Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
@misc-mercury.bsky.social
Maker, troublemaker, larper, sword gay, and cat pawrent to Chili. They/them.
miscmercury.etsy.com
miscmercury.etsy.com
I do not need to get better at saying or accepting "no" in the coming year.
The concept is familiar enough. I've had practice.
What I need to explore is "yes." Both aiming for things I can say "yes" to enthusiastically, and believing others can do the same.
The concept is familiar enough. I've had practice.
What I need to explore is "yes." Both aiming for things I can say "yes" to enthusiastically, and believing others can do the same.
December 31, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I do not need to get better at saying or accepting "no" in the coming year.
The concept is familiar enough. I've had practice.
What I need to explore is "yes." Both aiming for things I can say "yes" to enthusiastically, and believing others can do the same.
The concept is familiar enough. I've had practice.
What I need to explore is "yes." Both aiming for things I can say "yes" to enthusiastically, and believing others can do the same.
The current job, while it involves excellent people and some really neat projects, has a real problem with saying "after this project things will slow down" when in fact, they do not. This is how I ended up pulling a 9.5 hour day in crunch time building cow costumes between Christmas and New Year's.
December 31, 2025 at 4:17 AM
The current job, while it involves excellent people and some really neat projects, has a real problem with saying "after this project things will slow down" when in fact, they do not. This is how I ended up pulling a 9.5 hour day in crunch time building cow costumes between Christmas and New Year's.
Stop Considering Every Vaguely Negative Thing the Result of Your Own Mistakes or Character Flaws Challenge 2k26 (you won't).
December 31, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Stop Considering Every Vaguely Negative Thing the Result of Your Own Mistakes or Character Flaws Challenge 2k26 (you won't).
Well...
If I was still in academia, I would be getting in trouble AGAIN for raising significant hell about this.
If I was still in academia, I would be getting in trouble AGAIN for raising significant hell about this.
THIS THIS THIS. ALL OF THIS
THIS is why faculty resist technological strategies for teaching. There is no engaging with Edtech without this context
THIS is why faculty resist technological strategies for teaching. There is no engaging with Edtech without this context
December 30, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Well...
If I was still in academia, I would be getting in trouble AGAIN for raising significant hell about this.
If I was still in academia, I would be getting in trouble AGAIN for raising significant hell about this.
I got to THAT part of The Unworthy and had to take a mandatory cat-cuddling break.
December 30, 2025 at 1:27 AM
I got to THAT part of The Unworthy and had to take a mandatory cat-cuddling break.
Thinking about the guy who tried to write an Easter Rising larp without even acknowledging Cumann na mBan or women's suffrage, or sexism at all, because it "was bad and dumb" and how much he's missing out by not having someone play the Cumann na mBan member who shot a piece of Mussolini's nose off.
December 30, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Thinking about the guy who tried to write an Easter Rising larp without even acknowledging Cumann na mBan or women's suffrage, or sexism at all, because it "was bad and dumb" and how much he's missing out by not having someone play the Cumann na mBan member who shot a piece of Mussolini's nose off.
Campsite larpers could do a lot to raise awareness about a Lyme vaccine... IF WE HAD ONE.
You know what, shitbird? I have an idea. What about a VACCINE?
There are several in late stages of development.
Will you promote them so we can get “children back into the woods” as you say?
There are several in late stages of development.
Will you promote them so we can get “children back into the woods” as you say?
December 29, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Campsite larpers could do a lot to raise awareness about a Lyme vaccine... IF WE HAD ONE.
Not logging back into this app for over a week after my phone logged me out was one of my Christmas presents to myself.
The other is wearing a piece of specific larp jewelry in everyday situations when I need a reminder that I can still be accepted and cared about when I'm not perfect or always-on.
The other is wearing a piece of specific larp jewelry in everyday situations when I need a reminder that I can still be accepted and cared about when I'm not perfect or always-on.
December 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Not logging back into this app for over a week after my phone logged me out was one of my Christmas presents to myself.
The other is wearing a piece of specific larp jewelry in everyday situations when I need a reminder that I can still be accepted and cared about when I'm not perfect or always-on.
The other is wearing a piece of specific larp jewelry in everyday situations when I need a reminder that I can still be accepted and cared about when I'm not perfect or always-on.
For people who think having to pre-emptively apologize and disclaim when posting "I like pancakes" or "I brought some chili to my neighbors" was an exaggeration.
This reminds me of the time someone got incandescent with rage because i called Jameson whiskey Jamesons.
It was one of the funniest things that ever happened on Twitter
It was one of the funniest things that ever happened on Twitter
You should celebrate the freedom of writing however you want with a belt of Jamesons
December 29, 2025 at 5:10 PM
For people who think having to pre-emptively apologize and disclaim when posting "I like pancakes" or "I brought some chili to my neighbors" was an exaggeration.
"You can't use the word 'slop' because it's a dog whistle" is the take that will make me log off Tumblr for another two weeks.
December 17, 2025 at 2:25 AM
"You can't use the word 'slop' because it's a dog whistle" is the take that will make me log off Tumblr for another two weeks.
About six months ago I was in Gillibrand and Schumer's offices with other union folks, talking to their staff and urging them not to cave to attacks on trans rights, as a bargaining chip or otherwise.
It. Fucking. Matters. Who.
It. Fucking. Matters. Who.
Here are the 28 Dem Senators who voted to advance the first federal ban on trans athletes & a federal definition of sex that would make trans & intersex people non-existent: Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Chris Coons (DE), ->
By a vote of 76-23, S 1071 passes the motion to proceed to the motion to concur. Won't know who voted for this until the roll call is uploaded, but safe to say it passed with the support of at least 24 members of the Democratic caucus. (Rand Paul probably voted nay and Steve Daines has been absent).
December 16, 2025 at 3:24 AM
About six months ago I was in Gillibrand and Schumer's offices with other union folks, talking to their staff and urging them not to cave to attacks on trans rights, as a bargaining chip or otherwise.
It. Fucking. Matters. Who.
It. Fucking. Matters. Who.
Reposted by Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
The ACA isn't just "health care for people who don't have a conventional employer." It also disallows something that was incredibly common 20 years ago, which I fear is getting lost to generational memory: insurance companies could deny you health care for essentially any previous health problem.
I'm dubious about Amazon's commitment to keeping pre-existing conditions a thing of the past.
December 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
The ACA isn't just "health care for people who don't have a conventional employer." It also disallows something that was incredibly common 20 years ago, which I fear is getting lost to generational memory: insurance companies could deny you health care for essentially any previous health problem.
Sometimes I wonder what my 18-year-old self would think of me now, but I think she'd be pretty happy with the fact that I spend my real adult money on books, zines, seeing and making art with friends, really good spicy noodles, and fake blood.
December 12, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Sometimes I wonder what my 18-year-old self would think of me now, but I think she'd be pretty happy with the fact that I spend my real adult money on books, zines, seeing and making art with friends, really good spicy noodles, and fake blood.
If you too are a slightly feral queer who thinks about societal collapse and magic a normal amount, this is the play you didn't know you needed, by and starring people like you, and loaded with both interpersonal and supernatural suspense. Get on it before it's gone.
December 12, 2025 at 3:51 AM
If you too are a slightly feral queer who thinks about societal collapse and magic a normal amount, this is the play you didn't know you needed, by and starring people like you, and loaded with both interpersonal and supernatural suspense. Get on it before it's gone.
Reposted by Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
…Even as we find, over & over & over again, that thinking things are Solved Forever™ just leaves space for the people who created the initial conditions for harm & exploitation to change tactics, change shape, & come back.
"It's not racism! It's economics!" "Ooh, weekends! But… Maybe less per hr"…
"It's not racism! It's economics!" "Ooh, weekends! But… Maybe less per hr"…
There's this weird thing in the American Exceptionalist psyche where we get told over & over & over again that our history— The Best History— comes down to Singular Moments™ led by Great Men™— the Revolution, Emancipation, Miners' Strikes Civil Rights— & those moments' resolutions Solved It Forever™
You know in Europe they riot about this kind of thing.
December 10, 2025 at 6:14 PM
…Even as we find, over & over & over again, that thinking things are Solved Forever™ just leaves space for the people who created the initial conditions for harm & exploitation to change tactics, change shape, & come back.
"It's not racism! It's economics!" "Ooh, weekends! But… Maybe less per hr"…
"It's not racism! It's economics!" "Ooh, weekends! But… Maybe less per hr"…
Reposted by Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
'Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas being transported to Fossanova Abbey.'
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
December 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
Reposted by Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
In November 1990, LIFE Magazine ran a now-legendary photograph of AIDS activist David Kirby’s last moments. Just out of frame was another eventual victim of AIDS, and the reason Therese Frare was in the room at all; Peta, a two-spirit caretaker with their own story to tell.
By @piperbomb.bsky.social
By @piperbomb.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
In November 1990, LIFE Magazine ran a now-legendary photograph of AIDS activist David Kirby’s last moments. Just out of frame was another eventual victim of AIDS, and the reason Therese Frare was in the room at all; Peta, a two-spirit caretaker with their own story to tell.
By @piperbomb.bsky.social
By @piperbomb.bsky.social
This thread names the thing that kept me from getting back into organizing spaces post-2020, and I think I needed to read it, because I've read it about five or six times, and will keep doing it until it sinks in.
I think certain organizing trainings did some of us real psychological damage in teaching us that YOU, ORGANIZER, PERSONALLY have responsibility for going out and making people leverage organized power and ultimately saving the world.
December 9, 2025 at 3:35 AM
This thread names the thing that kept me from getting back into organizing spaces post-2020, and I think I needed to read it, because I've read it about five or six times, and will keep doing it until it sinks in.
Reposted by Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
not sure how to square ‘no one person can be reasonably expected to pay for every media subscription’ with ‘sorely underpaid writers need to make a living’ but my inclination is not to locate that problem with any of the broke ass people on either end of the complaint
December 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
not sure how to square ‘no one person can be reasonably expected to pay for every media subscription’ with ‘sorely underpaid writers need to make a living’ but my inclination is not to locate that problem with any of the broke ass people on either end of the complaint
Reposted by Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
A massive problem today is the uneven distribution of shame. Some of us are running dedicated on-site shame servers 24/7 while others have no access to shame at all, even though they desperately need it. What we need to do is put shame in the cloud
December 6, 2025 at 2:54 AM
A massive problem today is the uneven distribution of shame. Some of us are running dedicated on-site shame servers 24/7 while others have no access to shame at all, even though they desperately need it. What we need to do is put shame in the cloud
Reposted by Arden Mercury (Retrograde)
If you are in Jersey City and haven't had Know Your Rights or Rapid Response training, theres another one scheduled Dec 21. I will bring Wonder Bagels.
December 5, 2025 at 1:20 AM
If you are in Jersey City and haven't had Know Your Rights or Rapid Response training, theres another one scheduled Dec 21. I will bring Wonder Bagels.
Spot. Fucking. ON.
Unlearning this is vital to having or accepting ANY kind of accountability.
Unlearning this is vital to having or accepting ANY kind of accountability.
It never fails to break my brain how Americans act like a person, a nation, a culture must be only and immutably villain or victim. 🧵
December 4, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Spot. Fucking. ON.
Unlearning this is vital to having or accepting ANY kind of accountability.
Unlearning this is vital to having or accepting ANY kind of accountability.
I am too full of love to be this inconvenienced. (i.e. I should not have scheduled a dental cleaning and a car diagnostic on the same work day, right after helping a friend move, what the fuck was I thinking?)
December 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I am too full of love to be this inconvenienced. (i.e. I should not have scheduled a dental cleaning and a car diagnostic on the same work day, right after helping a friend move, what the fuck was I thinking?)
This is confirmation of what I keep saying (& arguing with scared centrist Dems about): progressives CAN AND DO win when they appeal to voters who would normally stay home instead of chasing the center. This is the blueprint.
The next challenge: deliver for them. Build trust. Do it again.
The next challenge: deliver for them. Build trust. Do it again.
Zohran didn't win by relying on standard turnout patterns. We had to fundamentally transform the Democratic electorate.
I was part of a group of NYC-DSA members that applied lessons from our previous campaigns to design the “universe” of voters to talk to. Here's how we won 🧵
I was part of a group of NYC-DSA members that applied lessons from our previous campaigns to design the “universe” of voters to talk to. Here's how we won 🧵
December 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
This is confirmation of what I keep saying (& arguing with scared centrist Dems about): progressives CAN AND DO win when they appeal to voters who would normally stay home instead of chasing the center. This is the blueprint.
The next challenge: deliver for them. Build trust. Do it again.
The next challenge: deliver for them. Build trust. Do it again.
THE FLOP ERA IS OVER.
THE 7-2 ERA IS OVER.
Two DSA members on the city council and no more Boggiano falling asleep in meetings.
Still going to give 'em hell and make sure they live up to the promises they've made, but things look a little bit brighter.
THE 7-2 ERA IS OVER.
Two DSA members on the city council and no more Boggiano falling asleep in meetings.
Still going to give 'em hell and make sure they live up to the promises they've made, but things look a little bit brighter.
Councilman James Solomon defeats ex-Gov Jim McGreevey in Jersey City mayor’s race newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/jerse...
Councilman James Solomon defeats ex-Gov Jim McGreevey in Jersey City mayor's race • New Jersey Monitor
Councilman James Solomon will become Jersey City's new mayor in January, succeeding three-term incumbent Steve Fulop.
newjerseymonitor.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:50 AM
THE FLOP ERA IS OVER.
THE 7-2 ERA IS OVER.
Two DSA members on the city council and no more Boggiano falling asleep in meetings.
Still going to give 'em hell and make sure they live up to the promises they've made, but things look a little bit brighter.
THE 7-2 ERA IS OVER.
Two DSA members on the city council and no more Boggiano falling asleep in meetings.
Still going to give 'em hell and make sure they live up to the promises they've made, but things look a little bit brighter.