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Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

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Re: Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

#42
post #39

Remote Jackbox party games were pretty therapeutic during the pandemic. Spending the vacation budget (and quite a bit of savings) on improving the household amenities, entertainment options, and everyone's hobbies. We just got back from our first post COVID vacation and it was truly hellish--I'd gladly take being stuck in a multi bedroom house vs hours in a vehicle. Additionally, all the perks of being on vacation we…

People like Jackbox, and I'm glad they do, but I want to provide some dissent. I really do not like these games, at all. I love playful competition, but this is droll, meaningless, soulless direct competition to me. It doesn't feel fun at all. I don't feel like I'm participating in a game with other people, I feel like I'm being measured. I do not like Jackbox. Again, I'm glad other people have a good experience. But…

I've played jackbox with all kinds of people. Certain games definitely work better for different types of groups (close friends, mixed, family, etc). I think there are some that do really well universally: quiplash, fibbage, murder trivia/you don't know jack. Have you tried those?

Any of the drawing ones you really have to read the room. They can get really awkward if only part of the group wants to draw inappropriate stuff.

Re: Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

#43
Such a pandemic cliche: making sourdough bread.

Takes all day. Took about 3 or 4 tries until I got the hang of it. Now I make two loaves every weekend. Tastier than anything I've bought at a store.

Started with Serious Eats: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2020/07/how-to-make-sour...

Settled at Tartine Country Bread: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016277-tartines-country...

Makes me happy every time.

Re: Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

#44

Dog.

Getting a pet seems so awesome. I'm worried about the commitment it brings to the dog itself, and the place. I lose the ability to "sell everything and travel".

I spent the past two years being a digital nomad (within the US) and I have a pitbull and a cat. Just have to make sure the destinations are a days drive (or take a plane) so the animals aren’t going insane.

Re: Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

#46
Having a kid born in the middle of the pandemic and work from home situation is amazing. In no other time would a working western father spend so much time with his young child.

Reconnecting more and more with religion (Judaism in my case.) To say it plainly, religion represents millennia of people asking deep questions and struggling through answers, which is more honest than the alternative. Though the above sentences would make zero sense to me a few years ago, so I wouldn't expect them to sway anyone who isn't ready there.

I also developmed an even deeper appreciation for society, capitalism, and technology. The fact that we have reliable electricity, water and internet here in NY, can go rent a car, can buy fruit on the street at 3am - all these things are modern miracles.

Re: Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

#47

SpaceX StarHopper, StarShip, StarLink, 28 Falcon launches (114 total), 26 landings, caught the fairing, ... Could never have imagined such a prolific space endeavor.

I’m just getting hyped all year for James Webb launch in October.

Re: Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

#48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Getting a pet seems so awesome. I'm worried about the commitment it brings to the dog itself, and the place. I lose the ability to "sell everything and travel".

I spent the past two years being a digital nomad (within the US) and I have a pitbull and a cat. Just have to make sure the destinations are a days drive (or take a plane) so the animals aren’t going insane.

My dog does seemingly fine on multi day road trips. He’s pretty much a napper though so doesn’t make much of a difference for his plans

Re: Ask HN: What was the biggest contributor to your happiness in the past year?

#49

Dog.

Getting a pet seems so awesome. I'm worried about the commitment it brings to the dog itself, and the place. I lose the ability to "sell everything and travel".

> I lose the ability to "sell everything and travel"

You can still pretty much do that with planning but that is kind of the point. It’s a responsibility and a sacrifice of a part of your freedom. Like most good things in life.

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