Bren McGowan
@brenmcgowan.bsky.social
Engagement and health policy nerd, but very likely to post about birds, books, coffee, crosswords, opera, plants and theatre.
Coeliac and vegan (for the fun of it).
Northerner transplanted into the South. All opinions my own - and I've plenty to spare.
Coeliac and vegan (for the fun of it).
Northerner transplanted into the South. All opinions my own - and I've plenty to spare.
Another of those pictures that could be monochrome or full colour. Who can tell?
February 6, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Another of those pictures that could be monochrome or full colour. Who can tell?
I'd heard good things about this but wasn't sure it was for me - however, a great Friday Rush ticket meant I was willing to give it a go.
I half expected the audience to be full of 'Nutcracker' nuts, but I was spared that.
It turned out to be fun and endearing - and not at all twee.
But...
1/2
I half expected the audience to be full of 'Nutcracker' nuts, but I was spared that.
It turned out to be fun and endearing - and not at all twee.
But...
1/2
February 5, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I'd heard good things about this but wasn't sure it was for me - however, a great Friday Rush ticket meant I was willing to give it a go.
I half expected the audience to be full of 'Nutcracker' nuts, but I was spared that.
It turned out to be fun and endearing - and not at all twee.
But...
1/2
I half expected the audience to be full of 'Nutcracker' nuts, but I was spared that.
It turned out to be fun and endearing - and not at all twee.
But...
1/2
I mean, I'm good - but I'm not *that* good!
January 28, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I mean, I'm good - but I'm not *that* good!
I've just started reading @sarfrazmanzoor.bsky.social 'They' - and it starts with a mention of him never seeing a photo of his parents' wedding.
I'm in the same boat - and would have wondered whether they had actually married (there's history in the family!).
1/x
I'm in the same boat - and would have wondered whether they had actually married (there's history in the family!).
1/x
January 27, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I've just started reading @sarfrazmanzoor.bsky.social 'They' - and it starts with a mention of him never seeing a photo of his parents' wedding.
I'm in the same boat - and would have wondered whether they had actually married (there's history in the family!).
1/x
I'm in the same boat - and would have wondered whether they had actually married (there's history in the family!).
1/x
Roy Williams' adaptation of Sam Selvon's 'The Lonely Londoners' shows life for immigrants from the Caribbean in 1950s London. So, we do get racism, slum landlords and violence. And it's funny, moving and - ultimately - hopeful.
1/2
1/2
January 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Roy Williams' adaptation of Sam Selvon's 'The Lonely Londoners' shows life for immigrants from the Caribbean in 1950s London. So, we do get racism, slum landlords and violence. And it's funny, moving and - ultimately - hopeful.
1/2
1/2
This is us on Friday morning - not quite so severe. Maybe a good day for a late start.
January 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This is us on Friday morning - not quite so severe. Maybe a good day for a late start.
A sky that manages to look both rather beautiful and just a little bit threatening.
I also think it's suggesting it will be bloody cold.
I also think it's suggesting it will be bloody cold.
January 20, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A sky that manages to look both rather beautiful and just a little bit threatening.
I also think it's suggesting it will be bloody cold.
I also think it's suggesting it will be bloody cold.
I mean, just what is the point of tactile paving when this happens?
(Apart from general road safety - specifically pedestrian safety!)
(Apart from general road safety - specifically pedestrian safety!)
January 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I mean, just what is the point of tactile paving when this happens?
(Apart from general road safety - specifically pedestrian safety!)
(Apart from general road safety - specifically pedestrian safety!)
Well, 'The Invention of Love' seemed to be less of a play and more of a MENSA entrance exam.
It seemed to be Stoppard in hyperactive mood - with fewer laughs.
I probably should have stayed at home and watched 'Carry On Camping'.
It seemed to be Stoppard in hyperactive mood - with fewer laughs.
I probably should have stayed at home and watched 'Carry On Camping'.
January 18, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Well, 'The Invention of Love' seemed to be less of a play and more of a MENSA entrance exam.
It seemed to be Stoppard in hyperactive mood - with fewer laughs.
I probably should have stayed at home and watched 'Carry On Camping'.
It seemed to be Stoppard in hyperactive mood - with fewer laughs.
I probably should have stayed at home and watched 'Carry On Camping'.
"Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture." in a Caribbean lilt is worth the price of admission on its own. Sharon D Clarke is, as you would expect, magnificent.
This was great fun, highly enjoyable and worth seeing, but it didn't quite work for me.
1/2
This was great fun, highly enjoyable and worth seeing, but it didn't quite work for me.
1/2
January 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
"Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture." in a Caribbean lilt is worth the price of admission on its own. Sharon D Clarke is, as you would expect, magnificent.
This was great fun, highly enjoyable and worth seeing, but it didn't quite work for me.
1/2
This was great fun, highly enjoyable and worth seeing, but it didn't quite work for me.
1/2
Of course, you wouldn't be able to joke about that now.
Wait a minute...
It's 50 years since I first saw the 'The Producers' and this was just as deliriously irreverent and anarchic.
I don't know how the Menier produces such high quality with low prices but I'm glad they do.
Wait a minute...
It's 50 years since I first saw the 'The Producers' and this was just as deliriously irreverent and anarchic.
I don't know how the Menier produces such high quality with low prices but I'm glad they do.
January 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Of course, you wouldn't be able to joke about that now.
Wait a minute...
It's 50 years since I first saw the 'The Producers' and this was just as deliriously irreverent and anarchic.
I don't know how the Menier produces such high quality with low prices but I'm glad they do.
Wait a minute...
It's 50 years since I first saw the 'The Producers' and this was just as deliriously irreverent and anarchic.
I don't know how the Menier produces such high quality with low prices but I'm glad they do.
The train is virtually empty. The weather must be keeping people at home.
Sensible people.
I am not sensible people.
(The excellent news is it means no people on speakerphone.)
Sensible people.
I am not sensible people.
(The excellent news is it means no people on speakerphone.)
January 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The train is virtually empty. The weather must be keeping people at home.
Sensible people.
I am not sensible people.
(The excellent news is it means no people on speakerphone.)
Sensible people.
I am not sensible people.
(The excellent news is it means no people on speakerphone.)
OK, so I like the fact it's not hectoting and it makes practical suggestions (update details), but the NHS could play its part as well.
I've updated my details on the NHS app but that doesn't update individual services. I know data sharing is tricky, but I'd bet it would be worth it for this.
I've updated my details on the NHS app but that doesn't update individual services. I know data sharing is tricky, but I'd bet it would be worth it for this.
January 6, 2025 at 12:02 PM
OK, so I like the fact it's not hectoting and it makes practical suggestions (update details), but the NHS could play its part as well.
I've updated my details on the NHS app but that doesn't update individual services. I know data sharing is tricky, but I'd bet it would be worth it for this.
I've updated my details on the NHS app but that doesn't update individual services. I know data sharing is tricky, but I'd bet it would be worth it for this.
Feeding time in (more or less) monochrome.
And, yes, I've made sure there is water as well.
And, yes, I've made sure there is water as well.
January 5, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Feeding time in (more or less) monochrome.
And, yes, I've made sure there is water as well.
And, yes, I've made sure there is water as well.
Having spent 2024 reading 'War and Peace' (well, I did do some other things we well), I was interested how this - based on 70 pages of a very long novel - would turn out.
Brilliantly, it turned out.
It's rightly a sellout.
Brilliantly, it turned out.
It's rightly a sellout.
January 4, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Having spent 2024 reading 'War and Peace' (well, I did do some other things we well), I was interested how this - based on 70 pages of a very long novel - would turn out.
Brilliantly, it turned out.
It's rightly a sellout.
Brilliantly, it turned out.
It's rightly a sellout.
I'll see your [deleted] and raise you [deleted].
January 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM
I'll see your [deleted] and raise you [deleted].
As 2024 draws - or drags - to a close, I have finished reading 'War and Peace' as part of a slow read (one chapter a day).
It's been brilliant - and much easier (and more fun) than I expected.
In 2025, I'm moving on to 'Anna Karenina' AND the 'Wolf Hall' trilogy.
All highly recommended.
It's been brilliant - and much easier (and more fun) than I expected.
In 2025, I'm moving on to 'Anna Karenina' AND the 'Wolf Hall' trilogy.
All highly recommended.
December 30, 2024 at 5:22 PM
As 2024 draws - or drags - to a close, I have finished reading 'War and Peace' as part of a slow read (one chapter a day).
It's been brilliant - and much easier (and more fun) than I expected.
In 2025, I'm moving on to 'Anna Karenina' AND the 'Wolf Hall' trilogy.
All highly recommended.
It's been brilliant - and much easier (and more fun) than I expected.
In 2025, I'm moving on to 'Anna Karenina' AND the 'Wolf Hall' trilogy.
All highly recommended.
This picture doesn't change much in grayscale.
December 29, 2024 at 11:29 AM
This picture doesn't change much in grayscale.
I responded with the 'unsure' option.
A week later, I've recipe exactly the same message (with a different link).
My answer was, of course, the same.
I'm beginning to think that they are going to keep re-sending these messages until I say that I don’t need the appointment.
#BadAdmin
A week later, I've recipe exactly the same message (with a different link).
My answer was, of course, the same.
I'm beginning to think that they are going to keep re-sending these messages until I say that I don’t need the appointment.
#BadAdmin
December 27, 2024 at 10:52 AM
I responded with the 'unsure' option.
A week later, I've recipe exactly the same message (with a different link).
My answer was, of course, the same.
I'm beginning to think that they are going to keep re-sending these messages until I say that I don’t need the appointment.
#BadAdmin
A week later, I've recipe exactly the same message (with a different link).
My answer was, of course, the same.
I'm beginning to think that they are going to keep re-sending these messages until I say that I don’t need the appointment.
#BadAdmin
The 'no washing up' approach to the Christmas meal.
(And only five minutes to prepare.)
(And only five minutes to prepare.)
December 25, 2024 at 8:08 PM
The 'no washing up' approach to the Christmas meal.
(And only five minutes to prepare.)
(And only five minutes to prepare.)
'War and Peace' and chocolate-covered candied orange slices - that'll do nicely.
('War and Peace' is a bit chocolate-covered too!)
Happy Christmas, all!
('War and Peace' is a bit chocolate-covered too!)
Happy Christmas, all!
December 25, 2024 at 12:08 PM
'War and Peace' and chocolate-covered candied orange slices - that'll do nicely.
('War and Peace' is a bit chocolate-covered too!)
Happy Christmas, all!
('War and Peace' is a bit chocolate-covered too!)
Happy Christmas, all!
It's the anniversary of Puccini's birth and 'La Bohème' is on iPlayer, so tonight's entertainment was obvious.
As I get older, I don't find it romantic - Rodolfo is just a total heel - but that note at the beginning of 'Che gelida manina' and I'm hooked.
As I get older, I don't find it romantic - Rodolfo is just a total heel - but that note at the beginning of 'Che gelida manina' and I'm hooked.
December 22, 2024 at 9:43 PM
It's the anniversary of Puccini's birth and 'La Bohème' is on iPlayer, so tonight's entertainment was obvious.
As I get older, I don't find it romantic - Rodolfo is just a total heel - but that note at the beginning of 'Che gelida manina' and I'm hooked.
As I get older, I don't find it romantic - Rodolfo is just a total heel - but that note at the beginning of 'Che gelida manina' and I'm hooked.
"And thorough this distemperature we see
The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,
And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is, as in mockery, set."
The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,
And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is, as in mockery, set."
December 21, 2024 at 1:45 PM
"And thorough this distemperature we see
The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,
And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is, as in mockery, set."
The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,
And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is, as in mockery, set."
So, that's me all prepared for 2025 (and early 2026).
December 21, 2024 at 12:37 PM
So, that's me all prepared for 2025 (and early 2026).
December 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM