I don't really do favorites, but it's clear that I was influenced by this one: vimeo.com/1115050305

There are a hundred literacy lessons that are central to building the skill, but the most important one in my life is, "who benefits from me thinking this way?"

Pro tip for 2026: "So, what do you think about [recent federal court action]?" is NOT a conversation starter/cocktail party chat question with that lawyer acquaintance you barely know.

@lefttheprairie.bsky.social Who's the eye glasses guy you recommend?

things to do this week to not "waste" the time off: 1. re-pot those plants which need it (side note: anyone want some swedish ivy?) 2. finish that coat toil 3. finish Furious Hours 4. socialize 5. entertain the cat

seems all my websites are updating for 2026 and have borked everyone's log ins.

I am exhausted and it is shockingly difficult to do anything without the use of the thumb on your dominant hand.

Shout-out to the woman full-on wearing a sheet mask on this New York City public bus. I’m so curious whether she’s on her way to something where skin hydration is important (like a photoshoot or event) or if she just… does this.

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Last leg is a door to door bus. When the #CTA is good, it's very very good

Our Amtrak had to speed last night to make up a lot of delays. I love my Amtrak but it is not designed for speed. We felt like we were flying apart. Give us better, faster trains, you cowards!!!

The land area of China is 2.2% larger than the US. I constantly bring this up with people who tell me that the US can't support high speed rail because we're too big. You all, we went to the freaking moon. We can do the rail thing if we actually care. (The spoiler is that we don't.)

Almost home

Now in Tennessee

'Time passages Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight' Happy Christmas to everyone who loves trains, to everyone who loves songs, and more specifically to everyone who loves train songs. May the iron road rise with you over the days, and the year, to come. 📷 Jack Ray

It is thirty degrees warmer in Glendora Mississippi than it is at home and I promise this is the only time I will whine about being too hot at Christmas

As a society we're very bad at describing intimacy that isn't romantic or sexual. That you can have a tremendous depth of loyalty and love for someone and not want to fuck them, that you can be entangled with someone but not romantically ... there aren't enough stories about this.

The train they call The City of New Orleans

When you're merry and bright but so tired

started / going

I'm supporting Paul to replace Margaret Croke as my rep in the Illinois Senate. I've worked with Paul and I trust him to listen to the right voices in doing legislative work. secure.actblue.com/donate/paulf... www.paulforillinois.com

The Carpenters' Christmas album is pretty glurge-y, but she actually sings "I wish I WERE with you" so it's got a lot going for it.

Packing the booze picnic. Scotch, Manhattan, Manhattan, Rusty Nail, Rusty Nail, Optimist Old Fashioned.

It will be about 35 degrees when I board the train, and about 25 degrees when I return on the train. BUT when I arrive at my destination it will be in the 70s. I'm trying to pack minimally. I can't figure out to dress for the train.

Not sure I love that the only late career role Linda Hamilton is getting is evil military brass/scientist.

@corli.thetriibe.com has worked diligently covering the budget season. Read her latest about lessons learned by local organizers who were pushing alders to tax the rich during this budget cycle. thetriibe.com/2025/12/chic...

I saw someone referring to the recent celebrity murder as something extraordinary. Sadly no, domestic violence is not unusual. We think of men beating up women when someone says "domestic violence" but there are other forms.

This is a woodcut my mother made of me. The print is from 1986, but the image is a couple years older. Most likely not entirely from life, as I don't recall that cat ever sitting in my lap. It hangs in the guest bedroom where my remote work set up is.

#Walgreens, your pharmacy is a shitshow. I feel bad for the staff

🎶 On the 3rd day of Xmas, my mother gave to me: Three Powers of Attorney, Two property settlement trusts and One Will & Testament. 🎶🎄

It's your birthday, Duane.

i'm tired of machines that grind children up

I have my mother's gorgeous smoked glass smoking set from the 60s. I'm now realizing I don't know where the fuck I put it and it's going to drive me mad until I get home to look for it

My response to anything over the next two weeks

Travel plans have changed (& adversely impacted by an off site work thing) so now I have to hire cars to be anywhere on time today. Which means instead of using my nice little wheelie cart for all the shit I have to take w me, I have to wrangle multiple bags. Cause wheelie carts & cabs don't mix!

18 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Big breakthrough for sexually-active/high-risk trans ppl: study of longest-acting injectable PrEP (lenacapavir) finds NO interaction with GAMT. Trans adults have long avoided PrEP for fear it impacts their hormone therapy with just 20% using it.

The algorithm keeps serving me ads for this incredibly ugly "every day bag" that looks like such a burden to carry and designed to carry too many burdens that I'm almost inspired to write a discourse along the lines of A Woman's Responsibility for Everyone Else's Spills.

I just feel like if you, as a driver, do something that spooks a pedestrian (like, for example, zooming the fuck up to the stop line so that someone isn't sure you're actually going to stop), you shouldn't get mad at the pedestrian for getting scared by your shitty driving

I know many things are awful but here is one genuinely useful and helpful thing you can do. No matter their party, your representative needs to hear that trans people and our families are not alone and this bill is an unjustifiable and extreme threat to criminalize the health care we need to live.

In eggshell sees day-o #IYKYK

Chicago is a winter city & I think residents pride themselves in navigating the brutal winters. As much as the cold and winter is part of our identity, the city itself doesn’t manage winter & snow well. Right now, our sidewalks are intermittently icy w/ many alleys looking like ice rinks.

TONIGHT! CAROLS AT CAROL'S! Help us help women experiencing homelessness this holiday season! Bring new bras or underwear to donate or consider a monetary donation to Sarah's Circle and enjoy the holiday songs of Faces for Radio on our stage from 7 to 7:30pm-- then karaoke with us 'til 11!

blue cheese and cocktail nuts for lunch. we're out of cornichon which is sad.

Massive Layoffs at the Dept of #Education Erode Its #CivilRights Division Only five of the agency’s civil rights offices remain nationwide. Those who are still with the department say it will now be “virtually impossible” to resolve #discrimination complaints. www.propublica.org/article/educ...

Tuesday!