HopeThisIsUnique

CompuServe

Earnest Scared Stupid. IYKYK

Same, started with TI-85 though

I live in Denver and have spent a fair amount of time in both with road tripping to Phoenix to see inlaws. Both UT and CO are beautiful, but both very different. I'd say that part of the country is worth a couple weeks on its own. All of CO through the mountains is beautiful as it's just so big and striking. I've lived here a long time and still pinch myself. That said, UT and NW AZ are also incredibly beautiful, but very different- almost alien at times. If you have the time I'd consider heading through CO, down through Ouray/Silverton/Durango, go through Four Corners/Monument Valley/Valley of the Gods, hit NE of Grand Canyon if you have time, otherwise route up through Page, AZ (Horshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon), then come up through UT and see the parks there (Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante, Canyonlands, Arches etc). Then you can head back via I70 back through the Rockies of CO. You could route the same destinations the other direction too if it worked better for you. Honestly even taking the overlanding out of it, it's just gorgeous drives and amazing views. Much of that four corners area is really incredible. If you have any love for westerns it'll speak to you quickly.

I feel that's a core attribute too...I'd much rather read an article than listen to something.

My first thought

This. Never had a TV in my room, plenty throughout the house as my dad liked them, but never in my room. Did eventually have a computer in my room in high school, but that was it.

Warcraft II

I'm wearing them all winter too /Cries in CO

And the Big Johnson

POPCORN usually gave current date and time

It's a weird line. My dad will be 80 this year, he helped me build my first computer and has always been fairly tech literate, but as he's gotten older it seems he gets 'disoriented' easier with technology (why did my screen change, this looks different now etc) so while he 'gets it' more than many folks his age I think he's starting to struggle more with it than he used to. He still insists on having new things like a new phone, smartwatch he got his first EV last year, but also absolutely refuses to use things like YNAB to help with budgeting and insists on doing both everything in Excel and going line by line through his credit card statement (which he insists on printing out)

Were all of those considered Christian bands? Many I would not have had any clue.

Realization that I've been going to the local mall longer than most of the people working there have been alive.

Class of 00. 20th got canned for obvious reasons. 25th this past year was interesting. Toured old school- it's odd... People that were close anyway did the same, but at this point just kinda awkward otherwise.

Fun fact my mobile client cropped this to "Blew the hardy boys and Nancy drew" reread 3 times before I saw the rest.

The ones I mentioned are foam+air. They'll be a lot more compact when taken down

If you e made a platform in the back to sleep on I'd look at an insulated sleeping pad (one with an R-value, not an air mattress as that will get cold) Exped is a popular brand, but many options via REI and I would expect many in their used gear as well. Battery station is a good idea for many reasons, look though at what you want to power and make sure it will work. AmpHours will be how much capacity it has, and then look at port wattage for actual power output- run a coffee maker etc too if you wanted. I have an ecoflow I've been happy with. My main gripe with the Jackery is the top handle means you can't stack anything on top of it....not that you should bury it, but even placing a thermos or something.

It's a fascinating correlation that price seems to scale with age to some degree. To your point kids are happy with the smaller play oriented sets, but as you get older and have more money you gravitate more towards the model or more advanced type sets

You remember watching all the teen dramas being cast by perfectly normal 20-somethings, right?

I had that Starter jacket

Well aware, my point was more that this was someone they cast for the role with a specific look and representation. Not that there aren't outliers, but 'generally' people aren't looked at as going full white hair in their early 50s.

Yeah, this isn't the salt and pepper - 'in the process of aging' look

That's bizarre for the dad, that's saying he'd be 53, but they portray him as a retired, non-mobile geriatric.... Hence caretaker etc... I'm looking at 53 as still being more young than not

All awesome

I think this is it. I grew up with TMNT and GI Joe etc, have acquired many of them and while there's nostalgia I don't feel they hold up the same as that Disney afternoon block. I think you toss Animaniacs and Tiny Toons in and you're gold

This might be the xennial differentiator is whether or not you GAF, highly correlated with age.

Welcome fellow redditor

Yeah, if you wanted to be pedantic it'd be 25-26' Season, but same same

26 'season'....winter doesn't stop on 12/31

Yeah that one came to mind...wonder if it got renamed, or died off entirely....

Yeah....I have no clue what McDonald's is doing there. I get McDonald's in most countries I travel to, just to see what's different... Green Bean pie in Hong Kong still is at the top.

Ok- that may be wholly different than US...different geographies definitely do different things

Oh I know, but removing a product all together? They are actually impressive with how much they work on taste and control it. Generally they don't just change something outright, and very rarely introduce wildly new things.

Do you have a source for this? I'm not finding anything. Send to generally be popular with most people and can't imagine they'd get rid of it.

Yeah....not 'perfect' lol, but does help getting pointed in the right direction

That's the thing though, ask the follow-up...just to have fun with it. "I'm pretty familiar with all those places, can you tell me about one I might not know?" The response: Absolutely — here are lesser-known, under-the-radar places in Southeast Asia that even well-traveled folks often overlook. These are places where you can wander solo with relative ease, feel genuinely adventurous, and avoid the classic Thailand/Vietnam/Laos circuit. I’ll give you one top pick, plus a few alternates in case you want options. --- 🌋 **Top Pick You Probably Haven’t Considered: East Timor (Timor-Leste) Why it’s fascinating: East Timor is one of the youngest countries on earth (independent since 2002) and is vastly different from everything else in Southeast Asia. Think raw, untouched landscapes, Portuguese influence, and almost no mass tourism. Why it’s ideal for a solo adventurer: Incredibly authentic — you’re exploring a place few international travelers go. Locals are welcoming and curious about visitors; English is growing. Amazing snorkeling and diving (better than many famous spots in SE Asia). Scenic, rugged mountains and villages you can reach independently via bus or scooter. Highlights: Atauro Island — Some of the clearest waters on the planet for diving/snorkeling. It feels like what Thailand’s islands were 40 years ago. Dili — Colonial architecture, seaside promenade, laid-back vibe. Mount Ramelau — Dawn hike to the highest point in Timor-Leste. Com & Jaco Island — Remote, empty white-sand beaches with turquoise water. Why go in mid-March: Dry season begins April–May, so March is transitional: fewer tourists, still accessible, and not yet peak-hot or peak-humid. What to expect: Infrastructure is basic. Roads can be rough. Transport is slower but doable. Perfect for someone who doesn’t want packaged tours. --- 🏔️ Other Places You Might Not Know (Quick Hits) 1. Myanmar’s Shan Hills (when stable) — Hsipaw & Pyin Oo Lwin If conditions allow travel, these towns offer stunning trekking, waterfalls, colonial hill stations, and slow local trains. Very off-the-tourist-trail. (Note: Check current travel advisories if considering Myanmar.) --- 2. Mergui (Myeik) Archipelago — Southern Myanmar Think: 500 mostly uninhabited islands, pristine reefs, and sea-gypsy Moken culture. Accessible via boat trips from Kawthaung. Wild and untouched. --- 3. Togean Islands — Central Sulawesi, Indonesia If you love adventure and don’t mind slow ferries, this is a jaw-dropper: Bioluminescent plankton Incredible coral Off-grid island life Friendly, small-scale guesthouses Few international visitors make the effort, but those who do LOVE it. --- 4. Koh Rong Sanloem’s untouched side — Cambodia Not the main tourist strip. The other side of the island is quiet, empty beaches, jungle trails, and bioluminescent night swimming. --- 5. Flores (non-Komodo parts) — Indonesia Beyond the dragons, Flores is a dream for explorers: Volcanic lakes Traditional villages Hot springs Motorbike-friendly coast roads Low tourism density --- If you want one recommendation to explore solo: East Timor (Timor-Leste) — truly different, safe enough for solo travel, and unforgettable. --- If you want, I can also: suggest a 10–14 day route for East Timor, compare these off-grid locations, or recommend places based on mountains vs diving vs culture vs solitude.

Honest answers here....one is time, depending on the trip, size etc, can save a ton of time. The other thing that gets overlooked is the 'chat' part of ChatGPT. It's not like a one and done like Google, it is completely interactive. So in your case you could ask it, "I'm a xennial that wants to travel to Southeast Asia alone. I have time off in the middle of March, can you tell me about some different areas I could look at going? I'm a bit adventurous and would prefer to do my own exploring without a tour. What are some shortlisted countries to consider, and why?" I tossed that into a new prompt and this is what it came back with, and you could obviously follow-up from there. It's really a great way to narrow down and learn more. A response to the below might be "Tell me more about....": Here’s a clear, helpful shortlist to start your Southeast Asia solo-travel planning for mid-March—a great time weather-wise for much of the region. Since you prefer independent exploring, I focused on countries that are especially friendly for solo travelers, easy to navigate, and rich in adventurous experiences without requiring tours. 🌏 Top Countries to Consider in Southeast Asia (for a Solo, Adventurous Xennial) 1. Thailand Why go: Thailand is arguably the easiest country in Southeast Asia for solo travelers. Smooth logistics, great infrastructure, friendly locals, and endless variety. Why it fits you: You can explore confidently without tours. Tons of outdoor adventure: jungle trekking, scuba/snorkeling, sea kayaking, rock climbing. Well-connected buses, minibuses, trains, domestic flights. March weather is great for the islands on the Gulf side (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao). Trip vibes: Bangkok → Chiang Mai/Pai → Gulf islands or Bangkok → Krabi/Railay → Koh Lanta 2. Vietnam Why go: Vietnam is dynamic, intense, visually stunning, and perfect if you like “doing stuff” rather than just relaxing. Why it fits you: Amazing for independent adventure: motorbike routes, caves, trekking, street food hunts. Very affordable and safe for solo travelers. March is excellent for the south and central regions: HCMC, Mekong, Da Nang, Hoi An. Trip vibes: Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong → Da Nang/Hoi An → Hue or Fly to Hanoi for Sapa/Ninh Binh and hope for decent early spring weather. 3. Malaysia Why go: Quietly one of the best countries for independent travelers. Less chaotic than Thailand/Vietnam, but still full of adventure and culture. Why it fits you: English widely spoken → big help for solo wandering. Incredible natural variety: rainforests, islands, mountains, caves. Very safe and straightforward to navigate. March is excellent for Borneo, and good for Langkawi & Penang. Trip vibes: Kuala Lumpur → Penang → Langkawi or Borneo: Kota Kinabalu → Kinabalu Park → Sandakan (orangutans, caves) 4. Laos Why go: Less developed than its neighbors—perfect for slow exploration and getting off the typical tourist conveyor belt. Why it fits you: Amazing for independent wandering without crowds. Top-tier nature adventures: waterfalls, river tubing, trekking, caves. Very laid-back and great for a “wander and go where you feel like” style. Trip vibes: Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng → Vientiane or Northern loop (Nong Khiaw / Muang Ngoi) 5. Cambodia Why go: Offers huge historical depth (Angkor Wat), laid-back rural life, and welcoming people. Why it fits you: Easy for solo travel, especially Siem Reap & Phnom Penh. Less hectic than Vietnam or Thailand. March is a great time for Angkor and for exploring without heavy rains. Trip vibes: Siem Reap (Angkor) → Battambang → Phnom Penh → Kampot/Kep 6. Indonesia (selectively) Why go: If you want huge diversity of landscapes and culture, Indonesia is unmatched. Why it fits you: Endless adventure: volcano trekking, diving, exploring remote villages. Bali and Lombok are extremely solo-traveler friendly. March is the tail end of rainy season, but still workable—Bali and Java are usually fine. Trip vibes: Bali → Nusa Islands → Lombok/Gili or Jakarta → Yogyakarta → Mt. Bromo → Bali 🔥 Top Choices Based on Your Style Since you’re a xennial who likes freedom, exploration, and a bit of adventure: Best “sure-thing” for a first solo SE Asia trip: Thailand (easy, fun, lots of variety, little stress) Best for more intense adventure: Vietnam (motorbikes, mountains, food scene, caves) Best for nature + easy logistics: Malaysia (Borneo) Best for slower, soulful, relaxed solo travel: Laos 🤔 Want help narrowing it down? Tell me: Would you rather have beaches, cities, mountains, or jungles? Are you thinking 10 days, 2 weeks, or a full 3+ weeks? Do you prefer a place that’s easy and social, or quieter and more off-the-grid? I can build a tailored shortlist and sample route for your exact timeframe.

Man there's a lot of old people screaming at the clouds in here. It's not an all the time thing for me, but it is really helpful in certain circumstances. I've used it for trip planning and brainstorming. It is really helpful if you know a little about something. Really dangerous if you know nothing.

I was doing some work in middle of nowhere Minnesota at that time and the diner there was proudly advertising them, completely ridiculous.

Yup, great trivia! Love Steinman

Loved the music Also been binging Streets of Fire Soundtrack another Pare flick

We were supposed to have a 20th, but COVID. Had a 25th, felt surreal, even had a school tour of the old high school and felt completely foreign.

Paranue

Here's the funny part....so the original box got ripped and so I reached out to the company to see if they could just send me a box (and a box was all I needed, wanted, and was specific for just that)....yeah...they sent me a new box, and a whole other roll...I'll have to add it to the will to have it passed down through the generations.

I get it at Costco, I'll be dead before I use it all

Yeah...didn't do much better than you selling my MTG a couple years after for like $130. Had no clue they would go crazy like that.

At OP I held off on a 3D printer forever, but the recent Bambu printers are dead simple and a lot of fun with kids.

The Red Heavy Duty Husky totes are waterproof I believe. Super durable, just watch some of the plastic edges as they're sharper than you'd expect.

Very happy with Firestone Destination XT. As quiet as all seasons, great snow traction more than decent offroad