mastodon 4.7.3+glitchArtist. Tinkerer. Angeleno.
I make art with paint, with printmaking presses, with digital drawing tools, and with code. I also make things/objects/tools/widgets/gizmos, both tangible and intangible. I love things made with care, skill, and artisanship.
I live in Los Angeles, on land originally (and still) inhabited and cared for by the Tongva People. https://gabrielinotongva.org
Angelenos!
After a successful beta test last week, we are ready to launch the LA Fediverse Meetup on Wednesday Sept 16! Please join us at everywhere, the restaurant/bar at Union Station at/around 5:30 - we'll be there at least until 7:30 (our beta testers stayed until 8).
The beta testers also discovered that some kind of flag or marker would be helpful for gathering (and not bothering too many strangers), so there will be some kind of table tent or sign or some such, probably with a Mastodon logo*. There isn't a home game on Wednesday, so you shouldn't have to wade through too many Dodgers fans.
everywhere is an "order at the bar" kind of place for both food and drink, and there are two lines for service, one on either side of the bar island. Lines seem to move pretty quickly.
One of our beta testers would also like to note that 3 "painkiller" hard seltzers is probably 1 seltzer too many. YMMV, of course. Also, the garlic tots are pretty damn good!
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
#DTLA #LosAngeles #FediMeet #FediMeetup
Tomorrow is the big opening day for the D Line extension. I know I've pretty much squeeeeeeeed myself to death about it here, and you might be thinking: it's just a train, Laura - geez, chill.
But here's the thing. This will actually change where I go in the city. The first screenshot is the Transit app showing the routes/times for me to get from my place in DTLA to Wilshire/La Cienega today, and the second is the same trip tomorrow. From 53 minutes to 22 minutes. That's half an hour faster, and that makes a huge difference.
Getting real tired of "we've unsubscribed you from this type of email". No, you fuckwits, I do not want *any* kind of email from you. At all. Ever.
Lots of renewed talk about static site generators 'round these parts (which is awesome), so let me do a little shoutout to Pelican https://getpelican.com @pelican@fosstodon.org
I chose this over 11ty (which I did try!) because it's written in Python, which is one of the few (the only?) languages I know(ish), and because I'm more comfortable with their upgrade schedule (more like yearly instead of what felt like weekly with 11ty - that just stresses me out - YMMV, of course).
Anyway, it's a great little SSG if the other ones out there don't float your boat. It powers my site at: https://mitten.lol
Been in a funk all day since the mister left on his trip (a 6-week film shoot in Kentucky). But the ampersand show must go on. Spatter and watercolor brushes today - suits my mood.
Sketchy one today, raster not vector - a sketch based on an ampersand I saw somewhere. #DailyAmpersand #DailyDrawing
I finally found the tool I couldn't remember the name of ('Reform' in the Astute Graphics plugins) and had a go with it tonight. So this one is actually a revisit of the curly one from a few days ago - with the curves given a rather extensive facelift.
I do loves me a chonky ampersand.
Kinda baffled at all these devs writing new apps and promoting them by only saying "try QAWDSX, my new app!"
What does your app do? What's it for? Why would I want it? How does it help my life? You've named it after a color or a city or a mood or some made up word or whatever - and you have given me no idea what it's for in any of your announcements. You've made it impossible for me to be interested in it. Bizarre.
My dad passed away 10 years ago today. Doesn't sting so much anymore, but I still miss him immensely. He played the piano so beautifully, so lushly - it was an extension of his voice, really. So I'll share one of his favorite songs, rendered on the piano by one of his favorite artists. September Song, played by Dave Brubeck.
Lighting a candle and pouring out a wee dram in your honor, Dad. Miss you.
white rabbits, white rabbits
Raster again today, mostly fussing with adding texture via clipping layers.
Please to be stopping the jackhammering now. Kthxbye.
I have booked a flight to Detroit. June 12. Please prepare accordingly.
Ah. The helicopters have arrived in #DTLA. I assume this means the May Day march is about to start.
"Now you can securely connect your financial accounts, see a dashboard of where your money is going, and ask ChatGPT questions grounded in your financial context – all while staying in control of your data. We’re starting with a preview to a smaller group so we can learn from real-world use, improve the experience, and expand thoughtfully."
What could possibly go wrong? 🙈
Moar D Line amusement: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXxUCemSwre/
#LAMetro #Transit
(And for those not in LA, yes, the t-shirts are real and purchasable. https://shop.metro.net/products/ride-the-d-heavyweight-t-shirt They have been hugely popular, as you might expect. They made ones for the other lines, too - I think largely as cover for the innuendo-y D Line one.)
It's May Day, people! Take to the streets!
https://song.link/y/9LbziknNpCE
And so begins the final drama
In the streets and in the fields
We stand unbowed before their armour
We defy their guns and shields!
When we fight, provoked by their aggression
Let us be inspired by life and love
For though they offer us concessions
Change will not come from above!
So come brothers and sisters
For the struggle carries on
The Internationale
Unites the world in song
So comrades, come rally
For this is the time and place!
The international ideal
Unites the human race
Somewhat to my surprise, I still cry - even after more than 20 years of marriage - when the mister goes out of town on a long trip.
Cross-posted from my blog: https://mitten.lol/blog/2026/04/somewhat-to-my-surprise-i-still/
