Thanks. Consider me educated on the matter. :)

How’s that for efficiency in government spending!?

I have ‘avoid tolls’ turned on. I put in a trip yesterday that took me through a toll tunnel, and gave me no other option. You really need to check it’s work before following it.

Unrelated, but I saw a Tesla the other day with one of those ‘I bought this before Elon went crazy’ stickers on it. When I looked it up on the rego check app, it was a 2024 model. Nice try, but no. :D

I’m pretty sure the next Jeffrey Epstein is already around.

I’m not saying violent video games make you violent. I’m saying if you use those things, and it’s not just video games - punching a pillow, for example - as a way to deal with stress, then that’s going to become a habitual response to stressful situations.

My feeling, that I’ve learned after many years of doing it wrong, is that ‘taking out’ your stress with violent or aggressive acts, even virtual ones, isn’t a healthy way to deal with it. It reinforces it rather than releasing it. Calming exercises, deep breathing and letting stress go is a much more useful way to deal with it.

In that vein, I recommend Tiny Glade for stress relief. Or any so called ‘cosy’ game.

We also hold elections on a Saturday, and allow early voting. It’s not a perfect system, nothing is, but it’s far better than the shit-show in the US.

And there’s sausages!

Not sure what the benefits are of advertising to bots.

That old chestnut.

If he was taking advice from Steve Bannon, it’s no wonder he killed himself. ;)

I read that as a teen, and remember liking it, plus a sequel or two. I should go re-read them. I’ve recently finished reading all the Stainless Steel Rat books by Harry Harrison, and highly recommend them. The pace is relentless. Ignore all the hand-waving and you’ll have a lot of fun.

I’ve read them all several times (in published order every time), and I never get tired of them. I might be about due another read-through.

I read the books at the same time as watching the show during covid lockdown. The show during the day, and the books in bed at night. Weirdest way I’ve ever consumed a series, but it was kind of awesome. I was completely immersed in it. They’re both worth your time.

Don’t neglect the novellas set between the main books. They’re really good as well.

Just finished The Paradox Paradox by Daniel Hardcastle (aka Nerdcubed) and it is by far one of the most entertaining books I’ve read in years. After getting outright robbed by his publisher, he’s regained the rights and put it up on his Patreon as an epub version for a few bucks, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It genuinely surprised me how good it is for a first novel from a dude I’ve been watching faff about in video games for many years.

Started on his earlier book Fuck Yeah, Video Games which is a kind of autobiography through the lense of beloved video games from his life in non-chronological order, which is very charming and funny.

Also dipping into Mr. Wilman’s Motoring Adventure by Andy Wilman - a behind the scenes look at Top Gear and The Grand Tour, which is also pretty funny so far, as well as the Yes, Prime Minister book, after recently finishing the Yes, Minister book - both brilliant adaptations of the TV shows.

I like funny books.

If the artist has released 10 albums in the last month.

ETA: Also, do they have any web presence other than on streaming services, any live shows, or any other evidence of their existence?

That’s what I herd as well.

“Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don’t go anywhere,” Trump told reporters last October.

He playing you like a fiddle, Donald.

Did she ever get her money from Trump?