Pencil's campaign is official! We launched yesterday and all already hearing from people who want to see Oregon step up and address our education crisis! Thanks @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Pencil is running for Oregon governor! Pass it on. #pencil4gov oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/31/a...

James Patterson’s favorite predictions podcast! It’s @thegargle.bsky.social w/ Olympic Parenting Gold medalist @alicefraser.bsky.social, @Fonzi fashion fan @jackiekashian.bsky.social & pasty, harem-pant wearing @jamesnokise.bsky.social ! Taste the Respect! shows.acast.com/8d72ef0d-c0b...

Oregonians: see if your reps voted to let more money into politics after they said they wouldn't. gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2026/HB...

TY Sen. Golden for calling out Oregon's constant unicorn syndrome: “Give up on the notion that we’re somehow smarter than every other state, because right now, we’re doing an excellent job of proving that we’re not." More $$ in politics, that's what this means. www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026...

Faustian alchemist @joznorris.bsky.social gets some stuff off his scarf-wearing Neanderthal chest w/ Platonic face-stroker @alicefraser.bsky.social as they talk 8 ft Golems, dungeon look maXXers, man maidens, were-men, & the StarWars prequel prenatal surge. Ick! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Groveling @joshgondelman.bsky.social, segue-master @alicefraser.bsky.social & well-chinned @colley.bsky.social talk face crabs, old grandsons, Fart fitbits, and dying on a bus while performativey reading about which doctors to blame for peanut cream. Gargle galore! shows.acast.com/8d72ef0d-c0b...

They had me at "19th c. scientific romance: a genre blending fiction and speculative science," and I thought I would be derelict in my duty if I did not share w/ fans of @realmsunknown.bsky.social & @alicefraser.bsky.social Enjoy how weird we've all always been! object.substack.com/p/imagined-f...

Wondering what to substitute for Hobbit fingers in your annual LOR feast? Then join worried monarchist @frogcroakley.bsky.social & dirt distribution expert @alicefraser.bsky.social as they talk fake out deaths, Golem’s g-friends & who can push open Alice’s door. Meow! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Caveat-or @alicefraser.bsky.social is BACK w/ vengeance seeker @alisonspittle.bsky.social & mega-quibbler & mustache twirler @jlukeroberts.bsky.social to talk squirrel condoms, big holes, civilian stars, dirty Muppets, and gap-year fatalities! Chase the miracle! shows.acast.com/8d72ef0d-c0b...

As an Oregonian, I have seen the decline of @opb.org —it’s depressing, but we have other great journalists: please financially support @oregoncapitalchronicle.com @oregonjournalism.bsky.social @thewesternedge.bsky.social @wweek.com #UpliftnewsLocal (Emily Harris)—we need to know what’s going on!

Excellent reporting by @oregonjournalism.bsky.social —OR is 50th in reading—yes 50th!!! Other states are doing things, Oregon leadership is not. This could change but it will require adults to prioritize kids over their own comfort. www.wweek.com/news/state/2...

Open your Harry Dresden pickles & join lady nerd @alicefraser.bsky.social & aquatic troper @patricklenton.bsky.social discuss Encino Man (no joke), kitchen sink mythology, the erasure of desperately horny lady nerds, & stand-near-him/her/they courtship rituals. Meow! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Oregon: 50th in the country in reading and our @tinakotek.bsky.social thinks “so far so good.” Other states are making changes so all children are taught to read, why is Oregon privileging adult comfort over children’s futures? www.wweek.com/news/state/2...

I was listening to @thebugle.bsky.social w/ @tiffstevenson.bsky.social & @joshgondelman.bsky.social when my very fit postal worker knocked. And lo and behold, it was….a BUGLE PUZZLE. I don’t remember ordering it, but that is one of the joys of buying Bugle merch—U never know when it might arrive.

Cross the meat-machine divide w/ beat-sheet @alicefraser.bsky.social & trope thief @tpneenan.bsky.social as they discuss poultry-based magic, deliciously evil doctors(& delightful ones too), how not to vomit across time, & what you can do w/ 13 1/2 minutes. Ready…Go! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

I have to disagree w/ @felixsalmon.com on the Elon question. As @espiers.bsky.social started to talk about, NASA was gutted, so was higher ed, so we don’t know how many other great things would have come from spreading funds around. My favorite on this is @albertwenger.bsky.social -1/2

Oregon: last in reading, Dems in charge, don't believe other states can teach us anything. We have a crisis, and the Dems act like all we need is more $$. More $ won't solve this crisis. TY @oregonjournalism.bsky.social for speaking up for kids. www.oregonjournalismproject.org/leaving-it-u...

I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com

Here in Minneapolis, hundreds of clergy from all over the country have been deployed into the streets to participate in ICE/DHS watch. The hail from a range of religious traditions, and have come from all over. This particular group is in a heavily immigrant neighborhood.

If you can imagine women are people, join light-as-a-duck @alicefraser.bsky.social & historical costume snob @eleanormorton.bsky.social as they talk virgin almonds, how to staple mice to your nipples, Goodbye Lenin (so good!), and ethically sourced penis trees. Yum. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Please give to orgs in MN that are standing up to ICE and supporting immigrants and protesters. Attached is a list of orgs vetted by @movementvoter.bsky.social --please give what you can. docs.google.com/document/u/1...

It is amazing to see @orsenjaneensollman.bsky.social & @rickiruizor.bsky.social continually stand up for Oregon's kids. Many people don't want change, but it's time to prioritize kids over adult comfort. Great to see Dems who know what real leadership looks like. www.oregonlive.com/education/20...

Are your wounds throbbing? Do you have an unquenchable thirst for death? Then join "woah, I have hands" @tpneenan.bsky.social & saver of cats @alicefraser.bsky.social as they talk angry murder chimps, murdering your mentor, Rebel wees, and IRL hand tropes. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Just finished @aptshadow.bsky.social Children of Time series. My gods-so good! Funny, humane, and the plots move like a freight train( not easy when covering 1000s of yrs.) I don't understand how he can get into the POV of spiders and make me care, but by golly, I DID!!! I really liked the books.

I've done 2 of these--can't say enough good things. @alicefraser.bsky.social is a curator of great people. I had a blast, and i benefited from feedback from Alice, #JohnLukeRobert #AmyCarver, @tiffstevenson.bsky.social & others retreaters. And there's a babbling brook--literally, it babbles.

I have to say, @bookpipeline.bsky.social had me at “you won,” but then they sent a mug—amazing. Thanks again for choosing “Old Bird,” as the 2025 Unpublished Winner in Mystery/Thriller.

Think medieval babies are ugly? Won’t want to miss white witch @eleanormorton.bsky.social & German soup fan @alicefraser.bsky.social discuss Lockheed Martin war crimes wear, Narnia for atheists, heavy handed socialism, and autopsy eating etiquette. Yum! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Trying to avoid damp, sad ghosts? Look no further than the minimal friction musings of platypus sociologist @alicefraser.bsky.social & tiny-text writer @frogcroakley.bsky.social as they chat about that time Nero tackled an octopus & China Mieville explained nothing! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Democracy needs a robust press! Support the @oregonjournalism.bsky.social a new addition Oregon's journalism landscape, working to keep us informed.

This article by James Neff is a must-read for ALL Oregonians. We are 50th in reading scores, we're failing our children, and there are other states that have turned things around. We just need to the leadership to do it. @oregonjournalism.bsky.social www.oregonjournalismproject.org/schooled-by-...

Love this interview with @ucrlowresmfa.bsky.social prof @gabino.bsky.social —esp. great for those days when you’re doubting yourself as a writer.

@todgoldberg.bsky.social, the master maker of @ucrlowresmfa.bsky.social has a new book out and it just landed on my front doorstep. I wish I could be in Palm Desert with all my UCR friends, but this is a pretty good consolation prize.

My unpublished novel, Old Bird, won the 2025 Book Pipeline award for Mystery/Thriller! Thank you to all my @ucrlowresmfa.bsky.social readers, and esp. Ivy Pochoda and @todgoldberg.bsky.social (who made me start this novel over from scratch--and he was right to do so!)

THis is for @tinakotek.bsky.social who wants to be Oregon’s governor again. Our ed system is in crisis (50th & you don’t declare an emergency?). There are things we can do. They are hard, and it means you start caring about children more than not adults, but that’s what needs to happen.

A good book, a warm jumper, what more could a @alicefraser.bsky.social @thebugle.bsky.social fan want for the holidays. (This cricket bats are a nice touch).

Are you into the second person? If YOU are, you’ll love listening to comic sans @joznorris.bsky.social & long-haired anthropologist @alicefraser.bsky.social talk Egyptian gods as Aliens, shop keeper quest-inomics, and how to choose your own avant- garde adventure. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Just listened to first 2 episodes, must listen for anyone interested in creativity, and in the film/tv industry. So interesting.

Bow down, press your face to the dirt, b/c it’s another great convo w/ @katestam.bsky.social & quadrologist @alicefraser.bsky.social about Lordly prancing, the material side of questing, tell-tale textures, iPhone face & why we can move on from JK whatever her name. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Just voted for @gradyhendrix.bsky.social Witchcraft for Wayward Girls (Way good!). Then went to Fantasy and voted for @aptshadow.bsky.social Shroud--- foggy planet fun! Go vote for something you love. www.goodreads.com/choiceawards...

Trouble defanging a deadly cooch? No problem. Let sloppy saluter @tpneenan.bsky.social & sexy assassin @alicefraser.bsky.social show you the way as they talk improvised crampons, muscular sci-fi, hot girl trolley problems, & Predator for the kiddos! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Are you dead? No problem. Grab some bone lube & enjoy DNF absolutionist @frogcroakley.bsky.social & rim joker @alicefraser.bsky.social as they talk paleo fauna, Robocop ontology, & books 4 bad holidays. Plus, Alice defends her extremely competent eyelining skills. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Just finished @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social's Hummingbird Salamander. The protagonist is one of the best female characters I've ever read. The play between her psyche and her physical body in how she perceives herself and how others do too, is phenomenal. I'd read a book of this woman doing anything.

One of the smartest women on the planet is going to be co-chair!!!!!

TRANSITION CO-CHAIR LINA KHAN!?!?!??!

Problems with the pressure differential of your portals? Join always clever @alicefraser.bsky.social & analogue de-Dunker @tpneenan.bsky.social as they take on bad dads, Brechtian mirror face punching no-nos, & why rosé does NOT pair well with a game of Portals. 🤮 shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Study up on your spelling with theoretical juggler @myqkaplan.bsky.social & @alicefraser.bsky.social (not her real name) as they talk Bruce Lee, the semantics of bean bag chairs, Grim Dark cynicism, and the names of all the molecules in 1/2 glass of water. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Even Evil Rory Gilmore backed by affective altruism is no match 4 @alicefraser.bsky.social talking 2 herself about muscular Barbie, why competency porn characters need not be evil, & what to do when you’re starstruck by(OMG!) @garthnix.bsky.social (grab your 5000SPF) shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Portland #nokings Music, costumes, dancing. Young and old people handing out free water and tacos. Such a hellscape.

Great interview w/ @alfranken.bsky.social & @davidhogg.bsky.social. Just became monthly donor to Leaders We Deserve--they're doing hte work and doing in a smart way. www.alfranken.com/listen/david...