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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The time has come! I am officially seeking readers for my second novel, The Earthlings! Hoping to avoid bots by not saying the B word, but that’s what I’m looking for. If anyone is interested in reading a YA contemporary sci-fi story, send me a dm! #writingcommunity #booksky #writesky #scifi #ya

Cover for The Earthlings! Featuring a flying saucer over four teens on a big alien head

you may have seen one of many snippets on #wipsnips

If those intrigued you, let me know!

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 23h

Good chance to get a copy of MY book Grim Portents, and 92 others for a great deal!

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Came really close to having a family bonding moment there. Maybe next time! #writingcommunity #wipsnips #writesky #booksky

Cleo's mother, Anita Wright, turned to her once the door to the basement had closed. "You've done remarkably well this week, Cleo. I'm certain that your father will take your performance into consideration when considering future assignments."
Future assignments were the last thing Cleo wanted to think about at the moment, but compliments were rare in her family and she couldn't help but feel uplifted by her mother's remark. "Thanks, Mom. I'll admit, I'm surprised Lana had anything good to say about me."
"On the contrary, she's been providing us with updates on your combat effectiveness. According to her you've made remarkable strides in a very short time. Of course, that's to be expected. By your age, I myself was the most technically proficient hand-to-hand operative in my unit."
"You trained in combat? Why?"
"It was deemed an essential skill for all arriving operatives to the planet. We needed to be able to defend ourselves without exposing our technology to the world. I do regret not taking the time to train you myself, but between my government work and assignments from Command-which reminds me..." She whisked away,
retrieving her computer bag from where it hung over a chair in the kitchen and setting it up on the counter, "I need to finish a press release going out this afternoon. Your father and I will be very busy this week. The Congressman has a major announcement we need to prepare for. If I don't see you in the next few days
"Thanks, love you too." Cleo said flatly.

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Top 9 games that shaped me growing up. Very hard to choose just 9 so my Honorable Mentions that nearly made the cut are: - SSB: Brawl - Godzilla Destroy All Monsters - Onimusha - Spider-Man 2 (2004) - and various other entries in the franchises I have listed

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Reposted by MechaniChris

Tim Gaedke @timgaedke.com · 26/09/2026

talent is a lie

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Lana shows up in my book, looks and the characters happy lives, and basically does this

The rock saying The hierarchy of power in the
DC universe is about to change.

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I’ve agreed to set up a table for bookstore opening in October, but I fear that I may have ordered a new batch of author copies too late. WHY does it take 2 days to order a copy at full price but a FULL MONTH to get author copies??

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Didn’t have to interrupt the first nice moment she’s had for the entire book, man #WIPsnips #writesky #booksky #writingcommunity

Lana couldn't prevent the wide smile that stretched
across her face, and for the first time, she felt no need to tamper down her emotions. She was no longer in a position of authority, after all. Why shouldn't she indulge in the same emotional mannerisms as the humans she was meant
to emulate? She had been at her absolute lowest before
Noah entered the room and now she actually felt hopeful.
She stood up, still beaming. "Please stand."
"Uh, okay," he said, slowly rising before Lana's arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace. After taking a second to take in a breath, he returned the gesture, albeit with significantly less pressure.
The moment was broken suddenly by the light tapping of fingers against the glass wall of the conference room. Lana released Noah and stood straight to address the observer. Hudson opened the door and stepped inside.
"Not interrupting anything, I hope."
"Operative," Lana addressed him. "Have you only
come to gloat over my new found status?"
"We're no longer in the field, Ms. Banks. That kind of nomenclature can get you into hot water. It's Mr. Hudson now, at your service." He flashed a smug smile that set her teeth on edge. "And believe it or not, I have better things to do than go around gloating to non-officer personnel. The Congressman sent me. He wants to talk to you in his office."

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I’ve been playing the old Onimusha games (because I can’t be normal and just play the new one) and the first 3 were just as great as I remember. 3 I never finished as a kid and it’s easily the best. So glad I revisited it. Then I learned there was a 4th game?? Sucks. Lost ALL the juice

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Been a while since I posted a snippet so here’s here’s a new one #writingcommunity #writesky #wipsnips #booksky

"As you can see," Otto said. "Bishop, and our daughter Winona, are neither human nor Mu Arae. Their hybrid DNA has triggered some kind of mutation that allows for instantaneous environmental adaptation based on need or desire."
"We discovered it when Winnie was just a toddler,"
Kyah said. "She got bit by a rattlesnake in the backyard, but before we had time to do anything about it, the wound began pushing the venom out on its own."
"That's when I started studying her DNA more closely. Tell me, have you been taught the reason behind our invasion?"
"Uh, I think so," Cleo said. "It's our genes, right? If
we stay in one environment for too long, they begin to degenerate."
"That's right. Our ancestors meddled too far and
damned our species to an eternity of nomadic planet hopping. But what if our genetics were crossed with a stable genetic line? One that had evolved for millions of years to exist on one planet?"
"You're not seriously suggesting it's as simple as
that."
"I'm not suggesting. I'm telling you about my own
findings. Our degenerative mutation is written into all Mu Araens. They won't affect you in your lifetime, but the blueprint that would damn your own descendants is prewritten in your cells right now. We've identified the genetic markers. They're in my cells, but they aren't in either of my children."

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I should definitely be posting more writing snippets but ironically if I’m not, then it’s cause I’m too busy with actually writing

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This all certainly sounds nice, but that’s not the only reason they wanted you alive… #writesky #wipsnips #writingcommunity #booksky

"Our friend, we were in communication with him for a while. I asked him to find us a... a piece of Mu Araen tech. He sent us those coordinates to your remote device.
He must have detected your signal thinking it was what we needed."
"That makes sense," Otto said. "We've been running the remote on overdrive these past few days. I'm not surprised your friend picked up our signal."
"Why so much lately?" Ashley asked.
"Because of you two, of course." Kyah said
"You wanted us to find the signal?" Cleo asked.
"Not exactly," Otto said. "We've been trying to draw attention away from you. We figured that we could lead some of your pursuers out into the desert, while you two managed to get away."
"Why go through all the effort for us?" Ashley asked. "I mean, you said you have a whole network of people like you out there. What's two more runaways?"
Otto and Kyah gripped their hands tightly on the table looking over at their son who was eagerly reaching for another lumpia roll. "The world is a harsh place for people like us," Kyah said. "Anyone willing to sacrifice what you two have for each other is worth protecting. Maybe it's because we have a daughter your age, but the thought of you getting swallowed up as casualties of this needless conflict between our people... it just makes me ill."

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

All the Wolverine game discourse is reminding me of when I was recently playing the new God of War games (which are pretty good) and I had the thought that the last like 5 PS5 games I had played felt exactly the same, with different weapons

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Ocarina remake and Godzilla Minus Zero trailer in the same morning got me climbing on the walls like the hereditary mom let’s GOOOOOOO

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Beats my response to stress, which is to sit on the couch and eat cheese crackers until I feel ill #writingcommunity #writesky #wipsnips #booksky

Lana realized that her legs were now bouncing uncontrollably on the floor, and she willed her body to stop through no small amount of effort. "Mu Araens don't experience the same physiological response to stress. I admit it's a sensation I'm not quite used to."
"How do you normally experience it?"
"The onset of stress in the body releases mind
heightening endorphins which boosts menta
and physical
effectiveness for a short time, allowing you to tackle the cause head-on. Afterwards, the body often requires at least four hours of sleep."
"That.... makes sense for you. Human bodies are
different, as I'm sure you're learning."
"How do you address this problem?"
"Different stuff. I watch movies, play games, call
my friends. Anything to take my mind off of whatever's bothering me."
"How does that solve anything?"
"It doesn't, but it does refresh your mind so that you're ready to deal with the problem later. And if you're lucky, sometimes that problem just goes away on its own because you were stressing over nothing."
Lana frowned at him. "Humans are terribly
inefficient."
Noah laughed. "Yeah. Get used to it."

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

They’re playing Pacific Rim for “flashback cinema” tonight and while I do love that movie, I am staunchly opposed to anything from the previous decade being chosen when they normally play things like “Jaws” and “Grease”. Feels like a personal attack

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories has no business being as long as it is

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever used one of the six buttons on my rice cooker too. Those other buttons are none of my business. #writesky #writingcommunity #wipsnips #booksky

"Actually, yes. What do you know of these pods?"
She gestured behind her.
Cleo looked them over. Those three ovulor pods had
been a regular part of her life since she was born, but to be honest, she knew very little about their capabilities and never thought to question their greater function. Perhaps she should have been more inquisitive about the bulbous devices, but she'd also grown up with a microwave, and didn't know what most of the buttons did on that either.
"They receive signals from the homeworld." She did her best to explain. "They display some kind of holographic video, they're used to give me my mission briefings, and uh, they glow?"
Lana sighed. "That describes less than a percent of
the functions of a Mu Araean Adaptation Resequencer."
"MAAR? That's not a very good acronym." Cleo
said.
"It's not supposed to be an acronym. We don't use acronyms on the home world, and even if we did, the words wouldn't be in Earthling, it would be in Mu Araean, which I assume you don't even speak."
"I don't speak Earthling either. We call it English." Cleo felt a spike of satisfaction at having prompted Lana to run her hands through her hair in frustration.

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I HAVE DONE IT. I finally completed my playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3. Which means I have finished every game on my list that I set out to beat this year. Does that mean I’m done? Not sure even close. Now I’m in bonus time babyyyyy

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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

In my search for VHS tapes, I’ve gathered all available Star Wars movies, but was saddened to learn that Episode 3 never got an American release. So, I set about to correct that by designing and printing my own custom episode 3 tape to finish my collection #vhs #starwars #rots

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I got my notes ready from my alpha reader (my wife) so I think it’s time to finally start the next draft of The Earthlings! and hopefully get it into shape for the next round of reader (avoiding the B word to fend off bots)

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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Day 67 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon And that’s all folks! Last Hoenn Pokémon done! And last one for a while, until I get urge to do gen 4 someday #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Day 67 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon And that’s all folks! Last Hoenn Pokémon done! And last one for a while, until I get urge to do gen 4 someday #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Day 66 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon In the Pokémon world, obsession is about a shop that sells Jirachi ish tags instead of One Wish Willows #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Day 66 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon In the Pokémon world, obsession is about a shop that sells Jirachi ish tags instead of One Wish Willows #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Day 65 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon What if Rayquaza’s thing was the same as the other two, and wanted to obliterate land and sea to make Earth a gas giant #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Day 65 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon What if Rayquaza’s thing was the same as the other two, and wanted to obliterate land and sea to make Earth a gas giant #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Complete this sentence. I own a ridiculous amount of: > Books > VHS tapes > Blurays > Retro toys > Video Games > Board games > Star Wars merch > Marvel merch > Godzilla merch

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Gotta be careful who you trust when you’re being pursued by two opposing alien insurgent forces I guess #writingcommunity #writesky #wipsnips #booksky

"Aren't you supposed to be the good guys?" Cleo
asked.
This time, Kyah stood up. "We are at war!" Ashley and Cleo looked at one another. "You
knew?" Ashley asked.
The calm and comforting demeanor of the small
woman was gone. She stood next to her husband and commanded the room with her presence. "My hands are just as bloody as his. The futures of both of our peoples are at stake in this conflict, and we cannot afford to wring our hands over moral superiority. I wish it didn't have to be this way, and no one is asking you to take up arms, but don't you dare vilify us for being the only ones strong enough to stand up against a galactic regime. You aren't children anymore. If you expect to survive in this conflict, you both need to grow up fast."

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Lanterns pilot was so good, I had to dig out my old 1995 issue of Green Lantern/Silver Surfer crossover to remember when I first fell in love with the Lanterns. Still holds up, great issue, and a GREAT show

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I caved. I clearly need more toys to fill in all the empty space I have on these shelves #godzilla #hellokitty #sanrio #mcdonalds

Hello kitty /Godzilla collab Happy Meal toy

3 full shelves of Godzilla merch and movies.

Here’s something bizzare for the alt text reading freaks. That little sleeping Godzilla drawing on the bottom shelf? That was drawn by Dave Filoni, creator of The Clone Wars and current president of Lucasfilm. Now, you may be wondering, “Chris, why would you have a Godzilla drawing by the Star Wars guy?” Well, my best friend working on the Mandolorian and Grogu, and I guess Filoni is a HUGE fan of Godzilla. Which makes the Zillo beast arc in Clone Wars make a lot more sense. Anyway, he doodled all the time on set, and was chatting with my friend while drawing this. He then gave it to him, and my friend did not have the foresight to ask for him to sign it. So I have this bizarre one of a kind artifact that has no signature and therefore no way to prove its value at all. Anyway, I like it because it has a picture of sleeping Godzilla in it.

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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Day 64 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon I wonder if that tail doubles as a hair buzzer #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Day 64 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon I wonder if that tail doubles as a hair buzzer #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Sacrificing everything for one person certainly sounds like more than friendship… #writingcommunity #writesky #wipsnips #booksky

"Hey, no, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have accused you of
anything. I should be thanking you. If any other alien girl had been ordered to kidnap me, I may not even be alive anymore. So, for what it's worth, I'm glad it was you."
Cleo shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sure Noah would
have done the same, he is helping us after all."
"Right." Ashley's gaze broke away. "Though I think
that was more about helping you than me."
"He would have helped either of us."
"He likes you, though. He'd probably do anything
for you."
"We're friends. I'd do anything for you. That
doesn't mean —" She stopped herself. Did it mean something? She stared into Ashley's blue-grey eyes and wondered if there was any limit to the lengths she would go for her. She'd already sacrificed every facet of her life.
She'd even killed for her. What else was there? "Anyway, it doesn't matter," Cleo said. "I don't think I feel the same about him."
"You don't think? Do you like someone else?" Cleo's mouth opened to speak, but the words wouldn't formulate. She could only stutter "I...I, uh-"
Suddenly, the tent went dark as the overhead store lights were shut off. There was a distant clanking of metal as the doors opened, closed, and finally locked.
"I think we're alone now," Cleo said, still
whispering
"Yeah," Ashley whispered back.
"We probably don't need to stay this close."
"Right."

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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Day 63 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon The red lines really turn this from big wale to Eldritch monster #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Day 63 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon The red lines really turn this from big wale to Eldritch monster #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Day 61 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon These guys felt so weird an unknowable as a kid. I kind of miss that mystery in the lore rather than overt explanations for every new pokemon #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

Regirock, Regice, Registeel

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378
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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Third Bob’s Burgers tape finished! That makes Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. One more to go, a best of collection!

Bobs burgers Christmas collection vhs tape front cover

Bobs burgers holiday collections vhs tape back covers and tapes

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Reposted by MechaniChris

MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Day 60 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon Beldum has always confused me. The other two look like robots or monsters and Beldum is like… a foot with an eye? #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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MechaniChris @chrisakins.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Day 60 drawing #Hoenn Pokemon Beldum has always confused me. The other two look like robots or monsters and Beldum is like… a foot with an eye? #pokemon #pokemonart #art #illustration

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