I ended up purchasing an EcoFlow House Kit (Independence 5kwh + smart dual fuel generator) due to the same issues you faced. I will eventually get a solar kit (any solar panels will work with the hub) but right now just the battery + generator is perfect.

Pros:

• it is a supported package deal so my GF can get help with it in case I get hit by a bus
• it supports solar (3x1800W arrays), Alternator, AC, and DC inputs
• the dual fuel generator is 1800W (so small) but will charge the 5kwh of batteries 4 times on a 20lb propane bottle

• you can use the generator as DC (and when connected this way the system turns the generator on and off as needed) or AC (which you can turn on via pull-cord, button on front, or phone app)
• I have an iotawatt monitoring system, so I measured my boiler + refrigerator and they use 2.5kwh per day, so (theoretically) if I turn off all the other circuits on battery I can have heat and food (in case the power goes out in the summer) for 2 days before I need to start the generator
• it has an app for phone as well as a plugged in console (which can be mounted well away from the setup)
• provides 120v AC and 12v/24v DC in its distribution panel
• alternative use in an RV or other vehicle
• expandable to support 240v and has an optional panel to connect to your house main panel to power whole house without wiring (I made a subpanel and powered that with this setup instead)

Cons:

• pricy, although I did get the package for $2500 off during their xmas sale a few weeks ago
• specialty cables between hub/battery and specialty connectors on hub for solar and ac/dc out

So far, super happy. Can send pics and more info if anyone likes. This is the kit I bought (without the discount, of course). I was going to get the basic 5kwh kit as I already had a tiny gas generator but due to the sale it was actually cheaper to buy the Independence kit + generator than the kit I actually wanted

Edit: here is a pic of the Grafana dashboard I made for my iotawatt monitor to help determine electricity usage

> I'd love to just watch someone play my old favorites from PS2 days

Have you tried checking out Twitch? there may be people streaming them now! what are some of your favorite PS2 games? My fav from that era would have to probably be Final Fantasy X and FFX-2.

ESO? it's super fun. If you end up playing and want some help getting started let me know. Been playing a while but haven't lately due to life. If you haven't played Fallout 3, New Vegas, and 4 you are in for a fun ride. What kind of console do you have? Depending on the console I have a copy of Fallout 3 you can just have (I PC game mostly nowadays, but the PC is hooked to the TV and I use a controller for some games).

You as well! And if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in the Springfield area and are ok with eating out with a couple of randos let us know.

I'm sorry, but I totally understand. Holidays have always been difficult with my family. Violence when i was a child makes the holidays something to be avoided and every year its "pretend to have holiday cheer" so as not ti be that grinch but it just makes you want to stay away from everyone. We have been totally holiday free for a few years now and it is kind of nice to just sit on the couch and ignore the world. Good luck with the gaming and hope you are able to ignore all the holiday cheer and relax. Its little help, but we when we have our holiday bong later we will think of you in solidarity, so someone is thinking of you!

It's crazy, I realize the whole point to the unemployment insurance thing is to pretend to have something available to help people or something but maybe they could, you know, try to get their heads out of their asses. Your experience really showcases this because like you said you are being "punished" due to your employer following the law. My severance works out to 2.5 weeks pay + $500 (pay through the end of the year + $500 bonus) so yay I'm not totally broke but it's not like I've just gotten 6 months pay or something.

I'm pretty sure the entire point to our country is to try to "delete" as many normal people as possible so the rich fucks like Musk and Bezos can extract just a few more dollars.

Nah, the worst case is they drag me along for 6+ weeks with me documenting my applications and then they finally deny me. Like last time.