Finished my math final, having run out of time for two out of 35 questions. At this point, the maximum score I can possibly get is a 90%, and I'm reasonably sure I won't do that well. I think I'm going to go seek out distractions for the rest of the day. This is bringing me flashbacks. #studying

Planning message for June 2026 . . .

Been quiet for the last few days. Mostly I've been focusing on "revising" for the mathematics final on Tuesday. Doing problems in the exam structure is a little tougher than doing the assignments - there's a lot more room for simple errors, for one thing, and I'll be on a timer. (1/2) #studying

I think anyone who worries about security should read this paper asap. @filippo.abyssdomain.expert does not mince his words.

Tabletop RPG books are not overpriced. They are specialty technical creative writing social interaction manuals. At double the current prices, they would not be overpriced. This is why most TTRPG creators leave the industry. Along with constant fan harassment. #RealGameIndustry

Gravitational wave astronomy is now a fully mature science In 2016, LIGO announced their first gravitational wave detection. 10 years later, we've seen 390 events. The field has now matured: a whole new way of doing astronomy. bigthink.com/starts-with-... #physics #astro #LIGO #space

Classicist here to inform you all that this is ancient Greek for summoning a cat

Lately my days are mostly higher mathematics, with a dash of tai chi, a little fiction writing, and some time spent at my game table. I barely emerge from my rooms, the world is pretty much shut out, and yet my mind is constantly busy. One more week until my final, and then we'll see. #studying

My personal political stance can be summed up as follows: "All human beings, when given power of any kind without accountability, will invariably tend toward being assholes." Yes, that's a corollary of Lord Acton. Though I'm not a fan of his in general - he was awfully damn racist, for one thing.

Oh, my, this is perfect.

Spent the day "revising" for my upcoming mathematics exam, and starting the first chapter of a new "Lower Decks" story. I also laid out my plans for the month of June - I'll probably blog those soon. As soon as that exam is done on 9 June, my schedule opens up quite a bit. #studying #writing

Still studying the physics behind planetary greenhouse effect, possibly leading toward revisions for the second edition of "Architect of Worlds." This is a really thorny issue. I understand the physics pretty well by now - atmospheric greenhouse effect is basically ... (1/4) #worldbuilding

Tai chi today, and shopping with my wife, and that's about all I got done today. I did get "Mega Empires" setup complete, and run through the first few turns of an 18-player game. Games of the "Civilization" clade tend to be straightforward for the first 4-5 turns, until the first cities get built.

Had a minor medical appointment today - just diabetic-check-up stuff, nothing to be concerned about. High point is I've finally found a podiatrist I like. Otherwise did some work to prepare for my mathematics final, and tinkered some with my atmospheric greenhouse model (1/2) #gamedesign #stuyding

Since I finished one of my uni courses yesterday, I more or less took today off. I *did* crack open the draft-in-progress of the Cultural Evolution Game and work on that a bit. Probably won't finish it until my other course is done, but it's definitely rising on my priority list. #gamedesign

There we go. About three and a half hours to finish my astronomy final. Reasonably confident in all of my answers - I would be astonished if I didn't end up passing the course with distinction. Mathematics final, first week of June, that's going to be a bit more stressful. #studying

Because white people decided they would prefer a white man, a known sexual predator, a white man with 34 felony convictions over a former prosecutor, former DA, former CA AG, former US Senator and sitting US Vice President. Because *white people would rather eat shit than share ice cream.*

Finished this month’s “Lower Decks” story and finished reading for astronomy course. That’s two milestones in one day. Looks like I can take my astronomy final any time before next Friday. Think I may get that knocked out tomorrow. Progress! #studying #writing

Head cold is just about gone, and I've been fairly functional today. Also got good news about that minor surgery from last week - the tiny bit of me that got sliced off turned out to be benign. Healing up nicely too. (1/2)

It's been a year now since I retired from federal service. Not a decision I've ever had a moment's regret about, given everything that's been happening. Still, my subconscious still throws me curveballs. I keep having elaborate dreams about being back in the office. (1/4)

Head cold is finally starting to dwindle away. Think I might stay home tomorrow again, but at least I spent most of today out of bed. Got a chapter finished in the current story, and did a little more reading in astronomy. Enough to keep guilt at bay for another day, at any rate.

Still fighting this head cold, although at least my fever broke hard this afternoon. Tomorrow will likely be the Day of Nose Running Like a Faucet. Didn't get much done today. No tai chi or bar trivia for me. A little research on atmospheric physics. A little reading in astronomy. (1/2) #studying

Got some #studying and #writing done today. On the other hand, just as I'm recovering from that minor surgery the other day, I'm definitely coming down with a cold. Doctor's offices are a great place to get sick, after all. This is going to be a difficult week.

For future global historians, the central plot line of the 2020s will be the superpower suicide of the United States.

I've got my 2026 primary elections ballot in hand. Time to do some research. November is for voting with whoever has a D after their name, because even if they're not my chosen D, they're by definition better than the alternative. June is for figuring out which D best understands the assignment.

Still having more trouble than I expected bouncing back from that minor surgery from yesterday. I did manage to get some #writing done and finish a chapter of the current story. Tomorrow I'm going to try to tear through the last unit in my astronomy class, and get ready for the final in two weeks.

An actress cast as Helen of Troy causing men to lose their minds with impotent rage… that is a sign of perfect casting.

The perennial entertainment that can be derived from culturally and historically illiterate people getting upset because not everyone gives a shit about their self-serving interpretations of history. Always “conservatives” and white supremacists, for some reason. Been seeing it my entire life.

I don't think I posted this one here

Not getting much done today. I had a medical appointment this morning which turned into a quick bit of oral surgery, which was actually what I wanted but my mouth has been kind of sore ever since. I *might* get some writing done before bedtime. Hopefully tomorrow won't have as many distractions.

Tai chi and shopping day today, and otherwise I got some #writing done on my current chapter. Heading into the weekend, I ought to get caught up on some university work and finish that chapter. Plus research on the physics of atmospheric greenhouse effect - that's going to be a challenge. Busy.

Some notes on possible improvements to "Architect of Worlds," that might show up in an eventual Second Edition of the book.

Bar trivia this evening, and my wife encouraged one of her tai chi friends to join our team with a couple of her family along too. Second place by one point. I hope they come back - we may be about to put a scare on some of the big semi-pro teams. . .

Because I love making charts, here's one tracing general influences on the development of patriarchal institutions, and why large livestock particularly incentivize patriarchy

Finished that mathematics assignment today. At this point I have some reading for my astronomy course left, but really it's time to bone up for my finals. Also started work on some research and design that might go into the second edition of "Architect of Worlds" if and when. #gamedesign #studying

Finished #writing another chapter of the current story, got that posted, and got a few more math problems knocked out. Should be able to finish that last assignment tomorrow. #studying

100% One of the most frustrating things about racism is seeing smart, direct, engaged, committed Black people face off against absolute sacks of shit, moronic white people and white power allows the morons to have the upper hand. This has to end.

The ladies and I went to see "The Sheep Detectives" today. Which was not only a delightful comedy, it also worked fairly well as a murder mystery. Then I came home to work on my last mathematics assignment, and got that about half finished. Should be on track to complete it this weekend. #studying

They are indeed. Source: literally me (and a whole bunch of other authors from multiple datasets)

I was up at 0430 this morning, then I worked hard at tai chi and went shopping with my wife. Now worn down to a nubbin. Tomorrow the girls and I are going to see a film in the morning, then the rest of the weekend is going to be devoted to finishing up my last mathematics assignment before finals.

Actually, I think Chief Justice Roberts is quite sincere in regarding himself as nonpolitical. It’s just that he views white supremacy and billionaire privilege as the unmarked norm that all sane people are committed to defend. None so blind as those who are very well-paid not to see.

Spent a good chunk of today fighting one of my medical specialists, with the result that I'm changing practices for that piece of my health care. Annoying, but I need someone who will actually do a bit of work instead of just making me pay for consult after consult. (1/2)

Didn't get much done on the main line of projects today. Did have a really good tai chi lesson, though - I'm slowly working my way up to having the whole beginner's form for Chen style down. The family team did okay at bar trivia tonight too. The rest of the week is going to be math and writing.

Fairly productive day today. Finished that mathematics assignment and got it turned in a day early, then buckled down and cranked out about 1,500 words of narrative prose. First chapter of the next "Lower Decks" story will probably get pushed out tomorrow. #studying #writing

Hidden in plain sight.

do think one of the big problems of the era is that a lot of mainstream politicians have forgotten that you just can't convince everyone; the point of successful electoral politics is to convince the people you can convince and to *defeat the rest*

Exhibit B: an empire in the process of committing suicide.

Not *quite* finished with the current mathematics assignment, but I've only got one more problem to knock out and that's not going to take long tomorrow. On track to turn in plenty early. Didn't get much else done today, but that felt like enough of an accomplishment to stave off guilt. #studying

My planning message for May . . .

Story of my life as a mathematician: 1) That makes no sense! 2) (Go take a nap or work on something else for an hour.) 3) Oh, right, I flipped a sign right *there* . . . #studying