Similar experience with the Bambino, although I think that with any expresso machine, you are going to toss out a few cups until you get good.

I have a Breville Bambino, which I think is the low end of acceptable, but it’s 300 USD new.

Hate to sound ignorant here, what’s BD?

There are more French than English speakers with bad grammar? I find that difficult to believe.

Now we’re talking. I have been to the UK quite a bit, and work with plenty of Brits here, so:
Americans are not generally in the habit of addressing people as “you fuckers” until we know you better. :)
UK supermarkets are more like US conveniences stores with more food and no fuel pumps in front. They are OK.
Agreed, the existence of anything besides London, Liverpool, and maybe Manchester is totally a blank to us. Went to Birmingham, had no ckue.
Butter on bread is the only way, don’t know where you got that from.
No reason you guys should care about US history. English history is much more interesting.
Engkish pubs are good. Beer, I think, has gotten better in the US recently.
After Brexit, the UK has permanently renounced the right to criticize anyone’s politics. Still, recent developments there give me hope that it’s possible to come out the other end of this.
Thank you.

France always comes up on lists of good places to live, and there are Francophiles here as everywhere. I admire the place, but I chose Spanish instead of French when it was time to start studying another language, so that die was cast a long time ago.

TL; DR Get in on the scam.

Pick something you like to do, or have a talent for, and plan a path to make money from it. You may still have to work for someone else initially, to develop skills and get experience, but it will be better than doing a shit job only for money.

Research what resources there are to support your startup. Even in places where there is no help from government or anything else for individuals, you will find they want to support business.

Especially if you have extra challenges, if you get good, they will make a narrative around your success and promote you as an example.

Gentrification is a problem in the US too, probably most everywhere. Mexico City would be another great culture to be in, but I’m not really interested in living in some isolated communiy though. Is it possible for a foreigner to live a reasonable middle class existence there?

I never even considered the UK, in spite of having English friends here in the states, and US friends currently living there, and enjoying it. My limited knowledge is that visa issues are problematic, and the cost of living is rather high. Culturally it would be great.

I read every day, before bedtime, and in bed. I can’t fall asleep without reading something. This has been a lifelong habit. I still also study techie books for my career. I pretty much self trained foir that by reading books.

Mostly non-fiction. History, music criticism and artist bios, current science. Been reading anarchist literature recently.

I am old, 65. It has affected my reading habits, but not completely; I have fewer commitments, more time on my hands.

Is this positive? I have quit automatically picking up the tablet and reading when I wake at 2 am, and try to go back to sleep again.

I am very picky about what I enjoy. I suggest you try lots of genres, types of books, find something you enjoy. If that’s graphic novels, enjoy that: if it helps associate reading with fun instead of being a task, great.

We have two cats, littermates, Emma and Lizzie, 5 months old. They are aadorable, a daily clown and acrobat show, and we adore them. A couple of days ago, coming home from a bike ride, I dropped my shorts on the floor, Emma ran out to sniff at the crotch, and immediately recoiled. My partner got a little ceramic cat figurine. Lizzie is still not sure it’s OK, drops into attack posture whenever she walks in the room.

I honestly can’t understand why most of the popular social media providers are popular. But, if that’s what it takes, could we not?

About 50/50 subscribed/all. My subscriptions are esoteric enough to disappear unless you select them. All is for the local equivalent of doom scrolling.

There is always something you can do. Come down off the ketamine and pay attention to the controls, Major.

I’m primarily interested in the opinions of people who are not at least one of male/hetero/cis; it’s too easy for the privikeged group to delude themselves about how good they are behaving.

Be patient, and let the cat make the decisions. Food helps, but it’s not enough, if you feed the cat but are not present, you are just feeding the cat (and who knows what else). We have had a few main pets that were strays. They make great pets IMO, they really appreciate the life you are giving thaem

Ableton Live. Max looks interesting, and one of these days I am going to try it out.

I pursued Zen seriously for a while, I still practice at times, should do it more.

I play keyboards, have a decent electronic piand which doubles as a MIDI controller. I like prog, the nerdier end of techno/electronica/hip-hop, and classical. LCD Soundsystem, Stereolab, King Crimson.

I did, thanks!

Music (but not a very good musician), other cultures and international travel, history.