Matthew Somerville
@dracos.co.uk
I help people report broken street lights, find out their bin day, plan train travel, manage an orchestra, locate the nearest postbox, research old theatre productions, keep time in a choir, and occasionally play board games | https://dracos.co.uk
Reposted by Matthew Somerville
I Work For an Evil Company, but Outside Work, I’m Actually a Really Good Person www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-w...
I Work For an Evil Company, but Outside Work, I’m Actually a Really Good Person
I love my job. I make a great salary, there’s a clear path to promotion, and a never-ending supply of cold brew in the office. And even though my j...
www.mcsweeneys.net
November 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I Work For an Evil Company, but Outside Work, I’m Actually a Really Good Person www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-w...
At 3pm this afternoon, come and hear us at the Birmingham Conservatoire sing Gerald Finzi’s “Intimations of Immortality” (a setting of Wordsworth’s poem), with soloist Ruairi Bowen; Michael Hurd’s “This day to man”, six poems on the Nativity; and Richard Rodney Bennett’s Serenade for Small Orchestra
November 16, 2025 at 8:18 AM
At 3pm this afternoon, come and hear us at the Birmingham Conservatoire sing Gerald Finzi’s “Intimations of Immortality” (a setting of Wordsworth’s poem), with soloist Ruairi Bowen; Michael Hurd’s “This day to man”, six poems on the Nativity; and Richard Rodney Bennett’s Serenade for Small Orchestra
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Or eat an ice cream (while watching The Choral)
Or eat an ice cream (while watching The Choral)
November 15, 2025 at 9:11 PM
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Or eat an ice cream (while watching The Choral)
Or eat an ice cream (while watching The Choral)
Caught the bus to town; walking from the Arcadian to the Mailbox and the roads are one big traffic jam, angry and honking, multiple selfish cutting or blocking in just a short walk. I don’t understand why anyone drives to the centre, and imagining how nice it would be if cars were banned from there
November 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Caught the bus to town; walking from the Arcadian to the Mailbox and the roads are one big traffic jam, angry and honking, multiple selfish cutting or blocking in just a short walk. I don’t understand why anyone drives to the centre, and imagining how nice it would be if cars were banned from there
“The chandeliers chain had broken and this huge glass crystal and metal thing was dangling over the entire cast by just the electrical wires. We bought the tabs in; I went FOH and told audience that “due to a slight technical problem we were having to pause the play”.” – theatricalia.com/d/bvt
Production of The Doctor’s Dilemma | Theatricalia
theatricalia.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“The chandeliers chain had broken and this huge glass crystal and metal thing was dangling over the entire cast by just the electrical wires. We bought the tabs in; I went FOH and told audience that “due to a slight technical problem we were having to pause the play”.” – theatricalia.com/d/bvt
Upgraded a very old server from buster to bullseye to bookworm, and found I could no longer SSH to it. Found @imrannazar.com’s imrannazar.com/articles/lin... with the same problem (thanks!); I don’t think I can upgrade the kernel, but I can downgrade OpenSSH: gist.github.com/dracos/ad5f1...
gist.github.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Upgraded a very old server from buster to bullseye to bookworm, and found I could no longer SSH to it. Found @imrannazar.com’s imrannazar.com/articles/lin... with the same problem (thanks!); I don’t think I can upgrade the kernel, but I can downgrade OpenSSH: gist.github.com/dracos/ad5f1...
People who think this is a bad idea, put off Labour. People who think this is a good idea, encouraged that their ideas are valid and to go for the people who believe in it properly
To reiterate, this is about making life immeasurably more miserable and stressful for some of the most vulnerable people, in the almost certainly vain hope of winning over the votes of racists.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Asylum in UK to be made temporary under Home Secretary’s plans
Shabana Mahmood will lay out reforms modelled on the Danish system on Monday.
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
People who think this is a bad idea, put off Labour. People who think this is a good idea, encouraged that their ideas are valid and to go for the people who believe in it properly
On the 27 bus, passing through the flooded Bournville tunnel, deep enough to come into the bus
November 15, 2025 at 9:25 AM
On the 27 bus, passing through the flooded Bournville tunnel, deep enough to come into the bus
I, in Birmingham, haven’t had a recycling or garden waste bin collection in *2025* :-/ Which doesn’t bode well for the elections next year.
Continuing to even fail to manage a decline, failed to plan for government and what to do, betting on “AI growth zones” as concerns rise over finances, … :-/
Continuing to even fail to manage a decline, failed to plan for government and what to do, betting on “AI growth zones” as concerns rise over finances, … :-/
Everything they do should be about what best sets up whichever fresh-faced MP becomes the leader in January 2029 to go 'I'm new! Inflation is down, interest rates are down, bin collections are weekly, GP appointments are up and the police catch criminals again!'
November 14, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I, in Birmingham, haven’t had a recycling or garden waste bin collection in *2025* :-/ Which doesn’t bode well for the elections next year.
Continuing to even fail to manage a decline, failed to plan for government and what to do, betting on “AI growth zones” as concerns rise over finances, … :-/
Continuing to even fail to manage a decline, failed to plan for government and what to do, betting on “AI growth zones” as concerns rise over finances, … :-/
My site and RTT disagree on the cause of this delayed train
November 14, 2025 at 7:58 PM
My site and RTT disagree on the cause of this delayed train
To end this time in Manchester, we went to the Museum of Illusions, and I had a miso apple crumble & taro cheesecake ice cream (sadly no photo).
November 13, 2025 at 5:26 PM
To end this time in Manchester, we went to the Museum of Illusions, and I had a miso apple crumble & taro cheesecake ice cream (sadly no photo).
Reposted by Matthew Somerville
Off to Manchester!
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
split.traintimes.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Off to Manchester!
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
Off to Manchester!
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
split.traintimes.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Off to Manchester!
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
The walk-on peak fare is the £115.10 Anytime Return.
But the walk-on Anytime Return to Stafford is £23.20.
And an Anytime Return from Stafford to Manchester is £36.80.
split.traintimes.org.uk/BRV/MAN/n/07...
I have to re-apply for tax free childcare every three months, even though they would/should know if any of my details have changed. I always wonder each time why the whole byzantine system exists like this (also, if you apply for TFC, you lose Universal Credit?)
The two child cap is a test of the government’s seriousness: if you are serious about child poverty, you lift it, and if you are serious about not wasting money, you don’t fritter away cash on dumb things like vouchers to try and manage the PLP.
If the government chooses to keep the 2 child limit and spend money on vouchers and parenting programmes instead, child poverty will rise and this will be a conscious and deliberate political choice in defiance of all the evidence
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I have to re-apply for tax free childcare every three months, even though they would/should know if any of my details have changed. I always wonder each time why the whole byzantine system exists like this (also, if you apply for TFC, you lose Universal Credit?)
Reposted by Matthew Somerville
🌟 Tomorrow! 🌟
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
Networked auditors: crowdsourcing and community-led ATI
Discover how three organisations are using crowdsourcing and ATI laws to uncover data, monitor public projects, and drive accountability
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 AM
🌟 Tomorrow! 🌟
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
“finding out which Strictly celeb’s rumba has been voted the most mediocre is deemed more important to the schedule.”
Strictly is on at the same time as in 2017.
Then, it was 6.20 Countryfile 7.20 Strictly 8 AR/Blue Planet.
This year, it is 5.25 Countryfile 6.25 Kingdom 7.15 Strictly 8 AR.
Strictly is on at the same time as in 2017.
Then, it was 6.20 Countryfile 7.20 Strictly 8 AR/Blue Planet.
This year, it is 5.25 Countryfile 6.25 Kingdom 7.15 Strictly 8 AR.
Kingdom review – David Attenborough never fails to make nature awe-inspiring
Attenborough’s latest extravaganza is packed with such high drama it’s like Game of Thrones … if Cersei was a hyena. If only it hadn’t been bumped down the schedules because of Strictly
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
“finding out which Strictly celeb’s rumba has been voted the most mediocre is deemed more important to the schedule.”
Strictly is on at the same time as in 2017.
Then, it was 6.20 Countryfile 7.20 Strictly 8 AR/Blue Planet.
This year, it is 5.25 Countryfile 6.25 Kingdom 7.15 Strictly 8 AR.
Strictly is on at the same time as in 2017.
Then, it was 6.20 Countryfile 7.20 Strictly 8 AR/Blue Planet.
This year, it is 5.25 Countryfile 6.25 Kingdom 7.15 Strictly 8 AR.
You don’t realise how much you’ve come to rely on the bus live departures and live locations, until they’re not working today and you’re like “I have to turn up at the stop for a pre-published time? And hope the bus appears?“
November 8, 2025 at 1:05 PM
You don’t realise how much you’ve come to rely on the bus live departures and live locations, until they’re not working today and you’re like “I have to turn up at the stop for a pre-published time? And hope the bus appears?“
Different calendar, though. It was 8th November “secundum computationem Ecclesiae Anglicanae”, so Old Style; that would have been 18th November in the Gregorian calendar already used in Catholic countries, and would be 21st November this year (Julian has had three more leap years since).
Happy 423 years of us! 🎉 📚
The Bodleian Libraries opened for the first time on 8 November 1602...
This means, we're older than the refracting telescope (1608), the publication of Shakespeare's Hamlet (1623) and Sir Isaac Newton's apple (1666)! 😅
The Bodleian Libraries opened for the first time on 8 November 1602...
This means, we're older than the refracting telescope (1608), the publication of Shakespeare's Hamlet (1623) and Sir Isaac Newton's apple (1666)! 😅
November 8, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Different calendar, though. It was 8th November “secundum computationem Ecclesiae Anglicanae”, so Old Style; that would have been 18th November in the Gregorian calendar already used in Catholic countries, and would be 21st November this year (Julian has had three more leap years since).
Kinder Surprise eggs are banned in the United States.
I added three new suicides helped by ChatGPT to Wikipedia today: en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
I added three new suicides helped by ChatGPT to Wikipedia today: en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
November 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Kinder Surprise eggs are banned in the United States.
I added three new suicides helped by ChatGPT to Wikipedia today: en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
I added three new suicides helped by ChatGPT to Wikipedia today: en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
“But the undeniable energy of the Mamdani campaign has been joy — an effusive, exuberant, contagious joy. Even when times are hard, maybe especially when times are hard, people are drawn to that joy. And they've been missing leaders who offer them a positive vision.”
Ten things I took away from one remarkable, history-making moment. Turn the volume up. www.anildash.com/2025/11/05/t...
Turn the volume up. - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
www.anildash.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:52 PM
“But the undeniable energy of the Mamdani campaign has been joy — an effusive, exuberant, contagious joy. Even when times are hard, maybe especially when times are hard, people are drawn to that joy. And they've been missing leaders who offer them a positive vision.”
The flags on the street lights now mean walking down the windy street is a weird strobing nightmare of flickering lights
November 3, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The flags on the street lights now mean walking down the windy street is a weird strobing nightmare of flickering lights
If you select “Least walking” in Google Maps, it changes to first suggest you… walk the whole way instead
November 2, 2025 at 10:49 AM
If you select “Least walking” in Google Maps, it changes to first suggest you… walk the whole way instead
“Huntingdon, near Cambridgeshire“, @theguardian.com? Huntingdon is in Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire isn’t a spot, you’ve got a pin on Needingworth, a little village, also in Cambridgeshire
November 2, 2025 at 6:54 AM
“Huntingdon, near Cambridgeshire“, @theguardian.com? Huntingdon is in Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire isn’t a spot, you’ve got a pin on Needingworth, a little village, also in Cambridgeshire
I wondered what the most common score in Strictly was, and if it was more often one less than a multiple of four. Taking only the dances in which Anton voted (easiest proxy for current set of judges), the most common score (49 times) is 39. Then it's 32, 30, 31, 35, 29, 33, 27, 28, 40.
They don’t, yet, call me the @zaltzcricket.bsky.social of Strictly, but there’s still time
I make it the lowest average score for week 1 ever:
1: 23.88
2: 22.50
3: 22.25
4: 22.29
5: 22.71
6: 22.88
7: 23.63
8: 24.43
9: 23.00
10: 22.07
11: 24.07
12: 23.33
13: 23.40
14: 26.47
15: 22.20
16: 22.80
17: 22.53
[18: 24.89]
19: 23.87
20: 25.13
21: 24.27
22: 22.67
23: 21.33
1: 23.88
2: 22.50
3: 22.25
4: 22.29
5: 22.71
6: 22.88
7: 23.63
8: 24.43
9: 23.00
10: 22.07
11: 24.07
12: 23.33
13: 23.40
14: 26.47
15: 22.20
16: 22.80
17: 22.53
[18: 24.89]
19: 23.87
20: 25.13
21: 24.27
22: 22.67
23: 21.33
November 1, 2025 at 8:59 PM
I wondered what the most common score in Strictly was, and if it was more often one less than a multiple of four. Taking only the dances in which Anton voted (easiest proxy for current set of judges), the most common score (49 times) is 39. Then it's 32, 30, 31, 35, 29, 33, 27, 28, 40.
Reposted by Matthew Somerville
Happy Hallowe’en. My annual chance to put out the one piece of amazing tat that I own
October 31, 2024 at 5:59 PM
Happy Hallowe’en. My annual chance to put out the one piece of amazing tat that I own