Vicki A
@vickiaphd.bsky.social
Chaotic gardener, harm reductionist (semi radical in my professional context, mid to the real ones), earnest replygal.
Personal account because microblogging my work gives me hives. Hyping YOUR work is fun, though!
Personal account because microblogging my work gives me hives. Hyping YOUR work is fun, though!
Reposted by Vicki A
The USPS posting a NINE BILLION DOLLAR LOSS!!! sounds terrible. Certainly worse than if you said "USPS costs thirty dollars per person per year" even though that means the same thing and more accurately describes a government service
December 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The USPS posting a NINE BILLION DOLLAR LOSS!!! sounds terrible. Certainly worse than if you said "USPS costs thirty dollars per person per year" even though that means the same thing and more accurately describes a government service
Reposted by Vicki A
Also, extra time for exams is just ... not that big a deal? It takes some extra logistics, but for almost any course I teach, it doesn't remotely harm pedagogical goals or assessment quality if students take two hours instead of one
Even by the standards of The Atlantic, this is an extraordinarily weak evidence base for an article.
Data from a tiny handful of schools that isn't measuring the variable at issue and a few thin, secondhand anecdotes.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Data from a tiny handful of schools that isn't measuring the variable at issue and a few thin, secondhand anecdotes.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
December 2, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Also, extra time for exams is just ... not that big a deal? It takes some extra logistics, but for almost any course I teach, it doesn't remotely harm pedagogical goals or assessment quality if students take two hours instead of one
Reposted by Vicki A
the thing about extra-time accommodations is that either they help you a lot or they don't matter much, and if they help you a lot that is evidence that you should get them
Even by the standards of The Atlantic, this is an extraordinarily weak evidence base for an article.
Data from a tiny handful of schools that isn't measuring the variable at issue and a few thin, secondhand anecdotes.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Data from a tiny handful of schools that isn't measuring the variable at issue and a few thin, secondhand anecdotes.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
December 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
the thing about extra-time accommodations is that either they help you a lot or they don't matter much, and if they help you a lot that is evidence that you should get them
Reposted by Vicki A
I just found out there is a BEAUTIFUL senior cat named MRS. DOUBTFIRE up for adoption in Centre County, Pennsylvania! So, of course, I had to spread the word.
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
November 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I just found out there is a BEAUTIFUL senior cat named MRS. DOUBTFIRE up for adoption in Centre County, Pennsylvania! So, of course, I had to spread the word.
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
Reposted by Vicki A
"If you look at job growth between January and September ... for the past 15 years, it's only been worse once, and that was during the pandemic ... It is the worst first nine months for the labor market in 15 years."
November 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
"If you look at job growth between January and September ... for the past 15 years, it's only been worse once, and that was during the pandemic ... It is the worst first nine months for the labor market in 15 years."
Reposted by Vicki A
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Reposted by Vicki A
Apropos of nothing, here, in no particular order, are some things I do in exchange for money in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon:
Replace appliances and fixtures like faucets, dishwashers, microwaves, and garbage disposals
Repair/replace windows and doors
Repair rotten stuff
Baseboards etc
/
Replace appliances and fixtures like faucets, dishwashers, microwaves, and garbage disposals
Repair/replace windows and doors
Repair rotten stuff
Baseboards etc
/
November 24, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Apropos of nothing, here, in no particular order, are some things I do in exchange for money in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon:
Replace appliances and fixtures like faucets, dishwashers, microwaves, and garbage disposals
Repair/replace windows and doors
Repair rotten stuff
Baseboards etc
/
Replace appliances and fixtures like faucets, dishwashers, microwaves, and garbage disposals
Repair/replace windows and doors
Repair rotten stuff
Baseboards etc
/
Reposted by Vicki A
Any teachers out there? Ramping this back up again and figured I would advertise.
I am on the National Weather Service National School Outreach Team. We are composed of various NWS meteorologists across the country that give school talks about the weather. We can use just about any online platform.
I am on the National Weather Service National School Outreach Team. We are composed of various NWS meteorologists across the country that give school talks about the weather. We can use just about any online platform.
November 18, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Any teachers out there? Ramping this back up again and figured I would advertise.
I am on the National Weather Service National School Outreach Team. We are composed of various NWS meteorologists across the country that give school talks about the weather. We can use just about any online platform.
I am on the National Weather Service National School Outreach Team. We are composed of various NWS meteorologists across the country that give school talks about the weather. We can use just about any online platform.
Reposted by Vicki A
Northern Lights out here in South Minneapolis
November 12, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Northern Lights out here in South Minneapolis
Reposted by Vicki A
Aurora Forecast Update for 2025-11-12T02:04:01Z
Additional Details Here.
Additional Details Here.
November 12, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Aurora Forecast Update for 2025-11-12T02:04:01Z
Additional Details Here.
Additional Details Here.
Reposted by Vicki A
settings > content & media > autoplay video & gifs = off
September 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
settings > content & media > autoplay video & gifs = off
Reposted by Vicki A
I got PTSD from this as a journalist and likely again from seeing crime scene and autopsy photos while serving as a juror recently.
You don’t need to see it.
You don’t need to see it.
Folks, as someone who watched an enormous amount of graphic footage in my time as a journalist and developed PTSD because of it, please do not watch the Charlie Kirk footage.
Trust me. Once it's seared into your memory you cannot delete it.
Trust me. Once it's seared into your memory you cannot delete it.
September 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I got PTSD from this as a journalist and likely again from seeing crime scene and autopsy photos while serving as a juror recently.
You don’t need to see it.
You don’t need to see it.
Reposted by Vicki A
Press needs to stop repeating govt euphemism of “clearing homeless camps.” I’ve witnessed it in other cities: massive destruction of personal property. Not just bedrolls & tents; family photos, Bibles, meds. Times I’ve seen it people weren’t even given option to move their things.
August 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Press needs to stop repeating govt euphemism of “clearing homeless camps.” I’ve witnessed it in other cities: massive destruction of personal property. Not just bedrolls & tents; family photos, Bibles, meds. Times I’ve seen it people weren’t even given option to move their things.
Reposted by Vicki A
You don’t have medical debt because you did something wrong. You have medical debt because we don’t have free health care like almost every other country in the world.
August 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
You don’t have medical debt because you did something wrong. You have medical debt because we don’t have free health care like almost every other country in the world.
Reposted by Vicki A
The answer is: Hell yes, trans kids should be able to participate in sports according to how they identify.
The emotional damage done by rejecting a kid’s identity is the real concern here. Not the bigotry of a busybody parent trying to bully that one kid.
The emotional damage done by rejecting a kid’s identity is the real concern here. Not the bigotry of a busybody parent trying to bully that one kid.
July 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The answer is: Hell yes, trans kids should be able to participate in sports according to how they identify.
The emotional damage done by rejecting a kid’s identity is the real concern here. Not the bigotry of a busybody parent trying to bully that one kid.
The emotional damage done by rejecting a kid’s identity is the real concern here. Not the bigotry of a busybody parent trying to bully that one kid.
Reposted by Vicki A
And one final thought: Ozzy going out after giving an emotional final performance that raised a ton of money for charity is more spiritually uplifting and did more genuine good than anything any televangelist and religious grifter who railed against him ever did combined.
July 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
And one final thought: Ozzy going out after giving an emotional final performance that raised a ton of money for charity is more spiritually uplifting and did more genuine good than anything any televangelist and religious grifter who railed against him ever did combined.
Reposted by Vicki A
Ex-farm worker here.
We need to talk about this whole "But a living wage for farm workers would spike the cost of food!" thing.
Not true AT ALL.
Y'all don't understand how fast experienced farm workers are.
The average tomato picker pulls 650lbs per hour.
At $20/hr, that's $0.03/lb for labor.
We need to talk about this whole "But a living wage for farm workers would spike the cost of food!" thing.
Not true AT ALL.
Y'all don't understand how fast experienced farm workers are.
The average tomato picker pulls 650lbs per hour.
At $20/hr, that's $0.03/lb for labor.
July 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Ex-farm worker here.
We need to talk about this whole "But a living wage for farm workers would spike the cost of food!" thing.
Not true AT ALL.
Y'all don't understand how fast experienced farm workers are.
The average tomato picker pulls 650lbs per hour.
At $20/hr, that's $0.03/lb for labor.
We need to talk about this whole "But a living wage for farm workers would spike the cost of food!" thing.
Not true AT ALL.
Y'all don't understand how fast experienced farm workers are.
The average tomato picker pulls 650lbs per hour.
At $20/hr, that's $0.03/lb for labor.
Reposted by Vicki A
A) people recoil in horror when I tell them the amount of reviewing I do in a year
B) sometimes I do service because, if I didn't, a person with less power would be harmed (e.g., tenure)
C) women are treated very differently when we say no to these types of requests
B) sometimes I do service because, if I didn't, a person with less power would be harmed (e.g., tenure)
C) women are treated very differently when we say no to these types of requests
In a study of professors, women got 378 new work requests over 4 weeks vs 118 for men. Women spent more time on service, advising & teaching; men on research. Orgs should track who is taking extra duties & ensure they are rewarded and distributed fairly. www.forbes.com/sites/kimels...
Being Too Helpful At Work Can Hurt Your Career—Here’s How To Say No
Women are more likely to take on behind-the-scenes duties at work—extra tasks like onboarding or event planning—and it's hurting their careers. Here's how to say no.
www.forbes.com
July 7, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A) people recoil in horror when I tell them the amount of reviewing I do in a year
B) sometimes I do service because, if I didn't, a person with less power would be harmed (e.g., tenure)
C) women are treated very differently when we say no to these types of requests
B) sometimes I do service because, if I didn't, a person with less power would be harmed (e.g., tenure)
C) women are treated very differently when we say no to these types of requests
Reposted by Vicki A
Thinking today about how rich conservatives throw their money at 500 different people doing whatever they want and if 10 payoff they consider it money well spent while rich liberals will make you complete a 35 page proposal to hope to get $15k for certain prescribed activities.
July 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Thinking today about how rich conservatives throw their money at 500 different people doing whatever they want and if 10 payoff they consider it money well spent while rich liberals will make you complete a 35 page proposal to hope to get $15k for certain prescribed activities.
Reposted by Vicki A
The Greater Boston Food Bank & Mass General Brigham's new report is damning: 1 in 3 adults in MA is food insecure.
But instead of investing in ending hunger, Trump and Republicans' Big, Ugly Bill would rip food away from millions of families.
We'll keep fighting to stop this shameful bill.
But instead of investing in ending hunger, Trump and Republicans' Big, Ugly Bill would rip food away from millions of families.
We'll keep fighting to stop this shameful bill.
June 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The Greater Boston Food Bank & Mass General Brigham's new report is damning: 1 in 3 adults in MA is food insecure.
But instead of investing in ending hunger, Trump and Republicans' Big, Ugly Bill would rip food away from millions of families.
We'll keep fighting to stop this shameful bill.
But instead of investing in ending hunger, Trump and Republicans' Big, Ugly Bill would rip food away from millions of families.
We'll keep fighting to stop this shameful bill.
Reposted by Vicki A
Okay. Deep breaths. Elbows up.
We *will* survive this. If you need help today, if you're a trans kid, if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach for community. Take action. Don't let them force you into learned helplessness.
YOU MUST LIVE.
We *will* survive this. If you need help today, if you're a trans kid, if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach for community. Take action. Don't let them force you into learned helplessness.
YOU MUST LIVE.
June 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Okay. Deep breaths. Elbows up.
We *will* survive this. If you need help today, if you're a trans kid, if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach for community. Take action. Don't let them force you into learned helplessness.
YOU MUST LIVE.
We *will* survive this. If you need help today, if you're a trans kid, if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach for community. Take action. Don't let them force you into learned helplessness.
YOU MUST LIVE.
Reposted by Vicki A
It would be great if America’s pundits would pause this entire genre. “Burning down my house means I don’t need to take out the trash!” Your cleverness is not winning the day right now.
June 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
It would be great if America’s pundits would pause this entire genre. “Burning down my house means I don’t need to take out the trash!” Your cleverness is not winning the day right now.
Reposted by Vicki A
recently applied for two different jobs with a mid-sized software company, had a personal referral for both, didn't even get a cursory screening interview, the two people i know who work for the company both say they've never been able to get anyone through
May 11, 2025 at 11:54 PM
recently applied for two different jobs with a mid-sized software company, had a personal referral for both, didn't even get a cursory screening interview, the two people i know who work for the company both say they've never been able to get anyone through
Reposted by Vicki A
The Internet of Things ended up being the internet of unsupported products.
Google is ending support for 1st & 2nd generation Nests and completely pulling out of Europe.
Imagine having to replace the thermostats in your home because of a reorg at some big tech meant it was no longer a priority.
Google is ending support for 1st & 2nd generation Nests and completely pulling out of Europe.
Imagine having to replace the thermostats in your home because of a reorg at some big tech meant it was no longer a priority.
Google is killing software support for early Nest Thermostats
No more controlling these “smart” thermostats from a phone.
www.theverge.com
April 26, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The Internet of Things ended up being the internet of unsupported products.
Google is ending support for 1st & 2nd generation Nests and completely pulling out of Europe.
Imagine having to replace the thermostats in your home because of a reorg at some big tech meant it was no longer a priority.
Google is ending support for 1st & 2nd generation Nests and completely pulling out of Europe.
Imagine having to replace the thermostats in your home because of a reorg at some big tech meant it was no longer a priority.
Reposted by Vicki A
A decade or so ago, one of my mom's bosses retired.
She and her husband had this whole plan for retirement, living out their golden years.
They began their retirement with a weeklong cruise, the husband died halfway through the cruise.
She and her husband had this whole plan for retirement, living out their golden years.
They began their retirement with a weeklong cruise, the husband died halfway through the cruise.
May 9, 2024 at 11:35 AM
A decade or so ago, one of my mom's bosses retired.
She and her husband had this whole plan for retirement, living out their golden years.
They began their retirement with a weeklong cruise, the husband died halfway through the cruise.
She and her husband had this whole plan for retirement, living out their golden years.
They began their retirement with a weeklong cruise, the husband died halfway through the cruise.