iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Nirvana: My Unplugged In New York One of the best albums I bought in my late teenage years. RIP Kurt. What a legacy.

A screen capture showing the album art work (front cover) for the Nirvana Album, Unplugged In New York.

Released November 1994, just over 6 months after lead singer Kurt Cobain tragically shot himself.

The front cover features a live photo of the band performing on stage, inset within a squarish hand drawn (?) border within a white frame

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

HHFND. This is sitting between a Rega P8 and a Rega Elicit-R. It doesn't sound half bad on first listen. Not sure whether it will do the P8 justice but I will give it a shot. #HiFiSky

A photograph showing a Rothwell Simplex Phono stage

020

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I ain't often for naming and shaming, but for this standard of driving I make an exception. Tailgating. Speeding. Using the wrong lane to undertake. Setting off from traffic lights using a tablet. And for all her antics, she gained no advantage. Just wasted fuel. A danger to everyone.

2161

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Turning up to a triathlon on this sums up my MO

1180

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

It is marginal though. I have mine in cases and I get one, maybe two less in a case. There's 20 in that case, over half are gatefold. And still room for at least a couple more. Manufacturer states capacity of 25. This is probably more information than you needed though.

A photo of record (vinyl LP) storage case populated with records

110

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Why I didn't think of this myself? When storing vinyl records, put the anti-static sleeve behind the original outer sleeve in the jacket for easier access + save wearing out the outer sleeve or damaging the original inner sleeve. Picked this tip up from A British Audiophile (YouTube)

120

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Starting the day with some music. Public Service Broadcasting's 'The Race For Space'. #MusicSky

A photo of a vinyl LP record sleeve, Public Service Broadcasting's 'The Race For Space', second album from the band released in 2015 to critical acclaim. The sleeve is stood up in a stand. There's a collection of torches to the right.

070

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Planning to do this tomorrow. I should go for a proper bike ride, but with the other 9 Tour Fever stages completed, I feel compelled to cover this one too. #zwift

230

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

The 52 year old bike? I'm not going to be able to ride it home. So I've bought another even older one! I'll be making a video about that as soon as microphones arrive. Hopefully we will use it to tow the bike that inspired this channel 25 miles home. In the meantime, here's some art work.

030

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Not sure where the picture disappeared to. Here ya go.

Photograph of a Specialized Hard rock Sport, with mudguards, luggage and for now, gravel tyres

010

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Soldered a new USB power connector on to helmet camera/GPS module Y-cable. The old one was hanging on by a thread. Has a proprietary connector on the other end. Used 3 pieces of heat shrink - different diameters sleeved inside each other - as extra strain relief to stop it happening again.

Photograph of my hand holding a USB power bank connected to a helmet camera and GPS module on a cycle helmet. Soldering equipment can be seen in the background

240

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Sadly the child killer 4000's have a habit of showing up in the UK now and then. Apologies for the poor quality photo.

A photograph showing a large, lifted pick-up truck on oversized wheels and tyres parked as to 60% block the footway

040

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

The blue on this map is a shared footway/cycleway that crosses a side road. It is inset away from the mouth of the junction. That does not exempt it from highway code rules H2 and H3 right? IMHO a driver should still cede priority to pedestrians and cyclists? Is there anything authoritative ...

A screen capture from Google maps showing Tixall Road as it passes the side road Bays water Square. Marked badly in blue is an inset shared pedestrian footway/cycle path that crosses the side road.

284

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

That was a warm bike ride. Temperature, according to the head unit, reached 36°C towards the end of the ride.

A screen capture showing a Garmin Connect temperature graph with values captured from a Garmin cycle computer. The max temperature shown is 36° Celsius.

120

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Staffordshire County Council loves a contraflow cycle lane. The state of the bollards on the traffic island meant to afford cyclists protection really fills you with confidence.

A photograph of the contraflow cycle lane on the 'North Walls' in Stafford. In the background the Traffic lights can be seen for the A34 Queensway roundabout.

132

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Inspired by @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social 's Tron cycle lane, I took these on a ride the other day. This is a contraflow cycle lane in Doxey, Stafford, It's narrow, barely accounts for the turning radius of a bicycle, and within a few years of installation is overgrown.

A photograph depicting a narrow contraflow cycle lane on Railway Street in Doxey Stafford. The lane in on the right hand side for oncoming cycle traffic. on The left are designated parking spaces for cars. The road is too narrow for vehicles to use the remaining space, without driving into the cycle lane.

A photograph showing a contraflow cycle lane in Railway Street, Doxey, Stafford. The lane is at the extreme left hand edge of the road and is completely overgrown from the perspective the photograph was taken from. It also tightly radiuses a 90 degree bend.

A photograph showing the narrow contraflow cycle lane on Railway Street in Doxey Stafford from another angle.

A photograph showing contraflow cycle markings and painted arrows on a one way street

141

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Every HiFi enthusiast needs a label maker

A photograph showing 8 BS 1363 plugs, 5 of which are plugged into a power strip. The plugs are all labelles for the HiFi components they are connected to

072

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

@rega.co.uk Planar 8 with ND7 cartridge, supplied by Cheshire Audio. First impressions are good, very good.

Photograph of a hi-fi rack. A Rega Planar 8 turntable sits on the top shelf.

010

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

What is the legality of this parking? 7.5 ton goods vehicle, left unattended. There is dropped curb in the control zone proceeding away from zebra crossing, presumably for vehicular access across the footway into the park behind.

A goods vehicle parked on the footway along side the controlled zone leading away from a zebra crossing

330

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I was getting a bit of bass 'bloom' that was starting to annoy. This appears to have fixed it, at least at day time listening volume. Surprised how substantial these new feet are. #HiFi

Photograph of an upside-down SVS subwoofer part way through removing the stock feet and fitting SVS Soundpath insulation feet

000

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Still looks a bit of a mess, but this is about 50% improved. The two long loops are digital coax cables. Need to swap those for some shorter ones. For some reason I have a choice of really short or really long.

Photograph of a HiFi rack showing interconnects and power leads being about 50% less untidy than they were

130

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Analogue sandwich with a digital filling. Bottom shelf installed, having been repainted to match the others. I do need to rationalize somewhat. I don't need two CD transports and two DACs.

Photograph showing a hifi system comprising several components on q stand, and a free standing shelving unit to the right full of CDs.

000

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Staffordshire Police practically condone dangerous drivers. Awful victim blaming. No #visionzero here.

A screen capture from Facebook showing a post from Staffordshire Police.

The caption reads:

"It’s important to remember that there is no such thing as ‘right of way’ in The Highway Code.

You may have priority for a situation, but do not treat it as a right.

If you do, you are putting your life in the hands of an unknown person with unknown driving capabilities.

If you’re a motorbike rider, you’ll know that you often have to do the thinking for other road users in order to stay safe.

Although it can be frustrating when others aren’t following the correct priority, it’s not worth putting yourself and your bike at risk to prove a point as you are more vulnerable if a collision does occur.

The number one thing is to ride to get home alive #LookAgain"

221

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

A piece of Rega HiFi history arrived today. This Rega Mira integrated amplifier, manufactured in 1999 (was introduced 1997). It seems to work and sounds lush. Will be plumbed in whilst the Elicit-R is away for repair.

A photograph showing the front fascia of a Rega Mira.

A photograph of a Rega Mira amplifier on top of a Yamaha Cassette Deck

020

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Turning this HiFi shelf from 'cherry wood' to black. Because I am too stingy to spend £250 to get one in the right colour. This one was £36.

Photograph of a Quadraspire Q4 hifi shelf clamped vertically in a work bench, unsanded

Photograph of a Quadraspire Q4 hifi shelf clamped vertically in a work bench, sanded

030

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Not particularly big numbers. Just shy of 3000 km dog walking. 4300 km cycling. 2400 km driven. 800 km of which was covered by just two trips in December. I reckon there were at least 345 non-driving days.

170

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

This is where we are currently at. Recently snagged the speakers from a friend clearing out his HiFi gear. Not even dusted them as yet, but they are incredible. Carbon Fibre ftw!

A photograph showing recently purchased CDs laid out in their cases/sleeves on top of a Denon turntable.

CDs are More by Pulp, From the Pyre by The Last Dinner Party, Moisturiser by Wet Leg, The Wall by Pink Floyd, Wicked (soundtrack), Guts by Olivia Rodrigo

A photograph of a HiFi stand with a turntable, network streamer, CD player, amifier and on the bottom shelf a laser printer

A photograph showing a Wilson Benesch ARC speaker and an SVS subwoofer

110

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Our roads are congested with cars full of fridges?

A post reads "when you next need to get a fridge delivered, please pick it up on your bike"

340

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Every morning is an adventure. Followed by a nap.

Photo of a dog lying on a beige carpet, struggling to keep his eyes open

050

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Decommissioning domain controllers. And listening to some Bon Iver whilst waiting for Active Directory to get its shit together. Because that's better than doom scrolling.

A photo showing a CD case for Bon Iver's "for emma, forever ago" leant upnin front of a CD player

010

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Finally I am getting around to digitising some albums,which are on vinyl with this crude setup. Fairly sure having the laptop on top of the record deck is sub-optimal, but this good enough for who it is for. Apologies for anyone who is upset by this.

A photograph showing a crude set up for recorsing vinyl LPs. On the left is a record player with its lid down. On top of the lid is a towel. On top of that is a laptop recorsing with Audacity. On the right is a Hi-fi system, the receiver shows 'phono' on the display. Out of ahot is a cheap USB sound interface connected to the record output of the receiver. The USB cabale can be seen connected to the laptop.

120

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

E-bicycles are very dangerous and should be outlawed immediately ...

A Ford Fiesta situated vertically, having landed on its nose following a collision with a parkef car. The Fiesta is situated next to the Drakehouse retail park sign, it's rear end supported by a tree.

082

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

As a cyclist, I am much more concerned about about the dangerous atituded exhibited by a large proportion of car drivers than I am about resurrecting an 8 day old thread to have an argument.

030

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Cycled along National Cycle Network Route 5 to Stone. That's as far as I have been. Towpaths make for a very dusty bike.

Photograph showing canalside residences in Stone. Four narrow boats can be seen moored up in front of them.

260

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Absolutely a stunt, given ...

Image of a Daily Mirror article from 11th August 2016, fact checking Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign for Remain in the 2016 referendum. The headline asks “Did Jeremy Corbyn fail to campaign during the EU Referendum?” The article states “No . . . he gave 122 speeches in the course of the campaign and travelled 2,678 miles to make Labour’s case for Remain in order to preserve the protection of consumers, workers and the environment - as acknowledged by Angela Eagle at the time.

000

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Balls to Spotify. Enjoying some good old fashion physical media at the moment. The irony of using a Sony MiniDisc deck is not lost on me. Sony are as controversial as Spotify. Especially with the rootkit DRM they rolled out on CDs. MD was a great format No apology for the dust in this photo.

A photograph of a Sony MiniDisc deck and a Yamaha Cassette Deck on a HiFi rack.

The MiniDisc Deck is playing.

There is a Lego Fire captain's vehicle in feont of thr cassette deck.

251

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

I haven't been under a rock these last few months. He just shot himself in the foot and your coments and the others like them I have seen today are not helping.

Zack Polanski

"We do not have a moment to waste.

We're not having conversations about names or conferences.

We're campaigning - and winning seats across the country."

100

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Really? And no The Green Party does not want the same. Going by the 2024 manifesto does not stand for collective bargaining. Doesn't recognise what automation is doing to the jobs market. Has no commitments to lifelong learning or competing internationally on talent, not cost.

Screenshot of Zack Polanski post
"We do not have a moment to waste.
We're not having conversations about names or conferences.
We're campaigning - and winning in seats across the country."

110

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Noticed this MINI smoking. Passed its MOT on the day I captured it. Driver came to my attention because exceeded the 20 mph speed limit when she overtook me. Surprised that a car can pass an MOT in this condition. The catalytic converter will be trashed in not many miles.

A still image from a cyclist's helmet camera showing a MINI, RJ56 MHV, emitting blue smoke (burnt oil) from it's exhaust pipe

A screen capture showing the vehicle was MOT tested that same day and passed, albeit it with an advisory "Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration".

010

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Yet another driver endangering a cyclist. I saw the traffic queuing off the RAB upon reaching the red traffic light. Did the driver? Poorly planned/dangerous manoeuvre. Driver comes to a stop straddling the pedestrian crossing. Don't rate the owners vehicle maintenance. ** Swearing in video **

100

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

And the bullshit bingo prize for today goes to ...

A reply by @maksymlozofficial.bsky.social reads "Ur such a troll and pathetic. I've seen people get run over and bicyclists ride away. They have no plates. Or insurance. N it's basically a hit and run. Drivers r accounted for those explicit requirements. Share the road, share the rules."

260

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Light bracket finished. Not the best craft-person-ship and not 'aero' but functional and good enough for who it is for. Just waiting for the trunk bag, pedal and wheel reflectors to arrive before it is pressed into service.

A photograph of the rearof a bicycle taken indoors, showing a home made light bracket attached to the rear pannier (luggage rack) with three LED tail lights attached. The centre one has an integral reflector.

120

Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

The latest cycle fleet addition came equipped with rear rack and mudguards (fenders). Win! The rack stay profile (not cylindrical) means my usual extra light brackets won't work. Hence making a bracket, or at least attempting to.

Photograph showing three rear bicycle lights arranged on a marked-up aluminium sheet, ready to cut and drill to make a bracket

Close up of a rear pannier (luggage) rack on a bicycle with narrow angular profiled rack stays

010