iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 19h

200 years ago, a man in love still dreaded...the friend zone...

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

So wait...even in Jane Austen's time, childcare providers and educators were understood to be severely underpaid??

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Here is that bad boy, and it's up on the web page, too. stevebarrera.net/game/ipa/SMI...

A custom made magic card called "Red and Black Lumberjack", a low mana cost red and black creature that can destroy lands.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It's been a while since I've made one of my Magic: the Gathering cards based on a craft IPA, but when I discovered this bad boy - literally named after two of the mana colors in Magic - I knew it had to be done. #magicthegathering

A picture of a can of Red & Black Lumberjack Hazy IPA from New Trail Brewing Company.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

In my defense, I am insanely busy right now.

Screenshot of goodreads challenge showing 8 books behind schedule.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Sheesh, am I even trying any more?

Screenshot of a goodreads reading challenge showing 6 books behind schedule.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

I'm late with my Substack post this week; just been so busy with other things. My goodreads reading challenge progress also testifies to this. I am really falling behind on my literary activities!

A screenshot of a 2026 goodreads reading challenge indicating 4 out of 26 books read and 3 books behind schedule.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Another game of Castles of Mad King Ludwig from @beziergames.bsky.social this week! This is the Windy J Castle.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Whenever I play Castles of Mad King Ludwig from @beziergames.bsky.social I always name my castle at the end of the game. This one from yesterday I call The Go to Ground Castle.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

We're stuck at home today, buried in snow, so playing a game I Kickstarted last year. Above and Below: Haunted from Red Raven Games.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Even in these hell times, one must indulge one's fancies. Playing a game of Tiny Towns with @happymomster.bsky.social .

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

My 2025 in books, make of it what you will.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Glad to be getting the chance to play some Magic over the holidays. Embracing the chaos here playing demons vs. witches. Witches won, BTW.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

I've done it! Now to achieve some stretch goals.

A screenshot of a successfully completed goodreads 2025 reading challenge.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Almost there! Just gotta get through the super busy holiday season and still find time to read!

A screenshot of a goodreads 2025 reading challenge showing 1 book left to go to meet the goal of 25 books.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

I'm *really* liking my chances now.

Screenshot of Goodreads Reading Challenge showing 2 books ahead of schedule.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Of course I was at a No Kings rally. How about you?

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I like logging into Goodreads and seeing this. I think I'm gonna make it this year!

Screenshot of Goodreads Reading Challenge showing 1 book ahead of schedule.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Being not so gently reminded today that this meme I got somewhere accurately describes the administration’s “grand strategy” for the new world order.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Between doing nothing about school shootings and now ending vaccine mandates this is what the children must be thinking about older generations.

A still shot from the television show "All of Us Are Dead" showing two high school girls walking through the woods looking distressed. A subtitle reads: "Maybe they want us to die."

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

I can't believe the year is 1/3 over already. I am so far behind on my goodreads reading challenge!

A screenshot of a gooodreads reading challenge that is 3 books behind schedule, showing 5 of 25 books read.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Marched in Philly today. Speak up!

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Here's a couple more top 10 games from my list. Any other grognards play these in bygone days? stevebarrera.com/two-more-boa...

Thumbnail of Illuminati game from Steve Jackson games.

Thumbnail of Cosmic Encounter game from Mayfair Games Inc.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

I stand by my conviction that #Concordia is an excellent two-player game. Playing with @happymomster.bsky.social.

A close up of a two-player game of Concordia in progress, early in the game.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

I just had to continue with the pattern from last year, so this year it will be 25 books to read for 2025. At least I will get a head start as I finish half-read books from 2024! 😇

A screenshot of a goodreads 2025 reading challenge indicating 0/25 books completed.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

There really wasn't much of a chance. Too much to do with the holidays here. Did I learn anything for next year's challenge? Read shorter books??

Screenshot of a failed 2024 goodreads reading challenge (22/24 completed).

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Here is the #MagicTheGathering card for this lovely IPA mascot. I figured she must be a flower 🌷 nymph, not a dryad. No guarantees as to the balance of this card. 😊

A custom magic card named "Joose Juicy" that is a legendary green creature that can generate mana or buff creatures.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Well this was unexpected. Happy Christmas to me! (price tag removed by family to spare me a heart attack) Thank you, @happymomster!

A close up of a Magic Commander deck called "Squirreled Away"

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Merry Christmas everyone! art by chris-illustrator at www.deviantart.com/chris-illust...

Drawing of Shin Godzilla wearing a Santa hat and wreath and about to step on a small cottage in an idyllic winter setting, intended as a Christmas greeting.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Ok, here's some lovely IPA can art that deserves a custom #MagicTheGathering card. I'm thinking she's a Faerie or a Dryad of some kind? 🧚

A photo of a can of Joose Juicy IPA from Ever Grain Brewing Co which has art showing a fairy-like woman inside a hop plant. Behind the can is a pint glass filled with the beer.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Ack! My #goodreads challenge is looking sketchy - at least I'm close to finishing a couple of books. Will I make it??

Screenshot of a 2024 goodreads challenge progress bar indicating that the reader is 3 books behind schedule.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

This craft beer doesn't have much in the way of art on the can, but with its quintessentially hazy IPA name is still a good candidate for turning into a #MagicTheGathering card.

Photo of a can of Cloudy and Cumbersome IPA next to a glass filled with beer.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

This is what I came up with, inspired by the thought that the squid is trying to share the pineapple drink with you, and that sea creatures use ink to escape danger. Is it balanced? Who knows? 🤷‍♂️🍍

A custom magic card called "Inkredibly (with a k) Juicy Offering" which prevents all combat damage at the price of giving your opponent life.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Here's an IPA I still need to make a Magic card to match. Something with "ink" and "juice" hmmm

A photo of a can of Inkredibly (with a "k") Juicy IPA from Iron Hill Brewery, with a full glass of the beer beside it. The can art shows a squid holding a pineapple with a straw in it.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

One fun #MagicTheGathering thing I do is invent cards to match IPAs that I like. For example, here is a classic Hazy IPA and the card to match it, going off of the name and art. I have a whole page of these cards! stevebarrera.net/game/ipa/SMI...

A photo of a can of Voodo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA.

A custom Magic: the Gathering card called "Voodoo Ranger" which is a 1/1 creature that brings out basic lands along with other effects.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

@happymomster.bsky.social and I always bring boardgames when we travel. This one is a very cool game called Let's Go To Japan.

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Steve Barrera @stevebarrera.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Bluesky, meet Luna. She is the mascot at Ohiopyle Suites motel in Ohiopyle, PA and she invited herself into our room and hopped right on the bed when we arrived! #catsofbluesky

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