Paul Connell
@paulconnell.bsky.social
Stirling based writer/guitar owner. Here for culture, politics, history, daftness. MD ANT (3rd class)
Pinned
Paul Connell
@paulconnell.bsky.social
· Nov 20
This is not a subject on which I have an informed or considered position.
Reposted by Paul Connell
This is superb. Ian McKellen delivers a blistering pro-immigration monologue written by Shakespeare, that makes you want to punch the air with exhilaration. Wow, wow, wow.
An absolute must-watch. (Starts at 20:10 but the entire interview is a joy.) youtu.be/2l2RqzVG4ag
An absolute must-watch. (Starts at 20:10 but the entire interview is a joy.) youtu.be/2l2RqzVG4ag
"There's Nothing I Enjoy More Than Acting In The Theater" - Ian McKellen EXTENDED INTERVIEW
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 8:46 AM
This is superb. Ian McKellen delivers a blistering pro-immigration monologue written by Shakespeare, that makes you want to punch the air with exhilaration. Wow, wow, wow.
An absolute must-watch. (Starts at 20:10 but the entire interview is a joy.) youtu.be/2l2RqzVG4ag
An absolute must-watch. (Starts at 20:10 but the entire interview is a joy.) youtu.be/2l2RqzVG4ag
Reposted by Paul Connell
#OrchestralManoeuvres no 5
McAlmont & Butler - Yes
youtu.be/SJSaRw1vjxM?...
A wonderful voice, the dopest guitar player and amazing strings and the song is called YES!!!
McAlmont & Butler - Yes
youtu.be/SJSaRw1vjxM?...
A wonderful voice, the dopest guitar player and amazing strings and the song is called YES!!!
Bernard Butler & McAlmont - Yes Video
YouTube video by catcha2007
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 9:42 AM
#OrchestralManoeuvres no 5
McAlmont & Butler - Yes
youtu.be/SJSaRw1vjxM?...
A wonderful voice, the dopest guitar player and amazing strings and the song is called YES!!!
McAlmont & Butler - Yes
youtu.be/SJSaRw1vjxM?...
A wonderful voice, the dopest guitar player and amazing strings and the song is called YES!!!
Good kids.
MAGA Adult Male assaults Texas High School students protesting ICE
February 3, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Good kids.
Is Starmer's central strategy the feeding of shelter cats to coyotes?
Kinda feels that way.
Kinda feels that way.
February 3, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Is Starmer's central strategy the feeding of shelter cats to coyotes?
Kinda feels that way.
Kinda feels that way.
Wordle 1,689 3/6
⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
1000th Wordle today. 98% success rate.
Certainly wakes up the gray cells of a morning.
⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
1000th Wordle today. 98% success rate.
Certainly wakes up the gray cells of a morning.
February 2, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Wordle 1,689 3/6
⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
1000th Wordle today. 98% success rate.
Certainly wakes up the gray cells of a morning.
⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
1000th Wordle today. 98% success rate.
Certainly wakes up the gray cells of a morning.
Mandelson.
'Do you really think I knew what was going on?'
Yes, we fuckin' do, Pete.
'Do you really think I knew what was going on?'
Yes, we fuckin' do, Pete.
January 31, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Mandelson.
'Do you really think I knew what was going on?'
Yes, we fuckin' do, Pete.
'Do you really think I knew what was going on?'
Yes, we fuckin' do, Pete.
Reposted by Paul Connell
The closure of the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow is the end of a 50 year era stretching back to the Third Eye Centre opening in 1975. The CCA nurtured challenging art, culture and ideas. And its closure marginalises art that dares to take a risk in Scotland.
January 31, 2026 at 5:24 PM
The closure of the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow is the end of a 50 year era stretching back to the Third Eye Centre opening in 1975. The CCA nurtured challenging art, culture and ideas. And its closure marginalises art that dares to take a risk in Scotland.
For 'em as likes smiling.
For many years I have been posting little observations online. What you may not know is that for many years, artists have been illustrating them - for no reason other than they wanted to respond. Below is a thread of some of these beautiful drawings because they should be seen 🧵
January 31, 2026 at 9:11 AM
For 'em as likes smiling.
Is that it?
Something you can say during sex and at the Melania movie.
January 28, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Is that it?
Henry VIII's Enforcer.
Hell, yeh!
Hell, yeh!
A House In Bayswater.
Which was definitely an actual euphemism for this, employed in the 19th Century.
“And did you visit her house in Bayswater?”
“I am told that he has a rather large house in Bayswater.”
Which was definitely an actual euphemism for this, employed in the 19th Century.
“And did you visit her house in Bayswater?”
“I am told that he has a rather large house in Bayswater.”
January 28, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Henry VIII's Enforcer.
Hell, yeh!
Hell, yeh!
Reposted by Paul Connell
Reposted by Paul Connell
Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar? | Devi Sridhar
Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar? | Devi Sridhar
Initiatives such as London’s ULEZ can be a model for other cities. But even more could be done to save lives and protect us from deadly toxins in the air, says Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar? | Devi Sridhar
Reposted by Paul Connell
"Taut leathery skin hangs like a tabard over the torsos of the best-preserved Urbania mummies, & loosely over the legs & arms like an ageing elephant’s." I visited the Chiesa dei Morti and wrote about death, life and suchlike over on substack. (it's free!) danigaravelli.substack.com/p/la-chiesa-...
La Chiesa Dei Morti
“Have you ever seen anything like this?” our guide, Michele, asks, as he leads us into the crypt behind the altar of the Chiesa Dei Morti — Church of the Dead — in the town of Urbania in Le Marche.
danigaravelli.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:50 AM
"Taut leathery skin hangs like a tabard over the torsos of the best-preserved Urbania mummies, & loosely over the legs & arms like an ageing elephant’s." I visited the Chiesa dei Morti and wrote about death, life and suchlike over on substack. (it's free!) danigaravelli.substack.com/p/la-chiesa-...
You just know #Bovino will be keeping his uniform and will strut about his house making parping trumpet noises and barking orders at invisible troops.
January 27, 2026 at 11:02 AM
You just know #Bovino will be keeping his uniform and will strut about his house making parping trumpet noises and barking orders at invisible troops.
Reposted by Paul Connell
Cheers me up immensely to see reviews and ratings continue to trickle in for my weird, little novel almost two years after it came out.
Posting reviews is hugely appreciated by authors (not just on Goodreads) as it's a tangible sign that someone out there is still reading it.
Posting reviews is hugely appreciated by authors (not just on Goodreads) as it's a tangible sign that someone out there is still reading it.
January 27, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Cheers me up immensely to see reviews and ratings continue to trickle in for my weird, little novel almost two years after it came out.
Posting reviews is hugely appreciated by authors (not just on Goodreads) as it's a tangible sign that someone out there is still reading it.
Posting reviews is hugely appreciated by authors (not just on Goodreads) as it's a tangible sign that someone out there is still reading it.
Reposted by Paul Connell
RIP Sly Dunbar (1952-2026)
Sly Dunbar, Influential Sly & Robbie Drummer, Is Dead At 73
Grammy-winning producer and drummer Sly Dunbar — one half of the Jamaican duo Sly and Robbie — has died aged 73, DancehallMag has confirmed. Rory Baker, a
www.dancehallmag.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:17 PM
RIP Sly Dunbar (1952-2026)
Reposted by Paul Connell
For Burns Night. Wrap yr lugs round this beauty.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ7o...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ7o...
Dick Gaughan - Now Westlin Winds
YouTube video by 76AMD
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:35 AM
For Burns Night. Wrap yr lugs round this beauty.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ7o...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ7o...
Reposted by Paul Connell
Some breaking art historical news for you - a lost portrait of Robert Burns by Sir Henry Raeburn was unveiled today at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. It’s been missing for more than 200 years.
1/3
1/3
January 22, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Some breaking art historical news for you - a lost portrait of Robert Burns by Sir Henry Raeburn was unveiled today at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. It’s been missing for more than 200 years.
1/3
1/3
Reposted by Paul Connell
The first review of Keshed has landed, folks.
"An exceptional debut novel," according to @alicejolly.bsky.social in @thetls.bsky.social
I'm not a subscriber so I can only see the first bit, I'm off out to see if I can buy one 👌
"An exceptional debut novel," according to @alicejolly.bsky.social in @thetls.bsky.social
I'm not a subscriber so I can only see the first bit, I'm off out to see if I can buy one 👌
January 22, 2026 at 10:21 AM
The first review of Keshed has landed, folks.
"An exceptional debut novel," according to @alicejolly.bsky.social in @thetls.bsky.social
I'm not a subscriber so I can only see the first bit, I'm off out to see if I can buy one 👌
"An exceptional debut novel," according to @alicejolly.bsky.social in @thetls.bsky.social
I'm not a subscriber so I can only see the first bit, I'm off out to see if I can buy one 👌
Isn't the problem that 77 million American adults looked at that graceless, uncultured, greedy, corrupt moron and saw a reflection?
January 22, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Isn't the problem that 77 million American adults looked at that graceless, uncultured, greedy, corrupt moron and saw a reflection?
Reposted by Paul Connell
I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you!
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
January 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM
I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you!
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
Reposted by Paul Connell
He was a deputy bailiff and he had a maidservant by the name of Geillis Duncan.
'There was a complicated ritual about the order in which players went to the massage table before a match.'
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"It pulls at my clothing and sometimes I feel I've got to pick it up, cuddle and kiss it."
"It pulls at my clothing and sometimes I feel I've got to pick it up, cuddle and kiss it."
January 21, 2026 at 11:01 AM
He was a deputy bailiff and he had a maidservant by the name of Geillis Duncan.
I put a peg on my nose and popped over to Breitbart. Even they are bailing on Trump over this Norway stuff.
Excellent.
Excellent.
January 19, 2026 at 9:13 PM
I put a peg on my nose and popped over to Breitbart. Even they are bailing on Trump over this Norway stuff.
Excellent.
Excellent.