blady_blah

I have an echo show in my kitchen. It displays ads, but they're super easy to ignore. They're just basically text pictures on the screen when it's not being used and on topics that I selected.

I'm pretty massively against ads, but the echo show's don't bother me in the least. If Alexa Plus starts giving me verbal ads or injecting them into things then it will quickly find its way into the trash can.

Ah, ok, then that's not me.

So does straight edge strictly refer to not doing drugs? If that's the definition, then I'm a straight edged person... Hell, I don't even drink and I work for a Scottish company where all my co-workers drink like fish.

I'm not religious, it has just always seemed dumb to me that people felt they needed to be inebriated to have a good time. Maybe this is just the normal for them so they don't know any different? But doesn't that seem pretty stupid? Anyways, I was stubborn in college and resisted peer pressure and by the time I didn't care anymore, I just never saw the need to start drinking (or doing drugs). But I'm not here preach, I don't really care what you do as long as it doesn't affect me (i.e. drunk driving).

I'm a CTO for a midsized company. I have three kids and I've been happily married for over 25 years. Between my friends, there are more people who don't drink than those who do, but at work I'm definitely the oddball... But I'm also old enough that I don't really give a shit what other people think so I'm perfectly happy going along and being the guy who doesn't drink.

I actually have enough money to retire right now and live frugally for the rest of my life at the age of 51... But to be honest it sounds super boring and depressing.

I know this will go against the grain here, but I enjoy what I do. I'm an engineering manager and I work on cool and interesting projects. I enjoy what the extra money gets me, whether it's vacations or a better place to live or whatever. I enjoy working with other intelligent engineers trying to solve challenging problems. If I was retired I wouldn't have that same engagement. I don't know what I'd do with my time and I'm afraid I would not spend it in a healthy way.

So the reality is I've thought about it, but I'm not really that interested in retiring even though I could.

I hear you, but I don't use it if I disagree with somebody, I use it if they're disingenuous or rude or disparaging towards other people. Because fuck them.

Usually it's a "you're an asshole" button.

Really it's very on-brand for Trump. He's always looking for the worst person to do every job.

Dances With Wolves Last of the Mohicans

What? Really? Chiang Kai-shek just ran his army over to some other random country and took it over? That can't be right.....

When waymo was first getting qualified, they had human drivers too. Once they had so many miles, they quit needing the humans.

He plays one character, but the character is kind of likable and funny. To me he's the definition of a popcorn flick actor.

Yes.

I was never a "kid person" growing up. I didn’t relate to children and didn’t have much experience with them, but I always saw having a family as the natural path in life. Just like dating leads to marriage, I saw kids as the next chapter after marriage. When I really think about why I wanted kids, it comes down to two main reasons.

First, the experience itself seemed undeniably compelling. I’m introverted and not naturally a risk-taker, but I’ve learned over time that it’s important to challenge yourself and embrace growth. The last thing I want is a life that feels stagnant or boring. Skipping out on something as profound as raising kids felt like missing out on a major part of life.

Second, my wife is incredible. The idea of taking on the adventure of parenting with her felt both exciting and deeply meaningful. It’s intimate, difficult, fun, scary, and rewarding — and I couldn’t imagine a better partner to share that with.

Now, fast-forward to the present: we have three teenagers, and we’ve genuinely loved raising them. I’m not looking forward to the quiet days after they head off to college — the energy and fullness of having kids around has been one of the best parts of our lives and I'll miss it when they've gone on to start their own independent lives.