iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Transcribing this hilarious set of birthday songs (productions really) for Al Newman from the collection of @jonburlingame.bsky.social and it’s on a reel of tape I’d never encountered: Ampex 414. It’s comparatively rare, so no wonder I’ve never seen it. Very dark oxide, non-backcoated. Viva analog!

A ten inch reel of Ampex 414 tape cued up on the mighty Studer A80 VU MK IV tape deck.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Looks like 4th of July came a little late this year, but these are fireworks I can get behind! #bloomscrolling

Boophane disticha is a bulb native to Africa. Specimen plants can become a cherished family heirloom passed down through generations. A fan of distinctive waxy leaves gives way to this scintillating inflorescence, which becomes a dry globular seed dispersing tumbleweed.. one Afrikaans nickname for this plant roughly translates to “frighten the horses” as the wind driven globes have been known to do just that.

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Reposted by Doug Schwartz

Rogue NASA @roguenasa.altgov.info · 14/04/2026

An engineer could fix this. WHERE IS SCOTTY?!

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Happy (?) 55th anniversary of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake to all who observe. My dog woke me up just prior, by jumping on the bed and refusing to get off. My alarm would’ve gone off at 6 anyway, so I got out of bed and then—

At 6am on February 9, 1971 in the City of the Angels, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck with an epicenter five miles northeast of the city of San Fernando. Though the quake lasted just 60 seconds, 64 people lost their lives, property damage was extensive, and residents got a reminder they might’ve forgotten since the last major earthquake, the 1933 Long Beach earthquake which killed at least 115 people.

Amongst the estimated half-billion dollars worth of property damage caused by the earthquake was the partial collapse of the lower Van Norman reservoir at the north of the San Fernando Valley. This critical failure was the reason approximately 80,000 people were evacuated for four days while a frantic effort to drain the reservoir was undertaken. Had the dam failed completely, the flood would’ve washed away homes from Granada Hills, North Hills, and Van Nuys before filling the LA River and likely causing additional damage as it washed to the sea.

Another dramatic effect of the earthquake was the collapse of a section of the Newhall Pass interchange (I-5 / CA14) which was still under construction at the time but substantially completed. Two 191 foot bridge sections fell about 140 feet down, along with one of the support pillars. This photo is the album cover of The Doobie Brothers 1973 release, “The Captain And Me” with their hit song “China Grove”.

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Reposted by Doug Schwartz

Rod Serling Memorial Foundation @rodserlingmemfndtn.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

“…where there’s hate…”

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Reposted by Doug Schwartz

The Twilight Zone @thenightgallery.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

"I think the role, and the play, have tremendous significance in these times — certainly far and above the usual junk that shouts at you from the television box." — Joseph Schildkraut (Becker) on Serling's Twilight Zone episode "Deaths-Head Revisited" #TwilightZoneMarathon

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Observed at Circle X 12/20/25: Padre’s Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon clevelandii) showing up early in the season-likely the November rains helped. Always a happy sight! #bloomscrolling #flowers #flowersonbluesky

Padre’s Shooting Star growing in gravelly scree on a high plateau in full sun near the coast in Ventura County, California

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Behold: the Cherokee Studios/Steely Dan Memorial Gardens.

A tribute on the outside of the recording studio originally called “Cherokee Ranch”, which was started by the Robb Brothers (Bruce, Dee, and Joe) featuring the cover of their album, and Steely Dan’s “Pretzel Logic” alongside a picture of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

The three brothers from Wisconsin were a touring band with a recording contract with ABC Records but found far greater success as studio impresarios, beginning at Cherokee Ranch then really hitting their stride after moving their studio business to 751 N. Fairfax in West Hollywood, a studio complex formerly owned by MGM Records. It was that facility on Fairfax that George Martin proclaimed was “the best studio in America”.

These gardens and artwork at the early location is literally on “the backside of the barn”, as the studio was originally equine lodging in the remotest hinterlands of the San Fernando Valley.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Even in true blue California, we have room for red from time to time.

A crimson sunrise over the San Fernando Valley on 11/18/2025

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Despite the darkness, the sun rose again. Good Sunday morning to all!

“Nature’s hardest hue to hold”-gold and rose hues on the horizon as the sun rises.

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Reposted by Doug Schwartz

Eric Stephen @ericstephen.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

this is one of my favorites. sometimes simplest is best

Far Side comic with a salesman approaching a gate to a yard with the sign "BEWARE OF DOUG." In the yard, hiding behind a tree yet still visible is a man, presumably Doug.

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Reposted by Doug Schwartz

Molly Knight @mollyknight.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

when millennials take control of the process I think he will be

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

“Who’s at the front door?” “Another extra from Resident Alien”

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

I look outside and it seems so dark today, it’s raining But I walked by this living thing and it is in bloom Still. I think it’s been in bloom at least since Jan 20, if not before Through the heat and the wind, never failing Now the rain honors it I’m standing in the rain

A wooly blue curls plant in the yard, Trichostema lanatum. Reputedly fussy about its culture, this individual stubbornly continues to bloom.

Closeup of the blue curls. If lightly rubbed, the leaves release a scent reminiscent of pine or cedar.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Free bulbs! Hey Bluesky people, years ago I bought these cool South African bulbs from Telos Rare Bulbs (a great nursery) and they’ve done so well I have too many-I want to give them to anyone who’d like to have some. DM me a US mailing address and I’ll send you some! #gardening #bloomscrolling

Ferraris crispa close up, they have amazing details!

Ferraria crispa in the ground. This group is from a bulb that fell out of my wheelbarrow and I lost track of it. The bulbs like a lot of sun and can do well in the earth or in a pot. Each flower lasts only a day or so but new blossoms appear. These pictures are from March of last year and like all bulbs, they go dormant after blooming. But the the cool weather of fall brings them back to begin their cycle anew.

I will send a pack of bulbs but honestly they’ve intermixed on me so I’m not sure which you’ll get, maybe both or just one variety or the other. Still, can’t lose!

Ferraria divaricata close up, a rich nearly maroon shade.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

I thought the fourth was over but I walked into my yard this morning and saw these fireworks

Stands of Hooker’s evening primrose (Oenthera elata), a drought tolerant species native to the western US. It produces prodigious amounts of seeds; we planted one a few years back and now they’re rampant.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

So I was picking up Dr. Seuss for yesterday’s #NoKings event, and before we left he offered me this garlic blossom. #bloomscrolling

A garlic plant in bloom with an absurdly twisty bloom stalk

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

“You’re the one with the tape machine, right?” “Yeah, I’ve got a few…”

A reel of tape poorly stored in a box for 60 years

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Fried eggs anyone? This plant can be invasive when things line up for it-plant it where you can let it take over! #gardening #flowers #FlowersOnFriday #bloomscrolling

Romneya coulteri, Matiija poppy. Rhizomes spread underground and can be difficult to control. The white petals are crinkled and crepey. In a group, the blossoms waft off the scent of roses. Another California endemic, it occurs mostly in coastal foothills. In the LA area it can be seen on the north side of Cahuenga Pass, a few meters away from the Hollywood Freeway.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Started these from seed five years ago. Only occasionally seen on hikes in the Santa Monicas but they make a statement in a group. I see hot air balloons, what do you see? #gardening #flowers #FlowersOnFriday #bloomscrolling

Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum—Humboldt Lily, a perennial herb endemic to California. It occurs in foothills from 600-1200 meters. This subspecies is distributed on the coastal sides of yhe mountains from Pt. Conception to at least the Mexican border, and though I grew from seed bought from a nurseryman, it is considered rare in the wild.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

I pre-ordered this back in February—stoked to have it in hand today. Fuel for the walk ahead. Thanks Kareem! PS: any of you known to me who want a copy, I’ll get you one-message me.

Front cover of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s latest book on protest movements that changed America, with insights for today.

Back cover of “We All Want To Change The World”.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

On this date #otd #otdih “Stan Freberg Presents The United States Of America” was released by Capitol Records on May 1, 1961, featuring Freberg and a host of great voice actors, Billy May’s inimitable arrangements, and Jud Conlon’s chorus.

Front cover of “Stan Freberg Presents The United States Of America”. The LP was released on Capitol Records on May 1, 1961, and features Freberg, June Foray, Peter Leeds, Jesse White, Daws Butler, and Paul Frees in brilliant comedic sketches satirizing US history from 1492 to the Revolutionary War. The great Billy May wrote and conducted the many musical arrangements, with Jud Conlon’s chorus providing harmonically hip background vocals. Fans of the record include Steven Spielberg and Paul McCartney, and “Frebergians” trade key lines such as “hand me the glass!”, “French horns”, and “they’re starting on their little nut cups already…” with great elan to this day. The record, with voice actors, full orchestra, chorus, sound effects, narration, and even tap dancing, was recorded in great fidelity mostly live to three-track tape at Capitol Studios by John Kraus.

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Doug Schwartz @dougschwartz.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Scilla Hughii, in a pot for several years before finally succeeding and blooming. Hard to find positives lately but here’s one. #Gardening #Flowers #FlowersOnFriday #Bloomscrolling