Mike O

Sorry about that melodramatic little outburst, but I really did feel what I said at the time. Jesus, that was bad. I was straightforward with my parents about it, and they were supportive as usual. My mistake, no doubt, but I guess that because I was feeling a little better, I made the rookie mistake of assuming things were “back to normal” or that I was “better.” After a good night’s sleep, I will hunt for a new therapist, or go back to my old one if things don’t pan out. I know it’s a process, and it’s hard to think that way when the suffering is so concentrated, and it’s hard to think about how long it will take, but I do appreciate the reminder to keep fighting.

Holy fuck, so much for progress! I had another COMPLETELY random set of compulsions followed by an anxiety attack unlike any I’ve ever had, I actually thought I might go crazy. I’m still sweat hours later, my heartbeat doubled, my hands shook, my face went numb, it was easily of the scariest experiences I’ve ever had. I think I’ll hope for a heart attack from it if that shit happens again. Don’t know if I can hide it from my parents. I dot know what the fuck to do. I’m amazed I managed to make it through the rest of my work shift. Jesus fucking Christ. That was…God.

Moth3r said:

Mike O said:

SilverWook said:

I still see blank cassette tapes for sale in drugstores. They often still have VHS tapes too.

We have 90 minute tapes where I work super-cheap, but I need 120s.

EDIT: I think. I need a way to determine the length of certain tapes.

Rewind to the start of the tape, press play, then time how long it takes to reach the end of the tape in minutes. Then multiply by 2. E.g. if it takes 45 minutes to play one side, then it is a C90 tape.

Your audio books will probably be a bespoke length and not correspond to the standard C60, C90 or C120 lengths. I’d be very surprised if you actually need a C120 as these were more vulnerable to being chewed up because the tape was thinner.

Yeah, the math doesn’t come out to 90-120 a tape, so they must have a particular kind. I found some 120s on eBay, I’m just going to hedge my bets.

I don’t feel like listening to the whole thing 😉.

TV’s Frink said:

Tyrphanax said:

As an aside, it always shocks me when people mention great-grandparents. Mine were all long gone before I could remember.

Both my grandmothers are alive and healthy at the age of 90, and my daughters will be fourtunate enough to remember them after they’re gone.

My grandfathers have been gone for years and years, long before my daughters were born.

I hope to God I get that much time with mine and that he still has some more years ahead of him.

Tyrphanax said:

That sounds incredibly lucky. Hopefully he’s okay.

As an aside, it always shocks me when people mention great-grandparents. Mine were all long gone before I could remember.

It’s lucky, but I think it’s really broken him mentally. He’s trying to take longer walks to get back to where he was after less than a week, he’s frustrated that he can’t cook as much yet, he’s trying hard to fight against it. I’m worried he’ll strain himself or hurt himself again. Let’s hope he’s able to take things down a bit. God, I’m so fucking scared.

Over at the AV Club After Dark I got (retrospectively deservedly) called out on some sexism in some jokey posts I put up. Rather than directly apologizing, I kind o whined about it in another thread, exacerbating the problem. I got called out on it rather harshly by a particular poster. I am kind of upset, I’m not going to lie. But if that’s what I’m upset about, I suppose I need to reevaluate my life. I just feel pretty crummy for what I did and for being called out in, somewhat harshly in a particular case. I’ll live, I know. It also ties into the morass of issues I have about my own sexuality, but that’s a whole other discussion.

I have had a few episodes with the compulsions returning too. It’s probably related to the spates of anxiety surrounding recent events, but I’m worried that whatever Walls I had built up there could start coming down. I should try to contact that other therapist again. I don’t know anymore, every time I even try to push back against this, I panic and retreat. I can’t hide from this forever. But every attempt I make to face it seems to end in retreat. I’ve insulated myself too long. I just don’t know what the fuck to do.

SilverWook said:

If I see something local, (and cheap) I’ll let you know.

Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to make CD’s out of them at this point?

I have like three of this particular audiobook, and two are missing different tapes. I’d like to just complete them.

SilverWook said:

I still see blank cassette tapes for sale in drugstores. They often still have VHS tapes too.

We have 90 minute tapes where I work super-cheap, but I need 120s.

EDIT: I think. I need a way to determine the length of certain tapes.

OK, I have some audiobooks with a missing tape. Now, I have a second copy of them, and I want to complete them. Where I work, we actually sell 90 minute tapes, but the Math doesn’t add up on some them to figure the length of them all. The only thing I can figure is that need 120s, and unfortunately, the only places I’m finding those is for high prices online which aren’t worth the trouble. Is there any way to tell the length of a tape? Is there any place that might still sell analog audio tapes? There’s got to be an easier way to do this.

My 82 year-old grandfather fell and hit himself on some pavement. I had a nightmare about losing him not eight hours before I got the news. It continually haunts me and brings on panic attacks. My mother took him to the hospital. Our worst fear was broken bones, which would be a death sentence at his age, but the nurses all said nothing is broken. He’s badly banged up, cut and bruised something fierce, but hopefully his old body still has enough life in it to heal up. My uncle was watching for the day before having a miniature breakdown of sorts. My mother called me and asked if I’d stay with him tonight, and possibly tomorrow since I’m off work. I of course said yes, I would, and am there now. He’s asleep, hopefully healing. Horrible thoughts about loss run through my head, bit for now, I’m glad he seems to be handling it, and hope for more years out of him yet. God, I was frightened.

yhwx said:

Mike O said:

God dammit, I want the Despecialized Edition and several other fan edits around here, but I still fear legal repercussions! First world problems!

I don’t think the FBI has ever knocked down someones door and searched a person’s computer for piracy.

I don’t know, my brother is studying to be an Internet intellectual property lawyer and recently heard about a case where someone he knew got into serious trouble for downloading some movies or something off of BitTorrent. Of course, it sounds like the guy wasn’t the brightest bulb in the lamp, but still, it scares the hell out of me…

suspiciouscoffee said:

Maybe that’s because they’re hiding outside Mike’s house waiting to strike in the event that he does download the edits 😉

I just have horrific nightmares about sitting down to enjoy some OOT Star Wars only to have someone knock on my door and tell me that orange really is the new black. And I don’t think I’d get Nina Rausch for a cellmate either…

Tyrphanax said:

That’s great, Mike!

Thanks, man. I’m still not dealing in any meaningful way with any of the nuts and bolts problems in my life, and I still feel the compulsions bubbling under the surface. I don’t know how long this respite will last, and I have fears that it’s temporary and whatever was wrong could come back worse. And like I said, I still have real-life problems to deal with. For now though, I am pleased to have some semblance of my own mind back. I won;'t lie, it’s awfully nice. Thanks to everyone for their continued kindness and support!

God dammit, I want the Despecialized Edition and several other fan edits around here, but I still fear legal repercussions! First world problems!

yhwx said:

Mike O said:

yhwx said:

Mike O said:

So my iPhone just isn’t importing pictures anymore. Not explanation, no reason. It just…isn’t. Great.

Where is it importing from?

The iPhone itself. I used to plug it in and it would import the pictures.

What are you plugging it into?

That fixed itself, but I plugged the phone into my PC via lightning USB. Not having the same luck with Samsung, unfortunately, and their Customer Service chat has been jammed since last night.

yhwx said:

Mike O said:

So my iPhone just isn’t importing pictures anymore. Not explanation, no reason. It just…isn’t. Great.

Where is it importing from?

The iPhone itself. I used to plug it in and it would import the pictures.

Basically it’s telling you to extract the zip file that the firmware came in, format a USB drive, then copy the firmware to the USB Drive. I haven’t used Windows in a while so you someone else could give you more specific instructions.

Yeah, I need them. I don’t know what that means.

So due to a loose joystick, I dismantled my N64 controller in an attempt to fix it. Two problems: 1) I don’t know how to put it back together and 2) how do I tighten the stick (Fishing line? Dental floss? tape?)? I’ll be honest, I’ve gotten so many different YouTube videos that it’s hard to sift them all. I need moron instructions 😉.

These are mine, but I’ll have more at some point, I’m sure and don’t feel like bookmarking this post, so if anyone wants to make it a general thread for such things, that could be fun. My issues are, in no particular order:

So I can hook my Chromecast up to the HDTV in the waiting room at my auto shop, and the pause button works fine. But on my $1400 HDTV at home? Nope. Thanks, Samsung.

I am so sick of AT&T’s throttling…

Vudu dumped my whole disc-to-digital queue.

So my iPhone just isn’t importing pictures anymore. Not explanation, no reason. It just…isn’t. Great.

OK, and the big one: I’m trying to update the firmware on two of non-Internet connected HDTVs from Samsung via USB. I contacted their customer service, and they sent me this:

Thank you for contacting Samsung. I would be glad to help you with the instructions to update the firmware version on your TVs: UN32EH4003FXZA and PN64H5000AFXZA. Please follow the instructions mentioned below to update your UN32EH4003FXZA TV with the latest firmware version through USB method:

1. You can update the firmware using the USB flash drive method. Before upgrading your TV firmware, please you check the current firmware version on the TV. Using the TV’s remote, follow Menu>>Support>>Contact Samsung to find the current firmware version on the TV. You will find it beside the Software version.

2. The latest firmware version available for your TV is 1008.0. If the current firmware version on the TV is older than ver. 1008.0, please upgrade the firmware. You can download the firmware update for your TV by clicking on the link given below. It starts downloading automatically once you click the link.

http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.com/downloadfile/ContentsFile.aspx?CDSite=US&CttFileID=5611985&CDCttType=FM&ModelType=C&ModelName=UN32EH4003FXZA&VPath=FM/201401/20140107144547285/T-M9RHAUSC.zip

3. Here are the instructions to upgrade the firmware version through USB:

4. Download the latest firmware file onto your computer

5. Using the WinZip/WinRAR software you need to extract the firmware version file

6. Connect a USB flash drive to your computer.

7. Once you find the USB flash drive in My Computer, please right click on it and select format FAT 32 which will then format the USB flash drive

8. If there are previous versions of firmware in the folder on USB flash drive, will be deleted

9. Copy the extracted file to USB flash drive.

10. Connect the USB flash drive to the unit and it will upgrade the firmware version.

Note: Please format the USB flash drive with FAT 32 format and load the extracted file in the USB flash drive. You will have to use windows PC/Laptop to download the file as it may or may not get extracted with MAC devices.

Please follow the instructions mentioned below to update your PN64H5000AFXZA TV with the latest firmware version through USB method:

1. You can update the firmware using the USB flash drive method. Before upgrading your TV firmware, please you check the current firmware version on the TV. Using the TV’s remote, follow Menu>>Support>>Contact Samsung to find the current firmware version on the TV. You will find it beside the Software version.

2. The latest firmware version available for your TV is 1006.0. If the current firmware version on the TV is older than ver. 1006.0, please upgrade the firmware. You can download the firmware update for your TV by clicking on the link given below. It starts downloading automatically once you click the link.

http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.com/downloadfile/ContentsFile.aspx?CDSite=US&CttFileID=5938476&CDCttType=FM&ModelType=C&ModelName=PN64H5000AFXZA&VPath=FM/201407/20140717022110389/T-NT14LAKUC.zip

3. Here are the instructions to upgrade the firmware version through USB:

4. Download the latest firmware file onto your computer

5. Using the WinZip/WinRAR software you need to extract the firmware version file

6. Connect a USB flash drive to your computer.

7. Once you find the USB flash drive in My Computer, please right click on it and select format FAT 32 which will then format the USB flash drive

8. If there are previous versions of firmware in the folder on USB flash drive, will be deleted

9. Copy the extracted file to USB flash drive.

10. Connect the USB flash drive to the unit and it will upgrade the firmware version.

Note: Please format the USB flash drive with FAT 32 format and load the extracted file in the USB flash drive. You will have to use windows PC/Laptop to download the file as it may or may not get extracted with MAC devices.

I hope the above instructions would helpful. If you are experiencing any issues with your TVs, please get back to us with the detailed description of the issue so that we can assist you further.

If you have any more questions related to Samsung devices, feel free to contact us. We are available 24/7 to assist you.

Is any of this English?

P.S. I was, at long last, successful in my attempts to get Command and Conquer: The First Decade to run on Windows 10 thanks to a convoluted series of patches which intrepid fans have put together. God bless them. Now, I wonder if they have any for Dune II or Dune 2000…
Why aren’t they on Steam or Origin?

P.P.S. Or the original Doom? Is that on Steam?

I have actually been feeling a little bit better lately. I don’t know why. I don’t know how long it’s going to last. But for the time being, it’s nice.

It’s so hot that the rearview mirror in my car came off. The adhesive actually melted. I’ve taken it in to my preferred auto shop not once now, but twice. The second time they were kind enough to fix it for free. Came off again both times. Went to another shop, and they need the vehicle overnight and quoted me $120 estimate. I really, really, really, really, really, really do not want to lose my car for a day and spend two hours pay fixing it. I mean I really, really, really, really don’t. FML.

yhwx said:

Maybe I could take the malware out, assuming if I can find it. I’m a bit skeptical too.

I was just trying to do a straight download, I don’t have a BitTorrent client or anything. Frankly, it shouldn’t be this much work, surely there some-damn-where on the net to get them?!

They defiantly couldn’t do the “joint session” because of distance issue, and as far I know, are unrelated. That said, the second one I contacted hasn’t been in communication with me yet. Hopefully she’s just busy. I’m just so sick of living like this.

RicOlie_2 said:

Hey, you said you felt good for a week or two. That sounds like fantastic progress to me! Of course you’re going to have relapses, and at first, they’re going to happen fairly often, but if you keep at it, they’ll get further and further apart. Don’t give up! You’ve made progress, and that’s the important part.

It sure seems like feeling better was the exception rather than the rule. It almost makes the highs feel worse, like I got cheated or something. Doesn’t make any fucking sense, I know, but I feel even worse now.

Tyrphanax said:

RicOlie_2 said:

Hey, you said you felt good for a week or two. That sounds like fantastic progress to me! Of course you’re going to have relapses, and at first, they’re going to happen fairly often, but if you keep at it, they’ll get further and further apart. Don’t give up! You’ve made progress, and that’s the important part.

Yeah, this is the truth right here. Progress will always come with some amount of backslide: you find a job, you get laid off. You find a girlfriend, you break up. It happens, but what matters is that you make the progress and realize that you’ve done it before and can do it again. You’re gonna have rough patches and relapses, but like Ric said, they’ll get further and further apart as you move forward.

You’re gonna be okay, and I know that because you’ve been okay before.

I don’t know, feeling any better feels like an outlier at this point. I found an OCD specialist who can prescribe (the only one who can in area and the field as far as I Can tell) online, fairly close by, and shot out an e-mail to see if she takes my insurance. It’s been a few weeks, I suppose I should set up another one with the guy I’ve been seeing, I just don’t see the point. I can’t reason with irrationality. He’s tried approaching these problems logically and point out how given my own views, they shouldn’t bother me, and he’s right, but that doesn’t stop them. It just feels like trying to put out a forest fire with a water bottle. I just don’t know what to fucking do anymore. I’ve been indulging these compulsions since I got home from fucking work. I can’t take it anymore.

Thanks for giving it a shot. I’m saying this to be flippant or critical, but how could that help me?

I had another binge before bed. As in right now. While I type this. Fuck this shit. I feel like a fucking crackhead. Fuck this goddamn shit to hell. Last night I slept for 14 hours. I came home and went straight to bed. Didn’t eat for almost 16 hours. My mother, needless to say, noticed. I feigned “I’m just tired,” but man alive, it was rough. I literally wasted two-thirds of the day. It gnaws at me all day at work. I can function, that’s the scary part. I can go through my required script at work, I can talk to people, I can drive a car quite well. I can interact with people. I’ve tried too. I spend time with my family, I’ve gone to the movies, I go out with friends, I’ve been working my way through some thoroughly enjoyable Sherlock Holmes audiobooks (David Timson is marvelous), and I have to say, for a while, I felt like I’d made some progress. A week or so I finally felt more or less “normal” again. I actually managed to work my way through a movie (Which isn’t much, but given how this took away my ability to enjoy much of anything, it felt like something.), go out with some friends. I keep trying. But it’s six of one, half-dozen of the other. Either the constant fighting against it, or the constant giving in to it. Even when I give up, I still can’t lose. It’s just fucked. I HAVE been looking at OCD specialists nearby (as I said, no fucking clue if this actual OCD of any kind, so maybe I’m self-diagnosing), and have found a few who take my insurance. None are very close by, but I can only go through so many of these before it seems like a viable option. But even if it is, It takes time to set up. Sometimes, I feel good after one of these rants for a few minutes, before it creeps back in. I just don’t know what the fuck to do. I can’t even think my own fucking thoughts.

Fuck. I’m sorry. I just need to get this out sometimes. I wish it would help.

captainsolo said:

http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Superman-1941/id/15907

The WB transfer may or may not have been done in HD. The anthology versions DVD and BD are identical to the standalone release, but the standalone release fixed a couple of the errors.

Which errors? It sounds like what we have now is the best we’re ever going to get.

There are actually a number of DVDs with PCM tracks but these are generally early on in the format’s lifespan as it was eventually decreed all DVDs would carry Dolby Digital.

I always assumed that was due to a space limitation.

A number of music related DVDs are PCM as well.

I do remember a few of those, I think those were if not common, at least not as hard to find.

Is there any way to download these old things? Obviously, Apple made clear that they were one-time only and removed them from from their app store many years ago. I can’t imagine them being super valuable and violating any copyright infringement or anything, any chance they still kick around anywhere? The only torrent site I found alleging to have them is set off both my antivirus programs, so um, no to that…