I noticed today that one of my struggling garden plants is absolutely covered in bugs. I have no idea if those two things are related (we had a massive drought), but I wanted to find out what these little dudes are, and whether they're friend or foe. Any thoughts?
Edited to add: located in western Europe.
I think you've already had plenty of replies here, but yeah here in western Europe, straight from the tap. I'm also fortunate not to have any chlorine in my water. It's delicious.
One thing about the chlorine, it also just evaporates over time without boiling. Filling a jug of water and leaving it standing around for a while will also get rid of that chlorine smell/taste!
I quite enjoy falafel and I'd like to try my hand at making them, but deep frying is not an option for me. Anyone have suggestions how to make them in a skillet or oven?
That sounds fun! I was actually thinking about doing something similar, but only about a few ones I think are special. Would love to see it.
Edit: what I mean is, I think it'd be interesting content, not that I'm in any way trying to "compete"!
Every time I look at this picture I just giggle.
Not OP, but Spirit Island is one of my favourite games too. I think it's great at most player counts, but I like it the most at 2p. You can help each other out, fill in each other's weak spots, but it doesn't get as overwhelming as at larger player counts. And yes indeed, the decision space in Spirit Island is so big that alpha gaming is not easy (once you've played it a lot that gets easier, though), which makes it a great actual co-op game.
I'm excited. I don't think I'll ever play the RPG (I just don't know who I'd ever play it with), I don't need all those minis (except maybe the summons would be nice to have), but I'm really really looking forward to playing through Gloomhaven 2.
Awesome that you made your way over here, I've always found your posts super useful. I hope you stick around.
Cute! Are there bugs in there/what are you doing about feeding it? I'd love to put some of my savage garden in a terrarium too, but I'm worried they're not gonna get enough to eat...
I see a few of my favorites have been mentioned already (Aeon's End, Spirit Island, The Crew, Pandemic Legacy) but here's a few more:
Gloomhaven: There's a reason this game was at the Boardgamegeek #1 spot for years. Absolutely an epic game, with so much strategy and variety involved. For those who are intimidated by the complexity, size or price of the game, there is also Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, which is essentially a light version of the game. An excellent starting point, and not any less fun than it's big sibling.
Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood: Another big campaign game with very interesting mechanics. The game is quite hard and punishing, but you have lots of difficulty levels you can play on. The story is set in a land overrun by the Deepwood, a forest filled with huge monsters. You play a band of mercenaries who defend people from those monsters.
Sprawlopolis: A game consisting of 18 cards, that contain city blocks and roads, and each player places a card down to add to the city. Each card has a different scoring system on its back, and you draw a few for each game, so every game feels entirely different. Quick to play, and fits in your pocket so you can bring it anywhere.
I feel this.
Over the past couple of years I've made a conscious effort, when someone just doesn't get it, instead of being annoyed, to feel happy for them. Why? Because apparently they have no experience with their body or brain limiting them. With experiencing something that they can't just change or push through. With struggling to do something that comes easy to others. So, they're lucky, and I try to think "good for you".
Of course that isn't fool proof, I do still get frustrated at times, but it really surprised me how trying to create this perception shift in myself actually helped me.
I'm sorry that happened to you. Although it sounds like you really are using your experiences in a positive way, to evaluate and get to know yourself better. Would you like to share a bit about what the brain damage means for you?
I'm not sure why you call this gatekeeping. What I was talking about is whether people will get it. It's like, if you're talking to an arbitrary person and you're referring to e-sports as sports, most people will be confused. Without any kind of judgment or gatekeeping intended, simply, most people's concept of "sports" does not include e-sports. And simply observing that this difference in perception exists is not gatekeeping.
So that's what I was curious about. If I say I'm neurodivergent as a way to quickly explain my situation, will people in general understand or be confused?
Oh interesting, would these be the larvae then? A quick Google tells me that we have over 60 different types of native ladybugs here, so I'm gonna have to do some searching. Thanks.
And yes, I realise bugs all have their role to play and aren't inherently good or bad. But I was looking for "is it likely that these clustering bugs are killing my plant", i.e. are they a foe in this situation.