Fae: “Tell us your true name.” Me: “…Just my name? No birthdate, no SSN, no fingerprint scan, no address, no mother’s maiden name? Are you sure you’ve even got the right Olivia Waite? There’s like six.” Fae: “What the hell kind of bargains have you been making?” Me: “They call it health insurance.”

It’s raining! First time in the month we’ve been in central London. Barely a sprinkle but still great see. Easy to tell who’s a local - they’re the ones with big grins on their faces 😄

"I don't understand why you, a fantasy writer, don't appreciate the value of making bargains with the fae."

John Scalzi@scalzi.com · 2d ago

Every now and then someone takes a run at me along the lines of "I don't understand why you, a scifi writer, don't appreciate 'AI'," and I'm all, motherfucker, it's *because* I'm a science fiction writer I have the positions I have, how many times do we have to fucking yell "torment nexus," my dude

if that stupid as fuck terf t-shirt was ACTUALLY* biologically accurate * don't get me started on XX/XY mosaicism, Swyer syndrome, de la Chapelle syndrome and more, we only get the one t-shirt

Actual convo with spouse this afternoon: “This bench isn’t nearly as comfy as the one at Coal Drops Yard.” “Yeah, I think it’s the shape of the back support, not as good.” (Signs we’re Getting Old 😬)

Hey Philadelphia!! Do you want this mural on your building?? Here’s what we’re looking for: You must own the building. Must be in Philly The flatter the surface the better! The more people that will see it the better. We want to install in September Email me if that's you SkypeAScientist@gmail.com

Traveling the Piccadilly Line in rush hour when a heatwave is building = like being INSIDE a flop-sweat inducing hot flash 🥵🥵🥵

The Admiral Codrington pub on Mossop St, London has gluten free sticky toffee pudding. Repeat: GLUTEN FREE STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING !!! Bliss 🤤

When your kid works front of house at the theatre and tells you which is the best seat to book. ❤️😄 #Beetlejuice #PrinceEdwardTheatre

Superb and horrifying column: The “inhumane mass deportation policy … has become a mindless and lawless machine of evil banality … sweeping up all kinds of refugees to fill its gulag detention quota” and permanently destroying the U.S. legacy as a safe place for the world's stateless dissidents.

Will Bunch@willbunch.bsky.social · 2w ago

Human rights lawyer Wu Shaoping barely escaped arrest in his native China in 2019. The anti-communist Christian convert applied for asylum, made it to Pa. - doing it all the right way But in Trump's wretched America, the gulag is one traffic stop away My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/wu-s...

Well if one has to hobble around using a walking stick one might as well get something a tad stylish from the venerable James Smith & Sons of London. Custom fitted and everything - I feel Right Posh.

Seen some talk of unethical fiction, so here’s my take

Privileged to see this utterly brilliant flamenco version of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at Shakespeare’s Globe yesterday. Yes! Shakespeare with flamenco! It works really well! If you’re in London don’t miss it. Superb & creative staging, top-notch performances.

Furious that Chris Nolan would disregard historical accuracy in adapting The Odyssey by making a "movie" with "cameras" instead of memorizing the entire story and then going on a nationwide tour to sing it to us while tripping on ergotized barley

If you ever read the Bible and wondered why it took so many plagues before Egypt got their shit together; we're on explosive diarrhea and smoked filled skies, and Pharoah is still allowed to have his brain fall out all over TV.

As usual, Charlotte has the best take.

Charlotte Clymer@charlotteclymer.bsky.social · 3w ago

"It's been a rather fascinating exercise to watch many politicos and reporters share their fun and wistful anecdotes about Mr. Graham. He was so funny and so charming. That's nice."

To the lovely young woman from sunderland we met outside Rodeo donuts on Long Acre: we took your advice & got donuts 😋 The kids are alright ❤️ And we bet you and your mate aced your auditions (break a leg/merde!)

JKR and her new org apparently helped get the new Amnesty International report on how TERF organizations destroy lives taken down from their site. Well, guess what? The Streisand Effect is real. Here's the entire report in a thread. Read it. Share it.

Alejandra Caraballo@esqueer.net · 3w ago

Amnesty International put out a major report documenting the influence of UK based anti trans gender critical organizations and their funding. Within hours, GC groups threatened defamation lawsuits and Amnesty was forced to pull it down. Proving the point they're anti rights. Anyways, here it is.

I was 15 when I saw this - blew my mind that someone could show passion and intensity (and despair) in a painting of flowers.

Jodi Pickens 🏳️‍🌈🖖✨@jodipickens.bsky.social · 4w ago

Art question 🎨 What painting, photograph, sculpture, or piece of visual art has stayed with you long after you first saw it? Not necessarily your favorite. The one that lingered.

Stopped in at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square to see one of my favourite paintings and…oh. Well. Fine. FINE. I’ll just have to go back to Philly then 🙄

If you’re in London, catch this special exhibit of portraits of Elizabeth I and her court, showing how portraits were used as image projection and propaganda. But hurry, it ends this week! Descriptions in alt. At the Philip Mould Gallery on Pall Mall.

One thing about a bartender: they can spot a Type

Eric Michael Garcia@ericmgarcia.bsky.social · last mo.

AOC not getting behind Graham Platner looks like a chess move now.

Why, London, WHY Yes I know it’s hotter in Philly /SoCal / Texas whatever, but there’s no A/C here and I dare any USian to ride the Northern Line tube in rush hour because JFC 🥵 And yes UK is Celsius but it was still Fahrenheit when I emigrated and however you measure it it’s Too. Damn. Hot.

Walked thru Covent garden crowds to the nearest Tesco Express and said/received a good two dozen “sorry”s. It’s good to be back 😏 IYKYK

Reject trumpist & fifa corruption, RETVRN to Original Rules Football (half of a whole working class town against the other half, played over several miles on Pancake Day, you're allowed to shank your neighbour if you write an apology to the pope, chance of the game starting a 6 month civil war)

Currently in London & cannot emphasize enough how psyched people are about the England/Mexico game - but also the epic levels of disgust at Trump getting that red card overturned.

Visiting family in the UK. English great niece & nephew gleefully telling each other cringe jokes. 11-year old: what’s orange and stupid? 9-year old (without missing a beat): DONALD TRUMP. Happy to report the next generation is being raised right 😏

I can think of one extremely patriotic thing that can happen on July 4. Let's manifest it, like when Martha Jones gets everyone in the world to say "Doctor" at the same time.

Granddaughter (age 9) is fully invested in the idea I’m from a different country. HOWEVER last night she asked “How come you don’t sound English anymore? Say something really English!” Kid’s damn lucky she’s so great, that’s all I’m saying 😠

"Well, you see, it's going to be 102° F & people will be lining up by the hundreds to get a free hoagie that has been sitting out in the heat for hours. One of the Ben Franklin reenactors WILL hit on you & that bell is actually broken."-- me, describing philly fourth of july week festivities.