iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 01/07/2026

Looks like they’re doing this for every winner in New Jersey. How nice! www.instagram.com/empirestateb...

A screenshot of an Instagram post showing the Empire State Building lit up with the colors of the flag of France. The caption reads, "France wins. 3-0. 🇫🇷 Blue, white, and red light up the New York City skyline tonight in celebration of Les Bleus."

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 26/06/2026

My sister’s response to this blog:

An excerpt from an iMessage conversation, reading:

ldk why I always find Mets fans who are non-native NYers to be very strange

Like why would you ever do that

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 16/06/2026

Tomorrow’s results: France 3 Senegal 3 Iraq 5 Norway 5 Argentina 8 Algeria 8 Austria 13 Jordan 13

A screenshot of the Apple Sports iOS app, showing today's World Cup results. In order, they are: Spain 0 Cabo Verde 0, Belgium 1 Egypt 1, Saudi Arabia 1 Uruguay 1, and Iran 2 New Zealand 2.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 15/06/2026

The hotly anticipated prequel from Sid Meier

A close-up of a screen grab from a FIFA Men’s World Cup match, showing a score of "CIV 0".

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 12/04/2026

No word on how this development might affect…you know…Hungarians

A screenshot of a New York Times iOS notification reading:

Hungary Votes Orban Out

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's defeat is a setback for the global nationalist revival promoted by President Trump.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 09/04/2026

Best @learnedleague.com One-Day Special finish yet, on an unsurprising topic

A screenshot from learnedleague.com reading:

April 7, 2026 • LL One-Day
Special: Just Images NYC Subway

Smiths' Blurb

In operation for 121 years and counting, with 472 stations, 850 miles of track, 1.3 billion riders last year, through 5 boroughs in the greatest city in the world - it's the New York City Subway, in images form! We've got maps. We've got art. We've got movies and TV. We've got idealized schematic representation of subway stations.

ModKos R - it'll help if you have a pretty good knowledge of the NYC subway (of course). But there should be something for everyone, even if the closest you've ever got to swiping a Metrocard (RIP) is watching Law & Order.

A screenshot from learnedleague.com, reading:

Result: VelazquezLA
Rank: 3/1724
Points: 539

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 06/03/2026

HERE’S A BOOK STORE 1964 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn, NY vs. KINGS DANCE STUDIO 1207 Quentin Rd Brooklyn, NY vs. THE ROOM 2003 Tommy Wiseau

A small bookstore with a yellow awning reading “BOOK STORE” in the same typeface used by promotional material for the 2003 Tommy Wiseau film THE ROOM.

A two-story brick mixed-use building. A large brown banner hangs from the second floor; it reads “KINGS DANCE STUDIO” in the same typeface used by promotional material for the 2003 Tommy Wiseau film THE ROOM.

A greenish/grayscale poster for the 2003 Tommy Wiseau film THE ROOM. It had the words “THE ROOM” across the top, in a distinctive typeface with a cheesy reflection effect. In the center of the poster, Wiseau looks directly at the camera.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 06/03/2026

NYCT making a tremendous argument for deinterlining

A screenshot of the MTA app showing delays and service changes on all lines other than the 7, E, M, G, J, L, shuttles, and Staten Island Railway.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 27/02/2026

If you can’t bring yourself to disable non-urgent notifications, a worthwhile middle ground on iOS is to shunt them to Notification Center (disable Lock Screen, Banners, Sounds, and maybe Badges) so they don’t wake your phone up. YMMV, but I’ve found this to be a big quality of life improvement

A screenshot of iOS notification preferences. There are three disabled options labeled “Lock Screen”, “Banners”, and “Sounds” and two enabled options labeled “Notification Center” and “Badges”.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 08/11/2025

A modern twist on Commodus en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodu...

An excerpt from the English Wikipedia article on Commodus: “Perhaps seeing this as an opportunity, early in 192 Commodus, declaring himself the new Romulus, ritually re-founded Rome, renaming the city ‘Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana’. All the months of the year were renamed to correspond exactly with his (now twelve) names: ‘Lucius’, ‘Aelius’, ‘Aurelius’, ‘Commodus’, ‘Augustus’, ‘Herculeus’, ‘Romanus’, ‘Exsuperatorius’, ‘Amazonius’, ‘Invictus’, ‘Felix’, and ‘Pius’. The legions were renamed ‘Commodianae’, the fleet which imported grain from Africa was termed ‘Alexandria Commodiana Togata’, the Senate was entitled the ‘Commodian Fortunate Senate’, his palace and the Roman people themselves were all given the name ‘Commodianus’, and the day on which these reforms were decreed was to be called ‘Dies Commodianus’.”

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 17/03/2025

a valiant effort itscj.ipsj.or.jp/ir/009-1.pdf

A crop of a PDF scan of an old encoding standard that approximates the ligature "Æ" with a capital "A" and a slanted capital "E" pushed right up next to the "A".

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 15/03/2025

are there even 43 countries whose citizens still want to travel here

An iOS notification from the New York Times app reading, "Trump Travel Ban Proposal - The Trump administration is considering targeting the citizens of as many as 43 countries in a new ban on travel to the United States."

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 29/11/2024

Much like UFOs, until I see them with my own eyes I refuse to believe in trains that stop at Hunterspoint Avenue

An railroad platform extends into the distance, flanked by one track on either side. Overhead is an electronic sign that reads, “No trains for next 8 hours / Use TrainTime app to find next train”.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 16/11/2024

And that’s not even including “breaking” fluff like this, but unfortunately it’s hardly new

A New York Times app notification reading, “Breaking News: Conan O’Brien will host the next Oscars, taking over from Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the past two ceremonies.”

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 15/11/2024

This is like a sports game charging you $40 to play as the corpses of historical players

An Instagram advertisement for the newly released “MBTA Commuter: Boston-Framingham/Worcester Line” route add-on for Dovetail Games’ video game “Train Sim World 5”. The titles of the game and add-on are displayed over a Dutch-angled rendering of an HSP46 diesel locomotive in MBTA Commuter Rail’s purple/black/white livery, pulling multiple bi-level passenger cars. The caption reads, “A new USA route, with new American diesel power. Boston - Worcester is now available in Train Sim World 5!”

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 15/11/2024

PSA from @rahaeli.bsky.social about a bad blocklist bsky.app/profile/raha... bsky.app/profile/raha...

One post by @aaronsofaer.bsky.social, reading: "Yo does anyone know what the fuck is up with @csam.okconfirmed.com running a modlist which is labeling people as CSAM supporters / lolicon posters? Because haha wow and also what the fuck. This is a gross violation of the new bsky Moderation List guidelines and everyone should report them."

Two posts by @rahaeli.bsky.social, replying: "This list is run by a True Crusader who refuses to listen to anyone who challenges their (wrong) preconceptions, and no one should use it: It's full of people (including me) who tried to explain to them that they are wrong about both US law and best practices in child welfare. Me posting this will not help anyone who is using the blocklist, since I'm on it and all, but please do make a post of your own to alert any of your followers using @csam.okconfirmed.com's blocklist the list includes a wide range of people who should not be on it and is the listmaker's vendetta."

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 11/11/2024

It’s fun that this place is still small enough to ratio people without giving them any pity likes

A screenshot of a Bluesky post by “Just Matt Please” (@mtietje.bsky.social). It was posted at 11:09 a.m. on November 11, 2024, and reads: “Pronouns push for all did not help. Calling out the need for these rights allowing the other side to fear bathrooms/sports/etc. Trans rights should not be a platform topic ever again in the party. Change it to supporting medical care as needed but if the next dem pres platforms this they lose.” It has 86 replies, 9 quote-posts, 0 reposts, and 0 likes.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 12/10/2024

"The feet pics I was attempting to accumulate from this server were strictly for artistic purposes" incredible. no notes

An X post from "Daily Roman Updates" (@UpdatingOnRome) reading:

'I'd just like to clear something up regarding the accusations being made about me by some of the female members of this group. The accusations regarding my so called "behavior" are untrue and extremely hurtful. To the accusers (you know who you are kitten), a few points for your consideration: thinking

'1) Yes I was asking for feet pics in DMs, I will admit to that. Apparently this can come off as inappropriate for some. So I reluctantly apologize for that.

'2) The feet pics I was attempting to accumulate from this server were strictly for artistic purposes and NON-SEXUAL in nature. Ever heard of a non-sexual foot fetishist? Well sorry to break it.

'3) I have almost NEVER taken screenshots of the feet that have been sent to me and/or sent these pics to other people

'4) No I have not been making threats to those who choose to ignore my messages & friend requests. Telling someone who has clearly wronged me that there will be consequences for their actions is not a "threat". I consider it more a... life lesson per se. Learn the difference then report back to me. I'll be right here waiting for an apology.

'5) And finally, as you can see, I didn't tag any of the women who wronged me in this message, as doing so would not comply with my ethics, but I will always respect one's decision to have their own so called "opinion" no matter how misguided it may be.

'As you can tell, my interests lay mainly in the high arts and I can guarantee you that if and when you do decide to step down off your fucking throne and accept my humble friend requests (feet pics or not) at the very least you will end up having a very compatible and knowledgeable friend. Hopefully this clears a few things up with the more disgruntled members of the group.'

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 26/04/2024

Why does my feed reader have *two* consecutive posts about the White Sox? This should be a war crime @defector.bsky.social @fangraphs.com

Two items in a feed reader, one titled “Can the White Sox Lose 120 Games?” and the other “Here’s How The White Sox Can Still Win At Least 63 Games”.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 09/04/2024

Thanks to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for bailing me out with last-minute eclipse glasses and other advanced Sun-viewing technology. Clutch

A Sunspotter folded-path solar telescope projecting the partially occluded sun onto a piece of paper.

The crowd at the Rockaway Beach eclipse-viewing event, hosted by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

A child’s representation of the sun, drawn in chalk on the Rockaway Beach boardwalk and labeled “SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024”.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 16/12/2023

and he had to learn some of that on the job www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/m...

An excerpt from the New York Times Magazine: "Eventually Braugher won over his dad, and secured a scholarship to Juilliard. Shortly after graduating, he auditioned for the filmmaker Ed Zwick, who was casting 'Glory,' about African-American soldiers in the Civil War. Braugher got the part of Thomas Searles, a bookish Northerner whose experience as a soldier is harrowing. Braugher was so green that his co-stars, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, had to show him how to act for the camera."

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 06/12/2023

if you see this post a bridge

The Hell Gate Bridge viewed from Astoria Park.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 11/09/2023

don't forget the classic "wow sure would be a shame if I, the pontifex maximus, just happened to decide that we don't need the intercalary month this year, thus prematurely ending my political rivals' terms of office" maneuver en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_...

An excerpt from the "Julian calendar" English Wikipedia article.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 11/09/2023

Another fun fact is that later emperors tried to rename months too, but it never stuck. Commodus in particular tried to put his names on *every* month — and also on Rome, the Roman people, the Senate, and everything else en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodus

An excerpt from the "Julian calendar" English Wikipedia article: 'Other months were renamed by other emperors, but apparently none of the later changes survived their deaths. In AD 37, Caligula renamed September as "Germanicus" after his father; in AD 65, Nero renamed April as "Neroneus", May as "Claudius" and June as "Germanicus"; and in AD 84 Domitian renamed September as "Germanicus" and October as "Domitianus". Commodus was unique in renaming all twelve months after his own adopted names (January to December): "Amazonius", "Invictus", "Felix", "Pius", "Lucius", "Aelius", "Aurelius", "Commodus", "Augustus", "Herculeus", "Romanus", and "Exsuperatorius". The emperor Tacitus is said to have ordered that September, the month of his birth and accession, be renamed after him, but the story is doubtful since he did not become emperor before November 275. Similar honorific month names were implemented in many of the provincial calendars that were aligned to the Julian calendar.'

An excerpt from the "Commodus" English Wikipedia article: "Perhaps seeing this as an opportunity, early in 192 Commodus, declaring himself the new Romulus, ritually re-founded Rome, renaming the city Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana. All the months of the year were renamed to correspond exactly with his (now twelve) names: Lucius, Aelius, Aurelius, Commodus, Augustus, Herculeus, Romanus, Exsuperatorius, Amazonius, Invictus, Felix, and Pius. The legions were renamed Commodianae, the fleet which imported grain from Africa was termed Alexandria Commodiana Togata, the Senate was entitled the Commodian Fortunate Senate, his palace and the Roman people themselves were all given the name Commodianus, and the day on which these reforms were decreed was to be called Dies Commodianus."

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 11/09/2023

tangentially, the notion that July and August both have 31 days because Augustus had an inferiority complex or something is also an urban legend, invented like 1,200 years later en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August

An except from the English Wikipedia: "In 8 BC, the month was renamed in honor of Emperor Augustus. According to a Senatus consultum quoted by Macrobius, he chose this month because it was the time of several of his great triumphs, including the conquest of Egypt. Commonly repeated lore has it that August has 31 days because Augustus wanted his month to match the length of Julius Caesar's July, but this is an invention of the 13th century scholar Johannes de Sacrobosco. Sextilis in fact had 31 days before it was renamed, and it was not chosen for its length."

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 20/08/2023

one of the other ends of Long Island (2023-06-09)

Plum Island and the Orient Point Light, as viewed from Orient Point.

Gardiners Island and the South Fork, as viewed from Orient Point.

The Cross Sound Ferry docked at Orient Point.

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 20/08/2023

3200 × 🍷 = 🐮 (2023-06-09)

A life-sized sculpture of a cow, created entirely of corks.

A sign reading "Benzi - The Bio Dynamic Cow - Benzi was hand crafted using over 3,200 corks by artist Emizael Moura."

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Lawrence Velázquez @larryv.me · 20/08/2023

thinking about changing my last name to Playground (2023-05-01)

A New York City Parks Department sign for Lawrence Playground.

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