1993 was the most brutal of the post-collapse years in Moscow, and it was also the year I moved there without really knowing any better. I woke up in a society where few institutions functioned, mobsters in tracksuits flourished, and chewing gum was worth more than money. Red Ticket is my memoir about Russia after it lost the Cold War (remember when we used to say that?), and about social and personal collapse.

1. When Everything Is Easy- I move to Russia to make things harder.

2. Hussein | 3. Pay Stove - I meet the man who will save my life the next day. A mysterious woman gives me a gift.

4. Smokers' Paradise | 5. The Attack - I finally get to use the condoms. Things in the dorm take a dark turn.

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Inspired by this post my favorite pastime recently, when I'm feeling down or bored, has been getting GPT-2 to complete William Carlos Williams poems. I've made a tumblr where I have been posting some of my favorite completions of his classic, "This Is Just To Say."

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Fifteen Monsters All In A Row is a short text adventure/twine game (which should work in any browser), where you have to confront fifteen monsters (in a row), which I made for/with my five year old niece and two year old nephew, who designed the monsters, and wrote some of the stories. The game contains 15 monsters (all in a row), several secret monsters (occasionally in a row), multiple solutions to every problem (almost), some exciting stories (occasionally), at least two jokes, and even a super secret special ending.

A couple of years ago (this was designed in 2018, and made in 2019, and then bugfixed and released in 2020), my niece (then 5) and my nephew (who was 2), wanted to design a computer game, so we designed a computer game (the original design document can be seen if you click credits, then design document, on the opening page of the game file, and their original monster art and designs are the ones used in the game itself).

Then I spent so long getting round to actually making it that now she's 7, and he's 4, but it's finished now so here it is.

Fifteen Monsters All In A Row: Game
Fifteen Monsters All In A Row: Introduction/Explanation
Estimated Playthrough Time: 10 minutes
Estimated Replayability Factor: Infinite

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Salutations Everyone! We all have read the quotes about McLuhan, now hear and occasionally see him speak, it's quite different than just reading, as if the person, or medium, if you will, alters the content of what's expressed, or message, ya might say. Seriously though, I'm serializing a project entitled: "Western Cynical: McLuhan Unclaimed", it's available on YouTube, episode 13 is premiering very soon.

This project started off as a Story From Home, essentially the local television service would allocate some money for the purpose of creating original content. Initially, this was going to be a 25 minute video, specifically about Marshall McLuhan's attitudes about Winnipeg. The challenge soon began to be about finding audio or video examples of this subject, which was extremely elusive, since most had no idea he grew up in Winnipeg. Needless to type, the project expanded into a much larger on going habit since discussing the 'effects of technology' is an inelastic subject. Thanks for reading.

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I recently came across some old abandoned police sketch software for Macintosh systems from the 1980s. I've wrapped it up in a web-based emulator and now you can play with it in your browser. Make your own face sketches.

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Four and a half years ago, I thought I was a cis man. Then I wrote a book.

Lucid is the tale of Jordan Parker (Parker to her friends), a trans girl who gets super powers and the body she's always wanted. As I wrote the book, I felt ever moment of her euphoria and getting to be herself. I felt her pain when she her true self was denied. Somewhere before I wrote that last line, I realized that I was trans.

I tried for a bit to get the book published, but that didn't go anywhere. A couple weeks ago I didn't want to leave Parker sitting on a shelf any more. She shows me who I am. She deservers better than that. So I started posting her novel online.

I hope some of you enjoy it.

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Enchanting singer and instrumentalist Leah Senior has just shared her charming new track "Evergreen," via Flightless Records, label of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. This joyful tune comes after a long wait from Senior, whose last full length album, Pretty Faces, came in 2017. "Evergreen" also comes with an exciting announcement, the release of a new album The Passing […]

The post Leah Senior shares baroque "Evergreen" music video appeared first on EARMILK.

Creating has become an inevitable response to the Coronavirus related lockdowns. During quarantine, we have seen countless musicians release content early, or better yet, release create content that may never have been created otherwise. Today, Easy Life have released their own addition to quarantine content, a double single release collectively called see you later maybe never (demos).  Opening […]

The post Easy Life return with double single release "see you later maybe never (demos)" appeared first on EARMILK.

The Wrecks set out to write their debut album almost three years ago, but it wasn't always smooth sailing. Between changing labels, rewriting new songs, and shifting their sound forward, the process became an Odyssey of reflection, growth, and self-discovery. On the eve of the album's release, frontman Nick Anderson took the time to share […]

The post Album Review: The Wrecks — Infinitely Ordinary appeared first on EARMILK.

Float Therapy is the moniker of 19-year-old musician Padraig Wilson. In fact, he also happens to write and record all the instruments himself. Float Therapy is a relatively new artist with a whole lot to say and he only recently released his first single "Gaffer Tape"- an intense, solid anthem that takes inspiration from the […]

The post Float Therapy unintentionally pays homage to Weekend at Bernie's in "Gaffer Tape" [Video] appeared first on EARMILK.

C5 just dropped a fiery single titled "Bay 2 LA" off of his project Interstate 5, which is set to release May 15th. Being perfectly titled after the main interstate highway that runs the length of West Coast, this Oakland, California artist begins on a scenic route as he takes us on a drive from […]

The post C5 takes us on a ride from the "Bay 2 LA" appeared first on EARMILK.

New York producer SRCMTRL's debut album is the spiritual and mental health relief we all need right now. Aptly titled La Vita è Bella which translates to "Life is beautiful in English," the 11 track body of work is a pupu platter of dusty vintage samples laid expertly over soft percussions. From start to finish, […]

The post SRCMTRL's 'La Vita è Bella' is pure lo-fi goodness for the soul appeared first on EARMILK.

Sweden's Ellen Krauss fills those small compartments of the heart that have been empty for too long with an indie-pop tonic titled "No Talk," which attempts to rebalance the way the organ operates, how it reacts to fear. "No Talk" is a groovy, super-smooth number that erupts at the choruses with the vibrant vocals of […]

The post Ellen Krauss reconfigures fear in new single "No Talk" appeared first on EARMILK.

Returning with another pop gem, UK artist Harry Strange releases the melancholic dark-pop single "Turn Away." Following the previous EARMILK approved single "Four In The Morning", this new track takes a different approach to songwriting by delving into moodier melodies and sadder lyricism. Submerged in hazy synths and infectious underlying bass grooves, "Turn Away" captures […]

The post Harry Strange reveals dark-pop single "Turn Away" appeared first on EARMILK.

A new environment has a way of bringing out something new in us, for American singer-songwriter, Charli Adams, it comes in the form of new single "Superpowers." The acoustic composition puts the indie artist in the familiar position of vulnerability and seclusion that first propelled her from secret shows in her native Alabama to the […]

The post Charli Adams reaches for something familiar in new single "Superpowers" appeared first on EARMILK.

If all cautionary tales sounded like NYC-based singer and tarot reader Syd Silvair's new song "Heroine," perhaps we would be more inclined to listen, you know, like for our own good. The dreamy pop track is super-charged with the type of racing synth swells and funky guitar riffs that span decades of influences: somewhere between […]

The post Syd Silvair's "Heroine" is an irresistible cautionary tale appeared first on EARMILK.

Rising British rapper, Macca Wiles releases an electrifying new single "Outlined" - a collage of post-'90s grunge rock with modern trap.  Produced by Matt Schwartz (Yungblud, M.O., Massive Attack, Halsey) "Outline" brilliantly fuses the manic alt-rock energy of Nirvana with the trap swagger of Migos. The informal verses guide the listener through a vivid storytelling […]

The post Macca Wiles' fusion of trap and grunge is "Outlined" in new single [Video] appeared first on EARMILK.

We can all take a moment to appreciate the smaller moments in life, especially when everything can feel so large and uncertain to comprehend and a little bit of hope can go a long way.  Enter South London-based duo PELA who join the streaming sphere today with their new single "You Got Me" which has been […]

The post SPELA have an appreciation of little moments in life on "You Got Me" appeared first on EARMILK.

What do we actually know about the number of coronavirus cases in the Bay Area? We'll hear about a group of volunteers working to fill in the gaps in testing data. Then, a San Francisco resident is scrambling to meet basic needs in her community during the shelter-in-place order. And, local songwriter Anna Hillburg looks at the city's changing art scene.

It’s been just a little over two weeks since the Bay Area’s shelter-in-place policy took effect. And it has dramatically changed how most of us live and work. Hear from people all around the Bay Area about daily life during the coronavirus epidemic.

What does the quarantine mean for people who are homeless? We hear how one soup kitchen is adjusting to the shelter-in-place order. Then, we begin a series that looks at how other countries are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, starting with Australia. And, from our project Uncuffed, how to make a wet burrito if you’re stuck in a prison cell.

How are seniors are coping in this time of isolation? We'll hear how non-profits and an army of volunteers in the Bay Area are working to relieve the anxiety. Then, we continue checking in with reporters around the globe on the coronavirus. Today, we're going to India. And, Oakland pianist and MC, Kev Choice shares the spiritual dimension of his music.

We'll hear from San Francisco supervisors on the challenges the city is facing moving some unhoused residents into hotels to shelter from the pandemic. Then, we go to Europe and get the latest on the coronavirus situation there. And, religious communities can’t gather in person, but they’re still meeting up online.

Domestic workers are losing jobs they rely on to the pandemic, and the jobs they’ve kept could jeopardize their health. We hear how workers are using lessons from past disasters to advocate for their communities. Then, in a story from Uncuffed , an ex-marine in prison faces his own mortality. Plus, we’re bringing Bay Area author readings to you in a new series called "New Arrivals."

Fremont has been using boulders to block parking near Tesla, and RV residents who call the area their home have had to find another place to go. Then, some singles are missing sex and intimacy during the shutdown. Plus, we continue our "New Arrivals" series with a reading from "Why We Swim" by Berkeley author Bonnie Tsui .

Bay Area dog shelters are seeing a huge increase in interest despite being closed to the public. We’ll find out how dog adoptions work while we’re sheltered in place. Then, Oakland singer Melissa Jones says there’s no one sound for black artists. And, we hear a reading from San Francisco author Wendy Liu .

The coronavirus is on all of our minds, and for some, it brings back memories of another public health crisis, when the federal government was slow to respond and communities had to take care of each other: the AIDS epidemic.

UCSF professor of epidemiology Dr. George Rutherford explains how we've minimized coronavirus deaths so far and talks about a new program that may intrude on our privacy. Then, from The Stoop podcast, we explore how coronavirus is especially affecting black communities.

Today, we hear how people around the Bay Area are experiencing their fifth week of quarantine in our continuing Quarantine Diaries series. Then, a reality show star and social media critic has tips for keeping in touch during the shelter in place.

A mobile health team in Contra Costa county brings medication to people with addiction living on the streets. Now, the doctor leading that effort worries about the additional challenge the coronavirus poses for them. Then, an incarcerated father and son see each other for the first time in 22 years.

Public health officials consider the risks and benefits when making policies about going outdoors right now. We’ll hear how the question of equity plays into getting outside. Then, we’ll go to the beach to solve a mystery on the shore. And, a Bay Area poet writes about her deep connection to animals and nature. Plus, we continue our New Arrivals series featuring Bay Area authors.

First, an update on how the City of Oakland is handling the coronavirus pandemic. Then, a teen in Los Gatos creates a space where her peers can safely reveal some of their deepest personal struggles. And, from the Uncuffed team at San Quentin , we’ll hear how a man who grew up in Cambodia and ended up incarcerated in the U.S. Plus, a reading from a Bay Area author for our series " New Arrivals ."

San Francisco Unified is pushing to get all students online and learning . We’ll hear why getting families computers and internet access in the age of COVID-19 is complicated. Then, we talk to body image activist Virgie Tovar about the new hidden messaging to teenage girls. And, we’ll continue our New Arrivals series featuring local authors.

We look at the results of a cutting-edge community testing program in the Mission and what it says about race, inequality, and housing. Then, we go across town to find Shakespeare in Golden Gate Park . And, we dive into more contemporary literature in our series, " New Arrivals ."

Cyril, a petroleum engineer in Nigeria, discovered deeper truths in God’s Word when he was invited to a seminar featuring an Amazing Facts DVD.

Nick grew up as a problem child. He was an alcoholic by the age of 12 and was constantly in trouble in school. He joined the military to try to stay out of trouble, but he got involved with the wrong crowd—“the worst of the worst.” All the while, he knew something inside was dying.

When Michael came home and found his wife sitting on the couch with a strange man, he went into the bedroom and picked up his rifle. But before he could do something he’d regret forever, God intervened. Michael suddenly heard a voice in his head say, “Don’t do this…”

As a child, Nancy felt terrible fear when she learned about God’s “eternal hellfire.” As an adult, she rebelled against the tragic distortion of being burned forever for her sins. But despite seeking happiness in the world, she only ended up in relationships that led to heartbreak. But God had a beautiful plan for her life that she was soon to discover.

Chris lived to get high. Though he grew up in a Christian community, he rejected it all as a teen and nearly lost his life three times. But when his wife threatened to leave him, Chris suddenly found himself on his knees begging God for help … and through your gifts, Chris found hope.

Sharon struggled with depression and feelings of rejection until—thanks to supporters like you—she discovered Amazing Facts on TV. After watching the programs and completing our Bible Study Guides, she found everlasting peace in Christ. Thank you for changing Sharon’s life!

Jennifer felt trapped in her destructive lifestyle, leaving her empty and in pain. But through the prayers of her mother and videos from Amazing Facts—programs you helped to create and provide free of charge—she found Christ. She has never been the same since!

After suffering three major health challenges that nearly took his life, Dan found Amazing Facts. He was especially interested in learning what the Bible taught about health. Because people like you give, Dan was able to turn his life around completely. Your gifts can literally make a life or death difference. Please save another soul for eternity!

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Yesterday, the Department of Justice reversed one of the most high-profile cases in the Mueller investigation. Michael Flynn served as President Trump's first national security adviser. He pleaded guilty twice to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia. Now, the DOJ is dropping its case against him, and let's talk this through with NPR justice correspondent Ryan Lucas. Hi, Ryan. RYAN LUCAS, BYLINE: Good morning. GREENE: Feel like a lot has happened in the world since we last talked about Michael Flynn. Can you just remind us what his story is? LUCAS: Right. The FBI began investigating Flynn back in 2016 as part of the broader Russia investigation. FBI interview - FBI agents interviewed him at the White House in January of 2017, and in that interview, Flynn lied to them about conversations he had had with the Russian ambassador to the United States. A few weeks later, Flynn left the administration for allegedly lying to

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit NOEL KING, HOST: The U.S. and China have a complicated relationship - nothing new there. But during the coronavirus, it's getting worse and may even be at its lowest point since the Tiananmen Square crackdown more than 30 years ago. NPR's Michele Kelemen tells us what the diplomats have been saying, and it is not that diplomatic. MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: U.S. and Chinese officials have been trading barbs on Twitter. And when China's ambassador wrote an op-ed accusing the U.S. of playing the blame game, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came back with this. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) MIKE POMPEO: And I can't wait for my daily column in the China Daily news. KELEMEN: Beyond this tit for tat, relations seem to be deteriorating at all levels. The FBI, for example, has been warning universities about the dangers of working with China, especially in the scientific field. That was going on well before the pandemic, says Georgetown University's James

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: This country's top uniformed military officer is wrestling with a special problem of the pandemic. The military has to protect its people, but unlike schools and businesses, it can never shut down. MARK MILLEY: We still have to defend the nation and sail ships and fly planes and so on. How are we, as a military, going to operate in this environment and, if not this environment, some other pandemic environment? MARTIN: General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talked through the challenges with our co-host, Steve Inskeep. STEVE INSKEEP, BYLINE: General Milley is a four-decade veteran of U.S. operations around the world. He's also a history buff who knew we would play this interview today, May 8, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. That war is on his mind as Milley considers the scale of the pandemic today. MILLEY: We, the United States, have lost over 70,000 killed in the last 90 to 120

As Minnesota Gov. Walz weighs his decision on when to let nonessential businesses reopen, he's facing a lot of pressure from a frustrated workforce, especially from small business owners who are trying to stay afloat during the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. "The frustrations that they have are real. These are businesses that, they may have been in families for generations or they built up," the Democratic governor says in an interview with Morning Edition . The state is under a stay-at-home order until at least May 18 . In reopening the economy, he says, businesses will face another challenge: consumer confidence. Walz worries that — even with stay-at-home orders lifted — many consumers will be skittish about reengaging with businesses until they feel safe. Walz says many businesses should remain closed until the state ramps up its testing capacity. Achieving that goal will help contain the virus's spread, as well as bolster the public's confidence, he says.

Updated at 11:43 a.m. ET The Labor Department delivered a historically bad employment report Friday, showing 20.5 million jobs lost last month as the nation locked down against the coronavirus. The jobless rate soared to 14.7% — the highest level since the Great Depression. The highest monthly job loss before this was 2 million in 1945, as the nation began to demobilize after World War II. The worst monthly job loss during the Great Recession was 800,000 in March 2009. Loading... Don't see the graphic above? Click here. Unemployment was 4.4% in March as the coronavirus began to take hold in the U.S. It approached 25% during the Great Depression and remained elevated until World War II. Loading... Don't see the graphic above? Click here. The carnage was felt across industries in April. With most travel shut down, leisure and hospitality jobs fell by 7.6 million. The retail and health care sectors each dropped by 2.1 million. Manufacturing lost 1.3 million and government jobs fell by 980

Why is the government seeking to drop charges against Michael Flynn even though he pleaded guilty — in two admissions in court — to committing the crime at issue? The short answers: The Justice Department is giving him a break. And Flynn has played his cards well. The long answer: It's a long story. The deal Flynn admitted to lying to the FBI about conversations he had had with Russia's then-ambassador to the United States as he and the rest of President-elect Donald Trump's camp waited in the wings early in 2017. That case appeared clear. But the former Army lieutenant general also had been involved with other enterprises that might have resulted in more charges — including undisclosed foreign lobbying — and his deal with prosecutors swept that off the table. It also apparently avoided prospective charges for Flynn's son. Flynn and his attorneys considered the deal to be the least bad way out of the jam. "My guilty plea and agreement to cooperate with the special counsel's office

Updated at 3:20 p.m. ET Democrats and some Republicans are considering ways for the federal government to get money into people's pockets while the coronavirus is keeping much of the economy on ice. Proposals for the next round of aid are being floated, and Democrats in the House are prepping another relief package as jobless claims continue to rise in the country. The Labor Department announced Friday that 20.5 million jobs were lost in April, pushing the overall unemployment rate to 14.7 %. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., hopes to release another bill, which is being crafted without the input of Republicans or the White House as early as next week. "This is a reflection of the needs of the American people," Pelosi said Thursday. "We have to start someplace and, rather than starting in a way that does not meet the needs of the American people, want to set a standard." The latest proposal from Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Ed Markey D-Mass., is a plan

The Supreme Court has temporarily put on hold the release of redacted grand jury material from the Russia investigation to a House panel. The Trump administration is trying to block the release. Last October, a district court judge ruled the Justice Department had to turn over the materials, which were blacked out, from former special counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian interference in the 2016 election. An appeals court upheld the decision , but the Trump administration, hoping to keep the evidence secret, appealed to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts' order temporarily stops the process. Lawyers for the House Judiciary Committee have until May 18 to file their response to the Justice Department's attempts to keep the materials from the House panel. The Justice Department had until Monday to turn over the material following the appeals court order. But on Thursday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to block Congress from seeking it, saying, "The