A year later and I’m rewatching “Agatha All Along” and it’s honestly so much better seeing all the plot points coalesce so brilliantly. Especially the Lilia storyline.

Remember all my mad book drama? (If not, buy me a pint and I'll sing you the ballad of the dodgy ex-publisher...) Well, I'm absolutely delighted to say it's over! An enormous thanks to my wonderful new publisher @manchesterup.bsky.social Queer As Folklore will be back in the wild! 🧜🏼‍♂️

Explored the grounds of Layer Marney Tower at the weekend and found this incredible medieval wall painting in the church of St Mary the Virgin. A lot of the detail is missing, but what remains is incredible. It shows St Christopher crossing a river with a little fisherman to the left.

Also featuring a special guest… 👀

Correct. 🏳️‍⚧️

The fascists on the high street were far outnumbered today. Only 80 far-right idiots protested on the High Street, while hundreds of us gathered near the war memorial showing Colchester welcomes refugees. Acceptance, not hate!

In case you missed it, I recently appeared on the Bethnal Archives talking all things Mythical Creatures. From the origins of the cyclops to modern cryptids. We cover some fascinating and legendary topics. youtu.be/5_C1R9MGh4A?...

It’s not just roundabouts they’re painting with a red cross now, it’s their babies too.

Following on from my Dragons in video games article, the next subject I explore are the nefarious half human creatures of the deep, merfolk. Much harder to find, but just as fascinating. Let me know any other instances of merfolk in video games you know of. www.ben-paites.com/post/mythica...

Did you know that stone arrowheads found in medieval times were thought to be “Elf darts,” shot from the sky to kill cattle. 🐮 Discover how folklore explains the unexplained in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Following on from my Dragons in video games article, the next subject I explore are the nefarious half human creatures of the deep, merfolk. Much harder to find, but just as fascinating. Let me know any other instances of merfolk in video games you know of. www.ben-paites.com/post/mythica...

We don’t have to do what they tell us to. Inaction can be the greatest action we take.

“Think back to your childhood. Do you remember when the anxiety started?”

A thread on shutting down hate and amplifying acceptance 🧵 After some of the horrendous things that have been happening lately I thought I’d post something. If you support the likes of Katie Hopkins, Tommy Robinson or Nigel Farage, you can unfollow me right now.

It’s Heritage Open Days and Colchester Castle and Hollytrees Museum are free to enter all day. We’ve been at full capacity all morning and the queue is still going strong.

I’m so ready for this!

Today I have started a secondment for 6 months as Senior Curator at Colchester Museums. I am starting this amazing opportunity exactly as I mean to go on…..on holiday 🤣 All jokes aside, I’m so excited to start this new role!

Was very fortunate to have a quick run around the Pirates exhibition at the National Maritime Museum today. Some wonderful objects and great design, but far too much to see in half an hour. Also loved the queer stories spread throughout rather than just one dedicated section.

On the way to Greenwich for some training and, due to my overwhelming anxiety of being late for things, I will in fact be over an hour early. I guess a second coffee and second breakfast will be in order.

It’s been a while, but I’ve written a brand new post on my blog. This time, I look at some of the different representations of dragons in video games. From things that are very much dragons (Alduin) to things that aren’t (Alolan Exeggutor). www.ben-paites.com/post/mythica...

One thing that is reinforced from the tennis hat and Coldplay videos is that we’re always being watched… only now it’s not just the state who’s doing the watching.

In light of R.F.Kuang’s latest book (which I cannot wait to read!), I thought I would share my own short story of the same name. About 5 years ago, a group of us from the Queer Heritage Forum each wrote a queer horror story and this was mine. Slightly edited since. www.ben-paites.com/post/katabas...

Pupienus- just for the name (I’m being childish). Or Nero - he was a lyre (player).

It’s been a while, but I’ve written a brand new post on my blog. This time, I look at some of the different representations of dragons in video games. From things that are very much dragons (Alduin) to things that aren’t (Alolan Exeggutor). www.ben-paites.com/post/mythica...

You can tell I’m old because I’m excited the new Henry Hoover attachments are being delivered today!

No brush, no pencil. Just a typewriter. Artist James, using a 1930s Smith Premier typewriter, typed out this painting. #art #printer #unique #typewriter #illustration

Wow! We are so close to hitting £1000! Will you be the generous soul that helps us get there? I'm running the Athens Marathon to support Freedom Youth, which supports young LGBTQIA+ people, who need our help now more than ever. www.justgiving.com/page/jack-sh...

Belemnite fossils were once thought to be thunderbolts fallen from the sky. In reality, they’re the remains of ancient squid relatives, over 66 million years old! Discover these and other objects in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

Happy birthday to my beautiful girl, my fabulous familiar. Artemis turns 17 today! 🥳🐈‍⬛🖤

Ancient Greeks told tales of the Cyclops, a one-eyed giant. But elephant skulls, with a large cavity for the trunk, may have inspired the story. One fossil. A giant misunderstanding. Meet the Cyclops in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures

So I’ve only just realised T levels are actually a real type of qualification and not a typo 😬

Don’t forget! ⏰ Our new episode of The Gayly Digest is out tonight at 6pm. Have you missed us? 🌈✨

LGBTQIA+ young people need safe spaces now more than ever. I'm running the Athens Marathon to support Freedom Youth, which has been supporting queer young people since 1995. If you can donate, even a few quid can make a world of difference: www.justgiving.com/page/jack-sh...

The increasing hateful comments under Pride posts across social media is EXACTLY why we still need pride events! I’ll be at @colchesterpride.bsky.social today. Anyone else attending Pride events have a safe and fun time! We must keep making ourselves heard!

Followed by 💥🎃🎃

F*cking legends! Skunk Anansie in Colchester Castle Park.

I know I already posted about this, but I saw it a few weeks ago and it was phenomenal! Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed, the craft here is impeccable.

Slightly diminish a band: The Herb Girls

I am so excited to be speaking at the @museumsassociation.org conference this year! I’ll be there for the whole conference so if any meet-ups are planned let me know. Had some joyous Queer Museum seshes the last time I attended (2019?!). Would be lovely to see people. #MAConference2025 #Museums2025

Tying into the brand new #MythicalCreatures exhibition at Colchester Castle, my latest book “50 LGBTQ+ Finds” has a whole chapter on myth and folklore. It includes this wonderful medieval harness pendant of a winged unicorn. #QueerFolklore

"PhD-level experts in your back pocket" is a completely nonsensical description of AI but a pretty good description of social media if you follow the right people

*looks awkwardly at the many dusty boxes in the museum stores*

It’s #InternationalCatDay and this little lady turns 17 in a couple of weeks. Honestly don’t know what I’d do without her.

Didn’t want to believe this was true. It’s true.

🚨 Important 🚨 Leicester(shire) folks, and especially Leicester South folks, please respond to this if you can. If you have stories of barriers to healthcare for trans people, trans people receiving harassment, or general difficulties with daily life, please scan the QR code and share.

Furthest I’ve been: N: Alloa, Scotland E: Marmaris, Turkey S: Gran Canaria, Spain W: Salt Lake City, USA

“Oh hey! I didn’t see you there. Why not come along to Colchester Castle this summer to see a cyclops skull, TWO unicorn horns and a griffins claw? You can also take part in an adventure to recover the castle steward’s kidnapped fishing crew. How could you say no to moi!”

I'm running the Athens Marathon to raise money for @switchboard.bsky.social 😁🏃‍♂️🎽🏅🇬🇷 Chuck us a few quid? www.justgiving.com/page/keep-ru...