iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 06/10/2026

I boycotted Ryanair for over a decade, willing to take trains to further away airports to get other airlines (or just take night trains all the way where possible). But I got talked into trying them again later this week. It's time for online check in, and I'm already regretting it...

You need the Ryanair App to access your digital boarding pass
You must download the Ryanair App. This is the only way to access your digital boarding pass, paper boarding passes are no longer issued or accepted.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 14/09/2026

Got to love artists. If I fell into the Thames as a child I think it'd be more likely to influence my thinking about playing too close to rivers but, sure, you focus on 'light and materiality'. From the Observer profile of Es Devlin.

"Throughout her career, Devlin has mined her childhood for inspiration. She has spoken about an early traumatic experience of falling in the Thames, which influenced her thinking about light and materiality."

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 14/09/2026

Another week where I want to stay at school after drop-off so I can have lunch...

A photo of a lunch menu for the week at a French school. Monday has: Asperges Vinaigrette, Brandade de poisson, creme dessert vanille, cigarette russe. Tuesday has gaspacho, Roti de porc aux aromates, chou-fleur, tomme plaisir from fereme du maretz, crepe au caramel au beurre sale. Thursday has melon, haut de cuisse de poulet roti, frites, creme anglaise, gateau au yaourt. Friday has salade verte, lasagnes vegetales, mousse au chocolat, fruit de saison.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 16/07/2026

Is THIS the one that's going to Mars?

Screenshot of Forbes article from 2016 with the headline "Elon Musk: SpaceX will Launch People To Mars in 2024"

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 13/07/2026

France and UK each have pros & cons — but public service digital is a very firm win for the UK. Want to find out about the current forest fires raging in France? Sure, here's the map and all the details of how to stay safe — but you can only access it if you accept tracking by our 1,727 partners!!

Access FeuxdeForêt.fr for free by accepting the use of your data for the display of personalized advertisements.

Us and our ${1727 partners} partners store and access information about your device (e.g. cookies, device identifiers) and process personal data (e.g. unique identifiers, browsing data) for personalized advertising, content measurement, analytics audience and other specified purposes.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 16/06/2026

Looking for a new beard oil... but don't fancy my chances of getting this one through airport security

A bottle of beard oil with the name "Ricin" in big letters on the label

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 14/06/2026

And here's another example from April-June 2021: www.ons.gov.uk/economy/gros...

Consumption of government goods and services
In Quarter 2 2021, government consumption increased by 6.1% driven by increases in education and health. The consumption of education services increased by 27.1% in Quarter 2 2021, following a 12.8% fall in the previous quarter. This reflects an increase in school attendance in all months across the quarter as schools reopened.

The consumption of health services increased by 5.1% in Quarter 2 2021 as there was strong growth in non-COVID health activity, in particular with General Practice appointments, which showed strong growth in June 2021, further boosted by NHS Test and Trace services and the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Government final consumption expenditure in nominal terms includes spending on the NHS Test and Trace service and the COVID-19 vaccination programme. However, these activities are not captured within our normal source data for government final consumption expenditure in volume terms. We have therefore added NHS Test and Trace and COVID-19 vaccination adjustments of £7,000 million to our volume measure in Quarter 2 2021, of which £4,600 million is in relation to the NHS Test and Trace service and £2,400 million is in relation to the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The monthly breakdown of these adjustments is published in the GDP monthly estimate.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 14/06/2026

Here's one example from the ONS briefings, covering Oct-Dec 2021: www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nati...

2.National accounts
The UK economy expanded by 1.3% in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2021, leaving gross domestic product (GDP) 0.1% below its pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic level (Figure 1). A rise in the number of GP visits at the start of the quarter, a large pickup in COVID-19 testing and tracing activities, and the extension of the vaccination programme helps to explain some of the quarterly increase in GDP.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 12/06/2026

Popped into this pub this week. It was originally one of the first Wetherspoon pubs. The founder of 'spoons, Tim Martin, campaigned heavily for Brexit (Including propaganda on the tables). Post-Brexit, his business tanked, so he had to sell pubs. Someone bought this one and decided to wind Tim up...

Photo of the exterior of a pub called The European, with the sign showing the EU flag.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 28/04/2026

If The Gazette is going to be the 'official public record', it needs better infrastructure. This keeps happening when I need to do due diligence. (to be clear, this is first request I made today. Error is because server has hit a preset limit of how many requests from anyone it can handle)

Error message: the number of HTTP requests exceeds the allowed number within a 5-minute period. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please try again in 5 minutes.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 26/04/2026

It’s never sons or fathers in law. And it’s always screaming arguments and big huffs. So many horrible formats like this now in every country.

A woman and her mother in law are in a huff during a cooking competition.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 26/04/2026

In other Turkish culture, this show is morbidly fascinating every time I’m here. It’s a cooking competition where women are judged by their mother in laws - and family breaking arguments ensue after each course. Awful

A woman and her mother in law take part in a cooking competition - and are mid argument on screen

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 24/04/2026

Your smart home may be so smart it works for at least one of the world's intelligence agencies... www.ft.com/content/d8ff...

Screenshot from the FT:

Chinese government hackers are routinely using vast networks of compromised gadgets such as home routers and smart fridges in cyber attacks on western national infrastructure and democratic institutions, according to a group of leading intelligence agencies.

A “major shift” in Chinese cyber tactics has made Beijing’s hackers harder to identify and more successful in their efforts to steal secrets and compromise utilities such as power plants and communications networks, security agencies including from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing nations said on Thursday.

The disclosure indicates the extent to which China — long-regarded as a second-tier cyber threat to the west in terms of sophistication behind Russia — is rapidly catching up with more advanced actors, a European intelligence official said.

“The use of covert networks of compromised devices — also known as botnets — to facilitate malicious cyber activity is not new, but China-nexus cyber actors are now using them strategically, and at scale,” the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre said.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 20/04/2026

Ah yes, it must be time to try to login to my publisher's Oracle royalty statement system. This is why you have to pay the big bucks to get Oracle quality.

An indecipherable error message from an online system's login page. It says:

Message not found. Application: FND, Message Name: UMX_LOGIN_HELP_UNEXPECTED_ERROR.
java.sql.SQLException: ORA-01403: no data found ORA-06512: at "APPS.UMX_LOGIN_HELP_PVT", line 574 ORA-06512: at "APPS.UMX_LOGIN_HELP_PVT", line 659 ORA-06512: at line 1

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 10/04/2026

I would love to be able to make this bet too. Market participants seem to be engaged in extreme wishful thinking, still clinging onto the wish that their preferred ideology turn out to be right — like Wiley E Coyote spinning his legs in the air and not daring to look down.

Bill Ackman is in talks to launch a
strategy that would make big bets on complacency in financial markets, in a bid to mimic the success of doomsday trades the billionaire investor made
during the pandemic.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 08/04/2026

So, as hoped, Trump backed down and did another of his “push a threat out another two weeks” moves. The BBC now reports this as a ‘partial win’ for Trump !!

Screen shot of bbc headline saying “Iran ceasefire deal a partial win for Trump”

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 07/04/2026

Well, I guess having Darth Vader realise that photos of him in green tights are circulating online would be one way of getting the message across

Bbc headline “Call for parents to teach online privacy like road safety “

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 06/04/2026

BBC: ‘Trump says operation to rescue airmen from Iran was like finding a needle in a haystack’ Hmmm

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 21/03/2026

Remembering my last Cuba trip, which was just before the pandemic, and listening to some Cuban music. Have heard from friends there this week about the situation now and it’s rough. Can’t imagine the stress and uncertainty.

A street scene in Cuba at sunset. A Green classic car is driving in the street with a pink sky behind.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 17/03/2026

But going back to the site acts again like I'm some logged out rando just leeching off the freebies... So, I go round this cycle a few times, refreshing, clicking... and then I've run out of my cup of tea time for browsing a few articles and so I toddle off, having just wasted time.

Screenshot of Wired.com with a paywall blocking access to the article and the heading "You've read your last free article"

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 17/03/2026

But then I click the 'account' icon, expecting to be shown to log in, and instead there's a dropdown including a link to manage my account. I click on that and find.... I am logged in, and I have an active subscription with 'unlimited access'. Oh.... Okay, let's click back to the site to read...

Screenshot of Wired.com showing I'm logged in with an active account and unlimited access.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 17/03/2026

I pay for @wired.com and I love it. But it is so often a pita to get benefit of my paid sub. Today I click on some links from an email they send me, and I get the paywall... Sigh, okay, let's log in yet again. Not the end of the world I guess, just frustrating every time...

A screenshot from Wired.com showing the paywall.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 16/03/2026

This Friday is ‘British day’ at the local primary school, so if you want to know what the French think of as a ‘British’ meal it’s… Starter: Coleslaw Main: Fish & Chips Cheese: Gouda (!?) Desert: Banoffee pie !

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 15/03/2026

In our nearest city, Nantes, there’s a monstrosity which is four roundabouts arranged in a connected circle. If you ever want to pass an hour watching scrapes and near misses, or handing out cards for a friend with a body repair shop, that’s the spot. Couldn’t find it just now, but here’s a two-er

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 15/03/2026

(I meant to say steampunk carousel rather than cyberpunk) There’s a fantastic collective of steampunk designers & engineers right in the centre of the city who make amazing weird and wonderful creations that then become massive tourist attractions. This is their carousel - a three-storey madhouse

A three-storey carousel, mix of traditional, and industrial, with steampunk rides

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 15/03/2026

Back home after a fantastic weekend in Nantes. What a lovely city - great food, and free hop on hop off trams/buses at weekends make it so easy.

A huge machine elephant roams the riverside in Nantes

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 10/03/2026

Well this was a handy bit of procrastination as I try to finish a document this evening ! 😜 (no idea whether it's better to be higher or lower. Suspect I should have switched off night mode on the monitor!)

Screenshot showing that my JND is 0.0043

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 09/03/2026

Ha! After moaning about this this morning, guess what cropped up in tonight’s bedtime story. Yes - even mummy pig is a writer! (In related news, I hereby start my campaign for rules on contrast ratios in children’s bedtime books)

Photo of a page from a Peppa Pig book which says

"It's an invitation," said Mummy Pig. "The Queen is giving me an award for the book I wrote.
She has invited us and our friends to her
Platinum Jubilee garden party."
"Oooh, goody!" said Peppa. "What's a plat-i-mum joo-bee-jee party?"

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 01/03/2026

The outdoor gym route around the lake has some very ‘adult’ exercises

A sign board with illustrations for four exercises. The fourth seems to show two people. One bending over to touch their toes while another takes them from behind.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 14/02/2026

Yikes. I somehow missed that one. That’s shocking. Have they ever issued an abject apology, or shown any shame? (Btw, I got this notification when replying to you!!)

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 09/02/2026

Well this is a nice email to get from Orange to start the week. Home broadband now upgraded to 8 Gbit/s, up and down, for no extra charge! (and here I'm in a small village on the Atlantic coast. Nearest town only has 18,000 population. Yet my flat in London can still only get minimal speeds)

Bonjour,

Votre Fibre bénéficie désormais d'un débit jusqu'à 8 Gbit/s en téléchargement et 8 Gbit/s en envoi*. Ce changement est sans impact sur votre offre et ses conditions tarifaires.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 08/02/2026

Yer continental stuff is all very well but, on a grey day like today, all that will do for a beach picnic is ham and chutney sarnies, salted crisps (to put in sarnies) and a proper beer. 🤌

Photo of a ham and chutney sandwich held up next to a bottle of Spitfire Ale, with the background of sand, rocks and ocean.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 26/01/2026

Le Monde leads with it, and doesn’t fall into parroting the Trump regime line that it’s an ‘immigration crackdown’ - they call it “Trump’s strategy of tension” which is spot on. “After the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Donald Trump's strategy of tension in question”

Screenshot of Le Monde top story which translates to English as: After the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Donald Trump's strategy of tension in question

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 26/01/2026

The FT leads with it, but like yesterday, it’s just a bit weak.

Screenshot of FT top story:

Trump faces growing backlash against immigration crackdown after shooting

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 26/01/2026

The Observer leads with it, and is clear about who did the killing. But seems a little out of date and, from the standfirst, it seems the Observer got The Grauniad subs in the GNM divorce…

Screenshot of Observer top story.

Minneapolis shaken by second fatal shooting

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 26/01/2026

Sky News, go to the top of the class today. Top story, up to date angle, clear headline, photojournalism that shows the reality on the ground. 👏👏👏

Screenshot of Sky News Top story:
Clinton and Obama urge Americans to 'stand up' as Trump considers Insurrection
Act in Minneapolis

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 26/01/2026

Ah yes BBC and Guardian, internal arguments in the Labour Party is absolutely the most important news we’re all focused on right now. Every Brit checking on waking up “Quick, what’s happening in the Labour Party? I’ve been so worried overnight”

Screenshot of BBC news website top headline: Labour faces backlash from some MPs after Burnham blocked from standing in by-election

Screenshot of Guardian website top headline: 'Huge mistake': Labour in turmoil as Burnham blocked from byelection race

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 25/01/2026

And The Guardian doesn’t even bother. Oh look, it thinks the Labour squabble is what’s most important. Pathetic.

Labour row erupts after Andy Burnham blocked from byelection race

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 25/01/2026

The FT, normally a bold paper that reports it how it is, but look at this: 1. It’s not just ‘protestors’ calling for this 2. It is not an ‘immigration crackdown’. To say so is simply repeating Trump regime framing. Everyone can see it is something much bigger. 3. ‘Cast doubt’ ??? FFS !

Screenshot of FT headline

Protesters demand end to immigration crackdown after Minneapolis shooting

Outrage grows in US after videos cast doubt on official explanation for death of 37-year-old intensive-care nurse

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 25/01/2026

The BBC, which should be the best of the best for international reporting for UK audiences, has at least made it the lead item, but look at the false balance! ‘Federal authorities claim Alex Pretti was a "domestic terrorist" although Minnesota's governor has criticised their account as "nonsense".’

Screenshot of BBC news item

Minnesota governor tells
Trump to pull agents out of state as family of killed man ask for 'truth'
Federal authorities claim Alex Pretti was a "domestic terrorist" although
Minnesota's governor has criticised their account as "nonsense".

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 24/01/2026

I simply can’t believe what the BBC News Website is running as the top story tonight. Why are they obsessed with “whatever the politics team come up with, make it the lead regardless of what else is going on” ? Meanwhile the whole world is watching Minneapolis in shock, anger and fear.

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 22/01/2026

With the wordmark next to the logo it makes more sense

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 22/01/2026

Trump and other warmongers launch new initiative at Davos. (original photo via @guardianheather.bsky.social. Bad photoshopping all my fault)

Photo of Trump speaking in front of a large screen that says "Bored of Peace"

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 22/01/2026

Where one headline answers another. What are the chances the Trump family closed out their short positions yesterday and then bought a lot of US stocks? Then he could go ahead and announce a ‘deal’. There’s always a personal enrichment angle. His wildest rides tend to be market manipulation.

Two headlines in the FT. “Trump’s Greenland pivot leaves Europe flummoxed” and “Markets rally after Trump tours Greenland deal”

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 21/01/2026

…and then beating it up behind the bike sheds

Purin and Trump with evil grins infront of a sign saying “pursuing peace”

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Steve Parks @steveparks.me · 19/01/2026

I wanted to donate, so clicked the 'donate' button at the top right of the page. I'm not certain, but I somehow get the idea that this donation is for the site you're hosting on rather than you. Or am I wrong and this is the right place for me to wang you my wonga?

Screenshot with a big red arrow pointing to 'donate now'

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