@acorn.garden
I'm a physicist, a witch, and a gamer (not necessarily in that order). I write blog posts on my hobbies: https://argothald.com/feed/. In 2026, that's mostly Baldur's Gate 3. My opinions are based on too little research.
A fuzzy and badly-lit picture of the box cover for the trick-taking game Origin Story. The words ORIGIN STORY are within a red irregular paint platter in the upper left. The rest of the cover shows characters in superhero costumes and stances. In the lower right is the logo for Stonemaier Games.
Last night we played Origin Story. argothald.com/2026/03/14/l...
A black cat is crouched on top of an open freezer door.
As I work in the kitchen, Jiku often jumps to the top of the refrigerator, just in case I do something suspicious like spill cat food. This morning, I open the freezer door to get stuff out for breakfast. I look up to see…
"My Mother the Car"
The question asked to name a TV with 2 or fewer seasons. It didn't ask for a _good_ show. The premise of the series was in the title. All you had to do was believe in reinCARnation.
The box cover for the board game Mutagen. The upper center of the image is the word MUTAGEN within an art-deco frame. Above the title a stern-faced captain faces to the left, framed by writhing tentacles in the background. Under the title are grasping claws, tendrils, and mouths. In the lower left are the credits: "Art by The Micro", "Designed by Alexandras Kapidakas." In the lower right is the icon for the publisher, Dranda Games.
Last night we played Mutagen. argothald.com/2026/03/07/l...
I have some issues with how Columbia University handled its interactions with the Trump administration. But I have to praise them for not allowing ICE or DHS into any University buildings without a _judicial_ subpoena.
If I get a Follow request from you, and I don't remember you, I'm not likely to accept.
Please send me a DM that either reminds me who you are (my memory is notoriously bad) or explains why you wish to be exposed to my deathless prose.
Vonda McIntyre
Barbara Hambly
Diana Wynne Jones
Esther Friesner
Anne McCaffrey
There are more.
It's a sad commentary on the world that there are two women authors whose names I no longer feel comfortable including on such a list.
A screenshot from the video game No Man's Sky. A complex spaceship with a gold-colored hull streaks across a pinkish sky, with a yellowish planet in the background.
Some thoughts on No Man's Sky. argothald.com/2026/02/22/n... #NoMansSky #NMS
I say: Let's give it a break and settle for 75.
A recording of the latest #ScienceOnHudson talk, "Collision Course: Charting the Next Century of Particle-Smashing Science", is now available on YouTube. youtu.be/cN8QPZHbTMc
As one who played those games in the 70s and 80s, I can confirm this comic. The Mage Knight rules can have the same effect. www.dorktower.com/2026/02/19/1...
A screenshot from the video game No Man's Sky. It shows a stylized image of a galaxy, just a bright spot with a line through it, surrounded by a large halo. In the upper center the text reads "New Galaxy Discovered - Eltiensleen"
I finally reached Eissentam. I forgot take the screenshot, so you'll have to settle for Elteinsleen. #NoMansSky
Your post reminded me that I intended to watch it. I just did. It's hard for me to judge whether Predator: Badlands or Prey is better. Let's hope future Predator movies follow this example, instead of trying to recapture Schwarzenegger.
When I was a teenager, I saw Casablanca a couple of times, once on TV and once at a college showing. I wasn't impressed.
When was a bit older, a woman broke my heart.
Then the movie achieved greatness in my mind. I didn't even have to watch it again to understand why it was great.
For a fresh take on immigration policy, how about William Shakespeare? youtube.com/shorts/O7fAx...
It comes out in March 20, so they still have time to fix the movie based on your book review.
Excellent! I look forward to learning whether Project Hail Mary actually hails someone named Mary.
I remember Isaac Asimov pointing out: Hitler won the first big battle of WWII, by ignoring the advice of his generals. After that, he never listened to anything his generals told him. He was amazed that his innate military genius caused him to lose battle after battle after that first victory.
The box cover for the game Take A Seat. In the lower left, a couple dressed in 50s/60s style clothes looks at a theater across the street. The theater's name is displayed in a vertical sign reading TAKE A SEAT. On the marquee is written "Eloi Pujadas & Freean Renalieas" and "World Premiere SHARE & WRITE"
Last night we played Take A Seat and La Habana. argothald.com/2026/02/07/l...
I never joke about desiccants. They're such a dry subject for humor.
They start out as white beads. Then they absorb the toxen-laden moisture from the atmosphere and turn into what you saw.
A screenshot from the video game Baldur's Gate. A dark-skinned woman with brown eyes and black hair, wearing a yellow shirt, looks to the upper left of the picture. In the background grasses grow on the edges of a lake. The image is captioned: "Eglantine: That's all right. I am who am I am, and proud of it!"
My take on building a dedicated Alchemy brewer in Baldur's Gate 3. argothald.com/2026/01/29/b... #BG3
The box cover for the board game Gnome Hollow. In the upper left are the words "gnome hollow." On the right, there's a white-bearded gnome clad in blue and holding a walking stick. In the background ad a couple of gnomes tending to mushroom circles placed around a central tree stump.
Last night we played Gnome Hollow. argothald.com/2026/01/24/l...
None... because I haven't really gone to concerts.
Is this like Whamageddon? Do I win something?
Or, if filksinging counts: Leslie Fish.
Thank goodness you omitted the comma before the subordinate clause and forgot the period at the end of the sentence. Otherwise we'd have to wait by the phone for the ransom call.
A screenshot from the video game Baldur's Gate 3. It shows a die roll that can be made within the game. At the top of the images are the words "Difficulty Class 10." In the center is an image of an icosahedral (twenty-sided) die with the number 20 showing face-up. Under that are the words "Roll Dice". A triangle underneath that indicates the controller button to press to roll the die.
I've written a long essay on dice checks in Baldur's Gate 3. If you're new to the game, it might help explain things. If you're a D&D expert, it might provide a few chuckles. argothald.com/2026/01/19/b... #BG3
The box cover for the board game Leaf. The words "Leaf Deluxe Edition" are in a center oval against a blue grassy background. That is surrounded by differently-colored leaves. In the upper right a hedgehog nestles about the leaves.
The box cover of the board game L'Oaf. Near the top is the word L'OAF. In the middle a lazy, sleeper baker rests his head in his arms. Towards the bottom there are various baking components, including a rolling pin and a baked loaf of bread.
Last night we had another board-game session. We played both Leaf and L'Oaf. argothald.com/2026/01/17/l...
No, we want to know today. What's your favorite Beatles song? Answer the question!
The box cover of the board game The Magnificent. A central masked figure wearing a flamboyant orange outfit is juggling firey balls. At the bottom of the image, in an art deco font, are the words "The Magnificent."
Last night resumed our regular game night with The Magnificent: argothald.com/2026/01/10/l...
