# overlook (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 3 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover overlook. Page: Feed: --- ## [A World of Smoke](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/a-world-of-smoke) _2026-08-19 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [Escape From Alcatraz](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/escape-from-alcatraz) _2026-08-12 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ The Overlook ## [The Purple Heart](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/the-purple-heart) _2026-08-05 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [No Back of the Bus](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/no-back-of-the-bus) _2026-07-29 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [The Next 'Odyssey'?](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/the-next-odyssey) _2026-07-22 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [Swallowtail Butterfly](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-07-19-swallowtail-butterfly/) _2026-07-19 · Matt Walker_ A striking swallowtail butterfly displays its distinctive wing pattern of pale yellow and bold black stripes, accented by vibrant blue markings near the hindwings. The insect rests gracefully among natural grasses, its symmetrical wings fully open in a moment of quiet repose. ## [Big Dinosaur Dollars](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/big-dinosaur-dollars) _2026-07-15 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [Billy the New Yorker](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/billy-the-new-yorker) _2026-07-08 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [A Hero's Return](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/a-heros-return) _2026-07-01 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [Sitting Bull's Last Stand](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/sitting-bulls-last-stand) _2026-06-24 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [Countdown to Getting Paid (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/KDu3utoZyAZl) _2026-06-24 · **Sponsored**_ Create a shareable wallet timer — deposits buy back time and pay debt down ## [The Court of Appeal](https://tomclavin.substack.com/p/the-court-of-appeal) _2026-06-17 · Tom Clavin · The Overlook_ THE OVERLOOK ## [Cowans Gap Overlook](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-06-06-cowans-gap-overlook/) _2026-06-06 · Matt Walker_ A bicycle rests at an elevated overlook along a hiking trail, offering sweeping views of the mountainous terrain below. The vantage point captures the layers of green forest, a glimmering reservoir nestled in the valley, and distant ridgelines under a partly cloudy sky. ## [Sculpted Bonsai Tree](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-04-04-sculpted-bonsai-tree/) _2026-04-04 · Matt Walker_ This expertly shaped bonsai exemplifies the Japanese art of miniature tree cultivation, with its carefully balanced canopy and visible trunk structure. The vibrant green foliage and intricate layering showcase years of patient pruning and care, transforming a living tree into a living sculpture. ## [Building PitClaw: Why I'm Building My Own Smoker Controller](https://mrmatt.io/posts/building-pitclaw-why-im-building-my-own-smoker-controller/) _2026-03-25 · Matt Walker_ PitClaw is an in-progress attempt to build an open smoker controller that carries forward what I loved about HeaterMeter and freshens up the experience. ## [Give It Access](https://mrmatt.io/posts/give-it-access/) _2026-03-20 · Matt Walker_ I asked AI to help me upgrade my PC. The first thing it found was a free performance boost I'd been sitting on for years. The lesson isn't about RAM speeds. ## [Autoresearch for Web Performance: 20% Faster Overnight](https://mrmatt.io/posts/autoresearch-webperf/) _2026-03-16 · Matt Walker_ Adapting Karpathy's autoresearch pattern to web performance: an autonomous AI agent ran 200 Lighthouse experiments on my Hugo site, reducing worst-page LCP by 20%. ## [Binghamton Spiedies Grilling](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-03-15-binghamton-spiedies-grilling/) _2026-03-15 · Matt Walker_ Spiedies, a local Binghamton specialty, cook over glowing coals in this classic outdoor grilling scene. The marinated meat cubes are charred to perfection, embodying the region's beloved street food tradition. ## [The Membrane](https://mrmatt.io/posts/the-membrane/) _2026-03-11 · Matt Walker_ The AI capability boundary is expanding — and so is the surface area where humans matter most. A mental model for navigating the human-AI interface. ## [94,000 Photos by the Numbers](https://mrmatt.io/posts/photography-by-the-numbers/) _2026-03-10 · Matt Walker_ What 22 years of EXIF data reveals about when I shoot, what I shoot with, and how photography changed from film-era habits to phone-first instinct. ## [Every Camera I've Ever Owned](https://mrmatt.io/posts/camera-gear-timeline/) _2026-03-10 · Matt Walker_ 35 cameras, 22 phones, and a Canon Rebel — 22 years of photography gear traced through 94,000 photos of EXIF data. ## [Play Both Sides Of The Lie (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/cZzgG4T826mN) _2026-03-10 · **Sponsored**_ Two operatives, one manufactured war — uncover the Complete Truth after both campaigns. ## [Building MrMatt.io: Performance & Security](https://mrmatt.io/posts/building-mrmatt-io-performance/) _2026-03-09 · Matt Walker_ Self-hosted fonts, auto-generated CSP hashes, security headers, accessibility, and the caching strategy for a static site. ## [Building MrMatt.io: The Photography Pipeline](https://mrmatt.io/posts/building-mrmatt-io-photography/) _2026-03-08 · Matt Walker_ End-to-end from phone camera to published gallery— a PWA upload tool, AI descriptions, and Hugo image processing. ## [Curating 100K Google Photos with Code and AI](https://mrmatt.io/posts/google-takeout-gallery-curation/) _2026-03-08 · Matt Walker_ How I used Python, OpenCV, and Claude Code to find 51 gallery-worthy photos in 723GB of Google Takeout data. ## [Building MrMatt.io: The Migration](https://mrmatt.io/posts/building-mrmatt-io-migration/) _2026-03-07 · Matt Walker_ Replacing seven services and a deprecated npm ecosystem with Hugo, GitHub Actions, and Cloudflare Pages. ## [Building MrMatt.io: Spec-Driven Development](https://mrmatt.io/posts/building-mrmatt-io-specs/) _2026-03-06 · Matt Walker_ How plan-as-spec methodology and two commands turned a stale personal site into 44 shipped features. ## [Cast Iron Breakfast](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-02-23-cast-iron-breakfast/) _2026-02-23 · Matt Walker_ Nothing says "I take my breakfast seriously" like a proper cast iron hash with perfectly crispy edges and runny yolks. Those snowy trees visible through the windows suggest this winter morning fuel was well-timed. ## [Snow Clearing Duty](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-02-23-snow-clearing-duty/) _2026-02-23 · Matt Walker_ Nothing says "snow sports season" quite like the business end of a snow blower—at least when you're the one responsible for clearing the driveway. The satisfying geometry of fresh-cut snow tracks and that cheerful red engine are the silver lining to winter's demands in the Baltimore/DC area. ## [Snow Slope Lights](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-02-23-snow-slope-lights/) _2026-02-23 · Matt Walker_ Nothing says winter sports quite like an urban snow park lit up like a neon dream. The parallel lanes and dramatic blue lighting give serious winter vibes—this is what peak snow season looks like when you're chasing that adrenaline rush without having to trek far from civilization. ## [Valley Sunset Panorama](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2026-02-23-valley-sunset-panorama/) _2026-02-23 · Matt Walker_ That golden hour magic where the sky puts on a show and you're just grateful you hiked up to catch it. The Appalachian valleys really do have their own particular beauty—all those rolling ridges and agricultural patches stretching out to the hazy horizon, reminding you why this region is worth exploring on foot. ## [About Me](https://mrmatt.io/about/) _2026-02-19 · Matt Walker_ Matt Walker — software engineer, photographer, and serial hobbyist in the Baltimore/DC area. Building data platforms, AI infrastructure, and too many side projects. ## [Brisk AI News Briefings (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/gzBuz29K4e8m) _2026-02-19 · **Sponsored**_ Read AI summaries and listen to audio briefings for top stories. ## [Gear](https://mrmatt.io/gear/) _2026-02-19 · Matt Walker_ The tools, gadgets, and equipment Matt Walker uses for work, photography, coffee, and everyday life. ## [Now](https://mrmatt.io/now/) _2026-02-19 · Matt Walker_ What Matt Walker is focused on right now — current work, side projects, and interests. Inspired by nownownow.com. ## [Stack](https://mrmatt.io/stack/) _2026-02-19 · Matt Walker_ The technology stack behind mrmatt.io — Hugo, PaperMod, Cloudflare Pages, GitHub Actions, and AI-powered photo publishing. ## [Version 2026 (Hugo \> Hugo, but better)](https://mrmatt.io/posts/website-update-2026/) _2026-02-19 · Matt Walker_ Nine years later, mrmatt.io gets a proper rebuild. Same Hugo engine, but Cloudflare Pages, GitHub Actions, PaperMod theme, and zero npm dependencies. ## [Weverton Cliffs Overlook](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-12-24-weverton-cliffs-overlook/) _2025-12-24 · Matt Walker_ Weverton Cliffs on the Appalachian Trail — the Potomac River below and Maryland mountains stretching into the distance on Christmas Eve. ## [E-Bike Forest Trail](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-08-31-ebike-forest-trail/) _2025-08-31 · Matt Walker_ Singletrack through the woods — fat tires and leaf litter on a summer trail ride. ## [Shenandoah Valley View](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-08-30-shenandoah-valley-view/) _2025-08-30 · Matt Walker_ Late summer in the Shenandoah, where every overlook feels like it was specifically designed to make you stop and stare. That pop of red foliage in the foreground is getting a head start on fall. ## [Maryland Steamed Crabs](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-08-23-maryland-steamed-crabs/) _2025-08-23 · Matt Walker_ Maryland blue crabs piled high and covered in J.O. — a summer tradition. ## [Superhot Peppers Ripening](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-08-15-photo-mm30excl/) _2025-08-15 · Matt Walker_ Superhot peppers turning red on the vine in the summer garden — wrinkled skins and vivid color signaling they're almost ready to pick. ## [Espresso Station](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-08-10-espresso-station/) _2025-08-10 · Matt Walker_ The home espresso setup — Gaggiuino Gaggia Classic pulling a profiled shot alongside the grinder and a fresh iced coffee. ## [Superhot Pepper Harvest](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-08-03-superhot-pepper-harvest/) _2025-08-03 · Matt Walker_ Homegrown superhot peppers fresh from the garden — sliced open to reveal the heat inside. ## [Harpers Ferry Confluence](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-07-11-harpers-ferry-confluence/) _2025-07-11 · Matt Walker_ Where the Potomac carves its way through the mountains at Harpers Ferry. Two ridgelines, one river, and the kind of scene that made Thomas Jefferson call it "worth a voyage across the Atlantic." ## [Striped Lawn](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-06-19-striped-lawn/) _2025-06-19 · Matt Walker_ A perfectly manicured lawn displays the striking striped pattern created by directional mowing. The alternating light and dark green rows stretch toward the roadside, demonstrating the satisfaction of meticulous yard maintenance. ## [Mulch Mushroom Bloom](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-06-18-photo-mm30fzuo/) _2025-06-18 · Matt Walker_ A carpet of delicate mushrooms emerges from the mulch after summer rain, their thin stems and small caps dotting the ground beneath the trees. ## [Pellet Smoker Night](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-05-16-pellet-smoker-night/) _2025-05-16 · Matt Walker_ Late night smoke session on the GMG — the red glow of the controller and wisps of smoke against the dark backyard. ## [Cypress Swamp Forest](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-04-21-cypress-swamp-forest/) _2025-04-21 · Matt Walker_ Towering cypress trees emerge from calm, mirror-like water in this peaceful swamp landscape. The interplay of reflected sky and verdant growth creates a tranquil natural sanctuary, where the forest and water exist in quiet harmony. ## [Boardwalk Into Brush](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-04-18-boardwalk-into-brush/) _2025-04-18 · Matt Walker_ The boardwalk equivalent of "trust the process" -- you can't see where it ends, but the journey looks pretty good. Those railing shadows are putting on a free geometric art show. ## [Chesapeake Bay Sunset](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-04-18-chesapeake-bay-sunset/) _2025-04-18 · Matt Walker_ Sun setting over the Chesapeake Bay — the bridge stretching across the horizon as the sky turns deep orange and red. ## [E-Bike Beach Sunset](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-04-18-ebike-beach-sunset/) _2025-04-18 · Matt Walker_ Evening ride to the beach — fat tire e-bike resting on the boardwalk as the sun dips below the horizon. ## [Spanish Moss Grove](https://mrmatt.io/photography/2025-04-18-spanish-moss-grove/) _2025-04-18 · Matt Walker_ Ancient oaks laden with Spanish moss create a serene and atmospheric corridor through this shaded forest. The path invites exploration deeper into the quiet woods, where dappled sunlight filters through the hanging strands overhead.