Larissa
@purlgurly.bsky.social
She/her/elle. Alto, ADHDer. Interested in politics (esp.TOpoli), stories, disability, food, knitting, geekery, cats. Unrepentant leftie in 🇨🇦
Pinned
Larissa
@purlgurly.bsky.social
· Nov 30
Made good progress yesterday on my Lang Ayre Hap (Pattern on sale until end of day Sunday! www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...) #KnitSky
Thinking about this again today, in light of that NY Times piece
Over the last couple of years and amidst the AI/LLM discourse, I’ve often found myself thinking of this section of the author’s letter that Rainbow Rowell published in the last book of her Simon Snow trilogy. No MadLibs machine could ever.
February 8, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Thinking about this again today, in light of that NY Times piece
Reposted by Larissa
the information is literally in your hands, and yet -- if you don't wanna read it (we have a problem, but that's not the point here) ASK THE DAMN PHARMACIST (I'm a damn pharmacist, we are THERE TO HELP AND AVOID PROBLEMS)
according to a pediatric ER doctor my wife follows on Instagram they have started to see children coming in sick because their parents are asking ChatGPT what the correct dosage is on over the counter medication instead of just looking at the instructions on the bottle
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
February 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
the information is literally in your hands, and yet -- if you don't wanna read it (we have a problem, but that's not the point here) ASK THE DAMN PHARMACIST (I'm a damn pharmacist, we are THERE TO HELP AND AVOID PROBLEMS)
Reposted by Larissa
December, with Hay House! THINK, WRITE, EDIT, ROMANCE. Taking the posts plus a bunch of new material. I'm super excited.
February 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
December, with Hay House! THINK, WRITE, EDIT, ROMANCE. Taking the posts plus a bunch of new material. I'm super excited.
Reposted by Larissa
Apparently Cash-In Cora is teaching a class on how to write romance with artificial intelligence.
Guess what, I have an actual romance craft book coming out, based on 20 years of editing and 10 years writing romance, which will teach you how to write romance using your own intelligence!
Guess what, I have an actual romance craft book coming out, based on 20 years of editing and 10 years writing romance, which will teach you how to write romance using your own intelligence!
February 8, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Apparently Cash-In Cora is teaching a class on how to write romance with artificial intelligence.
Guess what, I have an actual romance craft book coming out, based on 20 years of editing and 10 years writing romance, which will teach you how to write romance using your own intelligence!
Guess what, I have an actual romance craft book coming out, based on 20 years of editing and 10 years writing romance, which will teach you how to write romance using your own intelligence!
Reposted by Larissa
The long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT begins service today. We took an unorthodox look at the journey to get here: thelocal.to/understandin...
Understanding the Eglinton Crosstown in Seven Illustrations | The Local
From Shohei Ohtani’s salary to the tunneling rate of a mole—an unorthodox guide to the numbers behind Toronto’s newest transit line.
thelocal.to
February 8, 2026 at 3:25 PM
The long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT begins service today. We took an unorthodox look at the journey to get here: thelocal.to/understandin...
Reposted by Larissa
As always, the real money in a gold rush is selling shovels.
February 8, 2026 at 2:12 PM
As always, the real money in a gold rush is selling shovels.
Reposted by Larissa
According to CBC Olympics, the Canadian athletes have named the Olympic village moose “Shane” as in Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry. 😆
a close up of a man 's face wearing a blue shirt
Alt: a close up of a dark haired man who is wearing a blue shirt and give a slight smile - Shane Hollander from Heated Rivalry
media.tenor.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM
According to CBC Olympics, the Canadian athletes have named the Olympic village moose “Shane” as in Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry. 😆
Reposted by Larissa
Important news here for the Figure Skating + Higher Ed Discourse crossover* contingent.
*no pun intended, I swear.
*no pun intended, I swear.
EXTENSION GRANTED
Just a short time ago Canadian figure skater Maddie Schizas with the updated we were all waiting for.
Her prof has granted her an extension on her assignment. I’ll ask about the exact response tonight after she skates.
Just a short time ago Canadian figure skater Maddie Schizas with the updated we were all waiting for.
Her prof has granted her an extension on her assignment. I’ll ask about the exact response tonight after she skates.
February 8, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Important news here for the Figure Skating + Higher Ed Discourse crossover* contingent.
*no pun intended, I swear.
*no pun intended, I swear.
Reposted by Larissa
Of all the books coverage you could do, all the romance coverage, all the culture coverage, you chose a fluffy piece about a lady who will not disclose her real name because she doesn’t always tell *people she coaches* the truth about her methods?
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Of all the books coverage you could do, all the romance coverage, all the culture coverage, you chose a fluffy piece about a lady who will not disclose her real name because she doesn’t always tell *people she coaches* the truth about her methods?
Reposted by Larissa
Giving somebody anonymity in a FEATURE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM is absolutely ridiculous unless they are like fleeing persecution. She doesn’t want to tell readers the truth, she doesn’t want to take responsibility for the ethical problems with what she’s doing, WHY are you promoting her?
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Giving somebody anonymity in a FEATURE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM is absolutely ridiculous unless they are like fleeing persecution. She doesn’t want to tell readers the truth, she doesn’t want to take responsibility for the ethical problems with what she’s doing, WHY are you promoting her?
Reposted by Larissa
The inaugural train left from Kennedy Station at 7:29 a.m. — a minute early, and a contrast to the project's beleaguered timeline.
But as it left, it was immediately held at a red light, to the dismay of riders who waited hours in subzero temperatures and have pushed for transit signal priority.
But as it left, it was immediately held at a red light, to the dismay of riders who waited hours in subzero temperatures and have pushed for transit signal priority.
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT opens after 15 years of construction
Many transit fans braved the cold to be among the first to ride Line 5, which was originally set to open in 2020.
www.thestar.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:02 PM
The inaugural train left from Kennedy Station at 7:29 a.m. — a minute early, and a contrast to the project's beleaguered timeline.
But as it left, it was immediately held at a red light, to the dismay of riders who waited hours in subzero temperatures and have pushed for transit signal priority.
But as it left, it was immediately held at a red light, to the dismay of riders who waited hours in subzero temperatures and have pushed for transit signal priority.
Reposted by Larissa
Everyone booed at Don Valley Station and chanted "Science Centre"
February 8, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Everyone booed at Don Valley Station and chanted "Science Centre"
Reposted by Larissa
31 minutes from Kennedy to Leaside (Bayview). Flying through the tunnel now.
February 8, 2026 at 1:01 PM
31 minutes from Kennedy to Leaside (Bayview). Flying through the tunnel now.
Reposted by Larissa
Nerd Tardis.
February 8, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Nerd Tardis.
Reposted by Larissa
Riding Line 5 today? We’d love to hear from you about how it went!
Fill out our survey:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Fill out our survey:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
How was your ride on Line 5 Eglinton?
Your feedback will help inform our advocacy to make LRT service more reliable, fast, and accessible.
docs.google.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Riding Line 5 today? We’d love to hear from you about how it went!
Fill out our survey:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Fill out our survey:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Larissa
The most transparent and fiscally responsible premier in the history of premiers doesn't want to find out how the province burned through an extra $5b and lost more than half decade building one transit line.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
No public inquiry into Eglinton Crosstown LRT woes, Doug Ford says: ‘Buddy, you’ve got to be a little more positive’
The premier and Toronto’s mayor, along with other dignitaries, marked the opening of the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT on Friday with the unveiling of a plaque.
www.thestar.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:49 PM
The most transparent and fiscally responsible premier in the history of premiers doesn't want to find out how the province burned through an extra $5b and lost more than half decade building one transit line.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/no-...
Reposted by Larissa
I want to remind y'all that ebooks are not free of external costs. Ebooks have associated environmental costs. Data storage and cloud servers aren't free to use, or consequenceless, or inherently better for the planet. Don't mistake personal convenience for global benefits.
February 7, 2026 at 4:39 PM
I want to remind y'all that ebooks are not free of external costs. Ebooks have associated environmental costs. Data storage and cloud servers aren't free to use, or consequenceless, or inherently better for the planet. Don't mistake personal convenience for global benefits.
Valerie Maltais competed in her first Olympics at 19, and she's now 35. That's awesome.
BRONZE FOR CANADA 🇨🇦
Valerie Maltais, in her 5th Olympics, wins bronze for Canada in the 3000m final.
It’s her first individual medal in long track speed skating. And it’s Canada’s first medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Valerie Maltais, in her 5th Olympics, wins bronze for Canada in the 3000m final.
It’s her first individual medal in long track speed skating. And it’s Canada’s first medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
February 7, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Valerie Maltais competed in her first Olympics at 19, and she's now 35. That's awesome.
First medal for Canada! Congratulations Valerie Maltais! 🥉🇨🇦
It's going to be a thrilling finish to the women's 3000m.
🇨🇦Valerie Maltais skates in Pair 8 and will be followed by only four skaters.
🇨🇦Isabelle Weidemann, the 2022 bronze medalist, skates the finale.
Coming up soon, right here.
gem.cbc.ca/speed-skatin...
🇨🇦Valerie Maltais skates in Pair 8 and will be followed by only four skaters.
🇨🇦Isabelle Weidemann, the 2022 bronze medalist, skates the finale.
Coming up soon, right here.
gem.cbc.ca/speed-skatin...
Speed Skating: 3000m (Women's) - Final
Watch Canadians Isabelle Weidemann, Valérie Maltais and Laura Hall compete in the women's 3000m speed skating final on Day 1 of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
gem.cbc.ca
February 7, 2026 at 4:22 PM
First medal for Canada! Congratulations Valerie Maltais! 🥉🇨🇦
Reposted by Larissa
It is very funny when you go back to the originals and you realise "uh, Gonzo is into stuff"
"Tell me you know nothing about the Muppets without telling me you know nothing about the Muppets."
February 7, 2026 at 3:56 PM
It is very funny when you go back to the originals and you realise "uh, Gonzo is into stuff"
Reposted by Larissa
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
I stand with County Executive Calvin Ball as he signs emergency legislation today prohibiting privately owned buildings from being used as ICE detention centers.
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Redirecting...
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
Reposted by Larissa
so many things in this world are bleak and depressing but my God when you think about HIV/AIDS research
I just want to cry
it was a death sentence for so long
people lost so much
whole generations of queer elders were lost
now we have basically a vaccine
I just want to cry
it was a death sentence for so long
people lost so much
whole generations of queer elders were lost
now we have basically a vaccine
February 7, 2026 at 1:39 AM
so many things in this world are bleak and depressing but my God when you think about HIV/AIDS research
I just want to cry
it was a death sentence for so long
people lost so much
whole generations of queer elders were lost
now we have basically a vaccine
I just want to cry
it was a death sentence for so long
people lost so much
whole generations of queer elders were lost
now we have basically a vaccine
Reposted by Larissa
one of the greatest human triumphs of my lifetime is the relentless, unceasing, heroic effort by DECADES' worth of doctors and scientists to find a cure for a disease much of the world didn't take seriously for years because it predominantly affected a community they thought kinda deserved it
Just because good news is worth celebrating:
There is now a Prep medication that is an *every six month* injection.
HIV has, effectively, a vaccination.
There is now a Prep medication that is an *every six month* injection.
HIV has, effectively, a vaccination.
February 7, 2026 at 1:37 AM
one of the greatest human triumphs of my lifetime is the relentless, unceasing, heroic effort by DECADES' worth of doctors and scientists to find a cure for a disease much of the world didn't take seriously for years because it predominantly affected a community they thought kinda deserved it
I still have one more tub of candied cherries, so even though it's out of season now, I'm doing a "Christmas" cherry cake this weekend. Red and pinkish, it's Valentines-appropriate 😆
February 7, 2026 at 1:02 AM
I still have one more tub of candied cherries, so even though it's out of season now, I'm doing a "Christmas" cherry cake this weekend. Red and pinkish, it's Valentines-appropriate 😆