Why did I say “Women in STEM” earlier (other than that’s a sticker on my work laptop that’s sunk into my subconscious)? It’s International Women and Girls in Science Day today. Have a look at this astrophoto I took last month:

Sometimes you just need a picture of the Aurora Australis over the Southern Cross for International Day of Women in STEM. #astrophotography

I’ve heard good things about this book.

I love analogue clocks, especially with sweeping second hands.

#BadAstrophotography. The sliveriest of Old Moons above the parking lot on a Monday morning. ISO250 f1.8 exp 1/60sec #astrophotography

Letting you know that Rush E is eligible for the ABC Classic 100 Piano pieces. This makes me so happy! (Also Untitled Goose Game soundtrack). Go vote. Https://classic100.abc.net.au

Mah brain is still on #Eurovision time.

Just realised nobody will ever accuse me of clearing the shelves of Oreos from every bodega within a six block radius.

Ah finished mah socks! #knitting

Bad Astrophotography. Picture of the Moon (top), Saturn (bottom), Ceres, Neptune and Mercury. (Not pictured: Eris, just out of frame). Shot on an iPhone SE. Exposure 1/60 sec. 28mm f1.8 ISO 160. No processing, no filters.

Yesterday as I was alighting from public transport, a little girl about age three or four spotted me. Her eyes lit up. “Mum! It’s the Science Lady!” Am I? Okay, yes, I’m a science lady. But I wasn’t HER Science Lady. “Hello!” I replied with a wave. That made her day. 🧵

Pol Pot. With what’s been going on the past two weeks, I am surprised nobody has mentioned Pol Pot. Why is that?

Why hasn’t the violence started yet? Clearly you’ve got reasons. I’m open to hearing them. (Then look ahead and plan. Why aren’t you looking ahead and planning instead of merely reacting and wringing your hands?)

Why no, I don’t wanna listen to smooth #jazz. I wanna listen to rebellious jazz, like they played a century ago. Jazz as it’s meant to be.

How are you resisting today? #resistance

Just letting you know I pronounce it gif not gif. #genx

TL;DR: every employee (not just Federal) should have a copy of their employment record off-site, at home. Saw a story of a US Federal employee (park ranger) who lost his job. He and several others were dismissed for “poor performance”, even though past annual reviews were…🧵

A wise friend shared this with me: “If you want to reduce the world to two groups—white men and their property—you have to start somewhere.” 1/2

Oh lookie what I found lying around, all declassified and begging for a readthru. It’s covered in cat pawprints that look an awful lot like Jorts: Https://www.cia.gov/static/5c875f3ec660e092cf893f60b4a288df/SimpleSabotage.pdf

One of the best hand-drawn protest signs I've seen in a while.

Anything they want, hide it or mislabel it. Anything they plug in, unplug it. Remove light bulbs. Move cubicles around so they hide some of the doors and when they leave the room move them again so they hide different doors. Play really loud music. Think like a cat and sabo tabby yourself a mess

I sincerely don’t know why people aren’t physically stopping those dorks. Move shit. Lock doors. Lose the keys. Everyone switch seats. Turn off all the lights. Switch the signs on the elevator lobby. Make the settings all silly. Use a different language. Wear costumes. Fill rooms with balloons

Just saying that doing lots of little things frequently has a bigger impact than you realise. You know what to do.

This is my batik chicken bag I got from Bali. His Grace thinks it’s the ugliest thing ever, but I love it to bits.

I’ve never seen homemade pizza dough be possessed by a demon until now.

I wish I had sufficient spoons to run both a Day Job and a full-on author career. I’m lucky if I have a half-hour of viable brain power at the end of the day. Anyone who thinks you can do both is running on a Chez Louie budget. I barely have McDonalds money.

A gentle reminder that as we leave the Holidays behind and ease our way back into our regularly scheduled lives, do not let reality intrude too much. Make sure you include some of that Sensawunda or magic in your daily intake for optimal health.

Last Christmas Ich gave thee myne hearte But the verye next daye ther came a wolf, Wyth sinews of whispers - quiet as frost - And the wolf stole my hearte, fled To a tower out of tyme biyonde all the stars. Seek now myne hearte, Return it within a yeare and a daye: Thys ys thy queste!

Alas, it is smoky in the city as well. Temperature inversion can do that.

So I asked the nephew what he wanted for Christmas. Immediately, he said “a telescope.” Turns out ever since I let him view Saturn last year in my Celestron lightbucket, he’s been obsessed with space. Guess what I’m getting him for Christmas? #boysinSTEM

Medical tourism is a Thing, and it’s not just going to Thailand for a cheap boob job, (though my neighbour did that).

Yesty was too people-y as I hauled too much shopping home on the train in hot Aussie weather during rush hour. After today, I intend on staying home as much as I possibly can. The vibe on the six am train is v different from the vibe on the 5pm train, and much preferred.

In an effort to counter nitpicky trolls who get their panties in a twist if they find a typo, I’ve been trying to spread the rumour that authors have a superstition that if a typo makes it into print, the universe meant it to be there and we consider it good luck. 🧵

I’d think that a leader who experiences periods on a regular basis would be considered more stable, emotionally, as luteal phases are highly predictable, and therefore preferable. You can factor in a time-based support plan to mitigate the expected effects of a corpus luteum.

I love this book! It’s younger sister is giving me a bit of heartburn, though.

Jupiter and Galilean Moons, as shot by an iPhone through a Celestron lightbucket. No processing. #badastrophotography

I’m Heidi and why aren’t I trying harder?

My Cross fountain pen is loaded with green ink. #amwriting