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Alison Bianchi

@alisonbianchi.bsky.social

London Uk. Books, music, art, film, sport, wine. Here for the nice stuff

1142 Posts479 Follower 408 Folgt

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 5d ago

My whole timeline is full of love and sadness for Dolly. How it should be. We were so lucky to have her

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · last wk.

Been at London Zoo this morning for the first time in ages. Lots of baby animals to coo over at the moment. Have a sleepy capybara

A capybara snoozing in the sunshine at London Zoo

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 2w ago

I went to see The Summer Book today. Absolutely lovely film. More sentimental than the book perhaps, but I think that really worked for the film. Gorgeous cinematography and soundtrack. Might stop weeping by about Saturday. Cc @gargarin.bsky.social

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · last mo.

Local landmark. Apparently Bowie lived on Fisher’s Lane, Chiswick in the 1960s

Plaque on a railway bridge on Fishers Lane, Chiswick featuring a picture of David Bowie (now damaged) with an inscription. Apparently there’s no verified source of the quote.

“Its not the politicans who will end oppression, its the radicals, with the stink in their clothes, rebellion in their brain, hope in their heart and direct action in their hearts.
David Bowie, 1947 - 2016”

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Been to see the Kew Henry Moore: Monumental Nature exhibition in the sunshine. It’s really great to see so many works around the gardens and so thoughtfully placed. Must have been fun / a logistical nightmare to curate.

Henry Moore bronze sculpture in front of the Palm House at RHS Kew Gardens

Tall figure casting a shadow in the sunshine. Henry Moore Kew Gardens

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Tried using a pressure cooker for the first time. Was scared. Made an excellent chana masala. Didn’t even have to cook the chickpeas first. Magic.

Photo of my pressure cooker chana masala on a white plate. May have overdone the coriander garnish

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I have a new superpower. My upgraded hearing aids have Bluetooth so I can be listening to music, the cricket, whatever, and nobody knows I’m ignoring what’s actually happening in the real world.

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

If anyone asks me for anything at work this week I’m just going to say I’m on a hydration break.

Good Trailcams @goodtrailcams.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The Author, Séamas O'Reilly @seamas.bsky.social · 3mo ago

On legitimising yet another pogrom.

Some prefer to step two degrees away from the above conclusion, blaming the violence not on one discrete crime, but rather on long-simmering discontent about “unfettered immigration”, to use the words offered by loyalist MP Jim Allister, in the wake of last year’s Ballymena riots. Such riots are appalling, the argument goes, but their anger reflects a legitimate concern; that immigration has simply gone too far.

Again, we risk demeaning ourselves by pointing out that rates of migration into Northern Ireland have never been connected to any rise in crime, and represent a tremendous benefit to the economy, from workers in hospitality and agri-business sectors to manufacturing and academia. Migrants are most beneficial in the health and care sectors, with 22 per cent of carers in the state coming from outside the UK and Ireland, without whom Tracey Reid, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, says the sector “could not survive”. Such statistics are, of course, broadly similar throughout the UK and Ireland, and were regarded as truisms until it became seemingly gauche for any prominent newspaper or politician to repeat them, in favour of contorting gymnastically to flatter the perceptions and prejudices of those who just hate migrants for entirely racist reasons. No matter how much they contribute to society, and no matter how few of them there are.

A compelling argument that this is the case can be found in the demographics of Northern Ireland itself. Its current population is just shy of two million. According to the most recent figures available, net migration in the state between 2001 and 2023 amounted to around 62,000 people, including less than 2,400 refugees in secure accommodation. Ballymena, which until this week had been the most prominent site of anti-immigrant violence in the state, sits in the Mid and East Antrim council area, which has seen fewer than 5,000 international migrants settle there this century. Only 3 per cent of Northern Ireland’s population belong to any ethnic minority at all.

For those of us who find the constant discussion of “the immigration problem” dehumanising and dishonest in any context, it’s revealing to see it deployed in places where immigration barely exists, not least for what it might suggest about such legitimate concerns everywhere else. We are left to presume that any number of non-white faces, no matter how few, is a salient enough horror for locals that their concerns become legitimised automatically. Even one, it would seem, is one too many.

Most confusing of all has been the near-total absence of any context regarding who, exactly, is committing all this violence. The reluctance among media outlets to specify that these pogroms are the work of far-right loyalist gangs is particularly odd, given that such groups are fond of signing their work. The LVF, and associated gangs, have for decades sprayed their tags on the houses of the people they burn out, whether Catholics, economic migrants or refugees. Even now their graffiti proudly adorns walls and estates, demanding they be reserved for “locals only”. I’m old enough to remember when the LVF attacked the specially modified home of a severely disabled child because his family was insufficiently Protestant. I’m old enough to remember it because it happened less than two years ago.

When loyalist gangs burned Catholic families out of their homes in past years, there were few stern and sombre pleas that we should understand the arsonists’ concerns. Nor was there a reflexive jolt to place such acts in a context the perpetrators themselves might have liked, perhaps by drawing direct links between their violent acts and the existence of alleged crimes committed by disconnected Catholics many miles away. That this same logic is no longer applied to vast acts of violence against dozens of non-white people of all nationalities in Belfast, purportedly due to the actions of a single man from Sudan, is as preposterous as it is repulsive.

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

So sad to hear Hockney has left us. I was in Yorkshire today visiting a relative and the train went through Saltaire just after I saw the news. I saw an excellent exhibition of his work there years ago. A true pioneer and always absolutely himself. We were lucky to have him in the world

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Well done to whoever is covering the Scotland game on BBC Sport

Screenshot of the half time score, Bolivia 0 Scotland 4 with the text ’Brazil must be bricking it’

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

There is so much rubbish going on right now. Seems like a good day to help make someone’s life a bit easier

DerkHerkenbersh@dochackenbush.bsky.social · 3mo ago

78% of the way there! You guys are AMAZING ❤️❤️❤️

WeRateDogs @weratedogs.com · 3mo ago

This is Bodie. His presence indicates the beginning of Pride Month. May his whimsy and steadfastness bring joy and confidence to all. 14/10 the parade starts right behind him 🌈🐾 (IG: hellobodie)

a golden retriever puppy on a bright pink rope leash prances through some tall grass. he’s wearing a brightly patterned bandana around his neck and is carrying a miniature six-stripe pride flag in his mouth. his front right paw is raised mid-stride, like he’s ready to hop into a pride parade at any second.

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Oh my goodness that’s just taken me right back. I had this one and a Mickey Mouse and Goofy set too. Think I can still remember the scent of it

Sal Cap0ne@salimotxo.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Found in the loft and oh my heart

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

I know everyone else is watching ToTP but amazing scenes at the French Open on TNT4 right now 🎾

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

I heard today that my late friend S’s mum died recently. She outlived both her children and her husband. It’s so hard to even process what she went through. It would have been S’s birthday tomorrow so I’ll be lighting a candle for both of them ❤️

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I’ve been to my happy place

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Well thank goodness for that. Massive congratulations Bulgaria. Proper Eurovision song

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Herman has seen the Guardian poll

Moby Dick@mobydickatsea.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Let me make a clean breast of it here, and frankly admit that I kept but sorry guard.

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

It was Eurovision day 7 years ago when I was walking through the local park with J and carrying a freshly made pizza for a picnic. Caught my foot in a pothole, broke my ankle but didn’t drop the pizza. We ate it as my ankle swelled before heading to A&E. Hashtag making memories.

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Riddley Walker The Corner that Held Them Moby Dick (already on that list but I can’t not)

Gabby HC@scriblit.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Slaughterhouse 5, Haunting of Hill House, Day of the Triffids (and 1984 & Frankingsteins but they were already on the list)

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Verdict: massively delicious and going on my make it regularly list. I’m quite literally full of beans

Alison Bianchi@alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I have this lovely thing bubbling away in the oven. First time I’ve made it but it smells great www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes...

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

That time Toots was furious at the cone of shame. Happy birthday Ewa

Grey kitten wearing a blue cone. Looks like a space-cat

horror Ewacui@ewacat.bsky.social · 4mo ago

It is ✨🎉my birthday 🎉✨ and for my birthday, as is my bluesky tradition, all I want is for people to quote this post with a photo of your pet(s) being really silly, weird little guys, to make all our days better ✨🫶

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Made this for dinner. Delicious www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes...

Spaghetti with chard, chilli and anchovies recipe

Nigella's spaghetti with anchovies and chard is easy to make and delicious to eat. The perfect quick lunch or dinner for two.

bbc.co.uk

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Drinking an Aperol spritz on a lovely day. Toots wants one

An Aperol spritz on a garden table on a sunny afternoon . My grey cat looks longingly at it.

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Did my third platelet donation today after switching from blood donation recently. Please consider it if have the right blood type. The NHS needs more donors. It’s really straightforward, just takes a bit longer than a regular blood donation. #GiveBlood platelets.blood.co.uk

Platelets

Giving platelets takes just 2 hours but could make a huge difference to someone's life. Find out more about platelet donation.

platelets.blood.co.uk

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The obligatory annual viewing begins. Happy Beltane.

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Went to see the new Zurbarán exhibition this morning. Absolutely stunning (didn’t know much about him before). The way he painted textiles is phenomenal. Also enjoyed the surreal nature of his compositions.

The entrance to the new Zurbarán exhibition at the National Gallery in London. The image shows a large poster on a staircase advertising the show

Alison Bianchi @alisonbianchi.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Catching up with tonight’s #RaceAcrosstheWorld Whatever the outcome at the end, I wish all the good things in life for Jo and Kush. I adore those boys