Matthew Olwell
@mattolwell.bsky.social
Journeyman fluthier at Olwell Flutes. Trad-music-obsessed cat nerd and pickle enthusiast. Neurodivergent malcontent. Best not to ask me about Lord of the Rings. www.olwellflutes.com
🪈 ♾️ 🥒 🐈
🪈 ♾️ 🥒 🐈
Pinned
Matthew Olwell
@mattolwell.bsky.social
· Mar 23
I made my first flute! Well, first solo flight start to finish. Pretty stoked about the results.
The structure of a flutemaking apprenticeship is informal as you might guess. There’s no trade union or guild for flutemakers and so there are times when one has to make one’s own goals and structures.
The structure of a flutemaking apprenticeship is informal as you might guess. There’s no trade union or guild for flutemakers and so there are times when one has to make one’s own goals and structures.
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
A spectacular Ghost Slug (Selenochlamys ysbryda) found by my daughter in N Cardiff - within a mile of the home of the late Bill Symondson who first described the species, along with Ben Rowson of @amgueddfacymru.bsky.social It is one of the few species with a Welsh scientific name (ysbryd = spirit)
December 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
A spectacular Ghost Slug (Selenochlamys ysbryda) found by my daughter in N Cardiff - within a mile of the home of the late Bill Symondson who first described the species, along with Ben Rowson of @amgueddfacymru.bsky.social It is one of the few species with a Welsh scientific name (ysbryd = spirit)
Moment of confusion wandering around grocery store wondering why they don’t have some system to help customers find particular items. Then I remembered…
December 19, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Moment of confusion wandering around grocery store wondering why they don’t have some system to help customers find particular items. Then I remembered…
I made up a joke. Wanna hear it? Of course you do!
Why did the monk wear the same thing every day?
I don’t know. I guess he just got into the habit.
I don’t know. I guess he just got into the habit.
December 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I made up a joke. Wanna hear it? Of course you do!
Why did the monk wear the same thing every day?
I don’t know. I guess he just got into the habit.
I don’t know. I guess he just got into the habit.
December 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Why did the monk wear the same thing every day?
I don’t know. I guess he just got into the habit.
I don’t know. I guess he just got into the habit.
There’s very little you can do (besides sending me crypto solicitations) to get yourself blocked and reported for spam faster than sending me unsolicited “come to the light of Jesus” videos with no context and no “hi, how are you, here’s me deal.”
December 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
There’s very little you can do (besides sending me crypto solicitations) to get yourself blocked and reported for spam faster than sending me unsolicited “come to the light of Jesus” videos with no context and no “hi, how are you, here’s me deal.”
You’d think my capacity to be amazed all over again by what a pathetic, sniveling, weasel our president is would be worn out at this point, but I still found this surprising. I just cannot fathom anyone being such a colossal turd.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
White House installs plaques mocking Barack Obama and Joe Biden
The Biden plaque refers to him as “Sleepy Joe Biden” and calls him “the worst President in American History.”
www.nbcnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:40 AM
You’d think my capacity to be amazed all over again by what a pathetic, sniveling, weasel our president is would be worn out at this point, but I still found this surprising. I just cannot fathom anyone being such a colossal turd.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
In contrast, the U.S., when tasked with choosing between guns and the lives of its citizens, keeps squawking, “but our freedom though!”
Less than 48 hours after the deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that left more than a dozen dead, Australian authorities announced proposals for sweeping new gun laws. n.pr/48UTa7g
Australia announces strict new gun laws. Here's how it can act so swiftly
Less than 48 hours after the deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that left more than a dozen dead, Australian authorities announced proposals for sweeping new gun laws.
n.pr
December 16, 2025 at 4:36 AM
In contrast, the U.S., when tasked with choosing between guns and the lives of its citizens, keeps squawking, “but our freedom though!”
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
Next up: "This is my emotional support ballroom."
Trump administration says White House ballroom construction is a matter of national security
The Trump administration says in a court filing that the president’s White House ballroom construction project must continue for unexplained national security reasons.
apnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Next up: "This is my emotional support ballroom."
Flute came in with a cracked tenon (now mended with a custom sterling silver tenon cap and thin CA glue).
Cap made from flat stock: soldered, spun on a mandril, edge bent over a form, excess trimmed away once it is glued on.
With any luck, it should last a long time & make a lot more music!
Cap made from flat stock: soldered, spun on a mandril, edge bent over a form, excess trimmed away once it is glued on.
With any luck, it should last a long time & make a lot more music!
December 16, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Flute came in with a cracked tenon (now mended with a custom sterling silver tenon cap and thin CA glue).
Cap made from flat stock: soldered, spun on a mandril, edge bent over a form, excess trimmed away once it is glued on.
With any luck, it should last a long time & make a lot more music!
Cap made from flat stock: soldered, spun on a mandril, edge bent over a form, excess trimmed away once it is glued on.
With any luck, it should last a long time & make a lot more music!
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
This... 👇👇👇
There are two Americas. One with booming stock portfolios and exorbitant profits, often at the expense of their employees. While working Americans grapple with high prices and making ends meet.
The rich believe that the economy is good because it is good for THEM.
#DemVoice1 #ProudBlue #Pinks
The rich believe that the economy is good because it is good for THEM.
#DemVoice1 #ProudBlue #Pinks
Bryson DeChambeau praises Trump for creating “the greatest economy we’ve ever had”
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 AM
This... 👇👇👇
I could live a long time & never understand why anyone at Venmo thought we needed a feed function showing which friends sent someone money for parking, hair, rent, Chipotle, and a cheese grater (actual items from my current account feed).
Who pitched this? Who was like, "yeah, sounds good."
Who pitched this? Who was like, "yeah, sounds good."
December 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I could live a long time & never understand why anyone at Venmo thought we needed a feed function showing which friends sent someone money for parking, hair, rent, Chipotle, and a cheese grater (actual items from my current account feed).
Who pitched this? Who was like, "yeah, sounds good."
Who pitched this? Who was like, "yeah, sounds good."
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
Measles didn’t make a comeback on its own.
This is RFK Jr’s anti-vax movement and his disinformation campaign. And equally as disturbing, some people are perfectly fine with this outcome.
This is RFK Jr’s anti-vax movement and his disinformation campaign. And equally as disturbing, some people are perfectly fine with this outcome.
December 15, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Measles didn’t make a comeback on its own.
This is RFK Jr’s anti-vax movement and his disinformation campaign. And equally as disturbing, some people are perfectly fine with this outcome.
This is RFK Jr’s anti-vax movement and his disinformation campaign. And equally as disturbing, some people are perfectly fine with this outcome.
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
We library folk do a good job talking about all the free services we offer, but I don’t see many of us talking about how libraries are one or the only places where you can use services without being advertised to.
December 14, 2025 at 11:34 PM
We library folk do a good job talking about all the free services we offer, but I don’t see many of us talking about how libraries are one or the only places where you can use services without being advertised to.
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
This is what he says when doesn’t care about the people who died
December 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
This is what he says when doesn’t care about the people who died
Happy 100th, Dick Van Dyke. We love you, man. Keep being awesome and making us smile.
youtu.be/o4OlL0OpbW8?...
youtu.be/o4OlL0OpbW8?...
Coldplay - ALL MY LOVE (Official Video) (Directors' Cut)
YouTube video by Coldplay
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Happy 100th, Dick Van Dyke. We love you, man. Keep being awesome and making us smile.
youtu.be/o4OlL0OpbW8?...
youtu.be/o4OlL0OpbW8?...
BUT (hear me out) what an absolute banger idea for a reality show: actually do this. Drop a billionaire in a poor neighborhood where he knows no-one & doesn’t speak the language. He sinks or swims. We all watch him suffer the consequences. The show lasts as long as he does. Ratings through the roof.
Michael C. Rockefeller got shipwrecked in 1963, washed up on an island, and was promptly eaten by cannibals.
December 13, 2025 at 10:21 PM
BUT (hear me out) what an absolute banger idea for a reality show: actually do this. Drop a billionaire in a poor neighborhood where he knows no-one & doesn’t speak the language. He sinks or swims. We all watch him suffer the consequences. The show lasts as long as he does. Ratings through the roof.
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
Wishing you and yours a very happy 100th Dick Van Dyke-mas.
a man in a striped jacket is walking with three penguins behind him
Alt: Dick Van Dyke, dancing with penguins in Mary Poppins
media.tenor.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Wishing you and yours a very happy 100th Dick Van Dyke-mas.
“An expert on…” wow. I don’t even know what to say about this. Bonkers.
NEW: HHS is contemplating a men's health initiative, a source tells @emilymullin.bsky.social; indications of what that might entail come from an FDA panel held yesterday at which an expert on penis curvature held forth on the "men's health crisis" while others called for easier access to steroids.
RFK Jr.'s Health Department Is Pondering a National Men's Health Initiative
At an FDA discussion of testosterone replacement therapy, a top official called for special health centers to address a “men’s health crisis.” Others called to ease men's access to hormones.
www.wired.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:19 PM
“An expert on…” wow. I don’t even know what to say about this. Bonkers.
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
UBI has been proven to work in every time and place in which it has been attempted. Even with the odds of "conventional wisdom" stacked against it. There are no valid excuses for not implementing it immediately, only greed and hatred.
Disabled people do not owe you their medical history or an explanation as to why they receive certain benefits
The idea that people must humiliate themselves for a meagre benefit that forces them into legislative poverty is another part of eugenics
We deserve a living wage.
We are not expendable.
The idea that people must humiliate themselves for a meagre benefit that forces them into legislative poverty is another part of eugenics
We deserve a living wage.
We are not expendable.
December 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
UBI has been proven to work in every time and place in which it has been attempted. Even with the odds of "conventional wisdom" stacked against it. There are no valid excuses for not implementing it immediately, only greed and hatred.
This is Trump & his dipshit fanclub in a nutshell. They fundamentally believe that rich people should be able to buy anything they want (including basic human rights and legal immunity) and that poor people can go suck it.
December 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This is Trump & his dipshit fanclub in a nutshell. They fundamentally believe that rich people should be able to buy anything they want (including basic human rights and legal immunity) and that poor people can go suck it.
We’ve seen what happens when too much wealth gets concentrated into too few hands. It never goes well for anyone. Governments have an opportunity here, but they have to grow a spine and make a concerted, collective effort to put actually progressive tax reforms in place.
The richest 0.001% now have three times as much wealth as the poorer half of humanity combined.
www.commondreams.org/news/world-i...
www.commondreams.org/news/world-i...
Richest 0.001% Now Own Three Times More Wealth Than Poorest Half of Humanity Combined | Common Dreams
A landmark report on global inequality shows that
the chasm between the richest slice of humanity and everyone else
continued to expand this year
www.commondreams.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
We’ve seen what happens when too much wealth gets concentrated into too few hands. It never goes well for anyone. Governments have an opportunity here, but they have to grow a spine and make a concerted, collective effort to put actually progressive tax reforms in place.
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
It’s not surprising that Trump is bribe-able but it is a little shocking at how cheap it is to bribe him
Days after FIFA awarded Trump a fake peace prize, DOJ moves to drop charges in FIFA corruption case www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/n...
U.S. Moves to Drop Charges in International Soccer Corruption Case
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:31 PM
It’s not surprising that Trump is bribe-able but it is a little shocking at how cheap it is to bribe him
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
Dear the media,
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
December 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Dear the media,
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
The kid and some of her friends will be performing in the Sunday show of this event (choreography by Emily Oleson). Their bit is only about a minute but the show is great, and this family-oriented event promises a fun time for all…
December 10, 2025 at 6:11 AM
The kid and some of her friends will be performing in the Sunday show of this event (choreography by Emily Oleson). Their bit is only about a minute but the show is great, and this family-oriented event promises a fun time for all…
Reposted by Matthew Olwell
Every nazi movement needs a youth wing.
Happening now: Texas leaders announcing a rollout of a statewide program to put TPUSA chapters in high schools and colleges across the state. Gov. Abbott adds that schools that stand in the way should be reported to the Texas Education Agency.
December 8, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Every nazi movement needs a youth wing.