iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Ya’ll. Somebody told me a keg of Natty Light costs $80-100?!?! That is obscene. Some go grab the defibrillator for college me. #inflation #gotdam

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Better #Chicago #film: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) or High Fidelity (2000)?

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Mark Mancina was living his best mid-90s life when he convinced the producers of both Speed and Bad Boys to pay him for damn-near the same exact soundtrack. #EverydayHeroes

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Worst TACO Tuesday ever. Welcome to our new forever war, folks.

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Sunday Turndown Service: In my American Studies class this week, we listened to this gem from Marvin Gaye and coupled it with another track from the same album, "Inner City Blues," which is one of my all-time favorites. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KC...

youtube.com

Marvin Gaye "What's Going On / What's Happening Brother"

YouTube video by brainchild9

110

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Saturday Groove: Another song from class, we listened to this song while covering President Nixon’s resignation in the wake of Watergate. Students were surprised to find out it was written and performed by the same guy who did the Toy Story soundtrack. Seems apropos for now. youtu.be/kKOEaQ9xKbQ?...

youtu.be

Randy Newman Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man)

YouTube video by rj231ism

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Friday Turn-Up: Often misunderstood to be an anthem conveying blind patriotism, but that wasn't what Springsteen intended. youtu.be/EPhWR4d3FJQ?...

youtu.be

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. (Official Video)

YouTube video by BruceSpringsteenVEVO

121

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Sunday Turndown Service: We've been catching up on episodes of the Philly-based Abbott Elementary, and of course Mr. Johnson's dance included Philly's own Boyz II Men and "On Bended Knee." www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSUS...

youtube.com

Boyz II Men - On Bended Knee

YouTube video by BoyzIIMenVEVO

120

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Whether you want him to do the things he says or not, it’s clear (in case it wasn’t abundantly so before) this man’s word means absolutely nothing (this time, thank God for that), and that’s no way to lead. God help us.

010

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Scenes from last week’s Opening Day in #Miami! Hot start for the Fish so far!

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

When I teach the History of Cuba upper-level seminar at my university, I always frame it as the battle for Cuba Libre, which is to say, a Cuba that works for Cubans. This has proven elusive for all or most of the island's post-1492 history. The Revolution and US seem bent at further preventing this.

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

I was today years old when I learned “guanabana” in English is “soursop.” 🤷‍♂️

010

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Eighteenth-century #map of the #Florida Keys as part of the Spanish Empire. #history #historians #archivo

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Your Friday Turn Up ( a day late). This gem is from former Miami-based band Pencilgrass. I saw them at Tobacco Road in 2006. They played the outside stage and simply lit the place up. Every soul there hit the dance floor under the banyan tree and cafe lights. www.youtube.com/watch?v=un2S...

youtube.com

pencilgrass - Bubble Gum

YouTube video by rubbajeepz

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

U.S. Historians of Bluesky, any recommendations for a student interested in the economic reforms of the Progressive Era?

020

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Some grabs of correspondence between the Archbishop of #Havana and the Maronite Patriarch in Beirut (1899) over the disputed commission of a Maronite missionary priest sent to #Cuba to minister Cuba's growing #Maronite community. The archbishop wasn't keen, passive aggressive shade thrown both ways.

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Sunday Turndown Service: “A Veces” by Al2 El Aldeano youtu.be/LQYOZFO5aB4?...

youtu.be

Al2 El Aldeano - A Veces (LETRA)

YouTube video by AL2 "El Aldeano"

010

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Saturday Groove. “Usted Abusó” by Celia Cruz and Willie Colón youtu.be/iB4j-sh1Nno?...

youtu.be

Willie Colón & Celia Cruz - Usted Abusó (Audio Oficial)

YouTube video by Fania Records

010

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Sunday Turndown Service: The New Basement Tapes was a “supergroup” that performed renditions of “lost” Bob Dylan songs. Enjoy. youtu.be/6_dRNAPxohM?...

youtu.be

The New Basement Tapes - Florida Key (Live At Ricardo Montalban Theater)

YouTube video by TNBTVEVO

020

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Saturday Groove: Betty Wright released “Clean Up Woman” in 1972. Produced at Criteria Studios in Miami, this is a good example of the “Miami Sound” that emerged at Criteria in the 1970s. youtu.be/XFQXMc60kc0?...

youtu.be

Clean up Woman

YouTube video by Betty Wright - Topic

011

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Wait…what happened to ending wars and regime change being bad? 2016 Donald would like a word…

000

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Friday Tune In and Turn Up: I’ve played around with an idea to post music to this page on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Fridays are for party songs to celebrate a new weekend. This week, I give you a Miami party classic. Enjoy. youtu.be/i6Ocf_FdA4w?.... #Miami #Bass #ItWasTheNineties

youtu.be

Mix It Up

YouTube video by DJ Uncle Al - Topic

010

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Former home of Almacenes El Líbano, a department store run by Jorge Dergan and his sons, Elias, Manolo, and Camilo. Esquina Monte y San Nicholás, La Habana. Active in the Sociedad Lebanese de La Habana, Jorge founded the Comté Pro Defensa de la Independnecia del Líbano.

020

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

One of the most impressive images to emerge from the '59 Revolution.

042

John Ermer @jtermer.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Felipe Elias Thuma fought in Cuba's war for independence and stood out as just one of the many Cubans of Lebanese and Syrian descent who contributed to the cause of Cuba Libre. #Cuba #CubaLibre #Mambi

040

Reposted by John Ermer

Elliott Young @elliottyoung.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

New book, edited by Ahmed Correa Alvarez and @jtermer.bsky.social, about Triscornia Migratory Camp. Triscornia opened in 1900, during US occupation in Cuba, modeled on Ellis Island, and became a jail during the Revolution. Chs. by @ruthbehar.bsky.social and others I wrote the conclusion.

052