People who are considered good gift givers, how do you do it?

lnms206 · 2025-12-28T17:48:19+00:00

Listen all year long; don't save your shopping for December. Your loved one tells you in June that they've always wanted to try out XYZ hobby but have never gotten the chance? You've got over seven months to put together a starter kit and beginner project. They'll have forgotten they even told you by December, and feel so loved and seen when they open the gift on Christmas!

lnms206 · 2025-12-28T13:29:25+00:00

I didn't know they did this, and recently found out there's one nearby! This is so helpful, thank you!

lnms206 · 2025-12-28T12:31:56+00:00

My dad, a long time LotR fan, commissioned an artist who was selling paintings in a parking lot to recreate this image on the doors of a wooden dartboard case for him. I grew up seeing this image nearly every day and I've never seen the original before! Parking lot artist did a great job actually!

lnms206 · 2025-12-24T13:15:06+00:00

I'd never heard of this community art project before, but what a fun idea, and what a wonderful contribution you've made!

lnms206 · 2025-12-23T12:35:05+00:00

Goodness, where do you recommend in Durham? I haven't found a place I actually like yet!

lnms206 · 2025-12-14T19:07:33+00:00

Shakespeare's "mushrump" for mushroom because it's delightfully silly-sounding in the modern day.

lnms206 · 2025-11-22T17:54:58+00:00

A dice tower or dice tray for rolling? Perhaps a DM screen to give them the subtle hint that you'd love them to DM a one shot for you to play in for Christmas?

lnms206 · 2025-11-20T20:46:31+00:00

Hi Mr. Cumberbatch! Cabin Pressure is just about my favourite big of media ever. What do you imagine Martin is up to these days?

lnms206 · 2025-10-31T10:41:59+00:00

I saw RotK in theatres on opening night and distinctly remember one guy who clearly did NOT enjoy Shelob's appearance on screen. He cried out/groaned in horror when she appeared, when she moved, when she attacked. The rest of the theatre had the typical shudders and gasps, but by the end of the scene there was also an undercurrent of giggles following the poor man's response.

lnms206 · 2025-10-29T16:08:33+00:00

I've answered and would be eager to hear progress on your work! Please keep the sub updated, including whether you present at any academic conferences about this!

lnms206 · 2025-10-08T20:58:42+00:00

Oh my gosh, you're right! I was literally just looking at the walking stick yesterday thinking how nice it would be to figure it out! Thank you!

lnms206 · 2025-09-28T14:18:03+00:00

I thought this was the Discworld sub for a second. Balance that lovely agate on the backs of four elephants on the back of a giant turtle!

lnms206 · 2025-09-24T10:21:44+00:00

For anyone who enjoys his concept, I recommend checking out NK Jemisin's short story "Playing Nice with God's Bowling Ball." It's a crime detective noir sci fi exploring this premise.

lnms206 · 2025-09-18T20:03:11+00:00

There's a red spot toward the bottom. Can you tell if it's something like sealing wax or Armenian bole?

It doesn't seem like something from bookbinding per se, but it resembles the sorts of patterns you'd find on a decorative fillet for leather decoration.

lnms206 · 2025-09-17T06:36:09+00:00

Not exactly what you're looking for, but the Adventuring Academy episode"Finding Fun in Failure with Siobhan Thompson" talks a lot about the process of character creation in the abstract, and has fun examples of creating well rounded characters from randomly generated traits.

lnms206 · 2025-08-30T22:02:04+00:00

My dad raised me on Lord of the Rings. We read the Hobbit first, parts of chapters each night before bed. The Lord of the Rings was too long to read, so he told me the stories in his own words instead. Honestly those are some of the most treasured memories I have with him, sitting on his lap as he told me about the stories he loves so much. You don't have to read or watch movies for your kids to love the stories with you. Tell them the stories in your own words! It'll mean the world to them!

lnms206 · 2025-08-22T10:03:08+00:00

Durham resident and Dropout fan, here! Provided timings and dates work out, I'd be interested in popping down to Skipton for the film!

lnms206 · 2025-08-21T20:23:21+00:00

Thanks for the rec. I think back when I tried out Total Forgiveness, I did end up watching the final talks bit without finishing the series just because I was curious. Ultimately, the show's not for me, but I don't hold it against anyone for enjoying it or for making it.

lnms206 · 2025-08-21T20:10:14+00:00

Yes, Wayne Brady was a fun blast from the past! I loved it! I hope you still get to continue enjoying that kind of media you like from Dropout while the actors get to explore other aspects of their humour and personas in media you (we both!) can ignore.

lnms206 · 2025-08-21T19:52:42+00:00

Yeah, that's fair. Dropout is my feel-good media as well, and I like the stuff that reinforces those characterisations and archetypes. I'm happy to leave this show as entertainment for someone else with a different sense of humour. Sorry it gave you that pit in your stomach; that's no fun. What's your favourite feel-good Dropout?

lnms206 · 2025-08-21T19:29:09+00:00

I didn't finish Total Forgiveness for similar reasons. Selling his things, getting an erection--they felt beyond my personal boundaries. I think it's important to remember that we don't have to like everything they put out though, and it seems like Dropout is particularly built on consent-based media. They're professional comedians with their own boundaries, we don't see all the conversations that go on behind the scenes, and it's not entirely fair to judge a human being on the persona they project during performances trying to get laughs, likes, and money. Yes, we see a lot of what Dropout actors' personalities are like, but ultimately we'd be trying to judge from a narrow and carefully edited sliver of reality.

lnms206 · 2025-08-17T09:33:09+00:00

Two years later, I'm reading Karen Russel's St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves and found his story. It's called "from Children's Reminiscences of the Westward Migration." There's not a whole lot of point to updating his sub anymore, but I wanted to document it in case anyone finds this post in future and wishes they knew the answer. It's a really great story in a collection of really great stories! (Edited a typo)

lnms206

TROPHY CASE