iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 15h

The sun has come out after about 4 days of gloom and grey and overcast weather. This makes me sad. #ILoveTheGloom #IHateTheSun

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'm going to Oakland in 2.5 weeks for World Fantasy. So today I'm getting my flu & covid vacs. I don't usually have reactions but I have no plans this weekend & wfh Monday so I can be very chill after. Doing a quick grocery run before going to CVS. Then snuggling with kitties, reading and football.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I had a low tire pressure warning this morning on my way in so I stopped at the new Nissan dealership on Shoal Creek to get it sorted. The dealership is so new they don't even have a permanent building yet. But they have a nice waiting area. Hope I'm not waiting this long!

Adult sized and child sized skeleton decorations sitting on a chair. The chair is comfortable.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I just watched this week's episode of Ted Lasso and I am absolutely wrecked.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I'm reading a novel set in Istanbul in the 1950s and there are so many descriptions of Turkish food in it. It all sounds incredible and is making me hungry! (Plus I didn't really have a lunch.) But Dorian is asleep on my lap and I can't get up to get dinner until he wakes up, because Cat Law.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

It's an absolute monsoon out there. I left campus early to drive to PT and it was very slow with low visibility. But everyone seems to be driving pretty sensibly. And I love we have so much rain! I don't love driving in a monsoon but I love the rain so much!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I follow @dj-acid-reflux and you should too! His page is hilarious and heartfelt with great photos and the best alt text anywhere! Can't get his books in the US but Blackwell's will ship to the US with free shipping and no tarrifs. So this just came in the mail this week.

Cover of Tom Cox's boom Everything Will Swallow You. My alt text game is nowhere near as good as Tom's.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The full harvest moon is beautiful tonight!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Took my first 3rd q nap of the season. Time-honored football tradition.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I met with a visitor from the Univ of Glasgow yesterday. She gave a nice talk about the advantages of the university and city as an exchange destination for our students. (Their curriculum maps well to ours.) Showed us photos of the gorgeous campus. I'm sold! And she gave us a few goodies as well.

A blue notebook with the crest and words University of Glasgow. A pin and a sticker that says Team UofG.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I blocked off time this afternoon to do some work on a curriculum proposal. My part of the proposal didn't take long so I decided to use the extra time to do some way overdue compliance trainings. Including new ones on AI use in the workplace and relationships with adversarial nations.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In the hour before my alarm went off, I dreamed I was at work, my desk was piled with work, I was planning so many events I had to get friends who don't even work at UT to help me, our dean came to my office to see how I was doing on all my tasks. Then the alarm went off. That wasn't even subtle.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I just got approved for an ARC from Netgalley of the new Travis Baldree book and I'm more than a little excited! I can't wait to read it!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I absolutely love the opening number of the #Emmys. Absolutely brilliant.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I'm having a quiet but productive WFH day taking care of low-hanging fruit tasks and cleaning out my email inbox. (I won't get all the pending items done today but I'm making a big dent and hope to have all pending stuff taken care of by Friday.) Dorian also seems to be having a productive day.

A big fluffy grey cat laying asleep belly up on my white comforter. The belly is begging for a rubbing. Thankfully he loves belly rubs.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Is Ted Cruz attending the UT/OSU game? It kinda looks like he is... #iykyk

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This Miami game looks like a pro team playing a little league team. Miami has gone to their 3rd qb who is still scoring. And the teams have agreed to the 10 minute 4th q. Current score is 70-0.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day today. Remember you have it and things like 40 hour weeks/weekends due to people who refused to take abuse from employers, people who refused to go along with the idea that employers get to treat their employees however they want because they're "the boss."

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Hey Western Michigan we all know you were fucking robbed! I don't even care about the entire state of Michigan but I do care about fairness in college football and what just happened is unbelievably unfair.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My Beloved Hurricanes prevailed last night 45-6 against Stanford. New qb had a gangbuster game. He was pulled in the 3rd to give the backup some play time. Nick Saban has been sharing Canes love today. I think he's the devil but I also think he's right. Also why are Canes #7 and Texas #5 when UT

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Does this mean I have to quit my Britbox and Acorn subscriptions?

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I had all of an hour today where I wasn't in a meeting. Back to back to back all day long. I am beat. But I'm going to make myself go out for a bit for Miami's game opener tonight. Man I'm glad for a 3 day weekend.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I hit my reading goal for the year on Tuesday (50 books, 16,122 pages). Good thing too because now until Feb I'm watching all the sports! I will probably read another 20 books or so the remainder of the year but I won't be spending as much time daily because football and ice skating and sports!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Football season has officially started. The US Open has officially started. There go my reading stats the rest of the year. (I'm currently at 49 books on the year, hoping to finish 1 more by end of day tomorrow.)

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Made it out to Dark Ritual, a goth dance party in South Austin. Yes it is hard being a goth in the Texas summer. But I'm with my people and feel so revived.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Today got up to 107 (41.7 C). The hottest day in 2 years. So far. I changed the filter in my a/c and put some vinegar down the condenser drain line. I can tell a difference from changing the filter already. But man this is tough weather. Probably going to a goth dance party this evening.

static.klipy.com

Man Sweating on a Hot Day

Alt: Man Sweating on a Hot Day

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Dear Student: If your academic advisor is emailing you at 8:30PM on a Friday night, they are working too hard! Love, The Person Who is Working Too Hard (At least I've gotten the most urgent emails out finally and can now get some rest. And hopefully sleep in a bit tomorrow.)

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I've worked so many hours this week I was convinced all day that today was Thursday and I'd have some fun football to look forward to this evening. Oops. At least I have something to look forward to tomorrow. BTW, HOW DID I NEVER KNOW ABOUT KAOS? I'M LOVING IT! Jeff Goldblum as Zeus! Hell yeah!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Today is my first day back at work after being off for 2 weeks. I've been working on email almost nonstop since just before 8. I'm pretty sure I have the same number of emails right now that I started with this morning. Why does time away take days to catch up on email?

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

This is why I don't love summer in Central Texas. It's 105f/40.5c out at 6pm. Just got home and even with my thermostat set at 78 it's comfy in my house.

Display in my car showing the temp as 105F/40.55C at 6PM

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

#staycation day 8. I dropped off a couple bags that need repair. The repairs are more than I expected but I love both those bags and want to take them with me to the UK. I could probably replace both cheaper but then I'd be in the stores shopping and may not even find what I'm looking for anyway.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Post-swim relaxing with some reading and a Marigold. The pillow is to put under my knees to help them feel better but she decided the pillow was because my lap isn't soft enough for her so she must sleep on the pillow on my lap. She's purring so hard. I'm not mad about this.

Precious little orange cat curled up on a pillow on my lap. She's purring very contentedly.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Apparently it rained at my house without me noticing. Mind I'm sitting in a chair by a window reading a book. But I look up at one point and it's wet outside. I suspect it was a light rain but I'm sure my trees are pleased. As am I since I was starting to wonder if I'd need to lay soaker hoses soon.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

#staycation day 5 started with physical therapy. He worked my legs hard! But I'm flying to the UK in 4 weeks from today for work so I need to prepare! No swimming today (I've done 6 miles this week). So getting a bite at one of my favorite places then doing some belated birthday shopping.

A beautiful red pottery coffee mug with a medallion on it that says Original Pancake House Austin, Texas. When I leave here I will buy one to take with me on my new adventures to remind me of one of my favorite places.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

It's the most wonderful time of the year. (I don't care that it's preseason. Football is back.)

My TV showing a football game in progress. It's the first preseason game of the year. Many of these players won't have starting jobs with these teams in a few weeks.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Day 2 of #staycation again had me waking up earlier than I planned. So I'm in my office relaxing with Marigold on my lap, reading, and a friend stopped by outside. Marigold is suddenly very interested in what's happening on the roof.

Peaceful view outside my office window on the 2nd floor of my house. It's early morning, the sun is filtered through the large ash tree outside. And on the roof immediately outside my window is a cheeky squirrel giving my cat Marigold side eye.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

First day of #staycation and I woke up much earlier than I had intended to. I have a dentist appt later this morning but I may go see Odyssey after. Oh and it's officially hot, sunny and dry forever. I hate that about August. But I do love that the NFL preseason starts this week! Football is back!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Last year I bought enough shoes at the Clarks outlet mall in Round Rock to earn a $20 store credit, which I of course promptly forgot about. They very helpfully emailed me to let me know my credit is expiring this week. #staycation

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I hate that the last time I saw Glen Hansard in concert was the last time I'll ever see him in concert. But it sure was a good one. I love that he played a gig at a pub a few hours before he died. I'm sure the people there had a great experience.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Last year I saw The Swell Season (Glen and Marketa) at ACL Live at Moody Theater. In the audience was a couple who had played the leads in Once on stage in Austin. He invited them up on stage to perform If You Want Me. I have to imagine that was a bucket list performance for them. It was beautiful.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

About 2 years ago, I saw Glen Hansard at the Paramount in downtown Austin. It was such a great evening of music, and he had a big surprise for the audience! He told the story of going out after the previous night's show to The Continental Club (I think that's where it was) and seeing Dale Watson...

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I have so much work to do this week before I'm off for 2 weeks, and I'm sitting in my office crying, because Glen Hansard died much too young! I'm grateful for the music he shared with us, and that I got to see him several times over the years.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I am beyond heartbroken! I loved his music so much, and he was one of my favorite living singers. I am glad to have seen him in concert so many times, but I know he had so much more music in him.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Several months ago our Air Force ROTC students gave me a challenge coin for their unit. I'd never heard of challenge coins before but have discovered they are (among other things) a sign of respect and recognition for supporting the organization. Today I received another challenge coin, for TREL.

A round medallion with the Texas flag as the background. A rocket is in the middle with a banner through it that says Texas Born, Space Bound. Around the outside of the medallion it says The University of Texas at Austin.

Backside of the medallion with the inscription TREL and a stylized rocket. Around the outside of the coin it says Texas Rocket Engineering Lab.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Our local weather guy is trying to add some levity to our nasty forecast this week by putting the forecast in Celsius. My friends outside the US will appreciate this. It's still positively rude.

Nasty forecast this week for Austin showing a big heat dome right on top of us. But the forecast is in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. Either way, it's about to be a very hot and sunny week. Good thing I spent all that money last week fixing my air conditioner because it's going to get a workout.

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Yesterday was a fun and busy day doing birthday stuff! Today will be low key for sure. First up coffee then the weekly grocery run. Swim later. But yeah a quiet day. I love the coming fall season, football, shorter days, it's my favorite. Coffee is also my favorite.

A burnt orange coffee mug from The Original Pancake House, filled with steaming coffee. Soon I will be filled with steaming coffee.

My kitties Dorian and Marigold laying about, not wanting to get up. Same kitties!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Yesterday was great. And now that my birthday is over I can say what I love about it is that we're heading into my favorite time of year. Football starts in a few weeks, the days are getting shorter, theoretically it won't be Satan's armpit outside in a few months, and the holidays!

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Renee Babcock @renegade500.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Every time I see Trump or McConnell trending, I get my hopes up just a little before they're dashed. One day, one day...

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