Idealistic Pragmatist
@justip.bsky.social
Canadian by choice.📍Halifax. International in outlook. Leftie. Foodie. Queer. Multilingual. Bike person, but pedestrian at heart. Social scientist by trade. Household = me, Partner, two cats. Embracer of reality in an anti-reality world since early 2022.
Pinned
As of today, I am officially retired! I expect my life to change, well, not at all, at least for now (I was already not teaching because it was summer, I still have my research group, and my last grad student will still be at it for a while), but it’s the beginning of the end, anyway.
Reposted by Idealistic Pragmatist
Watch this. Watch again.
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
January 4, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Watch this. Watch again.
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
"This incredible thing last night... We have to do it again [in other countries]. We can do it again, too. Nobody can stop us."
I just finished a novel set in the Los Angeles area, and I’m telling you, I am actually somewhat traumatized by all the driving 😆
January 4, 2026 at 11:16 AM
I just finished a novel set in the Los Angeles area, and I’m telling you, I am actually somewhat traumatized by all the driving 😆
Reposted by Idealistic Pragmatist
Mark Carney turns off geolocation on phone just in case
Mark Carney turns off geolocation on phone just in case
OTTAWA - This morning, in an unscheduled press statement, the Prime Minister's Office has said that Prime Minister Mark Carney has turned off geolocation services for all his electronic devices "for n...
www.thebeaverton.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Mark Carney turns off geolocation on phone just in case
I’ve become convinced that the rotten root of all the messed-up things the US is doing lately is US exceptionalism. And while individual Americans may not be able to do anything directly about the big awful things, each individual American can choose to fight exceptionalism, starting with their own.
January 3, 2026 at 10:19 AM
I’ve become convinced that the rotten root of all the messed-up things the US is doing lately is US exceptionalism. And while individual Americans may not be able to do anything directly about the big awful things, each individual American can choose to fight exceptionalism, starting with their own.
Reposted by Idealistic Pragmatist
Year review:
561,109** #BikeHfx bikes counted in 2025
51,696** Almon
49,323** Barrington
10,191** Bridge
44,094 COLT
41,344** Dart Cove
41,720 Gottingen
38,418** Hollis
18,709 Lwr Water
117,087** South Park
4,818 Uni Arts (last May 1)
105,191** Vernon
38,518** Windsor
** all-time record
561,109** #BikeHfx bikes counted in 2025
51,696** Almon
49,323** Barrington
10,191** Bridge
44,094 COLT
41,344** Dart Cove
41,720 Gottingen
38,418** Hollis
18,709 Lwr Water
117,087** South Park
4,818 Uni Arts (last May 1)
105,191** Vernon
38,518** Windsor
** all-time record
January 1, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Year review:
561,109** #BikeHfx bikes counted in 2025
51,696** Almon
49,323** Barrington
10,191** Bridge
44,094 COLT
41,344** Dart Cove
41,720 Gottingen
38,418** Hollis
18,709 Lwr Water
117,087** South Park
4,818 Uni Arts (last May 1)
105,191** Vernon
38,518** Windsor
** all-time record
561,109** #BikeHfx bikes counted in 2025
51,696** Almon
49,323** Barrington
10,191** Bridge
44,094 COLT
41,344** Dart Cove
41,720 Gottingen
38,418** Hollis
18,709 Lwr Water
117,087** South Park
4,818 Uni Arts (last May 1)
105,191** Vernon
38,518** Windsor
** all-time record
Reposted by Idealistic Pragmatist
In 2026, I'll still be #oneofthetwo because I rely on my health to work & I think everyone should be able to access public spaces as safely as possible.
I'm one of the three when I'm with my family & one of the seven with extended family. There are many people taking infection control seriously.
I'm one of the three when I'm with my family & one of the seven with extended family. There are many people taking infection control seriously.
January 1, 2026 at 1:59 PM
In 2026, I'll still be #oneofthetwo because I rely on my health to work & I think everyone should be able to access public spaces as safely as possible.
I'm one of the three when I'm with my family & one of the seven with extended family. There are many people taking infection control seriously.
I'm one of the three when I'm with my family & one of the seven with extended family. There are many people taking infection control seriously.
The Halifax suburbs have two more players on Team Canada than the (actually quite good) team I follow. 😆😬
Nova Scotia’s three NHL superstars will play for Team Canada at 2026 Winter Olympics #TeamCanada #NovaScotia
www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
Nova Scotia’s three NHL superstars will play for Team Canada at 2026 Winter Olympics
Hockey Canada has unveiled the full roster for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games men’s hockey team and Nova Scotia will be well represented.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 1, 2026 at 12:33 PM
The Halifax suburbs have two more players on Team Canada than the (actually quite good) team I follow. 😆😬
2026. Holy shit.
January 1, 2026 at 11:32 AM
2026. Holy shit.
Reposted by Idealistic Pragmatist
Ugh. We're trying out #GoodFood mealkits three times a week to replace our usual Hello Fresh, and we enjoyed our first week, but this is not promising. They're not even saying what the issue is or when it might be resolved?
December 31, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Ugh. We're trying out #GoodFood mealkits three times a week to replace our usual Hello Fresh, and we enjoyed our first week, but this is not promising. They're not even saying what the issue is or when it might be resolved?
Today’s plans!
December 31, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Today’s plans!
I won’t be making my version of this map because it would all be red except Nova Scotia. Not because other provinces aren’t worth living in, though, just because I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN (dammit).
I see we're doing this again.
'Never' is too strong of a word, but "it would take a strong confluence of personal and economic events to compel me there" captures the level of resistance.
'Never' is too strong of a word, but "it would take a strong confluence of personal and economic events to compel me there" captures the level of resistance.
December 31, 2025 at 12:29 AM
I won’t be making my version of this map because it would all be red except Nova Scotia. Not because other provinces aren’t worth living in, though, just because I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN (dammit).
I’ve been waiting for this analysis. Worth reading (for Americans too).
Bourbon Waves a White Flag
In every war, there are some battles that are more symbolic than others.
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I’ve been waiting for this analysis. Worth reading (for Americans too).
We both enjoyed the DeeDees Chicken Bones ice cream, but our ice cream loving cat was absolutely disgusted. 😆
December 28, 2025 at 8:32 PM
We both enjoyed the DeeDees Chicken Bones ice cream, but our ice cream loving cat was absolutely disgusted. 😆
Reposted by Idealistic Pragmatist
President Zelenskyy to meet Prime Minister Carney today in Halifax #NovaScotia #Canada before #Ukraine president’s talks with the felon in Florida
www.cbc.ca/news/carney-...
www.cbc.ca/news/carney-...
Zelenskyy to meet Carney today in Halifax before Ukraine president’s talks with Trump in Florida | CBC News
Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax today during a stopover before the Ukraine president’s visit to the U.S., where he’s to meet President Donald Trump in Florida ...
www.cbc.ca
December 27, 2025 at 12:22 PM
President Zelenskyy to meet Prime Minister Carney today in Halifax #NovaScotia #Canada before #Ukraine president’s talks with the felon in Florida
www.cbc.ca/news/carney-...
www.cbc.ca/news/carney-...
I think my new full-time job in retirement is going to be getting American journalists to change their articles about “Heated Rivalry” to reflect the reality that HBO had no hand at all in making the show. (One down, another few hundred to go)
December 26, 2025 at 9:54 AM
I think my new full-time job in retirement is going to be getting American journalists to change their articles about “Heated Rivalry” to reflect the reality that HBO had no hand at all in making the show. (One down, another few hundred to go)
I’m very very poly-measurement-systemed, as I’ve lived within four different ways of doing things, and can’t bother getting into arguments about which defaults are “right” or “wrong”. But I agree with the below.
Two measurements I cannot accept:
1. Americans using ounces for liquid
2. Brits using stones for weight
1. Americans using ounces for liquid
2. Brits using stones for weight
The only true way is the Canadian way
(As much as I wish it was a joke, it is in fact not one and this is exactly how it works here)
(As much as I wish it was a joke, it is in fact not one and this is exactly how it works here)
December 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I’m very very poly-measurement-systemed, as I’ve lived within four different ways of doing things, and can’t bother getting into arguments about which defaults are “right” or “wrong”. But I agree with the below.
Fondue Christmas dinner!
December 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Fondue Christmas dinner!
Pointed my camera out the front window, and it took over a full minute for any vehicle or pedestrian to pass by. This NEVER happens!
December 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Pointed my camera out the front window, and it took over a full minute for any vehicle or pedestrian to pass by. This NEVER happens!
Last year I didn’t enjoy the holiday break properly because I was sad and anxious about having to go back to Edmonton for my final semester. So this year I’m celebrating not having to leave Halifax for four months starting on New Year’s Eve!
December 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Last year I didn’t enjoy the holiday break properly because I was sad and anxious about having to go back to Edmonton for my final semester. So this year I’m celebrating not having to leave Halifax for four months starting on New Year’s Eve!
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and enjoy your day off to those who don’t!
December 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and enjoy your day off to those who don’t!
Reposted by Idealistic Pragmatist
"since they are Canadian, I would not rule out treachery"
The Atlantic suggesting, without evidence, that Canada's Global TV broadcasting the '60 Minutes' segment on CECOT that CBS distributed to it may have been an act of "treachery."
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
"since they are Canadian, I would not rule out treachery"
I made my best-ever homemade stock after our Thanksgiving turkey in October, so much of it, and it’s going to be gone by the end of 2025. 😢
December 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I made my best-ever homemade stock after our Thanksgiving turkey in October, so much of it, and it’s going to be gone by the end of 2025. 😢