John Speakman

@speakman

And yet, here we are. I like data and technology, and therefore people and policy. Also I like unfunny jokes and mild snark. Political junkie, I’m afraid. Trying to let that go. Slightly American (or slightly British?). He/him. 📍London

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John Speakman@speakman· 17d

I mean, just get a look at this. #goodies Thanks Bill. i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0a...

The Goodies (L-R: Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie) stand behind their three-seater Trandem bicycle, wearing matching yellow Goodies long-sleeved T-shirts, in a picture from (I guess) the early 1970s. Even allowing for the era, they look a right old mess. Difficult to know know where to start but perhaps haircuts all around?

John Speakman@speakman· Jul 12

Sainsbury’s is open

John Speakman@speakman· Jul 8

So it is!

Goodyear blimp over Central London, viewed from Clapham

John Speakman@speakman· Jun 15

New York Times is really doubling down on clickbait, isn't it? No, I will not click.

New York Times headline to a Binyamin Applebaum op-ed: "There Is a Solution to the Housing Crisis, and One City Just Stumbled Into It". Perhaps the headline could just say which city and what the solution is?

New York Times headline to an op-ed: "Some Leftists Are Boycotting This Film. Everyone Should Watch It". Perhaps the headline could just say which film and why they think everyone should watch it?

John Speakman@speakman· Jun 14

Well of course they are!

Screenshot from today's Guardian: picture of UK Shadow defence secretary captioned "Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said the Tories are willing to work with Labour to push through welfare cuts to fund more defence spending. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA".

John Speakman@speakman· Jun 10

Pissing with rain, as usual #London

View of London in the rain from the 10th floor, looking north from Clapham with the towers of Nine Elms and Vauxhall in the centre

John Speakman@speakman· Jun 9

Man climbing ladder on the roof to hang a disco ball from a tree behind the Two Brewers in Clapham, I wish you a happy Pride

Man in a red shirt holding a disco ball, walking on the roof towards a ladder propped against a tree

Now the man in the red shirt is climbing the ladder, still holding the disco ball

John Speakman@speakman· May 14

Crazy but it just might work. I say let's give it a try

Two skeets, one happening to immediately follow the other in my feed: (a) The Independent posting to say "Paul McCartney says one song has the power to unite Trump's America" followed immediately by the BBC Radio 6 Music Now Playing Bot (unofficial) skeeting an announcement that Radio 6 is currently playing the Cocteau Twins' "Heaven or Las Vegas"

John Speakman@speakman· May 3

Happy to see that Charles Hawtrey in drag will be in the Garden of Heroes. The Special Relationship has prevailed.

A screen shot from today's New York Times web site featuring a picture of Charles Hawtrey in drag (all right, I think it's really Susan B. Anthony, who I didn't realise was a Charles Hawtrey lookalike until now) next to a New York Times headline "A list of Everyone Who Could Be in Trump's "Garden of Heroes"

John Speakman@speakman· Apr 21

Thought for the day, from Clapham Family Practice

John Speakman@speakman· Mar 9

Now playing: B12 “Time Tourist” thanks to Palace Records on Brixton

Album cover for B12’s double LP “Time Tourist” (1996)

John Speakman@speakman· Mar 9

"Preferably this rapture would happen in the next six weeks or so"

Detail: "The son's trial is set for May 2026"

John Speakman@speakman· Mar 9

Walworth Clinic

John Speakman@speakman· Feb 27

Sign at the edge of the town of Peacehaven, Sussex, UK: “Welcome to Peacehaven, twinned with Epinay-sous-Senart [French flag] and Isernhagen [German flag]

John Speakman@speakman· Feb 14

Mollie Sugden as Mrs. Slocombe, resplendent with bright purple hair

John Speakman@speakman· Feb 6

Rainy old day outside the Bar Italia

John Speakman@speakman· Jan 20

John Speakman@speakman· Dec 3

Full moon, Wandsworth Road

John Speakman@speakman· Nov 11

Also, Thunderbird 2 with a respray

John Speakman@speakman· Nov 11

Also from yesterday: after visiting St. Thomas’s, I took a stroll to Gabriel’s Wharf as I heard it’s going to close within a year. It opened while I was at Tommies. We used to go there for lunch and post work food/drink. A bit sad that it’s closing.

Empty tables at Gabriel’s Wharf, London SE1, on a rainy Monday

John Speakman@speakman· Nov 10

Back to Tommies, this time as a patient for a bit of blood work. 34 years since I last darkened these doors

North Wing of St. Thomas’ Hospital, London SE1

Hallway entrance to South Wing of St. Thomas’s Hospital, London SE1

Painting of Dick Whittington, one of many paintings depicting children’s folk tales and nursery rhymes in the corridor of the South Wing of St. Thomas’s Hospital, London SE1

Statue of Queen Victoria in the South Wing of St. Thomas’s Hospital, London SE1

John Speakman@speakman· Nov 8

Science and innovation is the 2026 theme for LGBT+ History Month, aiming to highlight the contributions of LGBT+ scientists and innovators historically and today, and to raise awareness of the people behind them lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history...

John Speakman@speakman· Oct 13

Whenever anyone mentions Bari Weiss I can’t help thinking of Barry White. Sorry.

John Speakman@speakman· Aug 13

John Speakman@speakman· Jan 19

An inspiring story of the USA doing the right thing and transforming the world, almost by accident, through the grit and the political savvy of a few individuals #book