Feb 27, 2025
0 AI

AI – Google Notebook LM

Google’s NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and writing assistant designed to help users synthesize and interact with their own notes, documents, and ideas in a more intelligent and intuitive way. At its core, it allows users to upload files, input text, and link sources, then leverages Google’s advanced language models to provide summaries, generate insights, and answer questions based on the specific materials provided. Unlike traditional AI chatbots that rely on broad internet knowledge, NotebookLM focuses on personal and curated content, making it particularly valuable for deep research, writing projects, and knowledge management.

One of the most obvious applications of NotebookLM is for students and researchers who need to digest large amounts of information efficiently. By uploading lecture notes, research papers, or even entire books, users can get concise summaries, cross-reference concepts, and generate study guides without having to manually sift through pages of text. Writers and journalists can also benefit by using it to structure articles, generate outlines, or even fact-check details against their own sources, ensuring accuracy while streamlining their workflow.

Beyond these expected use cases, NotebookLM has the potential to be a game-changer in more unconventional ways. For example, a legal professional could use it to analyze contracts and legal documents by asking it to highlight key clauses, compare different agreements, or explain complex legal language in simpler terms. Similarly, entrepreneurs and product managers might find it useful for competitive analysis, feeding it market reports and customer feedback to extract key insights and trends that inform business strategies. Even artists and creative professionals could leverage NotebookLM in unique ways, such as using it to organize scattered notes, develop thematic connections between ideas, or even generate poetic interpretations of their own past writings.

Another less obvious but powerful application is in personal knowledge management. Users who keep extensive journals, meeting notes, or personal reflections can use NotebookLM as a kind of second brain, allowing them to surface forgotten ideas, track recurring patterns in their thinking, or even generate personalized recommendations for self-improvement based on their own writing. It could also be valuable for historians or genealogists, who could feed it letters, old documents, and historical records to uncover new insights or narratives within archival materials.

By grounding AI-generated responses in user-provided content, NotebookLM bridges the gap between personal knowledge and artificial intelligence, making it more than just a generic chatbot. Whether used for research, creative exploration, or business intelligence, it redefines how individuals engage with their own information, unlocking new possibilities that go beyond simple text generation.

I immediately had two use cases for Notebook LM. The first was feeding it all the information on the 50 for 50 program and having it provide insights on things that I accomplished. It was able to answer basic questions like how much time I spend each month on a specific task but since it could also search the web I was able to feed it information that would bolster the information I provided. It did a great job of making connections I didn’t see and the ‘make your own podcast’ feature was amazing. It spit out a 20 minute podcast as if I was a guest on it and it was pretty seamless and even let you tweak it to focus on specific things if you wanted.

The second was feeding it all my book notes and chapters and asking it questions based on the world lore and character bios. Thinks like ‘would this character actually behave this way?’ The more information you feed it the smarter it gets on the specific topic you’re developing. I can see a huge opportunity there as I build out the ideas and add characters and world lore. You can also feed it writing guides (like Orson Scott Card’s on writing fantasy and science fiction) to give it a framework to evaluate what you are writing. Really amazing stuff and I can’t wait to keep working on it and discovering new use cases!

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Feb 27, 2025
0 Novel

Chapter Four

1 year ago

Caldren wasn’t one for taking risks or making foolhardy choices but he knew if followed procedure gave that book to his superiors he would lose his chance to track down the explorers writings and find that map he had made. He quickly hide the slim book on the inside of his robes and made some excuse that he was unwell and forced himself to walk slowly back to his quarters to hide the book behind a loose stone in the walls of his living quarters.

He read that entry and every other one written in the journal daily, imagining finding this lost school of mages that the imperial pogrom failed to uncover. He spent his time not in the library searching for copies of books by the explorer and putting out a quiet word to some less than official contacts that the he would pay good coin for a copy of the explorers writings.

Months had gone by and he was starting to despair that there wasn’t a surviving copy of the book when he got a message slipped under his door to meet a man at fishmongers the next morning at first light to discuss certain books that he was looking to procure. He immediately grew nervous as the fishmongers were a set of ramshackle stands down by the docks that were far away from the city center and the watch that patrolled it. As he was considering his options he started with a sudden fear that his superiors had somehow found him out and he was being setup to be quietly eliminated in a place where no one would see. He barely got any sleep alternating between excitement at possibly getting his hands on the map and the anxiety of being robbed, imprisoned, or outright killed for violating imperial law.

The next morning found him walking carefully down the fog shrouded streets wrinkling his nose in distaste as they changed from the well maintained city streets to dirt roads caked in mud and debris. In his excitement he hadn’t thought to change into more appropriate clothing and his scholars robes and sandals were quickly caking with mud. As he was getting closer to the waters edge the pungent smell of rotting fish and the low tide added to his tally of miseries for the day. He started his trip jumping at every sound and motion in the corner of his vision but now he marched doggedly up fishmonger square looking at the etchings on each stall to find the correct one wanting to get this over with so he can go back to the library with its polished floors and incense scented air.

As he was walking around the market searching for his contact he was starting to draw looks from some of the men sitting on the seawall waiting for the day’s catch to be brought up to the market so they can start gutting the fish. Caldren tried not to draw any attention as he kept searching for the right stall but he could feel them looking at him and he suddenly remembered the large sum of coin he had hidden beneath his robes. Did his contact set him up to be robbed? Perhaps these men just saw him as a target? While there would be repercussions if an imperial scholar was killed, rolling his body off the side of the boat was skirt any entanglements with the watch.

“Hey Book Boy, maybe I can help you find what you seek” one of the gutters yelled as he levered himself off of the seawall and slowly walked over to Caldren, swinging his gutting knife slowly on the catch rope in an almost hypnotic pattern. Caldren hurriedly kept looking for the correct stall cursing the size of the market. While he understood that the bay was a critical commercial element of the city right now he found its size more frustrating than helpful.

“No, I’m OK I think what I’m looking for is right over here” he said angling towards a section of the market that already had some stalls up and running, mostly selling food and supplies for the fishermen. It was better lit and had witnesses who he belatedly noticed were finding anywhere else to look but at the scene unfolding in front of their stalls.

Caldren reached for his belt knife which was substantially shorter than the blade the gutter was still twirling around as he approached. It was then that he really wished he had paid more attention to his father when he was trying to teach him how to hold and use a blade. Caldren had little patience for martial training as it took time away from his books and as such gave only a token effort before his frustrated father would rap him with the wooden training sword hard enough to bruise,then walk away without word.

The gutter got close enough that Caldren could make out the scars that crisscrossed his arms, evidence of a lifetime of using that sharp blade that he now realized was pointing right at him. When did they get that close?

“Hey now lad – how about I guide you to your location and you can pay me.. let’s say the standard navigators fee. I’m sure you’ve got enough coin to cover that as well as some extra coins for good service an’ all”

“I’m afraid I don’t have much coin on me, I’m here to uhh.. get some fish for the school and I’m looking for the correct place to pick it up”

Caldren hoped the lie was convincing enough as he edged his way towards the stall he was pretty sure was the one mentioned in the message. The gutter kept pace with him seeming to give Caldren’s excuse some thought

“Well, I’m sure for a school they need plenty of food to feed you, so I’m thinkin’ you’ve got some coin there that could be diverted towards more deservin’ folks, wouldn’t you agree?”

As his back slammed into a pole Caldren realized he’d run out of room to backtrack and started calculating ways he could get out of this without having any parts of himself filleted. It didn’t take long as the only options he could see were to throw the bag of coins on the ground then run like mad hoping the thug would more concerned with grabbing the money than stabbing him, losing out on the only lead he had in years or try to escape through the mud in long scholar robes and sandals, probably get stabbed and robbed and thrown into the bay to be a fish’s breakfast.

“I don’t suppose there’s an arrangement we can come to that doesn’t involve you robbing me of everything or stabbing me?” Caldren ventured

“Not as such – now slowly take off your robe and leave it on the block there, that should be nice on the cold nights on the waterfront. Then put anything you have that is valuable on top of the robe and take three steps back. I don’t want to stab one of you imperials but mistakes can happen”

Caldren swore under his breath, his cowardice winning out over his desire for knowledge. He raised his hands slowly and started pulling the robe over his head. As he finished pulling it off and went to put it down he started as they were no longer alone.

The gutter had dropped his knife and had his hands up as there was a sword point pressing lightly into his neck. Caldren frowned and his eyes followed the sword from the point to the man holding it. He was of medium height with long sandy brown hair tied back with a black ribbon. He was wearing dark blue shirt with silver lining and a black cloak with blood red trim . His eyes were pale blue and hard with anger as he regarded the gutter at end of his sword. Caldren’s eyes widened slightly with recognition and he scrambled back unsure of who to be more afraid of.

“You were trying to rob me” the newcomer growled moving his sword point ever so slightly causing a trickle of blood to run down the gutter’s neck.

“Wait! I’ve never seen you before sir I’m sure there’s a misunderstanding” the gutter was looking around the best he could without moving his neck to see if he had any support but everyone was still studiously looking in other directions including his comrades on the seawall who Caldren noticed had all vanished when the stranger had appeared.

“This man is here by my invitation to make an exchange. In attempting to rob him you were in fact stealing coin meant for me”

“I wasn’t stealing – I was trying to simply collect a fee for guiding him to the right location!”

The newcomer raised and eyebrow and turned to Caldren with an inquisitive look

“Oh, no. He was most certainly trying to rob me”

“Then what do you suggest we do in this situation?

Caldren really wanted to suggest he stab the gutter through the neck and throw his body into the bay but he was not a violent man by nature and couldn’t bring himself bear the burden of someone’s death so he tore his gaze away from the bright blood at the gutter’s neck and looked him in the eyes

“Go – run. I want no blood on my hands today – especially yours as you stink. I don’t understand. You’re literally right next to the water, maybe once a week or so jump into the water and swim around a little. There’s no reason for you to smell like that”

The man lowered his sword and the wide eyed gutter took off running back into the market quickly losing himself in weak early morning light. Caldren slowly turned towards the man in the cloak and weakly said “Are you here about.. the book?”

The man was still staring into the gloom as if he could still see the gutter running then slowly turned back towards caldren.

“Well done scholar – its a measure of a man how he acts when he has another in his power and I’d have been disappointed to have had cut that man down as he is beneath me and such acts bring no honor”

Caldren swallowed hard. He knew this man to be dangerous and he didn’t want to offend him in any way. “I’m sorry sir you had to deal with that” he stated and started to bow.

The man raised his hand to cut him off “Please scholar – do not address me by title or name. Today I am simply a bookseller looking to sell an old book to a scholar of such tomes”

He reached into his satchel and took out a thin book, worn with age and held it almost reverently. He looked at Caldren and asked “why do you seek this book scholar?”

Caldren ran through all the lies and excuses he’s used over the years while tracking down the book trying to decide which one would work best in this situation but something in the man’s eyes told him that only the truth would get him what he sought. The only problem is the truth might also get him cut down as a heretic as this man was an imperial officer.

Caldren right then wished he’s been stabbed and robbed instead as that seemed preferable to the situation he was in now. He fought an internal battle between his cowardice and the desire for the knowledge he spent years chasing. The man seemed to sense his fear and smiled slightly sheathing his sword. “Do not worry scholar – I am not here to arrest you, I simply wish to ensure that this book is given to someone who understands what is contained in it and what they plan to do with that knowledge.”

“What is that supposed do mean?” Caldren ventured, unsure of what was happening. Why was an imperial officer here in the the fish markets before sunup and why did he seem to know more than he let on about the book? Overwhelmed by indecision he took an involuntary step backward and froze when he heard the sharp rasp of a blade being drawn.

“Make no mistake” the office said – you will answer, and answer truthfully. I have seen the recognition in your eyes and I cannot let you leave here with that knowledge until I am assured of your answer”

Caldren got a sinking feeling that if the officer didn’t hear the answer he wanted he was simply going to cut him down where he stood. He wasn’t going to let him walk out of here with the knowledge of who he was and what he held in his hands. So he gathered himself and took a deep breath and raise his eyes to me the officers

“I seek a map contained in that book – one of the eastern mountains. I believe the map will lead me to a place of learning. My interest in one of a scholar seeking knowledge.” Caldren hoped this half truth would be close enough to the real truth to fool the officer and get him out of this mess.

The officer’s eyes held onto Caldren’s for what seemed like forever before they softened and he spoke, his voice which was until now filled with the command of his station became a whisper. “I’m sorry scholar – that is not the answer I sought” and he drew his blade.

The workers who were up until now pretending they didn’t see anything bolted into the shadows. One look at the way the man held his blade as he advanced convinced them that there wouldn’t be any witnesses left alive.

Caldren couldn’t run. The fear overwhelmed him and he stood there staring at the blade as he saw all his dreams coming to a swift and abrupt end. Time seemed to slow as thoughts rushed through his mind. Why did he take such a foolish risk as to seek the book in the first place? Why did he come down here to an isolated location before dawn? It’s pretty much the perfect place to kill someone why was he only thinking of this now. As he saw his death approaching he thought of his mother and the promise he made to her.

“I just wanted to find the magic” he closed his eyes and whispered

The killing blow never landed – the officer altered his swing at the last moment shallowly slicing across Caldren’s arm, leaving a gash which started to bleed freely. Caldren fell to his knees, grabbed his arm and kept his eyes shut thinking that maybe he just missed the first swing and the killing blow would be coming very soon.

The officer was quiet a moment and Caldren cracked one eye open to see him standing there looking at him, absentmindedly wiping blood on a cloth like it was an ingrained habit perfected by repetition- The officer, having finished cleaned his blade looked over at Caldren with a thoughtful gaze and repeated his first question “What do you want this book for scholar?”

Caldren shocked by the fact he wasn’t dead and reeling from the pain of the sword cut spoke the words he never dared to speak out loud, the secret he held in his heart since he was a child “I seek a way to learn magic, not the sanctioned magic of the (find a neat work for imperials mages here)the old magic thought removed from the world by the empire”.

He knew those words were heresy and punishable by imprisonment or summary execution and here he was telling them to an imperial officer. He just shook his head wondering what he was getting himself into. He had a nice safe job in the library, he was a scholar and from what he heard, on track to be promoted to the central library. He was set for a life of relative ease and comfort why was he here on his knees on the hard cobbles among the detritus of fish guts and human refuse, bleeding freely, a red bloom staining his already filthy robes. I don’t die in the next few minutes, this is probably going to be infected” he mumbled to himself as he tried in vain to get the bleeding to stop.

The officer crouched down close to him and said in a low voice “Look at me scholar”. Caldren looked up but couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid of what he would see. The officer continued “Your lies could have cost so much more than just your life, Scholar”

“What does that mean? Why are you here – if not to arrest me? What secret were you ready to cut me down to protect? I’m just a scholar looking to fulfill a promise I made a long time ago I’m not even sure what to do even if I found what I’m looking for” frustrated tears filled Caldren’s eyes as the emotions started to overwhelm him. “What do you want?” He cried out softly

The officer paused again tilting his head as if he was trying to hear something then nodded to himself and sheathed his sword. He carefully placed the book on the ground right in front of Caldren and stepped away. “What I want scholar is the same thing as you. Why I want it, is my business alone. I’ve sent many of my agents to try to find this place but they all came back empty handed. So either the entire thing is fabricated or it is hidden in some way that my people cannot figure out. You, however, have dedicated your life to this secret and my hope is that your study will be able to discover what has been lost and return it to the world. I cannot spare anyone to accompany you as this must remain a secret and there is no one I trust with this knowledge”

Looking around the market to assure himself they were still alone he lowered his voice so that Caldren could barely hear him and anyone hiding in the shadows would certainly hear nothing. “Scholar, I hope you find what you seek. Be wary however, if you seek to use this power and unleash it upon the world again you will hunted and no where will be safe for you. You will spend your life on the run and as long as the emperor sits on his throne his hounds will sniff you out and they will not be gentle. Knowing the risks you must decide if taking up this power is worth the cost. “

“So it’s either travel halfway around the world, by myself, and seek to find answers that may set an entire empire against me or be cut down right here and now by you to protect this secret”

“I don’t think that will be necessary” The officer chuckled which seemed so out of character that Caldren started to laugh as well, just at the ridiculousness of the situation he found himself in.

The office rested his hand on the pommel of his sword and tapped it slowly then nodded to himself again and looked to the east where the sun was starting to rise above the horizon spilling a soft light that infused the fog with a soft pink color. “There is a wagon that leaves here in a week as part of a caravan to the city of Riverside which borders the gap that leads to the eastern mountains. I’ve secured you passage under the guise that you are a scrivener bringing documents to the imperial offices there. Once you are there deliver the packet and then find a reason to leave the city. The path to the location mentioned in the map is blazed with a small imperial sigil look for it among the roots of the trees. These will guide you to where the expedition was camped. After that, you are on your own.”

While it was infuriating Caldren knew the officer was right – he was going to take the book. He’d spent ten years of his life searching for this knowledge and while he was terrified of pretty much everything after that part he had a promise to keep. He reached down quickly and slipped the book into his pocket. His hand brushed up again the money he had brought and he hesitatingly asked “So… do you want the money that we agreed on?”

The officer had pulled his hood up to hide his face but Caldren saw a slight smile on his face “Oh no, Scholar you are going to need that money much more than I am” then he turned and walked away quickly fading into the growing crowd.

With the sun now rising higher in the sky, Caldren felt a bit safer but he started picking up his pace wanting to put as much space between him and the fish markets as he could. As he reached the docks he saw that the gutters were all back on the seawall and were staring right at him, so he broke into a full run which didn’t last very long as he leaned towards a sedentary lifestyle but it was enough to get him to the watch post between the fish market and merchant’s square where he collapsed against the wall breathing hard from the exertion.

The watchman on duty leaned out to look at him, saw him sprawled on the street his dirty robes caked with blood and raised an eyebrow as if to say “I see you, but I don’t want to fill out any paperwork today”. Caldren tiredly waved him off, got up and trudged back to the library.

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Feb 27, 2025
0 Novel

Chapter Three

Caldren just stared. Fifteen years of searching. Scouring books, tracking obscure clues—and now, here he was, standing on the precipice of his journey’s end. And he was terrified. After almost a month of searching this area he was now sitting across the fire from a being made of light was telling him she can teach him about magic. He wondered if this was a dream and he would awake soon to the cold hard ground at his campsite to resume his fruitless searching. He had so many questions they all raced around his mind and he had trouble deciding which one to ask. Imogen was sitting there and had resumed her humming seeming not to care as the silence stretched on.

“Why did you wait so long to come here? I’ve been searching for almost a month!” was the question that won. Caldren winced, of all the questions that he had about magic and the fundamental powers of the universe, that was the question that got asked first? He started to ask a different question when Imogen cut him off and answered him “I told you that it is hard for me to understand the flow of time but in the resonance time works completely differently. I’m not sure the mechanism of it as far as I can tell it’s random and part of the chaos of raw magic. When I activated the failsafe I was unsure how long I should stay in the resonance. How long would they search? There was no guidance I was given so I thought perhaps a year would be the safest. I couldn’t leave as the raw magic would rip me apart once I left the safety of the library so I was alone for such a long time. When I initiated the return I came back to a place completely empty of life and a reminder of what was lost. You see, scholar, even though I’m not human anymore I still have emotions and feelings I’m still the orphan girl who laid dying and made a choice”

She stopped, and Caldren’s eyes widened as a pearlescent tear traced down her cheek, streaking with pale light. He was fascinated by this and had so many followup questions for her but she held up her hand indicating she just needed a moment, then she continued

“I was now without a purpose. No one came seeking knowledge and there were no guides anymore to show people the way, so I faced an eternity alone” she lowered her voice to a whisper and continued “Scholar, I even searched for a way to end the magic that sustains me but I could find nothing” her shining eyes rose to mine and he felt her loneliness. He was taken back to that dark tunnel where he cried in the dark, alone. He wanted to give her a hug but wasn’t sure that was possible with her being an incorporeal being.

“I was alone for a long time when at last I felt some people entering the vale. I sought them out and watched them. Maybe they were seekers of knowledge and I could once again have a purpose. However, these men bore arms and the insignia of the empire and I could almost feel their ill intent. So I remained hidden to keep the knowledge from them and returned to my library to resume my solitary vigil.

“How did you hide from them? You’re made of light – wouldn’t you be spotted almost immediately?” Caldren asked curiosity making him interrupt her story. She grinned at him and suddenly vanished. Caldren swung his head around trying to find her but she seemed completely gone. Suddenly her voice came from the spot she as sitting at “Now do you see how I was able to hide?” Caldren nodded and she slowly faded back into view. She continued her story “For many years these men came however as time wore on they came less and less and it seemed like they had given up and assumed the library was completely gone. Recently, however, a small group of men arrived wearing plain traveling clothes and carrying no blades. They were searching with a purpose as if they knew what to look for. They seemed to want to hide who they were but I could tell they were the emperor’s men. They came very close to finding a way in, scholar and I had no way to arm the defenses of the school as that requires actual real hands.” She held up her glowing hands and smile ruefully. “If these men were to gain entrance they would have access to the greatest store of knowledge in the world. Normally entrance to the library was meted out by the keepers who ensure requests were within the guidelines and the library was guarded by the clockwork archivists so this never was an issue in the past but now they lie dormant and there are no keepers left and I fear the knowledge these men are seeking”

Caldren took a long drink of his water then out of habit offered it to her realizing too late what he was doing. She laughed and that broke some of the tension that was building when she was telling her story. She gave him an appraising look then resumed speaking “I was unsure what to do – they were getting closer and I felt it was only a matter of time before they discovered a way in. Shortly after they left I felt another person enter the vale I thought that odd as there was usually some time between their visits so that’s when I found you. I didn’t reveal myself to you until now scholar because I needed to be sure and to be honest, I’m still not entirely sure of your intent.” She gave him a pointed look that reminded him that he evaded her questions on why he was seeking Temerith. “However I find I’m out of time and options and this conversation has been somewhat illuminating” Caldren couldn’t help but giggle a little bit and she rolled her eyes at him and continued “I need someone in the library to help me prevent these men from gaining access. Someone who can operate the defenses of the school and in the worst case, help defend it.

“Defend it? I’m not sure you noticed but I’m no warrior. I’m afraid I’m not going to be much help if armed men break in and try to storm the library” Caldren winced a bit as he remember his cowardice as the seekers grabbed his mother and he ran away, leaving her to them. The Lucent was offering him a resolution to his years long search but he wasn’t sure he could hold up his end of this bargain. “Also, please call me Caldren – there’s no need to be so formal”

“I don’t need a warrior, Caldren. That’s not how things were done in Temerith. The guards patrolled the town, not the library. The library… it was defended with power.”

Caldren stilled. Was she offering to teach him magic? Is the impossible promise he made to his mother actually one he could keep? He spoke up hesitantly daring to hope “Are you saying you can teach me to harness this power?”

“Yes and no Caldren” she replied “I am not a teacher and the blood of all who could teach you have stained the blades of the imperial seekers. However I have access to their knowledge and methods and I think between the two of us was can possibly make it work. Understand this is very dangerous. This power is one of pure chaos and you will struggle to control it. It will fight you and if you lose control it will burn you out from the inside leaving behind ash and destruction. This risk is even higher as most are trained from childhood how to harness this power and have years to learn the right way. However, we do not have that luxury of time”

Caldren’s eyes went very wide at this. Suddenly the desire to learn magic was secondary to his desire to stay alive and not be burned to ash. He also has the warning in his mind from that imperial officer that if he tried to take up this power they would hunt him down relentlessly. He wrung his hands as he considered this information. He had no idea that the old magic was such a dangerous thing. Did his mother know when she sent him to seek it out? Was that why the seekers came for her? Thinking of her bolstered his nerves and he decided that he should at least follow this journey to the end. One he was in Temerith and understood more he could make a better decision. He asked Imogen what she needed him to do.

She noticed his nervous bearing and told him “Be calm, I am not asking you to perform anything too dangerous or draw in so much power that you are in true danger. Most of what I need required but a trickle of power to activate defenses that are already in place. The first thing we should do is close the ways. They were open when the library was attacked and remain open which means that if these imperial men should find the path there is nothing to stop them from entering. The other important task is repairing the archivists. I do not know how but during the attack the imperial seekers somehow disabled them and our protectors stood silent as we were cut down.”

Those tasks didn’t sound overly dangerous to Caldren. She needed him to perform tasks she couldn’t and was willing to teach him how to draw power which was what he wanted. It seemed like a fair trade but he felt like there were some things that perhaps she wasn’t sharing. He had a thought and asked her “Why don’t you just do the same thing you did last time? If these men find the path and break in just bring he library back into the..” He struggled to remember the name. “The resonance” she supplied.

“Why is it called that?” He asked

“Because the resonance exists in the same space as the world we are in right now. The power overlays everything, invisible and harmless in this world because the power is dampened but cross the veil and that power is amplified greatly. Over eons of time that power has become a maelstrom as it builds upon itself. That is why it is so dangerous Caldren, when you try to draw the magic you become a conduit and that raw power is pulled into this world through you.”

“I’m still not sure how that is dangerous – you opened the door to this place, can’t you shut it and cut off the power?”

She shook her head “It isn’t that simple. The power is constantly pushing against the veil with unimaginable force. Most mages only draw a trickle of power through what amounts to a pinhole and even that power is more than enough to perform most tasks. However there some who seek to pull in vast amount of power for great works and others..” she grimaced as she finished the statement “others drew in great power to bring death and destruction”

“Ash mages” Caldren breathed. He had read the stories of these mages calling down fire from the heavens and wiping out entire armies. He had always thought them legend as the very idea of that level of power seemed impossible.

“Yes, Scholar. These men were trained to be living weapons—years of study and discipline, reduced to nothing by the whims of lesser men.” She shook her head. “They would open a vast conduit, pulling in as much power as their bodies could withstand, unleashing devastation. But the power was never meant to be wielded like that. In the end, it always consumed them. That is why they were called Ash Mages, Caldren—because when the magic was finished with them, that was all that remained.

He had spent years searching for magic, longing for it. But now that it was within reach, the idea of channeling raw chaos through his body—power that could leave him nothing but ash—made him feel sick. Had his mother known this when she made him promise? Had she wanted this for him?

Caldren shifted closer to the fire as the cold settled in. He looked over at Imogen sitting simply on a log and wondered how she did that. She wasn’t here physically so was she floating? He shook his head to clear it out and tried to connect all the dots. She came to him because she needed his help. The officer’s men were getting close to discovering the entrance and she feared what they would do once they did. She obviously had no love for the empire after what they did and was desperate to keep them out. She couldn’t do it herself and needed someone to help. She couldn’t leave Aethervale so appearing to him and asking his help was the only option she had. The question is whether he trusted her to be telling him the truth. She answered all his questions so far and he didn’t get a sense she was trying to trick him but his life had taught him to be very careful when it came to trusting people

He wondered why she was telling him everything he wanted to know when he was struck with an idea. “You’re bound to answer any question I ask, aren’t you?’”

She leaned in speaking urgently “Yes! Do you see now, Scholar? The risk I take in trusting you? Do you understand what is at stake?”

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Feb 27, 2025
0 Novel

Chapter Two

Caldren’s first instinct was to run. He edged back towards the trees quietly hoping he wasn’t noticed. His food and all his equipment were still by the fire however including his knife. Not that I’d be able to do much with that, he thought to himself but maybe if I hide whoever this person is would just leave. They hadn’t reacted to his presence yet so he crouched behind some trees to get a better look.

He took a few steadying breaths, then edged around a tree for a better look. Whoever it was, their back was to them and Caldren couldn’t quite make out what they were doing. Once the panic subsided he found that he missed a bunch of small details in those first few seconds. Instead of some bandit or imperial this was a slight woman with flaxen hair pulled back into a tight braid. She was wearing what looked like a uniform, but not one that he’d ever seen before. Once the thundering of his heart subsided he could just make out that she was humming to herself. She has the air of someone who was patiently waiting and Caldren was really hoping it wasn’t for him.

Caldren shrunk back a bit further behind the trees trying to decide what to do. She didn’t seem armed so he probably wasn’t in danger of physical violence unless there were others hiding about. He peered into the lengthening shadows trying to discern if there was anyone there but as far as he could tell they were alone on this ridge. The temperature was starting to drop and the rational part of his brain started lecturing him on the dangers of cold exposure and wild animals. Then the emotional part of his brain started getting indignant that he’d let someone half his size take his fire and food and demanded he march in there and take it back. Caldren told them both to calm down and that they all needed to work together to form a rational plan.

Caldren rubbed his face running his hands through his beard. Muttering under his breath that he needed to stop talking to himself so much. Not that he had a choice as he had been alone for almost a month. He felt a sudden longing to go to the fire, if at least to have someone to talk with to help alleviate the loneliness he’d been enduring. He looked over again and she hadn’t moved from her spot seeming content to wait for however long it took.

Caldren cast his gaze around and found a rock that was passable sharp and palmed it. If this turned violent at least he’d have something to defend himself with. He took a stilling breath then quietly circled around the clearing until he was facing his visitor. She still was staring into the fire and hadn’t seemed to notice him. She was younger than he initially though and had fair skin with a light crop of freckles on her cheeks with green eyes which were fixated on the fire which was now burning a bit brighter and giving off waves of heat into the cool night air. After staring for a bit rom his hiding place he started as he realize the first wasn’t shimmering, it was her.

This is definitely getting a lot weirder, he thought to himself. What if she’s some sort of vengeful ghost that I angered in some way and she’s here to haunt me until I go crazy and fling myself from this ridge? Shaking his head to clear out that thought he mentally chided himself “Ghosts aren’t real, there has to be a rational explanation for this. Maybe it’s a trick of the mountain light or something”. He stood there for what felt like a long time trying to come to a decision on what to do. Currently his cowardice was winning, as usual, and he just crouched there in the dark and cold watching someone else enjoy the fire he worked so hard to build.

As he was wrestling with his choices the girl moved for the first time and looked right into the woods where he was hiding. The corner of her lips turned up a bit and she called out “It has to be cold out there. Please, come sit by the fire I mean you no harm” then she waved to a log on the opposite end of the fire, inviting him to come sit.

Caldren sheepishly came out of the woods and walked slowly over to the log ready to bolt like a spooked deer at the very first sign of danger. She didn’t say anything as she tracked him moving to sit across from her. She didn’t seem dangerous but that didn’t mean she wasn’t. She gave him an encouraging smile and waved again to the log. “Please, sit. The night grows cold and things stir in the woods. You shouldn’t be in the darkness on this eve”

Caldren was intrigued by her very formal way of speaking and his curiosity won out over his fear and he finally sat down heavily on the log as his adrenaline ran out and his legs just gave out. He noticed that the fire seemed larger than when he left which was odd as he didn’t collect enough wood to fuel a fire that big. He looked across the fire at the girl and he noticed that the shimmering was less pronounced up close but it was still there It was as if she was made of light somehow. Some sparks flew off from the fire and seemed to go through her which Caldren found fascinating. The silence wore on as Caldren tried to make sense of what he was seeing but she didn’t say anything just looked at him expectantly.

“Who are you?” He ventured

“My name is Imogen, thank you for sharing your fire this evening scholar”

“You’re welcome” he replied then what she said seemed to register “Wait, how do you know that I’m a scholar? What else do you know about me?” He asked hesitantly as the fear that he took so long to suppress started bubbling to the surface again. She stared into the fire for a few minutes then looked up to meet Caldren’s eyes.

“I miss a good fire on a cold night – the heat soaking into your bones to drive away the cold. I miss mostly the camaraderie of friends around a fire as the wine is passed around and stories are shared getting more outrageous as the wineskin is emptied” she turned back to the fire with a wistful look on her face. Caldren was taken aback by the switch in tone from her initial speech and just stared at her unable to form any cogent questions.

She sighed and looked back up from the fire “To answer your question, scholar I’ve been watching you since you entered the pass. Instead of those men with their swords and their avarice you came with only a book, so it wasn’t hard to determine that you came seeking knowledge. You’ve been here for weeks when other men gave up after a few days so I ask you what you are seeking here”

Out of habit Caldren started running through his usual lies and half truths but something about his guest seemed to want to draw out the truth and since he was already out here in the middle of nowhere there didn’t seem to be any reason to pretend anymore.

“I seek Temerith” he said quietly

She tilted her head and considered him. Caldren felt stripped bare by the look as she seemed to be seeking way to see inside of him. The fire crackled into the cold night as the silence dragged on. They sat opposite each other and the tension built but Caldren was afraid to say anything f that might cause her to leave.

“Why?” She asked leaning closer to the fire. “A Promise I made” he said softly. She seemed to consider this for a moment then replied “Who did you make this promise to?”

Caldren stared at the ground as the memories of that terrible night, long pushed down started to rise to the surface. He struggled with himself for a moment trying to get his emotions under control. Angrily wiping away his tears he couldn’t meet her eyes or bring himself to relive that night. He simply shook his head and said “I made a promise to someone who meant the world to me and that’s why I’m out here in the middle of nowhere talking to someone who I’m not entirely sure isn’t a figment of my imagination. What are you? You aren’t really here I can see the fire smoke going through you” the anger he was feeling at reliving the night his mother was taken from him was bleeding into the conversation but if Imogen was bothered by it, she didn’t show it.

She held his gaze for a long moment, then sighed. “I… am not what I once was.”
She spread her fingers. A faint shimmer of light danced along her skin, slipping between the flickering firelight. “I am a Lucent.”

“What is that?” Caldren asked. He’d never heard the term nor read it any of his books. She raised her eyebrows with a shocked expression and said “Surely you know of us? Has all knowledge of this place been destroyed?”

“If you mean Temerith, then yes. The empire has done a very thorough job in removing all traces of this place or any reference to magic” He very pointedly did not bring up his part in that effort, small as it was. “In fact most people believe this place to be a myth” The expression on her face turned from one of surprise to one of true sorrow “A myth? How long has it been? I sometimes have trouble with the flow of time” Caldren did some quick math in his head using historical records from the time and gave her his best guess “I’d say approximately five hundred years give or take a decade”

Imogen let out a gasp. She sat there quietly and to Caldren she seemed to be trying to come to terms with what he just told her. He wasn’t sure what she was or why she was here but he felt like she might have the answers that he really needed so instead of pestering her with questions he simply patiently waited for her to speak again. There were a mix of emotions playing across her face but the final one seemed to be a determined look like she had made a decision.

“Has it truly been five hundred years Scholar? She asked quietly. He nodded and she continued “Again, I am a Lucent – a being created to be responsible for managing the great library. Once there were many of us but I am the last. I am.. alone” she paused, hugging herself, as if the weight of that statement was almost too much to bear.

Caldren wanted to shoot out of his seat in excitement. Temerith was real – he was speaking with someone from the library. One of the beings of legends and most importantly she knows where the library is! He held himself back however as the aura of sadness around the girl seemed to have a physical presence. He knew, even in his excitement, that she needed time to process what she was feeling having been there that night many years back when his life was ripped apart.

Closing her eyes, she spoke again “Once, I was alive. I was orphaned as a child by the wasting and took to begging and stealing to survive until a passing templar caught me trying to rob him on the road. He was a kind man who served the God of compassion so instead of punishment he took me here since he frequented the library and knew they always had a need for servants. They took me in and I worked in the library as one of its clerks. While it was hard work I felt like I had finally found a family after all that time alone.” Her wistful expression fled her face and something bleak replaced it. Then one morning I started coughing up blood and was swiftly brought into isolation away from my new found family. In a cruel twist of fate the wasting that had remained in my system dormant suddenly started to spread. The prognosis was grim and that’s when they came to me”

She paused to collect her thoughts then continued “They explained that the wasting was a disease created by magic and as such their healers were unable to purge it from me. They asked me if I wanted to become a Lucent. They explained it was completely voluntary and painless. They would transfer all my memories from my failing body into the beings of light who manage the library. The only restriction was that I couldn’t leave Aethervale and had to follow a set of rules that governed access to the information. I would still be me – I would have the same thoughts and emotions but I would be a soul trapped in an immortal construct of magic.”

Caldren just stared at her as he tried to take in all that information. The soul was inviolate, even the darkest of magics couldn’t strip you of it unless you allowed it. To be trapped fully aware in a place for eons, how does one remain sane? Who would make that choice?

She must have read the expression on his face because she grew angry and pointed at him saying “I had just found my family, scholar and I couldn’t lose them again. I knew I would likely watch them grow old and die but I could have that time with them, so the choice for me was easy” She turned away and said with disgust “Then the emperor’s hounds came and killed them all anyway and there wasn’t anything I could do to protect them. They somehow had a way of harming us as well – swords of an oily metal streaked with red.”

“Arcinium blades” Caldren breathed – the fabled captains of the empire carried these swords and something about the properties of the metal interfered with magic effectively negating it. He could see how striking beings like Imogen would destroy them. “How did you survive?” Caldren asked, his voice hushed in awe.

Imogen’s eyes belied the anger she was feeling and she grounded out her reply “I hid, scholar. Not just myself I hid the entire library. When the hounds and their masters reached the library proper they just found empty rooms. That was the failsafe and it could only be triggered by a Lucent as we were bound to the laws of the library and to protect it. It was my duty as the only remaining Lucent to activate the failsafe and pull the entire library through the veil into the resonance.”

“The Resonance?” Caldren asked

“Have we truly lost so much knowledge that even the fundamentals are lost to time?” She asked sadly. “The resonance, scholar, is the place where magic resides and the veil is what separates that raw chaos of magic from this world, do you understand?”

“I don’t understand much of anything you’ve said since I sat down here” he said shrugging apologetically.

“Would you like to learn?” She asked.

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Feb 27, 2025
0 AI

AI – Text to Image Generation Tools

One of the first things I explored in the realm of AI was text to image generation. It wasn’t my first interaction with this type of AI – I had checked out Firefly on my work account to generate a few things and even used Midjourney when it was first introduced. I wasn’t impressed really with either tool at the time and shelved the idea of using them for any real work. Two years later as I started really leaning into learning AI I decided to revisit the major text to image tools to see how far they’ve come along. To test them out I decided to feed them straight descriptions of some of the characters in the story/book I was writing. I created a prompt for each one and fed the identical prompt into each image generator.

The first thing I noticed was they really didn’t like making unattractive people. Even if the prompt specified that a person was older some models kicked out images of people in their 20’s. Even the old weathered warrior looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ. I know I could have tinkered with the prompt and really pushed it to the image I wanted but for this experience I wanted to use the straight descriptions from the book.

The tools I used for this were DallE3, MidJourney and Adobe Firefly. I know adobe is all about cutting edge design but their tool failed on almost every prompt. It ignored critical details in the prompt like ages, scarring, hairstyles, etc. and basically served up whatever it thought was close. Coming in second was DallE which tended to spit out anime leaning images (although to be fair, I did this before I learned how to craft hyper specific image prompts) and also couldn’t seem to handle more specific prompting. The clear winner was MidJourney – it came the closest on each character and the quality of it’s output was actually inspiring to me as it was how I viewed some of these characters in my head.

I know there’s other tools out there but I settled on the ‘big 3’ for this comparison so without further ado here’s the output from each tool for the major characters (so far)

After I got these results I did a deep dive into prompt crafting for images and got a lot better at directing the tools to produce what I wanted. I didn’t get a chance to go back and recreate all these characters but here’s some random images from the book that I created using these advanced prompts

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Feb 27, 2025
0 Pizza

Steamed Pizza (Pizza Gourmet)

Steamed pizza is one of the most unusual and under-the-radar styles of pizza out there, a method that flips the traditional idea of a crispy, blistered crust on its head in favor of something softer, almost pillowy. While most pizzas are baked in blazing-hot ovens, fried in oil, or even grilled over an open flame, steamed pizza is cooked using steam, resulting in a completely different texture and eating experience. Instead of the charred, crunchy bite you’d expect from a Neapolitan or New York slice, steamed pizza is all about softness, with a light, fluffy dough that feels almost cloud-like, yet still structured enough to hold up to toppings.

The origins of steamed pizza are difficult to pinpoint, as steaming isn’t a common technique in traditional Italian pizza-making. However, it’s not entirely unheard of, particularly in places where steaming is already a popular cooking method. In China and parts of Southeast Asia, for example, steamed buns like baozi and mantou share similarities with steamed pizza dough in terms of texture. Some variations of steamed pizza are also seen in certain regional Chinese street foods, where dough is steamed before being topped with ingredients, creating a unique fusion of pizza and dumpling-like softness.

The most well-known version of steamed pizza in the United States comes from Connecticut, where a small pizzeria called American Steamed Cheeseburgers in Meriden became famous for steaming not just their cheeseburgers but also their pizzas. Using a special steaming oven, the dough is gently cooked with steam instead of direct heat, allowing it to rise and cook evenly without forming a crispy crust. Instead of bubbling, browned mozzarella, the cheese melts into an ultra-creamy, almost fondue-like consistency that blends into the sauce in a way that’s completely different from the gooey pull of a traditional baked pizza.

The process of steaming changes not just the texture but also the overall balance of flavors. Without the caramelization that comes from high-temperature baking, the flavors of the ingredients remain purer, with a slightly more delicate taste. The tomato sauce, for example, stays bright and tangy rather than developing the deeper, jammy flavors that baking produces. The cheese, instead of forming a browned crust, turns into a smooth, velvety layer that melts into the dough rather than sitting on top of it. Toppings, depending on how they are applied, either steam along with the pizza or are added after cooking to maintain their freshness and crunch.

While steamed pizza remains a novelty, it has started to gain attention from food experimenters looking for new ways to reimagine pizza. Some home cooks and chefs have adapted the method using bamboo steamers, stovetop steam ovens, or even pressure cookers, experimenting with different dough hydration levels and steaming times to perfect the texture. Certain styles of Chicago deep-dish and Detroit-style pizza also incorporate an element of steaming, though unintentionally—because of their deep pans and thick layers of sauce and cheese, the dough often partially steams as it bakes, creating a fluffier interior beneath the crispy edges.

Though it may not have the widespread appeal of a crispy, fire-kissed Neapolitan or a classic New York slice, steamed pizza is an intriguing example of how pizza-making can evolve beyond the traditional oven. It offers a softer, almost comforting take on pizza, one where the emphasis is on lightness, tenderness, and melt-in-your-mouth textures rather than crunch. Whether it remains a niche curiosity or catches on as a legitimate pizza trend, one thing is certain—steamed pizza is proof that there’s always room for innovation in the pizza world.

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Feb 27, 2025
0 Pizza

Dessert Pizza (Nutella)

Nutella dessert pizza is the kind of indulgence that feels almost too good to be true, a perfect fusion of crispy, chewy pizza dough and rich, velvety chocolate-hazelnut spread. While it may seem like a modern Instagram-worthy creation, its roots can be traced back to Italy, where simple, dough-based desserts have long been a staple. Italians have always had a knack for transforming pizza into a sweet treat, whether through zeppole, bomboloni, or even fried pizza dusted with sugar. When Nutella entered the scene in the 1960s, it was only a matter of time before it became a natural companion to warm, freshly baked pizza crust. The combination is both effortless and irresistible, taking something already beloved and making it even more decadent.

At its core, Nutella pizza begins just like any other pizza—with a well-made dough. The best versions use a Neapolitan-style crust, light and airy with just the right amount of chew, baked at high temperatures to achieve that signature crispness on the outside while staying soft within. Some variations take inspiration from Roman-style pizza al taglio, using a thicker, more focaccia-like base. The key to a perfect Nutella pizza is achieving a balance between crispness and tenderness, ensuring that the dough can hold up to the weight of the rich chocolate-hazelnut spread without becoming too brittle or too soft. Some recipes call for baking the Nutella directly on the pizza, allowing the heat to melt it into a warm, gooey layer, while others opt for spreading it onto the crust after baking, letting the residual warmth do the work of softening the spread without making it too runny. Either method results in the same outcome: a luscious, chocolatey experience that satisfies any sweet tooth.

While Nutella alone is more than enough to make this dessert shine, the best versions of Nutella pizza incorporate additional toppings that elevate it beyond a simple spread-on-bread combination. Fresh fruit is a popular choice, with bananas adding a creamy, natural sweetness and strawberries or raspberries bringing a tart contrast to the rich chocolate. Blueberries, blackberries, and even thinly sliced pears can be used to enhance the flavor profile, adding a layer of brightness to every bite. For those who crave a bit of crunch, chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or even crushed biscotti provide a delightful contrast in texture, making each slice more dynamic. A dusting of powdered sugar is a classic finishing touch, giving the pizza an elegant, snow-dusted look, while a drizzle of honey or caramel adds an extra level of indulgence. Those looking to take Nutella pizza to the next level often serve it with a scoop of vanilla or hazelnut gelato, allowing the cold creaminess of the ice cream to melt slightly over the warm Nutella, creating a contrast that is nothing short of magical.

Some variations push the decadence even further by stuffing the crust with Nutella, ensuring that every bite is an explosion of melted chocolate. Others experiment with a balance of sweet and salty, adding a pinch of flaky sea salt or even crushed pretzels to enhance the chocolate’s depth. The beauty of Nutella pizza is its versatility—it can be as simple or as extravagant as desired, with endless possibilities for customization. Whether served as a dessert at an Italian trattoria, as a brunch treat at a trendy café, or made at home for a special occasion, it has an undeniable ability to bring joy to any table.

Though Nutella pizza is most commonly associated with Italy, where it appears in pizzerias and bakeries across cities like Naples, Rome, and Milan, it has spread far beyond its origins. It has become a staple in high-end dessert menus, food festivals, and home kitchens worldwide. The appeal is universal—after all, who can resist the combination of warm, fresh-baked dough and rich, chocolate-hazelnut spread? For those looking to recreate it at home, the process is remarkably simple. A basic pizza dough, rolled out and baked until golden, provides the perfect foundation. Once out of the oven, a generous layer of Nutella is spread over the warm crust, melting slightly as it meets the heat. From there, the toppings are limited only by imagination, whether it’s fresh fruit, nuts, powdered sugar, or an extra drizzle of something sweet. The result is a dessert that feels both effortless and luxurious, a perfect way to end a meal or simply indulge in a moment of pure chocolate bliss.

Nutella dessert pizza is more than just a sweet twist on a classic dish—it’s an experience. The contrast between the crispy, slightly chewy crust and the smooth, melted Nutella creates a textural harmony that is instantly satisfying. Whether enjoyed as a shared treat among friends, a romantic dessert for two, or even as a guilty-pleasure snack in the middle of the night, it is the kind of dish that brings instant happiness. It is a reminder that pizza doesn’t always have to be savory, that dough can be a vehicle for something beyond cheese and tomatoes, and that sometimes, the simplest combinations—warm dough and chocolate—can be the most unforgettable.

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Feb 27, 2025
0 One Shot Goals

Goal Update: Visit 10+ Famous Pizza Places

I was at a work conference in Manhattan for a week and decided to seize this opportunity to squeeze in a few more famous pizza places into my year.

Joe’s Pizza on Broadway.
All the pizza people have a consensus that this is an exemplary NY slice and I was curious to give it a shot. The first thing you notice is the line – this was a random Tuesday in February and it stretched down the block. A quick peek inside showed that there were only a handful of tables and most people were sitting on the benches outside eating their pizza in the cold. I did some quick mental math and saw the line was going to be at least 45 minutes at the pace it was moving at so I did the logical thing and called in an order. I used the time to wander around and poke into some stores that were open and when I came back I walked in an grabbed my pie. However all the benches were taken and there were no seats available inside so I did the needful and ate with the box perched on the trash can outside on the sidewalk. The pizza was good – a perfect balance of sauce and cheese with a crispy crust with zero flop. I wasn’t blown away like some people were (perhaps because I’ve eaten a lot of NY style pizza over the years) but it was a really good slice that is a true representation of NY Style

Score 9.7

Lombardi’s – Little Italy
There are mixed reviews of this place – some state that they used to be great but when the owners changed it all went downhill. I decided that since it’s been there forever and is a landmark it still needed a visit. It’s a quaint place in the heart of little Italy and had the requisite red and white checkered tablecloths and pictures of celebrities who came to eat there. I ordered the margherita style pizza and a root beer (classic pairing) and he brought me a 8 ounce fountain root beer (no free refill signs are all over the place, mind you) so that’s not a great start. If you’re going to charge 4 bucks for a fountain soda make it at least 20 ounces. Then the pizza came out and it was tiny – I re-read the menu and the size of the pizza is mentioned there but 28 bucks for a 12 inch pizza? It also was dry and the sauce was too salty and the cheese was barely there. It’s obvious whoever owns it now is trading on the reputation of the original and is cost cutting wherever possible. If it was 10 bucks I’d have been more charitable – I’ve had NY dollar slices that had more flavor. The fact I was the only one there during prime lunch hour should have been my first clue.

Score 4.7

Rubirosa – Little Italy

This one snuck up on me – I had no idea this place was here but every reddit thread and pizza forum that talked about NYC pizza said this was the go to thin crust spot. It’s a small corner spot in little Italy and when I went they were pretty crowded – I got a spot at the bar and was waffling between the tie dye pizza and classic cheese when the bartender offered up that I could get half and half. I decided to give it a try so i could try both options. The pizza came out and it was huge and the crust was super thin and shattered when you bit into it. The cheese pizza was tasty but I felt like the sauce was a bit one note and the pesto glaze on the tye dye was good but it felt like there was something else in the pesto that gave it an off flavor. I still enjoyed the pizza for what it was – a good example of thin crust pizza. While I was there I noticed a lot of people were actually getting the pasta. If I wasn’t pressed for time and have eaten have a giant pizza I’d have tried some because it looked amazing. Next time I’m in the area I might need to stop in for some.

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Feb 27, 2025
0 Movie Reviews

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Ah yes, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or as I like to call it, What If Breakups Were Even More Emotionally Devastating and Science Made It Worse? Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman basically took the universal human experience of heartbreak, ran it through a surrealist blender, and served it up as one of the most painfully beautiful movies ever made. This isn’t your typical rom-com where two quirky people bicker, break up, and then dramatically run through an airport to find each other again. No, this is what happens after the rom-com magic wears off, when love isn’t cute anymore, and the person you once adored now just reminds you of all your worst decisions.

Jim Carrey, in a move that shocked everyone who only knew him as “the guy who talks out of his butt in Ace Ventura,” plays Joel, a sad, introverted man who learns that his impulsive, free-spirited ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet in her most chaotic form) has erased him from her memory using a weirdly casual brain procedure. Naturally, like any emotionally wounded man with access to experimental science, he decides to erase her too. But because Kaufman is a diabolical genius, we don’t just watch Joel go through the process—we watch his memories collapse in real time, a dreamlike rollercoaster where moments of love and pain literally melt away as he runs through his own mind, desperately trying to hold on to Clementine even as she disappears before his eyes.

And let’s talk about Winslet’s Clementine for a second, because she’s the ultimate manic pixie dream grenade. She’s not here to “fix” Joel—if anything, she’s just as lost as he is, if not more. She drinks too much, changes her hair color like it’s a mood ring, and makes impulsive decisions she regrets almost immediately. But she’s also brutally honest in a way that cuts through Joel’s passive existence like a knife. “Too many guys think I’m a concept, or I complete them, or I’m gonna make them alive,” she tells him in one of the movie’s many gut-punching moments. “But I’m just a fucked-up girl who’s looking for my own peace of mind.” That’s the magic of Eternal Sunshine—it doesn’t romanticize love; it unpacks it, deconstructs it, and reminds you that even the most passionate relationships come with baggage, misunderstandings, and heartbreak.

But what really elevates the film is how it turns the inside of Joel’s head into a surrealist funhouse of memories. The cinematography and practical effects make you feel like you’re inside his unraveling mind—books lose their words, faces blur, childhood memories bleed into romantic moments, and the world literally collapses around him. It’s beautiful and terrifying all at once, a visual representation of what it feels like to lose something you didn’t realize you wanted to keep until it was too late.

And yet, for all its existential dread, the film never fully sinks into cynicism. Because as much as it’s about heartbreak, it’s also about the inevitability of love. Even after all the pain, even after wiping each other from their minds, Joel and Clementine still find their way back together. The movie doesn’t promise a happy ending—it just suggests that love, in all its messy, flawed, heartbreaking glory, is worth the risk. And that’s what makes it such a masterpiece.

So yeah, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is less of a movie and more of an emotional lobotomy in the best possible way. It’s the kind of film that leaves you staring at the ceiling at 2 AM, reevaluating every relationship you’ve ever had, and resisting the urge to text your ex. And honestly, what more could you ask for?

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Feb 27, 2025
0 One Shot Goals

Goal Met – Create Sourdough Starter

Remember back during Covid when everyone was making sourdough? I kind of wish I got on that train as keeping this stupid thing alive would have been a lot easier if I was working from home every day and we didn’t go anywhere. Well – getting it started was a huge pain but even remembering to feed it once a day is a bit of a pain as I’m back at work now and don’t have time for baking really.

All that being said – it really does make some great bread once you get it strong enough. You can also use the discard for a lot of things like muffins, pretzels, pizza, and some damn tasty pancakes. So I don’t feel like I’m wasting the discard every time I feed the sourdough.

I did consider coming up with some corny names for my starter like some people did (some of my favorites were Clint Yeastwood or Bread Sheeran) but couldn’t decide which one I liked best so I just put it out of my mind because I had a million other things to do.

I’ve kept it alive for almost two months now so maybe it’s time to give this little guy a name. He’s given me so much deliciousness and get does get better with age.

Maybe Frodough baggins?

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