Practical Tim
@practicalpeng.bsky.social
Tim Mierzejewski: Board game designer (Aetherspire), web dev, not a penguin. My game design portfolio: https://mierz.carrd.co/
My boss: "You don't have to toot your own horn around here. Your boss has to toot your horn. And that means you have to make your horn tootable."
January 9, 2026 at 3:05 PM
My boss: "You don't have to toot your own horn around here. Your boss has to toot your horn. And that means you have to make your horn tootable."
(hoop) There it is
January 9, 2026 at 2:35 PM
(hoop) There it is
Great as always. Especially appreciated the extra historical context around the explosion of toy-based TV shows in the '80s - I'd only heard that abbreviated version about deregulation before.
January 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Great as always. Especially appreciated the extra historical context around the explosion of toy-based TV shows in the '80s - I'd only heard that abbreviated version about deregulation before.
Reposted by Practical Tim
Reposted by Practical Tim
Really, ChatGPT is just giving you a luxury experience that is normally only accessible to the rich and powerful -- the experience of filling your life with butt-kissing and sycophancy until you completely lose touch with reality.
January 7, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Really, ChatGPT is just giving you a luxury experience that is normally only accessible to the rich and powerful -- the experience of filling your life with butt-kissing and sycophancy until you completely lose touch with reality.
Only if you can find canned okra easily! Is that something you can still pick up at your average supermarket?
January 8, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Only if you can find canned okra easily! Is that something you can still pick up at your average supermarket?
I just remembered the time someone complimented me by suggesting I should get a job reading appliance manuals out loud.
January 6, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I just remembered the time someone complimented me by suggesting I should get a job reading appliance manuals out loud.
Is the tour *only* those multi-night stands or will there be other cities visited?
Signed, a Connecticut superfan
Signed, a Connecticut superfan
January 6, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Is the tour *only* those multi-night stands or will there be other cities visited?
Signed, a Connecticut superfan
Signed, a Connecticut superfan
I think it's going to remain a game I like and respect but don't love. The low interaction and point salad nature are just my personal taste, but I'll just say I'm glad I don't own a copy of it.
January 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM
I think it's going to remain a game I like and respect but don't love. The low interaction and point salad nature are just my personal taste, but I'll just say I'm glad I don't own a copy of it.
SETI is kind of on the fence for me, a game where every action gets you a couple points, with only a little specialization and very few opportunities for big statement moves. It does everything well but other than its scope, doesn't wow me as much as I hoped.
January 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
SETI is kind of on the fence for me, a game where every action gets you a couple points, with only a little specialization and very few opportunities for big statement moves. It does everything well but other than its scope, doesn't wow me as much as I hoped.
Over the New Years transition from '25 to '26, I was playing my second game of SETI, teaching it to three new players. Unfortunately, one of those players taking several minutes to decide on each turn's action soured the group on the game, and I doubt any of them will play it again. Ah well!
January 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Over the New Years transition from '25 to '26, I was playing my second game of SETI, teaching it to three new players. Unfortunately, one of those players taking several minutes to decide on each turn's action soured the group on the game, and I doubt any of them will play it again. Ah well!
I'm trying to figure out if listening to Devo's debut album more would make me love it or hate it.
Much like with Talking Heads, I tend to like the idea of them more than actually listening to them. But maybe it's because I haven't given them enough of a chance?
Much like with Talking Heads, I tend to like the idea of them more than actually listening to them. But maybe it's because I haven't given them enough of a chance?
December 30, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I'm trying to figure out if listening to Devo's debut album more would make me love it or hate it.
Much like with Talking Heads, I tend to like the idea of them more than actually listening to them. But maybe it's because I haven't given them enough of a chance?
Much like with Talking Heads, I tend to like the idea of them more than actually listening to them. But maybe it's because I haven't given them enough of a chance?
At my request, I didn't receive many new games for Christmas this year - only Clank Legacy. My family has really enjoyed it so far, 3 adventures in, and we're already sad there are only 10 adventures before the post-campaign game state. The duke is just so... hateable!
December 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
At my request, I didn't receive many new games for Christmas this year - only Clank Legacy. My family has really enjoyed it so far, 3 adventures in, and we're already sad there are only 10 adventures before the post-campaign game state. The duke is just so... hateable!
Board Game Advent, Day 25. My most played game: Dominion!
After all these years, Dominion is still the top deck builder, when you count all the variety from expansions and even the app. (I only log in-person plays so the app doesn’t count.) Tough to transport my box containing 8 sets though!
After all these years, Dominion is still the top deck builder, when you count all the variety from expansions and even the app. (I only log in-person plays so the app doesn’t count.) Tough to transport my box containing 8 sets though!
December 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Board Game Advent, Day 25. My most played game: Dominion!
After all these years, Dominion is still the top deck builder, when you count all the variety from expansions and even the app. (I only log in-person plays so the app doesn’t count.) Tough to transport my box containing 8 sets though!
After all these years, Dominion is still the top deck builder, when you count all the variety from expansions and even the app. (I only log in-person plays so the app doesn’t count.) Tough to transport my box containing 8 sets though!
Team Omelets, just so I can get some of those broiled pineapple rings.
December 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Team Omelets, just so I can get some of those broiled pineapple rings.
Board Game Advent, Day 24. My 2nd most played game: Bali!
A word game from the '50s that has far better staying power than you'd expect. Kind of Klondike Solitaire but with letters and WORD THEFT. I made a review video of it a few months ago, check it out!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVz9...
A word game from the '50s that has far better staying power than you'd expect. Kind of Klondike Solitaire but with letters and WORD THEFT. I made a review video of it a few months ago, check it out!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVz9...
Tim's Game Den | Bali | Hidden Gems #3
YouTube video by Tim Mierz
www.youtube.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Board Game Advent, Day 24. My 2nd most played game: Bali!
A word game from the '50s that has far better staying power than you'd expect. Kind of Klondike Solitaire but with letters and WORD THEFT. I made a review video of it a few months ago, check it out!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVz9...
A word game from the '50s that has far better staying power than you'd expect. Kind of Klondike Solitaire but with letters and WORD THEFT. I made a review video of it a few months ago, check it out!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVz9...
I've had the honor of transcribing my late grandmother-in-law's decades-old handwritten cookbook into digital form, for preservation and sharing. From helpful tips, to classic Italian home cooking recipes varying from "never gonna try it" to "absolute perfection."
December 23, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I've had the honor of transcribing my late grandmother-in-law's decades-old handwritten cookbook into digital form, for preservation and sharing. From helpful tips, to classic Italian home cooking recipes varying from "never gonna try it" to "absolute perfection."
Jamie's great! Whether absolute failures or a triumph, he makes a good show of it. Feels like the very real trial and error one encounters when trying a cookbook recipe for the first time, even with a good amount of kitchen experience.
December 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Jamie's great! Whether absolute failures or a triumph, he makes a good show of it. Feels like the very real trial and error one encounters when trying a cookbook recipe for the first time, even with a good amount of kitchen experience.
Board Game Advent, Day 23. My 3rd most played game: What's My Word?
Long before Wordle, even before the game show Lingo, there was What's My Word, also printed as My Word or Word Mastermind. This word deduction game has handheld pads, perfect for a couch or travel game, hence its high play count.
Long before Wordle, even before the game show Lingo, there was What's My Word, also printed as My Word or Word Mastermind. This word deduction game has handheld pads, perfect for a couch or travel game, hence its high play count.
December 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Board Game Advent, Day 23. My 3rd most played game: What's My Word?
Long before Wordle, even before the game show Lingo, there was What's My Word, also printed as My Word or Word Mastermind. This word deduction game has handheld pads, perfect for a couch or travel game, hence its high play count.
Long before Wordle, even before the game show Lingo, there was What's My Word, also printed as My Word or Word Mastermind. This word deduction game has handheld pads, perfect for a couch or travel game, hence its high play count.
I don't believe I've ever had apricot ice cream but I'd be delighted to try!
December 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I don't believe I've ever had apricot ice cream but I'd be delighted to try!
Board Game Advent, Day 22. My 4th most played game: Neuroshima Hex!
I adore asymmetric duels, and Neuroshima Hex is best-in-class. A board that seems way too small but allows for excellent tactical positioning and future planning nonetheless. Great variety without a ballooning ruleset. Brilliant.
I adore asymmetric duels, and Neuroshima Hex is best-in-class. A board that seems way too small but allows for excellent tactical positioning and future planning nonetheless. Great variety without a ballooning ruleset. Brilliant.
December 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Board Game Advent, Day 22. My 4th most played game: Neuroshima Hex!
I adore asymmetric duels, and Neuroshima Hex is best-in-class. A board that seems way too small but allows for excellent tactical positioning and future planning nonetheless. Great variety without a ballooning ruleset. Brilliant.
I adore asymmetric duels, and Neuroshima Hex is best-in-class. A board that seems way too small but allows for excellent tactical positioning and future planning nonetheless. Great variety without a ballooning ruleset. Brilliant.
Board Game Advent, Day 21. My 5th most played game: Blokus Duo!
Regular Blokus is good too, but the tight board that starts with players right up against each other from the start elevates it even further. And you can't beat the peanut-butter-and-jelly color scheme either.
Regular Blokus is good too, but the tight board that starts with players right up against each other from the start elevates it even further. And you can't beat the peanut-butter-and-jelly color scheme either.
December 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Board Game Advent, Day 21. My 5th most played game: Blokus Duo!
Regular Blokus is good too, but the tight board that starts with players right up against each other from the start elevates it even further. And you can't beat the peanut-butter-and-jelly color scheme either.
Regular Blokus is good too, but the tight board that starts with players right up against each other from the start elevates it even further. And you can't beat the peanut-butter-and-jelly color scheme either.
Board Game Advent, Day 20. My 6th most played game: Inklings!
The concept is simple. Write down your clues for given words in a category. You get more points the fewer letters (characters) you use in your clue, if they're guessed. That simple risk-reward works wonders. It's a shame it's so dated.
The concept is simple. Write down your clues for given words in a category. You get more points the fewer letters (characters) you use in your clue, if they're guessed. That simple risk-reward works wonders. It's a shame it's so dated.
December 21, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Board Game Advent, Day 20. My 6th most played game: Inklings!
The concept is simple. Write down your clues for given words in a category. You get more points the fewer letters (characters) you use in your clue, if they're guessed. That simple risk-reward works wonders. It's a shame it's so dated.
The concept is simple. Write down your clues for given words in a category. You get more points the fewer letters (characters) you use in your clue, if they're guessed. That simple risk-reward works wonders. It's a shame it's so dated.
Board Game Advent, Day 19. My 7th most played game: Race for the Galaxy!
I'm in the minority that isn't bothered by this game's iconography. Everything beyond the basic symbols is written on the cards themselves. This player aid has a lot but most of it is redundant - it's all written in English!
I'm in the minority that isn't bothered by this game's iconography. Everything beyond the basic symbols is written on the cards themselves. This player aid has a lot but most of it is redundant - it's all written in English!
December 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Board Game Advent, Day 19. My 7th most played game: Race for the Galaxy!
I'm in the minority that isn't bothered by this game's iconography. Everything beyond the basic symbols is written on the cards themselves. This player aid has a lot but most of it is redundant - it's all written in English!
I'm in the minority that isn't bothered by this game's iconography. Everything beyond the basic symbols is written on the cards themselves. This player aid has a lot but most of it is redundant - it's all written in English!
Nexus Ops is a 10/10 for me. Always pushes for people to go out there and make combat happen. Love the team play 2v2. My ideal mix of strategy and tactics and chance. Can't get enough of it!
December 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Nexus Ops is a 10/10 for me. Always pushes for people to go out there and make combat happen. Love the team play 2v2. My ideal mix of strategy and tactics and chance. Can't get enough of it!