Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself. For @reuters.com

Die Hard isn't just a Christmas movie. It's the story of a man going to Los Angeles to reconnect with his estranged wife on Christmas Eve. It's a HALLMARK Christmas movie.

Nat King Cole releases his 4th and most-famous recording of “The Christmas Song” today in 1961. Years earlier, songwriters Mel Tormé and Bob Wells had taken it to Nat King Cole’s house. “Play that again,” Cole said. They did, but before they finished, Cole said, “Stop everything. That's my song.”

I live next to the Santa Monica Mountain range so we get more rain than some parts of Los Angeles, but we already have two inches and we have a lot more to go. It’s definitely a day for a cappuccino and holiday movies.

Since my dad was both a radar man and in the FAA, I’ve always had a love of the NORAD Tracks Santa program run every Christmas Eve out of Colorado Springs If you want to know more @hcrichardson.bsky.social just posted a fun video about its creation.

It’s nice to see my city councilwoman talk about what still needs to be done in Los Angeles

LA Taco has become well known in Los Angeles for covering the ICE raids and Kavanaugh stops, but @lataco.bsky.social is also a James Beard award winner with a focus on the diverse food culture in Los Angeles.

Today is a big win for Illinois and American democracy. I am glad the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump did not have the authority to deploy the federalized guard in Illinois.

I never knew as a kid or young adult that Paul McCartney wrote Blackbird about the civil rights movement. It makes me love him and the Beatles all the more. youtu.be/JiL5JpUtjqY?...

BREAKING: Here’s the 60 Minutes Segment Trump and CBS News Executives Don’t Want You to See Video (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5

They are now calling for 5.2 inches on Christmas Eve and 1.65 inches on Christmas day in my Los Angeles neighborhood. Hopefully our local mountains get snow!

Today is my dad’s third birthday in heaven, so I’ve been looking at old pictures and listening to the Beatles. Beginning with his time in the navy he traveled six continents. In this picture he’s backpacking through Europe after ending his tour. I was lucky to have Benjamin La Torre as my dad.

My early Christmas present from my mom: a Breville Bambino. I’m a happy coffee prude / coffee addict.

I’m doing a Rob Reiner double feature and putting on When Harry Met Sally. #HATM

Not to be sappy, but the end reminds me of how my dad and older brother used to act out the characters when reading to me. Such good memories! #hatm

I love Mandy in this scene so much #HATM

Then why is their fear behind your eyes? #HATM

Having the grandson voice all the things that kids think about the story was brilliant #HATM

I love that Yellin the enforcer is played by a Shakespearean #HATM

Grandpa you read that wrong #HATM

I kind of love the albino #HATM

It’s time for the ROUS’s #HATM

Having a Sicilian grandmother I always loved this line: “Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!” #HATM

In his mask, Wesley reminds me a little of my grandfather who stunt fenced as Zorro way back when. #HATM

Murdered by pirates is good! #HATM

I think I had that video game #hatm

AAA decided to rain on my Christmas and sent my new condo and earthquake insurance bills. Combined they are $2178. -I have never ever filed a claim -I am not in a historical fire zone -I am not in a historical flood zone I definitely feel like I’m being punished for living in Los Angeles.

Okay Los Angeles, where does one go for fresh panettone? I haven’t had one since my Italian nonna and great aunties passed.

I used to watch Rick Steves with my parents. It was fitting because it helped me better understand why they used all their vacation time and my dad’s FAA benefits to travel the world together. He’s one of the best things about @pbs.org

It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans. 🧵 1 of 9

I love my great grandpa La Torre’s mustache. Very turn of the century Italian American.

A throwback picture of my hometown of San Diego. No wonder I can’t talk my mom into moving north to LA. The San Diego beaches are magical with all of the surfers.

As a Sicilian American, I’ve always loved this line from The Princess Bride: You fell victim to one of the classic blunders - The most famous of which is 'never get involved in a land war in Asia' - but only slightly less well-known is this: 'Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line!'

The Force is strong with this one. #caturday

In Boston, we like our protests with a whole lot of history. #teaparty #dumpICE #Dec16

The tragedy of Rob and Michelle’s deaths are incomprehensible. I’m hearing Rob’s voice telling us all to do more, to repair the human soul, to repair our hearts, to repair our country, to repair our world, to keep fighting, to keep living for every soul taken from this earth.

Back at the shelter with yet another unprofessional model. This is Precious and she just wants to hang out. We’re here to work MA’AM.

the good that you do persists in this world

Two years ago I had the opportunity to meet Holocaust survivors while visiting the Sydney Jewish Museum. If you want to know more about the Jewish community in Sydney I encourage you to watch their video testimonies. sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/holocaust-su....

This came up in my memories: a picture of my dad and I sailing when I was eight. My dad was a navy veteran so it was important to him that we all learn. When I got older we raced together in the Moore 24 national championships in San Diego Bay. Some days I imagine him sailing in heaven.

Apparently on December 13, Sicilians eat arancini as part of the celebration of Santa Maria, so…

Daily Peanuts!

Today, UCLA IDEA is releasing a new report based on a nationally representative survey of 600+ high school principals (summer 2025) documenting the widespread effects of immigration enforcement in the first months of the Trump administration. /1

Shivasana #Caturday

For you who didn’t already know, UCLA had a role in the establishment of the Internet. #BruinProud

That’s our governor 😉

Okay, cat Bluesky, should I finally try a real or full sized Christmas tree? I’ve been a coward and I’ve only done a mini fake tree and a wall mural type one, but I love doing the real thing.

I’m watching 2000 Meters to Andrivka tonight and I predict an Oscar for Best Documentary. Slava Ukrani

I think this is now my favorite Knives Out, or I mean Forks Out. I laughed so much that my cat got off my lap. :)

Earlier this year I lost some of my funding because of the ending of federal TQP grants. Luckily I was able to join a project at UCLA IDEA as the research methodologist. I’m really proud of this work and can’t wait until our first paper comes out next week.