does anyone know why I might be getting this great grey grid instead of my desktop environment when I remote connect to a vnc server running on ubuntu

Still hits

those are whiskers

About sums up how I feel about returning to not just playing more Tetris, but specifically the NES version of Tetris. Mode A, with the relaxing Type C music track, starting from level zero and getting to watch the colors change as I see how long I can keep it going. Which, so far is about level 12 with a score of 160k+? Which I think is not at all competitive level but respectable for an amateur?

That specific version and set of options. Especially that Type C music that is still one of my favorite tracks in all of gaming. That is a simple pleasure a much younger Tavi enjoyed that older Tavi should not have forgotten.

(In case not obvious title is a popular quote from Lord of the Rings)