Tim (TJ) LaFave Jr
@tjlafave.com
Physicist. Electrical engineer. Educator. Inventor. Technical writer. Poet. Fiction writer. Mentor. Photographer.
What was the most elaborate (or dangerous) special effect you made in high school for a project?
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
What was the most elaborate (or dangerous) special effect you made in high school for a project?
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
Our lives are more than mere chapters in a book.
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Our lives are more than mere chapters in a book.
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
I stumbled upon these window iconography at Breadhive Cafe & Bakery (@breadhive.coop) here in Buffalo, NY.
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I stumbled upon these window iconography at Breadhive Cafe & Bakery (@breadhive.coop) here in Buffalo, NY.
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
A turning point in my teen years. I learned about who I was and who others were not.
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
A turning point in my teen years. I learned about who I was and who others were not.
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Have you heard certain songs blaring in your mind during traumatic moments in your life?
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
November 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Have you heard certain songs blaring in your mind during traumatic moments in your life?
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
In high school, Mr. G asked: “What do you want in the opposite sex?”
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
In high school, Mr. G asked: “What do you want in the opposite sex?”
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
A high school teacher once asked our class:
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
A high school teacher once asked our class:
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
Some classroom moments define how you see people.
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Some classroom moments define how you see people.
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
During high school study hall, she and I would write whatever we wanted to say to each other--back and forth-- often on the same sheet.
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
During high school study hall, she and I would write whatever we wanted to say to each other--back and forth-- often on the same sheet.
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
What's wrong with talking to cows? She thought it was strange when we were young and in 4-H.
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 10, 2025 at 1:21 AM
What's wrong with talking to cows? She thought it was strange when we were young and in 4-H.
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Poetry often begins as a sort of self-therapy as much as an expression of yourself for the world to understand you.
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Poetry often begins as a sort of self-therapy as much as an expression of yourself for the world to understand you.
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
First snowfall of the season.
It's a beautiful day.
It's a beautiful day.
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
First snowfall of the season.
It's a beautiful day.
It's a beautiful day.
What was the first poem you ever wrote?
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM
What was the first poem you ever wrote?
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
What was your earliest realization of homophobia with family or friends?
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
What was your earliest realization of homophobia with family or friends?
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I returned to my teenage home in WI only to discover the door my stepdad busted through, trying to get to me in a fit of rage was just patched with cheap wall panel.
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I returned to my teenage home in WI only to discover the door my stepdad busted through, trying to get to me in a fit of rage was just patched with cheap wall panel.
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 4:06 AM
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 AM
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
My sister and I loved horror movies and TV series as teens. We picked on each other with them.
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
November 3, 2025 at 11:54 PM
My sister and I loved horror movies and TV series as teens. We picked on each other with them.
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
One day, when no one else was home but my sister and me, she was removed from home of her own accord.
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 3, 2025 at 3:48 AM
One day, when no one else was home but my sister and me, she was removed from home of her own accord.
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Autumnal vista's like this one on our walk through Reinstein Nature Park near Buffalo, NY (in Cheektowaga) calm my excitement for the upcoming wintry weather of Western New York.
#WNY #autumn #leaves #joysOfLife #seasons
#WNY #autumn #leaves #joysOfLife #seasons
October 31, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Autumnal vista's like this one on our walk through Reinstein Nature Park near Buffalo, NY (in Cheektowaga) calm my excitement for the upcoming wintry weather of Western New York.
#WNY #autumn #leaves #joysOfLife #seasons
#WNY #autumn #leaves #joysOfLife #seasons
Republicans have been threatening to withold SNAP benefits so they can blame Dems for refusing to let them kill health insurance for millions of Americans.
Republicans are withholding FOOD from Americans so they can take away HEALTH INSURANCE.
Zero reasons to vote for Republicans.
#evil #gop #fdt
Republicans are withholding FOOD from Americans so they can take away HEALTH INSURANCE.
Zero reasons to vote for Republicans.
#evil #gop #fdt
October 31, 2025 at 7:46 PM
This image is part of todays autobiography post uses a real church altar space and AI generated people.
I'm about a sophomore in HS in my daily series. Now might be the time you'd like to join me.
Subscribe for free reminders:
open.substack.com/pub/somethin... #writing#writingcommunity #booksky
I'm about a sophomore in HS in my daily series. Now might be the time you'd like to join me.
Subscribe for free reminders:
open.substack.com/pub/somethin... #writing#writingcommunity #booksky
October 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
This image is part of todays autobiography post uses a real church altar space and AI generated people.
I'm about a sophomore in HS in my daily series. Now might be the time you'd like to join me.
Subscribe for free reminders:
open.substack.com/pub/somethin... #writing#writingcommunity #booksky
I'm about a sophomore in HS in my daily series. Now might be the time you'd like to join me.
Subscribe for free reminders:
open.substack.com/pub/somethin... #writing#writingcommunity #booksky
What's your opinion on the evolution v. creation debate?
IMO it's fictitious.
Evolution is based on evidence. Creation is not.
IMO an opinion based on verifiable evidence has integrity.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
IMO it's fictitious.
Evolution is based on evidence. Creation is not.
IMO an opinion based on verifiable evidence has integrity.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
October 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
What's your opinion on the evolution v. creation debate?
IMO it's fictitious.
Evolution is based on evidence. Creation is not.
IMO an opinion based on verifiable evidence has integrity.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
IMO it's fictitious.
Evolution is based on evidence. Creation is not.
IMO an opinion based on verifiable evidence has integrity.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
Who had to debate evolution vs creationism in HS biology?
I don't remember anything from HS biology class except what a classmate said in conclusion to the debate.
(Note: Today I'm a physicist.)
Read it here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
I don't remember anything from HS biology class except what a classmate said in conclusion to the debate.
(Note: Today I'm a physicist.)
Read it here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Who had to debate evolution vs creationism in HS biology?
I don't remember anything from HS biology class except what a classmate said in conclusion to the debate.
(Note: Today I'm a physicist.)
Read it here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
I don't remember anything from HS biology class except what a classmate said in conclusion to the debate.
(Note: Today I'm a physicist.)
Read it here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/hebrew-apes
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity 🧪
October 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM