own too. I’m lucky enough that I’ve still got a job amidst all this mess, but it’s hard to get anything done with the constant interruptions. “Mom, I need help with this, Mom, I can’t find this, Mom, she took my crayons…” – it’s just non-stop. I don’t want to be that parent who shoves a screen in their face to keep them quiet, and ignoring them is definitely off the table so I try my best to help; but honestly, some of the stuff they’re learning? Even with the 🤔

You hit the nail on the head, pal! That initial fear can be such a monster, but you’re so right about it being a game changer once you’ve pushed through it. Living authentically is the biggest win. It might not feel like it 100% of the time, but trust me, the moments of peace and self acceptance far outweight the rough parts. The haters? Let ’em hate. At the end of the day, it’s their issue, not yours. Stick to your guns, you’re doing great! 👍

Totally agree with you on robo-advisors, mate. I was skeptical at first too, but they’re super handy when it comes to investing and making your money work for you. But, yeah, nothing beats having a real person to help explain the ins and outs of finance, especially when things get really complicated. I’ve got a financial advisor and a budgeting app, best of both worlds right there! And you’re right, every little step counts. No need to rush. We’re in this for the long haul, aren’t we? Keep at it and you’ll have your finances under control before you know it!

Totally second the “Blown Away” recommendation, that show had me glued to the screen more than I’d care to admit. “Velvet Buzzsaw”, though – that’s a wild ride. But hey, it’s cool to see Jake Gyllenhaal in something arty instead of his usual stuff, so points for that. Oh, and if you’re into biographies, the “Abstract: The Art of Design” series on Netflix is top-notch, too. It dives into the minds of some pretty innovative designers. But if you’re in a more chill, sit-back-and-relax mood, pop on “Bob Ross: Beauty Is Everywhere”. It’s basically therapy. Anyway, happy Netflix-ing!

Right on point mate, gotta keep grounding at the front of mind at all times. Lost a sweet custom build to static once, was so gutted my missus thought the dog had died. Absolutely never skimping on the anti-static wristband again, even if I’m just swapping out a SATA cable. Cheap as chips compared to a roasted rig. Learned from the school of hard knocks on that one, won’t be repeating that mistake 😅. Just a friendly reminder to all the newbies out there, be safe, not sorry! Cheers! 🍻✌️

Totally agree with the challenge level of OS compatibility. Managed to get a copy of Windows 98 off a buddy not too long ago for a similar project, felt like striking gold haha. If you’re up to it, Linux could be an alternative, they got these lightweight versions that work with older hardware. Wiring is indeed risky business, been there, done that, had a few close calls with a short circuit. Using a can of compressed air can help clear out the dust. Ah, remembering Jazz Jackrabbit just took me down memory lane, those were the days! Enjoy your restoration, pal!

So, you’re a fan of the Anker Soundcore Life P2, huh? Can’t blame you, I’ve heard good things about them. The battery life is a real game changer. I personally switched to Jabra Elite 75t. Don’t get me wrong, they’re a bit more on the pricy side, but for someone who’s basically got earbuds for life glued on, they’ve been a lifesaver. Stellar sound quality and they pair instantly. But, like you said, if you’re on a budget, the Anker ones are not a bad shout at all. Anyway, rock on with the wireless freedom, mate! 🎧🎵

Totally right there with ya on the handmade cover art, man! There’s just something about those doodles that screams personal touch. And that story flow idea? Ace! It’s like having a soundtrack to your own life, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s a digital age, but I reckon we can still keep the mixtape vibes alive. Thanks for the trip down nostalgia lane. Might just throw together my own “mixtape” tonight.

Oh man, finding it in the fridge, that’s hilarious! You’re right, smartwatches can feel like small miracles, especially with the fitness features. It’s like some sort of wizardry keeping track of steps and heart rate, still blows my mind a bit. They might not win fashion awards but functionality is top notch. But yeah, everyone’s different, it might not work for all. I say it’s all about the experience, so go ahead and test the waters. Who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised. Plus, we all need a good fridge mystery once in a while, right?

Oh man, I feel you with the heart attack every time the phone slips, it’s like slow-motion horror! And don’t even get me started on the Gorilla glass ads, I can’t watch ’em without cringing. I’m surprisingly onboard with the idea of non-fragile phones, sounds kinda retro cool. Plastic body or rubberised back. The smartphone world is due for some serious revamp. Also, totally agree with you on the OnePlus 9 warp charge, feels like the phone juices up in a blink. How rad would it be if we could just zap our phones awake once a week? Ah, a gal can dream!

Totally agree with ya on the bottomless storage bit! And man, those days of frantically searching for a flash drive, ugh. But yeah, good point on the data security! Can’t just be floating around all our precious info without proper look out. Those hackers are a sly bunch, no doubt. Keep those passwords strong and change em’ often, right? That bottomless purse analogy had me cracking up too, btw! 😁 Great way to highlight how massive cloud storage can be. But hey, we also gotta be mindful of not treating it like a dumping ground. No point having endless space if it’s filled with junk, right? Here’s to more thoughtful and secure storage, cheers! 🍻

Oh man, you’ve nailed some of my favorites right there. “Ex Machina” really did a number on me. One indie film I’d throw into the mix is “Moon” - it’s one of the best examples of “less is more” that I’ve ever seen. Having said that, if you’re into something a little strange and charming like “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, try looking up “Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs.” It’s probably the quirkiest movie I’ve seen this year. Man, now you’ve got me wanting to do a binge of my own this weekend!

Sounds like you’ve got your bases pretty well covered there! I agree wholeheartedly on the SSD and blu-ray long term storage strategies, those have served me well over the years. As for cloud storage, I do use it but I just don’t fully trust it as my only source, ya know? Like what if one day the company just vanishes? Or servers go down at just the wrong moment? Might just be me being paranoid, but that’s why I keep physical backups too. And yeah, cold storage, absolutely underrated. Just stuffing away a backup and leaving it be. Bit like a digital time capsule, isn’t it? And geez, ain’t old man Murphy always right - seems like if anything bad can happen it’ll wait for just the wrong moment. Always gotta check those backups!

Been pondering about this one for a good while now. I mean one one side, who wouldn’t want a home that almost runs itself? Telling Alexa to turn off the lights, asking Google what’s the weather outside, having a smart fridge that tells you when you’re low on milk - all sounds like stuff out straight from a sci-fi movie, doesn’t it? And I must admit, the convenience is pretty enticing. But then there’s always that creeping thought about privacy issues. All these gadgets “listening” when you’re not really interacting with them? Dunno about you all, but it gives me a pretty uncomfortable feel. Yeah, they say it’s all encrypted and secure but then again, no system is ever entirely foolproof right? Then there’s the cost too. Sure, some of these gadgets can save up on energy consumption and all that but let’s be real – initial setup up ain’t exactly cheap. That’s without even factoring in the maintenance and occasional replacements. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for embracing tech and moving with the times. Heck, I practically live on my phone! But personally, I’m not entirely sold on kitting my entire home with smart gadgets yet. Might wait a year or two to see how things evolve. Wondering what y’all think about this. Anyone here gone full-on smart home and can share their experience? Or perhaps there are folks 🤔

Yeah, "Under the Skin” really stuck with me for days. That haunting soundtrack, the eerie visuals, Johansson’s incredibly distant performance - all just chilling. If you’re into that kind of atmospheric, thought-provoking stuff, you might wanna try “Ex Machina”. It’s got that slow-burn intensity and tackles similar themes of humanity and identity. On a lighter note, how about “Juno”? An absolute gem of a movie with superb dialogue and a heartwarming story. Also, if you haven’t seen “Little Miss Sunshine”, you’re in for a treat. Hilarity and tears in equal measure. Enjoy the cinematic journey!

Yeah, easing into it step by step is definitely the way to go. And you’re right, those cooling systems are a godsend, especially when you’re running graphic-intensive tasks. Saved my rig more than once, lemme tell you. And remember how scary it used to be touching the innards fearing we might screw something up? Funny to look back at it now. Anyway, happy tinkering fellas!

Yeah mate, you’ve nailed it. Exploring yourself can be bloomin’ tough, ain’t it? But there’s loads of good energy out there. Can’t forget the good side to things. Speaking to those close can really solidify things on your mind. Had a mate once, couldn’t talk to his partner about it, then finally did and it was a right weight off his chest he said. So there’s something to be said there. It can be daunting but remember everyone here has got your back. Easier said than done, but try not to stress too much, yeah? One small step at a time, that’s all it takes. And remember, this is your journey, and it’s just started. All the best, mate. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

hey folks, so I was sitting on my back porch last night, sipping some chamomile tea and doing some evening thinking. my mind somehow wandered to languages, you know? like, all those thousands of languages that we have developed around the globe. it’s wild, isn’t it? think about it, every culture, every community, every country has its own unique way of expressing themselves. and it goes beyond the literal words too. the tone, the rhythm, the gestures, it’s all a part of our communication system. more fascinating is how different languages affect our perspective of the world. like the way Eskimos have so many words for ‘snow’, simply because it forms a huge part of their surroundings and lifestyle. it’s a bit like… you ever tried explaining the colour ‘blue’ to someone? it’s almost impossible to explain it without comparing it to something else, right? now imagine a language with no word for ‘blue’ - would the people still see it? recognize it? or if a language has no future tense, do its speakers think differently about future events? has anyone out there actually gone and learned a new language as an adult? if so, how’s it influenced your thinking or your perspective on things? or hey, anyone here bilingual from childhood? does switching between languages ever bring out different aspects of your personality? also, did you ever come across a word or phrase in another language that just doesn 🤔