Ape's 2023 Thread

Hello! My name is Stephen and I read...kind of. I USED to read a lot, but in recent years I haven't been reading nearly as much as I would like. While making a thread seems pointless, people insist that I do it anyway, so here we are!

Feel free to post, I really don't need multiple top posts nowadays.

Welcome back!

Happy new thread! We are glad you're here, no matter how much or little you read.

Glad to see you started a thread again, Stephen.

It's not 75ers without you, Stephen. *smooch*

Helloooo

Woo woo! Welcome over to 2023! Glad you're here.

Happy New Year of reading (a bit at least Stephen, please!).

>5 MickyFine: What Micky said.

*waves* hi, Stephen!

Happy new thread!! Don't be a stranger. : )

There's only one way to solve the problem of not reading enough - read some more!

Dropped an opening post and hidden himself behind the sofa?

Come out, come out wherever you are!

Good news everyone, there are high winds in Ohio with expected power outages so I might read later tonight. :P

>13 Ape: Bring on the power outages? Good luck with your reading plans.

ETA: no, not really with the outages. But do read.

I hope your power outages were brief (or non-existent)!

The power never went out so I never read. Sorry everyone! :P

So I recently made a video showcasing how I make Youtube thumbnails. I thought I'd share it here for anyone whose interested in what I do now instead of read.

It's basically 40 minutes of me mumbling and stammering like an idiot, but if you're interested you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YudKIS50K9Y

Happy birthday!!!!!

In that case, Happy birthday Stephen!

(any books on the horizon?)

Happy birthday!

Belated birthday wishes, Stephen.

Thanks everyone! It was, indeed, my birthday!

It is the year 2023 that truly unlimited, high-speed internet finally made it to rural Ohio. I had dial-up WAY longer than anyone should, and over the past several years have had to use hotspot tethering as my only internet source. A common misconception is that unlimited Satellite internet is available anywhere, but what people don't understand is there is a data cap on those, even now. It's not a true cap, your internet doesn't get disabled, but once you reach your data limit the speed gets throttled down so slow even email is impossible to use. So it's effectively capped, even if they technically advertise it as "unlimited"

That has recently changed, however. Companies are now selling cellular data as unlimited internet plans, so I've finally got a router and unlimited internet in my house. Something that probably seems pretty ordinary for most people, I imagine! It's literally the same internet connection I was using to tether from, it's just unlimited now, and SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper.

So anyway, I will certainly not be reading now, as my life is filled with even more distractions than before. Not only do I have access to Amazon Prime and all its free content, but I've also signed up for Playstation Essential, which is basically Netflix for video games.

I've watched the first season of FROM, which was excellent but I fear it will suffer from LOST syndrome as the show develops. I hope the writers have an idea of where the story is going, instead of letting it go off the rails like similar shows often do.

I will likely start Rings of Power soon. I tried to watch it a few days ago, but 1 problem with cell data is the speed is wildly inconsistent, and I was unable to stream it reliably. I'm a little bit behind on Youtube work so I don't want to get stuck into a binge-watching a show, so I'll give it a try in a few days after I get some editing done.

I'm currently playing Riders Republic, which is okay.

I'm also halfway through The Invisible Man. I started reading it last year, and I will likely finish it...eventually.

Yay!

So anyway, I will certainly not be reading now
... oh, darn.

What Humouress said!! Read more and spend more time here, Stephen!! : )

Congrats on your internet!

Hi!

I read 10 pages today guys, I'm confident I will finish a book this year! :P I'm still reading Invisible Man and I think the 6 remaining months of the year should be enough to read through the final 30 pages or so. Wish me luck!

In non-book news, I've started watching Stranger Things and I can see why so many people like it. Also, by "started watching" I mean I'm on season 4...

I'm currently playing Ghostwire: Tokyo. I'm enjoying it, but my PS5 blasts heat into the room while playing which is a little uncomfortable with rising summer temps, so I either need to take a break from it or play it obsessively before it gets too much hotter. I'll probably choose the latter.

Stranger Things! I'm glad you're enjoying it. Season 3 was my favorite. (I would die for Robin)

Glad to see your page count is going up.

Hiya, Stephen, glad you're getting some reading in and enjoying Stranger Things and the video game. I watched the first 3 seasons of Stranger Things and never did go back to watch the fourth, I should probably do a re-watch one of these days and complete it.

You should do Serial Reader if you have a phone with apps.

Fingers crossed Stephen that you get some books finished. I miss the days you lit up the group with your activity.
Have a great weekend.

Hi Stephen, just checking in. Love that you finally have a great connection to the web even if it means we see less of you.