Susan E Barsby
@susanebarsby.bsky.social
Writer, reader, runner, mum, knitter. I like coffee, cake and conkers. I miss the sea.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
We can either live in a world made by 14-year-old boys who never grew up, for 14-year-old boys who never grew up, or maybe OFCOM could finally act like an actual regulator?
Two UK Cabinet ministers ‘stripped to a bikini’ by Grok AI
metro.co.uk/2026/01/06/t...
metro.co.uk/2026/01/06/t...
Two Cabinet ministers 'stripped to a bikini' by Grok AI
metro.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 3:27 PM
We can either live in a world made by 14-year-old boys who never grew up, for 14-year-old boys who never grew up, or maybe OFCOM could finally act like an actual regulator?
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Highly pertinent thread
Let's talk about generative AI, contaminated information, and rhubarb.
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/
January 6, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Highly pertinent thread
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
So nice to be home. Fuss free showers, faffless meals and being able to watch TV without asking permission. And comfortable chairs, and coffee and tea that doesn't taste of the kettle needing descaling.
January 2, 2026 at 11:44 AM
So nice to be home. Fuss free showers, faffless meals and being able to watch TV without asking permission. And comfortable chairs, and coffee and tea that doesn't taste of the kettle needing descaling.
We are home after paying dutiful parental visits since Boxing Day and now have to cram in all the top quality lounging and between times activities into 3 days. Tonight, jigsaws and TV quiz catch up.
January 1, 2026 at 6:16 PM
We are home after paying dutiful parental visits since Boxing Day and now have to cram in all the top quality lounging and between times activities into 3 days. Tonight, jigsaws and TV quiz catch up.
Everyone else has gone to bed so I've stayed to finish this and eat chocolates alone. It's a rather blissful end to the year.
December 31, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Everyone else has gone to bed so I've stayed to finish this and eat chocolates alone. It's a rather blissful end to the year.
My in-laws neighbours have just bought some of these round. So kind. I liked them. MIL said they looked like dog pooh. It's one of those evenings here.
I admire the Dutch for many reasons, one of which is that they celebrate the New Year with doughnuts. I’ve taken a leaf out of their book, and so Oliebollen, the doughnuts in question, are #RecipeOfTheDay.
And Happy New Year! www.nigella.com/recipes/new-...
And Happy New Year! www.nigella.com/recipes/new-...
New Year Doughnuts - Oliebollen
You can’t set foot in the Netherlands in the festive period without encountering these Dutch doughnuts, even though it’s on New Year’s Eve that they are most traditionally eaten; indeed, it’s said tha...
www.nigella.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:56 PM
My in-laws neighbours have just bought some of these round. So kind. I liked them. MIL said they looked like dog pooh. It's one of those evenings here.
45 seconds of one of my favourite places. Spot the seal. Happy New Year.
December 31, 2025 at 3:08 PM
45 seconds of one of my favourite places. Spot the seal. Happy New Year.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Sign up for my content on wild new site OnlyFens to see me get:
- hunted down over hectares of marsh by a flapping cerement
- sucked into a graveyard wall by MILFs (Mould-Infested Lychgate Figures)
- led into a quagmire by a Lantern Man I've raised with my SLUTTY WHISTLING
- Black Shucked
etc.
- hunted down over hectares of marsh by a flapping cerement
- sucked into a graveyard wall by MILFs (Mould-Infested Lychgate Figures)
- led into a quagmire by a Lantern Man I've raised with my SLUTTY WHISTLING
- Black Shucked
etc.
December 28, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Sign up for my content on wild new site OnlyFens to see me get:
- hunted down over hectares of marsh by a flapping cerement
- sucked into a graveyard wall by MILFs (Mould-Infested Lychgate Figures)
- led into a quagmire by a Lantern Man I've raised with my SLUTTY WHISTLING
- Black Shucked
etc.
- hunted down over hectares of marsh by a flapping cerement
- sucked into a graveyard wall by MILFs (Mould-Infested Lychgate Figures)
- led into a quagmire by a Lantern Man I've raised with my SLUTTY WHISTLING
- Black Shucked
etc.
Ah, marvellous stuff in this thread.
Well, what else could we mark on 29 December but the 97th anniversary of the birth of that gift to the world, Bernard Cribbins? (small🧵)
December 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Ah, marvellous stuff in this thread.
Wrote an end of year review. Because it was my big birthday year and frankly I had a splendid time.
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
2025 year in review
Yes, it's one of those posts
open.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Wrote an end of year review. Because it was my big birthday year and frankly I had a splendid time.
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
Is there anything more like my mother than her buying me a gift you're supposed to craft & make, forgetting she bought it & giving it to me unmade so I can do it?
A woman who once knitted me most of a jumper but didn't like the yoke pattern so handed it over in pieces, wool still on the needles.
A woman who once knitted me most of a jumper but didn't like the yoke pattern so handed it over in pieces, wool still on the needles.
December 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Is there anything more like my mother than her buying me a gift you're supposed to craft & make, forgetting she bought it & giving it to me unmade so I can do it?
A woman who once knitted me most of a jumper but didn't like the yoke pattern so handed it over in pieces, wool still on the needles.
A woman who once knitted me most of a jumper but didn't like the yoke pattern so handed it over in pieces, wool still on the needles.
Oh do fuck off
The perfect morning routine: how to build a happy, healthy start to the day – from showers to sunshine
The perfect morning routine: how to build a happy, healthy start to the day – from showers to sunshine
You don’t have to wake at 5am or commit to hardcore exercise. But by working out a handful of habits that suit you, and introducing them slowly, you can change your life
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Oh do fuck off
We only visit my mum by car once a year (train at other times) and every year I'm surprised at 2 things: the proliferation of warehouses by the side of the M1, and how shocking the surface of the M25 is.
December 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
We only visit my mum by car once a year (train at other times) and every year I'm surprised at 2 things: the proliferation of warehouses by the side of the M1, and how shocking the surface of the M25 is.
Ah Christmas, the time of substitute milkmen who don't know how to get to your garden so dump your delivery in the alley round the corner... well done lads.
a young boy with brown hair is wearing a yellow shirt and smiling .
Alt: a young boy with brown hair is wearing a yellow shirt and not looking at all impressed.
media.tenor.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Ah Christmas, the time of substitute milkmen who don't know how to get to your garden so dump your delivery in the alley round the corner... well done lads.
December 22, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Well, they're wrong, it was the best. Watch it now.
Guardian says DYING FOR SEX is the 2nd best show of 2025 www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
The 50 best TV shows of 2025: No 2 – Dying for Sex
Michelle Williams put in a stunning performance in this tale of a dying woman’s quest to have an orgasm. It’s not just clever, tender and blackly comic – it’s a beautiful meditation on what it means t...
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Well, they're wrong, it was the best. Watch it now.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
TIME SPENT WITH A CAPYBARA WEARING A CHRISTMAS HAT AND SITTING ON A STUFFED REINDEER IS NEVER WASTED
December 21, 2025 at 9:48 AM
TIME SPENT WITH A CAPYBARA WEARING A CHRISTMAS HAT AND SITTING ON A STUFFED REINDEER IS NEVER WASTED
Shortest day. I have eaten cheese and am now watching my fave movie ever. Happy Solstice everyone!
December 21, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Shortest day. I have eaten cheese and am now watching my fave movie ever. Happy Solstice everyone!
Didn't imagine, when I joined a choir for fun in May, I'd end the year performing here. So lovely. What a privilege.
December 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Didn't imagine, when I joined a choir for fun in May, I'd end the year performing here. So lovely. What a privilege.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
In honour of Rob Reiner, have David Moore's thread on the best sword fight in movie history and exactly how nerdy it is.
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
a man reading a book to a young boy
Alt: a man reading a book to a young boy
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In honour of Rob Reiner, have David Moore's thread on the best sword fight in movie history and exactly how nerdy it is.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Where do you even begin?
When Harry Met Sally
A Few Good Men
This is Spinal Tap
Stand By Me
The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner made some of my favourite movies. By all accounts he was also one of the most descent of people, a very vocal critic of Thump, he showed us the best of what makes us human.
When Harry Met Sally
A Few Good Men
This is Spinal Tap
Stand By Me
The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner made some of my favourite movies. By all accounts he was also one of the most descent of people, a very vocal critic of Thump, he showed us the best of what makes us human.
Oh My God! What shocking, devastating news to wake up to. Unbelievable. Firstly, my deepest condolences to Rob and Michelle Reiner’s family, friends and colleagues. Secondly, the calibre of films Rob Reiner made throughout his career would be any director’s dream run. What a terrible loss.
December 15, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Where do you even begin?
When Harry Met Sally
A Few Good Men
This is Spinal Tap
Stand By Me
The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner made some of my favourite movies. By all accounts he was also one of the most descent of people, a very vocal critic of Thump, he showed us the best of what makes us human.
When Harry Met Sally
A Few Good Men
This is Spinal Tap
Stand By Me
The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner made some of my favourite movies. By all accounts he was also one of the most descent of people, a very vocal critic of Thump, he showed us the best of what makes us human.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
For the record, Robin Ince is a superb comedian, an absolute mensch, a remarkable thinker and the kindest human you’ll ever meet. And the BBC is a genuinely great and globally unique institution that needs to stop being afraid. I think that’s where most of its faults and issues stem from.
December 13, 2025 at 11:21 AM
For the record, Robin Ince is a superb comedian, an absolute mensch, a remarkable thinker and the kindest human you’ll ever meet. And the BBC is a genuinely great and globally unique institution that needs to stop being afraid. I think that’s where most of its faults and issues stem from.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
It only took ten years for a dedicated bunch of well-connected weirdoes to get the entire UK elite to unite against a tiny minority of the population that they previously barely noticed.
The few to resist, like Robin Ince, deserve our lasting gratitude and respect.
The few to resist, like Robin Ince, deserve our lasting gratitude and respect.
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 11:45 AM
It only took ten years for a dedicated bunch of well-connected weirdoes to get the entire UK elite to unite against a tiny minority of the population that they previously barely noticed.
The few to resist, like Robin Ince, deserve our lasting gratitude and respect.
The few to resist, like Robin Ince, deserve our lasting gratitude and respect.