Here's where I exist on Bluesky. Somewhere between Tech and Science journalists and Intellectuals, Artists, and Science communicators.

I've formally studied 7 different languages. And picked up words and phrases from several others. I also lived in 7 different countries. I didn't quite have 7 careers, but I did have 3 or 4. And no-one ever finds any of that interesting. Some or all of it comes in because people ask. Not sure why.

The former Olympic ski jumper's lounge used in the Nagano '98 Winter Olympics as been turned into a restarutant. I ate there last night. Food was OK. But the highlight was getting to go stand next to the ski jump ramp. Hard to grasp the unique courage required to even attempt that sport.

Towards the end of last year I went to see a GP because of foot pain and concern over my anxiety levels. He said "I can't do anything about your anxiety and proceeded to give me antibiotics for my foot. They did nothing. A week later I went to see a podiatrist who has helped my foot heal.

I miss the old idea that travel was supposed to change and humble you. That it was a chance to learn how other people live. And to see the foibles and limitations of the place you came from.

Back in Tokyo for a few hours

Narita is doing the best they can to cope with increased tourism numbers. Lots more staff. Evoking processes. But the physical space is too small.

Since November the featured comedy special on Qantas’ inflight entertainment on this sector has been a Bill Maher thing. I can’t imagine who watches him. Or maybe I don’t want to. I don’t like to yuck other people’s yum. But Bill Maher? Really?

“Had Bad Bunny taken the stage, he could have — I feel safe saying, would have — offered something no other artist on the Grammy stage did: openly political music.”

Back in Melbourne for 13 hours. To think I lived here once.

All the way through school I was chastised for being lazy and not trying hard enough because my spelling and occasionally my grammar wasn't great. But, if I went to school today, I would've had English as a Second Language support all the way through, probably into university. Life is like that.

I'm thinking about all those podcasts in the US have a guest every week, but never ever feature voices of Latin American or Indigenous descent. They are part of the problem? Right? We should boycott them? Yes?

Most of the time I don't bother opening links to substack articles. Largely it's because you don't know what kind of lucky dip ticket you're getting. The link to open substack tells you nothing. There's no author name. It's just a link lottery.

Bad Bunny got a loud cheer when he said Ice out. But when he tried to explain that Latin Americans are also humans the reply was *a lot* more subdued.

When the house next door was sold a couple of years ago the new owner took out every tree, shrub, and ornamental plant. Last year a house nearby was sold and the same thing happened. Another flat non-garden. Now the house opposite, sold late last year, is being denuded as well. Is this some trend?

So the podcast dude who came from nowhere to have the podcast that makes all the dudes say "you have to listen to this podcast" was actually a trojan horse for manosphere misogyny? How shocking.

Addition is a charming Melbourne based Rom-Com. It's also one of the most fascianting cinematic portrayals of anxiety I have scene. Warm, sincere and delightful, it does everything I could ask for this in kind of film. Recommended.

Hide trending videos? Yes. Only because I can’t launch them into the sun.

"...quitting always leaves a hole. A hole in the sense of the thing we’ve quit. But also a hole in terms of the person we were trying to become through doing that thing."

I only published 14 blogposts in 2025. My lowest number since 2003. Have just sent my latest essay off to be copyedited. That will be the 4th one for 2026. At this rate I could easily double the number of blogposts I publish this year.

Never mind jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university Ancient Greek Apocalyptic Literature Philosophy of Religion Film Scoring Music Cognition

And in an unbelievable development it’s raining. First time this month.

Platforms I have used (roughly in order) ICQ MySpace LinkedIn Flickr YouTube Facebook Last fm Twitter Indaba SoundCloud G+ ReverbNation Instagram Foursquare Pinterest Ello Ping Goodreads Mastodon Discord Circle TikTok Hive T2 Bluesky Threads Upscrolled Some were great. Most were a waste of time

Sometimes I feel like the Tiny House movement might just be a PR campaign to get younger people used to living with less and in smaller spaces. Like imposed economic downward mobility. And that's me, who already believes in Minimalism, hates McMansions, etc.

This heatwave has me in the mood for Indian food. Making Chicken 65 for dinner. Might make a Kathi Roll or two for lunch tomorrow.

Five jobs I’ve had: Guitarist Chaplain Ethics Lecturer Banker Photographer

This sounds like the pitch for horrifying Black Mirror episode

Sat in a leafy park watching ducks cross a gently flowing creek. Ate a sandwich from a local bakery. Rocket and pesto, thin slices of mozzarella, and a generous pile of thinly sliced mortadella, inside freshly baked sourdough mortadella. A gentle breeze taking the edge of the summer sun.

I always feel frustrated when best/favourite film conversations pop up. I just improvise unsatisfactory answers. So I created a note. Whenever a film pops up in my mind I add the name. The list will be long at the end of the year. Sparked by many difference conversations. Ready to edit.

You know that thing when someone gets into trouble and then they decide that the way they’re going to get out of trouble is by doubling down on exactly the kind of behaviour that got into trouble in the first place? When countries do that it’s called patriotism.

I didn't post photos of my kid on social media because it was obvious, 20 years ago, that it would create a digital trail they could never escape. Digital destiny is the way I thought about it. And everyone should control their own digital destiny.

Had a look at UpScrolled. It's good in many ways. But they've launched a verification philosophy that's just a popularity contest. So misguided. I'm not going to fooled again on that front.

This is great news for Australia. Grants to support literary journals as they develop the digital footprint, pay and train, editorial staff, and create more opportunities for writers. And it would really, really nice to see "diverse editorial voices."

My tiny writing cabin doesn't have electricity, which means no fans or AC. This morning was the first time it was just too hot to work in there. If the forecast turns out to be true then I will take some candles out and try to write tonight. Will be fun to try out the cabin in the dark.

ICE has done some terrible stuff lately. But let's not forget their mission over the last year has been to track, terrorise, and transport Latin American people. Not because they're brown. Or poor. But because they're Latin American. And the roots of this in US culture go back more than 150 years.

Slept in a little. 36C at breakfast time. Forecast is 40C by 10am.

It’s going to be hotter at 4pm than it was at midday.

I wanted to say something today about the state of social media. Then this appeared by accident as I was cleaning messages. It felt apt. If you miss “Twitter when it was good” then you probably miss conversations. Whatever social media is now it’s not a place for conversations anymore.

For 2026 I’m tracking the books I read, films and TV shows I watch. I haven’t signed up to any services for this. I just created files in Apple Notes.

Starter Packs are the best Bluesky feature nobody uses.

Not sure if anyone here watches Sumo - but it feels like watching history in the making right now.

It's surprisingly hard to find PIlates studios in Adelaide that do 1 to 1 classes. It seems to be all classes and pilates "workouts."

Tom Ford has a new fragrance called Vanilla Sex. Apparently it's "an enveloping amber scent of vanilla notes, white florals and sandalwood." I get that vanilla, real vanilla, can be a very sexy scent. But the phrase "vanilla sex" doesn't evoke positive feelings.

"Sometimes we forget that a lot of the systems we use to count and quantify the passing of time are just made up."

Looked at the Academy Award nominations. Some great films in the mix. Also lots of interesting choices in performances, design, sound and music. Hard to choose in many categories. But, I have a feeling, whoever wins the Oscars, the discourse around the awards will be an ugly mess.

World: Canada showed so much leadership on the global stage. Exactly what we need right now. Let's all rally together to make the world better. Canada: How about we have a vote on independence for Québec and Alberta?

I've had 6 literary journal rejections since Monday. How's your week going?

OmniOutliner 6 looks great. I love what Omni is creating with contextual links and lightweight automations. I've been using Outliner as a "thinking about thinking" tool and this feels like the kind of upgrade I was hoping to see. www.omnigroup.com/omnioutliner/

Whenever I fee discouraged about how my ideas are received I try to remember I'm not writing for everyone. This isn't a "biggest audience possible" game for me. So I remember the brave, open, and creative people I've met who were touched by my work. Who reached out to deepen the conversation.

A little experiment for 2026