Drop an album that was important to you when you were nineteen:

As a queer scientist making Pride pins to pay for my transition, it means a lot to see them worn at big events like this. Massive thanks to @zackpolanski.bsky.social for boosting that visibility! If anyone now seeing this wants to check out my other designs, they're over at canopyrobin.etsy.com 🏳️‍⚧️🩷

SHARIF DON'T LIKE IT

*in Charles Darwin’s replies* sounds rough man btw could you tell me if this is a Species or is it a Variety you seem the guy to ask

The UK government is proposing radical and punitive changes to settlement rules. This is settlement, not citizenship. The consultation is open until 12 February; please respond to it and oppose these evil proposals. Amnesty have a good guide: www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/gu...

The Trial of a Time Lord: Will we finally get some real ACTING from BRIAN BLESSED?

what starmer do next: A: hire someone not as bad B: hire someone exactly as bad C: hire someone worse D: [zoidberg voice] quit himself why not

Lambeth #Libraries have curated a fascinating series of events for #LGBTHM26, including a discussion with Grace Flahive about her novel Palm Meridian, a love story set in a lesbian retirement resort in Florida in the year 2067. www.brixtonbuzz.com/2026/01/lamb...

I’m not surprised that Simone is a huge fan of curling.

I do hate this man so very fucking much.

January reading: 1. The Giant, O’Brien - Hilary Mantel 2. Chaotic Good - Isabelle Baafi 3. Tales From the Heart - Maryse Condé (translated by Richard Philcox) ongoing - The Odyssey Book VI: A Princess and Her Laundry Book VII: A Magical Kingdom

The Trial of a Time Lord: here we go I guess.

Xavier White's exhibition last February was unmissable! So very excited to see what will be unveiled at this next iteration next week!!! At Brixton Library! #LGBTQHM26

greatest

CHOOSE YOUR OWN POETIC ADVENTURE WITH EMILY DICKINSON (SHE IS UNAWARE THIS IS HAPPENING; PLEASE DO NOT TELL HER ESTATE) www.qwantz.com/index.php?co...

i’m not particularly attached to “abolish ICE” as a slogan but as a policy it’s mandatory

4. Give yourself permission to take your writing seriously. Don’t wait until you’re “better at it,” or until you’re published, or until you “feel like a real writer.” Do it now. Then keep on doing it. It’s allowed.

Going thru Piccadilly on the bus at this time on a Friday night is always absurd but still I'm like who the fuck are all these ppl in their own cars.

According to the Tesco app, The Nation’s choice meal deal is the grim little trio of chicken club sandwich, an EGGE protein pot for a snack instead of crisps or fruit like normal ppl wft argh and Red Bull, a beverage I refuse to believe exists outside TVR.

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 2680: Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure means you tried something. No one ever succeeds without trying and failing - often, many times.

the most important thing in 2028 is electing someone who is a true believer in the project of dismantling right-wing power. if you don't get that, then nothing else will matter very much.

Simone really does learn a lot from Walter Santi.

😏

Hard relate.

December reading: I got up to book V (From the Goddess to the Storm) in Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey, For the first time in a while I don’t have a library book to return, so I’ve been luxuriating in Hilary Mantel and Isabelle Baafi’s excellent writing so also ongoing. year end total-52

Alright then Jools 🎶🍾🎉🎊

Get your peepers on our newest peeps 🦝 The Trash Family Portrait Gallery has most of our Feline Flash contributors displayed in all their loveliness. Portraits are assembled using their spirit animal and the things they covet/collect. trashcatlit.com/trash-family...

British citizens and UK-based folks: please consider signing and sharing this petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/75... #RefugeesWelcome

The Brick, where my beer had good company

A thought occurs: Benoit Blanc totally sounds like he’s the love child of Foghorn Leghorn and Senator Tankerbell (compliment).

My latest newsletter is about the spiked 60 Minutes story and the reactionary psychology of Bari Weiss.

Time to panic!

He’s a complicated man / but no one one understands but Athena: Odysseus!

I am pleased to announce that I will be joined by at least 2 very speical guests for my Winterval storytelling, online event on Monday 29th December. Emma of @GhostCatcherIsles.com and @StephLay.bsky.social will be joining me to spin you some spooky stories. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winterval-...

In fairness, Ovid does tend towards the saucy.

…which is why the French Republican calendar was undoubtedly sexier, but alas too illogical for this world 😭

I also learned ‘raze’ from "World Leader Pretend!" And obsequious from They Might Be Giants (“Turn Around”).

Show me how your 2025 went

If you want good art - excellent movies, compelling series, incredible novels, any kind of story at all - we need a model that pays writers and artists properly, not one that prioritises a privileged few while feeding shareholders by the billion and throwing scraps to everyone else.

Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.

My spoiler-free thoughts on Plur1bus S01E07 is that I really love how *spacious* the show is generally, but this one in particular was freaking expansive!

Nina and Simone watch Indy and Chewie play on the luxury version of their cat tree.

Firey sunset today 🔥⛅

I really wish my brain would finally understand that perimenopause brain fog notwithstanding, I am unlikely to leave the house without my keys or phone, go all the way to the tube station, down the escalator & onto the train and realise I’m barefoot. So quit serving up that anxiety dream already.

So many, but of late, the entirety of The Sleeping Wound by Moniza Alvi, from “Europa”, a collection I return to constantly.

Hi friends. City of Sanctuary are a fabulous organisation in need of funds to continue their work supporting organisations to create welcoming environments to those fleeing persecution and war. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

my LRB blog-post on the weird kingston mural: www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...

This was an excellent evening 👍

I ditched Spotify three months ago, so no Wrapped and my Apple Music year-end is understandably less educated about the year, but top artists seem accurate: The Mars Volta and Wet Leg (together at last!)