Merry Christmas Baby

 It's that time of the year again when THC posts the Otis Redding version.

 

Last Minute Shopping?

Too bad it's not 1954!

 

This 1950s child's toy came with 4 types of uranium ore and a Geiger counter. It wasn’t cheap either, selling off the shelf in 1950 for 49.50, around the 500 mark in today’s money. pic.twitter.com/Wyr98qw81n

— World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) December 16, 2025

The First Writing?

I've posted about Irving Finkel of the British Museum before.  Here he is expounding his theory that a discovery at Gobekli Tepe in Anatolia proves that writing was developed several thousand years before previously thought.  He also explains that significance that the ancient writing we do have from Mesopotamia provides a very narrow, and perhaps misleading, window onto that world.

Finkel is always entertaining and has a knack for explaining complex topics in an understandable way.  I have no idea if his theory is correct but you'll enjoy listening to him. 

I Meant To Say Cheerio

The final scene from Local Hero.  I've loved this movie since seeing it with Mrs THC more than 40 years ago.  The soundtrack by Mark Knopfler is an integral part in creating the unique feel of the film.  During the early 80s Scottish director Bill Forsythe made a magical trio of small budget offbeat films - Gregory's Girl, Local Hero, Comfort & Joy.

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Girls after one minor argument: “I’m never speaking to you again.”

Boys after calling each other fascist and jihadist: pic.twitter.com/wNzEH7Ac9E

— Faizan (@faizannriaz) November 22, 2025

Moonlight At Wharfedale

Another painting by an artist I discovered only a couple of years ago, John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-93).  Wharfedale is one of the Yorkshire Dales and is north of Leeds.  A master at capturing light in the evening.