iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Putting the 'Grim' in 'How the actual fuck are you losing to fucking Grimsby'.

Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

One day I'll get the train from London to Manchester, it'll be on time and I'll make my connection. But today is not that day.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Feel a bit sorry for the men who refuse to enjoy women's football. They've missed out on some great moments.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Tried on a tshirt, queued, paid, left the shop. Half way down Oxford Street before I noticed my polo shirt was inside out.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Queen's Club for the tennis.

A tennis stadium; Madison Keys and Diana Schnaider warming up.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Lots of talk around the French Open about the relative value of the women's game. I hope any sceptics are watching Paolini Svitolina.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Amazing stuff at the Giro. Simon Yates winning against the odds on the same climb where he imploded in 2018. Glorious.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Roland Garros. Why on earth is the night match a qualifier v the tenth seed? A bizarre choice.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Napoli v Cagliari on telly. There isn't much that could make football less depressing... but Scot McTominay winning a league title is right up there.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Superb defensive performance from Man United. Down to 10 women for the last 25 minutes, City threw everything at them but barely made a chance. Did not to it the easy way, but Champions Leagye football secured.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Man United double bill this afternoon - the women trying to secure Champions League qualification in the Manchester Derby... and then the men in a dead rubber.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

The Champions League semis are reliably the best football there is. Barça v Inter not disappointing.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

I highly recommend the Tirzah Garwood exhibition at @dulwichgallery.bsky.social. loads of interest, but her woodcuts the highlight.

A well dressed man, the artist's father, loftily ignores a window cleaner.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Because we are having mecican food, the #fridaycocktail is a margarita... made from what tequilas and orange liqueurs I found at the back of my drinks cabinet.

A coupe glass with salted rim; the Madrid Open on telly, out of focus in the background.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

I have sadly passed away. Cause of death? Manchester United.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Because I failed to take any #fridaycocktail photos on a recent trip to Florence and Venice... a Cynar spritz. Soave, Cynar, soda, a slice of orange and a badly skewered olive.

Wine glass, ice, a slice of orange and an olive garnish.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Really striking that sport is an area that has been slow to transition to Bluesky. The political commentators, lawyers and so on that I follow are all here.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

First day of the County Championship season. By happy coincidence I'm working, so have popped over to Lords to see Lancashire in action.

Lords cricket ground in sunshine. Tom Baoley coming into bowl with four slips.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Absolutely cannot get my head around electing judges.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

The #fridaycocktail was a Select spritz, enjoyed in a restaurant in Venice. I plain forgot to take a photo.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

The #fridaycocktail is an ampersand. Old Tom, cognac, rosso vermouth, orange curaçao, orange bitters.

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Reposted by Ben

LRB Bookshop @londonreviewbookshop.co.uk · 14/03/2025

trent reznor update: he came back. he's lost a sainsburys bag for life with two heat-up chicago town pizzas and thought he might have put it down when he was browsing but we can't find it. anyone in bloomsbury, please be on the lookout for a sainsburys bag for life with two chicago town pizzas

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Draper v Fonseca is very fun. Not totally sure how Draper won the first set. Not exactky sure counterpunching is the right approach.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Up next: Hunchback (Saou Ichikawa, translated by Polly Barton).

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

I intended to post about my reading this year and... haven't. So to get going, the progress I've made on the exciting International Booker longlist.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Following a short hiatus, the #fridaycocktail returns. This an Alaska. Old Tom, yellow Chartreuse, orange bitters.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

If success in business meant competence in other fields, Manchester United wouldn't be 15th.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

A Man United performance so triggering that I'm arguing with idiots on the internet. Time for some fresh air.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Champagne cocktails for Valentine's Day. A Kir Royale.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

I'm going to be honest. Watching United is doing nothing to lift my spirits.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

After a slightly trying couple of days, a Blood and Sand. Equal amounts orange juice, scotch, cherry liqueur and sweet vermouth. #fridaycocktail

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

My favourite G&T is a Milanese: equal amounts gin and campari, with tonic. #Fridaycocktail

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Reposted by Ben

Prince Charles Cinema @princecharlescinema.com · 28/01/2025

#SaveThePCC Some of you may have read about the situation regarding our new landlord wishing to add a new redevelopment break clause, with only 6 months notice to our lease. For now, we're simply asking you all to share & sign the petition below; you.38degrees.org.uk/p/princechar...

you.38degrees.org.uk

Save The Prince Charles Cinema

The iconic Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End future is under serious threat! We are beyond disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion Capital...

8121482077 2.1K

Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Brilliant Australian Open final. Delighted for Madison Keys.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

A Cynar negroni, for people who like more artichoke in their drinks. #Fridaycocktail

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Happy Friday. Another sunken boat, one of my absolutely favourite drinks. Mezcal, punt e mes, cherry liqueur, absinthe. Loads going on but it works. #fridaycocktail

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

I thought Kai Havertz missing his penalty was the most I would laugh this week. Then I saw the Kyrgios score.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Happy Friday. Mine is a Vieux Carré. Rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, bitters. #Fridaycocktail

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

If you enjoyed Station Eleven and subsequent novels, it's well worth checking out Emily St John Mandel's earlier work. My second book of the year was The Singer's Gun. More or less a crime thriller, beautifully paced and highly enjoyable. She's a wonderful storyteller. 💙📚

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

My first book of 2025 was an absolute brick of a space opera epic. Exodus: The Archimedes Engine by Peter F. Hamilton. 💙📚

Front cover of the novel: a gold planet behind some stylised scifi machinery.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Because its no longer the holidays but there's some leftover champagne, the #Fridaycocktail is a Boothby. Rye, rosso vermouth, bitters and a splash of champagne.

Coupe glass, amber liquid, a cherry. All in front of the Christmas tree I really need to take down.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

And because I forgot to post a cocktail last Friday, the sloe gin fizz that's helping me see in the new year.

A coupe glass with a pink drink, in front of a Christmas tree.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

A slightly festive #Fridaycocktail. Brandy, tawny port, sugar syrup and - get this - a sprinkling of nutmeg. A brandy sangaree.

A nick and nora glass holding a dull red liquid. An LED star in the background.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

On reflection, should post about the weird space wine in Sainsbury's when I have followers who know I'm not a lunatic.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Anyone for an AI curated white blend?

Bottle of "CTZN" white wine, a 'white blend' claiming to be AI curated and hunan crafted.

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Ben @benreadingbooks.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Today's #fridaycocktail is a boulevardier. For the uninitiated, it's basically a bourbon negroni (bourbon, campari and rosso vermouth).

An short glass with a block of ice, a red drink and orange peel perched on top.

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