Sunday Overnight Open Thread - November 9, 2025 [Doof]

Welcome to the Sunday night ONT. There might be some content. It's definitely an open thread, as always. The gray boxes await you!

Shutdown Over?

This is a developing situation. If you see anything relevant, please share it in the comments.

Socialism for Dummies

Simple explanation

Speaking of dummies -

Bill O'Reilly and Bill Maher

O’Reilly: "[New Yorkers are] going to move [because of Mamdani]."

Maher: "No, they’re not. People say they’re going to move all the time after elections. They never do it."

O’Reilly: "You know how many people moved out of your state under Newsom?"

So Kewl!!

Travel Planning

For your road trip fun!

Scientists Create a Google Maps of the Roman Empire–Plan Your Trip Along Their Famous Roads

It was said that all roads lead to Rome, but from where do all the roads to Rome lead?

Using a mountain of data, a team of two dozen scientists have created a digital road atlas of the Roman imperial world, complete with many features you’d recognize from Google Maps.

Called Itiner-e, it displays the roads that would have been found throughout the Roman Empire around the year 150 CE. It’s the most expansive research project on the topic to date, and increases the estimated length of the empire’s road system by over 60,000 miles.

At its height in the second century CE, the Roman Empire included over 55 million people and stretched as far north as modern day Britain to as far south as Morocco, eastward to the Syrian deserts, and, turning towards Europe, included all of Turkey, northeastern Bulgaria, and the Danube. It was carved up and maintained by a network of stone/gravel/sand highways stretching 117,162 miles.

But the total extent of the Roman interstate system had remained incompletely mapped and existing digitizations were low resolution. Seeking to improve on them, a vast international and interdisciplinary team of scientists from across Europe created Itiner-e using archaeological and historical records, topographic maps, and satellite imagery.

Check out the whole thing. Video segment at the link.

-----

This Classic American Road Trip Was Just Named the Most Scenic Drive in the U.S.

Any guesses as to where? Here's a major hint...

'Ette Couture (Courtesy of Piper)

It's that time of the week - when we turn the ONT over to our good friend Piper for a bit. Here's this week's fashion pr0n.

------

Why Your Grandma’s Closet Is the Hottest Runway Right Now: The Maximalist Grandmother Trend Is Here to Stay
Listen up, darlings—minimalism is officially on hospice care, and the new queen of style is your 85-year-old nonna (or mother) who never met a brooch she didn’t pin somewhere outrageous. Welcome to the Maximalist Grandmother Trend, a deliciously chaotic movement that’s taking over Paris runways. Think: clashing florals, pearls the size of gumballs, velvet everything, and enough vintage charm to make Marie Antoinette jealous.

What Exactly Is “Maximalist Grandma”?
It’s “eclectic grandpa” brighter, wiser, and twice as extra. Where eclectic grandpa gave us oversized cardigans and loafers, maximalist grandma says, “Hold my martini” and layers on the sequins. It’s the aesthetic of a woman who has lived through eight decades of fashion and decided rules are for people who don’t own 47 scarves.
Core elements:
• Clashing prints like it’s personal (leopard + gingham + toile? Yes, all at once)
• Jewelry that enters the room five minutes before you do
• Velvet, brocade, lace, and anything that feels like a hug from 1972
• Handbags that could double as small suitcases
• Shades of merlot, emerald, and mustard that scream “I have stories”

The Runway Said It First
Gucci’s Fall 2025 show literally sent models down the runway in florals with pearls. Dries Van Noten layered baroque tapestry everywhere. Even Miu Miu— the patron saint of quiet luxury—threw in a broached sweater that looked stolen from someone’s bubbe in Boca.

Gucci Fall / Cruise 2025

Dries Van Noten AW 2025

Miu miu AW 2025

But the streets? The streets are where the real magic happens.

How to Nail the Look
1. Start with a statement coat
Find a vintage velvet opera coat or a brocade swing jacket. Bonus points if it has a mink collar (faux is fine, we’re not monsters).

2. Layer like you’re allergic to subtlety
Silk blouse + lace camisole + chunky knit vest + embroidered shawl. If you can still move your arms, you’re doing it wrong.

3. Jewelry rules? There are none.
Mix gold with silver with bakelite with pearls. Wear every ring you own. Earrings should graze your shoulders. Necklaces should reach your navel.

4. The “I found this in a trunk” bag
Think beaded 1940s evening bags, wicker baskets with silk scarves tied on, or structured leather totes covered in pins.

5. Shoes that make you gasp
Kitten heels with rhinestone buckles, mary janes with bows the size of dinner plates, or metallic brogues worn with frilly socks.

6. Makeup = old Hollywood meets vamp
Red lipstick (always), winged liner sharp enough to cut glass, and a beauty mark, why not?

Where to Shop (Because Yes, You Need This Now)
• Etsy “vintage brooch lot” – buy in bulk, never look back
• The RealReal’s “statement coat” filter – set price low to high for maximum chaos
• Your actual grandmother / mother – offer to clean out her attic for “sentimental reasons”
• Thrift stores in Florida – trust me on this one

Maximalist Grandmacore inspiration:

Why We’re Obsessed
In a world of beige cashmere, maximalist grandma is a glorious middle finger to restraint. It’s the fashion equivalent of eating dessert first and talking too loud in restaurants. It’s joy in fabric form. It’s proof that getting older doesn’t mean getting boring.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a velvet blazer that smells faintly of Chanel No. 5 and decades of fabulously questionable decisions.

Save this post. Your future self (wearing seven brooches and zero regrets) will thank you

------

Thanks, Piper -- I think. Actually, I can hear my Mom-Mom from the afterlife saying "Aw, HELL no!"

DJ Doof - Song Titles Named After Their Artists Edition

Weekly commenter stats for week of 11-9-2025

AoSHQ Commenter Statistics:
Number of posts: 87
Number of comments: 26006
Number of unique hashes: 2209

Top 10 commenters:
1 [458 comments] 'Its Go Time Donald' [65.05 posts/day]
2 [380 comments] 'toby928(c)'
3 [366 comments] 'Sponge - F*ck Cancer'
4 [356 comments] 'Bulg'
5 [325 comments] 'runner'
6 [324 comments] 'the way I see it'
7 [284 comments] 'm'
8 [274 comments] 'Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon'
9 [271 comments] 'Alberta Oil Peon'
10 [243 comments] 'Boss Moss'

Top 10 sockpuppeteers:
1 [172 names] 'Old Yeller' [24.43 unique names/day]
2 [160 names] 'Cue the solipsism brigade'
3 [77 names] 'J'Quavious'
4 [57 names] 'Count de Monet'
5 [45 names] 'Quarter Twenty '
6 [38 names] 'The Grateful - Acta Non Verba'
7 [38 names] 'It's A Swindle, A Swindle'
8 [32 names] 'Duncanthrax'
9 [30 names] 'toby928(c)'
10 [30 names] 'Moron Analyst'

Tonight's ONT brought to you by THAT game

Mystery Click is a hint to the ONLY correct answer!

posted by Open Blogger at 10:00 PM

| Access Comments