Jon F. Zeigler
@jfzeigler.bsky.social
Fantasy and science fiction author, tabletop game designer, amateur artist and cartographer, retired instructor and instructional designer in cybersecurity.
Blog: https://wordpress.sharrukinspalace.com
Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/sharrukinspalace
Blog: https://wordpress.sharrukinspalace.com
Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/sharrukinspalace
Pinned
Jon F. Zeigler
@jfzeigler.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Okay, let's try this. #promosky
- Obscure #sf / #fantasy writer
- Former #fanfiction writer
- Former #gurps & #traveller writer and editor
- #ttrpg designer
- #worldbuilding expert
- #tabletopgames & #videogames
- Classical music
- #hellenophile
- Left-leaning liberal politics
- #stoic philosopher
- Obscure #sf / #fantasy writer
- Former #fanfiction writer
- Former #gurps & #traveller writer and editor
- #ttrpg designer
- #worldbuilding expert
- #tabletopgames & #videogames
- Classical music
- #hellenophile
- Left-leaning liberal politics
- #stoic philosopher
In other news, I've been doing a lot of back-burner #gamedesign work over the past few days. Mostly reviewing already-written material for my "Human Destiny" space-opera universe, and reading my #FATE books from Evil Hat, and thinking about ways to implement the setting that way. (1/2)
November 13, 2025 at 12:34 AM
In other news, I've been doing a lot of back-burner #gamedesign work over the past few days. Mostly reviewing already-written material for my "Human Destiny" space-opera universe, and reading my #FATE books from Evil Hat, and thinking about ways to implement the setting that way. (1/2)
Spent today working on my "Dune" adventure for #Philcon, made good progress. I'll probably have that all out of my head and down on paper by the weekend. Good thing, since I'll be leaving for the convention in just over a week . . .
November 13, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Spent today working on my "Dune" adventure for #Philcon, made good progress. I'll probably have that all out of my head and down on paper by the weekend. Good thing, since I'll be leaving for the convention in just over a week . . .
Got online today to check for a grade for my first mathematics assignment.
100%. On *differential equations*, which were the bugbear of my life as a student forty years ago.
I'll take a small morale-booster, thanks.
#studying
100%. On *differential equations*, which were the bugbear of my life as a student forty years ago.
I'll take a small morale-booster, thanks.
#studying
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Got online today to check for a grade for my first mathematics assignment.
100%. On *differential equations*, which were the bugbear of my life as a student forty years ago.
I'll take a small morale-booster, thanks.
#studying
100%. On *differential equations*, which were the bugbear of my life as a student forty years ago.
I'll take a small morale-booster, thanks.
#studying
It seems to me that having Democrats in the Senate who will reliably vote in favor of every terrible thing the Republicans come up with as soon as the going gets tough is functionally equivalent to having more Republicans in the Senate. (1/2)
November 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
It seems to me that having Democrats in the Senate who will reliably vote in favor of every terrible thing the Republicans come up with as soon as the going gets tough is functionally equivalent to having more Republicans in the Senate. (1/2)
Still feeling a bit under the weather, although I have an appointment with the ENT specialist tomorrow. With luck, they can fix me up.
I did manage to finish a chapter for the current Lower Decks story today, and bang out a thousand or so words for the Cultural Evolution Game.
#gamedesign #writing
I did manage to finish a chapter for the current Lower Decks story today, and bang out a thousand or so words for the Cultural Evolution Game.
#gamedesign #writing
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Still feeling a bit under the weather, although I have an appointment with the ENT specialist tomorrow. With luck, they can fix me up.
I did manage to finish a chapter for the current Lower Decks story today, and bang out a thousand or so words for the Cultural Evolution Game.
#gamedesign #writing
I did manage to finish a chapter for the current Lower Decks story today, and bang out a thousand or so words for the Cultural Evolution Game.
#gamedesign #writing
Felt kind of unwell most of the afternoon - possibly some sinuses-and-ears ick going on. Still managed a few hundred more words on the Cultural Evolution Game, and about 1,200 words on the next Lower Decks story.
Really need to finish up my Dune adventure for #Philcon, though.
#gamedesign #writing
Really need to finish up my Dune adventure for #Philcon, though.
#gamedesign #writing
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Felt kind of unwell most of the afternoon - possibly some sinuses-and-ears ick going on. Still managed a few hundred more words on the Cultural Evolution Game, and about 1,200 words on the next Lower Decks story.
Really need to finish up my Dune adventure for #Philcon, though.
#gamedesign #writing
Really need to finish up my Dune adventure for #Philcon, though.
#gamedesign #writing
Another long day of work on the Cultural Evolution Game. The current draft is coming up on 2,000 words longer than the previous one, and that's just rules mechanics. Haven't even started on the "describing all the technologies" section. (1/2)
#gamedesign
#gamedesign
November 8, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Another long day of work on the Cultural Evolution Game. The current draft is coming up on 2,000 words longer than the previous one, and that's just rules mechanics. Haven't even started on the "describing all the technologies" section. (1/2)
#gamedesign
#gamedesign
Reposted by Jon F. Zeigler
New Tides of History: I chat with the fantastic Professor Eric Cline (@digkabri.bsky.social), author of "1177 BC" and the new book "Love, War, and Diplomacy," on the Amarna Letters and the late Bronze Age. I've learned so much from Prof. Cline over the years! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Love, War, and Diplomacy in the Late Bronze Age: Interview with Professor Eric Cline
Podcast Episode · Tides of History · 11/06/2025 · 54m
podcasts.apple.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
New Tides of History: I chat with the fantastic Professor Eric Cline (@digkabri.bsky.social), author of "1177 BC" and the new book "Love, War, and Diplomacy," on the Amarna Letters and the late Bronze Age. I've learned so much from Prof. Cline over the years! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Spent most of the day working on the Cultural Evolution Game, bolting a new subsystem onto the chassis.
This was a big one, introducing more variety into the results if a culture hits a Major Setback. This was largely due to playtester feedback on the previous drafts, so kudos to them.
#gamedesign
This was a big one, introducing more variety into the results if a culture hits a Major Setback. This was largely due to playtester feedback on the previous drafts, so kudos to them.
#gamedesign
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Spent most of the day working on the Cultural Evolution Game, bolting a new subsystem onto the chassis.
This was a big one, introducing more variety into the results if a culture hits a Major Setback. This was largely due to playtester feedback on the previous drafts, so kudos to them.
#gamedesign
This was a big one, introducing more variety into the results if a culture hits a Major Setback. This was largely due to playtester feedback on the previous drafts, so kudos to them.
#gamedesign
Reposted by Jon F. Zeigler
Another day of incremental progress on several fronts: some of the next chapter of my current #fanfiction story, some work on the Cultural Evolution Game, one or two other small chores. No big milestones.
I did have a thought that's worth chasing, though ... (1/2)
#ganmedesign #writing
I did have a thought that's worth chasing, though ... (1/2)
#ganmedesign #writing
November 7, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Another day of incremental progress on several fronts: some of the next chapter of my current #fanfiction story, some work on the Cultural Evolution Game, one or two other small chores. No big milestones.
I did have a thought that's worth chasing, though ... (1/2)
#ganmedesign #writing
I did have a thought that's worth chasing, though ... (1/2)
#ganmedesign #writing
Reposted by Jon F. Zeigler
Lots of little steps today. Turned in a mathematics assignment, which means I'm about two weeks ahead on that class at the moment. Some work on the Cultural Evolution Game and a couple of other projects. No big wins, but days like today make the big wins possible.
#studying #writing
#studying #writing
November 6, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Slow day today. I spent time chasing down some administrative business. I may be retired, but I still have to deal with red tape once in a while.
Also reviewed the most recent partial draft of the bible for my space-opera universe, preparing to resume work on that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #writing
Also reviewed the most recent partial draft of the bible for my space-opera universe, preparing to resume work on that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #writing
November 4, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Slow day today. I spent time chasing down some administrative business. I may be retired, but I still have to deal with red tape once in a while.
Also reviewed the most recent partial draft of the bible for my space-opera universe, preparing to resume work on that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #writing
Also reviewed the most recent partial draft of the bible for my space-opera universe, preparing to resume work on that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #writing
Spent today knocking out the last problems for two mathematics assignments due on 11 and 18 November. Turned in one, which may have been a bad move, but we'll see what my grade is. Going to hold onto the other one for a few days before I turn it in too.
My brain is now tired of braining.
#studying
My brain is now tired of braining.
#studying
November 2, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Spent today knocking out the last problems for two mathematics assignments due on 11 and 18 November. Turned in one, which may have been a bad move, but we'll see what my grade is. Going to hold onto the other one for a few days before I turn it in too.
My brain is now tired of braining.
#studying
My brain is now tired of braining.
#studying
First day of the month, and I got my creative planning for November knocked out.
I got into the habit of doing a monthly plan a few years back. I was still working full-time, and my creative time was limited, so I needed to keep focused and on track. Now that I'm retired, it's still useful. (1/2)
I got into the habit of doing a monthly plan a few years back. I was still working full-time, and my creative time was limited, so I needed to keep focused and on track. Now that I'm retired, it's still useful. (1/2)
November 1, 2025 at 11:58 PM
First day of the month, and I got my creative planning for November knocked out.
I got into the habit of doing a monthly plan a few years back. I was still working full-time, and my creative time was limited, so I needed to keep focused and on track. Now that I'm retired, it's still useful. (1/2)
I got into the habit of doing a monthly plan a few years back. I was still working full-time, and my creative time was limited, so I needed to keep focused and on track. Now that I'm retired, it's still useful. (1/2)
Planning for November 2025
October was a mixed bag, unfortunately. My top priority has been to stay ahead of schedule with my university courses, and I've been doing okay on that. My creative work has been a bit spotty, though. Hoping to improve on that in the next few months, especially after…
October was a mixed bag, unfortunately. My top priority has been to stay ahead of schedule with my university courses, and I've been doing okay on that. My creative work has been a bit spotty, though. Hoping to improve on that in the next few months, especially after…
Planning for November 2025
October was a mixed bag, unfortunately. My top priority has been to stay ahead of schedule with my university courses, and I've been doing okay on that. My creative work has been a bit spotty, though. Hoping to improve on that in the next few months, especially after Philcon 2025 is over. Here's the tentative plan for November. University Studies…
wordpress.sharrukinspalace.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Planning for November 2025
October was a mixed bag, unfortunately. My top priority has been to stay ahead of schedule with my university courses, and I've been doing okay on that. My creative work has been a bit spotty, though. Hoping to improve on that in the next few months, especially after…
October was a mixed bag, unfortunately. My top priority has been to stay ahead of schedule with my university courses, and I've been doing okay on that. My creative work has been a bit spotty, though. Hoping to improve on that in the next few months, especially after…
. . . okay, I seriously need to block the entire PRC from my blog site. I'm getting twice as many hits from there as from the rest of the world combined, and I guarantee you there is no surge in actual Chinese people taking an interest in my little site. I'm betting on a big investment in LLMs.
November 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
. . . okay, I seriously need to block the entire PRC from my blog site. I'm getting twice as many hits from there as from the rest of the world combined, and I guarantee you there is no surge in actual Chinese people taking an interest in my little site. I'm betting on a big investment in LLMs.
Well, October wasn't a perfect inning, but I did get *most* of my milestones knocked out by this evening. Today was devoted to starting my next Lower Decks story and getting that chapter posted.
Tomorrow I'll be scheduling activities for November and posting a planning message to my blog.
#writing
Tomorrow I'll be scheduling activities for November and posting a planning message to my blog.
#writing
November 1, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Well, October wasn't a perfect inning, but I did get *most* of my milestones knocked out by this evening. Today was devoted to starting my next Lower Decks story and getting that chapter posted.
Tomorrow I'll be scheduling activities for November and posting a planning message to my blog.
#writing
Tomorrow I'll be scheduling activities for November and posting a planning message to my blog.
#writing
Our sifu was pushing me really hard today, which is good because I need to be pushed if I'm going to make progress building up my legs . . . but man, was I beat by mid-afternoon. So not as much progress on other things today as I might have wanted. (1/2)
#taiji
#taiji
October 30, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Our sifu was pushing me really hard today, which is good because I need to be pushed if I'm going to make progress building up my legs . . . but man, was I beat by mid-afternoon. So not as much progress on other things today as I might have wanted. (1/2)
#taiji
#taiji
Not sure whether it was Microsoft or Amazon cloud services that shit the bed today, but a lot of my plans for the day didn't happen. I did manage to get a few math problems knocked out and write a few hundred words for my next Lower Decks story, so it wasn't a total loss. (1/2)
#studying #writing
#studying #writing
October 29, 2025 at 11:55 PM
I was feeling under the weather all day today, didn't go to tai chi lessons for once.
On the other hand, I made a lot of good progress with my mathematics course, and I had a productive meeting with my collaborators at Ad Astra Games, so there's that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #studying
On the other hand, I made a lot of good progress with my mathematics course, and I had a productive meeting with my collaborators at Ad Astra Games, so there's that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #studying
October 29, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I was feeling under the weather all day today, didn't go to tai chi lessons for once.
On the other hand, I made a lot of good progress with my mathematics course, and I had a productive meeting with my collaborators at Ad Astra Games, so there's that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #studying
On the other hand, I made a lot of good progress with my mathematics course, and I had a productive meeting with my collaborators at Ad Astra Games, so there's that. (1/2)
#gamedesign #studying
Reposted by Jon F. Zeigler
it's funny how comets that enter the inner system get kind of all scrunkled up from volatiles subliming away. like compare arrokoth (43AU x 46AU orbit) to 67P/churyumov-gerasimenko (1.2AU x 5.7AU orbit)
October 28, 2025 at 2:50 AM
it's funny how comets that enter the inner system get kind of all scrunkled up from volatiles subliming away. like compare arrokoth (43AU x 46AU orbit) to 67P/churyumov-gerasimenko (1.2AU x 5.7AU orbit)
In the past two days I've probably had more luck with basic differential equations than in the rest of my career as a mathematician. Which is, I suppose, what happens when you spend most of your professional time on set theory, combinatorics, and number theory rather than calculus.
#mathematics
#mathematics
October 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In the past two days I've probably had more luck with basic differential equations than in the rest of my career as a mathematician. Which is, I suppose, what happens when you spend most of your professional time on set theory, combinatorics, and number theory rather than calculus.
#mathematics
#mathematics