​There are new posts in my blog with tons of screenshots from 2 games I finished (relatively) recently — Starfield and Alan Wake 2. I liked them both but in different ways. If you're ready to spoil everything for yourself, or if you've already played/finished these games, you are welcome:
► https://blog.talala.ru/starfield
► https://blog.talala.ru/alan-wake-2

This year I (re)started a hobby: photography. I've equipped to the max with overkill gear I don't know how to use and started publishing my photographic efforts on wonderful Glass:
► https://glass.photo/talala

If you're curious about my adventures, I previously posted some pics from trips to Norway and southern Italy, too:
► https://instagram.com/admirerden

Also, this year I hosted two friends here in Amsterdam. Artur mentioned me several times in his “digest” post (in Russian, again):
► https://arturpaikin.com/ru/digest-19

My “Year in Review” is short this time, because I don't have the energy for anything bigger. But I'm recuperating now, and I will come back to you in the next one with something surprizing, for sure. Happy holidays!

​A couple days ago I've updated my personal website:
► https://talala.info

It features my works and personal projects as before but better:
► https://talala.info/works
► https://talala.info/projects

And it now tells about me not only as a professional designer but also as a person with diverse hobbies. For example, Games section shows you my collection of (mostly) retro consoles and lists all games I've ever played:
► https://talala.info/games

Feel free to look around there!

​My new shots with beautiful architecture of Amsterdam:

1. https://glass.photo/talala/js1ELH6L2PSqv8EtE1OPo
2. https://glass.photo/talala/2h3WWwmOdKR9umWaP9ySNa
3. https://glass.photo/talala/172fjuwP2ugh1d75GcdPtl

​I recently visited the city of Almere and took some nice pictures there. Check it out!

► https://glass.photo/talala

I started using DuckDuckGo search several years ago as an experiment and it kinda sticked. I didn't have any problems with finding anything from that “Bing in disguise” since then. But recently I decided to make a reversed experiment and start using Google search for a while. And the following is what I learned.

It turns out that adding a key udm=14 to a search query for Google removes all the trash such as cards, AI answers, etc. It leaves only web search results, check it out:

👎 with trash:
https://google.com/search?q=scarlett%20johansson

👍 without trash:
https://google.com/search?q=scarlett%20johansson&udm=14

There is a website dedicated to this lifehack (remember this word?):
► udm14.com

Of course, nobody is going to add this key for every single search query. I solved the problem with a $1 Safari extension that I already use for a long time and that I previously recommended in this channel, Keyword Search:
http://safarikeywordsearch.aurlien.net

With Keyword Search, I've set up my search string like this:

https://google.com/search?udm=14&q=@@@

And now, when I type g scarlett johansson, it brings me nice and clean web search results.

​Intro / Back Again

I didn't post anything for over a year here. Meanwhile, the life didn’t stop. I didn’t stop being a designer living in Amsterdam. I didn't stop shooting pictures. I didn’t stop podcasting. I just stopped posting about it all because I had so much happening in my life. I missed having a place to think out loud — about tools, apps, design and aesthetics, creative ruts, gear I love (or hate). So I'm back!

Expect irregular updates about design, photography, tech, maybe podcasting. No content strategy. Just sharing what feels interesting — when it feels interesting. Thanks for still being here, if you are. If you’re new:
– Hi, I’m Den, nice to meet you!

My website that I didn't update for a long time:
https://talala.info

My photography:
https://glass.photo/talala

My social profiles:
https://mas.to/@talala
https://twitter.com/r3s3t
https://instagram.com/admirerden

A little review of my cool new computer mouse Pulsar X2 CrazyLight:
https://blog.talala.ru/pulsar-crazylight

I visited the AMC clinic in Amsterdam again (the first time was the Emergency room, after I accidentally cut off the tip of my finger, this time I had to get an X-ray, no big deal) and saw it from a different perspective. It turns out that it is not just a clinic, but a whole city under the roof, with streets, squares, and lampposts, with stores, coffeeshops, and restaurants… The scale is impressive.

I suddenly came across an amateur urbanist, Nick Laporte from Canada, who’s really into the Netherlands. He decided to bike across (almost) the whole country. Along the way he shows how cities are set up, how they’re adapted for bikes (with historical perspective), what other countries can learn from Dutch urban planning, and he interviews locals while biking (very Dutch!). Maybe he butchers Dutch place names, but his vlog turned out excellent and truthful. I think if anyone was planning to make a vlog about the Netherlands, they can drop that idea — doing it better than Nick will be quite tough.

Nick has already released 7 videos of his trip. Here’s the first one:
https://youtu.be/_cHwykyBxks

A gorgeous stallion I've met not far from a small village Driemond in between Amsterdam and Weesp.

Leica SL3
Sigma 85mm ƒ/1.4 Art

https://glass.photo/talala/1pTWlWURLR8gJGgcaNEOjm

Every time I ride my bike past a horse farm, I can’t help stopping to take pictures. These big, friendly animals are one of the most underappreciated gifts we have.

Leica SL3
Sigma 150–600mm ƒ/5–6.3 Sport

https://glass.photo/talala/N2KpJ5rITbQfCdWCLWHv3

I’ve added a chat associated with my channel so if you’ll ever want to comment on one of the future posts, it will be possible from now on.

In the area between dutch towns Diemen and Weesp, there is a little (but expensive) village Driemond. That village is surrounded by horse farms, and sometimes owners go to ride their horses to Diemerbos, where this picture was taken.

Leica SL3
Sigma 150–600mm ƒ/5–6.3 Sport

https://glass.photo/talala/3cQIfnDLw2FVJKn3BZgls4

A residential building somewhere on Haveneiland, Amsterdam.

Leica SL3
Sigma 85mm ƒ/1.4 Art

https://glass.photo/talala/4cvwYilVxJ2urg5xH2VgEK

Pattern of steel. A part of a residential building on Haveneiland, Amsterdam.

Leica SL3
Sigma 85mm ƒ/1.4 Art

https://glass.photo/talala/2qzmsg1p3SKOmIhDc9LLJv

One night, I had a dream about the written language of rats. I suddenly woke, drew something on my phone, and went back to sleep. In the morning, I checked my drawing, and this is what I found.

A building on Zeeburgereiland, Amsterdam.

Leica SL3
Sigma 85mm ƒ/1.4 Art

https://glass.photo/talala/MEDJqMCbWnuyGj6lMgWkf

Diemerbos recently became one of my favorite places to enjoy the nature in Amsterdam. Especially in the evening. Because I'm an introvert who loves solitude.

Leica SL3
Sigma 150–600mm ƒ/5–6.3 Sport

https://glass.photo/talala/18xjCAURB2DxL39Wl45EfD