wendigo

futurebird , 16 days ago to random

Someone here once told me of how Microsoft had these customers who pay $$$ so a real driving force in the development of Excel are these horrific, unspeakable, monstrosities of spreadsheets critical to the operations of some very serious companies, serious bookkeeping, serious material operations. The elderich horror spreadsheets are decades old, have 100,000s of rows, spaghetti code formulas— Microsoft always checks updates will not harm them. IDK. if it was true: but it felt true.

wendigo , 16 days ago

@futurebird I wouldn't doubt it. After all, some critical business systems still run on COBOL. I even saw a story about a public utility still using Commodore 64s.

futurebird , 24 days ago to random

I’ve been noticing the color blue more this spring. I will see a blue object and the shade is more vibrant than it ought. Photos don’t really capture the world exactly as my soft fallible eyes see, yet, I still try to take photo of the phenomenon. First it was this mailbox. A slightly lighter, more saturated shade than standard. Then it was these confounding Hydrangea serrata— the blooms are a pale lavender yet also glowing blue. Could it be the light? My overactive imagination?

A US mailbox on a NYC sidewalk that is a slightly wrong shade of blue— it’s a bit too bright.

wendigo , 24 days ago

@futurebird Could it be that you experience a satisfaction or happiness that is somewhat newfound? That often has the physical and psychological effect of heightening the senses...

futurebird , 26 days ago to random

Why is it that the worst tasks: the ones I want to do the least are things that take like 17min tops to complete— but I think about how I haven’t done them — oh no no just can’t bear to do them for 30min a day for two weeks?

For me, at least, a task is odious if it may cause me to find out bad news that produces more tasks, if it involves forms, if it involves talking to people on the phone, especially someone I don’t know (what if they are mean to me? 😫)

It’s not THAT bad. Is it?

wendigo , 26 days ago

@futurebird Just take a deep breath and put your best foot forward. Some odious things have to be endured, but I usually get some pleasure chemicals in the brain once I've completed them.

wendigo , 26 days ago

@futurebird The worst phone calls you'll ever make are to the IRS (you'll never get through to them) or your cable company to cancel your service. That said, I've always found most reps to be very courteous. I don't think yelling is generally a pleasurable thing to do, and it's usually counterproductive for them. Take heart! ;>)

futurebird , 27 days ago to random

Have you ever stopped listening to or trusting a person who posts information in media, or online because of a "red flag" ?

That is are there certain topics, habits, actions etc. that instantly decrease your trust in a person you might have otherwise listened to on a podcast, article, or video?

Are there any "green flags" that build trust?

wendigo , 27 days ago

@futurebird No. Absolutely not. I can like the person and not be thrilled about everything about them. Of course, this is on a scale. There's no way I trust anyone who spews Nazi propaganda. But in the milder cases, I try to lead by example as well as posit some arguments and questions for them to consider. I use the tools I'm given. And, I loathe the term 'red flag' that has become so trendy now...

wendigo , 27 days ago

@futurebird It's the idea of them. What does the term really mean? Who decides what a red flag is and isn't? What I'm getting at is that we all have red flags to someone out there. It's purely subjective. That said, there are some things that we can all pretty much agree on as loathsome: Hate, racism, violence, abuse, etc. But we can call those what they are without any confusion...

wendigo , 27 days ago

@futurebird I understand where you're coming from. However, I don't think in red flag terms. People have flaws. That doesn't mean I can't trust them because one or two lands on my radar. On the other hand, I suppose I possess a certain liberty regarding personal safety that women don't because I'm male. Other than that, yes, I take risks that maybe I shouldn't sometimes, but in the end, I'm happy with my approach and have many rewarding friendships. 1/1

wendigo , 27 days ago

@futurebird I have never ever heard another guy tell me that I have red flags. As far as I can tell, it's either a media conflab or an opposite sex / race thing. An "other" thing, which I don't find very egalitarian. 2/2

jake4480 , 1 month ago to horror group

2024 marks the 45th anniversary of one of the ultimate sci-fi horror masterpieces. Alien was released May 25, 1979.

#alien #horror #film #films #movies #SciFi #monsters #RidleyScott #HRGiger #ClassicMovies #ClassicFilms @horror

An angry alien Xenomorph comin at ya, bro. You're probably dead

wendigo , 1 month ago

@jake4480 @horror I believe the correct phrase is 'edited for time and content'. ;>) Love this film. Did end up seeing it in the theater a few weeks back, and I watched UHD version a few days ago. There really isn't much to edit in this film, and if you do, you end up losing some iconic, pivotal moments. It's a stone cold classic!

futurebird , 1 month ago (edited 1 month ago) to random

I'm so sick of "big men" enamored of the trappings of power & anyone impressed with them. I'm sick of the mystique of "all he had to do was wave a finger & you were dead" & that is supposed to be impressive rather than terrifying & childish. I'm sick of their entourages, and the way they stick out their lips, pout, posture, bluster. The way they use other people as decorations.

They way they lie to your face as a power play.

It's all... so embarrassing for the human animal of which I am one.

wendigo , 1 month ago

@futurebird Well said.

breadandcircuses , 1 month ago to random

I found this truck parked on the street in my neighborhood. Notice that the life-threatening bumper is actually labeled ROAD ARMOR.

We sometimes talk about a #WarOnCars. But what's really happening is a war BY cars on pedestrians and cyclists.

wendigo , 1 month ago

@breadandcircuses It borders on the absurd, but if you meet a truck lover, all they can talk about is gearing it up. I've never been able to ascertain what need or inevitability it addresses. Like guns I would say...

jake4480 , 2 months ago to horror group

April 26 is Alien Day. Fangoria posted behind the scenes Alien photos (https://www.fangoria.com/original/alien-behind-the-scenes-photos) and a cool piece about the novel for Alien 3 that was different from the film (https://www.fangoria.com/original/alien-3-the-novel). And the audiobook for the Alien 3 novel is read by none other than Lance Henriksen (Bishop)!

The original Alien is being re-released in theaters today for a limited time for its 45th anniversary and in honor of Alien Day (https://www.space.com/alien-day-2024-return-to-theaters).

More on the history of Alien Day: https://www.thequint.com/lifestyle/alien-day-2024-date-history-significance-activities-and-how-to-celebrate

#AlienDay #alien #aliens #ufo #ufos #SciFi #horror #film #films #movies #RipleyScott #DavidFincher #Fangoria @horror

wendigo , 2 months ago

@jake4480 @horror I'm supposed to see it today, but I feel so poorly that I'll probably wait until tomorrow. 'The Mummy' is also out in theaters today. I'm going to do a double-feature when I'm feeling better. They both run through Thursday at my local theater. No sleep sucks, bro...

futurebird , 2 months ago to random

I’m very fond of stories in a universe where some advanced, but long vanished, race of enigmatic aliens has left behind strange artifacts: like puzzle boxes or dungeons for our heroes to explore and nearly get killed in. If not aliens let it be a lost human civilization.

I also like to think about those ancient people who built the ‘Temple of Doom’— for all of those traps to work so well after thousands of years they must have been very clever. What was it like to set them up?

wendigo , 2 months ago

@futurebird Wouldn't it be aggravating not to see them in action? I mean, would a Rube Goldberg machine be worth building if you couldn't witness its genius for yourself?

buru5 , 2 months ago to random

[12] 10 Things I Hate About You is a romantic comedy targeted toward the teen demographic. In essence, it’s William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” retold with a ‘90s high school backdrop. It features a young Heath Ledger as the leading man and Julia Stiles as “the shrew” to be “tamed.” But who’s really being tamed here? It’s really a charming film full of witty dialog, excellent performances, and a great soundtrack.

https://youtu.be/3Z9t2j6xW1M?si=84nkjPH_qmBqqN9Y

wendigo , 2 months ago

@jbwharris @sarajw @jake4480 @buru5 @bendaubney @nic @skullvalanche @tangleofwires

Yeah, I don't think it's Billie Piper, but you may be onto something. Definitely not Gwen Stefani. I thought maybe Shirley Manson, but I don't think so...

futurebird , 2 months ago to random

So night terrors, sleep paralysis etc. seem to be a real thing. I've had "bad dreams" but never anything that sounds like these experiences. It sounds like it's scary. Scary like when you are home alone and hear a sound and don't know what it is.

I'm curious if people who can have this are can be aware that it's not real when it's happening.

When I get anxious I can also know "this is just that thing" and I'm sort of detached about it?

Can that happen with fear?

wendigo , 2 months ago

@futurebird Gotcha. Very real. The worst part is knowing exactly what is going on but not being able to move and wake yourself up...