The greatest technological advance of this World Cup? Super slo-mo replays that let us see a player's lips go FWUPP-FWUPP-FWUPP-FWUPP.

Having the vuvuzela in the World Cup halftime show was a bold choice. The original idea was to have Ghislaine Maxwell rap with Shakira.

"These Hurley Days" #BallSportsInASongOrMovie youtu.be/cl--PBfPXPw?...

I was hoping to use this line today: England tried to erect a Lego wall but France put Upamecano.

Lovely collection of quotes including: My vagueness about my movements arises partly from a quite general unwillingness to think of the future as definite. —Iris Murdoch, letter

Great solve of last week's Everyman by @juicyluce9.bsky.social . @irismurdoch.bsky.social note 22 down! youtu.be/m77vs8tOxkY?...

I love Norah Jones' podcast, "Playing Along" - a real treat to eavesdrop on musicians comparing notes, and then sharing them. Allison Russell is a great guest. If you're in a hurry, skip to "Nightflyer" around 46 minutes in. youtu.be/zMIOmUCXFGQ?...

"I'm Guernsey my baby tonight, oh boy!" #FarmAnimalsInASongOrMovie youtu.be/wWu9L3H3JuA?...

"Vichy Really Going Out With Him(mler)?" #ASongOrMovieForAboutFrance youtu.be/FOoxcQjaKek?...

If you play Wordle and use Android, I released a free app called WordLeft last year that tells you if a word has been used before. Even though Wordle has started repeating words (every 7 to 10 days), I still use the app myself (it got me a 4 instead of 3 today). play.google.com/store/apps/d...

Making matters worse, Ryanair has the highest Defenestration Fees in the industry.

What's a book/film/record title that has stuck with you, even though you've never read/watched/heard it? For me, it's "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner", a 1962 film based on a short story of the same name. Such a great title.

I hate when I order a Rum & Coke and the barman uses a generic Bar Cola. #FraMar

The Belgian prime minister should call Infantino and ask him to rescind Trump's FIFA Peace Prize.

In the #WorldCup player introductions, there's a short video of each where they're shaking their fists, making an "I can't hear you" gesture, or some such nonsense. What would your video intro be? I'd be struggling to open a jar of peanut butter.

Trying to make something of "He had his Red Card rescinded on orders of evil despot, something something ICE pick (4,7)"

Harry Kane with headers off Rice’s corners earning tie? (8) #CrypticClue #WorldCup

Pop Art movement at university inspired by message at start of Beethoven's Fifth (2-2-2-4) #CrypticClue

Today's #CrypticClue : “Wayward shot hit net, VAR likely” - classic bit of commentary (4,5,3,3,4)

Cryptic setters and solvers, would you raise an eyebrow or choke on your chocolate digestive if you came across something like "middle of Irish Stew" to indicate an "H"? Does "middle" have to refer to a single word, or is it acceptable to have multiple words provided that they're clearly indicated?

Portugal's strip paying tribute to the greatest paper cup of all time.

Post a random picture or else everything will go bad in July

Truly honoured to have been invited to be part of this crime syndicate!

Proud fan will completely start to go nuts for big game (5,3,5) #CrypticClue

"I Can't Guffaw That (No Can Do)" #ASongOrMovieForLaughs

I think they'll regret writing the date on their shirts. Now they'll look silly when they wear them again. #WorldCup

Former French footballer forsaking finer finish for five fingering fulcrum felony (8) #CrypticClue #NeverForget 🇮🇪

"My Spine is the Baseline" #ASongOrMovieForTennisSport youtu.be/vGn2iMneR84?...

Do we still need corner flags? I think everyone knows where the corners are by now.

"Thanks, Culottes" #SummerOutfitInASongOrMovie youtu.be/YhrlTjJkQF0?...

Sending a virtual Choc Ice, 99 or Wibbly Wobbly Wonder to everyone suffering through the heat in Europe. youtu.be/iBcmumXg3Vk?...

You've worked your last icicle.

I hope they didn't use one of the good towels.

Thanks to @tpgrammar.bsky.social for letting me know about ncalder17's puzzles at mycrossword.co.uk, particularly his THREE alliterative puzzles, which predate and far outpace my effort. I'll put a link to Nicholas' puzzle here if you want to try first. youtu.be/vSlJ5dTgxKU?...

Nicole Atkins has one of those voices... What do you mean, "One of those voices that what?"? Just one of those voices... youtu.be/UwMPMMAx5J0?...

Coaches shouldn't be allowed to talk to their players during #WorldCup #HydrationBreaks. If they have any tactical changes, they should act it out with Charades or using glove puppets.

Any of the "Carrot On" films, particularly "Carrot On Sticking". #motivationinasongormovie

I've registered - looks like fun!

Brave to take on Caroline Polachek but they have the chops. youtu.be/0e8aJ3_H-0U?...

I surprised myself by getting this in 1m8s. Lovely smooth surface and crisp, clean wordplay by @henriwords.com !

FOCLACH 3343 - 1/6 ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ www.foclach.com

In more traditional clueing, I was quite proud of this one over on YouTube today (although I'm sure someone has come up with this before): Personal defect I broadcast as this? (4-11) #CrypticCrossword

I've published a particularly paltry and punishing puzzle at MyCrossword with alliterative clues. Big thanks to the honourable @henriwords.com for testing it out. mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3592

I'm looking for some brave souls to test a crossword at MyCrossword.co.uk. There is a major restriction in the clueing, so many liberties have been taken with definitions and wordplay. If you're up for the challenge, DM me!

If you see this, post your getaway vehicle

Beginning to sell SpaceX, complete outsiders create stir for a period (8) #CrypticClue

The sample sentences from the Irish dictionary could be rearranged to make a Gate Theatre play about a man named Sean who's persuaded to take a sheep to Galway. Drink is taken, fists fly, the Gardaí get involved.

I remember The Daily Show doing a bit where they introduced the "young intern" who monitored Fox News, and a decrepit old man shambled out. I hope @willsommer.bsky.social is taking care of himself! I appreciate his reporting from the lunatic fringe, far too close to the centres of power for comfort.