Mike Billips
@mbillips.bsky.social
Actor, handyman, retired Navy officer and former newspaper reporter. Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
When I was an engineering major, we made fun of the liberal arts for not leading to “a real job.” I wound up with a newspaper career via writing for the student newspaper while failing at engineering. But I had to flunk out and spend two years in the Navy before I left the “real school.”
November 12, 2025 at 3:04 AM
When I was an engineering major, we made fun of the liberal arts for not leading to “a real job.” I wound up with a newspaper career via writing for the student newspaper while failing at engineering. But I had to flunk out and spend two years in the Navy before I left the “real school.”
Everything I know about James Garfield I got from reading “Assassination Vacation.” He was apparently one hell of a guy.
November 12, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Everything I know about James Garfield I got from reading “Assassination Vacation.” He was apparently one hell of a guy.
Nobody wants to “shop around” when they’re sick.
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Nobody wants to “shop around” when they’re sick.
Some states used to, but they standardized them to save money. In Britain, the state doesn’t even make plates, they just assign the number and you go out and buy a plate from a private company.
November 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Some states used to, but they standardized them to save money. In Britain, the state doesn’t even make plates, they just assign the number and you go out and buy a plate from a private company.
The original name of the Department of Defense, for the first two years, was the National Military Establishment. It didn’t exist before 1947.
November 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The original name of the Department of Defense, for the first two years, was the National Military Establishment. It didn’t exist before 1947.
Favorite bit of “Operation Mincemeat” is that real-life Ian Fleming helped plan and execute it as a member of British military intelligence.
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Favorite bit of “Operation Mincemeat” is that real-life Ian Fleming helped plan and execute it as a member of British military intelligence.
If they’re like me (born in ‘62) they didn’t get a passport as a teen or child. I got one when I was 17 only because I was selected as an exchange student to New Zealand. Only rich people went on overseas vacations back then because air travel was so expensive.
November 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
If they’re like me (born in ‘62) they didn’t get a passport as a teen or child. I got one when I was 17 only because I was selected as an exchange student to New Zealand. Only rich people went on overseas vacations back then because air travel was so expensive.
I was in a four-car pileup on the interstate in Atlanta yesterday, hadn’t worn a coat, and while I was waiting on the cops and tow trucks it began to SNOW! (No one was hurt beyond bumps and bruises)
November 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I was in a four-car pileup on the interstate in Atlanta yesterday, hadn’t worn a coat, and while I was waiting on the cops and tow trucks it began to SNOW! (No one was hurt beyond bumps and bruises)
That’s just… any cigar.
November 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
That’s just… any cigar.
She’s an opinion writer who thinks she has no biases, and IS a crank on many topics, so any sort of disinterested ombudsman is going to be a biased opponent to her. She’s not a member of the reality-based community.
November 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
She’s an opinion writer who thinks she has no biases, and IS a crank on many topics, so any sort of disinterested ombudsman is going to be a biased opponent to her. She’s not a member of the reality-based community.
Local cops need to start locking up ICE goons.
November 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Local cops need to start locking up ICE goons.
I’ve always hated those things but I didn’t think they were dangerous.
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I’ve always hated those things but I didn’t think they were dangerous.
We had snow flurries in Atlanta yesterday. FFS.
November 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM
We had snow flurries in Atlanta yesterday. FFS.
WW2 vet who’s still fit and athletic in the 2020s.
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
WW2 vet who’s still fit and athletic in the 2020s.
Trump thinks he alone is the way and the truth and the light. Literally.
November 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Trump thinks he alone is the way and the truth and the light. Literally.
Andreesson’s avatar is noted alpha Charlie Brown.
November 11, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Andreesson’s avatar is noted alpha Charlie Brown.
Perform some fucking shoes on that one guy.
November 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Perform some fucking shoes on that one guy.
It’s not just addiction, it’s the way it hoovers up the scarce resources of people trying to break out of poverty, that they could be spending on education or art or other things that would enrich their lives. Every betting dollar is one less dollar for the local movie house or bookstore.
November 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
It’s not just addiction, it’s the way it hoovers up the scarce resources of people trying to break out of poverty, that they could be spending on education or art or other things that would enrich their lives. Every betting dollar is one less dollar for the local movie house or bookstore.
I’ve never lived in anything other than 1950s ranch houses except for brief periods. I dunno why people want bigger houses than that. Although now I have a 1,500 sq ft house all to myself, which is pretty roomy.
November 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I’ve never lived in anything other than 1950s ranch houses except for brief periods. I dunno why people want bigger houses than that. Although now I have a 1,500 sq ft house all to myself, which is pretty roomy.
I roomed with five other guys in college in the ‘80s in a two-bedroom shotgun house built in the 1940s. On the plus side, rent was $50 a month, each.
November 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I roomed with five other guys in college in the ‘80s in a two-bedroom shotgun house built in the 1940s. On the plus side, rent was $50 a month, each.
Same. When he was a teenager he was given the task of building a cellar under the house. With a shovel.
November 9, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Same. When he was a teenager he was given the task of building a cellar under the house. With a shovel.
My dad was late starting school one year because he didn’t have any shoes.
November 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
My dad was late starting school one year because he didn’t have any shoes.
Come on, apoplexy, I have faith in you.
November 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Come on, apoplexy, I have faith in you.