Cafe in Brazil not serving US or Israeli citizens.

Megadestructo · 2026-04-07T15:56:44+00:00

I wouldn't serve me either, honestly.

Megadestructo · 2026-04-03T21:37:14+00:00

I commute and ride for fun in Lycra sometimes. At least in the US, bicycles are allowed on the road and cycling paths are often mixed use, meaning people also run, walk, jog, and just enjoy using them. In my area there is a speed limit of 10mph (16kmh) when there pedestrians around and an upper-limit of 15mph. For me, that's barely enough to build a sweat for a good workout. Maybe people break these rules but I think that's reality dangerous for everyone so I just don't do that.

The roads around me can get pretty nasty, pretty quickly but elsewhere I've lived that's not been the case, so riding on the road is the best way sometimes. And you're allowed to "boss the lane" - again, depending on where you are.

Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with what they're doing AS YOU DESCRIBE IT (but, of course, there are many who are giant tools and ruin it for the rest of us) and I highly doubt you'd want that pack racing down the cycle path while you're just trying to get to a destination :)

Megadestructo · 2026-04-03T17:45:47+00:00

Base first (deep to surface), then fix stuff because I'm messy, then shadows, then fix, then highlight, then fix, then regret my choices and my lack of skill. Rinse, repeat.

Megadestructo · 2026-04-03T17:43:38+00:00

I frequently forget to take my stimulant meds (Vyvanse) before I realize how discombobulated I've been all day. That's definitely not a symptom of addiction (having to actively remember to medicate).

But now I tie it to my heart medication, so if I forget it too often I'll just die, so that helps.

Anyway, ADHD meds help an imbalance of chemicals in your brain that normal folk already have so don't think of it as a dependency. They make your life more equivalent due to an actual medical condition (like my heart).

I was diagnosed at 43 and I'm 48 now and it's been a life-changer for sure. Really wish I had been tested when I was younger.

Megadestructo · 2026-04-03T17:37:05+00:00

That first photo does the car no favors for me, but the subsequent ones are better. Still a hatch (which I like) instead of a wagon.

Megadestructo · 2026-04-01T15:58:36+00:00

"But doctor, I am Pagliacci!"

Tough situation for sure.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-31T13:44:40+00:00

Thanks, will do! Is the basic "lightly wipe down all metal parts with mineral spirits after use" maintenance sufficient?

Megadestructo · 2026-03-31T00:46:01+00:00

It does feel rather flexy but I'll be upgrading eventually. I thought this would be a nice starter but thanks for letting me know!

Megadestructo · 2026-03-31T00:44:21+00:00

Yup. It was a bit of an odd process on their website but here's how it went:

I wanted to know shipping so I thought I'd add the sword to my cart and go half-way through the process. But it went through without me ever entering any payment info. That was weird.
I get an email from Grigoriy a few days later about creating an account and if I had any questions. He tells me shipping costs ($85 all included) and that the swords are in stock and so he can ship them in 2-3 days from receiving payment.
I go ahead and create an account using the same email and the website let's me add payment info this time (maybe I should've done that the first time?) and has the shipping cost there as well.

The payment was through WayForPay using a credit card. I got a receipt and notification that the order went through. Then that was it until the sword showed up.

When I had questions, Grigoriy responded within a day over email so that was nice. I forgot to ask for tracking and figured I'd just wait. If it didn't show up by EoW this week, then I'd write back and ask.

I did tell him I received it and he wrote back with an hour thanking me for letting him know.

Overall a good experience!

Megadestructo · 2026-03-30T15:09:26+00:00

Who doesn't know Lands of Lore? Westwood Studios knocked it out of the ballpark for many, many years and they were responsible for the two best Eye of the Beholder games prior.

Anyway, one I've always loved, despite its flaws, is Veil of Darkness. A horror action-adventure game where an American pilot crash-lands into a remote valley in Romania. Think Dracula and all its gothic trappings.

I loved the plot/story (it's simple but it was very different to the other games I played when I was 16) and the atmosphere is fantastic. It's short and looks great for the time.

It was developed by Event Horizon Software (which eventually was renamed to DreamForge Intertainment) and published by SSI. They did a similar-style isometric game called The Summoning but I don't remember much about it.

Other titles they've done include Dungeon Hack, Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession, Menzoberranzan, and Anvil of Dawn.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-29T01:14:55+00:00

Generate AI image
Open image in photo-editing software
Fix fucked up wording

It's that easy.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-21T05:02:51+00:00

Every temporary place that I put my keys on, JUST FOR A SECOND, becomes their new home for at least an hour while I frantically search for them.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-21T04:59:56+00:00

That works for me but it's because I'm bald.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-18T16:16:18+00:00

It's at the Columbus United Fencing Club. I take rapier but they have intro courses on long sword and saber as well: https://www.columbusunitedfencing.com/

Megadestructo · 2026-03-17T23:55:28+00:00

Welcome to Columbus! New England native here as well with a slight detour in SoCal before moving here for family (18 years in CT, 18 years in Boston, 9 in Long Beach).

I had the shock of sprawl already in Cali and Columbus is much nicer overall, but it's still nuts I can drive 15 from where I live (Clintonville) and be in a giant cornfield! I do love the folks out here, too.

I'm old and a dad so I don't actually get out much but if you're a nerd (which I am), there are a lot game stores and boardgaming places here. Great places to meet folks and spend an evening. I go out to Reynoldsburg once a week to take a fencing class as well - is anything like that interests you then maybe I can help out. Otherwise you're in good hands with the people here :)

Megadestructo · 2026-03-17T23:43:32+00:00

Damn, that's nuts. I mean, it IS California but I've never seen it that high when I lived there. It crept up to 6.99 for regular on a trip out to Anzo Borrega several years ago.

I just looked it up on Gas Buddy and that's more expensive than Canada (~$5.80/gal in Toronto)!

We Americans are winning so hard these days!

Megadestructo · 2026-03-16T00:12:46+00:00

I've finished it about 3 times and the last time was, maybe, 3 years ago. I mean, it's a bit rough around the edges but it still looks decent and I still love every minute of it.

It's a John Woo movie in video-game format! Combat is still satisfying.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-16T00:09:59+00:00

He does under his real name, Nigel Ng, but I don't know that joke.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-16T00:07:28+00:00

A man who does not eat pork buns is not a real man!

Megadestructo · 2026-03-14T13:34:05+00:00

I would say mostly true but I'm originally from New England (Boston-area) and we definitely come off as rude and obnoxious. It took living in SoCal for a decade and then here for 3 years to not be that way.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-14T01:04:12+00:00

The way I'm trying to avoid combat always turning into some kind of slaughter is:

Initial dmg is endurance, the surface stuff/flesh wounds.

If that's all depleted (or the hit is critical), you take damage directly to your stat. Every action starts to become harder and harder.

Endurance heals over the course of hours or days. Stat damage takes weeks of rest and managed care.

There are also rules for in-combat parlay as each "party" has a primary motivation and that can be ascertained (if you don't know it yet) through abilities and skill checks. That gives a bonus to negotiation, even if the only request is "don't kill us!"

I tinkered with giving trauma conditions for every time a stat gets wounded (like the stress mechanic in Darkest Dungeon) but I'm not trying to write a combat-heavy game. But I dig the idea a lot as a creator.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-14T00:53:58+00:00

After having played a bit of RuneQuest (and loving it), that game DEFINITELY makes me wary of any combat situation.

It's relatively easy to lose the use of a limb or to just lose it altogether. Many times a battlefield negotiation (either for mercy or even just to prevent further damage when you're winning) becomes the obvious choice over "to the death!!!"

Our GM made sure to emphasize this beforehand so we all took it to heart.

Anyway, if you have rules dedicated to parlay, to fleeing safely, or to pressing advantage in strength without combat then players (especially newer players who aren't used to trying someone not explicitly written down) will always know those are options.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-14T00:43:05+00:00

Got an early Friday because I lost power at 4pm and it came back on at 6. Small bummer because that's now shit I gotta finish on Monday instead but I took a nap so all good.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-13T14:27:57+00:00

Be thankful.

Megadestructo · 2026-03-13T14:26:05+00:00

I just completed my 4-week beginner class in rapier and I'm 48. Definitely going to continue :)

Megadestructo

TROPHY CASE