I'm prototyping a game about navigating a node network. I imagine there's some info about this, maybe from a mathematical perspective, out there in the world of game design, but I lack the terms to search. I want to understand routing, chokepoints, and other logic inherent to a graph of nodes. Help?

This isn't something you want to have to learn, but Albuterol (the athsma inhaler kind) is a smooth muscle relaxant. Which means in addition to helping with tight lung tissue, it can occasionally relieve some types of gastrointestinal cramping.

Overall, I face virtually no discrimination for being ace. Lots of misunderstandings, but it took me over 30 years to figure it out myself so I understand confusion. But there's one thing that always gets a ton of pushback: pointing out fictional characters that could be read as ace.

Werewolf - a person who transforms into a menace under a full moon. Wolfware - software that becomes malicious when the user isn't active.

I've finished my first set of (unofficial) Netrunner alt art cards. This card game is fascinating and complex, and doesn't really feel like any other game. Plus it's developed by fans these days, which is super neat! This set will debut at Running The Core 2 in PDX. #netrunner #altcards #fractal

"Plasma Twist" A happy accident I found while working on a new project. Been a bit since I was doing flam3 fractals. It's fun coming back to them and seeing just how fluent I am with those tools. Like stepping into a well worn pair of pants.

Colorized one of my engraving designs. I call this one "Jungle Boss".

Out of 3, this was the only dice tray that played nice with my laser. Different colored leathers have different laser properties, the pink turned a gross green-brown, and the orange barely took any mark at all. But maybe I'll get some more of these blue ones.

At the shop of Count Speller, the spell counter, the counter is full of spells. Among the counter spells: spells that make counters for counting spells, spells that make counters for holding spells, and spells that make counters for spells of your enemies. No signs though, Count Speller can't spell.

Technically, the first laser I bought was a CD-RW drive back in the late 90's. Though that one was less about expressing my own art, and more about copying other people's art.

All in all, Mortal Kombat never had a big impact on me. But the first Mortal Kombat movie OST laid foundations for my musical tastes that still resonate. Which is wild, since I don't like at least a third of the songs on it.

Nintendo won't say this, so I will. The new Kirby Air Riders is an F-Zero sequel wearing a pink suit.

These came a bit too late for our holiday market, but I'm sure I'll find some nerds who like to prepare in style next year. #dice #dicebags #fractalart

Here's another look at how precision impacts results. These coins are made from the same brass, but the top was lasered at 300 LPI and the bottom at 847. They've been polished the same way, but the bottom coin is much shinier because the engraved surfaces are smoother and scatter less light.

We're that kind of market. Come find me at Krampusnacht, the last Market for the Strange of the year. Salem Convention Center, 11-6.

So much lasering happening this week

In the first pic, you can see areas on the right coin that are too dense with detail, they become indistinct visually. But with the right lighting and a zoom lens, you can see that the detail remains coherent. That means the limit for visual detail density is visual, not technical!

Putting the Pattern Pantry to work today so I can be stocked up for Sunda's market.

Knowledge is learning out you can almost triple the "DPI" (LPI, technically) of your laser because the dot is so tiny. Wisdom is recognizing that doing so effectively triples your engraving time.

Wheeeeee!

This was tricky. The iridescent film is a layer on top of the leather. Too much heat causes that layer to bubble up. But once I dialed in the settings, it turned out pretty great.

I don't know what to call them. Bead containers? Herb stash tins? Pixie pools? What would you store in a 1 inch round container with a screw on top?

Today was a record breaker for my art market. The booths were hot, the entertainment was wonderful, and Eugene showed up big time. Oh, and my spin coins were a huge hit!

Market for the Strange Creatures of the Night Lane Event Center 11AM-6PM Today (Nov 29) $5 admission (free admission after 5PM)

Don't miss XKCD's comic today. "Fifteen Years". xkcd.com

Really happy with how this pattern turned out. I designed it with the orientation on the right, making a mushroom shape. But the other orientation looks like a tongue or a pair of kissy lips. What do you see?

Here's my spin coin process, from laser to shiny spinner in under 3 minutes. (Real time: ~150 min) www.youtube.com/shorts/_qsT1...

It's almost harder to get a bad spin that is short enough for a social media video.

The collection is growing!

Yeah, Geno. That'll do!

I haven't been this overflowing with ideas in a long time. It's great to have a tool that can keep up with me. I love the idea that these coins will still have these fractals on them a hundred years from now.

A maze is made with walls or ways, and a wary wanderer. This idea is inspired by The Stanley Parable. A game without a player is just rules. A player with no game is just a dreamer. A maze isn't a maze until someone is inside it and unsure of which way to go.

These might be my favorite. Hefty, shiny brass coins with a secret that turns them into tops that spin for minutes!

After Geno is done carving the metal with photons, it's up to me to make it shine. Here's my process. #laserengraving

Exactly how I see it. "Look how stupid/evil this person is" posts are just part of the propaganda.

My love for the color orange is rooted in this gnarly Japanese Maple that grows outside my window. Every year, it undergoes a stunningly vibrant transition before losing its leaves for the winter. I've enjoyed it since childhood, but this year I recorded it so you can enjoy it too. #TreesAreCool

I discovered they have a secret use as a flow toy.

Took a risk and ordered a few spot rugs with my art on them. The vibrance is fantastic, and the details came through reasonably well. We'll see if they're popular enough to do again, but if not, I think I'll be happy to have them around the house. So will my cat. 😅

"Wiggy" is a word that means "I'm feeling weird, but I know it's because of the substance I've consumed", and implies "I need to change my setting, but communicating is difficult". It's an alternative to attaching those feelings to more important things, and a reminder that the discomfort will fade.

This is so much fun!

I found the feature that changes the angle of the laser's approach each pass.. Whoops, I mean Geno learned Geno Whirl! This coin is a map of how I see emotions. Each emotional state has its counterpart on the back. We oscillate between each pair (and others), and the combined result is our "now".

Laser Fractal Space Wizard isn't just a silly title. It's also a map of my creative phases. In Laser phases, I'm chasing a specific result. In Fractal phases, I'm exploring possibilities. In Space phases, I'm creating big ideas. In Wizard phases, I'm performing. Phases often overlap.

Hello, laser! I think it needs a name. Probably something with a prominent G, inherited from its model. Geordi? Gali? Oh! How about Geno? Inspired by my own personal childhood Boba Fett, ♡♪!?. Hello, Geno!

Laser upgrade! It took a lot of fractals and a lot of Plotboxes, but I finally saved up enough to get a 30w fiber laser setup I've been eyeing. Soon, even the finest metals will be subject to my photonic ablations through the power of Ytterbium-doped silca fiber. (And a hefty HEPA filter!)

Scientists Finally Reveal Biological Basis of Long COVID Brain Fog. Patients with brain fog may have disrupted AMPA receptor (AMPAR) expression—key molecules for memory and learning. Imaging of Long COVID patients showed elevated AMPAR density tied to more severe cognitive impairment.

"Night Cats" Flam3 fractal + poetry

OG Computer Nerds: I need a dedicated key that prevents the console from scrolling so I don't miss a single letter of information. Every computer should come with this by default. Modern computer users: Ugh I have to actually scroll all the way to the bottom to accept this legally binding contract?

"Snug" Flam3 fractal I've updated my website gallery with a bunch of highlights from this year. It's a great place to grab a new wallpaper image. www.complicatedreality.com/fractal-art

Night of the Living Dead, Oct 4th @ The Grand, Salem OR. We're going all out to kick off haunted season. Tickets and details at marketforthestrange.com

Some products create value through convenience. A spork, for example. Let's come up with silly opposites of that. Fusion products that aren't any more convenient than their constituent products. Like Diaper + Firework, Bicycle Pump + Protractor, or Toothbrush + Dog Collar.