Recently updated blogs

Continuing our series of critics wrong-footed in real-time here is Rolling Stoner Stephen Davis with a terse dismissal of Lou Reed's Berlin. Lou Reed BerlinRolling Stone, December 20th 1973 by Stephen DavisLou Reed’s Berlin is a disaster, taking the listener into a distorted and degenerate demimonde of paranoia, schizophrenia, degradation, pill-induced violence and suicide. There are certain records that are so patently offensive that one wishes to take some kind …

We welcome YOU once again to Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 15th Annual Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition! This vibrant event showcases and celebrates the incredible talent and creativity of artists from all around the world. As we continue to foster a love for highlighting the unsung heroes/teams of our favourite book covers. Join us on this exciting journey and spread the word

I saw this post by Kyana and really liked the idea that changing something’s name a little can conjure up a whole new idea. I’m looking at it as sort of impressionistic wordplay. Kyana’s idea and execution is subtle and intelligent, my ‘take’ (as you will see) on Kyana’s idea is much more low-brow, but I think still offers some interesting use for a DM looking for some new monster …

The last winter tale for this season: “The Phantom Coach.” No, not the one by Amelia Edwards (which is also a Christmas tale), but a series of articles by Augustus Jessopp that first appeared in the Illustrated London News in 1893-1894. The three articles were compiled together and republished in Jessopp’s 1896 collection, Frivola. If you have never heard of the Phantom Coach that travels about the old roads and …

For the last few months, there's been a lot of conversation around the "Department" of Government Efficiency, which is ostensibly an effort at improving government efficency, with a primary narrative being around government spending. This is not the actual purpose of DOGE, and it's worth explaining what's going on here, but first we have to cover a few key background ideas. A starting point that's important to mention: DOGE is …

I made this yesterday for a Mexican lunch with family, and it turned out great! Directions In a blender, mix all of the rice and 2 cups of hot water until roughly ground. Add the remaining 2 cups of hot water to the blender and blend further. Pour the contents of the blender into a jug or container with a lid and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours. …

For the first survey of the year I headed up to Southport where there are umpteen targets awaiting my attention. I walked northwards along Lord Street, noting and photographing (It'll be dark by the time I get back) various targets, until I reached Mavericks:Here I found a very stylishly decorated bar with an American theme, in one long room. Being a former shop on a corner, two walls are almost …

You’re forgiven if you have never heard of “I Prefer Rewards.” I hadn’t until they were added as a Citi ThankYouPoints transfer partner. And when they were added, it mostly didn’t matter. The program was mostly useless because hotels in it seemingly weren’t required to offer any award inventory, so very little was available. The only thing you could realistically do was “cash and points” bookings at a handful of …

Something different for the new year. A found document from nearly twelve years ago. It’s a kind of origin myth for this blog. It should have been my first post when I started The Psychogeographic Review back in 2012. Perhaps it will be my last. As soon as I wake up I know that she has gone. The flat is empty, silent. I make coffee, then pack my bags and …

In the christmassy magical time, I: 🎭 Saw The Importance of Being Earnest at the NT, on boxing day. Camp fun with Ncuti, Sharon and Hugh. 🚘 Drove the length of the country in thick fog. 🏡 Stayed in a nice airbnb near some chickens (pictured) and the dreaded mother-in-law (not pictured). 🚘 Drove back in the sunshine. 🎤 Saw Stewart Lee Vs the Man-Wulf. His best show in years. …

To kick off the year I paid a visit to the Itchen with my younger brother Rich and the plan was to drown some maggots and catch what we could. The river was up a bit with some colour but absolutely fishable, the plan was to move around and trot areas where I know fish hold. The main target was Grayling but hoped to locate some Roach which I know …

A different kind of month with a different category of reading. CHINA Mountain Home: The Wilderness Poetry of Ancient China (5th-13th cent.), tr. David Hinton – The teenagers in The Story of the Stone play various games based on their memorization of massive amounts of classical Chinese poetry. I revisited an arbitrary sliver of it, the “mountains and rivers” school, in David Hinton’s Buddhist-leaning translation. It made the Qing games …

Dear friends and comrades in loitering With a heavy heart and much regret I’m cancelling today’s in person meet-up. I’m heeding travel warnings and also looking out of the window with some alarm and I simply don’t want to put anyone (including me) at risk. I think this is only the second time, outside of pandemic restrictions, this has happened and I hope you understand I have set up a …