Joshua Kosman
@joshuakosman.bsky.social
Retired classical music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Co-constructor, Out of Left Field cryptic crossword. pacificaisle.substack.com. He/him
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
demanding a famous folk singer write a moving ballad about the time I fell ass first into an ice fishing hole
November 11, 2025 at 2:08 AM
demanding a famous folk singer write a moving ballad about the time I fell ass first into an ice fishing hole
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
After yesterday’s surrender, we’re launching the largest Democratic primary program that we’ve ever run.
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
Democratic leaders have failed us again. It's time to get new leaders.
After yet another capitulation by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, it's clear we need new leadership capable of mounting a serious opposition to Trump's authoritarian regime. We're launching our la...
www.indivisible2026.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
After yesterday’s surrender, we’re launching the largest Democratic primary program that we’ve ever run.
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
Solution: SNACK BAR
Fire: SACK
engulfs: going around
rear of train: N
except for: BAR
concession stand: definition
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Fire: SACK
engulfs: going around
rear of train: N
except for: BAR
concession stand: definition
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Fire engulfs rear of train, except for the concession stand (5,3)
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore an improbable railway disaster.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore an improbable railway disaster.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
November 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Solution: SNACK BAR
Fire: SACK
engulfs: going around
rear of train: N
except for: BAR
concession stand: definition
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Fire: SACK
engulfs: going around
rear of train: N
except for: BAR
concession stand: definition
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
The Democrat party that caved tonight is not the one we elected Tuesday. These are the collaborators still scrambling to cling to the old ways. We will get rid of them.
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The Democrat party that caved tonight is not the one we elected Tuesday. These are the collaborators still scrambling to cling to the old ways. We will get rid of them.
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
Tonight’s dumb napkin cartoon…
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Tonight’s dumb napkin cartoon…
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
This is an entirely uncontroversial view in international law and usually taught in 101.
November 9, 2025 at 7:42 AM
This is an entirely uncontroversial view in international law and usually taught in 101.
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
This is it goddammit.
November 9, 2025 at 4:24 AM
This is it goddammit.
“What you get is a piece making the various more or less bovine noises of studious grey-lady impartiality, with the labor of anything resembling ‘appraisal’ surgically excised.
Others have recommended this brilliant essay; I’m helping spread the word.
Others have recommended this brilliant essay; I’m helping spread the word.
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:33 PM
“What you get is a piece making the various more or less bovine noises of studious grey-lady impartiality, with the labor of anything resembling ‘appraisal’ surgically excised.
Others have recommended this brilliant essay; I’m helping spread the word.
Others have recommended this brilliant essay; I’m helping spread the word.
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
Fire engulfs rear of train, except for the concession stand (5,3)
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore an improbable railway disaster.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore an improbable railway disaster.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
November 6, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Fire engulfs rear of train, except for the concession stand (5,3)
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore an improbable railway disaster.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers this morning, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I explore an improbable railway disaster.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
Creating this masterpiece must have been a Herculean task.🫡 @emmatolk
November 6, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Creating this masterpiece must have been a Herculean task.🫡 @emmatolk
Some opera news (as we used to say):
Conductor James Gaffigan has been named as the next music director for Houston Grand Opera. He succeeds Patrick Summers for the 27-28 season. Excited to see what he’ll bring back to the post.
www.primoartists.com/news/james-g...
Conductor James Gaffigan has been named as the next music director for Houston Grand Opera. He succeeds Patrick Summers for the 27-28 season. Excited to see what he’ll bring back to the post.
www.primoartists.com/news/james-g...
James Gaffigan named Music Director of Houston Grand Opera — Primo Artists
Houston Grand Opera Names James Gaffigan as Next Music Director
In his first titled role with an American institution, globally celebrated conductor will assume position in the 2027-28 season
HOUSTO...
www.primoartists.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Some opera news (as we used to say):
Conductor James Gaffigan has been named as the next music director for Houston Grand Opera. He succeeds Patrick Summers for the 27-28 season. Excited to see what he’ll bring back to the post.
www.primoartists.com/news/james-g...
Conductor James Gaffigan has been named as the next music director for Houston Grand Opera. He succeeds Patrick Summers for the 27-28 season. Excited to see what he’ll bring back to the post.
www.primoartists.com/news/james-g...
New post at On a Pacific Aisle, with thoughts on Stereophonic, Nobuyuki Tsujii, and Beethoven's Fifth.
pacificaisle.substack.com/p/minority-r...
pacificaisle.substack.com/p/minority-r...
Minority report
Scowling to myself in theaters and concert halls while everyone else has a good time
pacificaisle.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
New post at On a Pacific Aisle, with thoughts on Stereophonic, Nobuyuki Tsujii, and Beethoven's Fifth.
pacificaisle.substack.com/p/minority-r...
pacificaisle.substack.com/p/minority-r...
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
Mamdani going so hard for trans right and winning is some juicy proof that every dem that abandoned us didn’t do it for politically advantageous reasons. They did it because they’re transphobes and they will lose for it
November 5, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Mamdani going so hard for trans right and winning is some juicy proof that every dem that abandoned us didn’t do it for politically advantageous reasons. They did it because they’re transphobes and they will lose for it
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
roses are red
big laughs are hearty
big laughs are hearty
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
roses are red
big laughs are hearty
big laughs are hearty
Good news from the SF Symphony: The principal horn vacancy has been filled.
Once they find a new principal trombone to succeed Tim Higgins — and repopulate the horn section overall — the roster issues should quiet down for a hot minute.
RTWT here www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
Once they find a new principal trombone to succeed Tim Higgins — and repopulate the horn section overall — the roster issues should quiet down for a hot minute.
RTWT here www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
San Francisco Symphony fills key vacancy in naming new member of orchestra
Diego Incertis Sánchez, currently with the London Symphony Orchestra, is poised to succeed Robert Ward in this essential position with the San Francisco Symphony.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Good news from the SF Symphony: The principal horn vacancy has been filled.
Once they find a new principal trombone to succeed Tim Higgins — and repopulate the horn section overall — the roster issues should quiet down for a hot minute.
RTWT here www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
Once they find a new principal trombone to succeed Tim Higgins — and repopulate the horn section overall — the roster issues should quiet down for a hot minute.
RTWT here www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
Look, I know we're all having fun celebrating the death of a historic monster, but we need to leave space for folks who may not share our feelings. Some folks saw the news and thought "LOL!" while others heard and immediately felt "LMAO!" and it's important to hear both viewpoints.
November 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Look, I know we're all having fun celebrating the death of a historic monster, but we need to leave space for folks who may not share our feelings. Some folks saw the news and thought "LOL!" while others heard and immediately felt "LMAO!" and it's important to hear both viewpoints.
Solution: HADJI
Pilgrim: definition
owned: HAD
a pair of jigsaws: first two letters from JIGSAWS = JI
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Pilgrim: definition
owned: HAD
a pair of jigsaws: first two letters from JIGSAWS = JI
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Pilgrim owned a pair of jigsaws (5)
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I prepare for the holiday with some revisionist Thanksgiving history.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I prepare for the holiday with some revisionist Thanksgiving history.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
a woman in a pilgrim costume says i assumed it was the 1650s
Alt: Aubrey Plaza on Parks & Recreation in a pilgrim costume. Caption: "I assumed it was the 1690s".
media.tenor.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Solution: HADJI
Pilgrim: definition
owned: HAD
a pair of jigsaws: first two letters from JIGSAWS = JI
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Pilgrim: definition
owned: HAD
a pair of jigsaws: first two letters from JIGSAWS = JI
New puzzle and clue on Thursday!
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
Congratulations, Andrew Cuomo!
I know how hard you worked for this.
I know how hard you worked for this.
![Red Trump-style graphic with images of Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo.
At the top it says, "I'm going to pick [Cuomo]." - Donald Trump, 60 Minutes Interview, 11-2-25
Then beneath it
TRUMP ENDORSES CUOMO](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j5hrotody26iqi24hcusufxu/bafkreib7wnor7hl45ryvmifde4sov74rrnexa3iecbyu7zxjx6brrslsiy@jpeg)
November 3, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Congratulations, Andrew Cuomo!
I know how hard you worked for this.
I know how hard you worked for this.
a classic
Daylight Saving Time is increasingly hard to notice when my digital devices are like, "What? Nothing happened. We know what time it is."
And my stove is left blinking and screaming, "IT HAPPENED! TIME SHIFTED UNNATURALLY! THEY'RE ALL LYING! ONLY I KNOW! ONLY I REMEMBER!"
And my stove is left blinking and screaming, "IT HAPPENED! TIME SHIFTED UNNATURALLY! THEY'RE ALL LYING! ONLY I KNOW! ONLY I REMEMBER!"
November 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
a classic
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
You can curse daylight saving time, daylight saving, daylight savings, daylight savings time, and/or daylight time.
All are considered acceptable so go off.
All are considered acceptable so go off.
November 2, 2025 at 10:41 AM
You can curse daylight saving time, daylight saving, daylight savings, daylight savings time, and/or daylight time.
All are considered acceptable so go off.
All are considered acceptable so go off.
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
Chuck Schumer has refused to endorse Zohran Mamdani, and now refuses to even say he’ll vote for him as Mayor. Just a breathtaking new level of cowardice.
Won’t someone please primary this spineless failure of a leader?
Won’t someone please primary this spineless failure of a leader?
November 1, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Chuck Schumer has refused to endorse Zohran Mamdani, and now refuses to even say he’ll vote for him as Mayor. Just a breathtaking new level of cowardice.
Won’t someone please primary this spineless failure of a leader?
Won’t someone please primary this spineless failure of a leader?
Reposted by Joshua Kosman
You can't make this up.
November 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
You can't make this up.
Pilgrim owned a pair of jigsaws (5)
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I prepare for the holiday with some revisionist Thanksgiving history.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I prepare for the holiday with some revisionist Thanksgiving history.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
a woman in a pilgrim costume says i assumed it was the 1650s
Alt: Aubrey Plaza on Parks & Recreation in a pilgrim costume. Caption: "I assumed it was the 1690s".
media.tenor.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Pilgrim owned a pair of jigsaws (5)
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I prepare for the holiday with some revisionist Thanksgiving history.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...
In our latest Out of Left Field cryptic crossword, sent to subscribers yesterday, @hpicciotto.bsky.social and I prepare for the holiday with some revisionist Thanksgiving history.
www.patreon.com/posts/puzzle...