Mark WSJ
@mark-wsj.bsky.social
By eviscerating the Tory party in July 2024, did the British electorate commit an act of countryside?
I know nothing about music, but I love the noise it makes.
I know nothing about music, but I love the noise it makes.
Justinian considered fleeing the city but Theodora strengthened his resolve with the famous dictum:
Purple makes the best shroud.
Purple makes the best shroud.
January 13, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Justinian considered fleeing the city but Theodora strengthened his resolve with the famous dictum:
Purple makes the best shroud.
Purple makes the best shroud.
It's full of perfect little details - Fran's surname of Katzenjammer always makes me smile.
January 1, 2026 at 9:21 PM
It's full of perfect little details - Fran's surname of Katzenjammer always makes me smile.
To drag the calendar back into synch with the astronomical year, 46 BC was prolonged to 445 days, allowing a fresh start for the new, more accurate calendar on 1st January 45 BC.
January 1, 2026 at 5:44 PM
To drag the calendar back into synch with the astronomical year, 46 BC was prolonged to 445 days, allowing a fresh start for the new, more accurate calendar on 1st January 45 BC.
I've just heard on the radio that when first cultivated in China, kiwi fruit were called monkey peaches.
This name should be restored.
This name should be restored.
December 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I've just heard on the radio that when first cultivated in China, kiwi fruit were called monkey peaches.
This name should be restored.
This name should be restored.
Famously, since 1789 the Bourbons were a family who forgot nothing but learnt nothing: Juan Carlos finally bucked the trend.
(A shame he turned out to have feet of clay)
(A shame he turned out to have feet of clay)
December 27, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Famously, since 1789 the Bourbons were a family who forgot nothing but learnt nothing: Juan Carlos finally bucked the trend.
(A shame he turned out to have feet of clay)
(A shame he turned out to have feet of clay)
Amarone della Valpolicella: I only found out about six years ago that Amarone is a behemoth of a wine for grown ups, nothing like the light Valpolicella we used to quaff as students.
Merry Christmas one and all!
Merry Christmas one and all!
December 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Amarone della Valpolicella: I only found out about six years ago that Amarone is a behemoth of a wine for grown ups, nothing like the light Valpolicella we used to quaff as students.
Merry Christmas one and all!
Merry Christmas one and all!
The best part being, they'd not even stolen it yet - pinched to order.
December 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The best part being, they'd not even stolen it yet - pinched to order.
...and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
December 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM
...and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Excellent choice; whisky with hints of kippers and TCP, and I mean that in a good way. Enjoy!
December 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Excellent choice; whisky with hints of kippers and TCP, and I mean that in a good way. Enjoy!
Excellent; particularly 5 & 1 !
December 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Excellent; particularly 5 & 1 !
The West Derby Slugger...
December 20, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The West Derby Slugger...
I think there's a whole untapped seam of Latin American baroque waiting to be mined.
December 20, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I think there's a whole untapped seam of Latin American baroque waiting to be mined.
I reckon you could carry off a Zog.
December 19, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I reckon you could carry off a Zog.
Everyone thinks Beaker is such a lovely, modest downtrodden guy, but it's all an act.
He's actually the most narcissistic diva in show business, everything is "Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi" where he's concerned.
He's actually the most narcissistic diva in show business, everything is "Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi" where he's concerned.
December 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Everyone thinks Beaker is such a lovely, modest downtrodden guy, but it's all an act.
He's actually the most narcissistic diva in show business, everything is "Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi" where he's concerned.
He's actually the most narcissistic diva in show business, everything is "Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi" where he's concerned.
That look of resignation is priceless.
December 17, 2025 at 8:57 PM
That look of resignation is priceless.
Not only unutterably crass but he also makes a tragedy of other people about himself.
December 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Not only unutterably crass but he also makes a tragedy of other people about himself.
Words fail me. No, actually they don't, he's an utter c*nt.
December 15, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Words fail me. No, actually they don't, he's an utter c*nt.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
December 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Puts me in mind of the Gilbert Harding anecdote.
In the 1950s one question on the US visa application asked (somewhat bizarrely) "During your stay,do you have any intention to overthrow the government of the United States?
To which Harding answered: "Sole purpose of visit"
In the 1950s one question on the US visa application asked (somewhat bizarrely) "During your stay,do you have any intention to overthrow the government of the United States?
To which Harding answered: "Sole purpose of visit"
December 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Puts me in mind of the Gilbert Harding anecdote.
In the 1950s one question on the US visa application asked (somewhat bizarrely) "During your stay,do you have any intention to overthrow the government of the United States?
To which Harding answered: "Sole purpose of visit"
In the 1950s one question on the US visa application asked (somewhat bizarrely) "During your stay,do you have any intention to overthrow the government of the United States?
To which Harding answered: "Sole purpose of visit"
Fifty's not as bad as you think, it's much, much worse...
December 12, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Fifty's not as bad as you think, it's much, much worse...