Tiptoeing back to BlueSky to see if cricket chat is a thing here or not (masochistically, given what happened in the first two tests and what we all fear/expect will happen in the current one). Anyone? Anyone?

Hello Bluesky, just dropping into your feed to tell you that we recently adopted two kittens and they’re the best thing to happen to us in years. Have some photos of Willow and Barley (sisters) to brighten up your timeline. You’re welcome.

It’s one year ago today that I lost my brilliant, brave, beautiful Mum. I first wrote this thread about grief and supporting a grieving person a year after we lost our dad. Reposting in memory of them both. Hope it helps someone today. ❤️

once again I must tap my own sign

Well this couldn’t have come at a better time www.bbc.com/news/article...

Just floated out of seeing ABBA Voyage on a cloud of pure euphoria and now getting to catch up all about the Trump-Musk implosion, could my night GET any better?

“Contrary to what you would expect, I do not want a simple house. I want a complex house, because the house will define my world.” -lovely piece about designing homes for disability in this weekend's @ftweekend.com:

Magnificent, yet passed over, targeted, fined – family carers are the hidden face of the care crisis | John Harris

Not my dog, but the Spanish footballer Sergi Roberto’s dog Baloo who doesn’t even have to be doing anything silly to look silly.

So I don't have the energy to redo the entire thread about the papal conclave but I will redo the part about the Latin nerdery: the announcement of a new pope is always in Latin, and uses a very traditional form.

Really struggling to think of a worse idea than this one (and this is after waking up the news that Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz). I am grieving and I have zero desire to talk to an AI-generated version of the person I am missing.

🧵NOT BY ME, this is a post from someone who wants to remain anonymous but works extensively with trans people pre-transition. They were asked by someone “why do you think that’s so much [coverage of trans people] in the news at the moment?” This was their response:

Aunt Lydia in the Handmaid's Tale says: “There is more than one kind of freedom, freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from.” Where freedom from ends up is Gilead. I want freedom to. Always and forever freedom to.

Easter Sunday! And how Tradition works. By @nakedpastor.bsky.social

Considering whether Bugsy Malone might actually be the best musical of all time.

“Pray tell. The Baron, what sort of gentleman is he?” “Well…”

Every feminist I know supports their sisters, cis and trans, and their non-binary siblings, concerned with domestic violence, public safety, equal pay, employment protection, access to healthcare, and other discrimination issues. Obsessing over who uses which loo isn't feminism. It's bigotry.

On what is a really difficult day, here are some resources for our trans friends and allies. Solidarity 💜 goodlawproject.org/resource/sup...

Oh wow, big name Severance stars on the One Show (actual Ben Stiller!) is so beautifully awkward.

Oh, bravo. From representing the entire Red Army at the buffet to representing the thoughts of every decent human being on Earth.

It’s unremittingly grey and cold and dank (in London at least). So here’s a thought to keep you going. In about three or four weeks, the first sand martins will be arriving from Africa. Twelve centimetres long, they’ll have made a journey of up to about 9,000 kilometres. Ridiculous.

hey quick question does Goliath win in that story

Saw a car with both MAGA and “I ❤️ the Constitution” bumper stickers and it’s like, you gotta decide.

Should go without saying but the point of diversity in hiring is to find _better_-qualified candidates outside of stagnant social networks that don't reward merit, like the kind of network that would put an MTV personality with a marketing degree in charge of the Department of Transportation

Ignoring the world burning and listening to the new OK Go single on repeat (admittedly it comes lyrics which one could take as meaning ‘we’re all screwed’, or more kindly as ‘what will be will be’). As ever their video is incredible and hypnotic. youtu.be/MOEULOSVNK4?...

This little nervous girl might be my favourite so far (a lot of work has gone into her being close enough to have her picture taken).

I do not think you’ll see another such impressive fluffy poodle today as this one.

These cats have only known each other about three weeks and yet look! Also Jonny’s eyebrows are MAGNIFICENT.

Wreaking havoc while being adorable is so exhausting.

“I know I am beautiful, and yes you may take my picture, just this once.”

Beautiful elderly lady.

Look at this unbelievable fluffball! 😻

I think upside down sleepy cats might be my favourite?

Look at this absolute legend 😍

Hi Bluesky. Four weeks ago we suddenly had to say goodbye to our beloved, funny and shouty cat Minnie, after 14 years together. Completely heartbroken. But seeing other people’s brilliant pets helps. Please share a photo of your best furry 4-legged pal(s) and improve everyone’s weekend. 🐾

Much to enjoy about this, but I think my favourite part is the use of the hashtag ahead of 'Boiler Tax'.

You’ll want to read this, Anna’s YA books are superb and I’m so excited about this one being squarely aimed at my generation.

Popping my head up to say I have a new book coming out in June! Our Song is my first novel for adults and it’s about love and friendship and being in a band and figuring out what you really want from life before it’s too late. You can read the full blurb and pre-order here! linktr.ee/oursongbook

Successfully put the Christmas tree out last night ahead of the actual day the council comes to collect them (second time in ten years). I can’t top this achievement, don’t ask me to do anything else in 2025.

I giggled way too much at this.

Laura Kuenssberg, "Elon Musk.. attacking Keir Starmer.. over the grooming scandal" Alan Johnson, "It's Orwellian.. We've had a public inquiry into grooming, it took 7 years, it cost £200 million" "What Elon Musk is proving is having lots of money doesn't make you intelligent about world affairs"

OK this is the first time I’ve watched The Traitors and I get it now. So hooked.

Hard same.

Ditto this headline. It’s probably ok on the BBC, as people getting their news from it probably aren’t the age group for whom “drops” means “announces”. But it’s fascinating the way that the same word can now mean both “start” and “stop” (there was no ambiguity a few years ago)

I know narcissists love redefining themselves as victims, but the “I was an arsehole / creep because I’m neurodivergent” thing is horrible, cos you just know the first thing these arseholes have done since school is identify outsiders or “different” people, and then “othered” and picked on them.

The older I get, the more I wonder at those who capture the blunt, angry numbness of grief. Not just the sorrow; the emptiness, the rage. The tiring, tedious business of running on the spot. I wish Brian comfort, and only hope he knows how many people his words will reach, and help.

Chatting with a pal recently about how if only as adults we all had a non-dating new friends profile. It’s so much weirder/harder making friends outside of a work context when you’re anything over, say, 30. Like, what would you want any new friends to know about you now?

Ok so @khawajia.bsky.social has introduced me to Doctor Odyssey this weekend and everything is better as a result.