Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
That's a useful rabbit hole to go down! Borrow? Sorrow? I see someone has suggested Gomorrah, so maybe a 'dialect' word ending ..ah might be a lead? Is it a Scottish artist perchance?
London born, long term resident in Italy. Was an architect, once, but not in the way you'd think! Serious interests are many, but often political. Silly interests are cats and Formula 1!
655 followers 897 following 4,634 posts
view profile on Bluesky Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
That's a useful rabbit hole to go down! Borrow? Sorrow? I see someone has suggested Gomorrah, so maybe a 'dialect' word ending ..ah might be a lead? Is it a Scottish artist perchance?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Hah! I have listened to a few of those, but in daylight hours - otherwise I wouldn't get past the first sentence. Excellent work.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
Good effort by newbie contestants Lincoln University, winning their first round in #UniversityChallenge
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
I'm very bad at sleeping, and often use a podcast as a lullaby. Last night was a major fail, @techwontsave.us kept me awake for far too long! Tonight I shall try Quiet Riot from @sturdyalex.bsky.social, no disrespect to the content, but his voice is wonderfully soporific.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Well that's probably a good idea, akin to calling an Ambassador in for a talking to - but it's kind of arm's length criticism, isn't it? Get in there and ask awkward questions of Starmer and Lammy, and have a go at finding out what the Tories think about the brutality.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
This is a particularly interesting episode of this podcast - it ranges way beyond fossil fuels into some fascinating observations on wider geopolitical issues.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
If 'celebrity magazines' in Italy are anything to go by there is a great passion for reading stories about British Royals - usually complete fantasies! One recent regret is that my hairdresser doesn't get these fanzines any more, since all of her clients have phones.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I was living in Italy, and I didn't hear any sympathy from my Italian friends who simply told me 'Your Queen's died'. (I did explain!)
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
The least insane think that vested interests in oil/gas/coal are behind the hoax, and that those parties stand to gain money. How they imagine that they themselves stand to gain is beyond me.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Looks a bit like AI for turtles!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
📌
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
I have given up doomscrolling tonight to enjoy my thunderstorm.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Shades of David Attenborough's scorpion tattoo missing a couple of legs!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
#Newsnight has the increasingly middle aged Sebastian Payne trying, without conviction, to argue against Ed Davey boycotting the Trump State visit. Good on Ed for his stance on this.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
That cat does look determinedly sturdy! None of this woke yoga stuff thank you very much.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I think you are too optimistic. This meme that Ukraine is the aggressor isn't limited to Trump, and quite probably has taken root among the American public. I haven't seen much kickback in the US media.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I'm rather beginning to suspect that Farage or A.N.Other decreed that no further mention of that phrase would sully the BBC's feeds.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
I'm a bit surprised that amongst all the negative comments about Reform's immigration ideas, I haven't noticed anyone quaking at the description of asylum seekers as "fighting age men". (Yusuf, 3 times on the Today programme.) An XL Bully whistle.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh well spotted - although that colourful octopus seems to have some Lego like characteristics!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
But we never hear WHY did the commercial interests get away with this silencing. Lead, sugar, (arguably) oil are not high value commodities - are their advocates simply venal?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Soylent Green vibes coming through strongly!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
He definitely parked that balloon more skillfully than I manage with my car!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
That reconstruction of the Piper Alpha explosion (just finished on BBC2) was very interesting and well made.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
🥴Maybe a bit of overthinking going on here!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Badfinger vibe there ...
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
The world is shit, and Trump and Putin have convinced us that they are so dangerous that any disagreement is fatal for the world. That's not true of Netenyahu, so why is he getting away with his obscene butchery unchastised?
Blue Heron Farm (@blueheronfarm.bsky.social) reposted
I'm at the Daiso, anyone need fucked up socks?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
"Mittens on kittens" to quote a line from a famous song!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah but - as in so many medieval, even Renaissance buildings, that window isn't positioned sensibly in relation to the staircase, (unless you're a fan of Hopper!)
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
FUNEX?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I have a friend who clearly overbought stuff from that catalogue, so every Christmas I am blessed with a little blast from the past, and no clue as to what to do with it!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
2025 expressions on the faces of these putti.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
So this 'event' is about 90 minutes away (I think). Not too long to stay up!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
If my personal experience is anything to go by, this (not only social) media 'flooding of the zone' discourages me from posting here on Bluesky, or more broadly taking any interest in anything. The tactic is an effective silencer.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
That the polluting/hazardous industries are located in disadvantaged communities is true the world over. The bit I don't understand is that those same disadvantaged are encouraged to scream for those industries to return if they are taken away.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Been there, done that!!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
And sometimes the one you are most reluctant to 'adopt' turns out to be the most wonderful cat you've ever known!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh wow - that one is going to need some feeding up, but you will feel so rewarded for your care.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Don't you have any German oligarchs with a nice Schloss to offer?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
ChatGPT is taking the piss naming the octopus Octavia ...
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh yes - this happened frequently in Italy (though I haven't seen it recently), and you often get the new name and at the same time the previous name. Not only for the reason that the old name was 'inappropriate', just progress in politics. (@nickwhithorn.bsky.social)
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
As well as getting my usual 'like', which doesn't seem enough, I'd like you to know how interesting I find your posts. Especially those like today's which show us less well known paintings.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Street names are fascinating, Italy does them particularly well and I'll often look up a name to see 'what he did' to get honoured in this way. Close to me we have via Sputnik, and via Yuri Gagarin - I didn't need Wikipedia for those!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
When are they going to announce that Lucy Connolly is going to appear on Strictly Come Dancing?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I hear Venezuela is on high alert!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Vance is even appearing neck tie less in solidarity ... or?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Cofveve (? maybe I have the speling incorrect!)
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Look at the contrast in body language and presentation on show here - Vance waiting smartly/smugly in the wings while Long Red Tie has been forgotten. Trump is looking derelict.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
Radio 4 has offered me 2 straight hours about women's rugby.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
If you study the ingredients on most pet foods you'll also find sugar added to these.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I don't understand this argument - surely the parents don't taste the over sugared baby food, any more than pet owners taste the cat food? It has to be the sugar industry pushing their evil product to the manufacturers for profit.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
Wordle 1,524 4/6* ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨 ⬜🟨🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Happy about this one, I had failed miserably yesterday.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
What confuses me (and I think you allude to it when you note that no application for a 'change of use' had been made, or been seen to be necessary) is why this case has jumped out of planning law into injunction stuff determined by a 'higher court'.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
But who could resist his wonderful gingerness?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
The Food Programme is consistently excellent. It's probably ignored by too many who think it's about cooking - but it's often a deep dive into the politics of food in every sense.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
And the distraction of re-inventing the wheel is just that - a distraction.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Trump might fancy that. Lock it up safely!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
Oh what fun - desperate for rain, and sitting in the middle of three thunderstorms, counting the time lapse between lightning and thunder, in four languages! We managed English and Italian fine, struggled momentarily with 7 in French, failed after 11 in German, and couldn't get beyond 3 in Russian.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
But also, particularly for the gardening feed 🌱 a mention of your location (in your bio perhaps) is really helpful! There are two hemispheres on this earth, and seeing deep winter pics in my midsummer, without understanding they are from a NZ user, gets confusing.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
The notion of 'the common good' sacrificed to a minuscule saving of public expenditure.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
That site failed me on first sight. Why'd I want to join some Scandi outfit? (I never use Arial!)
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
AI has become a nonsensical 'branding tool', applied to perfectly respectable, well researched and implemented machine learning. It isn't "AI" which is interpreting medical imaging usefully, it's slowly and carefully peer reviewed image recognition.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Also the Building Research Establishment (although that was privatised in 1997), governments of whatever hue never learn.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I predict it will be replaced by an assertion that China has made all this climate change stuff up in order to corner the market in renewables. (Or is this already an opinion?)
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
You'll perhaps find the prog a bit upbeat and heartening (aka woke), but it's a million miles away from the attitudes of Epping.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
But at the same time it should be given the opportunity to have a ruling opinion through a planning appeal process, which (and I have only read The Standard story) it seems has been denied.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
There was a really good Radio 4 programme about how awful hotels are for asylum seekers. It was from Glasgow, and quite possibly was The Food Programme - I'll try to track it down.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
It will be an interesting planning appeal. I was involved with an ex military site which had been sold off to a developer, and we successfully argued that the NAAFI building should be accepted as a pub .
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
"I have heard" that they have bred the bitterness out of them, so the soaking is apparently not necessary these days. I cut them into very thin slices and burn them on the barbecue, which avoids the sliminess which I associate with them and don't like.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Time for a trip to your nearest recycling centre?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
It's not as if the olive tree gives up its oil voluntarily, like rubber!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Birkenstocks are still expensive - so much so that I noticed someone sporting a rip-off version yesterday! (Very good rip-off, just that the brand name was embossed on the outer side, rather than the more discreet inner side favoured by the brand - plus a bit of inappropriate Chinese glitter.)
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
A reminder that Part 2 of the BBC Radio 4 "Hershey's Hiroshima" is airing this afternoon at 3pm. If you didn't hear Part 1 (from last Sunday) there is time to listen to it.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
The sort of children (including myself) who connected with the Woodcraft Folk didn't need the 'permission' of their parents.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Wordle 1,520 3/6* ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨🟩⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Better today - I had missed one earlier in the week which was the start of a bad day!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I'd happily write something to entice foreign visitors about galleries, museums, castles, stately homes and inland countryside - but even Grok is going to struggle with Mablethope.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
This episode of Annika on BBC One tonight sounds promising, although I'm wondering whether the script was invented by AI. 😊
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
They have been selling these in Italy for a couple of years. They are completely 'plug and play' so when you move apartment you simply take it with you like a bit of furniture!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Titanic laissez faire.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reposted
This podcast is completely mindblowing - it challenges everything you thought was 'agreed'. I encourage everybody from whatever political persuasion to listen to it. Also a shout out to the 'Disorder' podcast which hosted it (at least that's where I found it).
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
This podcast is completely mindblowing - it challenges everything you thought was 'agreed'. I encourage everybody from whatever political persuasion to listen to it. Also a shout out to the 'Disorder' podcast which hosted it (at least that's where I found it).
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I am not an American citizen, and while I am not averse to Gov Newsom's position, I am unconvinced that this form of 'tweet' is useful.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
There is a road sign (of course, not familiar to British drivers) which warns you if this nowadays extremely rare rule applies to the road which you are on in Italy. Don't you have this in France?
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
That's an opinion close to my heart. Doncha find that the most interesting company is always the smokers huddling outside!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
The first thing I pick up if A&E is going to be involved is a book, or two, to be on the safe side.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
It would get closer if the fines were bigger. You get £50 for doing 35 in a 30 limit, so I'd up that to £250 at least!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I think Part 2 is likely to be even more harrowing.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social)
This is a tremendous representation of a historic piece of journalism, certainly worth an attentive listen.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
It could be seen as a bit Trumpian - just a way of swelling the coffers of the treasury!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Striking parallels with Trump.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I could not dispute any of that. My 'special area' of interest is the Farnese Pope dynasty in the Renaissance, and they were nepotistic tyrants - but without them having commissioned dodgy types like Micheangelo I'd never have heard of them.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I really couldn't say! I suppose it comes down to whether you buy the tub of 'cacio e pepe sauce' in Waitrose or Lidl 🤔
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Very true. I once ate in a vegan restaurant with a marvellous kitchen, and they had made a pasta and 'seafood' dish which had really salty pistacchios playing the part of mussels very successfully.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
The waiter should ideally be named Giuseppe! And cacio is a generic name for cheese, whereas the currently cited essential of it being pecorino (which is a sheeps' milk cheese) is imprecise. Do not challenge me on this irrelevancy, I am capable of surviving a captcha.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
That is one of the things which Bluesky gets (maybe got) close to replicating with its Feeds. The well curated Feeds are still rather engaging, but quite a few have been abandoned.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
It's what AI understands as 'tea'!
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh I agree! I just hope that whoever is the British ambassador has the nous to entertain the poor sod charged with complaining with some Port infused Stilton.
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
I hear that the Americans make tea in a microwave ...
Sallyoo (@sallyoo.bsky.social) reply parent
But the delightful theatre of a restaurant serving this dish at the table - the hot pasta thrown into a hollowed out wheel of pecorino cheese, shuffled around with pepper, and flourished onto the plate by a beautiful waiter! Defo no cream required.