Ali Mack

Three panels showing a bench on a small hill in London on a grey drizzly day. A man in a fedora carrying a suitcase arrives, then he is joined by a woman carrying an umbrella and a man in dark glasses reading a newspaper. They all look shifty and hurriedly converse: "Good." "Very." "Agreed." Then they all walk off down the hill. Caption: Every month, the Espionage Book Club discuss a classic work of spy fiction at a clandestine meeting. To minimise the risk of exposure, infiltration or surveillance by hostile agents, conversation is restricted to the essentials.

My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books.

🧵Spotted On Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A woman (70s?) says to a friend: "Do you ever feel like chucking everything in and running away to join the circus?"
Her friend laughs: "Sometimes. But then I remember how much I like sleeping in my own bed. I REALLY love my bed." (1)

I can't go but break a leg to all.

Sixty years on, a Star Trek writer is still creating strange new worlds Diane Duane’s early days writing fan fiction have led to a remarkable career as a novelist, comic writer and screen writer.

Sixty years on, a Star Trek writer is still creating strange new worlds. Diane Duane’s early days writing fan fiction have led to a remarkable career as a novelist, comic writer and screen writer.

I'm guessing this wasn't the plan.

Reprofiled. I love that, taken as word of the day.

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A man (30s?) handing out flyers for an upcoming ceilidh* is chatting to a woman (20s?).
He says: "If ya like laughing and having a good time, why not come along?!"
She smiles and says: "I might! I hear laughter is good for the heart." (1)

Hey lovely people,
I'm thinking of holding some online workshops about finding tiny moments of joy in day-to-day life during chaotic times and I'm wondering if that's something you'd be interested in?

Let me know if that'd be your cup of tea😊

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A cheerful robust woman (50s?) spots a friend across a supermarket carpark and bellows: "Come here and give us a hug ya big loner! It's been ages!"
Her friend laughs and hurries forward to meet her in a huge happy hug. (1)

Wonderful. It's about time. I would say small / medium dogs could be carried or walk on rather than being put in a carrier which can be unwieldy or difficult to put on a bus or at your feet.

consult.nationaltransport.ie/en/consultat...

#SpeirGorm

Maybe we should? A penalty point each time you drive a tesla perhaps ? 😉

Friends and colleagues in Irish academia! The wonderful Dr Mary McGill has asked me to circulate her @researchireland.ie - funded survey on Exploring experiences of gender-based online abuse among female academics in Ireland - please do share! forms.office.com/pages/respon...

a large building with a dome on top sits next to a river Alt: a large building with a dome on top sits next to a river

Off to Ireland/NI next week, for work, and passing through Dublin for half a day, with someone who has never been.

Any recommendations for trad food and ideas.

Public Consultation on the Cost of Disability

the Irish Department of Social Protection has a Public Consultation on the Cost of Disability and anyone interested can make a written submission, a video submission, or a submission by phone. the deadline is 7 April 2026.

www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

None on the rte player 😉

Is it though?

That's great news 👍

All sounds delicious!

🧵Spotted While Recently Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A man (30s?) in a suit, holding a take away coffee cup, leaves an office, swaps his shoes for sneakers, drops a skateboard on the ground and rolls away. Sipping coffee, expression content. Work's done for the day, now's the time for play. (1)

Poster with a house in a pink pot plant, writing reads wanted, a house for Taryn. Seeking a 2-4 bedroom house to rent in Ennis or surrounds. References available

Wanted #Speirgorm Looking for a house to rent in Ennis or surrounds for my family & I. I'm working for Clare County Council and have excellent rental references available. If you hear of anything available in the coming weeks or months please let me know. Shares very appreciated! ☺️

"Or what?" Is the response he's going to get.

Bid to encourage protection for hedgehogs as numbers fall A new initiative is to be launched in a bid to encourage people to help protect hedgehogs as numbers of the mammal "dramatically" decline across Europe.

A new initiative is to be launched in a bid to encourage people to help protect hedgehogs as numbers of the mammal "dramatically" decline across Europe

It's a meat tenderiser. I know, that doesn't make it less funny / eye watering. Meant for tenderising steaks or flattening out chicken breast before stuffing.

DOG AT THE OLYMPICS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS

Dublin City Council has published the pre‑planning design for #GrowCollegeGreen.
The updated design creates a safer, greener&more accessible public space–shaped by thousands of submissions and extensive engagement since 2024.

Open until 11 March 2026.

Have your say→ engage.dublincity.ie

I see a lot of concrete and no extra greenery, trees or seating to enjoy this new plaza.

Want to spend your time doing something uplifting and impactful?

Special Olympics Ireland is looking for volunteers for the Ireland Summer Games (18–21 June) — and you could be part of it!

👉 Learn more & volunteer: irelandgames.ie/volunteer

#SpecialOlympicsIreland #IrelandSummerGames2026

Welcome 🙂