iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 4h

Sometimes Zombie Dice is just the tool for the job… took my parents to Family Weekend at 19yo’s campus today and this was a fun way to hang out. Exciting end with 19yo rolling 12 brains on his last turn to pull ahead and win #boardgames

Hubby, 19yo, and my parents at a table in the library rec room

BG Stats play, October 3, 2026.

Zombie Dice.
Steve Jackson (I).

5 players
Powered by BG Stats and BoardGameGeek.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

With the kids out of the house we’ve been catching up on video games (co-op Slay the Spire II) and tv shows lately so our boardgame count for September is a little low. The games that hit the table were quality fun, though

BG Stats 3 x 3.
Play count:
3: Cribbage;
2: The Gang;
1: Carcassonne;
1: Sky Team;
1: Tidal Blades 2: Rise of the Unfolders.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

With just me and hubby at home, a whole meat pie is way too much so I invested in some mini pie plates and now have a freezer full of mini tourtières!

Close view of multiple mini pies, some wrapped in foil

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Tonight’s #boardgame was Sky Team at 23yo’s request. Collaboration and coordination through the order you play your dice. Such a delight to work through the puzzle for a successful landing

A shared, dual-layered board between two player screens. The board has places to play pilot blue force and co-pilot orange dice. Actions include angle, speed, landing gear, flaps, breaks, and talking to the tower.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I just learned Killjoys (my favorite tv show) is currently free to stream on Tubi if you want to check it out!

Killjoys characters in colorful leathers on the bridge of a spaceship

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

After a bit of curiosity, creativity, and crafting I ended up with this. All because a big fashion mag we didn’t request arrived after seeing @travisdhill.bsky.social share his #collage work here

Collage made from magazine pages. A tiger in the middle ground looks off to the right. A red curtain drapes down the left side. A giant-sized fountain pen descends from behind the curtain, touching up a spot on the tiger’s head. The background is a cacophony of white and pink flowers in a garden.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Hubby, 23yo, and I started our adventure in the collapsing flying city today. The Forbidden #boardgames are my favorite so I’m very excited for Forbidden Legacy and already impressed by the production quality!

Game box with large, colorful tuck boxes, cards, and tiles. A comic open to the Prologue explaining our jouney from the island, through desert, sky, and jungle to find the flying city.

Square tiles of sci-fi locations in a grid with a cats tail moving the tiles.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I’ve come to realize practicing my clarinet is like running … • hard to get started • measurable benefits • the best is having had done it

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Jenny with a Green Ribbon Around Her Neck @readingtheend.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

attn please: the full DVD set of Killjoys is on sale right now for $30 and it is well worth your attention. it is very KICKY and FUN for it contains both SF shenanigans and critiques of economic inequality. all your favorite things in one handy place!!! and! an evil twin!

gruv.com

Killjoys: Seasons One - Five (DVD Set) [DVD]

Killjoys follows a fun-loving, hard-living trio of interplanetary bounty hunters sworn to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad, a distant system on the brink of a bloody,...

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

This game is really hitting the sweet spot for me… dialog choices that build relationships, combat that I can scale back to fun button mashing, and a guitar hero mini game, all in a sci fi future of queer and diverse characters

Dustborn launch screen in an arid desert with buttes and cacti. The diverse crew poses in front of a tour bus driven by a robot.

Dustborn is a single-player, story-driven action-adventure game about hope, love, friendships, robots...and the power of words.
You play Pax: exile, con-artist - Anomal. Looking for a way out and a new life, Pax has been hired to transport an important package from Pacifica to Nova Scotia, across the Justice-controlled American Republic.
Explore the stunning Neo-Western landscapes of an alternate history America on a robot-driven tour bus, and stop at a dozen locations along the road to build your crew, manage relationships, complete missions, and face increasingly difficult challenges.
But the people you stole the package from want it back, and Justice is hot on your heels, so don't forget to pack your baseball bat!
At the end of the road lies salvation...but to get there, you need to cross an entire continent.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

We’ve kicked off the fall season in community concert band! I really like the recording of this piece but it’s tricky and fast! Just gotta keep trying and putting in practice time between rehearsals.

Blue Shades for symphonic winds and percussion by Frank Ticheli. 3rd clarinet sheet music behind my clarinet mouthpiece.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Enjoyed a lovely evening chatting with a friend over a game of Carcassonne #boardgame

Square tiles with cities, roads, and monasteries claimed by red and blue meeple tokens

Spencer the orange and white cat helping with scoring

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Brian Liberge/Freddie (she/he) 🔜 NotAConCon @brianliberge.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Here's my opinion on PAX Unplugged Houston. There are people there that deserve joy and community that cannot get to another PAX. I think about how many privileges I have, and I still wouldn't be able to get to PAX Unplugged Philly without the help I get. As a trans person, Texas is rough 1/?

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My dad brought by some peaches from his tree and we had everything else in the house we needed to make a crumble… and then paired it with a lovely bourbon

Small white bowl with cooked, spiced peach slices topped with a nutty streusel next to a clear tumbler with bourbon

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

We dropped 19yo off for his sophomore year and quickly got out of his way.

Our son standing in his cinder block dorm room with typical dorm room furniture, blue bedspread, and mad scientist lamp of funky shaped incandescent bulbs

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Run tracker + radio drama where you are one of the characters in the story. I’d do anything for cinnamon roll Sam Yao

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

It was amazing to attend Brendan’s book launch tonight and I’m so excited about all of the folks he’ll help through his new book… Overcoming the Wall of Awful: Why It’s Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (And How to Do Them Anyway) @adhdessentials.bsky.social (WallOfAwful.com)

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I just backed African Boardgames Convention- AB Con 2026 on @kickstarter.com and they still need help reaching their goal. www.kickstarter.com/projects/olu...

kickstarter.com

African Boardgames Convention- AB Con 2026

Celebrating 10 years of bringing Tabletop Game lovers and creators together.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

23yo is settling into her new place. We paid a visit and played a co-op #boardgame: Burgle Bros Blackjack

Me, hubby, 23yo and 19yo sitting at a round dining table in an apartment with a card game in progress

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I'm lucky to chat with my pal Brendan (@adhdessentials.bsky.social) in person. Soon everyone can benefit from his advice via his new book! Snag an invite to the "Overcoming the Wall of Awful" pre-sale Zoom Party by sending your proof of purchase to brendan@ADHDessentials.com! Order: WallofAwful.com

"[The term] 'Lazy' offers no information and no solutions. It adds bricks to our Walls of Awful and creates a story in our head for why we can't get past them. It makes us feel bad without helping us move forward." Chapter 3 - Skills and Resources Help Us Get Pas the Wall
Coming September 1st
Wherever books are sold!
WallofAwful.com

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Castle Ravenloft #boardgame made it back to the table tonight after a bunch of years. We took a lot of damage but managed to defeat the kobold villain and his artifact

Square dungeon tiles that lock together like puzzle pieces. Painted hero and monster minis face off.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Tsuro is such a good #boardgame when hanging with family. Not too complex for my folks at all.

Me, hubby, 19yo, 23yo, and my parents (early eighties) at the dining table with tile-laying, path-building Tsuro game

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Keith Law @keithlaw.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I got to combine two of my passions in this story about why the US publisher of the board game Catan is now striking partnerships with sports teams, including the Timberwolves and the Ottawa Senators: www.nytimes.com/athletic/751... (unlocked)

nytimes.com

Why a board game is popping up across the NBA, NHL, and NFL (Gift Article)

Catan, one of the world's most popular board games, is hoping to lure in sports fans with a growing number of partnerships.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Last weekend we hosted our annual Games*a*palooza #boardgame day (est 2011)! We were 22 friends and family playing 26 different games. I got to introduce folks to Fate of the Fellowship and The Gang. And 19yo and 22yo are great at teaching and running games too

Hotel conference room with around 20 people playing games. A green banner hangs on the wall. Games played were
The Gang x3
Hot Streak
Flip Ships
Fate of the Fellowship
Anarchy Pancakes
Big Book of Madness
Kingsburg
Nanatoridori
Blue Moon City x2
OK Boomer
Slay the Spire
Qwirkle
Daybreak
Alien Frontiers
Sky Team x3
Hex Hex XL
Mysterium
Telestrations
Happy Salmon
Skull King
Guillotine
The Oregon Trail
Gentle Rain
Potion Explosion
Robo Rally
Lords of Waterdeep

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

We’ve finally broken out Dice Throne Missions #boardgame. We really like the simultaneous play while we battle evildoers

Krampus, Treant, and Pyromancer rolling dice to defeat Mister Sinister

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

The whole family finally had a chance to sit down together and improve clean energy while reducing carbon emissions in Daybreak #boardgame (twice)

Me, hubby, 19yo, and 22yo at the dining table in front of the Kallax shelves. Each player represents a different part of the world with actions having a collective impact.

Both Spencer and Loki, the orange kitty brothers, are sitting on my son’s lap at the table. They are also concerned about climate change

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

You’re going to make me cry, aren’t you? 💜🩷

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Big excitement here! 19yo’s #boardgame preorder from @upperdeckent.bsky.social arrived! Nice to see the designer’s name on the box

Legendary DC boardgame, fresh out of the FedEx box. Plus Batman promo

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

We had a lot of #boardgame fun in July! We played Daybreak 3 times at PAXEast and loved it so I gifted it to hubby for his birthday

BG Stats 4 x 4.
Play count:
26: The Gang;
23: Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game;
4: The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship;
3: Slay the Spire: The Board Game;
2: Daybreak;
2: Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game;
1: Buy the Vote!;
1: Champions of Midgard;
1: Cribbage;
1: Marvel Dice Throne: Missions;
1: Skull King.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

This weekend we… * hosted our annual board game party * moved our daughter into her first apartment * performed a community band concert I a m E X H A U S T E D

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

The stars aligned for a rousing success in Fate of the Fellowship #boardgame. We managed to capture three strongholds and destroy the ring while full of hope. Spencer must have been the key, checking on our progress often

Spencer the large orange and white kitty is on the table next to the Middle Earth board with raised Nazgûl minis, six character meeples, and many tiny battle troops. There’s a deck of resource cards and a deck of oversized evil cards. Each player has two character cards and some resources

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Apparently this is comfortable since he’s fast asleep

Orange tabby Loki folded in half with his chest pointing up, his front paws lounging out and his head tucked under his left elbow and right knee somehow.

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I can’t imagine not listening to my Board Game Blitz podcast after having it jump to the front of my listening queue for 10 years. 🩷 @ambierona.bsky.social 💜 @crystaldax.bsky.social Absolutely grateful for all you’ve contributed to the board game community!

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Out with old (cardboard), in with the new (laser cut, kallax sized) storage solution for Legendary Marvel #boardgame. We finally finished printing/cutting dividers and labels 19yo earned the upgrade by ruthlessly managing our house clean out of 16 years of stuff— garage, basement, attic, closets…

Black 2x4 Kallax shelves with two birch boxes of 12 vertical drawers each. The draws have card catalog handle/label hardware. Nearby is the cardboard box with 12 horizontal drawers, collapsing a bit under their own weight. The Legendary Marvel second edition box sits above it

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

We’re enjoying a week of vacation at home (it’s where the cats and games are, after all) so we spent the afternoon with Spencer and the Slay the Spire #boardgame

Big orange and white cat sitting on my son’s lap, playing the Ironclad character

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Me and my two tubas enjoyed playing with our band for a local town festival this afternoon!

A band of around 60 people in white polo shirts playing under multiple pop up tents

Hubby in sunglasses, white cap, and polo holding a 3/4 size tuba in his lap. 19yo is completely obscured by a 5/4 size tuba

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Finally found the wedding scrapbook last week (a year later!) in the attic during our major house clean out

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Hubby's remote D&D group started up a new campaign, so I joined in too. I couldn't resist the call of Spelljammer + Planescape. I ended up taking my character inspiration from Loki.

Hero Forge character of orange tabby colored Tabaxi cat woman wearing green medieval adventuring gear

Roll20 screenshot of five tokens: an elf in pink, an old gnome in a purple hat, a hadozee flying simian, my tabaxi, a reborn (cyborg-like) orc

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Another beautiful day for a community wind band concert!

Selfie with my clarinet behind an audience in lawn chairs in a park. The 50+ wind band is in the background under a couple of pop up tents next to a gazebo

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merely rachel @merelyrachel.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

19yo’s summer project is purging the house of junk because hubby & I are all talk, no action. Everything is getting piled up for the junk folks to haul away for donate/recycle/trash. Here’s the teddy bear go cart my dad made (garage) with my old Cabbage Patch doll wearing clothes my mom made (attic)