Ralf W
@raflw.bsky.social
"We collectively need to remind ourselves that the arc of history only stays bent if we are constantly pushing on it." –Gwen Snyder
Peripatetic pessimist-optimist.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
Peripatetic pessimist-optimist.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
I've been sober ~23 years. My partner and I throw a big party early in the holiday season (since I'm a December baby). Here's how we handle it, and it's always gone very well.
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 AM
I've been sober ~23 years. My partner and I throw a big party early in the holiday season (since I'm a December baby). Here's how we handle it, and it's always gone very well.
Very Minnesota moment this afternoon. It was 55° and sunny. Time to paddle board on Lake of the Isles!
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Very Minnesota moment this afternoon. It was 55° and sunny. Time to paddle board on Lake of the Isles!
It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
November 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
The best thing you've had has gone away
So don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
She was a proponent of this culture right until she wasn't.↙️
And her whine about 'enduring a primary'? C'mon, members announce retirement and serve till the term end every cycle. Why is she special?
And her whine about 'enduring a primary'? C'mon, members announce retirement and serve till the term end every cycle. Why is she special?
November 22, 2025 at 10:25 PM
She was a proponent of this culture right until she wasn't.↙️
And her whine about 'enduring a primary'? C'mon, members announce retirement and serve till the term end every cycle. Why is she special?
And her whine about 'enduring a primary'? C'mon, members announce retirement and serve till the term end every cycle. Why is she special?
She's announced she's quitting in about six weeks (right after her pension benefits vest).
I really don't think Trump "forced" that.
I really don't think Trump "forced" that.
November 22, 2025 at 9:25 PM
She's announced she's quitting in about six weeks (right after her pension benefits vest).
I really don't think Trump "forced" that.
I really don't think Trump "forced" that.
While French walk-ups aren't the right thing for CA, what I saw here at the Venice Biennale last week shows off designing for significantly reduced heat loads. And just straight up pleasurable spaces to occupy & enjoy.
Bldgs on the right are just re-worked/adapted left ones.
Bldgs on the right are just re-worked/adapted left ones.
November 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
While French walk-ups aren't the right thing for CA, what I saw here at the Venice Biennale last week shows off designing for significantly reduced heat loads. And just straight up pleasurable spaces to occupy & enjoy.
Bldgs on the right are just re-worked/adapted left ones.
Bldgs on the right are just re-worked/adapted left ones.
I'd be OK with just a heli-drop somewhere on the Pacific Coast Trail. With two granola bars (total) and some sensible leather soled loafers.
November 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I'd be OK with just a heli-drop somewhere on the Pacific Coast Trail. With two granola bars (total) and some sensible leather soled loafers.
My recent fix to a NYT piece aligns
November 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM
My recent fix to a NYT piece aligns
Fixed this for the writer
November 22, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Fixed this for the writer
November 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This, by the way, is a perfect encapsulation of how craven Marco Rubio is. He's the worst sort of hollow man.
November 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This, by the way, is a perfect encapsulation of how craven Marco Rubio is. He's the worst sort of hollow man.
I always travel with clothes pins, because you never know when you might need to put your USB fan in the window of an overwarm European hotel!
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I always travel with clothes pins, because you never know when you might need to put your USB fan in the window of an overwarm European hotel!
No one has ever figured out magnets! Not even Einstein!
November 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
No one has ever figured out magnets! Not even Einstein!
It is just enraging that we're going to have to re-learn the lessons of the past - lessons that have cost countless lives then, and will probably again.
November 19, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It is just enraging that we're going to have to re-learn the lessons of the past - lessons that have cost countless lives then, and will probably again.
Pope Leo is continuing to say it: JD Vance and the many other Catholics in the Administration are way, way over the line when it comes to their maltreatment of immigrants (I'd expect Leo thinks that of non-Catholics as well, but he's not their religious leader).
November 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Pope Leo is continuing to say it: JD Vance and the many other Catholics in the Administration are way, way over the line when it comes to their maltreatment of immigrants (I'd expect Leo thinks that of non-Catholics as well, but he's not their religious leader).
Spectacular dinner in a tiny 23 seat Venitian osteria. And the bartender/pastry maker is wearing a Duff Beer shirt!
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
November 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Spectacular dinner in a tiny 23 seat Venitian osteria. And the bartender/pastry maker is wearing a Duff Beer shirt!
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
Doesn't this just sum it all up?
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
November 13, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Doesn't this just sum it all up?
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
I know everything is off the rails back home. But Venice continues to be wildly beautiful.
November 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I know everything is off the rails back home. But Venice continues to be wildly beautiful.
IOW there's nothing about Orban's economic policies that have propelled Hungary's economy. They're just lucky to have a beautiful river, an extremely photogenic riverfront seat of government (built in 1902) and major airport that Ryan Air decided to make a big play for in 2012.
November 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
IOW there's nothing about Orban's economic policies that have propelled Hungary's economy. They're just lucky to have a beautiful river, an extremely photogenic riverfront seat of government (built in 1902) and major airport that Ryan Air decided to make a big play for in 2012.
So, next is a Kavanaugh dinner, yes?
(I hope not. I know those six are radically conservative, but starving kids, and nuking laws passed by Congress to do it, is insane).
(I hope not. I know those six are radically conservative, but starving kids, and nuking laws passed by Congress to do it, is insane).
November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM
So, next is a Kavanaugh dinner, yes?
(I hope not. I know those six are radically conservative, but starving kids, and nuking laws passed by Congress to do it, is insane).
(I hope not. I know those six are radically conservative, but starving kids, and nuking laws passed by Congress to do it, is insane).
My partner is cleaning his parents garage. The "we" includes an 80 year old mom!
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
My partner is cleaning his parents garage. The "we" includes an 80 year old mom!
Probably not great. But it could also open a war over extension next October that extremely explodes in Republican's faces.
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Probably not great. But it could also open a war over extension next October that extremely explodes in Republican's faces.
He's also just wrong about Thanksgiving. Again, people shopping for groceries (I know, such an "old fashioned" word. Do people say it?) can see right thru Don's "down 25%" nonsense.
November 7, 2025 at 3:33 AM
He's also just wrong about Thanksgiving. Again, people shopping for groceries (I know, such an "old fashioned" word. Do people say it?) can see right thru Don's "down 25%" nonsense.
I know it's difficult to look great in that direct sunlight. But all. those people around Johnson look really, really miserable.
It's delicious.
It's delicious.
November 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I know it's difficult to look great in that direct sunlight. But all. those people around Johnson look really, really miserable.
It's delicious.
It's delicious.