Veronica
@zyxwv.bsky.social
Likes - walking, running (slowly), reading, travelling, London, Dual national EU and British.
"The way a state treats its aliens is the way it would treat its own subjects if it dared."
Neal Ascherson, January 1996, writing in the Independent.
"The way a state treats its aliens is the way it would treat its own subjects if it dared."
Neal Ascherson, January 1996, writing in the Independent.
Pinned
Veronica
@zyxwv.bsky.social
· Sep 21
"If you are confronted with two evils, the argument runs, it is your duty to opt for the lesser one, whereas it is irresponsible to refuse to choose altogether. Its weakness has always been that those who choose the lesser evil forget quickly that they chose evil.”
Hannah Arendt
Hannah Arendt
If I take your race away, & there you are, all strung out. All you got is your little self & what is that? What are you without racism? Are you any good? Still strong? Still smart? Do you still like yourself? If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem
November 30, 2025 at 7:56 PM
If I take your race away, & there you are, all strung out. All you got is your little self & what is that? What are you without racism? Are you any good? Still strong? Still smart? Do you still like yourself? If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem
@johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social - thought you might like to see this on sale in the shop in ex-Soviet Special Camp No.3, ex-Stasi prison Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen.
November 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
@johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social - thought you might like to see this on sale in the shop in ex-Soviet Special Camp No.3, ex-Stasi prison Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen.
Mahmood's punitive rationale reminds me of this:
"Only shadow can fight shadow," she says. "Only darkness can defeat the dark."
Ged's eyes cleared, and his mind. He looked down at Serret. "It is light that defeats the dark," he said stammering, "light."
#UrsulaLeGuin #WizardOfEarthsea
"Only shadow can fight shadow," she says. "Only darkness can defeat the dark."
Ged's eyes cleared, and his mind. He looked down at Serret. "It is light that defeats the dark," he said stammering, "light."
#UrsulaLeGuin #WizardOfEarthsea
November 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Mahmood's punitive rationale reminds me of this:
"Only shadow can fight shadow," she says. "Only darkness can defeat the dark."
Ged's eyes cleared, and his mind. He looked down at Serret. "It is light that defeats the dark," he said stammering, "light."
#UrsulaLeGuin #WizardOfEarthsea
"Only shadow can fight shadow," she says. "Only darkness can defeat the dark."
Ged's eyes cleared, and his mind. He looked down at Serret. "It is light that defeats the dark," he said stammering, "light."
#UrsulaLeGuin #WizardOfEarthsea
A big thank you to @waterstones.bsky.social for a magical evening celebrating @margaretatwood.bsky.social's 'Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts'. Doodles, photograph & panel discussion, finishing with readings from the memoir by Jessie Burton, Ruth Wilson & the incomparable Margaret Atwood herself.
November 12, 2025 at 10:55 PM
A big thank you to @waterstones.bsky.social for a magical evening celebrating @margaretatwood.bsky.social's 'Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts'. Doodles, photograph & panel discussion, finishing with readings from the memoir by Jessie Burton, Ruth Wilson & the incomparable Margaret Atwood herself.
Really enjoyed seeing Gareth Russell & Philippa Gregory talking about her new book 'The Boleyn Traitor'. Fascinating to hear how she fleshed out Jane Rochford from limited historical info, to give a much more nuanced person than the 'bad' woman of Victorian historians. Great wine, snacks & view too.
October 8, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Really enjoyed seeing Gareth Russell & Philippa Gregory talking about her new book 'The Boleyn Traitor'. Fascinating to hear how she fleshed out Jane Rochford from limited historical info, to give a much more nuanced person than the 'bad' woman of Victorian historians. Great wine, snacks & view too.
"If you are confronted with two evils, the argument runs, it is your duty to opt for the lesser one, whereas it is irresponsible to refuse to choose altogether. Its weakness has always been that those who choose the lesser evil forget quickly that they chose evil.”
Hannah Arendt
Hannah Arendt
September 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
"If you are confronted with two evils, the argument runs, it is your duty to opt for the lesser one, whereas it is irresponsible to refuse to choose altogether. Its weakness has always been that those who choose the lesser evil forget quickly that they chose evil.”
Hannah Arendt
Hannah Arendt
Back in the 1990s boyfriend (now husband) & I tried to visit Kenwood House. Nursing a recovering broken leg from earlier that year I limped from Gospel Oak, only to find the house closed due to a private event. I visited the house today, & saw Sargent American portraits. Very interesting & enjoyable
July 28, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Back in the 1990s boyfriend (now husband) & I tried to visit Kenwood House. Nursing a recovering broken leg from earlier that year I limped from Gospel Oak, only to find the house closed due to a private event. I visited the house today, & saw Sargent American portraits. Very interesting & enjoyable
Very much enjoyed my annual #SummerScience visit on Wednesday to @royalsociety.org . It's always interesting (and fun) to have enthusiastic scientists explain their cutting edge research and its potential applications.
July 4, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Very much enjoyed my annual #SummerScience visit on Wednesday to @royalsociety.org . It's always interesting (and fun) to have enthusiastic scientists explain their cutting edge research and its potential applications.
We made the most of a beautiful sunny Sunday by walking the England Coast Path from Cliffe to Grain.
May 11, 2025 at 11:06 PM
We made the most of a beautiful sunny Sunday by walking the England Coast Path from Cliffe to Grain.
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43290/...
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43290/...
The Second Coming
Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and eve...
www.poetryfoundation.org
April 29, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43290/...
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43290/...
I had a lovely sunny day in Rochester today . 3 museums (Guildhall, Huguenot & Eastgate House), 2 secondhand bookshops (Oxfam & Baggins), 1 beautiful cathedral and 1 very tall & most interesting castle.
And a lemon crunch ice cream.
Thank you to Southeastern trains for the megacheap rail tickets.
And a lemon crunch ice cream.
Thank you to Southeastern trains for the megacheap rail tickets.
April 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
I had a lovely sunny day in Rochester today . 3 museums (Guildhall, Huguenot & Eastgate House), 2 secondhand bookshops (Oxfam & Baggins), 1 beautiful cathedral and 1 very tall & most interesting castle.
And a lemon crunch ice cream.
Thank you to Southeastern trains for the megacheap rail tickets.
And a lemon crunch ice cream.
Thank you to Southeastern trains for the megacheap rail tickets.
Interesting and informative panel debate @mileendinstitute.bsky.social as to which voting system might replace ‘First Past the Post’.
Such a good idea to focus on the different systems: Single Transferable Vote, two-stage French electoral, Additional Member, & open list, and their pros & cons.
Such a good idea to focus on the different systems: Single Transferable Vote, two-stage French electoral, Additional Member, & open list, and their pros & cons.
April 1, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Interesting and informative panel debate @mileendinstitute.bsky.social as to which voting system might replace ‘First Past the Post’.
Such a good idea to focus on the different systems: Single Transferable Vote, two-stage French electoral, Additional Member, & open list, and their pros & cons.
Such a good idea to focus on the different systems: Single Transferable Vote, two-stage French electoral, Additional Member, & open list, and their pros & cons.
I wish events @waterstones.bsky.social lasted longer. I'd very happily have enjoyed hours more yesterday (at the Piccadilly shop) of @harkaway.bsky.social talking to the wonderful @philippesands.bsky.social about Pinochet, Nazis, international law etc. I still want the other 19 questions & answers.
April 1, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I wish events @waterstones.bsky.social lasted longer. I'd very happily have enjoyed hours more yesterday (at the Piccadilly shop) of @harkaway.bsky.social talking to the wonderful @philippesands.bsky.social about Pinochet, Nazis, international law etc. I still want the other 19 questions & answers.
Very much enjoyed panel discussions on 'History in fiction', and 'History in politics' @mileendinstitute.bsky.social this afternoon.
March 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Very much enjoyed panel discussions on 'History in fiction', and 'History in politics' @mileendinstitute.bsky.social this afternoon.
Very interesting evening @mileendinstitute.bsky.social hearing about the implications of the recent Gernan elections.
March 20, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Very interesting evening @mileendinstitute.bsky.social hearing about the implications of the recent Gernan elections.
Had a lovely few days in Portsmouth, visiting Portchester Castle & Portsmouth Museum, and the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior & HMS M.33 plus associated museums at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Yesterday was a nicely sunny (though cold) day for a Harbour Tour & the Spinnaker.
I ❤️Portsmouth
I ❤️Portsmouth
March 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Had a lovely few days in Portsmouth, visiting Portchester Castle & Portsmouth Museum, and the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior & HMS M.33 plus associated museums at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Yesterday was a nicely sunny (though cold) day for a Harbour Tour & the Spinnaker.
I ❤️Portsmouth
I ❤️Portsmouth
Truth be told, Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath are not my favourite poets. But hearing their poems read tonight at the Josephine Hart Poety Hour by Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Monica Dolan & Pippa Bennett-Warner was magical.
March 6, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Truth be told, Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath are not my favourite poets. But hearing their poems read tonight at the Josephine Hart Poety Hour by Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Monica Dolan & Pippa Bennett-Warner was magical.
I really enjoyed yesterday evening at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social 's 10th birthday party. Here's to many more years.
March 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I really enjoyed yesterday evening at the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social 's 10th birthday party. Here's to many more years.
I very much enjoyed listening to @sayeedawarsi.bsky.social yesterday evening @mileendinstitute.bsky.social. One of the best events I have been to there. Excellent, thought-provoking content and delivery.
I was looking forward to hearing her, because I think she's impressive. I wasn't disappointed.
I was looking forward to hearing her, because I think she's impressive. I wasn't disappointed.
February 5, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I very much enjoyed listening to @sayeedawarsi.bsky.social yesterday evening @mileendinstitute.bsky.social. One of the best events I have been to there. Excellent, thought-provoking content and delivery.
I was looking forward to hearing her, because I think she's impressive. I wasn't disappointed.
I was looking forward to hearing her, because I think she's impressive. I wasn't disappointed.
Even more apposite 41 years on:
'And the Heavyweight Champion fights in the
International Propaganda Star Wars
There's already one spaceman in the White
House what do you want another one for?'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xwg...
'And the Heavyweight Champion fights in the
International Propaganda Star Wars
There's already one spaceman in the White
House what do you want another one for?'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xwg...
Peace In Our Time
YouTube video by Elvis Costello - Topic
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Even more apposite 41 years on:
'And the Heavyweight Champion fights in the
International Propaganda Star Wars
There's already one spaceman in the White
House what do you want another one for?'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xwg...
'And the Heavyweight Champion fights in the
International Propaganda Star Wars
There's already one spaceman in the White
House what do you want another one for?'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xwg...
Dr Strangelove is son's favourite film so we decided to see the play. Was wonderful. I thought better than the film. Perfomance, cast & staging were great & Steve Coogan was brilliant. Thank you @aiannucci.bsky.social & everyone.
Nice Trump reference, & Ripper is SO RFK Jr nutjob re fluoridation.
Nice Trump reference, & Ripper is SO RFK Jr nutjob re fluoridation.
January 16, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Dr Strangelove is son's favourite film so we decided to see the play. Was wonderful. I thought better than the film. Perfomance, cast & staging were great & Steve Coogan was brilliant. Thank you @aiannucci.bsky.social & everyone.
Nice Trump reference, & Ripper is SO RFK Jr nutjob re fluoridation.
Nice Trump reference, & Ripper is SO RFK Jr nutjob re fluoridation.
Hello bluesky, I'm hoping you can help me.
For Christmas, brother wants Liz Truss's book '49 days to ruin the UK' (I may have got the title slightly wrong) BUT only if I buy it from a charity shop.
Anyone seen it in a charity shop anywhere in London?
For Christmas, brother wants Liz Truss's book '49 days to ruin the UK' (I may have got the title slightly wrong) BUT only if I buy it from a charity shop.
Anyone seen it in a charity shop anywhere in London?
December 7, 2024 at 6:39 PM
Hello bluesky, I'm hoping you can help me.
For Christmas, brother wants Liz Truss's book '49 days to ruin the UK' (I may have got the title slightly wrong) BUT only if I buy it from a charity shop.
Anyone seen it in a charity shop anywhere in London?
For Christmas, brother wants Liz Truss's book '49 days to ruin the UK' (I may have got the title slightly wrong) BUT only if I buy it from a charity shop.
Anyone seen it in a charity shop anywhere in London?
Enjoyed a very entertaining evening at the Wanstead Taplistening to @mrjohncrace.bsky.social (spokesman for Herbert Hound) and @jessicaelgot.bsky.social
November 27, 2024 at 10:21 PM
Enjoyed a very entertaining evening at the Wanstead Taplistening to @mrjohncrace.bsky.social (spokesman for Herbert Hound) and @jessicaelgot.bsky.social