Even us Bellingham subreddit regulars. I've been downvoted just noting a news story is available outside a paywall, for example.

Facebook does have some utility for me, too. As long as I stay off the algorithmic feed. I'll likely be back after a cleansing break. Not sure when. But Instagram? Nope.

But I'm still here on Bluesky. On LinkedIn. And occasionally Reddit (Bellingham sub, if I can contribute facts and useful info).

I think most of us would be surprised how many social sites we're on, even if only rarely (I'm looking at you, Nextdoor).

It may be part FOMO. And part loneliness.

Making X an ex wraps up a social media simplification I started this month. Too much noise. Too much to check. Too little quality interaction.

So: Facebook, Messenger & Instagram, deactivated for now (I no longer need access to Facebook's time suck for a column). Mastodon, rarely used & deleted.

The article tallies Flatstick alongside Ramble Tamble, Boundary Bay and Carnal downtown this year alone. I'd add Nacho Problems, Bella Ciao Pizza & Wild Oat Bakery in 2025. That's probably not a complete list. A couple have opened (Bordertown, for example, in the old Pepper Sisters space).

And the AS website is a dumpster fire at the moment. It is not loading properly. "Book a flight" options are all that appear.

The AS "News hub" (for media) has no mention of it yet.

And clicking on "Travel advisories" leads to a black screen with white type that reads "no healthy upstream."

Reflections included on the current state of #edtech, #scifi writing and #journalism compared to my earlier state of professional work in each. And shifting priorities in relation to same.

(Bonus: An incredibly nice farewell card from CDN, made of newsprint atop one of my columns. I'm keeping it.)