Sometimes you know you're in the wrong place but decide to stay anyway... davesokolowski.substack.com/p/my-writing...

Turns out I can eat the whole tub of salsa on my own... who knew! (Hint: I did - I knew...)

Counterpoint: AI exec use of artists' copyrighted materials a felony according to 17 U.S.C. 506(a) and 18 U.S.C. 2319 if willfully infringed for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain.

It's raining and it makes me happy... open.substack.com/pub/davesoko...

Needed to do something important first thing today, so here’s my first post about my recent journey… davesokolowski.substack.com/p/12-weeks-i...

Writing every day just has me wanting to write more. The process to get words from my brain onto paper, let alone to a potential reader, requires a level of patience that only now in my middle age am I able to contain. Someday - eventually - I will get these words to you. Someday.

But here I am. I'm writing a lot. Most I've written in decades, and at this pace I'll soon be closing old projects and starting on crazy new ones. And I'll make sure you know about them. More soon. 3/3

I am also learning to talk about this progress and my successes and challenges more, not only to keep myself accountable but because talking about my work is *really* hard for me, and I want to help other writers/artists know they aren't alone in their struggles. 2/3...

Today I have written for 100 days in a row, including 17 hours so far in April. This work is scattered across a few projects, but most importantly I am making considerable progress on two key ttrpg projects that have been in progress for *years.* 1/3...

Here's me and Bret talking about Kingsport and how to make it scary and weird. Good times by the sea, for sure...

Part II

Watching, finally, the 1982 international cut of Blade Runner and it does not reference Philip K Dick in the opening credits. Am I missing something here? Does the original 1982 US cut also ignore the source material?

Today I finished the playtest version of my Alien RPG scenario Games without Frontiers. At 15k words, it's the best game I've written. It's designed to run in a 4-hr con slot; It's also suspenseful, scary, & a bit unexpected. I love it. Soon I'll send for playtesting. Later I'll give it away. Soon

Yes, this administration is dangerous and cruel, but they are also shockingly dim and incompetent. Opportunities are everywhere. Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉

Thanks to George Conway for posting Caroline Kennedy's letter so everyone is informed about RFK Jr. Please repost far and wide.

Friends, I might respectfully suggest that times of crisis where you care about the outcomes are a great time to listen to the "here is how we can effectively get things done" crowd and not the "I refuse to compromise on anything ever so I can feel smart and pure and make fun of people" crowd.

Actually I think my absurd-weird media consumption will turn toward Twin Peaks. It’s been too long and I need lessons on merging weirdness and mystery from the master. Season 1, here I come.

TTRPG STATUS CHECK! QRT with your current TTRPG projects! Games without Frontiers - an Alien RPG scenario: the Playtest Draft will be done next week and I’ll be recruiting for blind play tests in Feb. I have run this scenario 10x - it’s the best thing I’ve written. Ready to publish this spring!

The Ennies should just flat out refuse to accept ANY works that have been produced using AI. Simple as that.

This is how you do it...

I have seen the horror first hand.

Another example of enshittification? I try very hard to do one thing at a time and be present and focused in all I do... but it is not an easy thing. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Ugh seriously? This is a slap in the face to all creators. We shall see how it affects the actual awards. (Stares dismissively)

This is the way.

I have figured out that I must make all my decisions before noon - this has improved my mental health dramatically. Working in high paced (read: toxic and unsustainable) tech environments burnt me out. Understanding how I best work has changed my life. www.oliverburkeman.com/fourhours

What are your favorite absurdist and Kafkaesque movies? Rewatched Rosencranz & Gildenstern are Dead again today and it still holds up (despite a slow third act). Next up is Brazil. Then what?

About garage & estate sales: you’re getting rid of your crap, not making money. If you want $ then use CL, FB, eBay. Okay Boomer. Your moldy 20 yo books are not worth $5 each. I can get nicer ones at Goodwill for $1. And don’t be rude when I negotiate because you think your crap is valuable. Ugh

I'm going to print this quote and read it every day - it is the right perspective to stay sane in this batshit crazy world. RIP you legend

A moment of pride for Bridgett and me as we dig into trauma and why safety is important for ttrpg tables. One of my all time favorite episodes.

This episode, Keepers Dave & Bridgett are joined by Perry Clark, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Together we unpack some fundamental questions– what is table safety? What is it important? www.mu-podcast.com/mup-ep-313-g...

I am here now, with much more to say later. Soon.