#would just need to get a wireless keyboard and mouse

[dawllick]

@ anyone please send advice

I plan to buy a computer and start trying to have a small home office (I swear the next job I get will be work from home)

But I’m curious, to those that have desktop computers (I haven’t had one since I was like..13), what do you recommend for someone to research when planning to buy a PC?

I’d really like to get a gaming PC for gaming, art, and possibly work from home (even for current job if need be)

I’m trying to stay away from the mini computers due to their cooling capabilities and I’m not looking into doing hardcore online gaming (the only mmo I own currently is ESO and I haven’t played bc I know it would kill my basic 2013 hp laptop)

So please share any recommendations or things to research???

I’m not keen on building my own UNLESS someone can send me a link to a video or series of videos that detail what is needed and how to put a generic computer together and as long as graphic cards have like….come down to a normal price

[rvlyrik]

having only 2 usb ports in your laptop and no extension ports can so weird things for your setup

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

The Assignment 1

Warnings: this fic will include elements, some dark, such noncon/dubcon, and other untagged triggers. Please take this into account before proceeding. It is up to curate your online consumption safely.

Summary: your agree to cover an empty internship but the role isn't as easy as you expect. (older!reader)

Characters: boss!Lee Bodecker, glimpse of Andy Barber.

Author’s Note: Please feel free to leave some feedback, reblog, and jump into my asks. I’m always happy to discuss with you and riff on idea. As always, you are cherished and adored! Stay safe, be kind, and treat yourself💜

“I’ve already asked Anna. She has so much going on already with her daughter and you know I would if Stan wasn’t away on a work trip. Poor Melissa is just too new for a coverage position,” Nicole explains.

“Got it,” you say as you pack up the contents of your desk drawer. “I already said yes.” 

“I know, but I also know it’s a real pain. It’s just that there’s nowhere else that can spare the body and Mr. Barber owes Mr. Bodecker so--” 

“Yep, sacrificial lamb,” you utter dryly as you slide the drawer shut. “Really, Nicole, I get it. You don’t need to go on. We all know how this works. We go where they tell us too.” 

“Yeah, it’s just... he’s chased off three in the last two months. That kind of turnover...” she looks around. “They need someone mature. Who can handle the workload.” 

“Right,” you stand and pick up your box of things. “I won’t be that far away, no big deal.” 

She gives a tense smile and you turn away. You march out of your shared space and down the hall. You understand what she means by ‘workload’. Mr. Bodecker might be a hard ass for all you know but what everyone knows for sure is that he is a menace. There’s a reason those interns left almost soon as they got through the door. 

You claim the empty desk waiting for you and drop the box on it. You roll the chair out and sit. You should’ve wheeled yours over. You adjust the height and wiggle around. Hm, it’ll do. Work is work, no matter how comfortable you are. 

You stand again and take out your laptop and plug it in. Then you unpack your wireless mouse and keyboard and your pad with the wrist rest. You stretch your fingers above the tight brace and sigh. You can use all the ergonomic tools and aids but it’s not getting any better. 

No use putting it off any longer. He probably already knows. You go around the desk and knock on the closed door. 

“Come on in,” Mr. Bodecker drawls from the other side. 

You open the door and step into the doorway, “hello, Mr. Bodecker. Just letting you know I’ve got my stuff moved and I’ll be taking over for the time being, as requested by Mr. Barber.” 

“Barber? Old pal,” he says. “He sent you?” 

You hear it all in his tone. He sent you? I asked for a replacement, not an old lady. You don’t let it bother you. You’re not there for his pleasure. 

“Yes, me,” you confirm. “Is there anything I can do?” 

“Coffee, darlin’,” he winks. 

“Coffee?” 

“Double sugar, no cream.” 

“Sir, I’m an admin assistant, not an intern. I was referring more to your calendar or some tasks--” 

“I asked for the position to be filled. That means getting my coffee, sweetheart.” 

“Mm, sir,” you enunciate the last word sternly. “Again, I’m a professional. I don’t get anyone’s coffee but my own. Would you like me to review your meetings? Should I set aside some time to keep minutes for anything?” 

He huffs and sits back, his face wrinkling in consternation, “you can get outta my office.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

You close the door gently and return to the desk. You sit and tuck away your things in the single drawer. When you finally get sorted, you boot up your computer. Almost at once, a notification pops up. You click on it and a conversation expands across the screen. 

‘Thanks again for taking on the extra work. Please do your best to keep Mr. Bodecker happy. He’s working on a very important project.’ 

You review Mr. Barber’s message. The timing is peculiar. 

‘Yes, sir. I’ve checked in and offered to help arrange his schedule and tasks. I am awaiting further directive but will do my best to support.’ 

Three dots, then none, then three again. The next message pops up. 

‘Get him his coffee.’ 

Really? What is he, a child? Tattling on you? Over a cup of coffee. 

‘Sir, I understood I would perform admin work.’ 

The little eye blips down to show that your message is seen but no message comes. You shake your head and open your inbox. If the success of your work hinges on coffee, then you’re just as good going back with the others. 

You recognise Mr. Barber’s gait. You look up as he appears from around the corner. You sit up and greet him. His hands are in his pocket, his jacket pushed back, his neck and jaw tight. 

“I understand that you don’t think it’s part of your role but for now, it is. You will get Bodecker his coffee and anything else he asks for,” he says without courtesy. 

You try not to show your irritation. It isn’t just the task. You’re not some housewife or barista. On top of that, these men don’t talk to the young ones like this. Or the moms. Nicole and Anna can just mention daycare of soccer and they can get leeway and Melissa, so nice but young, she just needs to smile. That stopped working for you a long time ago. 

“Coffee,” you type as you speak, “I will add it to my roster, sir. I understand. Very important work.” 

“Come on,” he steps closer, looking down at you, “don't be like this. You’re a good worker. You know I respect you and appreciate everything you’ve done. It’s just coffee.” 

“Oh yes, just coffee,” you agree and stand up. “I better go put the pot on. Would you like a cup too, Mr. Barber?” 

He gives a slow blink and pushes his tongue into his cheek, “no, thank you.” 

His own agitation leaks through. He got what he wanted but you didn’t give him the deference he expected. You didn’t apologise for it. You just accepted it. You’ll do it, but you won’t be happy about it. 

“Try a smile,” Barber slips his hand from his pocket and taps the corner of the desk, “it might make things a little easier.” 

You stare at him. He lingers and when you don’t change your expression, he sighs and strides off. How many times had a man told you to smile? Why should you? For them? That’s why you don’t want to get the coffee; you give a little, they’ll take it all. 

[creamhoodie]

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊ Video Game Lover ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊ synopsis: While Nagi is playing video games online with Reo you start to get needy for him and a slip of the mic leads to Reo listening to the two of you. tags: smut with no actual plot, 1.2K words, as always aged up.

“Hold on, sweetie. After this game with Reo, I promise,” Nagi called to you from where he sat at his PC with his headphones on. 

You were sitting on his bed and had been wanting him to come cuddle for the past half hour in hopes that it would lead to more. You were currently in heat for him as hearing him swear at the game turned you on. 

That is why even though he told you to wait you decided you couldn’t anymore. Taking matters into your own hands, you walked over to him and crawled under his desk in front of him. He continued to tap on his keyboard and click his mouse not even questioning your behavior until he felt your hands at his sweats. 

“Baby,” he cautioned. 

“What?” Reo questioned on the other end. 

Nagi’s eyes were transfixed on you as you pulled his sweats down even more, doing the same with his boxers until his cock was plopped down in front of you. 

“Do you want me to stop?” you asked even though you knew the answer.

The thing about Nagi was that yes he could be lazy and easily distracted by his video games but when it came to sexual activity with you he was addicted. Never having been interested in the matter before you, when he had sunk into your warmth for the first time, he had at last understood what it was all about and why some men ruined their lives over something as simple as just sex. 

“No. Don’t stop,” he said, his voice shaky. 

“Nagi, are we still doing this or what?” Reo asked, confused and oblivious to what was going on. 

“Yeah man, let’s go,” he said, clearing his voice. As he continued to play you took his length in your hand and kissed his tender pink head before slowly putting it in your mouth. You felt his knees shake from that alone and glanced up at him, he was struggling to play and kept stealing glances at you. 

You sucked on his cock gently, coating it with saliva before removing it from your mouth and began to give him nice slow strokes using your hand. 

You watched as his hand went up to the  wireless headset to click the button to mute himself.

“Fuck. You���re a menace. I can’t even focus,” he said but his voice was void of complaints and only full of desire. 

“I need you Nagi. I didn’t wanna wait anymore,” you said, continuing with your handjob of him, your pace quickening. 

“You should have just said so,” he said panting now, “fuck keep it up and I’m gonna cum right now. Stop, I wanna be inside of you.” He stood up now and with ease picked you up and placed you on the bed. 

“What about your game?” you asked half heartedly as he pulled off your pants and underwear with hunger, lining himself up with you. 

“It doesn’t matter. I can be idle for a few minutes,” he replied. He took the headset off and placed it on you, “you always look so fucking hot with this on, like a gamer girl.” His words shot a jolt of pleasure to your clit and you had only a moment to process it before you felt him pushing his whole length in causing your eyes to well up with tears. 

“You said you needed me and that’s what you’re getting,” he said somewhat apologetically since he knew he was always too big for you to handle.

However there was no time for foreplay now and you had played dirty by arousing him so you considered this your punishment: a few seconds of pain for what you knew would be immense pleasure. You felt him fill you up and as he began to thrust in and out you moaned his name, the lewd sounds of skin slapping against skin filling the room.  

You and Nagi’s moans engulfed the room so it took you by surprise when you heard a moaning coming from right in your ear…

“Reo?” you stammered realizing that the headset must have unmuted by all the moving on the bed. 

“What are you saying his name for? I’m the one fucking you,” Nagi said stilling his movement and glaring at you not yet understanding. 

You shook your head. 

“No- the headset. He can hear us,” you said, still dazed from the bliss he was providing you. 

Nagi relaxed again. 

“It’s okay I don’t mind if he hears us,” he said, beginning to move again. You heard Reo’s whimpering and moans on the other end and you could hear the slick sound of him pleasuring himself. 

“Reo, she feels so good you have no idea,” Nagi said loudly enough for his best friend to hear. He seemed to get off on the fact that the two of you were being listened to. 

What you didn’t know that he did was that Reo was attracted to you as well. He admitted to it after Nagi had caught him looking at your instagram one time with one of his hands in his pants.

The two were good enough friends, practically brothers, that he trusted Reo and so he wasn’t mad about it. Rather, he took pride in how stunning you are and how you were all for him. 

Still, friends did share and he would allow Reo to listen. 

He hoisted your legs around him pushing even deeper now so he bottomed out inside of you, balls deep inside of you. 

In your ear you could hear Reo moaning your name through the headset. You wondered how Nagi felt about that, knowing he could hear as well. To your surprise, his face seemed even more flush and flustered hearing Reo call your name. 

“Tell him how good it feels to have me inside of you,” Nagi said. 

This new side of Nagi, this exhibitionist style of him that liked to be listened to was turning you on even more and awakening something in you as well. 

“Reo, Nagi feels so good. He’s so big,” you moaned.

Nagi pushed your shirt up so he could feel grab hold of your breasts leaning in to suck on your nipples. 

“Fuck that sounds good,” Reo said through the headphones.

“It feels even better,” Nagi said into the mic panting then addressed you, “I’m close baby. Are you ready?” 

You gulped and nodded the anticipation killing you as you felt your own peak coming on soon, all the while the lewd sounds of Reo’s masturbation sounded through the headphones. 

“Say my name,” he said then again with more force, “say it.” 

“Nagi.. my Nagi,” you moaned and you felt him fill you up with his fluids as you soaked him with yours. 

You heard Reo finish as well gasping on the other end. As the three of you came down from your high, catching your breath, it settled in on you what had just happened.

However, you weren’t embarrassed. Somehow it felt almost natural that Reo eventually would hear you at your most vulnerable state like this. 

Nagi took the headset off you and put it back on himself. 

“Well Reo did you enjoy hearing me fuck my girl?” He teased. 

You were close enough that you could hear Reo’s reply of “yes I did.”

[amethystunarmed]

Nobody Should Ever Lose Their Place in the World

Word Count: 2436 AO3 Written for @pulpmusicalsfortnight2024 Day 5: Modern AU. Huge thank you to my beta @faery-people-of-the-future-day!

The first time Anna finds her, it's by accident. 

She is scouring through the database of Observatory Technology and Satellite Services, a subdivision of the infamous Herschel Corporation. It has been weeks of Anna trying to break into their servers, months since the announcement of their new wireless internet system, and today is the first day she has made any progress at all. She actually got in.

It had been practically effortless. Anna doesn't know what allowed her lucky break but she is grateful for it.

Doesn't mean her job is easy now. The files are convoluted, dozens of project names that mean nothing to her. But she only needs one. 

The Bright Future Initiative.

Her Sagitta. 

Still, she is going in the back way, and mostly flying by the seat of her pants. She isn't sure how to search through the files like this; her skills lie more in engineering than hacking. But she needs to find it, needs to get to her-

Her screen suddenly freezes. Anna clicks furiously, but her mouse doesn't respond. No. No, it's not fair. She can't have been kicked out. She hasn't found it yet.

Frustrated tears well in her eyes as she curses at the screen. Just as she is about to restart her computer, brilliant cyan text appears in the code she was searching through.

//error: Designation?

Anna... Anna has no idea how to respond to that. She stares at the screen, frantically trying to come up with some kind of lie Observatory Tech’s IT would find believable when-

//error: Hello? I know you're there. I would like to know just who is interrupting my operation. This is the Traveler speaking.

And that is the moment Anna puts it together. The reason it had been so easy to break through Observatory Tech's firewall today.

Someone had already done it.

Fuck. Fuck.

Okay, okay, she needs a designation. A hacker moniker? Does she ever deserve one of those? Anything but her real name, what could she-

And suddenly, it hits her like a flash, from one of her first Discord messages with John.

Well, if you're going to call me Herschy, I'm going to call you-

She types the name in, not even surprised her keyboard works again. 

You: Nova. I'm Nova.

There is a pause, and the other person types back.

//error: You come up with that just now?

Even though the other person can’t see it, Anna fights to hide a blush.

You: Is it that obvious?

//error: Your work is... heavy-handed, to say the least.

Did they really need to type the ellipses? Anna gets the picture.

//error: And the fact you didn’t immediately log off when I introduced myself really says you don’t know what you are getting into.

Anna frowns. Who on Earth could be so arrogant?

You: You really think every person knows who you are?

//error: Any hacker who knows their way around a keyboard would. You probably do too, little star. Ever heard of the Blazing World Coalition?

Anna’s eyes widen. She has. They are a group of self-identified white hat hackers, the closest thing the modern day has to a real Robin Hood. Just a few months ago, they had completely bankrupted the Itzal Financial Group after they shorted their own employees’ pensions in order to make millions. Not long about that, the BWC had been declared a terrorist group by the United States government.

Anna was chatting with Public Enemy Number 1.

You: Oh.

She isn’t sure why she types it. She just doesn’t know what else to do. 

//error: (✿◠‿◠) I see my reputation precedes me. //error: So do us both a favor and log. Off.

Anna should. She knows she should. She should log off and forget this whole thing, because she is suddenly in so incredibly far over her head.

But she remembers the grin on William Herschel’s face as he debuted her tech. The awe in the newscaster’s voice when he talked about the Satellite that was going to change the world. 

Her Satellite.

You: I’m sorry. I can’t.

//error: That wasn’t a request, little star. And I won’t ask nicely again. You should leave before you burn out.

Anna’s palms sweat. The keys feel damp under her fingers.

You: I can’t, there is something I need. I won’t get in your way, I don’t want money or anything like that. But I can’t leave just yet.

There is another long, long pause after that. Beneath the post-it note she has over her camera, a glowing red light turns on. Anna screams, and then covers her mouth. She still can’t fully mask her frantic gasping because-

They turned on her camera.

//error: ( ͡ ͜ʖ ͡°) You have such a gorgeous scream, little star. Shame I can’t see you. Though there are plenty of other cameras to look through... do you think you can cover them all? (´･ω･`)? 

No. She doesn’t think she can.

//error: There is a lot I can do with a face. You think this is scary, wait until I release all your naughty little secrets to the public. I am sure the authorities would love to hear about your new hobby. So do us both a favor and log off now. I won’t ask again. ヾ(￣▽￣) Bye~Bye~

Anna’s heart is pounding in her ears. All she can hear is the blood rushing through her veins at what feels like 100 miles per hour. She wonders if the Traveler can hear it through the microphone.

But she can’t give up. She knows now she won’t get another opportunity, not if they improve security after this attack; she could barely manage the security before. If they beef it up, she will have no chance. 

The Traveler has made this her last chance to regain control of the Sagitta. Anna can’t bear to waste it.

You: I can’t. Please. Please let me do this.

Another pause. Anna waits for the sound of sirens or maybe for her oven to explode, but all remains quiet. The red light on her laptop clicks off. 

//error: What could possibly be so important you would risk your entire identity just to see this through?

Anna hesitates. A group like the Blazing World with her Satellite, able to connect to the internet from anywhere on a grid where no one else would be able to track them... They would have the power to do anything they wanted if they took it over.

But they help people. All the employees who had lost their life savings when Itzal Financial shorted them? The day after the BWC’s attack, they woke up with bank accounts doubled or tripled what they had been before, with air tight records listing the funds as severance. Even when Itzal Financial had gone to court, there had been no case. No proof. Just over a thousand struggling people were suddenly able to enjoy life again.

They are her only shot now. 

You: Do you know about the Bright Future Initiative?

Anna may ask the question, but she already knows the answer. It's all anyone spoke about for weeks after the announcement.

//error: Herschel's new project? Where he boosted the internet for his companies from a satellite?

A Satellite. A. The dismissal makes her bristle. Her correction is swift and formal, showing none of the indignation thrumming through her.

You: My Satellite. He stole my tech and this is my last chance to get it back.

That agonizing silence returns as Anna waits for a reply. She isn't sure the Traveler will believe her, they have no reason to. 

All Anna can do is wait and hope. The Traveler's words appear slowly, line by line, as though they are trying to convince Anna.

//error: William Herschel has hurt many people. //error: I am sorry that you are among them. //error: But there is something big going on and many innocent people are going to continue being hurt if you don't let me finish here.

You: I'm not trying to stop you! If you let me do what I need to, I will stay out of your hair.

Another pause. 

//error: Nova... You don't know what you are doing. I found you because you tripped a security measure. I caught it and stopped it, but eventually you will get us both caught.

Anna feels those words flay her like knives. They scoop out her heart and leave her only with welling despair in her chest. Even if she had managed to break through the firewall, even if she had done it all on her own with no interference... 

Anna never would have gotten the Sagitta back. 

She is glad The Traveler disconnected from her camera. She isn't fully able to hold back the sob that wells in her and it would have been incredibly embarrassing if they heard.

She is quiet too long. Another message pops up.

//error: Too many lives are at risk. I hope you can understand that.

Anna's next words are petty. Petulant. Probably even childish. But she means every one.

You: But it's fine if he ruins my life? The lives of all the people my Satellite could help? You could help me and you're choosing not to. Doesn't that mean anything?

Anna knows just how powerful free internet, free communication can be. Her father would still be alive if he'd had it. They’d been alone in the middle of the ocean, with no way to make connection as his damaged ship drifted aimlessly, powerless. Dead in the water. The doctors say Anna only survived long enough to be rescued due to the rations he sacrificed to give to her. If they had only been able to signal for help...

It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that every day, Anna lives for him. She has to get this satellite back. 

Another long pause, long enough that Anna is left feeling tightly wound. She is waiting for a paragraph, a long explanation she can refute or build off of. The mere sentence she gets back stabs straight through her.

//error: I truly am sorry Nova.

Anna doesn't doubt it. She can feel the pity seeping through the keys like syrup, cloying on her tongue. And it makes the despair inside her burn, igniting the helplessness and eating away at her welling tears until there is nothing left but rage.

You: Traveler, can you promise me something? //error: Only once I hear the terms, little star. //error: But I will try. You: Make him suffer. If you can't help me, at least do that.

This time the response is immediate. 

//error: With pleasure. ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧

Before Anna can even contemplate a reply, another message pops up.

//error: Get some rest, Nova. /ᐠ - ˕ -マᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 //error: Things will look better in the morning.

The chat closes and Anna finds herself booted out of the program entirely. The Traveler could have removed her whenever they liked. They were just being polite.

What else were they capable of?

Anna turns her computer off and unplugs it for good measure. She knows it won't help. She has very little doubt the Traveler could log into her phone or tablet or even her microwave just as easily as they did her computer. But it makes her feel better, nonetheless.

She tries to message John. He sends back one apologetic about a family emergency and goes silent for the rest of the evening. She puts her phone on Do Not Disturb. It's not like anyone is going to be reaching out to her.

Anna is once again, alone.

She curls up in her bed and cries for longer than she would like to admit. Her grant was pulled after her prototype went missing at her University's Expo. The school themselves said the theft was disheartening but there was nothing they could do.

Not for the first time, Anna wonders how much of William Herschel's money lines their pockets. 

It's over. Her satellite hangs in the sky, bastardized out of all it is supposed to be. 

I'm so sorry, Father, she pleads, hoping his ghost will have mercy on her. Our dream dies here. She clutches her pillow and watches as light slowly comes in the window. 

Around seven, she gives up on sleep entirely.

When she enters her living room, the first thing she does is turn on the news. This is not her habit. In fact, this is the last thing she wants to be doing. She typically avoids the news, getting only the most urgent alerts from an app on her phone. But today, she wants to see what state the Blazing World Coalition left Observatory Tech in. After Itzal Financial was hacked, it was in the news for months. 

And there's nothing. Not a single mention of the company falling apart. Anna opens her phone to google the company and-

Emails, calls, text messages. Congratulations from old professors, job offers, interview requests. One text from her bank informs her of a deposit with more zeros than seems possible.

And at the beginning of it all, received at 6:13 am, is an email with a blinding cyan subject line.

Hello Little Star!

Anna opens it without hesitation. If the Traveler wanted to steal her information, she would have done it by now. 

You have truly abysmal protections in place, Nova. I was able to get this email in practically no time at all! You'll need far more practice if you hope to continue these endeavors. As I'm sure you may have heard, this morning William Herschel revealed the true genius behind the Brighter Future Initiative and relinquished control of her Satellite back into her capable hands. (I highly recommend watching the interview. His expressions are priceless.) It's all here, the information for operating the cubesat, patents in your name, pay stubs listing back pay plus interest... Everything you have rightly earned. I apologize, for not fully considering the value of that last night. Women like us need to stick together, and I am grateful you reminded me of that. It was easy enough to complete both our goals, and I never would have considered it otherwise. Don't give up the fight. I hope to see you around. The Traveler ✶⋆.˚

Anna tries to reply but the email bounces back; it's already disconnected. 

Anna wants to show the Traveler just how grateful she is, needs to speak with her again. She looks over the instructions and tips she sent.

She is going to need all the help she can get if she wants to find her again.

[wheelin-after-midnight]

81.

What’s the most relaxing thing you did today? Slept late.

Do you shop at the grocery store closest to your house? Sometimes. I don't usually have much of a say in where my shopping gets done, since I can't go do it on my own.

What does your car smell like? I don't have a car.

Who could make you feel better right now? No one can.

Have you had an epiphany lately? No.

What color shoes are you wearing? I'm barefoot.

Which one of your friends is the most brutally honest? I wouldn't consider either of my friends brutally honest. They'll both be honest with me, but they're tactful in their delivery and care about whether or not they hurt my feelings.

Miracle Whip or Mayo? I like both for different things. Mayo on sandwiches. Miracle whip in homemade pasta salad or used as a dip for certain things.

Who/What influences your taste in music the most? I happen to like some of the same stuff as my parents or my friends, but not because they heavily influenced me. No one else decided what I like or what sounds good to me. I just... Like what I like.

Do you have anything to say to your ex bf/gf? My ex is also my current. We're struggling lately, but I don't need to say anything in particular.

In what year will/did you turn 21? I turned 21 in 2013.

What do you think of the person who took this survey last? I like reading their survey answers when their posts come up in my dash. I like hearing about their work at the animal shelter and seeing all the pictures they take of cats and kittens they get to hang out with.

Which day of the week do you watch the most tv? I don't watch cable channels as I don't subscribe to it. I stream stuff every day. I don't think there's one day of the week that's heavier than any other. It's pretty equal, I'd say.

What’s your favorite vegetable? Mixed vegetables with lima beans, green beans, peas, carrots and corn. Potatoes, spinach, shelled edamame.

Which song describes your mood at the moment? Big White Room - Jessie J.

What’s the closest pink object to you? My wireless keyboard and mouse are both baby pink. I love them. They're super cute. :)

Do you really weigh the weight on your driver’s license? I don't have a driver's license, I have an ID available to people in my province who do not/cannot drive and need a second piece of identification that can be used in place of a driver's license. I don't remember if it has my weight on it and I don't feel like grabbing it and checking. I would weigh less than when the photo for it was taken, though.

What’s your favorite non-carbonated, non-alcoholic beverage? Coffee.

What’s the most epic thing you’ve done so far this month? I haven't done anything epic this month.

Which one of your best friend’s friends would you most likely date? I don't know any of them on a deep enough level to where I'd consider dating them.

Have you ever slapped anybody? Yes.

Where will you be in six hours? Here.

What do you wish you had more time to do? Time is not the issue, it's ability and/or opportunity. I wish I could leave the house of my own volition when needed/wanted. I wish I had more face to face human connection that was deep and meaningful and not toxic. I wish I could just have a physically normal body and a normal life.

Who was the last person to ride in your passenger’s seat? I don't have a vehicle. I don't remember whose passenger seat I last rode in.

Would you ever let anybody else drive your car?

How old will you be on your next birthday? 34.

What is your absolute favorite band? I have many favourites. I can't choose just one. Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, Soul Miner's Daughter, Jennifer Nettles' Band, Steve Miller Band, Shalamar, AC/DC. Those are a handful off the top of my head.

[thegeminisage]

here's how it is. i bought a cheap-ass wireless pink LED keyboard and mouse set for like $20 on jeff bezos devils website. everyone says you shouldn't have a wireless LED keyboard and mouse set bc LED sets are for gamers and gamers like wires bc of the faster response time. true, but i game with my fucking ps4 controller. i put in my time gaming with a keyboard and mouse on ffxi and undertale and i'm over it.

at some point, the keyboard from set #1 stopped working (i feel like i remember spilling something on it or a cat puking on it) so i more or less rebought the exact same set from the exact same seller. last night, the mouse's scroll wheel from set #2 stopped working. in a perfect world, i would be able to use the keyboard from set #2 and the mouse from set #1, but the rang of these guys is incredibly shitty, so i'd have to find a second usb extension cord to plug into my tower and run over to where the keyboard and mouse actually sits, since one receiver won't work for two separate sets

i got out set #1 last night and to my surprise the keyboard did function! so i was like "damn i guess i'll use this for now." the scroll wheel from set #2 could potentially be fixed (i looked up a video) if i could FUCKING find the right size of screwdriver

come to realize TODAY that the keyboard from set #1 doesn't function as well as i thought. it frequently misses double letters and sometimes letters that aren't doubles :/ i could try taking it apart and cleaning it, but i feel like my time would be better spent trying to repair the mouse...but again i CANNOT find a compatible screwdriver and don't even know if i could repair the mouse if i could. although i should probably clean the keyboard from set #1 ANYWAY because it could use it and i don't actually if i did more than the cursory clean before i put it into storage

AND it seems silly that i have the same keyboard and mouse of the same brand with the same receiver and i can't somehow magic them together to use one receiver...it feels like given my circumstances there should be an easy fix for this that doesn't involve spending a ton of money (i actually can't even FIND a wireless* pink LED keyboard/mouse combo like this anymore) but possibly i am too stupid to figure it out!!!

*i could deal with a wired keyboard but NOT a wired mouse. i won't go back. which would mean buying higher-end ones separately, especially if i wanted pink LED ones, which i do because to go back to plain ones after all this would depress the shit out of me and i'm already really fucking depressed so i don't need any extra homework, but then i am back to spending a bajillion dollars that I DON'T HAVE on something that I DO HAVE right here in my house if i could just get it to WORK!!!

[office-clerk-wade]

//

GG grumbles in their room. Tasque Manager hovers over their shoulder curiously, and watches as GG types another line of code. There’s an error noise. GG hisses at the computer in anger and slams the laptop shut.

“FUCK THIS IM SO FUCKING TIRED OF THIS. FINE. ITLL BE LATE.”

Tasque Manager sighs. It opens the door for GG, and they storm downstairs. Tasque floats behind them, and the two pass by a variety of festive decorations. Wade is in the living room watching a movie.

“Hey Wade. Sorry I took so long.”

“Oh!”

He pauses the movie and looks at them. Wade smiles, barely hiding his excitement.

“Better late than never! Come on, come open your gifts!”

GG pauses, their anger fades quickly.

“You… got me things?”

“Of course I did. Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“… I mean. Im not your kid or anything. I just live here.”

Wade laughs, and gets up from the couch. He moves over to the tree and picks up a few presents.

“That doesn’t matter to me. You’re my friend, and I love gifting things to friends.”

He puts the packages down on the ground in front of them. GG hesitates before slowly clawing at one of the wrappers.

“… just feel kinda bad yknow? My gift isn’t ready.”

“That’s fine! I didn’t want anything in return anyways.”

GG opens a small rectangular package first. It’s a wireless mouse with a blue gradient.

“Oh sick. My old mouse kinda sucked anyway. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome! Keep going.”

They open the next package. It’s also rectangular, but much longer. It’s a mechanical keyboard with wireless capabilities.

“Geez, you really didn’t hold out with the peripherals huh? Man, I’m getting a big upgrade today.”

“Yep! Go on, open the last one!”

Wade’s enthusiasm is almost infectious. GG practically rips open the next one. It’s the largest of the three, and when GG realizes what it is they gasp.

“You DIDN’T. WADE THATS SO EXPENSIVE WHAT THE HELL.”

He just laughs as they continue to pull the wrapping paper off. It’s a new laptop.

“WADEEEE!!! STOP IT!!!!! WHAT THE FUCK WADE!”

“I knew you’d like it! Oh, here. I got something for Tasque to use too.”

Wade hands Tasque Manager a steam gift card.

“Since you won’t need your old laptop anymore, I figured it would be good for them to have it for themselves. I got them a card to buy any game they want.”

GG just sits there dumbfounded. They don’t know how to act. Tasque hums happily and takes the card.

“Well, that’s all from me. I’m glad you like it!”

“You’re too much man.”

Wade laughs again and goes to grab 2 other packages. He puts one down in front of them.

“It’s a gift from… someone. Supposedly it’s something you desire? I’m not sure how much I believe that, but here.”

“Man, I’m not even surprised anymore. Alright.”

Both of them slowly tear off the paper, revealing small boxes. GG opens theirs first and practically explodes from excitement. The grab the box in their mouth and run off upstairs.

“SORRY BE RIGHT BACK!!”

Wade laughs to himself. Tasque Manager sighs and follows after them, leaving him alone.

“Well, let’s see if it’s really that exciting!”

He pulls the lid off the package. It’s a Net Ball with a few small stickers on it. It’s old and worn. And he recognizes it instantly. Wade flinches away from the box.

“N. No. Please. I’m. I’m.”

He gasps for air as he presses the release button. There’s no Pokémon in it.

“R. Right. Right. He wouldn’t. Right.”

Wade puts the Pokeball down. He holds his breath all the way to his room.

[ignitesthestxrs]

your nails look fantastic!!

but tbh i'm kinda more intrigued by the keyboard in the background? I didn't expect you to be like a fancy keyboard nerd?

but the nails are really great! just less surprising to me because i'd seen you do nail witchcraftery before already lol

thank you!! they are so much fun to do lolol and i am Slowly getting better at not like, trapping hair in the gel lolol

re: keyboards LOL i would not say i have risen to the level of Keyboard Nerd (as in person who knows the lingo and has opinions on it), but i definitely have Keybord Preferences. Like i'm at the level where i know there's stuff that i don't know, you know?

the keyboard in the bg of the nail photo is the Glorious Gaming GMMK 1 which i was previously using for my personal pc! but after munting the second wireless dongle for my work keyboard i finally decided to give up on wireless keyboards for my work station because the laptop travels fro my home work station to like, actual work with me and i keep kinda dropping the it places and fucking up the dongle. which then renders the whole keyboard + mouse combo useless! so now i have this wired keyboard that plugs into my work station and nothing that plugs into work laptop

the only customisation i did for this one was switching out the keycaps from plain white to the ones u can see below. the GMMK1 has some like, minor customisation software available, but it mostly only affects the LEDs in the bg. i REALLY like the sound it makes tho, it's very satisfyingly clicky without being too obnoxiously loud

and then for my personal pc i am using the Glorious Gaming GMMK2, because i liked the v1 enough that i could not be bothered to do further research on other brands. i ended up 'building' this one, insofar as 'building' means 'i purchased all the parts separately because they were on sale and cheaper to buy separately than it was to buy the whole keyboard pre-built', but there are like. three parts. keyboard base, switches, keycaps. it's more like putting together simply 3d puzzle than building anything.

i don't actually know much about switches - the ones i got for the GMMK2 were chosen solely because i needed a new keyboard and these were the cheapest available on the website i was buying them from. they are less clacky than the ones on the GMMK1, which i dont like as much, but they have a little more resistance when u press them, which i do like!

i also prefer the full layout on the GMMK1 with space in between the numpad and arrows and stuff. the GMMK2 is a 96% layout, wehich is like,,,fine, in that it has all of the buttons i prefer to press, but i don't like how cramped it was. unfortunately, the GMMK2 only comes in 96% or Tenkeyless (without the numpad) form, and bc i live in NZ and am very impatient, i could not be bothered doing further work to find a Perfect solution when i wanted to get the keyboard together like, That Day LOL.

the thing that IS very cool about the GMMK2 is that it has the level of keybinding customisation that i wanted, so i have been able to map some specific keys that i wanted but can't do on the 1.

i realise that this is a long post for a bitch who claimed she wasnt a keyboard nerd but like. idk what a macro is and can't imagine having a use for one u know, like there are things mx GMMK2 is capable of that i do not understand and don't have a call for. the Real Nerds are out there, and they have opinions on whether or not your switches need to be Lubed.

[gamesception]

another new toy

I've been planning to get a number of accessories for my new computer. A new monitor, microphone, maybe one of those vr headsets. But after having it for a few weeks, one thing jumped out as needing an upgrade more urgently than anything else - the stock full size keyboard that came with it was just too large and awkward for my little keyboard shelf. I was tempted to go back to the Microsoft Compact Bluetooth keyboard that I was using with the Steam Deck... but I haven't had a "real" computer, like a proper desktop computer in decades, I wanted a "real" keyboard to go with it. Like a proper mechanical keyboard with switches and buttons and such. And so I typed "mechanical keyboard reviews" into a youtube search, blissfully unaware of the rabbit hole I was about to fall down.

If you know then you already know, but it came as a surprise to me that membrane keyboards are so cheap and so easy to mass produce that they've taken over the casual market altogether, forcing mechanical keyboards into the domain of the ⋆ ˚｡⋆˚enthusiast⋆ ˚｡⋆˚

Yes, it seems proper keyboards are a hobby now, not a very cheap one either, and the very last thing I need is another expensive hobby. But every hobby has its more affordable and approachable on ramps, and there are a number of pre-built budget boards occupying this space in world of mechanical keyboards. After watching a few dozen hours of youtube videos and reading a bunch of reviews and tutorials, I eventually settled on the RK84 'limited edition' from Royal Kludge for us$80. Which is like twice what I expected to pay when I in my naive innocence began shopping for keyboards, but I've come to understand that eighty bucks absolutely counts as "budget" in this hobby.

Pricing aside, I really do love my new keyboard. The 75% form factor is ideal, better centering the typing keys and saving a bunch of extra space on my little shelf while maintaining all the functionality of a full size board save only for the number pad. While I do like to use a number pad, I don't mind taking one out when I need it, and the keyboard even has a couple usb ports to easily plug a mouse and separate number pad into, which is super convenient and such an obvious idea that I really have to wonder why all keyboards aren't doubling as USB multi-dongles at this point, with additional usb ports, sd card ports, and so on.

For $10 more than the regular RK84 wireless, the 'limited edition' version has better keycaps, factory-lubed switches, some filler foam in the housing to reduce the hollow sound, an additional layer of sound dampening foam sandwiched between the top plate and the pcb, and a snazzy color scheme, the version I chose combining a black body and mostly black keys with a white top plate that better reflects the swirly rainbow rgb backlighting. The sound is decent, at least to my untrained ear, right out of the box. Which is ideal, as I'd like to avoid the temptation to start modding it.

Because I've gone about as far down this particular rabbit hole as I want to go.

Though I suppose it is tempting to open it up, as some basic tape & band aid mods would be cheap and easy and might improve the sound a bit...

And as much as the pre-lubed yellow linear switches are nice, I did make sure to get a hot-swappable board so it's easy to change them out later if I want to try alternatives, and I do think I might prefer tactile switches for typing...

And the rgb lighting is nice enough that it really is a shame these caps aren't shine though. Yeah, yeah, shine-through is tacky, but Cringe is Dead, and some black top pudding caps might really make the lighting pop. Or maybe a mix of black, white and some accent color to match the color layout that the board came with?

The abyss, it tempts me so...

[rosieuv]

This comment I made on some video essay about AI because I like researching about how fucked my future is

The thing with AI code is that you need to have some sort of an idea on what's coded so you can figure out bugs. I once saw this forum post on some coding website where someone auto-generated some code but it didn't work and they didn't know why. Now, programmers speak in this separate form of English that no non-programmer can understand, and also the difference between using AI and copying and pasting from Stack Overflow, is that a programmer takes that bit of code after they've typed out the specific function they're tying to code but needs help trying to figure out what command it is, and has somewhat of an understanding on what the code reads. Using AI is like a non-programmer looking into inspect mode on a website and trying to modify it despite having no idea how to because you haven't developed a programmer's brain.

Not to mention it's obvious that they didn't type it out as their post is something bare bones like:

"Why won't the character move right"

and not

"I followed a tutorial to add 3D movement onto this KinematicBody node, however I changed the velocity variable in this script right here and now the KinematicBody refuses to increase it's X axis. I've added print statements on line 5 and 23 and the KinematicBody can decrease it's X axis but seems to automatically go back to the value 5 whenever it tries to increase. I think it's due to the Position node in the Camera node but I'm not too sure as I ripped that from some 10 year old Reddit post. How do I get the Position node to allow the KinematicBody node to increase it's X axis so the character can move right? I'm using Software Name version bla bla bla on specific Linux OS version with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage and 3 monitors and a wireless mouse and a mechanical keyboard with rainbow LED lights that glow in the dark."

And that's just the beginners! Even I can't understand what professional programmers say on their forums. But can you see how actually learning how to code gives you this skill that makes it so you can understand what everything does (mostly) because you're sure as hell not getting an answer with the former as the second somebody asks in the replies to add print statements to figure out the order the code is running, these AI bros will faint.

Here's the video btw just to put it into context (very informative would recommend):

[strawberryamanita]

Yo, so I'm not one to try and tell people how to raise their kids, especially being someone who doesn't have any myself, but after learning that the majority of Gen-Z'ers don't own computers(and Gen Alpha will presumably have even less of them), don't have computer classes in their schools, and were led to believe that a cellphone is a 1-to-1 replacement for everything a computer can do... that's kinda sad to me, honestly. I had a lot of fun growing up with big, clunky PCs, and just using a phone with a touchscreen feels like a step backwards in terms of technological evolution.

So, if you have an important young person in your life(a relative, a family friend, a student, or even yourself!), and you wanna get them something big for a special occasion -- why not get them a laptop? They're a little more expensive than a greeting card, certainly, don't buy one if you won't have enough money afterwards; but if you can afford to make an investment, they might just benefit from having one.

It's less of a strain on the eyes because it's a larger, dimmer screen. Clicking a mouse and clacking a keyboard are good for your motor skills, on top of just being fun to do! And not having an app just a stone's throw away will mean they would get used to doing a little exploration to get what they need, and learn about what they pass by along the way. Even if they ask Google first, it's one more step than just getting an app.

If they wanna make art, tell them about MS Paint and free art programs. Same thing with music and coding. If they wanna play a game, find some old shareware or freeware games that take little more than a download(and are, if the name doesn't imply, FREE). If typing on a larger keyboard is taking some time to get used to, Mavis Beacon is online for free too!

idk what prompted me to start ranting about this so early in the day out of nowhere, but I've typed too much to wanna delete it now.

Give your kids access to computers. Real computers, not just something that happens to have access to the Internet. Boxy, dumpy, clinky, clunky, tactile, whirring computers that take more skill to use than a smartphone. It's not about forcing them to learn about the Good Ol' Days(tm), it's a small step towards showing them there's more to life outside of a phone screen... and yes, while it is another screen you're pointing them towards, at least you have to do more to communicate with the machine inside of it.

...Oh, and get them a USB mouse, if you wanna get real fancy. Wireless or otherwise. The more buttons they can physically push, the better.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far, I'm gonna pass back out xoxo

[kinetic-elaboration]

December 14: Birthday

Today was a really long, weird day. Kind of overwhelming as far as birthdays go. I wanted to just go to work, be lowkey, work on some simple stuff, be told happy birthday, and go home.

One of my co-workers was out sick, and another has been out the last two days, and another went home at noon, all of which is quite scary especially since I’ve heard this thing comes on really quick. So that wasn’t great.

At 11, we had our TS meeting, which was fine, the usual, but when I went to plug my laptop back into my monitor, the monitor wouldn’t work. It turned on but it was completely distorted. Luckily, the laptop itself was fine but my desk set up was useless. I tried to fiddle with it a little but it didn’t work. I got distracted talking to a co-worker about her amazing Hey Arnold figurine from the dollar store, and finally made it to IT. Our IT guy heard me say ‘my monitor isn’t working right’ and immediately diagnosed the problem with ‘let’s just replace that piece of junk.’ So he brought me a new one, and then got so frustrated by my many wires that he replaced my keyboard and mouse with new, wireless versions. I now consider these birthday gifts lol.

By then it was past 1 so I needed to eat lunch. I like eating later in part to avoid the kind of busy atmosphere I found in the kitchen. Just a lot of talk and conversation and activity and somehow, still not sure how, I tripped over my own feet and spilled my lunch all over the floor. So now the carpet looks alternative. My co-worker very VERY kindly gave me some of her leftover chicken and naan bites so at least I didn’t starve. At 2, we had a staff birthday, for just me this time, because I am the only December birthday left. That felt kind of weird. But I hid the silly crown someone unearthed within the last year so no one would make me wear it.

After this, it was basically too late to do much of anything, I’ll be honest, so I did the easiest work possible and then went home. I Door Dashed some coffee to myself because I have no shame, and did some notebook writing, though it was hard to concentrate. B and I had a text conversation about The Grinch. Eventually I got up to get dinner and soon I will shower and watch The Grinch, my traditional birthday viewing. I am feeling very overwhelmed with the concept of ‘my birthday’ and am ready for it to be over, to be honest. I only have 3 more days before my vacation really starts and I am not prepared for any of it, vacation included. Tomorrow I need to go to work, send my Dad’s Christmas gift off by UPS, and make sure I have a restful enough evening to go to sleep early. Saturday is busy: laundry, cleaning, packing, etc. On Sunday I travel all day. And then… I’m at my parents’ for two weeks. None of this feels real at all.

[shroominalong]

I am. Suffering.

So. this computer is. annoying. if you even slightly disconnect a USB connection on accident. it smells it. I bumped my headset's USB connection. it now simply fervently believes my headset does NOT exist. immediately after I decided to replace my headset with wireless since it was plugged in at the front? one of the cats decided my computer is free real estate to lay on cords.

he knows he's not permitted to lay on cords.

needless to say, the priority was IMMEDIATELY shifted to getting my keyboard and mouse wireless bc that cat is both dumb as hell and also way too smart and stubborn and it'll take FOREVER to teach 'these cords are ALSO a no go'. ordered the keyboard instead of the headset. which is great. getting a keyboard. but the backup headset im using is literal hell on earth. it's pressing on my ears in the wrong way and it hurts and it squeezes my head. I found a headset in the exact same style as the last one, just newer with a wireless option, (and the USB plug ins for wireless will be much harder to Bump), but obviously, priority is replacing mouse and keyboard right now.

im in hell. i hate this. I need that fucking headset and mouse. I dont have prime so I gotta order the bitches together so I dont have to pay shipping bc ordering separately will bc ill just end up spending $14 total for shipping and the shipping costs half as much as the mouse overall anyway. but. my gods. the headset hurts.

so... if anyone has $50 to throw around.... or even $34 and prime.... I would love you forever and im not even kidding. my head hurts. so bad.

happy birthday to me i guess 😭

my birthday is coming up next month and i made a gift registry for it for just a handful of things i want/need and i am sitting here staring at it like. wow. i know gift wishlists can tell you a lot about someone but who would put a Yeti mug, Belgian waffle maker, and neat and sensible ice tray that can be frozen in any position and still work on the same list as two separate plushies (listen, my autism has abruptly decided my normal snuggle plush i sleep with is suddenly Bad Texture so i need a replacement and i can't choose between whale shark and a goose so it's up to fate or me eventually making an impulse decision) and like. computer gaming gear. this is an actual mess. lol.

anyways, if anyone Wishes To Spoil Me, here is my wishlist. don't ask me to pick which i want the most (it would probably be the wristpad/mousepad combo and the keyboard/mouse combo, but i am currently Looking At The Yeti Mug Longingly, but that's current me, not long term me).

walla.