We've got a famous folk song here in Germany, called 'Die Gedanken Sind Frei' - 'Thoughts are free'. Just a little slice of German culture. youtu.be/3h6ZZ28QtX4?...

Pritzker: What's at stake here is free speech. It's our constitution and our way of life. Do we really want the president intimidating people, organizations to get others fired? People ought to be standing up and speaking out.

Things are about to get really, really, really bad.

We used to have this kind of messaging in Germany. Then the cities were flattened, and they put brass plaques outside the house of those 'disappeared'. (ht Jeremy on Facebook)

Most of them.

Many differences between Stuttgart and Frankfurt, but the single-minded bloody determination that people have to claim ubahn seats is a big one. Reminds me of Melbourne, or London. I think I'll be at home.

Everything old is new again.

I'm going to save you a lot of time. If an online piece has a headline posed as a question, you can be damn sure the answer can be found in the very last paragraph. Scroll to the end.

In a weird spot. Old enough to occasionally shake my head and raise concerns about the impact of sexually provocative media, then immediately have to clarify it's not because I agree with weirdo terminally-online zoomer prude culture.

There has never, ever been an easier choice. Pass me the glitter.

I never thought I'd get sucked in by a turn-based game about grief, mimes and gigantic swords.

I live. New job. Silly overwrought French video games. Life. But I do miss the chatter.

WITH A FOLDING CHAIR.

C'mon, let's have a Celestine, an Innocent or an Urban. I've love a Callixtus.

Absolute cowardice. www.thelocal.de/20250508/ger...

How can a made-up Space Switzerland anthem make me tear up?

The Ghorman Massacre might be the most intense episode of TV I've ever watched.

When Facebook comment sections describe the new German chancellor, Merz, as a radical leftist.

Currently playing: Expedition 33.

Currently playing: Expedition 33.

German spy agency ranks far-right AfD "extremist". About damn time. - www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Dom Lucre is now taking part in White House press conferences. For people who don't know who Lucre is, this is like inviting David Icke to a Number 10 press conference. For people who don't know who Icke is, this is like a Tellytubbie doing Question Time.

Pope's gone. Conclave.

CECOT is a concentration camp. It may even be an extermination camp.

Deep down, I think the 'snap back' from the marked shift in politics, economics and societal norms over the three decades is going to be the subject of books, films and intensive academic study centuries from now. It's going to be brutal.

My commute home each week takes me past a number of castles, sitting atop hills - they were built there to control tiny fiefdoms in last centuries. Can't help but think those days are coming back.

Deep down, I think the 'snap back' from the marked shift in politics, economics and societal norms over the three decades is going to be the subject of books, films and intensive academic study centuries from now. It's going to be brutal.

CECOT is a concentration camp. It may even be an extermination camp.

If there is one thing Assassin's Creed: Shadows nails, it's the steadily rising panic as you slaughter your way up through a castle (usually to the neat sword or armour up the top).

Reclaiming my life from social media has been fun, but I do miss the chatter. Will be ramping up again.

Searches for information about an attack before it happened, you say? In Russia? Golly! www.thelocal.de/20250407/ger...

Context: I have to parse many html files (mail templates) for certain text, and change.

I think I need to learn how to code. In your experience, what's the best way?

LOL. WTAF?

Ekaterina, huh?

This is how you do it. www.axios.com/2025/04/01/e...

Yes.

Seeking the death penalty for Luigi? Bold choice, let's see how that plays out.

...and now, Ashley, comes the finding out.

...and now, Ashley, comes the finding out.

It's inconceivable that you'd get these countries working together. Well done, Donald. www.reuters.com/world/china-...

The full verdict is now in and it is HUGE 🇫🇷 Le Pen and co-defendants all guilty 🇫🇷 All banned from holding public office 🇫🇷 Ban takes effect immediately - in other words she cannot remain in politics while she spins out the appeals process 🇫🇷 She can, however, appeal to the Conseil Constitutionnel

It's a beautiful day. www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Turns out I was wrong about 'AC Shadows'. It's the best in years.

After many years, I finally got to Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum, to see Matthias Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece. Painted over 500 years ago, it is one of the most beautifully berzerk artworks you're likely to encounter. Take a few hours to see it. Incredible.

There was a time I'd call this crazy talk. No longer. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

She was investigating Russian oligarchs and money laundering. www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/f...

"Are you really sure you know how to paint a horse from the front?" I'm not playing this time Gunther, ARE YOU SURE?"