Don't call it a comeback, I... killed it nearly fifteen years ago because it became too much of a chore. So now I'm an out-of-touch ex-blogger, IT professional with one foot in the grave in his late 40s, feeling the weight of mortality while trying to wring the last few drops of joy out of this rancid washcloth of a world. This is normal, correct?

So who is writing this thing and what am I reading?

Hi, I'm Tooks! (nickname)

I've been a gamer since the Atari 2600. Gen X represent. Mostly single player games as I have no friends. No, no, no, not trying to be wishy-washy, that's just the way things go when lifelong friends turn into monster people with wild ideations and unhealthy obsessions, and/or die. Some are indeed dead.

I'm pursuing a PhD for no good reason other than I can. Probably the dumbest decision I've made since I took the rails off the back deck (looks weird). Prepare the gallows, Tooks gone lost his mind.

Recently sober (ahem, Cali-sober x16 months). It was surprisingly easy to stop physically drinking after being an alcoholic for the better part of thirty years (I started young). Dealing with who I am with a sober skull parasite (brain) has been a far greater challenge. I've lost my sense of self, my purpose, my understanding of life, interests, hobbies, all of it. So one of my hopes is that this silly blog will assist me with finding the dopamine spark that drinking and partying always provided. Turns out, without booze, Jack is a very dull boy. Yet with trauma, you too can do amazing things!

Other interests? Glad you asked. I refer to them as undead vices, like pro-wrasslin', dickin' around with music creation in some form or another (playing or playlists), gadgetry, fixing broken things acceptably, harboring seething hatred for the old white men in power (and that one black dude), and being a decent husband.

Then there's the ambivalent, quasi-symbiotic relationship with the backyard critters. Seeing them go about their daily routine makes me smile, fucking-up the yard, shed, and deck brings them joy.

So expect some of that laced with more positive "Look at this cool shit" and "I'm doing something dumb" posts. I'm a lifelong learner and have been described as a generalist. When I first took offense to this, I was advised that being a generalist is actually a good thing. Jury is out. Generalist. General. General purpose. Non-abrasive, multi-surface, general purpose Tooks. In any case, I know a bunch of stuff about all kinds of things.

I'm not a MAGAt. If you are, good riddance. 😤 AFA AFD. ✊

I have a wealth of stories from my 47 trips around the sun. No, I'm not an astronaut, but I appreciate your innocence and charm.

By this point, I've already lived several lives all within the span of one singular lifetime. None of which were necessarily good. Sounds bonkers, I know, but literally every friendship, relationship, employment has manifested a different life. Each one a new chance to be the best me, with ample opportunities to be manipulated into making horrible decisions and irreversible mistakes. So aside from the crippling anhedonia I now experience, I've found some of these detours have made for the best stories.

I should write an all-access Choose Your Own Adventure featuring my dumb ass and associated failures. Would be the summer hit at your local book club, I just know it. I too totally thought book clubs were a thing of the past, but just the other day I witnessed signage for one at work. I considered, as they're reading one of my favorite books. But man, a book club in 2026 sounds more dangerous than swimming in naegleria fowleri infested waters.

Venture headlong into death, palms to face, sobbing with regret! Or just hang out and read this log of human experiments experiences periodically. It may inspire, provide a chuckle, or do absolutely nothing for you.

Where is Tooks?

Now: WV Eastern Panhandle Then: Western MD, VA Forever: Muffinville

Intelligent is Tooks?

Gob, I hope so! I hold three degrees (AA, BS, MS) and have recently been accepted into a PhD program. If I'm not, I suppose higher education is indeed a scam.

Employed is Tooks?

Believe it or not, I am! I've been working in IT for nearly 20 years, with other employment experience spanning back another 15. Started working when I was 12 delivering newspapers. You know, the cliche 90s suburban white kid hustle. So I've essentially been enslaved to capitalism my entire life. OH MY GOB.