{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "πŸ”„ Updated on John PHIβ‘ŠPIN", "icon": "https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2025/50/4165.jpg", "home_page_url": "https://john.philpin.com/", "feed_url": "https://john.philpin.com/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/06/08/a-test-as-much-as.html", "content_html": "

πŸ“Έ A test as much as anything to see what Gemma 4 26B did with providing ‘accessibility text’ for my photo.

\n

This is what it came up with:

\n
\n

A small structure with a dark roof covered in solar panels sits nestled among a dense backdrop of lush green trees.

\n
\n

Not too shabby. It was that kind of phrasing I had in my mind when I took it down by the beach last week, observing how the roof of an old boathouse (Unused? Do not know.) could double up as a baby solar ‘farm’ and not be that distracting.

\n

Farm? Ok ‘backlot’.

\n\"A\n

πŸ”„ UPDATE: 5 Minutes Later

\n

Now I have read πŸ”— Manton’s post properly - point of clarification -

\n
\n

While the checkbox is present in the current build, the server-side work is not yet enabled for any users.

\n
\n

So jury remains out as to how good the local model will be. I will run a test on the same image when it is available … so marking this post 🚧

\n", "date_published": "2026-06-08T10:59:23+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/06/08/a-test-as-much-as.html", "tags": ["? Photographs","? WWW","? WIP","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/06/01/caveat-not-my-words.html", "title": "πŸ–‹οΈ Caveat - Not My Words ...", "content_html": "

This post has been sitting on my hard drive since late 2021 .. at the time, I wasn’t ready to publish, but my 5 years clicked through earlier this year and today I rediscovered the draft - so I guess it is time.

\n

\"branded

\n

I wasn’t quite expecting to read this when I opened the link … Geoff Boyle – Cinematography commentary and other things

\n

[ πŸ”„ LATER - Link Now Broken - such is the impermanence of the internet. Thankfully I had the presence of mind to copy the words to my drive at the time.]

\n

The headline seemed so innocent. So innocuous.

\n
\n

I have taken this as far as I can.

\nEuthanasia is now arranged.

\nI’ve had a great life, travelled all over the world.

\nMost important of all is the 45 years spent with Debz.

\nI could never have done it without her.

\nNow at the end she is a tower of strength and support.

\nI am so fortunate to live in a country that allows you to choose when the time is right for you.

\nIt gets a little involved as they make sure it’s what you really want and that you’re not under any pressure.

\nOnce they are convinced it’s fairly straightforward.

\nThere’ll be an announcement on CML next week once it’s over.

\nSee you on the other side.

\n
\n

πŸ’¬ Geoff Boyle - 1st October 2021

\n

πŸ”— This is the CML link he referenced.

\n

Before this (very) final post, Geoff had written other occasional moving posts detailing his battle. Including a cross post to this from the Atlantic …

\n

πŸ”— I’ll Tell You the Secret of Cancer - The Atlantic πŸŽπŸ“°

\n
\n

”Are you someone who enjoys the unsolicited opinions of strangers and acquaintances? If so, I can’t recommend cancer highly enough. You won’t even have the first pathology report in your hands before the advice comes pouring in. Laugh and the world laughs with you; get cancer and the world can’t shut its trap.”

\n
\n

πŸ’¬ Caitlin Flanagan

\n

I know what she means. I remember it well.

\n\"\"\n", "date_published": "2026-06-01T16:58:22+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/06/01/caveat-not-my-words.html", "tags": ["? WWW","? Quotes","? LongForm","? Updated","? Apple"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/05/31/on-the-waterfront.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ On The Waterfront β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

I watched πŸŽ₯πŸ”— On the Waterfront last night as πŸ–‡οΈ I said I would. Of course it was good. How could it not be? It is 72 years old, so to a passing observer it might not have stood the test of time od story telling - arguably a little naive at the end - but we all want a good ending … don’t we? I am no film scholar - nor even a buff - I leave all that to @bitdepth - but if you haven’t - or even if you have - give it (another) whirl - on Netflix right now - alongside a lot of other ‘Oscar Winners’. (I might rewatch The Sting tonight.)

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-05-31T12:08:45+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/05/31/on-the-waterfront.html", "tags": ["? Films","? WWW","? HUB","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/05/11/abba-the-movie.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ ABBA: The Movie, 1977 β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

Abba was never my bag, so why I went to see this in the Odeon (I think) cinema in Streatham, South London - I have no idea. It was fine - until it exploded into the closing credits. All this time later - I still remember the image and the music - a movie all by itself. Only two stars - but try to find the closing credits - sound up - on a big screen - dark room. Still 🀯

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-05-11T09:20:32+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/05/11/abba-the-movie.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/05/10/f.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ F1, 2025 β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

I have no idea why it took us until last night to finally get round to watching. But get round to watching we did. I now have even less understanding as to why the delay.

If you still haven’t seen it … rectify the situation ASAP.

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-05-10T07:11:21+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/05/10/f.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/04/25/big-fish.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ Big Fish, 2003 β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

When I first saw this film … film, not movie - film … I logged it as one of my top, personal favourites of all time.

My opinion hasn’t changed.

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-04-25T06:09:45+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/04/25/big-fish.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/04/05/baby-driver.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ Baby Driver, 2017 β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

Good action movie. GREAT Soundtrack.

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-04-05T14:59:43+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/04/05/baby-driver.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/03/28/nobody.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ Nobody 2, 2025 β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

Not as good as Nobody - but then Nobody caught me out - where as Nobody 2 was - well ... Nobody 2. Colin Hanks looks so much like his Dad. Sharon Stone looked nothing like Sharon Stone - and yet was. The whole film was way better than any of Chevy's vacation movies - and the set up for the final action scene was lifted straight out of The A Team - and just as much fun.

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-03-28T21:24:03+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/03/28/nobody.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/03/23/peaky-blinders-the-immortal-man.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, 2026 β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

\n

This is a film - not a show and so lacked .. a lot. It also requires the watching of the magnificent series that preceded it to really get it. So yes … enjoyed, but if you haven’t seen the shows … don’t bother and if you have, you will be disappointed.

.. and very glad I missed it in the Theaters.

\n
The star rating might seem harsh - it seemed that way - even to me - but this is a good example of how a normalised rating system can help you - dear reader - get better clarity on the 'why'. To cut to the chase - I did enjoy it - any film that sits with 2 or more stars in here are worth watches - but at this level - a lot of caveats.
\n

\n \n

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-03-23T07:20:19+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/03/23/peaky-blinders-the-immortal-man.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/02/28/texas-rangers.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ Texas Rangers, 2001 β˜…", "content_html": "

Why did I bother? Not sure. I even got to the end. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it - just amazed that someone thought to make it at all.

\n

Reel\"A

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-02-28T20:08:01+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/02/28/texas-rangers.html", "tags": ["? Films","? HUB","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2026/01/11/the-courier.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ The Courier, 2020 β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

Yeah .. No.Β 

BC did a really good job - including the transformation - but so slow … 

And if you know me and historical dramas .. doubling down on the β€˜yeah .. no’

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2026-01-11T20:45:09+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/01/11/the-courier.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/10/01/the-instigators.html", "title": "πŸŽ₯ The Instigators, 2024 β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

Average score for an average movie. Casey? Never been overly bothered, but Matt is capable of so much more.

\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2024-10-01T19:00:17+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/10/01/the-instigators.html", "tags": ["? Films","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/05/05/baby-reindeer-well.html", "title": "πŸ“Ί Baby Reindeer β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

Well - I didn’t see that coming. What a ride. Not for the light hearted. Not for everyone - but loved it. Every little weird bit. Want a proper review - πŸ”— try this one

\n

Baby Reindeer on πŸ”— Reelgood

\n

’All’ My TV Show Reviews

\n

Β 

\n

\"Baby

\n

Β 

\n

\"branded

\n

Β 

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2024-05-05T14:01:35+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/05/05/baby-reindeer-well.html", "tags": ["? WWW","? Shows","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/03/14/the-madame-blanc.html", "title": "πŸ“Ί The Madame Blanc Mysteries β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

\"The

\n

It’s one of those ‘little shows’. Lovely and gentle in itself. No deep mysteries - just one to gently unwind to. BONUS - the theme music has ear wormed itself into my brain - and is embedded.

\n

πŸ–‡οΈ More on that here.

\n

Series 1 βœ…

\n

Series 2 βœ…

\n

Series 3 βœ…

\n

Series 4 βœ…

\n

The Madame Blanc Mysteries on πŸ”— Reelgood

\n

Β 

\n

\"branded

\n

Β 

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2023-03-15T08:14:41+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/03/14/the-madame-blanc.html", "tags": ["? WWW","? Shows","? HUB","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/01/30/peaky-blinders-ive.html", "title": "πŸ“Ί Peaky Blinders β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…", "content_html": "

\"Peaky

\n

Β 

\n

Originally Published: Jan 31st, 2023
\nUpdated: Jan 25th, 2026

\n

Series 1 β˜…β˜…β˜…

\n
\n

It took me a long time to start for whatever reason - but finished very quickly.

\n
\n

Series 2 β˜…β˜…β˜…

\n
\n

Nothing extra to say.

\n
\n

Series 3 β˜…β˜…β˜…

\n
\n

Nothing extra to say.

\n
\n

Series 4 β˜…β˜…β˜…

\n
\n

Nothing extra to say.\nΒ \nSeries 5 β˜…β˜…β˜…

\n
\n
\n

I’ve been β€˜out of town’ - so the final series has been beyond my reach. Now fixed. Everything I would expect from the beginning AND Tom Hardy … phenomenal role, phenomenal acting.

\n
\n

Series 6 β˜…β˜…β˜…

\n
\n

And then another ‘final’ series. And oh my.

\n
\n

\"branded

\n

πŸ”„πŸ–‡οΈ Review Ratings

\n", "date_published": "2023-01-31T07:38:34+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/01/30/peaky-blinders-ive.html", "tags": ["? WWW","? Shows","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/01/11/creating-a-lopp.html", "title": "Creating a Loop Problem In Feedbin", "content_html": "
    \n
  1. Find the RSS feed for ⭐️ posts
    2. \n
  2. Add that feed to Feedbin
    3. \n
\n

β€”-

\n

Star any post .. it appears in the ⭐️ posts

\n

The new RSS feed now displays that ⭐️ post

\n

That β€˜new’ ⭐️ post now appears in ⭐️ posts

\n

The new RSS feed now displays that ⭐️ post

\n

πŸ”„πŸ”„πŸ”„πŸ”„πŸ”„πŸ”„πŸ”„

\n

β€”-

\n

πŸ€¦β€β™‚οΈ Have now deleted the RSS feed!

\n", "date_published": "2023-01-11T11:29:26+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/01/11/creating-a-lopp.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/01/27/for-the-party.html", "content_html": "

2021

\n
\n

β€œFor the party to move forward, we got to move the party with Donald Trump. There’s no way to be a successful Republican Party without having President Trump working with all of us and all of us working with him. That’s just a fact. And I think we got a decent chance of coming back in 2022. But we can’t do it without the President.”

\n
\n

Lindsay Graham, 2021

\n

2016

\n
\n

β€œIf we nominate Trump we will get destroyed. And we will deserve it.”

\n
\n

Lindsay Graham, 2016

\n

UPDATED - 26-01-27

\n

πŸ–‡οΈ Here

\n", "date_published": "2021-01-27T13:07:42+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/01/27/for-the-party.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? HUB","? Updated"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/05/20/its-a-sound.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ It’s a β€˜Sound’ update!

\n

Convocast : 6 βœ…

\n

BUNKER-19 : 4 βœ…

\n

Snickelcast : 9 βœ…

\n

Snickelcast : 10 βœ…

\n

OK - @macgenie … I’m ready for the podcast challenge!

\n", "date_published": "2020-05-20T19:04:45+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/05/20/its-a-sound.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/04/08/having-highlighted-the.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Having highlighted the issue about needing quiet when producing convo/micro/snickel/pod … casts, having got the convocast out, I decided to use the quiet to produce two others.

\n

Hope you like. All feedback, comments & suggestions welcome.

\n

Even if they say PLEASE SHUT UP !

\n", "date_published": "2020-04-08T17:51:09+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/08/having-highlighted-the.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/04/08/convocast-is-available.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Convocast 4 is available, a little later than would be good manners - but FINALLY.

\n

The Convocast is a conversation between myself and friend @AndySylvester

\n

This episode answers Andy’s question about Cooperatives and finds me asking Andy about life in the Aerospace industry.

\n\"\"\n", "date_published": "2020-04-08T15:20:05+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/08/convocast-is-available.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/14/soundsphilpincom-on-castro.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Sounds.Philpin.Com on Castro

\n", "date_published": "2020-03-14T14:47:13+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/14/soundsphilpincom-on-castro.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/14/more-clarity-to.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ More clarity to distinguish my Podcasts, from my Microcasts, from my Snickelcasts from my Convocasts

\n

It sounds complicated - but it really isn’t.

\n

Episode 2 of the convocast between @AndySylvester and myself should be appearing in this stream soon. (Just waiting for technology to catch up.)

\n", "date_published": "2020-03-14T14:41:07+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/14/more-clarity-to.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/09/this-is-part.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ This is part one of a multi-part experiment I am doing with Andy Sylvester.

\n

Convocast - Episode 001

\n

Click through to understand more and hear Andy introduce himself.

\n

Part Two will be me … and I will do that ASAP.

\n

// @andysylvester

\n", "date_published": "2020-03-09T17:21:21+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/09/this-is-part.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/26/soundphilpincom-finally-sorted.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Sound.Philpin.Com finally sorted for all β€˜Sounds Philpin’.

\n

Including filtering of Podcasts, Microcasts and Snickelcasts.

\n

Subscribe to the feed in your favorite Podcast listener

\n", "date_published": "2019-06-27T11:16:06+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/26/soundphilpincom-finally-sorted.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/04/11/finally-got-to.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Finally got to cleaning up the Philpin Sounds website …

\n

UPDATE: 260604 - that site has gone and what was worth keeping are now folded into this fine blog.

\n\n

… not sure we have a roll yet!

\n", "date_published": "2019-04-12T12:15:57+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/04/11/finally-got-to.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/21/with-the-dropping.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ With the dropping of 0.3 of my Microcast and the restore of my Sounds.Philpin.com site which I accidentally deleted (don’t ask), really happy to have found a better plug in for post syndication and aggregation. So;

\n

Sounds Feed

\n\"mp-photo-alt[]=\"\n

Microcast Feed

\n\"\"\n", "date_published": "2019-02-22T09:35:58+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/21/with-the-dropping.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/12/31/sibling-of-words.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Sibling of words and pictures … sounds.philpin.com is beginning to take shape, including an interview from 2010 and just added my micro monday session with @macgenie.

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-01T02:02:29+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/12/31/sibling-of-words.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/12/12/sounds-is-live.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Sounds is live and my first two microcasts are in place.

\n

Also discovered some files that can not be better described than β€˜Posterity Casts’)

\n

My first from 18 months ago.

\n

(A fun time with my friend Randall Rospond on Maui’s favorite station - Manao Radio.)

\n\"\"\n", "date_published": "2018-12-13T10:32:15+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/12/12/sounds-is-live.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/11/30/sounds-a-johnphilpincom.html", "content_html": "

πŸ”‡ Sounds

\n

A John.Philpin.Com sibling site.

\n
\n\n
\n", "date_published": "2018-12-01T11:39:19+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/11/30/sounds-a-johnphilpincom.html", "tags": ["? Updated","? Sounds"] } ] }