iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Apparently the Os management wants to piss off every fan possible.

Facebook post reading "Fans slam Orioles layoffs as Mr Splash and Oriole Bird exit operation"

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

After a frustrating start of my day, I am looking forward to a fabulous evening.

Screen displaying a photo of Angelique Kidjo and QR code for program information on the College of Arts and Humanities Deans Lecture Series.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Also, I saw this amazing temperature quilt on exhibit in Berkeley Springs, WV this summer.

Large quilt where small squares represent days, with each small square's corner colors representing temperature. Inside each small square is a representation of a something significant about the day.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Today was my 53rd first day of classes! Campus was buzzing.

Red yellow and white balloons at a college campus entry road.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

There was not much space to be too extra ;-)

Counter with book cookies and mini cipcakes

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

I have found joy this week in planning sweet treats for the @wiswell.bsky.social book tour stops in the Baltimore/DC megalopolis. Wiswell is pure kindness and joy and desrves to be celebrated for the treasure he is. Thankful he and my spouse are indulging me.

Book cookies for tonight. Cover of The Dragon Has Some Complaints on an iced sugar cookie.

Cake with the cover of John's book printed on it.

John smiling as he prepares to cut his cake.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

My friend and colleague is one of the editors of this book. Super excited to read my copy.

Book: Championing Queer snd Trans Inclusion Beyond the Campus Resource Center

Edited by Kaity Prieto, Nick Daily, and Kristopher Olivera

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I love @gamesdonequick.com so much. A balm for my soul to see so many gamers come together to do good. Remembering the fun in Pittsburgh earlier this year.

Screen capture from AGDQ with the words "Doing good is best done together" superimposed over a crowd shot.

Screen shot from AGDQ with the words "GOODNESS IS CONTAGIOUS" in white on a black screen.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

There is still one adorable Pikadumpling available...

A crocheted yellow picachu in a very round dumpling style.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Here are photos from when I saw it live while eating a crepe for breakfast.

David Brooks and Water Isaacson on a large monitor on a lawn at Tulane University - livestream in the outdoor overflow area.

Old fashioned pickup truck turned into a moveable creperie

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Hey there @gamesdonequick.com folk - the Pikadumpling is making an appearance in the Strange Horizons fund drive. If you like some fantastic writing to supplement gaming habits...

Screenshot of the backerkit reward level with an adorable yellow amigurumi.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Houston was preparing for World Cup

Decorated large soccer ball sculpture - butterflys and flowers on a light blue background with the Coca Cola script.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Incredibly moved to be in the room with remarkable folks to honor Lt Richard Collins, including @abbyphillip00.bsky.social Stevener Gaskin @lynaevanee.bsky.social Kier Gaines and two students one from the University of Maryland and one from Bowie State University. #SocialJusticeAlliance

Panelists on a stage with audience members clapping.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

It stinks that you have to see this nonsense when you go to read an EO (which is a whole additional level of nonsense when you finally get to it).

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

My guys are at the Yard today. I shall take care of some eldercare tasks in time to watch on TV. #Birdland

A father and son in Orioles and Maryland gear, ready to head to a baseball game.

Back spouse wearing Tyler Wells of Orioles jersey.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Goals + Relationships are the management touchstone, says @kaine.senate.gov at the #P3EDUSummit

Senator Tim Kaine addresses a group of people standing in a lobby.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Not every day that Mitch Landreaux is dancing behind you while a fabulous band plays on stage.

Bo Dillis and the Wild Magnolias, a band including a yellow New Orleans "Indian" closing out the New Orleans Book Fest

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Maryland @govwesmoore.bsky.social repping at the New Orleans Book Festival. Also on CSPAN BookTV.

Wes Moore speaking, as viewed on a jumbotron on the Tulane green.

Wes Moore and Wright Thompson talk sports on the jumbotron.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

"We are a people of the neutral ground, where we watch parades and park our cars." Walter Isaacson Such a NOLA thing. #IYKYK

Outdoor overflow space with jumbotron displaying Walter Isaacson in conversation with David Brooks

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Spectacular day in a fabulous city.

Beautiful spring day looking across the Tulane University campus, trees budding.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Pitfalls of getting dressed in the dark and immediately walking out the door. And of the "buy in every color philosophy." I thought they were my gray pinstripe pants.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

The UMD Love Data Week site has this amazing Hidden Vizzes puzzle. While you are there register for tomorrow afternoon's session with climate artist @jillpelto.bsky.social . #TerpsLoveData Art by UMD undergrad student Olivia King. irpa.umd.edu/lovedata/abo...

A hidden pictures puzzle in the style of Highlights magazine with data visualization types as the hidden items.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

The neighbor discovered that the blocks of ice/snow that are being removed from sidewalks and vehicles are good for something...

A large wall made of ice blocks sits next to a sidewalk in a snowy front yard.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Went to a craft show in Greenbelt Maryland today. Such a great little city.

WPA-ish era poster reproduction featuring 3 people leading a group of marchers. One carries a flag/banner reading "Peace, Freedom, and Progress" Across the bottom, the poster states "Declaration of the rights of American Youth"

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

A surprisingly lovely bathroom stall seen at Cordelia Fishbar in DC this evening.

Wooden crates and bouy under a tides map, nestled in a corner against a dark green wood paneled wall.

A toilet against a tiled wLl with a nautical scene, including a woman dragging an anchor. Against a shiplap wall is an old cabinet with crockery on top of it.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

We also bumped into our friend Sam, who is famous in the fiber world for his sweaters of places. We know him for our local yarn store.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

The alpaca parade is just one of the many reasons to love it.

Parade of alpacas wearing costumes including a cookie (handler in Cookie Monster costume) and a Yoda (handled by Mandalorian)

Alpaca in dragon costume, another view of cookie.

Alpaca wearing lei, another in a 1 of hearts card

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

The absolute joy on a tween's face when they see full size bars and forget they are too cool gor trick or treat is priceless. See also: shouts of glee at water and being known as "the rubber duck house"

Table with bowl of toys, bin of full size candy, bottles of watet, and bags with dpg treats.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Just attended the memorial for Robert Mislevy - amazing scholar, even more amazing human. We would all do well to emulate him.

Front of program with a photo of Bob imposed on a marshy scene.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Lovely evening at 6th & i - Sanjay Gupta interviewed by Anthony Fauci. Wolf Blitzer was two rows in front of us.

Anthony Fauci in one chair, Sanjay Gupta in another. A table is between them with Gupta's new book on it.

Anthony Fauci in one chair, reading from an advanced copy, Sanjay Gupta in another. A table is between them with Gupta's new book on it

Fau i ans Gupta on the bima. A beautiful blue stained glass window with the Star of David is above on the back wall.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

I feel like they are going for a hostel vibe?

Dark green sink in hallway, looking at bed nook with drawers under it and metal cage locker closet.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Traveling and just checked into a hotel with a very specific vibe.

Carpet with grafitti and fallout shelter sign

Glass wall with grafitti and Statue of Liberty - het book says "Riot"

Bed tucked against window, old rotary phone on wall.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Repping IR at the University Quelcome.

A rainbow set of beads on a card that says "Tell us about yourself and watch our jar chart grow." Jars are labeled "I'm new! Undergraduate" "I'm new! Graduate Student" "Glad to be bacl! Undergraduate" "Glad to be back! Graduate Student" and "Faculty/Staff"

Rows of rainbow colored bubbles sitting next to a sign that says "When the time comes, we hope you'll fill in our bubbles."

Table full of of rainbow things and framed signs.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Happy New (Academic) Year! Today was my 52nd consecutive first day of classes as either a student or an employee.

Fiftysomething woman with glasses and graying hair wearing a black plaid dress and standing outside a building.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Book talk in historic 6th & i. Two weeks ago in Northwest DC.

Stacey Abrams and Carla Hayden on the bima.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Totally reasonable. The person who got them for our office initially hid them all over the place - bookshlves, cubes, windowsills, individual offices. It brought (snd continues to bring) great joy.

Yellow duck on a door sign for the Engineers Office.

Pink duck sitting under a speaker behind a desk monitor.

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Michelle Appel @msappel.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

In our office kitchenette we have a variety of little toys accumulated over the years and folks like to areange them in little scenes. A couple of weeks ago we discussed the worst airports during a lunch conversation; this quickly led us to the oddities at the Denver airport. This arrived today.