Author Archive

The Good Old Internet

I suppose you’ve come to say you’re sorry? I hope so, given your years of sneering and hand-wringing about how I was ruining knowledge. Meanwhile, you turned your information environment into a hypercapitalist post-truth digital snuff film.

From HI, IT’S ME, WIKIPEDIA, AND I AM READY FOR YOUR APOLOGY

This is pretty great, and the gist of the past couple books I’ve read.

Amtrak’s Borealis remains a hot ticket

Some trips this weekend are sold out on the train running between St. Paul and Chicago.
— Read on www.startribune.com/amtraks-popular-borealis-train-a-hot-ticket-on-mea-weekend/601496044

Now just imagine faster speeds and more frequent service!

A Good Long Walk

This article is so timely because I walked to and from work today (about 3.5 miles each way, and made a stop at the bookstore on the way home)

Everyone at work was like… “You WALKED?!? Are you insane? How far is that!?”

Too Many of Us Are Missing the Benefits of a Good, Long Walk

In general, Americans are far behind most of the world when it comes to everyday walking habits, and Minnesota is in the middle of the pack nationally when it comes to walking rates. Even in parts of the city with nice sidewalks, close destinations and good weather, most people don’t walk much unless they’ve got a dog with them. For Twin Cities folks, any unnecessary walking, like being forced to park a block from a restaurant, is seen as a travesty.

Happy to say I’m well over 15,000 steps today 🙂

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 Links

Monday, October 13th, 2025 Links

Sunday, October 12th, 2025 Links

Trip on the Light Rail

This is partially a test of the new blogging plugin I just installed. I pulled a laptop out of recycling and have been wanted to get more experience using Linux as a true productivity device and not something to just screw around with. There is a surprising amount of little functions and workflows that one takes for granted having been pretty Mac-exclusive for so long.

Metro Transit

I still strongly believe in the necessity of a good transit system to help create a livable city, and Metro Transit has definitely had it’s ups and downs over the past 10 years. We are still living through the construction of the green line extension in our backyard. I’m going to be one of the first people on that train when it opens in 2027. I’m hopeful that the blue line extension will proceed, and hopefully not all of the delays and lawsuits and nonsense that the green line faced.

Anyway, I’ve been trying to make some more trips on Metro Transit. I want to shout out the excellent app simply called Transit it provides the real-time information and routing information I’ve always wanted. If I could only buy and store tickets in there I’d be set.

Today’s trip was easy. Train was on time. Everything was chill on the train. Multiple Metro Transit employees around.

The $6 we spent on fares sure beats the $60+ uber or parking options. Just can’t wait until we have access to a stop within walking distance!