Mark Howson
@renkadima.bsky.social
Semi-retired music lover and very-small-time promoter.
Reposted by Mark Howson
So - giving up Chocolate is it?
Unless you are fasting like a medieval don’t so much as mention Lent:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - no food
Otherwise no food until 3
Drinking allowed
No animal meats or fats
No eggs
No dairy - eggs, milk, cheese, cream, butter
I personally give up religion
Unless you are fasting like a medieval don’t so much as mention Lent:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - no food
Otherwise no food until 3
Drinking allowed
No animal meats or fats
No eggs
No dairy - eggs, milk, cheese, cream, butter
I personally give up religion
February 18, 2026 at 8:33 AM
So - giving up Chocolate is it?
Unless you are fasting like a medieval don’t so much as mention Lent:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - no food
Otherwise no food until 3
Drinking allowed
No animal meats or fats
No eggs
No dairy - eggs, milk, cheese, cream, butter
I personally give up religion
Unless you are fasting like a medieval don’t so much as mention Lent:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - no food
Otherwise no food until 3
Drinking allowed
No animal meats or fats
No eggs
No dairy - eggs, milk, cheese, cream, butter
I personally give up religion
Reposted by Mark Howson
That time when, two months into World War 1, the FT asked its readers to predict the impact the conflict would have on the map of Europe. As a game. With cash prizes: great @ftweekend.com piece by @theboysmithy.ft.com www.ft.com/content/79a4...
February 14, 2026 at 9:03 AM
That time when, two months into World War 1, the FT asked its readers to predict the impact the conflict would have on the map of Europe. As a game. With cash prizes: great @ftweekend.com piece by @theboysmithy.ft.com www.ft.com/content/79a4...
Reposted by Mark Howson
Roses are red,
And poetry's romantic,
I fucked around at school,
So I'm not really sure how it works,
1066?
#ValentinesDay
And poetry's romantic,
I fucked around at school,
So I'm not really sure how it works,
1066?
#ValentinesDay
February 14, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Roses are red,
And poetry's romantic,
I fucked around at school,
So I'm not really sure how it works,
1066?
#ValentinesDay
And poetry's romantic,
I fucked around at school,
So I'm not really sure how it works,
1066?
#ValentinesDay
Reposted by Mark Howson
#BBCNews - Who is on helmet that led to Ukrainian athlete's Winter Olympics ban?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UkraineWar
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UkraineWar
Who is on helmet that led to Ukrainian athlete's disqualification from Winter Olympics?
Vladyslav Heraskevych's helmet depicts fellow athletes who have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion of his country.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 7:23 PM
#BBCNews - Who is on helmet that led to Ukrainian athlete's Winter Olympics ban?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UkraineWar
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UkraineWar
Reposted by Mark Howson
I suspect native Monegasques probably think the same Jim, you silly old twat.
UK being ‘colonised by immigrants’, says Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
UK being ‘colonised by immigrants’, says Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain’s seventh-richest man, who vocally backed Brexit then moved to tax-free Monaco, also hits out at people on benefits
The billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who moved to tax-free Monaco in 2020, has claimed that the UK is being “colonised” by immigrants.
Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Britain’s seventh-richest man and the part-owner of Manchester United FC took aim at people receiving state support and immigrants. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:40 PM
I suspect native Monegasques probably think the same Jim, you silly old twat.
Reposted by Mark Howson
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad
February 10, 2026 at 8:18 PM
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad
A wonderful thread.
We saw a ghost the other night, Tâf and I, out on the footpath.
Well. She saw a ghost. I didn’t see anything.
I felt them, though, knew they were there.
Well. She saw a ghost. I didn’t see anything.
I felt them, though, knew they were there.
February 2, 2026 at 8:29 PM
A wonderful thread.
David's blog is always a great read.
Episode 3 of Gigs around the sun incorporating links to 5 recent Birmingham gig reviews.
davidhughes410.substack.com/p/gigs-aroun...
davidhughes410.substack.com/p/gigs-aroun...
Gigs around the sun 2026 Episode 3
Home comforts
davidhughes410.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:31 AM
David's blog is always a great read.
Reposted by Mark Howson
I think at this point the UK has accepted Paddington as the Death Bear, collector of souls. So, I think as a nation we should start smearing marmalade on the eyes of the dead and whisper “fare for the crossing”. It’ll feel weird now but, in three of four generations, no one will question it.
January 26, 2026 at 11:36 AM
I think at this point the UK has accepted Paddington as the Death Bear, collector of souls. So, I think as a nation we should start smearing marmalade on the eyes of the dead and whisper “fare for the crossing”. It’ll feel weird now but, in three of four generations, no one will question it.
Reposted by Mark Howson
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
January 27, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Reposted by Mark Howson
The media should cover sport the way they cover the state murder of civilians:
‘Jannik Sinner appeared to win the French Open yesterday after what supporters say was a comeback from being two sets down.’
‘Jannik Sinner appeared to win the French Open yesterday after what supporters say was a comeback from being two sets down.’
January 25, 2026 at 1:57 PM
The media should cover sport the way they cover the state murder of civilians:
‘Jannik Sinner appeared to win the French Open yesterday after what supporters say was a comeback from being two sets down.’
‘Jannik Sinner appeared to win the French Open yesterday after what supporters say was a comeback from being two sets down.’
Reposted by Mark Howson
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
Reposted by Mark Howson
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen #musicsky
1. Tangerine Dream
2. Front 242
3. Lambchop
4. Amon Düül II
5. Billy Strings
1. Tangerine Dream
2. Front 242
3. Lambchop
4. Amon Düül II
5. Billy Strings
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen #musicsky 🎶
1. The National
2. The Afghan Whigs
3. Neutral Milk Hotel
4. Richard Dawson
5. The Velvet Underground
1. The National
2. The Afghan Whigs
3. Neutral Milk Hotel
4. Richard Dawson
5. The Velvet Underground
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen #musicsky 🎶
1. Herbie Hancock
2. Rick Astley
3. Built To Spill
4. Kvelertak
5. Fairport Convention
1. Herbie Hancock
2. Rick Astley
3. Built To Spill
4. Kvelertak
5. Fairport Convention
January 17, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen #musicsky
1. Tangerine Dream
2. Front 242
3. Lambchop
4. Amon Düül II
5. Billy Strings
1. Tangerine Dream
2. Front 242
3. Lambchop
4. Amon Düül II
5. Billy Strings
Reposted by Mark Howson
🚨🚨I'll be speaking to @catheriner.bsky.social today about Venezuela on my podcast. She was Britain's ambassador to Venezuela and met Chavez and Maduro. So, somebody who actually knows this subject intimately!🚨🚨
Episode should be out late tonight. Watch this space:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Episode should be out late tonight. Watch this space:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Politics Podcast · Updated weekly · Behind the Lines with Arthur Snell is a geopolitics podcast. Every week we give the listener access to the best informed people to help you understand this turbule...
podcasts.apple.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:54 PM
🚨🚨I'll be speaking to @catheriner.bsky.social today about Venezuela on my podcast. She was Britain's ambassador to Venezuela and met Chavez and Maduro. So, somebody who actually knows this subject intimately!🚨🚨
Episode should be out late tonight. Watch this space:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Episode should be out late tonight. Watch this space:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
My Top 5
1) Aaron Lee Tasjan & Friends (Luck Reunion, Texas)
2) Amelia Coburn (The Blue Moon, Cambridge)
3) Ny Oh (British Music Embassy, Austin)
4) Boulder Fields (The Old Forge, Cranford)
5) Emma Swift (Troubadour)
So many others I could mention. A great year of live music!
1) Aaron Lee Tasjan & Friends (Luck Reunion, Texas)
2) Amelia Coburn (The Blue Moon, Cambridge)
3) Ny Oh (British Music Embassy, Austin)
4) Boulder Fields (The Old Forge, Cranford)
5) Emma Swift (Troubadour)
So many others I could mention. A great year of live music!
January 4, 2026 at 10:29 AM
My Top 5
1) Aaron Lee Tasjan & Friends (Luck Reunion, Texas)
2) Amelia Coburn (The Blue Moon, Cambridge)
3) Ny Oh (British Music Embassy, Austin)
4) Boulder Fields (The Old Forge, Cranford)
5) Emma Swift (Troubadour)
So many others I could mention. A great year of live music!
1) Aaron Lee Tasjan & Friends (Luck Reunion, Texas)
2) Amelia Coburn (The Blue Moon, Cambridge)
3) Ny Oh (British Music Embassy, Austin)
4) Boulder Fields (The Old Forge, Cranford)
5) Emma Swift (Troubadour)
So many others I could mention. A great year of live music!
I have suddenly decided to follow this fellow.
Plausible worst case scenario with Venezuela in four steps:
1. Rubio and Venezuelan exiles sell the idea of decapitation strikes against Maduro to Trump as the one big thing that solves Venezuela, cartels and Cuba for the US.
1. Rubio and Venezuelan exiles sell the idea of decapitation strikes against Maduro to Trump as the one big thing that solves Venezuela, cartels and Cuba for the US.
January 3, 2026 at 10:54 AM
I have suddenly decided to follow this fellow.
Another fascinating glimpse of local history. The Clarke family are still farming in the area.
@lordbonkers.bsky.social
- is that Bonkers Hall that features in the first couple of minutes?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv69...
@lordbonkers.bsky.social
- is that Bonkers Hall that features in the first couple of minutes?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv69...
" THE GRASSY SHIRES " 1944 TRAVELOGUE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, LEICESTERSHIRE, RUTLAND, ENGLAND GG45155
YouTube video by PeriscopeFilm
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Another fascinating glimpse of local history. The Clarke family are still farming in the area.
@lordbonkers.bsky.social
- is that Bonkers Hall that features in the first couple of minutes?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv69...
@lordbonkers.bsky.social
- is that Bonkers Hall that features in the first couple of minutes?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv69...
Reposted by Mark Howson
He got three years and nine months, and was disqualified from being a company director for seven years.
Producer of Brexit: The Movie jailed for fraud
And not before time, you may very well think. BBC News reports: A film producer who lied about his income to secure a £519,000 loan has bee...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:53 PM
He got three years and nine months, and was disqualified from being a company director for seven years.
While waiting to cross a road many years ago, I saw a lady (the wife of a teacher) waving at me from across the road. I waved back before twigging that another of my teachers was standing behind me. Thereafter, the lady and I were forced to awkwardly acknowledge each other whenever we crossed paths.
Please quote this with stories of your minor interactions with non-celebrities, e.g. “I once accidentally bumped into a man in the Wellingborough branch of Holland & Barrett”
December 30, 2025 at 11:59 AM
While waiting to cross a road many years ago, I saw a lady (the wife of a teacher) waving at me from across the road. I waved back before twigging that another of my teachers was standing behind me. Thereafter, the lady and I were forced to awkwardly acknowledge each other whenever we crossed paths.
Reposted by Mark Howson
You boy, what colour are you?
December 27, 2025 at 6:51 AM
You boy, what colour are you?
@leader-music.bsky.social Sorry, Richard, but have to dash - meeting Diane for a cheeky after-work nightcap. Many thanks for a great show. Merry Christmas, everyone!
December 22, 2025 at 9:45 PM
@leader-music.bsky.social Sorry, Richard, but have to dash - meeting Diane for a cheeky after-work nightcap. Many thanks for a great show. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Reposted by Mark Howson
A friend on Facebook has just reminded me of the time I did the maths and worked out that Santa's life is a living hell.
December 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A friend on Facebook has just reminded me of the time I did the maths and worked out that Santa's life is a living hell.
Who REALLY made the Braunston Goddess?
YouTube video by Pete Kelly
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Mark Howson
Here is Pete Hegseth, on several occasions in 2016, lauding the military "ethos" that means they will refuse to follow unlawful orders - which he reckons is treason, now that they are his orders - because "there have to be consequences for abject war crimes".
Deserves to go viral.
Deserves to go viral.
December 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Here is Pete Hegseth, on several occasions in 2016, lauding the military "ethos" that means they will refuse to follow unlawful orders - which he reckons is treason, now that they are his orders - because "there have to be consequences for abject war crimes".
Deserves to go viral.
Deserves to go viral.