iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The 9 Games that captured my imagination and a whole lot of time growing up.

My 9 Games: Tie Fighter, Zelda: A Link to the Past, Chrono Trigger, Street Fighter 2, Doom, Final Fantasy III, Myst, GTA: Vice City, Half-Life 2.

Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The ol "I see we've stopped at Bojangles for chicken supremes. How interesting." look from the backseat. #dogsofbluesky #dachshunds

My dachshund, Sandy, eyeballing me as we stopped at Bojangles.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

My little snapshot in time. I visited the 9/11 Memorial in May of 2012. The museum wasn't open, the trees were growing, and One World Trade Center was rising above Ground Zero. It was a place of profound sadness, but a sense of healing also permeated this hallowed place. Taken on a Nokia E5.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Looks like a portal to another dimension has opened up directly overhead with the storm passing through. #clouds #cloudphotography #weather #ncweather #watauga

A nifty looking cloud formation as a front and thunderstorm pass through the NC mountains.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I've spent most of my life in the South but I've lived across the country from Louisiana to Maryland and Missouri to California. This map is a really cool representation of the mashup of dialects in my speech. mydialect.us/quiz-standar...

My dialect map. The representation considering where I've lived is impressive.

The data explanation provided for my dialect map.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Worth the two hour drive to see Faetooth (@faetooth.bsky.social) in Asheville? Absolutely! What a crushingly stellar show. Appreciate y'all playing NC, and please pass along thanks to Bosses and Latter who were also fantastic. #musicsky #doommetal #faetooth

The band Faetooth, members Ari, Jenna, and Rah, performing at Eulogy in Asheville on August 19, 2026. Bosses and Latter were the opening acts.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Bonne fête nationale France! 🇫🇷 A photo I took from La Grande Arch on a soupy June morning in 2024. #photography #bastilleday #france #paris #shotonpixel #arcdetriomphe

After climbing the steps of La Grande Arch I was greeted by this amazing view of the Arc de Triomphe. Taken in the morning of June 2, 2024.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

A huge thanks to the fine folks over at @uesp.net, for the Elder Scrolls goodies. Some really cool items. The coin is insanely awesome. Special shout out to Lydia for being my go-to answer. #elderscrolls #videogames #uespnet

A photo of some of the really nice Elder Scrolls items being given away by the folks at UESP. The package contained a sheet of stickers, four posters, a figurine, and an awesome coin.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I feel like I'm the only person on Bluesky that's not gloating about the USMNT losing yesterday. It's rough out here. 😅 I've been a fan of the men's and women's teams since the early 90s and love watching both teams play. I hope folks that tuned in for the first time and became fans stick around.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

May we one day resume the lofty goal of striving for and attaining the noble ideas we were founded on 250 years ago. Happy 4th America. #America250 #IndependenceDay #photography #fireworks #blueridgemountains

Fireworks illuminate the night sky as they're launched from the valleys among the Blue Ridge Mountains. Photo taken by me on July 4, 2018.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Saturday vibes. Loved seeing this cat just chilling out on a street in Pompeii. #photography #catsofbluesky #italy #pompeii

A cat I photographed relaxing on the curb of a street in Pompeii.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Treated to a nice bunch of striated cirrus clouds moving across the sky this afternoon. #clouds #cirrusclouds #pixelography

Cirrus clouds featuring striated patterns moving across the afternoon sky.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The 2026 Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup Champions. That has a nice ring to it. Feels as good as it did in 2006. Happy for NC, Raleigh, and Canes fans, both old and new, who got to experience one hell of a run. #Canes #SoundTheSiren #LetsGoCanes #StanleyCupChamps

Jordan Staal lifting the Stanley Cup as the Hurricanes won their second NHL championship.

The Carolina Hurricanes are the 2026 Stanley Cup Champions.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Morning devotionals at the Canes shrine hoping the guys can lift Lord Stanley's Cup tonight in Vegas. #Canes #LetsGoCanes #SoundTheSiren #StanleyCupFinal

A selection of some of my Carolina Hurricanes items - a jersey from the early 2000s, Bauer cap, 2006 Champions pint glass, Raleigh Arena Inaugural patch, and a puck signed by Ron Francis.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

I have around 130 hours on my first Xenoblade Chronicles play through, and now it's like seeing a whole new game with the Switch 2 upgrade pack. The visuals are stellar and the colors are popping off the screen. Time for a NG+ run I suppose. #XenobladeChronicles #Switch2 #Xenoblade

A screenshot showing the updated visuals for Xenoblade Chronicles with the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade pack.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Much love to the wonderful folks of Italy on this 80th Festa della Repubblica. A photo of the Italian flag taken in Como on May 21, 2026. #Italy #republicday #Italianholiday

The flag of Italy flying above Como. Taken by me on May 21, 2026.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Out for a walk around the yard with the dog when we see this young fellow on the bank. I gawked at him, he stared back before turning tail and lumbering into the trees. First time I've seen one around. Very cool. #bear #blackbear #photography #westernnc #pixelography

A young black bear wandering and exploring around my home. Taken on June 2, 2026.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

In need of a reorganization and a new board, but I'm happy to have a spot along the bottom row for the pins I recently acquired in Italy. #enamelpins #lapelpins #pincollection #travelpins

A cork board highlighting my enamel pin collection. The most recent are along the bottom row acquired in Italy.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Never mind the birds, it's cow watching season. #dachshunds #dogsofbluesky #cows

My dachshund, Sandy, keeps an eye on the cows as they watch her in return.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I've seen so many bees and butterflies flitting around the last few days. I caught this beautiful swallowtail sunning herself on a patch of concrete. #butterfly #shotonpixel #pixelography #swallowtail #photography #insects

A swallowtail butterfly sunning herself on a patch of concrete. Taken on April 14, 2026.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Growing up in the Space Shuttle era I always get nervous seeing manned launches. While not as cool as seeing a launch, I did get to see Atlantis land at Edwards Air Force Base on December 1, 1991 as STS-44. The sonic boom as it entered the atmosphere was deafening. #nasa #spaceshuttle #atlantis

The front of Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center.

Atlantis with her payload doors open with the Canadarm extended.

The STS-44 patch of the shuttle mission that landed December 1, 1991 at Edwards Air Force Base.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit entrance at Kennedy Space Center.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I visited Kennedy Space Center last November and it was a dream. Seeing a Saturn V on display was awe-inducing. Thrilled to see Artemis II with a successful launch this evening. #nasa #space #artemisII #kennedyspacecenter

The NASA globe is glowing as the sun sets at Kennedy Space Center.

The awesome scope of a Saturn V rocket at Kennedy Space Center.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Another one for #314Day in St. Louis. This sunrise was taken along Vandeventer Avenue looking towards downtown. #stlouis #saintlouis #sunrise #photography #urbanphotography #pentaxk50 #silhouette

A sunrise over downtown St. Louis framed by power lines.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Happy #314Day to the city of St. Louis. I may post a few photos from my time living there to celebrate. This sunset over downtown was taken by my friend as we were driving over the Poplar Street Bridge. #photography #urbanphotography #cityscapes #sunset #stlouis #saintlouis

The setting sun makes for a stunning glow over downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Taken while driving over the Poplar Street Bridge.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Nice! This early March weather is such a tease. Spring Fever is in full effect and I'm practically itching to do yard work. There's gotta be something dastardly in the works from the weather gods. #boonenc #weather #currentconditions #falsespring

False Spring is here. Current conditions of 69 degrees in Boone, NC.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

It sucks continually being disappointed in people that could make a positive difference deciding to do the opposite. It's difficult to find a silver lining so here's a pink-ish one instead from Key West. #photography #shotonpixel #sunset #pixelography #keywest #florida

A sailboat catching the last rays of the day from Key West, Florida.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

It's programming perfection that @tcmtv.bsky.social is showing the movie Gaslight tonight. 🤌 I'm looking forward to spending the evening with Charles and Ingrid. #filmsky #movies #tcm #turnerclassicmovies

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Thrilled to see one of my favorite Canes, Jaccob Slavin, win a gold. Hellebuyck activated God Mode to keep the US in the game, and nothing could be sweeter than seeing Jack Hughes, missing teeth, score the winner. 🇺🇸 Also, my Fitbit heart rate graph for the game. #TeamUSA #USAHockey #2026Olympics

My heart rate as captured by Fitbit on a Pixel Watch during the men's ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Time flies! Yup, those are plane navigation lights. Long exposure of downtown St. Louis from the Eads Bridge taken on January 31, 2016. #photography #stlouis #longexposure #cityscape #pentaxk50

A long exposure photo of downtown St. Louis taken by me on January 31, 2016.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Fifteen years of participating in the reading challenges on Goodreads and three years on The StoryGraph. My rereads were Tolkien and Emily St. John Mandel. New reads were N.K. Jemisin, Robin Hobb, Octavia E. Butler and Premee Mohamed. All were excellent. #booksky #readingwrapup #storygraph #books

The book cover collage from the Wrap-Up 2025 stats generated by The StoryGraph.

A graphic from the Wrap-Up 2025 stats generated by The StoryGraph.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Finished my fifteenth and final book for the StoryGraph/Goodreads yearly reading challenge on the trusty Paperwhite 3. It has had a remarkably great run over the past decade. I'll be Reading in 2026 with my new Kobo Clara Colour. I'm already in love. #booksky #kindle #kobo #ereader #readingchallenge

A side by side view of my Kindle Paperwhite 3 and Kobo Clara Colour. The Kindle's last book was Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and the Kobo's first book is Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

I'm excited for the Kobo Clara Colour waiting under the Christmas tree, but am going to miss seeing my streak in the Kindle app. Unless.. maybe I'll send the books to my Amazon account as well to manually sync with the Kobo. I'm kinda embarrassed contemplating it. #booksky #kobo #readingstreak

My current reading streak in the Kindle app for Android as of December 21, 2025. It's currently 2,060 days long.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

My girl, Sandy Jo, turned 5 today. She's been hiking in state parks, has traveled the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC, and visited all of the lighthouses on the OBX. She's also absolutely wicked with the side eye. #dogsofbluesky #dogsky #birthdaydogs #dachshund #shotonpixel

A picture of my dog Sandy Jo, a dachshund, for a post celebrating her fifth birthday.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

I both love, and occasionally dread, the rush of feelings that overcome me when a book is over. I just finished Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders and I'm a whirlwind of emotion. Phew, can that lady write a captivating story full of characters that feel so alive. The setting, the ships. #booksky #fantasy

The covers of the Liveship Traders series by Robin Hobb. The titles are Ship of Magic, The Mad Ship, and Ship of Destiny.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

This is Steve. He's hanging out on the wall at the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve. The NPS folks really enjoy having people stop by. Go visit them and say Hey to Steve. #nationalparks #nps #taxidermy #alligator #bigcypress #florida #pixelography

A large taxidermy specimen of an American alligator located at the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve. His name is Steve.

A map of Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida.

A statue of a Florida panther outside the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Caught a SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink launch the other night from Patrick Space Force Base. Pretty damn cool. #photography #pixelography #spacex #rocketlaunch #spacecoast

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites flying to space with a full moon visible.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

The most recent copy of Christopher Ward's Loupe arrived. The new Sealander Extreme GMT looks awesome. My Sealander can hold her own though. #watches #horology #cwwatches #christopherward

A copy of Loupe magazine published by Christopher Ward with my Sealander GMT laying on the cover.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Feed cleanse Friday. This pretty girl was trying to decide if the dahlia flowers were worth the effort. Munch munch. #cows #feedcleanse #munchies #photography

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Looking back through the photos I took in the Louvre in May 2024 and realizing I took a picture of most of the jewelry pieces stolen in the heist. Everything in Apollo's Gallery was stunning. I hope they're found. #louvre #photography #pixelography #jewels #museum

A photo from the Louvre I took in May 2024 with some of the pieces that were stolen including the crown, tiara, and bodice bow of Empress Eugénie.

A photo from the Louvre I took in May 2024 with some of the pieces that were stolen including the tiara of Queen Maria Amalia and Queen Hortense, and the emerald set of Mary Louise.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Days spent hiking around with the doggy are cleansing. Spent an afternoon hanging out at beautiful Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee. #hiking #roanmountain #stateparks #dachshunds #pixelography #photography

Standing in front of the cave entrance to the old Peg Leg Mine at Roan Mountain State Park.

Looking up at the trees and colors of Fall at Roan Mountain State Park.

A beautiful day at Roan Mountain State Park.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

A short time lapse of storm clouds passing along the mountain side. #timelapse #clouds #pixelography #shotonpixel #wnc

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Some righteous cloud formations moving over the mountains out ahead of an incoming cold front. #clouds #wnc #weather #pixelography

Cloud formation passing in front of the sun with a distinct edge against the blue sky.

The sun is about to emerge from behind this cloud formation. Wispy clouds are scattered above.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

One year after Helene, an afternoon of rain, followed by a hint of a sunset on the mountain side. It's certainly a better ending to the day than last year. #wnc #mountains #sunset #pixelography

Low clouds slowly pass overhead as the sun's final rays glow on the mountain side.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Resilience. These two photos were taken in October of 2024. We're still here. So is that giant ass tree in the yard. #hurricanehelene #wnc #mountainstrong

My doggy taking a walk on the trunk of the tree that fell onto my sister's house.

Stay Strong High Country was the message on the marquee of the Appalachian Theatre in Boone, North Carolina.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

A year later and there are still portions of Western North Carolina that are struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. There were mountains of downed trees, ruined home interiors, pieces of people's lives piled on the side of roads for months. It was haunting. #wnc #hurricanehelene

The tree they fell onto my sister's house.

Looking down the bank at the roots of the tree they fell onto my sister's house.

Blue skies highlight the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.

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Charles @paintedgrey.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Water piled up underground causing the ground to swell, it cascaded down the yard, flooding my basement with over a foot of water. Across the road the stream overflowed through the power substation.

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