Mike Diamond
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mikediamond.bsky.social
Mike Diamond
@mikediamond.bsky.social
620 followers 360 following 1.7K posts
✍️ Writing YA Sci-Fi “Brilliance of Earth—Tangle and Tether” (sapphic and STEM)

📘 Nonfiction book on ethical phishing “Swim Like a Phish” (under consideration).

🤲 Excited to help build community! Especially in the arts 💖✨
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mikediamond.bsky.social
Also, well played, posting this on November 10th!
A comic panel from the original watchmen cartoon with a circulatory system walking through a kitchen, everyone is horrified. The text of it says, “IT'S NOVEMBER IOTH NOW. THERE IS A CIRCULATORY SYSTEM WALKING THROUGH THE KITCHEN...”
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
A poem in 3 parts:
Dreamiest God Bod by Creamiest Nut Pods

I’ve sworn a stand against the bland.
Those grand aloof, forlorn
By tooth worn 🦷
Or gums torn
And youth already mourned,
Shorn so soon past being born
Would scorn this toffee coffee porn. ☕️

1/3
#Poetry
A candy corn flavored coffee creamer from nut pods.
October 19, 2025 at 3:43 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Local clown unit infiltrates ICE in Portland, Oregon during the attempt to bring federal trips to occupy the peaceful city as a step toward dismantling the last bastion of voting and democracy in the United States, it’s blue cities that have federal bank buildings.
Local clown unit infiltrates ICE in Portland, Oregon during the attempt to bring federal trips to occupy the peaceful city as a step toward dismantling the last bastion of voting and democracy in the United States, it’s blue cities that have federal bank buildings.
October 8, 2025 at 2:34 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Challenge accepted
A paper flyer pinned to a corkboard in a coffee shop. From a distance, it looks like a lost cat flyer was little phone number tabs at the bottom that people can tear off, which some people already have done. By upon reading the flyer, it’s something much deeper. Here’s the text: LOST! Are you lost? Depressed? Hopeless about the climate crisis, rising fascism, and the possibility of a lost future? This is your sign to join Sunrise Movement. Sunrise is building a movement of young people across race and class to stop the climate crisis and win a Green New Deal. We will force the government to end the reign of fossil fuel elites, invest in Black, brown and working class communities, and create millions of good union jobs. We're on a mission to put everyday people back in charge and build a world that works for all of us, now and for generations to come. This cat's name is Remi. She's fine. But are you? SUNRISE MOVEMENT smymt.org/pdxlink I need hope Billionaires can eat my *** Anything for comrade Remi I'm about to be so optimism pilled This movement will change me forever
September 30, 2025 at 10:34 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Neurodivergent observation of Excel:
Cool drop-down to measure your level of AutoSum!
ADD is an option, but not my best descriptor. Have Sum, not at Max. Like to Count Numbers. Sum days, More Functions than others.
#Neurodivergent #Excelatjokes
Screen capture of a drop-down menu in Microsoft Excel. AutoSum Menu options are: Sum Average Count Numbers Max Min Add Minus Multiply Divide More Functions...
September 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
My poem about your incorrect star sign:
♒️♊️♐️♈️♓️♌️♑️♉️⛎♍️♏️♋️

#writing #poetry #writingcommunity #writerscommunity
I've got some bad news 'bout your astrological sign With its actual constellation, it may not align The size of each ancient star grouping varies From heifer-sized Taurus to wee cranky Aries And worse, Earth's wobble, known as precession Shifted the stars from their seasonal sections Of your next horoscope, should you feel disinclined Remember, its guidance is just misaligned
September 9, 2025 at 12:58 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Same, SpaghettiOs, same.
The horror. Packaging from SpaghettiOs, original flavor. Two SpaghettiOs noodles circles make up the eyes, a dripping spoonful of noodles make up a terrified mouth, drooling SpaghettiOs sauce. The eyes look on in horror at shoppers as they go by, purchasing their siblings for consumption.
September 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
#MythAugust 22

When Brilliance and Annie first leap to G’Mah, the conduit terminus resides within an ancient, unused place of worship. It’s storied wall art provides more mysteries than answers…

#WritingCommunity #Writers #Writesky
Annie's eyes dashed back and forth at the expressive wall. "Oh my." The inspired scape behind the conduit triangle was covered with beautiful mosaics and bas-reliefs. Their shiny black and silver artistry appeared to describe a story. At the lowest level, people held outstretched arms, as if offering their own airy spirits, pouring from each of them. These semi-transparent emanations, crystalline with metal speckles, wove into intricate patterns, streaming into dark, upright boxes above. Within these containers, faces with closed eyes emerged from foggy swirls. Their harmonious smiles pushed out wrinkled formations, like tiny geologic uplifts. Above the boxes were angelic and richly dressed individuals, completely in chrome, except for one elevated in the middle-in gold. In the lower center of it all, the stone triangle conduit still sat inoperative. Annie frowned at its darkness.
August 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
I’m sure this guy is thrilled by the safety, preventing his family from collecting work related accidental death insurance.
screenshot news item… SCIENCE PULSE News summary text: “Japan, facing one of the world's most rapidly aging populations and a shrinking workforce, has... See more” “In Japan, Robotic Exoskeletons Help Elderly Employees Lift Heavy Items — Improving Workplace Safety and Extending Careers” Image: Old guy with an exoskeleton in a warehouse, lifting a box, saying “kill me.”
August 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
I’ve always loved the image of a lotus rising above the swamp.

Sometimes the swamp is a cluttered house, a drunk Dad, a missing Mom.

#WIPSnips

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
"Thanks, Brill. I think I've got it from here." Though he stumbled a bit, Nick wobbled his way safely to his room. "You're not going to tell Annie about this, are you?" "Of course I will. I need to talk to someone. Why do you care?" "I don't know, I just don't want her to worry." "What about me worrying?" "You're right." He swayed with his door, hanging on the knob. "Night, Brill, sorry I'm not..." He disappeared behind his door. No crashing sounds emanated from his bedroom. Brilliance relaxed. She looked around the living room, their familiar and cluttered dragon's hoard of knickknacks. Every precious item had been gleaned from yard sales. Rescued antique furniture, with clawed feet and worn arms, reached out to her in desperate need of repair. Each one, a proud score when it was acquired, each one a fading memory of triumph. All of them shared in her danger of eviction. One of the treasures stood out. A brass tray sat atop a wicker stand. Its metal facade was covered with engraved Indian motifs. These were symmetrical bands, woven together, depicting a flowery temple. Stains from old spills darkened many of its grooves, assigning arbitrary contrast and importance to the central lotus.
August 10, 2025 at 11:26 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Busting out of prison? Some forms of escape are more…complete.

#WIPSnips
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Brilliance swayed hypnotically at the vertical drop before her. Its unfathomable depth into darkness evoked a macabre allure. She flashed on the school stairwell and her frequent visits to its shadowy solace. Two stories down, an angular stone shape jutted from the outside wall. The obvious catchment was too wide for anyone to leap past. Within its triangular funnel, a pile of mossy debris hid familiar forms. With a blink of instinct, she shuffled away from the immediate edge. How many? "Difficult to count from here," said Al Saoirse, "estimating ten to twelve incomplete human skeletons." Brilliance imagined large scavenger birds, long ago pulling away remnants of those who tried escaping.
August 8, 2025 at 12:50 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Annie’s used to worrying.
Thanks to her friend Brilliance interfering with her biochemistry, she has something new to worry about…🤷‍♀️
#WritingPrompt
"We have to try something," said Annie. She waited for panic to set in. Though she didn't like such feelings, they were at least familiar, predictable. But even that cozy discomfort eluded her. Annie's cerebral cortex was still quite aware of dangers, both real and imagined. Her amygdala alerted her nervous system of these concerns. Cortisol and adrenaline pumped through her bloodstream, supported by many other functions. This culminated in a command to her body— escape! But an unusual peace took control of the tawny teen. She thought of a gazelle, when captured by a lion, going limp as a final kindness to both hunter and prey. "Uh oh." "What oh?" Annie turned to her friend. "What's happening to me?" Brilliance froze, her eyes large with worry. Oh no! The bio-bots! What did they do to her? She held her friend's shoulders. "Are you OK?" Annie ignored the concerned touch she would normally have appreciated. "No. I'm not." Brilliance gripped Annie more firmly. "What's wrong?" Annie shook free of her friend, staring back with deep worry lines across her brow. "I'm…I'm not panicking. That's what's wrong." Young Overland laughed. "You scared me. I thought something horrible was happening to you." She continued laughing. Annie scowled. "What's so funny?" "You're worried because you're not worried." The alien shook its weapon at Brilliance as proof it still existed. "She's right. You should be worried."
July 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Unrelated, but still vaguely falling within the pet photo request? I used pure ol skool Photoshop, no AI ✨
Coldplay meme meets woman yelling at a cat meme. The cat is the CEO holding the woman, I’m sure the reverse would be funny too, but not as much for some reason? Maybe because somebody’s snuggling a cat and yelling is not as funny as somebody being snuggled by a cat and yelling? Heck, what do I know.
July 21, 2025 at 3:00 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
When I wrote this, there was less of a “collective panic attack” 😬

#WIPSnips
#pdx
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
She burst through the front door and down the front steps of the colonial, huffing outside on the front lawn. Her exhalations, foggy in the damp chill, took their time in slowing. Above, where the night sky was rumored to be, gray vapor loomed, as if it were Portland's collected panic attacks. No star, moon, or aircraft could be seen. Typical. She frowned, knowing there were celestial bodies beaming just beyond Portland's light pollution and permanent clouds. Instead of stars, the city lights diffused among low banks of condensation. Feels like I'm in my rat habitat. Pulling out her phone, she launched her star guide app. Holding her screen overhead opened a virtual window to the stars' locations. Icons for each hovered above in a poor person facsimile of augmented reality, a simulated view of the heavens above. The weight of Portland's panic lifted a bit. Someday...soon.
July 21, 2025 at 2:41 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Surprised I’m the first to make this? Mad Photoshop skizzlz, not AI ✨

#coldplay #saladcat #coldplayed
Salad cat version of Coldplay cheaters. Cat is the boy with arms around angry housewife.
July 21, 2025 at 2:08 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
10th day of 10 days dog sitting for vacationing friends 😅🐶
My wife thinks our regimine has been a boon for her? 🤷‍♀️
I dodged a massive layoff at work, found out yesterday 😅
So…doing ok.
Closeup of white puppy resting her head on a fluffy white blanket.
July 19, 2025 at 5:50 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
This some art make?
Cave person in a cave, pose of despair. A vampire bat perches on their neck, a bloody puncture bite nearby. Caption in broken English: “Feel ugh? Take care self. Also, check for neck devils.”
July 18, 2025 at 11:57 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Never before have I seen a shelf so put upon.

#punscanbefunny

#5amwritersclub #amwriting #writerslife #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity
A wooden shelf with a man’s shaggy haired, bearded head carved just below the shelf. This man looks like a disgruntled version of Keanu Reeves. There is a flat orange Gord on the shelf above. Keanu is disgruntled looking.
July 17, 2025 at 3:56 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
When a memory blossoms above the swamp, it’s not always beautiful…

#WIPSnips
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
"You're right." He swayed with his door, hanging on the knob. "Night, Brill, sorry I'm not..." He disappeared behind his door: No crashing sounds emanated from his bedroom. Brilliance relaxed. She looked around the living room, their familiar and cluttered dragon's hoard of knickknacks. Every precious item had been gleaned from yard sales. Rescued antique furniture, with clawed feet and worn arms, reached out to her in desperate need of repair. Each one, a proud score when it was acquired, each one a fading memory of triumph. All of them shared in her danger of eviction. One of the treasures stood out. A brass tray sat atop a wicker stand. Its metal facade was covered with engraved Indian motifs. These were symmetrical bands, woven together, depicting a flowery temple. Stains from old spills darkened many of its grooves, assigning arbitrary contrast and importance to the central lotus. Brilliance flashed on the moment when her mother haggled for it, walking away when the price was too high. She recalled how blank her mother's expression became, as if the brass tray had never existed. When this tactic worked, Saoirse explained to her daughter-'It's not enough to pretend you don't want it, that's an old trick. You have to really not want it. Make them convince you of its worth. Otherwise, they'll see through you, and you'll lose something you desired. On occasion, that blank look had been directed at Brilliance, at her reaction, her feelings. These moments still stung. And one of them, when Saoirse ignored her daughter's warning of a miscalculation, she retaliated with the same tactic. The emotional atmosphere grew dense, like Saturn's moon, Titan. Thick enough to swim in. Her breaths became gasps. Her legs, gelatinous. She burst through the front door and down the front steps of the colonial, huffing outside on the front lawn.
July 17, 2025 at 3:42 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
This is where I try to write from. My posts are much more fickle.
Victor Wang, Let Her Go, 2018 Victor Wang's highly textured paintings involve thick layers of paint over collaged images from the Tang Dynasty. In "Let Her Go", the foreground shows a modern female figure sitting upon the side of a boat which gives the impression she is wearing wings and about to take flight. Upon closer look, there are various scenes taking place around her in the water - warriors with knives drawn, a jeep in pursuit of some unseen enemy, a cauldron boiling over. Influence by the Renaissance Masters, Titian and Rembrandt for their glazing and layering techniques respectively, the artist builds the surface using heavy paint, swirling and mixing the color on the canvas. The end result is a poetic and emotionally powerful representation of the human form.
July 16, 2025 at 11:56 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
The one that works for me has a mix of magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, and magnesium aspartate. I’m far from knowledgeable here, but that blend has been the best one for me 🤷‍♀️
Now brand Magnesium Caps bottle 400 mg Nervous System Support • Supports Energy Production* • Critical for Enzyme Function* 180 Veg Capsules A Dietary Supplement Vegetarian/Vegan
June 27, 2025 at 5:23 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
This describes the approach of every manager I’ve ever had.
#makeaterriblecomicday2025
Two ants in polo shirts are talking to each other in the grass. One is reading a map with a dashed line that goes around blob shape that is labeled former puddle. The ant holding the map says “March through the dried-up puddle? We'll need all new pheromone trails!”
June 25, 2025 at 12:05 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Brilliance isn’t thrilled having strangers pop her social distance bubble…

…even if they’re “famous”🤩

#WIPSnip
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
In an instant, Romacca had closed the gap between them. Their foreheads and noses touched. Violet eyes pierced the few centimeters of distance, staring into her groggy green ones. Newly exposed to this cultural act, Brilliance twisted her lips with doubt, her focus flitting back and forth for a possible escape. How many ridiculous greetings do I have to deal with? She looked to her best friend for emotional support. But Annie's open-mouthed smile revealed unguarded joy in Brilliance's discomfort. Short-lived, the grin was washed away by Annie's guilt for feeling what her father called 'schadenfreude.' He'd used this word to describe the delight her mother took in his misfortunes. Annie's sense of social duty broke the silence. "Oh yeah, Romacca's from a planet called... Orynth? Where she's apparently famous?" Touching foreheads and noses with Brilliance, Romacca smiled as confirmation. "Also, she's in our Avram Science Circle too. Cool, huh?" With Romacca so close, Brilliance kept her mouth shut, humming, "Mmm hmmm."
June 17, 2025 at 10:22 AM
mikediamond.bsky.social
"My fortune proves I'm correct in all things." This is the mantra of those who have never valued a dissenting voice, a critic, an expert, someone who knows something they don't. They see their emotional deficiencies as superpowers. "Sheep are delicious. They are food that can make your bed, and fill it." They hoard humans. They are humanity's illness. They are humanity's barrier to evolution. They may even be our great filter. But if the rest of us could focus the noise into one honest conversation, the Earth would be paradise, the stars a garden.
June 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
mikediamond.bsky.social
Hair, that tangle of animal we dare to tame?

OK

Here’s my guts on a dais…

#VulnerabilityNeverEases
#WIPSnips
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
…and therefore, were of no comfort. But the Irish arts and crafts rug in the center of this forbidden landscape reassured her. Mostly gray in the darkness, its cream and gold flower pattern of cow parsley wove a Celtic knot on a turquoise field. As an unconscious sacrament, she sat in the middle of it. She smiled at the stains of her childhood footprints, and former unsuccessful attempts by her father to scrub them away. Brilliance pulled over a pile of her mom's dusty clothes. Releasing the shackle of her green hair tie from appreciative waves of auburn tresses, she slid the scrunchie back on her wrist with practiced grace. Selected from the pile, she rested her head on a brown knit sweater, staring at a hole in its shoulder—one she'd made long ago with mindless finger twisting. Among the ghosts of her mother's forsaken belongings, Brilliance Overland drifted into restless slumber.
June 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM