Letter to the editor, December 2010 www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v3...

Just passed the Life in the UK exam. A huge thank you to @gregjenner.bsky.social the hilarious and informative You’re Dead to Me has been instrumental in providing much-needed context for the required history component.

Because nothing says Christmas more than a 17th Century Plague doctor and a coffin.

What I wouldn’t do for a muppet adaptation of Paradise Lost.

Coming up this Friday.... me deciding on this year's xmas dinner in real time, with help from a wide range of people, exploring Christmases past, present and future....

This is extraordinary.

A little advance notice: we have a lovely episode of the Kitchen Cabinet coming up tomorrow, marking this week’s world children’s day. We’re at the Academy of St Nicholas in Liverpool and all our questions come young people in Yr 7 and up. 10.30am on BBC Radio 4

Don’t you just hate it when Daleks invade the airport?

Applications are now open for the IMS Translational Research Award. Be sure to apply by January 30, 2026. ➡️https://ow.ly/Q5vK50XeemR

I thought I knew pain, then I got new outlook.

Shout out to the time my sister and I argued about referring to the Godfather as a “Diane Keaton movie”.

Very sorry to see Patricia Routledge kicked the bouquet.

‘The language adds a whole new level’: Welsh-English version of Romeo and Juliet heads for the Globe

Congratulations to this year's Young Investigator Award recipients at #IMS25.

Xavier Leleu, MD, PhD, gave a moving tribute to Frank Bridoux, MD, PhD, friend & colleague at the University Hospital Poitiers. Dr. Bridoux’s expertise included cast nephropathy & glomerulopathies, and seminal contributions in MGRS/MGCS. #IMS25

The IMS and the global myeloma community is deeply appreciative of the generosity, tireless dedication, and enduring support of Paula and Rodger Riney, and the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation. #IMS25

IMS President Philippe Moreau exhorts researchers to submit their best original work, first reports of important clinical trials, to the IMS Annual Meeting- the largest myeloma-focused annual meeting. #IMS25

Ready for #IMS25 tomorrow? We are! ✨ Visit us at booth 717 to learn more about membership and upcoming events. Haven’t registered yet? ➡️ rb.gy/139j28

Don’t forget your passport! ✈️🌎Everything you need to know before heading to Toronto can be found here➡️ bit.ly/4n5d4m8

While listening to You’re Dead to Me with @gregjenner.bsky.social, I audibly whooped when @lucyworsley.bsky.social said her favourite Austen novel is Emma. I am in such good company!

One of the great regrets of my life is not taking photos of an Airbnb I stayed in Rome in 2017. There was a lot to comment on, but the key feature was the lavender dining room with a framed poster of Anna Nicole Smith.

An ‘ultracrepidarian’ (19th century) is one who loves to give their opinion, at length, on matters they know nothing about.

When I explained the plot of My Dinner with Andre, I, perhaps, should have taken greater care to note that the Andre in question was not Andre the Giant.

After many setbacks, I finally finished my tapestry of Anne Boleyn. I have improved a lot over the years and I’m very pleased with the results!

I love that Gráinne Mhaol is being honoured like this. But why is she still being referred to as “Grace” ? This is not an Anglicisation of her name. She was renamed to make her story more palatable to English ears. Can we honour her by saying her name? Gráinne. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Gavin and Stacey definitely went on an EasyJet package holiday for their honeymoon.

One day he will be knighted and styled as Sir Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis.

This looks like a great event for needlework enthusiasts!

Ciao Milano! When you visit the expo during #EHA2025 today, don't forget to stop by Booth M.14. From #IMS25, workshops, research funding and more, we cannot wait to share everything IMS has to offer!

It is a roast chicken a la @jayrayner1.bsky.social kind of day.

Path to citizenship: I just told my dog his behaviour was “common” and expected it to mean something to him.

Hey there, #ASCO25 attendees! We can't wait to meet you at booth 14041 and share details about all our activities. From #IMS25, workshops, funding opportunities, and more, there's so much in store for IMS!

TIL that an archaic Finnish word for England is Kaalimaa, ‘cabbageland’, owing to a belief that the English ate nothing else

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Workshop on Genomics! Secure your spot now to join your colleagues in Lisbon, from July 11 to July 12. Don't miss out! ow.ly/X2c350VUTJQ

Austria wins 69th Eurovision song contest with Wasted Love

Live posting of #Eurovision2025 has officially come to a halt. My dog has developed a fear of the strobe lights and can’t cope with it anymore. I am sure many in the audience feel similarly.

Like Graham Norton, I am also concerned for the well being of the sole Irish fan. He is in for a disappointment…

There is a dragon on the stage… #Poland has captured my attention again. #Eurovision2025

Holy shoulder pads, Italy. Also why is the piano so long?!

I don’t think the Moomins would approve of the performance by #Finland this year. That said, this staging is impressive…#Eurovision2025

Sorry, Claude. There will only ever be one C’est la Vie. I always thought B*Witched was ahead of its time. #Eurovision2025

#Latvia has an otherworldly quality but also reminds me of a pretentious perfume advert. #Eurovision2025

Iceland: disturbingly catchy. #Eurovision2025

It looks like #Austria wants to be an emotive ballad with breakdancing. Really interesting contrast to #UnitedKingdom. I think they have another one of my votes! #Eurovision2025

Remember Monday is another reason to make me proud I immigrated to #UnitedKingdom. This is everything #Eurovision2025 should be. This is an absolute banger.

Gotta hand it to #Ukraine this is some serious pageantry. #Eurovision2025

Why is she dressed like an evil Carmen San Diego? #Spain #Eurovision2025

It will be a miracle if my phone battery lasts until the end. #Eurovision2025

As always I will defer to @drfrancisyoung.bsky.social for any verdict on #Lithuania but I’m thinking emo boy band thoughts. But fair play with the wind machine, lads. #Eurovision2025

I missed the next one because my dog and kitten decided to do a performance of their own. They will also get one of my votes. #Eurovision2025