The irony here is that they're complaining about the free market doing its thing.

I'll start.

It's 4 AM. I'm home from College right now (passionately studying for Computer Science). I wake up in 6 hours for some pre-christmas celebrations with my family. I'm excited, but I already know I'll be tired. Staying up late is a mistake I enjoy making too much.

I have a general idea of where I'm at. I'm in a happy relationship (that I want to write about, but I'll save the time for those not interested). I love programming, making games, and working with computers, even if a lot of others' projects intimidate me. I have a large strain of existential dread, but I'm able to be happy and get lost in the day-to-day despite.

I have this general gut feeling of needing guidance. I've been meaning to go to a counselor just to sort my mind out, but I doubt I'd find a good one. I never did back when I was searching.

I do have a diary/journal that I keep online, just in case I ever want to share it. Nothing personal or specific, just monologues and poetry mostly.

And fittingly, right now I hope this thread takes off. I want nothing more than to hear others and be heard.

I'm not sure how much I could contribute (still in University), but speaking from my own experiences with semi-realistic goals and hobbies, I'd encourage you to start planning it out as a small business, just to see how feasable it is.

So you'd need a database for the drivers, a way to test and then add new drivers (since it's starting out, you could do it by hand), a database for the users, a user-side and driver-side app (this would be the expensive part. If you're ever bored, try learning how to make an app (I say as a Computer nerd), but honestly this would be the toughest part of the startup). Etc etc. At least putting it on paper might help organize it in your mind and assess if/when it's viable.

Back to the general questions.

If it helps, you in 3 years will definitely have a different opinion on what you should've done. That's inevitable, and that's okay. What really matters is figuring out clear goals now, so that finding what you should work on becomes much easier.

Live a life full of adventure/travel (if you want to) and worry about being a parent when you get there. Working backwards, being a healthy father would originate from a loving relationship, and the key to that is living a satisfying and fulfilling internal life. Love yourself, and respect/pay attention to others, and that bit will work itself out, I believe.

We're living the life, my friend.

I'm down! I'm only 12 kyu or so, but I'd also be willing to help teach anyone interested.

https://online-go.com/player/440112/

Send me a challenge! :)

An old flame anew

Ever changing, ever same

echoes returning.

Sounds good! I'm always looking for feedback, so feel free to share your impressions of it.

Sounds nice and warm :)

And if you ever need to vent, I'm open ears.

I really look forward to spending a semester at somewhere like Denmark or Sweden. I'm hopeful for it; I want to travel, but I come from a family that dislikes it.

I'm glad to hear you've had such a unique time with it. Late nights are fun, but I always end up missing a regular sleep schedule.

I wish you the best; have a merry Christmas.

Same.

For the first time in a while, I'm optimistic for next year.

No, you're right about that. There's a pattern of indecision and dissatisfaction.

It makes me wonder what it would take to break or escape that pattern.

I've always considered simplicity a virtue. That's what I use to break indecision when I need to.

That's wonderful! Caring and being cared about is such a great feeling in life.

I've been missing friends lately, but my SO/family has helped me through it. Platonic/hobby connection would still be quite nice though.

I wish you the best of luck with the coffee shop! Taking risks and starting ventures is something I've always wished I had the guts to follow through with.

Self sufficiency is an elegant way to live. More and more, I see people subscribe to the idea of "if it's broke, then replace it". I think it's because we increasingly value our time, but sadly see slowing down and learning to fix things as a waste of time.

Sounds a bit hectic, but overall satisfying. I won't put words in your mouth about that though.

I'm glad you're able to live comfortably! That's where I'd like to be in the future.

Also, the schaudenfreude of the market crashing is underrated. Your description beats whatever I'd have to say on the matter, but I was also taking out some time just to watch.

Has a nice sentiment that the keu factor is IRL encouragement, but then the article quickly offrails into their social media advertising.

Still a nice idea, even if poorly presented.

I don't know why anyone that would identify as a capitalist would ever take issue with something like that anyways. Isn't it just just the industries failing due to simple supply/demand anyways?

Pikachu is rare in that he's a more difficult version of sheik- nice, quick, strong character with a heavy emphasis on neutral and damage combos.

His advantages are

Small hitbox

Crazy damage output from combos (grab at 0 leads to ~60-70% if you react to DI correctly)

Quick Attack. Quick Attack is the best move in the game, by far. Better than witch time. It gets out of combos/disadvantage for free, starts combos at all %, recovers for free, and can hit them from across the stage quicker than people can react to. The only counterplay is for them to read when you use the attack, and if you'll hit them or where you'll land (which can be any point on stage, more or less), and throw out a lingering hitbox there.

Has multiple kill confirms

Best ledgeguarding in the game

Disadvantages:

All of pika's kill confirms are technical/tough to do consistently. This makes pika have one of the highest competitive skill floors for consistent tournament play.

* Pika's light and dies earlier, but this usually isn't an issue. About same weight as sheik.

I think there are 2 reasons there are so few pika players.

1) "Just play Sheik" Honestly, pika has a discount sheik stereotype, and it's not wrong in ways. Sheik doesn't have pika's kill confirms, QA, or smaller hurtbox, but has a relatively free neutral. And Pika's neutral is, in many eyes, his best advantage, so just go with the best neutral character in the game. (Personally, I think pika's other attributes make up for it, but I get this viewpoint.)

2) Pika is a technical character. I've had to play him for quite a few months before I got results, just because landing a kill under pressure is really difficult. Kill confirms are character specific, % specific, and rage specific, so going in to a matchup you have to know which ones will work and which won't.

I think Pika is potentially the toughest character in Smash, but with best play, easily top 5.

Oh, also, Pika beats the current top 5 IMO. Pika bodies diddy and cloud, no doubt. 60/40 and 70/30 respectively. Sheik is 50/50 or 45/55ish, maybe better. Never played against many sheiks. Pika Bayo is either 50/50 or 55/45. I'm leaning towards the latter. Pika combos bayo easier than bayo can combo pika (small hurtbox + SDI), better kill power too.

Pika's worst matchups are Mario and Ness. something like 40/60 each, maybe a bit worse. Upsmash (mario) and uair (ness) are safe, strong moves in neutral that can kill pika a bit early and also beat out Quick Attack.

In conclusion, there's a few things that are very broken (QA), but overall Pika's just a really strong character without any real weaknesses.

I've been getting more into Smash 4 tournaments lately (Pika main). The thing I like about pikachu is he feels like a faster character with broken aspects, but overall well balanced. I'm looking forward to playing him in Ultimate; as is he looks broken, but I'm sure they'll balance it out. But also, they seem to prioritize faster pacing in general for the game, which I appreciate.