"Michael Monaco"
@mmonaco.bsky.social
A guy who works in Crozet. If you know me you know me. was once known as "bookshelfstud." posts never reflect my employer or other bodies i'm on.
serious site: https://which-side-are-you-on.ghost.io
fun site: https://michaelbookshelf.neocities.org/
serious site: https://which-side-are-you-on.ghost.io
fun site: https://michaelbookshelf.neocities.org/
Pinned
"Michael Monaco"
@mmonaco.bsky.social
· Jul 3
Quick Note: Colonialist Violence, July 3 2025
This morning, while waiting to see if Republicans strip the life from millions of Americans, I watched news coverage from Al Jazeera revealing video of U.S. contractors firing on Palestinians seeking ...
which-side-are-you-on.ghost.io
i've debated for a while about starting a blog of some sort; i have a lot to say that i don't usually feel like converting into microblogging format. i'm going to try out Ghost for a while and see how it goes. it'll probably be mostly housing stuff, but today it's about colonialist violence.
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
The next 12 months are going to be marked by extreme economic crisis and political instability. We need to put forward visions of a better world and make them as material and reproducible as possible, because we are about to enter an period of massive social rearrangement and experimentation
December 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The next 12 months are going to be marked by extreme economic crisis and political instability. We need to put forward visions of a better world and make them as material and reproducible as possible, because we are about to enter an period of massive social rearrangement and experimentation
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Anyone who supports this is my Enemy
The Trump administration is expected to announce several moves Thursday that will have the effect of essentially banning gender-affirming care for transgender young people, even in states where it is still legal.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz announce moves to ban gender-affirming care for young people
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce a package of measures that would together ban gender-affirming care for minors. A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Thursday.
www.npr.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Anyone who supports this is my Enemy
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
"Psychologists have long marvelled at how people who sing together can develop a powerful sense of social cohesion, with even among the most reluctant of vocalists becoming united in song."
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
"Psychologists have long marvelled at how people who sing together can develop a powerful sense of social cohesion, with even among the most reluctant of vocalists becoming united in song."
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
For real, this. Not to hashtag humblebrag but i wrote a half dozen short stories this year and only kinda entertained the idea of anyone else ever seeing them. I write to help myself think through stuff and for the sheer pleasure of writing, not to do a frame-perfect speedrun of Content Creation.
I think the fundamental gap here is that non-creative people think that creative people make things for the end product, when in fact it’s the act of creation and not the end point that makes it worthwhile.
I have grown to believe that excessive wealth does something to your brain that is analogous to a serious head injury
December 18, 2025 at 1:04 PM
For real, this. Not to hashtag humblebrag but i wrote a half dozen short stories this year and only kinda entertained the idea of anyone else ever seeing them. I write to help myself think through stuff and for the sheer pleasure of writing, not to do a frame-perfect speedrun of Content Creation.
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Sounds far-fetched but read through, it's not new territory
So the plan is Don Jr. and Eric Trump corner the market to become the biggest drug cartel in the Western hemisphere.
CIA controls production, the US military kills the competition with Hellfire missiles, CBP controls drug routes into and out of the US, and ICE raids the local distributors?
CIA controls production, the US military kills the competition with Hellfire missiles, CBP controls drug routes into and out of the US, and ICE raids the local distributors?
December 18, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Sounds far-fetched but read through, it's not new territory
The planning commission ended up recommending 5-2 to approve the Sieg Properties rezoning. Good! That land has been in the development area for 40 years; that's a 40-year promise to develop densely and well, and it'd be a shame to break that promise when a plan finally materializes.
Anyway - I'm going to go to the planning commission meeting tonight and speak at public comment, and then I'm going to go over to Birdhouse for the Antifascist sing-along. I'd love to have some company at either or both - if you feel so moved, let me know. bsky.app/profile/adel...
Happening tomorrow night! Support Zyahna’s Holiday Mutual Aid Drive while mingling, snacking, and singing.
December 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The planning commission ended up recommending 5-2 to approve the Sieg Properties rezoning. Good! That land has been in the development area for 40 years; that's a 40-year promise to develop densely and well, and it'd be a shame to break that promise when a plan finally materializes.
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
I will NEVER vote for a politician who votes for anti-trans legislation. Never. I don't care who it is, it's a dead issue. Move on. If my vote is so important to the future of democracy they should have thought of that before they voted to exterminate my child.
December 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I will NEVER vote for a politician who votes for anti-trans legislation. Never. I don't care who it is, it's a dead issue. Move on. If my vote is so important to the future of democracy they should have thought of that before they voted to exterminate my child.
At tonight's Albemarle County Planning Commission meeting, there will be another hearing for the Sieg Properties rezoning - a rezoning to Neighborhood Model District, for up to 600 residential units and 440,000 sq. ft. of non-residential space. These parcels are over by the westernmost 64 exit w/29.
December 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
At tonight's Albemarle County Planning Commission meeting, there will be another hearing for the Sieg Properties rezoning - a rezoning to Neighborhood Model District, for up to 600 residential units and 440,000 sq. ft. of non-residential space. These parcels are over by the westernmost 64 exit w/29.
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Oh this is such a great idea!!
Happening tomorrow night! Support Zyahna’s Holiday Mutual Aid Drive while mingling, snacking, and singing.
December 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Oh this is such a great idea!!
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
New homes are not sufficient to address the local housing affordability crisis. But they are necessary to address it.
In 2023, exactly 2 homes were built in Albemarle County’s Jack Jouett district, in case you’re wondering why housing is so expensive around here.
www.albemarle.org/home/showpub...
www.albemarle.org/home/showpub...
December 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
New homes are not sufficient to address the local housing affordability crisis. But they are necessary to address it.
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
May the ghostly cries and lamentations of every enslaved person who worked there haunt this boutique hotel's owners, managers, and guests unto the last days of their lives.
Birdwood plantation is being rebranded as a “mansion” “rumored to have been constructed by some of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson's own builders” turned into a luxury hotel that can booked for weddings. Smh.
dailyprogress.com/news/local/b...
dailyprogress.com/news/local/b...
Birdwood estate outside Charlottesville reborn as luxury boutique hotel
Birdwood, a 195-year-old mansion just west of Charlottesville, has been transformed into a boutique luxury hotel. Reservations are already being taken.
dailyprogress.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:47 AM
May the ghostly cries and lamentations of every enslaved person who worked there haunt this boutique hotel's owners, managers, and guests unto the last days of their lives.
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Bit of a day!!!
December 12, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Bit of a day!!!
I'm back on my BS, idly downloading data from the albemarle GIS site. looking at Land Use Primary Dwelling Units Number as a count of dwelling units by Year, with dev/rural on color, shows two things:
1) 2025 was the driest build year for AC since 2016
2) the rural area (orange) sees steady building
1) 2025 was the driest build year for AC since 2016
2) the rural area (orange) sees steady building
December 12, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I'm back on my BS, idly downloading data from the albemarle GIS site. looking at Land Use Primary Dwelling Units Number as a count of dwelling units by Year, with dev/rural on color, shows two things:
1) 2025 was the driest build year for AC since 2016
2) the rural area (orange) sees steady building
1) 2025 was the driest build year for AC since 2016
2) the rural area (orange) sees steady building
I wrote some real quick thoughts on the three notched trail route options - I don't think there's any truly disastrous choices here, but I do think each segment of the route presents a choice: is this a scenic byway or an alternative commuting route? which-side-are-you-on.ghost.io/three-notche...
Three Notched Trail Route Options - Thoughts
At last! Route options for the Three Notched Trail are out now for public feedback. I've had a few days to mull on them since the public meeting where they were presented. You can view the maps in the...
which-side-are-you-on.ghost.io
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I wrote some real quick thoughts on the three notched trail route options - I don't think there's any truly disastrous choices here, but I do think each segment of the route presents a choice: is this a scenic byway or an alternative commuting route? which-side-are-you-on.ghost.io/three-notche...
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
I want very badly to tax the shit out of our rich folks, eminent domain buildings from shitty landlords, and implement a broad and comprehensive public housing program. I also think it is a terrible idea to hinder the private construction of new housing until we figure out how to do that.
December 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I want very badly to tax the shit out of our rich folks, eminent domain buildings from shitty landlords, and implement a broad and comprehensive public housing program. I also think it is a terrible idea to hinder the private construction of new housing until we figure out how to do that.
folks is it good when the minimum annual salary for the 600 jobs directly created by the new AstraZeneca plant is equal to the Area Median Income? is that a good thing?
December 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
folks is it good when the minimum annual salary for the 600 jobs directly created by the new AstraZeneca plant is equal to the Area Median Income? is that a good thing?
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
I’m running for Congress because we need leaders who will fight, not fold. I recognize this moment, and I’m ready to meet it. #FightDontFold #LanderForNYC #LanderForCongress
December 10, 2025 at 10:49 AM
I’m running for Congress because we need leaders who will fight, not fold. I recognize this moment, and I’m ready to meet it. #FightDontFold #LanderForNYC #LanderForCongress
1) I am adding this question to my list of meeting facilitator icebreaker questions.
2) kat abughazaleh is extremely cool
3) The Incompleat Folksinger by Pete Seeger
2) kat abughazaleh is extremely cool
3) The Incompleat Folksinger by Pete Seeger
omg. Kat Abughazaleh just posted that if she's elected, she'll swear in on a copy of Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower.
If you were elected to public office (never mind whether you'd ever actually run), what book would you swear in on?
If you were elected to public office (never mind whether you'd ever actually run), what book would you swear in on?
December 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
1) I am adding this question to my list of meeting facilitator icebreaker questions.
2) kat abughazaleh is extremely cool
3) The Incompleat Folksinger by Pete Seeger
2) kat abughazaleh is extremely cool
3) The Incompleat Folksinger by Pete Seeger
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Greenwood: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Afton: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Evaluation Criteria: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Overview image: snapdatab2.seekbeak.com/teams/G6DMkX...
Afton: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Evaluation Criteria: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Overview image: snapdatab2.seekbeak.com/teams/G6DMkX...
December 9, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Greenwood: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Afton: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Evaluation Criteria: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Overview image: snapdatab2.seekbeak.com/teams/G6DMkX...
Afton: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Evaluation Criteria: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Overview image: snapdatab2.seekbeak.com/teams/G6DMkX...
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Cville: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Northridge: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Ivy: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Crozet: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Northridge: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Ivy: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
Crozet: vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/vmr/vmr-076-...
vhbexternalfiles.blob.core.windows.net
December 9, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
Cry and sob hysterically at every occasion, especially when confronted by government clerks.
December 8, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Cry and sob hysterically at every occasion, especially when confronted by government clerks.
I mean this in the kindest, most optimistic-about-public-engagement way possible: this is kind of a nutso way to present this information app.seekbeak.com/v/AQjQxwZ7zkD
076-Three Notched Trail
Create Virtual Tours, 360 Photos, and Interactive Images with SeekBeak's mobile friendly 360 image platform. Embed media, track users, and more.
app.seekbeak.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I mean this in the kindest, most optimistic-about-public-engagement way possible: this is kind of a nutso way to present this information app.seekbeak.com/v/AQjQxwZ7zkD
folks it's always a good evening to watch Road House. it was a great evening to watch Road House earlier tonight and it is still a good evening to watch Road House now. do yourself a favor.
December 8, 2025 at 1:53 AM
folks it's always a good evening to watch Road House. it was a great evening to watch Road House earlier tonight and it is still a good evening to watch Road House now. do yourself a favor.
Reposted by "Michael Monaco"
It's an actual game plan on the right. They use it for book bans as well. They start with something easy: no porn in libraries. That hooks in the low information folks. Then you slowly broaden the scope until you're yanking any YA that violates Christian nationalism.
one of many parallels between anti-vaxxers & those who oppose gender-affirming care: they start by pretending they have a very specific concern (MMR vaccine, puberty blockers, etc), but once given any sway or say on the matter, they quickly strive to eliminate all of it
Kennedy's zombie ACIP panel just voted to restrict hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. Experts say it will harm children for no reason. www.ms.now/news/rfk-cdc...
ACIP member Dr. Cody Meissner:
"'Do no harm' is a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this wording. And I vote no."
ACIP member Dr. Cody Meissner:
"'Do no harm' is a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this wording. And I vote no."
December 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
It's an actual game plan on the right. They use it for book bans as well. They start with something easy: no porn in libraries. That hooks in the low information folks. Then you slowly broaden the scope until you're yanking any YA that violates Christian nationalism.