Philip Nolen
@philipnolen.bsky.social
Idler. Sometimes, an actor.
Two-thirds through the fourth “Dungeon Crawler Carl” book, and my enthusiasm is waning; the D&D narrative arc is by necessity repetitive (defeat bosses, level up abilities, proceed down to the next floor), and I have FOUR MORE BOOKS to go.
This pop culture fad might burn brightly, but briefly.
This pop culture fad might burn brightly, but briefly.
October 7, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Two-thirds through the fourth “Dungeon Crawler Carl” book, and my enthusiasm is waning; the D&D narrative arc is by necessity repetitive (defeat bosses, level up abilities, proceed down to the next floor), and I have FOUR MORE BOOKS to go.
This pop culture fad might burn brightly, but briefly.
This pop culture fad might burn brightly, but briefly.
I know Kubrick shit all over King’s plot, but THE SHINING is ideal viewing for spooky season. No gore, just unremitting dread. I’m watching it again, for the umpteenth time, tonight.
October 5, 2026 at 1:19 AM
I know Kubrick shit all over King’s plot, but THE SHINING is ideal viewing for spooky season. No gore, just unremitting dread. I’m watching it again, for the umpteenth time, tonight.
Suzanna Clarke, author of the wonderful JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORRELL, has a new book out. Go get it!
October 4, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Suzanna Clarke, author of the wonderful JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORRELL, has a new book out. Go get it!
Reposted by Philip Nolen
If a sentence in your newscast starts with “President Trump says…” you’re failing your audience.
September 28, 2026 at 10:33 PM
If a sentence in your newscast starts with “President Trump says…” you’re failing your audience.
I just found out that Daniel Singer, former Disney Imagineer, and playwright of “The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged),” has died after a long battle with cancer.
In 1996, Singer saw me in Orlando Shakes’s production, and laughed at the bits we added. He praised us afterward.
I am grieving.
In 1996, Singer saw me in Orlando Shakes’s production, and laughed at the bits we added. He praised us afterward.
I am grieving.
September 24, 2026 at 2:23 AM
I just found out that Daniel Singer, former Disney Imagineer, and playwright of “The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged),” has died after a long battle with cancer.
In 1996, Singer saw me in Orlando Shakes’s production, and laughed at the bits we added. He praised us afterward.
I am grieving.
In 1996, Singer saw me in Orlando Shakes’s production, and laughed at the bits we added. He praised us afterward.
I am grieving.
Reposted by Philip Nolen
I think ‘rote memorization’ is underrated. Having a ton of shit laying around in your head leads to connections and being able to more precisely describe things.
September 23, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I think ‘rote memorization’ is underrated. Having a ton of shit laying around in your head leads to connections and being able to more precisely describe things.
Has technology brought us full circle back to the Automat?
These are the first vending machines I have ever seen for HOT food: pizza (left), and hamburgers.
These are the first vending machines I have ever seen for HOT food: pizza (left), and hamburgers.
September 23, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Has technology brought us full circle back to the Automat?
These are the first vending machines I have ever seen for HOT food: pizza (left), and hamburgers.
These are the first vending machines I have ever seen for HOT food: pizza (left), and hamburgers.
O Boston!
The sightseeing was fascinating.
The MEN were occasionally stunning.
The food was delicious.
But it’s the weather I’ll miss.
Gloriously cool.
The sightseeing was fascinating.
The MEN were occasionally stunning.
The food was delicious.
But it’s the weather I’ll miss.
Gloriously cool.
September 23, 2026 at 3:38 AM
O Boston!
The sightseeing was fascinating.
The MEN were occasionally stunning.
The food was delicious.
But it’s the weather I’ll miss.
Gloriously cool.
The sightseeing was fascinating.
The MEN were occasionally stunning.
The food was delicious.
But it’s the weather I’ll miss.
Gloriously cool.
My friend Mark has brought me to Fenway Park for a game; he is legally blind, and carries a red-tipped cane. As we entered the park, he kept telling people he was looking for the umpire’s entrance.
September 22, 2026 at 10:36 PM
My friend Mark has brought me to Fenway Park for a game; he is legally blind, and carries a red-tipped cane. As we entered the park, he kept telling people he was looking for the umpire’s entrance.
FENWAY! Go Sox!
September 22, 2026 at 10:31 PM
FENWAY! Go Sox!
Mounted cops! And I mean that in the dirtiest way possible.
September 22, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Mounted cops! And I mean that in the dirtiest way possible.
Monument to Samuel Eliot Morison, sailor and historian.
DREAM DREAMS, THEN WRITE THEM, AYE, BUT LIVE THEM FIRST
DREAM DREAMS, THEN WRITE THEM, AYE, BUT LIVE THEM FIRST
September 22, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Monument to Samuel Eliot Morison, sailor and historian.
DREAM DREAMS, THEN WRITE THEM, AYE, BUT LIVE THEM FIRST
DREAM DREAMS, THEN WRITE THEM, AYE, BUT LIVE THEM FIRST
Monument to abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, publisher of “The Liberator.”
I AM AN ERNEST
I WILL NOT EQUIVOCATE
I WILL NOT EXCUSE
I WILL NOT RETREAT A SINGLE INCH AND I WILL BE HEARD
MY COUNTRY IS THE WORLD
MY COUNTRYMEN ARE ALL MANKIND
I AM AN ERNEST
I WILL NOT EQUIVOCATE
I WILL NOT EXCUSE
I WILL NOT RETREAT A SINGLE INCH AND I WILL BE HEARD
MY COUNTRY IS THE WORLD
MY COUNTRYMEN ARE ALL MANKIND
September 22, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Monument to abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, publisher of “The Liberator.”
I AM AN ERNEST
I WILL NOT EQUIVOCATE
I WILL NOT EXCUSE
I WILL NOT RETREAT A SINGLE INCH AND I WILL BE HEARD
MY COUNTRY IS THE WORLD
MY COUNTRYMEN ARE ALL MANKIND
I AM AN ERNEST
I WILL NOT EQUIVOCATE
I WILL NOT EXCUSE
I WILL NOT RETREAT A SINGLE INCH AND I WILL BE HEARD
MY COUNTRY IS THE WORLD
MY COUNTRYMEN ARE ALL MANKIND
Pretty cool monument to the Vendome hotel fire, June 17, 1972, which killed nine firefighters when the building collapsed.
There are real roses left on the sculptural hat and coat carved to look as if it’s been thrown over the monument wall.
There are real roses left on the sculptural hat and coat carved to look as if it’s been thrown over the monument wall.
September 22, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Pretty cool monument to the Vendome hotel fire, June 17, 1972, which killed nine firefighters when the building collapsed.
There are real roses left on the sculptural hat and coat carved to look as if it’s been thrown over the monument wall.
There are real roses left on the sculptural hat and coat carved to look as if it’s been thrown over the monument wall.
No shortage of Irish-centric monuments in this town! This is Patrick Andrew Collins: “BORN IN IRELAND AND ALWAYS HER LOVER.”
The feminine figures to the left and right represent America and Ireland, respectively.
The feminine figures to the left and right represent America and Ireland, respectively.
September 22, 2026 at 3:49 PM
No shortage of Irish-centric monuments in this town! This is Patrick Andrew Collins: “BORN IN IRELAND AND ALWAYS HER LOVER.”
The feminine figures to the left and right represent America and Ireland, respectively.
The feminine figures to the left and right represent America and Ireland, respectively.
View typical of my perambulations in Boston: a statue of a founding father (in this case, Alexander Hamilton) surrounded by quaint brownstones.
September 22, 2026 at 3:35 PM
View typical of my perambulations in Boston: a statue of a founding father (in this case, Alexander Hamilton) surrounded by quaint brownstones.
My chocolate soufflé has arrived, and two gay Jews just sat down next to me. They haven’t stopped talking since they sat, and now I am trying to think how I can postpone paying my check so that I can continue listening to their flirty, amusing banter.
September 21, 2026 at 11:47 PM
My chocolate soufflé has arrived, and two gay Jews just sat down next to me. They haven’t stopped talking since they sat, and now I am trying to think how I can postpone paying my check so that I can continue listening to their flirty, amusing banter.
On a whim, I walked to a highly rated French restaurant (my hotel’s location is ideal), and although it’s Monday, the maître d’ clucked his tongue and offered me a table al fresco. As I dine, I now watch Boston’s hoi polloi walking and jogging by.
Accidental win!
Accidental win!
September 21, 2026 at 10:42 PM
On a whim, I walked to a highly rated French restaurant (my hotel’s location is ideal), and although it’s Monday, the maître d’ clucked his tongue and offered me a table al fresco. As I dine, I now watch Boston’s hoi polloi walking and jogging by.
Accidental win!
Accidental win!
Outside the entrance to the Boston Public Library are statues to the arts and sciences, engraved with the names of luminaries from each magisterium.
September 21, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Outside the entrance to the Boston Public Library are statues to the arts and sciences, engraved with the names of luminaries from each magisterium.
How I’m going to feel after walking 6 miles or more today. (What asshole snapped off the hands?)
September 21, 2026 at 6:37 PM
How I’m going to feel after walking 6 miles or more today. (What asshole snapped off the hands?)
The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum is what happens when an insane rich woman hoards art.
No wall plaques describe any items.
ISG placed all items personally, without regard to provenance.
Her will commands that no item can be moved, no items may be added, nor any item removed.
INSANE. OVERWHELMING.
No wall plaques describe any items.
ISG placed all items personally, without regard to provenance.
Her will commands that no item can be moved, no items may be added, nor any item removed.
INSANE. OVERWHELMING.
September 21, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum is what happens when an insane rich woman hoards art.
No wall plaques describe any items.
ISG placed all items personally, without regard to provenance.
Her will commands that no item can be moved, no items may be added, nor any item removed.
INSANE. OVERWHELMING.
No wall plaques describe any items.
ISG placed all items personally, without regard to provenance.
Her will commands that no item can be moved, no items may be added, nor any item removed.
INSANE. OVERWHELMING.
My view as I wait in a long line to enter the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum.
September 21, 2026 at 2:52 PM
My view as I wait in a long line to enter the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum.
My American history tourism options mostly exhausted, I now turn to more esoteric pursuits. Today, a one hour hike from my hotel to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
On the way, I discovered the Back Bay Fens, an “Emerald Necklace“ of lakes and parks.
I wish I had packed a picnic.
On the way, I discovered the Back Bay Fens, an “Emerald Necklace“ of lakes and parks.
I wish I had packed a picnic.
September 21, 2026 at 2:48 PM
My American history tourism options mostly exhausted, I now turn to more esoteric pursuits. Today, a one hour hike from my hotel to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
On the way, I discovered the Back Bay Fens, an “Emerald Necklace“ of lakes and parks.
I wish I had packed a picnic.
On the way, I discovered the Back Bay Fens, an “Emerald Necklace“ of lakes and parks.
I wish I had packed a picnic.
In my wanderings in Boston, I stop to examine public monuments which are ignored by most passersby. Today I found this Officer John O’Reilly tribute to patriots and heroes, but only the Irish ones!
September 21, 2026 at 2:17 PM
In my wanderings in Boston, I stop to examine public monuments which are ignored by most passersby. Today I found this Officer John O’Reilly tribute to patriots and heroes, but only the Irish ones!