@mrtoads.bsky.social
Grouchy old fart, enjoys books, birds, baroque music, alliteration and, of course, spiders (but then, who doesn’t?). Semi-skilled at a number of unimportant things like game-playing, computer surgery and natural history story-telling. Lazy.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
December 20, 2025 at 2:17 AM
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
In this Christmas season, I think it’s important to remember that for some of us, it’s not enough to have what other people don’t - the real enjoyment comes when everyone else is envious.
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
December 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
In this Christmas season, I think it’s important to remember that for some of us, it’s not enough to have what other people don’t - the real enjoyment comes when everyone else is envious.
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
How long before the GOP dictates who we are allowed to marry?
The US Administration has banned Americans from *adopting babies* from much of the African continent.
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
On that last post: I genuinely cannot think of any good-faith reason to bar international adoptions from those 39 countries. Under this new ban, consulates will refuse adoption visas for any baby from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nigeria, or any of the 39 other countries.
December 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
How long before the GOP dictates who we are allowed to marry?
We’ve watched quite a lot of Doctor Whos over the past couple of years, and are now well along in the Fourth Doctor. My wife, though, struggles to follow the often convoluted plots.
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
December 17, 2025 at 4:09 AM
We’ve watched quite a lot of Doctor Whos over the past couple of years, and are now well along in the Fourth Doctor. My wife, though, struggles to follow the often convoluted plots.
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
So, I got my annual Social Security notice. This one says I get a 2.8% increase and says the new amount. Out of curiosity, I checked the new amount against the amount I’m presently getting.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
December 16, 2025 at 2:25 PM
So, I got my annual Social Security notice. This one says I get a 2.8% increase and says the new amount. Out of curiosity, I checked the new amount against the amount I’m presently getting.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
I was already happy that I fired up the feeder area on a limited basis this week, but especially now. The dozen juncos and resident Song Sparrow and Cardinals are having a quiet morning with the bark butter before the Mockingbird, House Sparrows and squirrels finally roll out of bed!
December 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I was already happy that I fired up the feeder area on a limited basis this week, but especially now. The dozen juncos and resident Song Sparrow and Cardinals are having a quiet morning with the bark butter before the Mockingbird, House Sparrows and squirrels finally roll out of bed!
I just finished watching Wake Up Dead Man. Very entertaining. Very good cast. Very well done. Very topical.
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
December 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I just finished watching Wake Up Dead Man. Very entertaining. Very good cast. Very well done. Very topical.
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
In preparation for the release of Benoit Blanc 3, I rewatched Glass Onion the other night. I’d forgotten how nicely they skewered Elon Musk in that movie. Not that the rest of the characters showed up all that well either, but at least it had a fittingly Bondian ending. Also had Hugh Grant.
December 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
In preparation for the release of Benoit Blanc 3, I rewatched Glass Onion the other night. I’d forgotten how nicely they skewered Elon Musk in that movie. Not that the rest of the characters showed up all that well either, but at least it had a fittingly Bondian ending. Also had Hugh Grant.
Abu Ghraib, as expected, came home to us.
I’ve heard from immigration attorneys that clients say ICE guards lay out the WRAP device (essentially a full-body straitjacket) on the tarmac as a threat — “do what we say or you’re getting the WRAP on the whole flight.”
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
December 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Abu Ghraib, as expected, came home to us.
Today I put on one of my old work shirts as a break from my normal Aloha retirement wear, and discovered that the GOP-spurred equivalent of the “freshman 40” had a significant (p<0.02) effect over the past year.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Today I put on one of my old work shirts as a break from my normal Aloha retirement wear, and discovered that the GOP-spurred equivalent of the “freshman 40” had a significant (p<0.02) effect over the past year.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
December 8, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
Laces out, Butker!
December 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Laces out, Butker!
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
December 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
December 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Im getting my pancake hand back! This is the first of the batch; the „pan‘s cake“ is usually for the cook, since it’s crap, but this one looks ok!
December 5, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Im getting my pancake hand back! This is the first of the batch; the „pan‘s cake“ is usually for the cook, since it’s crap, but this one looks ok!
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Really wanted this when I was starting out!
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Really wanted this when I was starting out!
December 5, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Really wanted this when I was starting out!
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Really wanted this when I was starting out!
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Booksale!
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Booksale!
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Booksale!
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Booksale!
So, there are two movies I like to watch over and over again: Ghostbusters and Bullet Train. Just pure pleasure. There are plenty of others I like (Shrek and Mystery Men make a good pair for obvious reasons), the two Austen “and”s, the great Leone trio and the Kurosawa epics), but they’re perfect.
December 3, 2025 at 6:28 PM
So, there are two movies I like to watch over and over again: Ghostbusters and Bullet Train. Just pure pleasure. There are plenty of others I like (Shrek and Mystery Men make a good pair for obvious reasons), the two Austen “and”s, the great Leone trio and the Kurosawa epics), but they’re perfect.
Got our Christmas lights festooning the porch all lit!
It really is much easier if you don’t take them down the previous year..
It really is much easier if you don’t take them down the previous year..
December 2, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Got our Christmas lights festooning the porch all lit!
It really is much easier if you don’t take them down the previous year..
It really is much easier if you don’t take them down the previous year..
I finally watched the Thursday Murder Club.
What a pleasure!
What a cast!
Richard Osman is truly a giant among mystery writers, and he’s a pretty good one, too!
What a pleasure!
What a cast!
Richard Osman is truly a giant among mystery writers, and he’s a pretty good one, too!
December 2, 2025 at 1:53 AM
I finally watched the Thursday Murder Club.
What a pleasure!
What a cast!
Richard Osman is truly a giant among mystery writers, and he’s a pretty good one, too!
What a pleasure!
What a cast!
Richard Osman is truly a giant among mystery writers, and he’s a pretty good one, too!
Like Daffy Duck, I’m not like other people: I don’t like pain. It hurts me.
November 30, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Like Daffy Duck, I’m not like other people: I don’t like pain. It hurts me.
Wow - the Botskis (both local and international) seem to have mounted a concerted attack on Bluesky. Don’t forget to report as well as block! Lies count as misleading content.
November 30, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Wow - the Botskis (both local and international) seem to have mounted a concerted attack on Bluesky. Don’t forget to report as well as block! Lies count as misleading content.
Reposted
Germans don't like shoddy cars.
"Tesla Model Y ranked last for reliability among nearly new cars in Germany's TÜV 2026 report.
17.3% of Model Ys failed serious safety inspections; common issues included brakes and suspension."
#TeslaTakedown
www.autoblog.com/news/tesla-m...
"Tesla Model Y ranked last for reliability among nearly new cars in Germany's TÜV 2026 report.
17.3% of Model Ys failed serious safety inspections; common issues included brakes and suspension."
#TeslaTakedown
www.autoblog.com/news/tesla-m...
Tesla Model Y Posts Worst Defect Rate of Any New Car in a Decade
Tesla Model Y reliability just hit rock bottom in Germany’s TÜV Report 2026, with the worst defect rate in a decade. Here’s why that matters to you.
www.autoblog.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Germans don't like shoddy cars.
"Tesla Model Y ranked last for reliability among nearly new cars in Germany's TÜV 2026 report.
17.3% of Model Ys failed serious safety inspections; common issues included brakes and suspension."
#TeslaTakedown
www.autoblog.com/news/tesla-m...
"Tesla Model Y ranked last for reliability among nearly new cars in Germany's TÜV 2026 report.
17.3% of Model Ys failed serious safety inspections; common issues included brakes and suspension."
#TeslaTakedown
www.autoblog.com/news/tesla-m...
Our day-after excursion was to the best Little Lamplight in the Appalachians. A mile and a half of trudging through delightful* caverns and tunnels. It got us out of the cold and into the temperate humidity of the caves.
* if you’re not claustrophobic, anyway.
* if you’re not claustrophobic, anyway.
November 29, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Our day-after excursion was to the best Little Lamplight in the Appalachians. A mile and a half of trudging through delightful* caverns and tunnels. It got us out of the cold and into the temperate humidity of the caves.
* if you’re not claustrophobic, anyway.
* if you’re not claustrophobic, anyway.
Reposted
The dead bat symbol is in the sky above #Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery today as the Natural Sciences Collections Association (@natsca.bsky.social) committee gather to try and make the world better for natural history collections and the people who work with them.
November 28, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The dead bat symbol is in the sky above #Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery today as the Natural Sciences Collections Association (@natsca.bsky.social) committee gather to try and make the world better for natural history collections and the people who work with them.