Baldur5
@baldur5.bsky.social
Writer. Teacher. Book reviewer.
https://cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/
https://cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/
The finale of @rebeccathorne.bsky.social's Tomes & Tea series is here! "Alchemy and a Cup of Tea" finishes out the sapphic cozy fantasy quartet with the most delightful aroma.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/p...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/p...
Perfectly Steeped: A Review of Alchemy and a Cup of Tea, by Rebecca Thorne
Ending a story is always a daunting challenge for an author, balancing both the needs of the work and characters with the treatment of books as a business. A well-loved book series that…
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The finale of @rebeccathorne.bsky.social's Tomes & Tea series is here! "Alchemy and a Cup of Tea" finishes out the sapphic cozy fantasy quartet with the most delightful aroma.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/p...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/p...
"For Whom the Belle Tolls" is the first novel by @sea-ya-later.bsky.social, acting as a prequel to her wildly popular TikTok series, Hell's Belles. A beautiful, emotional roller coaster that is impossible to put down once you turn the first page.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/f...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/f...
Finding Paradise: A Review of For Whom the Belle Tolls, by Jaysea Lynn
Nearly every religion and culture in the world contains some tradition regarding an afterlife, and typically a part of that afterlife belief system includes an underworld. A place where…
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
"For Whom the Belle Tolls" is the first novel by @sea-ya-later.bsky.social, acting as a prequel to her wildly popular TikTok series, Hell's Belles. A beautiful, emotional roller coaster that is impossible to put down once you turn the first page.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/f...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/f...
“The Prince in the Basement” is the latest graphic novel by @miraongchua.com, a complex, bittersweet story about a princess and a prince who share a face, both fighting for a place to belong.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/a...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/a...
A Place to Belong: A Review of The Prince in the Basement, by Mira Ong Chua
Everyone desires a place to belong. It is as intrinsic to human nature as the need for connection, for community, for affection. We all desire a place where we feel comfort, like we fit…
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
“The Prince in the Basement” is the latest graphic novel by @miraongchua.com, a complex, bittersweet story about a princess and a prince who share a face, both fighting for a place to belong.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/a...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/a...
"The Enchanted Greenhouse" is @sarahbethdurst.bsky.social's excellent follow-up to "The Spellshop." Set in the same world, but following different characters on a different island, "The Enchanted Greenhouse" is well worth the read.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/r...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/r...
Radical Horticulture: A Review of The Enchanted Greenhouse, by Sarah Beth Durst
No two stories have the same shape. Some novels tell a single, encompassing story within their pages, while others require duologi…
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
"The Enchanted Greenhouse" is @sarahbethdurst.bsky.social's excellent follow-up to "The Spellshop." Set in the same world, but following different characters on a different island, "The Enchanted Greenhouse" is well worth the read.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/r...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/r...
Reposted by Baldur5
If you're using AI to write essays, eulogies, a text to your wife, I do think less of you as a person. Ceding your mental and creative abilities to a machine is an embarrassing thing and people should be ashamed to admit doing it in public.
![[quoting a tweet by fractalcounty that reads, “today I learned that there are actual people irl who get genuinely upset if they catch you using chatgpt. like they view it as a serious moral failing in certain circles”]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hppum4l25hcczzffastsicpq/bafkreihjvnz2ttxl7z4a2b3a4kylubobgvqxmjhwz6yuetuztzoc4g2s4y@jpeg)
August 2, 2025 at 6:19 PM
If you're using AI to write essays, eulogies, a text to your wife, I do think less of you as a person. Ceding your mental and creative abilities to a machine is an embarrassing thing and people should be ashamed to admit doing it in public.
Reposted by Baldur5
A system that allows a convicted criminal rapist tyrannical traitor to gain full totalitarian control of the U.S. govt without so much as a guardrail in place to protect us from him and his deranged destructive immoral corrupt agenda is a highly flawed and broken system.
August 1, 2025 at 5:21 AM
A system that allows a convicted criminal rapist tyrannical traitor to gain full totalitarian control of the U.S. govt without so much as a guardrail in place to protect us from him and his deranged destructive immoral corrupt agenda is a highly flawed and broken system.
Reposted by Baldur5
Call them anyway.
Ignore their directive.
Email them as well.
Flood them.
They wouldn't even be trying to redirect all of these complaints if the pressure wasn't making them uncomfortable.
Ignore their directive.
Email them as well.
Flood them.
They wouldn't even be trying to redirect all of these complaints if the pressure wasn't making them uncomfortable.
after a very frustrating call with Visa (US+CAN), I was told that Visa would like inquiries relating to using their bargaining power to destroy adult media to be sent, via email, to
askvisa@visa.com
they asked. to be sent. emails. you know what to do.
askvisa@visa.com
they asked. to be sent. emails. you know what to do.
Maybe we could find out.
Mastercard (US): 1-800-627-8372
Mastercard (Int.): +1-636-722-7111
Visa (US + Can): 1 800 847 2911
Visa (AUS): 1 800 125 440
PayPal: +44-0203-901-7000
Mastercard (US): 1-800-627-8372
Mastercard (Int.): +1-636-722-7111
Visa (US + Can): 1 800 847 2911
Visa (AUS): 1 800 125 440
PayPal: +44-0203-901-7000
July 24, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Call them anyway.
Ignore their directive.
Email them as well.
Flood them.
They wouldn't even be trying to redirect all of these complaints if the pressure wasn't making them uncomfortable.
Ignore their directive.
Email them as well.
Flood them.
They wouldn't even be trying to redirect all of these complaints if the pressure wasn't making them uncomfortable.
Reposted by Baldur5
DON'T STOP CALLING.
email them if you want, sure, but the fact that they are requesting people to *email them instead* (presumably because emails are much easier to ignore) means that the calls are WORKING, i.e. becoming a massive nuisance and interrupting workflow.
once again, DON'T STOP CALLING.
email them if you want, sure, but the fact that they are requesting people to *email them instead* (presumably because emails are much easier to ignore) means that the calls are WORKING, i.e. becoming a massive nuisance and interrupting workflow.
once again, DON'T STOP CALLING.
July 24, 2025 at 5:38 PM
DON'T STOP CALLING.
email them if you want, sure, but the fact that they are requesting people to *email them instead* (presumably because emails are much easier to ignore) means that the calls are WORKING, i.e. becoming a massive nuisance and interrupting workflow.
once again, DON'T STOP CALLING.
email them if you want, sure, but the fact that they are requesting people to *email them instead* (presumably because emails are much easier to ignore) means that the calls are WORKING, i.e. becoming a massive nuisance and interrupting workflow.
once again, DON'T STOP CALLING.
Reposted by Baldur5
It is so, so important to learn to understand the difference between A Gross Thing That Freaks Me Out, versus A Thing Which Causes Actual Harm In The World
because as long as you can't navigate the difference, your disgust is a lever that can be used to manipulate you
because as long as you can't navigate the difference, your disgust is a lever that can be used to manipulate you
This remains evergreen.
July 22, 2025 at 1:43 AM
It is so, so important to learn to understand the difference between A Gross Thing That Freaks Me Out, versus A Thing Which Causes Actual Harm In The World
because as long as you can't navigate the difference, your disgust is a lever that can be used to manipulate you
because as long as you can't navigate the difference, your disgust is a lever that can be used to manipulate you
"I Ran Away to Evil" is the first novel in the series of the same title by @mystineptune.bsky.social. Blending cozy fantasy and LitRPG, "I Ran Away to Evil" is a sweet, comforting romance with a dash of drama to keep things interesting.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/d...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/d...
Dark and Cozy: A Review of I Ran Away to Evil, by Mystic Neptune
Over the last several years, the cozy fantasy has taken the literary world by storm. These are novels meant to make readers feel comfortable, prioritizing scenes of characters spending …
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"I Ran Away to Evil" is the first novel in the series of the same title by @mystineptune.bsky.social. Blending cozy fantasy and LitRPG, "I Ran Away to Evil" is a sweet, comforting romance with a dash of drama to keep things interesting.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/d...
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/d...
Reposted by Baldur5
I always say I love my country the way Anthony Bourdain did, not as a benevolent state or one founded in innocence but as vast, beautiful place full of discrete people and cultures such as has rarely been attempted and worth fighting for.
July 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I always say I love my country the way Anthony Bourdain did, not as a benevolent state or one founded in innocence but as vast, beautiful place full of discrete people and cultures such as has rarely been attempted and worth fighting for.
Moonrising is the debut novel of Claire Barner, just in time for National Moon Day. A near-future sci-fi romance about growing food on the moon, "Moonrising's missteps unfortunately overshadow its positive aspects.
Space Race: A Review of Moonrising, by Claire Barner
All art is political, and few genres of literature are more political than hard science-fiction. With science-fiction, the author is typically presenting a vision of the future. Sometimes it is a future they would like to see, but more often it is a warning of a future they would like to approve. They show us a future where technology has evolved past our current level, and write about how that technology is integral to the story. How the characters use that technology, and how it interacts with the setting, is political.
cityonthemoonblog.wordpress.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Moonrising is the debut novel of Claire Barner, just in time for National Moon Day. A near-future sci-fi romance about growing food on the moon, "Moonrising's missteps unfortunately overshadow its positive aspects.
Reposted by Baldur5
“Independence day is canceled because of fear of secret police raids” is really a level of on the nose political symbolism you just can’t make up.
LA Times - Several communities in Los Angeles County have called off or postponed their previously scheduled Independence Day and July events, citing resident safety amid ongoing immigration enforcement raids.
Fear of immigration raids force the cancellation of several July festivities in Los Angeles
Here are some of the July festivities that have been canceled in Los Angeles out of fear over immigration raids.
www.latimes.com
June 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“Independence day is canceled because of fear of secret police raids” is really a level of on the nose political symbolism you just can’t make up.
Reposted by Baldur5
blows my mind that conservatives have somehow been able to paint PROTEST as anti-free speech. if students protest a speaker at a university the are EXERCISING THEIR FREE SPEECH. if a book store dosnt carry a certain book they are EXERCISING THEIR FREE SPEECH. shocking that folks bought this flip
June 25, 2025 at 10:40 PM
blows my mind that conservatives have somehow been able to paint PROTEST as anti-free speech. if students protest a speaker at a university the are EXERCISING THEIR FREE SPEECH. if a book store dosnt carry a certain book they are EXERCISING THEIR FREE SPEECH. shocking that folks bought this flip
Reposted by Baldur5
Michael Pham fled Vietnam at the age of 13. He was named bishop of San Diego a month ago.
Today, he stood watch at a courthouse: ICE agents were “standing there covered with masks as we walked toward the courtroom. Eventually the agents scattered and went away”
timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/06...
Today, he stood watch at a courthouse: ICE agents were “standing there covered with masks as we walked toward the courtroom. Eventually the agents scattered and went away”
timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/06...
ICE agents scatter as SD Bishop Pham, other clergy visit immigration court
"Our presence made a difference," one priest said, quoting an immigration lawyer saying their client was given more time to prepare for another hearing.
timesofsandiego.com
June 20, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Michael Pham fled Vietnam at the age of 13. He was named bishop of San Diego a month ago.
Today, he stood watch at a courthouse: ICE agents were “standing there covered with masks as we walked toward the courtroom. Eventually the agents scattered and went away”
timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/06...
Today, he stood watch at a courthouse: ICE agents were “standing there covered with masks as we walked toward the courtroom. Eventually the agents scattered and went away”
timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/06...
Police riots in Los Angeles continue after a week of peaceful protests.
Law enforcement officers unload tear gas on crowds in Los Angeles, in addition to large amounts of flash-bangs. NBC News’ David Noriega reports from the ground.
June 15, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Police riots in Los Angeles continue after a week of peaceful protests.
Reposted by Baldur5
Remarkable.
MSNC: "I want to reiterate this has been 100% peaceful."
Seconds later, LA County sheriffs start firing on the crowd.
Yet again, "law enforcement" deliberately escalated.
MSNC: "I want to reiterate this has been 100% peaceful."
Seconds later, LA County sheriffs start firing on the crowd.
Yet again, "law enforcement" deliberately escalated.
June 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Remarkable.
MSNC: "I want to reiterate this has been 100% peaceful."
Seconds later, LA County sheriffs start firing on the crowd.
Yet again, "law enforcement" deliberately escalated.
MSNC: "I want to reiterate this has been 100% peaceful."
Seconds later, LA County sheriffs start firing on the crowd.
Yet again, "law enforcement" deliberately escalated.
Reposted by Baldur5
JUST IN: Judge Charles Breyer finds that President Trump exceeded the scope of his authority and violated the 10th Amendment by federalizing the California National Guard and orders him to return control to Governor Newsom. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
June 13, 2025 at 1:02 AM
JUST IN: Judge Charles Breyer finds that President Trump exceeded the scope of his authority and violated the 10th Amendment by federalizing the California National Guard and orders him to return control to Governor Newsom. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Baldur5
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs says we’re not being invaded
June 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs says we’re not being invaded
Reposted by Baldur5
1. I spend a lot of time talking about transgender youth healthcare with people who are uncertain about it.
A large number of my readers are politically moderate and trying to learn.
Today, I laid out my case against bans for my readers who fit that mold.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
A large number of my readers are politically moderate and trying to learn.
Today, I laid out my case against bans for my readers who fit that mold.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
The Moderate Case Against Trans Youth Healthcare Bans
The disinformation on transgender youth healthcare is extreme, and many people hold weakly held opinions on that care. I talk about how to move the needle with those who are uncertain.
www.erininthemorning.com
June 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
1. I spend a lot of time talking about transgender youth healthcare with people who are uncertain about it.
A large number of my readers are politically moderate and trying to learn.
Today, I laid out my case against bans for my readers who fit that mold.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
A large number of my readers are politically moderate and trying to learn.
Today, I laid out my case against bans for my readers who fit that mold.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
Reposted by Baldur5
wow I wonder if the cops who lied about the sitting senator even though everything they did was on tape are also being less than honest about the presence of violent agitators at the protests in los angeles. they might even not have told the entire truth about other protests
June 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
wow I wonder if the cops who lied about the sitting senator even though everything they did was on tape are also being less than honest about the presence of violent agitators at the protests in los angeles. they might even not have told the entire truth about other protests
Reposted by Baldur5
House Democrats need to bring articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem, while Senate Democrats need to bring that chamber to a fucking halt.
June 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
House Democrats need to bring articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem, while Senate Democrats need to bring that chamber to a fucking halt.
Reposted by Baldur5
A DHS spokesperson defended the detainment, accusing Sen. Padilla of failing to properly identify himself during Sec. Kristi Noem's press conference.
But multiple videos show Padilla clearly identifying himself as a senator.
But multiple videos show Padilla clearly identifying himself as a senator.
Sen. Padilla pushed to ground, handcuffed for demanding DHS not lie
Forcibly removing a sitting US senator, as they opposed the president's immigration policy, is a part of a broader slide.
www.motherjones.com
June 12, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A DHS spokesperson defended the detainment, accusing Sen. Padilla of failing to properly identify himself during Sec. Kristi Noem's press conference.
But multiple videos show Padilla clearly identifying himself as a senator.
But multiple videos show Padilla clearly identifying himself as a senator.