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ericconrad.com
Conrad
@ericconrad.com
1.5K followers 600 following 930 posts
SANS Fellow, CTO of Backshore Communications, GIAC GSE #13, SABR member, golden age arcade restorer. Peaks Island, Maine
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ericconrad.com
Conrad @ericconrad.com · Nov 20
To all the new folks here: welcome to Bluesky!

My posts are a mix of infosec, arcade restoration, baseball, and other random stuff

Here's my garage arcade. My son and I restored these games (many were DOA)

Pictured are: Tempest, Scramble, Donkey Kong, Nintendo VS Tetris, Millipede and Asteroids
A photo of my garage arcade on Peaks Island showing the following arcade cabinets: Tempest, Scramble, Donkey Kong, Nintendo VS Tetris, Millipede and Asteroids. Pac-Man and Galaxian are visible in Tempest's reflection
ericconrad.com
If you see this, post a bird
A seagull standing on the downstairs awning at sunset at the Island Lobster Company on Peaks Island, Maine The sun is setting below House Island in the background
November 14, 2025 at 1:20 AM
ericconrad.com
Northern lights over Peaks Island, Maine

Amazing
The northern lights over my yard on Peaks Island, Maine. The sky is a sea of pink and green, shown through the trees
November 12, 2025 at 3:28 AM
ericconrad.com
Achievement unlocked
My Donkey Kong high score at the Texas Toy Museum in Austin. 187,400 points Me in front of a chalk sandwich board at the Texas Toy Museum, pointing to my new Donkey Kong high score
October 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
ericconrad.com
Visited Malin’s Fountain today, another of Thomas Dambo's Trolls

peasepark.org/pease-park-t...
Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, created Malin’s Fountain, a troll sculpture in Pease Park with the help of 150 Austin-based volunteers. Malin is a female troll holding a bowl. She reminds us that we should share water and resources with the animals that live here with us. Hear from Thomas Dambo about our beloved Austin Troll… https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cWng1NHOVB8 Sometimes, the summer times are dry Sometimes, the sky will cry Sometimes, the fountains full of rain Sometimes, an empty drain ‍ Sometimes are good for summer birds Sometimes are cursed with thirst So it always makes a difference when You fill the fountain up again ‍ While Malin's Fountain itself is not a traditional fountain, lacking a link to the underground or a direct water source - it's a fountain that symbolizes the community's strength and ability to come together as one. https://www.thomasdambo.com/works/malins-fountain
October 29, 2025 at 8:54 PM
ericconrad.com
You know it's Halloween in Austin when Moe's Tavern opens for business

Plus two other random photos I took while wandering Austin today

austin.eater.com/2023/10/16/2...
Recent annual Halloween tradition by the Nickel City Bar in Austin, Texas where it dresses up as "Moe's Tavern" from the Simpsons. https://www.nickelcitybar.com/ Rhapsody Mural 1021 E 11th St The gorgeous and colorful mosaic tiles of East Austin’s Rhapsody mural combine to create an animated tribute to East Austin’s musical past. The 50-foot-long artwork was designed in 2003 by University of Texas Art Professor John Yancey to commemorate a time when blues and jazz music filtered through the east side of segregated Austin. Yancey, a longtime local resident, searched through old photos and documents to help inform his design, though he has seen much of the change in East Austin firsthand. The work was part of a larger project called “Eleven East,” funded by the Austin Revitilization Authority to memorialize African American institutions along East 11th Street. The plaza where it sits, Charles E. Urdy Plaza, is named for a respected community leader. Alt text from: https://blackhistorybikeride.com/stop/rhapsody-mural/ The Mexic-Arte Museum’s El Mero Muro is a mural program located on the exterior wall of the building on 5th St. and Congress Avenue. Conveying powerful messages of relevant issues, the outdoor murals of the Museum are in a unique and highly visible area of downtown Austin. The Museum’s most recent collaboration has been with Puerto Rican artist Fabian Rey, who created Dale Shine, inspired by the imagery of “Chente” Rodriguez’s Dale Shine design, created during the late 70’s. The phrase “Dale Shine” itself roughly translates to “give it shine” or “shine it up,” which resonates both literally (shoeshining) and metaphorically (uplifting or empowering). By channeling imagery from that era, Rey pays tribute to working-class dignity and Latinx heritage, while also addressing larger social themes such as labor, identity and pride. Fabian Rey was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is an artist and muralist based in Austin, Texas. His work has been featured in murals in Austin and across the world, including most recently at Angers, France for the 2024 Summer Olympics. As an educator, Fabian has work for middle schools all across the world developing art programs and encouraging the art of creative thinking. Recently, he worked with Austin Achieve Public School in Pflugerville creating and painting a mural with the help of the 8th grade students art class. He has painted across the globe in countries like Puerto Rico, France, Italy and United States. In 2018, he teamed up with the crew of Something Cool Studios, an art collective in the heart of Austin’s East Side, where he makes art and creates workshops and community driven art shows during the year. Alt text from: https://mexic-artemuseum.org/event/dale-shine/
October 29, 2025 at 12:20 AM
ericconrad.com
I booked tickets for Wilco's Solid Sound at MOCA in North Adams, MA. Billy Bragg and Wilco (and hopefully Natalie Merchant, fingers crossed) singing songs from Mermaid Avenue

I've spent a ton of time in western MA, but I haven't been to North Adams in ages. I can't wait

solidsoundfestival.com
Home Page
solidsoundfestival.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:20 AM
ericconrad.com
Back in Austin for the week and my Donkey Kong high score still stands at the Texas Toy Museum

(I know you were all worried about that)

I didn't have time to beat it today, but I will later this week

austintoymuseum.org
High score sandwich/chalk board outside of the Texas Toy Museum in Austin Texas, It shows a series of high score on various games, including my 184,700 high score on Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong high score screen showing "EC" with a high score of 184,700
October 27, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Conrad
markmorow.com
20 years ago today, the White Sox completed their World Series sweep of the Astros. This game recap, and many more memories from this season are in the SABR book released earlier this year sabr.org/latest/sabr-....
SABR Digital Library: The 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox: Grinders and Gamers – Society for American Baseball Research
sabr.org
October 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
ericconrad.com
The control panel harness arrived this morning, and Donkey Kong is back in the rotation

(Don't judge my gameplay, I'm plying one-handed)
October 17, 2025 at 11:08 PM
ericconrad.com
My Friend Heather has a show at the Crow's Nest gallery on Peaks Island. This is my favorite photo from Heather's show

www.instagram.com/hboody/
Taken from Heather's Instagram Post: Putting art out into the world and promoting creativity during times of extreme unease has felt extravagant. Throughout the process we’ve continuously asked “What’s The Point?” I don’t have a clear answer but this week I have been so appreciative of the kind, encouraging conversations I’ve had with so many of you who have simply said “This is beautiful. Keep going”...and so I do. And I will. And I am grateful. Thank you. The photo shows a tree branch with yellow leaves floating on a dark blue pond on Peaks Island with dark tree limbs in the background. It would look Halloween-ish, except for the riot of color from the tree leaves
October 15, 2025 at 2:56 AM
ericconrad.com
I'm hosting an island arcade party/barbecue on Peaks Island on Saturday, and just received this shipping notification for the missing Donkey Kong control panel harness

There is no such thing as an arcade emergency, but I hope it gets here Friday. Donkey Kong is my all-time favorite game
Boring UPS tracking update that says: Expected Delivery by Friday 17 October 2025 by 9:00pm USPS is now in possession of your item as of 10:56 am on October 14, 2025 in CIRCLEVILLE, UT 84723. BTW: 9:00PM means Saturday at the earliest, since it needs to get to Peaks Island on a ferry.
October 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
ericconrad.com
You can buy a pristine version of this old Corgi Juniors Mercedes 280 SL car off eBay for less than $10 plus shipping

Or you can do this

I celebrate this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti98...
Text over a Youtube video that says "I spent maybe 15-20 hours experimenting on different ways to make a new windshield. Casting epoxy etc. This is what I came up with. It shows the chassis of a toy car that was stripped of yellow paint, with the cabin nestled on top of a piece of shaped wood that will later be used to form the new windshield.
October 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Conrad
danpasternack.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 is a milestone in comedy history. Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the 1st SNL, today is also the final new Dr. Demento show. After 55 years, Barret Hansen is hanging up his top hat. Please go to drdemento.com to hear his all time demented top 40 countdown special.
Dr. Demento
drdemento.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
ericconrad.com
I'm overdue for a #Conradsarcade post

I rewired my Donkey Kong cabinet. It had a modern switching power supply and the harness was a hacked-up rat's nest

I installed an original linear power supply and rewired the cabinet with a new harness. Here's what I got: www.youtube.com/shorts/YVdHF...

1/2
Sanyo 20EZ scrolling
YouTube video by Eric Conrad
www.youtube.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
ericconrad.com
I find Odd Tinkering's videos entertaining and relaxing. I often watch them before I got to bed

He lovingly and obsessively restores everything from eleventy one year old toasters to this flood damaged Atari 2600

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ET...
Restoring Flooded Atari 2600 - Retro Console Restoration ASMR
YouTube video by Odd Tinkering
www.youtube.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
ericconrad.com
Finally fired Android and switched to an iPhone 17 Max Pro. This is after 10+ years using Android phones: I had a Google Nexus in 2015

The final straw was the endless Gemini popups that are difficult or impossible to disable in Android. Disabling Apple Intelligence a piece of cake on iPhone
AI tuba meme, captioned Me (girl pinned into a wall). Gemini (the tuba), and My Pixel 9 phone (girl playing the tuba)
October 8, 2025 at 10:08 PM
ericconrad.com
Congratulations, @khaxan.bsky.social!

@nedpyle.com, @markmorow.com, @fpieces.bsky.social, @iananderson.bsky.social, @ajohnsocyber.bsky.social, @restinbeachface.bsky.social, @bjsplash.bsky.social, @zarchasmpgmr.bsky.social, @sqlcheesecake.bsky.social, @blemley.us
October 3, 2025 at 2:48 AM
ericconrad.com
Buckle up, @khaxan.bsky.social! We're going for a ride

@nedpyle.com @crincoli.org @fpieces.bsky.social @iananderson.bsky.social @ajohnsocyber.bsky.social @restinbeachface.bsky.social @bjsplash.bsky.social @zarchasmpgmr.bsky.social @sqlcheesecake.bsky.social @blemley.us
MLB postseason wildcard bracket showing The Red Sox playing the Yankees, the Tigers playing the Guardians, the Reds playing the Dodgers, and the Padres playing the Cubs
September 28, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Reposted by Conrad
christina00017.bsky.social
It’s going to be a fantastic match, tomorrow! #womensworldcuprugby #canadavsengland #goCanadago 🇨🇦
September 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM
ericconrad.com
Buckle up, everybody! Fat Bear Week starts tomorrow

explore.org/fat-bear-week
Fat Bear Week 2025
Fat Bear Week 2025
explore.org
September 23, 2025 at 2:35 AM
ericconrad.com
Anyone in Maine can get the Covid-19 vaccine without a prescription at CVS. I saw this on the Maine subreddit, and haven't seen mentioned anywhere else

I just got mine today (plus the flu vaccine) at CVS in Portland. Appointments were wide open

www.cvs.com/immunization...
COVID-19 Vaccines Near Me – New COVID Vaccination
Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine at CVS Pharmacy. Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax vaccines are available. No cost with most insurance. Restrictions apply.
www.cvs.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Reposted by Conrad
mmasnick.bsky.social
Just got sucked into @neal.fun's "Not a Robot"

neal.fun/not-a-robot/
I'm Not a Robot
Prove your humanity once and for all
neal.fun
September 21, 2025 at 11:37 PM
ericconrad.com
I'm in an Irish Pub in Amsterdam Schipol airport, waiting for my flight back to Boston. They just played Barrett's Privateers

Unexpectedly hearing about a broken man on a Halifax pier in Amsterdam is pretty awesome
September 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
ericconrad.com
That felt good
Screenshot that says: Ok, your subscription has been cancelled We’ve sent a confirmation to your email on file. You may continue to watch Disney+ until September 21, 2025. Changed your mind? No problem. Restart your subscription to continue enjoying Disney+.
September 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Conrad
lproven.bsky.social
Cory Doctorow: Reverse Centaurs (Locus magazine Commentary)

buff.ly/k9LcUDH

<- this is important insight into whether *you* are using "AI", or employers are using "AI" to exploit *you* .

You should read it. It's short.
Commentary: Cory Doctorow: Reverse Centaurs
Science fiction’s superpower isn’t thinking up new technologies – it’s thinking up new social arrangements for technology. What the gadget does is nowhere near as important as who the gadget does i…
buff.ly
September 17, 2025 at 8:53 AM