Coates is Odd This Day
@oddthisday.bsky.social
“Meticulously researched” niche drivel https://mulberryhall.medium.com/
The same book (‘The Great Belzoni’) says he was “mild and gentle in his ways”, so perhaps the stereotype of a large, bumbling, sensitive Bernard Bresslaw type is accurate. I like to think so
December 3, 2025 at 11:19 AM
The same book (‘The Great Belzoni’) says he was “mild and gentle in his ways”, so perhaps the stereotype of a large, bumbling, sensitive Bernard Bresslaw type is accurate. I like to think so
Alas! It is 202 years since the death of Giovanni Battista Belzoni, who studied hydraulics, wanted to be a monk, became a barber, then a circus strongman, and was eventually employed to remove a huge bust of Ramesses II from Egypt and take it to the British Museum
December 3, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Alas! It is 202 years since the death of Giovanni Battista Belzoni, who studied hydraulics, wanted to be a monk, became a barber, then a circus strongman, and was eventually employed to remove a huge bust of Ramesses II from Egypt and take it to the British Museum
An update. It’s very good, and detailed, and very readable, but I have slight reservations about the self-consciousness of the writing. Not enough to put me off, but it’s making me like the book rather than love it
December 3, 2025 at 10:32 AM
An update. It’s very good, and detailed, and very readable, but I have slight reservations about the self-consciousness of the writing. Not enough to put me off, but it’s making me like the book rather than love it
Roses are red
Charlie Parker played be-bop
Charlie Parker played be-bop
December 3, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Roses are red
Charlie Parker played be-bop
Charlie Parker played be-bop
*updates bio*
December 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
*updates bio*
Sent the aSSKINg poster to my GP friend. Got this remarkable “the beatings will continue until morale improves” screen in response
December 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Sent the aSSKINg poster to my GP friend. Got this remarkable “the beatings will continue until morale improves” screen in response
Same, but gingery tortoiseshell (the coat hanger one is not mine, but a random internet cat)
December 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Same, but gingery tortoiseshell (the coat hanger one is not mine, but a random internet cat)
For some reason, I can’t seem to post this fine footnote from @santiagojones.bsky.social as a link, so…
December 2, 2025 at 9:58 AM
For some reason, I can’t seem to post this fine footnote from @santiagojones.bsky.social as a link, so…
And finally today: happy 24th anniversary of this unimprovable paragraph appearing in The Observer www.theguardian.com/observer/osm...
December 2, 2025 at 9:49 AM
And finally today: happy 24th anniversary of this unimprovable paragraph appearing in The Observer www.theguardian.com/observer/osm...
…but perhaps the most entertaining bit is in the main body of the article, where one man claims to have subjected his most expensive item of sitting room furniture to The Ultimate Sanction
December 2, 2025 at 9:46 AM
…but perhaps the most entertaining bit is in the main body of the article, where one man claims to have subjected his most expensive item of sitting room furniture to The Ultimate Sanction
Queen and the Pistols were both with EMI, so when one band wasn’t free, the suits sent a different one... What could go wrong? The Mirror helpfully provided an asterisked transcript of the dirty bits, but apparently hadn’t had time to work out which member of the band was which
![When the air turned blue. INTERVIEWER Bill Grundy introduced the Sex Pistols to viewers with the comment: "Words actually fail me about the next guests on tonight's show." The group sang a number and the amazing interview got under way. GRUNDY: I am told you have received £10,000 from a record company. Doesn't that seem to be slightly opposed to an anti- materialistic way of life. PISTOL: The more the merrier. GRUNDY: Really. PISTOL: Yea, yea. GRUNDY: Tell me more then. PISTOL F-ing spent it, didn't we. GRUNDY: You are serious? PISTOL: Mmmm. GRUNDY: Beethoven, Mozart, Bach? PISTOL: They're wonderful people GRUNDY: Are they? PISTOL: Yes, they really turn us on, they do. GRUNDY: Suppose they turn other people on. PISTOL, (in a whisper): That's just their tough s-. GRUNDY: It's what? PISTOL: Nothing-a rude word. Next question. GRUNDY: No, no, What was the rude word? PISTOL: S-. GRUNDY: Was it really? Good heavens. What about you girls behind? Are you married or just enjoying yourself? GIRL: I've always wanted to meet you. GRUNDY: Did you really? We'll meet afterwards, shall me [sic]? PISTOL: You dirty old man. You dirty old man. GRUNDY: Go on, you've got a long time yet. You've got another five seconds. Say something outrageous. PISTOL: You dirty sod. You dirty bastard. GRUNDY: Go on. Again. PISTOL.: You dirty f-er. GRUNDY: What? PISTOL: What a f-ing rotter. GRUNDY: Well, that's it for tonight... I'll be seeing you soon. I hope I'm not seeing YOU again. Goodnight.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vckf3haopb3yncclmf7o2m3f/bafkreihfe4fns7v63zxyn7x4ykydyqzr2yftoqoo7dd4fhww7eqdyfzyie@jpeg)
December 2, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Queen and the Pistols were both with EMI, so when one band wasn’t free, the suits sent a different one... What could go wrong? The Mirror helpfully provided an asterisked transcript of the dirty bits, but apparently hadn’t had time to work out which member of the band was which
...but obviously the most important news this morning is that it’s 49 years and one day since Queen weren’t available for a TV show, so the Sex Pistols outraged a blushing, innocent nation, giving rise to a legendary headline on *this* day in 1976
December 2, 2025 at 9:44 AM
...but obviously the most important news this morning is that it’s 49 years and one day since Queen weren’t available for a TV show, so the Sex Pistols outraged a blushing, innocent nation, giving rise to a legendary headline on *this* day in 1976
“Mature coconut palms”, you see, “may have a height of 24 up to 35 meters and an unhusked coconut may weigh 1 to 4 kg”, so “blows to the head of a force exceeding 1 metric ton are possible” journals.lww.com/jtrauma/abst...
December 2, 2025 at 9:43 AM
“Mature coconut palms”, you see, “may have a height of 24 up to 35 meters and an unhusked coconut may weigh 1 to 4 kg”, so “blows to the head of a force exceeding 1 metric ton are possible” journals.lww.com/jtrauma/abst...
It’s also the 102nd anniversary of the unfortunate demise of William Kennedy, 20, killed by a coconut – but not because it fell on his head (the usual method). No, William was a resident of Pennsylvania, not noted for its palm trees, and died a rather more... American death
December 2, 2025 at 9:41 AM
It’s also the 102nd anniversary of the unfortunate demise of William Kennedy, 20, killed by a coconut – but not because it fell on his head (the usual method). No, William was a resident of Pennsylvania, not noted for its palm trees, and died a rather more... American death
And a very happy 10th anniversary of the opening night of Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory in south London, a production which gave rise to one of the best pull quotes ever seen by human eyes
December 2, 2025 at 9:40 AM
And a very happy 10th anniversary of the opening night of Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory in south London, a production which gave rise to one of the best pull quotes ever seen by human eyes
TO AUSTERLITZ!
(because it’s the 220th anniversary)
(because it’s the 220th anniversary)
December 2, 2025 at 9:38 AM
TO AUSTERLITZ!
(because it’s the 220th anniversary)
(because it’s the 220th anniversary)
*goes to see nurse. Does absolutely not snigger childishly. Heavens, no*
December 2, 2025 at 9:03 AM
*goes to see nurse. Does absolutely not snigger childishly. Heavens, no*
AND! It’s the 42nd anniversary of death of Violet Carson, which means (b) it’s time to post this classic photo again, but also (b)...
December 1, 2025 at 1:33 PM
AND! It’s the 42nd anniversary of death of Violet Carson, which means (b) it’s time to post this classic photo again, but also (b)...
One of Hanno’s most enduring contributions to the arts is apparently the appearance of elephants in Adoration of the Magi paintings around this time, but I like to think it’s this, showing Leo X at the moment he hears of his beloved pet elephant’s death
December 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
One of Hanno’s most enduring contributions to the arts is apparently the appearance of elephants in Adoration of the Magi paintings around this time, but I like to think it’s this, showing Leo X at the moment he hears of his beloved pet elephant’s death
…and after Hanno died, a satire (which may have been composed by Pietro Aretino) purported to be his last will and testament, in which he leaves various bits of himself to various cardinals, including:
![my testicles you are to give to the Most Reverend Cardinal of Senegaia [Marco Vigeri, bishop of Senigallia, known for his sensuality and addiction to pleasures of the flesh] so that he will become more fruitful in progeny, and in the more merry procreation of the Antichrist with the Reverend Julia of the nuns of [the monastery of] Saint Catherine of Senegaia [Senigallia].
you are to give my member [penis] to the Most Reverend Cardinal di Grassi [Achille Grassi, Cardinal of San Sisto, who fathered several children with Adriana de Scottis of Bologna], so that he can become more active in the incarnation of bastards with the help of Madama Adriana [Adriana de Scottis] of Bologna.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vckf3haopb3yncclmf7o2m3f/bafkreifzawdbznyph7crdlwd37edffovdpgvtxvnxlplhdkg7gegov6mpu@jpeg)
December 1, 2025 at 9:22 AM
…and after Hanno died, a satire (which may have been composed by Pietro Aretino) purported to be his last will and testament, in which he leaves various bits of himself to various cardinals, including:
And there are other images, not least one showing Leo’s favourite ‘buffoon’ Giacomo Baraballo (who was also Abbot of Gaeta, apparently) dressed as an ass and riding Hanno
December 1, 2025 at 9:22 AM
And there are other images, not least one showing Leo’s favourite ‘buffoon’ Giacomo Baraballo (who was also Abbot of Gaeta, apparently) dressed as an ass and riding Hanno
When the great beast fell ill in 1516, he called for Raphael to abandon whatever else he was working on and come and paint his prize pet “in the animal’s full size and natural colouring”. As far as we know, Raphael didn’t, but this pen and ink drawing has been attributed to him
December 1, 2025 at 9:21 AM
When the great beast fell ill in 1516, he called for Raphael to abandon whatever else he was working on and come and paint his prize pet “in the animal’s full size and natural colouring”. As far as we know, Raphael didn’t, but this pen and ink drawing has been attributed to him