Andrew Forbes

Andrew Forbes

@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Human, author. Field Work: On Baseball and Making a Living (@pressassembly.bsky.social). The Diapause (novel), McCurdle's Arm (novella) (@invisibooks.bsky.social). #SABR (Hanlan's Pt). He/him. 📍Peterborough, Ontario linktr.ee/andrewgforbes

373 followers339 following1.1K posts

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Democracy got done tonight in my town as it did in towns across Ontario, and to see the thing function smoothly and cleanly is heartening every time. Honestly, it's remarkable for being utterly unremarkable. But I do get itchy when I see low turnout %. Around 40% here in Peterborough. Not good!

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

The older I get the more I see the truth in the assertion that the municipal level of government is the one we brush up against every single day, without exception. It's unsexy but it's real. It's important to give a damn!

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Cast my vote in the municipal election a few days ago, online. Easy, convenient. Sets me up for an evening of watching Game 3 of the Series while checking results. I have a comfortable chair, good soft lighting. I'm already anticipating it. Don't ask me to go anywhere, the answer's no. I'm parked.

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Long have I yearned to own a trapper, so when this Rawlings Al Oliver signature model showed up on eBay, I had a moral duty to give it a new home. Just took it out for a spin, a quick game of catch with my kid as the sun sank low in the late autumn afternoon, and it already feels like mine.

Andrew Forbes reposted

Roz
@rozmilner.bsky.social

Replying to @utilityofboredom.bsky.social

that’s the beauty of baseball. You don’t know, but you gotta believe. Kind of spiritual that way

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

"There are so few moments in base-ball now, home runs especially, that succeed in breaking through the noise and the GIF churn and threaten to join moments like Bobby Thompson's pennant-winning shot in that timeless strata of epochal events. Bautista's did."

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Gentle reminder that AI doesn't have to "'self-replicate' across smart home devices" or "end the world and life as we know it" to suck. Those flashy predictions are engineered to make the mundane reality, i.e. routine cognitive offloading and loss of human creativity, seem quaint and acceptable.

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Also environmental degradation, theft of intellectual property at an astonishing scale, loss of the ability to discern truth from fiction, eroded trust in our neighbours, our leaders, and society as a whole, etc etc etc

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Months ago, for the eldest's bday, we bought her tickets to night 2 of Phoebe Bridgers' Toronto shows, and she said she'd take me with her. Last night was the night, and as with all dates on the tour it was gloriously phone free. Amazing show! The sense of community inside that arena was remarkable.

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Received copies of the anniversary edition of my first baseball book, The Utility of Boredom. Long in the tooth but looking trim and spry in a new outfit (redesigned cover) and fresh haircut (new intro by me). Also: French flaps! Available from @invisibooks.bsky.social wherever you get books.

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

On this day, the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane's birth, I've listened to the following albums: A Love Supreme Giant Steps Africa/Brass The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings Blue Train Meditations I have 90 more mins and I think I'll likely spend it listening to the big Classic Quartet box.

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

I continue to enjoy Okamoto's "rookie" season a great deal.

Would it dong? (again)@woulditdongagain.bsky.social

Kazuma Okamoto vs Jack Perkins Home Run (30) 💣 Exit velo: 106.2 mph Launch angle: 36 deg Projected distance: 387 ft No doubt about that one 🔒 That's a dinger in all 30 MLB ballparks TOR @ ATH 🔺 2nd

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Returned one more (last?) time to Halfway Lake PP, reunited with the eldest, enjoyed a fire, then a spectacular starry night, slept like a baby through the cool, still night in a new tent, woke early to see the mist rising off the placid water, packed up and drove back to the Kawarthas.

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Pour one out for the mighty Open Book, a vital source of legitimacy and eyeballs for many authors, myself included. OB publicized events, ran interviews and reviews, and paid authors as virtual writers-in-residence. It was often the first (and sometimes only) place indie books received notice. 1/2

Ontario Book Publishers Organization@obpoofficial.bsky.social

After more than 17 years of celebrating Ontario books, authors, and publishers, Open Book officially ceased operations on August 31, 2026. Since its launch in 2009, Open Book connected readers, educators, librarians, booksellers, and media with Ontario's vibrant publishing community. 1/5

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

Its loss will be felt most by young and debut authors. There are fewer and fewer outlets offering such vocal support these days. I'm grateful to OP's dogged and determined staff over the years, doing the kind of trench work that keeps the book world humming. Farewell and thanks, Open Book. 2/2

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

The Odyssey (2026), dir. Christopher Nolan.

Nathaniel Rakich@baseballot.bsky.social

Today in NYC, it’s theoretically possible for a crazy superfan to go to 3 MLB games in 1 day. The Yankees & Red Sox play a doubleheader at 1 and 7pm, and the Mets & Astros play at 4pm. Wish me luck.

Andrew Forbes
@utilityofboredom.bsky.social

More from yesterday’s wild one at Nat Bailey in Van. C’s were up 13-4 after 4 innings, but Spokane kept chipping away. Tied it in the 8th and plated 1 in the 10th. Van tied it in B10, and with winning run on 3rd the Spokane RP balked. Walk! Off! Balk! Amazing afternoon. Baseball is so ridiculous.