Brian O'Halloran
@playingwithdust.bsky.social
Die hard Cruyffian. Ex astrophysicist. QPR devotee, for my multiple sins. Single parent.
Pinned
Time for a (re) introduction for my new followers! I'm Brian, a fallen astrophysicist living on the Copper Coast in Waterford, Ireland. Most of my feed will be photos of this gorgeous part of the world, plus my astrophotography.
Oh, plus terrible football takes.
Oh, plus terrible football takes.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
The fact that he was found guilty of criminal damage doesn't make the headline, and the person whose property he damaged is described as a "transgender activist" but Linehan has "well-publicised strong views on gender issues". 🙄
This is not journalism failing trans people - it's failing EVERYONE.
This is not journalism failing trans people - it's failing EVERYONE.
November 25, 2025 at 10:57 AM
The fact that he was found guilty of criminal damage doesn't make the headline, and the person whose property he damaged is described as a "transgender activist" but Linehan has "well-publicised strong views on gender issues". 🙄
This is not journalism failing trans people - it's failing EVERYONE.
This is not journalism failing trans people - it's failing EVERYONE.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
There it is. Our national broadcaster living in fear of the most openly corrupt US president in American history. This is where the British patriots on the right have got us.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
There it is. Our national broadcaster living in fear of the most openly corrupt US president in American history. This is where the British patriots on the right have got us.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Out of interest, I just checked my Facebook feed. I had to scroll through 86 posts before I saw one from someone I know. (shout out to @groomb.bsky.social whose post it was!)
My Facebook feed no longer has anything from people I know. Instead it's 99% AI slop videos of "trains floating on canal boats having accidents in which someone falls into the water". It's horrible, mainly because I can't stop watching them on repeat and the algorithm knows the darkness of my soul.
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Out of interest, I just checked my Facebook feed. I had to scroll through 86 posts before I saw one from someone I know. (shout out to @groomb.bsky.social whose post it was!)
The Trump administration is so incompetent that if they went to war with Venezuela, the Venezuelan military would be holding a victory parade on the Mall in DC within days.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Judge dismisses cases against James Comey and Letitia James after finding that prosecutor was illegally appointed.
November 24, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The Trump administration is so incompetent that if they went to war with Venezuela, the Venezuelan military would be holding a victory parade on the Mall in DC within days.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Finland uses “Russia-gauge” rails. They are going to move to European compatible rail gauge for their own resilience.
This is what we should be thinking about for moving to open social away from American platforms: it should come with significant spending commitments & is absolutely necessary.
This is what we should be thinking about for moving to open social away from American platforms: it should come with significant spending commitments & is absolutely necessary.
Finland announces migration of its rail network to international gauge
The Finnish government announces the migration of its rail network from Russian gauge (1,524 mm) to international gauge (1,435 mm) from 2032. The change aims to improve military mobility and regional ...
www.trenvista.net
November 23, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Finland uses “Russia-gauge” rails. They are going to move to European compatible rail gauge for their own resilience.
This is what we should be thinking about for moving to open social away from American platforms: it should come with significant spending commitments & is absolutely necessary.
This is what we should be thinking about for moving to open social away from American platforms: it should come with significant spending commitments & is absolutely necessary.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
I know they're losing but this seems a bit extreme
November 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I know they're losing but this seems a bit extreme
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
(L-R): shitposting, my deadline, me, my editor
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
(L-R): shitposting, my deadline, me, my editor
Am I a bad person for chuckling at this?
When a mother received the proofs of her son's school photos, they came with a form asking what was to printed on them. Because she didn't want anything, she wrote, "I don't want this," and...
November 24, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Am I a bad person for chuckling at this?
Guessing the inevitable tabloid headline here re Nancy and Celtic
Celtic close to appointing Wilfried Nancy as new manager, according to reports
Celtic close to appointing Wilfried Nancy as new manager, according to reports
Frenchman has been head coach of Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew
www.irishtimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Guessing the inevitable tabloid headline here re Nancy and Celtic
Man United have been tangoed
November 24, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Man United have been tangoed
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
This is my 6th year posting this same message. Black Friday is a nonsense with often pretend discounts on stuff you probably don’t need. We’ll do as we always do at this time and increase the 1% of all income we give to Women’s Aid to 10% on web sales over the weekend. Fuck Black Friday. #speirgorm
November 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This is my 6th year posting this same message. Black Friday is a nonsense with often pretend discounts on stuff you probably don’t need. We’ll do as we always do at this time and increase the 1% of all income we give to Women’s Aid to 10% on web sales over the weekend. Fuck Black Friday. #speirgorm
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Something very lovely happened in our Science Fiction & Fantasy section the other week… 🥹💍✨
CONGRATULATIONS MAEVE & ADAM!!
Wishing you many years of happiness, adventure and shared stories – may your life together be even more magical than the books you browse 💫📚❤️
CONGRATULATIONS MAEVE & ADAM!!
Wishing you many years of happiness, adventure and shared stories – may your life together be even more magical than the books you browse 💫📚❤️
November 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Something very lovely happened in our Science Fiction & Fantasy section the other week… 🥹💍✨
CONGRATULATIONS MAEVE & ADAM!!
Wishing you many years of happiness, adventure and shared stories – may your life together be even more magical than the books you browse 💫📚❤️
CONGRATULATIONS MAEVE & ADAM!!
Wishing you many years of happiness, adventure and shared stories – may your life together be even more magical than the books you browse 💫📚❤️
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
I am a bit ashamed that I missed the 15th anniversary of Brian's passing.
🔭☄️
🔭☄️
Tomorrow, 14 yrs ago, one of my astronomical heroes & mentors, Brian G. Marsden, died much too early. I was asked to write down my thoughts which show what a great person he was
www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/BGM_obit_MM....
Image showing me & Brian at a panel disc at the IWCA in Paris, France (2004).
☄️🔭
www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/BGM_obit_MM....
Image showing me & Brian at a panel disc at the IWCA in Paris, France (2004).
☄️🔭
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I am a bit ashamed that I missed the 15th anniversary of Brian's passing.
🔭☄️
🔭☄️
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
every poster on #speirgorm has a copy of Soundings
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 11:10 PM
every poster on #speirgorm has a copy of Soundings
Good luck trying to intimidate a man who has flown controlled explosions to orbit, multiple times.
Sen. Mark Kelly has released a statement.
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Good luck trying to intimidate a man who has flown controlled explosions to orbit, multiple times.
Given their obsession with past conflicts, apt that they picked the place where WW2 started.
Over at the Daily Telegraph, they're scratching their heads as to why the former mining and steel producinv city of Gliwice in Poland is now 45% more prosperous than Darlington... and why it has new shiny infrastructure... without mentioning EU funds for urban and regional development...
November 24, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Given their obsession with past conflicts, apt that they picked the place where WW2 started.
My first ever vote - and thank goodness it passed. Still had to wait 7 years until we divorced, mind you.
On this day in 1995, Ireland narrowly voted to end its 70-year constitutional ban on divorce, with 50.28% in favour and 49.72% against. The referendum's close result, decided by a margin of just over 9,000 votes, reflected deep societal divisions on the issue.
November 24, 2025 at 8:05 AM
My first ever vote - and thank goodness it passed. Still had to wait 7 years until we divorced, mind you.
As a QPR fan, it's a bit like being a proud parent seeing Eze do so well.
Arteta says Eze had two days off after international duty, but after one he wanted to get back into training as he wants "to keep learning"
November 23, 2025 at 7:57 PM
As a QPR fan, it's a bit like being a proud parent seeing Eze do so well.
Sky Sports having an audio nightmare on the North London Derby right now
November 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Sky Sports having an audio nightmare on the North London Derby right now
"As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left.."
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left.."
November 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM
"As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left.."
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left.."
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
"We need to stand up against unaccountable NGOs", says Maria Steen, spokesperson for the Irish. NGO, The Iona Institute. At the "Battle Of Ideas", an event hosted by Gript Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Life Institute, another NGO.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
"We need to stand up against unaccountable NGOs", says Maria Steen, spokesperson for the Irish. NGO, The Iona Institute. At the "Battle Of Ideas", an event hosted by Gript Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Life Institute, another NGO.
It's actually really difficult to do this in your late 40s/early 50s - especially if live in rural Ireland. Have found it really tough.
The loneliness fix: I wanted to find new friends in my 30s – and it was easier than I imagined
The loneliness fix: I wanted to find new friends in my 30s – and it was easier than I imagined
It is said to be harder to make friends as you age. But I found that a mix of apps and other tools, as well as a happy attitude, led to a world of potential new pals
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
It's actually really difficult to do this in your late 40s/early 50s - especially if live in rural Ireland. Have found it really tough.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
To whom it may concern,
Live results from the sharpener/parer/topper debate can be found here:
finaldraft.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboa...
What the feck is going on in Kerry?!
I want to credit the map-maker/survey owner, but alas they are an anonymous Redditor so I cannot.
#speirgorm ✏️✏️✏️
Live results from the sharpener/parer/topper debate can be found here:
finaldraft.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboa...
What the feck is going on in Kerry?!
I want to credit the map-maker/survey owner, but alas they are an anonymous Redditor so I cannot.
#speirgorm ✏️✏️✏️
ArcGIS Dashboards
ArcGIS Dashboards
finaldraft.maps.arcgis.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
To whom it may concern,
Live results from the sharpener/parer/topper debate can be found here:
finaldraft.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboa...
What the feck is going on in Kerry?!
I want to credit the map-maker/survey owner, but alas they are an anonymous Redditor so I cannot.
#speirgorm ✏️✏️✏️
Live results from the sharpener/parer/topper debate can be found here:
finaldraft.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboa...
What the feck is going on in Kerry?!
I want to credit the map-maker/survey owner, but alas they are an anonymous Redditor so I cannot.
#speirgorm ✏️✏️✏️
Damn, I keep meaning to rewatch this. Been decades since I last saw it
Watched Witness last night. Great film. More films should have Amish representation.
November 23, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Damn, I keep meaning to rewatch this. Been decades since I last saw it