SkyBlueWooHoo

#Swans! #Jaws Arrrr!

In one hand: a clothespin from the 1960s. Solid hardwood, smooth from decades of use. It still works perfectly, some 60 years later. In the other: a clothespin from 2025. Lighter, paler wood, brittle. The spring is thin and unstable. Marketed as “extra durable,” my dad just raised an eyebrow. At first glance, it’s just two clothespins. But they tell a bigger story — the shift from durability to disposability, from craftsmanship to cost-cutting, from stewardship to constant consumption. This is planned obsolescence in action. Products are designed to fail so we must keep buying. Slowly, subtly, they break. Frayed wires, cracked hinges, brittle springs. Not because we want more, but because the old was never built to last. The costs are everywhere. Landfills overflow. Wallets empty. And maybe most quietly, our spirits grow accustomed to impermanence, to the idea that nothing is meant to endure. What if this philosophy extends beyond objects? What if it shapes how we treat relationships, communities, homes, even the Earth — as temporary, replaceable, disposable? It doesn’t have to be this way. That 1960s clothespin reminds us another path is possible. That we once made things to last, and we can again. That quality, care, and intention matter. That we can design for repair, for continuity, for meaning.

@horacepanterart Be cool with a bouquet of pencils in.

Get ready! 👀 My super cool cassette mug is almost here (I'm calling it - it's going to be a thing!). I've put in the work to find the best quality mug out there. Now, all I have to do is wait for the first batch to arrive. I'll let you all know as soon as it's available. Perfect timing for Christmas!!! 🤪

@LeeBraganza Blimey. Every time I've been in eye casualty there is a parent of a toddler. I once was there because of a dinosaur in the eye. I was the 3rd one that day.

A lovely way to wake up this morning as the two year old clawed my eyes open and then proceeded to shout into my face "WAKE UP NOW DADDY OR I'LL BITE YOUR NOSE."

The Gruffalo is back! He’s visiting ALL Portsmouth libraries this Feb half term at BookFest for story time, crafts & cupcakes—plus a chance to meet him in person! 🎟 Tickets go fast → Book here librariesandarchives.portsmouth.gov.uk/public-library… #PortsmouthBookFest #Gruffalo #FamilyFun

#otd 6 yrs ago we posted the "Tumbleweed" tweet, which caused a national & international media storm & gained us £10,000 of book orders. January is ALWAYS miserable in the book trade. Please consider buying a book from us or from your fave indie bookshop today

@NatChurchTrust @heritage_lizzie 👀 @BishopEgan 👍🏻

Does your church, chapel or meeting house have a page on our site? Help visitors find it by adding your page - there's space to share the history of the building, churchyard and community. Fill in the quick form at our website: nationalchurchestrust.org/explore/your-c… 1/2

👀 @WedgewoodRooms @FemConstruct @PortsmouthHQ @PortsCreates @jackedwards77

The stats are in, FIVE THOUSAND people joined us across the day at The Merch Market. We’re happy to hear from venues who would like to get involved - they have become way more than just a place to get merch - it’s a celebration of the relationship between bands and fans

Coming soon to this space are Angels, poor scholars, horses and Monkeys stealing Oranges and many more. Elizabethan ceilings.

Recommend following @PGaches so you can see this project with Philip and family. Best in the biz. 💛

THE MOOMINS (1977): The classic Polish/Austrian/German 'fuzzy felt' version of Tove Janson's beautiful children's books had a dark, gloomy, melancholy tone. Never more so than when the frankly terrifying Groke made an appearance...

@Tim_Burgess @tonicmusicmh Tonic Music are the absolute best! 🩵

Particular high fives to Johnny Roadhouse for the loan of some gear, Leven in Manchester for giving rooms to the folks who came down from Glasgow and Tonic Music for everything they do for us x x

So many people to thank for making the Merch Market happen yesterday - all the amazing staff at the venues who worked hard all day, everyone who hosted a stall, our ace interviewers and bands plus everyone who came along and bought stuff and came to enjoy the day x x

Next year sees the 50th anniversary of Stiff Records, and I will be talking about my book about the maverick British label at the @PompeyBookFest on Friday 7 March. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 6 January wegottickets.com/event/683161 #portsmouth

@O11491Owen Pompey win

Interesting read.... theguardian.com/food/2024/dec/…

@LeeBraganza Oh man! That's a beautiful thing ❤️

So proud to share that my lovely family are the face of a new campaign by the wonderful people at Ovacome. Not a day goes by without me thinking of my Aunty Pauline. ❤️

Cash machine under there somewhere

Remembering the late 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish born actor #IainCuthbertson (4 January 1930 – 4 September 2009) born #OnThisDay in Glasgow, seen here in the iconic Bobbie reunites with her father scene in Lionel Jeffries' family drama film "THE RAILWAY CHILDREN" (1970) 🎬 EMI @ElstreeStudios