Author | Lightnews

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe)

@pahlstrand.bsky.social

250 followers 500 following 250 posts

Archivist, salt witch, and also mom of They and He. Taller than a standard poodle. Heart in Denver, the rest of me farther west. Mindful of this traditional Muwekma-Ohlone land. smol pic from @ArchivioGrafton

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Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 2d

Because after 8 yrs I still don't know all the ins and outs of the microwave at mpow, I am eating LAVA lasagna for lunch. Owwwww 😭

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 3d

Speed Bump, by Dave Coverly

two people in a cave-- the person on the left is making handprints on the wall, but the prints in front of the person on the right look like two half circles, and they are saying, incredulously, "What?" and their butt is dirty

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 6d

For the love of life, liberty and my pursuit of happiness, PLEASE don't drive with your high beams on, but also don't drive without headlights before sunrise. I'm either being blinded by brights or dodging invisible cars on the freeway. Also, take public transit when you can. Don't be a jerk!

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 7d

photo above the fold of local Republican kid trying to engage folks on the issues, but he's got a white board where he's written "Charlie Kirk was not a rascist" [sic]. So that's already 4 idiots in 15 mins. Staying home for the rest of the day. The dog is happy!

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Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 7d

Went to the gas station to buy a newspaper. Saw two guys toking (with live spark, not vape) behind their big box truck (filling with diesel). Told the attendant inside. He did not care. Came home and saw

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Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 11d

Was singing this to my Gen Z kids last weekend!

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 15d

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 25d

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

(table flip emoticon)
*repeat ad nauseum*

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 26d

Very much enjoyed John Oliver talking about archives/presidential libraries, even though he did make a tired joke about what an archivist "vibe" is. I think he could have made a better joke about how badass we are, and still have made the LBJ's nuts joke.

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Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · 28d

Collective efficacy
It doesn't matter if we believe this can make a difference... if we've lost hope for our future, I still want to spend time with people who care about the same stuff I care about, whether human rights or Our Flag Means Death or perfect kettle corn

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Oct 2

"Please note that these instructions may change at any time without warning. Your machine will not let you know, but if you screw up, it will turn off and never work again." -McSweeney's today, about your high-end Italian espresso machine

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Oct 2

I know I'm...late to the party and déclassé at best, but I'm considering making my *instant* high-protein oatmeal with espresso fresh from the machine at work, thereby killing all the birds in 5 mins

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Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Sep 27

I think it looks lovely, and I imagine happy times and good memories there. What I didn't see is a plaque commemorating your time there!

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Sep 21

Went to Marin today for coffee with an old friend. She was fantastic, just made me smile non-stop for 3 hrs, even though I was worried about the elderly lady in the floor length mink coat at the bakery.

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Sep 11

uh, OBVIOUSLY their customer service is stellar and their products are *chef's kiss*

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Sep 11

realized that Ul!ne doesn't align with your politics and/or you don't want to support them since they'll take your money and give it to a PAC? try newpig.com -- they have tons of good stuff, great marketing, and a "we don't lobby, etc" philosophy

newpig.com

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Sep 9

My co-worker, in all her glory, encouraging me to finish those emails so we can have a snack or a nap. Or both!!

A "moyenne" black poodle lounges on a blue couch with yellow stars, facing the viewer. She has light blue/blind eyes.

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Sep 7

Sometimes you take a deep breath and ask for help... This morning we got it! They agreed to help us! 🤞

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Aug 29

"...it mattered to understand the world in all its weirdness"
--Zach Helfand (about the New Yorker, but also a good way to move through life)

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Aug 26

Yesterday was my 1st day back at work after that great little vacation/ trip home. I thought it'd be fine but it absolutely wasn't. After being asked to rescue a perfect dog for FOAF (& knowing I should not), then spouse asking if I need to quit, the end of the day was not enough. I took to my bed.

a cartoon of a person sleeping in a bed with the words `` back to bed '' written on the bottom .

Alt: animated Cinderella rolling over in bed with pillow over her head with the words "back to bed" written on the bottom

media.tenor.com

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Aug 23

Day 6 of my vacation at home (CO). I am 6 for 6 for days with ice cream, laughing with friends, singing loud in the car with the windows down, talking story with ex step dad, napping, chatting with Dad and then being his IT support, and just feeling GOOD for a while!

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Aug 17

Ace of Base in the airport at 5:30 am. Not helping any of these poopy-heads enjoy their morning flights.

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Aug 15

Don't forget the space dinosaur contingent, for they are strong!!

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Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Aug 15

My mom was an RN in oncology and she was a hippie too. I read Lois Lowry's *A Summer to Die* when it came out and maudlin or not, it had a profound effect on me. I still think about it a lot. Unfortunately, I'm doom-thinking, because of nosebleeds. Guess I'll call my doc now.

Pennington P. Ahlstrand (she/xe) @pahlstrand.bsky.social · Aug 12

Go Ask Alice (age 9)