iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Playing through Three Houses for the first time and I am loving it. Here’s my first really great level up with one of my favorites.

Bernedetta, a medium length purple haired fighter class depicted holding a bow, gets a level up with +1 to HP, Str, Dex, Spd, Lck, Cha.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Day 1 Favorite Title Theme Final Fantasy V I've been really into the score lately and the title screen is great. Full of hope and intrigue. Great opening music. One of the great main themes. All around banger.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Finished OT2 last night. I think it builds on the first one in pretty much every way. Loved it!

The Octopath traveler 2 ending art with the main cast artwork and the words Thank you for traveling with us at the bottom.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Here’s some alto trombone to brighten your day.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Ok starting a slow playthrough of the pixel remasters starting with #FinalFantasy I. Thinking this is my team. Could use some better names though. Taking suggestions for a few hours with the caveat that they must be kid-safe.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Day 28: Favorite Title Card FF16. It's really good. Shadowbringers is also great. HM to FFXII and FFX.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Day 26: Most Difficult Boss Fight So it's definitely Velius. When I first played through FFT I was stuck there for a bit. I figured out a way to beat him eventually. See also most any trial in FFXIV. I'm just genuinely bad at that game LOL. Hmm should I reply FFT. I sure mention it a lot!

The infamous fight against Velius. A text box above Velius reads: Whoooooah!! They're just humans....!

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Day 24: Worst Minigame Dodging the lightning strikes in FFX obviously. Also maybe Chocobo Hot and Cold and any of the mini games from FFXV. But also I sorta hate in FF7 when you suddenly are playing some other little minigame. Motorcycle is fine but some of the other ones are pointless.

Tidus trying to avoid lightning and failing.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Day 21: Favorite Armor Design Uh? I’m going to interpret this as best clothes which naturally falls to Paine’s Mascot dressphere. HM: Cecil’s Dark Knight. Also Freya, Steiner, and Beatrix.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Day 16: Favorite Summon/Spell Alexander. Alexander rules in every game but especially IX and XIV. Sometimes looks a little silly but I’m all for a giant fortress castle summon. HM: Merton or any skill that damages both the enemy and the party because you know we all killed our selves with it once

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Day 15: Favorite Boss Fight Kefka, of course. It blew my mind. Also I like when a final boss has a grotesque form that actually has a good narrative explanation. Kefka’s accumulation of power and desire to become a god literally stacks himself on top of the statues of the gods in the final sprite.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Day 12: Favorite White Mage Krile from FFV. I mean just look at her! Honestly I don’t have a strong attachment to white mages and there haven’t been too many!

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Day 8: Favorite Cutscene That one. From the end of 5.3. Honorable Mentions: Opera Scene Figaro Brothers flip the coin Ramuh’s first appearance in FFXV Opening Cinematic for FFXII

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Day 6: Worst NPC Weird question. But easy answer. Don’t love Chocolina. I find her presence irritating and unnecessary. No good narrative explanation for her to suddenly appear human and it seems like a cheap misogynist move to get some more skin in the game. I don’t want that in my Final Fantasy.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

I made my daughter an Axolotl cake for her 6th birthday party. Came out pretty good!

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Day 4: Favorite Protagonist Genuinely difficult question. I think the answer is the WoL from FFXIV: Grahf Walker. We went through a lot together.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

In exactly two weeks I'm playing a faculty recital at UConn! The school typically streams the concert so I'll thread the link here when I get it. VGM fans– I'll be playing Vague Hope from NieR Automata that I've thrown together for trombone/piano. Thanks to @heartbreak.one for the suggestion!!

Dr. Matthew presents is written above the word ENOUGH which is distorted and shrinking. The dates January 30, 2026 • 8pm is listed. Below the date and time are logos for the von der Mehden Recital Hall and UConn School of Fine Arts.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

The adjunct faculty lounge special

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Feast your eyes on this monstrosity.

A wooden plank with two coat hooks on it. A third coat hook is fastened to the stone about 6 inches from one wooden plank. It is very unsettling.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Really happy to have run a consistent mile. This is something I have never done in my life without stopping to walk for a bit. It may not be the fastest time but I’ll take it. After another bout of pneumonia 2 months ago getting back to the gym has been a real challenge. This is a nice little win.

A mile pace of 10’27” is listed with a heart rate of 157bpm. The user was so excited he made this square in adobe and added a graphic that depicts 5 hands clapping.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

I’m so excited for this @discocactus.bsky.social show with the NHSO. Glad to be playing bass trombone with the orchestra. Shows on Saturday and Sunday. Come hear these awesome orchestrations and this great band!!!

A bass trombone on a trombone stand at rehearsal.

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

I think it sums me up pretty well. Missing from image: BEST GAME YOU PLAYED WITH YOUR WIFE BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A ROMANTIC GAME BUT DEFINITELY WASN'T: Florence BEST GAME FOR TORTURING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT LOSS AND GRIEF: Ori and the Will of the Wisps

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matthew russo @nomadicclown.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Bourgeois Trombone Concerto this Sunday in Madison, CT! This one is a beast but I’m pretty happy with where I am with it. Follow me for more trombone!

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