u/xParesh

I’ve mostly been single and happy. I have no responsibilities to anyone else and quite enjoy my freedom. I take several long weekend trips a year and aside from the single tax on hotels and taxis, I never need to compromise on anything or not do what I want.

I have friends to support me and they’re all over the place so I never lack company when I need it.

I’m not sure whether I’m cut out to be a parent or would enjoy all the compromises of a relationship. I’m financially secure and enjoy my job. I think I’m probably also selfish or at least I think I might be.

I’m not against dating but I don’t waste my time or money on those apps any more. For guys especially those apps are super demoralising and only make you feel sad while emptying your wallet. If I met someone that would be great but it’s not something I go out of my way to pursue.

My lifestyle hasn’t changed much at all since I was in my 20s. Although sometimes I do feel I’m still in my 20s, it’s only when I meet a GenZ with all their insecurities that I realise I’m definitely not in my 20s but also happy for it.

Maybe it’s just a cliche but I’ve never been happier and freer than I am now. I was just wondering how the rest of you guys and gals who are single feel about your lives.

https://preview.redd.it/u2heyfrmuyzg1.png?width=962&format=png&auto=webp&s=6c1f5277da571b449630ff682e6f0c369157af66

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I'm just setting up my Xennial corner for fun and entertaining times when I'm home alone, especially in the evenings when I can turn the lights on and enjoy the ambience.

This is all still work in progress so I'll fix the cabling nightmare after I decide exactly what needs to go where. I have a Wii and OG Xbox coming in soon so that will add to the set up. I've a gap for an Xbox signage too.

I'm looking for any suggestions on what I could add to complete it.

Its just days before to local elections.

Starmer as PM has been unpopular very early on and always blamed the extreme right party Reform UK for hypnosing the electorate into magical things like thinking your favourite things to get as big as you want it.

However Zack Polanski is now popular on the ultra left side.

I guess that might blow Starmer's narrative that the threat Britain's future is the far right when the far left is eating up his voter base.

My question is, if Labour lose massively in this weeks local elections, who is more to blame, the ultra right parties like Reform and Advance UK, the ultra left parties like the Greens or the PM himself and the party that elected him?

I've been listening to streaming for the last 20 years out of convenience but wanted to get back into physical media collection.

In my local thrift store I found a Sony DVD player and sound base that was 20 years old. Both cost me £20 each. These easily cost 10x higher when they were released back then and that's not even including inflation. I bought an optical cable to link the two and the CDs there were all just £1 each. CDs are lossless and exceed the limit of most human hearing.

I know you can get crazy with audiophile equipment but its mindblowing how good an experience you can get with an used retro CD/DVD player from some of the big names with their awesome audio-centric uncompromised DACS and circuitry for just the cost of a few months streaming subscription.

I wasnt able to identify the equipment in the store when i first saw them but just taking a photo of the back, looking at its ports, AI can identify models and how good they are. My thrift store also offers a 6 month warranty on any equipment too its low risk.

I think a late 90s/early 2000s CD/DVD player with some used speakers and CDs are the best budget audiophile set up you can buy.

Here is a photo of what the front and back of the Sony DVP-S525D DVD Video CD Player looks like. These go for as little as £20/$30 plus shipping on ebay. Something like this should be plenty good for most people on a budget but even the higher end machines are in the same price ball park.

https://preview.redd.it/rps4lme904zg1.png?width=878&format=png&auto=webp&s=870dd10a3cc554605d686d3af49732b5cee9e8ab

I'm mulling between a Sony DVP-S525D or Sony DVP-S735D CD/DVD to go with my retro gaming/entertainment area. I plan to hook it up to a 14"CRT and I have a temporary Panasonic SC-HTE80 soundbase for the sound. It's not retro authentic but its a stop gap for now. I do plan to get a speaker system that is more authentically early 2000s but Im not there yet.

I know the DVP-S735D is a superior system than the DVP-S525D but I dont think I will ever run equipement to make full use of that and I live in an apartment so I will never be able to max out the sound so I think the DVP-S525D is a better choice for me.

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