meri sand
@merisand.bsky.social
Texan. Musician. Artist. Incorrigible weirdo. Geek. Faithful servant of my feline overlords.
Pinned
meri sand
@merisand.bsky.social
· Feb 28
For anyone wanting to learn more or keep up to date with neo-Nazi, Christian Nationalist, & RW extremist threats in TX politics, read Robert Downen, Andrea Grimes, Steven Monacelli, Dr David Brockman, other writers & reporters with Texas Observer, Texas Tribune, etc.
You will be visited by 3 spirits
December 11, 2025 at 3:12 AM
You will be visited by 3 spirits
So, I type the word "songs" or "song" *all* the time. My phone keeps trying to correct this to dongs or my fat fingers keep accidentally typing it, because I have to correct it constantly 😆
December 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
So, I type the word "songs" or "song" *all* the time. My phone keeps trying to correct this to dongs or my fat fingers keep accidentally typing it, because I have to correct it constantly 😆
I absolutely love Tori's cover of The Stranglers' Strange Little Girl. &, just like Tori is an incredible interpreter who does transformative covers, The Stranglers did a blazing, transformative cover of Bacharach's Walk on By. The bass! The organ & guitar solos! So good🔥
youtu.be/WYkqLm9cM3Y?...
youtu.be/WYkqLm9cM3Y?...
December 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I absolutely love Tori's cover of The Stranglers' Strange Little Girl. &, just like Tori is an incredible interpreter who does transformative covers, The Stranglers did a blazing, transformative cover of Bacharach's Walk on By. The bass! The organ & guitar solos! So good🔥
youtu.be/WYkqLm9cM3Y?...
youtu.be/WYkqLm9cM3Y?...
Reposted by meri sand
Watched the new Jeff Buckley documentary, which sent me right back to hearing the peerless “Grace” for the first time. Remembered I wrote about the album years ago—and got bummed because this kind of journalism (reported historical pieces) is impossible to place now. www.avclub.com/grace-captur...
Grace captured Jeff Buckley’s inimitable voice and talent
Grace captured Jeff Buckley’s inimitable voice and talent
www.avclub.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Watched the new Jeff Buckley documentary, which sent me right back to hearing the peerless “Grace” for the first time. Remembered I wrote about the album years ago—and got bummed because this kind of journalism (reported historical pieces) is impossible to place now. www.avclub.com/grace-captur...
I'm somewhat disappointed that the house that puts up the giant lawn skeleton chicken for Halloween took it down & didn't dress it up for Christmas. They did that either last year or the year before. Skeleton Santa Chicken, you will be missed.
Festive lawn skeletons, in general, make me happy.
Festive lawn skeletons, in general, make me happy.
December 8, 2025 at 4:14 AM
I'm somewhat disappointed that the house that puts up the giant lawn skeleton chicken for Halloween took it down & didn't dress it up for Christmas. They did that either last year or the year before. Skeleton Santa Chicken, you will be missed.
Festive lawn skeletons, in general, make me happy.
Festive lawn skeletons, in general, make me happy.
the latest suncat Stella
December 8, 2025 at 2:36 AM
the latest suncat Stella
Listened to some music, got some time in on guitar & in a sketchbook, went for a walk. Stella only committed a reasonable amount of crimes (enough to remain respectable for a cat). Now I just need to get some sleep.
Of course, Stella has found something to play hockey with in the tub.
Of course, Stella has found something to play hockey with in the tub.
December 6, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Listened to some music, got some time in on guitar & in a sketchbook, went for a walk. Stella only committed a reasonable amount of crimes (enough to remain respectable for a cat). Now I just need to get some sleep.
Of course, Stella has found something to play hockey with in the tub.
Of course, Stella has found something to play hockey with in the tub.
PSA: if you jump into someone's replies & haunt their mentions all day, picking fights with a bunch of people, & the whole internet can see that your replies today are mostly you picking fights & condescending to people who believe in vaccines you personally don't like, you don't get to cry victim
December 6, 2025 at 5:34 AM
PSA: if you jump into someone's replies & haunt their mentions all day, picking fights with a bunch of people, & the whole internet can see that your replies today are mostly you picking fights & condescending to people who believe in vaccines you personally don't like, you don't get to cry victim
Reposted by meri sand
BANDCAMP! AT THE FRIDAY
Artist: @youngweather.bsky.social
Electronic Post Rock, Indie Pop
youngweather.bandcamp.com/album/partia...
Electronic Post Rock, Indie Pop
youngweather.bandcamp.com/album/partia...
Partial Views, by Young Weather
10 track album
youngweather.bandcamp.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
BANDCAMP! AT THE FRIDAY
Reposted by meri sand
ALERT: Emergency Caturday has been declared.
Special holiday edition. 🎄🐈
Special holiday edition. 🎄🐈
December 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
ALERT: Emergency Caturday has been declared.
Special holiday edition. 🎄🐈
Special holiday edition. 🎄🐈
Reposted by meri sand
Hello you! I have a free album for you!
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/the-gh...
Before heading out on my first support tour in SIX YEARS I warmed up my set with a livestream from my attic. 8 songs + silliness.
Pay what you can if free isn’t right for you ❤️
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/the-gh...
Before heading out on my first support tour in SIX YEARS I warmed up my set with a livestream from my attic. 8 songs + silliness.
Pay what you can if free isn’t right for you ❤️
The Ghost in the Attic - Online Gig November 2025, by Penfriend
14 track album
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Hello you! I have a free album for you!
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/the-gh...
Before heading out on my first support tour in SIX YEARS I warmed up my set with a livestream from my attic. 8 songs + silliness.
Pay what you can if free isn’t right for you ❤️
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/the-gh...
Before heading out on my first support tour in SIX YEARS I warmed up my set with a livestream from my attic. 8 songs + silliness.
Pay what you can if free isn’t right for you ❤️
Yep. Because this is actually about public surveillance, not safety. It's just using "think of the children" as an excuse.
The thing to understand about "age verification" laws is that they are not just for kids
The only way to "stop kids from doing xyz online" using age-gating is to demand a government ID (or invasive biometric face scan) from EVERYONE.
This means associating your gov ID with EVERYTHING YOU DO ONLINE
The only way to "stop kids from doing xyz online" using age-gating is to demand a government ID (or invasive biometric face scan) from EVERYONE.
This means associating your gov ID with EVERYTHING YOU DO ONLINE
December 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Yep. Because this is actually about public surveillance, not safety. It's just using "think of the children" as an excuse.
The regime out there admitting to being liars, grifters, trolls, abusers, creeps, & supporters of stochastic violence. Otherwise, truth, facts, anti-disinfo work, anti-CSAM work, work that limits the impact of people threatening violence online wouldn't be their enemy.
THEY are anti-1st Amendment.
THEY are anti-1st Amendment.
Holy shit.
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
December 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The regime out there admitting to being liars, grifters, trolls, abusers, creeps, & supporters of stochastic violence. Otherwise, truth, facts, anti-disinfo work, anti-CSAM work, work that limits the impact of people threatening violence online wouldn't be their enemy.
THEY are anti-1st Amendment.
THEY are anti-1st Amendment.
Reposted by meri sand
This is what government censorship actually looks like: defunding entire fields, deporting researchers, and quite effectively chilling speech that helps people understand how our information systems are being exploited and calls out powerful people and platforms for their bullshit.
For the last decade, the pervasive spread of bullshit & manipulation of online platforms have been widely recognized societal concerns. Now non US citizens studying those subjects can be labeled “censors” & denied visas or deported from the US. Censorship, indeed. www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Exclusive: Trump administration orders enhanced vetting for applicants of H-1B visa
An internal State Department memo said that anyone involved in "censorship" of free speech should be considered for rejection.
www.reuters.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This is what government censorship actually looks like: defunding entire fields, deporting researchers, and quite effectively chilling speech that helps people understand how our information systems are being exploited and calls out powerful people and platforms for their bullshit.
Well, I've got to listen to this today! I love Air.
The French electronic duo turns distressed dreams into symphonies plucked from cotton candy clouds. Yet to see Air's members perform live, everything looks so effortless. n.pr/4rANTdX
Air: Tiny Desk Concert
The French electronic duo turns distressed dreams into symphonies plucked from cotton candy clouds. Yet to see Air's members perform live, everything looks so effortless.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Well, I've got to listen to this today! I love Air.
Due process is a value that you either believe applies to everyone or you don't hold at all & just lie to yourself about thinking certain groups/individuals deserve special treatment while others have fewer rights than you.
December 5, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Due process is a value that you either believe applies to everyone or you don't hold at all & just lie to yourself about thinking certain groups/individuals deserve special treatment while others have fewer rights than you.
Reposted by meri sand
Thank you @loscampesinos.bsky.social for being so generous with info - this should be illuminating for all. And note this key paragraph:
December 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Thank you @loscampesinos.bsky.social for being so generous with info - this should be illuminating for all. And note this key paragraph:
Reposted by meri sand
streaming is a reality. but truly – just moving those streams from spotify to literally any other platform? like, it actually matters
WRAP THAT, IT'S REAL
los campesinos! forever
stereogum.com/2481865/los-...
WRAP THAT, IT'S REAL
los campesinos! forever
stereogum.com/2481865/los-...
December 4, 2025 at 3:24 PM
streaming is a reality. but truly – just moving those streams from spotify to literally any other platform? like, it actually matters
WRAP THAT, IT'S REAL
los campesinos! forever
stereogum.com/2481865/los-...
WRAP THAT, IT'S REAL
los campesinos! forever
stereogum.com/2481865/los-...
thoughts right now (while trying to avoid the horrors):
When you're really cold, Thai curry is even more amazing.
Acrylic paint pens are great for when you don't have the time or spoons for getting out all the blending, slow dry, etc mediums & cleaning up.
DADGAD tuning=💖💖💖
When you're really cold, Thai curry is even more amazing.
Acrylic paint pens are great for when you don't have the time or spoons for getting out all the blending, slow dry, etc mediums & cleaning up.
DADGAD tuning=💖💖💖
December 4, 2025 at 6:32 AM
thoughts right now (while trying to avoid the horrors):
When you're really cold, Thai curry is even more amazing.
Acrylic paint pens are great for when you don't have the time or spoons for getting out all the blending, slow dry, etc mediums & cleaning up.
DADGAD tuning=💖💖💖
When you're really cold, Thai curry is even more amazing.
Acrylic paint pens are great for when you don't have the time or spoons for getting out all the blending, slow dry, etc mediums & cleaning up.
DADGAD tuning=💖💖💖
Somehow, reading his full quotes is even worse. He also feels he & his fellow morally bankrupt, arrogant, greedy, sadistic, self absorbed Silicon Valley tech billionaire ilk should get to choose our leadership, that he's the arbiter of who is/isn't America's enemy, that violent subjugation is good.
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Alex Karp vows to use his "whole influence" on immigration and defense policy.
gizmodo.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Somehow, reading his full quotes is even worse. He also feels he & his fellow morally bankrupt, arrogant, greedy, sadistic, self absorbed Silicon Valley tech billionaire ilk should get to choose our leadership, that he's the arbiter of who is/isn't America's enemy, that violent subjugation is good.
2 friends of mine are talking about befriending a murder of crows, which got me looking at Moira Rose gifs to send them & laughing, because Catherine O'Hara is a such treasure.
a woman wearing a black feathered headband with the word schitts creek written on the bottom
Alt: Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose in the sitcom Schitt's creek wearing a ridiculously huge feathered headband with fake crows on it making one of her melodramatic faces, saying "Tell me about it"
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
2 friends of mine are talking about befriending a murder of crows, which got me looking at Moira Rose gifs to send them & laughing, because Catherine O'Hara is a such treasure.
Reposted by meri sand
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
Reposted by meri sand
We end on "Machine Yearning for a Better Present" because why can't we dream? Why accept that universities are not places of learning? Nothing, except industry and their paid shills amongst us, force us to accept this & this force is not one of reason, but one of regressive values & profit.
10/n
10/n
September 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
We end on "Machine Yearning for a Better Present" because why can't we dream? Why accept that universities are not places of learning? Nothing, except industry and their paid shills amongst us, force us to accept this & this force is not one of reason, but one of regressive values & profit.
10/n
10/n
Reposted by meri sand
7. the kinda appealing, but substantively indefensible, idea that somehow AI is different to other technology, like calculators, in a pedagogical context — but we totally ban a great deal of technology in the classroom.
(Section 3.7 here doi.org/10.5281/zeno...)
9/n
(Section 3.7 here doi.org/10.5281/zeno...)
9/n
September 6, 2025 at 8:46 AM
7. the kinda appealing, but substantively indefensible, idea that somehow AI is different to other technology, like calculators, in a pedagogical context — but we totally ban a great deal of technology in the classroom.
(Section 3.7 here doi.org/10.5281/zeno...)
9/n
(Section 3.7 here doi.org/10.5281/zeno...)
9/n
People who think they're authors or artists or whatever when the only thing they created was a sentence are like people who claim to be athletes because they played a FIFA video game.
You don't have to be good or a pro, but you do have to actually do the thing or it's just artistic stolen valor.
You don't have to be good or a pro, but you do have to actually do the thing or it's just artistic stolen valor.
November 28, 2025 at 9:11 PM
People who think they're authors or artists or whatever when the only thing they created was a sentence are like people who claim to be athletes because they played a FIFA video game.
You don't have to be good or a pro, but you do have to actually do the thing or it's just artistic stolen valor.
You don't have to be good or a pro, but you do have to actually do the thing or it's just artistic stolen valor.