Can someone explain to me why so many people are convinced the big orange shithead is on his deathbed?

If someone’s still on twitter no amount of scolding will get them to do the right thing at this point. They’re convinced they’re on some humanity saving mission.

#Traitors #TraitorsUK. ‘We’re looking for changes in body language.’ Fourth season and they’ve learned NOTHING!

Have reached the entirely feral stage of the holidays. Just ate the last of the smoked salmon straight from the packet and called it lunch.

RT if you think giving people knighthoods is all a bit silly but still think it's hilarious that Farage still hasn't got one.

NYE suggestion: In memory of the great and beloved Rob Reiner (and his wife Michele, his meeting of whom forced him to change the end of the movie) we're watching When Harry Met Sally this evening, starting the film at 10:30:27 so that the chime of the New Year bells line up exactly with tonight's.

Adult children have departed and I’m having to work hard to keep the Twixmas feeling alive. 2025 was a bugger of a year for me and I need to just sit and be for a week.

The modern world in old Ladybird. "Furniture of today" (1971) Artist: Robert Ayton The Story of Furniture

will also add - yes, this is my personal crusade - that turning podcasts into videos implicitly asks women to once again make more effort than men, as the bar for "camera-ready" for one gender is obviously higher than for the other

This abridged version is clearly labelled, and the full version is listed first on Prime. Why the abridged version exists is another story. But yes, get physical copies of your favourite movies and shows.

Regretting my NYT games subscription present to myself already.

Tomorrow evening it’ll be my annual duty to vaguely shepherd the activity on the #duvetknowitschristmas hashtag and urge people to give small sums to charity. 7.30pm? Something like that?

Story from Joolz Denby over on Facebook. A bad day at TotP in 1985 with New Model Army, and Chris Rea suddenly appearing and being compassionate and gernerally decent.

🏳️‍⚧️✊ #OnlyConnect

An absolute staple of our Christmases for 20 years. Just made a few batches for the returning adult children. Even the person who doesn’t like chocolate cake loves these. My only tweak is to not use paper cases as the royal icing cements to them. @nigella.bsky.social www.nigella.com/recipes/chri...

Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar, window 22 Durham Cathedral Artist: SRBadmin

So, just to confirm, the BBC can’t keep Robin Ince on the air because his trans allyship brings the organisation into disrepute, but they can keep David Walliams, who performed Nazi salutes at the recording of this very show, on the air despite him being predatory towards women. Cool. Very normal.

Hanging fairy lights in the bedrooms of my returning adult children like a COMPLETELY NORMAL PERSON.

We had cause to consult a paediatric urologist many years ago, and his name was Dix Poppas. ‘Call me Dr Dix,’ he told anxious parents. He knew what he was doing.

I find it interesting that someone was taking so many photos at these events. Remember most of these are from before the ubiquity of cameras on our phones. Who were they for? Why were people so happy to pose for them? What was their currency?

Despite frequent remonstrations from digital archivists, Persephone never accepted that she could not photocopy a whole book in one go.

Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar Window 20 ‘Winter Sunrise’ Artist: SR Badmin

UCKG pastor’s exorcism in London resulted in child’s death and jailing of 4 guardians. They backed Bolsonaro in Brazil. They are anti LGBT+ Don’t give them money!

Pairs very nicely with this.

This is a Christmas album. Don’t @ me.

Coming full circle: marketing normal clementines as ‘easy peelers’ when they’re just being themselves.

And of course, if he was doing it openly at Harper Collins, he was doing it EVERYWHERE in his life. These mitigations are such a throwback: if you don’t want to be molested, don’t be alone with a pervert. That’s what I was taught fifty years ago.

Festive flash fun at its finest. @downith.bsky.social

Finally. An open ‘secret’ for far too long. Here’s hoping there is some justice for his victims now.

Jeanette Manrara just used the word 'juggernugget' and honestly, that's what I'll be using from now on. #ItTakesTwo #Strictly

Would be funny if, in disclosure, it was proved once and for all how robust the BBC voting systems are and all the ‘it’s rigged!’ numpties would have to shut up forever. #Strictly

via Poke

Ho boy. It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas on 6 Music right now. This might be where my love of jazz comes from. And a bit of Christmas melancholy. When you get to my age, it’s inevitable that Christmases are gently haunted by loss. Leaning in rather than bottling up is my coping mechanism of choice.

In other news, my iPhone doesn’t have ‘fascist’ in its spellchecker. 🙄

Santa has come early. No return of the fash in the #Strictly Final. www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...

It’s a snap decision about how my face will look for two years. Why do I never take more than five minutes over it? 🤓

Every time I get new glasses I make a snap decision on the frames then spend the two weeks I wait for them convinced I’ve made a mistake. I‘ve never made a mistake. And yet, here I am, in the two week panic period. Again.

Fascinating exchange between @jeremyvine.bsky.social and @rosatkins.bsky.social in the latest episode of the media show about what they can and can’t say as BBC employees. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Also check out organisations to join and get advice. In the UK, there's the Society of Authors, or the Writers Guild of Great Britain. In the US talk to the Authors Guild. Read websites like Writer Beware. And if you have the funds and still have doubts, find a lawyer who understands the book trade.

Doesn’t seem to be available in the UK yet, but if it ever is, my god I’ll be buying it.

Dunno what made me look at amazon (it's the only real-time indication I have) but there seems to be a Christmas bump of my book sales. Even though my long-promised fifth one in the series has been builder-delayed. They are a) perfect stocking fillers and b) available from anywhere other than there 🎶

I can confirm these are delightful and perfect if you want something sweet but gentle. I’ve already had a lot of mince crumbles and fruit cake, I’ll be ready for something meltingly delicate soon.

Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar, window 16 ‘First Snow’ Artist: Rowland Hilder

ICYMI: The Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace is launching the South London Writing School, offering a scholarship in tribute to the late co-owner Jonathan Main and monthly masterclass Sundays featuring Diana Evans and Evie Wyld 👇 #BookSky

Oh, no reason. youtu.be/UrRZ-kKnBEw?...

Just because Christmas is around the corner and I happen to have a book that makes the PERFECT gift, doesn’t mean you’ll find me shamelessly hawking my wares on here. I’m better than that. In other news, here's a promo for The Wheel is Spinning but the Hamster is Dead (available here - geni.us/yDxa)

Ignore the ludicrous suggestion that no one remembers this scene and watch the clip, knowing that Billy is improvising and Meg is just about keeping it together. Her glance off-camera still works in the context of the scene and her character. Sally wants to let go but can’t quite do it.

We also need libraries to make those library cards at all useful. Many libraries are now volunteer-run because otherwise they’d close. Bring those back into public funding please. (This post brought to you by a community library volunteer.)

Again reported, again no action. Seller’s items all this season Cos, new with tags, various sizes. So obviously stolen. Vinted won’t do anything about it.