iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 7h

It should actually be illegal to film irritating pieces to camera inside a fucking museum. Death to influencers.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

After a day of Anglicanism yesterday today we went to the railway museum.

A close up of the sign on a railway car for transporting fish before they had refrigerated cars

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Tom Roberts @tpgroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

For any confused Americans, dogging is a traditional British term for walking the dog, if you're ever over here and see someone with their pet make sure to tell them how much you love dogging. That nothing makes you happier than seeing that wagging tail and panting mouth out on the heath.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Caught up on the "lesbian bar" discourse and I refuse to believe any of that happened.

Homer Simpson realising "this lesbian bar doesn't have a fire exit"

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The Pub-Liking Universal Friend @johnb78.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

London friends: @diffractiongrating.bsky.social and I are in London this week - currently planning drinks near Kings Cross on Thursday from 6pm - DM me for venue details - also free at various points on Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunchtime but no firm plans yet

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Being on holiday is so good I am enjoying not being at work so much. I have a slight cold but my other minor health problems are basically just gone.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Enjoying my seat at the Dolly Parton memorial table at the York vinyl café (Forty Five Vinyl Café).

A cafe table with a glass top with pictures of Dolly Parton records under the glass and some coffees and paraphernalia on top

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I thought the Harry Potter stuff in Edinburgh was pathetic and everyone needs to grow up and move on but at least she did write it in Edinburgh what the fuck is the Harry Potter theme in York for??

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Thought I would probably have dinner in the pub in York but instead we went to a Spanish restaurant (La Familia y Amigos) and it was lovely.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Rip the person vaping being called out by the train guard. Thankfully he is not threatening to stop the train to kick them off.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Suggestion on how to make popular cities better: stop group walking tours and just have people to walk around themselves looking at the plaques on buildings/maps/Wikipedia. I have nothing against sightseeing but the groups get in the way of everyone and make people resent all visitors.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Thank you to the nice man who noticed I looked like I was going to die sitting backwards on the train (which is itself backwards!! My seat should have been forwards based on the map!! Rude!!) and swapped seats.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Central heating in northern Europe update: it is the temperature of a conservatory inside and I had to turn off the radiator in the bedroom and open the window so I could breathe.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I do not like tipping. Please include the price of service in the listed price on the menu like any input.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

All love and respect to the middle aged couple who just ordered a second dozen oysters at 5:26 when the £2 oyster happy hour ended at 5:30. Especially for inspiring us to also order more oysters before 5:30.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Scotland achievement: had haggis pakora. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Increasingly convinced that Australians having horrible cold houses with no heating is actually good and fine because at least you don't wake up far too hot and have to figure out how some fucking radiator works because the only bedding is a huge duvet.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Scotland is pretty. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Finally went to a restaurant that I found via the reviews of @jayrayner1.bsky.social and it was lovely! If you are in Glasgow then do try the lasagne fritti at Celentano's.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Oh god can someone PLEASE teach Americans to use knives so I don't have to watch another one fucking struggling to cut things with a fork. You are embarrassing yourselves and honestly just the whole human race with this peculiar unforced error.

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Erik Angner @erikangner.com · 22/09/2026

The Pope at his 40th birthday party is the they-don't-know meme IRL. (And they did not, in fact, know!)

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I can't believe they made a real statue of the NIST SI mascot.

A cartoon of an old man who doesn't really look that much like Kelvin if I'm being honest but it's supposed to be him from the NIST "superheroes of SI"

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I have finally been to Dishoom after having thought about it on various prior UK trips and I'm glad I went to Mumbai in December to really appreciate the nostalgia.

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The Pub-Liking Universal Friend @johnb78.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Genuinely impressive levels of Accor membership welcome gift at the Glasgow Ibis

Two cans of Irn Bru and two Tunnocks tea cakes

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Glasgow Airport having a bus not a train is obviously bad but it does only cost £2.

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Blue sky nice ghost @rajandelman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Do you ever read a series of words

Includes exclusive Hanks for our troops pumpkin brulee

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Signs we have been in the airport for too long: @johnb78.bsky.social: There's a Brew Dog. Me: I suppose there is, dog.

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Wanderfound @wanderfound.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

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Steven (with a PH) @sjksalisbury.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Christening a baby is nothing like christening a ship. I know that now. Once again I can only apologise.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Got stopped in the street by the Ulster Constabulary* for apparently questionable behaviour. Goals?? *PSNI

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I am very disappointed by the people of Northern Ireland, if not the rest of the Greggs extended universe, for not taking the Stilton insurance and getting a Stilton steak bake and then eating a third of it in one bite, claiming they did not like the Stilton, and getting the steak bake insurance.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Complimented the bar on their gordal olives so they gave me a whole bowl of gordal olives. 🥰

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Your fave Australian wanker is in ASDA in Bangor, NI.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

After yesterday's lesbian cabaret experience we have now walked through an extremely Floreat Ultona area and I broadly assume I will be murdered. Not sure what for but it just has the vibes.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Arrived in Northern Ireland and then immediately encountered loud screaming. It turns out there is a wrestling match in the train station.

A crowd watching a wrestling match in a train station

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It is testament to the good nature and strength of character of Dubliners that there aren't daily instances of pushing Americans in the river.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I did a science degree 2010-13 and multiple people recommended that I read Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality and I didn't, somewhat because I just couldn't be bothered and my god I dodged so much.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I like several Americans but Jesus Christ why can't you people use knives and forks. Dying just watching them in this nice restaurant cut things with forks and holding knives in their left hands.

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Max Dubler 🏳️‍🌈 @maxdubler.com · 17/09/2026

Concept: this 1890s smoking jacket made entirely from cigar box ribbons, but made from professional conference lanyards.

A men’s jacket made entirely from yellow, orange, and red ribbons.

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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing @diffractiongrating.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

There was a beautiful exhibition of parliamentary book binding at the Georgian society of Dublin. Sadly it closed an hour ago so I can't recommend it but please enjoy these pictures.

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