iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

It was 90s day at the Barnardos charity shop today - these three CDs for £1 each... I already had the Madonna album as low-quality digital from 25 years ago, but at one pound was worth the upgrade!

Sting – Ten Summoner’s Tales: The album cover shows Sting seated outdoors against a stone wall, dressed in dark clothing with one hand resting against his face. A white horse stands behind him in the yellow-green tinted scene. The album title appears in stylised yellow lettering within a black panel at the bottom.

Madonna – Ray of Light: The album cover features a close-up photograph of Madonna with windswept blonde hair, looking towards the camera. She wears a shimmering blue satin top against a soft turquoise background. The artist’s name and album title appear in delicate white lettering on the right.

Genesis – We Can’t Dance: The album cover features soft watercolour artwork in pastel blue, yellow and green. Two small figures stand on a grassy hill, one raising an arm towards the sky. The band’s name appears in large, stylised purple lettering, with the album title beneath it against a pale cream background.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 01/10/2026

This is my version - 7.5ips reel to reel tape…

The reel-to-reel tape box for Cat Stevens’ Teaser and the Firecat, featuring the album’s distinctive illustrated artwork. A child in a top hat sits beside a bright orange cat against a wooden fence beneath a blue night sky, surrounded by the silver-grey A&M packaging.

A grey 7½ IPS A&M stereo tape reel of Cat Stevens’ Teaser and the Firecat. The cream label lists songs across two programmes, including “The Wind”, “Moonshadow” and “Peace Train”, with dark brown magnetic tape visible through openings in the reel.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 11/09/2026

Yet again, Wordle fails to allow a perfectly good word... 😂

A word puzzle screen shows the rejected entry “DICKHEAD” beneath a grey “Not in word list” message. Below, seven hexagonal letter tiles form a honeycomb, with a yellow K at the centre surrounded by E, A, H, I, D and C, creating an unintentionally comic failed-word attempt.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 10/09/2026

...but wanted to take full control. So, aided by Claude, I set it up on a Pi 5 connected to a 2TB SSD that I had. Fast local access on my LAN, and accessible externally through a Cloudflare tunnel. Add in NaviBeats as a great native app on all my devices (inc. CarPlay), and everything is golden!

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 30/08/2026

Now playing: Live and Let Die, original soundtrack, on 7.5ips reel-to-reel. An incredibly clean copy (and box) for a 50+ year old tape - and it sounds great! #NowPlaying #MusicSky #ReelToReel

The original motion picture soundtrack album for the James Bond film Live and Let Die. Colourful illustrated artwork features Roger Moore as Bond surrounded by tarot cards, women, explosions, vehicles and an alligator, with music credits for Paul McCartney, Wings and George Martin.

A close-up of a reel-to-reel tape recorder playing the Live and Let Die soundtrack. The black reel carries a vivid pink United Artists label listing tracks from both sides, while the tape runs through polished guides beside the playback head. Twin illuminated VU meters complete the vintage hi-fi scene.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 02/08/2026

In Bristol, supporting The Strsnglers. (The other support act was Wilko Johnson. Definitely got my money’s worth that night…)

This image features the album cover for "Nearly Man" by Mike Marlin. The artwork displays the artist's name in bold black lettering above the album title, "Nearly Man," written in a red cursive font. To the right of the text, there is a stylized black-and-white illustration of a bearded man wearing yellow sunglasses.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 10/07/2026

Procol Harum: Exotic Birds and Fruit Ok, so it’s actually on reel-to-reel tape, but that’s just a technicality…

A square album cover of Exotic Birds and Fruit by Procol Harum features a richly detailed still-life scene with colourful birds, grapes, peaches, and lush foliage. The artwork is bordered by a dark frame, with the band’s name at the top and the album title elegantly scripted along the bottom.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 06/06/2026

After losing Lawrie two weeks ago, today we said goodbye to our beautiful, brave boy Jethro, who is now chasing swallows on the other side. We knew it was coming, but losing them both so close together hits so hard. Broken doesn't even start to describe how we feel... 💔

A black-and-white dog - Jethro - trots across a sunlit grassy field, his tongue hanging out and tail raised high. The dog’s greying muzzle and alert expression suggest an older but energetic companion. Soft-focus greenery in the background gives the outdoor scene a calm, late-summer feel.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 31/05/2026

Can’t believe it’s a week since we lost little Lawrie… we think he was about 16, and gave us a number of scares, but always bounced back. But this time we couldn’t help him, and x-rays showed lungs riddled with cancer too. 😢 It still feels like it can’t have happened…

A small grey and brindled dog (Lawrence) stands outdoors on muddy ground, wearing a black harness. His tongue curls up over his nose in mid-lick, giving a playful expression. Trees and greenery blur softly in the background, while the dog’s greying face and alert eyes are captured in sharp focus.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 02/04/2026

I got the latest from Alison Goldfrapp on cassette last year (came with the vinyl). I don’t currently have a way to play it - although I could do reel-to-reel…

A sealed copy of Flux, by Alison Goldfrapp, on audio cassette

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 15/03/2026

Yesterday, I played my 1500th Wordle. Today, I got it in one for the first time! (I’m not going to pretend this displays any degree of skill…)

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 26/02/2026

Fingers crossed for some more dates! (although I might be able to make it to the Palladium) I was lucky enough to be there for your last gig in 2009...

Black Box Recorder on stage at the Luminaire in London in 2009

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 25/02/2026

Well, this has really made my day! Waiting to see if they announce any more convenient gig locations. Having said that, I did travel to London for their last gig, back in 2009…

Black Box Recorder on stage at The Luminaire in London back in 2009

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 21/02/2026

Very pleased with today's charity shop haul: I was on the lookout for some REM, and found these 3 in one place for £1 each! The Elvis Costello (also £1) is a very early pressing (1985), with misprinted track listing on the disc and a Discogs median price of £10... #MusicSky #music #PhysicalMedia

Four CD jewel cases are arranged in a neat grid on a dark surface. Two R.E.M. albums, Automatic for the People and Out of Time, sit above Monster, while Elvis Costello & The Attractions appears alongside, each cover displaying its distinctive artwork and typography.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 21/02/2026

Two of yesterday's birthday presents - the record, and the record weight. Nice little bonus: side 1 has a lock groove with looping audio of crashing waves, which is picked up at the start of side 2... Artist: Mark Knopfler Album: Local Hero (half speed master) #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying

A black vinyl record turns steadily on a minimalist turntable, the tonearm lowered and a chunky record weight centred on the spindle. Above, on a slim wooden display shelf, the bright yellow sleeve of Local Hero by Mark Knopfler adds bold colour and contrast to the calm listening-room setting.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 16/02/2026

The Guardian seem to have nailed it…

Guardian obituary for Robert Duvall. Picture shows him in character in Apocalypse Now, on the beach with a hand on one hip and a machine gun on the other…

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 12/02/2026

Just finished adding all my CDs to my Discogs collection (previously vinyl-only). Stunned to see the prices on some of the SACD titles... By way of contrast, the highest median price on any standard (non-boxset) CD is £17 (Luke Haines' The North Sea Scrolls). (Next on the list is Luke Haines too.)

Snapshot of the top-valued SACDs on my Discogs account. Highest-valued is David Bowie "Heathen", with a median value of £86.45

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 08/02/2026

Visited Shore Records in East Wittering yesterday for the first time. Great selection to choose from, and was very pleased to find this one off my wantlist... Artist: The Humblebums Album: The Humblebums #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying

A black vinyl record spins on a minimalist turntable, the tonearm resting lightly on the groove and the pale centre label rotating in soft blur. Above, on a narrow wooden display shelf, the colourful sleeve of The Humblebums adds whimsical, illustrated artwork to the calm listening-room setting.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 04/02/2026

Sometimes, paywalls are just embarrassingly easy to bypass...

CSS snippet from browser dev tools showing a 10px blur filter rule disabled

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 03/02/2026

Still got a copy on my shelf, along with all the other web dev books that are probably past their useful life, but can't bring myself to get rid of! (There were once many more there that didn't make the cut...)

Close up of the spines of several web development books on a bookshelf, with Introducing HTML5 in the middle

A bookshelf with various web development and computer-related books on it.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 02/02/2026

Feet in the air like you just don't care... 10 days on from his third (and final) course of radiotherapy, Jethro seems comfortable and content on his heated throw. Fingers crossed that this remains the case for as long as possible 🤞

A large dog lies on his back across a soft grey blanket, legs splayed in the air and paws curled loosely. His brindled and white coat catches the warm indoor light, and his relaxed expression and open posture suggest deep, comfortable sleep on a cushioned bed.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 01/02/2026

Yesterday's other purchase. Ashamed to say I've never heard it before (although I do know The Obvious Child). It's a pretty impressive follow-up to Graceland, a hard act to follow! Artist: Paul Simon Album: The Rhythm of the Saints #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying

A black vinyl record plays on a minimalist turntable with the tonearm lowered, its white centre label softly blurred by motion. Above it, Paul Simon’s The Rhythm of the Saints sleeve rests on a narrow wooden display shelf, its warm-toned artwork adding colour to the calm listening-room scene.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 01/02/2026

Picked this up yesterday for a fiver in Chichester. The record is pristine - looks barely played - and interestingly is the original pressing, even though the sleeve appears to be a later Philips release... Artist: Clannad Album: Crann Úll #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying

A black vinyl record spins on a modern turntable with the tonearm lowered, its green centre label softly blurred by motion. Above it, a Clannad album sleeve with ornate Celtic artwork and warm red and gold tones hangs on the wall, giving the space a calm, curated listening-room feel.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 27/01/2026

I ran into this issue just today, and within 12 hours it’s fixed! Now that is service…

Castro podcast app release notes (extract):
- Fix an issue where if a podcast releases
multiple episodes at once, Castro might not mark one of them as new

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 14/01/2026

Arrived in the post today, prompted by the KLF specials on @trientertainment.bsky.social podcast. 1991 Spanish vinyl release - some absolute bangers on here! (ideal first listen on my new Beyerdynamic headphones) Artist: The KLF Album: The White Room #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying #MusicSky

A black vinyl record spins on a minimalist turntable, the tonearm gently lowered onto the groove. The deck sits on a clean shelf, its dust cover raised. On the wall above, a framed copy of The White Room by The KLF adds bold blue colour and graphic contrast, giving the space a calm, curated listening-room feel.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 04/01/2026

Not often these days I find myself listening to new music from an artist I don't know. But this is great, definitely sounds influenced by The Primitives (not a bad thing!). Thanks to @gilestur.bsky.social for the tip... Artist: The Cords Album: The Cords #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying

A turquoise vinyl record spins on a black turntable with the tonearm lowered. On the wall behind, an album sleeve by The Cords shows two women standing on an underground platform.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 29/12/2025

Just received a somewhat (nearly 2 years!) overdue 50th birthday present... Was well worth waiting for, though: the Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary Deluxe Boxset. 4 LPs, 1 7" single, 2 CDs, 1 BluRay, plus other materials. Truly a thing of beauty! #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #MusicSky

The contents of the Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary Deluxe Boxset. Visible are 4 clear vinyl LPs, a reproduction Japanese 7" single, 2 CDs, a BluRay disc, and assorted booklets and artwork.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 21/12/2025

This year's addition to the Christmas tree decorations: a limited edition, hand-painted Toyah bauble... Not strictly festive, I know, but we like it!

A glossy black Christmas bauble hangs among green pine needles, reflecting warm white fairy lights. Painted on its surface is a stylised woman’s face with pale skin and vivid red hair, softly lit and surrounded by festive bokeh in the background. The painted image is a rendition of Toyah Willcox, from her 1981 single "Thunder in the Mountains".

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 14/12/2025

Picked up Seven, by James, in a charity shop yesterday for £1 - what a bargain! Somehow, I never owned this album back in the day - I’d forgotten what an absolute banger it is… #NowPlaying #MusicSky

A CD jewel case lies on a dark surface, showing the album Seven by James. The cover features a soft-focus photograph of a baby’s feet against a muted background, with the band name written in red script near the top.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 02/12/2025

This is how I listen to it… I’ve heard it in most formats (vinyl, CD, digital) but the reel to reel tape sounds incredible and just has something about it…

A Technics reel-to-reel deck stands on a dark wooden surface, its large black and clear reels spinning tape across polished guides. Twin VU meters glow beneath an array of knobs and switches. To the right, a sleeve of the Beatles’ Abbey Road is displayed upright beside the machine.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 28/11/2025

I've got a new (old) toy... 😍 Technics SL-P555 CD player from c1990, back when they built them to last (and sound great). Slots nicely into my otherwise-analogue vintage music setup (Technics amp & reel-to-reel, Rega turntable). Long live physical media! #MusicSky #technics #vintageaudio

A Technics SL-P555 compact disc player sits on a shelf, its tray closed and display illuminated. The bright screen shows track and time information, with numerous buttons and a large control dial to the right. The unit has a dark finish and rests on metal feet.

A close view of a Technics SL-P555 CD player shows the power switch, headphone level knob, and front-loading disc drawer with a yellow indicator. Branding and “4 DAC Linear 18-bit High Resolution System” text appear below, along with the headphone jack on the lower left.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 12/11/2025

Age yourself with gaming

A screenshot from the 1983 platform game Chuckie Egg shows Hen-House Harry climbing ladders between green platforms to collect yellow eggs while avoiding blue birds. At the top left, a large bird sits in a cage, ready to be released in later levels. The bright magenta score and level display contrast with the simple pixel graphics typical of early 1980s home computer games.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 08/11/2025

You’ve inspired me to have a listen to this now…

An album cover titled The Music From Bagpuss is displayed on a wooden shelf against a pale wall. The artwork features a stylised pink and white striped cat with blue eyes and a simple, charming design. Below, the cover credits Sandra Kerr and John Faulkner, evoking the nostalgic warmth of the beloved children’s television classic.

The back cover of The Music From Bagpuss album is shown on a wooden shelf. It lists track titles and features a nostalgic introduction about the show’s creation. Along the bottom, colourful illustrations of the familiar Bagpuss characters—a mouse, frog, girl, and woodpecker—add charm. The design, simple and warm, reflects the gentle spirit of the classic series.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 05/11/2025

Today would have been my mother's 80th birthday, so I shall be raising a large whisky to her this evening... 🥃 Much missed, always loved ♥️

A woman with short, curly blonde hair smiles gently at the camera in bright daylight. She wears a light, checked button-up shirt and sits outdoors beside a pot of colourful flowers. Her expression is calm and warm, the sunlight highlighting her hair and the natural textures of her face, evoking a sense of quiet contentment.

A black-and-white photograph shows a woman leaning from the window of a classic convertible car, smiling warmly at the camera. She rests her arms on the door, holding a pair of sunglasses, her hair softly curled and wind-tousled. The car’s polished body and fabric roof suggest a 1960s setting, evoking a relaxed, timeless holiday moment.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 04/11/2025

Really gutted to say that our resident albino squirrel was run over earlier, on the road just around the corner. Not sure how someone failed to spot him - he wasn't exactly inconspicuous 🤬 He'd been a regular in the garden for about 6 weeks; I saw him out there just this morning... 😢

An albino squirrel with bright white fur and pinkish-red eyes sits upright in the grass, clutching food delicately in its paws. Its fluffy tail curls behind, while its gaze is fixed forward, giving a striking and direct portrait. The vivid green grass contrasts sharply with the squirrel’s pale colouring, making it stand out in the natural setting.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 20/10/2025

Flux, the new album from Alison Goldfrapp. Came as part of a special edition package, although I currently have no means of playing cassettes. Open reel tapes I’m sorted for, if anyone were to start releasing in that format…

Flux by Alison Goldfrapp, on a factory-sealed cassette tape

Flux by Alison Goldfrapp, on a factory-sealed cassette tape - the rear side, showing it is on bright yellow cassette.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 14/10/2025

A good day to dip into one of my favourite movie books. RIP to the master of movie artwork, Drew Struzan…

Cover of the book “Oeuvre: Drew Struzan”

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 29/09/2025

He's still around... and is burying hazelnuts, so I think he's planning on staying! Picked up a used 2x extender on eBay - now I can go to 800mm; combined with some decent sunlight, and I can get a lot closer to him... #nature #wildlife #photography #wildlifephotography #squirrel

An albino squirrel with white fur and pink eyes sits low in the grass, nibbling on food held in its tiny paws. Its body is partially hidden by the tall green blades, while soft purple flowers and leafy undergrowth blur in the background, adding a touch of colour to the natural setting.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 24/09/2025

He's back again tonight! Can't get as close as I'd like - he's a bit nervous, and I'm having to crop in a long way even with a 400mm lens (second photo shows the original framing). Might need to invest in an extender... #nature #wildlife #photography #wildlifephotography #squirrel

An albino squirrel with striking white fur and pink eyes stands upright on green grass, holding a nut in its mouth. Its long, fluffy tail extends behind it, almost as long as its body. In the background, dark green ivy and undergrowth provide contrast, making the squirrel’s pale coat appear even more vivid and unusual.

Uncropped version of the previous photo. A white albino squirrel stands upright on the edge of a grassy lawn, its fluffy tail stretched out behind. The small figure contrasts sharply with the dark backdrop of ivy and trees, making it stand out in the scene.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 23/09/2025

Ghost squirrel! New visitor to the garden this evening... I hope he'll stick around so I can get some better pics.

A striking white squirrel with pink eyes, likely an albino, is perched on a tree branch surrounded by ivy and green foliage. Its bushy white tail fans out behind it, contrasting sharply with the earthy tones of the bark and leaves. The squirrel clutches its front paws close to its chest, alert yet calm in its natural woodland setting.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 29/08/2025

Only previously aware of the track "Fire Up The Shoesaw", from the (excellent) soundtrack to 1999's "Go". But the whole (3-disc) album is pretty damn good! Artist: Lionrock Album: An Instinct For Detection #Vinyl #VinylCommunity #NowPlaying

A vinyl record spins on a modern black turntable, its tonearm lowered onto the record. Above, the album sleeve for Lionrock – An Instinct for Detection is displayed on a wooden wall shelf. The artwork depicts a man in a suit smoking a pipe, the smoke forming a red lion’s head, against a stylised background of dark trees and a warm yellow sky.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 11/08/2025

Has Safari in iOS 26 got rid of the ability to set the colour of the top of the screen via the theme-color meta tag? Attached screenshots in current version and iOS 26 beta… cc @jensimmons.bsky.social

Website in Safari on iOS 18. Top of screen uses the colour set by the theme-color meta tag.

Website in Safari on iOS 26 beta. Top of screen ignores the colour set by the theme-color meta tag.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 26/07/2025

No cheating: post your lock screen.

iPhone lock screen showing a dog running in a field. His name is Jethro.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 04/07/2025

Jethro’s radiotherapy is now complete and he’s home safe! He’s been a Very Good Boy, no side effects as yet, and initial scan already shows a reduction in the mass (should continue to reduce over the next months). We are both relieved and exhausted!

Jethro, a brindle mixed-breed dog, sits on the back seat of a car looking bright and alert. He has a red vet bandage on one foreleg.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 03/07/2025

Lionrock - An Instinct For Detection (3xLP) Not yet listened…

The album cover for An Instinct for Detection by Lionrock features a vintage-style illustration of a man in a suit and coat, smoking a pipe. His smoke forms the shape of a red lion’s head. The band’s name “Lionrock” and the album title appear above in bold serif fonts. The design evokes a detective noir aesthetic with stylised elegance.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 02/07/2025

Early start this morning, and over to Bristol where Jethro is having the first of three days of radiotherapy for a nasal tumour. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome. Currently killing time waiting to pick him up at lunchtime…

A happy brindle and white dog with a grey muzzle walks across a sunlit grassy field, his tongue hanging out and one ear perked up. The background features tall grass and wildflowers, suggesting a warm day outdoors in a natural setting.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 27/06/2025

Thank you, Audible. You’re right, he does seem remarkably similar to @stephenking.bsky.social…

Screenshot from the Audible app, suggesting authors similar to Stephen King. First in the list is Richard Bachman, who does bear a striking resemblance.

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Seb Duggan @sebduggan.uk · 23/06/2025

Woohoo! I’ve been doing Spelling Bee a while now, and almost always reach Genius (that’s always my target) - but this is my first Queen Bee! (To be honest, I didn’t even know it was a thing until I heard @richardosman1.bsky.social mention it…)

Spelling Bee achievement screen showing Queen Bee - all possible words found

Spelling Bee stats page, showing 620 Genius levels from 658 puzzles, and 1 Queen Bee

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