Matthew Perren
@matthewperren.bsky.social
Dog and cat owning ex-bookseller. Lives in Scotland.
Non-work profile of @matnav.co.uk
Non-work profile of @matnav.co.uk
Pinned
Matthew Perren
@matthewperren.bsky.social
· Apr 27
Mike Walz absolutely nailed it in his state of the state address:
“Let’s be real clear about something: If you say you love freedom, but you don’t believe in freedom for everybody, then the thing you love isn’t freedom – it’s privilege.”
“Let’s be real clear about something: If you say you love freedom, but you don’t believe in freedom for everybody, then the thing you love isn’t freedom – it’s privilege.”
Sam is LinkedIn in human form #TheTraitors
January 3, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Sam is LinkedIn in human form #TheTraitors
January 3, 2026 at 2:44 PM
How do you know someone is doing dry January?
They tell you.
They tell you.
![Ancient Rome. KING POMPILIUS, the second king of Rome, is reclining dramatically on his chaise longue, fingers on temples, near to an amphora of WINE. His slave, SPIRO, is nearby.
1
POMPILIUS:
Hey, Spiro...
3
POMPILIUS:
Hey, *Spiro*…
SPIRO:
Yes, King Pompilius?
4
POMPILIUS:
I was just thinking like…
I hope you’re not planning on giving me any of that *wine*…
5
SPIRO:
Would you like some wine, sir?
POMPILIUS:
NO!
6
POMPILIUS:
Haven’t I told you Spiro, I’m *doing dry January*?
SPIRO:
Quite a few times, sir.
7
POMPILIUS:
I mean it’s doing my head in but I feel sooo healthy for it y'know?
SPIRO:
Yes sir you’ve mentioned that too
8
SPIRO:
Sir - may I ask… what is dry January?
9
POMPILIUS:
It’s a thing where you don’t drink all January.
SPIRO:
and what is… January?
POMPILIUS:
It’s a new month I made up.
10
SPIRO:
You made up a new month
POMPILIUS:
Yeah, two actually.
11
[Pompilus produces a scroll with the Roman two-faced god JANUS drawn on it]
POMPILIUS:
This one’s January, I named it after Janus who has two faces
12
POMPILIUS:
so he can tell as many people as possible that he’s-
SPIRO:
…doing dry January, yes
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreicvad2sx2w2fvc5d6f3ulrxn5g2lp7aot42klos2rxxika4wdf4vu@jpeg)
January 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM
How do you know someone is doing dry January?
They tell you.
They tell you.
Reposted by Matthew Perren
it’s stupid to not use ai just because it can induce psychosis and generate child porn. it’s like saying you’re hungry when there’s a hot dog on the ground outside that induces psychosis and generates child porn
January 2, 2026 at 4:10 PM
it’s stupid to not use ai just because it can induce psychosis and generate child porn. it’s like saying you’re hungry when there’s a hot dog on the ground outside that induces psychosis and generates child porn
Reposted by Matthew Perren
Just opened the fridge...
January 2, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Just opened the fridge...
Thought I was wearing a hat. I’m not.
What a rollercoaster.
What a rollercoaster.
January 2, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Thought I was wearing a hat. I’m not.
What a rollercoaster.
What a rollercoaster.
5 Brilliant things about January
1. Days are definitely getting longer
2. Everything is back to normal
3. Approx 1/12 of people celebrate their birthdays
4. So many people have made resolutions that no one will notice if you get drunk at my birthday party
5. High chance of snow
1. Days are definitely getting longer
2. Everything is back to normal
3. Approx 1/12 of people celebrate their birthdays
4. So many people have made resolutions that no one will notice if you get drunk at my birthday party
5. High chance of snow
January 2, 2026 at 3:02 PM
5 Brilliant things about January
1. Days are definitely getting longer
2. Everything is back to normal
3. Approx 1/12 of people celebrate their birthdays
4. So many people have made resolutions that no one will notice if you get drunk at my birthday party
5. High chance of snow
1. Days are definitely getting longer
2. Everything is back to normal
3. Approx 1/12 of people celebrate their birthdays
4. So many people have made resolutions that no one will notice if you get drunk at my birthday party
5. High chance of snow
Just come back from a very cold 30 mile bike ride. I feel like *maybe* I have Raynaud’s syndrome
January 2, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Just come back from a very cold 30 mile bike ride. I feel like *maybe* I have Raynaud’s syndrome
Happy not-being-able-to-get-into-your-regular-gym-classes Month to all who celebrate.
January 1, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Happy not-being-able-to-get-into-your-regular-gym-classes Month to all who celebrate.
Reposted by Matthew Perren
Jan 13? I share your pain - and the dawn of vaganuary added a whole new layer of buzz-kill.
December 31, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Jan 13? I share your pain - and the dawn of vaganuary added a whole new layer of buzz-kill.
[annoying high pitched voice] “How I’m leaving 2025”
[hits post button with the smuggest of thumbs]
[hits post button with the smuggest of thumbs]
Good year mates. we'll bloody see you in the next one
Luv ya
Luv ya
December 31, 2025 at 8:51 AM
[annoying high pitched voice] “How I’m leaving 2025”
[hits post button with the smuggest of thumbs]
[hits post button with the smuggest of thumbs]
Thinking of making a “Free flag. Please take one”, sign for lampposts.
December 31, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Thinking of making a “Free flag. Please take one”, sign for lampposts.
Yes, “unwinnablt” was the very word I was looking for. Thank you.
December 31, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Yes, “unwinnablt” was the very word I was looking for. Thank you.
There are a lot of folk very keen to tell you they’ve been the subject of the most sophisticated rickroll in history
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 30, 2025 at 6:37 AM
There are a lot of folk very keen to tell you they’ve been the subject of the most sophisticated rickroll in history
Reposted by Matthew Perren
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I’ve a quiet project to befriend the crows in the local park. I give them some of my dog’s kibble when I’m out walking. Twice now this week this lad has swooped down on my and patted my head as I leave.
December 29, 2025 at 9:23 AM
I’ve a quiet project to befriend the crows in the local park. I give them some of my dog’s kibble when I’m out walking. Twice now this week this lad has swooped down on my and patted my head as I leave.
I’m gonna say “London”
December 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I’m gonna say “London”
Reposted by Matthew Perren
Not looking forward to New Year's Eve. I hate all the drunkenness, shouting, brawling and throwing up. Maybe it's a mistake to spend it alone.
December 28, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Not looking forward to New Year's Eve. I hate all the drunkenness, shouting, brawling and throwing up. Maybe it's a mistake to spend it alone.
Before we exit December can I remind people that there walk amongst you those who have birthdays in January
We’d appreciate it if you could keep your banal opinions about the month to yourselves. And if you are indulging in veganuary or, worse, “dry” January, no one cares and no one wants to know
We’d appreciate it if you could keep your banal opinions about the month to yourselves. And if you are indulging in veganuary or, worse, “dry” January, no one cares and no one wants to know
December 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Before we exit December can I remind people that there walk amongst you those who have birthdays in January
We’d appreciate it if you could keep your banal opinions about the month to yourselves. And if you are indulging in veganuary or, worse, “dry” January, no one cares and no one wants to know
We’d appreciate it if you could keep your banal opinions about the month to yourselves. And if you are indulging in veganuary or, worse, “dry” January, no one cares and no one wants to know
Reposted by Matthew Perren
Chatted to my great uncle yesterday – a northern, working-class guy, not that political. I told him my job involved exposing Farage.
His first question was: “who funds him?”
Investigations into Farage’s donors can have a major impact on Reform’s support – as this research has already shown 👇
His first question was: “who funds him?”
Investigations into Farage’s donors can have a major impact on Reform’s support – as this research has already shown 👇
New research reveals the best attack lines to use against Reform
How to stop Farage...
writesbright.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Chatted to my great uncle yesterday – a northern, working-class guy, not that political. I told him my job involved exposing Farage.
His first question was: “who funds him?”
Investigations into Farage’s donors can have a major impact on Reform’s support – as this research has already shown 👇
His first question was: “who funds him?”
Investigations into Farage’s donors can have a major impact on Reform’s support – as this research has already shown 👇
Reposted by Matthew Perren
“World’s Strongest Poet” to be screened on BBC Four at Christmas.
Carrying heavy weights of expectation across hosts of golden daffodils or down to the sea again.
Carrying heavy weights of expectation across hosts of golden daffodils or down to the sea again.
December 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM
“World’s Strongest Poet” to be screened on BBC Four at Christmas.
Carrying heavy weights of expectation across hosts of golden daffodils or down to the sea again.
Carrying heavy weights of expectation across hosts of golden daffodils or down to the sea again.
Reposted by Matthew Perren
It's Sunday. It's been Sunday for several days. It's Sunday again tomorrow. It's always Sunday now.
December 28, 2025 at 9:40 AM
It's Sunday. It's been Sunday for several days. It's Sunday again tomorrow. It's always Sunday now.
Reposted by Matthew Perren
Alas! It is 31 years since the world was deprived of one of its more colourful culinary characters: Phyllis Nan Sortain Pechey – better known as double bigamist, child abandoner, amphetamine user, dangerous driver, and celebrity cook Fanny Cradock
December 27, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Alas! It is 31 years since the world was deprived of one of its more colourful culinary characters: Phyllis Nan Sortain Pechey – better known as double bigamist, child abandoner, amphetamine user, dangerous driver, and celebrity cook Fanny Cradock
This is an entirely wonderful book. I’m halfway through it and don’t want it to end.
I miss the exciting place the future used to be, so I wrote this novel about that. Which is also about education, and childhood, and mining, and the political climate of the early 1980s, and bruised semi-rural industrial landscapes, and alpacas.
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
December 27, 2025 at 8:29 AM
This is an entirely wonderful book. I’m halfway through it and don’t want it to end.