Stephen JC
@sjcoltrane.bsky.social
I got a PhD and somehow I ended up live streaming Dark Souls. Living the dream in west London. He/him and Welsh.
(Profile pic is my black cat.)
(Profile pic is my black cat.)
26 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Scrambled eggs. Honestly my face lights up at the sight of a plate of scrambled eggs. They’re filling, nourishing and just the right middle ground between solid and liquid.
November 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
26 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Scrambled eggs. Honestly my face lights up at the sight of a plate of scrambled eggs. They’re filling, nourishing and just the right middle ground between solid and liquid.
25 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Xmas Day 1992. I was spending Xmas in my college in Cambridge. We had a hoar frost. Everything was white, every tree, every blade of grass. It was better than snow. Sadly the photos I took are lost (found the attached pic online). But it was magical.
November 25, 2025 at 10:55 AM
25 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Xmas Day 1992. I was spending Xmas in my college in Cambridge. We had a hoar frost. Everything was white, every tree, every blade of grass. It was better than snow. Sadly the photos I took are lost (found the attached pic online). But it was magical.
21 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Breakfast. It’s nice to wake up knowing the first thing you’re going to do with your day is have a really nice breakfast. Here’s my regular porridge and banana.
November 21, 2025 at 8:16 AM
21 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Breakfast. It’s nice to wake up knowing the first thing you’re going to do with your day is have a really nice breakfast. Here’s my regular porridge and banana.
20 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. My local coffee bar. Barely more than a hole in the wall, they make the best coffee in the area. They don’t make it too hot, unlike virtually every other coffee place. Staff are lovely too, and it’s not a chain.
November 20, 2025 at 8:39 AM
20 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. My local coffee bar. Barely more than a hole in the wall, they make the best coffee in the area. They don’t make it too hot, unlike virtually every other coffee place. Staff are lovely too, and it’s not a chain.
Just read this in a financial services newsletter. FINANCIAL SERVICES. Your clients are adults, not nursery kids. What the hell has happened to us?
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Just read this in a financial services newsletter. FINANCIAL SERVICES. Your clients are adults, not nursery kids. What the hell has happened to us?
18 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Castles, particularly medieval castles. They’re good to explore, but even better seen from a distance. They hark of a bygone and inaccessible age, a time we can only dream of. I’m romanticising them, but where’s the harm in that?
November 18, 2025 at 9:56 AM
18 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Castles, particularly medieval castles. They’re good to explore, but even better seen from a distance. They hark of a bygone and inaccessible age, a time we can only dream of. I’m romanticising them, but where’s the harm in that?
16 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy.
My local church (name redacted, or I’ll doxx myself). Beautiful building, well maintained, a centrepiece of the community. Vicar and clergy remarkably progressive. I don’t go often enough, but just the fact that it’s there gives me pleasure.
My local church (name redacted, or I’ll doxx myself). Beautiful building, well maintained, a centrepiece of the community. Vicar and clergy remarkably progressive. I don’t go often enough, but just the fact that it’s there gives me pleasure.
November 16, 2025 at 8:29 AM
16 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy.
My local church (name redacted, or I’ll doxx myself). Beautiful building, well maintained, a centrepiece of the community. Vicar and clergy remarkably progressive. I don’t go often enough, but just the fact that it’s there gives me pleasure.
My local church (name redacted, or I’ll doxx myself). Beautiful building, well maintained, a centrepiece of the community. Vicar and clergy remarkably progressive. I don’t go often enough, but just the fact that it’s there gives me pleasure.
10 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy.
If you travel to Durham by train and look out of the window as you approach the station, you see the cathedral emerge suddenly, towering over the city like a magnificent trophy. The effect is even more impressive at night.
If you travel to Durham by train and look out of the window as you approach the station, you see the cathedral emerge suddenly, towering over the city like a magnificent trophy. The effect is even more impressive at night.
November 10, 2025 at 8:11 AM
10 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy.
If you travel to Durham by train and look out of the window as you approach the station, you see the cathedral emerge suddenly, towering over the city like a magnificent trophy. The effect is even more impressive at night.
If you travel to Durham by train and look out of the window as you approach the station, you see the cathedral emerge suddenly, towering over the city like a magnificent trophy. The effect is even more impressive at night.
8 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Advent candles.
There’s something very beautiful about watching the flame edge its way slowly down to the next date, the flame gently illuminating the space around it. It builds up the anticipation better than a calendar.
There’s something very beautiful about watching the flame edge its way slowly down to the next date, the flame gently illuminating the space around it. It builds up the anticipation better than a calendar.
November 8, 2025 at 8:21 AM
8 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy. Advent candles.
There’s something very beautiful about watching the flame edge its way slowly down to the next date, the flame gently illuminating the space around it. It builds up the anticipation better than a calendar.
There’s something very beautiful about watching the flame edge its way slowly down to the next date, the flame gently illuminating the space around it. It builds up the anticipation better than a calendar.
7 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy.
The Rose Garden (more properly, Queen Mary’s Rose Garden) in Regent’s Park. An absolute oasis. I had my 30th birthday party here.
I remember there was hazy sunshine and the ground was so damp the water came through the picnic blankets. Many wet buns.
The Rose Garden (more properly, Queen Mary’s Rose Garden) in Regent’s Park. An absolute oasis. I had my 30th birthday party here.
I remember there was hazy sunshine and the ground was so damp the water came through the picnic blankets. Many wet buns.
November 7, 2025 at 7:43 AM
7 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy.
The Rose Garden (more properly, Queen Mary’s Rose Garden) in Regent’s Park. An absolute oasis. I had my 30th birthday party here.
I remember there was hazy sunshine and the ground was so damp the water came through the picnic blankets. Many wet buns.
The Rose Garden (more properly, Queen Mary’s Rose Garden) in Regent’s Park. An absolute oasis. I had my 30th birthday party here.
I remember there was hazy sunshine and the ground was so damp the water came through the picnic blankets. Many wet buns.
Said mosaics. It’s hard to appreciate just how spectacular this place is. And we’d never even heard of it before we arrived. I’d only gone to Ravenna so I could see Dante’s tomb.
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Said mosaics. It’s hard to appreciate just how spectacular this place is. And we’d never even heard of it before we arrived. I’d only gone to Ravenna so I could see Dante’s tomb.
6 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy (forgot to thread yesterday’s thing, sorry).
The Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna. We went there just before Christmas maybe 10 years ago. It was dark and freezing cold, but the fog added so much atmosphere. And the mosaics inside were gorgeous.
The Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna. We went there just before Christmas maybe 10 years ago. It was dark and freezing cold, but the fog added so much atmosphere. And the mosaics inside were gorgeous.
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 AM
6 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy (forgot to thread yesterday’s thing, sorry).
The Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna. We went there just before Christmas maybe 10 years ago. It was dark and freezing cold, but the fog added so much atmosphere. And the mosaics inside were gorgeous.
The Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna. We went there just before Christmas maybe 10 years ago. It was dark and freezing cold, but the fog added so much atmosphere. And the mosaics inside were gorgeous.
3 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy
That period around the middle of February, when the sun finally starts setting after 5pm again, daffodils start to appear, and the air takes on that fresh and exciting aura. You can feel spring coming. I love that time of year.
That period around the middle of February, when the sun finally starts setting after 5pm again, daffodils start to appear, and the air takes on that fresh and exciting aura. You can feel spring coming. I love that time of year.
November 3, 2025 at 10:24 AM
3 Nov. Things Which Make Me #Happy
That period around the middle of February, when the sun finally starts setting after 5pm again, daffodils start to appear, and the air takes on that fresh and exciting aura. You can feel spring coming. I love that time of year.
That period around the middle of February, when the sun finally starts setting after 5pm again, daffodils start to appear, and the air takes on that fresh and exciting aura. You can feel spring coming. I love that time of year.
1 Nov. Cinnamon Buns. I bloody love cinnamon buns. The dough is thick enough to be comfort food, the sugar topping is sweet but not too sweet and the cinnamon paste filling would be good enough to eat on its own. #Happy
November 1, 2025 at 8:11 AM
1 Nov. Cinnamon Buns. I bloody love cinnamon buns. The dough is thick enough to be comfort food, the sugar topping is sweet but not too sweet and the cinnamon paste filling would be good enough to eat on its own. #Happy
A bonus. Emerging from the house, we saw this excellent Halloween moon.
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
A bonus. Emerging from the house, we saw this excellent Halloween moon.
Despite being full of Halloween cosplayers (mostly Goths of course), there was an air of pleasant curiosity. Visitors of all ages seemed genuinely interested in the displays, and the home had done a good job I thought.
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Despite being full of Halloween cosplayers (mostly Goths of course), there was an air of pleasant curiosity. Visitors of all ages seemed genuinely interested in the displays, and the home had done a good job I thought.
The house was owned by Horace Walpole, who wrote the Gothic novel ‘The Castle of Otranto’. I tried to read it once, but it’s a bit heavy going.
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The house was owned by Horace Walpole, who wrote the Gothic novel ‘The Castle of Otranto’. I tried to read it once, but it’s a bit heavy going.
Injured arm notwithstanding, I was able to visit the After Dark experience at @strawbhillhouse.bsky.social this evening. Gently impressive, more elegant than spooky, but that’s on brand. More pics in next posts.
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Injured arm notwithstanding, I was able to visit the After Dark experience at @strawbhillhouse.bsky.social this evening. Gently impressive, more elegant than spooky, but that’s on brand. More pics in next posts.
Post a perfect album from the '90s that isn't Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, or Alice In Chains.
October 31, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Post a perfect album from the '90s that isn't Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, or Alice In Chains.
Since I don’t do age verification, I have no idea who has messaged me; nor, more annoyingly, how to get rid of this irritating badge.
October 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Since I don’t do age verification, I have no idea who has messaged me; nor, more annoyingly, how to get rid of this irritating badge.
“To end to bombing?”
October 4, 2025 at 8:16 AM
“To end to bombing?”
Hats off to the Times clickbait team.
September 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Hats off to the Times clickbait team.
Another Alpine addition to #SundayPixVehicle - shuttle service between horrible touristy Lauterbrunnen and calm, car-free Wengen.
August 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Another Alpine addition to #SundayPixVehicle - shuttle service between horrible touristy Lauterbrunnen and calm, car-free Wengen.
#SundayPixVehicle
Currently stuffed into a crowded cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren in the Swiss Alps. Nice views, though.
Currently stuffed into a crowded cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren in the Swiss Alps. Nice views, though.
August 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM
#SundayPixVehicle
Currently stuffed into a crowded cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren in the Swiss Alps. Nice views, though.
Currently stuffed into a crowded cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren in the Swiss Alps. Nice views, though.