I used to love doing web design. Was perfect career for me, a mix of creativity and coding. Websites then were art, creative, took risks. Then cms became standard, sites all looking the same. Sites are more user-friendly now, but I miss the wild, weird internet of its early days.

Say “bubbles” in the deepest voice you possibly can. It always make me chuckle when in a funk.

I like it. Just wish niche communities were more active.

Well, if we’re in a simulation, then any assumptions we have about definitions, limitations, they may not apply. So, we think storage needs ram, but outside our restricted simulation, it could be far different.

Like, I frequently ponder how did something come from nothing. But I know I’m making assumptions when I ask that question. It may not be linear, may not be either or, there’s something crucial im not seeing.

Cool. Tks for the reply.

If you speak from experience, fellow human: is it possible to cook dried beans if all you have is a small, bowl sized pot?

Was severe albeit functional alcoholic til age 40. AA never worked. What finally worked was harm reduction, moderation management. Medical marijuana became a thing, and just one hit of a pocket pipe of medical grade indica… good for hours. No longer needed to drink a case of beer each night.

1st few years… I’d say, I’ll let myself have 8 beers this year. Next year was 6. Year after, 3. By then, triggered addiction cravings stopped happening.

So weird, how overpowering the addiction felt when I was trapped in it.

Can’t afford to eat much, cuz SSI, rent increase. Kept having conversations in head, like “I can buy laundry detergent OR have food to last the month.” I’ve lost 20 lbs past few months , after discovering how tasty white rice can be, with just a tiny bit of sesame oil, salt and pepper.

Can’t cite sources, just want to reaffirm. Kept running into that concept when researching game design, advertising, psychology.

Predestination. If you haven’t seen it, you might like it.

I’m really into sci-fi. Constantly craving new content. Internet searches filled with if you like this sci-fi show, here are others you might like.

Farscape kept getting recommended. Muppets in space, how could I take that seriously?

Finally gave it a shot. Thank you, internet, for suggesting it repeatedly, awesome show.

Fat dyke. Cracker. Loser. Piece of shit. Failure. Being sexually harassed by guy throwing me against a wall, shove him back, told im a typical snowflake, yet another stupid bitch who can’t take a joke. Get the fuck out , go back where you belong. Was especially fun living in homeless shelter, standing out front smoking a cig, and black guys driving by yelling at me that I’m a gentrifier.

Homeless shelters are fun.

Safe, sane, consensual.

Guy in my apt complex. Gang stuff, drugs, jail, now he’s turning it all around. Both of us spent years in homeless shelters, we trade war stories. He just got a job, bagger at a grocery store. We’re both struggling, overwhelmed, but seeing him employed gives me hope.

Got a lot of really good tips, thanks to everyone for chiming in. I was a serious alcoholic for decades, and haven’t had a drink in 5 years. So I will be able to quit smoking. Thanks again!

I’m answering from the point of view of the alcoholic person you’re trying to help, change. I was that person.

Went on for years. People kept telling me risks, I should stop, it was affecting relationships, health, work, etc.

I’d say: I don’t have a drinking problem. I’m able to hold jobs. I drink to help cope with certain things. Everybody uses something to cope, alcohol is mine.

For years. Where things changed, late 30s.:

Getting sicker. Medical 420 became a thing. Finally found med that helped with insomnia. Introduced to dbt, cbt. A good psychiatrist.

It’s good you care, are trying to help. You might be able to. But… the person has to be ready, willing to recognize they have a problem.

Oh, also, alcoholics anonymous never worked for me. There are secular options. Harm reduction, moderation management worked best for my situation.

Mists of avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Feminist retelling of the Arthurian legend.

Other religions exist, they change, perspectives change. Etc. Helped me break free from catholic upbringing.

Sawyer squeeze. Used to spend more than $100 a month on bottled water. Not anymore.

Nightmare on elm Street. That scene where he’s walking menacingly down alley, his arms stretching so long so his metal fingers scrapping along alley walls… terrifying.

I instantly tensed when I saw your comment, that movie scarred me for life.