Two questions occupied my mind this quarter: where do I move in 2027, and how do I enjoy my dwindling days in Philly? Spanish, TEFL, and job-hunting all took a back seat. September saw my doubts about Madrid ripen enough to trigger one more voyage of discovery, so I traveled to Mexico. I got what I needed, I’ve made my decision, and that’s coming soon to a blog near you.
With the local Mastodon server struggling, I decided to move full-time to Bluesky for micro-blogging. There were plenty of occasions for it–the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Gay Pride Month, and just living life in the City of Brotherly Love. Oh, and politics and the impending AI apocalypse. I’m stunned by how much more I actually posted by removing that up-front cognitive load. Brains, ugh!
This next quarter, I hope that the clarity of my decision will allow me to get down to business. My longest full-fledged move was under 100 miles and within the same state; changing continents, languages, and even the mapping of seasons to months feels daunting. Then again, massive complex projects are my thing. My future is full of dependency trees, checklists, and plenty more spreadsheets. Mmm, spreadsheets.
The Blogs
The Quarterly 2026Q2 – Spring Break (theCoreFiles)
01 Aug 2026 — After two ambitious quarters of gainful unemployment, world travel, and exhaustive research, I needed a break. I started the year with ambitious plans–too ambitious: Kickstart learning Spanish.
Breaking Nice Things (theCoreFiles)
06 Aug 2026 — In my last quarterly post I asked, “Can we have nice things in Philly?” We’re actively testing that hypothesis–all the improvements around the city for the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence are nice things calling out to Philly’s better angels to protect and appreciate and maintain them. Meanwhile Philly’s own agent of chaos, … Continue reading Breaking Nice Things
Once More Unto The Breach — Mexico City (theCoreFiles)
07 Sep 2026 — I hate flying, but here I go again on another recon mission to a Spanish-speaking city whose name begins with ‘M’. This time it’s Mexico City at the end of September.
9/11 and the Next Failure of Imagination (theCoreFiles)
11 Sep 2026 — Twenty Five Years Ago — I didn’t hear the first plane hit. My new apartment, a few blocks south of Washington Square, was about a mile and a half away, but I was in the shower.
Blown Off Course: Guadalajara Next (theCoreFiles)
27 Sep 2026 — Some of you are enjoying a surprise Nor’easter right now, and I wish you safe passage through the storm with no power interruptions, downed trees, or flooded streets. We had a storm here today, too: It “rained” hard enough that I put on my bucket hat for 30 minutes.
Shipwrecked: Guadalajara Goes Down Fast (theCoreFiles)
04 Oct 2026 — The week in Guadalajara I’d planned ended after just two days. A fifteen-hour battle with Expedia’s support call center and a poor choice in hotels didn’t help, but the TL;DR on the fundamentals was clear: nice place to visit, don’t want to live there, I’d rather be (and am now) in Philadelphia.
Mexico City: Top Five Impressions (theCoreFiles)
05 Oct 2026 — 2026-09-25, Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico City, Mexico — A week into my nine-day trip to Mexico City, I have thoughts. The moving-abroad calculus will come later.
The Socials
01 Jul 2026 — Publisher of PGN to helm a Stonewall-themed float in Philly’s 250 Parade. I just visited the Stonewall Visitor Center where Mark, a veteran of the pioneering Gay Liberation Front, is quoted. AND here he name drops von Steuben as an influence! [epgn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
01 Jul 2026 — Philly and NYC are deeply intertwined with early gay rights. My local library is the home of the Barbara Gittings collection, another pioneer of the movement who is also featured at the Stonewall Visitor Center with a bit of fashion because of the early movement’s desire to “look normal”.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
01 Jul 2026 — More About Mark: The Museum of the American Revolution interviews Mark Segal who donated some items to their 250 exhibit. It gets me all verklempt thinking how space*time close my history is here in Philly and NYC, some of that being living history. [YouTube]
— Original Post On Bluesky
01 Jul 2026 — Pride FOR and IN Ukraine: While the USA backslides, Ukraine makes progress in the fight for gay rights while fighting an actual war against Russian invaders. I have confidence my brave cousins will drive Russia out of their sovereign lands AND their cultural landscape.
— Original Post On Bluesky
04 Jul 2026 — This Independence Day is another hard one: stay cool and safe regardless of how you celebrate, commemorate, or mourn it. Maybe listen to a science podcast. Catching up on Short Wave, I thought the title of this episode referred to seeking literal chills–air conditioning: [npr.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
04 Jul 2026 — IIT’S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS! This would have been worth braving the heat! [billypenn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
07 Jul 2026 — Exciting progress on explaining the annoyingly-mysterious nature of gravity and its apparent lack-of-relationship to quantum physics. Now, please explain time so it stops making me crazy. [YouTube]
— Original Post On Bluesky
08 Jul 2026 — NPR reports that you can request an extra-pages passport if you need one now and don’t scowly-mc-scowlface on it to shout to customs around the world what a shithole country we’ve become. [npr.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
10 Jul 2026 — The Wormhole Effect is that feeling of discontinuity between departing and arriving on the subway. I love the MTA, but a multi-mile walk through the city creates a fantastic continuous-change experience. People also bike the five Burroughs making me wish I knew how. [gothamist.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
10 Jul 2026 — Tomorrow is the 100th anniversary celebration of the Ben Franklin Bridge! One side of the bridge will be blocked off for pedestrians, and events will be at the Camden toll station, 10-14:30. FINALLY! a good excuse to use the PATCO station at Franklin Square to get there or back! [drpa.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
11 Jul 2026 — Not sure how city laws about the Internet are going to work, but it’s so nice to see an elected official actually try to make life better for his constituents in the Battle Royale of online life. [engadget.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
11 Jul 2026 — I’m about to head over to BFB for the 100th celebration, all slathered up with sunscreen since it’s during the WORST hours for radiation exposure, and a friend sent this picture. The bridge is 1.5 miles long–that’s a lotta people! I may PATCO over since they have enhanced service today.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
15 Jul 2026 — Can anybody do basic online consumer protection in this “golden age of corruption?” NYC says, “Hold my bagel.” [techdirt.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
16 Jul 2026 — Its a better idea than making DST permanent. [xkcd.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
17 Jul 2026 — The plan was RTM for breakfast. But Suzie’s lured me in with trying a fabulous blueberry lemon. I was going to eat it by the Freedom Bell. But the prep for City Tavern (beer) Garden lured me in. Did make it and saw new signage by the bell and a squirrel full-sploot in the 18c garden gazebo.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
19 Jul 2026 — It’s easy to forget, if you’re lucky enough to have access to PREP, how we still stigmatize and even punish people with HIV—it’s even written into the law in many places. But PA is about to get a little bit better on this issue. Hopefully. [epgn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
20 Jul 2026 — Markets can be great when they’re fair, efficient, and have enough participants. Sometimes, not so much. Katty Kay reports on a tragedy of the commons brewing where the commons are lost customers due to AI layoffs. Will we do something about this in time? Um. [YouTube]
— Original Post On Bluesky
22 Jul 2026 — In case you’ve forgotten, this is what a healthy democracy looks like—not perfect but trying to be more perfect. It’s as much about Fedorov’s anti-corruption stace as Syrskyi’s Soviet-era mindset or Zelenskyy sensing a political rival in the making. [npr.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
23 Jul 2026 — Passing by, I saw 3 geared-up park cops “protecting” the re-whitewashed Washington’s Home site. It’s offensive on its face, and it’s a threat to all of our rights. Who will they try to erase next? Oh wait, they’ve been de-gaying .gov|mil since day 1. PGN weighs in: [epgn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
25 Jul 2026 — A tote bag not from NPR? Get yours by visiting both the Stonewall & Philly Pride Visitors Centers and getting your pass stamped–until the end of 2026. Not sure if there’s a different one in NYC, but Philly gave me fabulized Baron Von Steuben, revolutionary war hero and adopted son of Philadelphia.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
27 Jul 2026 — Remember when book bans were the province of shithole states like Arkansas? The House apparently has nothing better to do. Maybe given Johnson’s recent temper tantrum at his own party, *maybe* simplistic dog whistle policy is the only thing they can *try* pass. [epgn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
27 Jul 2026 — Maybe the House could do something about this if they want to “THINK OF THE CHILDREN!” CPS is an important service, but it has to be held to a higher standard given the damage it can do. Less LGBT visibility makes this kind of bigotry easier at all levels of society. [joemygod.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
27 Jul 2026 — In other news, here are some people focusing on what really matters: cheesesteaks! [billypenn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
27 Jul 2026 — More love for pollinators in Rittenhouse Square – some new landscaping and paths are definite pluses, plus wildflower beds for bee and butterfly and both beautiful and functional.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
29 Jul 2026 — Ars reports on my backyard: Given all the new development along the Schuylkill, Plymouth Township has the right idea: “Here’s a list of bad things other data centers do. As long as you mitigate these KNOWN BAD things, go ahead and build your data center. Ok?” Nope. [arstechnica.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
01 Aug 2026 — The Quarterly 2026Q2 – Spring Break
After two ambitious quarters of gainful unemployment, world travel, and exhaustive research, I needed a break. I started the year with ambitious plans–too ambitious: Kickstart learning Spanish. Explore teaching English as a foreign language. Get a new job and…
— Original Post On Bluesky
03 Aug 2026 — The biggest downside of the world not ending in fire yet is that this is going to exist. Sigh. [arstechnica.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
06 Aug 2026 — PPD’s story about Pride 2026 isn’t adding up. My benefit of the doubt evaporated the moment the police chief took zero responsibility for some Philly cops were wearing masks. In this day and age, that’s sending a clear message. Suspensions and firings are required. [epgn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
06 Aug 2026 — At the theater formerly known as the Prince to see The Odyssey in 35mm. Can’t tell if the “young” people next to me are joking about having to talk during movies. They are also talking about IBS.
— Original Post On Bluesky
08 Aug 2026 — My Odyssey experience was also too loud during action scenes. Maybe it’s because Nolan filmed it entirely with very loud IMAX cameras and redubbed everything. Maybe theaters make films louder because audiences are louder. Maybe it’s compensating for the mumbly dialog trend. [whyy.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
10 Aug 2026 — I finally wandered by the First National Bank and it was open! Of cost in picking up lunch and cannot stay, but I’ll be back soon. The dome is gorgeous, the a/c nice, and the park ranger said EVERYBODY is happy about the new restrooms the addition brought.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
11 Aug 2026 — The Portal needs a new home. I’m thinking the basement in the Bike Stop. Other suggestions? [6abc.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
18 Aug 2026 — Training AI by destroying rare books? I couldn’t even use highlighters in my college text books because it felt so wrong and disrespectful, but this? Repugnant. Funny how often the news makes me feel good about cancelling Amazon years ago. [arstechnica.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
03 Sep 2026 — It took years. My music collection is finally organized, de-duped, star-rated for auto-playlists, and DRM free. I had to give Apple money; iTunes Match was the last piece of the puzzle. And THAT success has led to “Rated 5” shuffle resurfacing this gem of an 80s song. [YouTube]
— Original Post On Bluesky
04 Sep 2026 — WHYY reports on the troubling pattern of major institutions suddenly closing, the latest being the Philly Museum of Natural History. If this really is continuing pandemic aftershocks, who’s next and what can we do to prevent it? [billypenn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
05 Sep 2026 — I used to half-joke the only way we survive our first Great Filter event is to go full Borg. I am now only 20% joking. The Hugging Face hack could be our first test, and we are in the worst possible timeline to deal with it.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
07 Sep 2026 — Once More Unto The Breach — Mexico City
I hate flying, but here I go again on another recon mission to a Spanish-speaking city whose name begins with ‘M’. This time it’s Mexico City at the end of September. My plan to move abroad has been a moving target since November 2025. I’ve gotten used to…
— Original Post On Bluesky
07 Sep 2026 — The latest misery aloft is Christianists evangelizing on flights. So help me, no-God, I’ll lose it. Related, Robert Reich covered the economics of airborne misery a few years back. I wonder: as awful as Spirit was, has their giving up the ghost made things even worse? [YouTube]
— Original Post On Bluesky
11 Sep 2026 — 9/11 and the Next Failure of Imagination
Twenty Five Years Ago — I didn’t hear the first plane hit. My new apartment, a few blocks south of Washington Square, was about a mile and a half away, but I was in the shower. As I dried off and dressed, I could hear NY1 reporting that a small plane had…
— Original Post On Bluesky
15 Sep 2026 — Are there any proposed data centers in city limits? Better safe than sorry until we (city & state) can come up with regs and laws to prevent abuses. AFAIK rural counties are easier pickings, PA has plenty, and gov candidate Stacy Garrity would love to see them exploited. [whyy.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
15 Sep 2026 — New apartment buildings in the Northeast quadrant of extended Center City has lots of new or coning apartment building. The mix and prices of units could be better, but it’s progress at least. [whyy.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
15 Sep 2026 — I feel the need to qualify all these as AI data centers. There are lots of data centers all over the place. I even helped move apps to GSK’s then-new “regular” data center near Phoenixville. It wasn’t a rapacious environmental catastrophe like these AI ones could be. [whyy.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
16 Sep 2026 — Who had “death by robotoilet” on their bingo cards for one of the ways AI would find to kill us—at our most vulnerable? [gothamist.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
17 Sep 2026 — No plans for hyper scale data centers in Philly yet, but no plans to deal with them yet either. WHYY reports: [billypenn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
27 Sep 2026 — Blown Off Course: Guadalajara Next
Some of you are enjoying a surprise Nor’easter right now, and I wish you safe passage through the storm with no power interruptions, downed trees, or flooded streets. We had a storm here today, too: It “rained” hard enough that I put on my bucket hat for 30…
— Original Post On Bluesky
01 Oct 2026 — HitchBOT Festival tomorrow! 02 Oct in Old City for First Friday — [billypenn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
02 Oct 2026 — Was it a crime or did the clanker get what it deserved? Philly deserves Miss Orifice from the Ministry of Awe, a work in progress and potential creepy predator to keep the proliferating Uber Eats bots in check. Event in the Alley courtyard.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
03 Oct 2026 — An “unapologetic micro-museum” has opened on Girard. Hours are short, but it seems worth a stroll on a nice autumn day with a hot coffee in hand. No batteries, please. Billy Penn reports: [billypenn.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
04 Oct 2026 — Shipwrecked: Guadalajara Goes Down Fast
The week in Guadalajara I’d planned ended after just two days. A fifteen-hour battle with Expedia’s support call center and a poor choice in hotels didn’t help, but the TL;DR on the fundamentals was clear: nice place to visit, don’t want to live there, I’d…
— Original Post On Bluesky
05 Oct 2026 — The Edge of Apricity – that feeling of warm sun on a cold day is one of the few ways I can enjoy direct solar exposure without an urge to nap or hide in the urban undergrowth. I walked outside with an agenda. Now I just want to wander the pre-fall city. Sooo gooooood …
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
05 Oct 2026 — Some of the season’s last blooms in Jefferson’s rose garden. But no napping today despite the perfect weather and gentle scents calling for it.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
05 Oct 2026 — Mexico City: Top Five Impressions
2026-09-25, Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico City, Mexico — A week into my nine-day trip to Mexico City, I have thoughts. The moving-abroad calculus will come later. What I can say right now is that being on the ground hasn’t disqualified Mexico City despite…
— Original Post On Bluesky
06 Oct 2026 — Another beautiful day to wander the city with a hot beverage and enjoy the architecture. Less enjoyable is how the vaguely fascist eagles at the corners of Customs House feel more clearly fascist lately. Still, a lovely pre-fall day in several senses of the term.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
08 Oct 2026 — Thank you, Schuylkill Banks pollinators, this part of the park smells and looks amazing. Well, with enough Claritin that is.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
09 Oct 2026 — I’ve drawn this line in the sand before, but when I hit the section with “the dictionary is LITERALLY wrong” I went into convulsive laughing and had a change of heart–using it as deliberate hyperbole, even sarcasm, is now allowed in my personal style guide. [merriam-webster.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky
10 Oct 2026 — AI combined with the abusive consolidation of our personal data by the Federal government will allow unprecedented targeting of individual Americans. Hiding in the crowd is no longer an option if AI domestic surveillance matures. EFF has some ideas on what we can do: [eff.org]
— Original Post On Bluesky
10 Oct 2026 — The Delicious Meat Sludge Factory … is a UNESCO world heritage site that I absolutely must visit when I return to Uruguay. I just, I can’t even. It’s like tailor-made, beef-flavored industrial-grade John bait. Thanks for uncovering this, YT@RareEarthSeries! [YouTube]
— Original Post On Bluesky
11 Oct 2026 — I love @americastestkitchen.com. Lan Lam even got me to *fry bacon in water*. But now I have an overwhelming desire to grind lots of pepper because of this Alton-Brown-adjacent video from the way-back: [YouTube]
— Original Post On Bluesky
12 Oct 2026 — Sushi lunch and Red Dragon roll from Oishii in the garden behind City Tavern: I’ve never seen the beer garden kitchen thing open, but I appreciate all the seating and *tables* for lunching in gorgeous fall weather. My clothes appreciate the reduced risk of spills versus regular park bench s/eating.
— Original Post On Bluesky With Picture
12 Oct 2026 — Delightful after-lunch FAFO reading: RU once again fucked around and Ukraine is happy to help them find out. ArsTechnica reports: Russia was not ready for the data center war it started with Ukraine [arstechnica.com]
— Original Post On Bluesky