iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Listening to some Ron Carter to get the day going #jazz #vinyl

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Listening to some of my older physical media. This ZAP MAMA album is terrific! #CD #music

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Yesterday's tour at the historic Tudor Place in Georgetown DC included not only views of items sold at Mary Washington's estate sale but insights into the role of enslaved people and their descendants in this multi-generational house #Skystorians #history #Gerorgetown

Standing in front of a large "family tree" illustration, an informative Tudor Place (Georgetown DC) tour guide explains the history of enslaved people and descendants at this historic home.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Here in Northern Virginia their buzzing is so loud I get warning messages from my Apple Watch about potentially hazardous noise levels. (FWIW, here is a picture of one of my tattoos)

image of a tattoo on a left forearm showing a cicada with red eyes.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This is the sign seen today posted by the Reflecting Pool behind a fenced off area in Washington DC.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I sent Dr. Fauci a postcard at Georgetown University thanking him for his service.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Example of Hero 813 Blue-Black purchased from Shein. Note the shading, something I was not expecting. #fountainpens #cursive

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I recently found this fountain pen at the bottom of one of my desk drawers. I forget where I bought it. Does anyone know who makes this pen? It's a very solid metal thing. That really is a nice writer.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Another good reason to write letters to friends and families using a fountain pen: you can use Barbie commemorative stamps to mail them in the United States! #fountainpen

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The only excuse for having so many pens inked is that I write a lot of letters and postcards encouraging people to vote. Whenever I try to cut this number in half the number just insists on climbing back up. ✒️🖋️

a list of currently-inked fountain pens with the dates when last filled.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Getting ready for the sun to rise here in Alexandria Virginia. Meanwhile, I’m hearing an owl hooting in the distance.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Starting the day with some music by Handel #vinyl #music #handel

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

It is with regret that I see my bottle of Leonardo Officina "Turquoise" is almost empty. Purchased along with the Lamy Safari fountain pen in Florence two summers ago. I must now search for a non-Amazon replacement source.

A near empty bottle of ink (Leonardo Officina "turquoise") next to a Lamy Safari fountain pen in the Italian flag colors.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Listening to a compilation album by my favorite conductor, George Szell. #vinyl #music

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Watched this last night. Can't believe it flopped. It's wild, silly, melodramatic, and visually spectacular.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I'm halfway through Cixin Liu's DEATH'S END. Linked: my thoughts so far about it and the role of communication. #sciencefiction #scifi #communication www.ddmcd.com/books/deaths...

A photo of the cover of the paperback edition of Cixin Liu's DEATH'S END

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Listening to an old Billy Cobham album. Some music from this era sounds very dated. This still sounds pretty fresh.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

After AI converts the scanned image of my handwritten text (written using a fountain pen) into a text file, I ask it to "please edit the text for spelling, grammar, and clarity." It has learned not to alter my tone or writing style. #fountainpens

Photo shows a cheap fountain pen (purchased as part of a set from 5 And Below) resting on top of a handwritten article draft that will eventually be scanned and converted to editable text.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

There is a new Bison exhibit in DC at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on the Mall. Covers the rise and fall of the Bison populations in the US. Very informative. #history #bison

Bison skull hanging in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History's BISON exhibit in Washington DC.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Starting the day with some Bad Bunny #LP #Vinyl

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

I generally don't buy a lot of physical media, but I couldn't resist this Blu-ray. #movies #filmsky 🎥

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Starting the day with some classic WEATHER REPORT #vinyl #jazz

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Currently inked. I know I have to keep shortening the list but I love them all! #fountainpen

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

I am amused that the MAGAt funded ads in Virginia urging a No vote on April 21 redistricting legislation are urging mail in ballots!

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Purchased at 5 Below yesterday, 7 pens with ink cartridges for $6. The only difference in ink is that the green on the left contains a converter containing Diamine Meadow ink. All write smoothly with no tuning.

image of 7 fountain pens purchased from 5 Below, each drawing a different color line

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Given my state of mind these days, it seems appropriate to listen to Messiaen's TURANGALILA SYMPHONY. Maybe pair this with Vaughan William's 9th Symphony.

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I’m listening to this ancient recording of Mendelsohn‘s Italian Symphony recorded by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. It sounds amazing. #LP #vinyl #Szell #Music

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Dennis D. McDonald @ddmcd.bsky.social · 01/04/2026