Member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (Australian Journalists Association) and the Australian Society of Travel Writers.
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Wishful Thinking - the blog
My First Week on Facebook
After avoiding it for years, I have finally joined Facebook. Yes, I’ve dragged myself, kicking and screaming, into 2008. Joining Facebook was one of my New Year’s Resolutions, which might seem strange to you. As far as resolutions are concerned, it’s up there with resolving to smoke more cigarettes. I had always assumed that Facebook [...]
Read PostAll the Latest Hits (except most of them)
If not the greatest-ever Christmas song, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was certainly one of the most worthy. It raised millions for starving children, of course, but what most amazes me about this song is that, even though it was back in 1984, and even though they were pop stars, every one of the 40-odd [...]
Read PostWhat you read is not all my fault
Back in 2000, as a film reviewer for The Canberra Times, I boldly predicted that Shakespeare in Love would win Oscars for both best film (over the short-priced favourite, Saving Private Ryan) and best actress (Gwyneth Paltrow, rather than Cate Blanchett as nearly everyone else was predicting). As it turned out, I was devastatingly correct. [...]
Read PostHistory Book
One of the most amazing moments in world history (and no, I’m not trying to be funny) was Pizarro’s invasion of Peru in 1532. With an army of fewer than 200 men, the Spanish explorer cum warlord conquered the Inca civilisation. This wasn’t just another case of a violent pack of invaders killing off a [...]
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