Michael

Recovering (retired) academic living happily in Pittsburgh PA with my wonderful husband. Suis francophone et francophile. Freedom from religion! Header image: personal photo of Provincetown MA at dawn.

Public Key

npub1xhuvyknxyjqg5hj627nnmq9wtcmps2c2mrn3vtz4u3s8dl0hdp0qjcnc3n

NIP-05 Address

MPgh_at_mastodon.world@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsrt7xztfnzfqy2ted90feaszh9udsc9v9d3eck9327gcrklhmkshszwtw9x

Author Public Key

npub1xhuvyknxyjqg5hj627nnmq9wtcmps2c2mrn3vtz4u3s8dl0hdp0qjcnc3n

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Last Notes

2024-08-17 01:45:18

Paul and Ken at a bar in Roanoke.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/974/830/817/654/887/original/364505046c2854f9.jpeg

2024-08-15 18:46:11

Anything can be a hat or a wig, with enough imagination.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/967/519/955/326/024/original/7627e6b858b01e4a.jpeg

2024-07-17 17:58:02

Mammatus clouds forming near a monsoon, Prescott AZ. They are lit by the setting sun.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/803/124/221/981/175/original/c43ab0f7400d7750.jpeg

2024-07-15 22:31:18

local fauna (Prescott AZ)
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/792/874/054/730/027/original/f783da942e6c1ad7.jpeg

2024-07-14 01:46:31

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@npub1uld…xht3 I love watching lizards.

2024-07-14 01:42:56

Anyway, here’s a lizard.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/782/302/998/487/379/original/622f42298541f507.jpeg

2024-07-10 04:27:30

Ariane 6 maiden launch from French Guiana is a mitigated success.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c19km33k1mpo.amp
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/760/300/894/184/212/original/52ddad12d4f70ffe.jpeg

2024-06-29 01:10:01

I was going to post about the debate, and then I asked myself ‘Who asked for that, exactly?’
So here’s a photo of tonight’s sunset.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/697/238/372/910/127/original/c0c07e1dac49e0f6.jpeg

2024-06-28 20:20:07

bunny in the back yard just now (4:15 pm on a sunny Pittsburgh Friday afternoon.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/696/099/031/245/626/original/7626b3626c80cd22.jpeg

2024-06-19 19:13:28

Interesting skies after the storm.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/644/876/127/144/571/original/973c4336b2759a12.jpeg

2024-06-10 22:48:19

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@npub1zh2…7965 Thanks! It was indeed taken with my iPhone 13.

2024-06-10 22:32:47

hydrangea or something like it.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/594/699/140/440/478/original/4c92dc76108ec46c.jpeg

2024-06-04 17:43:38

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@npub1uld…xht3 This is so beautiful. So subtle and delicate. A joy to look at.

2024-05-29 21:57:50

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@npub1tps…9rmt think

2024-05-28 01:20:21

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@npub1qjr…kgt0 Good luck to her. We’re a long way from the times of Molly Ivins and Ann Richards. She’s deep behind enemy lines.

2024-05-26 00:39:54

sunset in the back yard just now.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/504/601/949/444/896/original/d8d4a8da8f667ec1.jpeg

2024-05-23 02:52:43

Cirrus clouds in a blue sky. On the road north of Phoenix.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/488/137/305/630/811/original/a14e20a49c41d93b.jpeg

2024-05-20 05:06:45

desert sunset.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/471/677/439/764/322/original/1707a9aa925d07ce.jpeg

2024-05-20 02:13:05

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@npub1zh2…7965 You’re too kind! I’m happily retired, Ken will be joining me soon.

2024-05-20 02:09:12

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@npub1zh2…7965 No, no, he’s my husband. He’s 5 years younger than me.

2024-05-20 00:25:08

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@npub1zh2…7965 That’s so funny! I don’t see it, but you’re the third person in the last few days to say that.

2024-05-19 23:18:30

We had a 737-700 to ourselves and the other six passengers. It was a very short flight (47 minutes) from San Diego to Phoenix, late at night. Service was attentive.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/470/308/000/162/845/original/d3e960e17abcdb00.jpeg

2024-05-19 02:57:59

The sun is setting behind and below the plane. Flying south from Reno to San Diego.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/465/508/756/591/722/original/bd952f73163c0bf0.jpeg

2024-05-17 01:39:50

more of Lake Tahoe.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/453/876/809/245/091/original/aecaacc340ed8c9c.jpeg

2024-05-15 23:49:31

Happy up Here: Mt. Rose Pass, Eastern Sierras, 8920 feet elevation.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/447/780/716/171/739/original/712c353c268a894d.jpeg

2024-05-15 23:07:39

Snow-covered peak near Mt. Rose, Eastern Sierras, Nevada.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/447/616/086/402/937/original/0bf6244524cfa0c0.jpeg

2024-05-14 21:00:17

Sand Point, Lake Tahoe.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/441/452/934/307/908/original/1f17a34c7369475d.jpeg

2024-05-14 01:06:34

Sand Point, Lake Tahoe Nevada.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/436/759/094/893/372/original/b6e35d40a1a240ff.jpeg

2024-05-05 18:59:11

somewhere over the Rockies a few months ago
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/390/015/949/370/901/original/5daad65a8662baf5.jpeg

2024-04-17 01:17:25

April in Paris. (not my photo. image non-attributed.)
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/283/919/358/301/343/original/973a1566b4632921.jpeg

2024-04-14 21:39:37

#SilentSunday
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/271/738/371/438/386/original/1a832eada406ec35.jpeg

2024-04-02 18:23:01

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@npub1uld…xht3 So beautiful! I don’t often see that color.

2024-03-24 17:22:09

Silent Sunday.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/151/817/234/636/685/original/1c0d871a520ad783.jpeg

2024-03-20 01:01:32

Flying over a small city at night. Location unknown.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/125/309/769/334/546/original/711064d5bf578248.jpeg

2024-03-15 03:18:07

Out the porthole.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/097/537/781/590/188/original/680908723deee9fd.jpeg

2024-03-05 22:47:35

sun and clouds this afternoon.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/112/045/513/180/600/923/original/ddf5c939d2934fd2.jpeg

2024-02-19 16:50:24

I studiously avoid politics here, because I have a tendency to froth at the mouth when it comes to Cheeto Mussolini, but I’m going to make an exception here.
“Now move along before someone drops a house on YOU!” See alt text for an explanation.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/959/174/012/427/481/original/9d26c59982d53593.jpeg

2024-02-17 22:21:01

Out the window: a little snow, just a few inches. But cold.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/949/149/491/716/387/original/58247ab91c0476a8.jpeg

2024-02-14 01:52:39

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@npub1uld…xht3 great composition.

2024-02-12 00:30:10

car wash.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/915/682/597/945/029/original/1c861d3986e25bbc.jpeg
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/915/682/899/598/996/original/cf8404407301a730.jpeg
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/915/683/209/040/118/original/0b19ee78762f0451.jpeg
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/915/683/483/968/572/original/33f5642be5757acf.jpeg

2024-02-11 19:21:20

#SilentSunday
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/914/467/454/549/702/original/38374aac6b24b0e0.jpeg

2024-02-02 23:41:34

beautiful sunset.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/864/531/537/225/001/original/e795c8deefffed0b.jpeg

2024-01-30 03:03:22

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@npub15te…wdn7 I was a “Bewitched” fan for all the gay guest stars. and Endora!

2024-01-30 02:48:43

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@npub15te…wdn7 And TV was so gay!

2024-01-30 02:28:03

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@npub15te…wdn7 I wondered the same thing when I saw The Banana Splits and H.R. Pufnstuff.

2024-01-27 01:27:44

overpass, I-17 north of Phoenix.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/825/310/807/212/849/original/425cbec8ae94221e.jpeg

2024-01-12 18:20:32

chrysanthemums. Some warmth on a cold day.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/744/360/592/691/065/original/2d6f711526c48eec.jpeg
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/744/360/594/372/030/original/87df47b1a707559e.jpeg

2024-01-07 15:59:17

overpasses at night: I-17 meets I-10, Phoenix.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/715/493/656/511/598/original/59402eda6bde3eec.jpeg

2024-01-07 01:50:53

Arizona has incredible sunsets. Prescott AZ.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/712/157/643/821/569/original/2224bf24276133f9.jpeg

2023-12-25 19:31:14

Luminaria in our neighborhood. My husband’s standing in the middle of the street.
Merry Christmas if you celebrate it.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/642/717/069/668/098/original/85e3093634a58559.jpeg

2023-12-23 01:47:09

the Moon tonight.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/627/208/332/564/612/original/59619df76c451363.jpeg

2023-12-17 02:29:06

Yippee-Yo-Ki-Yay, Motherf*ckers!
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/593/399/405/174/591/original/088e5a9d3ef9ff20.jpeg

2023-12-04 06:58:45

Part of my time today was spent in the world of car clubs in Southern California, quite specifically classic Volkswagen enthusiasts of Orange County. My husband Ken grew up in this world. I get to drop in every couple of years to events. Ken and a couple of friends used to race (officially!), but that was a while ago.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/520/849/642/302/961/original/dcaac8ebc3772197.jpeg

2023-11-23 20:48:59

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Americans! It’s going to be a fancy feast here. I’m thankful for all of you!
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/461/828/533/007/189/original/54b230ac19f0874a.jpeg

2023-11-13 19:06:13

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@npub1m6v…n9vs good to hear.

2023-11-13 18:45:28

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@npub1m6v…n9vs So sorry! Hope you can sort things out.

2023-11-04 00:23:07

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@npub1y7x…jrl4 @npub1kpl…2az3 Do not approach the fluffy cows.

2023-10-31 23:57:23

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@npub1c5c…644a Love it! Hope you guys have a fun Halloween this year.

2023-10-31 22:27:35

local street.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/331/982/961/373/243/original/ab47d11154e81322.jpeg

2023-10-26 20:53:38

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@npub1tps…9rmt Freedom From Religion!

2023-10-26 04:40:03

sunset at Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/299/474/094/029/723/original/2093ca6fd4f36666.jpeg

2023-10-25 00:07:17

This place is gorgeous. Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/292/739/215/205/201/original/6404736b24d62fe4.jpeg

2023-10-24 02:57:13

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@npub1qyn…gc4x This is terrific.

2023-10-19 16:53:17

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@npub132h…f594 Remember, kids: crypto is a scam, and Peter Thiel is evil.

2023-09-29 16:50:31

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@npub189n…satx Me too!

2023-09-29 16:04:19

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@npub1k7q…3lrw @npub189n…satx Modern pharmacology, the miracle of the ages.

2023-09-16 23:50:34

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@npub1m6v…n9vs I’m sorry about your brother. big hugs.

2023-09-04 20:40:20

One of the little guys who used to come around when we fed squirrels and chipmunks and birds from our front window ledge. We don’t do it any more for lots of good reasons, including… the heavy traffic of critters caught the attention of local cats and hawks. We were unwittingly luring the squirrels & chipmunks to their violent deaths. Law of Unintended Consequences, etc.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/008/810/024/067/296/original/a1620097c0a1cc12.jpeg

2023-09-04 16:22:23

The sky last night from my back yard as the sun set.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/111/007/794/065/891/393/original/f426b704ab96394f.jpeg

2023-09-01 22:02:51

sundown
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/992/147/531/347/757/original/4562ef9f42718e8c.jpeg

2023-08-24 04:07:06

The Shady Bunch, or the Hollywood Ghoul Squares
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/942/618/823/626/353/original/6bf7041d9ba2b084.jpeg

2023-08-20 14:50:18

#SIlentSunday
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/922/497/951/993/330/original/b8ce220bcd5360ff.jpeg

2023-08-11 17:37:26

On my “It’s All Drag, Darling!” Tour some years ago. Opening at Cabela’s.
“Do you have Texas Chainsaw Mascara?”
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/872/195/408/410/917/original/efb2856d8d5c8711.jpeg

2023-08-07 18:49:51

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@npub1px9…v9r5 Keep talkin, Chucklefuck.

2023-08-06 01:59:04

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@npub18lj…80hq @npub1uxk…ptq5 Will no one speak for the billionaires?

2023-08-03 16:25:36

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@npub1gr8…c639 Are you also a fan of the Aviation Herald? see avherald.com

2023-08-03 16:20:04

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@npub1gr8…c639 I love a good Air Disaster.

2023-08-02 23:36:21

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@npub1c9e…zhes Thank YOU for your many thoughful posts! My (borrowed) motto is: Comfort the disturbed, disturb the comfortable.

2023-08-02 23:26:57

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@npub1c9e…zhes More fun facts about Timothy Mellon’s grandfather, Andrew Mellon: As a plea-bargain following his conviction for tax fraud, he donated his extensive art collection to found the National Gallery in Washington DC. I’m sure it galled him to provide free enjoyment to the lowly, tax-paying American schlubs and foreign unwashed masses.
Read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Mellon?wprov=sfti1

2023-08-02 23:15:13

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@npub1c9e…zhes Ah, the illustrious Mellon family…. Timothy Mellon is the grandson of Andrew Mellon and heir to the Mellon banking fortune. Republican mega-donor (surprise, surprise)

2023-07-16 16:40:06

hibiscus close-up.
#SilentSunday #BloomScrolling
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/724/749/811/389/632/original/59f2bb9c9c325192.png

2023-07-14 00:34:22

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@npub1qep…hklj I’m using my Ph.D in French for good now instead of evil.
Most of the time.

2023-07-14 00:27:06

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@npub1qep…hklj Unless you want a woman lawyer, une avocate.

2023-07-04 21:05:03

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@npub1mfs…9erf @npub1ddp…2tax Waste and want, while people are starving.

2023-07-03 00:55:10

green and white glass hummingbirds hang on strings from the branches of a pine tree. Arizona July 2023
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/647/424/203/621/985/original/39726a0fa5d57326.jpeg

2023-06-24 00:25:29

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@npub1xpc…3t05 It’s not trying to be true, just witty.

2023-06-23 23:38:53

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@npub1xpc…3t05 “Heterosexuality isn’t normal, it’s just common.” —Tallulah Bankhead (?)

2023-06-23 22:28:57

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@npub1c9e…zhes @npub1ls2…g28m Liar. Career liar. Cathofascist.
There, I fixed it for you.

2023-06-23 21:30:26

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@npub1xpc…3t05 The first time as tragedy, the second time as fascist provocation?

2023-06-05 18:22:08

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@npub1mtx…pz4v @npub1jup…77gr Sometimes the need to vote strategically outweighs the desire to follow one’s heart.

2023-06-04 22:12:08

US Senator John Fetterman poses with a furry during Pittsburgh’s Pride Festival.
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/488/238/399/428/306/original/3b43bc740f15a305.jpeg

2023-05-30 00:32:19

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@npub1kja…e5gq @npub1llz…08cq @npub1zqe…9kfp Who’s a useful idiot now?

2023-05-19 22:40:46

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Joey Ramone! What’s your favorite Ramones’ lyric? I’ll start:
“Now I guess I’ll have to tell ‘em,
I ain’t got no cerebellum…”
—“Teenage Lobotomy”
https://s3.eu-central-2.wasabisys.com/mastodonworld/media_attachments/files/110/397/753/914/313/491/original/480919125d61878a.jpeg

2023-05-18 22:56:11

Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence post dignified, articulate response to being dumped by the Dodgers, who caved to christofascist goons.
https://lalgbtcenter.org/about-the-center/press-releases/statement-the-los-angeles-lgbt-center-removes-itself-from-the-dodgers-pride-night-following-the-exclusion-of-the-sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence?fbclid=IwAR2guzrdmbLk7WEEyUeFG-BT0n78SAAwne3Ul_-y9PTbN9q2D6G3no-TgGo&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

2023-05-13 20:17:58

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@npub1qn8…syf2 @npub1cpf…5qsn Now THAT is a say-something hat!

2023-04-27 04:33:22

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#[0] Wow. If you ever wanted to drive every teacher out of the profession and make sure no one would ever want to become one, this would do it.

2023-03-31 01:08:58

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#[0] #[1] I’m literally hearing fireworks in Pittsburgh right now. It’s probably for opening day for the Pirates (who’s the patron saint for hopeless causes?), but it only adds to the celebrations.