Jo to the Wyld 🎄

I used to start every semester at Fordham teaching Loves in need of love today, demonstrating pulse, beat, meter, and hypermeter. The students really got it and it’s such a great album.

Spirit of Christmas past #5
The 1960s. This stylised scene of pastoral charm was painted by Gaynor Chapman for the 24 December 1966 issue. It was her second successive festive cover for @radiotimes.bsky.social #ChristmasRadioTimes

Same tbh

As part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program, the Rural Electric Administration (REA) was created in 1935 to bring electricity to impoverished areas where as few as 10 percent of homes had electric power.

Radio by Lester Beall for the Rural Electrification Administration (1937)

Shop window display of Gonzo as Dickens, Rizzo the Rat and Tiny Tim (in frog form) from the Muppet Christmas Carol, with the word TATTOO emblazoned on the window

- So tell me again why you got 'light the lamp not the rat!' inked onto your arm?

- Well...

Dr George Waddell demonstrates the RCM Performance Laboratory, a projection of the Britten Theatre behind him

‘It’s a celebration of what it means to be human!’ ✨

In the new edition of Upbeat magazine, we celebrate 25 years of the RCM Centre for Performance Science by delving into the award-winning research empowering performers.

Find out more👉 bit.ly/UpbeatCPS25 #RCMUpbeat

Listening to Last Christmas because it is an all-time banger and George didn't die on Christmas Day for you to disrespect his memory by participating in Whamageddon

This from @davidbatherwoods.bsky.social's biography of Schopenhauer is sending me

Haha, I don't mind a bit of Bublé at this time of year

There's also music by Erkki-Sven Tüür and I really liked this quote of his: 'Music has to have everything – overwhelming power, illuminating light, endless gentleness and the deepest darkness. Fury, pain, remorse. Everything that makes us human. And the tender touch of redeeming love.'

Concerts by Candlelight 2025 - Scottish Ensemble Music from the past and present echoes through some of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring settings to create a warm glow during the winter chill.

Scottish Ensemble's Concerts by Candlelight start again on 2 Dec. Scroll down this page for my notes on Caroline Shaw inspired by @barthesstudies.bsky.social, Mancini's Moon River, a UK premiere by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, and a few bits of Bach.

share.google/eIY9v93qArul...

Ooh, thanks Lev. I'm always avid for bittern action. Hearing them is such a joy but yet to set eyes on one (aware even Jack Baddams hasn't managed it yet so my chances are slim...)

Haha I like the idea of a breakfast bittern, not as food but as company, a nice booming alarm call

Ok so the Your Party Conference has ended with - and I promise you I am not making this up -

- With a man on stage singing Imagine.

❤️

Once @ianmartin.bsky.social has done his Armour of Light post that's it for me, the sense of anticipation well and truly kicks in

Garden of Earthly Delights

Garden of Earthly Delights

Lovely! Do you know Walthamstow Wetlands? I was reading about a bittern sighting there recently so it's now on my list of places to check out

Glowing sunset, pale blue sky, grey clouds, bare trees, hedgerows

D'ough!

They're really special and will be treasured, thanks again

Oh the tagging hasn't worked, try again...
Thank you @woolbotherer.bsky.social
woolbotherer.sumupstore.com

Max (left) and Ozzy, two black dogs, the one on the left smaller than the other, facing away from the camera, waiting at a door for my brother to return

Wool portraits of Ozzy and Max with beautiful detail and expression

Ozzy and Max curled up together on a sofa

Jane's lovely drawing of the previous photo of Ozzy and Max curled up together

.@woolbotherer.bsky.social is a genius: I requested dog portraits of my brother's late dogs Ozzy and Max and she's captured their features and characters perfectly. He was very moved to receive these, such a lovely way to remember them ❤️

‘I remember, shortly before Jumpers, meeting him on the steps of the London Library where he was clutching a pile of books that reached up to his chin. “What is that?” I asked. “My next play,” he replied.’

Very wise. I've seen what nursery and reception can do to musical instruments, you don't want them anywhere near fire

Oh sweet Jesus no

I was asked to play flute in a local Christingle service which was very sweet, but I had to stifle a laugh when the guy introducing everything said, 'in the unlikely event of fire...' dude, you've just given a bunch of kids lit candles stuck into oranges, 'unlikely' feels a bit optimistic

Haha this ad is writing itself

*to the tune of SuperTed*

🎶 Sudafed 🎶

Oh thank you!