Tom Roberts

#Canberra resident
Heavy #Metal fan
Parent
In Owner/Ownee relationship with cat (exact role in dispute)

Public Key

npub13g6egu8c90ftn3sqqjugd4j4jptzlvskm3v5jy8ag9uugwj7ruus7fdvxp

NIP-05 Address

troberts_at_theblower.au@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsg5dv5wruzh54eccqqfwyx6e2eq430kgtdck2fzr75z7wy8f0p7wgpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43q7ypz48

Publishing to

relay.mostr.pub

Author Public Key

npub13g6egu8c90ftn3sqqjugd4j4jptzlvskm3v5jy8ag9uugwj7ruus7fdvxp

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Last Notes

2024-09-20 11:50:15

#Cinema #Mullet
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/113/169/724/756/884/837/original/0702f96011bd8f5b.jpg

2024-08-17 11:08:29

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This film is firing on all cylinders in the last third.
#Godzilla

2024-08-17 10:53:44

So while not the first multi-Kaiju film, “Ghidorah! The Three-Headed Monster!” is the first film where the humans decide to let Godzilla fight a worse monster, for a better outcome.
That’s right, it’s time to…
#Godzilla
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/112/976/974/217/363/833/original/7aa640af18c6d928.mp4

2024-08-11 05:51:10

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@npub1ckm…a348 TV’s Lucifer is a pretty cool character.

2024-07-19 21:41:04

#CatsOfMastodon Don’t worry, if there’s gonna be a bird, he’s definitely gonna spot it.
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/112/815/319/080/814/131/original/eb1523588238d42a.jpg

2024-07-09 07:37:35

I was arguing with Fishing Kid about when he'd be home, cause I said "by sunset".
Long story short, we now know about:
- Civil Twilight
- Nautical Twilight
- Astronomical Twilight
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/112/755/371/618/581/902/original/3c1564a332831713.png

2024-07-07 10:15:51

Cult movie alert! (AU edition)
SBS has ‘The Heroic Trio’ featuring Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung (and Anita Mui).
I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard it’s pretty good. It’s Kung fu, but apparently has major fantastical elements.
#MichelleYeoh #SBS

2024-07-01 21:38:27

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@npub1yrh…ujcw I’m being silly here. Also, I live in Australia and US politics is generally confusing to me :)

2024-07-01 21:28:21

Like if I were Biden, I’d stage a military coup, imprison the conservative Supreme Court judges, then stand outside their cell reading their presidential immunity verdict back to them in a silly voice.
#uspol

2024-06-29 07:07:30

If he spots this toot, I expect eldest kid will comment, but...
He thought 'Sting' was an actual character in the narrative of Dune.
This is because whenever the Lynch Dune came up, and Feyd was on screen, I'd say "It's Sting!".
So he just assumed that was the character Sting.
Only this week did I explain that Austin Butler and Sting played the same character.
#Dune #DavidLynch #Sting #Dune2

2024-06-13 09:03:02

I’m watching “Highlander II: The Director’s Cut”.
This movie has a ton of things going for it.
It’s also ludicrous.
#Highlander #HighlanderII

2024-06-10 07:02:40

10 year anniversary at my current employer today.

2024-05-24 09:49:16

Case for the affirmative -
" I have farted extensively in your general vicinity, and therefore I should have more food."
Case for the negaitve -
" No, cat."

2024-04-26 08:55:50

#CatsOfMastodon Booklight cat.
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/112/336/677/593/576/721/original/8cfb5e8fa77ef335.jpg

2024-04-25 09:56:27

I’ve had a good day. Mostly.
I suppose the weirdest thing was waking up naked in the zoo. At least the wolves in the enclosure didn’t seem to mind me being there. Still weird.
I hope this has nothing to do with that tragic encounter out on the moors a month ago…

2024-04-25 09:16:51

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@npub1kx8…0sus This eventuality happens surprisingly often. Hope you solve the Mac issue and/or who murdered you.

2024-04-25 09:08:58

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@npub1kx8…0sus Is it possible you are now a ghost?

2024-04-21 07:35:07

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@npub1kx8…0sus You'll have to stare at the local Co-op through the frost encrusted window panes of your house, and imagine what could have been...
;)

2024-04-21 07:26:38

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@npub1kx8…0sus Walk to the shop Darren! Make this Sunday legendary!
(you don't have to listen to me tho. it's ok)

2024-04-21 01:38:53

TIL Brian Blessed was offered the part of the 2nd Doctor, but couldn't take it due to conflicts.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/aug/05/brian-blessed-turned-down-doctor-who-bbc
#DoctorWho #BrianBlessed

2024-04-08 09:57:05

What's ultimately going to make me a pariah on this website, is my unflinching belief that James T. Kirk was the superior captain of the starship Enterprise.
Not only is TOS filled with classic television, but the movies cement the greatness of that crew.
The odd numbered movies are underrated!
#StarTrek

2024-04-08 09:24:09

From "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey", here is a short clip of a classic interview between Sam Dunn and Gaahl of Gorgoroth.
#Metal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkl4Yeh-BTo

2024-04-07 10:02:39

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It doesn't sound too bad, but the least 3 are within the space of 8 days I think.

2024-04-07 09:59:41

My whole "5 gigs in 8 weeks" thing starts on Wednesday.
I assume I'm going to adapt or die to this.

2024-03-31 05:33:42

The year is 2024, and the local school has just banned "crocs" shoes.

2024-03-29 11:16:53

I guess my major nerd shame is I have never been able to get into Star Trek The Next Generation.
For me, TOS is superior in every way.
#StarTrek

2024-03-29 09:34:37

I liked the Reece Shearsmith and Mark Gatiss cameos in #3BodyProblem
So the series canonically takes place in The League Of Gentlemen universe?

2024-03-29 09:24:37

The secret sauce to making a great playlist is adding a few anime series opening themes.
High energy, catchy melodies beyond compare.

2024-03-29 03:44:38

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Hysteria is such a good guitar song.
I wouldn’t call it Heavy Metal. It’s in that weird place between Rock Music, Industrial, heavy distortion, melody, and absolute drama.
I feel there’s a whole musical niche that remains a little under explored here.
#Muse

2024-03-24 08:39:52

I know Green Lung got a lot of attention with their third album.
But far out the first two albums are so good. I'd argue better than the third album, cause they are more focussed on delivering great songs one after another.
One of the best active Metal bands going I say.
#GreenLung #StonerMetal #Metal

2024-03-23 18:34:43

It’s 5:34 and Pippin cat really wants to tell me something.

2024-03-23 07:37:25

Ok #Auspol is there a hashtag for the Tassie election?
#Taspol ?

2024-03-23 02:18:15

I’ve been sick the last few days and my nose is high pressure and I watched a movie that was extremely expensive and I’m not entirely sure what happened and there were heaps of kittens with pocket dimensions in their bellies and they had tentacles everywhere and the movie really didn’t make much sense and I went back and watched the cat/tentacle scene again cause it made me happy.

2024-02-14 10:44:57

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@npub13z7…6cp4 Ha! Very clever,
But now I’m wondering what “ChatGPT” currently means in French? Have they been thinking it’s a Cat AI this whole time?

2024-02-14 10:13:58

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It’s become obvious that my machine capable of passing 'The Turing Test ... For Cats' has to be called…
CatGPT.

2024-02-14 10:05:14

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@npub1sxm…57er Yeah, he seems fine. At one point they were gonna do a CT scan, but then decided he was ok. 🤞

2024-02-14 09:43:35

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@npub1wa0…6pm7 Their website says "everything made from scratch", but I don't know how far that goes (Do they raise their own cows?)
It is generally a pretty great place.
https://www.oscarsbakerycafe.com.au

2024-02-14 09:39:59

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@npub1wa0…6pm7 There's a Turkish restaurant on Uni of Cbr campus (named Oscar's) that offers a halloumi burger as one of its vego options.
They serve it up with a decent slice and I've enjoyed it previously.

2024-02-14 09:27:04

I've had this silly thought all day...
What if we developed a machine capable of passing 'The Turing Test ... For Cats'?
That is, what if we developed an artificial intelligence that from a cat's perspective, is indistinguishable from another intelligent cat?
Of course, as humans there's no way we could tell if this machine was working at all.
... but ... what if?

2024-02-14 08:02:50

Like a week ago, someone tooted a picture of a goose with its tongue sticking out.
I'm still haunted by it.
(And then I searched what tomia/tomium was.)

2024-02-14 07:51:25

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Or another way of putting it...
Would you like to ride the rollercoaster? Yes!
Would you like to ride a rollercoaster every time you need to commute? No!
#AppleVisionPro

2024-02-14 07:48:34

My uneducated take on Apple Vision Pro.
Would I try it?
...
Absolutely! It looks super interesting.
Should everyone be using this thing?
...
Hell no! The entire premise is wrong headed.
#AppleVisionPro

2024-02-14 06:25:38

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@npub17rn…dsjp They had a bit of a blurb on their site about the history and it now being retired.
http://www.rosebank.com.au/about-us/

2024-02-14 06:14:57

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I've been looking at my posted picture of the orange Stackhat this afternoon, and I think I've come around to thinking it's actually awesome.
It's a little chunkier than modern skate helmets, but only by a bit.
And it has the word STACKHAT right there on the front in capital letters. That's a fantastic, and very Australian, joining of two words.
I'm declaring it ahead of its time.
#Stackhat

2024-02-14 03:15:21

So yeah, kid crashed his bike (I covered the details in a CW post).
He wasn't wearing a helmet at the time. And that means there's only one solution...
#Stackhat
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/927/632/192/163/754/original/8dc6f4123e016fee.png

2024-02-14 02:04:40

Eldest kid came off his bike this morning, cracked his head above the eye.
He's spent the morning at Calvary emergency with his mum.
Borderline concussion, but they ended up not going for the CT scan.
They were worried about tetanus tho. Currently cleaning up the wound and getting it stitched.

2024-02-13 22:20:44

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@npub1fnn…xfgm Ornithopters are cool tho.

2024-02-13 12:17:33

Someone pointed out that the font for the film ‘Twister’ is awfully close to the font for the TV show ‘Friends’.
#Twister #Friends
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/924/121/270/605/785/original/e4da2c017d880dac.jpeg

2024-02-13 11:43:55

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@npub1x9t…tl38 Time to fill your roof cavities with geese, to scare off the possums.

2024-02-13 11:11:34

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And, last one, this is the game that started the conversation with eldest kid. Capcom’s 1999 adaptation of Jo Jo’s Bizarre Adventure into a 2D head-to-head fighting game.
#Capcom #JoJosBizarreAdventure
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/923/861/517/351/324/original/e34c83655642d147.jpeg

2024-02-13 10:10:25

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Capcom's art team in the 1990s was really on some whole other level.
#Capcom

2024-02-13 10:05:20

I'm telling the kid about one of the greater scrolling Beat Em Ups that will also never get an official release on consoles due to IP rights.
Capcom's Alien Vs Predator.
#Capcom #AVP
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/923/600/202/519/298/original/d9a7718153ca635e.png

2024-02-13 09:48:25

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@npub1zek…f8vu I saw it when it first hit home release. My first introduction to Herzog. I remember it being quite interesting.

2024-02-12 11:09:12

Since everyone is talking about the Australian politics show #Nemesis , I couldn’t help but look up the character from Greek myth.
I think it’s odd that many definitions of ‘nemesis’ are equivalent to ‘arch enemy’. I suppose that’s what I thought it primarily meant.
But the Greek character is much a symbol of implacable, inescapable justice. A divine retribution to punish hubris.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemesis

2024-02-12 09:17:39

I'm listening to Chelsea Wolfe's latest album again.
I haven't quite put my finger on what it reminds me of.
It doesn't feel like Nine Inch Nails, but more like the 90s and 00s electronic bands that were inspired by NIN. And Chelsea's (great) vocals are over the top.
#ChelseaWolfe

2024-02-11 06:37:15

"Lauren Jackson retires before fifth Olympics after helping Opals qualify for Paris 2024"
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/11/lauren-jackson-into-fifth-olympics-as-australias-opals-thrash-germany-in-paris-2024-qualifier

2024-02-11 06:22:24

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@npub1mc3…nkdg Maybe check your map... It looks like you're in medieval France.

2024-02-11 05:36:37

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@npub1mpw…4h3u I’ve got the “What If?” book this is based on. Creative and informative in explaining how physics would work in ridiculous situations.

2024-02-11 05:34:30

I tend to use my non-child time either absorbing films & film trivia, or absorbing Heavy Metal.
I spent most of today on film trivia, now switching over to Metal.

2024-02-10 22:18:46

I was reading an article about the state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
One comment said the drama about how Disney is going to salvage this thing is now more interesting than anything happening in the actual movies.
lol

2024-02-10 10:09:48

One thing I like about The Lost Boys is the generational storylines.
The mum is trying to date. The younger kids are doing a Goonies Vs vampires thing. And the older teen is in the middle of the Vampire nest.

2024-02-10 09:42:10

I can’t just watch The Lost Boys without posting about the Saxophone Guy.
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/906/524/049/397/345/original/2a5dabeddf13f37d.jpg

2024-02-10 09:08:10

Year of the Dragon?
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/906/389/388/030/907/original/c644351df3c02d83.jpeg

2024-02-10 08:28:09

I'm keen to watch The Lost Boys.
Apple has been using this poster as their primary image on their service, and I think it's pretty great.
#TheLostBoys
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/906/229/473/222/860/original/29c8e52485bd2460.png

2024-02-10 07:45:56

A snapshot of where the family is musically.
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/906/049/218/051/345/original/bce7cf056d32e0f4.png

2024-02-10 07:21:50

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@npub13l7…jyp6 That's awesome!
(Also, I have had to rescue my small children from that spider-bowl several times)

2024-02-10 07:15:01

#CatsOfMastodon Pippin Cat and I had a stand off regarding the appropriate time for dinner. That’s why he’s glaring at me from the end of the table.
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/905/943/360/750/889/original/224b770c29dcc9f4.jpg

2024-02-10 07:05:28

Listening to 'Devouring Radiant Light' by Skeletonwitch.
A rock solid, reliable album that I always enjoy when I revisit.
#Skeletonwitch #Metal #ThrashMetal #MelodicDeathMetal
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/905/901/168/656/118/original/28751b46b0180c91.png

2024-02-10 06:41:49

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@npub13f0…ca07 Bin chickens!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_white_ibis

2024-02-10 06:03:53

"I wish people foreign countries would treat Australia seriously, and not revert to stereotypes of us being drunken louts."
*Former Deputy Prime Minster, drunk in the early hours of the morning, falls off a potted plant onto the footpath, yelling obscenities into his phone*
"Dammit!"
#auspol

2024-02-10 04:16:30

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@npub152x…mcek I did not expect them to be so popular.
Sorry you missed out!

2024-02-10 02:30:33

Tenacious D are touring Australia in July.
(No Canberra tho)
https://wallofsoundau.com/2024/02/07/tenacious-d-are-bringing-their-spicy-meatball-tour-to-australia-and-new-zealand/
#TenaciousD .

2024-02-08 21:22:10

New Chelsea Wolfe album out today.
'She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She'
(Not sure how Metal this will be, but all the Metal sites are reviewing it.)
#ChelseaWolfe

2024-02-08 10:41:17

I suddenly remembered Snorks.
#Snorks

2024-02-08 09:00:30

I love that at the start of the 3rd Doctor series “The Green Death”, Jo Grant is dressed as a homage to the 5th Doctor.
(Wait… what?!)
#DoctorWho
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/895/037/628/749/897/original/f1027e57f5e81e39.jpg

2024-02-07 06:55:22

My last toot entitled "Critique this laptop for my kid, if you like" could be filed under...
'Say you're a console gamer without saying you're a console gamer.'

2024-02-07 06:29:29

Eldest kid is doing a game dev course at college.
Eldest kid also has a spotty track record of looking after technology. Especially tech that is rattling around in a backpack all day.
So... for $1300 AU
- 15.6" Display
- Intel Core i7 12700H
- 16GB RAM
- Graphics Intel Arc A730M
I figure this (just) meets the minimum requirements, and won't break my soul if it gets lost/destroyed in 6 months time.
(Link https://www.aftershockpc.com.au/products/vapor-arc-i7-12700h-arc-a730m-1 )

2024-02-06 08:57:26

Miss 12 has gotten hooked on the first Ace Attorney game.
Currently defending the Steel Samurai.
#AceAttorney #PhoenixWright

2024-02-06 07:01:40

Mr 16 -
"During Robotics class today, every time the teacher tried to display something on the big screen, it would take a long time to load.
And the end of the class we realised it was because he was trying to download Baldur's Gate 3 at the same time"
#BaldursGate3

2024-02-06 06:35:14

A bit late to the party... but I thought 'Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny' was not bad.
As a final film for Harrison Ford, I thought it had an interesting character arc, and was a better send off for the character than Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull.
The CGI flashbacks were distracting though. The 40 year old face with an 80 year old voice. I'd prefer they recast. Audiences can take it. Remember James Bond!
I hope there's still a place for pulpy adventure films set in the past.
#IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny #IndianaJones

2024-02-06 01:54:04

Woah... @npub1wqz…c6d6 has an official Mastodon account?
And I found out cause my Mum boosted one of their articles?

2024-02-05 21:36:08

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@npub1mrs…fg47 I did put it behind a 'Content Warning' just in case :)

2024-02-05 10:54:24

The film used over 300 Avondale spiders from New Zealand, chosen for their large size, unusually social lifestyle, and harmlessness to humans; they were guided around the set by heat and cold. The spiders were tested for "friendliness" with humans, and they were the ones selected for filming. These spiders did not like Lemon Pledge furniture wax or hot blowing air, so to make the spiders hit their "marks" during filming, a pathway was created using Lemon Pledge as the boundaries, and hair blow dryers were used to motivate the spiders to move. The result was the spiders avoided the Lemon Pledge and moved following the non-Pledged pathways created when the hot blow dryer air was aimed at them, hitting their marks precisely.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachnophobia_(film)#Production

2024-02-02 21:26:05

#CatsOfMastodon I think he went to get off the couch, and got tired half way, and just stayed here.
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/863/987/814/983/486/original/ad6593991c7d9a73.jpg

2024-02-02 10:01:19

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@npub10tx…crtk I'm guessing 0:1

2024-02-02 09:19:53

"Oi. Death. I want a word with you." - Trevor Belmont
#Castlevania

2024-02-02 09:10:35

Skipping all my silly contortions in the last few tweets...
Seeing a mental health compensation claim play out is utterly dispiriting. "The Company" put their interests in front of the individual.
Absolute poop-show.

2024-02-02 09:07:15

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@npub152x…mcek We... um I mean, I agree.

2024-02-02 09:05:54

So a hypothetical individual who for the purposes of this 'mind theatre' exercise is named "Tom" has not been screwed over.
It is this hypothetical "Tom"'s colleague who has worked for a hypothetical 8 years at a hypothetical company that has been fully rinsed (not-hypothetically, actually) that my recent toots concerned.
Very concerning... these non-hypothetical parts.

2024-02-02 08:55:36

Ambiguous venting is surprisingly satisfying.

2024-02-02 08:54:12

Disclaimer: The following criticism does not apply to any specific workplace.
I know of a workplace that is completely poopy butt-stink from top to bottom.

2024-02-02 08:32:14

In a moment of joyous parenting, my child found their very first cardboard box in a Metal Gear Solid game.
#MetalGearSolid #Videogames

2024-02-02 08:27:52

I saw a guy at the shop wearing a Dennis Rodman Chicago Bulls singlet, who also had a massive tattoo on Fritz Lang's 1927 film 'Metropolis' on his shoulder.
I'm starting to think my own personal life influences are limited in scope.

2024-02-02 07:54:50

I just tried to convince a colleague that I'm a stack of ferret inhabiting a human shaped skin.
(TGIF)

2024-02-02 07:15:53

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This story may boil down to...
"One night at uni we drunk a lot of alcohol"
But I still remember it as the silliest, stupidest way to spend a a lot of money quickly and have a good time.

2024-02-02 06:53:18

I was just discussing with a friend about volunteering into clubs, and fees, and how they got spent. It reminded me of a story...
Some people I knew at Wollongong Uni created this "M-Club" which was the club for people studying management.
At the end of the of the year, they found they had all these apparently unspent funds, left over from the club fees. So they decided to have a party at the Uni Bar.
Strangely, not many people actually attended the party... So at the end of the year, and at the end of the party, they still had a massive bar tab unspent.
So...
3 of us decided, in our absolute wisdom, to order some "Quick F*ck" cocktails (Kahlua, Midori, Baileys)... but in schooner glasses.
Unspent fees... spent!

2024-02-01 11:42:19

A fruit bat is back visiting outside my window.
I love these guys, and my neighbours do not.

2024-01-31 11:13:18

"How dare you?! You face my Shindo-Ryu!"
"The problem with Shindo-Ryu is... it's trash."
#BlueEyeSamurai

2024-01-31 11:07:20

“All metal wants to be a sword.”
🤘
#BlueEyeSamurai #Metal
https://static.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/111/850/232/174/814/507/original/e05be3977644052e.jpg

2024-01-31 10:50:32

One of the subtle references in Blue Eye Samurai is the castle in Kyoto clearly makes the sound of the "Nightingale Floors", as the castle did in real life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightingale_floor
#BlueEyeSamurai