Although I only had one week in Melbourne, I wanted to see as much of the city as possible, from the good to the bad, the glamourous to the vile. I like getting right into the city, getting to know both of its faces, even if some of the things I see are not pretty. Every city has these two sides to it, the rich and the poor, the proper and the depraved – and I think experiencing both is the only way to travel. How else are you going to get to truly know a place?
Sure, sightseeing in Melbourne is a lot of fun when you go to all of the famous places. But how about the infamous? Take a tour through Melbourne’s most luxurious suburbs of Toorak and Prahan, spot heritage mansions of the rich and famous, and stroll through elite schools and universities. Then when you’ve had your fill of wine and cheese and sparkling wine, get off the beaten asphalt and into the grungier parts of town. The city has its back alleys and dives. It may seem ironic but it’s places like these where the city’s culture has its inception. Take the suburb of Fitzroy, which was the one-time crime capital of the state. Now the graffiti on the walls and bohemian haunts add millions in value to the properties in the area.
City sightseeing around Melbourne has been a lot of fun during our stay here. I particularly enjoyed Victoria Market, which I learned was once a cemetery and still has bodies under the ground – the bodies of the non-Christians which the state didn’t bother to exhume when moving the graveyard to Parkville. And then there’s Lygon Street, where the mafia lords hang out and imagine themselves as mini Marlon Brandos. It’s these insider secrets that give the city its character.
Every year, when the first of September rolls around and the birds are chirping away in the fresh morning light, I get so excited because this is the time for new beginnings. I think there’s something to be said for the pagan rituals surrounding spring equinox, because the symbolism of renewal has a powerful effect on our lives, spiritually, psychically and practically. Thus, one of my favourite things to do around the onset of spring, is a good old fashioned home clean up. This year, I hardly realised that my efforts would be hampered by a lack of 
There’s nothing like getting your platforms custom made. For too long I’ve been struggling with dodgy aluminium scaffolding and work platforms that aren’t quite right. Sometimes they’re not built well, other times they’re stable but not right for the job. They might be a couple of inches too short, or not wide enough to move around on. They might be the wrong shape or awkward to push around. That’s what I was stoked to discover some Melbourne companies that will custom build you platforms to suit your needs. 
I’m grateful to live in an age where we can catch up television online. Back in the day, not that I was alive back then, but back in the day that just wasn’t really any option. You saw what you could see and that was that. To be fair, workplace standards were a bit more lax, so maybe if there was a big game on the boss would let you watch it while you cleaned the counters or manned the store or filed some arrest warrants. It was a simpler time indeed.
Having retired in a vibrant little seaside village, I can safely say that everyday is a holiday. Whether it’s the peaceful period during the winter or the hectic time during school break, there’s always something on, something to do, some way to keep yourself entertained. Even just going for a walk on the hills is a wonderful, delightful experience. Living in Lorne I get the opportunity to embrace life and nature during my twilight years.
It’s not weird, taking a night course on how to grow plants…right? I mean, some of us just aren’t gifted in that area. I, in particular, struggle with all of that…business. Alright, I’ve killed everything I’ve ever grown. It’s true! If there was some kind of plant-based police, I’d be public enemy number one, a dangerous serial killer whose good intentions have claimed dozens of victims. Part of it is because I’m forgetful- the complete lack of watering is why the 
Those superhero movie universes sure are taking off. I can’t quite believe we’re up to Phase 3 of the Marvell Cinema Multiverse; seems like just yesterday that we were eagerly awaiting 
You may already know the pain of the office resident who is seemingly capable of everything. My calculations were solid, and my predictions were well-grounded in my personal algorithm. The only unexpected factor…was him. Even his 
A few years ago my partner and I were travelling through Peru. My partner Jess has a special interest in the Amazon rainforest so we took guided tours and stayed at an eco-lodge in the jungle. During our travels, we didn’t come into contact with any indigenous in the forest but we did come into contact with something we were not expecting… an abandoned child living among the trees.