Anne Billson

Vertigo fans! You might be interested in the short story I wrote for the anthology Birds, Strangers and Psychos: New Stories Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock, edited by Maxim Jakubowski. I had a print-out of the Carlotta painting staring out at me from my pinboard as I wrote it.

Born on this day in 1637, Jan van der Heyden. Painter of cities, engineer, inventor. Starting the day with his wonderful view in Delft, w/ the Oude Kerk.

I loved this. One of my favourite Spielbergs. (Not too keen on the image posted here, though.)

I was hoping for something a bit classier tbh.

Stib diversion becomes permanent as new Schuman roundabout cannot accommodate buses Six bus routes in Brussels' EU quarter that used to serve Schuman will be permanently diverted via Maelbeek after it was discovered that the newly redesigned Schuman roundabout is not able to accommod...

Bravo Brussels, only now finding that buses won't be able to use the newly redesigned Schuman roundabout next to the Berlaymont building (HQ of the European Commission) which has already cost a gazillion euros. Also "due to a lack of funds, the much-discussed canopy will not be built". Shambolic.

A blue and tan border terrier in a perfect oblong of sunshine.

Thursday:

“One of the greatest films never finished. One of Hollywood’s most dangerous alliances. One enduring legend.”

My new book THE CURSE OF QUEEN KELLY will be published this month by @stickingplacebk.bsky.social – on 27 March, Gloria Swanson’s birthday, no less.

stickingplacebooks.com/books/the-cu...

Can just imagine him repeatedly having to spell his name over the phone: "That's Portugal, but with an R instead of a P."

A road sign for the French village called "Anus".

When I was young, we took a detour on a driving holiday in France, just so we could <ahem> pass through this village.
i.postimg.cc/fbww9sNs/Anu...

I've never actually been here. Next time I'm in London I should do a pilgrimage. Obviously this street is full of exciting places to visit.

A street sign. It says "Billson Street E14".

Obviously THE place to be. Photograph by @dmandl.bsky.social

Tales of the Suburbs by John Grindrod review – an entertaining alternative history of queer Britain From London’s commuter belt to the country village gay club, these portraits of LGBTQ+ life are filled with humour, compassion and observational flair

Tales of the Suburbs is Book of the Day in the Guardian! ‘This fantastically entertaining alternative history of queer life in Britain’ www.theguardian.com/books/2026/m...

Chimera & other thrillers A collection of suspense-filled thrillers from master of the genre Stephen Gallagher A listening treat for fans of gripping drama: eight thrillers, plus a bonus story, from ‘the finest British write...

My BBC audio collection now has artwork and a release date of June 18th

Weird thing is, there probably ARE Americans with these names.

Just woke myself up by shouting "Help me, Stephanie!" I don't know anyone called Stepanie. Only Stephanies I can think of are Stephanie Powers and Princess Stephanie of Monaco. What IS going on?

Black sand dunes with some little pools reflecting the blue sky and some jagged mountains above. The dunes have autumnal grasses on them.

Always a joy to be back at Stokksnes. Not long after this it was snowing!

#Iceland

The US Supreme Court has declined to review copyright around AI. This means AI slop cannot be copyrighted.

I can’t wait for Spotify, may they rot in hell, to deny payments to all the clankers, may they rot in hell, uploading slop tunes.

There ain’t no royalties on public domain works, fuckers!

I worked at Chelsea Harbour for a couple of years, 1989-1991, when it had just been built, and hated the soullessness of the place. One of the early manifestations of Big Money London. It would have made a difference if I’d known this amazing thing was lurking nearby.

Story time, y'all, about the time I witnessed nearly this exact scenario play out in real time.

It's 2003 or 2004. Serena, Venus, Anna Kournikova, and Brenda Shultz-McCarthy played an indoor exhibition event at Rupp Arena.

Both Williams sisters had won majors at this point. 🧵/x

hire gail. she fucking rocks.

Painted on stone (and how cool is that?) so that stony sky swirls naturally over the triumph of Cupid. Clever work by Hans von Aachen, whose day is today.

The greatest car crash I have ever seen in a film. The Appointment is remarkably unsettling. Great movie.

This is a strange and beguiling “lost” film. Saw it a few weeks ago, and I loved it. And yes, it does have the best (and most surreal) car crash ever filmed. A unique piece of British contemporary magical realism, kind of in the Stigma mould.

This is Meir, Antwerp's main shopping street. It would be quite pleasant to stroll along if you didn't have to keep dodging bikes and scooters. Large stretches of it always seem to be cordoned off, apparently because they're replacing paving stones though tbh I can't remember the stones being in urgent need of replacement. Here's a cyclist riding past a red and white diagonal pillar with a blinking orange light on top of it.

A smartly dressed bloke on his cellphone is walking alonside a barrier, behind which is a large pile of dirt. A sign for Hema is visible in the background.

A lrage section of a pedestrianised shopping street blocked by barriers.

#FuckYouVoetgangers An occasional series illustrating the city of Antwerp's contempt for its pedestrians, repeatedly sent by roadworks into traffic or bike lanes or expected to tramp miles out of their way, through mud & rubble, for the sin of just wanting to walk along the pavement in safety.

Everyone knows Bobson Dugnutt, but I don't think Rev McSriff, Shown Furcotte and Dwigt Rortugal get enough attention.

A glass of blonde beer in a Chouffe glass on a table in a bar.

Alcoholvrij La Chouffe bij Den Draak.

Photo of a ginger and white cat curled up on a human lap, eyes scrunched up in pleasure as he gets a head scritch.

SCRITCHES

Preznit Fuckwit to American citizens stranded in the Middle East: ‘sucks to be you’ evacuation plan? what evacuation plan?

“please do not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation at this time. there are currently no United States evacuation points.”

As an American living abroad...what the hell? Prez Fuckwits started a war and didn’t plan, organize, or care.

www.jefftiedrich.com/p/preznit-fu...