Christian Balanes
@ceebarnacles.bsky.social
By the sea or by the books.
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
🖤🌊
🖤🌊
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
🖤🌊
🖤🌊
The National Library of Scotland catalogue is quite the education: who knew there is a semantic link between scholastic philosopher Walter Burley, born circa 1275, and the American rapper, ‘Vita’ born 1981?!
January 10, 2026 at 9:51 AM
The National Library of Scotland catalogue is quite the education: who knew there is a semantic link between scholastic philosopher Walter Burley, born circa 1275, and the American rapper, ‘Vita’ born 1981?!
New Year’s Resolution. Aim true.
#againstallwars #againstallgovernments #againstalloppression #aimtrue
(Photograph of a poster pasted on a wall somewhere in Australia - is all I know)
#againstallwars #againstallgovernments #againstalloppression #aimtrue
(Photograph of a poster pasted on a wall somewhere in Australia - is all I know)
January 4, 2026 at 5:43 PM
New Year’s Resolution. Aim true.
#againstallwars #againstallgovernments #againstalloppression #aimtrue
(Photograph of a poster pasted on a wall somewhere in Australia - is all I know)
#againstallwars #againstallgovernments #againstalloppression #aimtrue
(Photograph of a poster pasted on a wall somewhere in Australia - is all I know)
The Tyranny of the clock!
December 31, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The Tyranny of the clock!
Hilary Beckles has written convincingly about reparations in ‘Britain’s Black Debt’.
Along with ‘The Big Payback’ by Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder, these explorations, explanations, these *exhortations*, are essential for anyone seeking an understanding of Britain and its global footprint.
Along with ‘The Big Payback’ by Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder, these explorations, explanations, these *exhortations*, are essential for anyone seeking an understanding of Britain and its global footprint.
December 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Hilary Beckles has written convincingly about reparations in ‘Britain’s Black Debt’.
Along with ‘The Big Payback’ by Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder, these explorations, explanations, these *exhortations*, are essential for anyone seeking an understanding of Britain and its global footprint.
Along with ‘The Big Payback’ by Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder, these explorations, explanations, these *exhortations*, are essential for anyone seeking an understanding of Britain and its global footprint.
Back in my home port, fleetingly, so to speak. Nowhere else in the world makes me feel time, place, emotion, *so* keenly. I am very lucky to have such a solid touchstone in my life. It looks out to sea and like the world itself, I strongly believe it belongs to all of us.
#belonging #sharetheworld
#belonging #sharetheworld
December 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Back in my home port, fleetingly, so to speak. Nowhere else in the world makes me feel time, place, emotion, *so* keenly. I am very lucky to have such a solid touchstone in my life. It looks out to sea and like the world itself, I strongly believe it belongs to all of us.
#belonging #sharetheworld
#belonging #sharetheworld
This is fucking mental.
This is Thatcher anti-Irish level - FROM THE BRITISH ‘LABOUR’ PARTY - and is getting paltry media coverage.
Conscientious, peaceable people will die. And the U.K. State thinks it can condemn them with impunity. This is a hill we will fight on. Labour Party is a huge enemy.
This is Thatcher anti-Irish level - FROM THE BRITISH ‘LABOUR’ PARTY - and is getting paltry media coverage.
Conscientious, peaceable people will die. And the U.K. State thinks it can condemn them with impunity. This is a hill we will fight on. Labour Party is a huge enemy.
December 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM
This is fucking mental.
This is Thatcher anti-Irish level - FROM THE BRITISH ‘LABOUR’ PARTY - and is getting paltry media coverage.
Conscientious, peaceable people will die. And the U.K. State thinks it can condemn them with impunity. This is a hill we will fight on. Labour Party is a huge enemy.
This is Thatcher anti-Irish level - FROM THE BRITISH ‘LABOUR’ PARTY - and is getting paltry media coverage.
Conscientious, peaceable people will die. And the U.K. State thinks it can condemn them with impunity. This is a hill we will fight on. Labour Party is a huge enemy.
I fucking hate this ‘fruit machine’ approach to bills - this is suppose to be an ethical, green, energy supplier - and it’s like ‘Play Your Cards Right’.
Twats.
Twats.
December 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I fucking hate this ‘fruit machine’ approach to bills - this is suppose to be an ethical, green, energy supplier - and it’s like ‘Play Your Cards Right’.
Twats.
Twats.
Fran Heathcote walks the walk. A good Union leader. 🙏👊🖤
A third week of strikes at the British Library and the public awareness and scrutiny of the place is hugely welcome for dedicated workers who care deeply about what a (inter)national library *should* and *could* be.
@pcsunion.bsky.social
A third week of strikes at the British Library and the public awareness and scrutiny of the place is hugely welcome for dedicated workers who care deeply about what a (inter)national library *should* and *could* be.
@pcsunion.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Fran Heathcote walks the walk. A good Union leader. 🙏👊🖤
A third week of strikes at the British Library and the public awareness and scrutiny of the place is hugely welcome for dedicated workers who care deeply about what a (inter)national library *should* and *could* be.
@pcsunion.bsky.social
A third week of strikes at the British Library and the public awareness and scrutiny of the place is hugely welcome for dedicated workers who care deeply about what a (inter)national library *should* and *could* be.
@pcsunion.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Today, I did an interview on the picket line with a reporter from the the ‘Evening Standard’. I prefaced it with the fact that I left the ES (I worked in the cuttings archive and did research for the journos) 20 years ago to join the British Library: I *still* earn *much* less now than I did then.
December 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Today, I did an interview on the picket line with a reporter from the the ‘Evening Standard’. I prefaced it with the fact that I left the ES (I worked in the cuttings archive and did research for the journos) 20 years ago to join the British Library: I *still* earn *much* less now than I did then.
Reading Rooms at the British Library are closed *all week* because so many of its workers refuse to work for pitiful wages in a contemptuously authoritarian and obliviously managed environment.
We need leaders who get it and are big enough to sort it out!
It’s a mess and a disgrace.
Lift it up!!
We need leaders who get it and are big enough to sort it out!
It’s a mess and a disgrace.
Lift it up!!
December 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reading Rooms at the British Library are closed *all week* because so many of its workers refuse to work for pitiful wages in a contemptuously authoritarian and obliviously managed environment.
We need leaders who get it and are big enough to sort it out!
It’s a mess and a disgrace.
Lift it up!!
We need leaders who get it and are big enough to sort it out!
It’s a mess and a disgrace.
Lift it up!!
In case you didn't know how out of touch the British Library management is, here is a health and wellbeing newsletter they shared with staff advising them not to purchase gifts this holiday season!
Workers have to put up with this sort of gaslighting all the time 😡🎅
(Via @pcsunion.bsky.social)
Workers have to put up with this sort of gaslighting all the time 😡🎅
(Via @pcsunion.bsky.social)
December 6, 2025 at 10:58 AM
In case you didn't know how out of touch the British Library management is, here is a health and wellbeing newsletter they shared with staff advising them not to purchase gifts this holiday season!
Workers have to put up with this sort of gaslighting all the time 😡🎅
(Via @pcsunion.bsky.social)
Workers have to put up with this sort of gaslighting all the time 😡🎅
(Via @pcsunion.bsky.social)
British Library workers withdraw their labour again!
Mon 8th to Sun 14th!
Improved offers (“we have no money”) are inadequate!
Fair demands for fair(er) pay are reiterated!
Please support the strike!
Cancel / postpone!
Visit the picket (in Midland Road)!
If you are a Reader please join for a chat!
Mon 8th to Sun 14th!
Improved offers (“we have no money”) are inadequate!
Fair demands for fair(er) pay are reiterated!
Please support the strike!
Cancel / postpone!
Visit the picket (in Midland Road)!
If you are a Reader please join for a chat!
December 5, 2025 at 10:41 AM
British Library workers withdraw their labour again!
Mon 8th to Sun 14th!
Improved offers (“we have no money”) are inadequate!
Fair demands for fair(er) pay are reiterated!
Please support the strike!
Cancel / postpone!
Visit the picket (in Midland Road)!
If you are a Reader please join for a chat!
Mon 8th to Sun 14th!
Improved offers (“we have no money”) are inadequate!
Fair demands for fair(er) pay are reiterated!
Please support the strike!
Cancel / postpone!
Visit the picket (in Midland Road)!
If you are a Reader please join for a chat!
I have discovered ‘Didgeridoo Drone’ 🎧🪃👌
November 25, 2025 at 8:14 AM
I have discovered ‘Didgeridoo Drone’ 🎧🪃👌
Tonight: talking about historical redress around cultural riches, property, ownership and use in connection to enslaved people and descendants.
November 18, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Tonight: talking about historical redress around cultural riches, property, ownership and use in connection to enslaved people and descendants.
God. I was *obsessed* with the ‘Caveman’ game - stealing eggs from the dinosaur and chucking axes at the pterodactyl 😀
The ‘Demon Driver’ crash sound was alarming - can still hear it. ‘Missile Invader’ sounds must have inspired Aphex Twin?!
The ‘Demon Driver’ crash sound was alarming - can still hear it. ‘Missile Invader’ sounds must have inspired Aphex Twin?!
November 13, 2025 at 2:34 AM
God. I was *obsessed* with the ‘Caveman’ game - stealing eggs from the dinosaur and chucking axes at the pterodactyl 😀
The ‘Demon Driver’ crash sound was alarming - can still hear it. ‘Missile Invader’ sounds must have inspired Aphex Twin?!
The ‘Demon Driver’ crash sound was alarming - can still hear it. ‘Missile Invader’ sounds must have inspired Aphex Twin?!
Age yourself with gaming
November 12, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Age yourself with gaming
“I did a word-cloud!” (*said in my best toddler’s voice*)
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
“I did a word-cloud!” (*said in my best toddler’s voice*)
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
“The resource over which they hold custody is of great worth to the country …Would Karl Marx and Virginia Woolf, Mahatma Gandhi and George Orwell, all erstwhile users of the British Library, have produced their masterpieces without this resource?”
Imperilled culture - it really is.
Such negligence.
Imperilled culture - it really is.
Such negligence.
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
“The resource over which they hold custody is of great worth to the country …Would Karl Marx and Virginia Woolf, Mahatma Gandhi and George Orwell, all erstwhile users of the British Library, have produced their masterpieces without this resource?”
Imperilled culture - it really is.
Such negligence.
Imperilled culture - it really is.
Such negligence.
There has been wonderful support and solidarity for Library workers on the picket line these past two weeks. Today, the writer, Zadie Smith, read out her thoughts about the dispute, the Library, the country, its culture and heritage. Her values, ‘arguments’ and solidarity mean the world to me. 🙏👊🖤♥️
November 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
There has been wonderful support and solidarity for Library workers on the picket line these past two weeks. Today, the writer, Zadie Smith, read out her thoughts about the dispute, the Library, the country, its culture and heritage. Her values, ‘arguments’ and solidarity mean the world to me. 🙏👊🖤♥️
I like to think if this had been an event about Prog Rock it would have gone ahead and thus proving my ‘argument’ about Prog Rock, i.e. thank fuck for Punk!
November 3, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I like to think if this had been an event about Prog Rock it would have gone ahead and thus proving my ‘argument’ about Prog Rock, i.e. thank fuck for Punk!