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John Schrag

@jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy

55 followers 5 following 625 posts

Retired software engineer, interaction designer, and UX exec in the #VFX software field. Original Maya team member. 🏳️‍🌈 I write about a lot of things […] [bridged from hachyderm.io/@jvschrag on the fediverse by fed.brid.gy ]

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 5h

A few days ago I was having dinner at The Cluny in the distillery district. I pointed out the waiter to my best friend, and she agreed that he looked like a Disney prince. (I thought it was his profile; she thought it was his floppy hair.) Anyhow, for my art […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

Coloured digital ink drawing of a waiter from the waist up in Disney’s art style. He is a young white male with black floppy hair parted in the middle. He is wearing a white shirt and holding a credit card terminal, which he is looking at. The drawing is signed JvS and dated 4 Oct 2026.

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 11h

We took my 6-year-old nephew rock climbing this afternoon. We’ve been doing this now and again for the last year. It’s been fascinating watching how he develops new skills — it’s so different than how adults learn. Often he just flails around until his hand or foot touches something, and tries […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

Inktober has inspired me to start drawing comics again, although I plan to put no pressure on myself and ignore any prompts. #inktober #inktober2026

A digital ink drawing of an alien classroom. On the wall is a sign that says “Human Anatomy 101”. There is a screen with a medical diagram of a human back. The trapezius muscle is highlighted in red, with an arrow pointed to it. Four aliens students are seated. One of the aliens is Admiral Akbar from the Star Wars franchise. He is waving his hand. The Alien teacher is saying “Now, who can tell us what this muscle is called? I see Akbar has his hand raised”

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

Two days ago I met with some old colleagues for a drink, and one of them regaled me with how unhappy he is in his new job -- he ended up working for a micromanager, and described the team atmosphere as being "even more toxic than working for Amazon" (his previous employer). Then today I found a […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

Reposted by John Schrag

Fair Vote Canada 🗳️🍁 @fairvote.ca · 03/10/2026

We analyzed some of Ford’s most controversial Toronto decisions and found they all target safe opposition ridings. Under first-past-the-post, unneeded ridings get sacrificed. Proportional representation ensures votes everywhere build seats, so no community can be steamrolled.

Infographic showing Doug Ford's targeted decisions affecting Downtown Toronto. A map marks bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University, Billy Bishop Airport, and Ontario Place in opposition held ridings. Icons repeat these targets, stating safe opposition seats do not help Ford's majority, so they are sacrificed for suburban swing ridings.

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 02/10/2026

I just saw a headline saying that in the United States, “7 in 10 people do not believe that vaccines cause autism”. I hate when newspapers use the word “believe” in matters of settled fact. A better headline would say that “7 in 10 people understand that vaccines do not cause autism” or “7 in 10 […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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My IRL friends call me Chris @christyceeck.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

"Doctors, nurses and other front-line workers gathered for a news conference at University Avenue and Gerrard Street to explain the risks of a lack of proper road infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers — and to tell stories of those impacted by road violence." #BikeTO #ToPoli #OnPoli

$Toronto family physician Samantha Green, who is also the co-founder of the provincial advocacy coalition Doctors for Safe Cycling, told CBC Toronto it’s clear the decision to remove bike lanes is "not based on evidence."\ "Bike lanes save lives," she said. "It's clear that the public, that the community here in Toronto wants to keep the bike lanes." About 650 health-care workers have signed a letter calling on the province to back down on its plans, Doctors for Safe Cycling said in a news release Monday.$

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026

@grimalkina My sister just now picked up your book (which is sitting on my coffee table as I re-read it) and exclaimed “Oh — for a moment I thought it said CAT CHICKS”

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026

I was not in Toronto last weekend, which meant that I missed the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, I came back just in time to get half-price mooncakes from the local Chinese grocery! #MidAutumnFestival #Mooncakes

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Reposted by John Schrag

Jens Jäger @jensjot.mas.to.ap.brid.gy · 27/09/2026

RE: fediscience.org/@kaiarzheimer/11733… I just checked and all of this works outside of Britain, too! 👇

fediscience.org

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

Third and final play of my visit to the Stratford Festival: “Tao of the World” by Jovanni Sy, based loosely on the 17th-century restoration comedy “The Way of the World”. This one is set in Singapore just after the Covid pandemic. They’re playing Singaporean pop […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

Photo of a long thrust stage at the Tom Patterson theatre. The set on the stage is a series of benches and an overhanging balcony in a classic Singapore style.

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

Tonight’s show at the Stratford Theatre Festival: Guys and Dolls. #StratfordFestival

Photo of an empty thrust stage in a large theatre, with the audience starting to filter in. The stage is set up like a 1930s New York street, with bright monochromatic signs in art deco styling.

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

If it’s not obvious, I’m a Chow supporter. I remember decades ago, during the AIDS crisis, that Chow and her husband Jack Layton stood with the LGBT+ community when it was very unpopular to do so. She has principles and stands by them. I remember when she was on the Toronto police services board […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

It’s been interesting (and depressing) reading the comments on political ads for the Toronto Mayoral election. Aside from generic boosterism, the comments support between Chow and Bradford feels very different. Pro-Chow comments tend to point specifically at her track record and things she’s […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

I bought this theatre ticket in January, and kind of forgot about the details. Now I’m in my seat, delighted that Past Me decided to treat Present Me to second row, centre! Thanks, Past Me! And now to discover The Importance of Being Earnest. #StratfordFestival

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 24/09/2026

Yesterday I visited Fort York in downtown Toronto. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been there, in spite of living in this city my entire life. But it seemed like a good time to review what happened the last time the USA threatened to annex us, during the War of 1812. The US […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 23/09/2026

In an unlikely twist of fate, I have just found myself with the job of running the lighting board at an upcoming Lesbian Burlesque Show. I guess the organizer figured I wouldn’t get distracted.

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tjhowse @tj.howse.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/09/2026

Do you wanna improve the world a little bit using your thumbs? Get the FOSS StreetComplete app and start adding details about your part of the world. The app prompts you for details on footpaths, bike lanes, crossings, public toilets, handrails on stairs, etc, etc. The data feeds into Open […]

Original post on howse.social

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 22/09/2026

Sadly, the entire Olympic canoeing team was lost in the transporter accident. #ForksOfTheDon #Toronto

Photo of a concrete wall, under a bridge. Emerging from the wall are the prows of eight red canoes, embedded in the concrete.

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 21/09/2026

I have a small electrical mystery! My bedroom is lit by six pot lights, all on the same circuit. When I turn on the light switch, they all turn on instantly. Or at least, they used to. A few days ago I swapped out the light switch in the room, since the old one was getting unreliable after 25 […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 18/09/2026

I feel that I should be donating more to charities and political causes. But the number one reason that holds me back is knowing that any good deed of this sort will result in an unrelenting deluge of emails for the rest of my life. I have my own domain, so maybe I should set up other email […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 17/09/2026

A thoughtful article about a traditional Albertan grievance against the rest of Canada, written by an economist, putting it into perspective. thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026/09/15/Alber… #CanPoli #Alberta

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 17/09/2026

“Coyote vs Acme” is a really good film. (No spoilers follow) I was expecting the jokes and the Easter eggs, but the film also delivered a great story and character development. The director had to walk a very fine line in making the coyote completely himself, while also taking him through a […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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Reposted by John Schrag

Jonobie @jonobie.social.coop.ap.brid.gy · 09/09/2026

We talk a lot about impostor syndrome and burnout, but how do we actually fix it? 🤔 I'm teaching a highly action-oriented class on O'Reilly focused on exactly that. Join the live event: "Beating Impostor Syndrome and Burnout," on September 18th, 9am PT - 12pm PT. We'll be diving straight into […]

Original post on social.coop

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 10/09/2026

Usually when I see an eighteen-wheeler on the highway, I don’t expect all eighteen wheels to be on the same axle.

Photo from the passenger seat of a car. Ahead you see the back of a truck; the truck is towing a wide axle, with 18 wheels tightly against each other, all rolling.

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Reposted by John Schrag

Community Bikeways - TCBC @bikewaysto.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

"The speed camera, which was near the crosswalk where the teen was hit, had been removed as part of a provincial government directive that road safety advocates and municipal leaders warned would lead to more injuries and death on city roads." #biketo #onpoli www.thestar.com/news/gta/fam...

Family of 15-year-old boy severely injured after being struck near site of former speed camera, sues province, city

According to the statement of claim, the boy suffered a number of injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and ongoing cognitive, psychological and behavioural effects.

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 09/09/2026

[Grieving and death] A friend of mine died on the weekend, unexpectedly. He was young and handsome, healthy, well-loved, a pillar of the local queer community, and someone I saw as the next generation of leadership. He had just bought a home and was planning a number of events. On Monday I got […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 08/09/2026

Imagine if haters online talked about adoptive mothers the same way they talk about trans people? — “Raising a child doesn’t make you a mother. You either gave physical birth or you didn’t. That’s just science.” — “Adoptive ‘mothers’ shouldn’t be permitted in mom groups. They didn’t go […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 07/09/2026

I’ve just started to read my next French novel. It’s been a while since I’ve read one, and my French has slipped a lot. I find myself looking up words that I should know. It’s very hard to keep up a language unless you have the opportunity to use it pretty regularly. The novel I’ve chosen is […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 06/09/2026

I just finished reading “The Lost Reliquary” by Lindsay Ely. It’s a fantasy novel set in the worlds where all the gods are dead, save one. And our protagonist — seemingly a devoted servant of the living Goddess — wants nothing more than to kill her. It was a good read, with interesting […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 06/09/2026

Making lemongrass soup from lemongrass and tomatoes in our garden. Kitchen is full of All The Best Aromas.

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2026

Went for a bike ride up the Don Valley this afternoon. The aftermath of Wednesday’s big storm is still visible, with whole fields of low bushes flattened all towards the south. Lots of tree branches down too, of course. We stopped at the future West Don […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

Photo of a bushy field beside a bike trail. All of the low bushes have been flattened to the ground, pointing to the right. Trees seem unaffected.

Photo of a huge bridge support under construction. Yellow and green cranes stand to its left. Other construction machinery is on the ground in front. The top of the support is covered with a wood structure resembling a pagoda.

Reposted by John Schrag

Cameron MacLeod @c-9.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2026

This column by John Lorinc for Spacing captures my worries well. In my transit advocacy work I’ve met personally with Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow (and two dozen other municipal/provincial/federal politicians over the years), and what I’ve seen is him abandon […] [Original post on mstdn.ca]

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 04/09/2026

In better news, I have successfully moved all my passwords out of 1Password, so I can cancel my account. I swear, we need something like a “Fair Trade” certification for software.

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 04/09/2026

Doug Ford is about to start removing the safe bicycling infrastructure on Bloor Street and University, falsely claiming that this will somehow reduce traffic congestion. This is in spite of hearing deputations from city planning and traffic experts all pointing out that what will really happen […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

Reposted by John Schrag

Robert Zaichkowski @rzaichkowski.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Mayor Olivia Chow and the City of Toronto had prepared design proposals for Bloor from Resurrection to Royal York which would have added a traffic lane while keeping the bike lanes, yet were rejected by the Ford government! #shame #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli www.thestar.com/news/gta/dou...

Doug Ford’s government rejected Toronto’s proposals to restore traffic lanes and keep bike lanes: sources

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says the province walked away from compromises to restore traffic lanes while keeping bike lanes on major streets.

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 03/09/2026

I’m sad to read that Gloria Steinem has died. I always found her writing to be interesting, and it often opened my mind to things I’d never thought about, being raised as a white male in the 60s and 70s. She got famous before I was born by going undercover as a Playboy “bunny” and writing an […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 02/09/2026

My phone went off with an emergency alert warning of high wind, rain, and large hail in my area. And seconds later ice cubes started falling from the sky and pounding on my roof. We went out to our covered porch to watch. The thunder was continuous, but we saw no lightning. Water falling in […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 30/08/2026

Denise demonstrates why she runs the strategy meetings. #transphobia #lgbtq #comics

Six-panel black-and-white comic strip.

Panel 1: A person dressed in gender-ambiguous business attire stands at the head of a conference room table, flanked by a seated man and woman. The standing person says “Before we start the staff meeting, I have an announcement. Going forward, I will be using the name ‘Denise’ rather than ‘Dennis’, and she/her pronouns.”

Panel 2: The man and woman are scowling at Denise. The woman says “Sorry, Dennis, I refuse to participate in your delusion!” And the man says “Yeah, Dennis, your mental illness is not my problem.”

Panel 3: A close-up of Denise’s face, looking a bit scared. She says “No, you don’t understand! I’m actually de-transitioning! I was born a woman, then the teachers in my liberal high school sex-changed me into a man!”

Panel 4: Another close-up of Denise, now looking beatific. There is a hint of a halo around her head. She says: “But now I’ve found Jesus, and I just want to be a woman again!” And she sniffles.

Panel 5: The man and the woman, moved by Denise’s speech, are embracing her, saying “Oh, Denise, you poor thing!” “We’re here for you, Denise! How can we help? You’re so brave!”

Panel 6: it is hours later, and Denise, looking happy, is out at a queer bar, chatting with a bearded gay man wearing a t-shirt. He says to her “So wait, they actually believed you?” And she replies: “They’re crowdfunding my top surgery as we speak!”

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026

I had a blast today at the Coldwater Steampunk Festival. Coldwater is a tiny town about two hours north of Toronto, but today it was crowded. I loved seeing all the creativity and inventiveness there. People in costumes ranged in age from little kids, right up […] [Original post on hachyderm.io]

Photo of three people in steampunk costumes standing outside in a green park on a beautiful day. Black hats, goggles, body armour, mechanical arm extensions, complex mechanical backpacks, and some body armour feature.

Close-up photo of two people in steampunk costumes standing outside in a green park on a beautiful day. Both wear red hats (one with mechanisms on it), and brass-and-leather gas masks.

Photo of a woman in a steampunk costume standing outside on a street on a beautiful day. Her dress is denim and blue/white lace, and she had frilled denim dragon wings on her back. She's wearing a brown leather harness and various gadgets hang from her belt. She also sports a denim baseball cap with round goggles.

Photo of an old man and woman in steampunk gear in a green park on a beautiful day. The woman is wearing a brown pith helmet with googles, and a brown jacket. She is aiming a complex steampunk ray gun to the right. The man behind her, also aiming his ray gun, has a small dragon perched on his pith helmet. He sports a whip on his belt.

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 28/08/2026

The renaming strategy has been used before historically as a pressure tactic, in the early 1970s. Remember “Bewitched”? The witch Endora was angry that her daughter Samantha married a mortal (Darren), so she applied pressure by refusing to use his correct name and calling him “Durwood” or […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 26/08/2026

I need to buy a new range hood fan for my kitchen. I’m not looking for advice; I just need to vent a little.

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 25/08/2026

If you have a famous voice, and don’t know what to say — or if you have a great deal of money and don’t know what to do with it — take inspiration from The Very Best American ever, who has departed this world today. Pull people together. Appeal to the best in others. Defend the marginalized […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 24/08/2026

[Star Trek:SNW S04ep05 spoilers] So I finally saw the puppet episode of Strange New Worlds. I just want to express to @virtualbri and all the rest of the production and post/VFX crew how much I love you all. Keep ‘em coming.

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 24/08/2026

It’s been several decades since a rando in a passing car yelled a homophobic slur at me, but it happened this evening! My husband and I were out walking down the street holding hands when a grey car sped past and the driver yelled “Tinkerbells!” at us. I burst out laughing because as slurs go […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 23/08/2026

[Thin guy whinging about minor weight gain] I will start this little whinge by saying I’m healthy and my weight is still (barely) in the healthy range. And I am not looking for any advice. Just marvelling at the occasional obstinacy of our bodies. When I was in my late 20s my metabolism […]

Original post on hachyderm.io

John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 23/08/2026

The City of Toronto is requesting feedback about the Church Street pedestrianization pilot, which just ended this weekend. If you visited the Church Street village during the pilot, please let them know your thoughts! haveyoursay.toronto.ca/churchstreet #Toronto #ChurchStreet

haveyoursay.toronto.ca

Church Street Pedestrianization Pilot

Learn more about the Church Street Pedestrianization Pilot and provide feedback on the impacts and outcomes by September 7, 2026.

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John Schrag @jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy · 15/08/2026

[Dragonfly porn] I heard that this was the inspiration for how aircraft refuel while in flight. This is a common sight in the lakes regions north of Toronto, but it’s still impressive. #dragonflies #InsectPorn

Photo of two dragonflies fucking on a branch. The female is gripping the branch with all her legs, while the male is gripping the tail of the female. His body is curved like the letter C right under the female and up into her abdomen.

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