Ducky
@duckedydoodah.bsky.social
Queer disabled bookworm, crocheter, carer, & mum. She/her. Anti-fascist.
Studied archaeology, is a former forensic scientist, & now works for a charity. Has chronic pain & long COVID, & spends a lot of time hiding from the 21st century on #Discworld.
Studied archaeology, is a former forensic scientist, & now works for a charity. Has chronic pain & long COVID, & spends a lot of time hiding from the 21st century on #Discworld.
I saw Wicked: For Good last night. It's truly excellent with loads of new songs (& I wouldn't be surprised if #NoPlaceLikeHome becomes a protest song, especially in the USA). Definitely go & see it!
#Wicked #ForGood
#Wicked #ForGood
November 21, 2025 at 7:36 AM
I saw Wicked: For Good last night. It's truly excellent with loads of new songs (& I wouldn't be surprised if #NoPlaceLikeHome becomes a protest song, especially in the USA). Definitely go & see it!
#Wicked #ForGood
#Wicked #ForGood
Reposted by Ducky
i reiterate my case that the true alpha in any given group is the mum friend with spare pads and cheesy crackers and a mysterious number of packs of wet wipes
Whereas the top wolves are basically just acting like parents and making sure everybody’s got food and letting the cubs crawl all over them.
Honestly, the most wolf-like people around are mom friends and the dads who check your oil and sneak jumper cables into your trunk.
Honestly, the most wolf-like people around are mom friends and the dads who check your oil and sneak jumper cables into your trunk.
November 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
i reiterate my case that the true alpha in any given group is the mum friend with spare pads and cheesy crackers and a mysterious number of packs of wet wipes
Absolutely this.
#InternationalMensDay
#InternationalMensDay
Today is International Men’s Day. So here’s to refugee men fleeing abuse, trans men denied healthcare, queer men bullied for being different, Black men racially profiled, disabled men excluded from work, and all the other men who fail at being “real men.” May we continue to cultivate our humanity.
November 19, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Absolutely this.
#InternationalMensDay
#InternationalMensDay
I learned quite young that playing Monopoly with my uncle, who was an economist, was A Bad Idea. 😂
Never play board games with an accountant.
November 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I learned quite young that playing Monopoly with my uncle, who was an economist, was A Bad Idea. 😂
As ever, Alison shares the most beautiful items while also showing everyone how #AltText should be done. #archaeology #Roman
Stunning 2,000 year-old #Roman purple glass bottle, probably used for perfume.
📷 Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins
#Archaeology
📷 Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins
#Archaeology
November 19, 2025 at 12:06 PM
As ever, Alison shares the most beautiful items while also showing everyone how #AltText should be done. #archaeology #Roman
Reposted by Ducky
The witch made him hot chocolate.
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
November 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The witch made him hot chocolate.
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
Reposted by Ducky
"The Home Office has re-assessed Peru and finds that it is no longer the deepest, or the darkest on our list. It is therefore safe for you to return, and we will compel you to do so within 1 week of receipt of this letter. Your marmalade sandwiches have been confiscated in lieu of your costs."
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"The Home Office has re-assessed Peru and finds that it is no longer the deepest, or the darkest on our list. It is therefore safe for you to return, and we will compel you to do so within 1 week of receipt of this letter. Your marmalade sandwiches have been confiscated in lieu of your costs."
Reposted by Ducky
Archaeologist here. For 99.5% of human history (ca 300-400,000 years), we were peaceful (no war). There was conflict and smaller scale violence, but countless studies on the 119 known modern hunter gatherer groups show cooperation, negotiation, and peace instead of conflict. Please read books.
Revenge/physical combat was how people settled things for literally millions of years, it's normal human behavior, we're wolves not sheep, the government project trying to social engineer us and domesticate us into sheep has been unsuccessful
November 17, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Archaeologist here. For 99.5% of human history (ca 300-400,000 years), we were peaceful (no war). There was conflict and smaller scale violence, but countless studies on the 119 known modern hunter gatherer groups show cooperation, negotiation, and peace instead of conflict. Please read books.
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
In a frankly ludicrous triumph of hope and optimism over common sense and experience, I have just sent an unsolicited copy of one my books to someone whom I would *really* like to see it.
If the entirety of Bluesky could please cross their fingers and toes, it would be appreciated.
If the entirety of Bluesky could please cross their fingers and toes, it would be appreciated.
November 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Reposted by Ducky
People who dismiss e-books or audiobooks as being somehow less worthy or less meaningful than physical books are missing the point of books. Books are not ink and paper, just as human beings are not defined by their physicality. Books are connections; emotions; ideas; just like their creators.
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 AM
People who dismiss e-books or audiobooks as being somehow less worthy or less meaningful than physical books are missing the point of books. Books are not ink and paper, just as human beings are not defined by their physicality. Books are connections; emotions; ideas; just like their creators.
Reposted by Ducky
Since I transitioned, I've travelled to loads of countries around the world, my business has never been stronger and I'm engaged to be married.
Transitioning works.
I am happier now in ways I didn't even know possible and that's *despite* the way the UK is for trans people.
Transitioning works.
I am happier now in ways I didn't even know possible and that's *despite* the way the UK is for trans people.
Since Trans Joy Tuesday got such a great response last week, let’s do it again.
For the trans people out there, let’s offset all the bad news and share something happy going on with you.
Whether it’s big or small, please share your joy!
For the trans people out there, let’s offset all the bad news and share something happy going on with you.
Whether it’s big or small, please share your joy!
November 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Since I transitioned, I've travelled to loads of countries around the world, my business has never been stronger and I'm engaged to be married.
Transitioning works.
I am happier now in ways I didn't even know possible and that's *despite* the way the UK is for trans people.
Transitioning works.
I am happier now in ways I didn't even know possible and that's *despite* the way the UK is for trans people.
Reposted by Ducky
You can drill a hole in a bicycle frame and fill it to the brim with cheddar & broccoli soup and then weld the hole shut and paint over it. Nobody has to know
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
You can drill a hole in a bicycle frame and fill it to the brim with cheddar & broccoli soup and then weld the hole shut and paint over it. Nobody has to know
Reposted by Ducky
This is beautiful. It's poetry, but as an osteologist, your bones will only ever tell us a fraction of who you were - and your sex and gender will only ever be estimates, if studied. Even with the grave goods your loved ones leave with you, we'll only ever build a part of the picture of who you are.
I am often to be found caring for the unknown dead, who emerge, shattered, from their ancient and forgotten graves. Collecting them, burying them, praying them back to their rest. It makes me think, sometimes, of the transphobic refrain that in a thousand years our bones will somehow betray us.
November 18, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This is beautiful. It's poetry, but as an osteologist, your bones will only ever tell us a fraction of who you were - and your sex and gender will only ever be estimates, if studied. Even with the grave goods your loved ones leave with you, we'll only ever build a part of the picture of who you are.
Reposted by Ducky
Does anyone else find themselves paranoid about using em dashes now that they're apparently a signal that someone might have used AI?
I have never used AI in my writing, nor do I ever expect to, but I do really love an em dash. But now I'm nervous about using them in case people think I'm a robot😅
I have never used AI in my writing, nor do I ever expect to, but I do really love an em dash. But now I'm nervous about using them in case people think I'm a robot😅
November 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Does anyone else find themselves paranoid about using em dashes now that they're apparently a signal that someone might have used AI?
I have never used AI in my writing, nor do I ever expect to, but I do really love an em dash. But now I'm nervous about using them in case people think I'm a robot😅
I have never used AI in my writing, nor do I ever expect to, but I do really love an em dash. But now I'm nervous about using them in case people think I'm a robot😅
Reposted by Ducky
One time I genuinely heard someone say that people were less homophobic in the 2000s and I was like "we had to invent an entire separate word to describe straight men who gave a shit about their appearance to let people know they weren't gay." Not to mention all the, you know, actual hate crimes.
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
One time I genuinely heard someone say that people were less homophobic in the 2000s and I was like "we had to invent an entire separate word to describe straight men who gave a shit about their appearance to let people know they weren't gay." Not to mention all the, you know, actual hate crimes.
Reposted by Ducky
Instead of Secret Santa, we're doing something similar but for colleagues' kids this year. I've been paired with a chap who always speaks over me. I'm getting his kids glitter and glue. I hope they love it.
November 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Instead of Secret Santa, we're doing something similar but for colleagues' kids this year. I've been paired with a chap who always speaks over me. I'm getting his kids glitter and glue. I hope they love it.
There's a reason I'm a duck.
(Not said to be critical, but in sympathy).
(Not said to be critical, but in sympathy).
Being a woman on the internet is exhausting. 🫠
November 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
There's a reason I'm a duck.
(Not said to be critical, but in sympathy).
(Not said to be critical, but in sympathy).
How do I find out about local (ish) protests against these bloody disgraceful Labour policies on refugees? I always find out about these things afterwards (like the protests against transphobia) and wish I'd known to go along.
Anyone?
#Sussex #protests #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere
Anyone?
#Sussex #protests #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere
November 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
How do I find out about local (ish) protests against these bloody disgraceful Labour policies on refugees? I always find out about these things afterwards (like the protests against transphobia) and wish I'd known to go along.
Anyone?
#Sussex #protests #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere
Anyone?
#Sussex #protests #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere
Reposted by Ducky
Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.
- Terry Pratchett, Hat Full Of Sky
- Terry Pratchett, Hat Full Of Sky
November 17, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.
- Terry Pratchett, Hat Full Of Sky
- Terry Pratchett, Hat Full Of Sky
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy.
Yeah, kinda!
Yeah, kinda!
November 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy.
Yeah, kinda!
Yeah, kinda!
Reposted by Ducky
Fund the asylum system by randomly choosing a billionaire per year to have their assets taken down to a reasonable sum (say £50m - who needs more than 50 million pounds in a lifetime?) and the rest used to help refugees have nice stable lives in the UK.
I don't see how anyone could imagine that refugees as a group are carrying significant wealth with them in the form of stealable possessions by the time they get to Ireland or the UK.
Billionaire lads with a seat in the House of Lords and a few houses, on the other hand...
Billionaire lads with a seat in the House of Lords and a few houses, on the other hand...
November 17, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Fund the asylum system by randomly choosing a billionaire per year to have their assets taken down to a reasonable sum (say £50m - who needs more than 50 million pounds in a lifetime?) and the rest used to help refugees have nice stable lives in the UK.
Reposted by Ducky
This is a really nice font to have. In addition to being readable it hits that attractive-yet-unobtrusive sweet spot, and it’s TOTALLY FREE
periodic reminder of the existence of Atkinson Hyperlegible, a free font available from the Braille Institute designed to improve readability for people with low vision
I use it in talks because it's pretty and also because, as an audience member, I am perpetually squinting at people's slides
I use it in talks because it's pretty and also because, as an audience member, I am perpetually squinting at people's slides
Atkinson Hyperlegible Font - Braille Institute
Read easier with Atkinson Hyperlegible Font, crafted for low-vision readers. Download for free and enjoy clear letters and numbers on your computer!
www.brailleinstitute.org
November 17, 2025 at 12:54 PM
This is a really nice font to have. In addition to being readable it hits that attractive-yet-unobtrusive sweet spot, and it’s TOTALLY FREE
Reposted by Ducky
Something lovely to start the week! 🐙🏺❤️
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
November 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Something lovely to start the week! 🐙🏺❤️
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Reposted by Ducky
[nancy sinatra voice] ♫ these boots are made for wookiees ♪
November 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM
[nancy sinatra voice] ♫ these boots are made for wookiees ♪