nudge

I don't particularly like chickpeas, so that already sounds pretty bad even without tasting it

Something completely different... Initially wanted to cook pasta alla puttanesca tonight, but forgot that I ran out of pasta a few days ago so had to improvise and made a similar style dip/stew and baked some corn tortilla "chips" to go with it. It was surprisingly good and I'm sure I'll make it again

I was wondering what announcement to expect after yesterday's Lucasgames revival... This is fantastic.

@Mpache It's official now.

Not unexpected... At least this time they changed it in advance instead of canceling it 5 minutes before the free practice. Pre-season testing is also delayed to March 12-14th, and will take place in Bahrain instead of Spain.

Get an antibody test, it's specifically designed to test your blood for antibodies which show if you had the virus in the recent past (a few months), whereas the PCR test checks if you're currently infected. Pretty sure you'll have to get it in a private clinic and pay for it though...

It's one of my favourite video game series of all time. Definitely the most fun one. The original was great; even if it's dated now, I still play it from time to time. The second one is the only one with a different setting in the whole series - instead of being a dictator of a banana republic, you are a pirate king. Pure fun. I would definitely recommend giving it a go... Tropico 1 one if you can handle outdated graphics, 3 if you want what was the best revival of the series, or 4 which is arguably the best modern one (can't say anything about 6 as I haven't played it yet).

Re-installed Tropico 2: Pirate Cove, what a game... Just pure fun. Wish it will get a remake some time. That said, has anyone played Tropico 6? Just read that it also has raid mechanics, sounds like fun...

Yeah, it's a relatively old 737-500, but when well maintained, they are very reliable and also have a strong safety record. Indonesia sadly doesn't. Local fishermen said to have witnessed at least one explosion and found debris in the waters north of Jakarta

A passenger plane disappeared 4 minutes after the takeoff from Jakarta early today. The signal was lost after the plane suddenly lost more than 3000m of altitude, so it probably crashed

Who could've thought the real thing is harder than playing Counterstrike in mom's basement...

No, I don't think so? The Pfizer vaccine is created by BioNTech, a German biotech company which was founded by Turkish immigrants. The Oxford one has mostly British scientists behind it.

I got quickly bored of it, to be honest! But yeah, it's annoyingly addictive

Used to be decent, but is way past it now. Was already past it when he joined us a few years back, way too slow...

Frank Drake's original idea of building a radio telescope in a lunar crater on the dark side of the Moon has been resurrected. Not likely to happen any time soon, but it's quite an interesting read! https://astronomy.com/news/2021/01/arecibo-is-dead-should-we-build-its-replacement-on-the-moon Would be cool to see it happening...

There's always pros and cons everywhere. You're not exactly part of the poor working class that is dependent on low paid jobs which you can't even quit because you have to feed your family though, are you? You're also privileged because you already have a choice due to your Canadian connection, most people living in third world countries don't. That will always make a huge difference in attitudes. Personally, I'm happier living in developing countries as well (for different reasons), but only when the source of my income is based in a developed country with a strong economy and high wages. There's no way I'd like to live in a third world country on an average third world wage though.

Well, not being satisfied with the quality of life, living conditions, corrupt politicians, low wages, lack of transparity and equality, lack of adequate education and career opportunies is a pretty good reason to criticise your own country, I'd say, and that often happens to be the case in the so-called "third world". Everyone wants to be able to live a comfortable life, and if your country can't offer you that, you're naturally going to be disillusioned with it.

Much easier for a South American to migrate to the USA than to Australia, New Zealand or Western Europe though... To be allowed in, and then to work and live in most of those countries you have to fit a pretty strict list of requirements, and it's hard to sneak through illegaly if the air route is the only way in.

Oh of course, there are plenty of people who come to the US seeking asylum due to instability of their home country or persecution they face back home for their political/religious beliefs or even sexual orientation. But still, seeking "better life" in terms of financial gain and wellbeing has been always one of the main reasons of moving there; that was the key thing behind the "American Dream". A rich land full of opportunities to make a living. Not much different from East Europeans emigrating to the UK or Scandinavian countries in search of better paid jobs and quality of life.

What's so hard to understand though? In most cases, they flee to the USA in hopes of earning more money for themselves and their families. In other words, it has little to do with the state of democracy, just following the dollar.

"Chairman Milley and I just spoke separately with the Vice President and with Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Senator Schumer and Representative Hoyer about the situation at the U.S. Capitol. We have fully activated the D.C. National Guard to assist federal and local law enforcement as they work to peacefully address the situation. We are prepared to provide additional support as necessary and appropriate as requested by local authorities. Our people are sworn to defend the constitution and our democratic form of government and they will act accordingly." https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2464427/statement-by-acting-secretary-miller-on-full-activation-of-dc-national-guard/fbclid/IwAR1tzgWzHAEivqoOouZ434Qh866keyqYF2KWE4UNEx9KG8O_WGZYKjG6t84/ No mention of Trump, seems it was Pence to deploy the National Guard.

"The election was stolen. But go home, we love you. By the way, I should have won. But go home. Thanks!"

Cheers folks, and yeah, geo-blocking is not an issue.

What's the best live stream to follow?