Alison M. B.
@ardentalison.bsky.social
Weirdo from Jersey. Books, baking, board games, Broadway, bad jokes. Pretends to be a Paladin sometimes.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Evening folks,
Guess what? I’ll be returning to Every Day Original next year!
Actually, my first painting is on the FIRST day of 2026!
Here is a #wip of a small lil one that I will be offering January 1st 2026. And this is idea expresses a lot of feelings I have coming in to the new year.
Guess what? I’ll be returning to Every Day Original next year!
Actually, my first painting is on the FIRST day of 2026!
Here is a #wip of a small lil one that I will be offering January 1st 2026. And this is idea expresses a lot of feelings I have coming in to the new year.
December 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Evening folks,
Guess what? I’ll be returning to Every Day Original next year!
Actually, my first painting is on the FIRST day of 2026!
Here is a #wip of a small lil one that I will be offering January 1st 2026. And this is idea expresses a lot of feelings I have coming in to the new year.
Guess what? I’ll be returning to Every Day Original next year!
Actually, my first painting is on the FIRST day of 2026!
Here is a #wip of a small lil one that I will be offering January 1st 2026. And this is idea expresses a lot of feelings I have coming in to the new year.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Going into 2026, here's my advice: you can only control so much. You're probably stressing about a lot you can't sway either way. Letting go helps.
This doesn't mean don't try. It means your mental health should be prioritised for the things you can control
This doesn't mean don't try. It means your mental health should be prioritised for the things you can control
December 31, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Going into 2026, here's my advice: you can only control so much. You're probably stressing about a lot you can't sway either way. Letting go helps.
This doesn't mean don't try. It means your mental health should be prioritised for the things you can control
This doesn't mean don't try. It means your mental health should be prioritised for the things you can control
Reposted by Alison M. B.
One of my mums handmade jumpers. This is one of the more peaceful and toned down items she made for herself. She was ALWAYS knitting.
My step-Pa gave it to my partner and he’s keeping the others she made (not to wear, he’s a black T-shirt bloke like me) but they’re treasure to him.
My step-Pa gave it to my partner and he’s keeping the others she made (not to wear, he’s a black T-shirt bloke like me) but they’re treasure to him.
December 31, 2025 at 11:16 AM
One of my mums handmade jumpers. This is one of the more peaceful and toned down items she made for herself. She was ALWAYS knitting.
My step-Pa gave it to my partner and he’s keeping the others she made (not to wear, he’s a black T-shirt bloke like me) but they’re treasure to him.
My step-Pa gave it to my partner and he’s keeping the others she made (not to wear, he’s a black T-shirt bloke like me) but they’re treasure to him.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
this remains the greatest synopsis of incel culture one could ever ask for
December 31, 2025 at 3:06 AM
this remains the greatest synopsis of incel culture one could ever ask for
Reposted by Alison M. B.
In my 20s I read a lot of books by young famous authors. My mistake was assuming that path was normal & not a freak occurrence. Most writers need to live, dream & fail for decades before we find our voice. We're not saplings. We're gnarly trees, here to describe how our bark & branches got this way.
December 31, 2025 at 11:18 AM
In my 20s I read a lot of books by young famous authors. My mistake was assuming that path was normal & not a freak occurrence. Most writers need to live, dream & fail for decades before we find our voice. We're not saplings. We're gnarly trees, here to describe how our bark & branches got this way.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
for all the talk about this being the next transformative technology, there is an awful lot of forcing from above. no one ever met with a country's PM to tell them smart phone adoption was too low. what are we doing here?
Fewer Irish people using ChatGPT than in other countries, OpenAI told Taoiseach
Fewer Irish people using ChatGPT than in other countries, OpenAI told Taoiseach
Micheál Martin was told application had been rolled out to all secondary school students in Estonia ‘to complement the curriculum’
www.irishtimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
for all the talk about this being the next transformative technology, there is an awful lot of forcing from above. no one ever met with a country's PM to tell them smart phone adoption was too low. what are we doing here?
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Also, more generally, why do none of these reports examine Nikolai Patrushev's claim that Trump had obligations to the forces that helped him win?
It is a fact that Russia helped Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Why is that EVER forgotten?
tass.com/politics/187...
It is a fact that Russia helped Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Why is that EVER forgotten?
tass.com/politics/187...
December 31, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Also, more generally, why do none of these reports examine Nikolai Patrushev's claim that Trump had obligations to the forces that helped him win?
It is a fact that Russia helped Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Why is that EVER forgotten?
tass.com/politics/187...
It is a fact that Russia helped Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Why is that EVER forgotten?
tass.com/politics/187...
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Second, how do you repeat this bullshit abt 2016 w/o noting that it is either a deliberate lie and/or deliberate cope?
Want to explain why Trump (needs to) believe Russian lies, you start there.
Want to explain why Trump (needs to) believe Russian lies, you start there.
December 31, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Second, how do you repeat this bullshit abt 2016 w/o noting that it is either a deliberate lie and/or deliberate cope?
Want to explain why Trump (needs to) believe Russian lies, you start there.
Want to explain why Trump (needs to) believe Russian lies, you start there.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
NYT piece on Trump's abandonment of Ukraine is necessary reading but there are a few weird bits.
First, how do you drop the news that Kushner has done business w/Kirill Dmitriev w/o further context?
That was the barely disguised goal in Dmitriev's 2017 outreach.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
First, how do you drop the news that Kushner has done business w/Kirill Dmitriev w/o further context?
That was the barely disguised goal in Dmitriev's 2017 outreach.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
December 31, 2025 at 11:16 AM
NYT piece on Trump's abandonment of Ukraine is necessary reading but there are a few weird bits.
First, how do you drop the news that Kushner has done business w/Kirill Dmitriev w/o further context?
That was the barely disguised goal in Dmitriev's 2017 outreach.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
First, how do you drop the news that Kushner has done business w/Kirill Dmitriev w/o further context?
That was the barely disguised goal in Dmitriev's 2017 outreach.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Alison M. B.
You don't have to swallow frogs
If you aren't sure what you stand for, you're going to get played.
Andrea digs into Coates & Klein's conversation after Charlie Kirk's killing. And she, more than anyone, exposed the weakness of Klein's willingness to barter away protections for the vulnerable.
If you aren't sure what you stand for, you're going to get played.
Andrea digs into Coates & Klein's conversation after Charlie Kirk's killing. And she, more than anyone, exposed the weakness of Klein's willingness to barter away protections for the vulnerable.
You don't have to swallow frogs
YouTube video by Degenerate Art by Andrea Pitzer
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 11:02 AM
You don't have to swallow frogs
If you aren't sure what you stand for, you're going to get played.
Andrea digs into Coates & Klein's conversation after Charlie Kirk's killing. And she, more than anyone, exposed the weakness of Klein's willingness to barter away protections for the vulnerable.
If you aren't sure what you stand for, you're going to get played.
Andrea digs into Coates & Klein's conversation after Charlie Kirk's killing. And she, more than anyone, exposed the weakness of Klein's willingness to barter away protections for the vulnerable.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
I’ve spent this morning morbidly watching the MTV channels close down and the final songs played were:
MTV Music - Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles)
Club MTV - Don’t Stop the Music (Rihanna)
MTV 90s - Goodbye (Spice Girls)
MTV 80s - Together in Electric Dreams (Oakey and Moroder)
MTV Music - Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles)
Club MTV - Don’t Stop the Music (Rihanna)
MTV 90s - Goodbye (Spice Girls)
MTV 80s - Together in Electric Dreams (Oakey and Moroder)
December 31, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I’ve spent this morning morbidly watching the MTV channels close down and the final songs played were:
MTV Music - Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles)
Club MTV - Don’t Stop the Music (Rihanna)
MTV 90s - Goodbye (Spice Girls)
MTV 80s - Together in Electric Dreams (Oakey and Moroder)
MTV Music - Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles)
Club MTV - Don’t Stop the Music (Rihanna)
MTV 90s - Goodbye (Spice Girls)
MTV 80s - Together in Electric Dreams (Oakey and Moroder)
Reposted by Alison M. B.
No shade to the reporter in question, I just hate that this is how we refer to the cost of a service that makes all of us live in a better society.
December 31, 2025 at 4:51 AM
No shade to the reporter in question, I just hate that this is how we refer to the cost of a service that makes all of us live in a better society.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
"The USPS posted a $9 billion loss" is an interesting way to phrase "The USPS cost each american $25.94 last year."
🚨SCOOP: Amazon is preparing to sever ties with USPS and expand its shipping network as a true coast-to-coast rival.
It could cost USPS more than *$6 billion* a year in lost revenue, and lead Amazon to dominate yet another facet of the economy.
USPS posted a *$9 billion* loss in 2025.
It could cost USPS more than *$6 billion* a year in lost revenue, and lead Amazon to dominate yet another facet of the economy.
USPS posted a *$9 billion* loss in 2025.
Amazon explores cutting ties with USPS, building its own delivery network
Amazon looks into expanding its nationwide delivery network and giving up its longstanding partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:50 AM
"The USPS posted a $9 billion loss" is an interesting way to phrase "The USPS cost each american $25.94 last year."
Reposted by Alison M. B.
USPS was forced to front fund all of its pension for all of its employees. This is why it is always “in the red”. No other part of the govt does this.
December 31, 2025 at 5:31 AM
USPS was forced to front fund all of its pension for all of its employees. This is why it is always “in the red”. No other part of the govt does this.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Elon Musk is preparing to dump hundreds of millions into anti-trans propaganda. It may not help Republicans win, but it will terrorize the vulnerable. Democrats cannot let these attacks go unanswered this time.
Musk prepares to buy another election and smear more trans kids
This time there are no excuses for falling into his trap.
www.thefarce.org
December 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Elon Musk is preparing to dump hundreds of millions into anti-trans propaganda. It may not help Republicans win, but it will terrorize the vulnerable. Democrats cannot let these attacks go unanswered this time.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Oh so if you're a former fetus, you get to speak for all current fetuses? That's how this works?
Well then what a coinkydink, I'm a former fetus too, and all current fetuses are currently saying "If it's your body, then kill us if you want, we don't care. In fact, we CAN'T care. We're fetuses."
Well then what a coinkydink, I'm a former fetus too, and all current fetuses are currently saying "If it's your body, then kill us if you want, we don't care. In fact, we CAN'T care. We're fetuses."
December 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Oh so if you're a former fetus, you get to speak for all current fetuses? That's how this works?
Well then what a coinkydink, I'm a former fetus too, and all current fetuses are currently saying "If it's your body, then kill us if you want, we don't care. In fact, we CAN'T care. We're fetuses."
Well then what a coinkydink, I'm a former fetus too, and all current fetuses are currently saying "If it's your body, then kill us if you want, we don't care. In fact, we CAN'T care. We're fetuses."
Reposted by Alison M. B.
I will say I *loathe* this lumping of long-standing tools (text-to-speech, speech to text, spell checker, etc) with "it's all AI" like we are toddlers and can't understand the nuance of all this.
For the rest, only a fool would use AI to read their publishing contracts.
For the rest, only a fool would use AI to read their publishing contracts.
December 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I will say I *loathe* this lumping of long-standing tools (text-to-speech, speech to text, spell checker, etc) with "it's all AI" like we are toddlers and can't understand the nuance of all this.
For the rest, only a fool would use AI to read their publishing contracts.
For the rest, only a fool would use AI to read their publishing contracts.
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Stumbleupon was so great
I live in hope for the return of webrings for discovery, and RSS readers as folks’ primary tools for reading blogs
December 28, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Stumbleupon was so great
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Mattel also has no qualms in sabotaging OTHER properties outside its umbrella: if it weren't for the lawsuit against MGA, there's a good chance the Bratz or LOL surprise lines might be om this list
December 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Mattel also has no qualms in sabotaging OTHER properties outside its umbrella: if it weren't for the lawsuit against MGA, there's a good chance the Bratz or LOL surprise lines might be om this list
Reposted by Alison M. B.
I think another facet of this lies in the IPs we see: SJ has a vested interest in ALL of its properties doing well, and lets them flourish independently. Mattel on the other hand canceled Ever After High after getting the license to make Disney dolls and refused to let Monster High outsell Barbie
December 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I think another facet of this lies in the IPs we see: SJ has a vested interest in ALL of its properties doing well, and lets them flourish independently. Mattel on the other hand canceled Ever After High after getting the license to make Disney dolls and refused to let Monster High outsell Barbie
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Do we start going for non-merchandise driven IPs sooner than men and not as many of us are adult collectors? Maybe our franchises of choice are more niche? I think a big thing is that girls can like batman, but boys will be drawn and quartered if they look at a doll, and not every girl likes dolls
December 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Do we start going for non-merchandise driven IPs sooner than men and not as many of us are adult collectors? Maybe our franchises of choice are more niche? I think a big thing is that girls can like batman, but boys will be drawn and quartered if they look at a doll, and not every girl likes dolls
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Really, it’s not even comparable to the impacts of sexual harassment and death threats that everyday people targeted with Grok (and other AI tools) face. Elon *literally* has the power to turn this particular machine off and all the resources in the world to combat it
December 28, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Really, it’s not even comparable to the impacts of sexual harassment and death threats that everyday people targeted with Grok (and other AI tools) face. Elon *literally* has the power to turn this particular machine off and all the resources in the world to combat it
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Grok is now posting AI images of Elon Musk with semen on his face, holding signs begging people to assassinate him. If only they had cared more during all the times when Grok was doing this to women and liberal posters on command. Oh well
December 28, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Grok is now posting AI images of Elon Musk with semen on his face, holding signs begging people to assassinate him. If only they had cared more during all the times when Grok was doing this to women and liberal posters on command. Oh well
Reposted by Alison M. B.
Sinatra has gone woke
![Civil rights activism
From the 1940s Sinatra refused to perform for segregated audiences. In Las Vegas he forced the Sands to serve Nat King Cole in the dining room and, with Sammy Davis Jr., ended Jim Crow policies in Nevada hotels and casinos by
1961. 9! He headlined Carnegie Hall for Martin Luther King Jr. in 1961, led Rat Pack boycotts, donated heavily to SCLC and voter registration, and was praised by Vice President Humphrey after the Watts riots for teaching tolerance."] Orson Welles witnessed Sinatra physically
threaten a restaurant owner who refused service to a Black musician.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:of56nmyuqzvjta7qlf7gwht6/bafkreihcwqha74luvn5td5tugqr4welplshkdqtabytg7ohgc23we7aedm@jpeg)
December 28, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Sinatra has gone woke