Brandon Nolta
@bnolta.bsky.social
Writer, editor, occasional computer mechanic. Member of SFWA, HWA, Codex, and a few other odd organizations (collect the whole set!). Author of three published SF/F books, 10 study guides, hundreds of book reviews, and a bunch of other stuff.
Even knowing that Willie Nelson is the kind of artist who's always up for something different, this duet came out of left field. Take a listen and see how it strikes you.
Karen O & Willie Nelson - "Under Pressure" (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Karen O
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Even knowing that Willie Nelson is the kind of artist who's always up for something different, this duet came out of left field. Take a listen and see how it strikes you.
Feels like a bit of a blue day, so I've been trolling through my music collection, looking for something to suit my mood. This track wasn't my intro to Soundgarden, but it went a long way toward convincing me they were the best of the grunge era, and that's saying something. RIP, Chris.
Mind Riot (Remastered 2016)
YouTube video by Soundgarden - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Feels like a bit of a blue day, so I've been trolling through my music collection, looking for something to suit my mood. This track wasn't my intro to Soundgarden, but it went a long way toward convincing me they were the best of the grunge era, and that's saying something. RIP, Chris.
Reposted by Brandon Nolta
Just saw this, and it is good to know. Especially now.
Few patients appeal a health insurance denial, but a little-known process that requires insurers and plans to seek an independent opinion can force insurers to pay for what can be lifesaving treatment.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
Here’s what experts say you need to know.
How to Fight Your Health Insurance Denial with an External Appeal
When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here are six steps experts sugges...
www.propublica.org
November 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Just saw this, and it is good to know. Especially now.
Reposted by Brandon Nolta
For years, the right has invented threats and crises to scare the public, but that strategy is losing its power. Trump and MAGA can no longer make their monsters appear real, and the American people are noticing. Could we be at a turning point?
Trump And MAGA Have Lost The Plot
Americans are no longer buying the fear-mongering and lies the right is selling
thinkbigpicture.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:23 PM
For years, the right has invented threats and crises to scare the public, but that strategy is losing its power. Trump and MAGA can no longer make their monsters appear real, and the American people are noticing. Could we be at a turning point?
Has anybody else tried the Qobuz app? I started my free trial today, and so far, I like it. Not far enough into it yet to say it'll definitely replace Spotify, but signs and portents are good. Need to tweak it on my phone still, though; how well it works there might be the real test.
September 26, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Has anybody else tried the Qobuz app? I started my free trial today, and so far, I like it. Not far enough into it yet to say it'll definitely replace Spotify, but signs and portents are good. Need to tweak it on my phone still, though; how well it works there might be the real test.
I hear the Rapture is supposed to happen today. Better go make sure my wheelbarrow tire is fully inflated. Why risk ruining all the looting I could do over a flat?
September 23, 2025 at 7:34 AM
I hear the Rapture is supposed to happen today. Better go make sure my wheelbarrow tire is fully inflated. Why risk ruining all the looting I could do over a flat?
Afraid of science and free speech, afraid of difference, afraid of anything outside a white-supremacist, "Christian" perspective. The GOP really should change their symbol to reflect this blinkered view. Thanks to some tinkering with Gemini AI, I have a simple suggestion; I bet y'all can do better.
September 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Afraid of science and free speech, afraid of difference, afraid of anything outside a white-supremacist, "Christian" perspective. The GOP really should change their symbol to reflect this blinkered view. Thanks to some tinkering with Gemini AI, I have a simple suggestion; I bet y'all can do better.
While I'm looking forward to seeing all these pusillanimous lackeys get canned at the next regime change, I think it's also time to heavily invest in ChapStick and knee replacements. With all the ass-kissing and knee-bending going on, there's money to be made there.
September 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
While I'm looking forward to seeing all these pusillanimous lackeys get canned at the next regime change, I think it's also time to heavily invest in ChapStick and knee replacements. With all the ass-kissing and knee-bending going on, there's money to be made there.
There aren't too many acts left my grumpy ass will go see live, but of the few, Weird Al's top of the list, and one of only two performers I've paid to see more than once. This was from his August 11th concert in Airway Heights, WA, which he killed at (Puddles was pretty good, too).
August 21, 2025 at 1:53 AM
There aren't too many acts left my grumpy ass will go see live, but of the few, Weird Al's top of the list, and one of only two performers I've paid to see more than once. This was from his August 11th concert in Airway Heights, WA, which he killed at (Puddles was pretty good, too).
That letter Trump wrote to Epstein for his birthday journal sure sounds like it came from a guy who not only shared a secret or two with ol' Jeff, but maybe shared a look or a moment Lady and the Tramp-style as well. Probably not over a plate of spaghetti...
July 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
That letter Trump wrote to Epstein for his birthday journal sure sounds like it came from a guy who not only shared a secret or two with ol' Jeff, but maybe shared a look or a moment Lady and the Tramp-style as well. Probably not over a plate of spaghetti...
Of all the things that could shake the MAGA cultists loose, I would not have guessed the Epstein files would be what has the most traction. Not that I want to agree with any of those putzes, but now I'm curious. Shouldn't be too hard; they were right there on Bondi's desk...
July 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Of all the things that could shake the MAGA cultists loose, I would not have guessed the Epstein files would be what has the most traction. Not that I want to agree with any of those putzes, but now I'm curious. Shouldn't be too hard; they were right there on Bondi's desk...
Not that I regularly do anything for the Fourth anyway, but this year, the idea of a celebration feels like throwing a birthday party in a hospice ward. Think I'll pass.
July 2, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Not that I regularly do anything for the Fourth anyway, but this year, the idea of a celebration feels like throwing a birthday party in a hospice ward. Think I'll pass.
Thanks to SCOTUS's ruling on nationwide injunctions, Judge Kacsmaryk just got a whole lot less relevant on the national stage. Not much of a silver lining, but you take what you can get.
June 27, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Thanks to SCOTUS's ruling on nationwide injunctions, Judge Kacsmaryk just got a whole lot less relevant on the national stage. Not much of a silver lining, but you take what you can get.
Looks like it's time for some more shameless self-promotion, especially since I've been rather letting down the side lately on the writing front. Here's a set of Unexpected Questions I did for Amazing Stories, which I rather enjoyed answering, complete with lots of links. Enjoy!
Unexpected Questions with Brandon Nolta - Amazing Stories
Brandon Nolta is a writer, editor, and professional curmudgeon living in the boonies of north Idaho, which is really saying something. After
amazingstories.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Looks like it's time for some more shameless self-promotion, especially since I've been rather letting down the side lately on the writing front. Here's a set of Unexpected Questions I did for Amazing Stories, which I rather enjoyed answering, complete with lots of links. Enjoy!
It's been one of those days where you just have to channel Bill the Cat and go, "Thbbft!" to the world. Here you go, world.
June 24, 2025 at 4:07 AM
It's been one of those days where you just have to channel Bill the Cat and go, "Thbbft!" to the world. Here you go, world.
It was a wonderful weekend: No Kings rally yesterday, celebrating Fathers Day today with my beloved kids, and gorgeous sunshine both days. I hope y'all had a couple of days like mine, and that the week to come continues in that vein.
June 16, 2025 at 5:27 AM
It was a wonderful weekend: No Kings rally yesterday, celebrating Fathers Day today with my beloved kids, and gorgeous sunshine both days. I hope y'all had a couple of days like mine, and that the week to come continues in that vein.
Unlike D.C., which had a sad taco in the rain afternoon, the day in Clarkston, WA (on the Washington/Idaho border, for those unfamiliar with the area) was sunny and lovely for the No Kings rally. There were a lot of good signs out there, but this was my favorite.
June 15, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Unlike D.C., which had a sad taco in the rain afternoon, the day in Clarkston, WA (on the Washington/Idaho border, for those unfamiliar with the area) was sunny and lovely for the No Kings rally. There were a lot of good signs out there, but this was my favorite.
Reposted by Brandon Nolta
Donald Trump does NOT want you to share this footage of his pathetically tiny birthday parade crowd.
June 14, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Donald Trump does NOT want you to share this footage of his pathetically tiny birthday parade crowd.
Some useful information for anyone traveling in or out of the country anytime soon. Stay safe, get educated.
Know Your Rights | Enforcement at the Airport | ACLU
www.aclu.org
June 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Some useful information for anyone traveling in or out of the country anytime soon. Stay safe, get educated.
On the one hand, I like that explicitly acknowledging his weakness through a succinct acronym burrows into his ego. On the other hand, I dislike that it besmirches a fine food item by association. On the third hand, to hell with that bastard. #taco
May 31, 2025 at 5:55 AM
On the one hand, I like that explicitly acknowledging his weakness through a succinct acronym burrows into his ego. On the other hand, I dislike that it besmirches a fine food item by association. On the third hand, to hell with that bastard. #taco
Not sure if it's the weather, age, or just *gestures at everything*, but I've been feeling the need for comfort reading. Oddly enough, said comfort reading has turned out to be revisiting the great Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins series. All his books are wonderful IMHO, but Easy's on another level.
May 19, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Not sure if it's the weather, age, or just *gestures at everything*, but I've been feeling the need for comfort reading. Oddly enough, said comfort reading has turned out to be revisiting the great Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins series. All his books are wonderful IMHO, but Easy's on another level.
Happy day to all you mothers out there. If you had a good (or better) mom and she's still around, I hope you get to spend time with her. If your mom is gone, I hope you find some peace and joy in thinking of her. If your mom sucked, gone or not, I hope you find someone better to celebrate today.
May 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Happy day to all you mothers out there. If you had a good (or better) mom and she's still around, I hope you get to spend time with her. If your mom is gone, I hope you find some peace and joy in thinking of her. If your mom sucked, gone or not, I hope you find someone better to celebrate today.
I, for one, am looking forward to Pope Leo's forthcoming encyclical on deep-dish pizza.
May 9, 2025 at 6:06 AM
I, for one, am looking forward to Pope Leo's forthcoming encyclical on deep-dish pizza.