OtterB
otterb.bsky.social
OtterB
@otterb.bsky.social
Longtime SFF reader. Retired Higher Ed data cruncher. Barbershop singer. Married, parent to one adult launched & one with intellectual disabilities semi-launched. Catholic. In favor of wonder and kindness. She/her. Avatar thanks to cavyherd@wandering.shop
I have just been earwormed.
"A word about Mr. Teach."
"Edward? In the garden center? I've heard no complaints."
"Well, this is a bit delicate...it's the shanties."
"The shanties?"

🎶 Oh, what shall we do with a shrunk azalea,
What shall we do with a shrunk azalea,
What shall we do with a shrunk azalea?
GIVE IT SOME MORE WATER!
November 15, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by OtterB
You can disagree and argue as much as you like but the point of evaluating something scientifically is that not every statement should be given equal credence because evidence matters
JD Vance: "Science as practiced in its best form is that if you disagree with it, then you ought to criticize it and you ought to argue against it."
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
This was a good laugh.
November 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by OtterB
Well now, would you look at that?

A massive study of NEARLY 300,000 people in the United States found that receiving an updated 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine REDUCED people’s risk of severe disease AND death in ALL age groups, REGARDLESS of immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
November 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by OtterB
Alex Ovechkin scores goal number 900!

Photo courtesy of TXHT (txhthockey.com)
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Reposted by OtterB
I've said this several times on here, but the best thing you can do in your middle or upper school library is put up a white board with ice breakers and passive activities like word games, riddles, or puzzles.
November 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Thread 🧵 on 25 years of the International Space Station. And on tables and their social importance.
THREAD: 25 years ago today, the first crew of the International Space Station for a four-and-a-half month stay. Two cosmonauts - Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev - were joined by NASA astronaut William Shepherd. Since that moment, the ISS had had at least two people onboard.
November 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
I am reviewing a hotel contract for an event for a hobby org. I opened it in Adobe and got a message at the top: This appears to be a long document. Save time by reading a summary using AI Assistant.

Gave me a visceral HELL, NO! The whole point of reviewing a contract is to read every damn word.
October 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by OtterB
Starting this week, Capital Area Food Bank is providing free food assistance to furloughed federal workers & contractors struggling to make ends meet because of the government shutdown. Simply show your government work I.D. & stock up on shelf-stable items & fresh produce.
October 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by OtterB
Notice how it’s always, “the Bible must inform our laws!” until it comes to the +2,000 verses in the Bible that discuss the generous use of wealth and possessions in a way that prioritizes the needs of the poor, this sick, the stranger, the vulnerable, and the oppressed.
October 22, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by OtterB
Three high schoolers founded a book club that reads some of the country's most frequently banned books after a state law removing books with sexual content was signed in 2023. Two years later, many of the books have been reshelved and parts of the law can't be enforced.
When books were being pulled from Iowa classrooms, these teens started an after-school club to read them
Three Iowa City West high schoolers founded a book club that reads some of the country's most frequently banned books after a state law removing books with sexual content was signed in 2023. Two years later, many of the books have been reshelved and parts of the law can't be enforced.
n.pr
October 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by OtterB
A memoir.
October 13, 2023 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by OtterB
🎶
I am the very model of a MAGA Major General,
I've information secondhand from sources purely digital,
I know exactly nothing but what LLMs convey to me
In unencrypted late night chats, eschewing all security.
🎶
October 18, 2025 at 12:17 AM
You are now a magician. A wizard. A sorceress. A witch.

What is your familiar?

A river otter. They have such fun. I need to be reminded to make time for that. Although no doubt it would get annoying.
You are now a magician. A wizard. A sorceress. A witch.

What is your familiar?

Mine’s a peregrine falcon. Very fast (good for reconnaissance and message-sending); at home in urban high-rises (like me); official city bird of Chicago.
You are now a magician. A wizard*. A sorceress. A witch.

What is your familiar?

Mine's a raccoon. Just a little trashy guy. Also quite dextrous for carrying out my evil magical requests.

*please picture John Constantine for this scenario. Constantine plus a racoon, just imagine!
October 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by OtterB
October 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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Emile on sale!
October 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Thread 🧵 on the symbolism of the denied visit of the priest with the Eucharist to the Chicago ICE detention center. Rahaeli has a background in religious studies and is really good at explaining these things.
It's always good to see priests who still remember there are *seven* Catholic social principles. Also, that noise you hear is the USCCB screeching to the Vatican and getting back nothing, lol
Chicago priest Fr. Larry Dowling describes procession to ICE facility: “No one had the courage to speak directly to us. No one from Homeland Security could stand in the presence of the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder. Evil is repelled, recoils in the presence of Christ.”
October 12, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Reposted by OtterB
«ahem»
Rosie the Ribbiter

Thank you for you attention to this matter.
October 10, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Fascinating.
Look at her go!
#invertebrates 🌿
October 11, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Reposted by OtterB
I found the agitators! They are 2 unicorns, giraffe, canary, panda, mouse, dinosaur, mouse, Stitch, and the frog! And they are right outside of Portland's ICE facility! 🤣🤣🤣

#ProudBlue
October 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Fascinating thread about working at an airport, how the employees manage/help people, and how you can be the sort of person it is easy to manage/help.
A life update: this wound up paying off. I'm still applying to several jobs that are hopefully careers, but I've got my survival needs covered by a job at the airport that I'm apparently pretty good at.

And instead of being in an office alone, which was driving me mad, I see 20k people a day.
There is a line around this building to get to the line entrance to wait to get into this job fair.

At the airport. For airport jobs.
October 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by OtterB
Today is the release day for Queen Demon! I’ll be here at Politics and Prose in Washington DC tonight!
October 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Today I appreciate: My flight from BWI to Houston was on time and uneventful. The Southwest gate agent was highly amusing encouraging people to check a bag at the desk. The Southwest wheelchair pushers were prompt and helpful. Looking forward to seeing relatives I haven’t seen for several years.
October 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Reposted by OtterB
let the gourd times roll
October 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by OtterB
I do not want to enable location services. I do not want to create an account. I do not want to sign up for special offers and news about your product. I would like to engage in a simple transaction where I give you money in exchange for a good.
September 30, 2025 at 1:30 AM