Robert T Kirkwood
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talking-books.bsky.social
Robert T Kirkwood
@talking-books.bsky.social
880 followers 1.3K following 96 posts
Content producer on RNIB Connect Radio. Mainly shows about books and accessible reading. Used to be a Klingon.
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talking-books.bsky.social
Everything's coming up Milhouse!
A cartoon illustration in the style of The Simpsons showing me with yellow skin, a long white beard and mustache, and purple sunglasses taking a selfie in front of Dumfries House, a large Georgian-style mansion with a fountain and manicured gardens under a clear blue sky.
October 23, 2025 at 10:05 AM
talking-books.bsky.social
Just a taste of the @wigtownbooktown.bsky.social shows to come with @louiseminchin.bsky.social, The Royal Butler and the two heads of @ambroseparry.bsky.social and much more on @rnibradio.bsky.social
October 4, 2025 at 6:57 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
Chestita Baba Marta to all my pals in, or made in, Bulgaria
The image shows a close-up of a traditional Martenitsa, a Bulgarian symbol of spring, tied to a budding tree branch. The Martenitsa consists of two tassel-like yarn dolls, one white and one red, representing health and prosperity. The background is blurred with budding tree branches, indicating the arrival of spring.
March 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
talking-books.bsky.social
Lovely chat earlier with Nydia Hetherington @nydiawriter.bsky.social about her books Sycorax and A Girl Made of Air and many other avenues! Coming to @rnibradio.bsky.social and audioboom.com/channel/read... soon.
"Sycorax" **by Nydia Hetherington: A digital artwork featuring a stylized depiction of ocean waves in shades of blue and green, forming a swirling, circular pattern. The waves are rendered with fine lines, giving a textured, almost woodcut-like appearance. The overall palette is cool and calming, with hints of yellow light filtering through the wave crests. Overlaid on the wave design, vertically arranged in the center, is the word "SYCORAX" in a bold, sans-serif font. The letters are a slightly lighter shade than the surrounding waves, creating a subtle contrast. Below the image, in the lower left corner, are the words "NYDIA HETHERINGTON" in a smaller, sans-serif font. In the lower right corner, the words "Seer. Sage. Sorceress." are also written in a smaller, sans-serif font. The overall composition is circular, reminiscent of a badge or emblem. The artwork evokes a sense of mysticism and power, likely related to the mythical figure of Sycorax."
February 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
I promise I won't put the machines on my vulnerable to squeeze place. Protect the narmals.
"Close-up image of a printed instruction that reads: '*Don’t put the machines on the vulnerable to squeeze place, to ensure narmal machine use.'
February 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
Happy Burns Night!
The meme shows Mr. Burns, from The Simpsons, a frail and elderly man with pale yellow skin and gray-blue hair combed back. He is clasping his hands together with a devious grin on his face, looking sinister and scheming. The background is a radial burst of multicolored triangles. The top text reads: "I'LL MAKE THEM SING SONGS THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND," and the bottom text continues: "AND EAT THE INSIDE OF A SHEEP!"
January 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
talking-books.bsky.social
As was tradition in the bad place, on Tom Baker's birthday here's what he signed to 6 year old me.

(RS McColl's in East Kilbride - promoting the Target Books)
The image displays the title page of a book titled **"Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks."** Handwritten in green ink across the page is a personal note and autograph, attributed to actor **Tom Baker**, known for portraying the Fourth Doctor in *Doctor Who*. The text includes: - **"To Robert (6), from Doctor 'Who' (666)"** followed by: - **"Happy Days, 1978."** The signature and handwriting are playful and likely a personalized note from Tom Baker, referencing his role as the Doctor. The bottom of the page includes printed text about **"The Changing Face of Doctor Who,"** explaining the concept of the Doctor regenerating into new forms, tied to the show's lore.
January 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
'Tis the season - part 2
This image shows a set of display shelves, each containing Star Wars-themed helmets and decorations. The shelves are lit with colorful lighting, such as soft white and purple hues. 1. Top Left: A white stormtrooper helmet adorned with a Santa hat sits in the upper-left shelf. 2. Top Right: A Mandalorian-style helmet with gray and blue designs occupies the top-right shelf, also featuring a Santa hat slightly askew on its top. 3. Bottom Left: A dark, weathered helmet (possibly a pilot or bounty hunter design) is accompanied by a small droid figure (likely R2-D2) wearing a Santa hat. Blue lighting illuminates this section. 4. Bottom Right: A worn and scratched Mandalorian-style helmet sits here with a Santa hat draped over it, blending festivity with the helmet's rugged appearance. The overall arrangement combines Star Wars memorabilia with a festive Christmas theme, creating a playful holiday display.
November 30, 2024 at 9:16 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
'Tis the season
The image depicts a nativity scene with several small figurines. There's a stable structure with a thatched roof. Inside, there are figures resembling traditional nativity characters, such as Mary, Joseph, and others gathered around a manger that is Baby Yoda in his crib. Next to the scene, there is a decorative Las Vegas sign, adding a modern and playful twist to the traditional setting. Nearby, animals like a sheep and a cow are also present. A Catalonian festive ornament is defecating in the background
November 30, 2024 at 8:49 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
That was mid 90s (I think!) but I dug it all out in 2012 and gave it a spine-lift.

It's still in a suitcase somewhere in the loft. Been wondering lately what it would look like now the beard has gone white, but too old to be walking around inside what feels like jaggy upholstery!
Person wearing black medieval-style Klingon armour with a scale pattern and chain accents on the shoulder and back, standing against a plain background.
November 26, 2024 at 5:29 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
Done the Braille sign boss (part 2)
This is an image of a sign typically found in workplace restrooms. The text on the sign reads: "Employees Must Wash Hands Before Returning To Work" and includes a section in braille at the bottom, intended for visually impaired individuals. However, the entire sign is encased in a wooden frame and covered with glass, which makes the braille section inaccessible to touch. This creates a humorous yet ironic design flaw, as the braille cannot serve its intended purpose.
November 26, 2024 at 5:10 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
So young, no grey hairs, so lumpy
This image depicts a person dressed as a Klingon, a fictional alien species from the Star Trek universe. The character has distinct Klingon ridges on their forehead, long hair, and is wearing traditional Klingon attire. The outfit features dark, heavy material with metallic accents, evoking a warrior-like appearance. Behind the character is a sci-fi control panel, suggesting the setting is a spaceship or space station. This costume and makeup are highly detailed, typical of the Star Trek series.
November 26, 2024 at 5:06 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
Done the Braille signs boss.
This image shows a warning sign mounted on a textured wall, likely made of concrete blocks. The sign reads "DO NOT TOUCH – HOT" in bold black text, warning about a hot surface. Below the text is a row of Braille, included to make the warning accessible to visually impaired individuals. However, the design unintentionally creates a paradox: blind individuals need to touch the sign to read the Braille, which could lead to the risk it’s warning against. A thin orange line at the bottom adds visual emphasis. This humorous yet flawed design highlights how accessibility features can sometimes overlook practical safety concerns.
November 26, 2024 at 4:57 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
RNIB Library have been in the audiobook game for nearly 90 years. While there were many innovations in the recording process, book narrated by cats never really caught on.

(Narrator pictured moments before attacking the photographer.)
Newsreader Martyn Lewis is standing indoors in an office, wearing a light blue dress shirt and a striped tie. He holds an open book in one hand, titled 'Martyn Lewis,' with his name and photo visible on the cover. In his other arm, he cradles a black-and-white cat, which looks directly at the camera with an alert expression. The scene is set in a professional office environment, with a desk in the background holding stacked papers, a bottle, and a window with partially drawn blinds. The humorous and charming moment captures both man and cat seemingly 'reading' the book together.
November 26, 2024 at 11:40 AM
talking-books.bsky.social
This RNIB exchange is doing the rounds, now with added alt text!
The image is a screenshot of a Facebook comment thread: Top Comment: A user (name redacted) says, "I'll not give you a penny until you stop bringing illegal immigrants into our country." It has 5 likes and laughing reactions. RNIB Reply: The Royal National Institute of Blind People (verified with a blue checkmark) replies, "Peter, we're the Royal National Institute of Blind People." It has 5 likes and a heart reaction. Another User's Reply: Another commenter jokes, "RNIB he clearly needs your help," implying the original commenter misunderstood. It has 4 likes and laughing reactions. At the bottom, the post shows it has 90 comments, 1K retweets, 14K likes, and 318K engagements. The exchange humorously highlights the misunderstanding.
November 19, 2024 at 4:01 PM
talking-books.bsky.social
Downloading an audiobook c.1947
This black-and-white photograph shows the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) library distribution center, likely from the mid-20th century. Three women are engaged in the meticulous process of organizing and handling stacks of shellac records. The records, intended for distribution, are stored in distinctive square cardboard boxes with circular cutouts in the center, allowing the records to be easily accessed. The woman on the left is kneeling, carefully arranging stacks of boxed records on the floor in a systematic layout. In the center, another woman stands behind a large, wheeled basket filled with more boxes of records, likely used to transport them around the center. On the right, a third woman is bent over, holding a record and possibly inspecting or preparing it for packaging. The backdrop consists of tall shelving units filled with rows of neatly organized books or additional records, stacked floor to ceiling. Sunlight streams in from a window on the left, providing natural light to the workspace and highlighting the industrious atmosphere of the room. The overall setting reflects a dedicated effort to manage and distribute audio materials, likely to support the visually impaired community’s access to literature and information.
November 14, 2024 at 2:31 PM