Brian M. Milton

It looks like Welsh Labour are about to do what Scottish Labour did and disappear like snow off a dyke for a while.
I'm glad it may be Plaid, rather than Reform, that benefits.

Plaid Cymru ousts Labour in Caerphilly byelection Rhun ap Iorwerth’s party, which wants Wales to become independent, seizes Senedd seat after Reform UK challenge

Mon, the Welsh!
Now, will Labour see this as a warning to actively try to make life better for people, or will they just up they're approval for rascists "legitimate concerns" and ignore the left vote?
Bets?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

What's it like inside my head

If you're at WFC next week here's where you can find the Glasgow contingent. Well, here and the bar, obviously.

This is how you blurb

Not sure an Irn Bru container would retain much flavour, or that I'd want it, but I'll bet someone thinks about it.

These days they'll try most anything as a finish cask. Port, Sherry, multiple different wines. It's a whole world of experimentation.

Whisky descriptions are a gateway to complete bafflement.

Quatermass

Quatermass II started 70 years ago today on the BBC.

"Professor Quatermass is trying to perfect a dangerously unstable nuclear-powered rocket engine."

Zoom into 2nd pic here... the best & most uniquely idiosyncratic block of #GlasgowStyle #tenements in #Glasgow south side also has a unique ironwork flower or leaf bud atop its bannister base in each tenement. Designed by H.E. Clifford in 1902 in #Pollokshields 💚 #ArtNouveau bsky.app/profile/tnmn...

Yeah, my wife met multiple of her great-grandparents and I've met three of her grandparents. Always gives me a sense of having missed something. Not that my lot were talkative so I doubt I'd have learned much anyway.

TOMATO CAIN by Nigel Kneale 🍅

📘 commapress.co.uk/books/tomato...

In 22' we brought horror legend Nigel Kneale's short fiction back into print for the first time in decades, uniting stories from US & UK editions & ft unseen work specially dug up for this edition.

Absolutely delighted to have been able to include Extraction in Blood In The Bricks. Don has a genuinely unique talent for the strange, and in Senga he has created an unforgettable gem of Glaswegian weirdness.

Gallus anthology cover. Top left corner, the title "Gallus" in bold lettering, underneath a handwritten subtitle, "A Glasgow SF Writers' Circle Anthology". "lives up to its name with style and swagger" a quote from Ken Macleod in the top right corner, beneath that "A joy to read" quote from Eliza Chan. Centre, a woman with long red hair and a multicoloured cape. She has bell earrings and a ring on her finger. A fish and bird float hear her hand and everything swirls in the wind. Featured authors text: "Hal Duncan, Cameron Johnston, Annabel Campbell, Ruth EJ Booth, and many more". Edited by E.M. Faulds, Brian M. Milton, & Neil Williamson text is at the bottom centre.

Dithering on whether to pick up our anthology Gallus? How about a sneak preview? You can now read our Sophie C Baumert's 'Set Things Right' on SF Caledonia. Check it out at the link below:

www.sfcaledonia.scot/set-things-r...

@shoreinf.bsky.social @sophiecbaumert.bsky.social

My grandfather was born in 1898, which is very much why I don't have any memories of him.

As a kid I looked like my Dad's Mum. Now I look just like my Dad. I may never look like my own self.

Absolutely wrecked my shoulder and neck muscles last weekend doing gardening like an idiot.
On the plus side, currently enjoying a very pleasant Arran Madeira finish 'muscle relaxant' by way of self-medicating.

Plan approved to build Scotland's first broch for 2,000 years The tall, double-walled drystone towers have only been found in Scotland.

For those who like a good broch.

Hello, this is an amazing delight of audio deliciousness, and I very approve of it being available again, even briefly.

And finally, the escaped bananas have been taken back into custody.
We cross live to a press conference from the heroic individual who saved the city from the rampaging fruit.

Newflash! The Bananas are now in Pyjamas and have been seen coming down the stairs.
Do not approach if you see them, call the police immediately and remain vigilant as they may catch you unawares.

Satellite 9: Join Join Satellite 9

Ready for a weekend of Science fiction, science fact, and science fun!

The next Satellite 9 convention will be held on 22–24 May 2026 at the Clayton Hotel Glasgow in Glasgow. With a stellar Guest of Honour Liz Williams, a weekend of fandom awaits.

Grab your membership nine.satellitex.org.uk/join

I enjoyed the way my brain asked "Is Gwendoline Christie just in this as a face?" exactly five seconds before she shouted at me.

A sticker on a banana that says "Tesco Bananas Loose"

Public told to stay indoors and remain calm! Police are deploying their highly trained anti-fruit squad, headed by Strawb McKenzie. Further updates at eleven.

Oh, you didn't know that the theme from THE ODD COUPLE had lyrics?

It does.

And they're... something.

Have a listen (the vocals star around 1:19)...

DID YOU KNOW that there were lyrics to the theme from HAWAII 5-0?

Here’s Sammy Davis Jr. singing them.

(It’s just as bizarre and unsettling as that time I found out there were lyrics to the ODD COUPLE theme.)

Turns out, when Spinal Tap said their drummers died, they actually went into politics and it was too embarrassing for the band.

Best Audiobook: Young Adult Books Shortlist | The British Audio Awards The shortlist for the Best Audiobook: Young Adult Books category at The British Audio Awards - aka The Speakies - organised by The Bookseller and The Stage

In things that are cool, The Shape of Monsters is up for a Speakies award next month! Am I amused that it's listed as YA? Yes, but also teens read whatever they want.

www.thebookseller.com/british-audi...

I'm now considering writing medieval siege fiction, but only if the besieging army are all dressed in sequins.

Exactly. I can see it being announced game show stylee by a bloke in a spangly jacket before an excited contestant pulls the lever and lets fly.