Luke R. J. Maynard
@lukemaynard.bsky.social
Author, musician, lawyer, lapsed academic. Cat lover.
Disability warrior/advocate. Proud Canadian. Short-ish.
(He/him)
Disability warrior/advocate. Proud Canadian. Short-ish.
(He/him)
What a legend! Happy birthday!
He's done so much for entertainment in those years... here's hoping the second half of his career is every bit as magical and joyful as the first half!
He's done so much for entertainment in those years... here's hoping the second half of his career is every bit as magical and joyful as the first half!
December 13, 2025 at 11:14 AM
What a legend! Happy birthday!
He's done so much for entertainment in those years... here's hoping the second half of his career is every bit as magical and joyful as the first half!
He's done so much for entertainment in those years... here's hoping the second half of his career is every bit as magical and joyful as the first half!
I think he keeps talking regardless.
He's been so consumed by celebrity, in a culture so obsessed with celebrity, that whatever foundational knowledge made him worth listening to, there are a hundred other experts & intellectuals we haven't heard of who are vastly more worthy of my attention.
He's been so consumed by celebrity, in a culture so obsessed with celebrity, that whatever foundational knowledge made him worth listening to, there are a hundred other experts & intellectuals we haven't heard of who are vastly more worthy of my attention.
December 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
I think he keeps talking regardless.
He's been so consumed by celebrity, in a culture so obsessed with celebrity, that whatever foundational knowledge made him worth listening to, there are a hundred other experts & intellectuals we haven't heard of who are vastly more worthy of my attention.
He's been so consumed by celebrity, in a culture so obsessed with celebrity, that whatever foundational knowledge made him worth listening to, there are a hundred other experts & intellectuals we haven't heard of who are vastly more worthy of my attention.
I mean, 70 years ago he was THE expert in generative linguistics. So if he has an opinon on current affairs, I'd MAYBE see him as an expert on generative AI & LLMs.
But I have a PhD in English Lit. If I'm still ranting in my 90s, take me as an expert on Chaucer—NOT the international peace process!
But I have a PhD in English Lit. If I'm still ranting in my 90s, take me as an expert on Chaucer—NOT the international peace process!
December 13, 2025 at 3:02 AM
I mean, 70 years ago he was THE expert in generative linguistics. So if he has an opinon on current affairs, I'd MAYBE see him as an expert on generative AI & LLMs.
But I have a PhD in English Lit. If I'm still ranting in my 90s, take me as an expert on Chaucer—NOT the international peace process!
But I have a PhD in English Lit. If I'm still ranting in my 90s, take me as an expert on Chaucer—NOT the international peace process!
1/2
I've certainly done this.
The funny part is that his grifting engine is so visible & predictable, that ANYONE can game the system like his team does. It ISN'T "insider" trading anymore: his market-shaking behaviour is transparently public—are his famous Trump walkbacks the following Monday.
I've certainly done this.
The funny part is that his grifting engine is so visible & predictable, that ANYONE can game the system like his team does. It ISN'T "insider" trading anymore: his market-shaking behaviour is transparently public—are his famous Trump walkbacks the following Monday.
December 8, 2025 at 8:29 AM
1/2
I've certainly done this.
The funny part is that his grifting engine is so visible & predictable, that ANYONE can game the system like his team does. It ISN'T "insider" trading anymore: his market-shaking behaviour is transparently public—are his famous Trump walkbacks the following Monday.
I've certainly done this.
The funny part is that his grifting engine is so visible & predictable, that ANYONE can game the system like his team does. It ISN'T "insider" trading anymore: his market-shaking behaviour is transparently public—are his famous Trump walkbacks the following Monday.
I found Season 1-4 of Breaking Bad were so strong that Season 5 felt like it was glued on by another showrunner.
Gus Fring's arc was just so good, and its end so climactic, that all we needed was a bit on Walter's power consuming him. Not Todd and his new & forgettable villians-of-the-week crew.
Gus Fring's arc was just so good, and its end so climactic, that all we needed was a bit on Walter's power consuming him. Not Todd and his new & forgettable villians-of-the-week crew.
December 7, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I found Season 1-4 of Breaking Bad were so strong that Season 5 felt like it was glued on by another showrunner.
Gus Fring's arc was just so good, and its end so climactic, that all we needed was a bit on Walter's power consuming him. Not Todd and his new & forgettable villians-of-the-week crew.
Gus Fring's arc was just so good, and its end so climactic, that all we needed was a bit on Walter's power consuming him. Not Todd and his new & forgettable villians-of-the-week crew.
…was happy with a cheap Boss SD-1 or Blues Driver; Satriani used the Boss DS-1.
The result you can "push" individual notes & lines lyrically to get a little grit just as a singer does. It's easiest to hear in any Michael Jackson song that isn't too rhythmic-grunty (all dirty) or ballady (all clean).
The result you can "push" individual notes & lines lyrically to get a little grit just as a singer does. It's easiest to hear in any Michael Jackson song that isn't too rhythmic-grunty (all dirty) or ballady (all clean).
November 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
…was happy with a cheap Boss SD-1 or Blues Driver; Satriani used the Boss DS-1.
The result you can "push" individual notes & lines lyrically to get a little grit just as a singer does. It's easiest to hear in any Michael Jackson song that isn't too rhythmic-grunty (all dirty) or ballady (all clean).
The result you can "push" individual notes & lines lyrically to get a little grit just as a singer does. It's easiest to hear in any Michael Jackson song that isn't too rhythmic-grunty (all dirty) or ballady (all clean).
3.
…Then nestle that dynamic drive/boost behind whatever OD you want to be the dominant signature of your tone. For SRV & John Mayer that's the Tube Screamer. Eric Johnson uses it too, but a Fuzz Face in front is his signature sound. Jeff Beck preferred the Klon Centaur. Prince, believe it or not…
…Then nestle that dynamic drive/boost behind whatever OD you want to be the dominant signature of your tone. For SRV & John Mayer that's the Tube Screamer. Eric Johnson uses it too, but a Fuzz Face in front is his signature sound. Jeff Beck preferred the Klon Centaur. Prince, believe it or not…
November 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
3.
…Then nestle that dynamic drive/boost behind whatever OD you want to be the dominant signature of your tone. For SRV & John Mayer that's the Tube Screamer. Eric Johnson uses it too, but a Fuzz Face in front is his signature sound. Jeff Beck preferred the Klon Centaur. Prince, believe it or not…
…Then nestle that dynamic drive/boost behind whatever OD you want to be the dominant signature of your tone. For SRV & John Mayer that's the Tube Screamer. Eric Johnson uses it too, but a Fuzz Face in front is his signature sound. Jeff Beck preferred the Klon Centaur. Prince, believe it or not…
2.
Take the time to set up the wah/volume pedal so it gives you a moderate (not huge) upward sweep of the OD/boost drive/gain but backs off the "level" to leave you at ALMOST the same base volume. A slight net increase is good and "musical," the same as a human voice pushed for more dirt.
Then…
Take the time to set up the wah/volume pedal so it gives you a moderate (not huge) upward sweep of the OD/boost drive/gain but backs off the "level" to leave you at ALMOST the same base volume. A slight net increase is good and "musical," the same as a human voice pushed for more dirt.
Then…
November 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
2.
Take the time to set up the wah/volume pedal so it gives you a moderate (not huge) upward sweep of the OD/boost drive/gain but backs off the "level" to leave you at ALMOST the same base volume. A slight net increase is good and "musical," the same as a human voice pushed for more dirt.
Then…
Take the time to set up the wah/volume pedal so it gives you a moderate (not huge) upward sweep of the OD/boost drive/gain but backs off the "level" to leave you at ALMOST the same base volume. A slight net increase is good and "musical," the same as a human voice pushed for more dirt.
Then…
1/x
My new lead gutar obsession is to actually practice active gain-staging with my lead lines:
1.
I hook a volume/wah pedal to a programmable multiFX unit like the Helix—though if you like traditional pedalboards, some high-end ODs/boosts like the Strymon Compadre & Sunset do it too.
Then:
My new lead gutar obsession is to actually practice active gain-staging with my lead lines:
1.
I hook a volume/wah pedal to a programmable multiFX unit like the Helix—though if you like traditional pedalboards, some high-end ODs/boosts like the Strymon Compadre & Sunset do it too.
Then:
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
1/x
My new lead gutar obsession is to actually practice active gain-staging with my lead lines:
1.
I hook a volume/wah pedal to a programmable multiFX unit like the Helix—though if you like traditional pedalboards, some high-end ODs/boosts like the Strymon Compadre & Sunset do it too.
Then:
My new lead gutar obsession is to actually practice active gain-staging with my lead lines:
1.
I hook a volume/wah pedal to a programmable multiFX unit like the Helix—though if you like traditional pedalboards, some high-end ODs/boosts like the Strymon Compadre & Sunset do it too.
Then:
That bass line was the work of Jamaican-born bassist Phil Chen, who played with Rod Stewart from 1978-80 and was a much in-demand session player for everybody from Jeff Beck to Brian May's short-lived "Star Fleet Project."
November 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
That bass line was the work of Jamaican-born bassist Phil Chen, who played with Rod Stewart from 1978-80 and was a much in-demand session player for everybody from Jeff Beck to Brian May's short-lived "Star Fleet Project."
You're 100% right on both the exact intersection and the year. I had this farther down in my long, rambling thread:
bsky.app/profile/luke...
The INTERSECTION wasn't in the middle of the desert, but the city was. Anyone leaving Albuquerque in the wrong direction had few visual cues to warn them
bsky.app/profile/luke...
The INTERSECTION wasn't in the middle of the desert, but the city was. Anyone leaving Albuquerque in the wrong direction had few visual cues to warn them
It ran from Chicago to LA, straight through Albuquerque until the Interstate highway system in the '70s.
Until 1937, it ran through downtown N-S. That year, the alignment of the highway was changed to E-W, so the intersection of Central Ave. & 4th St., became the corner of Route 66 and Route 66.
Until 1937, it ran through downtown N-S. That year, the alignment of the highway was changed to E-W, so the intersection of Central Ave. & 4th St., became the corner of Route 66 and Route 66.
November 9, 2025 at 12:51 AM
You're 100% right on both the exact intersection and the year. I had this farther down in my long, rambling thread:
bsky.app/profile/luke...
The INTERSECTION wasn't in the middle of the desert, but the city was. Anyone leaving Albuquerque in the wrong direction had few visual cues to warn them
bsky.app/profile/luke...
The INTERSECTION wasn't in the middle of the desert, but the city was. Anyone leaving Albuquerque in the wrong direction had few visual cues to warn them
2/2
…on your efforts to stop him before he destroys your Republic.
Stephen Miller is 40, healthy, literate, and WITHOUT the bipartisan Achilles heel of Trump's rampant Epsteinery. Any country Trump can rule unchecked like a Pharaoh for even two years is one Miller could rule for half a century.
…on your efforts to stop him before he destroys your Republic.
Stephen Miller is 40, healthy, literate, and WITHOUT the bipartisan Achilles heel of Trump's rampant Epsteinery. Any country Trump can rule unchecked like a Pharaoh for even two years is one Miller could rule for half a century.
November 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
2/2
…on your efforts to stop him before he destroys your Republic.
Stephen Miller is 40, healthy, literate, and WITHOUT the bipartisan Achilles heel of Trump's rampant Epsteinery. Any country Trump can rule unchecked like a Pharaoh for even two years is one Miller could rule for half a century.
…on your efforts to stop him before he destroys your Republic.
Stephen Miller is 40, healthy, literate, and WITHOUT the bipartisan Achilles heel of Trump's rampant Epsteinery. Any country Trump can rule unchecked like a Pharaoh for even two years is one Miller could rule for half a century.
1/2
What people fail to see is that this is a "rest run" for an imperium not seen in the world since the fall of Rome.
This time, and ONLY this time, you're dealing with a totalitarian madman whose age, dementia, and baseline stupidity act as buffers to his absolute power and "training wheels"…
What people fail to see is that this is a "rest run" for an imperium not seen in the world since the fall of Rome.
This time, and ONLY this time, you're dealing with a totalitarian madman whose age, dementia, and baseline stupidity act as buffers to his absolute power and "training wheels"…
November 2, 2025 at 3:31 PM
1/2
What people fail to see is that this is a "rest run" for an imperium not seen in the world since the fall of Rome.
This time, and ONLY this time, you're dealing with a totalitarian madman whose age, dementia, and baseline stupidity act as buffers to his absolute power and "training wheels"…
What people fail to see is that this is a "rest run" for an imperium not seen in the world since the fall of Rome.
This time, and ONLY this time, you're dealing with a totalitarian madman whose age, dementia, and baseline stupidity act as buffers to his absolute power and "training wheels"…
It takes guts to waltz into the #WorldSeries at age 22, six weeks into your major-league career, and beat a record that Sandy Coufax has held since 1963.
But it takes guts on a whole different level to waltz into #SandyCoufax's house, #DodgerStadium, and do it while he's SITTING RIGHT THERE.
But it takes guts on a whole different level to waltz into #SandyCoufax's house, #DodgerStadium, and do it while he's SITTING RIGHT THERE.
October 30, 2025 at 8:08 AM
It takes guts to waltz into the #WorldSeries at age 22, six weeks into your major-league career, and beat a record that Sandy Coufax has held since 1963.
But it takes guts on a whole different level to waltz into #SandyCoufax's house, #DodgerStadium, and do it while he's SITTING RIGHT THERE.
But it takes guts on a whole different level to waltz into #SandyCoufax's house, #DodgerStadium, and do it while he's SITTING RIGHT THERE.
"Has she been sworn in yet?"
"No, Robin, not yet."
"Holy sniveling Mike Johnson!" 🦇
"No, Robin, not yet."
"Holy sniveling Mike Johnson!" 🦇
a man in a robin costume with a mask on his face
ALT: a man in a robin costume with a mask on his face
media.tenor.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"Has she been sworn in yet?"
"No, Robin, not yet."
"Holy sniveling Mike Johnson!" 🦇
"No, Robin, not yet."
"Holy sniveling Mike Johnson!" 🦇
If it helps at all, we now have a 24-hour Denny's here in Toronto.
The restaurant unites us even in these tough times: if you want to feel like an American, it's a comforting taste of home.
If you want to feel like a Canadian, you too can get a Grand Slam anytime you want, day or night.🍳😉⚾
The restaurant unites us even in these tough times: if you want to feel like an American, it's a comforting taste of home.
If you want to feel like a Canadian, you too can get a Grand Slam anytime you want, day or night.🍳😉⚾
October 25, 2025 at 4:23 AM
If it helps at all, we now have a 24-hour Denny's here in Toronto.
The restaurant unites us even in these tough times: if you want to feel like an American, it's a comforting taste of home.
If you want to feel like a Canadian, you too can get a Grand Slam anytime you want, day or night.🍳😉⚾
The restaurant unites us even in these tough times: if you want to feel like an American, it's a comforting taste of home.
If you want to feel like a Canadian, you too can get a Grand Slam anytime you want, day or night.🍳😉⚾
This is the thing people forget when they mock him for being the only casino owner "stupid" enough to bankrupt a casino.
It's basically impossible to bankrupt a casino. All I can see is Trump walking off with his pockets sagging with gold: "I don't know where all the money went. Can't explain it."
It's basically impossible to bankrupt a casino. All I can see is Trump walking off with his pockets sagging with gold: "I don't know where all the money went. Can't explain it."
October 23, 2025 at 11:46 PM
This is the thing people forget when they mock him for being the only casino owner "stupid" enough to bankrupt a casino.
It's basically impossible to bankrupt a casino. All I can see is Trump walking off with his pockets sagging with gold: "I don't know where all the money went. Can't explain it."
It's basically impossible to bankrupt a casino. All I can see is Trump walking off with his pockets sagging with gold: "I don't know where all the money went. Can't explain it."
Good, if he's going to declare bankruptcy he's got to have some kind of income for the Sandy Hook families to take away from him.
If he wants to spend his sunset years farming right-wing rage, he can farm it for them now.
If he wants to spend his sunset years farming right-wing rage, he can farm it for them now.
October 14, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Good, if he's going to declare bankruptcy he's got to have some kind of income for the Sandy Hook families to take away from him.
If he wants to spend his sunset years farming right-wing rage, he can farm it for them now.
If he wants to spend his sunset years farming right-wing rage, he can farm it for them now.
As someone with no children in school, I support this so much. Take my tax dollars!
Someday, those kids will be 50; I'll be 80. And I will get sick and need surgery.
The quality of surgeon I want only shows up if you ensure they're healthy & happy, nerver starving, in their Grade 2 Science class.
Someday, those kids will be 50; I'll be 80. And I will get sick and need surgery.
The quality of surgeon I want only shows up if you ensure they're healthy & happy, nerver starving, in their Grade 2 Science class.
October 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
As someone with no children in school, I support this so much. Take my tax dollars!
Someday, those kids will be 50; I'll be 80. And I will get sick and need surgery.
The quality of surgeon I want only shows up if you ensure they're healthy & happy, nerver starving, in their Grade 2 Science class.
Someday, those kids will be 50; I'll be 80. And I will get sick and need surgery.
The quality of surgeon I want only shows up if you ensure they're healthy & happy, nerver starving, in their Grade 2 Science class.
Wow.
Democrats and Republicans have always been opposed on many issues of policy. That's not new.
But this administration really has doubled and tripled down on "We're not an opposing party anymore. We're an opposing government. Either we rule absolutely, or you do. There can be no cooperation."
Democrats and Republicans have always been opposed on many issues of policy. That's not new.
But this administration really has doubled and tripled down on "We're not an opposing party anymore. We're an opposing government. Either we rule absolutely, or you do. There can be no cooperation."
October 10, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Wow.
Democrats and Republicans have always been opposed on many issues of policy. That's not new.
But this administration really has doubled and tripled down on "We're not an opposing party anymore. We're an opposing government. Either we rule absolutely, or you do. There can be no cooperation."
Democrats and Republicans have always been opposed on many issues of policy. That's not new.
But this administration really has doubled and tripled down on "We're not an opposing party anymore. We're an opposing government. Either we rule absolutely, or you do. There can be no cooperation."
At least we know that this intensely private person, who's worked so hard to protect herself from the tabloids, is in good enough shape to "take her sister to the woodshed," as they say in Tennessee, for making her private business such a matter of public panic.
All the best to them regardless.
All the best to them regardless.
October 8, 2025 at 10:39 AM
At least we know that this intensely private person, who's worked so hard to protect herself from the tabloids, is in good enough shape to "take her sister to the woodshed," as they say in Tennessee, for making her private business such a matter of public panic.
All the best to them regardless.
All the best to them regardless.
Homeland Security is to keep the enemies of America outside of it from getting in.
It doesn't work so well when they're coming from inside the House (in some cases literally).
It doesn't work so well when they're coming from inside the House (in some cases literally).
October 4, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Homeland Security is to keep the enemies of America outside of it from getting in.
It doesn't work so well when they're coming from inside the House (in some cases literally).
It doesn't work so well when they're coming from inside the House (in some cases literally).