Matthew Appleton
@thetalkingmoose.net
Neurosparkly, geeky, non-normative cis hetero husband, dad, and domesticated weirdo/misanthropic secular humanist. Also fanatical about music, MST3K, Star Trek, SF&F lit, Lego, and the Phillies.
My proudest moment in assembling a LEGO mini-scene (created during Temu Mussolini's first assault upon America,) and I don't think I can overshare it.
January 31, 2026 at 2:38 AM
My proudest moment in assembling a LEGO mini-scene (created during Temu Mussolini's first assault upon America,) and I don't think I can overshare it.
After way too much thought, I finally came up with an acceptable second place answer.
January 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM
After way too much thought, I finally came up with an acceptable second place answer.
From our trip to NYC in November during our visit to The Color Factory. This is what happens when my wife and I attempt to do our own version of a Gilded Age couples photo.
January 17, 2026 at 10:58 PM
From our trip to NYC in November during our visit to The Color Factory. This is what happens when my wife and I attempt to do our own version of a Gilded Age couples photo.
If you see this I beg you to post a picture from your device without explanation
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
If you see this I beg you to post a picture from your device without explanation
Staying in at home this evening for NYE, but we did go out for lunch with my mom this afternoon. It is way too cold for me to dress in my standard kilt and decorated denim jacket attire, but I decided that some fabulousity was still in order.
After all, one does need a hint of color (and sparkle.)
After all, one does need a hint of color (and sparkle.)
December 31, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Staying in at home this evening for NYE, but we did go out for lunch with my mom this afternoon. It is way too cold for me to dress in my standard kilt and decorated denim jacket attire, but I decided that some fabulousity was still in order.
After all, one does need a hint of color (and sparkle.)
After all, one does need a hint of color (and sparkle.)
My wife and I had a little bit of alcohol this afternoon, which inspired this silliness.
December 19, 2025 at 9:57 PM
My wife and I had a little bit of alcohol this afternoon, which inspired this silliness.
When embarking upon creating my own personal style a few years ago, my only intent was to make myself happy. It was a pleasant surprise when strangers started commenting positively upon it. Because of how good it feels, I pay that kindness forward when seeing someone express their own individuality.
December 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
When embarking upon creating my own personal style a few years ago, my only intent was to make myself happy. It was a pleasant surprise when strangers started commenting positively upon it. Because of how good it feels, I pay that kindness forward when seeing someone express their own individuality.
{*screaming to myself, in my head -- valiantly fighting my need for immediate gratification*} I DON'T NEED MORE T-SHIRTS!
{*sotto voce, sheepishly*} I might really need this shirt.
{*sotto voce, sheepishly*} I might really need this shirt.
December 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
{*screaming to myself, in my head -- valiantly fighting my need for immediate gratification*} I DON'T NEED MORE T-SHIRTS!
{*sotto voce, sheepishly*} I might really need this shirt.
{*sotto voce, sheepishly*} I might really need this shirt.
Repost with the next recipient of the fifa peace prize.
December 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Repost with the next recipient of the fifa peace prize.
It's that time of year again. Don't forget to keep Krampus in Christmas, and don't forget to watch Gremlins on Christmas Eve.
December 5, 2025 at 6:19 PM
It's that time of year again. Don't forget to keep Krampus in Christmas, and don't forget to watch Gremlins on Christmas Eve.
A couple weeks ago in NYC, I posed for this picture taken by my wife. Not really sure what I was attempting with the face I made, but I am very pleased by the final result. not my all-time favorite photo, but definitely one of the best.
December 3, 2025 at 8:58 PM
A couple weeks ago in NYC, I posed for this picture taken by my wife. Not really sure what I was attempting with the face I made, but I am very pleased by the final result. not my all-time favorite photo, but definitely one of the best.
Stating for the public record that after arriving in NYC earlier this week, I pledged my allegiance to our future pigeon overlords. I know they will rule with far more intelligence, common sense, & decency than the political party which currently controls all the branches of the federal government.
November 20, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Stating for the public record that after arriving in NYC earlier this week, I pledged my allegiance to our future pigeon overlords. I know they will rule with far more intelligence, common sense, & decency than the political party which currently controls all the branches of the federal government.
Does this count as detailing? Asking for a friend.
October 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Does this count as detailing? Asking for a friend.
Saw this in the checkout at lunchtime today and nearly giggled my ass off. This cis white hetero male is so clearly not the target audience for this publication. Never had been in the past, and certainly never will be in the future. 😂
October 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Saw this in the checkout at lunchtime today and nearly giggled my ass off. This cis white hetero male is so clearly not the target audience for this publication. Never had been in the past, and certainly never will be in the future. 😂
I think it was pretty cool of Lego to release a J. K. Rowling minifigure last month so you can add it to your villains of Harry Potter collection.
October 14, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I think it was pretty cool of Lego to release a J. K. Rowling minifigure last month so you can add it to your villains of Harry Potter collection.
Alas, my wife and I never previously met each other until 16 years ago. All our prior lifetimes were spent banking the karmic balance necessary for us to finally be together.
So totally fucking worth it.
So totally fucking worth it.
October 7, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Alas, my wife and I never previously met each other until 16 years ago. All our prior lifetimes were spent banking the karmic balance necessary for us to finally be together.
So totally fucking worth it.
So totally fucking worth it.
Just wanted to add this this is my day-to-day style. I didn’t dress in that manner simply for the Ren Faire. I literally own 18 different kilts and denim jackets that I mix and match to fit my whims for the day.
September 22, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Just wanted to add this this is my day-to-day style. I didn’t dress in that manner simply for the Ren Faire. I literally own 18 different kilts and denim jackets that I mix and match to fit my whims for the day.
I’m as cis hetero male as they come, but I call myself “non-normative” because I despise how American culture dictates how a man like me should present himself to the world. Got to fly my freak flag at the MD Ren Faire today, and being utterly myself and somehow also fly under the radar was awesome.
September 22, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I’m as cis hetero male as they come, but I call myself “non-normative” because I despise how American culture dictates how a man like me should present himself to the world. Got to fly my freak flag at the MD Ren Faire today, and being utterly myself and somehow also fly under the radar was awesome.
Decided my mini Lego creation from Der Katzengropenfuhrer’s first term in office needed resharing today.
September 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Decided my mini Lego creation from Der Katzengropenfuhrer’s first term in office needed resharing today.
Got my bloodwork done this morning, which means the rest of today is officially Cheat Day!
September 12, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Got my bloodwork done this morning, which means the rest of today is officially Cheat Day!
The horrific toxic masculinity I grew up with, and that society shoved down my throat, even though my parents didn’t.
September 1, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The horrific toxic masculinity I grew up with, and that society shoved down my throat, even though my parents didn’t.
Had this caricature done during the spring of ‘90, after a recent bout of right-wing pearl-clutching over flag burning.
Yes, the Supreme Court ruled in ‘89 that it was Constitutionally-protected free speech. No amount of Trump verbal diarrhea at a press conference or a signed E.O. changes that.
Yes, the Supreme Court ruled in ‘89 that it was Constitutionally-protected free speech. No amount of Trump verbal diarrhea at a press conference or a signed E.O. changes that.
August 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Had this caricature done during the spring of ‘90, after a recent bout of right-wing pearl-clutching over flag burning.
Yes, the Supreme Court ruled in ‘89 that it was Constitutionally-protected free speech. No amount of Trump verbal diarrhea at a press conference or a signed E.O. changes that.
Yes, the Supreme Court ruled in ‘89 that it was Constitutionally-protected free speech. No amount of Trump verbal diarrhea at a press conference or a signed E.O. changes that.
Same lighting from a different angel.
August 25, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Same lighting from a different angel.
Just a reminder that at this point in American history it’s a moral imperative to find and embrace your joy wherever you can.
August 25, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Just a reminder that at this point in American history it’s a moral imperative to find and embrace your joy wherever you can.