Custard. It doesn't matter if it's hot and pourable, or cold and set, keep it away from my puddings and pastries.

And Brutus is an honourable man. (For clarity, this is a reference to the conspirators deciding to stab the everlasting fuck out of Julius Caesar because of what he might do in the future in Shakespeare's version of Caesar.)

Me in the group chat.

Add one letter, ruin a movie. Inside Tout

Tomorrow - this Saturday! - Please come and show some phenomenal trans musicians some love. I promise you it's worth it.

Ah, that'll be the Hotel Babylon. (See Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones.)

If anyone knows of anyone collecting such info, pass this on. If you are in Edinburgh Botanic Gardens (free entry), then there are three individual loos, each with its own exterior door, at the back of the Keeper's Cottage for anyone, including trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people.

Logging off for the night, but a request: UK people, I'm performing with my incredible colleague ILĀ this Saturday as part of a beautiful group of (half of us trans) singers - can you help us spread the word? Immersive, improvised soundbath practice - it's truly stunning: dice.fm/event/nvdwo5...

That was also brilliant, and I screamed along with everyone over the unfinished business we could have had.

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 661: If you’ve decided to donate your services for free (eg: to a charity, or a cause you support), consider doing this. Send them a voided invoice showing your usual fee. That way, you’re donating to the cause, not giving out the message that your time is worthless.

And for UK people who enjoy music, this one closes sooner. Require all AI 'musicians' and songs to have a visible AI notice. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/75... Remember, while 'likes' are nice, reposts get these in front of more people. (Bluesky is not Twitter.)

This is genius and wonderful and made me laugh out loud multiple times while also having all the feelings 😍

From L-R: Fun Boy Three (Alt text: Three people standing, facing forward, arms akimbo, behind & folded, on a dusty track, with some sparse grass, trees, hedges & a cruciform telegraph pole, with a pale, cloudy sky. They're wearing dark, V-neck tunics, with dark blue trim, trousers & knee boots.)

I don't really talk about this, because I'm actually quite private about my personal life, but many many years ago Tony Head took me under his wing and showed me the kind of person I could be. It's not an exaggeration to say that I'm the person I am today because of the kindness he showed me.

RIP Anthony Head. 💔 I shared a lift with him once, at a convention. He complimented my outfit and I thanked him for singing: a quick acoustic performance at the disco. I don't think that article mentions it, but he was cracking as the headmaster in School Reunion too. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Pat from Ghosts and St Peter of Verona could have a nice chat about embedded weapons.

Merge two movies: A Room With a View to a Kill

S1: E4: Scene 1 of The Duchess of Duke Street is a superbly, subtly understated, comedic two-hander between Mary and Merriman, developing both their characters. Scene 2, in the kitchen, is not, relying on a stupid, if fortunately brief, misunderstanding, although Louisa is a triumph in it as always.

If you've not read Persepolis, I have three copies to give away. It's a phenomenal books. UK only.

RIP Marjane Satrapi. Read and loved both volumes of Persepolis and Embroideries, and watching Persepolis at the Filmhouse, with a friend, was one of those unforgettable cinematic moments.

It's #WorldBicycleDay! 🚲 To celebrate here's a fabulous bicycle made from dental wire by T.C White, convenor of our College's Dental Council 1972–1974.

Tried to clean some of the grout in the bathroom in the shower area today. Grout responded by falling out. 😔🤷🏻‍♀️ This is the grout around the border tiles which we had done to cover up the damaged tiles caused by the cowboy insurance trades in 2022. It's not even the oldest grout in the bathroom.

Today is #WorldBicycleDay so enjoy this vivid tribute to the joys (and trials) of cycling from the 1921 Mount School magazine.

Thinking of launching a Westminster-based hedge fund that is well-regarded by chaps Gonna call it Capital Capital Capital.

This is what I sent my MP earlier. It's tailored to him. I've yet to receive a reply. Further guidance is in the link if you live in the UK & want to support trans & gender queer people: ko-fi.com/post/A-Guide... Remember, when many people speak up then it's harder for those in power to ignore us.

If you are blessed with clear western skies this evening, or the next few evenings, do pop out and see if you can spot Mercury in the west, about 30-45 minutes after sunset. Venus and Jupiter are very clear, and there is a decent chance of catching the little one as well.

The Pickfords chaps have arrived to pick up the old cardboard boxes. Can't wait until they notice.

We were watching an episode of The Omega Factor last night, and had to pause and rewind to confirm that, yes, that indeed was that classic LotR print with Gandalf and hobbit on the wall in the student flat*. *Located in Marchmont, so 10/10 for accuracy there.

Smallswords were absolutely devastating as a weapon: a thrust is far more likely to kill than a cut. Hope developed his New Method in part to reduce deaths from duels with smallswords.

I lost the original post I saw this on (while changing trains at Wolverhampton) but a reminder that many SSRI's and ADHD medications should be stored below 25°C. Given that a lot of the UK will hit that temp in the next few days, might want to consider sticking it in the fridge or other cool place.

RIP Michael Keating. I'd have raised a radiation flare shield for him anytime.

See also: archives AKA: every day is BINS.

Quote with a fictional band that is not Spinal Tap.

In further fruition of my ambition to get back to going to theatre, a couple of weeks ago, I went to see Karine Polwart's Windblown, which was a beautiful and awkward and thoughtful and funny journey, a reflection the journey of her subject. A woman, her voice, a piano, an accompanist and a palm.

What a fab exhibition!

Quote this post with your favourite Jedi. Wrong answers only.

We are looking for a Finance Worker to come and work with us at Glasgow Women's Library: womenslibrary.org.uk/2026/05/01/j...

This is only getting worse: we're getting a lot of emails and phone calls from people receiving fraudulent emails claiming to be from Canongate editors.

Watching the second episode of Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel and I ❤️ Barry. Barry: Some people ask me how I can live here when there's nothing to do. I live here because there's nothing to do. [...] I try not to see people. I also ❤️ Ro. Ro should have a little palm tree as a treat.

So we were on holiday last week, and you have to love directions to a holiday home that include "turn left at the tree with the noticeboard". The tree did indeed have a noticeboard and we did turn left.

Slightly increase a band: The Beautiful South-South-West

“Working with CN was a transformative experience!" Friends, I'm currently expanding my teaching studio hours: would you be able to help me spread the word? I'm a deeply experienced teacher of voice, piano, and composition, working online and in person (London) www.cnlester.com/teaching-1

Intergalactic is being shown again on Sky Sci Fi, starting tonight at 11:00pm. It's intensely Blakes 7, but reverses the m-f gender ratio.

❤️ Because of the rules and because it might help your timeline today, friends down south.

Ah, the missing episodes of Hyperdrive.

Horse and Soul #ReplaceHeartWithHorse

Slightly diminish a book: Claudine at Blessed Clare's Niche answer: My Friends the Peckish Generation

PUFFIN CAM KLAXON