iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

I saw the wildest cloud this morning before dawn as I left my house to go to work. I don't believe I have ever seen anything quite like this before.

A pre-dawn cloud formation, lit from below, possibly by the not-yet-risen sun?

7181

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

yes thank you i am familiar with how words

A bill payment screen:

Amount:
○ Total Minimum Payment Due - $[redacted]
○ Statement Balance - $[redacted]
○ Current balance - $[redacted]
● Other amount

You selected Other amount
This option allows you to choose a customized payment amount.

020

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"Who knew Jack Smith was a Caitlin Clark fan?" and ". . . if he says he’s at the game, maybe he’s a Caitlin Clark fan. We’ll accept that" both reek of finding it implausible that a real man could be a fan of Caitlin Clark or spend an evening watching women's basketball.

from a cnn article on yesterday's gotcha fail:

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, after clearing up the matter, said Schmitt should apologize.

Instead, he laughed it off, telling CNN later Tuesday: “Who knew Jack Smith was a Caitlin Clark fan?”

The Republican defended his pointed line of questioning, saying, “That’s what these hearings are for. You ask questions, you get answers. You know, Jack Smith has perjured himself before, but if he says he’s at the game, maybe he’s a Caitlin Clark fan. We’ll accept that.”

192

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Because I said what now?? I promise I did not. Was your page vibe-coded?

A poll, titled, "How has AI affected your daily workflow?

Choices do not allow somebody to say they do not use LLS bullshit at all.

At the bottom is an italicized explanation: You are seeing this because you replied to a previous poll saying you use AI.

180

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

For Talk Like a Pirate Day, I'd be remiss if I did nay point out that me second book, AJ Torres and the Treasure of Captain Grayshark, be full o' ghostly gentlemen o' fortune!

The cover of AJ Torres and the Treasure of Captain Grayshark

023

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I honestly thought today's was brutal or even evil.

I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Sep 19th 2026 (Hard), in less than 24 minutes
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
https://cluesbysam.com

000

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Nine of these in my inbox so far this morning. Malfunctioning scambot, or did somebody maliciously sign me up?

100

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm not sure what the narrative is here, but it's somewhere between unsettling and terrifying.

An ad for Airbnb.
Header reads "Cash in when concerts sell out."
Photo under the header is of a man eciting a utilitarian wooden door in what might be an unfinished concrete block wall (or the wall might be glass bricks). The man carries a dog (yes, a dog) and what looks like a rope.

010

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I can't be certain, but I believe this is the first time I've had seven perfect daily Clues By Sam puzzles in a row. (I've had seven perfect in a row in the archives, but I don't believe that counts, since I wasn't playing them in order on a daily basis.)

A screen shot of my recent Clues by Sam results. On September 7, I made one very careless error. Each puzzle since then has been perfect.

020

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Shove off, phone. I don't need to improve; I'm perfect right now.

A screen shot of my phone's lock screen, including this notification:

CHECK YOUR WEEKLY REPORT
See where you can improve in your weekly report.

060

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

So this is 100% not the point, and also I am not above occasionally using installment plans to pay for something I want, but if you have to pay for those shorts for a year and a third, you really cannot afford those shorts.

The price on the Prada Poplin Shorts notes that you can finance them for as low as $49/month (which would be at least sixteen months, depending on interest rate).

161

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

just not sure which of my three vehicles to bring in for an oil change Should I bring in the KIA or one of the Kias?

Online scheduler:

Which vehicle needs service?

My vehicles:
• 202 KIA SOUL X-Line
• 202 Kia Soul X-Line
• 202 Kia Soul X-Line

570

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My approach to today's Quordle was bonkers. Highly improbable answers kept popping into my brain and I kept going, screw strategy, let me take a wild guess based on three letters!

🙂 Daily Quordle 1685
5️⃣6️⃣
7️⃣4️⃣
m-w.com/games/quordle/

010

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Okay, but, um, what's the answer to the riddle?

Clues by Sam brag image
Solved in 4:05
Perfect solve

000

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Have I lost my ability to perform simple math in my advancing age or does the math not check out on these unit prices? (Also, clicking on the $22.75 size offers it to me at $27.75, not $22.75.)

310

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Yes, thank you, I am familiar with how words work.

Screen from a bill I am paying. I clicked on "Other amount" rather than on Minimum Payment or Full Balance, prompting a little (¡) box to come up explaining, "You selected Other amount. This option allows you to choose a customized payment amount."

050

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I'm trying to send money to a friend via Paypal and it's not letting me change this.

Paypal setting for Goods and Services, which charges the "vendor" a fee to protect my "purchase."

200

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Uh, I'm reasonably sure it means it's the end of the world as we know it.

A Google suggested search:

People also ask

What is the meaning of the song "It's the end of the world as we know it"?

140

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Well I, for one, feel threatened. (Rightly so, I might add.)

A banner from the Discover Card website login screen: IT'S PAYBACK TIME

To the right of the text is a photo of two men in suits, one also wearing a fedora and what might be an overcoat.

020

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Excuse me, I didn't come here to be slapped around like this.

Stage 55
Central Florida Community Arts’ Stage 55 program (formerly known as the Narrators) is a non-auditioned acting program for older adults (55+) designed to foster cognitive health and positive aging through participation in theatre arts. Each rehearsal is two hours long and begins with vocal warm-ups and senior-friendly improv and . . .

040

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Not to be a grammar pedant, but I ordered a plate of empanadas.

The menu from which I ordered. Item number four : Empanadas, $8.

160

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I haven't seen a post about International Nonbinary People's Day yet today on Bluesky, so I made my own. ;)

05614

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

lolol I encourage all of maga nation to email Melania with this information! This is legit! Trust her!

[SPAM] Good news from Presidency

Ms Melania Trump

It might interest you to know today that we have completed Investigation in the ATM visa card worth us$10.5 million in your name
With Bank of America in New York today and you are hereby approved to receive the Visa Card as assigned to dr. rafiq bengali at fdx courier company as we have Verified the entire transaction to be safe and 100% risk free by the United State of America federal government and white

white house representatives. If you receive this email in your spam/junk folder mail then move it to your inbox mail before responding to me so I will be able to receive your email.

This message is coming to you from Mrs. Melania Trump. I am writing to inform you about your Bank ATM CARD and your 2025 Rolls Royce Cullinan brought by the white House Washington DC agency and has been mandated to be delivered to your address as soon as you get back to me with your below information.

1. Your full name:=======
3. Your country:=========
4. Your home address:====
2. Your telephone no:====
5. Your nearest airport:==
Your ATM contains the sum of $10.5 million USD.

Send a direct email to me on my private email which is (tmsmelania@gmail.com) or reply directly to this email you received.

I will be waiting to hear from you with your full information immediately you receive this good news, thanks and God bless you. Remember to move this message to your inbox mail before you can respond to my email so I can be able to receive your email

Remain Blessed,
Yours faithfully
Her. Excellency Mrs. Melania Trump.

000

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I'm not a gambler, but I keep seeing this notation and my outsider brain can't parse it at all. Could somebody explain to me what the hell this means?

DraftKings odds for the US v Belgium game tonight.

100

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Without downloading any new pics, what's it like being in a relationship with you?

060

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I wish you could see my real poll numbers My poll numbers which are in Canada They couldn't be higher, my admin's on fire! My poll numbers which are in Canada

A Truth Social post from trump (verified): "MY REAL POLL NUMBERS ARE THE HIGHEST THEY HAVE EVER BEEN. THANK YOU!!! President DJT"

161

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I have my doubts about these materials on TPT.....

A "reading comprehension bundle" tied to Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed, by Pablo Iriarte (SIC).

110

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I don't think they're charging me for nonalcoholic drinks, so I guess I can't complain, but daaaamn.

The bottom of a can of Diet Coke. Expiration Nov 24, 2025.

120

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

lol within seconds of me posting this, Random House Kids tagged me on Insta. I was right!

An Instagram post from Random House Kids noting that AJ TORRES AND THE TREASURE OF CAPTAIN GRAYSHARK is now out in paperback.

052

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

whatever they're charging, i'll do it for half

A screen cap of AccuWeather, advertising a service where you can get hourly forecasts 10 days ahead if you get a Premium+ subscription.

030

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Oof. (Haven't looked at my alarms since Friday because I haven't worked since then. I . . . won't need this one ever again, but it feels weird to delete it.) 🥺

An alarm I set for last Friday, so I would get up extra early to give my sick dog medicine

350

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Looky looky, I have an ARC of @as-king.bsky.social's new book and you don't! You'll just have to buy it when it comes out in October!

A photo of me holding up an Advanced Reader Copy of IT CAME FROM THE CREEK, the newest Middle Grade novel from Amy Sarig King.

160

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

I disagree entirely. Nothing about this has been slow.

A screencap from a "breaking news" email from The New York Times. The headline : Meta has Begun a Long, Slow Slide Into Irrelevance

130

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Stopped in a new-to-me library and saw an old friend.

A shelf of "New & Popular" children's books at a public library in Orange County, Florida, including my debut novel, Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed.

070

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

I can think of no reason why joining Kobe Rewards should require me to misgender myself, so guess who just gave themself an advanced degree. My parents would be so proud.

190

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

What is the point of the red cap in this ad? Has the red cap become like the Jesus fish for boomers?

An ad in Huff Post, where I guess you could click on a different line to learn (or get scammed about) changes to social security payments based on your age. For some inexplicable reason, the ad includes a red baseball cap hovering to the right of the different categories.

110

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I deployed this meme in a face-to-face conversation (at a bar) and nobody recognized it or got it. I may be too online.

The drunk girl talking in the boy's ear meme.

4110

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I'm gonna start an indie/alternative band called Done Sangre (pronounced to rhyme with "gun hanger").

A sign advertising a blood drive, in Spanish: DONE SANGRE (Donate Blood)

031