The first finished copies of my new book on Hammer Films - Don't Dare See It Alone! - have finally arrived. Pre-orders start shipping next week. Meanwhile you can order yours from me direct at ko-fi.com/avalard/shop... Or paperback and hardbacks are available via amazon amzn.eu/d/042KmfSU

I did some filming for a couple of Irish News pieces yesterday. Which was a rather pleasant way to spend a few hours. Will be interesting to see how they turn out. Shall have to get back to regular posting of my own material now I seem to be through the various ailments of late.

Massive detour by train to Bangor before class tonight to pick up a copy of the County Down Spectator, as my mug is in it promoting the Bangors Ghost graveyard tours we did last week (and will do again!)

This is what has become of the CS Lewis festival... Seriously!? It's little more than lip service to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe alongside a Santa/Christmas event, with no connection to Lewis.

Last night I delivered my first in person presentation stemming off my tiktok/fb history videos, to a lovely group at Roe Valley Historical Society. This version of Seen & Unseen: A Miscellany of Tales and Places was heavy on ghost stories including some pieces I haven't made videos on yet.

I've been booked for a couple of talks to local history groups - Roe Valley in Oct & Bushmills in Feb. If you'd like to book me for a talk on any of my specialities please get in touch. History groups, film societies, schools, private clubs... All welcome. UK/Ireland. Over seas by request.

Found a Spike Milligan book today that I'd not previously heard of. So an easy £2.50 spend to add it to my collection.

Made my debut with Voicebox Comedy last night, portraying their resident physician, Dr Phibes. The show and audience were great, and hopefully it's not the last you see of my Dr. Huge thanks to the wonderful ensemble cast of misfits. Here I am mid-show with Marcus Keeley

I'm on chatting with Connor Phillips about David Attenborough after 3pm on BBC Radio Ulster www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Off to watch Disney'slive action Snow White this afternoon. Attempting to go in as openly-minded as possible. Will report back later.

I'm live on BBC Radio Ulster just after 3pm to talk about last night's Oscars... Did your favourites win??

Emilia Pérez's wave of popularity is like a cinematic Emperor's new clothes. An utterly tedious musical film with no quality songs. I want that two hours of my life back please.

Took a quick trip to B&M in search of the Police Box bird feeders and I was happily successful in my quest!

Covering Twin Peaks on my next radio booking later this month. Going to see how much of the run I can get rewatched in the next fortnight. In between my other work! What about you lot? Are you fans?

My new book 'Don't Dare See It Alone!: Essays on Hammer Films' is finally heading to the printers next week and will be published in February! Fully illustrated! Last chance to pre-order. Signed copies: ko-fi.com/s/0d69807e81 Unsigned copies: ko-fi.com/s/a32104f780

Another murder mystery at Cabaret Supperclub last night. On my way out after the show, some of the guests shouted out that I was a "murdering b*stard", completely missing the reveal that I in fact wasn't the murderer, but the surprise second victim.

Pictured with Neil Sedgewick at @accidental.bsky.social last night recording a @cinepunked.bsky.social podcast on the NI censorship of Frankenstein. I'll be hosting more live podcast records during the Banned season run. Hope to see some of you at future events! cinepunked.com/2025/01/10/v...

Join us for a screening of Frankenstein tomorrow night (Sun) at Accidental Theatre. I'll be talking censorship after the film... cinepunked.com/2025/01/20/n...

Newly acquired vintage vinyl.

Got a couple of boxes of DVDs to get rid of (I've a load more to follow, books, DVDs, magazines...). Before I start listing on eBay if any of these take your fancy drop me a PM and your offer. limited collection in Coleraine/Belfast. Otherwise can post at cost.

Dear eBay and ITV Studios, where is Northern Island?

Gutted to hear of Tony Slattery's death at 65. His troubles and addictions are well known. I saw him on good and bad days, and honestly I feel enriched by having crossed paths with him and worked together. Bringing him to Belfast and helping with the doc is something I'm very proud of.

Just out of Eggers' Nosferatu. Stylish, some excellent performances and production design, but it left me cold. I expect like Herzog's earlier remake, it'll find it's fans. I just don't think I'm one of them.

I was on The Culture Cafe today on BBC Radio Ulster with Michael Quinn and Aine Cronin McCartney. We're looking ahead to what's happening in the arts in 2025 Catch up now via BBC Sounds www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Rewatched Tim Burton's Batman for an upcoming podcast. Love Nicholson's take on Joker, and the whole aesthetic. Definitely not as Burtony as Batman Returns. Still seeing new things in it each time I view it.

Caught Better Man tonight. Not bad at all. Interesting. And fair dues to Mr Williams for allowing himself be portrayed as a bit of an ass generally. The self-loathing is very evident throughout.

Off to Belfast to deliver my first storytelling workshop of 2025. The view from the train is suitably wintery. The cleansing snows under a sharp sun.

I see Tom Baker has been given an MBE (at last) in the New Year's Honours. But only an MBE?! That voice should have been knighted years ago!

Bowie hasn't been too well the last few days. It's been stressful. Probably gonna have to go to the vets tomorrow to get him checked over and make sure it isn't anything more serious. But for now, I'm housebound with him.

You know what I did like about this new edit of the War Games, the reworked regeneration. I see it's based on a fan effort from a year ago, but just shows how some well used AI could bring back past Doctors respectfully. And a darn bit better than the Devious one! (No disrespect to elderly Jon!)