Martin Smith
@martinsmith.bsky.social
Husband, father, violinist; leader of cirrusstringquartet.com; conductor of rorchestra.bsky.social, enfieldchamberorch.org.uk, Winchmore Strings and anyone else that'll have me. Member/Board member of londonmozartplayers.com. Makes decent coffee. He/him
My beloved sister gave me The Voice That Thunders, a volume of essays by the great Alan Garner, for Christmas.
I am coming on here to say that, in the crystal clarity of his prose and the truth of his vision of what art is and how it is made, it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
I am coming on here to say that, in the crystal clarity of his prose and the truth of his vision of what art is and how it is made, it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
January 7, 2026 at 12:24 PM
My beloved sister gave me The Voice That Thunders, a volume of essays by the great Alan Garner, for Christmas.
I am coming on here to say that, in the crystal clarity of his prose and the truth of his vision of what art is and how it is made, it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
I am coming on here to say that, in the crystal clarity of his prose and the truth of his vision of what art is and how it is made, it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
Hmm. I have to say, sucking seems to be an appropriate adjective for a Walliams book
January 6, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Hmm. I have to say, sucking seems to be an appropriate adjective for a Walliams book
Okay, I think this person won not only Bluesky but the whole damn internet today
Attachment issues
January 6, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Okay, I think this person won not only Bluesky but the whole damn internet today
plus they have this advantage over cheese (which I love): that they don't go off if ignored due to too many other cheeses having been bought
January 6, 2026 at 1:38 PM
plus they have this advantage over cheese (which I love): that they don't go off if ignored due to too many other cheeses having been bought
(Just downloaded Titanchild, btw, so there's another ha'penny for the 25/26 return.)
January 6, 2026 at 11:57 AM
(Just downloaded Titanchild, btw, so there's another ha'penny for the 25/26 return.)
Feeling your pain
January 6, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Feeling your pain
You mad, mad, mad, mad, mad woman
(squeals in vertigo)
(squeals in vertigo)
January 6, 2026 at 11:25 AM
You mad, mad, mad, mad, mad woman
(squeals in vertigo)
(squeals in vertigo)
I assume spell check stopped you from saying Farquaad?
January 6, 2026 at 11:24 AM
I assume spell check stopped you from saying Farquaad?
Wouldn't want to be gigging in the Sheldonian today, though. No matter how beautiful it is.
January 6, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Wouldn't want to be gigging in the Sheldonian today, though. No matter how beautiful it is.
If you're on the east coast of the island, there's a fair chance you'll pick up a French network too
January 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM
If you're on the east coast of the island, there's a fair chance you'll pick up a French network too
Not sure I will benefit from the gays, but I thank you for the rest, and take the whole in the spirit in which it was undoubtedly meant
January 1, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Not sure I will benefit from the gays, but I thank you for the rest, and take the whole in the spirit in which it was undoubtedly meant
And an even better one
January 1, 2026 at 4:36 PM
And an even better one
Rather a good sky, really.
January 1, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Rather a good sky, really.
"The worst kind of soul is the great Slav soul. They will come up to you and say, " Sometimes I am so happy and sometimes I am so sad. Can you tell me why?" (You cannot; do not try.)...
The English have no soul; they have the understatement instead."
-George Mikes
The English have no soul; they have the understatement instead."
-George Mikes
January 1, 2026 at 9:03 AM
"The worst kind of soul is the great Slav soul. They will come up to you and say, " Sometimes I am so happy and sometimes I am so sad. Can you tell me why?" (You cannot; do not try.)...
The English have no soul; they have the understatement instead."
-George Mikes
The English have no soul; they have the understatement instead."
-George Mikes
I have used Qobuz for years. The search engine is occasionally frustrating, but the range of classical albums available is pretty damn good.
January 1, 2026 at 8:54 AM
I have used Qobuz for years. The search engine is occasionally frustrating, but the range of classical albums available is pretty damn good.
probably worried they might get mordored ll
January 1, 2026 at 8:50 AM
probably worried they might get mordored ll
Good point. On the other hand, if a dragon does appear, and Ms Duane at least admits the possibility, it may mean that some shadow of the Lone Power has managed to restore a link. Which would be worrying. OTOH it might explain why the world is in such a parlous state right now...
December 30, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Good point. On the other hand, if a dragon does appear, and Ms Duane at least admits the possibility, it may mean that some shadow of the Lone Power has managed to restore a link. Which would be worrying. OTOH it might explain why the world is in such a parlous state right now...
Oh really? So you didn't leave it a book to look after down there?
December 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Oh really? So you didn't leave it a book to look after down there?
My daughter staggered me with a copy of Kai Lung's Golden Hours. Though admittedly not a first ed. Compliments of the season, sir.
December 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
My daughter staggered me with a copy of Kai Lung's Golden Hours. Though admittedly not a first ed. Compliments of the season, sir.
Diolch o galon, ac i chi hefyd
December 25, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Diolch o galon, ac i chi hefyd
I know that one, and love it.
December 25, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I know that one, and love it.
This lay drinker salutes your excellent taste.
December 25, 2025 at 2:08 AM
This lay drinker salutes your excellent taste.