John Brown
@johnbrown1325.bsky.social
Post-Brexit Brit, now also Belgian. Pianist, singer & accordionist, occasional pretend Scotsman. Cats, music, gardening, science, birds, etc.
While it’s a nice idea; the question of whether neanderthals and humans kissed is about as meaningful as debating whether Jesus laughed
Neanderthals and early humans ‘likely to have kissed’, say scientists
Study from University of Oxford looks into evolutionary origins of kissing and its role in relations between species
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:59 AM
While it’s a nice idea; the question of whether neanderthals and humans kissed is about as meaningful as debating whether Jesus laughed
Off to sing for the king…
November 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Off to sing for the king…
I have to learn this (or at least the bass part) off by heart. I love the song but the lyrics, harmonies and rhythm are not easy to get
Laïs - Le Grand Vent (A capella)
YouTube video by Nesa
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I have to learn this (or at least the bass part) off by heart. I love the song but the lyrics, harmonies and rhythm are not easy to get
@tomchivers.bsky.social Thanks for the latest episode about the wood wide web. I always thought it was tosh and I’m glad there is science to back that up
November 18, 2025 at 10:06 PM
@tomchivers.bsky.social Thanks for the latest episode about the wood wide web. I always thought it was tosh and I’m glad there is science to back that up
Belgium playing an excellent match against Samoa, I just hope they can keep this tempo up for the whole match
November 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Belgium playing an excellent match against Samoa, I just hope they can keep this tempo up for the whole match
Tiny snail invading my house (finger for scale only)
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Tiny snail invading my house (finger for scale only)
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16
November 17, 2025 at 7:13 AM
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16
Look carefully @sellingamirror.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Look carefully @sellingamirror.bsky.social
Interesting article: I wondering a similar study has been made of the parakeets which live in (and increasingly outside of) Brussels
These parrots came to Los Angeles as pets – then went wild. Now scientists are unlocking their mysteries
Once escapees from the pet trade, Los Angeles’s feral parrots have become a vibrant part of city life, and could even aid conservation in their native homelands
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Interesting article: I wondering a similar study has been made of the parakeets which live in (and increasingly outside of) Brussels
Rehearsing for a special event
November 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Rehearsing for a special event
I’ve been singing a lovely setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by George Dyson. Only today did I find out he’s also well known for writing a manual on the use of grenades in trench warfare
George Dyson: Composer Of The Week
<p>This week, BBC Radio 3 has been showcasing the music of former Royal College of Music Director, Sir George Dyson, as its Composer Of The Week. </p>
www.rcm.ac.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I’ve been singing a lovely setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by George Dyson. Only today did I find out he’s also well known for writing a manual on the use of grenades in trench warfare
This rain is really dirty: looks like my car’s had mud spattered all over it. Sahara dust or something else?
November 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
This rain is really dirty: looks like my car’s had mud spattered all over it. Sahara dust or something else?
I’ve driven past this memorial several times on my way to work but never stopped before. George Parramore was a member of a US bomber crew: his plane was caught by German fighters while returning to England after a bombing raid. The crew bailed out but Parramore was killed. vredesporen.be/m102/
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
I’ve driven past this memorial several times on my way to work but never stopped before. George Parramore was a member of a US bomber crew: his plane was caught by German fighters while returning to England after a bombing raid. The crew bailed out but Parramore was killed. vredesporen.be/m102/
Weird to see one of my son’s ex-teammates playing for Belgium against Brazil in the rugby world cup qualifiers. Really hope Belgiums win this but they have a way to go
November 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Weird to see one of my son’s ex-teammates playing for Belgium against Brazil in the rugby world cup qualifiers. Really hope Belgiums win this but they have a way to go
Reposted by John Brown
Het spectaculaire #noorderlicht van afgelopen nacht was zelfs te zien boven Brussel, ondanks de lichtvervuiling! Deze beelden zijn vastgelegd door de KMI webcam in Ukkel tussen 4u en 5u vanmorgen, 12/11. Vannacht opnieuw kansen!
November 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Het spectaculaire #noorderlicht van afgelopen nacht was zelfs te zien boven Brussel, ondanks de lichtvervuiling! Deze beelden zijn vastgelegd door de KMI webcam in Ukkel tussen 4u en 5u vanmorgen, 12/11. Vannacht opnieuw kansen!
If the sky is clear tonight there’s a good chance of seeing the aurora in N Europe. It was seen as far south as Lyon yesterday.
November 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If the sky is clear tonight there’s a good chance of seeing the aurora in N Europe. It was seen as far south as Lyon yesterday.
I really enjoyed this. Part history, part magical realism
November 12, 2025 at 7:22 AM
I really enjoyed this. Part history, part magical realism
I started singing in a choir at my local music académie in September: tonight I played piano to accompany them and even led a part of the rehearsal. I’m hoping to be director of the academy by summer 😇
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I started singing in a choir at my local music académie in September: tonight I played piano to accompany them and even led a part of the rehearsal. I’m hoping to be director of the academy by summer 😇
Clearing out a cupboard, and found this 200-page booklet How To Find Information On the Internet dating from 2001. I expect it’s still relevant.
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Clearing out a cupboard, and found this 200-page booklet How To Find Information On the Internet dating from 2001. I expect it’s still relevant.
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
I didn’t know this: ‘official’ buskers on the Brussels metro have to play an audition to STIB staff in order to get a licence
Singer-songwriters, seasoned violinists and accordion players are among the pool of talented musicians taking over Brussels' metro stations.
The new soundtrack to your daily commute in Brussels
The new soundtrack to your daily commute in Brussels
www.brusselstimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:18 AM
I didn’t know this: ‘official’ buskers on the Brussels metro have to play an audition to STIB staff in order to get a licence
There’s an owl calling in my back garden and I love to hear it
November 9, 2025 at 7:46 PM
There’s an owl calling in my back garden and I love to hear it
A nice little chapel in Leuven for today’s evensong. A small section of original wall painting survives but I guess the rest of the chapel was rebuilt after WW1
November 9, 2025 at 4:51 PM
A nice little chapel in Leuven for today’s evensong. A small section of original wall painting survives but I guess the rest of the chapel was rebuilt after WW1
Watching Belgium playing an international rugby match, and its televised, unusually. They have to win to have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, and so far they’re doing well 17-3 vs Namibia
November 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Watching Belgium playing an international rugby match, and its televised, unusually. They have to win to have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, and so far they’re doing well 17-3 vs Namibia
It’s only taken 18 years but I’ve finally got proper lights in all rooms in my house. 18 years and a helpful Polish workman who’s smarter and handier than me
November 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
It’s only taken 18 years but I’ve finally got proper lights in all rooms in my house. 18 years and a helpful Polish workman who’s smarter and handier than me