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The good thing was that Morris had at least been expecting this. In fact, when the door of the captain’s office opened to reveal not only the man himself, looking troubled and angry, but also two of the weasels from Internal Affairs who were standing just inside the door, Morris only nodded to himself before locking his computer screen the way they were all repeatedly taught to if they were …

And so, a week on painkillers, anti-spasmodics and things to keep my gut protected. I got a few texts asking how I was doing, but the honest answer was ‘I have no idea, I’m on too much medication’. The general theme was: mornings hurt, the painkillers started taking effect, either side of lunch I felt invincible, early evening I felt knackered. The thing with all of it is to keep …

Around a month ago, I posted on my first taste of the wonderful Monkey magazine, the initial 2020 edition, and today sees me moving on to the second instalment, published back in 2021. There’s a different theme running through the inclusions this time around, but one thing hasn’t changed. Once again, we have lots of J-Lit goodness to enjoy in a variety of genres, enough for anyone to while away …

The Tivoli Theatre will host the Scottish tour of To Save The Sea next month, a musical that tells the dramatic story of Greenpeace’s protest against Shell in 1995. Taking the stage on 30 October, this Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company production brings an inspiring tale of environmental activism to life through powerful songs and performances.To Save The Sea shares the story of a group of international activists determined to stop …

Hidden in the detail of the UK’s carbon capture and storage scheme are unlimited financial liabilities and huge environmental costs. By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 11th October 2024 This will be Keir Starmer’s HS2: a hugely expensive scheme that will either be abandoned, scaled back or require massive extra funding to continue, after many billions have been spent. The government’s plan for carbon capture and storage (CCS) – …

LP – staalplaat The history of the mechanical music machines of the eighteenth and nineteenth century is well known also among the audience of non-specialists and its success is mostly due to the originality and quality of instruments, as the orchestrion, cylinder organs, music boxes, automatons, roll organs and melodic pianos, as well as various types of pianos. Maybe currently the fact that there is still someone who focuses on …

Heading into the weekend, I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to write about for today. It was Friday night, and I wanted to get something done, since I had a full weekend planned for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday morning was to be spent stacking firewood; an annual ritual that is necessary, but one […]

Dorothy Parker was a brilliant wit whose words have withstood the test of time. A writer with a knack for wisecracks, Parker’s life was just as fascinating as her written output. Gail Crowther’s Dorothy Parker in Hollywood sheds light upon Parker’s life and legacy in Hollywood. From covering Parker’s work on several classic screenplays to her work with anti-fascist and anti-racist groups, Crowther offers a captivating portrayal of Parker’s career. …

The #ECWtravelogue has dipped its toe into Lincolnshire, gateway to the heartlands of the Eastern Association, and the important ports connecting England to the Low Countries. Make yourself a cup of tea and settle back for a story of blue on blue killing, and the use of human shields. Please note that several entries are private residences with little or no public vantage points - they are included for 'completeness'. …

Going after a few more of your questions today. Didn’t really mean to power through so many in short order, as I meant to space ’em out a bit, but it is what it is. You know, folks can still add more questions to that linked post above! Paul spooks me with “How would you reboot the Harvey Comics Universe to make it appeal to the youth of today?” That’s…a …

This year was my tenth at the Borefts Beer Festival, held at the De Molen brewery in Bodegraven. The Festival itself was celebrating 20 years of De Molen, with a theme of "Back & Future". 23 guest breweries from Europe and the Americans joined the hosts for the party over two days in glorious sunshine. How much fun this festival is is heavily weather-dependent for me. 2024 was a good …

Because things come in threes it is fortunate that we can now add Sandy Irvine's foot to Capitaine Legionaire Danjou's [wooden] hand and maybe Galileo's finger. But knock yourself out: Susie Dent has written a whole book on famous body parts Vital Organs . . . also on YT [45m].Andrew Comyn Irvine was last seen on The Blob in 2021. . . or with George Mallory near the summit of …

I knew Ann Staley as a student in one of my classes soon after I came to Stanford to teach over four decades ago. Over the time she was in graduate school, we ended up having many conversations about teaching, learning, graduate school, and life in all of its twists and turns. After leaving Stanford, she settled in Oregon and became a teacher and writer. She had taught in high …

Credit: Emma Humphries Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Oakland 2024-10-13T00:00:00+00:00, by Emma Humphries, from Infinite Wishes 🏳️‍⚧️🚀 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is my first naked-eye comet since Hale Bopp back in 1997. I’ve seen others since then, but only through an eyepiece of a camera, binoculars, or telescope. Friday night the comet was in the glare and haze of the sunset. Saturday, at its closest approach to Earth, the view west was socked in by a …