How some geese flying overheard filled me with hope in the era of self-isolation.
Category: Blog
On grief and being newly grandparent-less
Grief is weird. Thankfully I had very little exposure to it until my mid-20s, but it’s always managed to surprise. Its reality hits you at the most unexpected moments, like going to call the person, only to realise you’d need a very powerful phone to reach them, or hearing a song, or just hearing an … Continue reading On grief and being newly grandparent-less
Dancing in the dark
Tonight I went to a place where the dancing only starts when the disco ball disappears and the lights go out... THE year is 1998. Careless in the throes of youth, you dance around the lounge room as Saturday morning’s Rage plays the bubblegum pop hits that defined the decade as substantially as grunge. While … Continue reading Dancing in the dark
Maths-metal and streaking: Hottest 100 vote lobbying’s shaky history
THIS month, many of my friends, relatives, complete strangers and I have been asked to make a very important decision; one that could change the course of history. There’s also a state election on. I speak, of course, of the decision whether or not to follow the social media push to force Taylor Swift's "Shake … Continue reading Maths-metal and streaking: Hottest 100 vote lobbying’s shaky history
I didn’t choose the evil bird collector life
THE collection started with a simple request: find me something tacky for less than $2 at a Paddington op shop. It was 2011 and I was so very, very sheltered when it came to the world of avian ornamentals. So when my friend returned back to college with what has since been dubbed “The Evil … Continue reading I didn’t choose the evil bird collector life
A very Australian response to an unusual crime
YESTERDAY was not the day “we changed forever”; the perpetrator of the hideous crime doesn’t deserve to affect the country in such a major way. Far from a day of change, yesterday was a day when the best and worst aspects of our national character were on show. For the most part, compassion, decency, community … Continue reading A very Australian response to an unusual crime
Why are phone hacking victims and nude photo hacking victims treated so differently?
WHEN ‘journalists’ were caught hacking phones for stories, there was public outrage. When hackers stole the account details of 77 million PlayStation users, there was widespread anger at the perpetrators and serious questions for Sony about its security systems. When hackers stole sexually explicit images of female celebrities there was… victim-blaming. Three cases of hacking, … Continue reading Why are phone hacking victims and nude photo hacking victims treated so differently?
Guardians of the Galaxy: the 21st century Star Wars film fans wanted
YES, I’ve come late to the ‘ZOMG Guardians of the Galaxy’ party. Yes, this bandwagon is so laden with comic and sci-fi geeks that the horses are struggling to move and the wheels are threatening to collapse. Yes, jokes in sets of three are becoming a really tired writing trope. But please, grant me this … Continue reading Guardians of the Galaxy: the 21st century Star Wars film fans wanted
Tommy, Tommy will tear us apart again
PEOPLE were throwing stuff at me, talking over the movie and acting in the most obnoxious way possible. It was the best trip to the cinema I’ve ever experienced. Of course, if your fellow audience members were acting like this during any other screening, you’d be within your right to scream at them to shut … Continue reading Tommy, Tommy will tear us apart again
So long and thanks for all the fish wrap
Armidale, it's been emotional. On Friday I will pack my bags and leave you after 16 months of reporting on your political dramas, landmark court cases and sex abuse scandals. But while you've tested my personal and professional capabilities, I'd like to thank you for giving me one of the most challenging experiences a cadet … Continue reading So long and thanks for all the fish wrap