I’m having a holiday in Ischia -fabulous island in the Bay of Naples. I am by far the palest person on the beach. Kind of ironic as I’m Australian. Also the only person wearing a hat. We respect the sun back home.

I’ve been doing a bit of running around in the car today listening to Triple J’s Hottest 100 from 1989. Not a dud song so far. Joy Division, Hunters & Collectors, The Smiths, The Jam, The Go Betweens, etc. Still know the lyrics.

I’ve finally watched Train Dreams. What a film. It’s so beautiful, incredibly moving. Wonderful cinematography, direction and performances . Joel Edgerton gives a performance of such nuance & quiet depth, it’s heartbreaking.

Argh, The Pitt. The foreshadowing re Dr Robby is excruciating. If he rides off into the sunset without a scratch, I will feel taken advantage of. Excellent show.

Oh, FFS Matt Canavan. What a triumvirate- Hanson, Taylor & Canavan.

Westwood and Kawakubo at National Gallery of Victoria. Fabulous.

Pulp. Sydney Opera House. Fantastic.

What the hell’s wrong with Adelaide University? Imagine cancelling Francesca Albanese. A passionate, articulate and fiercely intelligent UN investigator.

"UK Green Party Surges Ahead of Starmer’s Labour in a New Poll" The YouGov poll reflects a seismic shift happening in UK politics after the Greens won a historic victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election last week.

Jackie O is leaving Kyle Sandilands. After years of enabling his misogyny, bullying & foul language in return for a fat pay cheque. Hope they both stay off air permanently.

Hey, check out this! getup.to/D9G55udCxPlIl

Nick Cave arriving onstage for an unbelievable 2.5hrs of performance. The Bad Seeds were fantastic and his back up singers were stunning. 5 stars.

Is there about to be a mass exodus of Nationals to One Nation? Are we seriously about to see Pauline Hanson become the de facto opposition leader? You opened the door to this John Howard.

Apparently Bannon hopes for a more MAGA style govt in Australia. We had a chance to vote for that in May 25 & overwhelmingly rejected it. Please may it continue.

Deeply embarrassed that Arts institutions in Australia are not supporting a free and vigorous exchange of ideas. Adelaide Writers Festival’s dropping of Randa Abdul-Fattah for no reason other than being Palestinian is appalling & racist.

Thinking time. Newcastle Ocean Baths. #writing #australianwriter #summeriscoming

Whilst I suspect it is largely self-serving, it’s a great win for Epstein’s victims that Andrew Mountbatten- Windsor is being held accountable by his family. #releasetheepsteinfiles

It’s 13.6c and pouring in Newcastle this afternoon. Last Wednesday it was 36c with gale force winds. It was like spending a day in a fan-forced oven. Today is more like a soggy, cool bath. Do not recommend either.

It absolutely matters.

Ignore the 1 star reviews for House of Dynamite- it’s very good.

I’ve been watching the UCI World Championships on Stan in Aus. Not sure who the broadcaster is, but am really missing the superb commentary from the crew at SBSAus. So knowledgeable, entertaining & on the ball.

It is possible to hold both horror at the manner of a death and not feel sadness. My compassion and can only go so far.

I’ve just finished reading @ghostspecies.bsky.social novel Landfall. Loved it! Started it on Monday, couldn’t put it down. I don’t usually read crime fiction, but James Bradley is such a great writer that this crosses genres effortlessly. The depiction of a future Sydney is all too real.

Linda Reynolds will always be remembered as the woman who vindictively pursued a young woman who was raped whilst in her employ.

Normal People? open.substack.com/pub/jeanette... Always a thoughtful and articulate take on this issue.

I watched Dying for Sex last night - yes, all of it. What a show! Michelle Williams is extraordinary & deserves all the awards. Jenny Slate is equally glorious. In fact all the cast is great, wonderful writing. You will need tissues.

Listening to Marlon Williams album - Te Whare Tiwekaweka. Beautiful. Great track featuring Lorde.

Things I do when I should be writing. #1 write a social media post about things I do when should writing. And then try to work out how to make it work for Insta. #writing #writinglife #australianwriters

So @albomp.bsky.social you’re going ahead with Woodside. What a sell out. But if this is to happen at least make Woodside pay for stripping our natural resources, adding incomparable damage to the climate and destroying Indigenous rock art. They can pay their CEO $7.5m a year, they can pay us.

Rain is so heavy in Newcastle tonight I can hardly hear the SBS Giro d’italia commentary. Expecting flooding in the Hunter.

All aboard for this one #auspol

Really Goldstein?? You ditched Zoe Daniel, articulate & intelligent, for Tim Wilson??

Antony Green- I’m in tears. Thank you so much. Now go buy a vase!🙏

Good grief. Dan Tehan for leader? The desert beckons for the LNP.

Pre poll leaning Labor in Dickson. Goodbye Dutton. 🤞🤞

James McGrath on ABC just called Greens supporters horrible, nasty people. Not a gracious loser.

Read it slowly and understand it. 😳🥺 Repost 👇🏾 👇🏾

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 2/20

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 1/20

I’m grieving my Dad. It’s bloody awful, but The Great British Bake Off is proving to be a televisual warm hug.

Just saw Gladiator 2. It’s wild. Paul Mescal & Denzel Washington deliver. But, missing the heart & soul of the original. Still fun.