Antonio
@antoniobackman.bsky.social
Librarian, union member, cinema junkie and food lover.
Signed!
Last night Indeed workers held a powerful picket line outside the NE Mpls taproom to keep the pressure on management to settle a fair contract. Appreciate everyone who made it out & everyone who has signed the online letter. If you haven't signed please do & please pass the link to others!
Indeed workers have been fighting for a contract for over a year. Support them and send a message to Indeed management telling them to settle a fair contract!
actionnetwork.org/letters/inde...
actionnetwork.org/letters/inde...
November 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Signed!
Mayor Carter is a good guy, I think everybody knows that he has been a relentless champion for St. Paul, whatever he does next, I wish him all the best. www.youtube.com/shorts/Q8Ha_...
Melvin Carter congratulates new St. Paul Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her
YouTube video by KARE 11
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Mayor Carter is a good guy, I think everybody knows that he has been a relentless champion for St. Paul, whatever he does next, I wish him all the best. www.youtube.com/shorts/Q8Ha_...
Reposted by Antonio
Patrons keep asking "I had this book on hold but now I don't have it on hold anymore, why not?" and we keep having to explain that we had the bookn on order, but now we have to find a new place to order it from. People have been mostly okay about it, but it's exhausting.
A major book distributor is shutting down and libraries are warning there may be disruptions until new sources are in place.
Libraries Scramble for Books After Giant Distributor Shuts Down
Why it might have been and may continue to be harder to get new releases from your local library.
www.404media.co
October 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Patrons keep asking "I had this book on hold but now I don't have it on hold anymore, why not?" and we keep having to explain that we had the bookn on order, but now we have to find a new place to order it from. People have been mostly okay about it, but it's exhausting.
Have a new cat image that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Credit to Medieval Cats by Catherine Nappington
October 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Have a new cat image that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Credit to Medieval Cats by Catherine Nappington
I saw Netflix's new documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, and it's brutal and it shares unfortunate parallels with what happened with Davis Moturi. I think Racket's podcast episode with him was powerful and it's wrenching to see how widespread problems like these are. racketmn.com/racketcast-e...
RacketCast, Ep. 24: Terrorized In Your Own Home Feat. Davis Moturi - Racket
One Minneapolis homeowner's horrifying saga.
racketmn.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I saw Netflix's new documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, and it's brutal and it shares unfortunate parallels with what happened with Davis Moturi. I think Racket's podcast episode with him was powerful and it's wrenching to see how widespread problems like these are. racketmn.com/racketcast-e...
There's a part of me that says, "Maybe next year will be better because we (myself and coworkers) will make it better. Or get fired. Either way a change!"
early on in my career I hated working with people who had totally given up.
now I’m like “oh! that’s why they feel this way.” the field just beats you down. I have more empathy for those people now. the bureaucracy and the stupidity and administration. I don’t begrudge anyone for giving up anymore!
now I’m like “oh! that’s why they feel this way.” the field just beats you down. I have more empathy for those people now. the bureaucracy and the stupidity and administration. I don’t begrudge anyone for giving up anymore!
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 AM
There's a part of me that says, "Maybe next year will be better because we (myself and coworkers) will make it better. Or get fired. Either way a change!"
Reposted by Antonio
I am begging people outside the book industry to understand that what we’re experiencing is not merely a surge in book banning but a coordinated effort to end libraries and librarianship in America. 4/4
October 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I am begging people outside the book industry to understand that what we’re experiencing is not merely a surge in book banning but a coordinated effort to end libraries and librarianship in America. 4/4
Autonomous vehicles have felt far off to many people in MN but recent expansions by Waymo and other orgs seem substantial. Waymo is looking at MN and it is a critical moment for legislators to actually do something for Lyft/Uber drivers now, rather than wait and see. www.axios.com/local/twin-c...
Why Waymo is hiring lobbyists in Minnesota
A change in law would be needed to launch its driverless robotaxis here.
www.axios.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Autonomous vehicles have felt far off to many people in MN but recent expansions by Waymo and other orgs seem substantial. Waymo is looking at MN and it is a critical moment for legislators to actually do something for Lyft/Uber drivers now, rather than wait and see. www.axios.com/local/twin-c...
Reposted by Antonio
October 7, 2025 at 2:31 AM
She mentions county libraries and city libraries are duplicative, but none of the county libraries are in the city! Having the public have access to school libraries would be a logistical nightmare! What is she talking about? Absolute nonsense.
Someone’s gonna need to follow up with Representative Her and see if she really meant “cutting libraries and recreation centers” as a means of relieving the tax burden. That was a surprise!
October 7, 2025 at 1:05 AM
She mentions county libraries and city libraries are duplicative, but none of the county libraries are in the city! Having the public have access to school libraries would be a logistical nightmare! What is she talking about? Absolute nonsense.
Nyaight of the Living Cat lived up to the trailer and more! I laughed harder at this than any other show I've seen this year. Worth your time. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4REA...
Nyaight of the Living Cat | OFFICIAL TRAILER 3
YouTube video by Crunchyroll
www.youtube.com
October 4, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Nyaight of the Living Cat lived up to the trailer and more! I laughed harder at this than any other show I've seen this year. Worth your time. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4REA...
I voted for Melvin for Mayor today and checked yes twice. I was already going to do that before I read Tom's post but it really is a good summation of why you should. I just don't believe anyone else would have done as good as a job as Mayor Carter these last two terms, and I think he can do more.
I spent a lot of time writing about the Saint Paul election so I’m re-posting myself for the weekday crowd even if it’s gauche.
I de-facebook-ified it:
leaflet.pub/c44e9235-1f9...
leaflet.pub/c44e9235-1f9...
October 3, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I voted for Melvin for Mayor today and checked yes twice. I was already going to do that before I read Tom's post but it really is a good summation of why you should. I just don't believe anyone else would have done as good as a job as Mayor Carter these last two terms, and I think he can do more.
From Dave Pell's Next Draft - An absolute stinger at the end.
September 19, 2025 at 11:07 AM
From Dave Pell's Next Draft - An absolute stinger at the end.
Bless that lifeguard wrestler. It's absolutely joyous to root for an Edina cake-eater to get slammed by an opossum in a fight. Would love more suburban heels.
September 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Bless that lifeguard wrestler. It's absolutely joyous to root for an Edina cake-eater to get slammed by an opossum in a fight. Would love more suburban heels.
From Adam Platt's Twin Cities Business Mag's article about the Strib closing their print facility. First, the weekday print circ is about 71,000 (low but still better than I thought) and the weekday digital is 102,000, that's really not ideal, really speaks to their digital sub struggles.
September 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
From Adam Platt's Twin Cities Business Mag's article about the Strib closing their print facility. First, the weekday print circ is about 71,000 (low but still better than I thought) and the weekday digital is 102,000, that's really not ideal, really speaks to their digital sub struggles.
The Star Tribune author displaying strong 'Union for me, but not for thee' energy for restaurant workers.
Today, while a labor strike is underway at our state’s 6th largest employer, the Strib runs a piece telling us we should have sympathy for Ann Kim because she felt the consequences of being a union buster.
Girl, I still don’t drink Surly. Nobody can hold a grudge like a union member. #FAFO
Girl, I still don’t drink Surly. Nobody can hold a grudge like a union member. #FAFO
September 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The Star Tribune author displaying strong 'Union for me, but not for thee' energy for restaurant workers.
Remember when someone posted this picture likening DFL leaders to characters from The Godfather. Because, honestly, I still think about it and I laugh and laugh.
September 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Remember when someone posted this picture likening DFL leaders to characters from The Godfather. Because, honestly, I still think about it and I laugh and laugh.
I'll say this, I think the Baba's production team seemed a little under prepared for the Fair, so there is prolly some inconsistencies for the food, but as a whole, I think that it's clear to be a top tier dish.
August 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I'll say this, I think the Baba's production team seemed a little under prepared for the Fair, so there is prolly some inconsistencies for the food, but as a whole, I think that it's clear to be a top tier dish.
Reposted by Antonio
As always, we’ve evaluated the new fair foods according to our peerless, pitiless Scarf!, Shrug, Skip system. (Accept no substitutes.)
The Best, Worst, and Most Middling New Foods of the 2025 Minnesota State Fair - Racket
Enjoy 7,000 words of reviews set to our proprietary Scarf!, Shrug, Skip rating system.
racketmn.com
August 22, 2025 at 1:15 PM
As always, we’ve evaluated the new fair foods according to our peerless, pitiless Scarf!, Shrug, Skip system. (Accept no substitutes.)
Reposted by Antonio
BEHOLD the State Fair mega-post! 75 freakin' items, 8,900 words, assessments without fear or favor, a dash of satire, spiritous beverages, interviews with the new foodsmiths… holy hell, we were busy. Bon appetit and happy hunting! heavytable.substack.com/p/the-2025-m...
August 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
BEHOLD the State Fair mega-post! 75 freakin' items, 8,900 words, assessments without fear or favor, a dash of satire, spiritous beverages, interviews with the new foodsmiths… holy hell, we were busy. Bon appetit and happy hunting! heavytable.substack.com/p/the-2025-m...
Roundup of media reviews about the New Minnesota State Fair Foods for 2025 from the first day! A final draft will come out later this weekend. Somali Street Fries and Sweet Squeakers are early favorites. Blue Barn redeemed itself? #mnstatefair
August 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Roundup of media reviews about the New Minnesota State Fair Foods for 2025 from the first day! A final draft will come out later this weekend. Somali Street Fries and Sweet Squeakers are early favorites. Blue Barn redeemed itself? #mnstatefair
Still new to Saint Paul but I can't imagine Mayor Carter losing this year, especially since the general vibes from State Rep. Her's campaign is giving 'I'm the more conservative candidate in the race'. I'll predict him cruising to win 58-42 this election.
New episode of the Wedge LIVE podcast: A bike ride conversation with Melvin Carter, who is running for a third term as mayor of Saint Paul.
August 20, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Still new to Saint Paul but I can't imagine Mayor Carter losing this year, especially since the general vibes from State Rep. Her's campaign is giving 'I'm the more conservative candidate in the race'. I'll predict him cruising to win 58-42 this election.
I'll be collecting media reviews about the New Minnesota State Fair Foods this year and organizing them like this (sample version from last years 2024 reviews).
July 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I'll be collecting media reviews about the New Minnesota State Fair Foods this year and organizing them like this (sample version from last years 2024 reviews).
It's here! www.mnstatefair.org/new/food/
New Foods for 2025
www.mnstatefair.org
July 9, 2025 at 11:07 AM
It's here! www.mnstatefair.org/new/food/
Replacing library staff with a Discount Baymax is not the fucking way.
You put this in my library I'm gonna beat this robot scab to death
July 8, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Replacing library staff with a Discount Baymax is not the fucking way.