Who'll play Peter Murrell in the TV adaptation? My money's on Toby Jones. (John Cena has a gift for deadpan comedy, though, and would work as intriguingly counter-intuitive.)

I've watched Cenk Uygur/Hasan Piker on YouTube. It's hardly outrageous stuff, so what's the theory: does somebody think they keep "something stronger" under-the-counter? "...well, sir, would you care to hear a measured critique of Vance's latest peace plan? Just follow me into the back shop..."

I assume there is a convention that dictates Wigan must *always* play St Helens in big rugby league games, like it's always Oxford and Cambridge in the boat race.

When the voiceover at the start of a TV show says "this programme contains strong language from the start", surely I'm not the only one who immediately goes "oh, for fuck's sake..." in a pre-emptive strike.

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Texture, so here's a Malachite Sunbird in Cape Town. On, I think, a Pin-cushion Protea.

My goodness, this is brilliant.

Your occasional reminder that Americans don't speak English.

Ach, let me just trot out an old post, because it has become necessary again. 1. It's not "reign in", it's "rein in", as in horses' reins. Unless, of course, you are posting improbably generalised AI remarks about George II, who had a reign in the 18th century. 2. As above, but twice.

Hohohohohohohohoho. Bayern Celtic effortlessly* stroll to more victory. 5 in a row. *sure, why not

My favourite current news story 😂 www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...

Quite bamboozled by the number of people who will be 100% unable to see the game tomorrow, because of various prior engagements. Xmas present idea for all of them - a calendar!

Things to ponder - 1. when the PK was taken, you can see clearly that 4 Mwell players were encroaching before the ball was struck...if the kick had been missed, would it have been retaken? 2. Why was there no Celtic player anywhere close for a rebound? Nearest one was Hatate, somewhere in Wishaw.

BALLS OF TITANIUM!

I think I see why Spurs are struggling.

One wee thing - it's E N G E L S. Especially if he scores today, spell his name correctly. You'd have thought we would've learned from Mat O'Reilly, but know.

What kind of throbber lives in Shetland and votes for Farage? Maybe they're still angry at the Vikings.

Can government and councils stop using the word "delivery"? Many alternatives are available and you're not a squad of posties.

Sometimes, I lament the lack of passionate Tims on Bluesky but in a genre stretch, I invite all Tims to enjoy a Malachite Sunbird, while inviting everybody else to enjoy a victory for the world's most/only radical fans. Obviously, all y'all can enjoy both - youtu.be/Vn3Q1THsyto #Celtic/birds

Haven't even been a Catholic since the 70s, but - chew on this, Trump.

#BirdOfTheDay theme is #DucksOutOfWater? Eurasian Wigeon, England. Male.

#BirdofTheDay #theme #JKLMNOP [Common] Kingfisher, Sri Lanka.

#BirdOfTheDay theme #reflection Snowy Egret, Polk County, Florida.

On a long-neck roll with #birdoftheday theme. This is a Sandhill Crane, easy to see and photograph in Florida, but this also shows a street, a mailbox and *two* long necks. The birds were on the path/porch of the house. They would surely have come in, given the chance.

I'm always a day late with my #BirdOfTheDay theme pics, due to not living in California, probably. Anyway - long necks? This is a Grey Heron, lounging around on the banks of the Grand Union canal. The blue tones in the background are from a passing canal narrowboat.

Massive long shot but Area 407 row L-Emdy pick up a scarf at FT? Left my scarf I’ve worn for over 20yrs. massive sentimental value. Reposts appreciated #celticfc

#BirdOfTheDay theme #BirdButt? Wild Turkey @ Madera Canyon, Arizona, USA.

#birdoftheday theme is #manmadeperch ? Goldfinch in Fife, Boat-tailed Grackle in Florida and a Mockingbird in Texas.

#BirdOfTheDay theme is feathers, so here's a Snowy Egret.

I see* that today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Black&Red , so here's a Southern Ground Hornbill, patrolling the veldt. They have mad eyelashes that actually cast shadows. *usually see these themes too late

This! Literally. Reposts of my art (which are free!) REALLY bloody help, lads! Thank you for all that do! Xxx Art available in Small World section of Artofnote.sumupstore.com #ukgiftam #ukgifthour #bsnm #birds #birdart

Why is it canoeists, but kayakers? Why not canoers and kayakists? Or any other related combination I can't be bothered to type? [repost because of idiot typos in the first effrt]

A to Z of birds - B. Brent Goose, probably Norfolk, UK, 2015.

Why is canoeists, but kayakers? Why canoers and kayakists? Or any other related combination I can't be bothered to type?

Let's see if I can maintain concentration for 26 days - A to Z of bird life. A - African Fish Eagle. Prey is Sharp-toothed Catfish. Kruger National Park, RSA, 2025. (More here - www.flickr.com/photos/flori...)

Is any place name-checked more often in song than San Antonio? Obviously, most of these references are in country/Americana songs...and also there is a tendency to refer to it as "San Antone" but they can't fool me, at least not with that.

German TV confused - here are the subs for "Celtic Rangers".

For anybody interested in unsung giants of Americana, James McMurtry is touring in Sept/Oct, including a gig in Glasgow. (Sold out already in Cork, which is interesting.) www.jamesmcmurtry.com

Wonder what the most famous living musician/cultural icon from Minnesota thinks about the gestapo on the streets of his home state? We can hazard a guess at what Prince would have done, but he's gone, so what about you, Bob?

The artist didn't read the brief. Six nations, you've painted at the top of the window. SIX.

It's quite amusing that all it takes for English pubs to be festooned in green white and gold tricolours is some rugby tournament. Either that, or the 6th Cork volunteers have overrun Wetherspoons. You be the judge.

When I go to a gig at the Barbican, I go beforehand to the restaurant that happens to be on the ground floor of Slough House in Slow Horses. Except, it just used to be an Italian restaurant on a corner. Now, though, it's a bit smarter and a fair chunk more expensive. That's Hollywood, I guess.

Dilemma: My son-in-law is from Stuttgart (and is a fan of the team) and he's "offering" me tix in the Stuttgart end if we draw them. Feels like an offer I would be able to refuse.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKS... Unvarnished truth.

Apple CEO Tim Cook? He's a shabby Paul O'Grady tribute act, except without heart, morals, principles or a spine

Er...not to suggest that the differential-pleasure message of this sexual encounter is representative of, say, human relations, but it's quite a striking image all the same. It's past midnight, you've all had some Amarula...ach! [Credit for the pic to my friend Marc Cronje of Mbombela, RSA.]

Standard are plummeting at Waitrose. I'd have expected at least a Chateau de Aurison in their car park.

I'm not one for inspirational quotes, generally, but was struck by this one, listening just now to Bruce Cockburn - "got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight".

Dunno if anybody logs who people are quoting most on social media right now, but if they are, I'd have a tenner each way on Orwell and Goebbels. That's not good.