# avatar last (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 3 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover avatar last. Page: Feed: --- ## [Spiky or broad](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/28/spiky-or-broad/) _2026-08-28 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ I was talking recently with someone who spends time in the orbit of a hyper-successful, hyper-wealthy person. They described the schedule: back-to-back conferences and events, meeting the who’s who of the business world, closing deals, getting things done. A fantastic operator. The kind of person others in their orbit describe as walking on water. It … Continue reading Spiky or broad ## [‘Mutiny’ proves the Statham formula is sinking](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/mutiny-2026-review) _2026-08-27 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ Good craft cannot keep another recycled revenge thriller afloat. ## [More wisely](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/27/more-wisely/) _2026-08-27 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time, more wisely.”| Uncle Iroh, Avatar: The Last Airbender Simple and resonant. ## [Wisdom](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/26/wisdom-2/) _2026-08-26 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ I heard a definition of wisdom from Naval Ravikant that’s stayed with me. Wisdom is knowing the long-term consequences of your actions. It’s a beautiful, analytical way to put it, and I think it captures a real part of what wisdom is. But there’s a second part. Seeing a trade-off clearly is one skill. Knowing … Continue reading Wisdom ## ["what aesthetic is this?"](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/what-aesthetic-is-this/) _2026-08-25 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ I try to not look at Reddit too much nowadays, but I still end up there more often than I'd like to. One of the subreddits that keeps showing up in my feed is r/AestheticWiki , probably because I've joined the similar r/BooksThatFeelLikeThis . I've read and watched many condemnation of the "microaesthetic" trend. My personal stance towards it is relatively neutral - I think pulling together some… ## [Grumpy Grumperson](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/25/grumpy-grumperson/) _2026-08-25 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ There’s a type of person you meet when you’re on holiday. I call them Grumpy Grumperson. They live in or near the places tourists flock to — famous landmarks, national parks, pretty little towns — and somewhere along the way, they decided they’ll expect visitors to know what the locals know. So they throw their … Continue reading Grumpy Grumperson ## [Always reaching, already enough](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/24/always-reaching-already-enough/) _2026-08-24 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ I came across this line recently and thought it was profound. “Always reaching, already enough.” It speaks to the power of holding two opposite ideas at once. When you’re secure enough in yourself, you can keep reaching, knowing it might not work out… and that’s okay. It encapsulates so much of the way I seek … Continue reading Always reaching, already enough ## [more revisiting of old TV show favourites](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/more-revisiting-of-old-tv-show-favourites/) _2026-08-23 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Apparently I've been on a bit of an anime nostalgia spree recently. First ATLA, now Madoka Magica. I remember being obsessed with this show circa 2012. I've been watching some YouTube clips and perusing the Wiki (including the Meduka Meguca parody , of course). Some of the animation and action is very engaging to watch. What's really stood out to me is the art direction for the witches and their… ## [Default alive](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/23/default-alive/) _2026-08-23 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ A friend running a company was telling me about a run of hard decisions he’d had to make recently to get to a major milestone – hitting cash flow positive. Or, as he put it with a grin, going from “default dead” to “default alive.” It’s one of those lessons that’s easy to lose track … Continue reading Default alive ## [Locations and drill bits](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/22/locations-and-drill-bits/) _2026-08-22 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ A few years ago, when we were house hunting, a friend gave me a piece of advice I still use. Better to buy a house that needs work in a good location than a perfect house in a bad one. You can renovate a house. But you can’t move it. The location is the one … Continue reading Locations and drill bits ## [Licensed Dispensaries, Pay with Crypto (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/8sNqpfqeffoI) _2026-08-22 · **Sponsored**_ Search verified licensed dispensaries and pay with Bitcoin, Lightning, or stablecoins. ## [Banff National Park](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/21/banff-national-park/) _2026-08-21 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ #OurWorldIsAwesome – Edition 25 | Context on this series – we live in a beautiful world and National Parks are akin to the crown jewels of this planet. These landscapes remind us of the fine balance and complexity woven into the fabric of the world around us. Every time I spend a while inside one of these … Continue reading Banff National Park ## ['The End of Oak Street' keeps its prey interesting](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/the-end-of-oak-street-2026-review) _2026-08-20 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ Strong family dynamics give the dinosaur chaos something to bite into. ## [The source of shame](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/20/the-source-of-shame/) _2026-08-20 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ “Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.” | Uncle Iroh, Avatar: The Last Airbender I’ve loved Uncle Iroh’s depth of wisdom. This was another one that hit hard. ## [Epic Systems – the software that powers everything – American Healthcare Chronicles](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/19/epic-systems-the-software-that-powers-everything-american-healthcare-chronicles/) _2026-08-19 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ I recently started building products focused on healthcare affordability in the US. As I was ramping up on a new space, the biggest question that sparked my curiosity was: how did we get here? This question is the inspiration for this weekly series chronicling the decisions, accidents, and breakthroughs that built the US healthcare system. To understand why … Continue reading Epic Systems – the… ## [The Coopers](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/18/the-coopers/) _2026-08-18 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ Two years ago, for a short period in the summer, we had two juvenile Cooper’s hawks call a couple of trees in our backyard home. Juvenile hawks are still learning to be adults. So they usually make a lot of noise as part of this process. This included chasing squirrels, walking around the yard, and … Continue reading The Coopers ## [thoughts on "Perfect Days" (2023)](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/thoughts-on-perfect-days-2023/) _2026-08-17 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Last weekend, I finally saw the movie Perfect Days . I'd known about its existence for a long time, but never got around to watching it. Whenever I mentioned it in a conversation though, I heard nothing but praise. I also consider myself to be a fan of slow, meditative Japanese movies where "nothing happens", like Megane or Kamome Shokudo . Needless to say, my expectations were pretty high.… ## [On its own merits](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/17/on-its-own-merits/) _2026-08-17 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ An experience doesn’t have to be the greatest of all time for you to enjoy it. It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. You can compare this place to the last one, this beach to that one from 2 years ago, and so on. Doing so simply lets the memory of one good thing … Continue reading On its own merits ## [A natural](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/16/a-natural/) _2026-08-16 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ There s a player in our Sunday soccer game who s generally at a level above everyone else. The kind you d watch for five minutes and call a natural. The ball sticks to his feet. His movement is slick and easy. And he always seems to have so much time on the ball, like the game runs Continue reading A natural ## [Old phone](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/15/old-phone/) _2026-08-15 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ Yesterday I wrote about how Ed Sheeran stopped using his phone back in 2015. There s a second half to that story he told at the concert. A few years ago, Ed was sued over Thinking Out Loud. The family of Marvin Gaye s co-writer accused him of copying the feel of an old hit Let s Continue reading Old phone ## [No phone](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/14/no-phone/) _2026-08-14 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ Ed Sheeran hasn t used a phone since 2015. He d kept the same number since he was a teenager, and by the time he was famous, he was receiving thousands of texts a day. It got in the way of being present, so he cut it. Now he has an iPad, spends about an hour a Continue reading No phone ## [Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/pMt00hRErVmO) _2026-08-14 · **Sponsored**_ Buy, sell and margin trade BTC & ETH with fiat currencies ## ['Bridge to Terabithia' still breakes my heart](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/bridge-to-terabithia-2007-review) _2026-08-13 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ The childhood film that forever changed what cinema meant to me ## [Tiredness](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/13/tiredness/) _2026-08-13 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ It never ceases to amaze me how consistently I underestimate the effect tiredness has on my demeanour and mindset. When I m running on low battery, everything tilts to the wrong end. The small annoyance becomes a grievance. The neutral comment sounds like a dig. The manageable problem feels immovable. And the whole time, I m convinced Continue reading Tiredness ## [Mismatched energies](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/12/mismatched-energies/) _2026-08-12 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ With the people we play long-term games with — family, close friends, anyone we re in it with for the long haul — one thing is easy to forget: some days, our energies simply won t match. You could call these moods, but moods feel more momentary. Energy feels like a better term. For example, one of Continue reading Mismatched energies ## [reading ATLA fanfiction for the first time in ages](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/reading-atla-fanfiction-for-the-first-time-in-ages/) _2026-08-11 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Recently, I'm going through a bit of an Avatar: The Last Airbender nostalgia phase. Usually, the interval between these individual phases is pretty long - I think my last ATLA phase was around three years ago. The "nostalgia surge" usually lasts for a week or two, and then I move on until the next wave hits. The trigger for this ATLA phase was the trailer for the new Avatar Aang movie. I had not… ## [Inner strength](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/11/inner-strength/) _2026-08-11 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength. Uncle Iroh, Avatar: The Last Airbender Our inner strength = our ability to summon hope. Beautiful. ## [Hard and valuable aren’t the same thing](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/10/hard-and-valuable-arent-the-same-thing/) _2026-08-10 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ One of the harder truths to internalize is that there s very little correlation between a problem being difficult and a problem being valuable. It is easy to fall into the trap of assuming the two travel together. If something is taking all our effort and ingenuity, surely it must matter — and we take the Continue reading Hard and valuable aren t the same thing ## [Trial run](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/09/trial-run/) _2026-08-09 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ Before you go on a grueling ten-mile hike, try a three-miler. Before you run a marathon, it helps to have a few ten-mile runs in your legs. Before you ship a risky change, ship something smaller and safer first. And before you transfer a massive amount of money, do the ten-dollar test. It doesn t matter Continue reading Trial run ## [Yoho National Park](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/08/yoho-national-park/) _2026-08-08 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ #OurWorldIsAwesome – Edition 24 Context on this series we live in a beautiful world and National Parks are akin to the crown jewels of this planet. These landscapes remind us of the fine balance and complexity woven into the fabric of the world around us. Every time I spend a while inside one of these Continue reading Yoho National Park ## [Why switchbacks exist](https://alearningaday.blog/2026/08/07/why-switchbacks-exist/) _2026-08-07 · alearningaday · A Learning a Day_ I wrote about hiking yesterday and mentioned switchbacks. On a steep hike, the trail almost never goes straight up. It zigzags — long diagonal legs cutting back and forth across the slope, taking you what feels like sideways when all you want is up. These are switchbacks, and there are two good reasons for them. Continue reading Why switchbacks exist ## [Truth is the one deserter they cannot catch](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/dp-season-2-review) _2026-08-06 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ D.P. Season 2 broadens its scope while keeping every consequence personal ## [Earn crypto from idle GPUs (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/GbeW7d8Ehsct) _2026-08-06 · **Sponsored**_ Run one CLI command, connect your GPU, and start receiving crypto payouts. ## [The sequel that vaults over its own plot](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/llara-croft-tomb-raider-the-cradle-of-life-review) _2026-07-30 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ Lara Croft keeps sprinting long after logic has twisted an ankle ## [This is the film 2026 now has to beat](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender-2026-review) _2026-07-28 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender bends nostalgia into emotional spectacle ## [thoughts on Susanna Clarke's "Piranesi"](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/thoughts-on-susanna-clarkes-piranesi/) _2026-07-23 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Preliminary remark: This post is not a "book review" in the strict sense. It's not my aim to rate how "good" or "bad" it is from an analytical standpoint. I'm merely collecting some thoughts here. Some of them might be review-like, others not so much. This is the first English book that I've read in a few months, and it's great to be able to write about it. I usually read Japanese books, often… ## [The law is no longer Lidia Poët's only problem](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/the-law-according-to-lidia-poet-season-2-review) _2026-07-23 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ Political anger meets romantic tension and dazzling costumes. ## [the season of insects](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/the-season-of-insects/) _2026-07-22 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Summer is the season of insects. Earlier this year, I saw fireflies for the first time in my life. Now, the cicadas are beginning to sing (or scream, depending on your stance towards them). Lately, I've been feeling the strange urge to go bug catching. It's a classic Japanese summer vacation activity, mostly enjoyed by elementary schoolers, but I think it could be fun try (again). I remember… ## ['The Odyssey' just ruined simple heroes forever](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/the-odyssey-2026-review) _2026-07-21 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ This thunderous epic exposes what legends erase to preserve greatness. ## [I watched 'The Cloverfield Paradox' and regret nothing](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/the-cloverfield-paradox-2018-review) _2026-07-16 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ Critics were right about the flaws, but wrong to write it off entirely. ## ['Moana' remakes the life out of a modern classic](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/moana-live-action-2026-review) _2026-07-14 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ A well-groomed copycat that follows the map too closely to find its own way. ## [I started a "dirt notebook"](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/i-started-a-dirt-notebook/) _2026-07-13 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ I love taking notes, but one problem that I have is that that I start cherishing every notebook that I start. I can't seem to keep my notes messy. Eventually, I start structuring the notes, doing cleaner handwriting, adding a cover or some stickers ... and before I know it, the notebook is too well-organised for simply scribbling into. This, of course, raises the hurdle for taking more notes and… ## [some thoughts on books, reading and writing](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/some-thoughts-on-books-reading-and-writing/) _2026-07-11 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Recently, I've been on a bit of a "literature trip." Reading books, listening or watching commentary on books, thinking about writing... It started with me re-listening to some old Shriekcast episodes, which made me remember how much I liked Harry Potter in my teens and think about how there hasn't been a book that has provided me with the same kind of feeling (while reading). From there, I… ## ['D.P.' Season 1 is not a comfort watch, and that's the point](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/dp-season-1-review) _2026-07-09 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ A restrained military drama that hurts because it never looks away first. ## ['Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' is silly in the best possible boots](https://hottakesoncinema.substack.com/p/lara-croft-tomb-raider-2001-review) _2026-07-07 · Marie-Theres Carl · Hot Takes on Cinema_ A beautiful blockbuster oddity powered by bullets and bravado. ## [exhibition report: The Creative Origins of Mamoru Hosoda](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/mamoru-hosoda-exhibition/) _2026-06-30 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Last weekend, I went to the exhibition "The Creative Origins of Mamoru Hosoda" that's currently being held at Creative Museum Tokyo (until August 31st). The price was a bit high for my tastes at ¥2,500, but I was going with a friend and decided to not be too stingy. In the end, I'm glad that I did! The timing for the exhibition was chosen based on the 20th anniversary of the movie The Girl Who… ## [context changes appreciation (Labubu)](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/context-changes-appreciation-labubu/) _2026-06-06 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ There's an upcoming exhibition at the Azabudai Hills Gallery about "The Monsters" by Kasing Lung. They've put up these big window stickers, and I've been walking past them every day when heading to work. I was surprised how much I liked the illustrations / artwork for these. A few years ago, when Labubus were all the rage, I was mostly indifferent, but had a slightly negative reaction to them (… ## [fandom & online community nostalgia](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/fandom-online-community-nostalgia/) _2026-05-26 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ Back in my early teens, I was a big fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1 of the show had just finished airing in my home country, and in the US, Season 2 was about to start. Wanting to get more info about the new season was what made me join my first English-speaking online community, the Avatar Spirit Forums. At the same time, I was also active on another ATLA forum (German-speaking),… ## [weeknotes 21/26](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/weeknotes-2126/) _2026-05-24 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ General happenings An unremarkable week. I really got into Pokemon for some reason, especially Fakemon design. Many YouTube videos following the "\[number\] artists design Pokemon \[insert stipulation here\]" format were watched. I also found a new favourite Pokemon, Spewpa . I'm thinking about getting some trading cards of it for fun. It's a middle evolution of a weak regional Bug type, so even the… ## [a silly thing that I do](https://pinewind.bearblog.dev/a-silly-thing-that-i-do/) _2026-05-23 · pinewind · PINEWIND_ I like to drum along with my fingers when listening to music. But not in a "just tapping to the beat" kind of way. Instead, I pretend to play some imaginary instrument, probably one with keys ... so something like a piano or an accordion, depending on the orientation. There are no hard rules, but over the time, some conventions have emerged. For example, for chord progressions, I tap two fingers…