KAZ PhD
@kazphd.bsky.social
Space engineer/consultant, Twitch streamer/YouTuber focused on community building, lore, and helping people. He/him
Has anyone heard of The Belgariad?
5-book fantasy series published in the early '80s, that seems well-liked by some reviews I've seen, but I hadn't heard of it.
Just started the first book and I'm liking it so far!
5-book fantasy series published in the early '80s, that seems well-liked by some reviews I've seen, but I hadn't heard of it.
Just started the first book and I'm liking it so far!
November 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Has anyone heard of The Belgariad?
5-book fantasy series published in the early '80s, that seems well-liked by some reviews I've seen, but I hadn't heard of it.
Just started the first book and I'm liking it so far!
5-book fantasy series published in the early '80s, that seems well-liked by some reviews I've seen, but I hadn't heard of it.
Just started the first book and I'm liking it so far!
Democrats finding more evidence of Trump's immorality
November 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Democrats finding more evidence of Trump's immorality
On this day, I am continuing my read through of Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.
It is an examination of the question, "Are humans actually, basically, decent?" while looking at numerous counterexamples.
I'm enjoying it so far, and it is good to find examples of hope and kindness.
It is an examination of the question, "Are humans actually, basically, decent?" while looking at numerous counterexamples.
I'm enjoying it so far, and it is good to find examples of hope and kindness.
November 11, 2025 at 12:04 PM
On this day, I am continuing my read through of Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.
It is an examination of the question, "Are humans actually, basically, decent?" while looking at numerous counterexamples.
I'm enjoying it so far, and it is good to find examples of hope and kindness.
It is an examination of the question, "Are humans actually, basically, decent?" while looking at numerous counterexamples.
I'm enjoying it so far, and it is good to find examples of hope and kindness.
I'm back!
Talking about my vacation in Canada and the US!
Playing Hades! (picture unrelated :) )
www.twitch.tv/kaz_phd
Talking about my vacation in Canada and the US!
Playing Hades! (picture unrelated :) )
www.twitch.tv/kaz_phd
November 10, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I'm back!
Talking about my vacation in Canada and the US!
Playing Hades! (picture unrelated :) )
www.twitch.tv/kaz_phd
Talking about my vacation in Canada and the US!
Playing Hades! (picture unrelated :) )
www.twitch.tv/kaz_phd
New phone lock screen:
Rainbow Falls, at one end of the Ausable river near Lake Placid.
Beautiful hike yesterday, perfect weather.
Rainbow Falls, at one end of the Ausable river near Lake Placid.
Beautiful hike yesterday, perfect weather.
November 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
New phone lock screen:
Rainbow Falls, at one end of the Ausable river near Lake Placid.
Beautiful hike yesterday, perfect weather.
Rainbow Falls, at one end of the Ausable river near Lake Placid.
Beautiful hike yesterday, perfect weather.
Andrew Cuomo's face right now
November 5, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Andrew Cuomo's face right now
I'm loving this book!
Saw it, and thought, "I should learn more about Faerûn as it's the official D&D setting."
But the book also has a cool new feature: Circle Magic!
A way to cast spells as a team with improved results!
Esp. neat as my current campaign uses its own version of circle magic!
Saw it, and thought, "I should learn more about Faerûn as it's the official D&D setting."
But the book also has a cool new feature: Circle Magic!
A way to cast spells as a team with improved results!
Esp. neat as my current campaign uses its own version of circle magic!
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 AM
I'm loving this book!
Saw it, and thought, "I should learn more about Faerûn as it's the official D&D setting."
But the book also has a cool new feature: Circle Magic!
A way to cast spells as a team with improved results!
Esp. neat as my current campaign uses its own version of circle magic!
Saw it, and thought, "I should learn more about Faerûn as it's the official D&D setting."
But the book also has a cool new feature: Circle Magic!
A way to cast spells as a team with improved results!
Esp. neat as my current campaign uses its own version of circle magic!
I just finished reading Pyramids by Terry Pratchett!
A very silly book that plays around with tradition, time travel, and the right to choose one's own destiny.
A fun ride from beginning to end, and curiously, just like the previous book, involves time travel as a mid-way boost to the story.
A very silly book that plays around with tradition, time travel, and the right to choose one's own destiny.
A fun ride from beginning to end, and curiously, just like the previous book, involves time travel as a mid-way boost to the story.
November 4, 2025 at 4:18 AM
I just finished reading Pyramids by Terry Pratchett!
A very silly book that plays around with tradition, time travel, and the right to choose one's own destiny.
A fun ride from beginning to end, and curiously, just like the previous book, involves time travel as a mid-way boost to the story.
A very silly book that plays around with tradition, time travel, and the right to choose one's own destiny.
A fun ride from beginning to end, and curiously, just like the previous book, involves time travel as a mid-way boost to the story.
Happy Halloween!
Another wonderful Halloween spent in Canada, full of costumes, candy, and the perfect execution of our friends' haunted house!
Another wonderful Halloween spent in Canada, full of costumes, candy, and the perfect execution of our friends' haunted house!
November 1, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Happy Halloween!
Another wonderful Halloween spent in Canada, full of costumes, candy, and the perfect execution of our friends' haunted house!
Another wonderful Halloween spent in Canada, full of costumes, candy, and the perfect execution of our friends' haunted house!
Just finished Wyrd Sisters, Terry Pratchett's 6th Discworld novel!
As always, the writing was quick & sharp, fun & funny.
Was great to see some returning characters and deal with probably the most straightforward Discworld plot so far!
For a fun, non-serious time, go check it out!
Spoilers below
As always, the writing was quick & sharp, fun & funny.
Was great to see some returning characters and deal with probably the most straightforward Discworld plot so far!
For a fun, non-serious time, go check it out!
Spoilers below
October 24, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Just finished Wyrd Sisters, Terry Pratchett's 6th Discworld novel!
As always, the writing was quick & sharp, fun & funny.
Was great to see some returning characters and deal with probably the most straightforward Discworld plot so far!
For a fun, non-serious time, go check it out!
Spoilers below
As always, the writing was quick & sharp, fun & funny.
Was great to see some returning characters and deal with probably the most straightforward Discworld plot so far!
For a fun, non-serious time, go check it out!
Spoilers below
If you don't mind a bit of toilet humour, Laz has found his place at my mother-in-law's!
(Yes, he's toilet trained)
👏💪🎉🤣
(Yes, he's toilet trained)
👏💪🎉🤣
October 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
If you don't mind a bit of toilet humour, Laz has found his place at my mother-in-law's!
(Yes, he's toilet trained)
👏💪🎉🤣
(Yes, he's toilet trained)
👏💪🎉🤣
Check out all the words I learned! Some are weird/literary, others are nautical and thus a bit strange, but still, neat!
I plan to practice these, try to become more familiar with them.
I plan to practice these, try to become more familiar with them.
October 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Check out all the words I learned! Some are weird/literary, others are nautical and thus a bit strange, but still, neat!
I plan to practice these, try to become more familiar with them.
I plan to practice these, try to become more familiar with them.
Finished reading La colère de Khan, The Wrath of Khan in French!
It was great! I haven't seen the film in a while, so it was nice to fill in some gaps!
Really proud of myself for this one; sure, I kept Google Translate close at hand but my pace and comprehension are improving!
More thoughts below
It was great! I haven't seen the film in a while, so it was nice to fill in some gaps!
Really proud of myself for this one; sure, I kept Google Translate close at hand but my pace and comprehension are improving!
More thoughts below
October 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Finished reading La colère de Khan, The Wrath of Khan in French!
It was great! I haven't seen the film in a while, so it was nice to fill in some gaps!
Really proud of myself for this one; sure, I kept Google Translate close at hand but my pace and comprehension are improving!
More thoughts below
It was great! I haven't seen the film in a while, so it was nice to fill in some gaps!
Really proud of myself for this one; sure, I kept Google Translate close at hand but my pace and comprehension are improving!
More thoughts below
Finished* Hollow Knight yesterday!
A beautiful, somber, fun ride! A haunted world, where cuteness and joy sneak up on you. Where exploration is rewarded and challenges are present, but manageable.
I know I'm late to the party, but I had a really great time!
*Basic ending, but I'm fine with that.
A beautiful, somber, fun ride! A haunted world, where cuteness and joy sneak up on you. Where exploration is rewarded and challenges are present, but manageable.
I know I'm late to the party, but I had a really great time!
*Basic ending, but I'm fine with that.
October 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Finished* Hollow Knight yesterday!
A beautiful, somber, fun ride! A haunted world, where cuteness and joy sneak up on you. Where exploration is rewarded and challenges are present, but manageable.
I know I'm late to the party, but I had a really great time!
*Basic ending, but I'm fine with that.
A beautiful, somber, fun ride! A haunted world, where cuteness and joy sneak up on you. Where exploration is rewarded and challenges are present, but manageable.
I know I'm late to the party, but I had a really great time!
*Basic ending, but I'm fine with that.
Started reading La colère de Khan, the French translation of the novelization of Star Trek's The Wrath of Khan!
I haven't seen the film in a while, so this is great!
Three words I (re)learned:
- aussitôt - "also early", means right away
- parasites - static
- la pesanteur - gravity
I haven't seen the film in a while, so this is great!
Three words I (re)learned:
- aussitôt - "also early", means right away
- parasites - static
- la pesanteur - gravity
September 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Started reading La colère de Khan, the French translation of the novelization of Star Trek's The Wrath of Khan!
I haven't seen the film in a while, so this is great!
Three words I (re)learned:
- aussitôt - "also early", means right away
- parasites - static
- la pesanteur - gravity
I haven't seen the film in a while, so this is great!
Three words I (re)learned:
- aussitôt - "also early", means right away
- parasites - static
- la pesanteur - gravity
I finished Oathbringer the other day!
What a ride! Book 3 of The Stormlight Archive, it keeps picking up steam!
1300-page book, and yet it never dragged.
The world building and character development continue to deepen in fascinating ways!
Excited for the next books!
What a ride! Book 3 of The Stormlight Archive, it keeps picking up steam!
1300-page book, and yet it never dragged.
The world building and character development continue to deepen in fascinating ways!
Excited for the next books!
September 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I finished Oathbringer the other day!
What a ride! Book 3 of The Stormlight Archive, it keeps picking up steam!
1300-page book, and yet it never dragged.
The world building and character development continue to deepen in fascinating ways!
Excited for the next books!
What a ride! Book 3 of The Stormlight Archive, it keeps picking up steam!
1300-page book, and yet it never dragged.
The world building and character development continue to deepen in fascinating ways!
Excited for the next books!
Spoilers for both Star Trek 5 and Oathbringer, somehow? (Stormlight Archive book 3)
September 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Spoilers for both Star Trek 5 and Oathbringer, somehow? (Stormlight Archive book 3)
Shlubby relative eventually tries harder and does better.
I need more examples of this cinematic universe, especially movies with a familial honorific in the title.
I need more examples of this cinematic universe, especially movies with a familial honorific in the title.
September 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Shlubby relative eventually tries harder and does better.
I need more examples of this cinematic universe, especially movies with a familial honorific in the title.
I need more examples of this cinematic universe, especially movies with a familial honorific in the title.
Pretty impressed with Sanderson's ability to recap the story so far.
I read a summary of book 2 to be caught up, but Sanderson finds smooth ways to remind the reader and give context to things.
That's not easy to do, especially to do well.
I read a summary of book 2 to be caught up, but Sanderson finds smooth ways to remind the reader and give context to things.
That's not easy to do, especially to do well.
September 4, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Pretty impressed with Sanderson's ability to recap the story so far.
I read a summary of book 2 to be caught up, but Sanderson finds smooth ways to remind the reader and give context to things.
That's not easy to do, especially to do well.
I read a summary of book 2 to be caught up, but Sanderson finds smooth ways to remind the reader and give context to things.
That's not easy to do, especially to do well.
Very excited to start reading Oathbringer, book 3 of The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson!
September 1, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Very excited to start reading Oathbringer, book 3 of The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson!
Just finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, my first Agatha Christie book!
I liked it! For a book written in 1926, it's still very clear, modern, and easy to follow!
It's not easy to write mysteries in a satisfactory way, but I guess I now know firsthand why she's so great!
I liked it! For a book written in 1926, it's still very clear, modern, and easy to follow!
It's not easy to write mysteries in a satisfactory way, but I guess I now know firsthand why she's so great!
August 24, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Just finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, my first Agatha Christie book!
I liked it! For a book written in 1926, it's still very clear, modern, and easy to follow!
It's not easy to write mysteries in a satisfactory way, but I guess I now know firsthand why she's so great!
I liked it! For a book written in 1926, it's still very clear, modern, and easy to follow!
It's not easy to write mysteries in a satisfactory way, but I guess I now know firsthand why she's so great!
Finished reading Soul of the World by David Mealing & enjoyed it!
Part 1 of a trilogy, it imagines French colonists, fighting the English in the new world, while random people among them and the local native inhabitants have powers. Something is behind that power, with its own goal.
I recommend!
Part 1 of a trilogy, it imagines French colonists, fighting the English in the new world, while random people among them and the local native inhabitants have powers. Something is behind that power, with its own goal.
I recommend!
August 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Finished reading Soul of the World by David Mealing & enjoyed it!
Part 1 of a trilogy, it imagines French colonists, fighting the English in the new world, while random people among them and the local native inhabitants have powers. Something is behind that power, with its own goal.
I recommend!
Part 1 of a trilogy, it imagines French colonists, fighting the English in the new world, while random people among them and the local native inhabitants have powers. Something is behind that power, with its own goal.
I recommend!
Just finished reading The Grapes of Wrath.
A tough tale, following families during the Great Depression. It's just bad luck/news one after another.
Another emotionally tough read, but that's the point. Makes me more grateful for life as it is now.
Be careful if you find a truncated version...
A tough tale, following families during the Great Depression. It's just bad luck/news one after another.
Another emotionally tough read, but that's the point. Makes me more grateful for life as it is now.
Be careful if you find a truncated version...
August 16, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Just finished reading The Grapes of Wrath.
A tough tale, following families during the Great Depression. It's just bad luck/news one after another.
Another emotionally tough read, but that's the point. Makes me more grateful for life as it is now.
Be careful if you find a truncated version...
A tough tale, following families during the Great Depression. It's just bad luck/news one after another.
Another emotionally tough read, but that's the point. Makes me more grateful for life as it is now.
Be careful if you find a truncated version...
Found a copy and read Of Mice and Men recently.
Interesting how common the phrase is but I had never really heard talk of the novella before.
A very short, straightforward, poignant story, emotionally difficult. One of those "I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't recommend it."
Interesting how common the phrase is but I had never really heard talk of the novella before.
A very short, straightforward, poignant story, emotionally difficult. One of those "I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't recommend it."
August 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Found a copy and read Of Mice and Men recently.
Interesting how common the phrase is but I had never really heard talk of the novella before.
A very short, straightforward, poignant story, emotionally difficult. One of those "I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't recommend it."
Interesting how common the phrase is but I had never really heard talk of the novella before.
A very short, straightforward, poignant story, emotionally difficult. One of those "I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't recommend it."