Monthly Archives: November 2025

Giving thanks, 11/27/25

Posted on by Henry

I exist because strangers chose to welcome my ancestors and care for them. That willingness to welcome others, to provide for outsiders and see them through hard times, is something that I feel deeply grateful for. Whenever I hear people speak of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of these things. I am humbled and inspired.

Thinking with appreciation and humility, how have others helped and welcomed you or your ancestors? How can you offer help and welcome to others going forward? A door was opened for you or your ancestors—you were helped through hard times, or given an opportunity, or saved when life looked grim. What can you do to open that door for others to come?

Who may yet become your family?

We are all strangers to one another, until we are not. 

Boots, halfway through: A Marine-shaped box

Posted on by Henry
The less morbid option for a Marine-shaped box

I’ve watched more of Boots, finishing episode four and just barely starting episode five. The show’s message feels clearer now. My initial curiosity is congealing into grim resignation.

Boots isn’t bad. It’s well crafted. The character portrayals and overt construction of masculinity that piqued my curiosity still remain. I can still enjoy picking through and examining them. I can enjoy stripping them for parts.

The show isn’t bad/wrong, the storytelling isn’t bad/wrong, but I like Boots less now.

Why?

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Have baby, still sick; 11/13/25

Posted on by Henry

I have a piece in the works revisiting Boots, but I’ve been doing extra baby duty this week and I’m well past the point of being sick for a month. You’ll have to wait a little longer.

Instead, please accept this (relevant) link to a video essay by Schnee about recognizing when and how you’re being propagandized. This is kind of a spoiler but I’ll be referring to Schnee’s video in that larger piece on Boots.

Does your game need more carrots?

Posted on by Henry

The carrot is more effective than the stick. That’s especially true when running a game. In fact, failing to give your players enough carrots might cause them to lose interest and stop playing. But what makes a good carrot?

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