Spent the day in parts of Ashton and Orrell where Labour canvassers are targeting the 16% of undecided voters in Makerfield by-election. A few observations (from a single day) I found surprising - A lot of people who voted Reform just weeks ago say they are prepared to vote for Burnham

Roman coins at the Capitoline museum. Some of the people who minted the coins put their names on them - a bit like the mastering engineer George “Porky” Peckham’s inscriptions in the run-out grooves of British records in the 1970s.

I mean, what’s going on here? #ancientrome

Trump has gone to great lengths to surround himself and elevate only people who will refuse to challenge him on this obvious nonsense. Part of his anger here is probably that he hears this so infrequently.

This morning’s purchases from Porta Potese market in Rome.

#guardianmovies @quantick.bsky.social Bring Me The Artisan Sourdough Bread Of Alfredo Garcia

#guardianmovies @quantick.bsky.social Polly Toyn-bee-Movie

Tough crowd.

Mathew Street, Liverpool, 6th June 2026.

Have the far right said anything about the young Muslim lad that was stabbed to death in Reading last week? Thought not.

The Leslie speaker added a layer of distortion to many of the Beatles' most famous records. Although impressive at first sight, a closer look revealed a surprisingly hollow interior with poor connections. Repairing them resulted in nasty shocks and a stern reprimand from the manufacturer.

The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band performed Jollity Farm on the first episode of Do Not Adjust Your Set, broadcast on Boxing Day 1967 - the SAME DAY as Magical Mystery Tour (on which the Bonzos performed Death Cab For Cutie) was aired on BBC1. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK83...

"Allegory of Bad Government", Ambrogio Lorenzetti, 1339, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena. The state is ruled by a demon; justice is tethered and cowed at his feet; random arrests and killings; people argue, buildings collapse.

Happy birthday to Suzi Quatro. Here’s your annual reminder about her unexpected version of The Normal’s Warm Leatherette youtu.be/do-aFMySFos

Welp there’s no unseeing this

Rothko before he was Rothko. These are 1935-ish.

I have a student son Henry Nowak’s age & I can’t imagine what it took for his family to respond outside court with the grace they did, asking that their son’s death not be used for division and hate. That Reform & Restore chose to throw that back in their faces makes me feel sick.

BREAKING: Charles Manson backs out of the Freedom 250 concert

Made a playlist. RAM OM, a version of RAM made of covers, some of them pretty out there. Features Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Freddie Hubbard, Percy “Thrills” Thrillington and @simonloverules.bsky.social, amongst others. Om. 🙏 open.spotify.com/playlist/55R...

Ok so don't borrow from them then, that's fine. Do it all with taxes, knock yerself out

“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back to a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.” IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY to house people.

“Blair has not lost the blind spot that had such catastrophic consequences more than two decades ago.” - spot on from @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Nice haul from the charity shop today.

Every Reform UK Councillor that has gone, with reasons. This is superb:

That's some Abbott & Costello shit right there.

So Sgt Pepper took you by surprise?

Poulet mort. * * I am a genius

Vermeer’s Girl With The Pearl Earring will be shown in Osaka, later this year, and the press conference was as Japanese as you’d expect #Vermeer

If only there were a Rolling Stones song that addressed levels of satisfaction.

Trump's brain is gone -- he claims he cut drug prices by "600 percent"

This is great.

David Bowie: You’re Not Alone at Lighthouse is a blast - some brilliant live footage that I’ve never seen (Diamond Dogs! Isolar!), well-chosen and moving quotes, inventive collage.

The beclowning of America continues.

#nowplaying An inspirational life.

Sonny Rollins did so much, but this is the one that came to mind first as it's laden with my own memories of the time when I was discovering life, love and a whole world of music, books and films. youtu.be/sW2aDwXO7Dg?...

Rest easy, Colossus

RIP Sonny Rollins, a great jazz talent and the last surviving musician in one of the best photos of men in suits during the 20th century

It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Sonny Rollins. The Saxophone Colossus died this afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY at the age of 95. 1/2

This has been a strange and entertaining read. H/t @quantick.bsky.social and @backlisted.bsky.social www.backlisted.fm/episodes/248...

I ❤️🦋

Always liked the Buffett analogy.

I’d forgotten this magnificent story about Roger Moore (which Facebook just reminded me of) so I’m reposting it here for the clicks

Trump on his Iran deal: "Nobody has seen it, or knows what it is"

Today’s Observer correction, a classic, doesn’t do justice to the context of the typo.

well done william

One for fellow Pymheads (gift link): giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Don't hackers normally take money out of your account?

I tried to do this but gave up. Bravo