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bestoftimes.bsky.social
Born in the last century. Husband, father, engineer in Edinburgh, Scotland, getting excited by books, music, walks and beaches, stationery, stoicism, and malt whisky. I’m particularly proud of the things my children do as they spread their wings. He/Him
110 posts 7 followers 14 following
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I’ve just learned that my favourite email application, MailMate, has a distortion mode to anonymise it for screenshots. Brilliant!

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

UK people: I’m trying to buy a ‘James May’ wig! Any thoughts on where to look?

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Looks like there’s a major new release of DEVONthink coming soon. It’s been a great tool and a bit of a secret weapon but, for for the first time, I’m wondering whether I actually need to upgrade. Last year I scrapped a lot... https://bestoftimes.micro.blog/2025/02/27/looks-like-theres-a-major.html

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Today is the 90th anniversary of the Daventry Experiment that first demonstrated that radio waves could be used to detect aircraft.

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Thinking back on a few days in Vienna recently. It would be Wong to say it meant nothing to me…

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

I just finished reading Annie Bot by Sienna Greer. There were aspects that were troubling and irritating but it rattled along nicely, raised some questions and has a satisfying ending.

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

The one with the paintbrush through her hair needs to go from the Great Pottery Throw Down. She’s not the worst potter but I’ve had enough of the pretentiousness!

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Dundee.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

I do like a distressed old hand-painted sign.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Last night I had a call to say a lottery syndicate member, former colleague, and now friend, had died at 87 after a very short illness. Although not massively significant, I feel these little losses leave small holes in my own life.

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Very discombobulated to suddenly hear an advertisement for I ♥︎ Radio in the middle of my BBC Ramblings podcast!

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

Spotted this morning in Vienna. On Valentine’s Day, I feel it’s my duty to share it.

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

For Scotland vs. Ireland a glass of Hop beard from Fonta Flora. I remember a few years back that the best craft beer came from USA, now it’s rare to see it in the UK.

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Abstract. Actually just looking through the roof of an Edinburgh bus stop and then heavily processed.

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Annoyingly, my Happy Hacking Keyboard does not connect to my Mac via Bluetooth any more. I love that keyboard and the only fix I’ve seen so far is to create a new account and use that.

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

A tiny tweak to my ‘joy’ page.

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Can any travellers recommend a good European (Type F of C) USB-C charger available in the UK? Ideally a well-known brand like Anker or Apple.

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Cleaning out a fountain loaded with Platinum Chou Kuro ink. This blackest of black ink just seems to stay in the nib regardless of how much water I push through it!

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

A small pleasure, but I enjoyed starting today with Almond Brazil and Cashew nut butter on toast!

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

More Dundee

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

Dundee today

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

Tonight’s second (and last) beer is a lovely 180/- (180 shilling) at ABV 12%. And that’s shh it’s the last one!

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

My favourite new acronym is the estimating tool ‘WFITA’. Wet Finger In The Air!

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

Should I be able to use a social.lol Mastodon instance with the iOS app Ivory?

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

Well, as its Burns night it would be rude not to have a wee dram.

submitted 38 days ago • 0 comments

A very simple, almost primitive, ceramic bowl. And I love it!

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

I’ve decided to call those “next time on xxxxx ….” bits at the end of shows ‘outroductions’. Do they have a proper name?

submitted 42 days ago • 0 comments

I’m enjoying the iOS Orbit subscription tracker. Hopefully it will help me drive down subscriptions this year, especially if I get a working widget showing payments coming soon.

submitted 43 days ago • 0 comments

Fired-up with enthusiasm from last night’s Analog Tools meeting I’m trying 750 Words. At the moment it feels like a stretching target to do that every day but I will see how it goes. I enjoyed two wide-ranging group discussions last night, with that and our (analogue) book group later.

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

Some of the darker lyrics from last night’s fantastic gig.

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

It was fantastic to see the Oysterband play their final Scottish gig tonight. It’s been a long, long journey from first hearing their cover of Billy Bragg’s ‘Between the Wars’ played on Radio Scotland.

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

I’m re-reading Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice and still enjoying it. The world building is credible and people hold convincing conversations.

submitted 48 days ago • 0 comments

Seen around town today.

submitted 53 days ago • 0 comments

Enjoying the 3D metal puzzle I treated myself to at Christmas.

submitted 54 days ago • 0 comments

Child’s toy caught on razor wire.

submitted 56 days ago • 0 comments

More of a full-sized poster than my usual stickers seen around town this weekend.

submitted 59 days ago • 0 comments

We watched the film ‘La Chimera’ yesterday. Fun fact… I once climbed down into an Etruscan grave in the Tuscan countryside and it scared the bejasus out of me, especially the big white spiders that had never seen daylight.

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

A wee stroll on a cold day.

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

Latest idle sketch from the Master Animator.

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

My 2024 in numbers.

submitted 63 days ago • 0 comments

Today’s New Yorker cartoon is great.

submitted 64 days ago • 0 comments

My reading list for 2024.

submitted 65 days ago • 0 comments

Over on the big blog — the 52 weird and wonderful things I learned in 2024.

submitted 65 days ago • 0 comments

From our Solstice walk on Saturday. Before the sandstorm!

submitted 68 days ago • 0 comments

First jigsaw puzzle of the 12 jigsaws of Christmas I bought my wife this year.

submitted 68 days ago • 0 comments

Out for dinner with family tonight. But not here.

submitted 70 days ago • 0 comments

submitted 71 days ago • 0 comments

Solstice walk today

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

The potter who made it called it a Fluted Whisky Cup so I thought I should use it got that purpose tonight as I start my Christmas holiday.

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments