iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 07/01/2026

Welcome to The Cloister! We're live on Substack (we think) You can follow us at: www.the-cloister.org And here, of course

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 24/06/2025

Here at The Cloister, we celebrate Pride Month with this beautiful chat between Father James Martin, S.J. and Pete (please run for Prez. in 2028) Buttigieg, on life, fatherhood, spirituality, and being gay. Think of it as required listening. We insist. . #PeteButtigieg #TheSpiritualLife

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 23/06/2025

Testimonium perhibemus. We bear witness. This is the vow at the heart of The Cloister—not just service or silence, but presence. To witness what the world tries to overlook. To stand beside one another, not in judgment, but in sacred acknowledgment: We see you. We hear you. You are not alone.

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 22/06/2025

For what? The faces change, the flags shift, the technologies evolve—but the cycle grinds on, ancient and relentless as a millstone, powered by fear, grievance, ambition, and despair. And here we are again, waking up to war in a land that has known too many. For what?

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 17/06/2025

Here at The Cloister, we applaud Jon Stewart and The Daily Show for "serving" it, telling it, and calling it out. This is one of their finest 27 minutes of news commentary that should be required watching by everyone, everywhere. #TDW #TheDailyShow #JonStewart

Jon Stewart on Israel’s "Urgent" Iran Strike, Minnesota Murders & MAGA’s Blame Game | The Daily Show

YouTube video by The Daily Show

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 09/06/2025

OMG. That face. Talk about 1000 words worth. 🤣❤️

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 03/06/2025

Here at The Cloister, we'd all get a pair. Or three! Yes, please!

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 19/05/2025

We love Pete! Here at The Cloister we can't get enough of Pete Buttigieg's scruff, nor his eloquent chat in Iowa, talking about issues affecting everyone in the country. It's good to see him out, free to be himself, and ready to get back to work! Run, Pete! Run in 2028! . #MajorPete #PeteButtiegieg

BREAKING NEWS: Possible 2028 Contender Pete Buttigieg Takes Voters' Questions At Iowa Town Hall

YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 18/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, we notice you have not one but two pens in your pocket. We know all about pen pickpockets. Our pen collection grows by the hundreds every day. We're adept at stealing other people's pens — like in banks, they have so many. It's a good thing we are so far away. But, now we know.

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 16/05/2025

Yes, but here at The Cloister, we are wondering which smurf are you. Obviously, we think of ourselves and versions of Gargamel, but we're sure you have a smurf name all of your own.

Not happy. Here there or anywhere. Not happy at The Cloister.

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Oh, oh. Here at The Cloister we are wondering what will become of said shorts and if efforts are being made to enshrine them adequately. Miracles have happened because of them shorts!

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Here at The Cloister, our librarian, Clinton, is a stickler for exhaustive research. When he saw Carney's revealing backside, he intuited a front must exist too. After scouring the Web, his search yielded not just Oohs! in appreciation but an increase of black knickers ordered online was also noted.

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Here at The Cloister, we're members of the Tartan Army. Whether at home, World Cup, European Cup, friendly or foe, we love the tartan lads! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and a stadium full of Scots who can boogie, all night long! 🕺🏼🪩

Yes sir I can boogie Scotland football team v Israel final whistle 9th Oct 2021 thanks to Baccara

YouTube video by Party Party

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 14/05/2025

😳 Oh! 😳 Oh! Here at The Cloister, we encourage such sporting behavior. More of it, please! Oh! 👏

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🤭🤣 Amen, sister Gretchen! Preach!

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 13/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, Cleworth is well-liked (adored, really) and we couldn't be happier for the lad. We do hope he survived the latest Vegas sojourn. We'd hate for him to be an addition to the roster of the things that 'stay in Vegas.' We want him back, in any shape or form!

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 12/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, we're not sure about this. With our muffin tops, dadbods, and the multitude of sins hidden under our loose (and we mean HomeDepot tarp fit loose) habits, we might detract from whatever such kits are trying to achieve. We'll stick to admiring it on other more deserving bods.

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Just knowing someone who gets the reference in and of itself is reward enough. You are adored!

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Hot apple cider in fall? Lie to us and say no. Otherwise we'd have to add another reason to _______ (envy, hate, jealous, covet) your good fortune. Here at The Cloister we are not beyond reproach.

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Here at The Cloister we wish all moms around the world, a happy Mother's Day.

We'd be swooning over Rice and his fine aquiline nose, but we haven't spotted him on the pitch. Some, here at The Cloister, are dismayed and unconsolable. They've been sent to a different cell to watch old replays with Rice on the roster.

Here at The Cloister, we have no love for Arsenal-anal and are very glad to see LIV up by 2. But we are constantly distracted by the likes of White, Merino, and Odegaard. But thank heavens for Becker. We'd samba with him anytime, and we don't mean Adidas samba.

Well, how could we not? From a fellow South Floridian to another, we send greetings to you from Miami - that is, unless you've escaped to better landscapes since the writing of your book's introduction, in which case we're very jealous of your fortune. Very.

We're working on a shawl for a friend, but it's mostly an excuse to buy yarn and knit in the evenings. (As if we needed an excuse. 🤣 )

Here at the Cloister, we're glad to finally have our copy of #RandyFair 's newly published book: Gay Arab American. We can't wait to dive into the interviews and stories of this anthology of under-represented men. . #reading #books #readingbro #gayreaders #gaybooks #gayArab #gayArabAmerican

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It's here! It's finally arrived and we can't wait to dig into the stories and interviews inside. Kudos on this great work!

Here at The Cloister, we like our orange juice with chunks of frozen strawberries, pineapple, and mango with a scoop of strawberry whey protein and crushed ice, blended and creamy, and we're buzzing with the sugar high for a few hours. Enjoy!

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Wait. Et tu 🏳️‍🌈 and a warming blanket? 😍🥰😘

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 08/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, wish #RobertPrevost the best of luck as #PopeLeoXIV. We hope he brings peace and unity to a fragmented and anxious world. As the first #AmericanPope, however, we caution him not to invite J D Vance to the Vatican. You saw what happened last time he was there and met the Pope.

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 08/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, we love audiobooks. We listen to stories while we knit, write, cook, or are out on the trails. We love our local bookstores and our purchases support independent sellers. Have a look, browse around, and sign up! What will you listen to first? . #aurdiobooks #Libro.fm #audioread

libro.fm

Buy audiobooks & support local bookstores

Libro.fm makes it possible for you to buy audiobooks directly through local bookstores.

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 08/05/2025

Some one had a pup cup! ❤️🫶🏼

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 06/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, we're admirers of Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha. His poetry and essays not only document but also bear witness to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Toha won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and it is well deserved. . #MosabAbuToha #Palestine #Pulitzer

Palestinian Poet Mosab Abu Toha Is Documenting War in Verse

YouTube video by TIME

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 05/05/2025

Randy: will there be audiobook and ebook publications of the book and will they be available in the Kobo and Libro.fm store? Otherwise, where would be the best alternative to buying it anywhere but Amazon?

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 04/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, we all have a new desktop wallpaper on all our computers and tablets. Thank you, Red Dragons, for another great season! See you in the Championship. Up the Town! . #WxmAFC #askwxm #WxmThirstSection

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 04/05/2025

Again, thank you so much for all the photos, commentary, and posts. Really appreciate every single post.

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 04/05/2025

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THESE PHOTOS!

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 03/05/2025

Here at The Cloister, we love a good pin-up (and Pinots — white or red is fine by us). The ones in this New Yorker article do not disappoint. Vince Aletti writes about how mid-century physique publications walked a fine line between discretion and seduction. And boy, are we easily seduced.

newyorker.com

The Secrets of Physique Magazines

The mid-century publications didn’t need to announce themselves as gay, even if they had been able to. Their readers understood the necessity of balancing discretion and seduction.

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The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 03/05/2025

And now we're off to Lincoln City in Lincolnshire to watch our beloved Dragons play their final match of the season. Thank you, Plymouth, for a great way to start our day. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have 15 minutes to drive 250 miles to watch the match. Off to iFollow we go. . #WxmAFC #askwxm

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 01/05/2025

We hear you. Loud and clear. And we wonder the same thing. We just can't. The thought alone leaves us exhausted. Except for the Speedos. That has the opposite effect. 🤭

The Cloister @the-cloister.org · 01/05/2025

Here at The Cloister we have seen what this gay "New Fire Island" is like, and it's called Wilted Manners in Fort Lauderdale. And no, honey, you did not pass out from drinking too many screwdrivers. That was a K-hole. So, no. Not interested. Except for gays in Speedos. Now that we'd pay for.

newyorker.com

Creating a New Fire Island from Scratch

Plotting the next gay utopia—less expensive than Long Island, with fewer children—an architect scours Europe for a site, and searches for Speedo-friendly investors.