@shippers1871.bsky.social
He was already late for work when he came to the barrier. His eyes followed the upward gaze of the crowd.
"Just #jump!" He shouted, checking his watch.
***
The company was doing well, but not well enough. His desk contents were on the pavement as he climbed out.
"Don't #jump!" She cried.
#vss365
"Just #jump!" He shouted, checking his watch.
***
The company was doing well, but not well enough. His desk contents were on the pavement as he climbed out.
"Don't #jump!" She cried.
#vss365
December 23, 2025 at 12:15 PM
It was a Tuesday. Thirty four years ago. I got home from school and Red had gone. Dad told me he'd gone to live on #Saturn.
Dad bought me a telescope, and I gazed at the rings every night. I knew I wouldn't be able to see Red; I just had to look. And know he was looking for me.
#vss365
Dad bought me a telescope, and I gazed at the rings every night. I knew I wouldn't be able to see Red; I just had to look. And know he was looking for me.
#vss365
December 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
He told us to #fight. None of us asked what we were fighting for. He was one of us. We knew, because he told us. He was the best there had ever been. We heard the praise from the ones closest to him; the ones who should know.
He's bringing us a better world. We just need to be patient.
#vss365
He's bringing us a better world. We just need to be patient.
#vss365
December 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
He'd been examining exoplanets 40 years ago, when he saw the telltale signs. Others had gathered the data, he'd just deciphered the results. Nothing special.
Today is the first flight to the sanctuary he discovered. Pilgrims aboard the starship named in his honour:
USS #humble
#SciFanSat
#vss365
Today is the first flight to the sanctuary he discovered. Pilgrims aboard the starship named in his honour:
USS #humble
#SciFanSat
#vss365
December 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
He'd been examining exoplanets 40 years ago, when he saw the telltale signs. Others had gathered the data, he'd just deciphered the results. Nothing special.
Today is the first flight to the sanctuary he discovered. Pilgrims aboard the starship named in his honour:
USS #humble
#SciFanSat
#vss365
Today is the first flight to the sanctuary he discovered. Pilgrims aboard the starship named in his honour:
USS #humble
#SciFanSat
#vss365
He put her morning tea, in her favourite cup, on the bedside table. When she got up he'd made lunch for the kids and walked the dog.
She knew she would be lost without him.
He knew #gratitude wasn't love. But maybe it would do.
#vss365
She knew she would be lost without him.
He knew #gratitude wasn't love. But maybe it would do.
#vss365
December 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
He put her morning tea, in her favourite cup, on the bedside table. When she got up he'd made lunch for the kids and walked the dog.
She knew she would be lost without him.
He knew #gratitude wasn't love. But maybe it would do.
#vss365
She knew she would be lost without him.
He knew #gratitude wasn't love. But maybe it would do.
#vss365
He said he didn't have a single #regret.
She said that just meant he wasn't paying attention.
He said it was all down to fate; we go where life takes us.
She said that's why they invented signposts; you can always choose another way.
He said "I know."
She said "You don't."
#vss365
She said that just meant he wasn't paying attention.
He said it was all down to fate; we go where life takes us.
She said that's why they invented signposts; you can always choose another way.
He said "I know."
She said "You don't."
#vss365
December 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
He read the letter twice.
"What is it?" She said.
"It's a #recall notice. From the hospital."
"What are they recalling?" She said.
He paused. "There were problems with children born between May and June last year."
"So... Billy?" She said.
"They say they'll replace him though. No charge."
#vss365
"What is it?" She said.
"It's a #recall notice. From the hospital."
"What are they recalling?" She said.
He paused. "There were problems with children born between May and June last year."
"So... Billy?" She said.
"They say they'll replace him though. No charge."
#vss365
December 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Today is a carbon copy of yesterday and a template for tomorrow. Life is a song on endless repeat. A #monotonous melody.
It's the tune I hum while driving into work. The chorus kicking in when I see you at the window as I get back home.
Nothing ever changes. And I hope it never does.
#vss365
It's the tune I hum while driving into work. The chorus kicking in when I see you at the window as I get back home.
Nothing ever changes. And I hope it never does.
#vss365
December 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Today is a carbon copy of yesterday and a template for tomorrow. Life is a song on endless repeat. A #monotonous melody.
It's the tune I hum while driving into work. The chorus kicking in when I see you at the window as I get back home.
Nothing ever changes. And I hope it never does.
#vss365
It's the tune I hum while driving into work. The chorus kicking in when I see you at the window as I get back home.
Nothing ever changes. And I hope it never does.
#vss365
The International Space Station was at its #apogee. That was the moment John was furthest from home, and closest to his family. If the science was off, the umbilical cord would be cut, and the blue oasis would shrink and fade from view.
He didn't pray.
He just closed his eyes.
For a second
#vss365
He didn't pray.
He just closed his eyes.
For a second
#vss365
December 13, 2025 at 11:56 AM
It was assumed that he'd be the #successor. His dad had started the company in his bedroom at 14 and made his first million by 21.
All he had to do was take over. No need to climb the ladder.
But the ladder was what had given his dad the strength. Without it, he was a toddler trying to run.
#vss365
All he had to do was take over. No need to climb the ladder.
But the ladder was what had given his dad the strength. Without it, he was a toddler trying to run.
#vss365
December 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
It was assumed that he'd be the #successor. His dad had started the company in his bedroom at 14 and made his first million by 21.
All he had to do was take over. No need to climb the ladder.
But the ladder was what had given his dad the strength. Without it, he was a toddler trying to run.
#vss365
All he had to do was take over. No need to climb the ladder.
But the ladder was what had given his dad the strength. Without it, he was a toddler trying to run.
#vss365
Her favourite shows when she was growing up were #Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. She realised magic was the way a woman became powerful.
She read every book on witchcraft and knew the theory. It was only when she found a perfect white stick in the woods that she could put it in practice
#vss365
She read every book on witchcraft and knew the theory. It was only when she found a perfect white stick in the woods that she could put it in practice
#vss365
December 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Her favourite shows when she was growing up were #Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. She realised magic was the way a woman became powerful.
She read every book on witchcraft and knew the theory. It was only when she found a perfect white stick in the woods that she could put it in practice
#vss365
She read every book on witchcraft and knew the theory. It was only when she found a perfect white stick in the woods that she could put it in practice
#vss365
His father whispered to the other boys in the sack race and slipped a pound into each eager hand. Boys tripped around him as he broke through the tape.
Influence got more expensive, but his father still met the cost.
"A #consolation prize is fine. He likes a shiny medal and won't get angry"
#vss365
Influence got more expensive, but his father still met the cost.
"A #consolation prize is fine. He likes a shiny medal and won't get angry"
#vss365
December 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
His father whispered to the other boys in the sack race and slipped a pound into each eager hand. Boys tripped around him as he broke through the tape.
Influence got more expensive, but his father still met the cost.
"A #consolation prize is fine. He likes a shiny medal and won't get angry"
#vss365
Influence got more expensive, but his father still met the cost.
"A #consolation prize is fine. He likes a shiny medal and won't get angry"
#vss365
The silence was a breath shy of uneasy. His footsteps echoed. The stage, empty behind him.
He looked out to the audience and saw her in the front row. His eyes meeting hers as he started the #soliloquy.
Is this my wife which I see before me? Her hand toward my hand? Come, let me hold thee
#vss365
He looked out to the audience and saw her in the front row. His eyes meeting hers as he started the #soliloquy.
Is this my wife which I see before me? Her hand toward my hand? Come, let me hold thee
#vss365
December 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The silence was a breath shy of uneasy. His footsteps echoed. The stage, empty behind him.
He looked out to the audience and saw her in the front row. His eyes meeting hers as he started the #soliloquy.
Is this my wife which I see before me? Her hand toward my hand? Come, let me hold thee
#vss365
He looked out to the audience and saw her in the front row. His eyes meeting hers as he started the #soliloquy.
Is this my wife which I see before me? Her hand toward my hand? Come, let me hold thee
#vss365
He always felt that missing a #vss365 was an #augury of armageddon. He'd left a post in draft but when the cab arrived it was already tomorrow.
He put his phone on charge and awoke to #magenta skies. A crow sat on the fence, staring at the moon that refused to give way to the sun.
He put his phone on charge and awoke to #magenta skies. A crow sat on the fence, staring at the moon that refused to give way to the sun.
December 7, 2025 at 10:43 AM
When Mr Love put on Le Freak at the school disco, you led me to the dance floor. You spent the next 40 years teaching me to dance. I spent 20 years with you in my arms.
At last week's record fair i found C'est #Chic and turned to show you. Reached for a hand that was no longer there.
#vss365
At last week's record fair i found C'est #Chic and turned to show you. Reached for a hand that was no longer there.
#vss365
December 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The #vespertine beauty of Church Street was most apparent in December. The salvation army glistened under the Christmas tree lights. Bobble hat-topped children saw themselves reflected in department store windows. Gloved hands hugged mugs of soup. Wham battled the Pogues across the street.
#vss365
#vss365
December 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The #vespertine beauty of Church Street was most apparent in December. The salvation army glistened under the Christmas tree lights. Bobble hat-topped children saw themselves reflected in department store windows. Gloved hands hugged mugs of soup. Wham battled the Pogues across the street.
#vss365
#vss365
The last of the vikings died in battle. Any other outcome would have tainted his name. He wasn't #chivalrous because that wasn't how you won your battles. He didn't follow the rules. Rules are for games, not for life.
He was honest. There was no need to lie if you were proud.
He was loyal
#vss365
He was honest. There was no need to lie if you were proud.
He was loyal
#vss365
December 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The last of the vikings died in battle. Any other outcome would have tainted his name. He wasn't #chivalrous because that wasn't how you won your battles. He didn't follow the rules. Rules are for games, not for life.
He was honest. There was no need to lie if you were proud.
He was loyal
#vss365
He was honest. There was no need to lie if you were proud.
He was loyal
#vss365
On his 13th birthday he shut his bedroom door. From the garden, his mother could see the blinds were closed.
A repeating melody drifted through the house from his #aphotic sanctuary for the next seven years. The words were indistinct, except for the chorus of "sorry" and "find me."
#vss365
A repeating melody drifted through the house from his #aphotic sanctuary for the next seven years. The words were indistinct, except for the chorus of "sorry" and "find me."
#vss365
December 2, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The queue started at Midnight. Every punk, goth and hippy from a 20 mile radius gathered. Each different. Each the same. A tribe of the unique.
To the left of the door, sat on a bench, reading a book, was #Suave Sammy. The door opened, he picked up his bowler hat and calmly took his place.
#vss365
To the left of the door, sat on a bench, reading a book, was #Suave Sammy. The door opened, he picked up his bowler hat and calmly took his place.
#vss365
December 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
#Last New Year i gave you a kiss and you turned your cheek.
Last Easter I gave you apple blossom and you shook the branch.
Last Midsummer I gave you dawn over the stones and you overslept.
Last Halloween you danced with a vampire.
This Christmas I'll watch Die Hard with memories of you
#vss365
Last Easter I gave you apple blossom and you shook the branch.
Last Midsummer I gave you dawn over the stones and you overslept.
Last Halloween you danced with a vampire.
This Christmas I'll watch Die Hard with memories of you
#vss365
November 30, 2025 at 9:22 AM
What have you learnt in your life?
Almost nothing actually #matters. Every fatal wound is just a superficial cut. When the world is going to end, it only pauses.
So what matters?
Measuring your life against the moments of happiness. Rainfall is what happens when the Sun is about to shine
#vss365
Almost nothing actually #matters. Every fatal wound is just a superficial cut. When the world is going to end, it only pauses.
So what matters?
Measuring your life against the moments of happiness. Rainfall is what happens when the Sun is about to shine
#vss365
November 29, 2025 at 1:55 PM
He stared at his phone and waited for inspiration. His feed filled with #vss365 posts as his coffee grew cold.
Lunchtime came and went with all ideas still hiding out of reach.
The sun set. The moon rose over the fields. The battery died.
Still nothing.
Well... at least he had his #health
Lunchtime came and went with all ideas still hiding out of reach.
The sun set. The moon rose over the fields. The battery died.
Still nothing.
Well... at least he had his #health
November 28, 2025 at 9:32 PM