herrcaptain

I mentioned this in my own top-level comment, but I just use different browsers for work and personal. Firefox for work, and my distro's fork for personal. That keeps those nicely separate.

I use them instead of virtual desktops - each with a specific hotkey, and some with customized pinned apps.

I have ...

General: Email, shopping, etc.

Gaming

Media

Two Work activities - a primary, and a secondary for when I need to compartmentalize different ongoing tasks

Other - for anything transitory that doesn't fit in the others.

I realize this could largely be done with virtual desktops, though I don't think you can have a different pinned app loadout for each?

The downside to setting things up this way is when I restart my computer, it seems to randomly decide which browser windows go in each activity. Also, with apps that I use across them (like Notion), I have to go hunting for which activity it opened in. To get around the issue of splitting Firefox across different profiles, I just use two browsers. Firefox for work, and Firedragon for personal stuff. They share the same external password manager, so it's pretty seamless.

You're welcome, and good luck!

Obviously I could be misreading it myself given that I'm only experiencing the circumstances via your post, but what seems to give away that he's into you is just how you describe your interactions with him. The making eyes from across the room, gravitating toward you, paying special attention (especially offering to drive you home) - those are all pretty good signs, especially when taken together.

And yeah, I think it was mostly the use of the word "protect" that made me second guess his personality. He could just have a weird way of talking, but that wording puts my guard up a little. That isn't to say that he's a weirdo, but it certainly makes it worth approaching with a bit of caution - especially given the big age gap. Maybe he doesn't necessarily chase younger women and he's just enamored by you in particular. But, there are a looooot of older guys out there who prey on younger women because they feel that they can control them.

Also, you said you're "not expecting anything serious." Be careful there as well - he very well may have something different in mind. It's a big age gap that I'd generally advise against for lots of reasons, and different life stages is a big part of that. He could be looking to settle down, start a family, etc. If you were in your early 20s I'd say run, but being that you're both full adults and you might be ultimately looking for the same things, you do you. That is, as long as you're not getting any red flags. Maybe a coffee date or whatever wouldn't be a bad idea to see what vibes you're getting from him in a different setting.

Again though, I'm a total outsider so take this all with a big grain of salt and go with your own gut.

Normally I'd say you're both adults and he's pretty clearly into you, so shoot your shot. Buuuuut ... What was with that driving you home "to protect you"? That feels like at least a yellow flag to me, for potentially controlling behavior. I'd try to get a better read on that before jumping into anything.

Avoid hoarding? Let's just say I bring a real "gotta catch em all" energy to the trackers.

I've never gotten around to actually reading up on this, but I've always suspected it has to do with the frequency of gratification. In real life you could study for 8 hours and, while you'll learn a lot, you don't get that dopamine (or whatever) hit until you complete the test, succeed at the project, etc. Games, however, are constructed so that you get little rewards at regular intervals to keep you hooked, like levels, new gear, etc. Some, particularly a lot of mobile games, obviously prey on susceptible people with that loop, but even "regular" games can get pretty addictive with that sort of progression.

(I'm far from anti-gaming. It's my main hobby. This is just my guess at how the psychology behind it works.)

That Costco employee knew exactly what they were doing when they placed that sign there, and I commend them for it.

This would be a pretty interesting way of finding out.

I was really expecting to see Saddam Hussein somewhere in this picture. I admit, I looked pretty hard.

Ya know what? I'm happy for them.

Translation: The AI will show the worker photos of people they will let down if they rage-quit their terrible job.