iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 19h

Just paid £79.95 for mine (not had Covid, not eligible and travel a lot so not risking it). Probably worth shopping around if you do decide to pay.

010

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Just watched this. Enormous fun. Thanks for the heads up.

010

Reposted by David Belbin

Jonathan Gibbs @jonathangibbs.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I’m continuing A Personal Anthology but also thinking about a similar but different project around the novella. So if novellas (novellae?) are your thing, or if you even have strong thoughts about them, and if you have a favourite novella, then do let me know!

3196

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I like Giles' Rubber Soul more than his Sgt P or Revolver but, as with them, I'll never play it again. Too smooth & clean. All the albums up to Revolver are best heard in mono, which is how I got the LPs. Disc two of the new set is great tho'. And it's nice to have the two alt versions on the US RS.

The contents of the very pricey deluxe Rubber Soul and no, I didn't fork out for it either, having got an original mono LP and the Beatles in mono CD box

000

Reposted by David Belbin

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Things the younger me, a massive fan of The Godfather I&II, would never have believed, that I'd be upfront in Broadway cinema, interviewing the great film editor Walter Murch, alongside my old friend Taghi Amirani, about their wonderful film 'Coup 53', which, sadly, becomes more relevant every day.

Walter Murch with David Belbin, photo by David Everall

David Belbin with Taghi Amirani, photo by Walter Murch

Coup 53 poster featuring Ralph Fiennes as Norman Derbyshire.

011

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Abandoned it a third of the way in after a fellow RB devotee told me it only gets bleaker. Sometimes you’re better off not knowing…

110

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

011

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

For National Poetry Day, two early poems by my late partner, Sue Dymoke. It's the only appearance of 'Monster Lessons'. There's also 'Kid' by a guy called Simon Armitage, who Sue did her first ever reading with. It became the title poem of his first Faber collection. Anyone know what became of him?

Two pages from issue 7 of Scratch, edited by Mark Robinson in 1992. The poem not mentioned in the post is 'The Neighbour', which can also be found in the 'early poems' section of Sue's first Shoestring collection, The New Girls.

020

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Borrowed time. I love this eight minute introduction to D.H. Lawrence by @jameswalker2024.bsky.social who talks about how Lawrence taught him to live in the moment, rather than on devices. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKx5...

youtube.com

Borrowed Time

YouTube video by D.H. Lawrence: A Digital Pilgrimage

121

Reposted by David Belbin

Sam Weller @samwellerauthor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This is the most remarkable story Ray Bradbury ever shared with me. He told it to me late one night, sitting in his den of antiquities and mementos. Take five minutes to read this. It’s pure magic. #Writing #Living #Creativity #RayBradbury #BookSky

451637645

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Worse than that, in 97Blair set up the Jenkins review that came up with a great set of proposals and then he ignored it. Had it been implemented, he’d have won in 01 but lost in 05 (as he deserved to, after Iraq), forcing a coalition.

020

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Bonus tracks should only be released after a fifty year gap, the way Stevie Wonder just did (and it helps if, as with Stevie, at least half of them are killer material).

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I always heard your 80s version as a shortening of ‘beggars the question’ which makes greater sense of that (more useful) meaning.

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Hard disagree re TP: The Return, which I rewatched recently and loved even more. Breaking Bad steadily improved after the first season, which was hampered by the writers’ strike.

100

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Commis. The buggers love me too. Didn’t happen to me when I was there, but that was April. If you can get to this place, you’ll never regret going, it’s incredible. heritagemalta.mt/explore/hal-...

heritagemalta.mt

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum - Heritage Malta

Please be aware that the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a highly popular attraction. We strongly recommend booking early to … Continued

110

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Ah, come on, the sound was fine in Sheffield, though I agree the Sage has great acoustics.

110

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Just watched Jaco, a great documentary about Jaco Pastorious, who is definitely the best bass player I’ve seen live (with Weather Report, but it could have been with Joni the following year, if you’re excluding jazz only bassists).

020

Reposted by David Belbin

jameswalker2024.bsky.social @jameswalker2024.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Really loved Beth Steele's Till the Stars Come Home at Nottingham Playhouse. Felt like I was at the wedding with the audience interaction and music. Felt great to go the theatre and laugh at some killer one liners instead of watching people get killed on TV. nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/till-...

nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Till the Stars Come Down - Nottingham Playhouse

Beth Steel’s Olivier-nominated, uproariously funny family drama comes to Nottingham for the first time in this regional premiere.

022

Reposted by David Belbin

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I'm hosting a Q & A with Taghi Amirani & legendary film editor Walter Murch (The Godfather) about their fascinating film, Coup 53 at Broadway next week. How the UK & US brought down a left-wing Iranian president, a coup whose ramifications reverberate to this day. www.broadway.org.uk/whats-on/cou...

@broadwaycinema.bsky.social 6pm Wednesday September 30. Poster for Coup 53

033

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Great news, as this is no longer available on YouTube (I liked recently), although you can still find his brilliant performance in Poliakoff’s debut tv play debut, Hitting Town, there.

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

‘There’s a criminal energy about the Russian regime, and they really don’t care if they kill people collaterally. In fact, I think they rather want that, because it’s a test: how will Nato respond?’: Very good @carolecadwalla.bsky.social interview with Luke Harding. www.thenerve.news/p/russia-war...

thenerve.news

‘The UK has been promoted to Russia’s main opponent’: Luke Harding on Putin, Trump and the potential for a new European war

The Guardian foreign correspondent, who was expelled from Moscow in 2011, tells Carole Cadwalladr he thinks the Kremlin, struggling to make headway with its invasion, will attempt a provocation agains...

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

If you enjoyed D-Day movie 'Pressure', you may like to see this short 1964 Richard Dimbleby interview with James Stagg, the meteorologist played so effectively by Andrew Scott. Stagg comes over very like Scott's character in the film: modest yet utterly determined. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKgi...

youtube.com

1964: James Stagg - The Meteorologist Who Delayed D-Day | The Hour Approaches | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

When I was 16, the only one of these that I had was Tago Mago. My top five then might well have been. Joni - Blue Pink Floyd - Meddle James Taylor - Sweet Baby James Syd Barrett - The Madcap Laughs Can - Tago Mago Or maybe The Beatles- Rubber Soul for one of the above.

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My favourite five albums when I was 18, reconstructed. Can - Tago Mago Nick Drake - Pink Moon Neil Young - On the Beach Millie Jackson - Caught Up Joni Mitchell - The Hissing of Summer Lawns Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde Runner up: The Songs of Leonard Cohen

220

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

033

Reposted by David Belbin

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The wonderful St Etienne aka @bobpetesarah.bsky.social saying goodbye in Sheffield last night. The best of their 3 shows I've seen at the old Leadmill, with the most love in the room I've ever heard (and I've seen Arctic Monkeys there!) + super setlist full of favourites. Nothing can stop us indeed.

021

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

021

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It was the first captain beefheart album I heard. Some people I knew well played it all the time in the mid 70s. In the late 80s when s/h lps were cheap as chips I bought a copy, mainly for the title track and Observatory Crest. I probably only played it once but the album’s still in my collection.

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The story about AI inventing its own language is interesting but the Floyd bit disturbed me. “Of the Anthropic agent’s phrase, “A paper that ate three cold hands and got more honest each time”, he said: “it reminds me of the rock god Syd Barrett [co-founder of Pink Floyd], who was actually insane.”

010

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I leave odd stuff charity shops won’t touch in a launderette on Haydn Road, where it’s a thing. Books and journals always go, no matter how recherche. Then there’s the red phone box in Sherwood.

100

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

A heartwarming hour discussing Bill Forsyth's 1st three movies. The conversation focuses on Local Hero, one of my favourite films of all time. Peter Riegert in particularly good form (no Bill F except on tape, sadly, or Burt, obvs, or Capaldi). www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... @jonathancoe.bsky.social

bbc.co.uk

The Reunion - Gregory’s Girl and Local Hero - BBC Sounds

Cast members from landmark Scottish films Gregory's Girl and Local Hero are reunited.

001

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

His best movie and one of my top five of all time. Reminds me I must do a rewatch with the directors commentary on a dvd I bought years ago, just before it showed up in the cinema with a 40th anniversary new print. What a film!

110

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I think I got six sets into the 66 box. Still have one show in the last Rolling thunder set unplayed that I’ve been ‘saving’.

010

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Late friend of mine did this for the Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson joint tour. He said it was rather embarrassing the way everybody flocked around Todd - meanwhile Joe stood there on his own.

030

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Only seen Todd twice (on the Healing tour & when he did all of Wizard at Hammersmith) rather to my regret. He’s one of the greats and I hope the show is as good as my envy suggests it might be.

010

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Fair review. I watched Almodovar’s first, ‘Pepsi, Luci, Bom…’ recently (loved it) and there were structural overlaps with this, which feels like it might be his last. But then, to adapt Philip Roth, it’s all one movie.

000

Reposted by David Belbin

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Contrasting but cracking gigs. From a Dexys' instore at Rough Trade round the corner to Peggy's Skylight for The Necks, who played 2 hour-long improvisations. Mesmerising. Kevin in great voice. 3 oldies at the end, The Waltz, Jackie Wilson Said and Geno. Here's a new one one I relate to: 'Old Love'.

243

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

243

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Big yes to Beg, Scream and Shout plus all three volumes of the Doo Woo box.

010

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The novel is great too. I was outbid on a cheap, if soiled, signed first edition on eBay last week, dammit.

110

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

For my generation, Clapton was cancelled in the mid-70s after he drunkenly spouted racist views onstage (leading to the formation of Rock Against Racism) a story that didn’t seem to penetrate the US. Was shocked Dylan had him as a support at Blackbushe in 78. Happily I slept through all of his set.

2121

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Entertained by a Dutch lemon, carrot and orange at a rough trade instore tonight. Lovely stuff from the fruit and vegetables aka Personal Trainer.

Band on stage at start of encore, costumes partly discarded. Might be a banana in the middle rather than a lemon.

110

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Watched Pretty Maids a few weeks ago and it was a lot better than its reputation suggested it would be.

010

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

If you can get to Sheffield over the next fortnight, don’t miss Ian McDiarmud’s stupendous performance as King Lear (pretty much everything else about the Crucible production is bloody good too, but Ian’s fantastic).

000

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

If it’s 1979, Misty has merged with Tammy.

110

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

It doesn’t feel very Hookland when the text is centred, sorry.

110

Reposted by David Belbin

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Neither Gershwin’s estate (4 lines) or R.E.M. (2) billed me when my first novel came out in 1990. But when I got successful and it was reissued with a new cover in ‘98, my new editor thought she’d better get permissions. My favourite band had a no quote rule. Ira’s lot wanted £325. So I paraphrased.

2166

David Belbin @davidbelbin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Interesting selections. The Keegan first appeared in English in the New Yorker. Still have my copy, which I passed around at the time. Was staggered when they put it out here as a standalone hardback. It’s less than five thousand words!

130