a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
fletcher's comments
activity:
fletcher  ·  1494 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Massina Lab has brought back the Big Eye Compax

"Inspired by" seems... a bit cheeky.

fletcher  ·  1494 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Funski: A goofy bit of fun with movie descriptions

From Dusk till Dawn?

fletcher  ·  1690 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: April 8, 2020

I've been on a bit of a Hubski hiatus. Hi everyone!

I've been on hiatus from a lot of my normal activities as well actually - even before quarantine started...

Having said that, I'm trying to be creative by taking photos exclusively within my apartment. My partner is not a willing subject so I've been trying to take self-portraits, but I never like how they turn out. I've also been exercising every morning in the living room. Something that never happened when I wasn't confined to the apartment. So at least I'll feel a little healthier when I'm allowed to go outside again.

Hope you're all doing well!

fletcher  ·  1910 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: 40 somethings, what advice do you have for those of us 30 somethings?

I suppose this means I should start now, pre-30...

fletcher  ·  1923 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Book Thread Time

I love spy novels. I'm terrible with reviews...

I'm happy to give you my thoughts, but I can't guarantee they'll be any good!

In any case, thanks for the recommendations!

fletcher  ·  1923 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Book Thread Time

I was supposed to be finishing A Little Life, but the heavy subject matter (not to mention the book itself) isn't doing great things for me at the moment. It's been put back on hiatus.

I decided to go with something a little lighter and I have started The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett.

I had previously read Small Gods, which I absolutely loved, but didn't realise that there were so many Discworld novels. I'm looking forward to getting deeper into them.

fletcher  ·  1928 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Howdy, Hubski! What culinary crimes is your home infamous for?

I've brought Vegemite abroad with me before. It definitely got... mixed reactions.

    I hate Marmite, like most sane people.

Good luck trying to convince my partner that Vegemite is superior.

fletcher  ·  1929 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Howdy, Hubski! What culinary crimes is your home infamous for?

Vegemite by the spoonful directly from the jar. Who needs bread?

Oh! It's also a must for bolognese sauce!

fletcher  ·  1936 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Ask Hubski: I’m going to Paris in October. What should I do?

I had a mostly terrible time in Paris (completely my own fault - it's really a pretty great city!) so I may not be the best person to answer this question...

But Musée d'Orsay.

My God. What an amazing place to just be!

fletcher  ·  1941 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 31, 2019

I've been meaning to check out Voice of America and DW. Thanks again for recommending them!

I'm not sure about Rosetta Stone. I've never looked into any of the language learning software packages. While classes are expensive, I think they're the only way that I'll actually learn much. I'm a terrible student when I have to hold myself accountable.

I did try the "Language in 10 minutes a day" books. I have Russian and Spanish sitting around somewhere. Can't remember where on earth I put them though.

fletcher  ·  1942 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 31, 2019

I think it definitely helps having a set topic for each week. On Tuesday, we were discussing:

    ¿Qué tanto conoces Latínoamérica?

Lots of interesting vocabulary and history!

The Mexican government has primary school books available here if you're interested!

fletcher  ·  1942 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 31, 2019

I love seeing your photography! The process is completely amazing. Makes me wish I had the expendable cash to throw at some cheap gear.

Will we get to see this one at some point? :)

fletcher  ·  1942 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 31, 2019

Snow

I'm trying to get through this week as quickly as possible. We've had some... ...OK snowfall in the mountains in the last week and looks like there might be more on the way. A group of us have rented a ridiculously large house 30 mins from the mountain - the same one we rent around this time every year. I spent an obscene amount of money on a new snowboard and bindings (although it was on sale, so not as much as I could have spent) and I'm looking forward to breaking it in.

Climbing

I haven't been and I'm missing it. I've been incredibly lazy the past few weeks. No physical activity except the short two-block walk to work from my tram stop. I think I'm rationalising it to myself by saying 'well I'm going to be very active in the snow'. Planning to get back into it when I return.

Spanish

I've been enjoying the classes a lot. There has been a lot of absenteeism. Last week I was the only student there and I felt like I got a lot out of the class. This week though, a student who hasn't been there for a few weeks was back - and was struggling. It's selfish, but I was pretty annoyed. Most of the class was taken up with everything I'd already gone through last week. There are two classes left now. I'm planning on continuing to one of the next levels. Looking at the descriptions of the classes though, we seem to have gone over a lot of the material already. I'm going to ask my teacher (hopefully in Spanish...) whether he thinks I'm ready for level 2 yet... (¿Crees que debería intentar los clases nivel dos?). I have no idea if that's right - or if I'll be way too far out of my comfort zone. Anyone here able to tell me if I'm on the right track with that sentence?

fletcher  ·  1950 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Canadian cities take wooden skyscrapers to new heights

    I still think people are skeptical when they hear about wood buildings and their safety.

I mentioned this article to my partner and the first thing he said was 'fire hazard'. I suspect you might be right.

Sorry, this comment is private.
fletcher  ·  1951 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Canadian cities take wooden skyscrapers to new heights

CLT is pretty incredible. There was a Grand Designs episode about a family in Cornwall who used CLT to build their home (or at least the upper stories): https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2a2jcy

Europeans are crazy about the concept

Sorry, this comment is private.
Sorry, this comment is private.
Sorry, this comment is private.
Sorry, this comment is private.
fletcher  ·  1963 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 10, 2019

I'm more than happy to try some light conversations!

    You'll have to forgive me in advance though if my sentences are super simplistic.

Todavía no se muchas palabras! So we'll still be in the same boat :)

fletcher  ·  1963 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 10, 2019

I have now completed just over 5 hours of actual Spanish class time. I was hoping I'd have a slightly better grasp of the language after this amount of time. We have a very small class size, but there doesn't appear to be much structure to the lessons - we're not really following the book we are using - and my classmates haven't been doing their homework, so we spend a lot of time waiting for them to catch up. I've noticed that applewood has some nice looking resources below so I'll have to try those out! Thanks! There's an excellent study guide I found here as well!

I'm also about to embark on a 3 day wine extravaganza with my partner. We're heading to Coonawarra for the annual Cellar Dwellers event. Lots of back vintages and museum wines to try and buy. I'm very excited. It's a 5 hour drive though. We were supposed to be staying with my aunt on the way home. She forgot and has now double booked herself into something she can't get out of.

fletcher  ·  1966 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: 338th Weekly "Share Some Music You've Been Into Lately" Thread

I've found the same with some artists I love - Google will have whole albums that aren't available on Spotify for whatever reason. Can be quite frustrating!

I'm currently working my way through a one month trial of Google Music to see how I like it, but Spotify seems to be far superior!

fletcher  ·  1966 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: 338th Weekly "Share Some Music You've Been Into Lately" Thread

My little sister just got me onto Angie McMahon. Was listening to her on the tram to work today and I'm a little upset there's not more on Spotify.

fletcher  ·  1970 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 3, 2019

My partner is starting a working from home trial soon.

It's the first time his office has allowed it due to the confidential nature of their work. We had to buy a new desk to satisfy OH&S requirements. It's a much nicer desk than the previous one.

The study area/corner of the living room was predominantly my space in our tiny one-bedroom apartment. My partner doesn't play video games or use the desktop for anything, really.

I can't help but feel somewhat displaced.

fletcher  ·  1970 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: ONLYWATCH 2019

It's nice, but I think the Black Bay looks best in steel.

I think my favourite of the bunch has to be the F. P. Journe which is surprising, because I'm not usually a fan of busy dials.

I feel like this is busy, but doesn't seem cluttered.

What a perfect place to start!

fletcher  ·  1972 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: ONLYWATCH 2019

Oh lordy. That Patek is something else.

I'm only going to my second class tomorrow, so you're in good company.

    Yo tengo mas preguntas

Yo también! Looking forward to figuring out what they are. My favourite so far is: ¿Cómo se dice ___?

fletcher  ·  1973 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: 337th Weekly "Share Some Music You've Been Into Lately" Thread

Thanks for posting this last week galen. From the subsequent Nocturnal playlist they shared, I found out about potsu and have subsequently fallen in love with this song: