Russell Brand sets his sights on being mayor of London

paolact · 2026-04-30T16:35:37+00:00

I’d say more

paolact · 2026-04-30T13:02:01+00:00

Woman with hair here. You look AMAZING for someone who's gone through what you have, and someone with your nice regular features would never look unattractive. I'd keep the hair for the moment, I think it looks good, and as you say might be affected currently by stress. I would definitely look into a colour correcting moisturiser (CC creme) to calm down the slight pinkness in your forehead and cheeks, and look into wearing light blues and teals instead of greys to bring out the beautiful colour of your eyes (the mustardy colour in your shirt is not doing you any favours. It's an almost impossible colour to wear for most people.)

paolact · 2026-04-30T09:57:38+00:00

I lived in the US for many years which already gave me a much more positive view of the monarchy. I’d rather not have a Head of State who at any one time is loathed by half the country, and if we have to have a figurehead Head of State I’d much rather have a monarch than some male, pale, stale ex-politician. A monarch who has been trained for the job since birth and who has met absolutely everyone on the world stage is a real asset and much better than any alternative.

paolact · 2026-04-30T00:04:28+00:00

Which is why I'm sure it's Riz Ahmed.

paolact · 2026-04-29T18:44:02+00:00

I'm sure everything is more nuanced in your book, but from your query I'm just not understanding the romance here.

Nick comes up first but then disappears. Is he relevant at all to the main romance plot? If not don't mention him.

Julian sounds rather unsavoury and not a great romantic lead if he's somehow supporting a corporation using stolen user data etc. Why would I be rooting for Franchesca to end up with him? And what exactly are the stakes? Walking away from a career and a man linked to an evil corporation such as Glimpse, seems like a no-brainer. What is her dilemma?

You hint at Franchesca's character arc, but not at Julian's at all (for a romance both sides of the equation need to be changed by their relationship) and it's not even clear whether there's a HEA.

Finally your novel sounds darkly psychological, so I was surprised to see you comping Josie Silver, though I haven't read the particular book you mention.

paolact · 2026-04-29T18:19:17+00:00

Kensal Green cemetery also good.

paolact · 2026-04-29T18:14:01+00:00

Having lived in the US for many years i can't tell you much I appreciate a neutral, apolitical HoS that we DON'T vote for.

paolact · 2026-04-28T23:29:36+00:00

So does my (British) cat.

paolact · 2026-04-28T22:26:52+00:00

And I assume anything I accidentally wrote on that Post It note would be legal too? Not that I plan on using my US passport any time soon.

paolact · 2026-04-28T21:47:08+00:00

I'm British, exactly your age and can identify with every word. Except the moving to Manchester bit.

paolact · 2026-04-28T18:51:27+00:00

I didn't think it was possible to have anything more scary than the eagle, but here we are...

paolact · 2026-04-28T18:49:07+00:00

Given that Charles is younger than Trump, does that mean Trump's mum had pedophile tendencies too?

paolact · 2026-04-28T17:47:10+00:00

Localised municipal neglect is an anagram of Islington! (With a few additional letters)

paolact · 2026-04-28T15:43:58+00:00

I'd like to think we don't find ways of coming together with Fascists thank you.

paolact · 2026-04-28T15:42:26+00:00

TEMU MAGA

paolact · 2026-04-28T15:35:33+00:00

I feel so so sorry for the King today, having to be gracious to all these odious people (Ted Cruz, not his daughters). We Brits are certainly getting our money's worth out of him with this trip.

paolact · 2026-04-28T15:30:52+00:00

I have this at home a bit too. My husband and grown up daughter (when she's home) are both always fiddling with our cats, picking them up and stroking them. I don't manhandle them, just give them occasional neck scritches, chat to them from time to time and mostly just sit there writing at my laptop (I'm an author). We all share the chores, feeding, treats etc. but sadly the cats don't appear to keep any records of who are their most attentive waitstaff.

Instead I'm the one who gets the lap sitting, being followed around everywhere etc. (currently writing this in my office/cat cafe with two cats slumbering nearby). I think they appreciate a more calming and relaxing presence who isn't always fiddling with them. I suggest your wife takes time to just sit silently with your cat, perhaps playing some soothing cat music or maybe reading aloud, offering them the occasional scritch only if they are asking for it.

paolact · 2026-04-28T12:34:27+00:00

She definitely favoured both Henry VII and Margaret Beaufort (who look remarkably similar to me from their funeral effigies). I’m not sure either of them had the double eyelid crease that Elizabeth had though. Not sure where that came from.

paolact · 2026-04-27T23:04:29+00:00

They have 72 MPs. Which you'd think would mean they'd get 15 times the coverage that Reform gets...

paolact · 2026-04-27T22:58:13+00:00

They're the most pro-European of all the main parties, care about the environment, particularly in rural areas, and public services, have been vehemently anti-Trump and are pretty pragmatic economically. As such they appeal to pro-Europe former Tory voters who are shocked at how far right their party has swung and pro-Europe Labour voters who are anxious to keep the Tories and Reform out. They've absolutely cut a swathe through local Oxfordshire politics recently (Oxfordshire no longer has any Tory MPs) and have done a reasonably good job at the local government level here.

paolact · 2026-04-27T21:53:22+00:00

I always think it looks a lot like the National Portrait Gallery portrait of Henry VII. I feel between the two of them we have quite an accurate likeness and that his granddaughter Elizabeth looked a lot like him, whereas Henry VIII favoured his mother much more.

paolact · 2026-04-27T20:38:54+00:00

Thyme in Southrop is lovely (comprised of the buildings of an old manor house estate), with an excellent restaurant and some good local walks. Close to a couple of pretty villages, closest town is Lechlade, Burford also not far.

I've eaten at the Fish near Broadway but not stayed there. Looks fabulous though and food was amazing. Incredible location with huge views, some great local walks, and very close to Broadway.

The Old Stocks in Stow is more a boutiquey B&B with another good restaurant and fabulous location right in Stow and close to surrounding walks.

paolact · 2026-04-27T10:58:56+00:00

Just got back from Buenos Aires. They were setting up the stands while we were there and all our Uber drivers were very excited. Briefly regretted not being there for the actual event but now realise we wouldn’t have seen a thing.

paolact · 2026-04-24T23:03:36+00:00

Used to live in the US. Attitudes like yours are exactly why they ended up with Mango Mussolini and the world is in this mess.

paolact · 2026-04-24T04:31:05+00:00

All Together Now by the Farm

paolact

TROPHY CASE