Obscure YT of the Day: DIANA RIGG, post AVENGERS, starred in 1968 in a series of connected dialogue-free Super 8 German short film thrillers called MINIKILLERS- "Operation Costa Brava," "Heroin," "Macabre" and "Flamenco" (!!!) ESSENTIAL VIEWING! youtu.be/22ZcD2R_aII?...

Nadim Zahawi arrived in the UK from Iraq as a child refugee. His family claimed asylum once they were here. Today he has joined Reform who will stop all in country asylum applications. Under his new party, his own family fleeing persecution would be immediately deported.

Two today, a fluke obviously Wordle 1,668 2/6 ⬜⬜🟩⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Current viewing

'SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES' CLOCK Huge thanks for all of yesterday's orders for our new 'Schools and Colleges' clock. Last few available in the shop for shipping in February. hiddenbritain.bigcartel.com/product/scho...

Time for some Kenneth Anger

Birmingham’s misfortune was being wealthy enough to build Manzoni’s car-first vision. In hindsight it damaged our heritage, walkability and city life - and now we’re spending decades trying to undo it. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Sadly, this had already sold out before I knew about it. Still, the play itself is on the iPlayer in UHD macbirmingham.co.uk/cinema/nuts-...

I love my @gailmyerscough.co.uk mug depicting the (sadly now demolished) Birmingham Central Library. The library had a small part in my academic research history, so this is a treasured reminder!

Three today Wordle 1,667 3/6 ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Goodnight.

BATMAN KERB DRILL (1967): Holy PIF! While on a promotional tour for Batman, Adam West filmed this road safety public information film for British kids, in character as the caped crusader, and it's every bit as wonderful as you'd expect.

From THE UNEXPLAINED magazine (1980): Presented without comment, save for the possessed woman giving off serious Madge Allsop vibes.

This afternoon’s film

Thundercrack! (1975) Directed and shot by Curt McDowell - BOTD in 1945

#41: Trousers

This morning’s WFH CD, Stockhausen’s ‘Hymnen’

Remembering Scott Walker on his birthday youtu.be/gyhr9Qb7cb4

A snow being

“I have a responsibility to be provocative in my films” Rosa von Praunheim, who died aged 83 on 17 December 2025, was best known for his bold contributions to queer cinema. In 1990, Mark Nash explored how von Praunheim’s films “activate and mobilise” audiences www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-so...

This afternoon’s WFH CD

Saddened to hear of the passing of one of cinema’s most unique and uncompromising directors. RIP Béla Tarr (1955–2026)

I’ve finally eaten some Christmas pudding (with cream), well it’s twelfth night tomorrow. Anyway, I also have wine - I’m not back at work until Tuesday

Sadly I have had to leave the wrong pub because of my accent more than once yes. I grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and studied terrorism for my MA. I don’t think the situations are identical, but I do feel the comparison is somewhat instructive and concerning.

Out and about

A vulnerable child was groomed and trafficked and then subjected to the most shocking experiences imaginable including the deaths of her babies. Instead of taking responsibility the British establishment stripped her of her citizenship and dumped her like old rubbish. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

DER STRUWWELPETER ('Shock-Headed Peter'): German psychiatrist Heinrich Hoffman's 1845 children's book contained such delights as a girl burning to death, a boy starving to death, and a tailor who stops a child's thumb-sucking by chopping them off!

Bin persons have not turned up again, despite the assurances of Birmingham City Council’s website (the collection was oddly scheduled for today - a bit costly as workers are paid triple time to work on bank holidays)

Building work finally completed on some new stations www.wmca.org.uk/news/buildin...

Ich habe deutsches Bier

The Best of Neon 2025: Pink milk.

'Imagine my surprise to realise, from the perspective of middle age, the real heroes are the Leadbetters. The real monster is Tom Good, a man who inflicts his midlife crisis not merely on his wife, but on everyone else they know' Quietus Best of 2025: Jonn Elledge on The Good Life buff.ly/br6XvDj

Just about survived Xmas

As I’ve had three coffees and breakfast, it’s time for a Winterbier!

Ich wünschte euch ein frohes Weihnachtsfest..!

You wouldn't have got this with Thatcher.

Still an interesting film, I always rewatch it whenever there's a royal event on. www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...

Mehr bayerisches Bier! Flag shaggers should note, a certain saint appears on Bavarian beer bottles…

Behind door number 21 of the Scarred For Life advent calendar... turn the big light off, grab a brew, and watch the BBC's festive 'spooky Jackanory', SPINE CHILLERS!

Ich muss deutsches Bier trinken!

This afternoon’s film, ‘Dementia’ aka ‘Daughter of Horror’

Behind door number 20 of the Scarred For Life advent calendar... a montage to prove that public information film reaction shots are the best reaction shots of all. Emote! Emote!

It’s QVC time, Christmas edition 🎄 Open 11–5pm every day till Christmas Eve (or till I fall over 😅). T-shirts restocked, music/art/culture books, merino beanies, alpaca socks, coffee & candles. In-person, no postie panic. South Side secret. Big love, Richie X