Christopher Baldwin
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chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Christopher Baldwin
@chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
1.4K followers 230 following 300 posts
Cartoonist. He/him.

http://www.baldwinpage.com
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chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I try hard to get out and about! And sometimes succeed!
A drawing of me walking away from the Verdi Theater. It reads, "BUT I DID DO THINGS. I WENT TO SEE THE PLAY, "TRAGALUZ" AT THE VERDI THEATER, SHOWING UP EARLIER THAN I DID FOR "ANDREINA CRUZA MONTANAS," BUT IT WASN'T EARLY ENOUGH. THE CHALLENGE WITH FREE, IS THAT SEATING IS FINITE." A drawing of me at the Galpon theater with a woman. It reads, "1/12/26 - I WENT TO SEE "PERRA VIDA, DULCES SUEÑOS" WITH SADIE AND HER COUSIN MINA AT THE GALPON THEATER. I WAS INTRODUCED TO SADIE THROUGH AN ILLUSTRATOR IN ANCUD (WHO I ODDLY NEVER MET). WE SHOWED UP OVER AN HOUR EARLY, BUT STILL, NOT EARLY ENOUGH TO GET TICKETS." A drawing of me having drinks with two women. It reads, "SO, WE WENT OUT FOR DRINKS AT BRECHA BAR & CAFÉ. THEY WERE FUN, AND AT SOME POINT BEGAN TALKING TO ME ONLY IN SPANISH WITHOUT TRANSLATING ANYTHING, BOTH TO HELP ME AND (KINDLY) TEASE ME, WHICH MADE ME LAUGH." A drawing of a plug-in mosquito repeller. It reads, "SADIE AND MINA ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT THESE MOSQUITO REPELLING THINGS THAT YOU PLUG IN. AND I REALIZED THERE WAS ALREADY ONE IN MY ROOM, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A "SCENT" THING, SO HAD IGNORED IT. AND IT WORKS GREAT!"
January 30, 2026 at 4:33 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Half play, half work. A fair balance. :)
A drawing of me up high, viewing the city. It reads, "1/8/26 - I WENT TO THE VISTA ON THE 22ND FLOOR OF THE TOWN HALL. AND URUGUAY IS SO FLAT (AND PRETTY)!" A drawing of me in an art museum. it reads, "THEN I WENT TO THE MUSEO NACIONAL DE ARTES VISUALES (NATIONAL MUSEUM OF VISUAL ARTS). MY FAVORITE WERE THE MOON PAINTINGS BY URUGUAYAN PAINTER JOSÉ CUNEO PERINETTI." A drawing of me talking on my laptop. It reads, "1/9/26 - I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MY AGENT, WHO FAVORED A SIGNIFICANT REWRITE OF MY CURRENT GRAPHIC NOVEL, "CLUB SANDWICH." I'LL ADMIT, I'M DISCOURAGED, BUT I'M ALSO DETERMINED." A drawing of me working, unshaven and weary. It reads, "1/10/26 - IT RAINED ALL DAY. SO I DUG IN WITH THE RE-WRITING OF "CLUB SANDWICH," WHICH LARGELY CONSUMED ME FROM THE MOMENT I GOT UP UNTIL I WENT TO BED, FOR SEVEN DAYS STRAIGHT."
January 29, 2026 at 5:36 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I am not someone who enjoys sleeping in late or taking naps, which works great as long as I get enough sleep. :)
A drawing of me asleep on my bed during the day. It reads, "1/7/26 - I WAS GOING TO GO TO THE TOWN HALL VISTA AND THE ART MUSEUM, BUT I SLEPT SO POORLY THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT I PASSED OUT AROUND MID-DAY FOR THREE HOURS." A drawing of the Verdi theater. It reads, "BUT I DID MANAGE TO GO TO A PLAY AT THE VERDI THEATER. BY LUCK, THIS MONTH IS A FREE THEATER FESTIVAL, SO I'LL BE SEEING MANY I HOPE!" A drawing of some characters in a play performing. It reads, "THE PLAY WAS ALL AGES, "ANDREINA CRUZA MONTANAS" (ANDREINA CROSSES MOUNTAINS), ABOUT AN 8 YEAR OLD BOY MOVING FROM URUGUAY TO CHILE. I UNDERSTOOD LITTLE, BUT ENJOYED IT."
January 28, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Christopher Baldwin
usili.bsky.social
Bilbo looking at his phone top on bottom is ChatGPT After all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it? You're absolutely right — you found it, it's been with you a long while, and it's only natural to feel fond of something that's served you so well, especially when someone like Gandalf suddenly seems to want it for himself.
January 28, 2026 at 1:51 AM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I love the curiosity of new places, but I also love when a place starts to feel "every day" and I have moments that feel like normality (even if for me they're not).
A drawing of me cutting paper with scissors. It reads, "1/5/26 - I FINALLY BOUGHT FLASHCARDS IN SOUTH AMERICA FOR STUDYING MORE VOCABULARY. I HAD TO BUY THEM BIG, 8"x 5.25", SO I CUT THEM IN QUARTERS TO BE REASONABLY SIZED. A drawing of me kneeling by some shelving in a comic book store. it reads, "AND I WENT TO "LECTURAS COMICS" COMIC BOOK STORE AND BOUGHT SOME URUGUAYAN COMICS, AND CHATTED A BIT WITH THE PERSON RUNNING IT." A drawing of me scratching at red dots on my skin. It reads, "1/6/26 - IT'S BEEN WINDY, BUT WARM ENOUGH THAT I WANT TO KEEP MY BALCONY DOOR OPEN ALL NIGHT. BUT THE MOSQUITOES HAVE FOUND ME, AND NOW I HAVE ITCHY LITTLE WELTS ON MY FACE, ARMS, AND HANDS. BLEAH." a drawing of a parade of drummers. It reads, "I WENT TO THE "DESFILE DE LLAMADAS" (CALL PARADE), MADE UP OF 36 BANDS PLAYING DRUMS TO THE RHYTHM OF CANDAMBE, A STYLE CREATED BY BLACK SLAVES."
January 27, 2026 at 3:47 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Now, several weeks later, I'm really getting into the whole "feria" culture here. :)
A drawing of me walking on the other side of the street of the ocean promenade, watching a wave crashing up over the wall. it reads, "1/3/26 - I DECIDED TO WALK ALONG THE WATER TO THE SALTO "FERIA" (FAR-MER'S MARKET), BUT I KEPT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET THAN THE "RAMBLA" (PROMENADE), AS THE WAVES WERE CRASHING UP AND OVER THE SIDE." A drawing of me walking through a farmer’s market. It reads, "GROCERIES SEEM TO BE EXPENSIVE HERE EXCEPT FOR DAIRY AND EGGS, BUT FERIAS HAVE BETTER AND CHEAPER PRODUCE AND ARE ALL OVER TOWN ON DIFFERENT DAYS OF THE WEEK. I GOT MYSELF SOME POTATOES, BANANAS, AN ONION AND A BELL PEPPER." A drawing of me in a large street market. It reads, "1/4/26 - I WENT TO THE LARGE TRISTAN NARVAJA FERIA. IT WENT ON FOR BLOCKS IN MORE THAN ONE DIRECTION AND WAS PACKED." A drawing of me holding up a baggie lableed "cayena." It reads, "AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SOUTH AMERICA, I FOUND CAYENNE. FOR MY OATS. BECAUSE I LIKE EM WITH THAT. AND PEANUT BUTTER. WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME FUNNY?"
January 26, 2026 at 3:52 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
A long NYE. :)
A drawing of me lying in bed, sweating. It reads, "IT WAS NYE, BUT I WASN'T FEELING GREAT FROM TRAVELING, AND THE HEAT INCLUDING THE RESTLESS SLEEP BECAUSE OF, AND PERHAPS DEHYDRATION, AND SO I ALLOWED MYSELF TO GO TO BED AT 10:00 PM." A drawing of me in bed, lights off but eyes open. It reads, "I PONDERED IF THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NYE RESOLUTIONS AND MORNING-AFTER-NYE RESOLUTIONS. FOR ME, THE FORMER FEELS MORE SPECULATIVE, LIKE TRYING TO MAKE YOURSELF BELIEVE SOMETHING. WHEREAS THE LATTER FEELS MORE LIKE IT'S TIME TO GET TO WORK." A drawing of me sitting up in bed, lights off, eyes open. It reads, :MONTEVIDEO HAS NO OFFICIAL FIREWORKS OUT OF CONCERNS FOR PETS AND PEOPLE WITH SOUND SENSITIVITIES, BUT AT MIDNIGHT EVERYONE IN THE CITY SETS THEIR OWN OFF. I WOKE UP STARTLED, AND THEN SAT THERE, ENJOYING THE STRANGENESS OF IT." A drawing of me standing in a public square, hands on hips. It reads, "1/1/26 - I'D READ THERE WAS A FREE TANGO PERFORMANCE AT LIBER SEREGNI SQUARE IN THE EVENING, SO I WALKED THE 40 MINUTES. I SHOULD HAVE FOUND A SECOND SOURCE TO CONFIRM, AS I FOUND NO DANCING THERE."
January 24, 2026 at 3:38 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
The new digs I've been in for January in Montevideo. :)
A drawing of me in my little rented room with a balcony. It reads, "I ARRIVED DURING A SHORT HEATWAVE, BUT I LOVE MY ROOM 50 MUCH! AND I HAVE MY OWN PERSONAL BATHROOM AND MY OWN LITTLE BALCONY. I'M ENCHANTED. (I TURNED MY DESK TO HOW YOU SEE IT HERE, SO I COULD ALWAYS SEE OUTSIDE, AND SEE WHERE I AM)" A drawing of me at the dining room table, talking to my host. It reads, "AND MY HOST WAS SO SWEET! SHE BOUGHT ME WATER, COOKIES, AND DULCE DE LECHE TO WELCOME ME, AND THEN ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE TO GET FOOD, SHORTS, ETC." A drawing of me sitting on my balcony, looking at the trees. it reads, "12/31/25 - THE NEXT MORNING I GOT UP EARLY (BECAUSE I LIKE EARLY) AND I SAT OUT AT MY CAFE TABLE ON MY LITTLE BALCONY, AND EVERYTHING ABOUT BEING IN THAT MOMENT WAS DELICIOUS." A drawing of me buying shorts, talking to a shop worker. It reads, "BUT IT WAS SO HOT, I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT SHORTS. SIMILAR TO MY FIRST SWEATER IN ANCUD, I HAD TO PAY MY "TOURIST TAX" OF NOT KNOWING WHERE TO BUY AFFORDABLE THINGS. AND SO I PAID TOO MUCH, BUT AT LEAST: SHORTS."
January 23, 2026 at 3:13 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Annnnd... transitioning from Punta Arenas to Montevideo.
A drawing of a plate of food, a juice, and some water. It reads, "1/29/25 - BEFORE I LEFT TOWN, I HAD TO TRY THE HALF-CENTURY-OLD PUB DISH "CHORRILLANA," WHICH IS FRIES WITH BEEF, CARAMELIZED ONIONS, AND A FRIED EGG ON TOP. I GOT THE VEGETARIAN VERSION: SAUTEED PEPPERS, CORN, AND MUSHROOMS INSTEAD OF BEEF)" A drawing of me with a gift, talking to the hosts of my rental. It reads, "THAT NIGHT THE HOSTS FOR MY RENTAL SAID GOODBYE, AND GAVE ME THE "BIRDS OF CHILE, ITS OCEANIC ISLANDS AND THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA." I AM SO TOUCHED BY THEIR CONTINUED KINDNESS." A drawing of me on a bus with all my luggage, sweating profusely. It reads, "1/30/25 - A DAY OF TRAVEL WITH NOT MUCH ANXIETY (YAY!). AN UBER TO THE AIRPORT, FLIGHT TO SANTIAGO THEN MONTEVIDEO. SOMEHOW I LUCKED ONTO THE PUBLIC BUS TO TOWN. I KEPT THINKING THINGS LIKE, "DAMN I'M GOING TO PULL THIS OFF, I'M GOING TO GET AWAY WITH IT." I LIKE IT WHEN I AMAZE MYSELF."
January 22, 2026 at 5:54 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I got to see penguins! With some dolphins thrown in for free!
A drawing of me standing next to a walkway between two rows of shrubs over twice as tall as me. It reads, "I WALKED AROUND THE SARA BRAUN MUNICIPAL CEMETERY ACTUALLY, I DID ON DEC 10, BUT FORGOT TO MENTION (T), AND IT WAS HUGE AND BEAUTIFUL, BUT STRANGEST WAS THE TRIMMED IMMENSE SHRUBBERY." A drawing of me on a ferry, looking out at a dolphin jumping in the water. it reads, "12/28/25 - I MADE A TRIP THROUGH THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN TO MAGDALENA TO SEE MAGELLANIC PENGUINS! ON THE WAY, THE FERRY WAS ESCORTED BRIEFLY BY DOLPHINS THREE TIMES." A drawing of three penguins, one of them a baby. It reads, "IT WAS AN HOUR-LONG STROLL THROUGH A ROPED-OFF PATH (SO PEOPLE DON'T MESS WITH THE PENGUINS, BUT THEY WERE EVERYWHERE. IT WAS SURREAL & MAGICAL." A drawing of a penguin walking. It reads, "WHAT SWEET SILLY BIRDS. I THINK I LOVE MOST THEIR DERPY WALK, ARMS SLIGHTLY OUT TO THE SIDES AND LEGS APART, AS IF THEY HAVE A SUNBURN OVER THEIR ENTIRE BODY."
January 20, 2026 at 6:33 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I'm always amazed how kind some people are. I felt/feel so grateful for all this goodness.
A drawing of a baked good and a bottle of something. It reads, “EMBER TOLD ME THAT THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY FOODS WERE PAN DE PASCUA (IT'S KINDA LIKE FRUITCAKE AND COLA DE MONO (LIKE EGGNOG WITHOUT THE EGGS, OFTEN SPIKED WITH AGUARDIENTE). I HAD A NEW MISSION!” A drawing of me talking to the proprietor of the cheese shop. It reads, “12/22/25 - I RETURNED TO THE CHEESE SHOP AND SAW THAT THE VENDER (WHO WAS SO NICE TO ME BEFORE SOLD PAN DE PASCUA, AND I ASKED IF SHE KNEW WHERE TO BUY COLA DE MONO, AND SHE SAID SHE COULD MAKE ME SOME. YAY!” A drawing of a Christmas Eve gathering. It reads, “12/24/25 - I BOUGHT A SECOND PAN DE PASCUA FOR A CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING AT MY HOST'S FATHER'S HOUSE. IT WAS SWEET, WARM, AND CHATTY. THEY EVEN WRAPPED A GIFT FOR ME SO I'D FEEL INCLUDED (WHICH ALMOST MADE ME CRY).” A drawing of me watching a movie at home and snacking. It reads, “12/25/25 - ON CHRISTMAS DAY I ATE THE OTHER PAN DE PASCUA, DRANK THE COLA DE MONO, HAD A FAMILY ZOOM, AND WATCHED "WAKE UP DEAD MAN.””
January 19, 2026 at 3:56 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
With all the Minnesota happenings (enormously important), one of the stories outside that I thought needed some amplifying is that now foreign scientists working with US scientists will be investigated for subversive behavior. More dismantling of science in the US. www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With
The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...
www.propublica.org
January 18, 2026 at 1:54 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
The curse of living too much in one's head, I think.
A drawing of me chatting with a woman on the bus. It reads, “12/20/25 - ON THE BUS RIDE BACK, I CHATTED FOR THE 3 HOURS WITH A UROLOGIST FROM MILWAUKEE. IT WAS A LOVELY CONVERSATION, BUT ODDLY THE THING I TOOK AWAY FROM IT WAS THAT: APPARENTLY PEOPLE GENERALLY LEARN TO UNDERSTAND A LANGUAGE BEFORE BEING ABLE TO SPEAK IT. BUT NOT ME.” A drawing of me in the New Mexico desert, studying flashcards. It reads, “I MEAN, IT MAKES SENSE. I STARTED STUDYING SPANISH BY CRAMMING VOCAB FOR MONTHS. WHICH I THINK WAS THE BEST OPTION FOR HOW MY BRAIN WORKS, BUT STILL, WHY AM I SO WEIRD?” A drawing of me back in the Punta Arenas apartment, drawing. It reads, “RETURNING TO MY PUNTA ARENAS APARTMENT FELT SO GOOD, AND I SPENT A COUPLE DAYS ENJOYING THE SOFT BED AND JUST DRAWING.” A drawing of me looking at two paintings in my apartment. It reads, “ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE TWO OF THE PAINTINGS ON THE WALL. WERE THEY THERE BEFORE? I CHECKED AN OLD VID: YES, THEY WERE. I WAS JUST SO ANXIOUS ABOUT PREPPING FOR THE HIKE, I WAS TOTALLY UNAWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS.”
January 16, 2026 at 6:42 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Mission accomplished! And a very tired Christopher.
A drawing of me eating in the campers hall. It reads, “BACK AT THE CAMPERS MESS HALL, IT WAS WEIRD. I FELT SEPARATE WITH EVERYONE BEING EXCITED FOR THEIR DAY OF HIKING, AND ME SUDDENLY SOMEONE NO LONGER HIKING. SOMETIMES I WISH MY BRAIN WOULD GIVE ME A MOMENT OF PEACE.” A drawing of me on a ferry, chatting with two women. It reads, “ON THE FERRY I HAD A NICE CHAT WITH TWO NEW YORKERS, AND THEN BOUGHT A WARM SANDWICH WHILE WAITING FOR THE BUS. I FELT TIRED, BUT GOOD. BEAUTIFUL VIVID IMAGES OF MY TRIP IN MY HEAD, AND A WARM AND SOFT BED AWAITING ME AT THE END OF THE DAY.” A drawing of me looking wiped, lying on the bottom bunk of a bunkbed. It reads, “I RETURNED MY EQUIPMENT (FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ISSUES), AND BOUGHT TWO CHEESE EMPANADAS AND A BAG OF PIZZA SAUCE TO DIP THEM IN FOR DINNER AND A QUIET EVENING ALONE IN MY RENTAL.”
January 15, 2026 at 9:22 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
The final days of hiking, in full hobo mode.
A drawing of me eating dinner inside the Refugio. It reads, “I WAS GOING TO GET A PIZZA, BUT JUST HAD MY COUSCOUS AND CHEESY MASHED POTATOES WITH A COUPLE TORTILLA WRAPS. I ATE THEM IN THE REFUGIO RESTAURANT UNTIL I WARMED UP. TIRED, I WENT TO BED AT 7:00.” A drawing of my lying in my sleeping bag, imagining being blown off a cliff. It reads, “BUT SLEEP EVADED ME FOR AN HOUR, AS MY HIP HURT (I'M A SIDE-SLEEPER). ALSO, OVER THE YEARS MY VERTIGO HAS MORPHED SLOWLY INTO ALSO A FEAR OF HEIGHTS, SO MY BRAIN WENT THROUGH A MILLION IMAGES OF ME BEING BLOWN OFF THE TRAIL TO MY DEATH.” A drawing of me hiking away from Grey Glacier, which is far in the background. It reads, “12/19/25 - IN THE MORNING I LEFT AT 5:40 TO HIKE BACK TO PAINE GRANDE SO THAT I WOULDN'T MISS MY 11:2@ FERRY (I'M A SUPER SLOW HIKER). I FOUND MYSELF SAYING THINGS LIKE... …I’M SORRY TOE, JUST ONE MORE DAY OF THIS.” A drawing of a huemul deer. It reads, “THE DAY WAS VERY PLEASANT DUE TO NOT MUCH WIND AND RELIEF THAT I'D ALMOST REACHED MY GOAL. ALSO, I SAW A HUEMUL DEER WHO WAS CURIOUS AND SLOWLY CAME QUITE CLOSE, WHICH WAS BEAUTIFUL.”
January 14, 2026 at 4:39 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Floating through the trail.
A drawing of me hiking, seeing Grey glacier off in the distance. It reads, “12/18/25 - ON THE CLOUDY AND WINDY PENULTIMATE DAY, THE TRAIL HAD SIGNIFICANT DROP-OFFS AND STEEP BITS, MOSTLY DOWN. KNOWING I'D HAVE TO HIKE BACK THAT ROUTE TO GET BACK TO THE FERRY THE NEXT DAY WAS A LITTLE ROUGH.” A drawing of me and a man hiking and chatting. It reads, “I CHATTED FOR A WHILE IN MY SIMPLE SPANISH CAND STILL BARELY ABLE TO UNDERSTAND MUCH WITH A LAWYER FROM NORTHERN CHILE (WHO SPOKE NO ENGLISH).” A drawing of me talking to a young man on the deck of the restaurant at Refugio Grey. It reads, “MACKENZIE HAD SCHEDULED TO GO TO GREY, BUT I THINK SHE MUST HAVE BACKED OUT. BUT THIS LOVELY CRAZY NEW YORKER, POSSIBLE ON COKE, CREATED A SOCIAL CIRCLE AROUND HIM WHICH INCLUDED ME AND WAS FUN FOR A LITTLE WHILE.” A drawing of me looking at a massive glacier in the distance. It reads, “I WALKED THE ADDITIONAL 20 MINUTES TO THE GREY GLACIER OVERLOOK. THE BLUE-GREEN OF GLACIERS CAND RESULTING BODIES OF WATER) IS SUCH A MAGICAL RANGE OF COLOR.”
January 13, 2026 at 4:04 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
One nice thing about having rough weather on day one, it means the rest of the days will feel that much more pleasant (unless they're worse, of course, which they weren't for me in this case).
A drawing of me hiking, looking at Francés glacier. It reads, “12/17/25 - MY SECOND DAY OF HIKING TO PAINE GRANDE WAS BETTER. STILL WINDY, BUT NOT MUCH RAIN. THE FRANCÉS GLACIER WAS AWFULLY PRETTY.” A drawing of me talking with two people as we waited for the campsite rental office to open. It reads, “AT PAINE GRANDE REFUGIO, AFTER BEING SHAMED YET AGAIN FOR NOT HIKING UP TO TORRES OR FRANCÉS, I DECIDED TO JUST LIE AND SAY "I DID" FROM THERE ON OUT. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE INTENDED TO SHAME ME, THEY JUST BELITTLED MY REASONS BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BAFFLED BY THE CONCEPT.” A drawing of me in a dining hall, talking with two people. It reads, “I DID MANAGE TO HANG OUT AT PAINE GRANDE WITH TWO PEOPLE FOR A WHILE, SOFIA FROM THE CHECK REPUBLIC, AND MACKENZIE FROM AUSTRALIA. LOTS OF TALK ABOUT HOW DISHEARTENING TUESDAY'S WEATHER WAS, AND LOTS OF CHEERING EACH OTHER ON.” A drawing of me still in the dining hall, talking with some folk from Santiago. It reads, “AFTER THEY WENT TO BED, I HUNG A LITTLE WITH A GROUP OF CHILEANS FROM SANTIAGO. I FOUND THAT WHENEVER I HEARD A CHILEAN ACCENT, I WOULD FEEL A LITTLE TENDER. I GUESS MY TIME HERE HAS ENDEARED ME.”
January 12, 2026 at 4:30 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Does anyone know/have-a-good-link as to what's happening with Iran? Basically, what's Trump's angle, because it's not to help poor defenseless protesters. Aside from Epstein, is it just another oil thing? Did Khamenei call him names?
January 10, 2026 at 11:57 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I must admit that it pleased me to, after the most blatant oil grab we've maybe ever done, to hear that oil execs were, "we're not sure we want to invest 100bn dollars if all we have to go on is your word. We like disgustingly exploitative profit, but we're not THAT stupid about our investments."
January 10, 2026 at 4:38 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
Surviving the wildness, in a state of discomfort but not a state of concern. :)
A drawing of me with an electric drill, screwing down the strings of my tent. It reads, “I SET UP MY TENT. CUERNOS IS SO WINDY, THEY HAVE YOU SET UP YOUR TENTS ON WOODEN PLATFORMS AND THEN GIVE YOU AN ELECTRIC DRILL AND SOME SCREWS TO FIX IT DOWN. WILD.” A drawing of a waterfall with the water being blown back up. It reads, “AND AT CUERNOS I COULD SEE WATERFALLS HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS, WITH THE WIND LIFTING THE WATER BACK UP 100S OF FEET.” A drawing of me inside, at a table, on my phone. It reads, “SO I SAT IN THE CAMPERS MESS HALL AND DIDN'T DO MUCH. I HAD A 2ND PAIR OF SOMEWHAT DRY SOCKS (REMEMBER ME LOSING MY BACKPACK RAIN COVER?), BUT MY SHOES WERE SOAKED, SO PUTTING THE DRY SOCKS ON WOULD JUST GET THEM WET. OUT OF DESPERATION FOR BRAIN STIMULATION, I READ SOLNIT'S "FIELD GUIDE FOR GETTING LOST" WHICH I FOUND ON MY PHONE. (LOVELY)” A drawing of me putting on a sneaker. It reads, “ONE NICE THING ABOUT EXTREME WIND IS THAT BOTH MY TENT AND MY SHOES WERE PERFECTLY DRY BY MORNING. (MY FRIEND ANNIE'S SUGGESTION OF ALTRAS FOR SHOES WAS THE BEST ADVICE I TOOK ON THIS TRIP)”
January 10, 2026 at 4:02 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
A hard day of hiking, but boy was it beautiful.
A drawing of me sitting down during a strong wind gust during my hike. It reads, “IT WAS RAINY ALL DAY. AND THE WIND! YOU COULD SEE THE HUGE GUSTS BLOWING ACROSS THE GLACIAL BLUE LAKE, AND WHEN THEY WERE ALMOST TO YOU, YOU KNEW TO BRACE YOURSELF (WHICH I NOW KNEW MEANT TO ACTUALLY SIT DOWN).” A drawing of me hiking in the wind and rain. It reads, “ON THAT FIRST HIKING DAY, MY EL' GAIN WAS THEORETICALLY 833 FEET, AND IT WAS PRETTY HARD. BUT THE SORENESS OF THE DAY (BEGRUDGINGLY) ASSURED ME THAT NOT DOING THE 3,000' TO TORRES WAS WISE AND KIND TO MYSELF (YES, OF COURSE I WAS STILL BEATING MYSELF UP OVER IT).” A drawing of me at a long table with others, playing cards, inside, out of the rain. It reads, “AT CUERNOS I TRIED TO BE SOCIAL, AND THOUGHT I'D MADE REFUGIO BUDDIES, BUT IT DIDN'T LAST LONG. I LIKE PEOPLE, BUT PEOPLE SEEM TO EITHER FEEL I'M THE CAT'S PAJAMAS, OR THEY JUST DON'T SEEM TO QUITE KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF ME.”
January 9, 2026 at 6:49 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I prepared myself in every way I knew how, then I learned the proper way. Sit all the way down, boy.
A drawing of me hiking in the strangely lit morning with amazing clouds. It reads, “12/16/25 - MY FIRST DAY OF HIKING TO CUERNOS), THE WEATHER WAS RAIN AND FORECASTED WINDS UP TO 3OMPH WITH GUSTS UP TO GOMPH. I LEFT EARLY TO AVOID THE WORST OF THAT.” A drawing of me crouching a little and bracing myself with my sinking poles as a wind began to blow. It reads, “I KNEW STRONG WINDS WERE SERIOUS, AND SO WHEN SOME STRONG GUSTS STARTED HITTING ME ABOUT AN HOUR IN, I CROUCHED, AND BRACED MYSELF WITH MY POLES AND WAITED.” A drawing of me on the ground, having been blown over. It reads, “BUT APPARENTLY THAT WASN'T ENOUGH. MY SUNGLASSES WERE 1D0 FEET AWAY, MY BAGGIE OF BACKUP PAPER RESERVATIONS WERE A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET AWAY, AND THE RAIN COVER TO MY BACKPACK WAS GONE FOREVER.”
January 8, 2026 at 8:45 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
A promising start at least.
A drawing of me looking out a foggy bus window at the mountainy landscape. It reads, “12/15/25 - THE BUS RIDE IN WAS NICE. FILLED WITH ALL SORTS OF EXPECTATIONS, AS WELL AS CURIOSITY OF WHAT IT WILL ACTUALLY BE LIKE. BUT SEEING IT FROM FAR AWAY THROUGH A GRIMY BUS WINDOW DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE.” A drawing of me walking next to an amazing field of flowers. It reads, “SINCE ON MY FIRST DAY I DIDN'T DO THE TORRES HIKE, I HAD LITTLE TO DO. AND ALTHOUGH I DID A COUPLE SMALL HIKES, I WAS A LITTLE BORED.” A drawing of me recording a video with the Torres del Paine in the background. It reads, “MY THOUGHTS WERE FULL THOUGH, AND SO I STARTED RECORDING "MARCO POLO" VIDEOS OF MY THOUGHTS TO A FRIEND, WHICH I WOULD SEND WHEN THE HIKE WAS DONE.”
January 7, 2026 at 8:51 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
The older I get, the more I value kindness, and the more I'm able to include myself in the kindness-party too.
A drawing of the Torres Del Paine. It reads, “A FEW DAYS BEFORE HIKING, I UNHAPILY ACCEPTED THAT I HADN'T TRAINED ENOUGH TO DO THE TORRES MIRADOR HIKE. I COULD DO IT, SURE, BUT I WASN'T CONFIDENT ABOUT THEN CARRYING 30 POUNDS ON MY BACK FOR 4 DAYS OF 30 MILES.” A drawing of me fretting in a comfy chair. It reads, “I STRUGGLE WITH WALKING EXTREME UPHILLS, AND I WANTED TO ENJOY THE REST OF THE HIKE, AND I DIDN'T WANT TO INJURE MYSELF. IT WAS A HARD DECISION, BUT IM GETTING BETTER AT BEING KIND TO MYSELF.” A drawing of me with my head resting on my hands in a comfy chair. It reads, “ANYHOW, IT EASED MY ANXIETY ABOUT THE HIKE CONSIDERABLY, ALTHOUGH FEELING LIKE A 'FAILURE" WAS A HEAVY BURDEN TO CARRY.” A drawing of me in Menta Cafe in Puerta Natales, eating lunch. It reads, “MY ANXIETY ABOUT GETTING THERE WAS HAPPILY NOT BAD. THE BUS TRIP WAS LONG CALREADY REGRETTED NOT BRINGING DISTRACTIONS). HAD LUNCH AT MENTA VEGAN CAFE (YUM!), AND RENTED EQUIPMENT AT YAGAN HOUSE (BACKPACK, TENT, SLEEP MAT, POLES, RAIN JACKET). I WAS ALL READY TO GO IN THE morning.”
January 6, 2026 at 9:30 PM
chrisjbaldwin.bsky.social
I over-prepare for things because of anxiety, but I don't overload myself. I often just find everything kinda tidy and ready and good, which I'm grateful for afterwards (I'm not sure it's worth the anxiety, but at least it gives the anxiety something productive to do).
A drawing of me walking down the street of Punta Arenas. It reads, “AND THEN MORE AND MORE PREP. LOTS AND LOTS OF WALKING. ALTHOUGH I GAVE MY FEET A REST THE FEW DAYS BEFORE MY HIKE, AS PAVEMENT ISN'T VERY FRIENDLY AFTER ENOUGH MILES.” A drawing of a kitchen drawer full of trail food. It reads, “FOOD PREP: OATMEAL WITH ALL SORTS OF NUTS AND SEEDS AND RAISINS FOR THE MORNING, PBE ON TORTILLAS FOR LUNCH, AND INSTANT MASHED POTATOES AND COUSCOUS WITH SOME POWDERED PARMESAN FOR DINNER, TRAIL MIX FOR SNACKS.” A drawing of a scarf, hat, and gloves. It reads, “CLOTHES PREP: A HAT, GLOVES, SCARF, LONG JOHNS, PANTS THAT ARE NOT MADE OF COTTON. “ A drawing of me having closed my laptop, with my palm resting on it. It reads, “I’M SO ADDICTED TO INPUT - THE INTERNET, WRITING/DRAWING, AUDIOBOOKS -- THAT I WANTED TO MAKE MYSELF TAKE A BREAK FROM IT. SO I DECIDED TO BRING NOTHING OF THAT SORT ON THE HIKE.”
January 5, 2026 at 8:29 PM