Michael A. Shea
@michaelashea.bsky.social
Arlington, VA. W&M '82. Filmmaker. Bicyclist. Medical Clinic Volunteer. UAW Local 1981. We call Virginia a Commonwealth. Let's make it an actual Commonwealth.
(he/him)
(he/him)
You know how at parties everyone ends up in the kitchen? I stopped by the Chinese New Year Festival at Luther Jackson MS today and found myself gravitating to the food hall.
February 14, 2026 at 5:28 PM
You know how at parties everyone ends up in the kitchen? I stopped by the Chinese New Year Festival at Luther Jackson MS today and found myself gravitating to the food hall.
Wow. Report from Saturday 11 am on the 14th. You know, the “warm” day in Arlington.
A glacier abides on the west end of the Custis Trail.
Go gently
A glacier abides on the west end of the Custis Trail.
Go gently
February 14, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Wow. Report from Saturday 11 am on the 14th. You know, the “warm” day in Arlington.
A glacier abides on the west end of the Custis Trail.
Go gently
A glacier abides on the west end of the Custis Trail.
Go gently
From this morning, on the Custis Trail (near Washington Blvd). Beware of ice patches. Had to stop & walk several times while bicycling to substitute teach.
Thought of texting the main office to say I was delayed by ice, but autocorrect would make it "detained" and there'd be all kinds of confusion.
Thought of texting the main office to say I was delayed by ice, but autocorrect would make it "detained" and there'd be all kinds of confusion.
February 14, 2026 at 12:27 AM
From this morning, on the Custis Trail (near Washington Blvd). Beware of ice patches. Had to stop & walk several times while bicycling to substitute teach.
Thought of texting the main office to say I was delayed by ice, but autocorrect would make it "detained" and there'd be all kinds of confusion.
Thought of texting the main office to say I was delayed by ice, but autocorrect would make it "detained" and there'd be all kinds of confusion.
I was hearing one student complain that his robot was "an old man! with arthritis!"
Finally, I had to tell him: "I'm an old man and have arthritis. But I rode my bike here today. Your robot might surprise you."
He replied: "So my robot is less functional than an arthritic old man. Good to know."
Finally, I had to tell him: "I'm an old man and have arthritis. But I rode my bike here today. Your robot might surprise you."
He replied: "So my robot is less functional than an arthritic old man. Good to know."
February 14, 2026 at 12:24 AM
I was hearing one student complain that his robot was "an old man! with arthritis!"
Finally, I had to tell him: "I'm an old man and have arthritis. But I rode my bike here today. Your robot might surprise you."
He replied: "So my robot is less functional than an arthritic old man. Good to know."
Finally, I had to tell him: "I'm an old man and have arthritis. But I rode my bike here today. Your robot might surprise you."
He replied: "So my robot is less functional than an arthritic old man. Good to know."
Trump illegally raided IRS data to get deets on immigrants who are working & paying taxes, partly because he has no other use for IRS data.
He can't find his Cabinet members, family members, campaign donors, or crypto accomplices in IRS data.
For info on all of them, he can go to the Epstein Files.
He can't find his Cabinet members, family members, campaign donors, or crypto accomplices in IRS data.
For info on all of them, he can go to the Epstein Files.
February 13, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Trump illegally raided IRS data to get deets on immigrants who are working & paying taxes, partly because he has no other use for IRS data.
He can't find his Cabinet members, family members, campaign donors, or crypto accomplices in IRS data.
For info on all of them, he can go to the Epstein Files.
He can't find his Cabinet members, family members, campaign donors, or crypto accomplices in IRS data.
For info on all of them, he can go to the Epstein Files.
We ride at dawn.
I bicycled up to Glebe and 36th in order to greet the Venerable Monks on their Walk for Peace. The monks were hosted by Marymount last night and today walked into DC
I bicycled up to Glebe and 36th in order to greet the Venerable Monks on their Walk for Peace. The monks were hosted by Marymount last night and today walked into DC
February 10, 2026 at 6:43 PM
We ride at dawn.
I bicycled up to Glebe and 36th in order to greet the Venerable Monks on their Walk for Peace. The monks were hosted by Marymount last night and today walked into DC
I bicycled up to Glebe and 36th in order to greet the Venerable Monks on their Walk for Peace. The monks were hosted by Marymount last night and today walked into DC
Not to nitpick, but shouldn't this headline be:
Trump has not expressed a coherent thought in months and has diminished mental faculties, leaving his Republican supporters to guess about the midterms.
Or would that not fit?
Trump has not expressed a coherent thought in months and has diminished mental faculties, leaving his Republican supporters to guess about the midterms.
Or would that not fit?
February 10, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Not to nitpick, but shouldn't this headline be:
Trump has not expressed a coherent thought in months and has diminished mental faculties, leaving his Republican supporters to guess about the midterms.
Or would that not fit?
Trump has not expressed a coherent thought in months and has diminished mental faculties, leaving his Republican supporters to guess about the midterms.
Or would that not fit?
Thank you to Devanshi Patel for her eloquence and welcome to Arlington, Walk for Peace.
“May we each choose a life that calls us beyond comfort and leads us towards purpose.” — Devanshi Patel
“May we each choose a life that calls us beyond comfort and leads us towards purpose.” — Devanshi Patel
February 10, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Thank you to Devanshi Patel for her eloquence and welcome to Arlington, Walk for Peace.
“May we each choose a life that calls us beyond comfort and leads us towards purpose.” — Devanshi Patel
“May we each choose a life that calls us beyond comfort and leads us towards purpose.” — Devanshi Patel
Snowcrete shall not be moved? No problem!
This Arlington house has not shoveled the snow and ice on the steps to the sidewalk, but laid out several beach towels, which freeze to the snow but keep a slip-free surface to walk on.
And with this weather, you really have no other use for beach towels.
This Arlington house has not shoveled the snow and ice on the steps to the sidewalk, but laid out several beach towels, which freeze to the snow but keep a slip-free surface to walk on.
And with this weather, you really have no other use for beach towels.
February 7, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Snowcrete shall not be moved? No problem!
This Arlington house has not shoveled the snow and ice on the steps to the sidewalk, but laid out several beach towels, which freeze to the snow but keep a slip-free surface to walk on.
And with this weather, you really have no other use for beach towels.
This Arlington house has not shoveled the snow and ice on the steps to the sidewalk, but laid out several beach towels, which freeze to the snow but keep a slip-free surface to walk on.
And with this weather, you really have no other use for beach towels.
Spotted in the main entrance lobby to Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.
More public spaces should take up this idea. Offer some seats with at least some privacy for cell phone conversations. I call them HIPAA chairs.
More public spaces should take up this idea. Offer some seats with at least some privacy for cell phone conversations. I call them HIPAA chairs.
February 7, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Spotted in the main entrance lobby to Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.
More public spaces should take up this idea. Offer some seats with at least some privacy for cell phone conversations. I call them HIPAA chairs.
More public spaces should take up this idea. Offer some seats with at least some privacy for cell phone conversations. I call them HIPAA chairs.
Lost and found on the Custis Trail in Arlington- near N. Harrison Street.
A restroom key from a Hoteling co-working space. The 9th floor.
I think when they put the key on that large plastic card, they were thinking: "No one will lose this!"
A restroom key from a Hoteling co-working space. The 9th floor.
I think when they put the key on that large plastic card, they were thinking: "No one will lose this!"
February 7, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Lost and found on the Custis Trail in Arlington- near N. Harrison Street.
A restroom key from a Hoteling co-working space. The 9th floor.
I think when they put the key on that large plastic card, they were thinking: "No one will lose this!"
A restroom key from a Hoteling co-working space. The 9th floor.
I think when they put the key on that large plastic card, they were thinking: "No one will lose this!"
From your favorite Boomer Substitute Teacher.
Taught middle school robotics today. This is the door to the robotics lab for the after school club. One reason it is an amazing time to go to middle school.
It's a lab now. When it is the teacher lounge, we are probably doomed.
Taught middle school robotics today. This is the door to the robotics lab for the after school club. One reason it is an amazing time to go to middle school.
It's a lab now. When it is the teacher lounge, we are probably doomed.
February 7, 2026 at 1:19 AM
From your favorite Boomer Substitute Teacher.
Taught middle school robotics today. This is the door to the robotics lab for the after school club. One reason it is an amazing time to go to middle school.
It's a lab now. When it is the teacher lounge, we are probably doomed.
Taught middle school robotics today. This is the door to the robotics lab for the after school club. One reason it is an amazing time to go to middle school.
It's a lab now. When it is the teacher lounge, we are probably doomed.
The robotics students were skeptical when I said all the tech in their classroom didn't exist when I was in middle school- even the coffeemaker, one asked? YES.
When I started the middle school years, an auto drip-brew for home use had not hit the American market. "Mr. Coffee" was launched in 1972.
When I started the middle school years, an auto drip-brew for home use had not hit the American market. "Mr. Coffee" was launched in 1972.
February 7, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The robotics students were skeptical when I said all the tech in their classroom didn't exist when I was in middle school- even the coffeemaker, one asked? YES.
When I started the middle school years, an auto drip-brew for home use had not hit the American market. "Mr. Coffee" was launched in 1972.
When I started the middle school years, an auto drip-brew for home use had not hit the American market. "Mr. Coffee" was launched in 1972.
One of my Arlington neighbors uses a Halloween decoration to reserve their dug out parking spot.
February 6, 2026 at 9:24 PM
One of my Arlington neighbors uses a Halloween decoration to reserve their dug out parking spot.
Former Scout here. This dude is not someone that Scouting America should ever take advice from- on any issue.
Also, Hegseth's unilateral drop of support for the Jamboree violates Federal law- which is probably the juice in it for him.
Also, Hegseth's unilateral drop of support for the Jamboree violates Federal law- which is probably the juice in it for him.
February 5, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Former Scout here. This dude is not someone that Scouting America should ever take advice from- on any issue.
Also, Hegseth's unilateral drop of support for the Jamboree violates Federal law- which is probably the juice in it for him.
Also, Hegseth's unilateral drop of support for the Jamboree violates Federal law- which is probably the juice in it for him.
From substitute teaching:
A middle school student asked if he could guess my age (Spoiler alert: I am 65.) and he went with 40.
Later, in the teacher lounge, they said: "Hey, take the compliment!"
But this seems so far off the mark I am concerned that our schools are not teaching critical thinking.
A middle school student asked if he could guess my age (Spoiler alert: I am 65.) and he went with 40.
Later, in the teacher lounge, they said: "Hey, take the compliment!"
But this seems so far off the mark I am concerned that our schools are not teaching critical thinking.
February 5, 2026 at 1:34 AM
From substitute teaching:
A middle school student asked if he could guess my age (Spoiler alert: I am 65.) and he went with 40.
Later, in the teacher lounge, they said: "Hey, take the compliment!"
But this seems so far off the mark I am concerned that our schools are not teaching critical thinking.
A middle school student asked if he could guess my age (Spoiler alert: I am 65.) and he went with 40.
Later, in the teacher lounge, they said: "Hey, take the compliment!"
But this seems so far off the mark I am concerned that our schools are not teaching critical thinking.
I am one of about ten people in the DMV who read the print edition of a newspaper. Based on the overwhelming presence of print ads for new windows and blinds, they must think the ten of us are so old fashioned we live in old houses with the original window treatments.
February 5, 2026 at 1:28 AM
I am one of about ten people in the DMV who read the print edition of a newspaper. Based on the overwhelming presence of print ads for new windows and blinds, they must think the ten of us are so old fashioned we live in old houses with the original window treatments.
Got around Arlington today by combination of biking and walking. Mostly biking on cleared areas, but occasionally stopping for ice or snow ahead and then walking the bike safely around the hazard.
I call it "bilking" even though that word is already taken.
I call it "bilking" even though that word is already taken.
February 5, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Got around Arlington today by combination of biking and walking. Mostly biking on cleared areas, but occasionally stopping for ice or snow ahead and then walking the bike safely around the hazard.
I call it "bilking" even though that word is already taken.
I call it "bilking" even though that word is already taken.
I've been an audience member at the Kennedy Center, as well as working backstage for shows. I have been to just about every nook and cranny in the building.
Trump's lies about it being in shabby shape are laughable.
If Trump wants to find bathrooms that are in disrepair, he can start at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump's lies about it being in shabby shape are laughable.
If Trump wants to find bathrooms that are in disrepair, he can start at Mar-a-Lago.
February 4, 2026 at 1:09 PM
I've been an audience member at the Kennedy Center, as well as working backstage for shows. I have been to just about every nook and cranny in the building.
Trump's lies about it being in shabby shape are laughable.
If Trump wants to find bathrooms that are in disrepair, he can start at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump's lies about it being in shabby shape are laughable.
If Trump wants to find bathrooms that are in disrepair, he can start at Mar-a-Lago.
As @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social has said- the situation in the Minnesota US Attorney's office is "unreal." People are reacting to attorney Julie Le's comments that the job sucks and her Vinnie Gambini like request to be held in contempt so she could get some sleep.
Bondi's DOJ is destroying justice.
Bondi's DOJ is destroying justice.
February 3, 2026 at 11:01 PM
As @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social has said- the situation in the Minnesota US Attorney's office is "unreal." People are reacting to attorney Julie Le's comments that the job sucks and her Vinnie Gambini like request to be held in contempt so she could get some sleep.
Bondi's DOJ is destroying justice.
Bondi's DOJ is destroying justice.
In the category of “Best Chair Used to Reserve a Dug Out Parking Space in the Snow,” the winner is this resident on Washington Boulevard in Westover.
February 3, 2026 at 7:10 PM
In the category of “Best Chair Used to Reserve a Dug Out Parking Space in the Snow,” the winner is this resident on Washington Boulevard in Westover.
Week 1 of snow-crete in Arlington was cutting big slabs of ice whole and then hurling them like a mighty Xena, Warrior Princess. (My cultural references are usually from the last century.)
Week 2 has ice that will only be moved if it is reduced to hospital ice consistency.
This is the badass ice.
Week 2 has ice that will only be moved if it is reduced to hospital ice consistency.
This is the badass ice.
February 3, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Week 1 of snow-crete in Arlington was cutting big slabs of ice whole and then hurling them like a mighty Xena, Warrior Princess. (My cultural references are usually from the last century.)
Week 2 has ice that will only be moved if it is reduced to hospital ice consistency.
This is the badass ice.
Week 2 has ice that will only be moved if it is reduced to hospital ice consistency.
This is the badass ice.
I emerged from my garage (less hospitable than a groundhog burrow, throwing off this metaphor) to see the shadow of the snow-crete pile at the foot of the driveway, to predict six more weeks of one lane roads and no parking in Arlington County.
February 3, 2026 at 2:40 PM
I emerged from my garage (less hospitable than a groundhog burrow, throwing off this metaphor) to see the shadow of the snow-crete pile at the foot of the driveway, to predict six more weeks of one lane roads and no parking in Arlington County.
Names get forgotten, stories abide.
Future generations will long say: "Whatever happened to that guy who was president but was such a crybaby that when his wife's movie tanked and no one would perform at his theater he just shut it down for two years? What was his name?"
Future generations will long say: "Whatever happened to that guy who was president but was such a crybaby that when his wife's movie tanked and no one would perform at his theater he just shut it down for two years? What was his name?"
February 3, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Names get forgotten, stories abide.
Future generations will long say: "Whatever happened to that guy who was president but was such a crybaby that when his wife's movie tanked and no one would perform at his theater he just shut it down for two years? What was his name?"
Future generations will long say: "Whatever happened to that guy who was president but was such a crybaby that when his wife's movie tanked and no one would perform at his theater he just shut it down for two years? What was his name?"
The snowcrete was angry that day, my friends.
I chopped and shoveled a cleared path from the Custis Trail (which Arlington County plowed very nicely many days past) to the street, near the corner of N Jefferson and Fairfax Drive.
I chopped and shoveled a cleared path from the Custis Trail (which Arlington County plowed very nicely many days past) to the street, near the corner of N Jefferson and Fairfax Drive.
February 1, 2026 at 9:47 PM
The snowcrete was angry that day, my friends.
I chopped and shoveled a cleared path from the Custis Trail (which Arlington County plowed very nicely many days past) to the street, near the corner of N Jefferson and Fairfax Drive.
I chopped and shoveled a cleared path from the Custis Trail (which Arlington County plowed very nicely many days past) to the street, near the corner of N Jefferson and Fairfax Drive.