Thinking today of that time in the early 90s my dad dragged me on a DC Statehood Commission train ride, co-organized with Jesse Jackson, to "Mend the Crack in the Liberty Bell". I remember the train ride, the march, and the bell. But I mostly bringing home tons of leftover donuts to freeze. RIP.

I'd love to say half of Minor Threat (Lyle and Brian). But it's probably Jonathan Safran Foer.

About now would be the perfect time for someone dressed in construction garb to visit the future site of the Arc de Trump and spread lots of birdseed. Say every morning at 8am.

Weekly pain levain. I wish I knew why I get better oven spring from all purpose flour than I do from bread flour.

Help, I can't figure out how to connect my hedonistic treadmill to Strava.

With the Old Post Office Pavilion back in the news: back during my gap year between high school and college I worked at a juggling store (The Juggling Capitol) in that buidling in the mid-90s. Back then it was mostly a mall. Good tourist traffic. And amazing South Indian Dosas in the food court.

This is so great it deserves to be its own thread rather than a reply to a reply.

Curses on my municipal plows and prepared neighbors who cleared 24" of snow so fast it was hard to xc ski 1/2 mile to the nearby park without crossing pavement.

@dreadships.bsky.social @garius.bsky.social I'm putting together a 3-week undergraduate mini-term centered around wargaming (for policy development, etc, not warfare). Idea is that it would be based out of Liverpool (Western Approaches HQ). How else would you fill 3 weeks in the UK on that theme?

Sneak peak at @simonelijahmusic.bsky.social set list today at Broken Loop Brewing in Albany.

Live Skeeting the Pitt season 2 episode 1 until i fall asleep: * why is he riding a motorcycle without a helmet? An ER doctor? * why does he have a helmet strapped to his backpack when walking thru the ER? Why wasn't he wearing it?!?

Me: "He's a salt-the-earth kind of person" Her: "You mean `salt-of-the-earth`?" Me: "I said what I said"

An astonishingly relevant series to read given global events: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Stan...

Weekly pain levain. First picture-worthy one in awhile. Been struggling with oven spring and over-fermentation. 77% hydration (bassinaged from 60) 5% starter

Can't wait for a Federal Grand Jury to no-bill Maduro.

If I'm ever sworn into office it'll be on a copy of "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs".

Okay Netflix time to buy some new server capacity for a few days.

Brb, watching gay Shoresy.

I once pulled Steven Tyler's children around a circus tent in a wagon. Somewhere on Cape Cod. No I will not explain further. IYKYK.

This is a small one but: I hadn’t ridden a bike in the twenty years since I had back surgery. Then in November I finally gave it a go and fell in love with an ebike. I love how much more I can get around Atlanta without a car.

Congrats @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social for absolutely flooding my feed with wholesome cycling stories!

Is it an empty list? Tell me it's an empty list.

So hard to decide. My first brevet (200km)? My first CX race (and CX crash)? The Mt. Greylock Hillclimb? hundreds of miles of bikepacking with my kid? It was a whole year of great memories.

I need some positivity. Quote or reply with your favorite bike memory of 2025. It can be a great ride, an advocacy accomplishment, whatever. Let's celebrate bikes. My personal favorite was finally doing a bikepacking ride up to Portland, Maine! It has me excited for bigger adventures in 2026.

I immediately thought of @benwurgaft.bsky.social when reading this article about omakase coffee. And halfway thru the article it is clear why! www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/...

This 👇

Recent editorial exchanges remind me to broadcast: I maintain a small freelance editing practice, and will have some space free for new clients in the new year. I help writers both scholarly and otherwise, as well as institutional clients. A short description here: benwurgaft.org/editing/

"there's a new serif in town"

new iOS update is sleek and also defaults in Music to “you must want songs transition as they would on a dance floor.” so many people will wonder why they can’t just listen to an album. Apps > Music > Song Transitions > toggle off.

To be fair some brands of lawnmower have very particular kinks. You can't turn them on simply with a Barry White song and some red roses.

Okay where the hell did Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band come from, and why are they just what I needed? pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...

In the realm of science, do we want AI to replace us or to complement/augment us? @togelius.bsky.social argues compellingly for the latter. togelius.blogspot.com/2025/12/plea...

When people ask me what my sabbatical plans are I'll make them watch this perfect short film to explain. youtu.be/2Mqa4zfJdx4

Coach Balto is on Bluesky!

people, you have the chance to put my book ahead of Olivia Nuzzi’s on the bestseller list. put aside all other considerations and think how objectively funny this would be. #1, that Mountain Goats guy. #2, Antivax Man Has My Heart. funniest list of the century. We can do this if we try

Happy Thalkstwing to all who celebrate. And a reminder not to use Generative AI to design things. (Actual yard sign seen in upstate NY)

Dude can't even do praeteritio* right *calling attention to something by taking credit for not calling attention to it

With the arrival of a Grammy Category for best album cover, I hope The Dwarves finally get the recognition they deserve...

Holy Cow the new Lily Allen album hits hard. Oooph!

@orzelc.bsky.social and all of Whitney Point, NY

Just finished "House of Dynamite". TBH I'd feel much safer if our national security were in the hands of a bunch of British and Swedish expats with feeble American accents.

They'll write a check for $130M, and yet Billionaires will do just about anything to avoid paying taxes.

Thank you WaPo for a headline that promises a story involving cyclists that does not, in fact, mention cyclists: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

Once again Schenectady, for the love of God, *do not let the witch out of that iron coffin!*

My cup runneth over. 3lbs of boletes. Risotto tonight?

In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand: "I'm stuck in vim"

The last Mission Impossible movie is bad, right? Like really bad? It's not just me?

Just completed my first 200km brevet at the ripe age of 49. Please clap.