iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

My meal outbound was a paneer curry, off the regular menu. Not bad. That’s why I choose Asian Vegetarian. It can be a crap shoot. This was also J claw Norway back from…Asia. Embarrassing mush. They left the paper wrapping under the mush, too.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The signature suite was also a bust. The others had choices like fois gras. My choice was lettuce. My entre was falafel, two small pucks, hard as a rock, served cold. Also akin to fast food. Love properly prepared falafel. This was inedible. Pretty, though.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

My nebula palazzo pants were perfect for long flights. Plus pockets!!!! @svahausa.bsky.social Aff link www.svahausa.com?referral=%7C...

Photo of legs crossed, wearing black knit slacks with soft white dots and pink, purple, and green patches.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

While those around me were served steak or fish, this was my biz class meal on a long haul flight. The bun was rock hard and the veggie burger was cold I don’t like when they don’t plate the item that come in these temporary containers. Yes, privilege. But I paid the same $5000 for this ticket

Plate on a tray table. Burger and five potato slices plus an aluminum container of red sauce.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

And I came home to this news. There are six of us in the world so far.

Image of a badge with a navy background and shiny gold edge.

⭐️DAMÀ®⭐️
INTERNATIONAL

FELLOW
2026

Hi Karen,
On behalf of the Board of Directirs of DAMA International, it is my great honour and privilege to formally notify you that you have been selected as a member of the class of 2026 DAMA
International® Fellows
- the highest professional honour
conferred by DAMA-I.
You have advanced the data management profession for more than three decades through your thought leadership, education, advocacy, mentorship, and sustained service to DAMA®. As a respected practitioner, speaker, educator, and advisor, you champion practical, ethical, and business-focused approaches to data governance, privacy, security, metadata management, and responsible Al. As a longtime Advisor to DAMA International® and Lifetime Advisor Emeritus, you have provided strategic guidance, educated and inspired hundreds of practitioners worldwide, and supported the next generation of leaders through mentorship, community building, and advocacy for diversity in technology.
Your contributions reflect DAMA®'s values of professional

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

There might have been a few more sips on my travel back from #FABCONEurope

Photo of a glass with bubbling champagne next yk a plate of food.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In my seat on my way to #FABCON in Barcelona. Come talk to me about Microsoft Fabric, data security, data governance, patatas bravas, croquetas, and maybe cava, vermouth, and sangria, too.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Are you an American living outside the US? You can still vote in the midterm federal elections. 🇺🇸 Visit www.votefromabroad.org for info. 🇺🇸 Remember you must request a ballot every year. 🇺🇸 My state lets me do all my voting online, so it takes me 1 minute to vote. 🇺🇸

Photo of a yard sign posted near a street with cars driving.

* ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR US CITIZENS! *
AMERICANS CAN VOTE!
FROM CANADA
* -
votefromabroad.org
Request your ballot now!
Non-partisan voter registration. Overseas voters must request a ballot every calendar year in which you wish to vote.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Why these mass deportations of legal workers is going to hurt Americans. manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...

What 2034 means for Social Security
Social Security trust fund income, costs, and net change
1957 to 2025
$1.6T
$1.4T
$1.2T
$1T
$800B
$600B
$400B

2025
Spending
$1.61T

Revenue
$1.45T
$200B
$O
-$200B
Net surplus/deficit
-$160.16B
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
Source: Social Security Administration
& USAFacts
• One reason for the potential depletion?
Shifting age demographics. The Social Security system is designed, among other purposes, to support retirees. The model needs a balance between workers contributing to the trust funds and beneficiaries receiving them. These days, more people are reaching retirement age and living longer in retirement, while relatively fewer people are entering the workforce.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Anyone else here use Peloton and want some high fives and/or fitness stalking? I’m RealDataChick

Partial screenshot of a peloton class still. A dark haired woman stands on a treadmill near the front. She’s smiling, wearing an orange sports bra and shirts. She had her hand in her hip.

Recent workouts
45 min Walk + Run
Susie Chan

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I did get a bit emotional listening to his speech. I was afraid we would fold.

@datachick
It's a Good Life If You Dont Weaken

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

This title is the name of a song on

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Started this before I found out that the Canadian government is not going to concede to the demands. So I pivoted to a more pointed image. We are looking to the future. To global cooperation that strengthens us all. #Canada

Retro image of a diverse group of people looking over a modern city with sunshine and vibrancy. In the upper left side there is a grey skyline of DC

A woman stands strongly with her fists at her side.

Large text at the top says “@datachick
It's a Good Life If You Dont Weaken”

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

$Screenshot of a zoomed in SSMS window. 1 ALTER TABLE humanity 2 ADD empathy NARCHAR(MAX) NOT NULL 3 CONSTRAINT DF_humanity_empathy DEFAULT ('infinite compassion'); Messages Execution plan {tabs} Command (s) completed successfully. Made with Al sticker in upper right.$

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

When dudes spam a lighthearted post, then shit on the poster.

Robert Mack, Ph.D. • 1st
1d
...
Inventor of Universally Interoperable Datasets & Modular...
Karen Lopez, FCIPS, when your data models are modular plug-and-play, you not only simplify the data models, you simplify the instantiated modular datasets while making them universally interoperable.
Read more: https://maxxphase.com/solutions/
compatible-data-modeling/
Compatible Data Modeling - Compatible Data Architect...
maxxphase.com
Like
Reply 3
Karen Lopez, FCIPS
in
Author
1d
Independent Analyst | Senior Project Manager & Ar...
Robert Mack, Ph.D. I spent most of my career working on pattern and standard models, then helping orgs around the world adopt and adapt them.
Like
Reply | 12 impressions
•••
Robert Mack, Ph.D. • 1st
1d
Inventor of Universally Interoperable Datasets & M...
Karen Lopez, FCIPS, you never worked on data models that produce Universally Interoperable Datasets. In fact, your traditional data modeling styles only produce data silos because data integrity is never enforced between your ...more

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The process is faster, not necessarily easier. bit.ly/3FQMgpn A reminder that we have also eased our requirements for registering Canadian citizenship. If you have a Canadian in your ancestors, you may already be Canadian. That means you don’t have to go through the immigration processes.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (
Canada
1h •
Canada is seeking skilled professionals through these Express
Entry categories:
• health care and social services professionals
• educators
• tradespersons
• professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations
• professionals in transport occupations
• medical doctors, researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience
• workers with French-language proficiency
Find out how Express Entry category-based rounds of invitations work: https://bit.ly/3FQMgpn

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Today's space wear for #Moon2Mars event. It's a panel with a great group of very smart space experts.

Photo of legs crossed wearing black jeans with universes and stars.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

So I’m with a friend looking at the Allegheny Observatory Library collection. A wonderful set of physics, math, and astronomy books on multiple languages. Then I find this. I had fun trying to translate the book titles, publishers, and notes. It’s a good thing Mike speaks Russian. #Moon2Mars

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Just received this alert. I hope it’s just politicking and not a hint at planned actions by the US government.

< Security Alert: Worldwide Caution
July 17, 2026 - The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased
caution.
Location: Worldwide
Event: Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation.
We remind Americans in the region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments. The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution. Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions. U.S. diplomatic facilities, including

the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate. Flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions. U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

The wildfire smoke is here. And even though we’ve experienced this a few times, the being able to smell it indoors is a first for me. It’s also wicked hot, so people without AC are going to really suffer. I have two air cleaners and a new filter in the furnace.

!
4 Severe Weather Alerts
Orange Warning - Air Quality
Severity: Severe
Significant threat to life or property
Weather Event Onset
8:21 AM (EDT), July 15
Description
###
During heavy smoke conditions, everyone's health is at risk regardless of their age or health status.
Limit time outdoors. Reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.
You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.

Yellow Warning - Heat
Severity: Moderate
Possible threat to life or property
Weather Event Onset
4:29 AM (EDT), July 15
Description
A heat event continues.
What: Maximum temperatures of 30 to 36 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Humidex values of 38 to 42.
When: Continuing into this evening. May continue into Thursday or Friday for areas near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Additional information: Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high-risk category.
###
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Someone recently told me it was stupid to ever pay more than $200k for a house. They were adamant. I tried to tell them “it depends”. These are houses near me.

Photo of a boarded up small single story house

FOR SALE
$1,795,000
-bd • - ba • 0.31 acre (lot)
65 Orchard Pk Dr, Scarborough, ON M1E 2P6
MALVERN
WEST ROUGE
ARBOROUGH
PORT UNION
WEST HILL
GUILDWOOD
SCARBOROUGH
Google
Map data @2026

Photo of a small house one room wide with a separate single garage. It is missing shingles in a wide path on the roof.

$1,500,000
3 beds 2 baths — sqft
329 Morningside Ave, Scarborough, ON M1E 3G2
Extra large backyard • Separate garage • 1 bdrm rental unit

Photo of a very small house, one room wide. No garage. It has a nice porch in from.

$1,500,000
3 beds 2 baths — sqft
329 Morningside Ave, Scarborough, ON M1E 3G2
Extra large backyard • Separate garage • 1 bdrm rental unit

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

On my way to the Toronto Global Fabric Days to talk about data security. I have the prettiest train station.

Photo overlooking a park and trail. A cyclist in a red kit rides by. A sign say Rouge Hill.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

I was not a bear. It was a black cat.

Today 2 events
Porch Cam2 & Porch Cam1
Home front
A bear is walking on the driveway.

Camera thumbnail at night.

1:33 AM
Motion

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Well this was great news to get today: "On behalf of the CIPS National Board of Directors, the Fellows Electoral Committee, and all CIPS Fellows, I am delighted to confirm that you have been conferred CIPS Fellow status." It has been great having time to get back in to CIPS work.

CIPS, AITP, ISP, ITCP logos
Canada's Association of IT Professionals.

June 25, 2026

Karen Lopez, FCIPS

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Me, trying to fix stuff around the house.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

People who need this, go get it done. Don’t put it off.

000

Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Post EVA suit demo. This is the toughest asana.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

They are so confident. 😂😂😂😂😂

030

Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I went to leave my comment on the building of Trump’s arch. This image shows the first two paragraphs. Missing apostrophes made me twitch. The one sentence second paragraph made me pass out. Now I’m afraid to read the rest.

Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle
George Washington Memorial Parkway » Triumphal Arch at
Memorial Circle
The proposed United States Triumphal Arch (the Arch) would serve as a signature monumental structure honoring the nations 250th anniversary and contributing to Washington, D.C.s tradition of honoring national principles. Drawing on the historic Roman precedent of erecting freestanding arches to celebrate civic achievement, the Arch is envisioned as a prominent addition to the capitals architectural landscape in the monumental core.
The purpose of the proposed action is to celebrate 250 years of American independence by honoring Americas founding principles through installation of a structure at the intersection of Arlington Memorial Bridge and Memorial Avenue within George Washington Memorial Parkway, in a manner consistent with the avenue's established role as a ceremonial gateway and "Avenue of Heroes" celebrating valor, sacrifice, and American heritage.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

My first marathon. I got a tweet from space.

Tweet
Tamera Clark @tameraclark @astro_luca hey can you tweet to Karen she is running her fist full marathon @datachick
7h
Luca Parmitano
@astro_luca
@tameraclark @datachick wow that's amazing! Go @datachick!
2013-06-02 3:30 PM

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I walked into the office building for my meeting and the first thing I saw was this. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Wall mural of an astronaut in a white EVA suit at the end of a robotic arm over a grey planet/moon. Text in the upper right says “BE CONFIDENT.”

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

I just finished my afternoon break. It’s Friday of a second long weekend in a row. I have zero motivation to get back to work. How about you?

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

I didn’t realize I’ve stayed at this hotel before. This is why I could tell. It’s in the former 1928 Chicago Motor Club building. That’s a 1928 vintage Ford up there on that balcony. This is an art deco historic landmark and the details are all transportation themed. #KarensTravelStories

Photos of a vintage car located as an installation on an interior balcony. The decor is art Deco and there is a chandelier hanging over it

Distant Photos of a vintage car located as an installation on an interior balcony. The decor is art deco and there is a chandelier hanging over it there are tables and chairs in the foreground and more chandeliers above.

View is a three story vintage map of the USA in muted colours. A sofa back and table in front of it.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Another obligatory bubbles photo after a fun presentation at the Chicago Data Professionals group. I talked about and demoed Vector Embeddings, Fuzzy Search, and other nifty search options in #Azure & #SQLServer databases.

Photo of tortillas Eggs Cheese and Salsa with a glass of sparking wine.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

At the very least the Ninja Cat for this is cool.

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Karen Lopez 🇨🇦 @datachick.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Here’s a quick logic quiz for you: if the government says being *against fascism* is being against the USA, what type of government are they?

(Unrelated part redacted for space limits)
THE THREAT
"We must protect our country from invasion, not just from unchecked migration but from cross-border threats such as terrorism, drugs, espionage, and human trafficking. "
President Trump, (NSS)
Under the leadership of President Trump, America is again the world's most powerful nation, with the largest economy in history, the most advanced technologies, and the bravest and most skilled warfighters the world has ever seen. This newfound strength has been amply demonstrated by historic operations such as the neutralization of the Iranian nuclear threat under Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury and the arrest and rendition of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro under Operation Absolute Resolve.
But the terrorist threat has changed. We face new categories and combinations of violent actors that make the established ways of doing counterterrorism insufficient or obsolete. We face a multiplicity of deadly threats from terror groups and non-state actors often secretly supported by governments who wish to undermine us.
Currently we face three major types of terror groups:
• Narcoterrorists and Transnational Gangs
• Legacy Islamist Terrorists
• Violent Left-Wing Extremists, including Anarchists and Anti-Fascists
We can defeat every single one of these groups, but the threat is significant and pervasive.
The borderless America created by the Biden Administration was so badly exploited by threat actors that during one 12-month period of the previous administration, more Americans died as a result of the illicit drugs flooded into the country by the cartels than all the U.S. servicemen killed in combat since 1945. That is an existential threat that President Trump does not tolerate.

Currently we face three major types of terror groups:
• Narcoterrorists and Transnational Gangs
Legacy Islamist Terrorists
• Violent Left-Wing Extremists, including Anarchists and Anti-Fascists

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