You reply in the comments, and i try to guess your age based on a short conversation we have. That’s it!
Hey love this idea! Random shit to start a convo: I just lost my job today (not great but I’ll be ok). I am maybe turning the corner w/ a longstanding chronic pain condition, after which I’m gonna get back to my hobby of fighting people in the park.
Also, if you feel like playing too: what have you been up to today?
Hey mate glad you like the idea. Sorry to hear about your job. If you just want to vent other than playing the game, then that’s fine too. Happy to hear that you’re recovering from chronic pain as well. You fight people in the park as a hobby? What kinda hobby is that?
I haven’t been up to much. Mostly just brushing up on my Excel knowledge in preparation for my internship next week
Hi, how’s your week going?
Hey mate, my week’s been great. I’ve just been brushing up on my Excel skills for my upcoming internship.
How’s your week been?
Not great, got my first speeding ticket over the weekend. It was a tiny town in the middle of a highway. I strongly suspect that town gets a lot of its income from speeding tickets in a section where they rapidly lower the speed limit to 25 (4 lane road).
So I’m still seething about that.
25mph speed limit? That is incredibly low. Definitely something shady going on there.
What do you do for a living?
Yeah, 25, all the way from 65.
I’m a data engineer.
How’s that going for you? Are you satisfied with your job?
Yeah, it’s been good so far. The best part is that it’s remote.
Oh that’s the jackpot. How long have you been doing it for?
I’m from Arkansas. Every small town on the highway is a speed trap. Although they haven’t seemed to care as much since the pandemic
This place was just across the border from y’all, in Oklahoma.
So probably the same shit. Sorry you have to deal with that
My brain is skibidi tier rotten and I have absolutely no money in my pockets, but Boxxy is still the queen and fr fr nobody can prove me wrong.
…sorry, I’m doing it on purpose to throw you off tracks. How’s going?
The grammar pedant in me did not appreciate that first paragraph.
It’s going great for now. Tell me about some of your niche interests. Nerd out about it if you want
If it’s any consolation, the grammar pedant in me didn’t like it either. Even if I was the one writing it. (Also, I’m glad that things are going great for you.)
As for niche interests: gardening, cooking, simulation games, constructed languages, ancient languages. Some tidbits of oil painting, but frankly, I suck at it; perhaps I should stick to digital watercolours. (This reminds me Island - the main character was recalling his travels through Switzerland, his mum painting a watercolour, and his dad sarcastically saying “The milk chocolate advertisement that [brand] rejected.”)
But I digress. My gardening is currently pepper plants, I’m trying to breed a new variety following very specific criteria - heat, colour, shape, size. Once I’m done I’m going to spread the seeds here and there, through the city, as some small act of anarchy.
That’s a lot of niche interests. Constructed languages particularly are quite the interesting… interest. I never bothered with it because i found no utility for them.
How long have you been gardening?
Well, constructed languages aren’t something insanely useful, unless you’re into Linguistics or also into constructed worlds. For the former, it’s a good way to explore some “boundaries” of natural languages - conlangs can go beyond natlangs in certain features, but the opposite is almost never true. And for the later it’s that extra step to make the world within a story feel livelier, fleshing out the culture of its inhabitants.
Although my reasons are probably not too far from Tolkien’s, who called constructed languages a “secret vice”. It’s mostly for fun.
How long have you been gardening?
Five years or so, I guess? I mean, beyond simple stuff like planting radishes in my backyard as a kid. I still joke about it with my mum - she outright hated it. “My house is no farm dammit!” (The radishes tasted great though.)
You make a good point about conlangs that’s for sure. At some point, i was deep in the Toki Pona rabbit hole, but decided I’d rather spend that time learning Spanish or German, since I’d like to visit countries that use those languages some day.
What do you do for a living?
If you’re into language learning for pragmatic reasons then I think that the only conlang that could be useful would be Esperanto, and even then it’s like squeezing water from a rock. (I do it mostly for the fun, though. That’s also my attitude towards ancient languages - I’m not exactly using Latin everyday, and Sanskrit will be likely in the same bag.)
German is a great choice but be aware that proficient German/English bilinguals tend to use English as soon as they notice that you can speak it. It’s kind of funny because I’ve seen French speakers with the opposite reaction - as if one side saw a language as a tool, another as a cultural root. (It’s both.)
What do you do for a living?
I’m a translator by trade. I stick mostly to Portuguese, Italian, and English - those are the languages that I’m actually proficient with. Sometimes I pick something from German too, but I don’t typically translate things into German to avoid going full “ich bin ein Berliner”, like that American president. (That reminds me that I promised the old lady next-door to give her some Berlin balls once I prepare them. Her avocado ice cream was amazing. Also, sorry for the amount of off-topic that I tend to go into, but I guess that it’s more data to guess my age?)
Oh you’re a translator, i guess that explains the fascination with languages. How did you get into it, and how long have you been doing it?
Also, sorry for the amount of off-topic that I tend to go into, but I guess that it’s more data to guess my age?)
I was just gonna say, you go on a lot of tangents lmao, but yes it should all help when i deliver the coup de grace
Hey,
Just came home sick from work… I live in Australia so sick leave is alright…
How you doing?
Oh crikey mate. Hope you’re getting better now.
Sorry about the bad joke, i couldn’t resist. I’m doing well myself. What do you do for work?
Ahh, I’m always up for a laugh.
I work disability support, which is really rewarding a lot of the time. I love helping people and giving people a reason to laugh…
How about you? What do you do?
Disability support is wonderful. It’s honourable of you to do that even with the relatively low wages that come along with it - I mean i don’t know about Australia, but salaries aren’t awfully high in a lot of countries. How do you manage?
I’m still a student; I’m studying psychology. I’m still thinking about whether i want to go to grad school or pivot into something else.
It’s a rough job.
Kind people who want to help others rarely do so for the money, and employers know that. I’m not getting a great wage but it’s better than the minimum which is lovely - but we do get the minimum we can possibly be paid…
My wife is a teacher, too… Talk about under appreciated.
Psychology is fun to look into… What’d be the end result if you furthered your psychology study? What’d be your goal for your career?
What if you do change? What next?
I’ve rarely stuck with any line of work over 3 years and I’ve learned a lot by working the variety of jobs I’ve had, but can never expect decent pay sadly.
Oh teaching😬. You guys really decided to tap into the four horsemen of low paying jobs huh. Here’s hoping things get better for you guys.
Psychology is fun. It’s the right amount of challenge and interest to keep my unfocused brain hooked. If i did go to grad school i would go into cognitive psychology and potentially get a PhD to do research. The brain is just so fascinating, and being able to immediately apply what you learn in class is what makes it even better.
If I however decide that i don’t want to go to grad school, I’d most likely go into market research - all things being equal. It’s the most sensible application of my love for research and problem solving. I’d probably have to get some certifications, but i think it’s worth it, and pay is not too terrible after I get a few years of experience. I guess i just have to determine what i want in life. Do i want to be confined to the four walls of an institution for decades or work a normal job.
Why is it that you were never able to stick to one job? Also, what programme (if you went at all) did you go to university for?
Oh this is such a neat idea for a game! I’ll give you a misleading hint: I grew up watching the Andy Griffith show.
Well that tells me you’re not a boomer, and most probably not Gen X, at least not early Gen X. So late 80’s 90’s or Gen Z are my initial deductions.
So what do you watch? Do you watch any cable TV?
What do I watch currently? Mostly just anime and YouTube. You’re basically spot on. I’m 28, so just like right on the line between GenZ and Millennial.
You didn’t even let me guess🙁. Yeah that’s 1996. I probably would’ve gotten it right though :P
Oh, whoops. I guess I read that as a guess. I don’t know, I just got off of a closing shift at work, brain sleepy.
Nah it’s fine. You should get to resting then
The Grammar Police fails to capitalize the pronoun “I”? 🤔
Hey pal, I’m here to enforce laws not follow them
You have made that abundantly clear so far. And in so little space!
Gotta let you know what you’re dealing with.
Anyways, let’s get to the age verification shall we?
I assumed we were operating on your schedule.
Right right we were. What’s a word that accurately defines your personality?
“Thoughtful”.
What makes you thoughtful? Are you talking about thoughtfulness in the empathetic sense?
I play video games, like sports, eat my vegitables, and think the world is currently a dumpster fire.
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I have my ways :). Let’s start by you telling me some of your interests
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Real role playing games? You mean like when people actually assume the character they’re playing and interact with one another? That’s pretty cool. Where do you live if you don’t mind me asking?
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I’ve never gotten the chance to play those kinds of RPGs. I guess I don’t hang out with people who would be into that sort of thing.
Damn, I’ve never interacted with someone from Wuhan before. I have so many questions, but i think I’ll keep them to myself.
What do you do for work?
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Wow, what a coincidence! I was actually thinking of going into that field. I’m currently a psychology major, but contemplating whether or not to go to grad school. I decided that if I don’t go to grad school, I’ll go into marketing. Specifically market research.
Can you tell me a bit more about how you got into it, and whether i require some additional certifications?
(Sorry to get off-topic, i just had to seize the opportunity)
I am an antenna engineer and I quit because I hated the company I worked for as they embraced the corporate American model.
Wow, antenna engineer is a new one for me haha. So what have you been doing since then/plan to do now that you’ve quit the old job?
Basically I do what I want when I want. Typically building things. I’m constantly fixing or modifying my cars(they are all old and constantly broken). And I play a lot of disc golf.
Mmm, so you’re at that point where you feel like you don’t need to go back to working, at least for the meantime?
Correct.
Do you have friends that you spend some time with as well outside your other hobbies. Maybe going to a bar or some other event on a regular - semi-regular basis?
Man I answered and I don’t see it.
Yes. I play disc golf with some. Get together infrequently with some close long-term friends, pay video games online every Monday with my best friend that moved to the UK and zoom with a couple of high school buddies every month or so.
That’s nice that you still have a group of people surrounding you. So I’m guessing you’re quite satisfied with the way things are going? You aren’t really looking for any change at the moment?
Yo
Hey buddy. Where are you from?
I’m in London. Where are you from?
Oh cool. I’m actually British-Nigerian, but i live in Nigeria rn. What have you been up to this week?
Oh cool. It’s been a quiet week for myself, new to Lemmy so it’s been a good way to pass the time. You?
Gotcha. I’m quite new myself. I got banned from reddit, and needed a new site to doom scroll lmao.
Would you consider yourself terminally online?
What did you do to get yourself banned? lol Myself, I go through phases where I spend tons of time online or as little as possible. Right now? Terminally online.
Basically, a group of black users were being racist to white individuals by making a bunch of generalizations, so i wanted to point out the hypocrisy by making an obviously racist generalization of my own. I commented, “All black people are disgusting”, and was rightfully called out, but the irony was that they were doing something pretty similar calling white people colonizers and other things like that.
The result? I got mass reported and banned, and due to Reddit’s inability to identify nuance in comments, my appeals were all for naught.
Anyways, what kind of life allows you the luxury of being terminally online when you choose lmao?
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Aight bruh
Hello there!
Hey buddy! What goals are you working towards right now?
Wow, that’s kinda tough to answer without revealing a lot of clues about my age!
Let’s see, I guess I’m trying to be more mindful of my body in taking care of it. But it’s not going so well :/
Also trying to find some motivation/energy/time to play some video games since I didn’t have too much access to them while growing up
What made you want to start caring more for your body? Are you talking more in terms of losing weight or just getting fit?
Don’t feel pressured into answering if you don’t want to
Getting fit. Mostly about staying active. I realised I could be a lot better not just in sports but also daily life in general if I put in some efforts towards being fit
Oh yeah i definitely agree with that. I just had a huge scare when it came to my health that requires me to stay fit in order to not “relapse”, so i try to do at least cardio everyday.
You said you’re trying to get into video games. What video games have you played so far, or are currently eyeing?
I wanna make my way through the Valve classics. Portal and the Half life series. Ooh and Satisfactory has also caught my eye!
A lot of cool games there. Tell me about your interpersonal relationships. With friends, family and maybe even a partner. Which if these are you trying to develop, or striving for something more in?
I’ll play, though I may not be fully forthcoming, depending on the questions.
Alright, let’s start easy. What are some of your hobbies?
Lorcana, video games
Some quick googling tells me it’s a card collecting game. What differentiates this game from other games that have a similar mechanic?
It’s based on Disney
What draws you in personally about the game?
Community
Alright, outside of video games, what else gets your interest?
Evening. It’s hot. But the only constant in life is change.
It’s hot in the evening? Where are you from brother/sister?
Southern US and the AC only managed to catch up at night. It’s bearable though. We are all in good health. How about yourself?
Climate change amirite haha. I’m Nigerian, so heat is something I’m used to. Also in good health, and i guess that’s the most important thing.
What do you do for a living?
Mainly I work with software, specifically security research. I do a lot of reverse engineering and embedded development too.
How’s that going for you? Do you enjoy it?
Yes, I do. It’s very interesting work with hard problems.
It takes a level of intelligence to do what you do. I commend you. What do you do when you’re not solving complex problems?
5318008!
And to that good sir, i respond 93N15
Nice. But how old am I???
You’re 14
Ahhh nope calculator only days. Give you a hint, my calculator looked like an owl. Or something like that.
Don’t tell me you’re in your early 40s. 43 maybe
Much closer! 50 next month! And I’m a girl BTW. 😜
Holy hell. Sorry for calling you 14 mom
Hey!
Hey mate! Are you Canadian?
I am! From Quebec.
Oh, Quebec, that’s very nice. So what does a normal day look like for you in Québec?
Hmm, depends if we’re talking a summer or winter day haha. There’s like a 50°C+ differential, so it tends to heavily dictate what we’re doing outside work/home/errands haha.
Ahh, so what are you typically doing on a summer day when you’re not at work?
In the summer, on weekends, there’s a good chance I’ll have woken up early for a golf round, then spent some time with the wife and kids doing whatever.
Okay, what about on weekdays, when you have to go to work? What do you do?
