Okay, that’s pretty funny.

I haven't weighed in on the controversy around Nolan's Odyssey, but I think we should be celebrating Nolan for adapting James Joyce's Ulysses, which is superlative yet impenetrable, into a film modern audiences can enjoy even though he changed the setting to ancient Greece.

People keep saying it will be too much for England in Mexico and they won't be able to cope with the altitude and heat but surely it will be much cooler at 1 in the morning?

John Adams’ Vision for Independence Day: Celebrating July 2 Instead of July 4 In the sweltering summer of 1776, as the Continental Congress debated the fate of the American colonies, John Adams penned one of the most prophetic letters in U.S. history. On July 3, 1776—just one day after Congress voted to declare independence—Adams wrote to his wife Abigail with soaring optimism about the future of the new nation. His words captured the revolutionary spirit of the moment and unknowingly forecasted how Americans would mark their independence for centuries to come. "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” Adams envisioned a grand national holiday filled with fireworks (illuminations), church services, parades, sports, and public rejoicing—a description that closely matches modern Fourth of July celebrations. Why July 2? Adams was reacting to the vote on July 2, 1776, when Congress approved Richard Henry Lee’s resolution declaring the colonies “free and independent states.” He saw this as the true birth of the nation. The formal Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted two days later on July 4. To Adams, July 4 was merely the day the document was finalized and publicized—not the pivotal moment of decision. He continued in the letter with sober realism: "You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means.” Adams’ Lifelong Grudge Against July 4 Adams remained so convinced that July 2 deserved the honor that he reportedly declined invitations to Fourth of July events later in life. History, however, sided with the date on the Declaration. Americans embraced July 4 as Independence Day, and Adams’ prediction about the style of celebration proved remarkably accurate—complete with the “bonfires and illuminations” he described. In a final twist of irony, John Adams died on July 4, 1826—exactly 50 years after the Declaration’s adoption. His last words were reportedly, “Thomas Jefferson survives,” unaware that his longtime friend and rival had died just hours earlier on the same day. Lasting Legacy Adams’ letter remains a powerful reminder of the hope, sacrifice, and vision that founded the United States. Though he got the date wrong, his words captured the enduring American spirit of celebration and gratitude for liberty. Today, when fireworks light up the sky on the Fourth of July, they echo the “pomp and parade” that John Adams so passionately foresaw—on what he believed should have been the Second of July. As we observe Independence Day each year, Adams’ words invite us to reflect not just on the date, but on the profound meaning behind it: a hard-won deliverance worth commemorating “from this Time forward forever more.”

These are such striking numbers. There are virtually no white people in DC without a college degree. So unlike most other parts of the country.

Someone shared this with me and I felt compelled to share.

Warning to anyone buying a watch on Amazon: I learned the hard way that if it says you can swim with it, this only applies if you can already swim WITHOUT it.

🤣🤣

Just found out that A Tale of Two Cities was originally serialised in two local newspapers. It was The Bicester Times, it was the Worcester Times. Morning you lovely people!

Happy New Year!

Y-axis scale misuse alert!

I was once whingeing to Paul McCartney that I'll always be known primarily for the Wombles. Straight-faced, without irony, he said, "Yeah, I have the same problem with The Beatles".

Happy Adams Day

May the 4th be with you.

460 years after his birth, always worth seeing this Shakespeare infographic again… 🥧

An Ent on the march

When you leave a child to the father! 🤣

The extent to secularism/social liberalism starts taking off in 1992 after having been flat the two decades before is super under-theorized. One theory is that this was kicked off religious groups embracing the GOP in the 80's then polarizing Democrats into being secular.