Michael Birch
@birchmd.bsky.social
Software developer; math enthusiast; he/him; MTG casual;
https://github.com/birchmd
https://www.typedriven.ca/portfolios/
https://github.com/birchmd
https://www.typedriven.ca/portfolios/
I don't think this is a particularly good deck, but hey 7 wins is 7 wins!
January 9, 2026 at 2:17 PM
I don't think this is a particularly good deck, but hey 7 wins is 7 wins!
I just finished The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I know the cultural impact this book has and I wanted to experience it myself. It was a fun, short read; sort of sci-fi Monty Python. I like how well the humour holds up even though it was published in 1979.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#booksky
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#booksky
January 6, 2026 at 3:23 PM
I just finished The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I know the cultural impact this book has and I wanted to experience it myself. It was a fun, short read; sort of sci-fi Monty Python. I like how well the humour holds up even though it was published in 1979.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#booksky
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#booksky
For 2026 I plan on posting short reviews here of the books I read. Mostly this is just for future me to look back on and remember what I read this year. I'm not using Good Reads because f*ck Amazon.
January 6, 2026 at 12:39 AM
For 2026 I plan on posting short reviews here of the books I read. Mostly this is just for future me to look back on and remember what I read this year. I'm not using Good Reads because f*ck Amazon.
My December holiday was successful 🙂
January 5, 2026 at 3:30 AM
My December holiday was successful 🙂
The other day we had some friends over for board games and offered them some apple pie as a snack. @lynnesargent.bsky.social asked how large of pieces they would like and I made a joke they could give their answers in radians.
1/2
1/2
January 2, 2026 at 10:39 PM
The other day we had some friends over for board games and offered them some apple pie as a snack. @lynnesargent.bsky.social asked how large of pieces they would like and I made a joke they could give their answers in radians.
1/2
1/2
I had a lot of fun doing the Scroggs advent calendar this year! It was my first year participating and I will look forward to it again next year! Thanks @mscroggs.co.uk for putting it together!
www.mscroggs.co.uk
www.mscroggs.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I had a lot of fun doing the Scroggs advent calendar this year! It was my first year participating and I will look forward to it again next year! Thanks @mscroggs.co.uk for putting it together!
www.mscroggs.co.uk
www.mscroggs.co.uk
I just completed all 12 days of Advent of Code 2025! #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com
I always have fun with these puzzle! Thanks to @was.tl for putting them together!
I always have fun with these puzzle! Thanks to @was.tl for putting them together!
Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I just completed all 12 days of Advent of Code 2025! #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com
I always have fun with these puzzle! Thanks to @was.tl for putting them together!
I always have fun with these puzzle! Thanks to @was.tl for putting them together!
I just completed "Reactor" - Day 11 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/11
I used a recursive function with memoization, which isn't particularly Rusty, but it does work. Maybe I should try to refactor it as a loop with explicit stack instead of a recursive call 🤔
I used a recursive function with memoization, which isn't particularly Rusty, but it does work. Maybe I should try to refactor it as a loop with explicit stack instead of a recursive call 🤔
Day 11 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I just completed "Reactor" - Day 11 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/11
I used a recursive function with memoization, which isn't particularly Rusty, but it does work. Maybe I should try to refactor it as a loop with explicit stack instead of a recursive call 🤔
I used a recursive function with memoization, which isn't particularly Rusty, but it does work. Maybe I should try to refactor it as a loop with explicit stack instead of a recursive call 🤔
I just completed "Factory" - Day 10 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/10
For part 2 today I had to break my streak of only using the Rust standard library and pull in a linear programming solver.
For part 2 today I had to break my streak of only using the Rust standard library and pull in a linear programming solver.
Day 10 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I just completed "Factory" - Day 10 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/10
For part 2 today I had to break my streak of only using the Rust standard library and pull in a linear programming solver.
For part 2 today I had to break my streak of only using the Rust standard library and pull in a linear programming solver.
I just completed "Movie Theater" - Day 9 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/9
I thought part 2 was pretty hard today! I'm sure there is a clever algorithm that I don't know about to make a very fast solution, but my kind of brute force one still finishes in about 1s.
I thought part 2 was pretty hard today! I'm sure there is a clever algorithm that I don't know about to make a very fast solution, but my kind of brute force one still finishes in about 1s.
Day 9 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I just completed "Movie Theater" - Day 9 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/9
I thought part 2 was pretty hard today! I'm sure there is a clever algorithm that I don't know about to make a very fast solution, but my kind of brute force one still finishes in about 1s.
I thought part 2 was pretty hard today! I'm sure there is a clever algorithm that I don't know about to make a very fast solution, but my kind of brute force one still finishes in about 1s.
I just completed "Playground" - Day 8 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/8
I do appreciate having a good excuse to use a min-heap 😄
I do appreciate having a good excuse to use a min-heap 😄
Day 8 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I just completed "Playground" - Day 8 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/8
I do appreciate having a good excuse to use a min-heap 😄
I do appreciate having a good excuse to use a min-heap 😄
I just completed "Laboratories" - Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/7
Dynamic programming remains one of my weak spots, so part 2 took me longer than it should have. But I got there eventually!
Dynamic programming remains one of my weak spots, so part 2 took me longer than it should have. But I got there eventually!
Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I just completed "Laboratories" - Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/7
Dynamic programming remains one of my weak spots, so part 2 took me longer than it should have. But I got there eventually!
Dynamic programming remains one of my weak spots, so part 2 took me longer than it should have. But I got there eventually!
I just completed "Trash Compactor" - Day 6 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/6
This was a fun one (obviously; they're all fun)! Was it secretly a 2D grid problem? There are probably other ways to solve it, but this approach was my first thought and it worked out.
This was a fun one (obviously; they're all fun)! Was it secretly a 2D grid problem? There are probably other ways to solve it, but this approach was my first thought and it worked out.
Day 6 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I just completed "Trash Compactor" - Day 6 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/6
This was a fun one (obviously; they're all fun)! Was it secretly a 2D grid problem? There are probably other ways to solve it, but this approach was my first thought and it worked out.
This was a fun one (obviously; they're all fun)! Was it secretly a 2D grid problem? There are probably other ways to solve it, but this approach was my first thought and it worked out.
I've completed "Cafeteria" - Day 5 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/5
I was worried when I saw overlapping ranges that I was going to need to use a special algorithm that I definitely do not remember. But fortunately a simple approach worked!
I was worried when I saw overlapping ranges that I was going to need to use a special algorithm that I definitely do not remember. But fortunately a simple approach worked!
Day 5 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I've completed "Cafeteria" - Day 5 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/5
I was worried when I saw overlapping ranges that I was going to need to use a special algorithm that I definitely do not remember. But fortunately a simple approach worked!
I was worried when I saw overlapping ranges that I was going to need to use a special algorithm that I definitely do not remember. But fortunately a simple approach worked!
I've completed "Printing Department" - Day 4 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/4
It wouldn't be Advent of Code without a 2D grid puzzle ❤️
It wouldn't be Advent of Code without a 2D grid puzzle ❤️
Day 4 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I've completed "Printing Department" - Day 4 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/4
It wouldn't be Advent of Code without a 2D grid puzzle ❤️
It wouldn't be Advent of Code without a 2D grid puzzle ❤️
I just completed "Lobby" - Day 3 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/3
I enjoy the puzzles where part 2 is a clean generalization of part 1. It makes me wonder if I was thinking ahead maybe I could have given the first solution an extra arg to make solving part 2 trivial.
I enjoy the puzzles where part 2 is a clean generalization of part 1. It makes me wonder if I was thinking ahead maybe I could have given the first solution an extra arg to make solving part 2 trivial.
Day 3 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I just completed "Lobby" - Day 3 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/3
I enjoy the puzzles where part 2 is a clean generalization of part 1. It makes me wonder if I was thinking ahead maybe I could have given the first solution an extra arg to make solving part 2 trivial.
I enjoy the puzzles where part 2 is a clean generalization of part 1. It makes me wonder if I was thinking ahead maybe I could have given the first solution an extra arg to make solving part 2 trivial.
I just completed "Gift Shop" - Day 2 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/2
It's always satisfying to do problems involving identifying numbers by digit-based rules using only arithmetic (never treating the number as a base-10 string).
It's always satisfying to do problems involving identifying numbers by digit-based rules using only arithmetic (never treating the number as a base-10 string).
Day 2 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I just completed "Gift Shop" - Day 2 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/2
It's always satisfying to do problems involving identifying numbers by digit-based rules using only arithmetic (never treating the number as a base-10 string).
It's always satisfying to do problems involving identifying numbers by digit-based rules using only arithmetic (never treating the number as a base-10 string).
It's that time of year again!
I just completed "Secret Entrance" - Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/1
I just completed "Secret Entrance" - Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/1
Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:20 PM
It's that time of year again!
I just completed "Secret Entrance" - Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/1
I just completed "Secret Entrance" - Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/1
#MTGArenaStats during Through the Omenpaths
November 29, 2025 at 1:44 AM
#MTGArenaStats during Through the Omenpaths
I know power cube is all the rage for limited players on #MTGArena but I was in the mood for a relaxing quick draft and I managed to get 7 wins!
November 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I know power cube is all the rage for limited players on #MTGArena but I was in the mood for a relaxing quick draft and I managed to get 7 wins!
If Friday the 13th is bad luck then is Friday the 31st good luck?
October 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
If Friday the 13th is bad luck then is Friday the 31st good luck?
I guess this hand would be spookier if it was all Swamps, but 7 lands is still pretty scary! Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I guess this hand would be spookier if it was all Swamps, but 7 lands is still pretty scary! Happy Halloween!
I thought it would be fun to try to simulate playing this deck against a goldfish opponent. I'll share my results in a thread.
I also had fun playing the deck myself of Arena.
Thanks for sharing it @mtgcreativecombos.bsky.social !
I also had fun playing the deck myself of Arena.
Thanks for sharing it @mtgcreativecombos.bsky.social !
Duskmourn's Claim Combo!
Lots of high mana value cards makes Duskmourn's Claim (Parker Luck) do potentially 6-8 damage per turn. Geological Appraiser discovers into it, and the lands manipulate the top of the deck.
Decklist and Gameplay: youtu.be/8vFbUhJTFvM
@fireshoes.bsky.social
Lots of high mana value cards makes Duskmourn's Claim (Parker Luck) do potentially 6-8 damage per turn. Geological Appraiser discovers into it, and the lands manipulate the top of the deck.
Decklist and Gameplay: youtu.be/8vFbUhJTFvM
@fireshoes.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 2:21 AM
I thought it would be fun to try to simulate playing this deck against a goldfish opponent. I'll share my results in a thread.
I also had fun playing the deck myself of Arena.
Thanks for sharing it @mtgcreativecombos.bsky.social !
I also had fun playing the deck myself of Arena.
Thanks for sharing it @mtgcreativecombos.bsky.social !
#MTGArenaStats during Edge of Eternities
October 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
#MTGArenaStats during Edge of Eternities
