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Allister Thompson

@allistert.bsky.social

1.1K followers 1K following 2.5K posts

"Amateur" musician, "Professional" editor/author from “Canada.” thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com http://www.allisterthompson.com https://editorattheendoftheworld.wordpress.com/

www.allisterthompson.com

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · May 29

‘Birch and Jay’ is not just another post apocalyptic adventure novel. It’s also about how we can heal instead of destroy, which is all modern human beings have ever done. We created this situation that will cause so much suffering, but do we have the courage and honesty to learn from our mistakes?

Decades after the world was levelled by the effects of human-made climate change, the scattered remnants of humanity have begun to pull themselves together. Birch and Jay are a young couple living in a small, idyllic community away from the ruins of one of Canada’s great cities.

As a newly graduated Knowledge Seeker, Jay must leave Birch and their community to collect remnants of old wisdom from the dead world. Along the way, he comes across a mysterious elderly woman who offers to travel with him. He will receive more than a travel companion — she offers revelations about their town’s founding as well as knowledge of how to survive in a lawless world.

Birch, seeking adventure, pursues Jay but finds more danger than she ever imagined. Will they find each other in the chaos and brutality of the city and get safely back home to tell the tale?

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 7h

I just wish we could recapture more of that camaraderie. I don’t feel it as much any more. But then I’m also not participating much any more either. I find adapting to communicating with writing people has been difficult too - as a writer, not an editor.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 8h

That’s probably very wise.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 12h

The youngest cat when I try to get him inside at 5:00 p.m.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 14h

Pretty well I ever see on here now is (justified) angst about the state of your country…seems to just be a place to vent that stuff.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 14h

Time for big media to pretend that everyone is suddenly going to start being nice and caring to Palestinians now.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 19h

Definitely a highlight for both of them. I’m more of a Hayward fan, at least on the band albums (Ray Thomas is a bit much sometimes), but this album is quite uplifting all the way through.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 19h

RIP John Lodge. This is a fine album, his duo album with Justin Hayward, and good to listen to today.

youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Blue Jays - YouTube

youtube.com

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 21h

If you start reading the responses, they go on forever, yet again emphasizing that pretty well all famous artists are horrible people or become horrible. Proving once more that any and all power corrupts!

William B. Fuckley @opinionhaver.bsky.social · Aug 9

Here’s a question: who is the artist with politics you disagree strongly with, whose politics *do* (in your view) influence their art, that you still think is talented and whose work you enjoy?

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 21h

It’ll take time. It took us months to get back to some kind of normal after our last loss of this kind.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 21h

I’m really sorry. Been through this, and it’s so hard.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 1d

I remember that. At the same time as the Hildegard von Bingen craze (for real!).

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 2d

I kinda like to at least offer a small honorarium.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 2d

Just saw this…another massive package! Will put on the wishlist.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 2d

Wow, beautiful stuff, an a cappella surprise from Arstidir.

youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Vetrarsól - YouTube

youtube.com

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 2d

We get a ton of bees in our messy yard.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 2d

That's interesting! Case in point. Also, the way the average bourgeois (male) homeowner has to manicure his property to within an inch of its life (mowing, raking, etc.) has always mystified me. But then I don't understand the appeal of golf either.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 2d

When did you first realize that it's silly and a waste of time to rake up all the leaves in your yard, when if you leave them there they break down over the winter and also provide habitat and help the grass grow? Ever since I gave up that crap, fall has been much more relaxed.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 2d

Another longform ambient piece, "Autumnal 2," now available. Name your price.

thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com/album/autumn...

Autumnal 2, by The Gateless Gate

1 track album

thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 3d

I am getting very, very close to the point of tuning out and dropping out.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 4d

Sometimes it feels like there are only two kinds of artists: those who are materially successful and get to feel really good about themselves - and those who get ripped off all the time.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 5d

(Great illustrations btw…very accurate!)

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 5d

So the metal tentacle is comforting the sad man?

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 5d

The heat ray also contains vitamin C and gives a good tan.

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Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 5d

That seems considerably deeper than a ‘Buddha Zen Ibiza Chill’ compilation.

Allister Thompson @allistert.bsky.social · 5d

For decades it’s been deemed perfectly acceptable for Westerners to use Asian religious imagery that has deep, beautiful and difficult philosophical meaning in the service of promoting ‘chilling out.’ Imagine a Japanese mix called “Christian Chill Vibes” and it’s just middle-of-the-road IDM tracks.

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