Recently updated blogs

Somehow this marks twenty years of travelogues. As I mentioned last fall, part of longevity is just sticking to it. One of the shortcomings of this format is that I specifically chronicle where I’ve slept, not where I’ve been. Every once in awhile this matters—like this year, where I spent eight hours in Minnesota, flying to Minneapolis early in the morning, complete with a diverted landing in Duluth, and leaving …

The LEGO® Icons Blacktron Renegade is now available to all, and the B-model instructions are on the LEGO building instructions portal, meaning I could finally construct the walker and repair mech alternate builds.Continue reading »

For the second time now, someone mentioned to me that it is kind of paradoxical that my newsletter, which is called “Own Your Web”, is not hosted on my own server or under my own domain but on Buttondown. And yes, they are right. I realize that this is kind of not walking the talk. Do I really own my Web in this case? I thought about this as well …

Pink and Blues on the booze. Source

Doctor Who (2024) s00e05 “Joy to the World” D: Alex Pillai. S: Ncuti Gatwa, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Aris, Joel Fry, Peter Benedict, Julia Watson. Ultimately disappointing Christmas special has Gatwa stumbling into a hotel mystery. Complicating factors is the hotel being a time travel tourism location so there are plenty of trips to various periods (always at Christmas). Ostensibly mooning over departed companion Millie Gibson, Gatwa tries out Coughlan, de …

5/5 golden merles Indianapolis-based indie garage-poppers Good Flying Birds‘ have released the newly compiled talulah’s tape (21-24). Some sweet and intricate rock music, “Wallace” is my favorite of that set. Just when you thought the world’s desiccated husk couldn’t get any less appealing: whammo, some real fun and charming gas exits from an unknown reservoir. Arriving just in time for whatever horrors lurk just outside our temporal periphery, it’s a …

I love the Jim Holloway art from this era of Basic D&DWe missed a lot of time with this campaign! Several of the players are die-hard Eagles fans (go birds), and there was a run of late afternoon games on Sundays or Sunday nights which displaced RPG game nights, so I think we've only played 2-3 times since October when I last checked in on this campaign. Our cast of …

Be still my beating heart. A book on the supply of clothing and equipment that relies heavily, and quotes, contemporary documents. Somehow, this book really ticks my boxes. Who'd have thunk it? What do you want to be when you grow up? Someone who gets excited at the mention of the Tangye Collection manuscripts, and any hint of SP28 (Commonwealth Exchequer Papers) has those close by reaching for the smelling …

In November 2024, I traveled to India as part of a delegation hosted by the India Foundation. The foundation is a part of the new nationalist establishment steering Indian society. As they see things, India’s relationship with America has been mediated by hostile parties for too long. On the Indian side you have Congress-sympathizing functionaries; on the American side, a set of intellectuals and diplomats who can neither speak for …

Happy New Year! Firstly, I’m very much still alive and well (thanks for asking). I was so busy with work and the move to Munich last year that I rather neglected to update here. Also, after focusing on Asia for the past 17 years, I somehow lacked inspiration despite all the changes in my life. I hope to post more in 2025 but while my memory is still fresh (and …

Maybe a content warning on this one for discussion of a scene that heavily allegorizes sexual assault. So even though I won’t technically get to this game in this project for a hot minute, I figured I would still talk briefly about my experiences playing Final Fantasy XVI, which I just finished doing. I started playing FFXVI in late November after my birthday, and it has taken me a little …

Casual Viewing Several screenwriters who’ve worked for the streamer told me a common note from company executives is “have this character announce what they’re doing so that viewers who have this program on in the background can follow along.” Practical art for modern living.

What I’m currently up to. Last updated January 5, 2025.

Continuing our series of critics wrong-footed in real-time here is Rolling Stoner Stephen Davis with a terse dismissal of Lou Reed's Berlin. Lou Reed BerlinRolling Stone, December 20th 1973 by Stephen DavisLou Reed’s Berlin is a disaster, taking the listener into a distorted and degenerate demimonde of paranoia, schizophrenia, degradation, pill-induced violence and suicide. There are certain records that are so patently offensive that one wishes to take some kind …

We welcome YOU once again to Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 15th Annual Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition! This vibrant event showcases and celebrates the incredible talent and creativity of artists from all around the world. As we continue to foster a love for highlighting the unsung heroes/teams of our favourite book covers. Join us on this exciting journey and spread the word