Mike Metcalf
@mikemetcalf.bsky.social
Teacher in Newcastle.
Somewhat harassed dad in Sunderland.
Often found at one end of a lead on Roker Beach.
Questionnez vos petites cuillères.
Somewhat harassed dad in Sunderland.
Often found at one end of a lead on Roker Beach.
Questionnez vos petites cuillères.
Still one of our favourite places: Roker Beach in Sunderland. Still not grim up north.
November 22, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Still one of our favourite places: Roker Beach in Sunderland. Still not grim up north.
Not feeling too sure about this 10-years-later sequel to Leonard and Hungry Paul, @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social
Terrific, deeply informed conversation on the president's removal powers, with all sorts of fascinating historical details and reading recommendations. Highly recommend! From @andycraig.bsky.social and @narosenblum.bsky.social
The Founders Never Meant to Give the President Unchecked Removal Powers: A Conversation with Noah Rosenblum
It would be a constitutional mistake for the Roberts Court to overturn Humphrey's Executor and embrace an extreme version of the Unitary Executive Theory
www.theunpopulist.net
October 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Not feeling too sure about this 10-years-later sequel to Leonard and Hungry Paul, @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social
Here’s why you should read Olga Tokarczuk’s “House of Day, House of Night” from @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social
(Or, in keeping with the theme, here’s why you should read Antonia Lloyd-Jones’ book of that name…)
(Or, in keeping with the theme, here’s why you should read Antonia Lloyd-Jones’ book of that name…)
October 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Here’s why you should read Olga Tokarczuk’s “House of Day, House of Night” from @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social
(Or, in keeping with the theme, here’s why you should read Antonia Lloyd-Jones’ book of that name…)
(Or, in keeping with the theme, here’s why you should read Antonia Lloyd-Jones’ book of that name…)
One of those great, strange, unsettling books that you’re still feeling years later. And wondering where your copy went, in my case. Looks like I’ll be buying my replacement copy of very soon…
I bought a remaindered copy of All the Devils Are Here ('local interest') in 2005, recommended it to my editor at Penguin, who in turn recommended it to Rachel Cooke, who wrote about it and made a podcast with us, which led to it being republished, which led to this. open.spotify.com/episode/6ZlW...
All The Devils Are Here by David Seabrook part 2
open.spotify.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
One of those great, strange, unsettling books that you’re still feeling years later. And wondering where your copy went, in my case. Looks like I’ll be buying my replacement copy of very soon…
Happy Erfurter Latrinensturzgedächtnistag to all those who mark it.
Today in 1184 Henry VI of Germany was having a strategy meeting when the wooden second storey floor collapsed. Most of the courtiers fell through into the latrine cesspit below the ground floor, where more than 50 drowned in liquid excrement.
July 26, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Happy Erfurter Latrinensturzgedächtnistag to all those who mark it.
HeartsTV referring to Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fée as Le Pen is one of the great footballing name mistakes. Bit like that Thomas Hitlersperger who used to play for Villa…
Hearts commentator says we are playing Neil Huggins and Le Pen😂
@jamescopley.bsky.social
@wtfsunderlandpod.bsky.social
@wisemensay.co.uk
@rokerreportsafc.bsky.social
@jamescopley.bsky.social
@wtfsunderlandpod.bsky.social
@wisemensay.co.uk
@rokerreportsafc.bsky.social
July 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
HeartsTV referring to Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fée as Le Pen is one of the great footballing name mistakes. Bit like that Thomas Hitlersperger who used to play for Villa…
Beach departure denied.
July 13, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Beach departure denied.
At the risk of a very gentle spoiler: Leonard and Hungry Paul has revolutionised this teacher’s ability to send a succinct message to students - thanks, @ronanhession.bsky.social !
June 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
At the risk of a very gentle spoiler: Leonard and Hungry Paul has revolutionised this teacher’s ability to send a succinct message to students - thanks, @ronanhession.bsky.social !
Using food to show where I grew up.
June 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Using food to show where I grew up.
See, even bears in Canada are curiously friendly.
June 16, 2025 at 7:37 PM
See, even bears in Canada are curiously friendly.
I’m only five chapters in, because I keep pausing after every paragraph to wonder at another moment of gentle wisdom. Lovely book.
Imagine getting to follow a butterfly around for the day. Reading Leonard and Hungry Paul felt a bit like that. Quaint and meditative. Funny. Wise. Tender.
Well done @ronanhession.bsky.social 😊
And thanks to the mighty @neillwalker1.bsky.social for the recommendation!
#LoveBooks #LoveReading
Well done @ronanhession.bsky.social 😊
And thanks to the mighty @neillwalker1.bsky.social for the recommendation!
#LoveBooks #LoveReading
June 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I’m only five chapters in, because I keep pausing after every paragraph to wonder at another moment of gentle wisdom. Lovely book.
Caught up with a lovely Backlisted episode. And a passing mention from Cyril Connolly of the role a Jewish orphan plays in Les Belles Images in setting SdB’s plot in motion reminds me of a *somewhat* niche question for the discerning literary pub quiz: (1/2)
New episode up now. Les Belles Images (The Image of Her) by Simone de Beauvoir, with translator Lauren Elkin @laurenelkin.bsky.social in conversation with @iammilliam.bsky.social and @johnmitchinson.bsky.social.
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/239...
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/239...
239. The Image of Her by Simone de Beauvoir — Backlisted
To discuss The Image of Her (1966) by Simone de Beauvoir we are joined by writer and translator Lauren Elkin , whose previous books include Flâneuse: Women Walk the City ; Scaffolding and ...
www.backlisted.fm
May 21, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Caught up with a lovely Backlisted episode. And a passing mention from Cyril Connolly of the role a Jewish orphan plays in Les Belles Images in setting SdB’s plot in motion reminds me of a *somewhat* niche question for the discerning literary pub quiz: (1/2)
When an untranslatable concept meets its human embodiment: the Danish word “hyggeonkel”, used to describe John Thaw in “Goodnight, Mister Tom” as a hygge-uncle. www.philm.dk/Movie/Detail...
Goodnight Mister Tom (1998) - Philm.dk
10-årige William plantes under 2. verdenskrig hos den vrisne enkemand Tom – og de to knytter bånd mod alle odds.
www.philm.dk
April 26, 2025 at 12:15 PM
When an untranslatable concept meets its human embodiment: the Danish word “hyggeonkel”, used to describe John Thaw in “Goodnight, Mister Tom” as a hygge-uncle. www.philm.dk/Movie/Detail...
I’m not sure I’ve ever been predestined to buy a book as much as Vincenzo Latronico’s Perfection…
@thebookerprizes.bsky.social
@thebookerprizes.bsky.social
April 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I’m not sure I’ve ever been predestined to buy a book as much as Vincenzo Latronico’s Perfection…
@thebookerprizes.bsky.social
@thebookerprizes.bsky.social
Y
What should Liz Truss's new Social Media platform be called?
Wrong suggestions only.
Wrong suggestions only.
a woman is holding a large bell in her hands
ALT: a woman is holding a large bell in her hands
media.tenor.com
April 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Y
Not saying that people who misuse apostrophes are all actual nazis, but it would make for an interesting Venn diagram.
March 19, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Not saying that people who misuse apostrophes are all actual nazis, but it would make for an interesting Venn diagram.
From this post, to relistening to the @backlisted.bsky.social episode on Return of the King, to the declaration “We should do an episode on The Warlock of Firetop Mountain”. Time to roll the dice!
‘Farewell, Master Holbytla! Never now shall I sit with you in Meduseld, or listen to your herb-lore.’ With his last words, Théoden hails Éomer the new King of the Mark.
Éomer suddenly sees his sister Éowyn lying among the slain. With a cry of ‘Death!’, he leads a charge south.
Éomer suddenly sees his sister Éowyn lying among the slain. With a cry of ‘Death!’, he leads a charge south.
March 15, 2025 at 10:47 AM
From this post, to relistening to the @backlisted.bsky.social episode on Return of the King, to the declaration “We should do an episode on The Warlock of Firetop Mountain”. Time to roll the dice!
Advertising campaign of the year.
March 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Advertising campaign of the year.
Something very satisfying about matching sets of books - two favourites for #WorldBookDay
March 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Something very satisfying about matching sets of books - two favourites for #WorldBookDay
Took my dog to see some of Sunderland’s new things being built and old things being knocked down. She decided they were definitely to be sniffed at.
March 1, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Took my dog to see some of Sunderland’s new things being built and old things being knocked down. She decided they were definitely to be sniffed at.
Seems a good time to reshare an image from the time DakhaBrakha played in Sunderland…
February 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Seems a good time to reshare an image from the time DakhaBrakha played in Sunderland…
Reposted by Mike Metcalf
*New* campaign action on Marks & Spencer - any help getting the first few signatures going would be greatly appreciated! actionstorm.org/petitions/ma...
We're sharing this first on Bluesky as this is so much friendlier (and troll free, so far at least!) than any of the other platforms right now!
We're sharing this first on Bluesky as this is so much friendlier (and troll free, so far at least!) than any of the other platforms right now!
Sign the Petition
Marks & Spencer - stop advertising on GB News
actionstorm.org
February 22, 2025 at 5:46 PM
*New* campaign action on Marks & Spencer - any help getting the first few signatures going would be greatly appreciated! actionstorm.org/petitions/ma...
We're sharing this first on Bluesky as this is so much friendlier (and troll free, so far at least!) than any of the other platforms right now!
We're sharing this first on Bluesky as this is so much friendlier (and troll free, so far at least!) than any of the other platforms right now!
If you see this post, quote with a bridge from your gallery.
January 23, 2025 at 10:47 PM
If you see this post, quote with a bridge from your gallery.
Watching Mad Men again a few weeks ago, I was wondering where one of the characters got that creamy French cheese from that his dog seemed to love so much. Then I realised it must be the…
December 31, 2024 at 1:15 PM
Watching Mad Men again a few weeks ago, I was wondering where one of the characters got that creamy French cheese from that his dog seemed to love so much. Then I realised it must be the…