James
@retrojames.bsky.social
Designer, author, retro video producer.
Book out in 2026: Gear Down & Growing Up: From a Boy to Something Like a Man in 90s Hong Kong.
Dislike coriander and right wing
Book out in 2026: Gear Down & Growing Up: From a Boy to Something Like a Man in 90s Hong Kong.
Dislike coriander and right wing
Just found this on Facebook.
24, summer 99 in North Carolina - everything was perfect. Full of energy, peak fitness & happiness, working on cruise ships, spent a month at camp in the Blue Ridge Mtns.
We had a barbecue on this same day and told ghost stories around a fire under a perfect night sky.
24, summer 99 in North Carolina - everything was perfect. Full of energy, peak fitness & happiness, working on cruise ships, spent a month at camp in the Blue Ridge Mtns.
We had a barbecue on this same day and told ghost stories around a fire under a perfect night sky.
February 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Just found this on Facebook.
24, summer 99 in North Carolina - everything was perfect. Full of energy, peak fitness & happiness, working on cruise ships, spent a month at camp in the Blue Ridge Mtns.
We had a barbecue on this same day and told ghost stories around a fire under a perfect night sky.
24, summer 99 in North Carolina - everything was perfect. Full of energy, peak fitness & happiness, working on cruise ships, spent a month at camp in the Blue Ridge Mtns.
We had a barbecue on this same day and told ghost stories around a fire under a perfect night sky.
When chocolate adverts were simply irresistible...
Here's what I made.
Here's what I made.
February 11, 2026 at 8:42 PM
When chocolate adverts were simply irresistible...
Here's what I made.
Here's what I made.
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful…
Not me obviously, it’s all about this hair-raising video I made.
See if it gels with you..
Not me obviously, it’s all about this hair-raising video I made.
See if it gels with you..
February 10, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful…
Not me obviously, it’s all about this hair-raising video I made.
See if it gels with you..
Not me obviously, it’s all about this hair-raising video I made.
See if it gels with you..
Very very tempted. Bloody cheap.
February 10, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Very very tempted. Bloody cheap.
Is it possible to start a new life in the same place full of a million memories, and just 10 minutes from where your ex lives?
I'm not so sure.
I don't want to run away, but I also don't want to try and build something here when the memories are so emotional.
Maybe that muddy water needs to settle.
I'm not so sure.
I don't want to run away, but I also don't want to try and build something here when the memories are so emotional.
Maybe that muddy water needs to settle.
February 10, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Is it possible to start a new life in the same place full of a million memories, and just 10 minutes from where your ex lives?
I'm not so sure.
I don't want to run away, but I also don't want to try and build something here when the memories are so emotional.
Maybe that muddy water needs to settle.
I'm not so sure.
I don't want to run away, but I also don't want to try and build something here when the memories are so emotional.
Maybe that muddy water needs to settle.
I keep being told this is the start of life 2.0, and how excited I should be to find myself, to do new things or get in touch with the things I used to enjoy. I've had so much advice - "now it's about you, James" and "just get out there, do this, do that..."
I feel utterly overwhelmed if I'm honest.
I feel utterly overwhelmed if I'm honest.
February 10, 2026 at 10:09 AM
I keep being told this is the start of life 2.0, and how excited I should be to find myself, to do new things or get in touch with the things I used to enjoy. I've had so much advice - "now it's about you, James" and "just get out there, do this, do that..."
I feel utterly overwhelmed if I'm honest.
I feel utterly overwhelmed if I'm honest.
I can’t promise you a miracle, but I share my video about a few forgotten UK brands from the 80s….
February 8, 2026 at 11:03 PM
I can’t promise you a miracle, but I share my video about a few forgotten UK brands from the 80s….
Shaken, not stirred…
Here’s my Martini retro video.
Here’s my Martini retro video.
February 8, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Shaken, not stirred…
Here’s my Martini retro video.
Here’s my Martini retro video.
When I find cool stuff, I share cool stuff.
This is VERY cool.
Choose a city, listen to local radio, and drive! (Well, you're in traffic and watching traffic)
How cool?
Very cool!
drivenlisten.com/city
This is VERY cool.
Choose a city, listen to local radio, and drive! (Well, you're in traffic and watching traffic)
How cool?
Very cool!
drivenlisten.com/city
drivenlisten.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:13 PM
When I find cool stuff, I share cool stuff.
This is VERY cool.
Choose a city, listen to local radio, and drive! (Well, you're in traffic and watching traffic)
How cool?
Very cool!
drivenlisten.com/city
This is VERY cool.
Choose a city, listen to local radio, and drive! (Well, you're in traffic and watching traffic)
How cool?
Very cool!
drivenlisten.com/city
Son suggested a holiday for us both at the end of October. He wants to see Dubai (not my cuppa, but interesting for him), then we'll take the bus to the Oman border, hire a car, & explore Muscat and surrounding nature.
To say I can't wait is an understatement. Stunning land, even better company.
To say I can't wait is an understatement. Stunning land, even better company.
February 8, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Son suggested a holiday for us both at the end of October. He wants to see Dubai (not my cuppa, but interesting for him), then we'll take the bus to the Oman border, hire a car, & explore Muscat and surrounding nature.
To say I can't wait is an understatement. Stunning land, even better company.
To say I can't wait is an understatement. Stunning land, even better company.
In the last (nearly) 3 months, I’ve encountered many moments of “the kindness of strangers” both online and in person, with the same message, or variations on this:
“You’ll be ok I promise, it takes time, you’ll have a new life soon that you can’t imagine now.”
It feels like I’m meant to meet them.
“You’ll be ok I promise, it takes time, you’ll have a new life soon that you can’t imagine now.”
It feels like I’m meant to meet them.
February 7, 2026 at 1:02 PM
In the last (nearly) 3 months, I’ve encountered many moments of “the kindness of strangers” both online and in person, with the same message, or variations on this:
“You’ll be ok I promise, it takes time, you’ll have a new life soon that you can’t imagine now.”
It feels like I’m meant to meet them.
“You’ll be ok I promise, it takes time, you’ll have a new life soon that you can’t imagine now.”
It feels like I’m meant to meet them.
Question for those who separated from their partner and lived (or currently live) alone.
How did you get used to it? I’m getting to know myself again, but it’s very strange to be without family around. I’m hoping that one morning I wake up with that feeling of contentment, and only I can do that.
How did you get used to it? I’m getting to know myself again, but it’s very strange to be without family around. I’m hoping that one morning I wake up with that feeling of contentment, and only I can do that.
February 7, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Question for those who separated from their partner and lived (or currently live) alone.
How did you get used to it? I’m getting to know myself again, but it’s very strange to be without family around. I’m hoping that one morning I wake up with that feeling of contentment, and only I can do that.
How did you get used to it? I’m getting to know myself again, but it’s very strange to be without family around. I’m hoping that one morning I wake up with that feeling of contentment, and only I can do that.
In this weird period between the end of my marriage and trying to build a new life, I could be out there tonight - the bars are buzzing, but I’ve decided to go for the Burger King and Platoon combo. Crap food I rarely eat, but I just fancied it. Strange to be alone, but taking each day at a time
February 6, 2026 at 9:20 PM
In this weird period between the end of my marriage and trying to build a new life, I could be out there tonight - the bars are buzzing, but I’ve decided to go for the Burger King and Platoon combo. Crap food I rarely eat, but I just fancied it. Strange to be alone, but taking each day at a time
I've made a retro video.
See if it turns you on.
If it does...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...
See if it turns you on.
If it does...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...
February 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM
I've made a retro video.
See if it turns you on.
If it does...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...
See if it turns you on.
If it does...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...
Music during a break up...christ, what a trigger. All of it.
I need to listen to such gentle jazz with no lyrics or I'm a bloody mess. The latest tune to get me? "Children Say" by Level 42.
Why? God knows. There I was just getting on with things, and within 30 seconds of it starting, and I'm off...
I need to listen to such gentle jazz with no lyrics or I'm a bloody mess. The latest tune to get me? "Children Say" by Level 42.
Why? God knows. There I was just getting on with things, and within 30 seconds of it starting, and I'm off...
February 5, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Music during a break up...christ, what a trigger. All of it.
I need to listen to such gentle jazz with no lyrics or I'm a bloody mess. The latest tune to get me? "Children Say" by Level 42.
Why? God knows. There I was just getting on with things, and within 30 seconds of it starting, and I'm off...
I need to listen to such gentle jazz with no lyrics or I'm a bloody mess. The latest tune to get me? "Children Say" by Level 42.
Why? God knows. There I was just getting on with things, and within 30 seconds of it starting, and I'm off...
You know that expression, "all the feels"?
Well, I tried it with this 80s video I've made.
Might work for you, might not, give it a whirl!
Well, I tried it with this 80s video I've made.
Might work for you, might not, give it a whirl!
February 4, 2026 at 11:06 PM
You know that expression, "all the feels"?
Well, I tried it with this 80s video I've made.
Might work for you, might not, give it a whirl!
Well, I tried it with this 80s video I've made.
Might work for you, might not, give it a whirl!
A warm breeze.
A Mr Freeze.
Greensleeves from the ice cream van.
A Flymo starts up.
A hint of creosote in the air.
Trainers soaked from a garden hose.
A freshly washed Sierra sparkles in the afternoon sun.
The smell of water on warm tarmac.
Bike bells ring.
Children's laughter.
A perfect day in 85.
A Mr Freeze.
Greensleeves from the ice cream van.
A Flymo starts up.
A hint of creosote in the air.
Trainers soaked from a garden hose.
A freshly washed Sierra sparkles in the afternoon sun.
The smell of water on warm tarmac.
Bike bells ring.
Children's laughter.
A perfect day in 85.
February 4, 2026 at 10:09 PM
A warm breeze.
A Mr Freeze.
Greensleeves from the ice cream van.
A Flymo starts up.
A hint of creosote in the air.
Trainers soaked from a garden hose.
A freshly washed Sierra sparkles in the afternoon sun.
The smell of water on warm tarmac.
Bike bells ring.
Children's laughter.
A perfect day in 85.
A Mr Freeze.
Greensleeves from the ice cream van.
A Flymo starts up.
A hint of creosote in the air.
Trainers soaked from a garden hose.
A freshly washed Sierra sparkles in the afternoon sun.
The smell of water on warm tarmac.
Bike bells ring.
Children's laughter.
A perfect day in 85.
Danke aus Graz for all of your support.
February 4, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Danke aus Graz for all of your support.
There comes a time when you just have to accept reality, even if it's bloody uncomfortable.
Do I want this divorce? Like I want cramp in the middle of the night. But if one person has moved away from the other one, it is what it is. Painful? Yes, bloody stomach-churning, but time to turn that corner
Do I want this divorce? Like I want cramp in the middle of the night. But if one person has moved away from the other one, it is what it is. Painful? Yes, bloody stomach-churning, but time to turn that corner
February 4, 2026 at 5:44 PM
There comes a time when you just have to accept reality, even if it's bloody uncomfortable.
Do I want this divorce? Like I want cramp in the middle of the night. But if one person has moved away from the other one, it is what it is. Painful? Yes, bloody stomach-churning, but time to turn that corner
Do I want this divorce? Like I want cramp in the middle of the night. But if one person has moved away from the other one, it is what it is. Painful? Yes, bloody stomach-churning, but time to turn that corner
Not that I couldn't before, but now I can buy stuff without getting the side eye or eye-roll.
Yep, I've just bought ton of old National Geographic magazines from the 50s to the early 90s - for peanuts.
Yep, I've just bought ton of old National Geographic magazines from the 50s to the early 90s - for peanuts.
February 3, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Not that I couldn't before, but now I can buy stuff without getting the side eye or eye-roll.
Yep, I've just bought ton of old National Geographic magazines from the 50s to the early 90s - for peanuts.
Yep, I've just bought ton of old National Geographic magazines from the 50s to the early 90s - for peanuts.
We all know those shows on Netflix that just have you hooked in the first 5 minutes.
Well, ladies and gents....this is something else:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqT4...
Well, ladies and gents....this is something else:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqT4...
The Eternaut | Official Trailer | Netflix
YouTube video by Netflix
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:30 PM
We all know those shows on Netflix that just have you hooked in the first 5 minutes.
Well, ladies and gents....this is something else:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqT4...
Well, ladies and gents....this is something else:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqT4...
Graz and Brighton, reasonably similar-sized cities, and I love both.
Here's what €750 a month gets you here, compared with a similar price in Brighton.
Oh, by the way...the Brighton one?
It's a house share.
The rental market in the UK is utterly terrifying.
No way.
Here's what €750 a month gets you here, compared with a similar price in Brighton.
Oh, by the way...the Brighton one?
It's a house share.
The rental market in the UK is utterly terrifying.
No way.
February 3, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Graz and Brighton, reasonably similar-sized cities, and I love both.
Here's what €750 a month gets you here, compared with a similar price in Brighton.
Oh, by the way...the Brighton one?
It's a house share.
The rental market in the UK is utterly terrifying.
No way.
Here's what €750 a month gets you here, compared with a similar price in Brighton.
Oh, by the way...the Brighton one?
It's a house share.
The rental market in the UK is utterly terrifying.
No way.