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Well, it sure seems that way, but I think it's more a case of these private corporations (CNN, other MSM outlets, etc) being in bed with the government, or at least under Hillary's payroll. There might be a bit of exceptionalism with how to describe our media, but they have certainly been noticed to present headlines that are similar to another MSM outlet's. Needless to say, but there's definitely some incestuous shit. I'm just nit-picky with how I define "state-run", and here in America, while our media certainly feels state-run, there's explanations and legalese details and what-not in order to define it as otherwise. Exactly. People think Russia is evil because of what the media tells them; it's all "Russia bad," "Russia bad," "Russia bad," as well as "the Russian orcs," and other stuff. Lots of it is emotional bias, but speaking from some experience, there is certainly some fanaticism. The fact is that we don't know everything about that region of the world; Russia and its southern region (Ukraine) share a history spanning over a millennium. Perhaps my bias towards Ukraine being its own country would be because I was born into a time when Ukraine was its own country, and since it was 6 years before the end of the Cold War, there's been some Ukrainian nationalism going on (supposedly decades longer before I was born).....but I think, also, American political figureheads and families (Clintons, Bidens) were nestling into Ukraine for business-relations and other political activities, and so that's partly why the situation between Ukraine & Russia is something that matters over here in America. Getting both sides of the story is important, because as you said, it helps you to come up with your own conclusions about these things. Listening to the Russian perspective, whether it be Tucker's interview with Putin, or (better yet) even talking to Russian people on social media, can be helpful, especially if you're trying to be neutral about these things. But as for how America operates in this conflict, well, it is what it is. I'd rather it all just be black operations instead of us printing out money to send to Ukraine, but whatever.

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My man/gal! That sounds about right. Haven't ate Flamin' Fries in a hot minute, not fond of it as well. As for the Buffalo, never tried it. Buffalo in general, I'm not too crazy about it. They mostly salty I think. I might be sort of fond from the Costco one, a Foster Farm brand. I like eating with rice and mix veggie (typical peas and carrots.) Going a bit off topic and all. The seasoning is what's up. The original Hot Cheetos, I'm thinking it's always the same taste since day 1, when it introduced me, in my experience.

That's pretty much my go-to party, now that I got everybody else above Lv.130. I agree. I think you said one time that people actually skip Trails 3rd, which to me is kind of mind-blowing, because I'd think that you'd have to play Trails 3rd if you want to stay up-to-date with the complete story. However, Trails 3rd sure feels like a far-cry from Trails FC & Trails SC, and I think you're spot-on when you say that Trails 3rd being exactly like FC & SC would feel like a "burn-out". As such, Trails 3rd has some change of pace about it. As for it being much darker, that it something I can appreciate....and there is some dark shit, especially Star Door 15, which I had hoped to save for last, but I couldn't as Star Door 14 could only be accessed after seeing Star Door 15 (assuming the previous Star Doors were completed). I suppose that story about the Salt Pale, via Star Door 2 (I think), could count as "dark shit", especially considering how one of the Anguis described it, which really makes you think....or maybe it just makes me think. Speaking of Star Door 15, I remember hearing that Nihon Falcom was planning to release the OG TitS trilogy to consoles. However, after experiencing Star Door 15, I have a feeling that they're "going to have to make compromises". Star Door 15 wasn't as explicit as I had anticipated, but I think it would be too much for this generation of gamers. For me, it was certainly disturbing; there were some parts when I said "Oh, God," in response to what I perceived (like what they called "work"...oh, and that "water of life").....but, if it's disturbing, isn't that the point? Like, welcome to reality; the world isn't all rivers of chocolate and full of unicorns and rainbows like you were brought up to believe. Oh but people can just say "tEh PoEpLe WhO mAdE tIhS aRe CwEePy PrEvErTs!1!1!" and I think that's why the entertainment industry is so fucked now, because people want to control what can & can't be created. But, I digress. I don't know how they're going to resolve the Star Door 15 issue. They shouldn't get rid of it, nor should they have to get rid of it, because it's an important detail about a specific character. If they decide to omit Star Door 15 altogether, that would be stupid on their part. Maybe I shouldn't be caring so much, because I experienced this trilogy on PC, not a re-release....but, the best I can do is suggest that people play the OG TitS trilogy on PC (via GOG, if I may).

No problem, we can treat it like the past 2 threads. No 3rd spoilers, but everything from previous entries (FC & SC in this case) is fair-game. We can also make use of spoiler tags. It can be a bit tough to discuss the game without mentioning anything about it, after all. What is your current favorite party? I already mentioned this to you outside of Kametsu, but my party of choice was: I think @Koby mentioned that this was his favorite in the series? Or one of them, at least. He might have a lot to add perhaps. I'm glad you have been enjoying the series so far & still have the motivation to 'complete' them rather than just bashing your way through. I had a bit of a strange introduction to the series and did things out of order originally. My first title was Trails in the Sky...no issues there, but I had it on PSP way back in the day & only got halfway through. Years later, I got Cold Steel I for my birthday when it released & played through that in its entirety without realizing that there were games that came before! Whoops! I played Cold Steel II without looking anything up either. I hadn't connected in my head that the "Trails" in the Sky & "Trails" of Cold Steel would be related. I have to stress that these games look very different considering the hardware for which they were released. I found out the error of my ways shortly after finishing Cold Steel II. Even if I HAD played the TitS trilogy, Zero & Azure weren't available in English yet. So much happens in Cold Steel II that remained baffling to me for years. Back to the 3rd, since that's what this thread is about...I actually enjoyed it. Maybe not as much as Koby, but I have a lot of respect for what this entry tried to do. If it had been too similar to FC & SC, I think burn-out would have set in earlier. The dungeon-crawler nature of the 3rd & darker tone were welcome shake-ups. It feels a bit like the Majora's Mask of Kiseki. I also appreciated the nudge upwards in battle difficulty. I didn't love all the minigame doors, but the story ones (usually) added a lot. We get to meet Lechter, which is pretty cool. There's also the infamous Star Door 15 + whichever door had the info about the Salt Pale. The Salt Pale is my favorite thing about Trails 3rd...the supernatural tinge to the Salt Pale is fascinating.

Honestly I'm not anti-Russia nor pro-Russia. I just feel like the USA should stop trying to police the world and work on helping it's own citizens. I'm sick of all the money being funneled to Ukraine to "help"... and would rather Russia finish the war off rather than for the USA to keep funneling money that way. I don't think it's actually helping, it's just lining their pockets, and even if it was helping... it's not our responsibility to pay for it. I don't generally watch Tucker and I never tune into Joe Rogan, but I did watch this entire interview and found it pretty interesting.

As is ours. I'm not exactly pro-Russia, but I'm not anti-either. We're so similar in a lot of ways...I find it hard to believe that they're comically evil villains the way the media portrays them. I think they're more like our mirror-image/equivalent in Eurasia. The USA doesn't operate in a more virtuous way or take any methods off the table to win, nor does Russia. Again, not saying I'm on their side conflict-wise, just that I appreciate that we have at least one video with their leader getting to say his piece to convince us. If anyone feels that he makes a poor argument & justification for his actions, at least you can make an informed decision now.

I've been at this game since April 4th, after having beaten FF7R. There's not much for me to say at this moment, other than the fact that I am on the final chapter. I'm hoping to have this game wrapped up before April 26th, but I feel inclined, for whatever reason, to acquire those weapons from those Grimoires. It's taking quite a while, though; those fights require you to wait until they morph, and God help you if you don't get that weapon-drop after the umpteenth time. I also completed every Moon Door, Star Door, and Sun Door. So, uh....yeah. Anybody want to talk about Trails 3rd? This is the place to be. I still haven't traveled past the point of no return yet, though, so try not to reveal anything about that in this thread, please?

Our media sucks. But, Russian media should be taken with a grain of salt. Russian media is state-run, and it's not wrong to assume that the Russian people believe everything their media tells them. I do agree with your perspective, though.

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Glad to hear Manjaro/Arch is working out! About running/scheduling, I'll leave an explanation in a spoiler if it's of any use: Nice to have you back on the forum \(^ヮ^)/

Fact of the Day - DANGEROUS JOBS Did you know... Some say that without risk there is no reward. While this might not always be true, it certainly is for some of these dangerous professions, where workers have to deal with a daily dose of peril. And in many cases, these brave individuals are precisely the ones who keep our modern world functioning. Let’s explore ten hazardous occupations where every day on the job is a brush with danger. 1. Commercial Fishing As exciting as it might be, commercial fishing ranks among the deadliest professions globally, with a fatality rate so high that it might discourage even the bravest souls. In addition to the inherent dangers of the sea, the combination of unpredictable weather, heavy equipment, and remote locations makes it extremely perilous. Even with modern safety measures, accidents like capsizing or entanglement in fishing gear are sadly common. 2. Logging Logging necessarily involves working with heavy machinery and handling sharp tools in rugged terrains. Falling trees, equipment malfunctions, and transportation accidents pose significant risks. Despite advancements in safety protocols, logging remains one of the most hazardous occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation had a fatal work injury rate of 82 per 100,000 in 2021. 3. Snake Milker Snake milkers extract venom from some of the world's deadliest serpents to produce life-saving antivenom. This perilous profession involves handling venomous snakes with precision and care. One wrong move could result in a lethal bite, making each milking session a dance with danger. More often than not, however, snake milkers are trained herpetologists who know a lot about the behavior of the venomous reptiles they work with. 4. Mining Mining is a profession fraught with dangers, such as cave-ins, explosions, and exposure to toxic gasses. Miners also face long-term health risks from dust inhalation leading to conditions like black lung disease. Despite stringent safety regulations, the inherent hazards of working underground make mining a perilous - although sometimes profitable - occupation. 5. Firefighting Firefighters risk their lives every day battling blazes and all sorts of natural and man-made disasters, having to deal with unpredictable and hazardous conditions. From collapsing structures to toxic smoke inhalation, firefighters certainly don’t have it easy. Often, however, the opportunity to save lives and help others is more than enough to motivate these fearless first responders. 6. Waste Management There is a reason few people dare work in waste management positions. Workers in this field have to face numerous risks, including exposure to toxic materials, heavy machinery accidents, and vehicle-related incidents. Also, the risks vary wildly depending on the type of waste being disposed of. For example, waste removal workers who work with radioactive materials might have to periodically check in with a doctor and control their radiation poisoning levels. 7. Electrical Powerline Maintenance Electrical linemen quite literally keep our world functioning, and to do so they have to face enormous risks on a daily basis. These individuals are often highly skilled and attentive to detail - because if anything goes wrong, the price to pay might be too high. Working on electrical powerlines often exposes workers to the risk of electrocution or falls from great heights, and when doing maintenance during inclement weather is required, the inherent danger associated with the profession increases sharply. 8. Commercial Diving Commercial divers undertake tasks such as underwater welding and maintenance, exposing them to risks like decompression sickness, equipment failure, and all kinds of underwater hazards. Sometimes, the remote nature of the jobs also means they have to spend long periods of time away from family and friends, and with limited ability to communicate with them. 9. High-rise Window Cleaning This job is not for the faint-hearted. Cleaning windows at great heights, precariously dangling from a rope, requires nerves of steel and a calm disposition. Suspended hundreds of feet above ground, these brave professionals have to maneuver on small platforms to be able to reach the outside surfaces of the world’s tallest skyscrapers. Although nowadays stringent safety measures make the job safer than ever, the risk of falls and equipment malfunctions is ever-present. 10. Professional Bull Riding Professional bull riding is for those who think you can’t have fun without taking some risks. Trying to ride a massive, unpredictable animal - such as an enraged bull - is not an easy challenge, and these athletes endure an awful amount of bucking and thrashing just for mere seconds of glory. With the potential of being trampled or caught by the animal’s horns, this dangerous sport is a test of courage and resilience. Source: Only For The Brave: Discover Ten OF The World's Most Dangerous Jobs?

What's the Word: COUNTERVAIL pronunciation: [kown-tər-VEIL] Part of speech: verb Origin: Late Middle English, 1350s Meaning: 1. Offset the effect of (something) by countering it with something of equal force. Examples: "The dentist hoped the new toothpaste would countervail the candy’s effect." "As a skilled debater, Andy was familiar with countervailing arguments." About Countervail Countervail developed in Late Middle English by way of the Anglo-Norman French word "contrevaloir." This word is derived from the Latin term "contra valere" ("be of worth against"). Did you Know? As simple machines (levers, pulleys, etc.) developed, the first scales worked very similarly to how a seesaw works. However, as scales grew more complex, being able to accurately balance items on both sides of the scale became an important development. Merchants could ensure that they were buying and selling the right amount every time by using rocks and other materials to countervail what was being weighed. This countervailing method allowed for more specific weights and measures using a scale.

I was traveling when this happened, but I listened to the interview. A lot of it went as expected, but I respect the attempt. Even if Putin gave some BS answers here & there, it's better that we get to hear from our 'enemy' and get a shot at understanding him than complete silence. I don't trust our own media, so this gives me a chance to consume something from both sides & make up my own opinion. I'm not a fan of Joe Rogan, but I feel that Tucker's interview/podcast with him from a few days ago was better than the Putin one. Tucker is a likeable guy (to me).

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Hello again @Arisien & @Nekone , just checking in to say thanks again for the pointers & that this conversation bore fruit. While the OP was about my email server (still happily chugging along, by the way) I used our following conversation about Linux to finally take the plunge. I'm not an advanced user or even intermediate yet, but I have been using Manjaro for a month with a Plasma desktop as my daily driver at work & loving it. I have a 2nd PC I use at work set up to dualboot Windows 10 (weaning myself off) and Arch. Thankfully my Linux mentor at work is an Arch user and is walking me through it while I use Manjaro solo until I have my Arch experience properly customized. We only get a few hours per week to mess around with my setup, but it's coming along nicely & I have a notebook quickly filling up with notes/cheat-sheets as I learn to use the CLI. The goal is still to get to a point where Arisien's bash script above makes sense & I know how to run/schedule it. I may not be "close" to that yet, but I'm a million miles closer than I was in January. I'll follow up with any interesting milestones or perhaps a question or two. Thanks again.

3 months late...but I did go get some that weekend! I even took pictures to prove it (I found a few others I hadn't tried before, so I got the entire line-up): A brief review, since you waited so long... Chester's Fries Flamin' Hot - These didn't taste like anything. Kinda like a bad knockoff of Andy Capp's Hot Fries. If they didn't have red dust on them & I hadn't read the bag, I wouldn't have known that these were supposed to be spicy. Worst of the three, 3/10 Crunchy Cheetos Buffalo - These were alright, I'd get them again once in a while. Again, the flavor wasn't very strong...it feels like they're being cheap with the seasoning on these. What flavor there was was still good. 6/10 Flamin' Hot Crunchy Cheetos - Best of the bunch. Flavorful & addicting to keep munching on. I'll get these again soon. 8/10 (I heard that they used to be better years ago, is this true?)

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Fact of the Day - WEED Did you know.... Marijuana really does give you the munchies. If you’ve ever smoked weed, chances are you’ve felt pretty hungry afterwards. Maybe you even said, “I’m starving” as you plowed through a Nachos BellGrande, a Quesarito Combo, and a Crunchwrap Supreme. Well, you were right—you were starving. Or at least, your body thought you were. And that’s because of tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, which is the main psychoactive component in marijuana. A 2015 study conducted on mice by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine found that THC flipped a switch in the rodents’ brain circuitry, making them feel hungry rather than full. “By observing how the appetite center of the brain responds to marijuana, we were able to see what drives the hunger brought about by cannabis and how that same mechanism that normally turns off feeding becomes a driver of eating,” said Tamas Horvath, the study’s lead author. “It’s like pressing a car’s brakes and accelerating instead,” Horvath explained. “We were surprised to find that the neurons we thought were responsible for shutting down eating, were suddenly being activated and promoting hunger, even when you are full. It fools the brain’s central feeding system.” Assuming that THC has a similar effect on humans, it’s easy to understand how smoking weed would produce insatiable cravings for anything and everything. But that’s not the only science at work when it comes to getting the munchies: THC also binds to cannabinoid receptors known as CB1s in the brain’s olfactory bulb, making food aromas more intense, which increases your perception of flavor. So not only are you convinced that you’re ravenous, but things smell and taste better than they do when you’re not high, which is kind of a double whammy. While this all may be a little annoying if you’re trying to cut back on your fast-food intake, the link between hunger and THC is potentially great news for people who have trouble eating due to illness or other medical reasons. For instance, marijuana has been shown to be an effective appetite stimulant in cancer patients. If researchers know exactly what causes that appetite surge, they may be able to use the munchies to benefit those who need it. Source: Why Does Weed Make You Hungry?

What's the Word: REDOUBTABLE pronunciation: [re-DOW-də-bl] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Late Middle English, mid-1300s Meaning: 1. (Of a person) Formidable, especially as an opponent. Examples: "He was a redoubtable chess player, but he still had to fight nerves before every match." "John earned his redoubtable reputation after leading his team to several victories." About Redoubtable This word came from the Old French word "redoutable," which developed from the combination of the words "redouter" ("to fear") and "douter" ("to doubt"). Did you Know? Video game developers specialize in creating formidable opponents. The goal is for a game to start at a moderate level of difficulty, which increases as the player progresses and becomes more familiar with the material. The main villain, often referred to as the "final boss," is the most redoubtable character and the hardest to overcome.

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BORING!

Nao Tomori (Charlotte)

Fact of the Day - ENGAGEMENT CHICKEN ORIGINS Did you know.... According to some foodies, this culinary urban legend might have a ring of truth to it. Ready to get engaged? You could buy a ring, propose, and start wedding planning. Or, you could bypass the traditional methods and potentially coax a future spouse into tying the knot with this legendary chicken recipe instead. Oft-reported as a trigger for settling down, “engagement chicken” is essentially just a roast chicken. But it is reportedly so delicious that after enjoying it as a duo, you have no choice but to get married. And no, it’s not served with a ring dangling off the drumstick. Rather, it’s more of a basic, easy-to-execute recipe, roasting the bird at a high heat for crispy skin and juicy interiors, and maybe—just maybe—charming someone into embarking on a lifetime partnership together. The Origins of “Engagement Chicken” Roast chicken is a classic, so what makes this one so special? Urban lore, specifically. “Engagement chicken” was given its romantic title in 1982 when Kim Bonnell, a former fashion editor at Glamour magazine, shared a roast chicken recipe with a colleague. The recipe was based on an earlier dish by chef Marcella Hazan. They subsequently made it for a boyfriend and became engaged a month later, and the recipe’s reputation at the magazine grew from there. “I started sharing this recipe, and then next thing you know, people started getting engaged,” Bonnell told The New York Times in 2023. The recipe became canon in the mid-2000s when Glamour published it. While cooking for someone is a true act of love, of course, it’s hard to determine if this specific recipe directly correlates with a partner getting down on one knee and declaring a desire for lifelong commitment. Still, the legend and tasty recipe lives on. Ina Garten has put her own spin on it (though it’s worth noting she married Jeffrey in 1968, years before her culinary career). Megan Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry also followed her making a certain chicken dish. Even Emily Blunt is reportedly a fan. “The roast chicken I love is Ina Garten’s roast chicken, it’s called her ‘engagement chicken.’ When people make it for people, they get engaged or something,” she told iHeartMedia’s River Cafe Table 4 podcast in 2021. Blunt revealed that she made it for her husband, John Krasinski, early on when they started dating. “That’s it," she added. “All it took!” The Allure of “Marry Me” Dishes Poultry probably isn’t the key to a happy relationship. Still, a good meal can be transcendent, evoking important conversations, memories, and even realizations. This is perhaps why the concept of “engagement chicken” evolved with social media in a new recipe called “Marry Me Chicken,” which recently went viral on TikTok. Dubbed one of the most popular recipes of 2023 by The New York Times, it was created in 2016 by Lindsay Funston, then an editor at Delish. This decadent recipe calls for chicken breasts to be seared in butter, then simmered in parmesan tomato cream sauce. It’s rich and photogenic and, according to commenters, the Tuscan-style meal pleases newlyweds and divorcees alike. It has also been adapted into other forms, including “Marry Me Chicken Pasta,” “Marry Me Pasta,” and several other variations. Because hey, marriage is romantic—and who doesn’t like a cream sauce? But all this begs the question: Do any of these pre-proposal dishes actually work? Skeptics will say no, and if you’re on the brink of getting engaged, it will probably happen whether you cook a special meal or not. But if you eat meat (or pasta), want to enjoy a nice meal for two at home, and you’re up for a little kitchen witchcraft, why not crank up that oven to 425°F and see what happens? Source: What Is “Engagement Chicken,” and More Importantly, Does It Work?