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October, 2020

Vacation

I took this week off so I could spend a little more time with my mother. Originally, it was also because I was in danger of burning out, and because I wanted to help get out the vote. Today I was going to gently take her to the ocean - she ...
October 29, 2020

Introducing ben.lol

I've spent a few hours here and there over the last few months building a text adventure game. I grew up with adventure games. The Secret of Monkey Island was foundational for me: an irreverent point and click story with an anarchic sense of humor that completely appealed to my twelve ...
October 29, 2020

Principles for the future

Like many people, 2020 has creatively consumed me. It's hard to give your undivided attention to something, or put yourself in a truly creative flow, when so much is going on. The sheer onslaught of new information - some newly jaw-dropping story seems to be showing up four to six ...
October 27, 2020

2020 California ballot initiatives

In California, anyone can put an initiative on the ballot that amends the state constitution, proposes a bond measure, or even changes legislation - as long as you acquire the minimum number of signatures of support. As a result, there are always an eclectic set of propositions on every California ...
October 9, 2020

What I’m doing now

I was starting to write this post when we were evacuated from the fire. Miraculously, after a really rough week, we were able to move back in on Friday. The house is still intact, the electricity is back on, and although the air is toxic, air purifiers allow the inside ...
October 3, 2020

Reading, watching, playing, using: September 2020

This is my monthly roundup of the tech and media I consumed and found interesting. Here's my list for September. Books The City We Became, by NK Jemisen. An effervescent tale about gentrification and the soul of cities, writ large as a fantasy adventure. I listened to this as an audiobook, which ...
October 2, 2020