Eric Wagoner

@kestrelsnest.social

260 Followers 404 Following

Amateur costumer and tabletop enthusiast. Developer at Infinity Interactive. Creator of Locallygrown.net. Former astrophysicist. Nerdy father to nerdy offspring. he/him ericwagoner.com has links to all my many online places and things.

Selfie of me grinning and flipping off the camera, hand close to the lens and slightly blurred. I’m wearing glasses, black over-ear headphones, and a blue t-shirt with pixelated text reading ‘I’m doing a lot of stuff with computers right now.’ My long beard fades from white at the top to deep purple at the tip, matching the purple streaks in my gray hair.
Thirty-six individual bingo cards covering a laminate folding table at a VFW hall, photographed from my seat looking down. Each card plays on its own—the upper cards are printed smaller on white paper, while the lower cards are larger-format on gray-and-white stock. Scattered squares are dabbed with green ink marker, including a couple of number 27s. An empty brown vinyl chair sits across the table on a wood parquet floor, with another person’s foot visible in the background. My cotton-clad legs are in the foreground.
A long-haired brown tabby cat named Wil’em sits on a white tiled floor, looking up directly at the camera with wide green eyes. The cat has a fluffy mane around its face and chest, prominent white whiskers, tufted ears, and dark tabby striping along its sides. Its front paws are placed neatly together.
A man wearing glasses, a gray button-up shirt, and dark jeans plays hopscotch on a chalk-drawn court outside a navy blue barn-style building. He’s mid-hop with one foot raised. In the background, a second man in a light blazer and dark pants stands looking at his phone near a stone pillar, beside a small round table draped in black cloth. The setting is a rural property with trees and a fenced field visible. A closed-caption subtitle at the bottom reads “(QUIRKY SKA MUSIC).”
Peter Buck of R.E.M. plays a black and white Rickenbacker guitar onstage with Man or Astro-man?, wearing a vintage TV set over his head as a helmet. The drummer plays behind a kick drum reading “Echo or the Bunnymen?” at the 40 Watt Club, with a starry blue backdrop and ornate patterned rug covering the stage floor.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Peter Buck of R.E.M. plays a black and white Rickenbacker guitar onstage with Man or Astro-man?, wearing a vintage TV set over his head as a helmet. The drummer plays behind a kick drum reading “Echo or the Bunnymen?” at the 40 Watt Club, with a starry blue backdrop and ornate patterned rug covering the stage floor.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Man or Astro-man? merch table at a venue, with folded T-shirts in various designs ($25 each), a “Live at Third Man Records” vinyl LP ($30), an “Are You Astro-Man???” box set ($80), and a poster featuring cartoon astronauts floating in space for a Sunday May 14th show in Saint Louis.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
A late-night work setup on a light wood desk: a Vietnamese iced coffee with matcha foam and honey boba in a tall plastic cup, two bottles of Berry-flavored Extra Strength 5-hour Energy (230mg caffeine, sugar-free), and a bag of peanut M&M’s in the foreground.
Six battered, golden-brown fritters frying in bubbling oil in a deep saucepan, arranged in a rough ring around the edge with a smaller piece in the center. Dense foam from the bubbling oil rings the fritters and fills the dark center of the pan.
Close-up photo of a homemade dish of biang biang noodles served in a handmade green glazed ceramic bowl with a notched rim. The thick, wide, belt-like hand-pulled noodles are generously coated in a reddish-brown chili oil sauce with visible chili flakes. Pieces of cabbage and green onion are tucked throughout, adding color and texture. The noodles have a glossy, saucy sheen. The bowl sits on a wooden surface near a window.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Screenshot of an iPhone home screen displaying a government Emergency Alert notification. The alert, shown in a dark rounded rectangle with a yellow warning triangle icon, reads: “Emergency Alert — National Weather Service: TORNADO WARNING in this area until 5:30 PM CDT. Take shelter now in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Check media.” Partially visible beneath the alert are home screen app icons including Wallet, Parking Spot, Slack, and Fly Delta.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Book cover for Starter Villain by New York Times bestselling author John Scalzi. The cover features a painted portrait-style illustration of a gray and white fluffy cat dressed in a dark suit jacket, white dress shirt, and navy blue tie. The cat gazes directly at the viewer with piercing yellow-green eyes and a stern, commanding expression. The dark background and portrait-style rendering give the image a formal, imposing quality. At the top, white text reads “Meet the new boss.” The title “STARTER VILLAIN” appears in large gold lettering at the bottom, with the author’s name “JOHN SCALZI” in bold white beneath a line identifying him as a New York Times bestselling author.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
A band called Space Mutiny performs outdoors at night in a parking lot, bathed in vivid green stage lighting. The five-piece group is dressed in matching black shirts with green accents, leaning hard into an 80s neon karate science fiction ska aesthetic. Center stage, the vocalist wears a green skirt, checkered socks, a blonde wig, and tinted glasses. To the left, a guitarist rocks out while another band member dances at the edge of the light. A drummer holds down the back, flanked by a bassist on the right. On the far right, a keytar player in a red tutu absolutely shreds. Cables, pedals, and monitors litter the makeshift stage platform. A cinder block wall serves as their backdrop, with the band’s name faintly visible on signage behind the drummer.
A bowl of homemade biang biang noodles, with bok choi and chili oil.
Buddhist monks from the Walk for Peace pilgrimage pass through Lexington, Georgia, as part of their 2,300-mile journey from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. The monks, wearing saffron and maroon robes, are led by a monk carrying a tall walking staff, with Aloka the rescue ‘Peace Dog’ walking alongside. Community members line both sides of the rural road, many pressing their palms together in greeting. Onlookers capture the moment on phones as a police vehicle with blue lights escorts the procession. Bare winter trees frame the scene under an overcast January sky.
A Bûche de Noël (Yule log cake) on a bamboo cutting board, viewed from above at an angle. The chocolate rolled cake is covered in dark chocolate buttercream textured with fork marks to resemble tree bark. It’s decorated with clusters of cocoa-dusted meringue mushrooms, sugar-frosted red cranberries, and sprigs of sugared rosemary arranged to look like a forest floor scene. A light dusting of powdered sugar on the board suggests fresh snowfall.
Meringue mushrooms arranged on a silicone baking mat. The confections have tan cylindrical stems topped with white dome-shaped caps dusted with cocoa powder to mimic the mottled appearance of real wild mushrooms. About a dozen mushrooms stand upright, casting small shadows on the textured copper-colored mat.
Screenshot of a social media thread in dark mode. At the top, a user named “jxhn” posts: “As a teenager in the 80s, this was the BEST stocking stuffer. My parents knew me well.” Below the text is a photo of a stacked set of vintage TDK cassette tapes labeled “TDK SA-X 90” and “TDK SA 90,” shown in their original packaging. Engagement icons show thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Beneath the post, the verified Maxell account “maxellcorp” replies simply: “Excuse me?”
Eric with glasses and a long gray-to-purple beard, wearing a blue knit beanie for Blue Beanie Day, pointing at the camera with a knowing smile.
A homemade pie sits on a tartan cloth in a kitchen, topped with a distinct checkerboard pattern of tatties (mashed potatoes) and neeps—Scottish “Swedish turnips,” also known as rutabagas. The haggis filling is inside beneath the topping. A small sign on a skewer reads: “Traditional Scottish Hunter Haggis — Hamilton’s Highland brand. Contain 30% oat meal. Ingredients: Red deer meat, oat meal, water, beef liver, onion, scotch whiskey, salt, white pepper, celery salt, cayenne pepper, spice.” Kitchen counters, utensils, and an oven are visible in the background.
A bottle of early ‘90s “8 Barrel” Tawny Port from Mount Pleasant Winery in Augusta, Missouri, and a Negroni made with that port instead of sweet vermouth.
A view of the northern night sky through an ivy covered tree in north Georgia. A solar event is making the horizon glow purple.
Lee Harvey Oswald singing while Jack Ruby plays guitar and the state trooper plays keyboards.
A bumper sticker with Gordon Lightfoot’s face, a picture of a freighter, and the words “STOP HONKING! I'M CRYING TO THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD BY GORDON LIGHTFOOT”
Me in front of a Mexicano ska band playing in the streets of downtown Athens Ga at the Wild Rumpus.
Neeps, tatties, and a can of haggis
A poster of Odin and his wolves. He holds a trans flag. Text reads “Odin Says Trans Rights”.
A back and white selfie of me walking down a sidewalk in downtown Atlanta, wearing a hand made knitted cowl hood.
Selfie of me heading out for goth night. I’m wearing makeup, my hair and beard is dark metallic blue, and my Mohawk is done up more like Robert Smith.
Japanese (Korean?) style hotdog and scallion buns, made using a recipe from King Arthur flour.
Me holding a Brad Parker tiki mug depicting an angler fish, complete with glowing lure. It holds a delicious Tradewinds. I’m wearing a tiki-themed aloha shirt and a blue velvet fez with an embroidered tardigrade standing in a boxing stance. He is also wearing a fez with an embroidered infinity symbol.
A former grocery store that now holds a treasure trove of fabric
My assistant cozied up on my sewing table underneath Madame Askew giving instruction.
Me wearing a tiki themed aloha shirt and a straw beach hat, holding a tall tiki mug, with the bar in the background.
Tiki mug depicting octopus tentacles wrapped around a rum barrel sitting in front of a mini painting station
Me wearing my fez and holding a Gilman House Cthulhu themed tiki mug containing a double hurricane.
FIRST WE FEAST * HEATONIST INTRODUCING THE HOT ONES SEASON 26 LINEUP: 1. Señor Lechuga | 0.006 - 1,200 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) This mild sauce starts with garlic and avocado oil for a rich, dreamy texture and savory base. A pinch of habanero adds a slight tingle to the taste buds... we're starting easy and delicious with 2. Karma Sauce | Lift Off - 5,600 SHU A special lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaf-infused vinegar adds bright, aromatic notes to this mild green chili sauce. Coconut sugar and other Thai aromatics and spices round out its complex flavor. 3. Hot Ones | Pickled Garlic Sriracha - 18,000 SHU Introducing our twist on an icon of the sauce world! Like its original namesake, it starts with sweet ripe red jalepeños, but we've put our signature on it with our own pickled garlic and a splash of lime. just-right heat and high quality ingredients are the name of the game with wing number threel 4. Savir Foods | Elotes Loco Fire - 26,500 SHU Yes, this is an elote inspired hot sauce and it taste just like your favorite street corn! Chile de arbol and a handful of ghost peppers add slow-building heat that starts to linger... things are about to take a turn! 5. Hot Ones | Los Calientes Rojo - 49,000 SHU Our Call-Mex-inspired Los Calientes sauces are best-selling for a reason. Complex notes from smoked chilis, agave, citrus and cumin mix with fruity habanero for the optimal balance of medium heat and flavor, 6. Piko Peppers | Volkano - 76,000 SHU The sweet and vegetal taste of roasted onions and bell peppers quickly makes way for habanero heat with this more than medium sauce. Habanero is featured three ways - fermented, roasted and ground - for extra fire. Things are getting spicy! 7. Butterfly Bakery | Hot House Sauce - 131,000 SHU A unique blend of serrano, habanero, Carolina Reaper, ghost, and carmen peppers makes up the base of this hot house pickle-inspired sauce from Butterfly Bakery of Vermont. Dilly, delicious and deadly spicy. 8. Da Bomb | Evoluti…
A bowl of wings in front of a box of ten hot sauces
Two tiki mugs on the bar. One is a siamese cat, white with blue eyes and a light blue collar. The other is a tipsy octopus perched on an old-timed diving helmet, holding his own little tiki mug and wearing a straw hat on his head.
Three tiki mugs of various styles on a bar top with a colorful array of booze bottles out of focus in the background
5:30-6:15 - Serf Lords - Formed 2006 in Detroit - reformed 2019 in Athens, GA - Serf Lords offer a post-apocalyptic view of the Empire that was, set to heavy riffage at high tide; a mix of alt-surf with your fave 8-bit / DOS hellscape.
Tiki mug from Inuhele 2023 consisting of a Viking drinking horn impaled on a lemon half. A cobra made of an orange peel wraps around it. The cobra has a tail made of a string of cherries. The mug is filled with a delicious painkiller.
Juniper, her literature teacher Ms Dorkey, and Jason Kelley, executive director of the Comics Appreciation Project, awarding her a $1000 scholarship for her comics.
A lovely pair of coconuts (filled with piña coladas)
Chicken bulgogi tacos in the foreground and tiki mugs full of delicious adult beverages in the background.
A tray of freshly baked and glazed hot cross buns.
A roasted ham glazed with honey, brown sugar, oranges, and warming spices
Ten bottles of hot sauce from Hot Ones. It’s the season 26 collection.
Instrumental (Except for the Occasional Bouts of Screaming)
We brought our own tiki mugs to the bar. One is the 2022 event mug from Atlanta’s Inuhele, a parrot made of pineapple and citrus wedges and cherries. The other is a moai with a black cat on its head the looks like Elvis hair.
Me, giving “what if flock of seagulls, but goth?”
I’m holding the best trophy I’ve ever seen, a golden goat head wearing a crown and sunglasses, with an engraving declaring me the winner of 2025’s March Mammal Madness.
Me wearing my fighting tardigrade fez and holding an empty Mai tai glass.
Selfie dressed up on the dance floor
A whole roasted chicken, stained a deep red with choose paste. A baggie of hot salsa sits alongside it.
ChatGPT correctly states the letter 'r' appears three times in the word strawberry but then also says it appears three times in the word boysenberry.
My goofy face and a booklet with forty-eight coupons for free coffee, my reward for being one of the first one hundred people at the grand opening.
Two UPS “we missed you” post-its on the door of our local UPS store.
I approach a glowing bottle labeled “Nuka-Cola Quantum” and check its radioactivity with my pip-boy. It is very radioactive.