I’ve included UBI in the manifesto I’m writing. Also universal healthcare. And guaranteed housing.

So. Last year, I started what my son calls a manifesto that's a reply to Project 2025. In addition to goals to improve wages, income taxes, & health care, I started a section to modernize the US Constitution. I put the project aside for a while, but yesterday, I picked it up again.

There are a lot of free speech absolutists but not enough human rights absolutists imo

Last week I did a number on my hip flexor and back. Since then, I've been resting but yesterday, I had to take Theo to the vet for his annual visit. That set me back a bit, but as much as I'd like to lie in bed today, I absolutely must go grocery shopping. Also, take the trash to the bins.

Rev. Jesse Jackson's "I *am* somebody..." remains one of the all-time great pieces of 20th century rhetoric / agitprop And he could deliver it at a Black separatist meeting, the Democratic National Convention, or on god-blessed Sesame Street (see below 🥹) RIP to the Voice of the Voiceless

Voting for the lesser evil is what you do AFTER you have exhausted all other options. Refusing to exhaust those options, uh, what Rob says.

Just registered for Readercon! I am looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.

I made the terrible mistake when I tested a free AI checker with a paragraph from my novel in progress. The test itself wasn't the mistake--I knew the results would be bogus--the mistake was clicking the "humanize my prose" button. The results were so awful I nearly threw up.

The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

So. Alexander Skarsgård is the next host on SNL, and I hope HOPE there is a @murderxbryan.bsky.social skit on the show.

What are the odds that some random guy on Bumble looks exactly like Graham Platner? Yeah, I didn't think so either. *block and report*

Snowfall update. Left picture shows 2:30 yesterday; right pic shows 9am this morning. My patio lights are completely covered. My patio table and chair are now anonymous lumps.

"ICE will leave Minnesota if you hand over your voter rolls" tells you everything you need to know. This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.

People are right to be incensed, but there are more names to uplift. ICE killed an immigrant man named Silverio Villegas González in Chicagoland. He had children. Victor Manuel Diaz was kidnapped in Minneapolis and died in ICE custody on January 14. Their names deserve to be repeated, too.

View from my living room. I estimate about 5 inches accumulated in the past six hours. Lots more to come. #snowstorm

All prepped for the coming snow storm. One new book by @comill.bsky.social, one research book for the current novel project, plenty of food, candles, flashlights. And the most important thing--lots of treats for the cats.

In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.

This is the kind of surreal content I needed today:

I guess it was inevitable but… I recently chatted with someone on a dating app, and it gradually became clear they were using genAI for their longer replies. No, dude. Not charming. Not interested.

A greeting card for my Bluesky friends

I’ve fallen into the gray. Time to rewatch Ted Lasso.

Every time I see this man, I wish all the more ardently that we were subject to the jurisdiction of the ICC. I have never shipped a man harder with The Hague.

My Theo Cat is a doofus. Just saying. #cats

So I managed to write. A little. Failed at practicing Arabic script. I'm so tired all the time. :( But tomorrow I go back to the Sleep Center to get fitted for a CPAP machine. Right now, Theo Cat is demanding head rubs.

Today's modest goals: * Spend an hour practicing Arabic script * Write for at least two hours or 300 words Off I go....

Former FIL is back in the rehab center after another two weeks in the hospital. Another fall. Confusion more frequent and getting worse. Things not looking good. :(

In December, my former FIL spent 3 weeks in first the hospital, then in rehab for physical therapy. I just heard that he fell again, spent two weeks in the hospital, and went back to rehab. Where he fell again. I'm worried about him. His health isn't good even aside from all this.

#Booksky Now we are 9! We’re celebrating our 9th birthday as a small press this week! Shop direct from us and use code BIRTHDAY at checkout to get a discount and we’ll enter you in the prize drawing! Help us kickoff a great birthday year! Details here: queenofswordspress.com/happy-birthd...

The problem with "we need to get back to normal" is that's what Biden's 2020 win was and you got: more Trump. You won't defeat Modern Fascism That Was Able To Thrive In This System with more of: this system. I know you're glazing Newsome and Buttigieg but they're a one-way ticket to Tucker 2032.

As I read the comments for that Open Letter about AI, I was not surprised to find Andrew Burt, once again being a pompous and oblivious ass. Also, genAI and LLMs suck on so many levels, not the least of which is how their data centers damage the environment and take resources away from people.

At the Sleep Center and all wired up. This should be fun.

I’m rewatching the first season of Alone, and I completely empathize with the guy who spotted a bear and called out , “Go away, bear. I’m bigger than you!” There was a small pause before he added, “I’m bigger than I really am!”

GOOD NEWS! Researchers have shown Alzheimer’s disease can be REVERSED- not just prevented. Using a potent neuroprotective compound called P7C3-A20, they found RESTORING balance to a central cellular energy molecule (NAD+) not only PREVENTED disease features but REVERSED them, EVEN at late stages.

Bleh. I’ve felt queasy all day long. I foresee an early bedtime.

Theo guarding the new sofa… #cats

I was listening to Noir Jazz Cats and started to dance around my living room. Both Theo and Bijou are now deeply disturbed.

I have new meds for my ADHD (recently diagnosed). The first meds didn't work and gave me some weird side effects. These new meds have some mild side effects that are easing off, but OMG THEY WORK! GUYS, GUYS, I HAVE MY WRITING AND PLOTTING BRAIN BACK!!!!

I’ve blocked and reported this Baudelaire person.

I’m tired and I want to sleep, but Theo is curled up next to me, leaning against my leg, and I hate to disturb him. #cats (I also want to snuggle him but he hates any kind of restraint. My huge boi with velvet fur.)

Poor Bijou stepped on the fax button on my printer and somehow got an incoming call. The phone ring sent her fleeing in terror. #cats

I was going to write today, but Bijou had another chaotic Midnight Episode, and my cold came back in force. More NyQuil. More naps.

No appetite. Eyes watery. Head stuffed. Brain in low-power mode. I can only hope that Bijou doesn’t repeat last night’s cat crimez. (Vandalizing. Vocalizing. At midnight. I put her in Kitty Jail.)

Bleh. I’ve come down with a mild cold. Just enough to leave me listless and fuzzy. Elsewhere I hear the cats doing demolition but I can’t be bothered. #naptime

You can take the boy out of Chicago, but you can never take the Chicago out of the boy.

Theo, not to be outdone…. #cats #elegantcat

Portrait of a Bijou As A Young Cat. #cats #daintycat

Been inactive here for a while. Summary of the past months: Bijou is in fine fettle, I'm delighted by Mamdani's win & furious at the flood of Islamophobia unleashed by both Dems & GOP, I planted 50+ bulbs, and I am slowly adding plot points to my never-ending WIP. How's everyone else doing?

Just blocked the White House account. There, that's better. *dusts hands*

Speaking of @jortsthecat.bsky.social & Stardew Valley, I continue to love how the mod for Jorts & Jean blends in so perfectly with the existing game. One of the NPCs is named Pam, and with the mod she...yes, you guessed it...she buttered Jorts.

#amwriting #notmansfieldpark