Who is this actually for?

I was out for an appointment and saw an unhoused man outside, so we got him settled in a room for a week and connected him with a hot meal. He's former Navy. More importantly, he's a person. This country is so willfully stupid and cruel.

It's unfortunate I've memorized my credit card info, because it means I can grab my phone and make a little anxiety purchase before bed instead of having to work for it and possibly changing my mind by morning. Apropos of something, I have items ready for pickup at Ace.

Dude my refrigerator can add a frog shit dispenser but I’m not gonna start pushing the button

Me: working in any application right now. The application: YOU WANT OUR AI TO DO IT FOR YOU?!?

I get to go about my day, have and voice a thought, learn from others, and mostly not be perceived without being totally invisible. It's a good setup for me.

I haven't loved horror movies since I was a teen (a few rare exceptions notwithstanding) because I grew up, learned more, and realized life is already frightening enough. It used to be harder to see but it was always there.

"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."

👇🏻

Chicago, looking for a place to stay warm? -The city's 10 S. Kedzie warming shelter is open 9am-5pm today & 9am-8pm tomorrow -Cook County opened its courthouses as 24hr warming shelters (food+water provided, pets allowed in carriers) through Wednesday Full lists of city/county warming locations ⬇️

She's contemplating her next move, as she hates the cold but likes exploring smells outside.

If you are in Seattle, please go patronize this store because this is amazing content/promo 😂 (laughing to keep from crying, and I do kind of low-key want that orange spider plant I have never seen that before) Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DTQrTqZ...

Folks, I urge you to help if you have the means. Johnathan devotes his time and energy to helping others - through law, through community - and makes a lot of people uncomfortable by telling the truth about issues he is well-versed in, e.g. racism. UCLA showed their whole ass firing him.

Broadview: In order to keep you safe, you are not allowed to protest with items that will assist in keeping you safe. If you have these items that might help keep you safe, you will provoke the violent behavior ICE was already planning to use anyway. For fun, IL State Police might also get violent.

I feel like there was a time when library workers and our national association wouldn't support a technology that was built on wide scale theft and caused harm to minors (our profession has always been cool shitting on BIPOC, another group harmed by AI). It's only inevitable if you don't fight it.

This is a consequence of Project 2025

English is my primary language and I could use @merriam-webster.com's thesaurus for an assist, but I'm at a bit of a loss here. Is there a better word for someone who intentionally kills another person with malice and without reasonable cause? M-W suggests killer, assassin, executioner, hit man.

The 2025 goal got pulled into 2026. We're on day two of painting, but here are some newly painted spaces. The teal bedroom ceiling is the same color as the teal bathroom, and the mint greens in the two pictures are the same. Up next: stairs, trim/baseboards, ceiling features, and a guest room.

Law enforcement is law enforcement.

Whatever your feelings are about the message overall here, you have to consider that "Untied States" makes much more sense for us at this time. Untied from each other, from reality, from decency, etc.

Me, to 6-year-old grandniece: Hey nugget! Gn: I'm not a nugget. Me: Oh... Gn: [the baby, her new sister] is a nugget. I'm a French fry. Me: Oh? Gn: We're a Happy Meal. 😄 Words can't describe how much I love my nieces and nephews.

I think we won’t really free up the space to imagine a way out of American fascism until people grasp this: most of what the “opposition party” has to offer them is their preferred actors for state violence

In celebration of things that make life against fascists worth fighting for, I'm really excited about digging into music theory more as my trumpet lessons continue. Maybe they tried to teach me this as a child but if so, it didn't stick then. I'm really enjoying playing around with new info. 🎺

One of the many problems with white supremacy being embedded in librarianship, and of course society at large, is that it supports the false notion that I should be neutral as a matter of being professional and should heartily accept/support both/all sides framings of issues. Not going to happen.

Already not looking forward to January 8, 2031 if the trends continue.

Super disappointed to see @illibraryassoc.bsky.social give a platform to something that has directly contributed to the death of children and poisons the air of BIPOC individuals, particularly Black Americans. We can teach about this the right way (this isn't it) or pander to those who cause harm.

As news breaks in Minneapolis, we’re uplifting this story by our friends @unraveledpress.com during the Chicago surge. Agents shot and killed an unarmed 38-year-old father in Sept —and their initial narrative of events was quickly disproven by witness videos. unraveledpress.com/what-happene...

important message to all bluesky users

Unconfirmed but I'm hearing a patroller was killed, not just injured. I sincerely hope that's not the case. I'm afraid it's going to get much worse before it gets better.

If you're old enough to remember when MTV played music instead of shining reality TV spotlights on future country-ruining fascists, this could be fun for you. Created by @flexasaurusrex.bsky.social; link to support them below. wantmymtv.xyz

Looks like Border Patrol landed in DuPage this afternoon, 40-60 agents, and Bovino may be with them. Not surprising, as they seem to tuck tail when it's cold and come back when it's less so; will be 40s this week. I.C.E. never left but even so, Chicagoans should be on alert. CBP is the worst.

Today's an uncomfortable anniversary, to put it one way, so here's how I've spent my day: •Dropped off donations to Pilsen Food Pantry •Signed up for training so I can continue to be an election judge while we still have elections (gubernatorial primary in March)

Think the FIFA Peace Prize is up for grabs yet?

America does not do things that have the unfortunate side effect of killing people. No. America kills people. This is by design. This is by nature of an imperial power.

A project I really hope to start and finish this year: collect, frame, and hang floorplans (as properly scaled as possible) for all the places I've lived in my life. It's over 10 places, between 4 states.

Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is holding a special meeting next Thursday, January 8. This is in response to a 2000+ signature petition asking CCPSA to hold a public hearing to “understand the extent of CPD's interactions with federal immigration authorities.”

2025 media consumption totals: Read 41 books Watched 43 movies for the first time Completed 46 seasons of television Favorites include Sinners, Chief of War, and Death of the Author.

Started the year how I hope to maintain the year: giving myself the rest/care I need and supporting others. A dozen warming kits were given away this afternoon and I've been making small donations to important causes where I can.

The TRiiBE does *amazing* on the ground work in Chicago. If you have the means to support them, you should.

Folks in IL: Friendly reminder that public libraries have Narcan on hand, per state law (there's a loophole for district libraries but hopefully they're ignoring that). Take some to carry, be mindful of expiration dates and temperature requirements. You might need a few doses for one overdose.

Excited my spouse is returning this evening from visiting family in DC, but also? I had a really nice time being alone with the dog. I'm good company, as is my pup. :)

I've been making efforts for much of the year to step away from Google where possible. I just imported my email to the service I've been transitioning to this year and now have to clean up 51k emails. 🫣 This is why I've put this particular bit off for as long as I have.

What are we reading this week?

Thoughts on 2026 goals: •Move more - I commute for about 2 hours every workday (usually 5x/wk) and sit while at work. This is becoming negatively apparent. •Drink more water - I was great about this until COVID. I can be good at it again. •Use Metra 1/mo - I want to support it more because

Illness and repeated harassment from antis has kept us from fundraising this past month like we need to. Anything you can give to our end of year fundraiser is greatly appreciated! Tinyurl.com/psafsupport

I have two days to find about $1300. Important mtg with DHS that requires a translator, whose services are not cheap. This is the 3rd such mtg, the first of which were unsuccessful due to I.C.E. and D.H.S. lies and rule-breaking. Venmo: @JohnathanPerk CashApp: $JohnathanPerk Last 4 mobile: 3450

My primary care physician and OBGYN have both asked, in 2025, if I'm sick because I mask at my appointments. My PCP in particular seems to roll his eyes a bit when I say no, I just make a point of masking as a preventative measure.

One of my favorite things in 2025 has been happening upon transit advocates and activists on social media. Yes to bikes and trains and buses! Yes to pedestrianized spaces! No to car supremacy and dependency! Grateful for cool people doing good work.

If there is room for novice/casual riders... I did my first Bike the Drive - did 15 miles! Biking is delightful when you feel safe from cars while doing it.