I’d forgotten that Dexter Fletcher was in Layer Cake. But then, I’d forgotten he was an actor and did anything other than constant advert voiceovers for McDonalds for the “Double McRepugnant with extra cheese” or whatever.

As with Shamima Begum, the idea of stripping someone of their British citizenship because it is convenient is very troubling. I’m hoping to get French citizenship soon, but I thought this ridiculous beforehand. Although, as a white man, it’s not likely to be something I’m going to have to face […]

Got up late. Wife is working, I am not. Showered. Sat around mooching. Made some coffee (still not drunk). Contemplating some reading, or maybe watching a movie. But basically still mooching. At least I’m up and dressed, I suppose.

On the one hand, a good nights’ sleep. 9h17 mins. On the other hand, apparently only one minute of that was deep sleep. I think my leg spasms just stop me going under. From my pov, it was a bit less interrupted than usual, so I’ll take that.

I’m on page 198 of the Silmarillion and it really is increasingly just a portentous blur of names and pompous language. Time to start skim reading, I think. The frustrating part is that, if he’d just told the stories properly, then it could be brilliant. About 100 pages to go. #books #tolkien

Hmm. We mas.to users clearly need to up our game on this. https://mastodon.social/@AltTextHealthCheck/115797138237725316

I took my Nordic poles when we went for a walk earlier. It was only a couple of kn, but the poles really help me walk in a straight line and not to favour my strong side over my weaker. I was also rewarded by a lovely beam of a smile from a lady walking with a single pole. Game recognising game […]

After all this time, I still don’t understand #MultipleSclerosis. A couple of days of much lighter exercise and my leg spasms and spasticity are worse. Fuck it, back to the rowing gym tomorrow (and, hopefully a water session too). That’ll show the fuckers. #ms

My French wife, upon hearing of the death of Bridget Bardot, remarked that it would have been great if she loved brown people as much as she loved cats. I don’t really know what to say to that.

True Lies is problematic. I felt this watching it in 1994 and it hasn’t aged at all well. Jamie Lee Curtis looks great, of course, but wtf?

I bumped into an old friend I hadn’t seen for a while at parkrun this morning. “Are you swimming later?” She asks. “Yes” “Have you brought your tiny trunks?” “Um. No. Just the ordinary ones.” “Oh well” Reader, I felt mildly objectified.

Brussel Sprouts, eh? 💨

Every time I tried this, it would tell me that a bird I could see and thought was a thrush was - with 75% confidence - a greater spotted woodpecker. I lost confidence in it after the seventh or eighth time. It was obsessed with that bloody woodpecker […]

Ah, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - a reminder that you are supposed to punch Nazis.

Marshalling at #parkrun with my little speaker blasting out seasonal tunes like Sweet Gingerbread Man by Sammy Davis Jr. Then a swim in 5.7 degree water and a hop into an 85 degree sauna. Breakfast and then a fire. Maybe a snooze. A lovely morning.

Yesterday’s beef strew was a delight. I’m pretty sure the anchovies made it in there (and not into the cat!). Deep, rich and satisfying. Also, plenty of leftovers!

Xmas Day #parkrun was a joy as always. I timed 488 people over the line at Colwick and was also given the heavy responsibility of chalking some inspirational messages on the path (not pictured, 200m from the finish line, « We’re Marley and Marley. Woooooo! ») A nice […] [Original post on mas.to]

It’s only 364 days until Christmas, everybody!

What's your favourite #christmas album? Reply with the artist and the album name. #records #albums #cds

Someone likes unwrapping nearly as much as wrapping. #catsofmastodon

Wearing the 4 major #elf food groups T-shirt today. After timing at parkrun, I now have a fire, a glass of champagne and the prospect of a beef stew ahead of me. Whatever you’re doing today, have a splendid day.

With twelve days of thanks to @DJDarren and the #theplaylist listeners for reminding me about this, I would like to wish everyone a very enjoyable and delightful advent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2QsGFPG0g

Just been to the pub for a drink after a 60 minute session on the erg in the rowing gym. Very busy, but pleased to see they have a good non-alcoholic beer (Athletic) on tap. I was drinking alcohol, but it’s fantastic the option is there.

I lost the anchovies for the stew. I took them out of the tin and rinsed them, popped them on rhe chopping board to be diced… and they’ve gone. I took some of the bigger pieces of beef out to cut them up, so I’m hoping I popped them in the pot when that went back in. If so, they’ve already […]

absolutely loving the Christmas album (“Christmas” 2025) by the Futureheads. Cooking the casserole for tomorrow and rocking along to those Sunderland accents bringing good cheer. #music

24/24 Today’s choice is from my favourite seasonal album Tinsel & Lights by Tracey Thorn (2012). This captures everything I love about the season: it’s wistful and downbeat, but celebrates how we take comfort together in the darkest months of the year. It never fails to make me mist up a little […]

Just rewatched Snatch. Guy Ritchie’s schtick wore thin fairly quickly, but at this point, those romps were a lot of fun. Punish him for me, Errol.

When the King demands they build him a big, Big, BIG ship: "An archaeologist who has studied the remains of the ship in great detail thinks it sank because the gun deck was far too heavy–the result of its having been designed and built by someone with no experience building such a well-armed […]

Just shoulder to shoulder with hordes of tourists on a tube from South Kensington. I was carrying my walking stick, and the American chap next to me leaned in and said, “can I help you in any way, sir?”. There wasn’t much he could do, but it was nice of him to ask. Then a lady in a hijab offered […]

23/24 Xmas wouldn’t be complete without the arrival of Sandy Claw…. Spence was a Bahamian guitar legend, but here, he sounds like a muppet sketch with a passing familiarity with the song. I’m here for it. I love the way he leaps into the choruses like a drowning man for a life ring, but he […]

What do you mean you don't obsessively count the number of chocolates in a tub of Celebrations every year and put the results into an Excel spreadsheet!? Anyway, the 2025 results are in: Bounty x5 Galaxy x5 Galaxy Caramel x5 Maltesers x5 Mars x9 Milky Way x9 Snickers […] [Original post on mas.to]

Interview at the French embassy tomorrow with my wife. It’s the final hurdle before citizenship is granted. Pray for us! (I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that I need to stop joking that the values of the French Republic are du pain, du vin and du Boursin because apparently they won’t find […]

So, does this mean that he made it home in time for Xmas, or will he now never make it? RIP Chris Rea. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/22/chris-rea-rock-and-blues-singer-songwriter-dies-aged-74

22/24 Another one of those songs that doesn’t directly mention Xmas, but is clearly set in the (damn) season. It’s also another one of those wistful ones about the life you might have led. Forget the hype and the $$$ (haters gonna hate), this song is pure poetry and I love it. “To leave the […]

2 episodes in and I’m quite enjoying the new Amadeus. Then I read the Guardian’s review, and it’s pissed on my chips somewhat. The film is a classic, the play is a classic…. And this is just fine and that’s okay. The reflections on genius and god remain intact and the music is obviously out of […]

My oldest friend has just been to Barbados and gifted me a bottle of Mount Gay XO Triple Cask rum (I generally always bring him a bottle of rum when I’m visiting - this time a Sacred Ape Toasted Banana rum from Nottingham - and he thought he’d return the favour). Oooh. It’s a cracker. Great […]

Tomorrow will be lighter than today. I always find that such an encouraging thought. #solstice

21/24 I’m always on the lookout for new, original seasonal albums and not just covers of the same standards. 2011 was a bumper year and “Funny Looking Angels” is a fantastic collection. This song in particular never fails to make me misty-eyed, with its mix of nostalgia, family and a bit of […]

20/24 I could have picked anything off this soundtrack. I love this film: Michael Caine is superb as Scrooge and the film is oddly close to the original Dickens, both in spirit & script. I do love the Marleys, though. No Xmas playlist is complete without some rattling chains and moaning […]

Is it even really Christmas until the Krampus tree topper is up? #krampus

19/24 Another song that isn’t about Christmas directly, but does summon the spirit of the season in a snowy landscape. Plus, you surely can’t beat the drama conjured up by this singer. I’m not sure you’d make an album like this today celebrating Russian folk songs, but this is from 2003 […]

Technically, I finished work for Xmas at lunchtime last week. In practice, I had meetings that afternoon and on Friday until about 4pm. I’ve just had another meeting today, but that really is it. Fuck’em until January.

Starting the Simarillion for the first time (instead of LOTR for the umpteenth time). Feeling slightly apprehensive, as mileage seems to vary on this one. #books

18/24 Today is another delicate, ethereal number. Just a voice and piano. Stark, simple and beautiful. It’s a Randy Newman song, here covered by Harry Nilsson. Snow. https://youtu.be/TrQjSrdvcTw If you haven’t already worked out by now that the album “Tinsel and Lights” by Tracey Thorne is […]

I’m taking a deep breath and trying to remember that most people are basically decent.

Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer. It may be one-time wonder but I loverd this song when I it came out. #Music #TasminArcher www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqRo...

'Heraclitus taught that character is destiny. In Trump’s case, his sociopathy is destiny. His narcissism; his lack of conscience, remorse, or empathy; his pathological lying and grandiosity; his sense of entitlement, impulsivity, and aggression; his cruelty, predatory behavior, and sadism—these […]

17/24 I’m not sure this is especially obscure, given that it’s by one of the most celebrated musical artists that we have, but this little melancholy beauty is a cracker. Today’s song, direct from the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas soundtrack, is Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton […]

16/24 It’s long been clear to me that what Christmas music has really been missing is a wild contribution from the phenomenon that is Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. I said, YAY-AH! Today’s advent selection is…. - High Gear by Jon Spencer Blues Explosion https://youtu.be/P9mqvgHCBDI [see […]

Rob Reiner directed several of my favourite films (spinal tap, the princess bride and spinal tap, to name just 3) and just last week I was enjoying his performance in The Bear. RIP. A sad loss.