Chris
@cynicalgrrl.bsky.social
Still libraries, websites, Ann Arbor politics, college sports (mostly Virginia and Michigan with a newly-added parental interest in Nebraska). You know, the usual. XML alchemist.
Back in the early days of our digital library, I got email from a med professor trying to locate an Emily Dickinson poem. Being young and dumb, my first thought was "Why is an ob-gyn looking for this poem?" which THANKFULLY did not inform my response to him. Art is for everyone no matter their job.
December 2, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Back in the early days of our digital library, I got email from a med professor trying to locate an Emily Dickinson poem. Being young and dumb, my first thought was "Why is an ob-gyn looking for this poem?" which THANKFULLY did not inform my response to him. Art is for everyone no matter their job.
And maybe not _that_ hit. Maybe.
December 2, 2025 at 6:22 PM
And maybe not _that_ hit. Maybe.
Totally agree about La Chimera, which I think @rexparker.bsky.social clued me into last spring. Now I need to look into The Durrells.
December 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Totally agree about La Chimera, which I think @rexparker.bsky.social clued me into last spring. Now I need to look into The Durrells.
Oh man, Old Bay is a staple for us and and I couldn’t just not buy any. That plastic container disappoints me every time I touch it. The tin is a must!
December 2, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Oh man, Old Bay is a staple for us and and I couldn’t just not buy any. That plastic container disappoints me every time I touch it. The tin is a must!
Fox Point. So good on eggs.
December 2, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Fox Point. So good on eggs.
Whoa. My kid's high school has a new band director who was in band with my daughter (mid 20s). This makes me wonder how things are going with him.
December 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Whoa. My kid's high school has a new band director who was in band with my daughter (mid 20s). This makes me wonder how things are going with him.
Same! I've lived here 30 years now.
December 1, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Same! I've lived here 30 years now.
It’s greasy and covered with crumbs. That’s why I cut it off. Just seems practical to me.
November 30, 2025 at 10:36 PM
It’s greasy and covered with crumbs. That’s why I cut it off. Just seems practical to me.
Another one bites the dust
November 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Another one bites the dust
Now there’s a holiday classic
November 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Now there’s a holiday classic
It is! (I’m making batch Manhattans though.)
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
It is! (I’m making batch Manhattans though.)
I followed the link to the Boulevardier article and you know what? Thanksgiving 2019 was the first time I had one, at our friends’ house. And yes, they subscribe. It all ties together (though they are in Iceland this year).
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I followed the link to the Boulevardier article and you know what? Thanksgiving 2019 was the first time I had one, at our friends’ house. And yes, they subscribe. It all ties together (though they are in Iceland this year).
I love my Oxo mandoline. It has been known to get me when I’m putting it back together after washing it though.
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I love my Oxo mandoline. It has been known to get me when I’m putting it back together after washing it though.
We must have some field overlap — a long time ago one of our grad assistants called that trained monkey work. It is good when you just need to follow patterns and plow through a task without too much thought. (She’s a dean at an R1 now.)
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We must have some field overlap — a long time ago one of our grad assistants called that trained monkey work. It is good when you just need to follow patterns and plow through a task without too much thought. (She’s a dean at an R1 now.)
I am so happy for her! Ours was pretty close to my husband's office and on the bus line but whoo, was it expensive. That is such a game changer for a family.
November 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I am so happy for her! Ours was pretty close to my husband's office and on the bus line but whoo, was it expensive. That is such a game changer for a family.
Agree. And as a medieval studies major, the work I did says it would really really suck for 99.9% of people of all races, and the few on top would not enjoy it as much as they think they would. I'm not even interested in Renfairs or the Society for Creative Anachronism or other cosplay Middle Ages.
November 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Agree. And as a medieval studies major, the work I did says it would really really suck for 99.9% of people of all races, and the few on top would not enjoy it as much as they think they would. I'm not even interested in Renfairs or the Society for Creative Anachronism or other cosplay Middle Ages.
Now I am going to have to ask my son whether ZZ Top figured into JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (manga or anime) when he gets home for Thanksgiving.
November 18, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Now I am going to have to ask my son whether ZZ Top figured into JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (manga or anime) when he gets home for Thanksgiving.
Not totally wrong -- I maintain that if anyone can be both inciteful and insightful, you are replying to her. ;)
November 18, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Not totally wrong -- I maintain that if anyone can be both inciteful and insightful, you are replying to her. ;)
Walk of shame straight to her office. Bold.
November 18, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Walk of shame straight to her office. Bold.
I had totally forgotten about TGDWNF. Now it’s in my head. Thanks.
I’d have thought the Disco Ball disproved that but I might not have seen the entire picture.
I’d have thought the Disco Ball disproved that but I might not have seen the entire picture.
November 18, 2025 at 1:09 PM
I had totally forgotten about TGDWNF. Now it’s in my head. Thanks.
I’d have thought the Disco Ball disproved that but I might not have seen the entire picture.
I’d have thought the Disco Ball disproved that but I might not have seen the entire picture.
Same! So it’s long gone sad to say. As is anything that plays cassettes
November 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Same! So it’s long gone sad to say. As is anything that plays cassettes
I had that on cassette! Most of the covers were great and the others were at least fun.
November 18, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I had that on cassette! Most of the covers were great and the others were at least fun.
Some days I just can’t face it. Can’t do much about the rain or the tired so control the thing you can.
November 18, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Some days I just can’t face it. Can’t do much about the rain or the tired so control the thing you can.
The thing is, they’re both terrible writers BUT they seem to have dirt on a number of notable people. And they’re willing to deploy it willy-nilly. Hard to put a price on that sort of messiness.
November 18, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The thing is, they’re both terrible writers BUT they seem to have dirt on a number of notable people. And they’re willing to deploy it willy-nilly. Hard to put a price on that sort of messiness.