Failed State of Enlightenment
@fsoenlightenment.bsky.social
A not-great human who keeps trying to be better. Some days successful, some days not, but we keep trying.
Currently reading: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Currently reading: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
9) There should be a shelf life for a politician. Past that point, are you really there for your constituents or there because of inertia?
I ran out of steam on these, but this helped me work some mental knots out. Too much clutter in my brain.
Have a picture of a dog as a reward for reading.
I ran out of steam on these, but this helped me work some mental knots out. Too much clutter in my brain.
Have a picture of a dog as a reward for reading.
November 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
9) There should be a shelf life for a politician. Past that point, are you really there for your constituents or there because of inertia?
I ran out of steam on these, but this helped me work some mental knots out. Too much clutter in my brain.
Have a picture of a dog as a reward for reading.
I ran out of steam on these, but this helped me work some mental knots out. Too much clutter in my brain.
Have a picture of a dog as a reward for reading.
Morning glory
August 14, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Morning glory
The sturgeon moon. Lovely.
August 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
The sturgeon moon. Lovely.
Went for a ride and found this fine specimen on the steering wheel. I think it wanted to drive.
May 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Went for a ride and found this fine specimen on the steering wheel. I think it wanted to drive.
The peony in the front bloomed. This was the only bud on this bush, but I suspect future years will have more.
May 7, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The peony in the front bloomed. This was the only bud on this bush, but I suspect future years will have more.
Mornings are a quiet time of reflection. Most are walked head down, ruminating on the day ahead. But some mornings, I take a moment to look up and see the paintings of light in the sky.
I hope we all have a moment to look outward and see the beauty that is all around us.
I hope we all have a moment to look outward and see the beauty that is all around us.
April 24, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Mornings are a quiet time of reflection. Most are walked head down, ruminating on the day ahead. But some mornings, I take a moment to look up and see the paintings of light in the sky.
I hope we all have a moment to look outward and see the beauty that is all around us.
I hope we all have a moment to look outward and see the beauty that is all around us.
A distraction: a ladybug I saved from my pool.
April 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
A distraction: a ladybug I saved from my pool.
As seen on the DC Metro.
April 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
As seen on the DC Metro.
Came down with COVID over a super nice weekend in my area. I watched from my window as the buds became flowers. I went out today to get closer to spring.
I didn't miss spring. And I'm getting better.
I didn't miss spring. And I'm getting better.
April 1, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Came down with COVID over a super nice weekend in my area. I watched from my window as the buds became flowers. I went out today to get closer to spring.
I didn't miss spring. And I'm getting better.
I didn't miss spring. And I'm getting better.
My view from early this morning. Overslept my alarm and almost missed totality.
I am always awed by the night sky, even in the mostly light polluted area I live in. How many millions and millions of stories are being told just out of our reach? How many will mankind never hear?
I am always awed by the night sky, even in the mostly light polluted area I live in. How many millions and millions of stories are being told just out of our reach? How many will mankind never hear?
March 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
My view from early this morning. Overslept my alarm and almost missed totality.
I am always awed by the night sky, even in the mostly light polluted area I live in. How many millions and millions of stories are being told just out of our reach? How many will mankind never hear?
I am always awed by the night sky, even in the mostly light polluted area I live in. How many millions and millions of stories are being told just out of our reach? How many will mankind never hear?
Blue skies with white clouds. The clouds looked like someone dragged their finger through the icing of a cake.
March 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Blue skies with white clouds. The clouds looked like someone dragged their finger through the icing of a cake.
Hector the Great surveys his domain.
February 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Hector the Great surveys his domain.
Looking up through the trees in winter makes me think that the sky looks cracked and shattered, especially on a clear evening.
I'm sure there is a story in the somewhere, or a poem at least. Maybe one day I'll get around to writing it.
I'm sure there is a story in the somewhere, or a poem at least. Maybe one day I'll get around to writing it.
December 9, 2024 at 10:50 PM
Looking up through the trees in winter makes me think that the sky looks cracked and shattered, especially on a clear evening.
I'm sure there is a story in the somewhere, or a poem at least. Maybe one day I'll get around to writing it.
I'm sure there is a story in the somewhere, or a poem at least. Maybe one day I'll get around to writing it.
First snow of the season. None is sticking around, so there is no need to break out the snow removal equipment.
It's my favorite kind of snow.
It's my favorite kind of snow.
November 22, 2024 at 3:03 PM
First snow of the season. None is sticking around, so there is no need to break out the snow removal equipment.
It's my favorite kind of snow.
It's my favorite kind of snow.
It's been a rough week. Fortunately, I could see the moon tonight instead of just clouds.
November 15, 2024 at 11:39 PM
It's been a rough week. Fortunately, I could see the moon tonight instead of just clouds.
Sometimes the skies show a beautiful canvas without clouds or contrails. I didn't see a comet, but that's okay.
There can be beauty in disappointment.
There can be beauty in disappointment.
October 19, 2024 at 11:31 PM
Sometimes the skies show a beautiful canvas without clouds or contrails. I didn't see a comet, but that's okay.
There can be beauty in disappointment.
There can be beauty in disappointment.
A new addition to our home, Hector.
July 15, 2024 at 12:13 AM
A new addition to our home, Hector.
June 20, 2024 at 8:50 PM
This distinguished feline was our drinking companion tonight.
We have deduced it must b an abassador-at-large, maybe a cultural attache, between the cats of Athens and the tourists who haunt their streets.
We have deduced it must b an abassador-at-large, maybe a cultural attache, between the cats of Athens and the tourists who haunt their streets.
May 15, 2024 at 6:07 PM
This distinguished feline was our drinking companion tonight.
We have deduced it must b an abassador-at-large, maybe a cultural attache, between the cats of Athens and the tourists who haunt their streets.
We have deduced it must b an abassador-at-large, maybe a cultural attache, between the cats of Athens and the tourists who haunt their streets.
Eurasian Magpie
May 14, 2024 at 8:55 AM
Eurasian Magpie
Three years ago today, I said goodbye to Rune, who was the best dog that ever loved me. He had epilepsy and needed to choke down a crap ton of pills daily, but he was always excited for our next adventure, even when his body didn't work.
I miss him still and will have a hard time not missing him.
I miss him still and will have a hard time not missing him.
May 12, 2024 at 5:14 PM
Three years ago today, I said goodbye to Rune, who was the best dog that ever loved me. He had epilepsy and needed to choke down a crap ton of pills daily, but he was always excited for our next adventure, even when his body didn't work.
I miss him still and will have a hard time not missing him.
I miss him still and will have a hard time not missing him.
Grey and rainy in my neck of the woods, matching a bit of my mood of late. However, spring blossoms pop up in and provide a burst of sunshine, even in the rain.
May 5, 2024 at 3:41 PM
Grey and rainy in my neck of the woods, matching a bit of my mood of late. However, spring blossoms pop up in and provide a burst of sunshine, even in the rain.
View from my part of the sky just after its maximum. It's not as impressive as totality, but it's still an awe-inspiring sight.
April 8, 2024 at 7:48 PM
View from my part of the sky just after its maximum. It's not as impressive as totality, but it's still an awe-inspiring sight.
A welcome turn to spring, though winter was light this past year.
March 19, 2024 at 10:39 PM
A welcome turn to spring, though winter was light this past year.
The magnolia blossoms have decided to perch on their usual spots again this year. I can't wait until the dogwood blossoms appear as well.
March 17, 2024 at 9:46 PM
The magnolia blossoms have decided to perch on their usual spots again this year. I can't wait until the dogwood blossoms appear as well.