Chris Ekman
@chrisekman.bsky.social
Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash., and Kalamazoo.
Not sure if I'll manage a tree this year, but at least I've done the bare minimum (a quantity I specialize in).
Walla Walla, Wash., and Kalamazoo.
Not sure if I'll manage a tree this year, but at least I've done the bare minimum (a quantity I specialize in).
December 7, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash., and Kalamazoo.
Not sure if I'll manage a tree this year, but at least I've done the bare minimum (a quantity I specialize in).
Walla Walla, Wash., and Kalamazoo.
Not sure if I'll manage a tree this year, but at least I've done the bare minimum (a quantity I specialize in).
Well, there's no escaping it now. Christmas-time is here, by golly; disapproval would be folly.
December 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Well, there's no escaping it now. Christmas-time is here, by golly; disapproval would be folly.
I barely used Spotify this year and forswore it for good in June, but I was still curious to see my Wrapped. Before I got there, though, I saw something that shocked me.
Because I haven't used it in so long, it didn't know what music to recommend to me (New Releases For You included Ed Sheeran)...
Because I haven't used it in so long, it didn't know what music to recommend to me (New Releases For You included Ed Sheeran)...
December 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I barely used Spotify this year and forswore it for good in June, but I was still curious to see my Wrapped. Before I got there, though, I saw something that shocked me.
Because I haven't used it in so long, it didn't know what music to recommend to me (New Releases For You included Ed Sheeran)...
Because I haven't used it in so long, it didn't know what music to recommend to me (New Releases For You included Ed Sheeran)...
Is there a word for discovering that someone you used to like has gone right-wing?
On a whim, I just looked up Neal Pollack, who I hadn't thought about in ages. He used to have a Colbert Report-style persona as a dick-swinging novelist, spoofing warblogging and New Journalism and much else besides.
On a whim, I just looked up Neal Pollack, who I hadn't thought about in ages. He used to have a Colbert Report-style persona as a dick-swinging novelist, spoofing warblogging and New Journalism and much else besides.
December 3, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Is there a word for discovering that someone you used to like has gone right-wing?
On a whim, I just looked up Neal Pollack, who I hadn't thought about in ages. He used to have a Colbert Report-style persona as a dick-swinging novelist, spoofing warblogging and New Journalism and much else besides.
On a whim, I just looked up Neal Pollack, who I hadn't thought about in ages. He used to have a Colbert Report-style persona as a dick-swinging novelist, spoofing warblogging and New Journalism and much else besides.
RIP Tom Stoppard. One of the few times I've gone to Broadway, I was fortunate to see The Invention of Love. I came out of the theater reeling. Don't let anyone tell you that he was too detached or cerebral. He could dazzle with his wit, but when he wanted to, he could absolutely break your heart.
November 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
RIP Tom Stoppard. One of the few times I've gone to Broadway, I was fortunate to see The Invention of Love. I came out of the theater reeling. Don't let anyone tell you that he was too detached or cerebral. He could dazzle with his wit, but when he wanted to, he could absolutely break your heart.
I haven't done any Blecch Friday shopping, but I have just made some long-overdue charitable donations, signed up for some favorite creators' newsletters, and supported some of the last few internet sites that make the whole mess worthwhile. For anyone who has the means, I heartily recommend it.
November 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I haven't done any Blecch Friday shopping, but I have just made some long-overdue charitable donations, signed up for some favorite creators' newsletters, and supported some of the last few internet sites that make the whole mess worthwhile. For anyone who has the means, I heartily recommend it.
On my way to work, I pass a house that has put up their Christmas decorations, while leaving up their giant Halloween skeleton (with a Santa cap around its neck).
I like to think there are kids in that house who will one day watch The Nightmare Before Christmas and not get what the fuss was about.
I like to think there are kids in that house who will one day watch The Nightmare Before Christmas and not get what the fuss was about.
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
On my way to work, I pass a house that has put up their Christmas decorations, while leaving up their giant Halloween skeleton (with a Santa cap around its neck).
I like to think there are kids in that house who will one day watch The Nightmare Before Christmas and not get what the fuss was about.
I like to think there are kids in that house who will one day watch The Nightmare Before Christmas and not get what the fuss was about.
It's my birthday! Hooraayyyyyeeucch.
It's not one of the big factor-of-ten milestones, but one of those is looming. It pretty much marks the point where it's no longer actuarially plausible to think of myself as middle-aged. The middle is over; now I'm just old.
It's not one of the big factor-of-ten milestones, but one of those is looming. It pretty much marks the point where it's no longer actuarially plausible to think of myself as middle-aged. The middle is over; now I'm just old.
November 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It's my birthday! Hooraayyyyyeeucch.
It's not one of the big factor-of-ten milestones, but one of those is looming. It pretty much marks the point where it's no longer actuarially plausible to think of myself as middle-aged. The middle is over; now I'm just old.
It's not one of the big factor-of-ten milestones, but one of those is looming. It pretty much marks the point where it's no longer actuarially plausible to think of myself as middle-aged. The middle is over; now I'm just old.
I badly need to cut down on a) sugar, and b) social media. Not only am I getting fat, I'm flying into weird rages.
It's bad enough to get so mad about the news that you have imaginary arguments. But when those start devolving into imaginary screaming matches, it's time to check into a rubber room.
It's bad enough to get so mad about the news that you have imaginary arguments. But when those start devolving into imaginary screaming matches, it's time to check into a rubber room.
November 14, 2025 at 3:31 AM
I badly need to cut down on a) sugar, and b) social media. Not only am I getting fat, I'm flying into weird rages.
It's bad enough to get so mad about the news that you have imaginary arguments. But when those start devolving into imaginary screaming matches, it's time to check into a rubber room.
It's bad enough to get so mad about the news that you have imaginary arguments. But when those start devolving into imaginary screaming matches, it's time to check into a rubber room.
I don't think I'm doing this right.
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I don't think I'm doing this right.
I survived the Halloween onslaught! Actually, it wasn't as heavy as usual - I even have some candy left over, which may be a first. My neighbor did too, so I know it wasn't just me buying too much. Still, by my rough count, there must have been at least 400 kids.
November 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM
I survived the Halloween onslaught! Actually, it wasn't as heavy as usual - I even have some candy left over, which may be a first. My neighbor did too, so I know it wasn't just me buying too much. Still, by my rough count, there must have been at least 400 kids.
I tried getting into the Halloween spirit by reconstructing and fleshing out my Halloween playlist. It didn't really work - I found I'm not craving eeeevil music right now. What I want is more lonesome and desolate - such as this, even though it's not intended to be spooky:
youtu.be/6iKW4B1554k
youtu.be/6iKW4B1554k
Unquestioned Answer - Charles Ives in Memoriam
YouTube video by Bobo Stenson - Topic
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I tried getting into the Halloween spirit by reconstructing and fleshing out my Halloween playlist. It didn't really work - I found I'm not craving eeeevil music right now. What I want is more lonesome and desolate - such as this, even though it's not intended to be spooky:
youtu.be/6iKW4B1554k
youtu.be/6iKW4B1554k
I have just acquired a couple Halloween masks. One is from 1960; the other is new, as part of an especially ludicrous box set that, as a hardcore maniac (& sucker), I couldn't resist.
No-one under 30 will recognize either of these. So the question is, which will be more upsetting to small children?
No-one under 30 will recognize either of these. So the question is, which will be more upsetting to small children?
October 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I have just acquired a couple Halloween masks. One is from 1960; the other is new, as part of an especially ludicrous box set that, as a hardcore maniac (& sucker), I couldn't resist.
No-one under 30 will recognize either of these. So the question is, which will be more upsetting to small children?
No-one under 30 will recognize either of these. So the question is, which will be more upsetting to small children?
I very stupidly stayed up until 3 in the morning playing Silksong. But it was worth it - I beat a hard boss and got to the ending!
...the bad, premature ending that confers no reward and makes no progress!
This is what I do for fun! Whee, fun!
...the bad, premature ending that confers no reward and makes no progress!
This is what I do for fun! Whee, fun!
October 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I very stupidly stayed up until 3 in the morning playing Silksong. But it was worth it - I beat a hard boss and got to the ending!
...the bad, premature ending that confers no reward and makes no progress!
This is what I do for fun! Whee, fun!
...the bad, premature ending that confers no reward and makes no progress!
This is what I do for fun! Whee, fun!
Just spent a perfectly beautiful afternoon at the No Kings protest in Worcester, MA, along with the other Hamas terrorists, antifa agitators, paid Soros operatives, and the hate America crowd.
October 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Just spent a perfectly beautiful afternoon at the No Kings protest in Worcester, MA, along with the other Hamas terrorists, antifa agitators, paid Soros operatives, and the hate America crowd.
Good turnout, and good drive-by response, for the No Kings protest in my town, Barre, MA. It can't match the throngs in the cities, but we're in the rural middle of the state, and in one of its more conservative regions. Trump won here in 2016 and 2024, and very nearly won in 2020.
October 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Good turnout, and good drive-by response, for the No Kings protest in my town, Barre, MA. It can't match the throngs in the cities, but we're in the rural middle of the state, and in one of its more conservative regions. Trump won here in 2016 and 2024, and very nearly won in 2020.
Off to the protests today. I only wish that I had made a new sign.
I wanted to do one about RFK Jr., parodying an album cover by the Dead Kennedys, but I botched the caricature.
I wanted to do one about RFK Jr., parodying an album cover by the Dead Kennedys, but I botched the caricature.
October 18, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Off to the protests today. I only wish that I had made a new sign.
I wanted to do one about RFK Jr., parodying an album cover by the Dead Kennedys, but I botched the caricature.
I wanted to do one about RFK Jr., parodying an album cover by the Dead Kennedys, but I botched the caricature.
Turned on the TV and was greeted by Chris Cuomo hosting a town hall, along with Stephen Smith & Bill O'Reilly, with guests including John Fetterman, Tom Homan, Joe Manchin & Jim Jordan. Ye gods. I'd rather watch Saw.
I keep thinking Bill O'Reilly died. After seeing him tonight, I'm still not sure.
I keep thinking Bill O'Reilly died. After seeing him tonight, I'm still not sure.
October 16, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Turned on the TV and was greeted by Chris Cuomo hosting a town hall, along with Stephen Smith & Bill O'Reilly, with guests including John Fetterman, Tom Homan, Joe Manchin & Jim Jordan. Ye gods. I'd rather watch Saw.
I keep thinking Bill O'Reilly died. After seeing him tonight, I'm still not sure.
I keep thinking Bill O'Reilly died. After seeing him tonight, I'm still not sure.
One of my neighbors has set out their jack o'lanterns, and a handsome bunch they are.
October 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
One of my neighbors has set out their jack o'lanterns, and a handsome bunch they are.
There's a guy on YouTube I've been fascinated by - a nostalgia collector who thinks the whole culture's been going to hell since he was a kid. Naturally he's ultra-MAGA. The kind of guy who not only watches Alex Jones every day, but tapes it.
Part of him yearns for a simpler, more innocent time...
Part of him yearns for a simpler, more innocent time...
October 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
There's a guy on YouTube I've been fascinated by - a nostalgia collector who thinks the whole culture's been going to hell since he was a kid. Naturally he's ultra-MAGA. The kind of guy who not only watches Alex Jones every day, but tapes it.
Part of him yearns for a simpler, more innocent time...
Part of him yearns for a simpler, more innocent time...
I spotted this street sign near my office today. It turns out it was part of a series of signs by local artists, put up by the city during the height of Covid. It's so well camouflaged that I've been passing by it for years and never noticed it until now.
I looked up the text, and found out that...
I looked up the text, and found out that...
October 8, 2025 at 11:00 PM
I spotted this street sign near my office today. It turns out it was part of a series of signs by local artists, put up by the city during the height of Covid. It's so well camouflaged that I've been passing by it for years and never noticed it until now.
I looked up the text, and found out that...
I looked up the text, and found out that...
I spent the day at King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA. My dad took me every year when I was young, but I haven't been back in quite a while.
I've always liked the ren faire. It lets me travel back in time, and be immersed in the customs and folkways of a bygone age.
Namely, the age of vaudeville.
I've always liked the ren faire. It lets me travel back in time, and be immersed in the customs and folkways of a bygone age.
Namely, the age of vaudeville.
October 6, 2025 at 2:09 AM
I spent the day at King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA. My dad took me every year when I was young, but I haven't been back in quite a while.
I've always liked the ren faire. It lets me travel back in time, and be immersed in the customs and folkways of a bygone age.
Namely, the age of vaudeville.
I've always liked the ren faire. It lets me travel back in time, and be immersed in the customs and folkways of a bygone age.
Namely, the age of vaudeville.
They're cutting down a big tree in front of my house this morning.
It was struck by lightning not long after we moved it. But it wasn't killed; it was only mostly dead. You could trace the lightning strike down from the highest branch to a big seam in the trunk.
It was struck by lightning not long after we moved it. But it wasn't killed; it was only mostly dead. You could trace the lightning strike down from the highest branch to a big seam in the trunk.
October 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
They're cutting down a big tree in front of my house this morning.
It was struck by lightning not long after we moved it. But it wasn't killed; it was only mostly dead. You could trace the lightning strike down from the highest branch to a big seam in the trunk.
It was struck by lightning not long after we moved it. But it wasn't killed; it was only mostly dead. You could trace the lightning strike down from the highest branch to a big seam in the trunk.
Consumer tip - Hollow Knight: Silksong is getting kudos for keeping its price low, but remember to factor in the cost of replacing the controller you'll inevitably break.
Or maybe that's just me. Admittedly I broke my original PS5 controller the same way (left stick drift)...
Or maybe that's just me. Admittedly I broke my original PS5 controller the same way (left stick drift)...
September 29, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Consumer tip - Hollow Knight: Silksong is getting kudos for keeping its price low, but remember to factor in the cost of replacing the controller you'll inevitably break.
Or maybe that's just me. Admittedly I broke my original PS5 controller the same way (left stick drift)...
Or maybe that's just me. Admittedly I broke my original PS5 controller the same way (left stick drift)...
Here's a bit of neighborhood whimsy I've always liked: the tiny door at the base of this old dead tree. I like to think it's for gnomes.
September 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Here's a bit of neighborhood whimsy I've always liked: the tiny door at the base of this old dead tree. I like to think it's for gnomes.