A Poor Player
@apoorplayer.bsky.social
English teacher, HOD, in the state sector. Probably fulfilling many associated stereotypes.
Reposted by A Poor Player
Brooklyn Beckham: it's time to address the shadowy shape that's difficult to photograph in the room
January 19, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Brooklyn Beckham: it's time to address the shadowy shape that's difficult to photograph in the room
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Mmm, Yeats.
Are full of passionate intensity.
Mmm, Yeats.
January 18, 2026 at 12:17 PM
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Mmm, Yeats.
Are full of passionate intensity.
Mmm, Yeats.
Listening to a woman trying to explain what a protest is to her 2 small children and resisting the urge to lean over and say "you really need to model an example here".
January 17, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Listening to a woman trying to explain what a protest is to her 2 small children and resisting the urge to lean over and say "you really need to model an example here".
Reposted by A Poor Player
I mostly agree but you have to *love* the songs too.
And not pick any that are recordings of your (non professional musician) family members.
And not pick any that are recordings of your (non professional musician) family members.
Yeah the ideal is childhood memory, meeting partner/wedding tune, song related to career breakthrough, song kids like, song that illustrates politics/worldview, etc
January 16, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I mostly agree but you have to *love* the songs too.
And not pick any that are recordings of your (non professional musician) family members.
And not pick any that are recordings of your (non professional musician) family members.
Reposted by A Poor Player
Kevin is right -- holy hell! -- but among many other things, this obit demonstrates the possible price of resistance.
Holy hell, what an obituary
Renfrew Christie Dies at 76; Sabotaged Racist Regime’s Nuclear Program
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Kevin is right -- holy hell! -- but among many other things, this obit demonstrates the possible price of resistance.
The last paragraph of this article suggests why this is - and always was - an absolute nonsense story to whip up.
A school cannot control what its parents think nor what an NEU local branch reports.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
A school cannot control what its parents think nor what an NEU local branch reports.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Ofsted launches inspection of school criticised for cancelling MP visit
Damien Egan, vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel, denied entry after opposition from pro-Palestine group and union
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The last paragraph of this article suggests why this is - and always was - an absolute nonsense story to whip up.
A school cannot control what its parents think nor what an NEU local branch reports.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
A school cannot control what its parents think nor what an NEU local branch reports.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
"Childless but babysitting" is a playlist I need.
fuck yes that's ideal isn't it, adding to the list!
January 14, 2026 at 10:18 PM
"Childless but babysitting" is a playlist I need.
This article is so long you imagine that they contacted lots of people, expected a few replies and then found that *everybody* loves Alan Rickman and wants to share their memories.
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
‘I fell in love with him on the spot’: Alan Rickman remembered, 10 years after his death
On the anniversary of his death aged 69, stars from Sigourney Weaver to Sharleen Spiteri, Tom Felton to Harriet Walter, remember the wit, charm and endless generosity of one of Britain’s best-loved ac...
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:25 AM
This article is so long you imagine that they contacted lots of people, expected a few replies and then found that *everybody* loves Alan Rickman and wants to share their memories.
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
Y7 article on climate change: 'ingenious people are losing their land'
... I think that's indigenous?
... I think that's indigenous?
January 12, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Y7 article on climate change: 'ingenious people are losing their land'
... I think that's indigenous?
... I think that's indigenous?
I love #CalltheMidwife but that bra burning looks like they're toasting marshmallows.
January 12, 2026 at 9:37 PM
I love #CalltheMidwife but that bra burning looks like they're toasting marshmallows.
I can happily advise you that the ideal combo is a mix of pecorino and parmesan.
Italians need to stop getting so pissy about even the slightest changes to their traditional recipes. If I want to use Parmesan instead of Pecorino in my Carbonara I will do. Pancetta too. Where even sells Guanciale anyway? It's still Carbonara either way.
January 12, 2026 at 6:20 PM
I can happily advise you that the ideal combo is a mix of pecorino and parmesan.
A little A Level English Language vibes here.
@englangblog.bsky.social - maybe not for the classroom!
@englangblog.bsky.social - maybe not for the classroom!
Which word am I supposed to be stressing in this headline?
January 11, 2026 at 6:49 PM
A little A Level English Language vibes here.
@englangblog.bsky.social - maybe not for the classroom!
@englangblog.bsky.social - maybe not for the classroom!
Me: oooh that would be a good gig to go to. Weeknight - probably fine, will just check.
School calendar: Soz mate, you've got Y10 parents' eve to look forward to instead!
School calendar: Soz mate, you've got Y10 parents' eve to look forward to instead!
January 11, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Me: oooh that would be a good gig to go to. Weeknight - probably fine, will just check.
School calendar: Soz mate, you've got Y10 parents' eve to look forward to instead!
School calendar: Soz mate, you've got Y10 parents' eve to look forward to instead!
Reposted by A Poor Player
The decline of local newspapers has created a big gap - with areas struggling to build new models of coverage.
But some have been bucking the trend - in particular @millmedia.bsky.social founded as @manchestermill.bsky.social in Manchester.
Find out more: futurenorth.substack.com/p/is-this-th...
But some have been bucking the trend - in particular @millmedia.bsky.social founded as @manchestermill.bsky.social in Manchester.
Find out more: futurenorth.substack.com/p/is-this-th...
Is this the future of local news?
The Manchester Mill model goes nationwide
futurenorth.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 9:10 AM
The decline of local newspapers has created a big gap - with areas struggling to build new models of coverage.
But some have been bucking the trend - in particular @millmedia.bsky.social founded as @manchestermill.bsky.social in Manchester.
Find out more: futurenorth.substack.com/p/is-this-th...
But some have been bucking the trend - in particular @millmedia.bsky.social founded as @manchestermill.bsky.social in Manchester.
Find out more: futurenorth.substack.com/p/is-this-th...
Rewatching Mad Men and got to this line from Joan, from an episode set in 1965 - "No matter how powerful we get around here, they can still just draw a cartoon."
And ain't that still the truth.
And ain't that still the truth.
January 9, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Rewatching Mad Men and got to this line from Joan, from an episode set in 1965 - "No matter how powerful we get around here, they can still just draw a cartoon."
And ain't that still the truth.
And ain't that still the truth.
Reposted by A Poor Player
Just heard an AI ethicist talk about how important it is that we say ‘MEN are using Grok to undress images of babies, children and women’ not ‘Grok is….’. Grok isn’t responsible for the action, the men enabling & using it for this repulsive purpose are. Small but important bit of linguistic accuracy
January 7, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Just heard an AI ethicist talk about how important it is that we say ‘MEN are using Grok to undress images of babies, children and women’ not ‘Grok is….’. Grok isn’t responsible for the action, the men enabling & using it for this repulsive purpose are. Small but important bit of linguistic accuracy
Very jarring for bleary eyed UK readers.
NEW: Jonathan Ross is former National Guard and Border Patrol and has been part of ICE's SWAT equivalent, a team leader overseeing FBI, ATF, and IRS agents, and a firearms instructor, according to testimony obtained by WIRED. This is from @hudsongiles.bsky.social and me:
ICE Agent Who Reportedly Shot Renee Good Was a Firearms Trainer, Per Testimony
Jonathan Ross told a federal court in December about his professional background, including “hundreds” of encounters with drivers during enforcement actions, according to testimony obtained by WIRED.
www.wired.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Very jarring for bleary eyed UK readers.
Reposted by A Poor Player
"The evidence is clear: when talented students who have faced greater barriers gain access to elite universities, they flourish precisely because opportunity, not ability, was the binding constraint."
Prof Lee Elliot Major, University of Exeter
#highered #edchat
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Prof Lee Elliot Major, University of Exeter
#highered #edchat
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Cambridge college to target elite private schools for student recruitment
Exclusive: Trinity Hall’s new policy described as a ‘slap in the face’ for state-educated students
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:32 AM
"The evidence is clear: when talented students who have faced greater barriers gain access to elite universities, they flourish precisely because opportunity, not ability, was the binding constraint."
Prof Lee Elliot Major, University of Exeter
#highered #edchat
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Prof Lee Elliot Major, University of Exeter
#highered #edchat
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by A Poor Player
also reminds me of Pooley’s law of corkscrews and bottle openers: impossible to dispose of any of them, even the one that always snaps corks “just in case” you have a big party and need 20 at once (you haven’t had a party in a decade)
January 7, 2026 at 7:07 PM
also reminds me of Pooley’s law of corkscrews and bottle openers: impossible to dispose of any of them, even the one that always snaps corks “just in case” you have a big party and need 20 at once (you haven’t had a party in a decade)
Reposted by A Poor Player
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘January’ Shell Guide
Artist: SR Badmin
‘January’ Shell Guide
Artist: SR Badmin
January 5, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘January’ Shell Guide
Artist: SR Badmin
‘January’ Shell Guide
Artist: SR Badmin
Reposted by A Poor Player
A Dutch worker went viral after explaining to their American boss that they have a life outside work.
January 5, 2026 at 11:52 AM
A Dutch worker went viral after explaining to their American boss that they have a life outside work.
Reposted by A Poor Player
This is absolutely amazing. Hurray for science! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 1:27 PM
This is absolutely amazing. Hurray for science! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by A Poor Player
Great to see Enough’s harmed being called out more and more
Police warn victims are being duped into buying self-swab rape kits www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Police warn victims are being duped into buying self-swab rape kits www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Police warn victims are being duped into buying self-swab rape kits
Thousands of women are being 'misled' by a firm selling self-swab rape kits as a 'deterrent' which could lead to attackers walking free, police have warned.
www.dailymail.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Great to see Enough’s harmed being called out more and more
Police warn victims are being duped into buying self-swab rape kits www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Police warn victims are being duped into buying self-swab rape kits www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by A Poor Player
Other work of the Ladybird artists.
Winter scene
Artist: SR Badmin
Winter scene
Artist: SR Badmin
January 2, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Other work of the Ladybird artists.
Winter scene
Artist: SR Badmin
Winter scene
Artist: SR Badmin