I'm like most of us: grappling to understand this "AI" thing and just what it is and isn't… Today I had this enlightening encounter that really helped in this. I'm going to capture it here as my own record, but also for others who may learn from it too. I was trying to trace a joke punch line… /1

That is an incredible pull quote from Meta, jesus. Masks fully coming off.

Reporter: Do any of you have a favorite animal? Child: My favorite one is a gold snake that can move. It has gold eyes, and it has a super-duper tail… Reporter: Mr. Mamdani, the second question for you. Mamdani: Yes. It’s also the golden snake.

The new episode of The Muppet Show is great fun because it's a new episode of The Muppet Show. Chickens backing up Sabrina Carpenter? Yes. Rats getting their own musical number? Yes. Maya Rudolph flirting with her monster seat-mate? Yes. *And* they wisely kept the theme song. I hope they make more.

Gee thanks, Stephen Harper. None of us were thinking that until you brought it up just now. /s www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Nooooo! Not Catherine O'Hara!

Why are some people like this? (I was early for my bus so yes, that bench is now clear. Y'know, in case someone needs to sit down.)

🐟🐟🐟 www.cp24.com/local/toront...

So in attempts to de-Google, has anyone found an alternative to Google Alerts that they like? Bonus points if it's not a US company, but right now I'm interested in hearing about any options that give comparable results.

Congrats to all the advocates who worked so hard to keep bird friendly building requirements in Winnipeg! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

The TTC subway cars this morning

From @stewartprest.ca and @thetyee.ca Read the full article below. (support academic institutions; support independent journalism)

Apartment rental companies: You must provide us with a notarized letter of employment and your manager's home address and your last 1000 paystubs! Also apartment rental companies: We only do showings Monday to Friday from 10 to 4.

"Hi, everyone. I know things are hectic as heck right now, but please be sure to fill out your timesheets every Friday by 5 p.m. Central. I can’t pay you unless I know your hours. Please also try to be accurate."

Do I believe in astrology? No. And yet... Can't help but note this is supposed to kick off tomorrow: "The last time [Neptune] moved through Aries was from 1861 to 1875... This upcoming journey will last around 13 years, helping reawaken us to our highest ideals and express them with conviction."

It is horrifying to watch our neighbouring democracy lose itself.

From Canada's @22-minutes.bsky.social

The first Minnesota murder, they refused to let a medical professional help the woman they shot. The second Minnesota murder, they simply shot the medical professional.

I love how the picture suggests that Bonhomme is part of the cabinet lol

Rebuilding A Legacy: Global donations heal The Bunny Museum www.pasadenaweekly.com/feature_stor...

Had to hustle over to my @pagebound.bsky.social account and update my "Canada Reads Contenders" list, because the 2026 selections were announced today! www.cbc.ca/books/canada...

U of T History PhD applications: 96 two years ago, 177 this year

Coo coo

Also, a Toronto sweatshirt on SNL tonight.

I know the Canada/China EV deal is supposed to be this big step forward, but considering we're in the process of cooking the planet, I actually think we should have zero tariffs on EVs? Like, just get every EV that isn't a tesla on the road ASAP, and start giving away bikes while we're at it.

If anyone's looking for some goofy stress relief, we're really enjoying the cheerleading mockumentary Stumble on NBC. (We turned it on for Kristin Chenoweth; we stayed for the absurdity) youtu.be/H9bs-6A5yAc?...

Important work on the Skills Development [Slush] Fund story from @thetrillium.bsky.social. #OnPoli

A thought to help promote a transition to Bluesky: If you follow any companies / orgs on here, check their website social media icons. If Bluesky's not there, send a polite message or email asking them to add it. I've noticed a trend of folks creating an account but not updating their links.

we’re in the vet’s office waiting room and they just called for Agamemnon. we all looked at the Great Dane but it turns out Agamemnon is an orange kitten in a backpack that makes him look like an astronaut cheese puff

Finally, the Ontario government is looking at banning cat declawing and other cosmetic animal surgeries, though tail docking also needs to be banned. It's absurd how Ontario is the last province in Canada that still allows these procedures. #ONpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

I did not want to watch this. But a woman trying to pay her bills did not want to hide in terror in a stranger's basement while her husband was taken, and a family who ordered groceries did not want to have to scream armed men out of their yard. So I watched, and ugly-sobbed for our US neighbours.

Indy the Dog beat out five humans to win Best Performer in a Horror or Thriller at the Astra Film Awards. 🐶 I don't usually do horror, but I guess I'll be watching Good Boy. (I also wanna watch any clips out there of the other nominees' responses!) Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Ast...

More palette cleansing. Human and veterinary neurologists team up to come up with a new hydrocephalus surgery with applications to pediatrics. #OneHealth

Once again the people of Gander remind us who we're supposed to be. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/gan...

Join us on Jan 21 for our first online panel of 2026: The Fight to End Fur Farming 🦊 Hear from movement leaders at Animal Justice & @thefurbearers.bsky.social, alongside Dr. Sara Dubois & Rebecca Loviconi, on how to finally end this cruel industry. Register 👉 https://bit.ly/4aR0eoe

Wow, this story has everything: - A young teen who takes a risk pursuing the field they're passionate about - Experts who take a risk and make room for them - Family vacation side quest with a supportive parent - International recognition - Big plans for the future - And cool invertebrate pics! 🕷️

We had a good run

For fun we just had a look at the big 2026 horoscope published by the CBC and this bit in the intro struck me as, shall we say, noteworthy: (from www.cbc.ca/life/culture... )

Every year. Every year I get time off around Christmas and I have all of these grand ideas about everything I'm going to get done in that time and how I'll get to kick off the new year with so many boxes checked and then I get to January 1st and just... nope. Anyway, Happy New Year all!

Happy 30th anniversary to the final Calvin and Hobbies strip

NEW: How many books did you read this year? If it was more than 2, congrats: you read more than the median American. Read on for way more @today.yougov.com polling from me on America's book-reading habits in 2025. 1/

Running out of time to post ludicrous Stranger Things predictions, so here goes: All of the main characters die *except* for Murray and Erica, who get a spin off series about their adventures as the private investigation team, "Lady Applejack and the Bald Bastard".

Unusual twist on the standard "weatherperson in a blizzard" report from @weathernetwork.bsky.social . 🔇

I've been enjoying Stranger Things 5, so it turns out it was a mistake to go back to Reddit. Wow are a lot of people grouchy over there. (I really need to remember that it's almost always a mistake to visit fandom subreddits)

We finally got caught up on Stranger Thtings last night, which means I can finally go back on the internet today.

Wandering amongst the deer and rabbits and squirrels on this forest-themed wrapping paper is someone who appears to be the lovechild of a grizzly and a wombat. Happy holidays from the Wombear, I guess?

Exciting theatre news for Toronto!

Our holiday viewing continues tonight, because it isn't Christmas until Bill Murray gets hit in the face with a toaster.

I don't know if it's just because I'm overtired, but this thing literally had me in tears. 🎷🧐

Okay what the actual fuck this actually looks hilarious youtu.be/ZfNLApPCa8E