Michael Toler (@casbahmike) • Collective gay friends app

Michael Toler @casbahmike

Just an average guy working in academia! Kinda shy! Ask me about my pr tell me about your favorite cities,books,song, architect, movie...

“I knew he believed in something that none of us ever do anymore. He believed in the nastiest word in the world. He believed in KINDNESS. Please tell me you remember kindness. Please tell me you remember kindness and joy, you cool motherfuckers.” -Scott McClanahan

I’m curious how this app chooses who to show with a “you might like...“ notification in our feed. Does anyone have insight into that? How often does it get it right for you?

Qatar National Library in Doha

Sunset on the lake!

One of the most frustrating things about this app is trying to find posts you’ve scrolled away from, by mistake or on purpose, and want to get back to. Anyone know a way around that?

Rainy Sunday reality shot. Me in the basement doing laundry! 😖

The box set of the TRANSA recordings from the Red Hot Organization finally arrived! Even the cardboard shipping box is a work of art. Sorry for the shadows and busy background, but I wanted to spread it out. Even in this photo, I didn’t show that each disc has a different cover!

I think it was Ella Fitzgerald (who I happened to be fortunate enough to see live in NYC) who said something like if you want to learn to be a great Jazz singer, listen to Sassy’s music. This track is unusual in that it it’s purely a demonstration of her voice without conventional words!

“Don’t believe our outlines, forget them and begin from your own words. As if you are the first to write poetry or the last poet.” -“To a Young Poet,” Mahmoud Darwish

Storm coming. Just me and the bunny still outside.

Resting in the hammock after a busy day in the garden!

A page from an album of photographs of historic architecture in Iran, assembled by the Modernist architect Michel Ecochard. It’s a stunning photograph. I’m fascinated by the work of M Ecochard. I’m equally obsessed with the architecture of Iran and hope to visit someday!

View across MIT’s Killian Court to Boston!

We have matching flowers and peppers

A ride at dusk.

The 2025 recipients of the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture have been announced. They are fascinating projects! See them at Archnet.org

TRUTH! Inspired by your photo, @gem88

This year has not been kind to the dahlias in the northeast of this country. They’re blooming late, but at least they’re finally blooming!

Are any of the users of this app over 45? Just curious.

An 18th c. windmill in Jamestown, RI.

This whole plant got taken down by a critter 😡

Highly recommended!

Homeward bound!

Finch on the birdbath.

Resting in the hammock.

Got pretty dirty in the garden today!

There’s a fungus among us!

This happens every year at MIT!

There’s a bird in the bodega!

MIT, east campus.

As a former teacher of English as a Second Language, I can attest to the truth of this.

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Trilliums in the Garden in the Woods

If you’re interested in architecture, do you have a favorite building or style?

Also what I see right now! I’m not the only one relaxing in the yard!

What I’m seeing now! (The coils deter mosquitoes)

Renovated student services space on the Infinite Corridor at MIT, nearly finished.

“Pretty isn't beautiful... Pretty is what changes. What the eye arranges Is what is beautiful.” -Stephen Sondheim, “Beautiful” from Sunday in the Park with George