Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 17hIntriguing! Sounds like at the very least it deserves to be given a chance. We must try to give it a go. 120
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 30/09/2026Just caught Kate Walsh’s unmistakable continuity voice on #BBC1 , introducing The Candyman. Pure honeyed menace… 😱 @katevoice.bsky.social 😱 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 28/09/2026📖 "Looking at Each Other", my cycling-meets-mythology epic, is available from: Amazon £9.60/US$12.69; Audible £3.65/US$6.36, narr Kate Walsh @katevoice.bsky.social Or read it in chunks (which may or may not be in the right order, but 🤷 ) at #LAEO. #books #booksky #poetry #cycling #mythology 092
Reposted by Simon J. ReynoldsJanet Hill @saskajanet.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Never before has a turtle turtled this hard. Zoom in and appreciate The Foot 551258278
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 24/09/2026Saddam Insane really is furious that the sobriquet “Donald Chump” is being used of him. And when Insane is mad, watch out… 🤭 000
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 22/09/2026[Prompt 1882] Who turned on that light? And me looking such a fright, My makeup half done! #poetry #micropoetry #haiku #haikuhorrorprompt #flicker 030
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 21/09/2026Dear @jbf1755.bsky.social , As a secular Christian, I want to thank you for last night’s Thoughts, which I do appreciate. I was all adream so missed the live stream, but Rosie appears well-focused and content. And Ialso see having fun as an act of defiance! www.youtube.com/live/Zp-Roni...youtube.comA Few Thoughts For Those Who Can't Sleep -- Sepetmber 20 EditionYouTube video by Dr. Joanne Freeman 021
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 20/09/2026Bitcoin mining! I'd bet any money you like - even crypto - that Dr HCR (or, as some people call her, @hcrichardson.bsky.social ) is right about the true purpose of "data centres". It makes perfect sense -- the complaints of noise, the power/water use. (±minute 29.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fTE...youtube.comWhat the Heck Just Happened? With Heather and JoanneYouTube video by Dr. Joanne Freeman 000
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 20/09/2026Okay, so instead of idly speculating (see repost), I roused myself to DuckDuckGo it. The results showed that, post-stabbing, Salman Rushdie's sales did indeed surge, if not soar. And I was part of that! Talk about unintended consequences... #books #booksky #rushdie londondaily.com/uk-sales-of-...londondaily.comUK sales of The Satanic Verses surge after Rushdie stabbing - London DailyPublisher Vintage has ordered a reprint following rush to buy the 1988 novel in the wake of the attack on the author earlier this month 040
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 20/09/2026It would be interesting to know how much the attack stimulated sales of “The Satanic Verses”, thereby putting the assailant himself ironically in breach of the fatwa he thought to obey. Very funny book, by the way. #books #booksky #rushdie youtu.be/0TmWA2qDmMU?...youtu.be‘Tell the damn story’: Salman Rushdie on free speech & new doc on recovery from 2022 knife attackYouTube video by MS NOW 070
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 19/09/2026Told y'all so: “The Field of Blood”, by the Quentin Tarantino of US political history Joanne B Freeman, is an entertaining, poignant, intriguing tale of duels and fisticuffs in antebellum Congress. Pertinent in this age of that sentimental bruiser Markwayne Mullin. #history #books #booksky 150
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 19/09/2026Hillary Monahan (aka @hillarymonahan.bsky.social ), Good for you! Wars will always kill kids! So, don’t start wars. Cc @oldenoughtosay.com Talking of dead children, here (2nd time today) is that egregious SoD Hegseth gloating, four days after taking out 123. www.youtube.com/shorts/lqxYd...youtube.comHegseth: "This was never meant to be a fair fight"YouTube video by KING 5 Seattle 000
Reposted by Simon J. ReynoldsHillary Monahan @hillarymonahan.bsky.social · 19/09/2026I've been called an antisemite and an islamophobe this week for making space for multiple traumas and declaring dead children is wrong no matter who does what travesty to whom. I don't decide what you think of me. I do decide that "dead children is wrong" is a hill I will defend. 132731
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 19/09/2026Lest we forget... a moment's silence, please, to reflect once more on the Feb 28 slaughter of 123 Teheran children by "death and destruction from the sky". And on the sneering, gloating US SoD Peter Hegseth, unrepentant four days later. @hcrichardson.bsky.social www.youtube.com/shorts/lqxYd...youtube.comHegseth: "This was never meant to be a fair fight"YouTube video by KING 5 Seattle 000
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 19/09/2026Spot the slip of tongue? USP DJT confirms what we knew already ... that the reporting he bans is what *he* doesn't want to hear. "Negative" stories are NOT the same as "fake" stories. @maddow.bsky.social @hcrichardson.bsky.social @ogc56.bsky.social @lisaguerrero.bsky.social youtu.be/aNPiNGZuV2Uyoutu.beTrump bans CNN and Politico from White House | BBC NewsYouTube video by BBC News 020
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 17/09/2026A man with “morals so loose they flapped when he walked”—no, not the usual suspect but a character in #KatherineRundell ‘s new Glimouria book. Dazzling wordplay from a goddess of English prose (if prose can dance). That 300 yet? (keen to get back to ch3) #books #booksky #kidlituk #childrensbooks 150
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 17/09/2026#LAEO 78 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Hanna concurs: ‘And never – Not even hurt or sickly – Shall anybody catch me!’ But what of our heroine? To a stats table, wherein (As if dying weren’t enough!) We find this slight epitaph: Eurydice – DNF. [That's it. Tomorrow I'll post some Notes.] 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 17/09/2026Safely under lock and Lunakey! @oldenoughtosay.com , many thanks. 🙏 030
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 17/09/2026#LAEO 77 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Oculation is Bad Luck Officially – trumping pluck And hard work. From this day on, I promise, in peloton Or break, you’ll not discover *Me* looking at each other.’ ‘Never?’ ‘Well… hardly ever.’ 020
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 16/09/2026Regardless of the antisemitic connection, maybe give it a miss… 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 16/09/2026#LAEO 76 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Henceforth this sport, I predict, Will suffer for its looks. Tricked Out of our polite “You first”, “No no, after you”, we’re cursed To regard invitation As tiltyard vacillation. 000
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 16/09/2026#LAEO 75 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology ‘I thought you took a hands-off Position on rules?’ ‘Lay off The commissaires, I say!’ laughs Her friend, who does nix by halfs. Then sombrely: ‘These events Have stained our sweet innocence. 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 15/09/2026“The Field of Blood”, by the Quentin Tarantino of US political history Joanne B Freeman, is an entertaining, poignant, intriguing tale of duels and fisticuffs in antebellum Congress. Pertinent in this age of the sentimental bruiser Markwayne Mullin. #history #books #booksky @jbf1755.bsky.social 050
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 15/09/2026#LAEO 74 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Now Marian states: ‘A rule Is a rule, and though you’ll Think that harsh, as a rule it Should apply. Bite the bullet, Bear the bitter bleak blemish Brightly, as befits beamish Bike-buddies blatantly blessed By backbone.’ Hanna, in jest: 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 15/09/2026#LAEO 73 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology To turn, with polite outrage, Disvantage to advantage. 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 15/09/2026#LAEO 72 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Saving with her band of she-Riffs Robin Hood’s men in tight spots – Not once but time and again. Always up for a campaign, She upsets the old order, Will dispute any border, Brave even the slur ‘outlaw’, To share prizes with the poor, 020
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 14/09/2026#LAEO 71 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Could they but catch her off-bike: Fair Maid Marian, saintlike Champion of the greenwood Where she honed her skills real good, Making fools of the Sheriff’s Team, tying them all up in Notts, 030
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 14/09/2026#LAEO 70 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Of course, he stands not a chance With this pair—looking askance At his stare—as Hades knew Very well. For these are two Proud ladies: Hanna the Meek (She who shall inherit eke The earth and all its rainbows), And one on whom *would* rain beaux, 020
Reposted by Simon J. ReynoldsRudolf 🔜 MFF @flame.dog · 14/09/2026IIRC the "trickle down" thing was never phrasing used by Republicans to characterize their own policies, it was almost exclusively used in direct opposition of the policies it describes. 161
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 13/09/2026#LAEO 69 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Eurydice, Orph-baiting As he stuffs her in: ‘Dating? You’re available, I hear! Why not try those two up there?’ He cracks his whip and is borne Off with the remains. Forlorn Orph stands, till that parting leer Goads his grudging gaze ‘up there’… 040
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 13/09/2026#LAEO 68 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Takes in good part if a sport. Orpheus hates it a mort (And not just ’cause his dorsal Skin is about as sore’s all Get-out – bloodied, bruised and raw After his brush with the law Of gravity). An old crate Hades finds for the twice-late 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 12/09/2026Seated today with my Browning, I was weary and sick of news, And my eyeballs wandered idly 'Mong Bob's poetic cues. There I chanced upon The Pied Piper, and thought the third stanza might be helpful to my American friends plagued by MICE. @hcrichardson.bsky.social @jbf1755.bsky.social #poetry 130
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 12/09/2026#LAEO 67 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Rake of the canon Grecian, Not derivative Roman.) So, landing with a stagger, The god regains his swagger And, modestly insincere, Gasps ‘Oof! Getting old, I fear.’ Then gives the singer a slap On the back, the kind a chap 020
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 12/09/2026#LAEO 66 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology From the Race Director’s red Chariot, its steeds undead, With a camp flourish he vaults, Toga in the wind, no shorts – Picture Bacchus by Titian (Clear mythappropriation, That painting: said debaucher Was Dionysus for sure, 030
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 12/09/2026#LAEO 65 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Worse than the first; after that It quickly becomes old hat. ‘The later, the better bet’ – So preach Death’s dead-setter set. Of this, Hades is aware – Of course – lateness is his sphere! But he’s early on this scene, Keen to act callous and mean. 020
Reposted by Simon J. ReynoldsSimon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 11/09/2026Does the Squeaker of the House (as Jimmy Kimmel calls him) even realise what he's saying, you know, out loud? That he'll Defy the Will of the People?! This guy can't even defy the will of his shadow, which won't let him go out in the sun, it's so ashamed to be seen with him. 001
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 11/09/2026#LAEO 64 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology That same dope, barred by hands Unseen from touching her, stands Rigid as her life dissolves. On her bike there revolves One lonely pedal, awry, Spinning slowly down… Dying’s hard and the second Time is commonly reckoned 031
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 11/09/2026@jbf1755.bsky.social @mapm8ker.bsky.social Hi Joanne, Just caught up on today’s HM. Though I was in London it seemed very close. In the Canary Wharf office tower I suddenly felt highly exposed. Colbert was the other Talarico interview pushed on to Youtube. 🦜 www.youtube.com/watch?v=74AP...youtube.comLooking Back After 25 Years: How Did 9/11 Change Us?YouTube video by Dr. Joanne Freeman 010
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 11/09/2026#LAEO 63 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Her panting bosom quickens As within, her heart sickens. Yet in darkling she finds grace, Enough to forgive the face Of the sentimental dope Who brought her the joy of hope Renewed. (Hope, ha! Fickle friend Who betrayed them in the end.) 030
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 11/09/2026#LAEO 62 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Crying ‘No no no! Oh lover! They're looking at each other!’ Her chain breaks, both tyres explode, The frame twists, she hits the road, Horror and love, terror and rage Mingling on her final page. 050
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 10/09/2026What *does* the #RNLI think it's doing? First it saves the wrong people in peril on the sea. Then when I want to give it money to help with that, it loftily tells me only a #directdebit is acceptable for regular giving! But if I insisted, a one-off payment might not be sniffed at! I did 1/2—> 110
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 10/09/2026Deliberation, debate and compromise. I remember those. 000
Simon J. Reynolds @semperaliquid.net · 10/09/2026#LAEO 61 #books #poetry #cycling #mythology Aghast, he sees her a few Yards short of the line; she too Is aghast – their very last Shared emotion. The steadfast Hope in her eyes is displaced By despair, meeting his, laced With guilty dews; she barely Hears the frantic crowd tearly 020