Josette Torres, MFA
@speedwaybeef.bsky.social
Poet for hire (Purdue BA / Virginia Tech MFA). Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network fan account. Basketball and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race for life.
📍Blacksburg, Virginia
📍Blacksburg, Virginia
Pinned
My original account here is @sestinable.bsky.social but I’m locked out of it. My apologies for the inconvenience.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
This post by JA Westenberg is so good. And it's forcing me to look again at my own site, PressThink.
"The Case for Blogging in the Ruins." www.joanwestenberg.com/the-case-for...
"Most blogs are abandoned after three posts," she writes. The ones that persist have these things in common:
"The Case for Blogging in the Ruins." www.joanwestenberg.com/the-case-for...
"Most blogs are abandoned after three posts," she writes. The ones that persist have these things in common:
January 4, 2026 at 4:34 PM
This post by JA Westenberg is so good. And it's forcing me to look again at my own site, PressThink.
"The Case for Blogging in the Ruins." www.joanwestenberg.com/the-case-for...
"Most blogs are abandoned after three posts," she writes. The ones that persist have these things in common:
"The Case for Blogging in the Ruins." www.joanwestenberg.com/the-case-for...
"Most blogs are abandoned after three posts," she writes. The ones that persist have these things in common:
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Investigating a possible Daft Punk Easter egg: is the tempo of Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger an exact 123.45 BPM and if so, was that intentional on the part of “our helmet-clad robot friends”? [madebywindmill.com]
Was Daft Punk Having a Laugh When They Chose the Tempo of Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger?
www.madebywindmill.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Investigating a possible Daft Punk Easter egg: is the tempo of Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger an exact 123.45 BPM and if so, was that intentional on the part of “our helmet-clad robot friends”? [madebywindmill.com]
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Day one as mayor of #Blacksburg. This community means a great deal to me, and I take this responsibility seriously. I’m excited to get started and to hear from you along the way.
January 1, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Day one as mayor of #Blacksburg. This community means a great deal to me, and I take this responsibility seriously. I’m excited to get started and to hear from you along the way.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Clay Davis, a fan-favorite character, was known for his profane catchphrase — “sheee-it" — delivered by Whitlock in moments of triumph and blunt honesty. The actor first used the phrase in his first film with Lee, 2002's “The 25th Hour.”
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor from 'The Wire,' 'Veep' and Spike Lee films, dies at 71
Whitlock played openly corrupt city councilman Clay Davis on 25 episodes across the five seasons of “The Wire.”
nwitimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:24 AM
Clay Davis, a fan-favorite character, was known for his profane catchphrase — “sheee-it" — delivered by Whitlock in moments of triumph and blunt honesty. The actor first used the phrase in his first film with Lee, 2002's “The 25th Hour.”
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Social media narcissism has killed dancing. Fear of being filmed.
Suddenly Everyone Is Scared to Dance at Concerts and Clubs
More partygoers are worrying about looking goofy on camera, prompting some artists to wonder if social media is killing dance.
www.wsj.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Social media narcissism has killed dancing. Fear of being filmed.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
That was the game of the year. Absolute cinema
Every Virginia-Virginia Tech game in Blacksburg is weird
December 31, 2025 at 10:09 PM
That was the game of the year. Absolute cinema
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Kottke Wrapped 2025. “262. That’s the number of distinct days someone (me or a guest editor) published at least one post to KDO in 2025.” [kottke.org]
Kottke Wrapped 2025
Spotify really started something, didn’t they? Everyone has a “Wrapped” this year; I even got an email one from the cruise line on which I took a trip this summer. Like, “Congratulations! You went on {1} cruise for {7}
kottke.org
December 31, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Kottke Wrapped 2025. “262. That’s the number of distinct days someone (me or a guest editor) published at least one post to KDO in 2025.” [kottke.org]
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
The ritual sacrifice of Pop-Tarts, as called in South America (translated)
December 29, 2025 at 6:19 AM
The ritual sacrifice of Pop-Tarts, as called in South America (translated)
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
"The Road to Hell" remains my favorite song by him
R.I.P. Chris Rea.
R.I.P. Chris Rea.
Chris Rea - The Road To Hell Part 1 & 2 (1989) HD
YouTube video by ClassicVideos80s
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
"The Road to Hell" remains my favorite song by him
R.I.P. Chris Rea.
R.I.P. Chris Rea.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
When 1989’s Road to Hell did well, his US record label thought he could be a huge star in America if he put the hours touring or appeared on MTV Unplugged; Chris Rea declined both. He didn't have much time for other rock stars, claiming the only one who didn’t disappoint him was David Gilmour.
Despite his knack for slick pop, the principled and passionate Chris Rea never took the easy road
The late musician bristled against his record companies, his producers and fame itself – but that friction ignited both his AOR hits and his raw, spirited take on the blues
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
When 1989’s Road to Hell did well, his US record label thought he could be a huge star in America if he put the hours touring or appeared on MTV Unplugged; Chris Rea declined both. He didn't have much time for other rock stars, claiming the only one who didn’t disappoint him was David Gilmour.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Chris Rea warned us 35 years ago that we were on the road to hell.
December 22, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Chris Rea warned us 35 years ago that we were on the road to hell.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Imagine putting on your tux, strolling arm-in-arm with a woman in a beautiful gown into the Stork Club, easing into a banquette table, lighting up a cigarette, and ordering Broiled Calf's Liver with String Beans.
December 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Imagine putting on your tux, strolling arm-in-arm with a woman in a beautiful gown into the Stork Club, easing into a banquette table, lighting up a cigarette, and ordering Broiled Calf's Liver with String Beans.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Fanny Butcher (longtime Chicago book critic) Wishes You a Merry Christmas.
December 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Fanny Butcher (longtime Chicago book critic) Wishes You a Merry Christmas.
Wasn’t aware I voted for a Goth president but happy to learn I did
Merry Christmas! Michelle and I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with light and joy.
December 26, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Wasn’t aware I voted for a Goth president but happy to learn I did
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
The purpose of Christmas is to provide new ways for cats to amuse themselves.
December 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The purpose of Christmas is to provide new ways for cats to amuse themselves.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
“Everything I say leaks. And it sucks, right?,” Zuckerberg said at a Meta all-hands meeting this year.
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
'Everything I Say Leaks,' Zuckerberg Says in Leaked Meeting Audio
"There are a bunch of things that I think are value-destroying for me to talk about, so I’m not going to talk about those."
www.404media.co
December 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
“Everything I say leaks. And it sucks, right?,” Zuckerberg said at a Meta all-hands meeting this year.
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
American late night host Jimmy Kimmel appeared on British television on Christmas Day to say tyranny is “booming” in the United States.
Kimmel Tells U.K. Viewers ‘Tyranny Is Booming’ in America
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
American late night host Jimmy Kimmel appeared on British television on Christmas Day to say tyranny is “booming” in the United States.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Director Jim Jarmusch is applying for French citizenship to escape the United States. www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/jim-j...
December 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Director Jim Jarmusch is applying for French citizenship to escape the United States. www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/jim-j...
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Brazilian pickup truck ads are very different from ours.
December 26, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Brazilian pickup truck ads are very different from ours.
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Public Enemy to play Hammond this weekend
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
Public Enemy to play Hammond this weekend
Public Enemy is going to fight the power in Hammond this weekend.
nwitimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Public Enemy to play Hammond this weekend
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
nwitimes.com/life-enterta...
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
Klappa på, everyone!
December 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Klappa på, everyone!
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
What's That Building? Inland Steel Christmas tree was Region icon that drew thousands of spectators
nwitimes.com/news/local/a...
nwitimes.com/news/local/a...
What's That Building? Inland Steel Christmas tree was Region icon that drew thousands of spectators
One of the Region's most prominent Christmas trees towered outside the Inland Steel office in East Chicago.
nwitimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
What's That Building? Inland Steel Christmas tree was Region icon that drew thousands of spectators
nwitimes.com/news/local/a...
nwitimes.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
aTm spidercam goes to sleep for winter
December 22, 2025 at 8:54 PM
aTm spidercam goes to sleep for winter
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
From Sight & Sound, a list of the best video essays of 2025. I have barely seen or linked to or even heard of most of these. What am I even doing here, besides utterly failing you? (I wonder what would make my list…?) [bfi.org.uk]
The best video essays of 2025
Now in its ninth year, our annual poll showcases 255 vital video essays, nominated by 72 international voters.
www.bfi.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 10:36 PM
From Sight & Sound, a list of the best video essays of 2025. I have barely seen or linked to or even heard of most of these. What am I even doing here, besides utterly failing you? (I wonder what would make my list…?) [bfi.org.uk]
Reposted by Josette Torres, MFA
That time of year when conference foes are playing schools I’ve never heard of
December 23, 2025 at 12:40 AM
That time of year when conference foes are playing schools I’ve never heard of