iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 25/07/2026

Reporting live from the WNBA 3-point contest and shooting skills challenge!

A white woman with short curly hair (that’s me!) wearing a “PROTECT BLACK WOMEN” tshirt and a purple blazer, standing on a balcony in front of the Wintrust Arena basketball court.

The Wintrust arena basketball court, decked out for the WNBA 3-point contest and shooting stars challenge.

Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 25/01/2026

Browsing what's on cable right now and, no thank you, Starz. It's a great film, but I don't think that today is the right time for me to re-watch a movie where a person is pinned down and shot in the back by active duty law enforcement.

YouTubeTV screenshot for STARZEncore Black showing that the movie Fruitvale Station started airing at 9:02 p.m. this evening.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 24/01/2026

Me anytime this administration releases a statement about anything:

Lying Cat (a green-skinned, Siamese-like cat with a gold collar and blood dripping from its mouth) from the comic Saga saying “Lying.”

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 11/01/2026

I did it again. I wrote a play. Folks can see it in Chicago in person, but it will also be live-streamed on February 2 at 7pm.

Playground Chicago Presents
Monday Night Playground
In Associattion with Theater Wit
“Tales of the City”

Johor at the World Fair by Rachel Chin
Dibs by Betsy Dudak
Second City, First Draft by Dana Hall
Rough Rails by Jessica Johnson
A Whale Called Grief by Alfonzo Solomon Kabul
The Vortex of Time by Alan Maas

February 2, 2026 / 7pm CT
Theater Wit & Simulcast
Admission Free

playground-ch.org/monday

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 08/01/2026

I finally gave up on the idea that Ilya Rosanov was going to make me a tuna melt and made one for myself.

A melty, gooey tuna melt with crispy cheese edges on a blue plate.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 08/01/2026

I know it's the furthest thing in the world that's worth talking about right now, but...what the fuck is up with this Yosemite Sam/Stinky Pete cartoon ass hat on her head?

Kristi Noem plays cowboy by wearing what must be a 37-gallon hat to a press conference where she lied through her teeth about a woman that was murdered by an ICE agent.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 30/12/2025

The pups made themselves into pastries for my birthday.

A golden brown and white dog with prick ears is rolled up on the left and a black dog with drop ears is rolled up on the right. They are facing each other, sleeping on a bed with a black comforter and both looking cute as all get out.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 19/10/2025

And here are just a few of my favorite other signs. Two of which are so very Chicago.

A protestor (whose face has been blacked out) holds up a hand-made sign that reads "DOWN WITH THE TURD REICH" and includes a cartoon of a pile of poop with bright yellow hair.

Amongst a large group of protestors there is a hand-made sign reading "ICE PUTS KETCHUP ON HOT DOGS."

A protestor (whose face has been blacked out) sits next to their sign that reads "ELDER GOTHS AGAINST FASCISM | NO KINGS | YAS QUEENS." The sign also includes an illustration of a pair of eyes.

A protest sign reading "DON'T TREAD ON ME" with a an illustration of the famed Chicago Rat Hole. Behind the sign—and partially obscured by a different sign—is a protestor in an inflatable costume of Remy the rat from Ratatouille.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 19/10/2025

Some delightful inflatables at the Chicago No Kings rally (side note: that blue shark handed me a "Fuck Trump" sticker through their zipper).

A protestor in an inflatable gnome costume with a sign "GNOME GO HOME!" that also includes an illustration of Kristi Noem as a gnome.

Two protesters in blue and pink inflatable shark costume marching with others. They both hold printed protest signs that read "THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE."

A protestor in an inflatable T-Rex costume holding a sign that says "DON'T MAKE OUR DEMOCRACY GO EXTINCT!! (LIKE THE DINOSAUR)" in front of the Art Institute of Chicago.

A protestor wearing an inflatable frog costume, holding a sign that reads "THE HOLOCAUST DIDN'T START WITH GAS CHAMBERS. IT STARTED WITH SILENCE, HATE, AND DANGEROUS POLICIES [obstructed] NOT [obstructed]."

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 19/10/2025

There was a lot of Monarch Butterfly imagery at the Chicago #NoKings protest today, which is fun because it's the state insect of Illinois.

A Monarch Butterfly kite at the Chicago No Kings rally in Grant Park. A bit of a paper mâche guillotine can also be seen in the background.

A protest sign at the Chicago No Kings rally featuring pasted on cutouts of Monarch Butterfly and the bedazzled words: "THE ONLY ORGANGE MONARCH I WANT!"

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 18/10/2025

Photos of both sides of my sign today. I'll post more from the rally/march when I can go through them and blur faces.

A hand-written protest sign that read "WE SURVIVE CHICAGO WINTERS WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF ICE" with illustrations of a crown with red, crossed out circle around it and a melting ice cube.

A handwritten protest sign that reads "OPPRESSION IS THE MASK OF FEAR" with illustrations that include a crown with a red, crossed out a circle and a an angry face covered by a camouflage mask also with a red, crossed out circle.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 07/10/2025

It's spooky season and the Supreme Court is talking about gay conversion therapy, so it seems like a good time for you to read @chucktingle.bsky.social's incredible book Camp Damascus.

The book cover of Chuck Tingle's Camp Damascus, which features a summer camp like scene with one cabin's lights on and, in the background, behind a ridge of pines the open mouth of someone, with bugs flying out of it. In addition to the title and author, the cover as a quote from N. K. Jemisin: "A genuinely terrifying nightmare" and a notation that the book was a "Hugo Award Finalist."

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 27/09/2025

Court will try to block literally everyone because sometimes it works (though, if memory serves, it did not work in the pictured instance :P).

Courtney Williams (5'8"), jumping up several feet off the floor, to attempt to block Brittney Griner (6'9") during an Unrivaled game.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 17/09/2025

I don't need to know. All I need to know is that he made a Black woman who grew up in the South—and I'm sure has heard her share of shit—and who generally looks like she's just so happy to be on the court, look this upset.

The Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray looking shook and sad on the court after a courtside jerk got tossed for badgering her.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 14/09/2025

You know what? Let them have a go.

A photo of some very cute giant pigs with this text below it: "Canada's giant 600-lb 'super pigs' are invading the U.S.—too smart, too tough, and nearly impossible to stop."

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 06/09/2025

I just cannot wish this trash organization on anyone.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 16/08/2025

I ordered probiotic pills and Amazon delivered to me a set of plastic swords.

A woman with bitching hair dual wielding a set of plastic swords.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 01/08/2025

You know all those burly actors that keep saying they want to be in a romcom? They need to get some to adapt T. Kingfisher's Saint of Steel series. These books are funny, romantic, sexy as hell and all about big, emotional warriors.

Book covers from T. Kingfisher's Saint of Steel features. From left to right: Paladin's Grace, Paladin's Strength and Paladin's Hope. Sadly, Paladin's Faith is not featured in this image.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 20/07/2025

Also, for folks that aren't aware of WNBA players' history of activism on the court, they didn't start with tonight's "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts.

WNBA players taking a knee and wearing t-shirts with bullet holes in them after a police shooting.

Dallas Wings players sporting #BlackLivesMatter and #Dalla5 hashtags.

WNBA players wearing t-shirts that say "Say Her Name" on the back.

WNBA players wearing t-shirts that say "Change Starts With Us, Justice & Accountability."

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 28/06/2025

My haul—including all the cute bits from the goodie bag—from @goblinmkt.bsky.social's Queer Book Fair, happening all weekend.

Copies of the books Nimona, the March trilogy and The Princess and the Grilled Cheese sandwich, along with bookmarks, stickers and little erasers, as well as a rainbow goodie bag.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 25/06/2025

I cannot tell you how giddy seeing a brief glimpse of the Avalon Regal Theater in an #Ironheart establishing shot made me. It made my South Side Chicago heart sing.

A photo of a TV showing Marvel's Ironheart, showing the Avalon Regal Theater in Chicago with the closed caption "[soul jazz music playing]."

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 22/06/2025

We’re in a new war, it’s intolerably hot in my city, I found a fucking tick in my hair last night, but at least these two enjoyed their late night treats on the same couch together.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 14/06/2025

We’re on vacation in Michigan this weekend but we found a protest in nearby Niles and had a great time with wonderful people. There were so many supportive cars honking at us.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 17/05/2025

Getting dolled up to go dancing with my gal pals. We’re going for colorful, queer and witchy.

A woman wearing an electric blue leopard print dress with a holographic fanny pack that reads “FUND ABORTION. BUILD POWER.”

Blue sneakers with bi-pride shoelaces and tall, slouched rainbow print stickers socks.

A woman with bi-pride themed eyeshadow and purple lipstick in the foreground and, in the mirror behind her, a jacket with Dark Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the back.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 17/05/2025

Sure, I'm as cool as Lane Kim. :P

Hazel Grace Lancaster from The Fault in Our Stars

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 23/03/2025

I watched The Lost Boys for the first time in a very long time and I think I figured out who Edgar Frog's fashion inspo was.

On the left, Gizmo from Gremlins sporting a snazzy red bandana on his head. On the right, Edgar Frog (aka Corey Feldman) sporting a snazzy red bandana on his head.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 18/03/2025

But…how is it a ceasefire when they are actively firing?

NBC News
Israel launches ‘extensive strikes’ on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and promises increased military force amid an increasingly fragile ceasefire.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 25/02/2025

introduce yourself using -one book -one film -one album -one show

Book cover:
Light From Uncommon Stars
Ryka Aoki

Movie:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 18/02/2025

I wrote an 8-page musical inspired by protest folk and it's going to be performed by actual humans in two weeks (both in-person and over the Internet). If that sounds like your jam, I'd sure love it if friends checked it out.

Playground Chicago Presents Season 3
Monday Night Playground
Presented in Association with Theater Wite
"If I had a Song..."
Folk-Inspired Short Musicals

Clairty Is Kindess by Tanuja Devi Jagernauth
Van Life by Jerulane Jenkins
Rebels Girls by Jessica Johnson
The Last of Its Kind by Juliet Kang Huneke
A Col War by Dakota Pariset
A Breath of Air by Mary Parisoe

March 3 / 7pm CT
Theater Wit & Simulcast
Free Admission

Playground-Ch.org/Monday

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 14/02/2025

Nicest rejection letter ever:

The Replacements is a tight script from top to bottom, with well-crafted characters and an engaging premise. Though we found The Replacements compelling, we have decided to not pursue this script further at this time.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 09/02/2025

Finished my first embroidery project (pattern from @badasscrossstitch.bsky.social). This was fun. I got used to the stitches as I went along, listened to them and let them boss me around. As someone who can have a perfectionism problem, it was good for me to let things be a little imperfect.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 07/02/2025

This lady seems like a piece of work. (I admit that I did not know about her before deliberately searching for shitty Jessicas.)

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 06/02/2025

This is the kind of content we (meaning I) need right now.

A Spotify Podcast
The Ringer
Trial By Content
The Most Superb Owl in Movies or TV

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 02/02/2025

I like this card pull for a day that includes volunteer training for a reproductive justice organization.

The 3 of Cups from the Light Seer’s tarot deck. Three women with their arms around each other, their backs to us. The Big Dipper in the sky.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 01/02/2025

Just had a lovely embroidery class with @badasscrossstitch.bsky.social. I ended up starting early because it was good to have a needle in my hand and exciting to use some rainbow floss that’s been sitting around. This pattern felt right for the moment.

An embroidery hoop with a partially stitched pattern that reads “WE SAVE US.” The first word is almost finished and done with a rainbow thread.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 29/01/2025

How am I coping? Well, I have this very warm dog head currently smooshed into hip. That helps a bit.

The head of a black dog, wearing a pink collar, tucked into the side of a human's hoodie-bedecked body.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 29/01/2025

I was on one last night and picked up a lot of new followers because of it. Just want all you new folks to know that when I’m not screaming into the void about politics, I also post photos of my dogs (other things, too, but especially dogs).

A brown and white husky mix and a black lab mix snuggle next to each other on a grey covered couch.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 29/01/2025

Seeing all these feckless Democrats in Congress flailing and asking "what do you want me to do" and I keep thinking: bare minimum, I want you to have the energy of a 76-year-old John Lewis staging a sit-in on the floor of Congress in opposition to the inaction on gun violence after Pulse. MINIMUM.

John Lewis staging a sit-in on the floor of Congress in 2016 in an effort to combat gun violence.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 23/01/2025

Because my brain is a mess of '90s pop culture references, every time people talk about egg prices, I hear Glynis Johns in While You Were Sleeping, blurting out the non-sequitur, "What has that got to do with the price of eggs?"

Glynis Johns as the most adorable Grandma ever in While You Were Sleeping.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 21/01/2025

The weather in Chicago is subzero and the world sucks but I have this sweet doggo who knows how to relax so well.

A black lab mix dog in a pink collar sleeping on a bed with a black comforter and purple sheets.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 27/12/2024

Our furry family has expanded. She was going to be a foster but now she’s never leaving. Say hello to Lenny, our new baby girl who went for shut down in the shelter to relaxed and playful almost as soon as she met Bodhi. We couldn’t split them up after that.

A black lab mix dog with a pink collar lays on a dog bed, looked cute as all get out.

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 19/12/2024

Challenge: what should we tell the youths these were for?

Paper strips with holes punched in them. (Don't try to cheat by looking at the alt text, reverse image search like a normal cheater.)

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Jessica Johnson @historyofjess.com · 19/12/2024

When you order some really good food and find out it was made by some really good people.

Photo of a small piece of paper with an illustration of a watermelon segment and the name "cedars" at the top.

Then the following text:
We Opened a "Restaurant" in Palestine

It's a field kitchen feeding 500 families per day. We named it "Sudki's Kitchen" after our late founder, Palestinian immigrant Sudki Abdullah, who dedicated his life to feeding people.

We are raising $25k/mo to keep it alive.

Learn more + donate at eatcedars.com/gaza

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