Dan Sinker/notes

Most of the time my thoughts aren't long enough for a blog post. My shortform notes get posted on Mastodon and Bluesky, and also wind up here.

Set your cider ad in Cooper Black, all lowercase, like this one did in 1926 and I will be sold every time. an ad from 1926 selling cider, where the headline is just 'cider' in lowercase Cooper Black

posted at 9:58AM on December 2, 2025

This Giving Tuesday, considering tossing some cash to OpenNews, the journalism org I founded in 2011. OpenNews has evolved a lot since back in the day, with new & amazing leaders, but remains a crucial connector among people doing vital work in newsrooms. opennews.networkforgood.com

posted at 8:55AM on December 2, 2025

Big day for cantaloupe eaters in 1926. an old newspaper clipping with the headline Cantaloupe Eaters Hail New Preserving process

posted at 2:01PM on December 1, 2025

direct from Janice: sallysbakingaddiction.com/peanut-bu...

posted at 9:16AM on December 1, 2025

I wasn't expecting to have to pack 40 of these in one day, but ho ho ho I guess. Bins filled with stockings stuffed with stickers and joy

posted at 9:07PM on November 30, 2025

It's a great day to work out that unsubscribe button.

posted at 12:20PM on November 28, 2025

Thanksgiving is an iffy holiday at best, but giving thanks for family, friends, and community is welcome any time but especially right now.

posted at 9:16AM on November 27, 2025

Just a gentle reminder that holidays should not be stressful and you get to ensure and protect your joy however you need.

posted at 12:23PM on November 26, 2025

With ICE and border patrol goons spreading out across the country, I put together a resource guide for buying, printing, and distributing whistles, based on my own experience. Now is the time to whistle up, hope this helps. dansinker.com/posts/202...

posted at 3:35PM on November 21, 2025

Without a doubt the best feeling in the whole world is when a concept you've been hammering on snaps into place. A text message that reads "Now we're fucking cooking Akilah"

posted at 5:53PM on November 19, 2025

Lol the Texas National Guard troops never made it further than a base outside Joliet. Just chilled there for a month and a half at taxpayer expense. GTFO A news headline from The New York Times announces the Pentagon's decision to withdraw some National Guard troops from Chicago and Portland.

posted at 10:47AM on November 16, 2025

Yoko Ono exhibit at the MCA Chicago was incredible and overwhelming. A room and a boat are covered in overlapping blue scribbles and drawings, creating a chaotic and immersive art installation.

posted at 4:15PM on November 14, 2025

I spend a lot of time thinking about how to write about Chicago, especially right now, and the late, great Tony Fitzpatrick gave me a perfect metaphor: Chicago is a boxer. dansinker.com/posts/202...

posted at 11:48AM on November 14, 2025

It's being reported that Greg Bovino and 250 of his goons will be leaving Chicago. But it's also being reported that he'll be back, in larger numbers. But Chicago is a boxer, tired but unbowed. I wrote about how we'll be ready. dansinker.com/posts/202... Everyone I know is exhausted from the last two months. Exhausted from rushing out on the ding of a Signal notification, exhausted from standing in front of schools keeping watch, exhausted from confronting heavily armed masked agents in tactical gear with nothing more than a whistle around your neck. Exhausted—so exhausted—from being witness to neighbors, friends, and family going missing. Over 3000 people, according to the goons' own count. One was too many. Everyone I know is exhausted. Everyone I know is ready to go another round.

posted at 8:57AM on November 14, 2025

Fuck em up Anish www.fox32chicago.com/news/chic... CHICAGO - After Border Patrol agents gathered at Chicago’s "Cloud Gate" for a photo earlier this week, artist Anish Kapoor and a local parks group are calling for city action and possible legal consequences.&10;&10;What we know:&10;Kapoor told The Guardian he learned about the incident from a friend and is considering legal action, calling the scene representative of "fascist America."&10;&10;"Abducting street vendors, breaking doors, pulling people from cars, using teargas on residential streets. I mean, this is fascist America and just beyond belief," Kapoor reportedly said.&10;&10;When asked if he planned to take legal action, Kapoor said, "Of course, I'm going to do everything I can," according to The Guardian.

posted at 8:22PM on November 13, 2025

Got turned down on a piece about ICE in Chicago for an international news org because they believed I couldn't be objective about my neighbors getting kidnapped. And well, guilty as charged I guess.

posted at 11:27AM on November 12, 2025

My life right now is punctuated by shipping notices for whistles that I don't remember ordering.

posted at 7:08AM on November 8, 2025

Pulled a muscle chasing after ICE today lol

posted at 9:43PM on November 7, 2025

The most heartening thing about right now is the propensity of my neighbors to run towards trouble

posted at 10:35AM on November 7, 2025

Happy Four Seasons Total Landscaping Day to all who celebrate.

posted at 9:30AM on November 7, 2025

You can follow all my notes on Mastodon or Bluesky.