PorradaVFR

Simply put if the population centers alone are considered cities decide elections.

It was deemed unfair to let that be because the rural/farm areas would have no say…so they over corrected and created a system which leaves a few generally smaller states decide.

So Iowa and New Hanpshire have undue influence on primaries and hence the candidates nominated and PA, GA, WI, MI and perhaps FL decide the election (and in FL on again the higher population in citities are out-influenced by the far less populous but more numerous rural counties in the same way).

Basically good(ish) or perhaps cynical intentions and unintended consequences.

Us too. Quick, inexpensive, great B&W prints on the rare occasions we need to have them. Wireless and a scanner/copier too.

Ironically in any just reality this would put precisely such policies to the test and reveal the inability of law enforcement to distinguish between a threat and a open carry gun-toting “good guy” and undermine the flawed logic that armed people reduce the likelihood of violence.

I don’t expect to in FL but would be nice.

Man that screen brings back memories!

Well sure I’ve never tested it going highway speed but if I don’t fully close the door and try to pull out of a parking spot it moves like an inch then says “nope”. But my post was to at least alert the driver that the thing was not locked down - that seems pretty simple.

My ten year old basic model sedan will jerk to a halt and put the transmission in Park if I try to move with the driver door not fully closed. I’d think a semi would be able to detect and alert that the damn dumper (?) is extended. Wow.

I’ve never seen one outside of a hotel before. Is it behind the fire?

Yeah….also curious. It’s been a couple of years but when I previously bought stuff from Monoprice it was a smoking deal and I’m pretty certain none of the cables I bought ever failed me.

I mean go anyway, if your online people won’t or can’t. At the least you do something or see something you like or might like (like an art museum, or cool park or event) and while there you’ll be around like minded people and maybe click.

Worst case you saw that new place, discovered that thing or enjoyed a familiar event.

You have to keep putting yourself out there, hard as it is and frustrating and disappointing as it may be. Why? Because that’s where what you want is.

When you do find it it will have been worth it.

I wish it was easier and that you were not struggling. Takes a tough soul to do so and admitting its hard takes guts. Give yourself credit for trying like hell.

I don’t have any lightning bolt insights to share. Honestly it sounds like you’re doing a lot of what I might suggest - sharing something you enjoy with like minded others and being engaged in that community to try to make connections. Maybe you’re sensing more isolation than is really there?

Have you tired things like hiking or other sorts of outdoor activities offline where you might meet people? Local library events? Stuff like that?

Your post touched me enough to respond, so yeah man even this total stranger gives a crap. It’s hard to see that maybe, but I think most people would react positively if they thought others were receptive.

Basically if you put up a wall because you expect things to go poorly they put up theirs and it’s hard to connect so it’s a spiral. It took me a long time to realize that a simple gesture like “hey man cool T-shirt” to a stranger at work has helped me make connections. You share the game interest with them, bounce off that with a compliment or recognition and you’ll find they may reciprocate.

You’re guarding yourself, I get it…but the wall you build to shield yourself keeps others away as much as it keeps you in.

I hope this rambling makes some sense.

Interacting is hard and people can be awful, especially online. (As you well know). Try to find the positive attributes you can focus more on - cool names, clever comments, good play, indeed even them showing a good attitude.

Cop to tending to sound negative - honestly might help a lot. “You may think this sounds critical but I’m trying to help” - set some context since it’s easy to misunderstand without interacting in person.

As trite as this may sound don’t give up on the things that bring you a measure of joy.

Good luck, I hope you know folks DO give a crap.

I’ve seen this an always figured it was from termites. Thanks!

Very cool. My paternal grandfather was from there and I’ve never been. Looks like a stunning place.

AberMUD … so many hours … inoculated me from ever taking on EQ tho so that’s good.

Sorry for your struggles. Have you tried engaging in things you are more comfortable / passionate about? Face to face encounters over a game or band or hobby you love will provide a common interest to connect over. I hope this helps!

In other news have you heard Kia's new mixtape? I hear it's….

… well it's not bad.

Until the fire, sure.

All hands meeting … “show of hands, who’s been here less than a year?”…”you’re all top notch, the best candidates from the best schools… we couldn’t get that caliber employee years ago!” [suggesting those who built the business to that level were what, inferior - including the VP that just said it?]

It was meant as a compliment to the new folks…but it fell FLAT.

I would note that it’s not any part of the ethos so an atheist can be (or not) anything. A lack of faith in a deity and an absence of prescribed beliefs is precisely that after all.

So vegan and meat loving atheists can exist precisely as much as progressive and extremely conservative ones.

Is it likely or common? I’d venture so say I doubt it.