Dr Samuel McLean
@canadianerrant.bsky.social
Maritime Historian. Chief Mate (150 GT). Dad & Husband. Gardener, Cook & Brewer. Ngāi Tahu & McLean of Duart. Toitū te Tiriti. TCEU 416/CUPE L79. Canadian & Kiwi. Go Blue Jays. Cymru am byth. Alba gu brath. Go All Blacks. He/Him. Likes fashion/style
Pinned
Seriously everyone. Don’t be a bitch.
everything is bonkers right now and we need a timeline cleanse. let’s play a game. if I handed you a blank check but you could ONLY spend it on an Advent calendar, what absurdly pricy collection of little treats are you buying yourself?
November 11, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Just to make sure I understand it: conservatives and fascists can use AI to completely fake things and say it's true and that's fine but if the BBC puts two actual selections from the same speech together they should pay trump a billion dollars?
Seriously?
Seriously.
Seriously?
Seriously.
November 11, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Just to make sure I understand it: conservatives and fascists can use AI to completely fake things and say it's true and that's fine but if the BBC puts two actual selections from the same speech together they should pay trump a billion dollars?
Seriously?
Seriously.
Seriously?
Seriously.
Red sauce after photo because people asked
November 11, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Red sauce after photo because people asked
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
This.
Good morning to everyone but especially to Lady Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whose judgement against Rudy Giuliani for defaming them and turning their lives upside down cannot be pardoned away by the president
November 11, 2025 at 1:18 AM
This.
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
New: We've translated in full a 1988 KGB training manual on how to infiltrate U.S. government facilities in the Middle East and North Africa. Something of a Russian growth industry these days, you might say. open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
How Russian Spies Infiltrate U.S. Institutions
Read a 1988 KGB textbook on how to recruit agents working for the U.S. government abroad.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:16 PM
New: We've translated in full a 1988 KGB training manual on how to infiltrate U.S. government facilities in the Middle East and North Africa. Something of a Russian growth industry these days, you might say. open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
Today's loaf of sourdough.
As usual, I didn't get a lot of up in my oven spring. Next time I'm going to just leave the lid on and see if that helps.
Not totally displeased. Is a good start considering I've not made sourdough in months
As usual, I didn't get a lot of up in my oven spring. Next time I'm going to just leave the lid on and see if that helps.
Not totally displeased. Is a good start considering I've not made sourdough in months
November 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Today's loaf of sourdough.
As usual, I didn't get a lot of up in my oven spring. Next time I'm going to just leave the lid on and see if that helps.
Not totally displeased. Is a good start considering I've not made sourdough in months
As usual, I didn't get a lot of up in my oven spring. Next time I'm going to just leave the lid on and see if that helps.
Not totally displeased. Is a good start considering I've not made sourdough in months
Trying to do sourdough in Dutch oven but it's been so long. I hope I get the timing right. It's been a long time
November 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Trying to do sourdough in Dutch oven but it's been so long. I hope I get the timing right. It's been a long time
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
Well, we promised a follow-up for #MapMonday to the fascinating London Ringways #Map for another major city in Great Britain, so here it is...
The Greater Glasgow Transportation Study from 1968.
The Greater Glasgow Transportation Study from 1968.
November 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Well, we promised a follow-up for #MapMonday to the fascinating London Ringways #Map for another major city in Great Britain, so here it is...
The Greater Glasgow Transportation Study from 1968.
The Greater Glasgow Transportation Study from 1968.
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
These threats are grim, disgusting and unacceptable.
They’re really common among anti-trans obsessives.
Which is why they were banned so often from social networks. It wasn’t censorship, it was standards.
Removing those rules has only emboldened hate:
metro.co.uk/2025/11/08/d...
They’re really common among anti-trans obsessives.
Which is why they were banned so often from social networks. It wasn’t censorship, it was standards.
Removing those rules has only emboldened hate:
metro.co.uk/2025/11/08/d...
David Tennant’s wife Georgia issues plea to police after receiving death threats
The actress has been targeted by trolls several times before.
metro.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
These threats are grim, disgusting and unacceptable.
They’re really common among anti-trans obsessives.
Which is why they were banned so often from social networks. It wasn’t censorship, it was standards.
Removing those rules has only emboldened hate:
metro.co.uk/2025/11/08/d...
They’re really common among anti-trans obsessives.
Which is why they were banned so often from social networks. It wasn’t censorship, it was standards.
Removing those rules has only emboldened hate:
metro.co.uk/2025/11/08/d...
I'm shocked the US didn't lose it first
Time for the rest of the world to start requiring vaccine records to allow North Americans into their countries.
Canada has just lost measles elimination status. The U.S. will undoubtedly follow shortly.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
November 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I'm shocked the US didn't lose it first
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
Like 90% of first-year classes are just assessing whether students can follow extremely basic instructions, with carefully constructed opportunities to learn and grow in this skill.
AND SO MANY STUDENTS STILL FAIL.
AND SO MANY STUDENTS STILL FAIL.
November 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Like 90% of first-year classes are just assessing whether students can follow extremely basic instructions, with carefully constructed opportunities to learn and grow in this skill.
AND SO MANY STUDENTS STILL FAIL.
AND SO MANY STUDENTS STILL FAIL.
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
When prices rise because *demand* is hot, wages usually follow. When prices rise because tariffs raise costs -- a *supply* shock -- there’s no reason paychecks catch up. That’s why tariff inflation hurts a whole heckuva lot more. It's a permanent reduction in living standards.
November 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
When prices rise because *demand* is hot, wages usually follow. When prices rise because tariffs raise costs -- a *supply* shock -- there’s no reason paychecks catch up. That’s why tariff inflation hurts a whole heckuva lot more. It's a permanent reduction in living standards.
One of my chores for today
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
One of my chores for today
This Underwood typewriter, likely the first with Irish characters, was used by the Gaelic League around 1905.
Now on display in the newly opened Changing Ireland Galleries in Collins Barracks, it’s a powerful symbol of everyday tools shaping Irish identity.
www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museum...
Now on display in the newly opened Changing Ireland Galleries in Collins Barracks, it’s a powerful symbol of everyday tools shaping Irish identity.
www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museum...
I kept finding cló gaelach everywhere this weekend - a typewriter @nmireland.bsky.social , font on school signage, and blocks of type at the National Print Museum #gaeilge #clógaelach
November 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Why is it so difficult to find interesting sausages?
It's like all we can get here are honey garlic, Italian hot and Italian sweet.
I want Cumberland. Or Banger.
Pork with fruit would be nice!
Liver, ffs. Or Chorizo.
I'm on the edge of the GTA I should be able to find interesting sausages
It's like all we can get here are honey garlic, Italian hot and Italian sweet.
I want Cumberland. Or Banger.
Pork with fruit would be nice!
Liver, ffs. Or Chorizo.
I'm on the edge of the GTA I should be able to find interesting sausages
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Why is it so difficult to find interesting sausages?
It's like all we can get here are honey garlic, Italian hot and Italian sweet.
I want Cumberland. Or Banger.
Pork with fruit would be nice!
Liver, ffs. Or Chorizo.
I'm on the edge of the GTA I should be able to find interesting sausages
It's like all we can get here are honey garlic, Italian hot and Italian sweet.
I want Cumberland. Or Banger.
Pork with fruit would be nice!
Liver, ffs. Or Chorizo.
I'm on the edge of the GTA I should be able to find interesting sausages
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
They're like housing versions of AI art.
Probably are designed by AI now.
Probably are designed by AI now.
Finally a news article regarding something I've been wondering about for ages: who are new builds being built for? They tend to be poorly designed for actual life, they cost too much to start with, and rent goes up quickly - not only in Toronto www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
‘A literal shoe box’: Why some Toronto renters are avoiding new builds | CBC News
Some Torontonians are opting out of moving into new builds — for reasons ranging from a lack of rent control to poor layouts — at a time tenants are increasingly gaining leverage in the market.
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
They're like housing versions of AI art.
Probably are designed by AI now.
Probably are designed by AI now.
youtu.be/UDaW5WVP04o?... I love the Vampire and Venom (and especially the Sea Vixen)
Big RC De Havilland DH.112 Venom – Beautiful Scale Model Flies At Flight Show
YouTube video by RC Channel 1
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
youtu.be/UDaW5WVP04o?... I love the Vampire and Venom (and especially the Sea Vixen)
I want to do some sewing but I can't figure out how to fix the issue.
I think it's a tension issue, end up with a cloud of thread on the bottom side of the fabric- but this thread comes from the needle side, not the bobbin. Somehow it's getting tangled in the bobbin too, and underneath. No idea
I think it's a tension issue, end up with a cloud of thread on the bottom side of the fabric- but this thread comes from the needle side, not the bobbin. Somehow it's getting tangled in the bobbin too, and underneath. No idea
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 AM
I want to do some sewing but I can't figure out how to fix the issue.
I think it's a tension issue, end up with a cloud of thread on the bottom side of the fabric- but this thread comes from the needle side, not the bobbin. Somehow it's getting tangled in the bobbin too, and underneath. No idea
I think it's a tension issue, end up with a cloud of thread on the bottom side of the fabric- but this thread comes from the needle side, not the bobbin. Somehow it's getting tangled in the bobbin too, and underneath. No idea
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
Anyway a great way to radicalize people is for them to realize that you just abandoned their chance at being able to access and afford health care because you didn’t like waiting in line at the airport.
November 10, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Anyway a great way to radicalize people is for them to realize that you just abandoned their chance at being able to access and afford health care because you didn’t like waiting in line at the airport.
www.npr.org/2025/11/09/n... so these guys took payments of - I heard on the radio $12k - to throw balls instead of strikes?
Clase made $4.5 Million last year. He pitched in 48 games, making 93,750 per appearance.
And they took a $12k bribe?
*rolls eyes*
Clase made $4.5 Million last year. He pitched in 48 games, making 93,750 per appearance.
And they took a $12k bribe?
*rolls eyes*
MLB pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz charged with taking bribes to rig pitches
Two Major League Baseball pitchers have been indicted on charges they took bribes to give bettors advance notice of the types of pitches they'd throw and intentionally tossed balls instead of strikes.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 AM
www.npr.org/2025/11/09/n... so these guys took payments of - I heard on the radio $12k - to throw balls instead of strikes?
Clase made $4.5 Million last year. He pitched in 48 games, making 93,750 per appearance.
And they took a $12k bribe?
*rolls eyes*
Clase made $4.5 Million last year. He pitched in 48 games, making 93,750 per appearance.
And they took a $12k bribe?
*rolls eyes*
Reposted by Dr Samuel McLean
There was a time when she spoke out against sexual harassment perpetrated by people like Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly, but that was a different Kelly. Now as long as she likes the job they’re doing, getting a little “handsy” is ok.
November 9, 2025 at 11:34 AM
There was a time when she spoke out against sexual harassment perpetrated by people like Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly, but that was a different Kelly. Now as long as she likes the job they’re doing, getting a little “handsy” is ok.
My view for the last hour.
Haven't moved in an hour.
I am really annoyed about wasting the gas. It's below 0 so can't turn off the car
Haven't moved in an hour.
I am really annoyed about wasting the gas. It's below 0 so can't turn off the car
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 AM
My view for the last hour.
Haven't moved in an hour.
I am really annoyed about wasting the gas. It's below 0 so can't turn off the car
Haven't moved in an hour.
I am really annoyed about wasting the gas. It's below 0 so can't turn off the car
He got more than 50% of the vote in a multi-person race? When was the last time that happened on a platform this big? WIth somebody trying to split the vote, no less.
Damn, I hate it when things that happen mean nothing :-(
November 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
He got more than 50% of the vote in a multi-person race? When was the last time that happened on a platform this big? WIth somebody trying to split the vote, no less.