Floating away ~ an evening of folk song

It's the Port Fairy Folk Festival this weekend and I'm not there. (cue sad face) But one of the good things about the Port Fairy Folk Festival is that some of the international -- and indeed local -- musicians also perform gigs in Melbourne. Yay! A few days ago I was lucky enough to see … Continue reading Floating away ~ an evening of folk song

Hmm, what shall I read this year?

Every so often discussions about "white straight male privilege" cross my radar and I once again find myself examining my own assumptions and practices. Most recently, the following blog post appeared in my facebook feed and resonated with me: I Challenge You to Stop Reading White, Straight, Cis Male Authors for One Year (For the … Continue reading Hmm, what shall I read this year?

D&D Chronicles: Back to the crater where there are centaurs

ZILLAH We're back at the cursed crater. The one where Calwyn was killed by Ammonite. That odd local fellow, Squirrel, has accompanied us, along with two of his friends, Xolra and Ragal, who were the ones to approach us and persuade us to return. I'm regretting it already. But at least they acquired us some … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Back to the crater where there are centaurs

A walk along Surf Beach – with shell

I've been enjoying another relaxing few days at Phillip Island, where beauty and inspiration abound. This morning I took a walk at low tide along the south coast section of the island known as "Surf Beach" to Forrest Caves. With this week's WordPress photo challenge theme of SCALE in mind, I picked up a shell … Continue reading A walk along Surf Beach – with shell

Hey, what about those Herculaneum papyrus scrolls?

Sometimes I can be guilty of thinking life might be simpler without modern technology. Despite the fact I'm a technologist at heart. But then I hear about something that takes my breath away, and I'm back on the modern technology bandwagon. Hell, with this one I'm back on the research bandwagon as well... There came … Continue reading Hey, what about those Herculaneum papyrus scrolls?

Travelling in the 90s: Parisian culture

It's back to 1994 Paris for the latest installment of Travelling in the 90s. Here we have more of my ramblings from 21 years ago, with bad photos and far too many exclamation marks (most of which I have edited out)... [Monday 7 February, 1994] A few more impressions of Paris: A great many of … Continue reading Travelling in the 90s: Parisian culture

D&D Chronicles: Calamity in the forest, disaster at sea

ZILLAH At first light I lead our group into the crater forest. It's dark and muted. Eerie. An overgrown track threads its way through thick undergrowth roiling beneath towering trees. Progress is slow as we clamber over fallen logs and try to avoid touching a dark and scaly lichen I have never seen before. This … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Calamity in the forest, disaster at sea

Reading highlights from 2014

At the beginning of 2014 one of my goals was to read more books. Indeed, I've been setting this (very vague) annual goal the past few years, because my reading habits were deteriorating to the point of being embarrassing. And I really missed the joy that comes from complete immersion in a novel. So after … Continue reading Reading highlights from 2014

D&D Chronicles: The island, the mage and the volcano

ZILLAH We have made it to the island of Mycross -- but we have no weapons. This is not a good thing. I do have my dagger and necklace of exploding beads around my neck. And my bracers. But we are forced to trust an unknown organisation that our weapons will be returned to us... … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: The island, the mage and the volcano

Diary of a Devilcat: Worst Christmas ever

Instead of dreamy days in the sunshine, my Christmas involved pain and blood and terror. There is this Bullycat, you see, who is trying to take over my garden. He's mostly white, with bits of grey and black, and shaggy ears. Every day he can be found in my garden, mostly just passing through, his … Continue reading Diary of a Devilcat: Worst Christmas ever