Todays choice from what is left of the vinyl is Songs from the Wood by Jethro Tull. It was the first of 3 folk rock albums, with Heavy Horses and Stormwatch following it. Probably my favourite Tull period.

Great news for our young people

A day after slashing the UK’s growth forecasts, the IMF cited Britain as an example of an major economy which managed to trim its borrowings, after the UK’s deficit fell from 6.1% of GDP in 2024 to 5.4% in 2025.

Ed Davey points out that Trump has threatened to rip up the US-UK trade deal because we didn’t join his illegal war. Starmer makes it clear it is not our war, we will not get involved & he will not back down no matter what Trump may threaten. #PMQs

Todays choice from what is left of the vinyl is Demolition by Girlschool. They were great live, supporting bands like Black Sabbath and Motörhead and headlining in the own right. But their attempts to break in to the US market alienated their UK fanbase.

OTD in 2022 Russian warship Moskva, that was told “go fuck yourself”, went & fucked itself and sunk. By a country without a navy. In a land war. I remain a master strategist.

If you even remotely like Sci-Fi, read this. International differences in sci-fi.

New t-shirt arrived from Redbubble today. Pic is of Chloe, from the LiS games. I bought it not just because it's awesome, but as an early 'you've platinumed all the LiS games' present for me.

Todays choice from what is left of the vinyl is Solid Air by John Martyn. It's been a work Monday full of finding weird and rare occurrencies that much expert advice was needed for. So this album suits my mood.

Incumbency has its advantages — especially when brazenly exploited to rig the system — but it can also become an albatross. It did for Viktor Orbán in yesterday’s election. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/orba...

Just got a tracking email for an online order. According to the Royal Mail tracking tool, it was delivered a week before I ordered it.

Polanski talks the Populist talk but his councils don't walk the walk. Polanski is making empty promises about house building, green energy, £80bn/year in extra borrowing, etc. However, his councils aren't building houses, stop pylons being built, and have cut spending. www.ft.com/content/cf1f...

Update on my present state of mind.

Polanski's comms on Iran treat people as if they are stupid. You can disagree with the govt position (Greens believe Britain should ban the US from using its bases here + that we should not defend Gulf states—fine!), but the government has been up front about its position for weeks now

Most of the manifesto done or on track in less than 2 years. They literally got more useful stuff done in less than 2 years than the European Research Group Tories did in 14 long miserable years. Fullfact.org/government-tracker

The latest Iran War Lego propaganda video is the most powerful yet. And it asserts that Trump went to Epstein’s island “40+ times,” despite his claims to the contrary. (Worth keeping in mind that this is PROPAGANDA and the regime murdered tens of thousands of its own citizens to stay in power.)

Todays choice from what is left of the vinyl is In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson. The cover art is by Barry Godber, who was 24 when he died shortly after the album was released. It was his only painting, it is now owned by Robert Fripp.

Update on the car service. Apparently an 'all day' appointment does not mean that cars will be serviced in the order that they arrive, but the workshop mgrs discretion. The woman on the service desk got quite defensive, not a good sign.

So Griffen Mill still haven't bothered to call me about my cars service and that it's ready for pick up. Nice lady on the switchboard confirmed they'd messaged them twice. I said that I'll be there at 5, and if it isn't ready, my complaint will be in writing.

The car was dropped off for it's service before 8am. Still no call from them to tell me I can pick it up, and calls to their service number go to ansafone. Customer service, my arse.

Logging in for work at the usual time, after getting up at silly o'clock because my car is now in for a service.

for the ten thousandth time, it's been proven the the best way to deal with this guy is look him in the eye and go "oh yeah make me buddy boy" and the lesson they take away in the USA will of course be that they continue to give him everything he demands in case he gets upset with them

Todays choice from what is left of the vinyl is Hawkwind by Hawkwind. This copy is on Liberty records and has a gatefold sleeve, which is the original release. So if the cover wasn't fucked, it might have been worth something.

The ending of Burn After Reading came into my head this morning. Sums things up well. (profanity warning, though nothing you haven't heard from Trump)

He's got a big mouth, that's all. No substance, or gravitas.

Todays choice from what is left of the vinyl is the somewhat apporiate, Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne. This was the last thing that Randy Rhoads recorded before his untimely death in a plane crash.

Ed, even Gbeebies knew AND reported this fucking hours ago You’re supposed to be better than this. www.gbnews.com/politics/kei...

Yet another very important and informative read from General Hertling U. S. Army retired.

People misunderstand what happened with this, other welfare controversy. It's not like Labour ever wanted it this way. It's Economics. Partly get the economy going again to allow more welfare spending. Partly because if they didn't, £ devalued, cost of living crisis gets worse for literally everyone

The UK will refuse US requests to use British bases for strikes on Iranian bridges or power plants, The i Paper reports. UK officials argue targeting civilian infrastructure would be a war crime.

If you see this post a rabbit.

War crime

Labour are on the side of ordinary people. Major changes today benefit: 1. Children (2 child cap) 2. Young people (Youth Hubs) 3. Low paid workers (Min Wage/sick pay) 4. Those on welfare (help to work) 5. Workers (security/paternity) 6. Pensioners (uplift) #LabourSuccess

When Madge is the voice of sanity, you’re in trouble.

Happy easter youtu.be/9knToyK-wUs?...

What really bugs me is people who refuse to acknowledge what Labour has done to help the least well off. Criticise all you want but don't pretend Labour has done nothing. Free breakfast clubs and extra free childcare alone is worth around £7-10k per annum, that's huge.

In a blatant act of provocation yesterday, Sadiq Khan allowed Christians to perform the Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square - a disgraceful show of dominance by a religion from the middle east.

Thatcher sold off all our industry and housing.. Blair fucked us with the Iraq war.. Cameron fucked us with Brexit.. the USA & Israel are fucking us by causing chaos round the world but right wing farage numpties are demanding we persecute Muslims to do achieve what exactly? fucking dickheads

Fuel duty is *already* 34p per litre lower, in real terms, than in 2010 Its been frozen or cut for 15 years Its cost the Treasury over £200bn in tax - and hugely incentivised people to keep using ICE cars and driving. It's favoured the richest If anything we should be restoring it to 2010 levels

Happy nail a bloke to a tree day to all who participate.

Proof that cats are liquid 😹

Strong leadership from Keir Starmer. Our UK Labour Government will always stand up for Britain's interests - at home and abroad. Whatever the pressure, whoever it's coming from.

Todays choice is the soundtrack to the game Life is Strange - Double Exposure, every track is beautiful, quiet and intense. I finished the sequel LiS Reunion last night. The games are emotional rollercoasters, I'll start a replay with the other canon start point tonight.

This thread by @cergrant.bsky.social still looks good. Only point that might have changed over the last 2 wks is Zelenskyy parlaying Ukraine's counter-drone expertise into defence export deals with Gulf states - potentially enabling UA to fund more arms production & offset cuts in US supplies.