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Chris Drew

@mesnilman.bsky.social

2.3K followers 3.1K following 4.4K posts

Ex UK gov economist incl 2 years in Euro Parl econ & monetary cttee. Normandy. Level 1 umpire. Semi-veggie. EN & FR (DE after beer). Views personal etc. Glamorgan CCC fan.Welsh. And French Born at 325ppm

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · Oct 17

Public Service Announcement

I'm insta-blocking well above 50% of the people who start following me at the moment.

If you are a crypto-, a religious- or just a plain weirdo, you go straight into the blocked pile.

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 2h

This is superb to watch. The Bayeux Tapestry being removed from its home for storage

youtu.be/m7ysLb-BfdA?...

Extraction de la TAPISSERIE DE BAYEUX - 18 09 2025

YouTube video by Bayeux Museum

youtu.be

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Reposted by Chris Drew

Romeo @romeoromeotango.bsky.social · 3h

@billymills.bsky.social

Lux "Nightmare" Alptraum @luxalptraum.com · 6d

TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it

One Star Review of Waiting for Godot on Broadway
I recently attended Waiting for Godot on Broadway and spent over $1,400 for two Row C seats (103 and 104). I'm a longtime admirer of Broadway productions and even hold a season pass for Shea's Performing Arts Theatre, so I came in with genuine enthusiasm and high expectations. Unfortunately, this show was unlike anything ! have ever experienced —and not in a good way.
What I encountered was not the artistry, music, or emotional storytelling I usually associate with Broadway, but instead what felt like an endless cycle of nonsensical conversation between characters who seemed trapped in their own madness. I tried-truly tried-to find meaning, symbolism, or even a thread of emotional resonance. I stayed through the first half hoping the second would offer clarity. But by intermission, it was clear: this was a waste of both time and money.
Keanu Reeves is an actor I respect greatly, but I cannot fathom why he would agree to participate in such a disjointed, inaccessible production. His talent was lost in a performance that defied reason rather than provoked insight.
To anyone considering attending: unless you are drawn to highly abstract, nearly incomprehensible theater, I strongly caution you against this show. For the average, educated, thoughtful theatergoer, it is far more frustrating than fulfilling. In my opinion, this was the single most disappointing Broadway experience I've ever had - an unfortunate waste of money and, more importantly, of time.

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 3h

Wait untim they hear about Winnie and 'Happy Days'. Godot is all singing and dancing in comparison

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 4h

Genuinely hadn't spotted this as an issue (yet).

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 8h

@guineverecryptic.bsky.social Today's grid in @theguardian.com is a joy!

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Reposted by Chris Drew

ASH TRAY The First, Popetato of wulferhampton 📎 @ashashman1.bsky.social · 9h

Good morning wulferhampton have a wonderful Wednesday Hump Day you wondering weirdos

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 10h

What's that ? Fromagabilité?!

I'm in!

The sign says "From for all. Fromagabilité"

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 11h

Minute Cryptic - 15 October, 2025
"Volatile element or source of vitamin C?" (5,4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (20 745 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 20h

Are we allowed Ricky Villa?

Reposted by Chris Drew

Museum of Science @museumofscience.bsky.social · 21h

Ada Lovelace used mathematics to design the world’s first algorithm intended for a machine. This was done decades before computers were even built!

Who is a woman in STEM that inspires you? 👩‍🔬🧪

#AdaLovelace #WomeninSTEM #Science

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 21h

Hope it all goes fine!

Take care

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 23h

Just ordered via my local indy bookshop here in France.

Can't wait!

Reposted by Chris Drew

Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 1d

Deep breath. My publisher @johnmurrays.bsky.social informs me that my book about 🇬🇧,
"Fantastic Kingdom“
which will come out in June 2026,
is now available to pre-order, and that @waterstones.bsky.social is offering a 25% preorder discount this week.
www.waterstones.com/book/fantast...

Fantastic Kingdom by Helene von Bismarck | Waterstones

Buy Fantastic Kingdom by Helene von Bismarck from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

www.waterstones.com

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 23h

This will be our Friday evening film at the local arthouse cinema

youtu.be/gGpU1-ed3Mo?...

Soundtrack to a coup d'état : bande-annonce

YouTube video by Tempête de bandes-annonces sur le Web

youtu.be

Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 1d

@lvhicks.bsky.social

Jim'll Paint It @sirpaintalot.bsky.social · Jul 9

France can keep it. We have our own now.

Originally requested by Neil Meaton

An illustration in the style of the bayeux tapestry showing people enjoying a British night out. Instead of knights there are hoards of drunk revellers, a woman tumbles out of a taxi, a man wears a traffic cone on his head, kebabs are ordered and drugs are dealt behind police on horseback. There is fighting and vomiting also. The borders are embroidered with details such as a seagull eating some chips and a used condom. There are latin phrases such as 'Im tam ebrus est' and 'Allium Condimentum'

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Reposted by Chris Drew

Snacko Racko @snackoracko.bsky.social · 1d

Remember it is important to not only take care of yourself but your plushies too!

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 1d

Minute Cryptic - 14 October, 2025
"Townswomen wanting directions turned up for debate" (4)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (20 978 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 1d

It's sometimes better not to.

Take care

Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 1d

I didn't need to understand a word of this to find it beautifully moving.

Billy Mills @billymills.bsky.social · 2d

For @mesnilman.bsky.social and @romeoromeotango.bsky.social Nothing to do with the sea, and probably shared before, but my very favourite Irish-language song of all:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=al9-...

Casadh an tSugain - Micheal 0'Domhnaill and Bothy Band 1979

YouTube video by Mick Connell

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Chris Drew

Susanne Baumann @germanambuk.bsky.social · 2d

His Majesty King Charles III has announced that he will host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender for a State Visit from 3-5 December. It will be an incredible moment for 🇬🇧🇩🇪 relations and the first State Visit by a German President in 27 years.

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Reposted by Chris Drew

Matt Owen @mjowen174.bsky.social · 3d

If you could please do us a favour and RT (or whatever it is on here) my writing CV I would be extremely grateful. I am a very capable writer of words, mainly “humorous”’ and if you have some PROPER paid work for me, please DM me. Thank you for your time www.mathew-owen.co.uk

Home | Matt Owen | Freelance Writer

I offer a broad and diverse range of writing services. Get in touch!

www.mathew-owen.co.uk

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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 2d

Minute Cryptic - 13 October, 2025
"Crew from vet centre follows possum without hesitation" (5)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (20 368 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks !

Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 2d

@alanconnor.bsky.social I've become somewhat hooked to the Cryptic crosswords in The Grauniad.

Please pass my thanks on to all who set them. And thanks for sorting out the Quick Cryptic problem on Saturday morning !

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Reposted by Chris Drew

Bouba's Delivery Service @fernmonkey.bsky.social · 3d

My friend Sascha is a professional musician and he's lost a viola bow on the way to Heathrow. Please signal boost to help him get it back.

Lost viola bow on the way from Honor Oak Station to Heathrow Terminal 2. The bow slid from its bow case somewhere along the way, possibly on the train. TFL contacted already.
It weighs 68.2 grams and has got a stamped DODD next to the frog. If any info on this, please pm me.

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