Ryan

Flutterbudget.

The world's on fire. I've got the eyedropper.

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npub15g88t54gd2e4rw3eg3n2t436mawmpfh6tzjl87umgz39wrxw5nvsangfcn

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laze@mastodon-social.mostr.pub

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nprofile1qqs2yrn4625x4v63hgu5ge496cad7hds5ma93f0nlwd5pgjhpn82fkgpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerfw36x7tnsw43qmey40c

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relay.ditto.pub

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npub15g88t54gd2e4rw3eg3n2t436mawmpfh6tzjl87umgz39wrxw5nvsangfcn

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Last Notes

2026-07-31 02:18:06 UTC

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Interestingly, that shot is taken on the farm he purchased from the family of Robert Purvis, an active member of the Abolitionist movement in Philadelphia and the only African-American to lead a major abolitionist organization. He was a key figure in the Underground Railroad (along with William Still), president of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery society, and at the end of the Civil War, President Lincoln was going to have Purvis head up the Freedmen’s Bureau.

2026-07-31 02:17:20 UTC

Happy 150th birthday to my great-grandfather Andrew. He was born in Poland 99 years before I was born and died here in the US 20 years before I came into the world. He seems like he would have been an interesting guy to know. Look at that picture!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/012/184/265/223/437/original/f60e72fa89eb0cf2.jpg

2026-06-24 19:23:12 UTC

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@nprofile…zejv That's great. House genealogy is definitely a worthwhile endeavor.
Back to the car photos for a moment - I'm wondering if these photos are from the infamous Langhorne Speedway outside of Philly. Some photos from the era look quite similar: https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/langhorne-speedway

2026-06-24 00:17:22 UTC

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@nprofile…zejv I was surprised at how well these 90 year old prints scanned considering they were 2x2 prints and the photo only covered about 75% of the space.
And yes, newspapers.com is always a blast. I love searching for addresses... always turn up something interesting.

2026-06-23 23:13:47 UTC

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@nprofile…zejv Some great finds there, thank you! I was assuming they were car names (unique to the driver), but they were actually car _models_. Good to know!
Late 30s would go along with the timeline he and my grandmother were dating (they married in 1940).
And that is most certainly him in the third article - he went to Mastbaum and lived in the Frankford area of Philly. As much time as I've spent on newspapers.com, I never came across him in this article. Great catch!

2026-06-23 21:03:32 UTC

New post with some photos my grandfather took in the 1930s of car racing. Would love to figure out some more details about the cars and possible locations at some point.
https://laze.net/2026/06/23/rays-photos-car-racing-in.html

2026-06-23 18:46:30 UTC

I've been thinking I'd really like to do a radio show again. There are no local community stations, sadly, so it would probably have to be something I'd put together remotely and submit.
Is that a thing? Are there established stations looking for a knucklehead to DJ a regular show? (Would love a community station that broadcasts over FM as well as online, but could probably be talked into an online-only option in the right case.)

2026-06-14 19:23:03 UTC

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@nprofile…acpk Dallas Slim and His Western Gentlemen: "Grassroots Time." Looks to have been from around 1972 (no copyright to be found on the tape) and is mainly covers of country standards.

2026-06-14 17:34:01 UTC

I do not listen to country music, generally, but today I am thoroughly enjoying one of my grandfather's C&W 8-tracks. It sounds surprisingly good and appears to be kind of rare (though not sought after). No entry on Discogs even though it was released on 8-track and standard cassette.
Couple of ebay listings, but that's about it.
(Yes, I am digitizing it.)

2026-06-11 18:18:31 UTC

The new Brian Eno documentary will be a generative (but non-AI, I must stress) documentary that will be different every time it's shown. Criterion Channel will feature a new version every month.
https://www.hustwit.com/eno

2026-06-02 19:56:32 UTC

I keep forgetting to mention it, but I've really been enjoying James' "Wonders of Web Weaving" podcast about the IndieWeb. As an old timer in this thing, I love hearing the current generation of folks having friendly chats about the importance of having your own site and maintaining it as _your_ place.
https://web-weaving.jamesg.blog

2026-05-06 19:26:17 UTC

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@nprofile…acpk I feel like I should get a float in a parade or something.

2026-05-06 18:51:40 UTC

Folks, I have emerged from the battle with my internet provider. I have successfully cut my bill significantly while also increasing my speed and, most importantly, eventually dodging the random "perks" they threw in and tried to charge me for no matter how much I asked for their removal.

2026-03-28 03:25:00 UTC

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@nprofile…acpk I very much enjoyed it. Didn't realize he was so good on the trumpet, too.

2026-03-04 12:29:52 UTC

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@nprofile…acpk @nprofile…v63n Voas! Congrats to him... Haven't talked with him in many years.

2026-02-20 21:01:34 UTC

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@nprofile…acpk The CD version has a slightly different track listing than the original LP (two added tracks, but leaves off Ayler's "Holy Ghost" for some reason), but both are great.

2026-02-20 20:39:14 UTC

Two jazz records that really hit for me this week:
1. "The New Wave in Jazz," part of a great live date at The Village Gate in 1965 with songs by Coltrane, Ayler, Shepp, Moncur, Tolliver, and Hutcherson (Sun Ra and Betty Carter also performed but were not on the record). Absolute fire and the perfect snapshot for one of my favorite eras/styles of jazz there in the mid-60s. Angry, poignant, and aggressive in the midst of all the civil rights strife.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Wave_in_Jazz

2026-02-19 14:41:24 UTC

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@nprofile…acpk Yeah, it could use a bit of... complete overhauling.

2026-02-19 14:23:56 UTC

ER visits on a high deductible health care plan are financially painful as fuck. But, when they happen at the beginning of the year, at least I hit my deductible and out-of-pocket max early on and the rest of the year it feels like I'm on a normal country's health plan.
(I'm fine - this was a visit last week, but the bill just came through.)

2025-12-27 14:34:49 UTC

Solid logic.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/792/025/107/795/178/original/c9f527ccd73173a8.jpg

2025-12-16 04:45:08 UTC

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@nprofile…4unj How did he know your nickname?

2025-11-16 21:19:49 UTC

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@nprofile…4unj Happy 60th to Rhine!

2025-11-04 11:28:32 UTC

Happy Election Day! I'm starting my 22nd year of working elections.
Consider this your reminder to vote, if you haven't already.

2025-10-31 22:59:26 UTC

Any other horror nerds playing 70s Italian soundtracks for the trick or treaters? I'm secretly hoping someone comes dressed as Dario Argento.

2025-10-19 21:52:05 UTC

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@nprofile…4unj Oh, the early days of search engines.
I did an individual study in college about the search engines and the quality of their algorithms. That was a lot of fun.

2025-10-19 20:52:19 UTC

Where is Altavista? I dunno, Google it. But don't get too Excite!d. Sometimes the climate is like a cold person there, other times like a Hotbot.
Lycos.
https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/10/15/major-residential-development-altavista-include-over-300-homes/

2025-10-07 20:17:41 UTC

Hey, Fediverse, hip me to some specific #CollegeRadio or #CommunityRadio shows I should be checking out. I dig a good hip-hop, reggae, electronica mix show, but also would also dig jazz, esoterica, experimental, or even a solid indie rock show. Looking for stuff with fun hosts, thoughtful curation, good mixing, etc. I've been steadily working more #Radio into my music listening rotation again.

2025-05-27 02:02:43 UTC

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@nprofile…pj45 Congratulations, buddy! That's great!

2025-05-26 01:34:03 UTC

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@nprofile…7nxw Do you also enjoy time loop stories, since they're in the same general realm?

2025-05-16 17:59:57 UTC

I don't usually use my account for this sort of thing, but this weekend I'm running the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary Run for the Animals 5k for the 22nd year in a row. It's one of my favorite places on earth and does so much to rescue and care for neglected and abused farm animals.
If you are able to support the farm by sponsoring me (for any amount), that'd be amazing. If not, just promise me you'll try and visit someday!
https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/6134279?is_new=true
#vegan

2025-05-04 17:53:48 UTC

#RIP to #vegan cookbook legend and icon Sarah Kramer. She will be missed.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/sarah-kramers-end-of-life

2025-03-19 20:21:34 UTC

#vegan crew: One of our legendary cookbook authors, Sarah Kramer, was just diagnosed with an incurable, aggressive form of brain cancer. They've given her until April, at best. She's been a light in this world and made such a positive impact... she'll be greatly missed.
If you're able to, consider helping out with her end-of-life plans. https://www.gofundme.com/f/sarah-kramers-end-of-life

2025-03-09 21:09:39 UTC

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@nprofile…7nxw Just finished reading this and really enjoyed it. Happy to see that over 25 years after his cancer treatments, Kooser is still with us at age 85!

2025-02-24 22:31:14 UTC

I'm generally hesitant to talk about personal health stuff online, but for Heart Month, I thought I'd share in the hope that it might help others that (unknowingly) have the same issue.
https://laze.net/2025/02/24/heart-month-lipoproteina.html

2025-02-22 20:28:26 UTC

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@nprofile…7nxw I'm hunting down a copy of this book based on your recommendation. Sounds wonderful.

2025-01-21 21:38:18 UTC

Just posted a new page on my personal site of all the books I've read back to 2004. Why? Because the personal web is back, baby, and sharing this sort of thing is fun again.
https://laze.net/media/books/

2025-01-17 15:24:42 UTC

Huh - today @nprofile…qz4x is talking about the Fu-Schnickens! https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/17/holy-batfu-its-an-apple/#ba-schnicker-bah-snchnucker
Chip-Fu has remained active and has put out some pretty banging tracks over the last decade. https://www.youtube.com/@chip-fu2645

2024-07-22 18:50:48 UTC

Ohmygawd I love the cover of The New Yorker! Hulot! @npub1q4m…3d6g !
Definitely picking up a copy. The kiddo said this is one he'd hang on his wall.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2024-07-29

2024-06-14 12:35:50 UTC

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@npub1q4m…3d6g Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's on the Criterion box set.

2024-06-14 12:20:22 UTC

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@npub1q4m…3d6g Oh wow, never realized he had directed Tati in that short!

2024-03-14 18:21:41 UTC

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@npub13vv…0sze Thanks for this! Really enjoyed reading it after watching the latest episode.