Tim (TJ) LaFave Jr
@tjlafave.com
Physicist. Electrical engineer. Educator. Inventor. Technical writer. Poet. Fiction writer. Mentor. Photographer.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Title & Cover Art
Vol. 5, titled, CLARITY: EMERGENT PHENOMENON, constitutes my four years in Chicago as an undergrad physics student.
See the cover art and read about "emergent phenomenon" here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/.../a-previe...
#writing #writingCommunity #booksky 🧪
Vol. 5, titled, CLARITY: EMERGENT PHENOMENON, constitutes my four years in Chicago as an undergrad physics student.
See the cover art and read about "emergent phenomenon" here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/.../a-previe...
#writing #writingCommunity #booksky 🧪
December 11, 2025 at 9:15 PM
ANNOUNCEMENT: Title & Cover Art
Vol. 5, titled, CLARITY: EMERGENT PHENOMENON, constitutes my four years in Chicago as an undergrad physics student.
See the cover art and read about "emergent phenomenon" here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/.../a-previe...
#writing #writingCommunity #booksky 🧪
Vol. 5, titled, CLARITY: EMERGENT PHENOMENON, constitutes my four years in Chicago as an undergrad physics student.
See the cover art and read about "emergent phenomenon" here:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/.../a-previe...
#writing #writingCommunity #booksky 🧪
Many students were Student of the Week.
I was nominated by the English Dept. for writing a novel and having poems published by predatory companies.
As you can see, I was in Weyauwega, a WI town with a funny name
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/student-of...
#booksky
#writing #writingcommunity
I was nominated by the English Dept. for writing a novel and having poems published by predatory companies.
As you can see, I was in Weyauwega, a WI town with a funny name
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/student-of...
#booksky
#writing #writingcommunity
December 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Many students were Student of the Week.
I was nominated by the English Dept. for writing a novel and having poems published by predatory companies.
As you can see, I was in Weyauwega, a WI town with a funny name
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/student-of...
#booksky
#writing #writingcommunity
I was nominated by the English Dept. for writing a novel and having poems published by predatory companies.
As you can see, I was in Weyauwega, a WI town with a funny name
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/student-of...
#booksky
#writing #writingcommunity
As a teen in Nowhere, WI, one of my respites involved tea, PBS, comfy clothes, and emerging thunderstorms.
I'm about to graduate from high school and get into college on my own.
Subscribe for daily reminders.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/tea-tv-and...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I'm about to graduate from high school and get into college on my own.
Subscribe for daily reminders.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/tea-tv-and...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
December 3, 2025 at 4:23 AM
As a teen in Nowhere, WI, one of my respites involved tea, PBS, comfy clothes, and emerging thunderstorms.
I'm about to graduate from high school and get into college on my own.
Subscribe for daily reminders.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/tea-tv-and...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I'm about to graduate from high school and get into college on my own.
Subscribe for daily reminders.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/tea-tv-and...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I started Christmas decorating today with this 16 ft lighted tree I made with a flagpole, creativity, and skill. 😎
How does it look?
#Christmas #decorations #homeowner
How does it look?
#Christmas #decorations #homeowner
December 2, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I started Christmas decorating today with this 16 ft lighted tree I made with a flagpole, creativity, and skill. 😎
How does it look?
#Christmas #decorations #homeowner
How does it look?
#Christmas #decorations #homeowner
I had written drafts for two novels in high school. Merged them into a full sci-fi novel late nights.
I typed revisions on an Apple IIGS during Accounting class. Printed them on a dot matrix printer.
SOL SURVIVOR
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/sol-survivor
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity
I typed revisions on an Apple IIGS during Accounting class. Printed them on a dot matrix printer.
SOL SURVIVOR
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/sol-survivor
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity
December 1, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I had written drafts for two novels in high school. Merged them into a full sci-fi novel late nights.
I typed revisions on an Apple IIGS during Accounting class. Printed them on a dot matrix printer.
SOL SURVIVOR
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/sol-survivor
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity
I typed revisions on an Apple IIGS during Accounting class. Printed them on a dot matrix printer.
SOL SURVIVOR
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/sol-survivor
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity
We replaced the floor from our foyer to the kitchen.
It was originally a sheet of 1970s linoleum when we bought the house.
I'll miter and tap in some baseboards and toe molding to cap it all off.
So many odd shapes to cut and fit on this 4-day DIY project.
#diy #homeImprovement #homeowner #home
It was originally a sheet of 1970s linoleum when we bought the house.
I'll miter and tap in some baseboards and toe molding to cap it all off.
So many odd shapes to cut and fit on this 4-day DIY project.
#diy #homeImprovement #homeowner #home
November 27, 2025 at 4:32 AM
We replaced the floor from our foyer to the kitchen.
It was originally a sheet of 1970s linoleum when we bought the house.
I'll miter and tap in some baseboards and toe molding to cap it all off.
So many odd shapes to cut and fit on this 4-day DIY project.
#diy #homeImprovement #homeowner #home
It was originally a sheet of 1970s linoleum when we bought the house.
I'll miter and tap in some baseboards and toe molding to cap it all off.
So many odd shapes to cut and fit on this 4-day DIY project.
#diy #homeImprovement #homeowner #home
What was the most elaborate (or dangerous) special effect you made in high school for a project?
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
What was the most elaborate (or dangerous) special effect you made in high school for a project?
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
Mine? Exploding capacitors as a visual/audio way to show a "brain boosting" tech.
Poor Mike. 😬
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/banging-br...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky 🧪 #specialeffects
Our lives are more than mere chapters in a book.
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Our lives are more than mere chapters in a book.
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
Some events demand much more than a simple page-turn.
Life is more like a book series.
Point of No Return
Read and subscribe for more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #MyLife #teenagers #genx
I stumbled upon these window iconography at Breadhive Cafe & Bakery (@breadhive.coop) here in Buffalo, NY.
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I stumbled upon these window iconography at Breadhive Cafe & Bakery (@breadhive.coop) here in Buffalo, NY.
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
Platonic solids.
GREAT food.
In my work on the Thomson problem, my PHD advisor expected them as solutions. I prefer letting data show me. (Not all are, BTW.)
🧪 #geometry #physics #BuffaloNY
A turning point in my teen years. I learned about who I was and who others were not.
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
A turning point in my teen years. I learned about who I was and who others were not.
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Hear/read the full story at
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/point-of-n...
Subscribe for free notifications to follow along as I go through high school, college, and beyond. #writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Have you heard certain songs blaring in your mind during traumatic moments in your life?
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
November 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Have you heard certain songs blaring in your mind during traumatic moments in your life?
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
Guns'N'Roses was there the night I heard my mom pleading with our stepdad to not take the easy way out.
Read more:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/knock-knoc...
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity #suicide
In high school, Mr. G asked: “What do you want in the opposite sex?”
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
In high school, Mr. G asked: “What do you want in the opposite sex?”
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
The class laughed, answered fast.
I didn’t.
Decades later, I stand by what I said.
🕊 Read the story. HONEST, IF NOTHING ELSE:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #autobiography #booksky #writingcommunity
A high school teacher once asked our class:
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
A high school teacher once asked our class:
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
“What do you want in the opposite sex?”
💰 Most girls said money.
😍 Most boys said looks.
I said something quite different.
Curious? Read & subscribe:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #myLife #myStory
Some classroom moments define how you see people.
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Some classroom moments define how you see people.
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
A teacher’s simple question.
A room full of teenage answers.
And one that echoes decades later.
💬Today’s story: truth, youth, & hindsight.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/honest-if-...
#Memoir #WritersLife #ThreadsOfMemory #writing #booksky
During high school study hall, she and I would write whatever we wanted to say to each other--back and forth-- often on the same sheet.
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
During high school study hall, she and I would write whatever we wanted to say to each other--back and forth-- often on the same sheet.
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
We'd talk about homework.
In the end, it was all just talk.
Read & subscribe
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
What's wrong with talking to cows? She thought it was strange when we were young and in 4-H.
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 10, 2025 at 1:21 AM
What's wrong with talking to cows? She thought it was strange when we were young and in 4-H.
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Later, in high school, she opted for a guy who dealt drugs. Hence, those "societal eyes".
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/societal-e...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Poetry often begins as a sort of self-therapy as much as an expression of yourself for the world to understand you.
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Poetry often begins as a sort of self-therapy as much as an expression of yourself for the world to understand you.
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I wrote my first poem in HS as a way to explain what I saw and understood.
It's part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
First snowfall of the season.
It's a beautiful day.
It's a beautiful day.
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
First snowfall of the season.
It's a beautiful day.
It's a beautiful day.
What was the first poem you ever wrote?
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM
What was the first poem you ever wrote?
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
Mine was about the hype and glam-seeking I saw in the person I adored most in high school. Poetry was one way for me to better understand people.
It's all part of my daily autobiography.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
What was your earliest realization of homophobia with family or friends?
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
What was your earliest realization of homophobia with family or friends?
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
For me, it shed light on why I was almost entirely shunned, even as a hetero-teen, in our rural community. Being a stepchild wasn't enough?
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/homophobia...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I returned to my teenage home in WI only to discover the door my stepdad busted through, trying to get to me in a fit of rage was just patched with cheap wall panel.
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I returned to my teenage home in WI only to discover the door my stepdad busted through, trying to get to me in a fit of rage was just patched with cheap wall panel.
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
It was his SHINING MOMENT.
Felt like the Blair Witch house.
somethingaboutcoffee/p/shining-mo...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 4:06 AM
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 AM
8AM EST, Tuesday.
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
SHINING MOMENT is a longer play-by-play story about a time my stepdad furiously chased me around the house because his feelings got hurt.
I could always outrun him. This time I also grossly outsmarted him.
Somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
My sister and I loved horror movies and TV series as teens. We picked on each other with them.
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
November 3, 2025 at 11:54 PM
My sister and I loved horror movies and TV series as teens. We picked on each other with them.
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
All this helped protect us from the world until the ills of our world began to break through.
Read today's moment:
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/horror
#writing #booksky #writingcommunity
One day, when no one else was home but my sister and me, she was removed from home of her own accord.
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
November 3, 2025 at 3:48 AM
One day, when no one else was home but my sister and me, she was removed from home of her own accord.
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky
I had no idea why at the time. Any guesses?
I don't recall when exactly, but I was in high school.
somethingaboutcoffee.substack.com/p/a-black-an...
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky