Hello there!I used to be a full time VFX artist working as compositor, 3D artist, producer and supervisor.
These days I am mostly home-bound due to health reasons, so my focus is mostly on tending to my family as the resident cook and doing the occasional remote work for film and TV projects.
You can find my work history on IMDB or LinkedIn and I do have a rather old showreel on Vimeo. Apart from that, this is my online home. Feel free to get in touch via email or on Micro.blog.
Not exactly what I expected to see in a cab that is mostly booked by geriatric dialysis patients. 😂 #nsfw
Post by @caseyliss@mastodon.social
Okay, this “Haptic Trailer"—when viewed on your iPhone—is pretty great.
That was a fun experience indeed. (When viewed on iPhone in landscape mode.)
I need a new flat cap (newsboy cap) after my wife tried to do me a favor and put my old one in the washing machine. It now fits my son perfectly. So at least he’s happy.
Trading Freedom for Efficiency: My Journey from PD to HD
After my kidney surgery, everything changed. I had to switch from peritoneal dialysis (PD) to hemodialysis (HD). PD is the type where you dialyze at home through your abdomen. HD is what most people picture - sitting in a clinic hooked to a machine.
I didn’t have a choice in this. The surgery made the decision for me.
What I Miss Most About PD
I miss my nights. With PD, I just hooked up before bed. The machine worked while I slept. Eight hours of gentle, continuous cleaning. No alarms, no nurses, no commute.
I could roll over. I could get up for water. I could live.
Now that freedom is gone. PD was like a gentle stream cleaning my blood all night. HD feels like a pressure washer blasting through me. Both work, but one lets you forget you’re sick.
Understanding Ultrafiltration
Let me explain ultrafiltration. It’s just a fancy word for removing extra fluid. Your kidneys normally do this when you pee. Dialysis has to do it artificially.
With PD, I could remove about twice as much fluid. The peritoneum - that’s your abdominal lining - acts like a filter. Glucose in the dialysis fluid pulls water from your blood. It’s osmosis, really.
HD uses pressure instead. It forces fluid out through an artificial membrane. It works, but there’s a limit. Push too hard and you cramp. Your blood pressure drops. You feel awful.
The HD Reality
Four hours. That’s what HD demands from me. Four hours of complete stillness every two days.
Try lying perfectly still for four hours. Your arm with the needles can’t move. One wrong shift and alarms scream. Blood might leak. The nurses rush over.
My back aches after two hours. My legs want to stretch. My mind goes crazy with boredom. I watch the clock like it’s my enemy.
Some people sleep through it. I can’t. I just lie there, waiting.
What HD Does Better
I have to be fair here. HD removes phosphate and potassium like a champion. These minerals build up when your kidneys fail. Too much potassium stops your heart. Too much phosphate destroys your bones.
HD clears them efficiently. Three times a week, boom - levels drop. With PD, it was always a struggle. I took binders with every meal. I avoided certain foods.
So yes, HD has its advantages. But at what cost?
The Trade-Off I’d Make
Give me back my PD tomorrow. I’ll take the phosphate binders. I’ll skip the bananas and potatoes. I’ll manage the potassium myself.
What good is efficient toxin removal if it steals your life? I’d rather have good days with some dietary restrictions. HD gives me perfect labs and exhausting treatment days.
Quality of life matters. Being able to work matters. Traveling without planning around clinics matters. Sleeping in your own bed every night matters.
I’d make that trade in a heartbeat.
Looking Forward
My doctors say I might return to PD eventually. The surgical site needs to heal completely first. I’m counting the days.
If you’re choosing between PD and HD, think beyond the medical numbers. Consider your lifestyle. Value your independence. Ask about all your options.
HD works well for many people. Some prefer the structure. Some like not managing their own care. That’s valid too.
But for me? I just want my nights back. I want to wake up dialyzed, not exhausted. I want treatment that fits my life, not life that fits my treatment.
Until then, I’ll endure my four-hour sessions. I’ll appreciate what HD does well. But I’ll keep hoping for the day I can go home again.
Remember: every patient is different. What works for me might not work for you. Always discuss your options with your nephrologist.
Relax History AI: When AI Brings History to Life
Ever wondered what George Washington really looked like? Not the stiff painting version, but the actual person?
What if you could see Marie Curie’s actual face? Not just that famous black-and-white photo. Her real, living face with all its expressions.
That’s exactly what Relax History AI does. And it’s brilliant.
What is Relax History AI?
It’s a YouTube channel that brings dead people back to life. Well, sort of.
They use AI to transform old paintings and descriptions into photorealistic faces. Suddenly, historical figures aren’t just names in textbooks. They’re people. Real people with eyes that seem to look right at you.
The channel creates videos that reimagine everyone from Geronimo to Anastasia Romanov. Each face tells a story. Each image makes history feel closer.
The Magic Behind the Screen
Here’s how it works. The AI analyzes everything available about a historical figure. Paintings, sketches, written descriptions. Even details about their ethnicity and the time period.
Then it creates what they probably looked like. Not cartoon versions. Not idealized portraits. Just people.
It’s like time travel without the paradoxes.
The technology adds subtle details too. Skin texture, natural lighting, realistic hair. These aren’t Instagram filters. This is serious reconstruction work.
Why This is a Brilliant Use of AI
Most AI applications feel cold. This one creates connection.
Think about it. We learn history through dusty portraits and formal paintings. Everyone looks stern. Everyone looks distant. No wonder kids find history boring.
But show them what Cleopatra might have really looked like? Now you’ve got their attention.
This democratizes history in ways textbooks never could. You don’t need a PhD to feel connected to these figures. You just need eyes and curiosity.
It also preserves cultural memory differently. Not through static images. Through faces that feel alive.
Hit Series That Changed Everything
Their “20 Historical Icons Brought Back to Life” series went viral. For good reason.
Each episode features multiple historical figures. George Washington looks less like a dollar bill and more like your stern grandfather. Anastasia Romanov becomes a real teenager, not just a tragic legend.
Marie Curie? She looks brilliant and tired. Exactly how you’d expect someone who discovered radium to look.
Geronimo stares back with intensity that no painting captured. You understand why he was such a formidable leader.
These aren’t just pictures. They’re windows into real lives.
The Future of Learning History
This is what good AI looks like. It doesn’t replace human connection. It creates it.
Imagine history classes using this technology. Students could “meet” the people they’re studying. The American Revolution becomes less abstract when you can see Washington’s actual face.
Teachers could show that historical figures were just people. They had bad hair days. They had worry lines. They looked tired sometimes.
It changes everything about how we relate to the past.
Some Final Thoughts
Sure, these reconstructions aren’t perfect. We can’t know exactly what these people looked like. But that’s not really the point.
The point is connection. The point is making history human again.
When you see Cleopatra as a real person, not just an Elizabeth Taylor movie, something shifts. History stops being about dates and starts being about people.
That’s the real magic here. Not the AI technology itself. But what it helps us see.
Dead people were once alive. They had faces. They had expressions. They were just like us.
And that’s exactly what makes Relax History AI such a great use of artificial intelligence. It makes the artificial feel human.
Have you checked out any of their videos yet? Which historical figure would you most like to see brought to life?
The TACO Revolution: When Fast Food Meets Politics
Trump Always Chickens Out - A Spicy New Internet Sensation
It seems the internet has found its newest obsession, and surprisingly, it involves both politics and Mexican cuisine – sort of. The acronym “TACO” has been taking over Facebook feeds faster than you can say “guacamole,” but this particular taco comes with an extra side of political satire.
TACO stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” a term originally coined by a Financial Times columnist that has now morphed into a full-blown meme phenomenon. The internet, being the internet, couldn’t resist the delicious wordplay opportunities.
Why TACO is on the Menu
Like any good taco, this meme comes with layers:
- The Shell: A crispy exterior of seemingly tough talk
- The Filling: A soft interior of policy reversals and backtracking
- The Hot Sauce: Added spice when Trump himself reacted to a reporter’s “nasty” question about it
The beauty of the TACO meme is that it’s both a noun and a verb. “Did you see Trump TACO on that trade policy again?” has become the new way to describe someone who talks tough but retreats when challenged.
From Drive-Thru to Viral Drive
What makes this political fast food so addictive? Perhaps it’s the perfect combination of simplicity and substance. In a world of complex political discourse, sometimes all you need is a simple acronym that people can sink their teeth into.
As one Facebook user eloquently put it: “I used to enjoy Taco Tuesday, but now I enjoy TACO every day of the week.”
Whatever your political appetite, you have to admire the internet’s ability to wrap complex political commentary in a convenient, hand-held meme format. It’s political fast food for the digital age – quick, satisfying, and guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.
Just remember, unlike actual tacos, this one seems to have no problem holding everything together.
Disclaimer: This blog post contains 100% organic humor with no artificial outrage. Consume responsibly.
The Great Billionaire Breakup of 2025: Trump vs. Musk
When Bromance Meets Reality TV Drama in the Age of Electric Vehicles
In what future historians will surely call “The Most 2025 Thing Ever,” the Trump-Musk friendship has imploded more spectacularly than a SpaceX test rocket. Grab your popcorn, folks – this billionaire breakup has everything: Tesla tantrums, Twitter tirades, and stock market drama.
The Rise and Fall of an Unlikely Bromance
Remember when Trump and Musk were the dynamic duo nobody saw coming? It feels like yesterday they were finishing each other’s tweets and making government efficiency memes together. But as we’ve learned from every reality TV show ever (and Trump should know this better than anyone), alliances built on shared enemies rarely survive success.
The partnership that began with such promise – Musk heading up the Department of Government Efficiency (yes, DOGE, because apparently we’re living in a simulation programmed by memelords) – has now devolved into a public spat that makes celebrity divorces look like amicable conscious uncouplings.
The Tesla Tantrum That Broke the Internet
Breaking: Man who bought $100,000+ friendship token now considering regifting it. More at 11.
In what might be the most expensive “take back” in friendship history, Trump is reportedly considering selling or giving away the red Tesla he purchased earlier this year to support Musk. It’s like returning a friendship bracelet, but with a six-figure price tag and autopilot features.
“Trump saying Musk has ‘lost his mind’ is particularly rich, considering both men are known for their… let’s say ‘unconventional’ social media presence."
The Irony Olympics: Gold Medal Moments
1. The DOGE Disaster 🐕
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency was supposed to streamline government operations. Instead, it seems to have streamlined the path to their friendship’s demise. The irony is so thick you could cut it with a Cybertruck’s angular edges.
2. The “Lost His Mind” Proclamation 🤯
Trump declaring that someone else has “lost their mind” is like a fish complaining about someone being wet. The pot hasn’t just met the kettle; they’re having a full-blown Twitter war.
3. The Stock Market Side-Eye 📉
Tesla shares dropping 14% during their feud is essentially Wall Street’s way of saying, “Can you two just get along? Some of us have retirement portfolios!” The market has spoken, and it’s begging for couple’s therapy.
💡 Fun Fact: The Timeline of Doom
- Early 2025: Trump buys red Tesla, friendship rings exchanged (metaphorically)
- Spring 2025: DOGE launches, memes abound, efficiency promised
- June 2025: Public feud erupts, accusations fly, Tesla considered for donation
- Future: Netflix documentary inevitable
What This Means for the Rest of Us Mortals
Beyond the entertainment value (which, let’s be honest, is substantial), this feud represents something more significant: the collision of tech billionaire culture with political reality TV drama. It’s what happens when you mix Silicon Valley’s “move fast and break things” with Washington’s “tweet fast and break relationships.”
The implications are real:
- Tesla stockholders are getting a masterclass in why company valuations shouldn’t depend on CEO friendships
- Government efficiency efforts are learning that you can’t DOGE your way out of personality conflicts
- Twitter (or X, or whatever we’re calling it these days) is getting record engagement from rubberneckers
The Silver Lining: Comedy Gold
If there’s one thing we can count on in 2025, it’s that when two of the world’s most powerful and controversial figures have a public falling out, the memes will be legendary. From Tesla return policies to DOGE efficiency jokes, the internet has been feasting on this drama like it’s a unlimited buffet of absurdity.
The Bottom Line
The Trump-Musk feud of 2025 will go down in history as either the moment when billionaire bromances jumped the shark, or the greatest reality TV crossover event of all time. Either way, we’re all watching, tweeting, and wondering if this is what peak 2025 looks like.
As for Trump’s red Tesla? Maybe it’ll end up in a museum someday, with a plaque reading: “Artifact from the Great Billionaire Breakup of 2025 – Handle with Care, May Contain Traces of Irony.”
Let’s see where this goes. In the meantime, maybe check your Tesla stock holdings. Just saying. 🚗💔📱
(This article was written in parts with the help of Claude Opus 4.)
Today is a bad recovery day again. I’m all tired and couch bound. All joints hurt when I try to move or get up.
📷 Micro Blog Photo Challenge Day 5: Reflection
Post by @tvaziri@mastodon.social
Oh, and I also had fun and edited a montage of a whole bunch of the flares we talk about on the podcast.Some of Our Favorite Lens Flares from Cinema Historyhttps://youtu.be/21ZPbQ7348g?si=m5Qkg2dOx4752A3d
So, sadly neither the Node.js version nor the Linux version of Foundry VTT is running on Uberspace V7. That means I am now eagerly awaiting Uberspace 8 @hallo@uberspace.social 😉
Trying to get Foundry VTT V13 to run on my hosted server. The node version had a missing library that I am probably unable to install. So now it is the pre-compiled Linux version. Maybe that works better. If that fails I might revert to running a local version on my Mac. Not ideal, but serviceable.
Waiting for new filament to arrive. It is still sitting in the warehouse waiting to be picked up by the delivery service. For a week now. I was expecting to be printing with it by now. 🙁
Oh my god! How did I not know about this until now! I could have saved myself so many frustrating moments with that crappy linear keyboard! → Change Apple TV keyboard layout
Sitting in a waiting room doesn’t give me many options for the Micro.blog 📷 challenge word of Day 2: curve. So here we go. I give you a table edge.
#mbjune
Heidelberg University Hospital. 📍
Oh how I have not missed this place. Sitting in the waiting room for a post surgery appointment.
Its not exactly funny to see Trump drive the US economy against a wall. And by extension the world economy.
After 3,5 weeks of hospital stay and now about 3 weeks at home I sat down at my Mac for the first time again and fired up the 3D printer. Feels good to something else then sitting on the couch again.
Echt jetzt?? Rentner arbeiten zu wenig?? Die CDU hat doch echt einen an der Waffel!
I believe the whole Jedi council has no idea what the word „balance“ means. They think the chosen one will make them win over the dark side. But that is not restoring balance. In fact, one could argue that Anakin had to become a dark lord because the dark side was too weak for a while.