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By Sean FerrellHangry Dwarf PressOSE/5eLevel 6. Ha! There used to be a wizards tower here, but an earthquake changed that. The tower fell, and no one ever heard from the old wizard again. Some say he was responsible for the quake. Some say he left powerful magic behind. Some say he was conducting terrible experiments. Some say all of the rumors are true. This ten page adventure uses five pages …

The popular social media forum Reddit includes a category for the topic of hermits. The category was created in 2012 and has over 6,500 members. The site presents itself “for those who walk the path of solitudel,” duscussing personal solitude, friendship, loneliness, and lifestyle. IRL: https://www.reddit.com/r/Hermit/?rdt=35190

Few Earth science concepts are as controversial and enticing as the Gaia hypothesis—the idea, first introduced by chemist James Lovelock and microbiologist Lynn Margulis in the 1970s, that Earth itself behaves like a self-perpetuating organism, with living organisms interacting with the nonliving Earth to maintain and even improve conditions for life. Some experts have noted that large-scale planetary perturbations such as climate change and an overuse of resources can wipe …

It’s been a little over a month since I quit my job and decided to work on 750 Words full time for about 6 months (or however long my portioned savings last). The experiment is to see if it might be possible to survive without getting another job in tech for even longer than that, because working on this would be so much more fulfilling and fun. The goal remains: …

Who says ufology doesn't possess quantitative data? Counting down towards Thanksgiving with almost two dozen touted witnesses to the 1989 alleged abduction of Linda Cortile (Napolitano). But immediately things become less clear-cut, the witness list falters, and the abduction turns into a complicated and problematic saga of personalities, purposes, and, frankly, mental pain. Atlas Obscura takes us physically away from this with 10 Places That Will Make You Believe Aliens …

And it’s a good one, I’m delighted to say. The relevant excerpt for me: “[A] cleverly entertaining sci-fi romp… Scalzi’s ability to balance scathing satire with heartfelt optimism shines.” I’m shiny! The full review is here. Not anything particularly spoilery about it at this point. — JS

Now That’s What I Call a MusicalNew Victoria Theatre If you’re craving a night of toe-tapping 80s hits and breezy humour, Now That’s What I Call a Musical might be just the ticket. Currently touring the UK, this jukebox musical delivers big on nostalgia, though it stumbles in depth and pacing. With a talented cast and high-energy set pieces, it’s a fun evening out, even if it doesn’t push any …

This is the HECTOR V2: a humanoid robot with 5 DoF legs and 4 DoF arms that supports dynamic locomotion. It has a modular design and can overcome uneven terrain. This robot stands 0.85m tall. It lasts up to 2 hours on battery. It has an open source simulation software. The below video shows it in Mojave Desert under extreme conditions. For this test, the researchers didn’t use any protective …

We’ve been watching some remarkable short films from 1923. One features an on-stage comedian launching a barrage of jokes, e.g. “No matter how much the boss likes you, you can’t work in a bank and bring home samples.” Another short features legendary pianist and composer Eubie Blake, who plays with truly dazzling skill and wit. Ah, now here are black … Continue reading →

Photo: © Stan BanosWell, must say I did way, way better in procuring new images this year than I had dared think possible- all in a city now bereft of over half its downtown population and services (no joke). I actually managed to get fifty genuine keepers this year, which amazes me more than anyone- a guy who for decades struggled for 2-3-4 per year (if lucky)- while living in …

Pet Shop Boys top my list of the year’s best videos. The post 10 best synthpop music videos of 2024 appeared first on Synthpop Fanatic.

In 2023 Phil Beer and Steve Knightley announced a final tour before putting Show of Hands on indefinite hiatus, pledging to “prioritise their well-being, creativity, and longevity above the demands of the road.” There was no suggestion, thankfully, that either of them would be giving up performing altogether and for those feeling a Show-of-Hands-sized gap in their lives the good news is that Steve Knightley is back with a brand-new …

Last week, for my birthday, my wife got me a Nothing Phone (2a). No, it wasn’t an attempt on her part to turn me into an Android user (she uses an iPhone herself); two weeks earlier she asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and since I had recently shown her just how I liked the design of Nothing’s products and Nothing as a company, she said something like, …

Sheryl and I spent the weekend in Halifax to watch Camren compete at Dalhousie and to enjoy the city the way we enjoy most: lots of walking, with coffee roasters and bakeries as our waypoints. The extreme weather and exhaustion cancelled those plans, so we spent our free time at IKEA and Costco, which isn’t quite the same at all. Dinner out was the first pub with a table and …

One of the highlights of Thanksgiving in the United States is the food, as seen through the lens of Google Trends. Turkey gets an especially high peak, which I’d wager is partly from people who have to find a recipe for something they make only once or less each year. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am thankful for you and hope you get to eat lots. Tags: food, Google Trends, Thanksgiving