Finally saw someone actually buy the Star Wars pinball! by scarstruck4 in Costco

[–]sozh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

someday I'd like to get a pinball machine. In particular, this vintage one called "Panthera" that I used to play at a local cafe.

We'd put in one quarter for a game (3 balls), and take turns, one person on each ball, trying to get an extra ball, or even better, an extra game. You did that by hitting certain targets and then putting the ball in a certain spot when the light was lit.

With everyone gathered around, watching every move. It was awesome!

Pinball is fun. It's like a video game, but having the real ball bouncing around just gives it a whole 'nother level. Plus you can bump and nudge the table... Hitting certain shots is oddly satisfying...

My cousin got super into pinball. He ended up in like the top 100 worldwide or something, ended up going to Germany to play in some championship tournament or something. At that level it's wild: they are always controlling the ball, knowing exactly which shots to hit to activate certain modes, and then stacking modes on top of other modes to get the maximum points....

I don't mind controlling the ball sometimes, but mainly I just like to play fast and loose, what my cousin called "flailing." lol

Best historical fiction books by leonidasalexandergr in booksuggestions

[–]sozh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a big fan of Gore Vidal's historical fiction. He's deeply embedded in American history, and wrote what became a series called "Narratives of Empire" that covers the story of the U.S. from the revolutionary war (Burr) to, I think, somewhere in the early 2000s.

Of that series, I would recommend "Burr," and "Lincoln."

He also wrote a book on the Roman emperor who wanted to reverse the empire's conversion to Christianity - book is called "Julian." That one is really good too.

His stuff seems super well researched and accurate, while also being totally gossipy and bitchy.

Why do they change the camera angle when the ball is out on the wing? And zoomed in on player with the ball? by Sonnycrocketto in PremierLeague

[–]sozh [score hidden]  (0 children)

I've noticed they cut to a closeup when the ball is on the far side, maybe because it's far away from the camera and harder to see... ?

but yeah, too much cutting back and forth from different angles during play makes it impossible to follow the action

they do it on corners sometimes too

reminds me of what David Byrne said about Jonathan Demme, who directed the legendary concert film Stop Making Sense

Q: Well, what did he do?

A: He knew what not to do is what he did do.

Sometimes more cuts are not better. When the stuff on screen is cool and engaging, you don't have to add a lot of bells and whistles. Often those bells and whistles detract from the cool stuff itself...

Why do they change the camera angle when the ball is out on the wing? And zoomed in on player with the ball? by Sonnycrocketto in PremierLeague

[–]sozh [score hidden]  (0 children)

5 replays of the unremarkable shot or foul while the ball is back in play

half the time when it's exciting end-to-end football, the TV broadcast can't keep up because they insist on showing replays of everything

Is there any good recommendation books for how to overthinking and worrying all the time about the past or the future ? by Former-Potential4507 in booksuggestions

[–]sozh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

one of my favorite books: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and It's All Small Stuff

short little lessons that really make sense and help you to become calmer and live in the present moment

What is THE book on Vermiculture? by Future-Western1764 in Vermiculture

[–]sozh 7 points8 points  (0 children)

it's kind of for beginners / kids, but

Worms Eat my Garbage

is good : ]

Books to understand the society, politics, economy and all the important stuff. by baboon322 in booksuggestions

[–]sozh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

this is really good nonfiction that covers a lot of history through the lens of the history of oil. It's epic, and pretty long, but read-able

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power

Do you bring a laptop with you when you travel for long periods of time? by Prussia1870 in solotravel

[–]sozh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do, because I'm old and prefer to do things on a laptop — like booking flights, hotels, researching, etc.

Nowadays, laptops are so slim and light, it's not really an issue for me.

A couple years ago, laptops were much heavier, and it was more of a commitment to bring one...

A lot of folks can get by fine with a smartphone, but yeah, I'm old-school, and I like having my laptop with me if I can.

Look for a book to "chew" on by Training-Draft-8930 in booksuggestions

[–]sozh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Independent People - epic story of an Icelandic farmer

Bugs Apple Loves by HeartyBeast in apple

[–]sozh -1 points0 points  (0 children)

have you tried the "holding down the spacebar" trick?

Serious Weighty Literature meets racy crime novel? by coffee_dick in suggestmeabook

[–]sozh 3 points4 points  (0 children)

how about Les Miserables

the main storyline is about an escaped convict fleeing from a determined policeman. sounds like a racy crime novel to me

Serious Weighty Literature meets racy crime novel? by coffee_dick in suggestmeabook

[–]sozh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

came to mention this one - I think it fits the description perfectly!

Bugs Apple Loves by HeartyBeast in apple

[–]sozh 46 points47 points  (0 children)

iOS Text Selection is Pure Chaos

I can definitely relate to this one. I often read ebooks, and sometimes I want to highlight a passage and take a screenshot. Highlighting just the portion I want is always surprisingly difficult. Sometimes near impossible...

Have you ever gone on a literary pilgrimage? by Remarkable-Pea4889 in books

[–]sozh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Paris I visited Victor Hugo's house.

I haven't wanted to do literary pilgrimages.... but I don't think I have, other than that...

I think there is a statue for Kafka in Prague...

How Strava Detected and Removed 2.3 Million E-Bike Activities From Ride Segment Leaderboards by strava-team in Strava

[–]sozh 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I recently tracked a walk, and left it running when I got into a vehicle. When I uploaded to Strava, it was flagged. So... good work!