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Failed State of Enlightenment

@fsoenlightenment.bsky.social
25 followers 96 following 171 posts

A not-great human who keeps trying to be better. Some days successful, some days not, but we keep trying. Currently reading: <contemplation>

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Reposted by Failed State of Enlightenment
Buckinghamshire Archives @bucksarchives.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
For no better reason than it's Friday, we're going to review wrestlers on how useful they'd be working in the archive. First up: Triple H. He'd probably be great to have in the office, but that water spit thing is just going to raise our humidity levels so it's a no from us.
Triple H doing the water spit thing.
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Bart⚓️ @bartgonnissen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Facial Expressions of Tethys by artist Julius von Bismarck. A suspended high-sea buoy that moves in real time. Sensors on a twin buoy out in the Atlantic Ocean send live satellite data to motors inside the museum. This makes the indoor buoy copy the exact, real-time movements of the ocean waves.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A beautiful fake fall night in DC watching baseball.
Wide angle view of Nationals Park at the Nationals v. Phillies game.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
And the trophy for the series goes to South Africa!
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Final score for Springboks v. All Blacks 43 - 28
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
And that's full time. Springboks 43 - 28 All Blacks. New Zealand never got it going as 4 tries in the second half by South Africa put the match out of reach. Lots of fun! Wish I knew all the rules, but a great sport to learn.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A slice of first half action.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Halftime. Springboks 17 - 14 All Blacks. Two tries from each side and a penalty kick for the Springboks is the difference. Lots of hard hitting action.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Springboks vs. All Blacks in Baltimore
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Paul Byrne @theplanetaryguy.com · 09/09/2026
Astrophotographer Adam (AJ) Smadi caught this image a few hours ago from Washington state. A thin crescent Moon, sunlight illuminating the rugged lunar surface. And 2,400 times farther away—and on the other side of the Sun—mighty Jupiter, and its moons Io (left) and Ganymede (right).
A crescent Moon seen during the day, arcing from upper left to lower right of the frame. At lower centre is the full disk of Jupiter; the small dots to its upper left and lower right and Io and Ganymede, respectively.
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沁 @loika.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
absence
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
First bite. Clouds are threatening so I doubt I'll get to see the peak eclipse. But I at least got to see the start.
The moon with a small slice of its lower left edge hidden by the Earth's shadow.
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Evan Greer @evangreer.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
in a world of JK Rowlings be a Dolly Parton
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Not pictured but seen: A bat chasing bugs A mosquito feasting on me A group of fairly large ants A fat toad hiding under a robot A snake avoiding yard work An Irish wolfhound who just wanted everyone to play with him.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Critters seen in my backyard during our outdoor movie night. A rosy maple moth A red footed cannibal fly A red spotted purple butterfly
A rosy maple moth clinging to a pebbled black surfaceA red footed cannibal fly standing on grey concreteA red spotted purple butterfly with wings spread, standing on the edge of a blue, black, and brown edges of a pool skimmer robot.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Delivery van surprised me today with the Vampire's Tale Tarot deck from @abigaillarson.com and Sasha Graham (not sure if she's on this site). Love the deck and the book. Great art, great quality and feel to each of the cards. A nice addition to my collection.
A stack of tarot cards, with the Fool card prominent, spills across a small book titled The Vampire's Tale. A silver bracelet with wolf heads lay across the book. Just below a corner of the book is a copper disk with Nordic knotwork around the edge of the disk. Four stone dice with the Norse runes tiwaz, pertho, fehu, and sowilo are spread above the deck of tarot cards
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Josh Michtom @rsgat.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
This is just to say I have eaten the sailors that were in the ship and which you were probably saving for Ithaca Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so Greek
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Re: the discourse around this movie... We don't need art and media to be a line in the sand or a hill to die on. Enjoy it, or don't. There will be more art created; something will eventually speak to you. Just keep you mind and heart open to the opportunities.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I thought that Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, and Samantha Morton killed their scenes. They didn't have a lot of the movie but they gave it their all. The Circe scenes especially... oof, I get grossed out thinking about it.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Saw the Odyssey today. It was good, fine even. I don't know what the big fuss is. They hit the right story bits, everything and everyone was gorgeous, a perfectly fine adaptation. I'd give this a 3.5 outta 5.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
In light of recent US politician obituaries, I present a Toad in a Hole.
A toad trying to cram itself into a hole in a stone wall, with only its butt sticking out.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I think it's worth a ticket and a concession item or two. Plus, theaters are usually good on AC, so it's a good chance to get out of the heat. Support your local theaters and get the popcorn. Sit back, enjoy the ride.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Lastly, I didn't really understand the villains' motivations the whole movie. Seemed like an Immortan Joe homage, and not particularly compelling. Probably the weakest point of the movie for me. Don't know, maybe I missed something that will be more obvious on repeat views.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I didn't get the inclusion of Lobo. He didn't add much to the actual plot. It was fun seeing him on the big screen, but I dont know what I was expecting. Definitely a "this week's guest star..." situation.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
The aliens were all properly weird looking and some of them even seemed moist (a high mark for me). The costuming was pretty cool too in a lot of cases (and a bit bland in others).
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I thought the actors all did a great job with the lines they had. I especially enjoyed Milly Alcock's take on Kara Zor-El. Hurt, traumatized, a bit feral, but still good. I hope she gets more chances to build on the role in future DC projects.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Enjoyed the new Supergirl movie last night. I had a good time with it. Was it capital C cinema? No. Was it a fun ride? I thought so. I give it a 3 out of 5. Spoiler-free thoughts below...
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Sunset at Wrigley
View of the sunset at Wrigley Field from the right Field foul line.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Woke up early today to catch the sun rise on my birthday. I'm not doing anything more special than that.
A line of trees silhoutted against the dawn sky. Thin clouds are tinted by the dawn light. The sky is colored orange at the horizon and shifts to blue. A faint pillar of light rises from the not-yet-visible sun.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
I love this map design! The fold lines really give it a lived-in feel and gives me some really cool ideas for my own games. All sort of neat little details when you zoom in.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
I agree with your rating. Sometimes, the brain just needs to switch off in a big dark room and absorb the flashy lights and booming noises.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Caught the Mandalorian and Grogu in the theater tonight. Fun movie, a bit like a roller coaster, or an extended Star Tours experience. Really felt like they smashed 6 episodes of the show into a 2 1/2 hour movie. Was it essential? No, but I had fun.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
A peach-colored peony with small drops of water on its crinkled petals.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Dark iris opens
One half of a bearded iris with dark burgundy petals and an orange fringe.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Me: I think I'll eat my breakfast at the counter today. Dog: Our breakfast.
Dog with shaggy gray hair and black nose looks at the camera, his right eye just visible from beneath long eyebrows. He is standing next to a grey countertop in a kitchen.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
And the clematis bloomed pretty crazy this year. I think we had one blossom last year.
A half dozen purple clematis flowers, green leaves and grass, black climbing trellis
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Afternoon peony.
Pink colored Peony flower barely open, a hint of yellow inside the opening. The green waxy leaves of the bush are bright in the afternoon sun.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
The irises are starting to open.
Two peach colored iris blooms are open standing on a long stem with a stone wall and green forest in the background.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
The colors of Spring
Purple lilac buds in front of a wooden fencePink azalea flowersRed azalea buds, not yet opened upPurple azalea flowers in a forest
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Fantastic read. Makes me think about every history book I've ever read. If you aren't already subscribed, I believe Defector is running a sale and the $1 for a month is worth a go to give it a try. You can read this story and a lot of others.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
As I was walking g through New York late last night, we saw this really interesting restaurant that we won't have the opportunity to try. It seems like it would be eating in a coloring book. Shirokuro was the name. Maybe it'll be here the next time I visit.
A restaurant interior where the edges of the white tables and chairs are lined in heavy black lines. The walls are white with line art images like from a coloring book. The only colors was a steel silver piece of equipment, the shiny plastics of a point-of-sale system, and the restaurant staff in black t-shirts, caps, and blue jeans.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Closing: I highly recommend you see the show. I wasn't disappointed and I dont think you would be either.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The Palace Theatre was a good, cozy venue to watch the performance. Fairly straightforward entry and exit, never felt like it was over crowded though I'm sure it was sold out, or close to it. ...
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The music was really well done. Several of the actors had to play on stage and did a great job handling their instruments. Yes, even Sax Guy. I don't know if they were mimicking playing or not, but they seemed like they were actually playing during the performance. ...
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The set design was also fun and fairly technical. Lots of floor drops, level changes. They made great use of the space. Everything was shadowed and grimy with just the right level of disrepair in places. I'm sad I couldn't get any photos of the set, but I have real vivid memories...
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
All of the performers killed. I don't feel like anyone was doing a straight-up impersonation of the movie actors. They all brought something different to their characters but hitting the important beats. ...
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Act 2 was great! The whole damned show was great A few thoughts on the show overall...
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
At the Lost Boys on Broadway. Great set, great music. Performers are killing it! Act 1 done, waiting for Act 2. Yes, there was a Sax Man in Act 1. He was phenomenal.
A red sign for the Lost Boys musical
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Dan Immergluck @danimmergluck.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Brutal.
A WHOLE CIVILIZATION
WILL DIE TONIGHT
My son needs lunch, and I have to put his backpack together, but a whole civilization will die tonight, so I'm wondering if they've closed their schools.
Like, a snow day, maybe, except instead of snow it's
"keep your children home so if you die, you die together" — instead of "well open back up once the plows have cleared" it's
"we don't know if we'll be here tomorrow, hold your babies tight."
It's just "talk" I'm told, which I've been told before.
"It's how the president makes his deals." But I've never heard anyone talk about other human beings this way, and I'm not certain I can look my son in the eyes if we all agree to stomach it one more time.
A civilization will die tonight, but as I zip up his backpack and kiss him off to school I think: if this is what we call leadership then I'm not entirely sure ours isn't already dead.
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Failed State of Enlightenment @fsoenlightenment.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Spring blooms at sunset in my yard.
Mountain witch alder bloom, white and yellow-green petals, at sunsetFlowering dogwood with white petals at sunset
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