Hath September

Previously I mentioned the successful application for a small RADF grant to do some writing. These grants were offered by Bundaberg Regional Council as part of their COVID-19 recovery for arts workers and are to be used to complete at-home residencies. So I've been deciding how to go about this. This is what I know. …

September looms

August 2020 Once upon a time, in an August, far far away.... August 2017 A few years ago, Tuesdays became my least favourite day of the week. It was all accidental obviously, but there was a year when Tuesdays always seemed to go pear-shaped. Bad news would arrive. I’d have a headache. Little irritations that …

The heaviness of yoghurt

I've been baffled before by the vast selection of yoghurt at the supermarket. Yesterday afternoon, as I stood in front of the cold fridges gazing blankly at the low fat, high protein, full cream, latest yoghurt dessert from Iceland, I believe I lost the capacity to make any kind of decision. I listlessly picked up …

My nasturtiums are such moments

My nasturtiums are going gangbusters. That's gardening lingo for growing really well. I planted them in the Easter holidays from seeds that I bought last year while on holiday in Maleny. "On holiday in Maleny" isn't a phrase I'll be using again any time soon. In these pandemic times I am content to stay close …

Lipstick and all

Does falling asleep on a Wednesday evening around 8.30pm while watching reruns of The Golden Girls on Stan count as winning or losing at life? I'm asking for a friend. Obviously. No you sillies. That's a joke! I'm describing myself. Last night. Because last night was Wednesday. One moment I was snuggled up on the …

I coulda been a contender

Ah. The school holidays. A truly blessed time when I would immediately rediscover my recreational reading mojo which sadly but truthfully I must tell you had disappeared leaving no trace about halfway through Term 2. Ah. This time. This winterish season of our corona discontent would be when I would finally pick up my copy …

Okay Plus

Get Your Pets (GURP) with John Hodgman (@johnhodgman) was the high point of my day for a few weeks from May to June. Each week day morning I could wake up at 6am and through the magic of Instagram be connected to a cluttered apartment in Brooklyn NY City where cultural raconteur John Hodgman opened …

Be Kind. Shush. Listen.

Let me tell you a little bit about my friend Kerry's philosophy of kindness and the way I think he lived this through action every day that I knew him. Mr Kerry was a teacher aide in the large secondary school where I now work. I met him at the start of 2017 when I …

Stardust memories

I've been thinking about buying a turntable. I blame an intoxicating nostalgic swirl of Willie Nelson, Spotify and childhood. I've had a few false starts with Spotify. Signed up. Tried it for a few days. Forgot about it because I was locked in the forceful grip of the ecology that is Apple. Bought into Apple …

48 Mimnagh Street

The lolly jar in the kitchen of 48 Mimnagh Street is for good grandchildren. Jelly lollies in the shape of fruit and dipped in sugar are their favourite. Or Minties. Occasionally there are Fantales. But only if they've been good. Good grandchildren gratefully drink up all the water given to them in the white melamine …