@alexglow@chaos.social

merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 4mo ago

No lie, I've been planning one of these for years! Apparently there's a girlypop #cyberdeck moment going on, so maybe the burnout-recovery gods will finally grant me the executive function to complete it...

https://www.hackster.io/glowascii/polly-s-primer-polly-pocket-inspired-pi-powered-cyberdeck-ed8178

@davedarko@chaos.social

chaos.social

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

The thing is, I *know* people often just want to connect; I want that too! But there are other methods that don't start from the implied assumption that I know less than them about the topic. I wish people could magically understand that unsolicited advice does the opposite of what we both want: a positive connection that we might both learn from :) But, y'know what they say... if wishes were horses, urban planning would be a lot more difficult

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

I love nerding out with people SO MUCH. So much! I *want* to hear what others are up to (when phrased as such). Variety is awesome! And I've caught myself jumping in, too. I'm working on that, and when it happens, I apologize. Not the end of the world – IMO, it's a green flag if someone catches themself and apologizes. This is so real, though (I probably will *not* put this one anywhere permanent... it explains why I'm so touchy about it, but hits a bit too close to ranting)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

I'm about as good at making comics as I am at baking cakes (but they're both fun so whatevs) inspired by the two cakes meme (pic 3)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 3mo ago

Anybody got an extremely simple DIY bralette tutorial? Ideally a triangle-cup style similar to this (from the excellent @freesewing@freesewing.social ): https://freesewing.eu/showcase/bee-by-ts I think this is what I want (https://freesewing.eu/docs/designs/bee/options#crossbackties) but if there's a faster/easier one, I'd love to know; it's more for coverage than support, and rough/messy is OK :) Bonus if it works with T-shirt material (jersey?) scraps! I have a bunch from cropping 'em. #SolicitedAdvice #sewing #fashion

freesewing.eu

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Legendary @acarsdrama@live.acarsdrama.com

live.acarsdrama.com

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@mike@social.chinwag.org @mwl@io.mwl.io @hacks4pancakes@infosec.exchange There was a really interesting reddit thread awhile back where a German couple tried to determine why they always got incredible flatulence when visiting in-laws. IIRC, they eventually concluded that the water interacted weirdly with their gut flora! But they tested a TON of different ideas. There was a whole plot twist where they thought it didn't affect their kids... but the kids were just staying quiet while the parents debated it on the multi-hour drive home 😆

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@twodarek@hachyderm.io @mike@social.chinwag.org @mwl@io.mwl.io @hacks4pancakes@infosec.exchange I found the farty German in-laws post, and it's INCREDIBLE. So much better than I remembered: https://www.reddit.com/r/BestofRedditorUpdates/comments/1b4g2uz/why_do_my_husband_and_i_experience_severe/ I was wrong about the distance (only 40-45 min by car), but the OP is an *amazing* writer. "Guys, I am not only flatulent, but also flattered and somewhat flabbergasted."

Why do my husband and I experience severe flatulence after visiting his parents?

LucyAriaRose

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

...Anyway. I know those are horribly wonky on the graphical end; maybe someday I'll fix 'em up and put them somewhere more permanent – but honestly, I much prefer doing basically anything else 😸 If somebody wants to mess with it, go right ahead!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Two hours to go ^_^

Chill and cozy stream, acoustic guitar + voice, more originals & fewer Space Songs (but not none!) ✨ @limebar@mastodon.social

mastodon.social

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 4mo ago

hmmm @acarsdrama@live.acarsdrama.com

live.acarsdrama.com

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 4mo ago

I worked over the weekend, but still...
[NOT glorifying overwork i've just signed myself up for a lot of things]

https://icy.wyvern.rip/notes/amea4luzv98es3j8

icy.wyvern.rip

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 4mo ago

Replying to

@futzle@old.mermaid.town @shlee@aus.social Haha, I've had this open for like a week now 😆 YES space shanties!! A couple fun ones:

"Ashford's Shanty" from The Expanse
"Milky Way Boat Song" (my reworking of Mingulay Boat Song)

There's gotta be a couple more around here, hmm...

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@bonkers You're right. Let's not talk about it, because nothing will ever change. It's just human nature, like littering, or yelling when we're upset, or leaving our toys on the floor in a shared space. Totally unchangeable, so why should we ask for better? Why should we try and understand each other, if it won't fix everything in one go? You're being very dismissive on a post about unsolicited advice. Have you thought about how that comes off?

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

let's play "what am I procrastinating on this time"

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@pikesley definitely despairing!!!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

I had a Third Fig too, you know; but I let William stay: He got into the icebox—and now William must pay!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@helpsterTee Yes! That's why I prefer the non-gendered word :) First, it's a broader term that fits more cases – I don't like unsolicited advice from anybody! And some of these folks will do it to everrryone. Also, people tend to get more defensive about it, and it opens up a whole other convo/debate. Of course, it's important to talk about how gendered stereotypes contribute to this! But it often happens in a context where we're talking about nerd projects, so I want to get back to that :)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@kate@aus.social Lovely alt text!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@dr2chase@ohai.social @twodarek@hachyderm.io @mike@social.chinwag.org @mwl@io.mwl.io @hacks4pancakes@infosec.exchange Good point – Hetch Hetchy water is quite tasty! Too bad it hits some people differently. The reservoir is also beautiful to visit, if you haven't been :)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@MarcFromSpark@norden.social @mike@social.chinwag.org @mwl@io.mwl.io @hacks4pancakes@infosec.exchange In the post, they said that it happens even if they didn't eat anything! And the children were indeed affected (just not as excited to talk about it lol) https://www.reddit.com/r/BestofRedditorUpdates/comments/1b4g2uz/why_do_my_husband_and_i_experience_severe/

Why do my husband and I experience severe flatulence after visiting his parents?

LucyAriaRose

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 4mo ago

Also: reminder to myself to check out that list of fair #music platforms! https://nham.co.uk/2026/05/151176-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/

chaos.social

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 4mo ago

Replying to

@PsyChuan@plush.city @futzle@old.mermaid.town @shlee@aus.social Ooh, that's fun!!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@finitebaffle@mas.to It's a weird and beautiful book with a bit of taboo-pushing stuff around romance... but *incredible* style and imagination, vaguely on the concept of "what if you could stick a feather in your mouth and enter a drug trance / lucid dream / VR experience / video game" I'm probably due for a re-read, tbh!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@finitebaffle@mas.to If it helps any, I love a number of things about Manchester (and know nothing about football)! The bee association, that batshit neoclassical mall thing, the accent, the word "Mancunian", VURT (a formative novel for me)... plus my sibling took me to Afflecks once and that place is awesome ✨

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@petrillic @jessebot NICE. I need earl grey in everything urrghghhhh

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jessebot Hell yeah XD Unfortunately that's not too surprising, since I could easily be plastered in cool guides to "how to remember you had this conversation with this person before" (and several other foibles lol) Also that sparkly blue heart is excellent!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jessebot ...Also, hair twins!?!?!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@whophd Haha, cool :D I like the one you've linked to on Wikipedia! That's one of the things that most consistently improves my life – sharing my projects helps "my people" find me, and it sounds like it's working out for you too ^_^ Wearable projects are so good in that way.

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@fishidwardrobe Oh, this is the comment that set me off in the "two cakes" direction! https://chaos.social/@alexglow/116465026804030859 Absolutely agree :D And I love hearing about others' experiences doing similar things. So many good rabbitholes to experience vicariously~ We all get to bake cakes and try everyone else's cakes, and share recipes, and talk about cakes we've seen, and learn what others appreciate about our cakes (which can be surprising!), and see all the weird and interesting and fancy ideas out there

chaos.social

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@Pineywoozle No worries ^_^ I also don't want to come off like that isn't an issue, so it was good to address~

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@Pineywoozle Badass!

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@Pineywoozle I mean, yeah 🫠 It is definitely part of why this happens to me. And there's definitely room for the mansplaining chart. Just trying to communicate a solution that doesn't get my hackles up and lead into an exhausting, repetitive sidequest~ I do absolutely get into it with actual friends, tho, and invest the time & energy to explain. If I did that with everyone, I'd have to make it my career 😆

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org ...Don't feel pressed to respond, btw. I'm writing up little chunks of notes as I dig through the source material, and will be compiling it all onto a page on my website. :) For now, I've also found this "Tengwar handbook" site, which I haven't been able to really dig into yet. But I do agree with the transcription of "The Tengwar Handbook" at the top, yay: https://www.tecendil.com/tengwar-handbook There's also an auto-transcriber tool: good for fun, but I'd check before getting anything tattooed!

tecendil.com

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org Here's some practice material – and a fun example of the variability in Elvish script :) Two official versions of the Ring inscription (which is in Black Speech), with differences in how SH is written, plus the Z and second I in "burzum-ishi". Also, A & I are written two ways (as dots or slashes), but that's more of a stylistic flourish. Unlike the previous poem (in Quenya), this is written with vowel marks over the *following* consonant(s). And the U curls down, not up.

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org TL;DR:

Maybe start with the Appendix in the back of "Return of the King", &/or the Ruth S. Noel book, &/or Wikipedia
Learn the different ways to write the vowels (diacritics over the previous consonant/s, over the following consonant/s, or separate letters): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengwar#Tehtar_diacritics
Get yourself a grid chart showing the consonants (and variations)

Then: Pick ONE text in a known language and go through it, to learn ONE version Repeat as desired

en.wikipedia.org

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org ...And so, for your translation, I hunted down specific syllables from that text, since it matches the language. :) The same consonant is used in QUA and QUE, so I was able to just change the vowel sign. There are a LOT more references available online now, which is awesome, but it can be dizzying! There's also a way to write the vowels separately, inline. But once you get the hang of *one* way, and an idea of the possible variations, you can puzzle out pretty much anything :)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org Alright, so, how to read Elvish in general is a big question: there are *many* versions, for various languages, and Tolkien himself wrote it differently over time. This chart shows a few different sets of consonants: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tengwar_modi2_EN.svg This mode is an abjad: roughlyyyy, each syllable is written as a consonant/cluster, with the following vowel written above as a diacritic. I'd recommend learning the vowel signs, grabbing that chart, and sitting down with a known text. (Cont'd)

commons.wikimedia.org

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org For authenticity, here I took a known text (I recognized the poem), in the same language (Quenya), written by Tolkien himself (from "The Road Goes Ever On"), and transcribed it to see what was happening.

I learned a lot! For example:

Specific signs for "R" at start vs. end of a syllable
Punctuation marks
Capitals for (some) proper nouns
Mark for inserting "y" (na -> nya, ro -> ryo, le -> lye)
Vowel stems for long vowels vs. "orphaned" short vowels

(Cont'd.)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org ...OH! Sorry, I thought I was replying to the person with the other quotation. That's a whole different question!! I built yours from Tolkien's own handwritten Quenya, with more research, for maximal accuracy. The previous post is my personal handwriting, which is much looser. Gimme a minute :)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@finitebaffle@mas.to Oh, that's been on my list for ages! I'll bump it up 👀

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 4mo ago

Gonna do these live in a sec for a *quick* #SpaceSongSunday – ft. the octave mandolin :)

On IG for now, for technical reasons, but recording will go on #MakerTube ✨

https://instagram.com/glowascii @alexglow@chaos.social

instagram.com

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@gekkinux@pan.rent This is awesome, thank you! Been pretty busy with other projects, so apologies for the silence – but I'm cataloguing all of these for later. :D

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@svw@fosstodon.org It's very pleasantly rough! And thank you :D I'll hopefully get around to doing a phone-friendly version too (i.e., not a bunch of half-started copies on one page...)

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@incanus NICE! I think I've seen those shared around before. I reeeeaaallly feel that last one; it's a large part of why I haven't shared these before! I want to be sure they're actually helping fix stuff, not just a thinly veiled rant 😅 (although I did make one kinda like that, for context on *why* I'm so touchy about it) It's funny how codes of conduct can get people's hackles up. "You can't tell me what to do!" "Yes, exactly..." It's literally a guide to help people enjoy talking to you

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org Yeah, it's intense!! And like I said, those will only get you so far – for example, the Wikipedia chart has the "qu" letter annotated as "nqu" for Quenya 🙃 It's why I decided to reference a primary source for writing this phrase – though also because I've really been having fun digging in again. :D I'll see about finishing the first part of the phrase this weekend! – I mayyyy have gone a bit overboard at the used book store...

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merlin / alex glow @alexglow@chaos.social

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@jeroen94704@fosstodon.org So!! Gonna do a video with some live-writing & other info (this was actually a test for that setup), but, quick answer:

There are a TON of ways to write (and thus read) Tengwar: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Tengwar
I learned from the book "The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-Earth", by Ruth S. Noel
This is what I taught myself at the time; I place tehtar on the following consonant, or with a carrier, which I think was described as Quenya mode?
Now digging deeper, w/ primary sources :D

wikiHow

8 Ways to Write Tengwar - wikiHow

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), teacher of Old English at Oxford University, conceived the Tengwar around the year 1930. This is a very short introduction, the Tengwar are extremely complex. Tolkien explained in Appendix E of The Lord of the...

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