Alison
@inkyali.bsky.social
You know this world is killing me.
I'm pretty sure I'm aphantasic. This is basically me:
"As soon as I close my eyes, what I see are not everyday objects, animals, and vehicles, but the dark underside of my eyelids. I can’t willingly form the faintest of images in my mind."
I can *imagine* the thing, but I can't literally see it.
"As soon as I close my eyes, what I see are not everyday objects, animals, and vehicles, but the dark underside of my eyelids. I can’t willingly form the faintest of images in my mind."
I can *imagine* the thing, but I can't literally see it.
Some People Can’t See Mental Images. The Consequences Are Profound. “I do not miss people when they are not there. My children and grandchildren are dear to me, in a muffled way.” [kottke.org]
Meet the Aphantasics, Those Who Can’t See Mental Images
We’ve talked before about how some people can picture things in their heads quite vividly and others can’t at all. The latter group has a condition called aphantasia.
As soon as I close my eyes, what I see are not eve
kottke.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I'm pretty sure I'm aphantasic. This is basically me:
"As soon as I close my eyes, what I see are not everyday objects, animals, and vehicles, but the dark underside of my eyelids. I can’t willingly form the faintest of images in my mind."
I can *imagine* the thing, but I can't literally see it.
"As soon as I close my eyes, what I see are not everyday objects, animals, and vehicles, but the dark underside of my eyelids. I can’t willingly form the faintest of images in my mind."
I can *imagine* the thing, but I can't literally see it.
Apparently the concept of a three-way stop is too hard for some folks. Good thing I was paying attention or I would have been in a fender bender on my way to work. 🙄
November 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Apparently the concept of a three-way stop is too hard for some folks. Good thing I was paying attention or I would have been in a fender bender on my way to work. 🙄
I heard “Driven to Tears” on my commute this morning, and my god, this 45-year-old song could have been written today.
The Police – Driven to Tears
[Verse 1] / How can you say that you're not responsible? / What does it have to do with me? / What is my reaction, what should it be? / Confronted by this latest atrocity / [Chorus
genius.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I heard “Driven to Tears” on my commute this morning, and my god, this 45-year-old song could have been written today.
I went to this and had a grand time. Saw some folks I know, got to hear (and formally meet) @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social, and bought his latest poetry collection. Then I had a glass of wine at Columbia’s and talked to Manager Flo for a bit.
All in all, a lovely evening.
All in all, a lovely evening.
tonight at the carnegie center, one of my last in-person readings for the next few months...
open to the public.
6pm to 7pm.
open to the public.
6pm to 7pm.
November 21, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I went to this and had a grand time. Saw some folks I know, got to hear (and formally meet) @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social, and bought his latest poetry collection. Then I had a glass of wine at Columbia’s and talked to Manager Flo for a bit.
All in all, a lovely evening.
All in all, a lovely evening.
Number 40, tho 😂
I just found this old picture of a poster that was on the wall at the school my friend taught at and there’s some incredible stuff in there
November 21, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Number 40, tho 😂
Mad props to this guy.
I love him. “The first time I caught up to [ICE], I could tell that they already knew who I was. They had seen me before, so they thought they were just going to speed away. I was like, ‘Ha ha, bitches, I got a new scooter!’”
Meet the veteran who chases ICE on a scooter
Clifford “Buzz” Grambo patrols the streets of Baltimore to keep his neighbors safe—and make federal agents uncomfortable.
www.motherjones.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Mad props to this guy.
I am interpreting for the first time at the Sanders-Brown Memory Clinic and why is there a photo of the Colonel on the wa—ohhhhhh.
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I am interpreting for the first time at the Sanders-Brown Memory Clinic and why is there a photo of the Colonel on the wa—ohhhhhh.
Listening to this classic song on a rainy day always lifts my spirits. Voulzy sings in French, English, Spanish, and a smidgen of Portuguese, and I dunno, the lyrics just give me hope for humankind. Also, it’s just kind of a banger.
Le soleil donne
YouTube video by Laurent Voulzy - Topic
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Listening to this classic song on a rainy day always lifts my spirits. Voulzy sings in French, English, Spanish, and a smidgen of Portuguese, and I dunno, the lyrics just give me hope for humankind. Also, it’s just kind of a banger.
Whyyyyy did I volunteer to organize a family reunion next spring?
November 18, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Whyyyyy did I volunteer to organize a family reunion next spring?
"Six of one, ten of another," actually coined by a friend's ex. His first language was not English, and he didn't really understand "Six of one, half dozen of another," so he would just say the first phrase in this post. But the only person I say this to is my husband, @n4ku.bsky.social.
Here's a fun prompt: Which common idiom do you say "wrong" that if written in an anonymous manifesto would have friends and family realize it was you?
November 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
"Six of one, ten of another," actually coined by a friend's ex. His first language was not English, and he didn't really understand "Six of one, half dozen of another," so he would just say the first phrase in this post. But the only person I say this to is my husband, @n4ku.bsky.social.
My young friend Keenan is a franco-american musician, and this is the latest single from his band, kemp. I really dig the smooth groove here. Also available on Spotify.
Lady in Blue by kemp on Apple Music
Song · 2025 · Duration 3:46
music.apple.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:44 PM
My young friend Keenan is a franco-american musician, and this is the latest single from his band, kemp. I really dig the smooth groove here. Also available on Spotify.
Radio Paradise is a listener-supported streaming radio station that I’ve been listening to since 2003; I met my husband there, and we have developed many friendships thanks to RP. I could write an essay, but instead I’ll share a link and ask that you give the station a listen.
An eclectic musical adventure...
Radio Paradise streams highly curated, eclectic mixes of music -- chosen by real humans -- with unparalleled audio quality.
radioparadise.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Radio Paradise is a listener-supported streaming radio station that I’ve been listening to since 2003; I met my husband there, and we have developed many friendships thanks to RP. I could write an essay, but instead I’ll share a link and ask that you give the station a listen.
I had never heard of this technique (I was already reading by the time schools started using it) and it is utterly depressing.
This is the start of a thread, BTW; her next post has a good link in it.
This is the start of a thread, BTW; her next post has a good link in it.
ever since I learned about three-cueing I've developed infinitely more patience for replies on social media. mfers literally do not know how to read. people are walking around conjuring random meanings into words they don't know, and they don't know a lot of words. it's crazy
November 12, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I had never heard of this technique (I was already reading by the time schools started using it) and it is utterly depressing.
This is the start of a thread, BTW; her next post has a good link in it.
This is the start of a thread, BTW; her next post has a good link in it.
Reposted by Alison
Reminder: Every time you shop at an independent bookstore, Jeff Bezos loses a little bit of power.
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Reminder: Every time you shop at an independent bookstore, Jeff Bezos loses a little bit of power.
I put this down one chapter in and only picked it up again tonight; I am cracking up at the last sentence here. Please note that this was published in 1972:
November 10, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I put this down one chapter in and only picked it up again tonight; I am cracking up at the last sentence here. Please note that this was published in 1972:
This made into the company’s November newsletter (at the end, where the boss shares praise for employees with the entire team) and I smiled at the shout-out.
There are days I wish I had a different job, and then the universe sends the message that interpreting is kinda perfect for me.
There are days I wish I had a different job, and then the universe sends the message that interpreting is kinda perfect for me.
Y’all, I got really good feedback for interpreting in a new/different situation yesterday and I’m really proud of myself. 🙌🏼
“They were incredibly favorable of her accent and they made a personal connection with her. She frankly did a fantastic job and was both professional and personal with them.”
“They were incredibly favorable of her accent and they made a personal connection with her. She frankly did a fantastic job and was both professional and personal with them.”
November 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This made into the company’s November newsletter (at the end, where the boss shares praise for employees with the entire team) and I smiled at the shout-out.
There are days I wish I had a different job, and then the universe sends the message that interpreting is kinda perfect for me.
There are days I wish I had a different job, and then the universe sends the message that interpreting is kinda perfect for me.
I knew Judge Paisley as a bookstore customer (a good one!) and I’m acquainted with his son, but I didn’t know this about him until after his death. What a giant.
Judge Lewis Grant Paisley remembered for advancing LGBTQ+ rights and true allyship in Kentucky.
queerkentucky.com/judge-lewis-...
queerkentucky.com/judge-lewis-...
Judge Lewis Grant Paisley: Kentucky Man Who Advanced LGBTQ+ Rights Remembered for Courage and Allyship - Queer Kentucky | Kentucky's Only LGBTQ+ Newsroom
Judge Lewis Grant Paisley’s landmark ruling struck down Kentucky’s sodomy law, paving the way for LGBTQ+ equality. His legacy of justice and allyship lives on.
queerkentucky.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I knew Judge Paisley as a bookstore customer (a good one!) and I’m acquainted with his son, but I didn’t know this about him until after his death. What a giant.
Ding ding ding!
(I do have a monthly donation set up for @erinpetrey.bsky.social’s campaign, but she’s not an establishment Dem.)
(I do have a monthly donation set up for @erinpetrey.bsky.social’s campaign, but she’s not an establishment Dem.)
Also, and I say this with my whole chest: do not give establishment Dems a dime of your money. Not a CENT. Give that money to mutual aid, to food pantries, to your library, to the guy on your street corner. All of them will put that money to better use.
Do not give politicians your money.
Do not give politicians your money.
November 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Ding ding ding!
(I do have a monthly donation set up for @erinpetrey.bsky.social’s campaign, but she’s not an establishment Dem.)
(I do have a monthly donation set up for @erinpetrey.bsky.social’s campaign, but she’s not an establishment Dem.)
Another hill I will die on.
in my snootiest voice: You’re not chomping at the bit. You’re *champing* at the bit.
November 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Another hill I will die on.
I’m watching an old episode of “Botched” (judge me not) and Tawny Kitaen is here to have her implants removed. I looked her up to see how old she is, and discovered that she died in 2021. That makes me kind of sad. She was so full of hope in this episode; may the rest of her life have been great.
November 9, 2025 at 6:10 AM
I’m watching an old episode of “Botched” (judge me not) and Tawny Kitaen is here to have her implants removed. I looked her up to see how old she is, and discovered that she died in 2021. That makes me kind of sad. She was so full of hope in this episode; may the rest of her life have been great.
Reposted by Alison
Think we need more progressives in office? Please consider donating even $5 to my campaign today.
It helps me reach voters, employ local people, and get out into the community to actually do the work.
I know every dollar is precious and I appreciate each one!
secure.actblue.com/donate/petrey
It helps me reach voters, employ local people, and get out into the community to actually do the work.
I know every dollar is precious and I appreciate each one!
secure.actblue.com/donate/petrey
Donate to Erin Petrey
Show your support with a contribution.
secure.actblue.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Think we need more progressives in office? Please consider donating even $5 to my campaign today.
It helps me reach voters, employ local people, and get out into the community to actually do the work.
I know every dollar is precious and I appreciate each one!
secure.actblue.com/donate/petrey
It helps me reach voters, employ local people, and get out into the community to actually do the work.
I know every dollar is precious and I appreciate each one!
secure.actblue.com/donate/petrey
Is it normal to go from crying to laughing when hearing “Dust in the Wind”? 😢😅
November 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Is it normal to go from crying to laughing when hearing “Dust in the Wind”? 😢😅
I hope someone takes him up on this. In the meantime, please enjoy the comments to his post. 😂
if someone is willing to pay for the products, i'd be willing to purchase these items, deconstruct them, and give them to expert tailors, shoemakers, and craftspeople for review. i will also see if i can track down the factories. i would be interested to know if these items are made in the US
November 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I hope someone takes him up on this. In the meantime, please enjoy the comments to his post. 😂
I mean, duh. Because they are. The United States just happens to be a cruel country.
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’
Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I mean, duh. Because they are. The United States just happens to be a cruel country.
Leaf blowers, amirite?
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Leaf blowers, amirite?