Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman
This sci-fi book series posed existential dilemmas such as “Are we the only beings in the universe?” and “Am I truly a fan of LitRPG?” (LitRPG—an abbreviation for “literary role-playing game”—is a relatively recent genre blending the elements of computer RPGs with aspects of science fiction and fantasy literature.) In the narrative, extraterrestrials annihilate a significant portion of Earth, leaving Carl, the protagonist, along with Princess Donut, his former girlfriend’s feline companion, to engage in a merciless survival game that combines elements of reality TV and video game dungeon exploration. I highly suggest the audiobook narrated by Jeff Hays, which facilitates distinguishing among the many characters.
Journaling, offline and open-source
For years, I have sought an optimal system to organize my eclectic notes and quirky moments of inspiration. None of my physical journals or premium applications have surpassed the customizability and convenience offered by the developer-preferred note-taking application Obsidian. With this app, I’ve been able to discontinue subscription services that I previously relied on for tracking my reading, fitness objectives, and journaling—and I also utilize it to monitor my work tasks, such as composing this article. It is open-source and saves files on my device, alleviating concerns about sharing my personal reflections with a company that could utilize them for AI purposes.
Bird-watching with Merlin
Occasionally, I must consciously decide to step away from screens and immerse myself in the outdoors. The newest iteration of the birdwatching app Merlin, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, facilitates this shift. I can “collect” and recognize bird species through guided inquiries, images, or—my preferred method—audio recordings that I create for the app to analyze in real-time to identify the birds that are chirping. With the audio feature, I “captured” the red-eyed vireo fluttering in the tree canopy and illuminated by sunlight. It’s excellent for use at my backyard feeder or while hiking on the trail.
