Brian Derby

Showing 2 mirror image guitar bodies and necks

John Otway with his 12 string guitar .Ideal for playing songs with only two chords - very punk

Just seen Dune the Musical at #Edfringe well worth seeing

Working on the backlog of papers. Submitted 2 this week. Ignoring ACS journals because of open access issues and trying the Wiley “Advanced” family that have previously not liked my stuff at desk editor level.

Or junk it and get the better new version

The graphene centre in Manchester used to have free coffee but students came from all over the campus for a free takeout. Now it’s still free but you need a magic token.

my new ai device will sit in a beer garden that backs onto a small river and drink three to five pints on a sunny late summer afternoon for you, leaving you free for more meetings and business calls

Cast taking curtain call at the Swan Theatre in Stratford

I am in Stratford-upon-Avon. Just watched The Constant Wife at the Swan Theatre. £10 standing tickets in the upper gallery are a bargain.

Have you read his other novels? The Dalkey Archive is notable as including James Joyce as a real/fictional character and crazed scientist de Selby who featured in the Third Policeman

Almost Sci Fi and to brag about finishing it is Gravity’s Rainbow. An easier but equally “is it Sci Fi” - The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien.

I was there, experiencing a very British audience reaction. No suggestion of a riot but lots of grumbling and blaming the venue, ticketing etc. but no moaning about Jeff Lynne even if he is a Brummie.

Oasis merch stall outside Manchester Central Library

Beehive of guitars

Manchester preparing for Gallagher Brothers pension plan concerts

A picture of a bottle of hummus. It is labeled NATURE HUMMUS

These NPG spinoff journals are out of control

At Glastonbury waiting to see Kneecap

Fungus fruiting body (toadstool) on a lawn

This is in my garden under an oak tree. It’s some sort of boletus but not clear what sort. Any ideas?

If I remember correctly, opposition to the meters was a Sinn Fein platform early in their advance in the Polls in RoI

Water charges are controversial in Ireland. There has been much discussion in the Republic of Ireland about their introduction for “excess use”. Current position is no charge in NI or RoI - divergence in the jurisdictions would be a further controversy

I just discovered our ACS open access expired last month so latest in Langmuir will only be available free from UoM repository

It probably defines my age as I am constantly mistyping the acronym for X-Ray Computed tomography (XCT) in the paper I am working on with XTC. I must be unintentionally making plans for Nigel.

Paper just reviewed and sent on. Full referee 2 mode employed.

I just pressed submit on a revised manuscript and bingo the building fire alarm went off. Must be a hot paper.

Following the rugby on web feed text as I am in Uzbekistan but what a match between Northampton and Leinster. First half over - come on the Saints.

I have just had reviews back on a paper that was delayed because of COVID- I know that was years ago but I am sticking to the excuse. Even referee 2 liked it! Minor corrections needed.

RIP Victoria Wood, who died #OTD 2016.

An unethical guide to 100.000 citations “”A number of leading researchers have published their research contributions at this Journal among them Zhanhu Guo, Zhanhu Guo, Zhanhu Guo,….”

This is an absolutely wild tale of citation boosting, and the rest.
forbetterscience.com/2025/04/15/a...

YouTube video by Marsh Family "I Put Up Tariffs" - Marsh Family adaptation of Bob Marley and the Wailers, "I Shot the Sheriff"

Meet the mega-talented @marshfamilysongs.bsky.social, Faversham's premier political commentary source. And well worth a listen to their back catalogue, on a sunny Sunday afternoon! @kentandsurreybylines.co.uk www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DyN...

Stepping stones in Chapel-le-Dale

Made some science books for kids #worldbookday

News reader at a desk. Transcribed Text: Left bubble: "Next up we will discuss the topic with someone whose job is to be a well researched and respected expert in the area." Right bubble: "And in the interest of balance we will also talk to an idiot."

In the interest of balance #news

Looks like the Guardian’s Bluesky linking doesn’t work

Secret to stronger pour-over coffee with no extra beans unlocked by scientists