iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 27/09/2026

Bought an "erasure poem" last night at the Punk Rock Flea Market Artist is Janessa Wight www.instagram.com/jenessaliz1

An "erasure poem" - a page from a book with most words blacked out except these specifically: "I DARE YOU" "genius -" "flash" "and scintillate" "let" "the" "symphony" "play"

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 22/09/2026

Also, hello from the greater Seattle area

Premium gasoline pump showing 6.999 per gallon

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 03/06/2026

I unironically love how much faith Claude has in me

Something like (3-5) ∩ (2,4,6) ∩ (<10) → {3,4,5} ∩ {2,4,6} → {3,4} ∪ {5} wait, actually {4} plus... you'd work it out. The point is you get a canonical form.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 30/03/2026

You sure about that, Amazon?

An email listing from Amazon.com with the subject line "New book from Jane Austen"

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 20/02/2026

Watch as Gemini adds more and more commas as it progresses through this answer

Google search content reading "Apple's Liquid Glass is a 2025 Ul design language for iOS 26 and other platforms, featuring a, translucent, and, dynamic, interface, that, mimics, physical, glass. Introduced at WWDC25, it utilizes real-time rendering to blur backgrounds, reflect ambient colors, and create interactive,, gel- like,,,elements that, morph, and, move, upon, touch"

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 05/02/2026

I wrote it out on my whiteboard when I went to turn in my blue badge

RULE ONE: Find a place you trust, and then try trusting it for awhile.

RULE TWO: General duties of a student: pull everything out of your teacher; pull everything out of your fellow students.

RULE THREE: General duties of a teacher: pull everything out of your students.

RULE FOUR: Consider everything an experiment.

RULE FIVE: Be self-disciplined: this means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.

RULE SIX: Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail, there’s only make.

RULE SEVEN: The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It’s the people who do all of the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things.

RULE EIGHT: Dont try to create and analyze at the same time. They’re different processes.

RULE NINE: Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It’s lighter than you think.

RULE TEN: We’re breaking all the rules. Even our own rules. And how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for X quantities.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 26/01/2026

No matter how many times I tell LinkedIn to stop, it keeps showing me recruitment ads for CBP.

A LinkedIn ad reading:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Promoted

If you thrive in high-energy environments, U.S. Border Patrol needs you. Physical fitness, teamwork, and... (more)

The image below shows people in a gym and reads:

BE AN AGENT OF STRENGTH

STAY FIT, STAY SHARP, SERVE PROUDLY AS A CBP BORDER PATROL AGENT

JOIN THE MISSION

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 21/01/2026

I don't know how I would navigate these uncertain times without the Schwab Investing Insights newsletter.

"Saving for a Goal? Try Eating Out Less Often"

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 03/01/2026

IOT device makers need to get a grip. This is a *meat thermometer.* Why would I need to log in?

A configuration page for "The Meat Stick" prompting the user to log in, with a pop up displaying "Warning: Not logging in will result in a subpar MeatStick experience."

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 18/12/2025

Of course I run into this on a website the same day I post about nullable types

An error message reading "Cvctoken must be a 'string' type, but the final value was: 'null'. if "null" is intended as an empty value be sure to mark the schema as .nullable()."

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 25/11/2025

Every week I log in to the WA unemployment portal to submit a claim and I get this popup that stops me from doing that to make me read an alert, the contents of which are that I need to submit a claim.

Alert contents reading "You have a Ul weekly claim to file"

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 24/10/2025

Walgreens called with an automated message to follow up from a text exactly as I was reading this

An incoming call notification from Walgreens appears over the Bluesky feed showing the "epic handshake" meme, which shows "Walgreens pharmacy" and "Democrats asking for money" meeting at "why the fuck are you texting me so much"

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 09/09/2025

I am not going to associate myself with my alma mater anymore on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn message box:

Delete education

Are you sure you want to delete your Texas A&M University education?

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 09/09/2025

In a meeting looking at all the data supporting RTO. It's just out of frame.

Comedian Nathan Fielder smiles alone in a picture, from the "friends just out of frame" meme.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 31/07/2025

LinkedIn has a jobs category for "Jobs where you're more likely to hear back," which is a pretty low bar but one which so many companies still manage not to clear.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 29/07/2025

AI is making web search so much more stupid. I just looked up foods that are good for someone recovering from nausea and Google recommended "fried foods" If you expand the entry though:

A search engine showing "Fried Foods" with an entry from the American Cancer Society: "Avoid fried, spicy, or greasy foods. When deciding what to eat, choose the foods that sound good to you. Your body may handle them better."

And from the Cleveland Clinic: "Avoiding fried, greasy or sweet foods. Eating slowly and eating smaller, more frequent meals. Not mixing hot and cold foods. Drinking beverages slowly."

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 24/07/2025

OMG that passive voice from Satya's message: "And yet, at the same time, we’ve undergone layoffs." blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2025/07...

The "goose chase" meme - upper panel is a goose, second panel is the goose chasing someone

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 19/07/2025

I was probably listening to Franz Ferdinand, Muse, or the Killers on my Creative Zen V Plus as I took the commuter bus home.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 13/07/2025

It is exactly like being back at work, y'all:

Claude Sonnet screenshot:

First question: do you have any comments about the follow the clock on call rotation proposal?

adjusts slightly in chair

Well, that's a great question about operational excellence. Look, I think what's really important here is that we're always optimizing for the right outcomes - whether that's developer productivity, system reliability, or team sustainability.

The specific mechanics of how we structure

our on-call processes should really be driven by what enables our teams to innovate most effectively. And when I think about innovation, I keep coming back to how AI is fundamentally transforming not just what we

build, but how we build it.

We're at this incredible inflection point where AI can actually help us be more predictive about system health, more intelligent about incident response, and frankly, more strategic about where we spend our human capital. The teams that figure out how to leverage AI for operational excellence - whether that's in (this is where the screenshot ends)

Claude Sonnet screenshot:

I'm an intern and hitting my midpoint of the summer. Anything I should experience on campus before I finish?

leans forward with slight smile

That's fantastic - midpoint already! Time

really flies when you're doing meaningful work. You know, the most important thing you can do in your remaining time here isn't necessarily about the campus amenities or the food trucks, though those are great.

What I'd really encourage you to do is get curious about the problems we're solving at scale. Talk to engineers, product managers, researchers - understand how we're thinking about the next decade of technology. Because what you're witnessing right now is this incredible transformation happening in real-time.

The work you're doing this summer - you're not just learning our systems, you're actually contributing to the AI revolution. Every line of code, every analysis, every insight you're generating is part of this broader mission to
build technology that ing to reshape how (this is where the screenshot ends)

Claude Sonnet screenshot:

What can you say for those of us feeling burned out by the constant shifts in strategy?

pauses thoughtfully

I hear you, and I think what you're describing is actually a natural response to operating in a space that's evolving at unprecedented speed. The reality is, we're in an industry where the landscape shifts not just quarterly, but sometimes weekly.

But here's how I think about it - what feels like constant strategic pivots is actually us staying ahead of the curve. We're not reacting to change, we're anticipating it. And that's especially true when it comes to AI.

The companies that are going to thrive in the next decade aren't the ones with the most stable five-year plans - they're the ones that can sense where the puck is going and position themselves accordingly. Every strategic adjustment we make is us staying at the forefront of what's possible.

And think about it this way - you're building skills in adaptability (this is where the screenshot ends)

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 13/07/2025

I used to amuse my coworkers during large group meetings by prompting something like "You are presenting at a large meeting and need to answer a question about frequent reorgs without saying anything of substance," then putting it in a side chat so we could compare what we heard in real time.

leans back slightly and gestures with hands

"Yeah, you know, that's... that's something we've been thinking about a lot lately. Look, I think the reality is we're operating in a really dynamic environment right now, and we need to make sure our organizational structure can keep pace with that.

brief pause, as if collecting thoughts

What I'd say is - we're being very intentional about how we approach these things. We're not just making changes for the sake of making changes. We're really trying to understand what our business needs are, where we're going strategically, and then... you know, building the right framework to support that.

slight head nod

The good news is we have really strong leadership across the organization who are all aligned on these priorities. And we're committed to making sure everyone has visibility into the process and understands how these decisions get made.

more conversational tone

I mean, change is never easy, right? But I think what we're building here is going to position us really well for the future. We're thinking long-term while also being responsive to what's happening in the market today.

looks around the room

Does that... does that make sense? I'm happy to talk more about any specific concerns you might have."

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 12/07/2025

I see a lot of breathless speculation on the reasons for tech layoffs. It's right here y'all. This is where the salary money is going. I am not saying it's good or bad, I am just saying it doesn't have to be a lot more complicated than "offsetting high capital expenses with workforce reduction"

A 5 year stock chart for NVIDIA, showing a +1,473.66% / +$154.44 growth in 5 years with a current value of $164.82. The most explosive growth started in 2024.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 09/07/2025

I have made a piece of visual art to commemorate my time at Microsoft. It is the first page of my separation agreement.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 25/06/2025

Me: Hire me, I am very professional Also me: Managed to get blue food color on my face within 30 seconds of opening it

A bemused looking red-haired woman with glasses with a smudge of blue on her cheek

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 14/06/2025

Actually I found several other companies registered at the same address. Those companies show up on various AI-looking websites all over, I saw one that claimed to be in Wyoming, another that was targeted toward Australia. There was an IT services company too.

A screenshot of a website for a firm called Ocean Spark. The header reads "We provide truly here prominent IT solutions"

Another screenshot of "Ocean Spark" which reads:

Why us! some reaseon here
24/7 customer support
Our dedicated support team provides 24/7 support through emails, skype and online calls to our clients.

Awesome team member
Your Company's mission is ours. Our team cares, listen, analyze, collaborate, and interpret your requirements.

Good product quality
Increased usability, decreased complexity, and clean code is key factors in our quality software products.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 14/06/2025

I see that the shipping page for that site uses the wrong name for the company. Looked it up, and it turns out Mason Porter seems to also be Paul Richard.

A screenshot of a site, "Paul Richard Handcrafted Bags." The image of the maker is identical to the one up thread that claims to be Mason Porter. The text reads: "Meet Paul: A Lifetime of Craftsmanship
Hi, I’m Paul, and I’m thrilled you’ve discovered my work. Since 1997, I’ve been handcrafting leather goods with passion, care, and a deep commitment to quality. What began as a hobby grew into a lifelong journey, where each bag I create tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship. For over 27 years, I’ve poured my heart into every piece, knowing that my bags would find their way into the hands of those who value timeless design and true artisanal work."

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 05/06/2025

I got a new dryer and apparently "Regular" and "Normal" are distinct cycles.

The selection screen for a remote dryer control app. Selections available: Regular, Quick Dry, Bedding, Normal, Air Dry, Timed Dry, Sanitize, Whites, Delicates, and Heavy Duty

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 01/06/2025

I just tried a clarinet for the first time, this is hilariously bad

An AI generated picture of a clarinet, humorously incorrect in that it has a bell on both ends instead of a mouthpiece and the keys are nonsensical

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 01/06/2025

"Keep searching for Trumpet mouthpieces" A) I was searching for clarinet mouthpieces B) None of these things are either trumpet or clarinet mouthpieces

A screenshot of Amazon.com reading "Keep shopping for Trumpet mouthpieces." The four recommended products are a "clarinet-stache," a gag gift to make it look like a clarinet player had a moustache, a two pack of same, clarinet thumb rest cushions, and a sterling silver clarinet pendant necklace.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 31/05/2025

Decided to thin out my work hoodies. This blue Build one brings powerful memories. I have had such a glorious time at Build over the years, a real sense of pride and belonging and just plain fun. The layoffs happened the week before this year's Build.

A stack of 4 hoodies with Microsoft logos. The one on top is a blue hoodie reading "Microsoft Build"

Vicky Harp and MVP Jeremy Sinclair in blue Build hoodies laughing and holding an #MSBuild sign in front of a colorful Microsoft photo background

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 30/05/2025

Another concept I like to reference in this area is the McNamara Fallacy: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNamar...

Screenshot from Wikipedia:

"But when the McNamara discipline is applied too literally, the first step is to measure whatever can be easily measured. The second step is to disregard that which can't easily be measured or given a quantitative value. The third step is to presume that what can't be measured easily really isn't important. The fourth step is to say that what can't be easily measured really doesn't exist. This is suicide."

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 19/05/2025

I was one of the thousands who were laid off from Microsoft last week. People ask me what I need. Just kindness, my friends. I understand what happened intellectually, but emotionally: honestly, it's been harder than I expected.

An office placard with the room number and the label "Vicky Harp." Underneath, a handwritten yellow post it note reading "I will miss you all ♥️ - Vicky"

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 06/05/2025

Asked Google Photos to suggest a photo from my library which might make a good watercolor subject and it gave me this

A shot of the label of a can of latex paint, smeared with blue paint

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 05/05/2025

I have been enjoying a drop of lavender syrup in my morning cup of tea lately after enjoying some Stash "Breakfast in Paris" on a trip recently. This way I can stick with my regular Yorkshire Gold and not have another box of tea rattling around the kitchen.

A cupped hand is holding a petite 50 mL bottle of Monin lavender syrup, with a brewed cup of tea on a counter beyond

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 02/05/2025

Got a little sister Eb to go with my A and Bb clarinets

3 clarinets standing on a table - an A, a Bb, and an Eb. The latter is much more petite.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 30/04/2025

I especially like this part where they have painted a bike lane marking approximately 10 feet from the unannounced end of the bike lane, right next to an impenetrable section of woods with a hidden cliff that drops off into a creek immediately past the treeline.

A bike lane is marked but narrows down to a regular shoulder almost immediately

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 30/04/2025

Oh you can have both where I live. This is the Google street view of the bike lane in my neighborhood. The elevation drops from 107 feet to 66 feet right here where there's no railing, but where there often IS a trash can in the way. It's a blind corner and the cars are going 40 mph at best.

Google street view showing a two lane road with one lane of traffic blocked by construction. The bike lane has trash cans in or near the lane on each side.

Looking over the edge of a steep drop off from a bike lane. It's at least a 30 foot drop with no railing.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 30/04/2025

It is distractingly huge and is going to drop a heap of flower litter approximately any moment now, but it smells glorious and it seemed like such a waste to put it directly into the compost

A large vase of lilac flowers on a kitchen table

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 30/04/2025

A garbage truck got tangled up with our lilac tree so I needed to cut back some branches.

A huge vase of lilac branches with large purple flowers sits on a kitchen table in front of a window

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 27/04/2025

Painted a nebula, pretty happy with it

A watercolor painting of a fanciful nebula with blue, purple, and gold dotted with stars

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 26/04/2025

Gansai Tambi opal colors feel like magic

A palette of watercolor paints that look basically white, alongside their swatches on black paper, which show them to be shimmery bright colors

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 24/04/2025

This restaurant is still open but way out of my reach these days: Central Texas BBQ in Pearland, Texas. They have something called the Jeff Special, which is red beans and rice with smoked jalapeno sausage and cheese. Just look at this place - IYKYK

A rickety shack of a building with a large yellow sign that says "Central Texas Bar-b-q inc - Beef, Ribs, Turkey, Ham, Chicken - Open every day"

The interior of the restaurant. It has a low ceiling, carpeted floors, and is packed with too many tables with large wooden chairs.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 14/04/2025

Walking down a sidewalk that is still being built and I think I see a flaw in the plan

A sidewalk with construction signage around it stops abruptly in front of a metal signal pole

A wider view showing that just past the signal pole is a high tension power line footing

A shot across the street showing the size of the power line pole, which towers above local businesses

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 11/04/2025

I cannot muster a neat metaphor so let me just share the vibes. First: this brand new PNW campus with no covered walkways. Second: this pile of umbrellas marked "return to lobby" at the elevator to the parking garage.

A vire of a corporate office campus with wide expanses of concrete on a grey, rainy day. There are no covered pedestrian walkways.

An overflowing umbrella stand with black umbrellas labeled "return to lobby." There are about 20 umbrellas total.

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 08/04/2025

This morning I am sick in bed feeling just awful. It's one of the great sweetnesses of life that my spouse has brought me toast and water on a bed tray and my dog is keeping a careful watch over me.

A brown and tan dog laying in bed and looking at the camera with an expression of quiet concern

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Vicky Harp @vickyharp.com · 04/04/2025

Take a look at these different zoom levels of Tesla charted against Costco at 3, 6, 12, and 60 months.

TSLA charted against COST for 3 months. TSLA is down 32.22% and COST is up 4.96%

TSLA charted against COST for 6 months. TSLA is up 10.98% and COST is up 10.70%

TSLA charted against COST for 12 months. TSLA is up 62.09% and COST is up 35.50%

TSLA charted against COST for 60 months. TSLA is up 589.92% and COST is up 209.88%

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