iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

On a brighter anime note, season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries premieres today. It’s got a lot to live up to … #anime #theapothecarydiaries

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I haven’t been updating my anime viewing, but had my first DNF with Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress. Neither story nor characters drew me in enough to keep going. Onwards … #anime

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I moved to Scotland nearly a year ago, and have not a single regret. And one of the attractions was water. The Clyde just down the hill, the sea lochs, the freshwater lochs. There is something exhilerating about being close to water. The smell, the sound, the movement. #scotland #loch #coast

022

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Perfect in every performance. It’s quite a legacy … #stephaniecole

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It’s amazing what you come across on a Scottish loch … HMS Queen Elizabeth berthed at Glen Mallan Jetty on Loch Long, taking on munitions from DM Glen Douglas. #hmsqueenelizabeth #glenmallan #lochlong

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

If you’re of a certain age in the UK, you’ll probably be able to guess what this place used to be … #ardrossan #littlechef

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Authors attract scammers all the time; delete and move on. But some do make you laugh out loud. ‘Author Credibility Society’? What’s that even supposed to mean? #author #writer

130

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

So, my anime journey continues this evening with Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress. It’s a little different to my previous choices! #anime #kabanerioftheironfortress

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

So, the end of Kino’s Journey. It’s only 12 episodes, and whilst a little uneven, with a few long passages of exposition, it’s great fun, with a stream of surprises. One minute sweet, the next, bloody violence (a lot of fighting sheep died to make this picture!). I recommend. #anime #kinosjourney

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Right, the next choice in my anime education is Kino’s Journey. I’ve just realised that although it looks very different, it involves travelling, which seems a common theme in my early choices. And happens to be a common theme in my writing. Ah, well, just coincidence … #anime #kinosjourney

110

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Fortuitous find of the week! It’s called ‘Release Now’ by Peter Nottrott, a German abstract painter who’s new to me. Not an original, I hasten to add, just an enhanced canvas print. It’s quite large, and will give a brilliant blast of brightness on a dark winter’s day. #abstractart #peternottrott

050

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Not sure they’ve fully thought this one through. Headache and bleeding, anyone? #pain #dopey

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Well, I’ve ploughed through all 26 episodes of Cowboy Bebop. I wanted to love it, given the recommendations and high ratings, but I really couldn’t. Sorry guys, but this one clearly wasn’t for me! #anime #cowboybebop

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

A gorgeous schooner arriving at James Watt Dock Marina this afternoon. She’s the Elena, a replica of a legendary racing yacht of the same name from 1910. She’s yours to charter from $100k a week! #greenock #elenaoflondon #clyde

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen passing Greenock this afternoon. She’s a frigate of the Royal Norwegian Navy. #royalnorwegiannavy #frigate #navy #greenock

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

The next adventure in my belated dive into anime series: Cowboy Bebop. A different genre. I’ve seen the movie (which I thought was … meh), so let’s see. #anime #cowboybebop

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Spent the evening watching an Apple Music playlist of 80s music videos. Mostly great music. Some of the videos … haven’t aged well … but some are still crackers. Ah, memories! #80smusic #musicvideos #80s

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

After Frieren, I wondered what could come close on my anime learning curve. Decided on The Apothecary Diaries, and it’s another winner! Another beautifully constructed main character, a great supporting cast, and a story that becomes increasingly complex in every episode. #anime #apothecarydiaries

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

A final gateway from Cove for this week. It’s just wonderful! The wall seems to be a continuation of the one in the previous posts, but the columns? I assume a later addition. Are they mollusc shells? I’d guess they may have been repurposed from somewhere else. #gateway #cove #rosneath

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Gateway #7(½!) A final entrance - pedestrian only, this time- to Bard’s Point Villa in Cove, displaying its alternative name: Baron Cliff. This one looks so inviting … #cove #gateway #rosneath

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Some of the wall which surrounded Bard’s Point Villa in Cove. It stretches quite some distance along the road, and must have been impressive in its heyday. #cove #rosneath #abandoned

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Another walk around Cove. This is a rather sorry-looking gateway to Bard’s Point Villa (aka Baron Cliff), yet another house which burnt down (1988). There are at least three entrances along the road, and an impressive stone and iron wall, but they all appear neglected. #gateway #cove #rosneath

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Yrsa’s just looking to travel and explore her world. Little does she know how much her life will change … #fantasy #cozyfantasy #trilogy #kindle #kindleunlimited

040

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

The great man is 100 today. Mel, Happy Birthday, and may the Schwartz be with you! #melbrooks #100today #birthday

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Just had a whole new idea for a fantasy tale emerge in the last few hours. It’s going to be fun … #fantasy

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I’ve now finished all 28 episodes of Frieren, and it really doesn’t disappoint. Great story, and above all, wonderful characters. Frieren herself is one of the best creations I’ve come across in some time. I gather a new series is coming late next year. Definitely recommended. #anime #frieren

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Yrsa’s just looking to travel and explore her world. Little does she know how much her life will change … #fantasy #cozyfantasy #trilogy #kindle #kindleunlimited

020

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I’ve seen some fancy goldfish, but this is …

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Just watched the first four episodes of Frieren, after a recommendation on SM. I’ve not really got into an anime series before (as I’m a film, not a series watcher), but I think I’m hooked. Thoughtful and wry, with some interesting characters, and an undertone of real emotion. #anime #frieren

010

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Four additions to the TBR shelf today from Sector 7 Books in Glasgow. If you’re a fan of horror, sci-fi, or fantasy, take a trip to Saltmarket and support an indie bookshop! #sector7books #glasgow #fantasybooks #scifibooks #horrorbooks

0130

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

I’m staying home for a week or so after a minor procedure on my face. It doesn’t hurt but I look like I’ve had a fight with a dozen angry wasps. Which means no new travels to show, so I’m going to post an excerpt a day from my Tales of a Melder series. Hope you enjoy. #fantasy #cozyfantasy

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Why do scammers seem to make themselves so obvious? Just had one follow me with the usual in their bio: ‘digital marketing expert’, ‘creating compelling campaigns’, etc. Their posts look quite professional. But then they choose a name … Agatha Christie. Surely no one’s going to fall for that?

000

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

One more site from my visit to Cowal. Kilmorie Chapel, the mausoleum of the Chiefs of Clan McLachlan. Over more than 600 years every chief bar three have been buried here. Only the ruined chapel now survives, but the cemetery is still in use. #kilmoriechapel #cowal #clanmclachlan #mausoleum

031

Simon Binning (🖌️Alex J Markson) @simonbinning.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Just a little reminder that while my writing as Alex J Markson is suitable for everyone, books written without the ‘J’ require a little more discretion! You have been warned … #romance #spicybooks #spicyromance

040