iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 17h

Just adding a few more words to my mute list...

010

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It's good to see some work happening at McGowan Towers. I particularly like the colour coordination.

A close-up of a fluffy yellowy-orange bee on a yellowy-orange sunflower.

010

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

BBC iPlayer doesn't seem to have an A-Z of films any more. So, you're supposed to scroll through every category, rather than race through them in alphabetical order. And if you don't know which category they've used, you're stuffed. Is the Beeb trying to alienate people - or does it just hate me?

static.klipy.com

Jim Halpert's 'Eh Meh' Shrug

Alt: Jim Halpert's 'Eh Meh' Shrug

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

We're past the equinox, so we can start enjoying sunsets like this. One for the shepherds.

Leafy trees silhouetted against a red, orange and purple sky.

030

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Looking at my medical notes on the NHS app. It includes a plan with Xray foot. Then it says FU. From the context, I eventually worked out that mean 'follow-up' but still, a different abbreviation might be worth considering.

static.klipy.com

Kenneth Williams: Ooh Matron

Alt: Kenneth Williams: Ooh Matron

010

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm just sorting out my vote for the National Trust AGM. It's interesting that the candidates endorsed by Restore Trust don't actually mention that they are part of Restorer Trust (well, I assume they are). If they're so bothered about transparency, why are they being so opaque about that? Hmm...

static.klipy.com

Something Smells Fishy - Clownfish

Alt: Something Smells Fishy - Clownfish

020

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Ocado can rot in Hell until the end of eternity. I will start thinking about Christmas in December.

Ocado

It’s time to start thinking about Christmas. Tick one big thing off your festive to-do list and bag your Christmas delivery slot. Here’s the lowdown:
• Early access: we stagger the release of our Christmas slots, but as a Smart Pass member, you'll get early access next week before general release. However, please remember that slots are subject to availability.
• Minimum spend: slots over Christmas week have a minimum spend of £90.
• Open slot alert: we’ll send you an email or SMS the day before you can book your Christmas delivery. Slots fill up quickly, so booking early is your best bet for securing yours.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

'The Elixir of Love' at Wilton's Music Hall is very cheap and delightfully cheerful. It’s on next week as well, so do go! Donizetti certainly could turn out memorable tunes. Rather than wine, Dulcamara hawks cider - and that may account for my purchase in Waitrose afterwards.

A poster for The Elixir of Love showing a bottle marked Elixir, floating suspended by multi-coloured balloons. In front of this, the title in primary colored letters.

A bottle of Galipette cider. It is a squat brown bottle with a pale green label with orange lettering.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

An episode of 'Beck' for me. I'll leave the Last Night of the Proms to those who like that sort of thing. And remember, if you're going to sing along, that there's only one never in 'Rule, Britannia!' Or, stick to the British tradition of carrying on regardless and sing as many nevers as you like.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Two lads on the train talking about various forms of gambling/speculation and (I think) crypto - including saying that losing 500 quid was "no big deal". And they had both feet on the seats. And, yes, I can be totally judgemental when it suits me.

040

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I'm not sure who thought this was a good idea, but it just seems to invite unnecessary controversy. How about checking in with someone BEFORE you disturb a couple of hundred people? How about checking in when you have time to respond? Oh, well...

A Samaritans advert, the top half showing two people in an auditorium, one of whom is using a phone. The bottom half shows somebody reading a message that says Hey just checking in - how have you been.

The captions read Interruptions can be annoying. But what if your interruption could save somebody's life? You can interrupt someone's suicidal thoughts. You could save a life.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I'm trying to do something simple with o2. o2 does not want me to do something simple. It wants to bombard me with passkeys and codes and send me round in circles. The woman on the phone is being as helpful as possible but the UX is appalling. And I've no chocolate in the flat!

static.klipy.com

Smartphone Screen on Fire

Alt: Smartphone Screen on Fire

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Yes, you can make a mash-up of Sophocles' 'Elektra' and Bergman's 'Persona'. But just because you can,it doesn't mean you should. Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss are incredibly watchable. It’s just that I'd prefer to watch them in something else. Anything else...

Poster for the play Electra/Persona with an image of Cate Blanchett's face on the left hand side and an image of Nina Hoss's face on the right hand side. The faces are in washed out colours on a dark background.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Forget 'Stop the boats'. Can we move on to 'Stop the scam'? My landline is clearly on some list so I get AI-generated calls most days - including weekends. Yes, I can ignore, but how about stopping them! And, yes, I know phone infrastructure is part of the problem, so long term plan needed.

static.klipy.com

Please Stop Calling Me - Saturday Night Live Sketch

Alt: Please Stop Calling Me - Saturday Night Live Sketch a man sitting on a sofa is yelling into a phone. The caption reads PLEASE STOP CALLING ME.

200

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

On the one hand, it’s good that Sainsbury’s is stocking Christmas goodies for those of us with dietary requirements. On the other hand, it’s fifteen bloody weeks off. If I buy mince pies now, they won't last until Halloween!

The Sainsbury’s Free From section showing lots of Christmas goodies - mince pies, Christmas puddings, nachos, biscuits and selection boxes.

020

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

An engaging afternoon at the Donmar. Sophie Okonedo makes Natalya both frustrated and frustrating - with some gorgeous frocks. Always good to see Susan Brown - a great addition to any cast. Yes, it's Russians being bored and behaving badly - but also very funny and, in the end, quite touching.

A projection of a poster for A Month in Country at the Donmar Theatre. The title is on the right in white letters against a pink background. On the left, a picture of Sophie Okonedo dressed in a claret-coloured dress, one arm on an armrest, the other resting on her head. She looks bored.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Lad sitting next to me at the theatre was wearing a faux leather jacket. Every time he moved, he squeaked. If he managed to get out of there alive, I'll be very much surprised.

010

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I don't want to cast aspersions, but doesn't Farage have difficulty getting to Westminster at the best of times? And anybody who thinks a sleep-deprived legislature is going to do a good job* really needs their head examining. *Unless, of course, he doesn't want Parliament to do a good job...

Farage says Reform UK will stop the small boats by declaring a national emergency, forcing parliament to sit 24 hours a day, six days a week, until its legislation is enforced.

He is now threatening peers in the House of Lords, saying he will pack the upper chamber with hundreds of new peers to push Reform UK’s plans through.

If needed, Reform UK will call a referendum on the composition of the House of Lords, he says.

He’s now threatening the civil service, saying they will be replaced if they do not comply with the policies of a Reform government.

162

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

What I'd be interested to know is what background checks Reform does on donors. You'd think that due diligence would bring up that these people were not what they seemed, surely? So, what background checks did they do?

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The start of my reading plan for 2027. And the box it came in. I'll accept the title.

A book cover. The cover is light blue with a black and white image of Marcel Proust - a moustachioed turn of the century. At the top of the cover is his name in gold letters, at the bottom it reads In Search of Lost Time.

A Boss shoebox with the word Boss in cream letters on a very dark background.

010

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Radio 4 is going big on the Bayeux Tapestry/Embroidery today. I'm going to dip in to see whether the enthusiasm is infectious. I'm a bit woteva about it - can Radio 4 change that?

static.klipy.com

Alan Partridge Shrugs 'I Don't Know'

Alt: Alan Partridge Shrugs 'I Don't Know'

000

Reposted by Bren McGowan

Fraser Galbraith @frasergalbraith.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Fully in favour of LinkedIn dweebs dating each other if it keeps them away from the rest of society.

181

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Oh, come on - puzzlers everywhere were waiting for this one!

Guardian Wordiply results page showing the longest common word as Disproportionately at 18 letters, and my guess as Antidisestablishmentarianism at 28 letters.

020

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

'O, Waly, Waly' is a gorgeous song - I particularly like the Kathleen Ferrier version. Until today, I haven't heard it played on the bagpipes. Live. And I hope to God that I never hear it played on the bagpipes again. Ever.

static.klipy.com

Markiplier Weeps Gently

ALT: Markiplier Weeps Gently

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Oscar Peterson playing 'Sesame Street'? FIP Jazz is certainly educational.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I've just watched 'Vertigo' for the first time. People tell me it's a great film. I HATED it. It's just two hours of concentrated unpleasantness. The only decent character - Barbara Bel Geddes's Midge - disappears without trace in the second half. There's so much to dislike: 1/2

100

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Oh, noooooooo! Leaves on the ground? It can't be the first sign of autumn surely? (Not really, as selection boxes are already starting to creep into supermarkets.)

An area of green grass inside railings - the grass outside the railings is straw-coloured. The green grass has lots of brown leaves lying around.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

A bit of personal news: I'm now an Irish citizen (as well as being British, not instead!). It's quite an odd feeling. It doesn't really change things but, then again, it does.

On the left a passport photo of a grey-haired man with moustache and beard. On the left the words An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha Department of Foreign Affairs Clár Na mBreitheanna Coigríche Foreign Births Register

030

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I'll never understand Thameslink prices. I'm considering a trip to South Ken tomorrow (IYKYK). If I travel in from Luton it's £15.50, but if I travel from Parkway (one station closer) it's £17.90. Why, oh, why! (And if it looks like it's going to chuck it down, I'm staying home.)

static.klipy.com

Confused Math Lady Meme

Alt: Confused Math Lady Meme

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I know it's not the point but... "... are playing role" is an abomination. Presumably, they are role playing - so why not say that?

010

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

OK, I am officially spooked! My landline rang and as the number came up as 'Nuisance?' I didn't answer. I went one of the number checking websites and the number that called me was already in the search box! Is it because lots of people were checking the number? (I hope!) Or something sinister?

static.klipy.com

OMG Dog's Surprised Reaction

Alt: OMG Dog's Surprised Reaction. The caption reads OMG!!!!

110

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Today I started reading 'A Month in the Country'. Today I finished reading 'A Month in the Country'. It’s that sort of book.

A black and white illustration of a man close to a woman. He is facing the woman, with his back to the viewer. His left hand reaches out towards her. She is holding a hat and looking away from him, looking out of a window.

120

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I have a sneaking suspicion that this machine may not be 100% accurate...

Machine showing Weight 79.5 kg, Muscle mass 51.4kg and Percent Body fat 3.0%.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I've just spent the best part of 15 minutes 'chatting' with a building society. The chat kept disconnecting and reconnecting- until it threw me out. Ah, the joys of technolgy...

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I've reveived an email about my mortgage. The email comes from Yorkshire Bank. The email is signed 'The Team at Clydesdale'. The email is monitored by Virgin Money. And the statement at the bottom is about Nationwide. Clear as mud!

static.klipy.com

Confused Math Lady Meme: Huh?

Alt: Confused Math Lady Meme: Huh?

110

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Dear Today programme How to keep the Duke and Duchess of Sussex safe is *not* one of the big questions. Fortunately, Beatrice Rana is knocking out some good piano work on Radio 3 Breakfast so I'll stick with that. Yours faithfully, Bored of Bedfordshire.

020

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Please forgive me if I don’t get my hopes up but - based on previous experience - a parcel currently in Northern Ireland reaching me today just seems a tad over-optimistic. I hope to be proved wrong.

A screenshot of a Royal Mail webpage. An image at the top sshows a parcel being handed over. The text reads, We've got it
We expect to deliver your item today
We have your item at Northern Ireland MC and it's on its way.
If a delivery timeframe is shown, please be aware this is our delivery aim, not a guarantee.

110

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A great fun afternoon of Ayckbourn at the Old Vic. I saw 'How the Other Half Loves' 10 years ago, but had forgotten most of it - so a great treat. Audience in stitches - apart from maybe 5% stony-faced. No accounting for tastes etc. And I managed to avoid the flying soup. More or less...

The front of th Old Vic theatre. The facade is light grey with the words The Old Vic above a line of windows. Ar the bottom of the window in red letters are the words How TheOther Half Loves.

People are walking out of the theatre into the sunshine.

030

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I'm going into London for the first time in three weeks. I hope my aggression levels are OK. Fortunately, I'm not going on the tube so I should be OK.

static.klipy.com

Aggressive Manul Pallas Cat Roaring

Alt: Aggressive Manul Pallas Cat Roaring

110

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I dare say I'll have to get used to it but I HATE THE NEW FORMAT OF THE GUARDIAN CROSSWORDS. And breathe...

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I've just received an email from HMRC. It is addressed to 'Dear Customer'* which rather suggests that I can take my custom elsewhere. Any suggestions for a better tax collector I can use? *Seriously, when there are so many scams around, HMRC really ought to be able to ensure that it uses my name!

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

So, if people can't get a job, we will get them to work but not pay the going rate for the job but pay 'benefits' instead. In other news, tourists at Westminster Abbey report effing and blinding apparently coming from the vicinity of the tomb of William Wilberforce.

theguardian.com

Jenrick says Reform would make long-term benefits claimants clean up high streets – UK politics live

Party’s ‘welfare to work’ policy would force long-term claimants to do community work or face losing benefits

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I listen to Radio 3 a lot. I listen to Radio 4 quite a bit and Radio 4 Extra occasionally. The BBC Sounds app has been defaulting to Radio 3 Unwind. (And I hate the very concept of Unwinding!) Now the default has changed to 5 Live! (Which I never listen to and have no intention of listening to!)

static.klipy.com

Michael Scott's Confused Office Moment

Alt: Michael Scott's Confused Office Moment

110

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

A rather pleasing protest about a not-exactly-abandoned car. (It’s got an MoT, but the tax appears to have been due since July.) It's clearly not going anywhere anytime soon.

A mock poster headed Local Landmark of Enduring Character. Est at least 7 months and still standing.

The text reads, For over aeven months this valiant Volvo has stood firm near our beloved water tower, unmoved by time, weather or repeated promises of removal.
A testament to perseverance.
A favourite among locals.
An unofficial guardian of the neighbourhood.

Still here. Still untaxed Still unstoppable.

Getting it done? Perhaps. Just... not this one.

A black Volvo covered with grime. A flyer is stuck in the windscreen wiper. In the background are houses.

000

Bren McGowan @brenmcgowan.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

No, not listening to 'Broadcasting House' today. I've a horrible feeling that a lot of it will be Bonkers Bob's benefit plans and debate about press coverage of high-profile cases - i.e. talking about whether we should be talking about it! So, it’s Radio 3 until Chaka Khan at 10:00!

000