Michael Carty

My photo shows a Roman floor mosaic depicting an octopus. The octopus is composed of small black tesserae (tiles) and has eight writhing arms with suckers and narrow curling tips. It is set against a white tesserae background. Octopus detail from a monochrome marine mosaic featuring Triton with a cherub and various sea creatures, including the octopus, dolphins and a cuttlefish, at the women’s changing room at the Central Baths in Herculaneum.

Spectacular octopus from the floor of the women’s changing room at the Central Baths in ancient Herculaneum.

📷 by me

#MosaicMonday
#Archaeology

UK recruiters see signs of jobs downturn easing Starting salaries for permanent staff in Britain declined last month at the slowest pace ​since October, according to a survey on ‌Monday that also showed the downturn in the number of new permanent s...

UK recruiters see signs of jobs downturn easing

#HR

www.reuters.com/business/wor...

Guys, it's hayfever time. #atishoo!

I can fully relate - this is the earliest in the year that my hayfever has ever made itself known!

New Employment Rights Act ‘a huge boost for women in the workplace’ Government says new rights for parental leave and sick pay will increase equality and economic growth

New Employment Rights Act ‘a huge boost for women in the workplace’

#HR

www.theguardian.com/law/2026/mar...

Things look grim in the markets right now, but at least the U.S. economy wasn’t already being propped up by a massive speculative AI bubble that is highly sensitive to rising energy costs.

YouTube video by Milestones: A Miles Davis Archive Miles Davis- November 13, 1971 Royal Festival Hall, London

Miles Davis- November 13, 1971 Royal Festival Hall, London

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFtl...

Colour photo of a sunrise over rocks and water. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Sunrise_over_Caolas_Sgalpaigh_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2590987". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Welcome to this brand-new week.

You have got this.

No matter how you might be feeling right now, you can make it through today.

#EarlyShift

Subtract almost everything for Kiss How did Prince arrive at the playful, minimalistic work of genius that is his 1986 song Kiss?

Blogged: Subtract almost everything for Kiss

mjcarty.com/2026/03/07/s...

Withheld Jeffrey Epstein files with accusations against Trump released by justice department The Department of Justice said the released files had been

Withheld Epstein files with accusations against Trump released by justice department

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

First-class stamp price to rise to £1.80 next month The cost of a first-class stamp has now more than doubled in the past six years after eight rises.

!!!

First-class stamp price to rise to £1.80 next month

www.standard.co.uk/business/bus...

Colour photo of a sunset over water and rocks. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Sun_setting_north-west_of_Killary_Harbour,_County_Galway_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2291032". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Gentlest Saturday morning greetings, friends.

How are you feeling, in this moment?

Should you fancy a wee bit of #EarlyShift reading, my new bloggage is up at MJCarty.com!

Playing Finca now - this is lovely stuff!

Downloaded and looking forward to listening. Thank you!

Lovely stuff! I always greatly enjoy seeing your photography.

One in 7 shops in UK has turned cashless in the past year, survey finds Some 14% of small High Street traders have gone card-only in the last year, a survey suggests.

One in 7 shops in UK has turned cashless in the past year, survey finds

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Oh no, I am sorry to have missed you, sir! I hope that your day is proving an exceptional one.

St Paul's, the Thames and even a wee bit of sand.

Thank you, Mr S - and I am pleased to report that both kinds of warmth were present in my birthday. How are you keeping, sir?

That is very lovely of you, Niall - and thank you for the kind wishes. How are things in your world today?

Thank you, Nancy!

Thank you, Jeppe! I hope that this week is proving an exceptional one for you.

Colour photo of a pink flower. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Rosa_'James_Galway'_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7594949". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Fragrantly floral #FridayJunior felicitations!

How is this week treating you, so far?

#EarlyShift

The first daffodil that I have seen this year, radiant in the warming sunshine.

☀️

Unemployment set to hit 5.3% this year amid ‘worrying’ rise in young jobless OBR raises forecast from 4.9% and downgrades UK’s growth prospects for 2026 – while also warning of war uncertainty

Unemployment set to hit 5.3% this year amid ‘worrying’ rise in young jobless

#HR

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Colour photo of a sunrise over waves. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Sunrise over Clare from Salthill, Galway". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Warmest Wednesday waves and well wishes!

Today is my birthday. Feeling thankful to be here and to have made it this far.

#EarlyShift

Just one in four Americans say they back US strikes on Iran, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds One in four Republicans say Trump is too willing to use military force.

Just one in four Americans supports Iran strikes, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...

UK workers lost £28.5bn to unpaid overtime in 2025, TUC finds One in eight regularly work extra hours without pay, with the average employee missing out on £8,100 per year

UK workers lost £28.5bn to unpaid overtime in 2025, TUC finds

#HR

www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1950...

Colour photo of a white flower. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: " African Cape Daisy (Osteospermum barberiae)". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Tremendous Tuesday tidings, friends!

#EarlyShift

Meg illuminated by today's very lovely sunshine (a la Ashdown Forest).