Rain? No? Tough.
February 3, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Rain? No? Tough.
A second hand one is as good as you're going to get, I am guessing.
February 3, 2026 at 3:09 PM
A second hand one is as good as you're going to get, I am guessing.
I am always reminded that the Nazis sent someone over to the US to review the discriminatory practices in the south to see what was going to be acceptable, and the researcher returned suggesting it would be difficult to emulate all of the established practices without extreme backlash.
February 3, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I am always reminded that the Nazis sent someone over to the US to review the discriminatory practices in the south to see what was going to be acceptable, and the researcher returned suggesting it would be difficult to emulate all of the established practices without extreme backlash.
The Odyssey is next - I'll listen to it then read the modern translation by Emily Wilson. Or maybe the other way around ;)
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
The Odyssey is next - I'll listen to it then read the modern translation by Emily Wilson. Or maybe the other way around ;)
A while ago I read the book about Achilles and Patroclus by Madeline Millar which again, was natural and believable. I just finished listening to the Argonautica. What a fascinating piece of work from about 17 angles - modernity nibbling at the heels of it, pushing it's way in.
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
A while ago I read the book about Achilles and Patroclus by Madeline Millar which again, was natural and believable. I just finished listening to the Argonautica. What a fascinating piece of work from about 17 angles - modernity nibbling at the heels of it, pushing it's way in.
The Natalie Haynes ones are written to be read easily. I really enjoyed Stone Blind, about Medusa, but "The Children Of Jocasta" is not only clever but also incredibly empathetic and feels 'right'. Pat Barker wrote some great ones about Troy, primarily from the POV of Breseis, a brilliant ploy.
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
The Natalie Haynes ones are written to be read easily. I really enjoyed Stone Blind, about Medusa, but "The Children Of Jocasta" is not only clever but also incredibly empathetic and feels 'right'. Pat Barker wrote some great ones about Troy, primarily from the POV of Breseis, a brilliant ploy.
The answer to most things is either "Yes" or "Because she is 'Helen'".
February 3, 2026 at 2:25 PM
The answer to most things is either "Yes" or "Because she is 'Helen'".
He's a horrible little bastard, if you check his track record
February 3, 2026 at 12:32 PM
He's a horrible little bastard, if you check his track record
I was just thinking that the 'Rise of the Greens' might force Labour to accept it's better to have some seats than none and start sorting out PR. In a sensible world that would be the conclusion of the Greens slashing their potential vote permanently.
(Since when have politicians been sensible?)
(Since when have politicians been sensible?)
February 3, 2026 at 12:16 PM
I was just thinking that the 'Rise of the Greens' might force Labour to accept it's better to have some seats than none and start sorting out PR. In a sensible world that would be the conclusion of the Greens slashing their potential vote permanently.
(Since when have politicians been sensible?)
(Since when have politicians been sensible?)
Perhaps it is slightly possible that the fear of losing *all* their power & influence might lead them to grudgingly accept PR (and do something about it) before it's too late for them.
But I never underestimate individual MP's and their defensive egos.
But I never underestimate individual MP's and their defensive egos.
February 3, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Perhaps it is slightly possible that the fear of losing *all* their power & influence might lead them to grudgingly accept PR (and do something about it) before it's too late for them.
But I never underestimate individual MP's and their defensive egos.
But I never underestimate individual MP's and their defensive egos.
We need those everywhere.
February 3, 2026 at 12:06 PM
We need those everywhere.
Yes, this is beyond Googling. It's more "why are they all still mysteriously there" (if they 'all' are). Perhaps someone is frantically trying to get together a rescue package or something.
February 3, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Yes, this is beyond Googling. It's more "why are they all still mysteriously there" (if they 'all' are). Perhaps someone is frantically trying to get together a rescue package or something.
Ah, she was doing podcast episodes on Helen last week, I thought it was too great a coincidence.
You did classics! I'm not sure I can say "I wish I had" exactly, but I'm very much enjoying digging around in there.
You did classics! I'm not sure I can say "I wish I had" exactly, but I'm very much enjoying digging around in there.
February 3, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Ah, she was doing podcast episodes on Helen last week, I thought it was too great a coincidence.
You did classics! I'm not sure I can say "I wish I had" exactly, but I'm very much enjoying digging around in there.
You did classics! I'm not sure I can say "I wish I had" exactly, but I'm very much enjoying digging around in there.
It's the same egocentric ideologuery as those 'officially' on the right, but given that the person has come from the left and is designated as an intellectual, many (who self-define as intellectual) are duped in to assuming they're right. See also: Richard Dawkins.
February 3, 2026 at 3:49 AM
It's the same egocentric ideologuery as those 'officially' on the right, but given that the person has come from the left and is designated as an intellectual, many (who self-define as intellectual) are duped in to assuming they're right. See also: Richard Dawkins.
It was a massive global pandemic that killed millions, ffs. It's still killing people. Why ignore the coughing and wheezing elephant in the room?
February 3, 2026 at 12:19 AM
It was a massive global pandemic that killed millions, ffs. It's still killing people. Why ignore the coughing and wheezing elephant in the room?
This article ignores Covid as a reason why instances of pneumonia have gone up so drastically, until it casually mentions someone with other lung issues "in combination with damage done by covid" half way down.
My lungs are far more fucked up after covid.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
My lungs are far more fucked up after covid.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Emergency pneumonia cases surge to half a million a year in England
There were 579,475 instances of emergency hospitalisation being needed in the year to March 2025, analysis finds
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:19 AM
This article ignores Covid as a reason why instances of pneumonia have gone up so drastically, until it casually mentions someone with other lung issues "in combination with damage done by covid" half way down.
My lungs are far more fucked up after covid.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
My lungs are far more fucked up after covid.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
I have seen Zipcars in London. I think it was a parked one last time. Does anyone have any Intel on what's happening? Officially the site is still saying they're kaput.
February 2, 2026 at 11:42 PM
I have seen Zipcars in London. I think it was a parked one last time. Does anyone have any Intel on what's happening? Officially the site is still saying they're kaput.
@actualbenfolds.bsky.social Just saw the news. Ayeesh, my Gods.
Not only is he a racist, conman, fraud and thief, but he's also a dumb fucker with absolutely no understanding of what art is for, what art *is*, even.
I truly hope that you all get through this living nightmare.
Not only is he a racist, conman, fraud and thief, but he's also a dumb fucker with absolutely no understanding of what art is for, what art *is*, even.
I truly hope that you all get through this living nightmare.
February 2, 2026 at 11:31 PM
@actualbenfolds.bsky.social Just saw the news. Ayeesh, my Gods.
Not only is he a racist, conman, fraud and thief, but he's also a dumb fucker with absolutely no understanding of what art is for, what art *is*, even.
I truly hope that you all get through this living nightmare.
Not only is he a racist, conman, fraud and thief, but he's also a dumb fucker with absolutely no understanding of what art is for, what art *is*, even.
I truly hope that you all get through this living nightmare.
Very good point indeed.
He's such a dumb fuck, also.
It's so crass and horrible.
He's such a dumb fuck, also.
It's so crass and horrible.
February 2, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Very good point indeed.
He's such a dumb fuck, also.
It's so crass and horrible.
He's such a dumb fuck, also.
It's so crass and horrible.
Someone in the comments was saying, his staffers keep giving him real estate 'mogul' distractions. Sounds about right.
February 2, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Someone in the comments was saying, his staffers keep giving him real estate 'mogul' distractions. Sounds about right.
That sounds bang on. Distract *him* from the horrors that Miller et al are inflicting on the people.
Oh look sir, over there, a big building that needs to be made more beautiful with white marble and gold paint! Your expertise and brilliance is required to make it work.
Oh look sir, over there, a big building that needs to be made more beautiful with white marble and gold paint! Your expertise and brilliance is required to make it work.
February 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM
That sounds bang on. Distract *him* from the horrors that Miller et al are inflicting on the people.
Oh look sir, over there, a big building that needs to be made more beautiful with white marble and gold paint! Your expertise and brilliance is required to make it work.
Oh look sir, over there, a big building that needs to be made more beautiful with white marble and gold paint! Your expertise and brilliance is required to make it work.
Richard fucking Dawkins.
If only he were able to feel shame. Such a bloody disappointment as a human being.
If only he were able to feel shame. Such a bloody disappointment as a human being.
February 2, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Richard fucking Dawkins.
If only he were able to feel shame. Such a bloody disappointment as a human being.
If only he were able to feel shame. Such a bloody disappointment as a human being.
I just realised - that was basically until council housing in the UK became 'a thing'. Everyone got used to that being true, then Thatcher's "Right to buy" happened and suddenly no more council housing & the economy forcing working class people back in to poverty - kids living at home again.
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I just realised - that was basically until council housing in the UK became 'a thing'. Everyone got used to that being true, then Thatcher's "Right to buy" happened and suddenly no more council housing & the economy forcing working class people back in to poverty - kids living at home again.
They missed out the stuff about chemical balance settling down around the age of 26/27, which was a strange omission.
Also, working class kids had always lived with their parents until marriage, then usually moved in to the lad's family house until they could afford a place...
Also, working class kids had always lived with their parents until marriage, then usually moved in to the lad's family house until they could afford a place...
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
They missed out the stuff about chemical balance settling down around the age of 26/27, which was a strange omission.
Also, working class kids had always lived with their parents until marriage, then usually moved in to the lad's family house until they could afford a place...
Also, working class kids had always lived with their parents until marriage, then usually moved in to the lad's family house until they could afford a place...