Silversprite
@silversprite.bsky.social
Researcher and student: Planetary Boundaries, biodiversity, apples, orchards, and sustainability. Also interested in climate change, European heatwaves, Deep Ecology, GCR and ER, and impacts of novel chemicals. Also judges cake. Elsewhere: Wordshore.
(1/2) It was a close call, but I did not purchase the reduced price packet of 50 slices of Gouda cheese.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
November 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
(1/2) It was a close call, but I did not purchase the reduced price packet of 50 slices of Gouda cheese.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
All the cool kids seem to have job or promotion interviews tomorrow, or are hearing news of bids or applications, or are planning to propose marriage.
Hoping everyone gets what they want, need and desire.
(tomorrow I'm going to Waitrose for a rye bread; that's the extent of my short-term ambition)
Hoping everyone gets what they want, need and desire.
(tomorrow I'm going to Waitrose for a rye bread; that's the extent of my short-term ambition)
November 12, 2025 at 10:15 PM
All the cool kids seem to have job or promotion interviews tomorrow, or are hearing news of bids or applications, or are planning to propose marriage.
Hoping everyone gets what they want, need and desire.
(tomorrow I'm going to Waitrose for a rye bread; that's the extent of my short-term ambition)
Hoping everyone gets what they want, need and desire.
(tomorrow I'm going to Waitrose for a rye bread; that's the extent of my short-term ambition)
Been polling various friends and colleagues this evening, and the concept of reading a book with your partner. SO, loved one, FWB et al at the same time has been 100% rejected.
Responses include worst kink ever, silly, fast track to divorce, no they read too slow/fast, & I'd rather have an affair.
Responses include worst kink ever, silly, fast track to divorce, no they read too slow/fast, & I'd rather have an affair.
Couples who say that snuggling up and reading the same book at the same time together is romantic have never actually tried it. It's infuriating. My boyfriend reads so slowly. By the time he finishes one page, I could have read three. Nah, individual reading only from now on.
November 12, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Been polling various friends and colleagues this evening, and the concept of reading a book with your partner. SO, loved one, FWB et al at the same time has been 100% rejected.
Responses include worst kink ever, silly, fast track to divorce, no they read too slow/fast, & I'd rather have an affair.
Responses include worst kink ever, silly, fast track to divorce, no they read too slow/fast, & I'd rather have an affair.
Eight long months, two thirds of a year.
Seasons have come and gone; the days, lengthening then, shorten now.
But still, Mr Pigeon struts outside.
And still, the cat is furious at this continuing arrogance, this display.
Seasons have come and gone; the days, lengthening then, shorten now.
But still, Mr Pigeon struts outside.
And still, the cat is furious at this continuing arrogance, this display.
The cat likes sitting on her observation tower, observing all things. Birds, people, posties, a leaf. Everything.
"Mr Pigeon" is so-named as it struts up and down the driveway in an oddly formal manner. Frequently.
The cat is deeply upset by anything on the driveway.
The cat loathes Mr Pigeon.
"Mr Pigeon" is so-named as it struts up and down the driveway in an oddly formal manner. Frequently.
The cat is deeply upset by anything on the driveway.
The cat loathes Mr Pigeon.
November 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Eight long months, two thirds of a year.
Seasons have come and gone; the days, lengthening then, shorten now.
But still, Mr Pigeon struts outside.
And still, the cat is furious at this continuing arrogance, this display.
Seasons have come and gone; the days, lengthening then, shorten now.
But still, Mr Pigeon struts outside.
And still, the cat is furious at this continuing arrogance, this display.
Age yourself with gaming
November 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Age yourself with gaming
On the subject, if Tesco do run this specific Christmas ad on TV, then ... this is pouring petrol on the bonfire of simmering resentments in some traditional family get-togethers.
First YT comment: "Do you actually understand Christmas is supposed to be joyful?!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMUW...
First YT comment: "Do you actually understand Christmas is supposed to be joyful?!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMUW...
Sticking with traditions… #ThatsWhatMakesItChristmas 🎄
YouTube video by Tesco
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
On the subject, if Tesco do run this specific Christmas ad on TV, then ... this is pouring petrol on the bonfire of simmering resentments in some traditional family get-togethers.
First YT comment: "Do you actually understand Christmas is supposed to be joyful?!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMUW...
First YT comment: "Do you actually understand Christmas is supposed to be joyful?!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMUW...
(1/3) As opposed to that Waitrose Christmas ad, Tesco have several short ads focused on awkward family situations. Some of which are on-point.
"It me". First Christmas back from University, using words and pronounciations not usually heard in rural Worcestershire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJm...
"It me". First Christmas back from University, using words and pronounciations not usually heard in rural Worcestershire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJm...
Realising you're home... #ThatsWhatMakesItChristmas 🎄
YouTube video by Tesco
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:41 PM
(1/3) As opposed to that Waitrose Christmas ad, Tesco have several short ads focused on awkward family situations. Some of which are on-point.
"It me". First Christmas back from University, using words and pronounciations not usually heard in rural Worcestershire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJm...
"It me". First Christmas back from University, using words and pronounciations not usually heard in rural Worcestershire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJm...
The live webcam at the "Santa Claus Village" near Rovaniemi in Finland is showing snow, plenty of visitors, and a temperature of -2:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4R...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4R...
Live @ Santa Claus Village
YouTube video by City of Rovaniemi
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The live webcam at the "Santa Claus Village" near Rovaniemi in Finland is showing snow, plenty of visitors, and a temperature of -2:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4R...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4R...
Watched the Waitrose Christmas Ad, with Joe Wilkinson and Keira Knightley. It's *4 MINUTES* long.
Styled like a Richard Curtis rom-com. If you're into that then you'll like this.
By coincidence, 4 minutes is also the warning time we get before nuclear annihilation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWeY...
Styled like a Richard Curtis rom-com. If you're into that then you'll like this.
By coincidence, 4 minutes is also the warning time we get before nuclear annihilation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWeY...
The Perfect Gift | Waitrose | Christmas Ad 2025
YouTube video by Waitrose & Partners
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Watched the Waitrose Christmas Ad, with Joe Wilkinson and Keira Knightley. It's *4 MINUTES* long.
Styled like a Richard Curtis rom-com. If you're into that then you'll like this.
By coincidence, 4 minutes is also the warning time we get before nuclear annihilation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWeY...
Styled like a Richard Curtis rom-com. If you're into that then you'll like this.
By coincidence, 4 minutes is also the warning time we get before nuclear annihilation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWeY...
Current reading: Orchard systems offer low-hanging fruit for low-carbon, biodiversity-friendly farming (2025) by Wyckhuys et al.
Long but non-technical read, with an extensive reference section. Orchards in the wider context, and discussion on alternatives to pesticide use.
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
Long but non-technical read, with an extensive reference section. Orchards in the wider context, and discussion on alternatives to pesticide use.
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
Orchard systems offer low-hanging fruit for low-carbon, biodiversity-friendly farming
Abstract. As core constituents of healthy diets, fruits are often cultivated in temporally stable and structurally complex ecosystems that harbor high leve
doi.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Current reading: Orchard systems offer low-hanging fruit for low-carbon, biodiversity-friendly farming (2025) by Wyckhuys et al.
Long but non-technical read, with an extensive reference section. Orchards in the wider context, and discussion on alternatives to pesticide use.
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
Long but non-technical read, with an extensive reference section. Orchards in the wider context, and discussion on alternatives to pesticide use.
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
Reposted by Silversprite
I really need to get to bed, but I just poked my head out the back door again. This is the view from my deck. All of this is looking south. When the geomagnetic storms are like this, the oval overshoots me and stretches into the US, which is why so many are seeing it tonight. #aurora
November 12, 2025 at 5:16 AM
I really need to get to bed, but I just poked my head out the back door again. This is the view from my deck. All of this is looking south. When the geomagnetic storms are like this, the oval overshoots me and stretches into the US, which is why so many are seeing it tonight. #aurora
The couple from last December are still reassuringly alive, as they got on the bus earlier.
Their subject matter from last December is still reassuringly dead.
Their subject matter from last December is still reassuringly dead.
Old man on bus: "I don't understand why Margaret Thatcher isn't running the country. Britain needs her to take a grip."
Wife: "Because she's dead."
#BusTalk
Wife: "Because she's dead."
#BusTalk
November 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The couple from last December are still reassuringly alive, as they got on the bus earlier.
Their subject matter from last December is still reassuringly dead.
Their subject matter from last December is still reassuringly dead.
It's off to an engaging start, and wondering if Pluribus will emerge as the cerebral dark humour sci-fi TV of this decade.
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
It's off to an engaging start, and wondering if Pluribus will emerge as the cerebral dark humour sci-fi TV of this decade.
And dream of catnip.
November 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
And dream of catnip.
(1/3) Nearly dawn; peering out of the library window. The spider I've named Toby lurks, weblingering.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
November 6, 2025 at 6:54 AM
(1/3) Nearly dawn; peering out of the library window. The spider I've named Toby lurks, weblingering.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
Enjoying North Woods, by Daniel Mason. Shades of Centenniel (1978), but more on the rippling impacts of little, unseen to human, events - an acorn here, a beetle there. Liking how the writer (so far) subtly manipulates the timeline.
Going to need to re-read on completion; my book of this winter.
Going to need to re-read on completion; my book of this winter.
November 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Enjoying North Woods, by Daniel Mason. Shades of Centenniel (1978), but more on the rippling impacts of little, unseen to human, events - an acorn here, a beetle there. Liking how the writer (so far) subtly manipulates the timeline.
Going to need to re-read on completion; my book of this winter.
Going to need to re-read on completion; my book of this winter.
Red Sky at Night,
Someone's Guy Fawkes bonfire has gotten a little out of hand.
Anyhoodle...
Someone's Guy Fawkes bonfire has gotten a little out of hand.
Anyhoodle...
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Red Sky at Night,
Someone's Guy Fawkes bonfire has gotten a little out of hand.
Anyhoodle...
Someone's Guy Fawkes bonfire has gotten a little out of hand.
Anyhoodle...
The periodic urge to visit Tokyo, wander down Shibuya streets, visit the Ghibli Museum, and eat in tiny places, struck again today. As it's done for many years.
Regretting not submitting, on Animal Crossing research, for the DiGRA 2007 conference; would have been ideal.
dblp.org/db/conf/digr...
Regretting not submitting, on Animal Crossing research, for the DiGRA 2007 conference; would have been ideal.
dblp.org/db/conf/digr...
dblp: DiGRA Conference 2007
Bibliographic content of DiGRA Conference 2007
dblp.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The periodic urge to visit Tokyo, wander down Shibuya streets, visit the Ghibli Museum, and eat in tiny places, struck again today. As it's done for many years.
Regretting not submitting, on Animal Crossing research, for the DiGRA 2007 conference; would have been ideal.
dblp.org/db/conf/digr...
Regretting not submitting, on Animal Crossing research, for the DiGRA 2007 conference; would have been ideal.
dblp.org/db/conf/digr...
Reposted by Silversprite
Christmas cake number two out and cooling.
October 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Christmas cake number two out and cooling.
Reposted by Silversprite
I'm done with this century.
November 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I'm done with this century.
{checks} 50 days to Christmas. Or, 7 weeks tomorrow.
Which also means:
- 52 days (27th December) till chocolate Easter eggs start appearing in the shops
- 8 weeks today, it's New Year's Eve
- 26 and a bit weeks till David Attenborough is 100
- 74 years and 8 weeks till we're done with this century
Which also means:
- 52 days (27th December) till chocolate Easter eggs start appearing in the shops
- 8 weeks today, it's New Year's Eve
- 26 and a bit weeks till David Attenborough is 100
- 74 years and 8 weeks till we're done with this century
November 5, 2025 at 5:14 PM
{checks} 50 days to Christmas. Or, 7 weeks tomorrow.
Which also means:
- 52 days (27th December) till chocolate Easter eggs start appearing in the shops
- 8 weeks today, it's New Year's Eve
- 26 and a bit weeks till David Attenborough is 100
- 74 years and 8 weeks till we're done with this century
Which also means:
- 52 days (27th December) till chocolate Easter eggs start appearing in the shops
- 8 weeks today, it's New Year's Eve
- 26 and a bit weeks till David Attenborough is 100
- 74 years and 8 weeks till we're done with this century
Halloween sunset 10 years ago, across the toposcope on Beacon Hill, Leicestershire.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
October 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Halloween sunset 10 years ago, across the toposcope on Beacon Hill, Leicestershire.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
Deciding on putting one joke in this postgraduate application. The main document has a word limit of 800, so it'll have to be snappy.
As it's to an ancient redbrick university, going to type it in Latin. This may not be my smartest idea of the year.
#ConsiliumStultum
As it's to an ancient redbrick university, going to type it in Latin. This may not be my smartest idea of the year.
#ConsiliumStultum
October 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Deciding on putting one joke in this postgraduate application. The main document has a word limit of 800, so it'll have to be snappy.
As it's to an ancient redbrick university, going to type it in Latin. This may not be my smartest idea of the year.
#ConsiliumStultum
As it's to an ancient redbrick university, going to type it in Latin. This may not be my smartest idea of the year.
#ConsiliumStultum
All Hallows' Eve, Samhain, and All Saints' Day feels an appropriate time for some background Hauntology. Especially as - academic deadline pressure - I'm not participating in the usual Druidic and Pagan shenanigans.
Boards of Canada - Beware the Friendly Stranger
www.youtube.com/watch?v=POqb...
Boards of Canada - Beware the Friendly Stranger
www.youtube.com/watch?v=POqb...
Boards of Canada - Beware the Friendly Stranger
YouTube video by NOTZAMIEL
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:39 AM
All Hallows' Eve, Samhain, and All Saints' Day feels an appropriate time for some background Hauntology. Especially as - academic deadline pressure - I'm not participating in the usual Druidic and Pagan shenanigans.
Boards of Canada - Beware the Friendly Stranger
www.youtube.com/watch?v=POqb...
Boards of Canada - Beware the Friendly Stranger
www.youtube.com/watch?v=POqb...
Turning on the tele to see Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, looking annoyingly young, and trying to explain Hauntology to Charlie and Naga.
October 31, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Turning on the tele to see Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, looking annoyingly young, and trying to explain Hauntology to Charlie and Naga.