Paul Devlin

My cat’s feedback about me not controlling the pouring rain…. “I’m not angry. Just disappointed.”

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Did my first full 5K run in the last year this morning. Yay me!

I have a particular affinity for string quartets as a form of musical expression. Currently working my way through the Buchberger box set of complete Haydn ones - 23 CDs' worth! #classicalmusic

Just listening to #RachelPodger’s wonderful recording of von Biber’s Rosary Sonatas - out of print, but tracked down & gifted by a friend. Written in the late 1600s these show the likes of #TonyIommi & #JimmyPage weren’t the first to retune their instruments’ strings (scordatura) by some 300 years!

& just had new #Toyah box set arrive too!

2/2 Just listening to #WendyCarlos Clockwork Orange soundtrack, & looking forward to #NovaTwins Parasites & Butterflies. All a mixture of vinyl & CD

1/2 Had a challenging few weeks at work, but been sustained with some new (to me) music, incl #DweezilZappa Via Zammata; #TheWho Live At The Oval 1971; #JudasPriest The Essential; #WeatherReport Mysterious Traveller; #KasperRietkerk The Happy Traveller; #EvilBlizzard The Worst Show On Earth...

Wishing you a good recovery, Roger

Sorry to read Tom Lehrer has died. His songs are one of my go-to sources when I need a smile. “Poisoning pigeons in the park”, “I hold your hand in mine”, & “The masochism tango” are particular favourites.

Looking forward to being part of the team representing #NottinghamshireHealthcare at #NottsPride25 today. Feels really important to be a visible ally this year. #NottsPride

I saw Cleo Laine at a BBC Prom back in 1990, singing the Voice of God in Britten’s “Noye’s Fludde” - she was perched on top of a massive stepladder and wheeled around the Albert Hall on it!

Thx for sharing this clip of the wonderful Lenny Zakatek on vocals - such a distinctive voice on so much of the Alan Parsons Project output. I once met Eric Woolfson at a party… I was utterly fan-boy tongue-tied speaking with him, and he was just lovely!

I agree Roger - and we need not to go backwards as an unintended consequence of the good ambition. And thanks, yes things good with me (and continuing to get lots from your work)

I was discussing exactly these concerns with colleagues on an @nhsconfed.org hosted meeting of NHS Chairs a little earlier today @rogerkline.bsky.social - though not as eloquently as the summary you linked to!

Unexpected item in the baggage area! #catsofbluesky

Just watched this fantastic documentary. Thanks so much @morganmpage.bsky.social - such beautifully told life stories, journeys, & histories.

I’ve donated. If you are able, please support.

Spent part of my day at #NottinghamTransPride with colleagues from my NHS Trust & @nottsgic.bsky.social, then in Leicester at our #ArnoldLodge facility with patients, families & staff for a fantastic fete!

As I’m pretty local to them, I’m looking forward to having a chat about what the law says I should respect (their right to hold a religion) and should not (that religion’s tenets & beliefs).

There were many important, specific questions asked, though not always answered.

& now 50 pages into the latest @stephenking.bsky.social, 'Never Flinch'. Such a great writer & storyteller, he never fails to grab and hold my attention

My recent holiday was a "9-book break", including books by @lairdbarron.bsky.social, @liu-cixin.bsky.social, @nataliehaynes.bsky.social, #MarkVolman, #PaulLynch, #LindyRyan, & #JaneFlett

Yup, @nehoc.bsky.social! I also like Margaret Atwood's description of Aunt Lydia in 'The Testaments' as an "iron fist in a leather glove in a woollen mitten". Beware seeing us as a woollen mitten!

Recently started watching a Vincent Price cooking show “Cooking Price-Wise”…. for real! It was evidently shown in the UK in 1971, on Tuesday’s at 11.15pm! The episodes on “Potatoes”, “Bacon”, & “Rice” confirm it is as outrageous as it sounds!

I’m an avid watcher of John Oliver. As ever, he combined a little humour with clearly referenced, evidence-based facts, & brought compassion.

It’s on Sky Comedy - airs on the following Monday night

The final words, by Samuel M Johnson, are beautiful, including:

Glass' #EinsteinOnTheBeach always blows me away. Just finished the 4-LP version (which is slightly shorter than the original stage show, which I saw in revival at the Barbican in 2012) & it is stunning. The complexities in the music & libretto must require such concentration from performers.

When I was in Amsterdam at the weekend I spent time in Flesch Records & found some of the 20th century classical vinyl I've been looking to replace, incl Messiaen, Penderecki, Glass, & Peter Maxwell Davies. Lovely owner, Harry - knowledgeable, genuinely interested. & the vinyl's in good nick too!

Delighted to spend my day at Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s #EmbraceOurNarrative day listening to & exploring the voices of our Black & minority ethnic colleagues