William
@callmewilliam.bsky.social
Ava's person, board game enthusiast, data whisperer
Dinner last night with two academics
One lives in Houston, one in DC. Plus me, who hasn't owned a car in 20 years and lives in ALX.
I brought up going to the author talk for Life After Cars, and was asked for what the position of the book was. The rest is uh, what happened so far as I remember.
One lives in Houston, one in DC. Plus me, who hasn't owned a car in 20 years and lives in ALX.
I brought up going to the author talk for Life After Cars, and was asked for what the position of the book was. The rest is uh, what happened so far as I remember.
November 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Dinner last night with two academics
One lives in Houston, one in DC. Plus me, who hasn't owned a car in 20 years and lives in ALX.
I brought up going to the author talk for Life After Cars, and was asked for what the position of the book was. The rest is uh, what happened so far as I remember.
One lives in Houston, one in DC. Plus me, who hasn't owned a car in 20 years and lives in ALX.
I brought up going to the author talk for Life After Cars, and was asked for what the position of the book was. The rest is uh, what happened so far as I remember.
This is a ... subskeet? Probably
We lived in Arlington for a decade, a block to the metro.
Outside of Metro, infrastructure was car-first. I remember doing 5ks along Wilson, dodging traffic. That strode is dangerous.
Guess what ALX has? Path connecting metro
It's more fun not to dodge traffic.
We lived in Arlington for a decade, a block to the metro.
Outside of Metro, infrastructure was car-first. I remember doing 5ks along Wilson, dodging traffic. That strode is dangerous.
Guess what ALX has? Path connecting metro
It's more fun not to dodge traffic.
November 21, 2025 at 3:43 PM
This is a ... subskeet? Probably
We lived in Arlington for a decade, a block to the metro.
Outside of Metro, infrastructure was car-first. I remember doing 5ks along Wilson, dodging traffic. That strode is dangerous.
Guess what ALX has? Path connecting metro
It's more fun not to dodge traffic.
We lived in Arlington for a decade, a block to the metro.
Outside of Metro, infrastructure was car-first. I remember doing 5ks along Wilson, dodging traffic. That strode is dangerous.
Guess what ALX has? Path connecting metro
It's more fun not to dodge traffic.
132 million households, and 148 million housing units.
That's 1.12 households per housing units.
We have between 2.5 and 7 parking spaces per car.
How often do we hear there's not enough parking?
Source: duckduckgo's search assist, so take with a grain of salt.
That's 1.12 households per housing units.
We have between 2.5 and 7 parking spaces per car.
How often do we hear there's not enough parking?
Source: duckduckgo's search assist, so take with a grain of salt.
We have what, 4 parking spots for every car in America?
How many bedrooms per person do we have?
Or - perhaps more relevantly - how many housing units per household?
We've designed a world for cars. Not one for people.
We can - and must - do better.
What's the next step?
How many bedrooms per person do we have?
Or - perhaps more relevantly - how many housing units per household?
We've designed a world for cars. Not one for people.
We can - and must - do better.
What's the next step?
November 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
132 million households, and 148 million housing units.
That's 1.12 households per housing units.
We have between 2.5 and 7 parking spaces per car.
How often do we hear there's not enough parking?
Source: duckduckgo's search assist, so take with a grain of salt.
That's 1.12 households per housing units.
We have between 2.5 and 7 parking spaces per car.
How often do we hear there's not enough parking?
Source: duckduckgo's search assist, so take with a grain of salt.
We have what, 4 parking spots for every car in America?
How many bedrooms per person do we have?
Or - perhaps more relevantly - how many housing units per household?
We've designed a world for cars. Not one for people.
We can - and must - do better.
What's the next step?
How many bedrooms per person do we have?
Or - perhaps more relevantly - how many housing units per household?
We've designed a world for cars. Not one for people.
We can - and must - do better.
What's the next step?
November 19, 2025 at 8:59 PM
We have what, 4 parking spots for every car in America?
How many bedrooms per person do we have?
Or - perhaps more relevantly - how many housing units per household?
We've designed a world for cars. Not one for people.
We can - and must - do better.
What's the next step?
How many bedrooms per person do we have?
Or - perhaps more relevantly - how many housing units per household?
We've designed a world for cars. Not one for people.
We can - and must - do better.
What's the next step?
Not to threadjack, but: I thought Paul Reiser was a terrible person most of my life due to Aliens.
Long running urbanist sitcom where he's a loving husband? Who cares.
He treated Ripley and Newt as disposable. That was my core memory of him for decades.
Long running urbanist sitcom where he's a loving husband? Who cares.
He treated Ripley and Newt as disposable. That was my core memory of him for decades.
Are you trying to tell me that the real monsters were people all along 😱
November 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Not to threadjack, but: I thought Paul Reiser was a terrible person most of my life due to Aliens.
Long running urbanist sitcom where he's a loving husband? Who cares.
He treated Ripley and Newt as disposable. That was my core memory of him for decades.
Long running urbanist sitcom where he's a loving husband? Who cares.
He treated Ripley and Newt as disposable. That was my core memory of him for decades.
I just got emailed this Amazon link. Someone knows me.
www.amazon.com/Shoup-Doctri...
Has anyone read this?
It's probably more technical than I can readily enjoy - or follow - but could be fun.
www.amazon.com/Shoup-Doctri...
Has anyone read this?
It's probably more technical than I can readily enjoy - or follow - but could be fun.
November 7, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I just got emailed this Amazon link. Someone knows me.
www.amazon.com/Shoup-Doctri...
Has anyone read this?
It's probably more technical than I can readily enjoy - or follow - but could be fun.
www.amazon.com/Shoup-Doctri...
Has anyone read this?
It's probably more technical than I can readily enjoy - or follow - but could be fun.
This will start high level and get personal
I'm reading "Life After Cars" by The War on Cars podcast
They have done a really good job at illustrating the problems of car dependence has had on so many.
My own car-lite life (we Uber and rent and get rides from friends, but do not own) is a choice.
I'm reading "Life After Cars" by The War on Cars podcast
They have done a really good job at illustrating the problems of car dependence has had on so many.
My own car-lite life (we Uber and rent and get rides from friends, but do not own) is a choice.
November 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
This will start high level and get personal
I'm reading "Life After Cars" by The War on Cars podcast
They have done a really good job at illustrating the problems of car dependence has had on so many.
My own car-lite life (we Uber and rent and get rides from friends, but do not own) is a choice.
I'm reading "Life After Cars" by The War on Cars podcast
They have done a really good job at illustrating the problems of car dependence has had on so many.
My own car-lite life (we Uber and rent and get rides from friends, but do not own) is a choice.
A Catina in the neighborhood for Halloween?
GLORIOUS
GLORIOUS
November 1, 2025 at 12:34 AM
A Catina in the neighborhood for Halloween?
GLORIOUS
GLORIOUS
Phil is asked: How many bowls of colon blow are in super colon blow?
He naively guesses 2.
He's told to guess higher. He goes to 3. Then 5.
Each time, he's told the answer is higher.
What number should Phil start with, and what is the best strategy?
How do we help Phil?
He naively guesses 2.
He's told to guess higher. He goes to 3. Then 5.
Each time, he's told the answer is higher.
What number should Phil start with, and what is the best strategy?
How do we help Phil?
October 29, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Phil is asked: How many bowls of colon blow are in super colon blow?
He naively guesses 2.
He's told to guess higher. He goes to 3. Then 5.
Each time, he's told the answer is higher.
What number should Phil start with, and what is the best strategy?
How do we help Phil?
He naively guesses 2.
He's told to guess higher. He goes to 3. Then 5.
Each time, he's told the answer is higher.
What number should Phil start with, and what is the best strategy?
How do we help Phil?
I spent this weekend at the New Warrior Training Adventure with the mankind project.
mkpusa.org
What we do: Provide an opportunity for men to take a look at how they show up, touch their shadow, and come out the other side.
If you want to know more, I'm happy to talk about my experiences.
mkpusa.org
What we do: Provide an opportunity for men to take a look at how they show up, touch their shadow, and come out the other side.
If you want to know more, I'm happy to talk about my experiences.
October 28, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I spent this weekend at the New Warrior Training Adventure with the mankind project.
mkpusa.org
What we do: Provide an opportunity for men to take a look at how they show up, touch their shadow, and come out the other side.
If you want to know more, I'm happy to talk about my experiences.
mkpusa.org
What we do: Provide an opportunity for men to take a look at how they show up, touch their shadow, and come out the other side.
If you want to know more, I'm happy to talk about my experiences.
Reposted by William
Wow.
Attention: for all you housing lovers along the Northeast Corridor - Baltimore’s City Council just passed single-stair reform AND repealed residential parking minimums AND reduced setback requirements one-after-another this evening
October 28, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Wow.
This is the occasional reminder about XLOOKUP
When I started using Excel 20 years ago, we had: vlookup, hlookup, index, match, indirect and some other slop.
Maybe five years ago they introduced XLOOKUP. I've not used vlookup or index/match sense. Occasionally I'll need an indirect, but ....
When I started using Excel 20 years ago, we had: vlookup, hlookup, index, match, indirect and some other slop.
Maybe five years ago they introduced XLOOKUP. I've not used vlookup or index/match sense. Occasionally I'll need an indirect, but ....
October 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is the occasional reminder about XLOOKUP
When I started using Excel 20 years ago, we had: vlookup, hlookup, index, match, indirect and some other slop.
Maybe five years ago they introduced XLOOKUP. I've not used vlookup or index/match sense. Occasionally I'll need an indirect, but ....
When I started using Excel 20 years ago, we had: vlookup, hlookup, index, match, indirect and some other slop.
Maybe five years ago they introduced XLOOKUP. I've not used vlookup or index/match sense. Occasionally I'll need an indirect, but ....
Private Citizen Justin Wilson for Sheriff, of course
Qualifications:
1. Doesn't want the job
2. Knows his way around city hall
3. I imagine he'd push for cops on bikes.
Hopefully he won't see this.
Qualifications:
1. Doesn't want the job
2. Knows his way around city hall
3. I imagine he'd push for cops on bikes.
Hopefully he won't see this.
So if Sean Casey refuses to end cooperation with ICE from the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, do we have someone we're writing in?
October 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Private Citizen Justin Wilson for Sheriff, of course
Qualifications:
1. Doesn't want the job
2. Knows his way around city hall
3. I imagine he'd push for cops on bikes.
Hopefully he won't see this.
Qualifications:
1. Doesn't want the job
2. Knows his way around city hall
3. I imagine he'd push for cops on bikes.
Hopefully he won't see this.
ok, honest question: Why is housing not standard at every metro?
Here's the vision: Every metro stop with a multi-floor housing complex with units of all sizes and no parking.
Integrated bodega and other retail in the first floor.
Courthouse and Clarendon almost have it. Why isn't this standard?
Here's the vision: Every metro stop with a multi-floor housing complex with units of all sizes and no parking.
Integrated bodega and other retail in the first floor.
Courthouse and Clarendon almost have it. Why isn't this standard?
October 20, 2025 at 3:32 PM
ok, honest question: Why is housing not standard at every metro?
Here's the vision: Every metro stop with a multi-floor housing complex with units of all sizes and no parking.
Integrated bodega and other retail in the first floor.
Courthouse and Clarendon almost have it. Why isn't this standard?
Here's the vision: Every metro stop with a multi-floor housing complex with units of all sizes and no parking.
Integrated bodega and other retail in the first floor.
Courthouse and Clarendon almost have it. Why isn't this standard?
Nice to see the artisinal web here is still up while everything else is down.
October 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Nice to see the artisinal web here is still up while everything else is down.
Do you - or a man in your life - long for connection and brotherhood?
To be clear, this is absolutely not alpha male bullshit. This is more getting in touch with your own feelings and goals.
Registration is here: mkpconnect.org/civicrm/even...
I'm happy to talk about it with anyone interested.
To be clear, this is absolutely not alpha male bullshit. This is more getting in touch with your own feelings and goals.
Registration is here: mkpconnect.org/civicrm/even...
I'm happy to talk about it with anyone interested.
October 15, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Do you - or a man in your life - long for connection and brotherhood?
To be clear, this is absolutely not alpha male bullshit. This is more getting in touch with your own feelings and goals.
Registration is here: mkpconnect.org/civicrm/even...
I'm happy to talk about it with anyone interested.
To be clear, this is absolutely not alpha male bullshit. This is more getting in touch with your own feelings and goals.
Registration is here: mkpconnect.org/civicrm/even...
I'm happy to talk about it with anyone interested.
The water company just tried to forcibly opt us into paperless billing.
No, thank you. I get my bills in the mail as I do not trust my capitalist overlords.
I have yet to be convinced that paperless billing has a meaningful environmental impact; I expect its about the stamp.
No, thank you. I get my bills in the mail as I do not trust my capitalist overlords.
I have yet to be convinced that paperless billing has a meaningful environmental impact; I expect its about the stamp.
October 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The water company just tried to forcibly opt us into paperless billing.
No, thank you. I get my bills in the mail as I do not trust my capitalist overlords.
I have yet to be convinced that paperless billing has a meaningful environmental impact; I expect its about the stamp.
No, thank you. I get my bills in the mail as I do not trust my capitalist overlords.
I have yet to be convinced that paperless billing has a meaningful environmental impact; I expect its about the stamp.
Kinetic energy is proportion to mv^2, yeah?
So a car going 25 has energy proportional to 625, while at 30 its proportional to 900 - an increase of almost 50%
... And 60 mph is proportion to 3600 - 4 times 30 mph.
Speed kills.
So a car going 25 has energy proportional to 625, while at 30 its proportional to 900 - an increase of almost 50%
... And 60 mph is proportion to 3600 - 4 times 30 mph.
Speed kills.
Everyone is a pedestrian! 🚶
Did you know driving just 5 mph slower can save lives? AAA found pedestrians hit at 25 mph are half as likely to die as those hit at 30 mph. Stick to the speed limit and keep our streets safer for all. #VisitonZero #SafeStreets #NationalPedestrianSafetyMonth
Did you know driving just 5 mph slower can save lives? AAA found pedestrians hit at 25 mph are half as likely to die as those hit at 30 mph. Stick to the speed limit and keep our streets safer for all. #VisitonZero #SafeStreets #NationalPedestrianSafetyMonth
Speed Camera Safety Program
In 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia passed a law authorizing the use of speed cameras in school zones and work zones. Alexandria is joining several communities across Virginia in implementing a speed camera program.
alexandriava.gov
October 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Kinetic energy is proportion to mv^2, yeah?
So a car going 25 has energy proportional to 625, while at 30 its proportional to 900 - an increase of almost 50%
... And 60 mph is proportion to 3600 - 4 times 30 mph.
Speed kills.
So a car going 25 has energy proportional to 625, while at 30 its proportional to 900 - an increase of almost 50%
... And 60 mph is proportion to 3600 - 4 times 30 mph.
Speed kills.
I stopped driving regularly 20 years ago.
Sold my car, moved East. I thought of it as a rejection of where I was born.
Of late, there's another reason: My eyes are not what they once were... so says multiple visits to Hopkins and other eye specialists.
I was never very good at driving.
Sold my car, moved East. I thought of it as a rejection of where I was born.
Of late, there's another reason: My eyes are not what they once were... so says multiple visits to Hopkins and other eye specialists.
I was never very good at driving.
October 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I stopped driving regularly 20 years ago.
Sold my car, moved East. I thought of it as a rejection of where I was born.
Of late, there's another reason: My eyes are not what they once were... so says multiple visits to Hopkins and other eye specialists.
I was never very good at driving.
Sold my car, moved East. I thought of it as a rejection of where I was born.
Of late, there's another reason: My eyes are not what they once were... so says multiple visits to Hopkins and other eye specialists.
I was never very good at driving.
Reposted by William
Grocery store opens inside Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden
Grocery store opens inside Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden | ALXnow
The Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden, located at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue, has just opened a small grocery store inside its premises. Owner Jay Portlance soft-opened the grocery store today (Oct. 8),...
www.alxnow.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Grocery store opens inside Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden
Charisma .... is not being likeable. It's really the ability to convince others to do as you want of their own free will
Charisma sent us to the moon in a decade, and a taught a nation slavery could end
A failure of charisma labelled Nixon a crook
Let this be a crook moment, not a moon shoot
Charisma sent us to the moon in a decade, and a taught a nation slavery could end
A failure of charisma labelled Nixon a crook
Let this be a crook moment, not a moon shoot
September 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Charisma .... is not being likeable. It's really the ability to convince others to do as you want of their own free will
Charisma sent us to the moon in a decade, and a taught a nation slavery could end
A failure of charisma labelled Nixon a crook
Let this be a crook moment, not a moon shoot
Charisma sent us to the moon in a decade, and a taught a nation slavery could end
A failure of charisma labelled Nixon a crook
Let this be a crook moment, not a moon shoot
Won't you be my neighbor?
Being a good neighbor doesn’t require a grand gesture. A smile, a wave, or a small act of kindness. Let's keep Alexandria kind, quirky, and connected, one porch chat at a time.
Happy National Good Neighbor Day!
Happy National Good Neighbor Day!
September 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Won't you be my neighbor?
Reposted by William
And remember this: the Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.
September 18, 2025 at 12:56 AM
And remember this: the Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.
When I play Stellaris, I take it as an opportunity to create the government and society that I want to see.
For me, that's: Egalitarian, Pacifist, Materialist.
And its also: Scientists in place of some politicians
And its: Democracy
And its: high living standards
For me, that's: Egalitarian, Pacifist, Materialist.
And its also: Scientists in place of some politicians
And its: Democracy
And its: high living standards
September 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM
When I play Stellaris, I take it as an opportunity to create the government and society that I want to see.
For me, that's: Egalitarian, Pacifist, Materialist.
And its also: Scientists in place of some politicians
And its: Democracy
And its: high living standards
For me, that's: Egalitarian, Pacifist, Materialist.
And its also: Scientists in place of some politicians
And its: Democracy
And its: high living standards
I joined the mankind project about two years ago, and did the New Warrior Training Adventure a year and a half ago. Happy to talk about it.
September 10, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I joined the mankind project about two years ago, and did the New Warrior Training Adventure a year and a half ago. Happy to talk about it.