Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 1d

The last time I voted in this poll, I decided to gather some ideas together to help me allocate my points. My shortlist ended up with over a hundred songs on it and didn't help at all. On the plus side, I now have this playlist as a result... open.spotify.com/playlist/0uM...

#Eurovision

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 2d

As previously noted, I'm only truly happy when I've got a holiday to plan. Having said that, reserving a hotel room in Valletta for dates that are still 13 months away is probably taking the piss a bit. What can I say, it was a moment of weakness.

#Travel

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Royal & Derngate, Northampton @royalderngate.bsky.social · 6d

GENFEST 2025: Student Takeover

Four new 30-minute plays from the final year students on the University of Northampton’s BA Acting Programme.

Mon 17 November 7pm | Royal
https://royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/genfest-2025-student-takeover/

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 18d

I've been catsitting for my parents all week and it's been a real treat to spend time with this beautiful boy (even when he wakes me up during the night because he wants a cuddle).

I tried to get a nice picture of Monty but, instead, he decided to give my phone a close inspection...

#Caturday

A close-up image of a black cat's face. He is looking directly into the camera.

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 22d

Ooh, there's an Osaka ODS in the off-season. We'll see how much I remember. 😅

Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 22d

I am, however, still miffed at not being given credit for "Elergy" a week ago.

Ah well, hopefully, I'll be back to competitive ways in C Oasis next season.

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 22d

Well, that season went badly for me. It was unfortunate that I got such a poor TCA score in one of my rare trips to B rundle and in a season where more than 2/3 of players in my rundle scored a QvH over 100. I only picked up 6 wins all season (and two of those were forfeits).

#LearnedLeague #LL106

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 26d

There's an absolutely gorgeous projection show, commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire Of Northampton, going on at All Saints' Church right now.

#Northampton

The front of a church, with images (including flames) projected onto it.

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · 27d

I'd like to think someone at Radio 3 had been reading this thread. Linton Stephens just recounted on air the story of how much Shostakovich wished he'd written Jesus Christ Superstar.

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Ben Miller @benwritesthings.bsky.social · 29d

VINCERÓ!!!!….. VINCERÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓ

ShawnAAAH! @mitsubishe.bsky.social · 29d

*deep breath*

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

A llama or similar large brown fuzzy animal stands in a meadow in front of what looks like old ruins or a historic site. The llamas head is thrown back and its entire mouth open in what looks like a scream but might have been a yawn. I downloaded this picture a long time ago and no idea the context or where it came from.

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Sep 13

My recent silly eBay purchase has arrived. I like seeing this little glimpse into the recent past of my town, particularly because this view is no longer available. There's now a lift shaft where the poster board is stood and the upper floor was extended out from behind the photo was taken.

A postcard showing the interior of the Grosvenor Centre in Northampton in the late 70s or early 80s.

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Sep 7

Thanks to enshittification, FB is now awful for sharing albums (despite being set to public, you can only see part of the album without a login). Google still does the job (for now)...

photos.app.goo.gl/orqaT6pR4eMj...

#TravelSky #Travel #Japan #WorldsFair #WorldExpo #Expo2025 #Osaka #Kyoto #Nara

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Sep 13

If anyone's in Osaka for the last month of #Expo2025, I'd hugely recommend a trip to the Expo 70 Commemorative Park to see the Tower of the Sun and the exhibition at the old Steel Pavilion.

Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) @bie-paris.org · Sep 13

#Expo1970 Osaka closed 55 years ago today.

The first World Expo held in Asia left a lasting impression on Japan and the world, with its vibrant legacy still pulsating through Osaka as it hosts #Expo2025 this year

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · Sep 11

Breaking: Irish broadcaster RTE says that Ireland will not participate in Eurovision next year if Israel does.

"RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza."

about.rte.ie/2025/09/11/r...

RTÉ Statement: 2026 Eurovision Song Contest – About RTÉ

RTÉ Statement: 2026 Eurovision Song Contest “At the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns about the participation of Israel in the ...

about.rte.ie

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Sep 11

I did a full-on double-take when I saw that answer. 😂

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Sep 7

Thanks to enshittification, FB is now awful for sharing albums (despite being set to public, you can only see part of the album without a login). Google still does the job (for now)...

photos.app.goo.gl/orqaT6pR4eMj...

#TravelSky #Travel #Japan #WorldsFair #WorldExpo #Expo2025 #Osaka #Kyoto #Nara

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Sep 6

I finally got round to sorting through all the pictures I took on my Japan trip in April. Yeah, there's a lot...

www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...

www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...

#Travelsky #JapanTravel #Japan

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Sep 5

I've just ordered orange chicken for dinner because I'm nothing if not easily influenced.

#LearnedLeague

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Coates is Odd This Day @oddthisday.bsky.social · Aug 26

At about 4.10pm on this day 54 years ago, something weird started happening on Scottish Television. There was no announcement, and no credit was given to the person who had created them, but strange short films suddenly started popping up in the schedules youtu.be/AA9IdHtHk_0?...

A TV screen showing a tap gushing water in such a way that it appears to be filling up the TV set

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Simon Brackenborough @sbrackenborough.bsky.social · Aug 20

A good read here, with Denmark offering an example that the BBC could follow when it comes to broadcasting music

Graham Rickson 🇮🇪 @grahamrickson.bsky.social · Aug 20

www.theguardian.com/music/2025/a...

Why doesn’t the BBC blaze the glories of its orchestras year round, not just at the Proms?

The orchestras and choirs of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation are at the centre of Denmark’s cultural life. As its Symphony Orchestra comes to the Proms, what the BBC can learn from its European co...

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

Kathy O'Donnell @kathyodonnell.bsky.social · Aug 19

www.reddit.com/r/transgende...

Guess what?
The story about the trans M&S employee and the bra fitting is a pack of lies and distortions.
Want to know what really happened and how colleagues stood up for her?
Read her own account here.

From the transgenderUK community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the transgenderUK community

www.reddit.com

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Reposted by Valerian Forrest

LearnedLeague @learnedleague.com · Aug 18

Happy LL106 Opening Day, LLamas! Also less happily, to those who observe, condolences on "Oh Man I Thought I Was Registered" Day.

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Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Aug 16

Ugh, so many of my online accounts have been compromised recently. Someone's just got into my Netflix and changed the email address (I managed to get back in using my mobile number).

I've also had to change passwords for Facebook, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Crunchyroll in the last couple of weeks.

Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Aug 12

#OnTheDial today... I'm going to start sharing radio stations that have a regular place in my listening diet. Starting with El Zol 106.7. Whenever we get a heatwave, I find myself in the mood for this Spanish Tropical station from Miami. You can practically feel the steam coming off this station.