Pencil's campaign is official! We launched yesterday and all already hearing from people who want to see Oregon step up and address our education crisis! Thanks @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social @oregoncapitalchronicle.com and @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

A pencil is running for Oregon governor, hoping to make a mark on education

Most Oregonians have at least some experience with the candidate, but it’s never held elected office before. It’s not even human.

oregonlive.com

Pencil is running for Oregon governor! Pass it on. #pencil4gov oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/31/a...

A pencil running for Oregon governor hopes to make its mark on education issues • Oregon Capital Chronicle

A literacy advocate is running as a Pencil in the race for Oregon governor to get candidates talking about education issues in the state.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com

James Patterson’s favorite predictions podcast! It’s @thegargle.bsky.social w/ Olympic Parenting Gold medalist @alicefraser.bsky.social, @Fonzi fashion fan @jackiekashian.bsky.social & pasty, harem-pant wearing @jamesnokise.bsky.social ! Taste the Respect! shows.acast.com/8d72ef0d-c0b...

Gambling on real-life events, a Pyro-Arachnid murderer and a James Patterson and Mr Beast book collab! | The Gargle

shows.acast.com

Oregonians: see if your reps voted to let more money into politics after they said they wouldn't. gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2026/HB...

Tracking House Bill 4018 in the Oregon Legislature

House Bill 4018 is a measure introduced in the 2026 session of the Oregon Legislature. The measure requires the Secretary of State to study elections.

gov.oregonlive.com

TY Sen. Golden for calling out Oregon's constant unicorn syndrome: “Give up on the notion that we’re somehow smarter than every other state, because right now, we’re doing an excellent job of proving that we’re not." More $$ in politics, that's what this means. www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026...

Faustian alchemist @joznorris.bsky.social gets some stuff off his scarf-wearing Neanderthal chest w/ Platonic face-stroker @alicefraser.bsky.social as they talk 8 ft Golems, dungeon look maXXers, man maidens, were-men, & the StarWars prequel prenatal surge. Ick! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

When Fantasy turns into Sci-Fi, Pre-Jackson Lord of the Rings and the Moomins? | Realms Unknown

shows.acast.com

Groveling @joshgondelman.bsky.social, segue-master @alicefraser.bsky.social & well-chinned @colley.bsky.social talk face crabs, old grandsons, Fart fitbits, and dying on a bus while performativey reading about which doctors to blame for peanut cream. Gargle galore! shows.acast.com/8d72ef0d-c0b...

The Science behind the Chin, Hershey's degrading Chocolate, and Book Red Flags! | The Gargle

shows.acast.com

They had me at "19th c. scientific romance: a genre blending fiction and speculative science," and I thought I would be derelict in my duty if I did not share w/ fans of @realmsunknown.bsky.social & @alicefraser.bsky.social Enjoy how weird we've all always been! object.substack.com/p/imagined-f...

Imagined Futures: Early Sci-Fi and Electric Visions

Picturing the future, from steam-powered machines to Jules Verne's visions of space travel

object.substack.com

Wondering what to substitute for Hobbit fingers in your annual LOR feast? Then join worried monarchist @frogcroakley.bsky.social & dirt distribution expert @alicefraser.bsky.social as they talk fake out deaths, Golem’s g-friends & who can push open Alice’s door. Meow! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Moving Cities, Lord of the Rings Rewatch, and Questioning the Monarchy in the World of Fantasy! | Realms Unknown

shows.acast.com

Caveat-or @alicefraser.bsky.social is BACK w/ vengeance seeker @alisonspittle.bsky.social & mega-quibbler & mustache twirler @jlukeroberts.bsky.social to talk squirrel condoms, big holes, civilian stars, dirty Muppets, and gap-year fatalities! Chase the miracle! shows.acast.com/8d72ef0d-c0b...

The Gargle is BACK! | The Gargle

shows.acast.com

As an Oregonian, I have seen the decline of @opb.org —it’s depressing, but we have other great journalists: please financially support @oregoncapitalchronicle.com @oregonjournalism.bsky.social @thewesternedge.bsky.social @wweek.com #UpliftnewsLocal (Emily Harris)—we need to know what’s going on!

Marisa Kabas@marisakabas.bsky.social · 6mo ago

If you want to understand how far-reaching the corporate rot in media is, read this gutting piece about the fall of Oregon Public Broadcasting. (And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)

Excellent reporting by @oregonjournalism.bsky.social —OR is 50th in reading—yes 50th!!! Other states are doing things, Oregon leadership is not. This could change but it will require adults to prioritize kids over their own comfort. www.wweek.com/news/state/2...

Leaving It Up to the Locals Impedes Oregon’s Much-Needed Reading Recovery

Unlike other states, Oregon funds its 197 school districts but does little to hold them to account for their outcomes.

wweek.com

Open your Harry Dresden pickles & join lady nerd @alicefraser.bsky.social & aquatic troper @patricklenton.bsky.social discuss Encino Man (no joke), kitchen sink mythology, the erasure of desperately horny lady nerds, & stand-near-him/her/they courtship rituals. Meow! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Urban Fantasy, Fish Out of Water Tropes, and Giving up Waiting for a Next Instalment | Realms Unknown

shows.acast.com

Oregon: 50th in the country in reading and our @tinakotek.bsky.social thinks “so far so good.” Other states are making changes so all children are taught to read, why is Oregon privileging adult comfort over children’s futures? www.wweek.com/news/state/2...

Leaving It Up to the Locals Impedes Oregon’s Much-Needed Reading Recovery

Unlike other states, Oregon funds its 197 school districts but does little to hold them to account for their outcomes.

wweek.com

I was listening to @thebugle.bsky.social w/ @tiffstevenson.bsky.social & @joshgondelman.bsky.social when my very fit postal worker knocked. And lo and behold, it was….a BUGLE PUZZLE. I don’t remember ordering it, but that is one of the joys of buying Bugle merch—U never know when it might arrive.

Cross the meat-machine divide w/ beat-sheet @alicefraser.bsky.social & trope thief @tpneenan.bsky.social as they discuss poultry-based magic, deliciously evil doctors(& delightful ones too), how not to vomit across time, & what you can do w/ 13 1/2 minutes. Ready…Go! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

28 Days Later sequels, Good Doctors, Bad Doctors and Comedic Doctors and an insight into writing processes! | Realms Unknown

shows.acast.com

I have to disagree w/ @felixsalmon.com on the Elon question. As @espiers.bsky.social started to talk about, NASA was gutted, so was higher ed, so we don’t know how many other great things would have come from spreading funds around. My favorite on this is @albertwenger.bsky.social -1/2

Oregon: last in reading, Dems in charge, don't believe other states can teach us anything. We have a crisis, and the Dems act like all we need is more $$. More $ won't solve this crisis. TY @oregonjournalism.bsky.social for speaking up for kids. www.oregonjournalismproject.org/leaving-it-u...

Leaving It Up to the Locals Impedes Oregon’s Much-Needed Reading Recovery — Oregon Journalism Project

oregonjournalismproject.org

I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com

I grew up with Alex Pretti

The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.

theverge.com

Here in Minneapolis, hundreds of clergy from all over the country have been deployed into the streets to participate in ICE/DHS watch. The hail from a range of religious traditions, and have come from all over. This particular group is in a heavily immigrant neighborhood.

If you can imagine women are people, join light-as-a-duck @alicefraser.bsky.social & historical costume snob @eleanormorton.bsky.social as they talk virgin almonds, how to staple mice to your nipples, Goodbye Lenin (so good!), and ethically sourced penis trees. Yum. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Witches, their Archetypes and the new Dresden Files | Realms Unknown

shows.acast.com

Please give to orgs in MN that are standing up to ICE and supporting immigrants and protesters. Attached is a list of orgs vetted by @movementvoter.bsky.social --please give what you can. docs.google.com/document/u/1...

It is amazing to see @orsenjaneensollman.bsky.social & @rickiruizor.bsky.social continually stand up for Oregon's kids. Many people don't want change, but it's time to prioritize kids over adult comfort. Great to see Dems who know what real leadership looks like. www.oregonlive.com/education/20...

How Oregon sets education funding goals and measures school success could transform under new proposal

At stake is how much money the state needs to spend to get excellent academic outcomes from schools, and how to measure those outcomes.

oregonlive.com

Are your wounds throbbing? Do you have an unquenchable thirst for death? Then join "woah, I have hands" @tpneenan.bsky.social & saver of cats @alicefraser.bsky.social as they talk angry murder chimps, murdering your mentor, Rebel wees, and IRL hand tropes. shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Lost, The Mist and other controversial endings | Realms Unknown

shows.acast.com

Just finished @aptshadow.bsky.social Children of Time series. My gods-so good! Funny, humane, and the plots move like a freight train( not easy when covering 1000s of yrs.) I don't understand how he can get into the POV of spiders and make me care, but by golly, I DID!!! I really liked the books.

I've done 2 of these--can't say enough good things. @alicefraser.bsky.social is a curator of great people. I had a blast, and i benefited from feedback from Alice, #JohnLukeRobert #AmyCarver, @tiffstevenson.bsky.social & others retreaters. And there's a babbling brook--literally, it babbles.

Alice Fraser@alicefraser.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Registration is NOW OPEN! 🌿 Join the Alice Fraser Writers' Retreat Switzerland 2026 ⛰️ 5 days in a ridiculously stunning Swiss alpine valley to write and reflect. Get momentum and mentorship. 📖 [https://www.patreon.com/AliceFraser] #AliceFraser #writingCommunity #ComedyWriting #writersretreat

I have to say, @bookpipeline.bsky.social had me at “you won,” but then they sent a mug—amazing. Thanks again for choosing “Old Bird,” as the 2025 Unpublished Winner in Mystery/Thriller.

Think medieval babies are ugly? Won’t want to miss white witch @eleanormorton.bsky.social & German soup fan @alicefraser.bsky.social discuss Lockheed Martin war crimes wear, Narnia for atheists, heavy handed socialism, and autopsy eating etiquette. Yum! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Narnia // Stranger Things // Space Jesus | Realms Unknown

With Alice Fraser and Eleanor Morton

shows.acast.com

Trying to avoid damp, sad ghosts? Look no further than the minimal friction musings of platypus sociologist @alicefraser.bsky.social & tiny-text writer @frogcroakley.bsky.social as they chat about that time Nero tackled an octopus & China Mieville explained nothing! shows.acast.com/6786518e3cee...

Unfiction // Dinotopia // Implausibly large ribcages | Realms Unknown

With Alice Fraser and Nate Crowley

shows.acast.com

Democracy needs a robust press! Support the @oregonjournalism.bsky.social a new addition Oregon's journalism landscape, working to keep us informed.

Oregon Journalism Project@oregonjournalism.bsky.social · 8mo ago

At OJP, we believe nonprofit news is a vital public service and it deserves community-wide support. If you agree, we invite you to make a contribution this #GivingNewsDay to support investigative journalism in Oregon. oregon-journalism-project.fundjournalism.org/donate/