iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Collison @colly.com · 16/09/2026

Just received a copy of @scottboms.bsky.social's Lost Memories zine. Returning the gesture with a found memory in my post: colly.com/journal/lost...

Lost Memories zine with other material sent by Scott, plus a pack of SX-70 film and my Polaroid land camera.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 11/09/2026

Celebrated my 53rd (!) birthday appreciating simple pleasures on Longstone Edge. Check out those stunning birthday bentos made by @gericoady.bsky.social. colly.com/journal/fift...

Me boiling water for coffee with my new camping stove, high up on Longstone Edge.

Beams' orange cooler with the two oval bento boxes made by Geri, on a silver camping table.

Kicking back with drip coffee in a dark Kinto mug, and a great view from Longstone Edge over green fields.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 11/09/2026

Posted lots of pics (all edited with @aphera.co) from a recent trip across the South Downs to Goodwood Art Foundation, Chichester, Bognor Regis and Pagham Harbour. colly.com/journal/acro...

A visitor enjoying Magic Square #3 by influential Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica at Goodwood Art Foundation. Image shows large yellow and white panels on white gravel, the visitor wearing yellow and red.

A couple walk on a parched grass path toward Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin, with dark green woodland in the background and blue sky above.

Nancy Holt exhibition, typical white gallery space showing her photo work Trail Markers on the left, and a system installation to the right.

Detail of Rana Begum's Mesh installation, shot from the stairwell showing scrunched mesh in many bold colours.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 11/07/2026

Paid my respects to the Major Oak today, in the kind of weather that’s hastened its demise. I expected to feel sad, but something about its exposed knottiness seemed even more majestic. (For context, here's something I wrote last month: colly.com/journal/the-... )

A photo taken today of the deceased Major Oak tree in Sherwood Forest, showing its naked branches against a clear blue sky.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 21/06/2026

Paris and Épernay photo dump. Low-effort pics, but @aphera.co has transformed many. I tried the beta months ago but stalled as it was RAW-focused and I'm no pro; now it supports JPG, so I jumped back in and found my flow immediately. A joy to use, will be indispensable. colly.com/journal/pari...

A young couple walk past the exterior of Balades Sonores record store.

Looking up at the Eiffel Tower against pale blue evening skies, the scene framed by tree leaves.

Cookie, banana bread and a lovely flat white at Noir coffee shop.

Tourists mill about in the park below the Sacré-Cœur, near a fairground ride and trees.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 28/04/2026

Back from a week working and walking on the edge of Saddleworth. Nothing restores my positivity quite like spending time on the Pennine moors. colly.com/journal/a-we...

On the high moors between Uppermill and Dove Stone, in gorgeous evening sunlight.

My temporary studio setup at the barn: old piano, RODE mics in ORTF, MBP and Adams DV3 monitors, Push 2, Minilogue XD, Go:Piano 61, Mood pedal, Tascam 414 4-track, Launchpad Mini, and loads of other stuff. Everything's setup next to a huge arch window looking out onto the moors.

Me reflected in the big window, my music stuff in the foreground and the moors and blue sky reflected behind me.

A beautiful sunset, with the sun disappearing behind the hills above Uppermill and several beams reaching out towards me.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 27/03/2026

Almost finished part three of my Tokyo roundup. Here’s a preview...

Photos of unintentionally silly shop, restaurant and product names in Tokyo: Pornic bakery, Burger Police restaurant, a sign saying thank you for using it beautifully, a shop called Wild, Bushy, an apartment building called Dear Reicious, and some bath salts called Barth.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 15/03/2026

For anyone interested… oxidised contacts causing crackling when adjusting volume and input, resulting in intermittent stereo with frequently channel drop. So, partial breakdown, dissemble switches and faders, remove dirt and oxides with DeoxIT D5 and a razor blade, then lubricate with FaderLube F5.

Close-up of the equaliser and balance faders board, with cables running to the main unit.

Close-up of the Technics amp chrome fascia, disconnected from the main unit, ready to be cleaned.

Input switches taken apart showing that the tiny metal switch plates have been cleaned thoroughly. Look how clean they are now!

First test of the amp with inputs from turntable, Walkman and AirPlay. The unit is powered on and connected to devices but still without its cover or fascia.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 15/03/2026

Another time-consuming but deeply rewarding home repair. I love this amp far too much to replace it, and there’s no excuse when there’s a detailed YouTube video of a Turkish chap repairing the very same 44-year-old Technics amp. I came close to despair with the input switches, but I bloody did it.

Top-down view of a disassembled 1982 Technics SU‑Z15 amplifier laid out on white paper, with screwdrivers, tweezers, Leatherman, brushes, cleaning alcohol, DeoxIT D5 and FaderLube F5, plus switch caps, springs and other small parts beside the chrome front panel.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 03/02/2026

Happy Setsubun ("seasonal division," the day before spring in the old Japanese calendar). I was half-blind from staring into the sun, but managed to catch a packet of beans, which should help me ward off a few demons.

Holding the beans I just caught at the Setsubun event. Sunlight is illuminating the beans in their packet, and the crowd and buildings are in the background.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 19/10/2025

Grand sumo closing ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. What a treat!

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 03/05/2025

I’m walking it back to the village. At least eight hairpins like this. Wow.

A cyclist tackles a hairpin on the Col d’Agnes.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 03/05/2025

One for my cycling pals: I just hiked (through the woods) to the top of the famed Col d’Agnes. So many here puffing their way up. Just look at those hairpins!

Paper map of the area around Coumebiere.

The peak of Pic de Carrots from Coumebiere.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 13/04/2025

Enjoyed lunch at Session Arts Club, but only thought to photograph the piano and my favourite socks.

My beer amber Nishiguchi Kutsushita socks at Session Arts Club.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 13/04/2025

The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests, at Japan House, London

Tatami room at The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests, at Japan House, London

Touch different forest woods at The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests, at Japan House, London

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 20/03/2024

Patricia Collison, my Mam, 1944–2024. She put me first for 50 yrs, worked tirelessly to support our family, encouraged my creativity, trusted me to follow my path. Funny & sharp til the end, she died peacefully yesterday after her health worsened. Still haven’t taken it in, maybe sharing will help x

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 25/12/2023

Beautiful (and very cold) Christmas afternoon ramble from George’s Pond to Cuckold’s Cove and back.

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Simon Collison @colly.com · 25/11/2023

With Geri Draws Japan (@hellogeri.bsky.social) at Hepworth Wakefield’s huge Festive Market, today and tmrw 10–4, £2 entry. hepworthwakefield.org/whats-on/the... geridrawsjapan.com

Poster for Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market.

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