Ian Petrie
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icpetrie.bsky.social
Ian Petrie
@icpetrie.bsky.social

Historian, Canadian, Philadelphian. Higher ed, urban🚲, books, cats, hockey. At Penn's CETLI; teach South Asia & Hist Sci/Med/Tech.
Disappointing people since 1972.
Pinned
You tell the kids today that Philly's public pools used to be stocked with carp and they won't believe you
digital.library.temple.edu/digital/coll...
wut

these folks should come ride the MFL in Philly

(I say this being back to TO and on "line 1" and "line 2"...new nomenclature for me)
man people are so scared of toronto public transit. I mean I get it I suppose? like shit happens? but like folks are scared of downtown? maybe I have different expectations because I’ve lived in Bombay and New York and seeing random shit on trains is normal and I’ve encountered assholes but still!
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Reposted by Ian Petrie
I wrote a country song for Vic, "Your Schemin' Heart"
February 10, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I can't listen to the Birds broadcast here in Canadia. Vexing!
November 11, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Reading isn't performative

Except for this guy in Philly back in 2000
Man Reading Pynchon On Bus Takes Pains To Make Cover Visible
PHILADELPHIA–According to riders on the eastbound C bus, John Bolen, 23, made a conscious effort Monday to make the cover of Thomas Pynchon’s The Crying Of Lot 49 visible to all on board. "Instead of ...
theonion.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:54 PM
November 10, 2025 at 9:16 PM
And thickens some more!
share.inquirer.com/YnQtMa
November 10, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Doctors: Why Are They So Young?
November 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by Ian Petrie
UBC has announced its search for a new University Librarian. Please circulate widely. academic.ubc.ca/academic-com...
Search for the University Librarian
The University of British Columbia invites nominations and applications for the position of University Librarian.
academic.ubc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Forgot my book today, so borrowed my sister's....a grim but absorbing read. It's a shame Tim Cook passed away so young.
Lifesavers and Body Snatchers by Tim Cook | Penguin Random House Canada
From Canada’s top war historian, a definitive medical history of the Great War, illuminating how the carnage of modern battle gave birth to revolutionary—and sometimes shocking—life-saving innovations...
www.penguinrandomhouse.ca
November 10, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Ian Petrie
It feels inelegant to say you should read my latest review because it’s very negative. You should read my latest review because it’s insane. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
La Boca Is All Smoke, No Fire
The Argentinean chef Francis Mallmann is notorious for his love of cooking over open flames. With his New York début, he fizzles out.
www.newyorker.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The Dolphins beat the Bills??????!!!!!!!!
November 9, 2025 at 11:25 PM
East York is a neighborhood of twins, not seemingly denser than West Philly

So why can't Baltimore Ave. be more like the Danforth?
November 9, 2025 at 2:49 AM
"Which is obviously ludicrous...as is this baby corn. What's that about?"
November 9, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Area Man notices that ARCHER is streaming on Prime
November 9, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Possibly 10cm of snow here tomorrow?!
November 8, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Love a "How I Bought This House" column that includes "I got a $120,000 forgivable loan from Penn as part of my recruitment package"
November 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Had a fun dinner & pints with my brother-in-law at The Wren on the Danforth

Now sipping a whisky and watching BLACK BAG
November 8, 2025 at 3:08 AM
My Airbnb has a Murphy bed -- so much room for activities!
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I haven't been to Toronto in eight years plus, and haven't flown here in more than a decade, which is to say

GUYS, THERE **IS** A TRAIN TO THE AIRPORT!!!
November 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I haven't flown since January 2020

This is going to be a pleasant experience right?
November 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Voted for the first time Tuesday, first passport today. Big week for a new citizen.
November 6, 2025 at 4:15 PM
One hour, fifty minutes

Once I reached an agent he was great....
As I approach an hour on hold, I'm having a terrific customer experience with Air Canada
November 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM
As I approach an hour on hold, I'm having a terrific customer experience with Air Canada
November 5, 2025 at 5:52 PM