Fernando Gros
@fernandogros.com
Writer
Granta Memoir Workshop alumni
Shortlisted for The Deep Creek Residency Fellowship
Lived in 🇨🇱🇦🇺🇬🇧🇮🇳🇭🇰🇸🇬🇯🇵
Worked in academia and music
TCK
https://fernandogros.com/blog/
Made in Chile, grown in Australia, polished in Japan
Granta Memoir Workshop alumni
Shortlisted for The Deep Creek Residency Fellowship
Lived in 🇨🇱🇦🇺🇬🇧🇮🇳🇭🇰🇸🇬🇯🇵
Worked in academia and music
TCK
https://fernandogros.com/blog/
Made in Chile, grown in Australia, polished in Japan
Pinned
Fernando Gros
@fernandogros.com
· Oct 19
If you're new to Bluesky here's a few things to check out
1. Content moderation is customisable. Choose show/warn/hide for everything from sexual content to engagement farming.
2. Custom feeds. Want a feed that's only about science, fountain pens, UK politics? Subscribe to as many as you want.
1. Content moderation is customisable. Choose show/warn/hide for everything from sexual content to engagement farming.
2. Custom feeds. Want a feed that's only about science, fountain pens, UK politics? Subscribe to as many as you want.
It's time to choose a yearly theme for 2026.
Here's what yearly themes are, how to choose one, and why they are a better commitment than making resolutions.
Here's what yearly themes are, how to choose one, and why they are a better commitment than making resolutions.
How To Choose Your Yearly Theme - Fernando Gros
Yearly themes have become more popular as an alternative to new year’s resolutions. Here’s a guide to choosing your yearly theme.
fernandogros.com
December 28, 2025 at 10:24 AM
It's time to choose a yearly theme for 2026.
Here's what yearly themes are, how to choose one, and why they are a better commitment than making resolutions.
Here's what yearly themes are, how to choose one, and why they are a better commitment than making resolutions.
Everyone kept telling me to watch Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives out thriller, because of its religious motifs.
Two things stood out. First, the film takes vocation seriously. Most films try to explain the priestly calling by analogy to some other career. This film doesn't. Which is refreshing.
Two things stood out. First, the film takes vocation seriously. Most films try to explain the priestly calling by analogy to some other career. This film doesn't. Which is refreshing.
December 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Everyone kept telling me to watch Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives out thriller, because of its religious motifs.
Two things stood out. First, the film takes vocation seriously. Most films try to explain the priestly calling by analogy to some other career. This film doesn't. Which is refreshing.
Two things stood out. First, the film takes vocation seriously. Most films try to explain the priestly calling by analogy to some other career. This film doesn't. Which is refreshing.
The point of giving and receiving presents isn't the stuff or its monetary value. It's about seeing and being seeing. It's a reminder that the people who love you have been thinking about you. Understanding what you connect with. And wanting to give you a moment in the spotlight.
December 25, 2025 at 8:06 AM
The point of giving and receiving presents isn't the stuff or its monetary value. It's about seeing and being seeing. It's a reminder that the people who love you have been thinking about you. Understanding what you connect with. And wanting to give you a moment in the spotlight.
My Apple Music Replay for 2025
Top Artist - Leon Bridges
Top Song - BAILE INoLVIDABLE by Bad Bunny
Top Album heyrist í mér? by Elín Hall
Top Genre - Jazz
Top Artist - Leon Bridges
Top Song - BAILE INoLVIDABLE by Bad Bunny
Top Album heyrist í mér? by Elín Hall
Top Genre - Jazz
December 22, 2025 at 8:23 AM
My Apple Music Replay for 2025
Top Artist - Leon Bridges
Top Song - BAILE INoLVIDABLE by Bad Bunny
Top Album heyrist í mér? by Elín Hall
Top Genre - Jazz
Top Artist - Leon Bridges
Top Song - BAILE INoLVIDABLE by Bad Bunny
Top Album heyrist í mér? by Elín Hall
Top Genre - Jazz
Here's an idea for creatives to explore in 2026.
Build a scene.
Take the time you spend promoting your work and devote 80% of that to creating a scene. Connect with other creatives. Create a buzz around your location. Your unique culture, vibe, and history.
Don't be an atom. Be a universe.
Build a scene.
Take the time you spend promoting your work and devote 80% of that to creating a scene. Connect with other creatives. Create a buzz around your location. Your unique culture, vibe, and history.
Don't be an atom. Be a universe.
December 22, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Here's an idea for creatives to explore in 2026.
Build a scene.
Take the time you spend promoting your work and devote 80% of that to creating a scene. Connect with other creatives. Create a buzz around your location. Your unique culture, vibe, and history.
Don't be an atom. Be a universe.
Build a scene.
Take the time you spend promoting your work and devote 80% of that to creating a scene. Connect with other creatives. Create a buzz around your location. Your unique culture, vibe, and history.
Don't be an atom. Be a universe.
Does anyone have a good contact for silk screening in Tokyo?
December 20, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Does anyone have a good contact for silk screening in Tokyo?
Why do people bring their racism on holiday? There's a kind of white Australian that expects me to move aside because immigrants are 2nd class citizens. And a certain kind of wealthy SE Asian who expects me to move aside because white people represent colonisation.
But we're in Japan folks.
But we're in Japan folks.
December 19, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Why do people bring their racism on holiday? There's a kind of white Australian that expects me to move aside because immigrants are 2nd class citizens. And a certain kind of wealthy SE Asian who expects me to move aside because white people represent colonisation.
But we're in Japan folks.
But we're in Japan folks.
The "top 1 percent" needs to be retired as a phrase. It's meaningless now. For the same reason saying "millionaires and billionaires" is also meaningless.
The gap between the wealthiest few and the rest of the wealthy is staggering. And their political influence is almost unprecedented.
The gap between the wealthiest few and the rest of the wealthy is staggering. And their political influence is almost unprecedented.
December 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
The "top 1 percent" needs to be retired as a phrase. It's meaningless now. For the same reason saying "millionaires and billionaires" is also meaningless.
The gap between the wealthiest few and the rest of the wealthy is staggering. And their political influence is almost unprecedented.
The gap between the wealthiest few and the rest of the wealthy is staggering. And their political influence is almost unprecedented.
I must be getting old. It’s -1C and I was tempted to zip up my parka while walking from the supermarket to the car.
December 18, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I must be getting old. It’s -1C and I was tempted to zip up my parka while walking from the supermarket to the car.
Apple Music has two song transition options. Crossfade and Automix. And I have to turn them off at least once a year. On every device.
December 18, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Apple Music has two song transition options. Crossfade and Automix. And I have to turn them off at least once a year. On every device.
Arrival in Narita was insanely slow and busy. Felt dizzy and a bit exhausted hauling my suitcases to hotel checkin. But I’m now in a local Tokyo burger joint with a cold drink and Superstar by The Carpenters is playing in the background.
December 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Arrival in Narita was insanely slow and busy. Felt dizzy and a bit exhausted hauling my suitcases to hotel checkin. But I’m now in a local Tokyo burger joint with a cold drink and Superstar by The Carpenters is playing in the background.
Forgot to note my Japanese lesson on Monday. Not sure how much raw progress I made this year. Maybe I should jump on the exam bandwagon. But I am enjoying Japanese more recently. And less stressed about what I know and when I forget things.
December 16, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Forgot to note my Japanese lesson on Monday. Not sure how much raw progress I made this year. Maybe I should jump on the exam bandwagon. But I am enjoying Japanese more recently. And less stressed about what I know and when I forget things.
Australia will need to have a couple of serious public conversations. One will be around gun regulation. There's good reason to think this might go well.
The other is around antisemitism, religious identity, and related issues. The local media and political class aren't good at these topics.
The other is around antisemitism, religious identity, and related issues. The local media and political class aren't good at these topics.
December 15, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Australia will need to have a couple of serious public conversations. One will be around gun regulation. There's good reason to think this might go well.
The other is around antisemitism, religious identity, and related issues. The local media and political class aren't good at these topics.
The other is around antisemitism, religious identity, and related issues. The local media and political class aren't good at these topics.
A father and son went on a shooting rampage in Sydney attacking a local Jewish community event. 15 dead. Nearly 40 in hospital, 5 of them in critical condition.
Mass shootings on this scale are rare in Australia. We have historical precedent for this leading gun reform and national soul-searching.
Mass shootings on this scale are rare in Australia. We have historical precedent for this leading gun reform and national soul-searching.
December 14, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A father and son went on a shooting rampage in Sydney attacking a local Jewish community event. 15 dead. Nearly 40 in hospital, 5 of them in critical condition.
Mass shootings on this scale are rare in Australia. We have historical precedent for this leading gun reform and national soul-searching.
Mass shootings on this scale are rare in Australia. We have historical precedent for this leading gun reform and national soul-searching.
Horrible news from Bondi. Will wait for more news. But this seems bad.
December 14, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Horrible news from Bondi. Will wait for more news. But this seems bad.
Remember when Bluesky told us domain names would be the tool for verification? That everyone would do it? That companies would confer domain level verification for their employees?
I did it because verification matters to me. But I was always skeptical it would be popular in practice.
I did it because verification matters to me. But I was always skeptical it would be popular in practice.
December 14, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Remember when Bluesky told us domain names would be the tool for verification? That everyone would do it? That companies would confer domain level verification for their employees?
I did it because verification matters to me. But I was always skeptical it would be popular in practice.
I did it because verification matters to me. But I was always skeptical it would be popular in practice.
Whenever I find myself with too many tabs open in my browser I like to re-arrange them by website and that helps me tidy things up.
Also, I am tabs-zero at the end of each day. Was recently surprised to find out this might be unusual.
Also, I am tabs-zero at the end of each day. Was recently surprised to find out this might be unusual.
December 14, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Whenever I find myself with too many tabs open in my browser I like to re-arrange them by website and that helps me tidy things up.
Also, I am tabs-zero at the end of each day. Was recently surprised to find out this might be unusual.
Also, I am tabs-zero at the end of each day. Was recently surprised to find out this might be unusual.
Two tasks for 2026
1. Buy Andor season 1 & 2 on Blue-ray
2. Cancel DisneyPlus subscription
1. Buy Andor season 1 & 2 on Blue-ray
2. Cancel DisneyPlus subscription
December 11, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Two tasks for 2026
1. Buy Andor season 1 & 2 on Blue-ray
2. Cancel DisneyPlus subscription
1. Buy Andor season 1 & 2 on Blue-ray
2. Cancel DisneyPlus subscription
This year is ending with massive "when one door closes another one opens" energy.
December 10, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This year is ending with massive "when one door closes another one opens" energy.
Attended an online writing workshop yesterday with Steve Almond on openings to stories. Lessons from his careful reading of openings.
My biggest lessons this year involved seeing how writers I've workshopped with, like Eula Bliss, Margo Steines, and Sabrina Orah Mark, learn from other writers.
My biggest lessons this year involved seeing how writers I've workshopped with, like Eula Bliss, Margo Steines, and Sabrina Orah Mark, learn from other writers.
December 10, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Attended an online writing workshop yesterday with Steve Almond on openings to stories. Lessons from his careful reading of openings.
My biggest lessons this year involved seeing how writers I've workshopped with, like Eula Bliss, Margo Steines, and Sabrina Orah Mark, learn from other writers.
My biggest lessons this year involved seeing how writers I've workshopped with, like Eula Bliss, Margo Steines, and Sabrina Orah Mark, learn from other writers.
Anyone commenting on the age ban for social media should be forced to write a 2000 word essay on Club Penguin.
December 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Anyone commenting on the age ban for social media should be forced to write a 2000 word essay on Club Penguin.
Second visit to a podiatrist today. Treatment is going well. Wish I'd done this years ago. Human bodies are amazing. And amazingly asymmetrical. The multidimensional health intervention continues.
December 9, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Second visit to a podiatrist today. Treatment is going well. Wish I'd done this years ago. Human bodies are amazing. And amazingly asymmetrical. The multidimensional health intervention continues.
What needs to be pointed out about the Netflix and Paramount bids for Warner is the geopolitics of it all.
Netflix is the most global streaming service. Netflix commissions and produces a lot of international shows and films. Paramount is very US-centric. With close ties to the current government.
Netflix is the most global streaming service. Netflix commissions and produces a lot of international shows and films. Paramount is very US-centric. With close ties to the current government.
December 9, 2025 at 2:43 AM
What needs to be pointed out about the Netflix and Paramount bids for Warner is the geopolitics of it all.
Netflix is the most global streaming service. Netflix commissions and produces a lot of international shows and films. Paramount is very US-centric. With close ties to the current government.
Netflix is the most global streaming service. Netflix commissions and produces a lot of international shows and films. Paramount is very US-centric. With close ties to the current government.
Bluesky now requires you to confirm your birthday in Australia. And you can't type your answer in. You have to scroll through a calendar wheel one month at a time. So it's also a test of patience as well.
December 8, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Bluesky now requires you to confirm your birthday in Australia. And you can't type your answer in. You have to scroll through a calendar wheel one month at a time. So it's also a test of patience as well.
About that meme asking for films you've watched more than six times not including Star Wars, Marvel, or LOTR.
There's many films I've watched more than six times.
But only two Star Wars films come close. Haven't watched any Marvel films more than thrice. And I didn't even watch all the LOTR films.
There's many films I've watched more than six times.
But only two Star Wars films come close. Haven't watched any Marvel films more than thrice. And I didn't even watch all the LOTR films.
December 8, 2025 at 1:22 AM
About that meme asking for films you've watched more than six times not including Star Wars, Marvel, or LOTR.
There's many films I've watched more than six times.
But only two Star Wars films come close. Haven't watched any Marvel films more than thrice. And I didn't even watch all the LOTR films.
There's many films I've watched more than six times.
But only two Star Wars films come close. Haven't watched any Marvel films more than thrice. And I didn't even watch all the LOTR films.