4 Dad’s fingertips sank into its surface as he marched it out to the bins. He wiped at hands on his jeans and cursed the whole way to school. The smell clung to l me the entire day. Callum C asked if I’d slept in a dumpster. #Halloween #pumpkin

3 We set them out front. The LEDs made their eyes dance red, yellow, green. The next morning, we found black gnats swarming outside. My lantern was fine, but Dad’s tilted to the side like Uncle Gary. It sprouted wispy mold from the eyes and a rancid fluid wept out the mouth. #Halloween #pumpkin

2 We carved them in the living room, Hocus Pocus playing on TV. Tradition is important, you know? When Dad pulled the top of his pumpkin, the smell was somewhere between vinegar and moldy cigars. “It’s not like we’re eating it.” He said as he reached in with his scoop. #Halloween #pumpkin

It had to be the pumpkin that did it. It hadn’t been some specimen with odd, nobbly bits or patches of crusty grey creeping across the orange skin. Dad had picked it out from dozens of other perfectly round pumpkins, all with a healthy orange glow. #halloween #lantern #pumpkin

I had no desire to know who Dave Portnoy is.

I’m out here searching for progressive content, kettlebells exercises, and world history. YouTube has seems to adopt a, “What the f#€k are you”, approach to me.

Portland, I have never been to your fine city, but I am so proud of you all.

@thewrongstation.bsky.social “The House of Shells”. It was like hearing Bradbury at his bittersweet best. I wish I’d written this one. #Bradbury #wrongstation

@thenosleeppodcast.bsky.social What an amazing episode this week!

I really wanted to sleep in today, & by that I mean until 7 AM, but our CO2 alarm and its low battery had other plans.

The number of times a day I say, out loud, “Go f#ck yourself”, to the news, is alarming.

Who could have predicted it would go like this? I mean besides every single person still alive from the last time.

He brought 3-D printed guns to another country? OK, I accept this happened, but… why?

The older I get, the more liberal I become. Paradoxically, I also look more right wing…

So… with, well, everything happening I’m finding little or no joy or motivation in activities I used to relish. My exercise routine has survived on discipline alone. Anybody else experiencing this? I mean almost certainly, but what are you doing to counter it?

We watched “28 Years Later” & had the strangest dreams afterwards. Ones that were in no way zombie related!

So, what’s everyone going to do with all their new stuff once the Rapture happens tomorrow?

Man, Marvel informed so much of who I turned out to be (What’s that? Yes, I was lonely as a child), but I’ll drop them if they keep this up.

Oh, boy. When it starts out as a laugh and ends as tears, you know there’s a lot going on.

How did we lose to the dumbest people?

“If we even have elections.” OK, Debbie D, what’s your plan then?

@lisel.bsky.social Just catching up on NSP & heard the promo! Congratulations!

I respect Colbert’s whole “From the depths of hell, I stab at thee”attitude.

OK, we’ve all seen it now, & it’s weirder than I’d imagined.

I write horror. That’s what I do, along with a few other things. Lately though, it has been hard to do. I can’t come up with anything as awful as what’s actually happening.

And this is true for just about everything: I don’t let myself hope until there’s an official announcement, a ceremony, and then two weeks passing without redaction or revision.

@thenosleeppodcast.bsky.social "The Reading Room" by Callum Gracey! Bravo folks. From the story to the performances, to the music, & production. Every element just worked so well!

I’m upset that as I get closer to what I think is my best look, it’s seeming more & more like Hugo Strange cosplay. #notalwayspolitics

We drop our kids off every day, knowing this is a possibility. www.npr.org/2025/08/27/n...

@theantiquarium.bsky.social I was delighted to hear the voice of Jessica McEvoy on ”My Name Isn’t Judy”!

@shadowsatthedoor.bsky.social … Today was rough & then you folks brighten the whole thing with a drunken retelling of one of my absolute favorites! Happy Birthday, Mark!

OK, kids, remember that hangover you had a few days ago? That one after that fun hang with your squad? Remember how rough you felt that next morning? That’s what ever morning feels like at midlife. Enjoy.

You ever have a dream about someone you haven’t seen in decades, causing you to think you should google them, but you don’t out of fear that they’ve died? Anybody?

@thenosleeppodcast.bsky.social Loving “For Better or for Worse”, so far and Peter & Kristen’s reads are pitch perfect!

The Astronomer CEO is suing Coldplay. Tells you everything you need to know about the maturity of the people in charge.

They said 2020 ended, but does it feel like it to you?

The framing of “news” today drives me literally insane. youtube.com/shorts/5l0cq...

@thenosleeppodcast.bsky.social Thabks for getting me through the Costco run. Great episode this week.

The night after 45-47 got elected the first time, Mr. Colbert, with a steady Walter Cronkite energy, managed to make me feel better. I will be eternally grateful for that. It will be a long four years without you. #Colbert #lateshow

When did vocal fry & everything sound like a question become an accent?

@thenosleeppodcast.bsky.social "Shobdon Woods" by Chris Moore was ENTHRALLING. I’m now somewhat convinced that Jake Benson is a changeling.

Can we abandon the comforting fiction that their narrow majority offers any hope?

Does anyone know if the Republican tax bill’s provisions regarding judicial powers and election “postponements” made it through to the final Senate vote? Just trying to brace for how bad this will be.

What a stupid, morally bereft moment in history.

@thenosleeppodcast.bsky.social It has been crazy days all o we & I have had little time for the pod, so imagine my delight when I finally caught Suddenly Shocking Vol. 20! Folks, this might be the best one yet!

They call it a “formality,” and argue that it would never happen, but then why make the change at all? apple.news/AYDS-2V8pRKy...

Having been in Army, I fully believe this happened.

I love the loyal protector. The stalwart pet that remains with no matter what. As for subverting that trope… well, how long does that kind of loyalty last? #HorrorWritersChat