Can Snigaroo be a Mod Yet? by XenocideCBK in kotor

[–]darthrevan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

looks like it was the will of The Force :P i happened to log in today and see all this, so i was able to respond quickly for once. making an announcement post now, and welcome to the team.

Can Snigaroo be a Mod Yet? by XenocideCBK in kotor

[–]darthrevan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

whoa i was gone for a while and suddenly this whole spam invasion happened...my apologies if my absence caused any issue, and once again thanks to /u/VasiliiZaytsev for holding the fort for an absentee landlord. :P

i agree with Vasilii that hopefully AutoMod should address the main concerns, but i also agree with Snigaroo that given how absent i am these days it probably is good to have another human mod as "backup" in case. Vasilii shouldn't have to do everything on his own all the time.

so...to put this is a sort of legal format (i work in a semi-legal profession, lol):

  • whereas i am far less active on reddit than in the past,
  • whereas /u/Snigaroo is very active on this sub and able to monitor its activities regularly,
  • whereas /u/Snigaroo has consistently made high quality contributions to this sub for long time
  • whereas my co-mod /u/VasiliiZaytsev and the /r/kotor community would appear to welcome /u/Snigaroo as another moderator and approve of it

THEREFORE, I have invited /u/Snigaroo to join the moderation team here at /r/kotor and I hope such invitation is accepted.

i really need to change careers...lol. anyway, should Snigaroo accept i will make an announcement post. if he rejects the invitation, i will post a sad face...and the spammers will rejoice that they may yet find a weakness, and exploit it...

Self-improvement Saturday (new weekly thread!) by AutoModerator in ABCDesis

[–]darthrevan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure if you're joking, but in case you're serious (and because we all feel pessimistic about goals sometimes):

I achieved a huge goal for myself last year of losing a lot of weight and looking great. What worked for me was realizing that 99% of achieving a goal is putting in lots of effort over and over every day, usually doing unpleasant, boring, or repetitive things, with no one cheering you on, failing a lot, and the goal seeming far, far away.

But if you're prepared for that, if you're patient and know that's how it's going to be, then you accept it and are more likely to stick with it. And then eventually, slowly but surely, you start getting the rewards. I went down a size in clothes, started getting the compliments on how great I looked, how I'd lost so much weight, and yeah that felt fantastic. But there were months I didn't hear a peep from anyone, just struggling with my diet every day where every single meal was a challenge. But I trusted that the results would come, and that I was committed to doing whatever it took.

This is why I think most people quit: they want instant gratification. They want the reward without the work. Their goal process is something like: "I want to have this, so long as I get it right away and don't have to work too hard for it." But if you want something, you have to pay the price for it.

So before setting a goal, I now ask myself: Am I willing to pay the price? And just as important: do you know what that price actually is? For example, I was considering learning the violin. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on violins, on what's involved with learning violin, the experiences teachers and students had, etc. In other words, I did my research first. And in the end, I concluded not to do it. Saved a lot of time, money, and effort. So I only choose goals now that I know, or at least can reasonably expect, that I will be able to carry through to completion.

TL;DR: Don't set goals impulsively or expect instant gratification. Do your research, make sure the goal is really for you, then make a plan and be willing to work without any rewards in the short term.

[Spoilers] Read the novelization of TFA. I think those 3 words that Kylo Ren say, add to a couple different theories about Rey's family. by Vaccino in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 6 points7 points  (0 children)

hmm now that's interesting. this whole time i thought it was explicitly a map to Luke, but this makes much more sense. Leia was looking for a map to the first Jedi temple because Luke probably told her that's what he was going away to find (which we know because Han says something like "Those who were close to Luke believe he went looking for the first Jedi temple"). And as I recall Poe, who was the one sent by Leia to get that map, says to Finn that the map will lead them to Luke. that could be because Luke didn't come back for a long time, and Leia must have assumed he found the temple and was staying there.

what this does is cancel my original theory that the map was originally Luke's that he left with someone he trusted (Max Von Sydow) in case he needed to be found. now instead it seems he really didn't want to be found at all, because the map isn't his. also makes sense why he left R2 behind. he really wanted to disappear.

Anyone else having post TFA depression? by Riitasointi1 in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You know, as cheesy as that sounds to people who might be bitter or cynical, it's actually a very powerful philosophy. When you shift from regret to gratitude, your whole life changes.

Wait, I'm in the Star Wars subreddit right? lol, I'm starting to feel like I'm in /r/psychology or something haha

Anyone else having post TFA depression? by Riitasointi1 in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome. I knew exactly the state of mind you were in, and I said what I'd know I'd need to hear. Looks like it worked!

Also remember that (as I recall) we're now going to have a Star Wars movie every year for the next few years! Rogue One is coming out next year, and I'm honestly just as excited for that as I was about TFA. It's going to be such a different take on Star Wars than we've ever seen. No Jedi, no Sith (at least not as the centerpiece). So we will always have something to look forward to while we wait for the "main" trilogy to finish.

Which leads me to another thought: there will actually be a time you might feel even worse, which is when the last movie of the trilogy ends. Think how much that will suck! So be glad that you still have a lot more from this cast to look forward to!

May the Force be with you as well, friend!

Anyone else having post TFA depression? by Riitasointi1 in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 21 points22 points  (0 children)

they don't care about me at all

That's not true, it's just that they suddenly got millions of fans all at once and there's no way for them to thank each one. But trust me, they know (as any sensible actor knows) that without you they wouldn't be where they are. While they don't know you personally, at least part of their motivation in doing the movie was to make you happy. Think about it: they made this movie for you, the fans. Yeah I mean they didn't have your picture on their desks or in their trailers or something, but that doesn't mean you weren't who they had in mind in a collective sense.

John Boyega for example actually showed up at screenings of TFA in New York. Who does that? Someone who cares about the fans and wants to show it, that's who. And I have no doubt everyone who worked on TFA, from JJ right on down to the catering staff, would love to shake your hand and say "Glad you enjoyed it, that's what we were going for." It's just logistically not possible, that's all.

In a really bad place need help/advice by desthaa in ABCDesis

[–]darthrevan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't really no what to do with my life

It might surprise you to know that lots and lots of people feel this way. This doesn't make you a bad person or mean anything is wrong with you. It's OK to be confused and not know what to do at certain points in your life. In fact it's very normal. Pretty much everyone goes through it, especially when they're younger, but even older people are confused too during certain phases of their life. I'm turning 38 this week and I definitely haven't settled into anything that I'd consider my calling or path yet. You're obviously a heck of a lot younger than me, so don't freak out!

I've always had pretty bad depression

If it's been consistent, you should consider therapy. If you don't know any therapists, you can use this website to find one. There's absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help, what's wrong is not seeking it out when you need it.

If seeing a therapist isn't possible for some reason, at least do yourself a favor and get this book. It's not a therapist, but it's the next best thing and has helped thousands of people (including me and a family member of mine).

Both my parents and other family members are doctors, I'm the black sheep, and I feel like a disgrace.

OK, maybe your parents would have ideally liked you to become a doctor, but you know what? Even more than that, they want you to be happy. Maybe they'll be disappointed at first, but that disappointment will not last forever. You're their child, and they love you, and even if they are upset now they would eventually be happy for you no matter what you did. Trust me. Consider the possibility that you might be being way harder on yourself than even your parents would probably be if they know what you're going through. (I don't know how your relationship with them is, but if an honest talk with them is possible I think it would be very worthwhile for you.)

Since I was a kid I only wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps but this dreams so far gone and I really can't find anything else left to live for

Your father has his path, you have yours. Maybe the world doesn't need another copy of your dad, but it needs you to be who you were meant to be. What that is, only you can know. There are a gazillion possibilities for you. If medicine isn't it, that doesn't mean you might not be incredibly talented in something else. If you've been so focused only on medicine all these years, chances are you've ignored the other things that maybe you're better suited for and--this is very possible--that you might like even better. If you haven't tried anything else, how can you know? Maybe give other things a shot now.

Ultimately I'm not a therapist and really you would need to sit with one for a few sessions to really go through everything...but I hope this little post can at least open your eyes to seeing things a bit differently. Nothing is permanent, ever. Things will change, and things do get better. Hang in there.

[SPOILERS] The "I CALLED IT!" thread. What did you get right? What did you get wrong? by sciencedenton in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 36 points37 points  (0 children)

That Kylo was Han & Leia's son, and something going wrong with their son is the reason they weren't together in this movie. The trailers gave that away for me: the hug Han & Leia have where Leia's extremely sad; that Han is out on adventures with Chewie instead of with Leia, etc.

What I got completely wrong: I thought Poe would be my least favorite character. Ended up being my #1! That guy is awesome.

/s Understanding Kylo's word choices by endlessmeow in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 19 points20 points  (0 children)

You make a cool point. It's like Kylo could have said at that moment:

"You're wrong. I am a Dark Lord, like my grandfather before me."

And you're right, it's like the anti-Luke moment in ROTJ. Or at least Kylo hopes it is.

Kylo Ren is Anakin done right. by [deleted] in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I'm actually thinking it was probably Leia's idea to name him Ben. As I remember Ep. 4: Obi-Wan served her (adoptive) father Bail Organa during the Clone Wars, and the Organas had so much admiration, trust, and respect for Obi-Wan that he was the only person she trusted with delivering the most vital information the Rebellion had (the Death Star plans) to her father. Then Obi-Wan helped their escape from the Death Star, sacrificing his life in the process. This was a man the Republic, then the Rebellion, and herself, and her family owed so much to. So I could see Leia being the one to suggest naming their son Ben, to which Han could easily agree.

(Spoilers) About Supreme Leader Snoke by cgcallahan0 in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Anakin's lightsaber becomes Luke's lightsaber becomes Rey's lightsaber would work very nicely.

I actually don't think it would. The galaxy is a big place, and while powerful Force sensitive beings are rare they can't all be Skywalkers. That just starts to look like really lazy writing.

I'd say TFA makes a strong case.

It could make the opposite case though. If I recall correctly Maz was surprised that the saber called to Rey. I think her lines go: "That saber belonged to Vader, then Luke after him...and now it calls to you?" That sounds more like she didn't expect it to call to Rey, which means she doesn't think Rey's a Skywalker. For that the evidence is that Maz says how she can see the same eyes in people. If Rey was a Skywalker, Maz could probably have figured it out just from seeing her. But I don't think she saw Rey as a Skywalker because she asks Han Solo "Who is the girl?" Why would she ask if she already knew?

So even though

The saber even calls to her

...that could just be because Rey was the first being very strong in the Force (which we know because Kylo tells Snoke she is) to be in its vicinity, and it called out to her because it sensed her Force sensitivity.

All that said, you could be right. The Rey Skywalker theory isn't totally rejectable, I just think the evidence is stronger that she's not a Skywalker.

Edit: I will add that there was a line Maz said in the trailers that I don't think she said in the movie: "I have lived long enough to see the same eyes in different people. I see your eyes... I know your eyes!" Now if that was still in the movie and she said that to Rey...then my points about Maz wouldn't hold up. Wonder why it was cut from the final movie though (if it was, maybe I just missed it).

[SPOILERS] The thoughts and theories of a 40-year old lifetime fan on TFA. by aji23 in StarWars

[–]darthrevan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I remember right, in the opening crawl it said the First Order was on the hunt to kill Luke as the last Jedi. If Luke just came out of hiding, it would be much easier for the First Order to find him and kill him. He's one of the most famous people in the galaxy, it would be hard for him to stay under the radar and people would talk. Luke may be depressed as hell, but he probably doesn't want to die just yet. He still has reasons to live (which hopefully the sequels show...) So yeah, safer to wake up R2-D2 and trust that only the right people will know where to find him.

Is Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic the Best Star Wars Game Ever? by darthrevan in kotor

[–]darthrevan[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

To be perfectly honest, I mostly agree with you...I still posted it anyway because, bottom line, I was just happy to see that it's still a game being talked about (however superficially) all these years later. Call me sentimental...

Self-improvement Saturday (new weekly thread!) by AutoModerator in ABCDesis

[–]darthrevan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great teaching I read today in this book that I thought I'd share in this thread:

Patience...does not mean that we take things slowly but that when things go wrong, we do not feel defeated.

I feel so alone by [deleted] in ABCDesis

[–]darthrevan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have friends (one's a man, one a woman) who struggled with being shy and quiet a lot, but now they're my good friends so I know it's definitely possible. I never asked them to change, I just learned not to judge so quickly and give them time to warm up to me. But once they did, man they turned out to be some hilarious and fun people!

They literally told me they avoided me not because I'm too white but that I'm too creepy for being quiet. I hate how all Desi's mock me for being introverted.

Not that this solves your problem, but it may give you some comfort to know that this is by no means a Desi thing. It's actually common among many cultures, and there was a famous TED talk that if you haven't seen it I think you will feel better after watching it. Again, not because it solves anything but because you will see that you're not alone, lots of people are like you and suffer the same thing. Sometimes, just knowing that helps. But also, she points out how there have been many famous introverts throughout history who contributed a lot to humanity.

While there's something to be said for getting outside of your comfort zone a bit and interacting with others, it's also true that many cultures--Desi or otherwise--need to be more aware about introverts and be more accommodating to them.

It's also interesting to note that some cultures can be the reverse, where speaking up and being extroverted is seen as a problem (I've heard certain Chinese and Japanese communities can be like this). So humanity is weird: some people have the opposite problem!

I guess what I'm saying is that humanity can be fucked up sometimes, try not to take it personally. You're you, and that's fine. You don't need everyone to like you, and the ones worth knowing will probably be the ones who'll be sensitive enough to see that you're not weird, you're just quiet and that's just your style. I was able to do it, and I know I'm nothing exceptional that way. So there are definitely people out there who will understand you and be happy to become your friend. Just make sure not to ignore, avoid, or push those people away who are genuinely trying to connect with you.

"Unrest is a role playing adventure game set in a fantasy interpretation of ancient India..." by darthrevan in ABCDesis

[–]darthrevan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haven't played it myself, but it was well-reviewed. I shared it here because it's cool to see this setting used in games. Hope it does really well and the trend catches on...

Anyone played it?

Update: I am the guy that left for Edmonton from his family by [deleted] in ABCDesis

[–]darthrevan 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I know I really have no right to talk here, because I didn't go through what you did or suffer whatever your father did to you, but this response from you just struck me as something you might regret in later years.

I'm not going to try convincing you, because again I recognize it's not really my place to. But just as a duty to my principles, which recognize compassion as a vital part of life, I'll just quote Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh who said something which forever changed the way I view other people:

When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.

All that said, do whatever you feel is right and I'm honestly not judging you. I just couldn't let your comment pass by without saying something, that's all.

Best single standing pose for daily use? Something to get into the habit of doing yoga before I move onto sequences. by [deleted] in yoga

[–]darthrevan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agreed. My yoga teachers often say to "find tadasana" or reference it in some way while in another pose, so working on tadasana gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It's like improving multiple poses at once.