iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 1h

Annual physical exam done w/ perfect fasting bloodwork PLUS I got my COVID shot (w/ flu shot scheduled next week during company-wide flu clinic) 👍 Used the early AM appt as an excuse to take the rest of the day off w/ the intent to chill w/ Gengar and co. and play more Trails in the Sky SC 😌

Selfie of Dirk Warhard in an oversized Gengar oodie w/ various video game-related memorabilia, plushes, and wall art positioned in the background, including the man, the myth, the legend—Gengar

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for Tax Purposes

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Listen, random Grancel tourist—I’m also down bad for Julia Schwarz, so I understand your sentiment *completely*

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Saturday morning gaming/snuggle session w/ my bestie

Soy Sauce (brown female tabby) laying on my legs, which are covered w/ a cream blanket. There’s a PS controller on my lap

Soy Sauce (brown female tabby) laying on my lap/cream blanket w/ outstretched front legs

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A swarm of giant blood-sucking mosquitos is *very* Midwest coded

Screen capture of a Trails in the Sky SC command battle against multiple Ya-Kah enemies

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

And now, back to our feature presentation (Trails in the Sky SC)

Man staring in the mirror with the reflection of Estelle Bright from Trials in the Sky staring back at him with the quote, “Visualizing in the mirror the woman I want to become”

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

A very fun and lighthearted experience from start to finish 😌

End screen of TOEM 2 stating, “Thanks for playing!”

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

It’s called cottage cheese, maybe you’ve curd of it

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Currently putting a pin in Trails in the Sky SC while I get lost in the charm and whimsy of TOEM 2 🥰

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The whole reason I’ve fallen in love with TOEM is b/c of the fantastic review/coverage from @andresplays.bsky.social PLAY TOEM + TOEM 2 👍

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I platinum’d TOEM in about 4hrs and it was so fun I didn’t want it to end (good thing I still have the free Basto DLC + TOEM 2 to enjoy 😇)

End credits of TOEM w/ “Thanks for playing!”

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

TOEM is such a charming + whimsical experience that I had no idea even existed until I saw reviews for TOEM 2 Enjoying every minute of this short, but sweet experience 😌

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Tbf this was delayed a few days past Oct. 1, so I’ve actually rolled credits on Beastro and it was a TERRIFIC TIME The art direction/design reminds me heavily of Wanderstop (my fave, can you tell? 😇) and I thoroughly enjoyed balancing flavors to influence deck-building based on what I needed

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Pinned 2026 gaming review: September—Rolled credits on 2 games w/ 1 platinum, 2 games ongoing into October (Trails in the Sky SC, Beastro)

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The bumble bee is awake!!! And giving slow blinks 🥰

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A little bumble bee all snuggled up in her daisy bed w/ Gus her fave mushroom pal 😌

Soy Sauce (female brown tabby) curled up, sleeping in a white + yellow daisy bed w/ a brown Shiitake mushroom pillow next to her

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Arguably more important now that I’ve wrapped up those two games is that I’ve finally started PEAK and I could not be more excited 🤗

Screen capture of the cinematic title screen for Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Unexpected work/life stuff derailed me from gaming, but I was able to finish up Planet of Lana II AND South of Midnight recently Both platformers were well designed in different ways, but also had frustrating moments that also felt redundant. Overall I enjoyed these two stories + chars a lot 😌

Screen capture from Planet of Lana II showing Lana (protagonist) in the forest w/ the Sacred Deer

Screen capture of Hazel Flood’s hands (protagonist) holding an old leather-bound book titled ‘South of Midnight’ w/ a rabbit and flora on the front cover

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I avoided social media nearly all day as to not spoil the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct b/c I had to wait (impatiently 😩) until after work to watch and boy, it did NOT disappoint! I was as happy and giddy today as I was back in 1998 when my big brother and I booted up OoT for the first time 🥹😭

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Showing my son a piece of my childhood by making him watch Saturday morning cartoons w/ me like a responsible and caring parent 😌

Pic of the back of Tuna’s head (orange male tabby cat) watching our TV screen, which is showing the 90s/00s Pokemon cartoon TV show ft. Ash, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu all w/ surprised/shocked expressions

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Another day, another goofy Tuna sleeping position/cuddle to wake up to 🥰

Selfie w/ Tuna (orange male tabby cat) sleeping curled up on my shoulder w/ his face next to mine and tail draped over my head

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I’m Michigan born and raised (very far north near Lake Superior w/ a heavy Scandinavian dialect influence), but have lived in New York and Maryland, so when it says I speak like 53% of those from Michigan I’m not surprised, but the fact that I have so much overlap w/ CO + MT is mind-boggling

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Woke up this morning and decided to treat myself, so I’m taking off Thursday 9/17 + Friday 9/18 so I can binge Trails in the Sky SC 😌

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Pinned 2026 gaming review: August—Rolled credits on 5 games w/ 4 platinums

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Rolled credits on Open Roads late last night I’m a sucker for these games, loving to explore/interact w/ every item to better understand each char and their background This one was extra special as it took place in two places that I have a lot of memories and family: Michigan and Ontario, Canada 😌

Screen capture of the main protagonist holding an admission ticket to the Michigan State Fair from the 1960s/70s

Screen capture of the main protagonist holding a post card that says “Greetings from Canada”

Screen capture of an old and dirty ashtray that depicts Isle Royale National Park

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Rolled credits on Copycat w/ the plat This game may not be for everyone, but for me (crazy cat lady) the story and heart still shined through despite the gameplay delivery/mechanics being less refined than I would’ve loved At the end of the day, it’s more ✨cats✨ and I’ll never turn that down 😌

Screen capture of the opening scene stating: “Home is not about where you live, but where you are needed most.”

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I’ve been lucid dreaming off the cold + sinus medicine since I fell asleep at 7pm (it’s nearly 3am now 🫣) and it’s been a WILD TIME

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I got a pay raise (didn’t ask for it), but more importantly there’s a written plan outlining immediate support and ongoing assistance (w/ ability to titrate as needed) w/ an *ACTUAL START DATE* The relief I feel is immeasurable. Like there is light at the end of the tunnel

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I was locked in the last 24hrs and beat my third (albeit short) game, Adorable Adventures 🐽 I thoroughly enjoyed the simple premise/game mechanics, which made exploration fun. I LOVED the races and hidden Easter eggs, but skipped some of the other challenges/missions Overall, cute and fun!

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

The sequel, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping, did not disappoint and continued the quirky, humorous fun! Excited to play Happy Broccoli’s next game (hopefully in the not-so-distant-future 🤞) and hope to some more mysteries w/ Eugene McQuacklin as well 🦆

Screenshot of Eugene McQuacklin, Duck Detective 🕵️‍♂️

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I’ve been told orange cats are sun spirits or lights against melancholy—absorbing heavy sadness and turning it into warmth and comfort Now I’m no expert on folklore, but what I can tell you is that Tuna has always been wildly in tune w/ my emotions and knows when I need an extra snuggle or two 🧡🌞

Selfie of me and Tuna (orange male tabby cat); Tuna is curled up on his side against my face/chest, my left arm wrapped around him, and his face buried against my forearm

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is short, but packs a lot of humor and charm in a 1-2hr experience The length was actually what sold me initially as I’ve been having a difficult time getting back into gaming when exhausted from work/life, but this had me laughing and smiling the whole time 🦆

Screenshot of Eugene McQuacklin, the Duck Detective, and other various characters from the game Duck Detective: The Secret Salami. He’s exclaiming that he is “The one and only… Duck Detective!”

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The toe bean stretch followed by the snort killed me

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

It’s always a gamble where Tuna will be when I wake up in the morning, but 90% of the time he’s snoozing on/near my head (and hogging the pillow!) He’s truly just plush, snuggly guy 🥹

Tuna (orange male tabby cat) sleeping on top of my head/pillow. His sleeping position has pushed my hair all over the front of my face

Tuna (orange male tabby cat) sleeping on my shoulder/pillow with his back legs against the side of my face

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Not to keep this going but also to keep this going b/c US healthcare deserves better and c-suite execs/private equity owners need to be shamed for their exploitation of passionate healthcare providers His groveling is embarrassing at this point meanwhile I await actionable change. Tick tock

Transcript of a voicemail I received from the owner of the healthcare company I work at in which he asks for more time for an offer/plan moving forward (after telling me he’d have by EOD today) while also continuing to beg me not to put in my formal resignation

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

This was not meant to be a threat to my company, but the owner arranged for an immediate lunch meeting w/ me and my supervisor where he, and this is not hyperbole, begged me not to resign and in return I asked for actionable change So we’ll see what happens but I remain steadfast w/ the date I gave

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Drafted my notice of resignation to give 6 weeks notice w/ no next steps or plans other than I can’t continue to do this for my own mental/physical health and well being

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Starting Obsession (rented it on YT) and the first comment I see before even hitting play is “Why didn’t homie wish for his cat to be alive?” Excuse me…Are we just going to act like Pet Sematary doesn’t exist? Like we don’t already know how that turns out??? Cult classic erasure in the making /s

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

The first step was admitting I have a problem, but the second step (and arguably the harder of the two) is figuring out which one to build first 🤔😅

Picture of (8) new in box official LEGO sets lined up on a shelf

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

My dad helped me w/ a house project earlier this year and ended up *accidentally* stealing my stud finder, but promptly returned it and told me he labeled it so it wouldn’t happen again. Fast forward to yesterday and I finally found out exactly how he had labeled it—very *dad humor* of him 🤣

A picture of a blue/white/red ratcheting multi-tool screw driver and yellow electronic stud finder labeled “not dad’s”

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Sometimes you have to stop thinking about the bad things (work) and spend your Saturday afternoon completing adult tasks you’ve been putting off for ages (installing new closet shelving units) b/c it’s good for the mind, body, and spirit 👍

Picture of a closet in my game room w/ a new shelving system installed

Picture of a closet in my office/cat room w/ a new shelving system installed

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Introduce yourself as what almost killed you Hello I’m a rip current in Lake Superior, the third largest freshwater lake (by volume) in the world

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Only cool and ethically/morally sound healthcare providers cry/scream/have a menty-b in the bathroom in between sessions out of sheer frustration for their patients/situations 🤟😝🤟

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

It’s honestly criminal how handsome he is

Tuna (orange white male tabby) laying in a sunbeam on my legs

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Dirk Warhard @dirkwarhard.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Work sucked, but I still made it in time to exercise my right to vote in the Michigan primary 🫡 (Bonus fish sticker from my grandpa who was also there voting at the same time)

Two “I voted” stickers: One in the shape of a fish (very Midwestern) and the other of a stick person saluting the American flag w/ the caption “I’m cool I voted :)”

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