I don’t stream very often, when I do I use Apple Music because I have the discounted package subscription. Even then, I typically only stream specific punk playlists. Otherwise, I listen to the MP3s I ripped from my CDs or downloaded 20 years ago.

I also usually listen to the radio in the car. A local station plays a lot of the stuff I like (Green Day, Social Distortion, Ramones etc) and mixes in new stuff. Plus, I live so close to the southern US border, sometimes they throw in some local Mexican rock band.

I just finished Perchance to Dream by Howard Weinstein. It’s the first Star Trek novel I’ve ever read and I went with TNG because it’s my favorite series. I really enjoyed the book and loved how I could hear the voices of Picard, Geordie, Worf, Tori, Riker, all of them in my head. I have mild aphantasia so books based on characters from shows and movies I have watched are a lot easier for me to picture.

I’m currently going through the September/October 2024 Asimov’s Science Fiction periodical that I paused last year. Nice scifi short stories, poems, and novelettes to read until my next book.

On that note, my next book is my vacation book. I had 2 I was thinking of reading, but decided on Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik. I really enjoyed her Starlight’s Shadow series, so when I saw space princess and outlaw soldier romance, I said YES PLEASE!! Please give me more science fiction/space opera romance!

I was hoping someone else would say Bolt! That was such a great website way back. The message boards and games were so much fun. I spent way too many hours behind a computer at the library specifically to go on that website.

I miss the old SciFi channel website. The chatrooms there are where my life on the internet began. Too much time spent chatting about this weeks episode of Sliders or when there was a petition because they cancelled MST3K and we fought to get it back.

It’s not my favorite Trek, but I do like Discovery. That said, your summary is 100% accurate and emphasizes my least favorite parts of the show.

I am slowly working my way through Pokemon Sun on my 3DS. I found a copy of The Golden Compass based on the early 2000s movie and that may be my next one. Either that or TMNT, I played that one before but I really enjoyed it and wouldn’t mind a replay.

Hover flies are pretty cool to watch. I get them a lot on the flowers of my luffa.

Currently, I’m reading Annie Bot by Sierra Greer. This one is so good and I am really enjoying it. There is so much about autonomy, self realization, and how to recognize abuse. Fantastic book so far.

I just finished The Two Lies of Faven Scythe by Megan O’Keefe and I really enjoyed it. Then Star Trek, Vol 1: Godshock, loved it but I’m trying to find vol 2 at the library, I might have to request it from a different library system.

Kaiju Preservation Society was my first Scalzi and it is so good. I’ll probably buy some fancy collectors edition one day to have in my bookshelves.

The Expanse is soooo good! I’ve been rereading that via audiobook.

A New! Nintendo 3DS XL because I did not like the form factor of my Nintendo 2DS (also an impulse buy). I bought a bunch of cheap games and I’ve been playing Pokemon Sun a bit.

Also bought an e-bike. I haven’t had a bike in a while and I used to walk around the neighborhood or to the store all the time. I moved to an area that the grocery store is pretty far to walk to and it’s very hilly. The e-bike is great for going up those hills. It’s a pedal assist (no throttle acceleration) and I try to minimize how much I use the actual assist so I can get a workout too. It’s been great and I’ve taken it to the grocery store and library a few times. I bought it when I did because I knew tariffs were going to affect the pricing. The company recently said they are raising prices due to tariffs, so I think it was a wise decision.

Same and in that order. Mexican food has always been my #1 favorite followed closely by Indian food. So yum!

Fuck yes my dude! The hamstring connection isn’t the most obvious, but makes a lot of sense once you hear it. I spend 5 minutes on hamstring stretches alone and it helps keep a lot of my pain away. I could never touch my toes until I had 2 metal rods in my back! 🤣

I am so glad to hear it’s helping!

I agree this has been a major factor. During the early internet days, folks used to tell me “don’t believe everything you read on the internet”. Now those same folks believe everything they read on the internet.

Oh Trillian, that was such a good program. I loved changing the skin to fit my mood.

Sorry to hear about your aches and pains, I get them too as I’ve been getting older, especially my knees. I have a spinal fusion and a few things have really helped to alleviate my chronic back pain.

1. Stretch every day. I pay special attention to my hamstrings, they get most of the stretching because it helps loosen lower back muscles too.

2. Try not to sit too much. A sit stand desk helps with that, but I also try to stand if I’m watching tv. It’s weird, but it works.

3. Go for walks. I don’t have to go anywhere, I just throw on an audiobook or music and walk for an hour or two around the neighborhood.

These keep my daily pain minimal, most days it’s so low pain, I can just ignore it and I’m fine.

Thanks! She’s been my friend for the last few months and I’ve had such a blast watching her get bigger and catch larger prey. She’s so cool!

Yeah! They can’t regrow appendages when molting like lots of other insects and spiders. They are pretty cool!

As long as the prices go down too, I’m ok with smaller meals.

I can’t remember the last time I finished a meal at a restaurant, I always eat half and then take the rest to go. Most things reheat pretty well, even fries taste good when reheated in a toaster oven.

This is how close they were yesterday.