iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

My lucky introduction to Otis Redding was when I bought this album back in 78 for Hendrix and won a free Otis.

Front cover of the Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix Experience album "Historic Performances Recorded At The Monterey International Pop Festival" on Reprise records.

Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

My Dad worked in Germany, so I saw quite a few GTs when I was young and I preferred its looks to the 911. I've had these Schuco models since then.

Two Schuco 1:66 models. An Opel GT 1900 with a 170ps Porsche 911S in the background.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

As Baron Gruner in the Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes.

Anthony Valentine as Baron Gruner, the Collector, from the Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes (1991)

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

TOTP punk. But it's got a good beat.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

For some reason, my buried memories of Hector's House (La Maison de Toutou) swam to the surface this morning. We got a lot of puppet shows when I was a child and it was quite easy for me to forget that they weren't real. Also Zsa Zsa, Hector and Kiki were quite exotic names and piqued my interest.

He's a naughty old Hector. Hector from Hector's House (1966-1970).

Zsa Zsa, Hector and Kiki from Hector's House (1966-1970).

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

In memory of Bill Oddie. Kitten Kong from the Goodies.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

My introduction to the myth was the 1963 'Tales of The Greeks and Trojans'. Apparently these illustrations were based on actual photographs of Helen and Paris, taken by paparazzi during their elopment.

The chapter 'Helen of Sparta' from the 1963 illustrated children's book 'Tales of The Greeks and Trojans'.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

One Two Three, a very funny Billy Wilder farce with James Cagney, set in post WW2 West Berlin. Fans of Teri Garr in Young Frankenstein will enjoy her inspiration(?) from Liselotte Pulver. It's got heal-clicking ex-nazis & everything. #terigarr. #youngfrankenstein www.imdb.com/title/tt0055...

Movie poster for Billy Wilder's "One, Two, Three" from 1961.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

www.robcottingham.ca/cartoon/arch...

Cartoon by Rob Cottingham demonstrating America's destruction of the world's and Canada's environment, leading to forest fires.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

My wife's copy of the World of Pooh omnibus from 1967 (Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner). I'm 63 now but always end up tearful when I re-read the last chapter.

Inside cover of The World of Pooh, 1967 reprint. Methuen &Co Ltd.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Dippy was deaf and blind in the end and could achieve a sleep so deep that it felt wrong to wake him.

Dippy, a black and white tuxedo cat, in one of his legendary sleep sessions.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

An excellent choice! It wasn't my first single, but it was still monumental. I recorded it to computer last year and I think it's a different mix or a different recording to the album version. The same goes for 52 Girls on the b-side.

The 1978 release of Rock Lobster backed by 52 Girls.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

May I add: coming to the aid of Britain, my homeland, during World War 2, and fighting to liberate Western Europe and the city of Bruges, where I Iive now, in 1944.

The Canada Bridge (Canadabrug) in Bruges, also known as the Bison Bridge or Buffalo Bridge, is a working monument to the Canadian military forces that liberated the city on 12.09.1944. The bridge stands on their route into Bruges.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Old enough to recognize the Windsor Magic Brain. Free computation, no tokens required.

The 1950s Windsor Magic Brain manual calculator, stylus and instruction leaflet.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

I watch a lot of YouTube content about the US and whenever I hear the word 'subpoenas', my thoughts often turn to Sir Penis instead. #misheard #uspolitics

The Accolade (1901), an oil on canvas painting by Edmund Leighton.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

If you've noticed less focus on the Epstein files, you might now understand why desperately frustrated individuals commit crimes to draw attention to forgotten causes. Bear this in mind the next time somebody attacks a work of art, blocks a road, or streaks across a TV studio. #epstein #epsteinfiles

The birthday note to Epstein from 2003, included in the handmade album assembled by Donald Trump's associate Ghislaine Maxwell and allegedly written by Epstein associate Donald Trump, who was described by Geoffrey Epstein as being one of his best friends for over 15 years. The seasoned liar and convicted fraudster Donald Trump denies he wrote this, but is otherwise unable to counter the evidence that he did.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Walking home after seeing a really good Oasis tribute act: The Coupure marina from the Conzettbrug footbridge (Bruges, Flanders, Belgium). #bruges #belgium #photography #nightphotography

De Coupure marina from the Conzettbrug footbridge in Bruges, Flanders, Belgium.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

This is indeed the face of a cunt.

Donald Trump demonstrating his resting cunt face while lying about his love of the bible.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Emperor Nero announced that he will no longer be performing at the upcoming Freedom 250 event.

A painting by Dr Tako of the Roman Emperor Nero, dressed in ornate robes, playing a Lyre as the city of Rome burns.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Is this one of the most important documents in modern American history? trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential...

From 29 April 2020, the Whitehouse announcement of President Trump's nomination of loyalist, Federal Society member Aileen Cannon, who was then an assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Despite all those Terminator movies, literal Hollywood blockbusters with bucket loads of publicity and talking points, "we" are actively trying to recreate the plots with real AI, real robots, and real weapons.

The arm from a Terminator T800 exoskeleton.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Yes, I miss it. I only managed this one video of an otter, from a bedroom window. I've cropped it to keep it short, because it spent a long time on that rock. I didn't realise what it was at first, because we also had cormorants visiting now and again, but luckily I started videoing.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Anyone remember the scene from Spinal Tap when David St. Hubbins refers to the more successful artist, Duke Fame: "They were still booing him when we came on stage."

The usual rubbish from the current holder of Most Corrupt American.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

I'm just going to repost this guy. Auggie is in Wantagh, NY and up for adoption. www.petfinder.com/dog/auggie-f...

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Multi Pass!! The Fith Element is 29 years old.

Milla Jovovich in her role as Leeloo, from the 1997 movie The Fifth Element.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

I shall celebrate today's anniversary of victory in Europe in 1945, with this photo showing the burning of a racist symbol of hate and sedition. That this is still necessary in 2026 is a disgrace and a shame upon America.

Rep. Justin Jones (D Nashville) burning a symbol of racism and sedition, the confederate flag.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

This is my forever Trump, circa 2016. The big mouthed, fat oaf. Dumb and clueless, a real life Bart Simpson. When he hugged the flag, he lied about loving the flag, then he lied about reading the bible and couldn't name a favourite verse or even pick between the old & new testaments. Dumbamerica.

A screenshot from the Bloomberg Politics interview of Donald Trump, c. 2016, when he is unable to name a favourite bible verse.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

We salute her. One of my mum's friends had one of these Austin's as a daily driver in the '60s.

Austin A30 car with trafficator deployed.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

I'd aim for this level and spend more time in the bar.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Apparently, Iran doesn't see the US blockade as respecting the ceasefire.

Screen shot of Aljazeera news broadcast, following Iran's announcement on 18 April that the Strait of Vermouth will remain closed, as it was before Trump's latest market manipulation.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I really need to turn down the irony settings on my Bluesky feed. Rest in peace Lewi Lipsker, we will never forget.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

How are people following, or being followed by, tens of thousands of accounts? How does even the most drab, pointless post get large numbers of likes and reposts? How many of the accounts you interact with are running on one of these? How much carbon dioxide is generated by these fakes?

A bot farm (and far from the largest), comprising huge numbers of mobile phones. The mobiles are needed because SIM cards are necessary to authenticate the inauthentic accounts that are running on them.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

We had this Protect & Survive campaign in the UK when I was a kid, during the 1970s. Terrified me, I had nightmares about nuclear attacks. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protect...

Front cover of the Protect and Survive booklet issued by the UK government during the 1970s.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Are we at this point right now? "Oh Lord, he's desperate, do what he say, do what he say."

In Blazing Saddles, Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little) meets the the racist citizens of Rock Ridge and outwits the dumbwits by threatening to kill himself if they don't stop threatening to kill him and let him go.

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Paul @pbrainedoptimist.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

For the 3rd time, I think, our Saturday night movie was Dredd (2012). Just a great movie and a beautiful piece of cinematography. Anyone else regretting that there was no sequel? It's so rewatchable. And a grateful nod to @jesawyer.bsky.social for reminding me of this in time for tonight.

Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby and Lena Headey in 2012's awesome movie highlight Dredd.

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