iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

by cutting a groove into a tool handle, pretty much as McGuyver would do in this same situation. I used some thread wax from my sewing box to wax the strap edges before burnishing. I used a heat gun to work it in. I also polished the metal hardware but I did that wrong so don't look close. (/4)

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

That was cracked and crumbling, so I scraped it off. After a few weeks where I couldn't find the purse because I'd put it away somewhere that made logical sense, I sanded a gentle curve along the hard angles of the exposed strap edges. Then I made a burnisher (3/

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

The purse, not the terrified diminutive animal which we must remember is only speculative. Then I dried it -- the purse-- in the Arizona sun. Next I slathered the purse in leather conditioner, to soften its now crispy exterior. This worked like a charm, except for the edge finish on the handle--(2/

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

I finished salvaging this purse today. I bought it for around $5 at the thrift store, knowing that it smelled of pee. One wonder whether it had served as the travel enclosure of some terrified diminutive animal. First I washed it with soap, then Bubba's Rowdy Friends Enzyme Cleaner. (1/

A close up of my black leather purse, focusing on the burnished edge of a handle that I sanded and waxed after removing the cracked edging.

The same black purse, sitting against brown and colorful patchworked textiles. It is pictured from the side, unzipped, revealing a bit of monochrome tan leapord print lining.

The black leather purse that I salvaged; with leather tassels on all the zipper pulls, and silver toned hardware. It sits on a brown couch against pillows with an autumnal paisley pattern and bright patchwork.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

::puffs up with pride:: 😊

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Thank you for reminding me about the box of brownie mix in my cupboard

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Gripped by performative desire to be what I could have been if I'd been able. Because I feel the fragility of life and it lends urgency to something I assumed would be easy, having managed it so well in the recent past: connecting w others despite my strangeness. (4/4)

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

@hiddenbrain.bsky.social July 28 episode, "You 2.0: Change Your Story, Change Your Life" touches on this as it pertains to protracted illness. I started dating bc I got a diagnosis and feel slightly better. But I spoke about myself w self deprecation, suddenly embarrassed of my achievements (3/

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Narrative psychology has been much on my mind. I catch myself framing my story with uncertainty more than anything, and get frustrated, knowing we are biased against any narrative besides redemption... I will likely be thought less of if I tell my truth. But I'm proud of arriving at this truth. (2/)

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

I finished building my dust collection system, and moved on to tidy up the art space. It's almost where I thought I'd be a month ago, when I was called away to say goodbye to my mother for the last time. I am doing everything I meant to, seeking a sense of agency that has never been mine. (1/)

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

I'm so sorry, Manu, what a shock to lose someone that way.

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Anna DNP, FNP, BC@ AccessToCareAdvocate @anna1900.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

**Outrage Today** A whistleblower revealed that DOGE, Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” unlawfully uploaded the entire U.S. Social Security database to an unsecured cloud server, risking millions of Americans' personal information. Why isn't this getting more attention?

nytimes.com

DOGE Put Critical Social Security Data at Risk, Whistle-Blower Says

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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 27/08/2025

"By contrast, in 2025 thus far, Bluesky has driven "a hundred times as many page views" to Southern Fried Science as Twitter." arstechnica.com/science/2025...

arstechnica.com

More scientists choose Bluesky over Twitter

It’s not just you. Survey says: “Twitter sucks now and all the cool kids are moving to Bluesky”…

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

I've said so for years. Meeting moral outrages as *entertainment* institutionalizes them. There was too much bemused laughter and cool-headed disbelief from the sources that shape public opinion. Now, there is capitulation and normalization of those acts they assured us would never come to pass.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Beautiful! Recalls for me the deer-fox in one of my favorite animated series, Hilda 🥰

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Oh foolish past me, try R facial nerve or external carotid dissection. Bet you five bucks and some jaw pain (which could be explained by mandibular asymmetry or a clump of salivary stones).

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Internet Archive @archive.org · 15/08/2025

For Danielle, the Internet isn’t just a tool; it's a community. Some sites are long gone, but the memories remain. She’s not alone. The internet has been a space for connection, creativity, & nostalgia for many of us. 📝 Tell us your history with the web ⤵️ forms.gle/c3XqotHUToKe... #Wayback1T

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Manu 🌊🐋 @manelcamacho.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

BTW if you didn't knew but you might be interested, BlueSky is hiring a Data scientist, a feed algorithm engineer and a Machine Learning platform engineer! 👇 bsky.social/about/join

bsky.social

Jobs - Bluesky

View open positions at Bluesky

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Peter Gleick @petergleick.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

I just don't understand the basic idea that Trump and Putin can EVER come to any kind of "peace" deal that doesn't include Ukraine's agreement. Why is the media acting as though this makes sense?

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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 15/08/2025

The White House's memes about imprisonment, deportation, and death by alligator are designed to radicalize and desensitize. “What you have is this desire to get people to buy into the fun of sadism,” says Jason Stanley, an author who’s leaving the US because of “concerns over fascism.”

motherjones.com

The official voice of the US government Is cruel, gross, and weird. What is that doing to us?

Joking memes about imprisonment, deportation, and death by alligator are designed to radicalize and desensitize.

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 14/08/2025

Calling all scientists and science supporters! You have a crucial role to play in countering the authoritarian threat we currently face in this country. Learn more about how you can stand up for the facts and truth that are essential for a free and democratic society. blog.ucs.org/gretchen-gol...

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Right, a little consideration can mean a lot 😄

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

A person my age really ought to understand that, unless they are unnaturally healthy! I think a measure of a good friendship is whether people are comfortable enough to fart around each other. Not as a rule, of course, but it certainly makes me feel accepted.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Mostly just the NSAIDs, though, isn't it?

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

They were at times incredibly painful. But because I take Acetazolamide they can rest, and I don't NEED to use NSAIDS for my pain. I cut them out with no problem! So maybe soon I can stop farting all the time and go on dates.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

But because I started on Acetazolamide to take care of the alkalosis, my body doesn't have to breathe in panic mode (chest, mouth) anymore and *I can actually feel my abdominal muscles at play*! My core has been jelly for years, while compensatory muscles in neck and low back had to do the work.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Lots of them, and getting frustrated bc of stomach pain. I got to swallow a capsule cam! But I don't get to see the video 😔 Anyway, it had been weeks w no results and I had to call twice, but I learned my pain pills were giving me (non bleeding) ulcers. I'm going somewhere with this!...

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Congratulations are totally appreciated! 😊

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Will also be getting an MRI to evaluate possible ecchordosis physaliphora that I spotted on imaging. Probably posted that here before. No big deal if it isn't growing. Still want to know if I have NCC, but need energy to locate the right people to ask.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

I'm not ruling out the latter, as my neck CECT seems to show tortuosity and crowding of veins against arteries. I think maybe my jugular diverticulum raises the likelihood a tiny bit, too?

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

The shunting *could* be in the heart, and the doctor sounded hopeful that it would prove to be so, as am I. Another possibility is shunting via arteriovenous malformation, which would not be so great, but at least I could still take Acetazolamide.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

After seven years, I have a diagnosis: Primary chronic respiratory alkalosis with secondary metabolic alkalosis. Usually this pilots and extreme -altitude mountain climbers get this; I am neither. Likely the cause is a congenital shunt. @manelcamacho.bsky.social @medsky.social

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Are you seeing NCC in your patients?

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

This is unfashionably late, so I understand if you don't reply, but: Can I assume that radiologists-- even in the U.S. and other areas where NCC is not considered endemic (though likely on the rise) will have at least *seen* examples of the more subtle presentations in their training?

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Caitlin G. DeAngelis @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Everyone in the past was neurotypical, which is how we got things like this single-author, eight-volume encyclopedia of ferns

eight leatherbound books all titled "FERNS" volumes 1 through 8

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

That is, *attempt* to narrow down the differential. I don't feel strongly that this is what I have, but I don't have enough information to put the possibility to rest. FWIW, seven years undiagnosed and a curious nature. Doctors were investigating movement disorder but didn't find evidence on MRI.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

And, would it be reasonable to ask for a(nother expensive) review of my MRI based on this image and a couple other concerns? I'm traveling in three months to a renowned medical center. Other than clonus my symptoms are nonspecific. I want to narrow down the differential, yet not sound crazy.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Dear #radsky and #neurosky and neuroradiology professionals, Those familiar with neurocysticersosis in particular: Alot of examples of NCC imaging show not just a circle with an eccentric dot, but *two* dots, one large one small. Is it the shape of the cesstode's head, an artifact, or?

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

I'm surprised by a vague recollection of having read that (sentence #2); given most of the imaging examples I've seen showed a handful of cysts or more. I'm a layperson so I don't know how dumb of a question this is, but is there a compilation of examples from a range of one-cyst/subtler cases?

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Here are a couple of the "circle with dot sign" suspects I mentioned in my previous post (red arrows). The skinny green arrow is just another random shape I was curious about-- I think I've seen it on other people's MRIs. T2 Brain MRI from 2023.

Frame from a 2023 T2 MRI of my head, with red arrows pointing to circle-and-dot shaped things in CSF spaces, and a green arrow pointing to some probably-anatomical thing I was curious about.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

I'm unlikely to find anything that will clarify my diagnosis, because I don't know what I'm looking for. A radiologist, while able to recognize what they're looking at, might not see it in the first place. So it's always a gamble: Do I risk wasting my doctor's time and goodwill on this thing I saw?

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

When I try to put together "a few" images for my doctor, I get overwhelmed. I've noticed so many interesting things! I mean, a jugular diverticulum is *interesting*, to me at least. And I've found at least one paper suggesting it may have diagnostic utility in the right context... but by and large,

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Determining the second item of importance is harder. Two items present: possible circle-with-dot sign, and Meckel's cave/cavernous sinus asymmetry. Which is more relevant to my symptoms of foot clonus, jaw weakness, autonomic neuropathy... which of my symptoms is most significant for that matter?

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

First is a possible fluid collection in the prepontine cistern. It's maybe 1.5 cm tall by 1 cm wide, roughly. I showed it to a maxillofacial surgeon, who confirmed it looked like a fluid collection, but it hasn't been explored further.

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Mika @perceived.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

I have this problem where I point out the wrong details. It's got to do with executive dysfunction and impaired prioritization, and if you've read my posts then you probably gathered that. In reviewing my neuroimaging studies from the last seven years, there are a couple of items that stand out.

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