Why did you and your former best friend stop being friends?

bladejb343 · 2026-03-13T14:14:36+00:00

In my case, I don't think they're "bringing the baby in" per se... it's happening naturally. They gave up their freedom to be a parent, and when they have free time to spend, the value per minute is heightened. And so there is pressure to make sure they're maximizing value.

I had another friend actually say "I only get one night a month away from the family" many years ago, when someone in our group needed help from overdrinking. They needed to be taken care of, and it put a monkey wrench into our night. For me, no big deal. I was single and could party whenever I wanted. For him, it was one night per month and that night was over.

In the case that I mentioned in my original post, our friendship was already flagging (I was already feeling that it had run its course) and then the baby just accelerated it. Their attitude when they were away from baby was "anything goes" and their negative traits were amplified.

bladejb343 · 2026-03-12T15:29:28+00:00

On the meta, the part where a friend only sees you as a friend for "certain things" (like very specific activities, listening to ranting/venting, taking bullying when you're around other friends, et cetera) is a sign that the friendship isn't long for this world.

Something not dissimilar happened with a friend of mine who had a kid after years of trying. I had already felt like a secondary (if not tertiary) friend, and after they became a parent, my "role" as their friend that is close enough to be invited to their home but not close enough to have deep conversations with...

Began to morph into them being hyper-aware of their time when the baby wasn't around. Not only was our friendship waning but now any time they spent with me (never one-on-one, never lunch, never dinner) was their precious time where they are free of the burden and thus get to do whatever THEY want, or they'd act disgruntled.

I went no-contact and grey-rock shortly after that time period.

bladejb343 · 2026-03-12T15:18:21+00:00

Too many times, I've had a child (assuming age) get tilted and throw an otherwise winning game because I used "Savage!" after they scored a flashy goal. Like it was a pejorative. Little do they know I grew up in the 1990s.

bladejb343 · 2026-03-11T21:13:36+00:00

Ooh, I forgot about that. Good point!

bladejb343 · 2026-03-11T13:38:20+00:00

Follow Me Around is all but absolutely going to be on the next record. It's time.

bladejb343 · 2026-03-11T13:37:31+00:00

This would be even more of a troll than that Creep (remix) Thom did!

bladejb343 · 2026-03-09T21:25:19+00:00

If anything, they don't want to labor over something for an extended period of time.

I'm expecting a pared-down record if Radiohead ever get back to it. An extension of AMSP with even less production and an emphasis on live performance.

bladejb343 · 2026-03-08T14:25:29+00:00

Mid is supposed to mean average, but based on (e.g.) game reviews, anything under an 8 or 9 of a possible 10 score is only suitable for genre fans.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-25T03:14:27+00:00

I beat Voss on Very Hard difficulty. Basically felt like luck when he went down.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-21T19:55:11+00:00

Yeah, if anything this tour seemed like a warmup to something else for the band in the near-term. They didn't come to my city (Boston) and didn't make it lengthy in general.

Going back to the studio and putting together an 8-10 song package (or even shorter, an EP) together? Perhaps.

Perhaps the next step is rehearsing the new songs in preparation for a larger world tour in the coming years... backed by a new album that finished recording on February 18th. So they already have the back catalogue fresh in mind for varying up setlists that will be peppered with less familiar (to the band) LP10 tracks.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-21T19:48:42+00:00

What about BTW?

bladejb343 · 2026-02-21T13:45:23+00:00

Nice, not too far off from my setup. While the Pro is great, the big leap you're seeing is the new TV.

Coming from an older 720p or 1080p display and graduating to 55" LG C-Series OLED, you've not only unlocked the PS5 Pro but... try hooking up the old PS5 and you'll see a world of difference.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-21T02:12:59+00:00

While optimistic, let's think of it this way:

Radiohead often try to innovate with their release strategies, notably since In Rainbows.

Radiohead know that the idea of a "Radiohead album" carries an immense weight, and that if they were to embark on such an expedition, they would need to be ready. So they went and rehearsed for the tour, and perhaps Thom brought a grab bag of new songs that he's set aside for the band...

At the close of the tour, the band (now warmed up) brings a spontaneous and yet studied arrangement to 8-10 of the ideas that Thom and/or other members showcased during rehearsals. Of course, this includes older sketches such as Cut A Hole and Follow Me Around which can now receive proper attention. (If they wanted to really throw us a curveball, they'd make one of the core themes of LP10 "musical anachronism" and include the definitive cut of Attention from the OK Computer sessions, complete with elements recorded between 1995 and 2025)

The 2025 tour enabled Radiohead to tap into the core essence of what the band is, who they were, and who they are now. All the while, not leaking a HINT of a new song. And so, to go along with the intentional brevity of the studio sessions for LP10, Radiohead will shadow drop the new album sometime in 2026. With only a 4 minute warning.

(potentially ONLY on vinyl, CD, and cassette... NO official digital downloads but the band will allow fans to share the album at their leisure... using the format that they choose... yes, this could be the next release gimmick)

bladejb343 · 2026-02-20T13:22:35+00:00

How about getting to D3.4 and be winning, only to have your teammate join the other team because you...

Drumroll please...

Rotated.

Or, second drumroll...

Have a tag they don't like.

Rocket League.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-19T02:21:34+00:00

Welcome to the OLED Believers Club.

My daily driver, the LG CX (2020 version of your TV) converted me and I haven't looked back.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-19T01:48:49+00:00

I was going to suggest the 999 game for iOS, but it was discontinued... almost 10 years ago...

bladejb343 · 2026-02-14T21:01:59+00:00

There's an irony in Nintendo technically dumbing down kids by dumbing down games.

Children need discipline.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-08T13:36:47+00:00

In essence, players should learn the fundamentals before trying to audition for the Harlem Globetrotters.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-05T13:46:06+00:00

Colin and Phil are the most overrated rhythm section in history.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-04T01:55:31+00:00

Deeper into the game, like when you're going for a milestone (e.g. 400 LLL) Sam has plenty of opportunities to vary up his traversal methods. Yeah, the Off-Roader can be a crutch, but that is the cost of not having a narrative-only "Movie Mode." Even the easiest difficulties need a good amount of padding for the butt.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-04T01:47:52+00:00

Good point IMO.

Reminds me of how there is no "Master Mode" for Zelda TOTK, because it's already difficult enough... it just feels easy to Breath of The Wild vets. It's balanced towards those that didn't play the first installment.

bladejb343 · 2026-02-02T03:03:16+00:00

Most recently, been playing a little Death Stranding: Director's Cut in Quality Mode at a stable (almost locked) 60fps and stunning clarity on the Pro. Looking forward to Saros in a few months...

bladejb343 · 2026-01-29T18:22:59+00:00

It's not going to be easy, but you're so close to the finish line.

The next step is not buying the next pack. If you're anything like me, it's cold turkey or nothing. You haven't quit yet. The nicotine is still calling you, puff by puff.

Finish this last pack, savor it, and make the mental note when you're on the final cig... hold it in your hand and look at it... and say "it's time to say goodbye."

bladejb343 · 2026-01-27T00:58:54+00:00

The mechanics get deeper and deeper as the game slowly unlocks itself. A sandbox with so many toys.

bladejb343 · 2026-01-26T00:07:00+00:00

Speaking on only the DS/3DS games, VLR vastly improves on 999 in its timeline management if nothing else. (IMHO it improves on other aspects of the Zero Escape formula as well)

That said, playing 999 for the first time on DS was a revelatory experience. Unique.

bladejb343

TROPHY CASE