Sign in

Dylan (he/him)

@dbirtolo.bsky.social
188 followers 112 following 306 posts

Avid reader and writer, gamer and game designer, and professional jouster/sword swinger. Also scuba diving instructor, because I am part Selkie.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Dylan (he/him)
Danai Christopoulou | VILE LADY VILLAINS out NOW @danaiwrites.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
You’re going to be okay. Someone will hate your book. You’re going to be okay. Someone will not get what you’re trying to do with your art and judge you. You’re going to be okay. You’re going to keep creating, in 2026, because you need it and because the world needs you to. Okay?
12898269
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
I'll admit I was nervous about checking election results, but I'm so glad I did.
000
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
So about Andor S2 hitting hard and being spot on... "I believe we are in crisis. The distance between what is said and what is known to be true has become an abyss. Of all the things at risk, the loss of an objective reality is perhaps the most dangerous..."
110
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Late to the game, but Andor season 2 hits hard. The first season was good and had more than a few "oof" moments. But season 2? Damn. Also, everyone who watches this knows the Empire are the bad guys, right? Because the parallels...
030
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
In my field, AI use is becoming common. "It's the future" and "if you're not using it, you're falling behind." Then I'll fall behind. Even the ethical questions aside (and there are plenty), there's no way I can justify what it does to the environment. Full stop.
110
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
I just go called "the hardest softie you'll ever meet", and I take that as a huge compliment.
110
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Also claiming to have made great progress in the investigation and catching the suspect in 33 hours *because he turned himself in* is one of the biggest taking credit for someone else's work moves I've seen recently.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
I'm sure now that the shooter was identified as a young cis white man, and not a leftist, we'll see calls to keep guns out of the hands of white men, right? Right?
010
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
More of this please.
020
Reposted by Dylan (he/him)
Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
"Even in a contest against men twice his age, Mamdani has begun to sound like the adult in the room on issues of public safety, offering detailed, thoughtful policy proposals." 🙏 @errollouis.bsky.social
nymag.com
Mamdani’s New Ideas on Crime Show Make His Opponents Look Old
What he understands and they don’t.
11787811482
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
Just had a bad dream where I was going on this really awesome boat dive with two dives, but only one of my tanks had air. I might be a little scuba obsessed.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
You know what I wish? That more people had the safety, security, and energy to pursue their passions. I love watching people get really excited and creative about something. I think we'd have even more amazing things (media, games, inventions, etc.) if more folks had that freedom.
011
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Remember that finding joy can be an act of rebellion.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
I've seen a lot of posts lately talking about how therapy is bunk and pointless. As someone who firmly supports therapy, I strongly disagree. But, there's a huge caveat. You have to *want* to work on it and be willing to face some ugly things. And have no doubts, it will be work.
110
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Yesterday I was cleared to start bending over and twisting (lightly and slowly). I used to do daily stretching, but had to stop because of the surgery. I just did some stretching. And two months of no back movement makes you really tight. I don't know the last time I was this inflexible.
130
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
It's time to get back in the ocean. Today will be the first time since surgery. It has been too long. And I'm so excited! Yes, at 730 in the morning. If there were any doubts that I'm a water creature.
140
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
You know it's been a busy day when the first chance you've had to play your BGA games is around 6 pm...
010
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
So we saw the new Superman tonight, and I have to say, I haven't enjoyed and felt that much from a Superman movie since the Christopher Reeve days.
010
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
As of last night, I officially got back in the water the first time since surgery, and have even taught my first class! Getting back where I belong.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
You know - I wish hypocrisy mattered. And it's telling that most people reading this will know exactly who I'm talking about with just that much context.
040
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
And for some good news... Guess who just got their medical sign off to get back underwater?
150
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Still masking. Still going to mask.
060
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
I totally placed a special order for 50 custom lollipops (from Lollies by Leah), because I'm an adult dang it.
010
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Just last year, I had to struggle to get unemployment. I severely doubt anyone who complains about immigrants or lazy folks stealing benefits realizes just how hard it is to get them.
110
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
I seem to remember it's supposed to be "might for right," not "might makes right." It's also not "might wrings its hands and doesn't do anything because it's afraid of rocking the boat."
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
I'm not at all surprised that the bill passed and so many in power don't care one bit about those they're supposed to represent or what happens to them. I'm not surprised that so many voted to line their pockets a little deeper and support those at the top while punching down as much as they can.
110
Reposted by Dylan (he/him)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @aoc.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE. This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined. It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
43719651037482
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
This has been the longest I've been out of the water since I've been scuba certified. Come on body! Heal faster! I need to submerge myself for an extended period of time... Something, something, selkie says what?
040
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
On a personal note, this weekend has included the following achievements that I'm proud of: * Played my first physical board game since surgery * Put on socks (harder than you think post spinal surgery) * Took care of the dogs solo for the better part of a day Slowly getting there...
2101
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Quick check in just shy of a week post-surgery. Doing well and on a good, if long, road to recovery. But I'm already ahead of expectations. As @jaymgates.bsky.social said the other day: "Before I met you, I was the fastest healer I ever knew." Not a bad superpower to have.
130
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
I aspire to be the person my dog thinks I am.
230
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Standing here in the morning, at the head of a boat, heading out to dive, I'm reminded just how much of a water creature I am.
030
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
I worked an extra short week this week (three days), but having a pre-9 am meeting each day has made it feel extra long to my extreme night owl self.
030
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
I gotta say, Doom the Dark Ages is just fun. It's straight up enjoyment and chaos. You really feel badass, and the combat is tight. It's not the type of game I'll remember for years and be moved by, but that's not why I go to the Doom games. It's just a lot of FUN. Very much enjoying it.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
You know, maybe rolling out a whole redesign and new implementation might not have been the *best* idea the week before a massive event. I mean, it's certainly **an** idea.
040
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
On the upside - new game arrival! I'm very excited about the work I did on this one!
The Black Clover anime-based board game, still in shrink wrap.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
I know I haven't been as vocal here, and there are still travesties happening in this country that I am very angry and want to speak out about. But right now personal stuff (i.e., mainly the back surgery) are taking so much energy, I just don't have the spoons for it.
150
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Microsoft announced a 3% cut in staff today. My team lost one, and it caught at least two levels above me completely by surprise. I was not let go, but it would be disingenuous to say I wasn't affected. We've been told all the cuts have been made, but holy hell that spikes the anxiety.
030
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Upcoming surgery might be really getting in my head. Just woke up from a dream where I was to be sacrificed, and everyone in it, including good friends, were trying to talk me into not fighting and being okay with giving up. That was unpleasant.
240
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Starting my day (early no less) with three back-to-back meetings very much makes me want to crawl back into bed.
010
Reposted by Dylan (he/him)
Hillary Monahan @hillarymonahan.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Hey. @thebabygoat.bsky.social Cheers. This is FUCKING AMAZING.
The image is of cartoon armed rats circling two rats, one standing before the other and shielding. The shielded rat has trans pride colors.

" Having a moral backbone requires having the courage to be disliked."
3452164
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Today was a rough day - took two crashes off of the horse during jousting practice, one of which had a pretty hard head hit. This is part of the learning process, and it's a reminder of even if folks make it look easy - it has a lot of blood and sweat that goes into it to get to that point.
110
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
I hearty screw you to anyone who celebrates this.
030
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Today's random surgery prep thought (it's not until June): How am I going to handle coming home from the hospital to three big dogs who will be VERY excited to have me back? They can sometimes be... enthusiastic with their love.
340
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Hey folks! Want to check out the latest Lynnvander game? Japanime Games just launched their Kickstarter for Sword Art Online - Japanime Tactics! We designed it, and it's so exciting to see! Check it out and if you can help spread the word, that would be awesome! www.kickstarter.com/projects/jap...
kickstarter.com
Sword Art Online | Powered by Japanime Tactics
We're adding the Underworld to Japanime Tactics. Battle using Kirito, Asuna and their friends.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
If you're in the position of privilege (e.g., cis white male) and afraid to share your political beliefs because people you care about will "put up emotional walls," you probably don't care about them as much as you purport to.
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
"How did you get on the horse?" "I slept on the horse."
020
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
I'm so not a morning person. I'm a night owl through and through. Unless it involves scuba or board games...
040
Reposted by Dylan (he/him)
Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 21/04/2025
I can’t believe this has to be said, but yes, who you are matters in what you say. If a trans person is feeling hopeless right now, I FUCKING GET IT, and the thing you deserve is people fighting for your rights and your existence because all of those things are deeply under attack.
134532
Dylan (he/him) @dbirtolo.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
I just got paid for teaching a scuba class. It's the first time. I'm officially a professional diver now.
140