Badminton gear talk
in Other Sports ·
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Badminton gear talk
in Other Sports ·
Is anyone even playing this?
I got into this two months ago and honestly, it’s been awesome. Such a killer sport. You pick up the basics pretty fast, the gear isn't breaking the bank, and it's just a blast.
If there are any veterans out there who've been playing longer than me, I could really use some racket recommendations.
Right now I'm rocking two cheap ones—one was like ten bucks, the other twenty. I only grabbed them because, you know, I wasn't sure if I'd actually stick with it or if I'd even like it.
But now I'm realizing these things are absolute junk. So yeah, if anyone has suggestions, please help a guy out.
Maybe just give me two or three decent brands and let me know what kind of budget I'm looking at.
Like, is $40 enough? $50? How much do I actually need to drop to get something solid?
Look, I'm just an amateur. No big ambitions or anything. It's just a hobby—hit the court twice a week, get moving, break a sweat, whatever. But I don't want to be buying a new racket every two months. I want something that'll actually last a while.
Peace.
I got into this two months ago and honestly, it’s been awesome. Such a killer sport. You pick up the basics pretty fast, the gear isn't breaking the bank, and it's just a blast.
If there are any veterans out there who've been playing longer than me, I could really use some racket recommendations.
Right now I'm rocking two cheap ones—one was like ten bucks, the other twenty. I only grabbed them because, you know, I wasn't sure if I'd actually stick with it or if I'd even like it.
But now I'm realizing these things are absolute junk. So yeah, if anyone has suggestions, please help a guy out.
Maybe just give me two or three decent brands and let me know what kind of budget I'm looking at.
Like, is $40 enough? $50? How much do I actually need to drop to get something solid?
Look, I'm just an amateur. No big ambitions or anything. It's just a hobby—hit the court twice a week, get moving, break a sweat, whatever. But I don't want to be buying a new racket every two months. I want something that'll actually last a while.
Peace.
Sanctions on Russia
in War in Ukraine ·
gentlebadger said:See, those aren't the actual spot prices for gas you see on the news; those are the prices set for future delivery. What we're paying right now is based on futures contracts—basically, the price of gas agreed upon several months ago that's just now being delivered today. The prices look shifted because of when that delivery was actually scheduled to happen.
So, if we lock in a gas price today for delivery in the winter of 2026, that contract is going to cost us $33.
Check out more details here: https://www.theice.com/products/2799...5508663&span=2
Nathan Thomas12 said:European gas storage was being filled all winter—but obviously not at today's market rates. Prices stayed sky-high until those tanks were full.
Don't sweat it, though; the worst is behind us. In maybe 2 or 3 years, we’ll be totally decoupled from Russian energy and prices will stabilize. The future is bright and everything's gonna be just fine.
On the flip side, things are looking pretty grim for the Kremlin's regime.
Thanks for the input. Makes sense to me now.
Sanctions on Russia
in War in Ukraine ·
So if gas prices are actually lower than they were before the war started, does that mean we’re just getting screwed by paying three times the normal rate right now?
I’m being dead serious here.
I get that prices spiked when those pipeline deliveries through the US started getting cut back, but why is it still such a massive hit for families while the actual market price is sitting way down?
I’m being dead serious here.
I get that prices spiked when those pipeline deliveries through the US started getting cut back, but why is it still such a massive hit for families while the actual market price is sitting way down?
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Richard Wilson4 said:The catch is that if a civil war breaks out in Belarus, Russia could start dropping saboteurs into Poland or near the Baltic Sea.
Stop talking nonsense, they couldn't care less.
Up until now, they could just pull back whenever they felt like it, but not anymore. Now they're stuck having to defend their precious little Russian empire.
Basically, it matters to them... because there's no turning back now.
Meaning, it matters because they're totally screwed.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
If the Russians hit NS1 and 2, and they did it right near that Norwegian pipeline, there's a real chance they planted explosives on that one too while they were already in the neighborhood. That is, if it was actually the Russians.
Man, if that gas pipeline goes down too, it would be absolute, pure chaos.
Honestly? I don't think we're ever going to find out who actually laid the mines.
Nobody is ever going to step up and take credit; it’ll just be everyone pointing fingers at everyone else forever.
Man, if that gas pipeline goes down too, it would be absolute, pure chaos.
Honestly? I don't think we're ever going to find out who actually laid the mines.
Nobody is ever going to step up and take credit; it’ll just be everyone pointing fingers at everyone else forever.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Can Russia even build gas pipelines without Western tech?
I mean, look at the facts—those turbines, which are just one tiny slice of the whole pipeline setup, are being sent straight to Siemens for overhauls. They aren't heading to China, India, or Japan...
The way I see it, with sanctions hitting them this hard and zero access to high-end Western tech, there’s no way they can pull this off on their own. And even if they try leaning on China, I seriously doubt they could get anything operational in the next 10 or 20 years that actually runs as smoothly as Nord Stream 1 and 2 or any other line packed with Western engineering.
Honestly, I bet those pipelines are made up of at least 70% Western components.
I mean, look at the facts—those turbines, which are just one tiny slice of the whole pipeline setup, are being sent straight to Siemens for overhauls. They aren't heading to China, India, or Japan...
The way I see it, with sanctions hitting them this hard and zero access to high-end Western tech, there’s no way they can pull this off on their own. And even if they try leaning on China, I seriously doubt they could get anything operational in the next 10 or 20 years that actually runs as smoothly as Nord Stream 1 and 2 or any other line packed with Western engineering.
Honestly, I bet those pipelines are made up of at least 70% Western components.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
To quote cubia: it’s not me, it’s not you, it’s not him, it’s not us... then who the hell was messing with the pipes?
I don't know, man, but I'm starting to think this whole pipeline mess is just some American power play.
Honestly, I don't see any point in Russia blowing them up when they can just decide whether the gas flows or not whenever they feel like it. If I were Putin, I wouldn't touch them—you never know what the future holds.
And here I was, totally convinced that both pipes would be pumping at full capacity within the first six months after the war ends. Regardless of everything else, the European Union would probably welcome Russian gas back with open arms. They'd probably lift some sanctions, keep a few, and prices would likely drop even lower than they were back in 2021...
Ugh, if those things hadn't been blown apart, they'd definitely be running full tilt once the war is over.
Though, I guess there's probably enough damage now that fixing it won't be a quick fix.
There are tons of valves involved, and corrosion could easily wreck miles of piping...
I don't know, man, but I'm starting to think this whole pipeline mess is just some American power play.
Honestly, I don't see any point in Russia blowing them up when they can just decide whether the gas flows or not whenever they feel like it. If I were Putin, I wouldn't touch them—you never know what the future holds.
And here I was, totally convinced that both pipes would be pumping at full capacity within the first six months after the war ends. Regardless of everything else, the European Union would probably welcome Russian gas back with open arms. They'd probably lift some sanctions, keep a few, and prices would likely drop even lower than they were back in 2021...
Ugh, if those things hadn't been blown apart, they'd definitely be running full tilt once the war is over.
Though, I guess there's probably enough damage now that fixing it won't be a quick fix.
There are tons of valves involved, and corrosion could easily wreck miles of piping...
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
boldotter2 said:Give them time. This is just the first stage—denial and disbelief.
Just give them time to "mature." Wait until the first batch heads to Ukraine and reports back. Or when the guys coming home from UA share what they actually saw. In a few months, I bet you'll see them starting armed revolutions all over the military bases.
man I don't even know what you're getting at but whatever. what is wrong with your head, thinking someone needs to experience being sent out without helmets, gear, or medicine?
it's not like six-year-olds are carrying this around not knowing until they hear it.
there's no waiting around for "impressions." I don't get them.
it's not like they're sending off a first group that actually had some training or something.
this is like sending firefighters (who are actually just civilians) to fight the biggest forest fire in the country wearing flip-flops, with a wet towel over their shoulder and a glass of water.
I don't get how grown adults aren't pushing back against being sent on a 90% guaranteed death sentence.
with the way they're equipped, there won't be anyone left alive to come back from the front and tell us anything.
those who don't die instantly will die from hypothermia, pneumonia, various infections, gangrene, or even a minor wound that most people would survive 95% of the time, because they'll probably be drinking god-knows-what kind of water..
honestly, I hope for their sake they revolt before that first group even hits the front lines.
sending a military like this is a guaranteed loss for everyone involved. 90% are gonna die or get killed...
no gear, no experience, no fitness, no training on UA stuff, and no actual weapons since we've seen the rifles they're using.
every second gun is gonna jam by the second magazine, and they don't even know how to take them apart and clean them.
and even if they did, what are they gonna use to clean and lube them? I doubt they even got lubricants or proper brushes when they didn't even get helmets, for crying out loud...
disgusting..
all they did was fail to send three guys to one rifle so that if one falls, someone can inherit the weapon.
they're just gonna catch tetanus when they scrape their fingers loading rounds and rust gets in the wounds.
horrible. I honestly feel for these people.
if they were properly equipped, I might even understand. damn. but sending raw meat into an army that's already a mess, despite being backed by the US, EU, and UK, is absolutely criminal.
this is probably the worst invasion and mobilization in the history of warfare.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Linda Barrett3 said:https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/...76679539527680
Russian soldiers are handed a uniform and a rifle, and then they’re essentially on their own. If they need anything else, they’re expected to just buy it themselves or beg their mothers, girlfriends, or wives to mail them some supplies. 🙏
None of this is true.
It’s weird how people always need a leader because without one, they don't know how to function.
They should have collectively slapped her right there on the spot and told her to go to the trenches herself and bring whatever feminine hygiene products she wants.
Man, I once went through a ton of companies in Germany and quit after four weeks without even having a backup plan, all because they didn't give me any damn tools to work with. Then some manager starts riding my ass about how I only finished a few cabinets in a month, even though they didn't even have the parts in stock.
I quit that same day. He tells me, "But wait, how did you manage to do it when I've been here a month too?"
Like, seriously? The poor guy actually had to go out and buy his own socket set and tool kit... he told me, "It would have been smart to bring your own gear."
And it's the same with these guys. Instead of sitting down on the floor and saying, "We aren't going until we get EVERY piece of equipment a soldier is supposed to have," they're busy making up excuses about where to find supplies.
For real, can you actually send a soldier to war without a helmet, without first aid, without any kind of body armor? Fine, maybe they don't have the latest rifles—hell, almost anything fires—but sending them without a helmet, bandages, or basic meds like morphine and other actual
MustHave
supplies is just straight-up disgusting.
And it's pathetic that they won't rebel.
Every single one will fire three rounds and be at the front lines in three days, wearing indoor slippers and sweatpants...
I feel bad for them, but they’re partially to blame themselves if they agree to this and leave.
Conditions in a gulag might actually be better. I mean, they're still crap, but at least there's fewer flying shrapnel, projectiles, mines, planes, and all that other stuff.
And hunger and cold and crappy clothes are the same everywhere... so honestly, I'd rather take all that just to avoid getting shot.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Back when everyone was talking about the West slamming the doors shut on Russians, people were losing their minds. Now? They’re basically gonna lock themselves in.
By the time they actually pull the trigger on that, we’re looking at millions of people already having cleared out.
At the end of this whole mess, it’ll probably turn out that more Russians fled their own country than Ukrainians ever did from theirs.
By the time they actually pull the trigger on that, we’re looking at millions of people already having cleared out.
At the end of this whole mess, it’ll probably turn out that more Russians fled their own country than Ukrainians ever did from theirs.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Quick side note: it’s funny how they suddenly start screaming about a referendum!
While they were just charging ahead and gaining absolutely zero ground through any kind of vote.
Their whole tactic was basically "just keep pushing until we hit a wall," and then—bam—suddenly it's an emergency referendum.
If this counteroffensive hadn't happened, there wouldn't even be a conversation about a referendum; they would've just kept grinding out kilometer after kilometer for another two years if they had to.
But the second they realized that everything they grabbed was just a temporary gain and they're still stuck? Suddenly, it's "oh no, we need a referendum right now!"
It's like chess, you know? You don't just charge blindly into a mess if your opening moves and attacks aren't actually working. Once the opponent stabilizes and shuts down your momentum, that's when things fall apart.
While they were just charging ahead and gaining absolutely zero ground through any kind of vote.
Their whole tactic was basically "just keep pushing until we hit a wall," and then—bam—suddenly it's an emergency referendum.
If this counteroffensive hadn't happened, there wouldn't even be a conversation about a referendum; they would've just kept grinding out kilometer after kilometer for another two years if they had to.
But the second they realized that everything they grabbed was just a temporary gain and they're still stuck? Suddenly, it's "oh no, we need a referendum right now!"
It's like chess, you know? You don't just charge blindly into a mess if your opening moves and attacks aren't actually working. Once the opponent stabilizes and shuts down your momentum, that's when things fall apart.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Honestly, looking back, it feels like the West totally dropped the ball in 2008, and especially in 2014 when the aggressor had already made their move.
If the West had actually realized what was coming in 2014, we wouldn't be staring down the barrel of this mess today.
Sure, Russia could line up 200k troops on the border, but if the West had been ready, they could've countered with a million even faster through sheer political leverage—like, "you pull those 200k back, and we'll drop a million on you."
If those guys bring another 800k, the West should really show some teeth and deploy three times that amount.
Let Russia try to calculate their odds then. Since 2014, there’s been more than enough time to absolutely crush Russia's gas monopoly and other assets.
The real issue is the West didn't stop "everyone"—they just jumped in way too late.
After 2014, the West needed to be ready to react massively to any troop buildup. It's like... you don't need a fire extinguisher just to start a fire, you need it so when things start burning, you can put them out immediately...
Plain and simple, the West reacted too late, and now we're stuck with an uncertain future because of it.
Russia wouldn't have even bothered attacking if the West had pushed back back in January when they started massing troops or doing those "military exercises."
If they run drills targeting specific vehicles, we should do the exact same thing, but three or five times harder. Let them sit there and wonder what's coming.
Instead, we ended up in this situation where we're short on energy and waited so long to act that by the time we stepped up, they'd already seized a fifth of the country. Even my grandma would say
If the West had actually realized what was coming in 2014, we wouldn't be staring down the barrel of this mess today.
Sure, Russia could line up 200k troops on the border, but if the West had been ready, they could've countered with a million even faster through sheer political leverage—like, "you pull those 200k back, and we'll drop a million on you."
If those guys bring another 800k, the West should really show some teeth and deploy three times that amount.
Let Russia try to calculate their odds then. Since 2014, there’s been more than enough time to absolutely crush Russia's gas monopoly and other assets.
The real issue is the West didn't stop "everyone"—they just jumped in way too late.
After 2014, the West needed to be ready to react massively to any troop buildup. It's like... you don't need a fire extinguisher just to start a fire, you need it so when things start burning, you can put them out immediately...
Plain and simple, the West reacted too late, and now we're stuck with an uncertain future because of it.
Russia wouldn't have even bothered attacking if the West had pushed back back in January when they started massing troops or doing those "military exercises."
If they run drills targeting specific vehicles, we should do the exact same thing, but three or five times harder. Let them sit there and wonder what's coming.
Instead, we ended up in this situation where we're short on energy and waited so long to act that by the time we stepped up, they'd already seized a fifth of the country. Even my grandma would say
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
casualmoose82 said:The Ukrainians are getting this back pretty soon.
I mean, I hope they’ve got momentum. I’m convinced what we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks was just the warm-up act.
Real heavy hitters are waiting in the wings, gearing up even bigger and better, but here’s the thing—and this is a massive issue in my book—once they take that ground, from the perspective of Russia, that territory becomes Russian soil again. By the end of the month, if they reclaim it, Russia is gonna see it as an actual invasion of their own country, which is a whole different beast than what's happening right now. I'm just saying, that's how they'll see it.
It doesn't matter to us because obviously it's still Ukraine, but damn, it's not the same thing hitting Russians while they're on foreign dirt versus tomorrow when they're fighting on their own turf, you know?
I don't think it looks unlikely anymore that they'll just bail. The West might just sell out Ukraine if it means they don't have to risk themselves.
They could pull that classic move later on where they say, "Hey, we gave you the weapons, we dumped billions at you, and sure, we'll throw a little more at you for rebuilding," and then—poof—they leave them high and dry.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Honestly, I’m just as terrified as anyone else that Putin will actually pull this off and keep whatever territories he claims to have "annexed."
He’ll probably just flood those areas with a million armed people over the next year, basically turning them into a massive, permanent presence on the ground.
Once they officially annex it—by their own rules, anyway—they’re going to start screaming for "de-escalation." They'll try to play the peacemaker, and half the world will probably jump at it just because they're sick of hearing about the war.
In the end, Ukraine could get totally played and lose everything Russia is trying to grab right now.
I mean, seriously, I don't see any realistic way for those lands to actually be returned to the Ukrainians...
Maybe in some other war ten or twenty years down the line that the Ukrainians have to start themselves.
We'll know what's really happening in the next few weeks.
Putin is definitely playing the card where he paints himself as the big winner by declaring these spots part of Russia and then calling a halt to the fighting.
At the end of the day, if he pulls this off like he did with Crimea, the Russians are going to think he's some kind of god.
He’ll probably just flood those areas with a million armed people over the next year, basically turning them into a massive, permanent presence on the ground.
Once they officially annex it—by their own rules, anyway—they’re going to start screaming for "de-escalation." They'll try to play the peacemaker, and half the world will probably jump at it just because they're sick of hearing about the war.
In the end, Ukraine could get totally played and lose everything Russia is trying to grab right now.
I mean, seriously, I don't see any realistic way for those lands to actually be returned to the Ukrainians...
Maybe in some other war ten or twenty years down the line that the Ukrainians have to start themselves.
We'll know what's really happening in the next few weeks.
Putin is definitely playing the card where he paints himself as the big winner by declaring these spots part of Russia and then calling a halt to the fighting.
At the end of the day, if he pulls this off like he did with Crimea, the Russians are going to think he's some kind of god.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Paul Anderson7 said:So, did they send a woman over there just to recruit them? 😵
It’s honestly pretty grim watching these videos of young men being loaded up and sent off to war. You end up with some becoming criminals, others becoming invalids, and then there are the ones coming home in bags to their mothers—and even those who make it back physically whole won't ever really be right in the head again. It feels even more tragic seeing people from small ethnic groups being drafted; it’s going to deal an irreparable blow to their future and their standing within Russia as they've known it.
Watching this is just heavy; some of them don't even seem to realize where they're actually headed. It reminds me of scenes out of "The Deer Hunter."
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Of course they’re looking at full-scale mobilization in the game. It's just the narrative they're pushing—trying to frame it as selective or partial so the public doesn't absolutely lose their minds and revolt.
Everyone thinks they're safe, too. You sit there thinking, "Nah, it won't be me, I'm just some guy working at a local bakery, they'll grab someone else." Then suddenly, that draft notice hits your mailbox and you realize you're screwed.
We're talking WW3 territory now. This isn't a drill; this is total mobilization.
Everyone thinks they're safe, too. You sit there thinking, "Nah, it won't be me, I'm just some guy working at a local bakery, they'll grab someone else." Then suddenly, that draft notice hits your mailbox and you realize you're screwed.
We're talking WW3 territory now. This isn't a drill; this is total mobilization.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Gregory Ramos3 said:I mean, honestly, why do they even need all that bread? They might as well just eat cookies instead☕
And we’re talking about local stuff too, you know, small-scale American family farms and whatnot...
This whole mobilization thing is a joke. It's pathetic. All they're doing is digging themselves into an even deeper hole.
It’s all or nothing with them. Being stuck halfway is the absolute worst way to play it.
Look, if they pull 300k people, and those are just the guys actually hitting the line, then they'll need another million just to handle the logistics, otherwise those 300k don't mean squat on the battlefield.
If 300k is the total number, then you’re looking at maybe less than 100k actually seeing combat, which is basically nothing.
They don't even have enough gear for 300k, let alone anything more than that.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
What about Lukashenko? Wasn't he also planning to give some big speech to his people, to the whole world?
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
This whole thing stinks. Honestly, feels like we’re staring down a massive revolt, right on the edge of total chaos.
I’ll bet my life there won't even be a speech tomorrow.
No serious player in this game is gonna let a clown show like this happen on the world stage... there's definitely some shady stuff going on behind the scenes.
Wouldn't even surprise me if someone just took him out in a hallway.
Okay, maybe not that extreme, but there’s definitely some nasty coup brewing at the very top.
Now the Ukrainians are gonna go full throttle.
Time to start hitting them where it hurts.
I’ll bet my life there won't even be a speech tomorrow.
No serious player in this game is gonna let a clown show like this happen on the world stage... there's definitely some shady stuff going on behind the scenes.
Wouldn't even surprise me if someone just took him out in a hallway.
Okay, maybe not that extreme, but there’s definitely some nasty coup brewing at the very top.
Now the Ukrainians are gonna go full throttle.
Time to start hitting them where it hurts.