David Rodriguez
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strakul.bsky.social
David Rodriguez
@strakul.bsky.social
Astronomical Data Scientist at STScI/MAST in Baltimore.
Opinions are my own.

Mastodon: @VirStrakul@mstdn.social
Made a simple little #game with #Godot Engine over the past month, inspired by the old Ski Free. Just something to show off to my nieces when I visit them next.
You can play it at strakul.itch.io/penguin-sled...
Source code available at github.com/dr-rodriguez...
September 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Oh no, I'm becoming a dice goblin. Send help.... or send dice.
Moar dice! #TTRPG
September 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Got my books and materials for the #Cosmere #RPG! I could have used this a few weeks ago when I ran a one-shot 🤣
Now I get to do a deep dive (I only skimmed the PDFs I got earlier).
#TTRPG
September 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Fun day at the #Maryland Renaissance Festival with work friends. Very hot and crowded, but got to buy some dice and see music and shows, including Jacques ze Whipper's show, which pops up from time to time in my YouTube Shorts.
#RennFaire
September 6, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Watched a few videos and tutorials on #Godot after seeing a developer talk about their process. It's quite interesting and after only a few hours I made something: a simple dice roller.
Not sure how far I'll take this- I've never done any game development, but now I have all sorts of ideas. 😅
August 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Getting all set up for tomorrow's #TTRPG session! We're trying out the #Cosmere rule set, which I've been excited to play in. 🗡⛈️🌟
August 23, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Got my goodie box for Sanderson's Secret Project #5- Isles of the Emberdark. Did not expect the book to be so cool- hardcover, color art, and a third of it in black pages! Very neat. Plus sticker, pin, and bookmark. 🙂
#Books 💙📚
August 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Some young sparrows at my bird feeder. Old enough to fly and peck at the seeds, but they really want their momma to feed them. And they are loud about it! 🐦
May 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Got a chance to see a bit of the Kinetic Sculpture Race this morning. Always cool to see the wacky contraptions every year; plus this year a few friends and colleagues from work were participating!
#Baltimore
May 3, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Was walking around my neighborhood when I spotted a pair of baby foxes. Then a fox parent and two more kits showed up!
April 30, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The sparrows have been growing crazy over the bird feeder the past few days. Sometimes there are 5 of them all fighting for a spot. 😄🐦
April 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Finished running my first #DnD one shot. It was fun and not too bad since I was using the One Shot Wonders book for most of the prep. My players were suspicious of everyone, though 🤣
Looking forward doing this again! #TTRPG
March 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM
There's enough seeds for everyone.
My bird visitors: No! All mine!
March 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I had installed a bird feeder not too long ago but was struggling to attract them. With a temporary modification (putting it on the floor), I now have tons of bird friends! 😄🐦
February 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The local evergreen trees are a popular hangout for some of the wildlife here 🦊🦌
January 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
A bit of snow from earlier in the day. Not sure exactly how much fell since it was initially rain but then switched to snow for several hours.
January 20, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Working from home due to the winter storm. Got a nice shot of the local wildlife here. #Maryland #Snow
January 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Another year, another #Steam #Gaming stat distribution!
I think it's more accurate than last year's, in terms of the types of games I tend to play :D
store.steampowered.com/replay/76561...
December 18, 2024 at 11:16 PM
Some #DnD with friends today, featuring an impressive 3D-printed train one of them made with multiple cars our characters could walk around in. #TTRPG
December 16, 2024 at 1:02 AM
A few more pictures of Hagar Qim because this place was just too cool.
November 17, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Went to visit two temples in Malta from the neolithic period, c. 3600 BCE- Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. Fascinating, and they had some bonus #astronomy! (alignment to the solstices)
November 17, 2024 at 2:44 PM
Last bit of tourism as we wrap up #ADASS2024 (and then start the #IVOA interop). I got to visit St. John's Co-Cathedral with impressive Baroque interiors and Caravaggio paintings. Plus a visit to the Grand Master palace and its impressive armory of medieval weapons.
November 14, 2024 at 4:25 PM
Next ADASS conference announced: Görlitz, Germany next year in November! #ADASS2024
November 14, 2024 at 11:06 AM
This morning, instead of immediately going to attend talks at the conference, I visited Fort St. Elmo and learned a ton about the military history of Malta- from the Bronze Age all the way through World War II and the present day.
November 13, 2024 at 8:47 PM
Last night at #ADASS2024 was the conference dinner, which included a walking tour of Malta's "silent city"- Mdina. Brief, but informative! Parts of it have been used in movies and shows, including A Game of Thrones.
November 13, 2024 at 8:29 PM