Category Archives: Pondering

Who are the NSN?

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Here are some far better meanings for the NSN acronym, that surely outshine the racist National Socialist Network.

In opposition to their hatred:

  1. No Supremacy Needed
  2. No Skinheads Necessary
  3. No Space for Nazis
  4. Non-Stop Nonsense

Questioning their capabilities:

  1. Not So Normal
  2. No Science Needed
  3. Not Sharp Naturally
  4. Nintendo Super Nerds

And surely there are better things to spend your time on:

  1. New Society for Nurturing
  2. National Supporters of Non-discrimination
  3. Networks of Support for Neighbours
  4. National Storytelling Network
  5. Nurturing Smiles Needlessly
  6. New Sneakers Nightly
  7. Nice Snuggly Noodles

Thanks ChatGPT. This activity helped me, after seeing the worrying Four Corners report, Families fighting to keep loved ones out of extremist groups struggle to find intervention programs – ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-17/neo-nazi-extremist-intervention-radicalisation-four-corners/104930828

Review: Tell Me Again

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Book Cover
Tell Me Again written by Amy Thunig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dr Amy felt like a sister when I came across her for the first time, on Twitter of all places. That was maybe a decade ago. Staunch and unwavering, socially conscientious; yet deadly clear, and academically wise. I remember that stood out on ‘Blaktwitter’ at its height.


I learned A LOT more from Amy’s amazing memoir, Tell Me Again! What a struggle, what strength. It enthralled me from start to finish. It’s equal parts upsetting and uplifting. At times I had to put the book down and just feel the feels. It’s important for everyone to read, to understand the unlimited positivity that’s possible – in seemingly impossible circumstances.

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Review: The Secret Life Of Cows

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The Secret Life Of Cows written by Rosamund Young
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Secret Life Of Cows came to me in an unusual way. I ChatGPT’d a couple of authors I like, to find a similar new author. None of them were at the library. But one of the names – Alan Bennett – happened to write the thoughtful forward to this book, which was available.
It was a different and interesting book, that I thoroughly enjoyed. Some of it was very relatable. Some of it made me think hard, and even see cows differently since I picked up the book. Some of it made me wonder if the author may have also farmed psychedelics.
The world would be a better place if everyone grew to appreciate cows like Rosamund does. And I think everyone who reads her charming book would be better for it.

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Review: Happy-Go-Lucky

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Gotta Get Theroux This
Happy-Go-Lucky written by David Sedaris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book by Sedaris I’ve read, and again I enjoyed his perspective throughout. This book – loosely arranged around events culminating with his father’s death, gave a clearer visual of his family’s dynamics. It obviously helped make him the interesting character he is, with so many entertaining takes. But you should probably look up his sister Amy, I hear she’s even more so. 😛

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ADDENDUM: I saw the library also had a copy of “Pretty Ugly” (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/165940550-pretty-ugly), the first children’s book David Sedaris has authored, which was illustrated by Ian Falconer shortly before he passed away.

I saw Sedaris spruik it on an American late night show, although not very convincingly. He claimed it took a few minutes to write, which did NOT fill me with confidence.

While I can tell it probably took longer than that, it was not a book I’d proudly gift a friend’s kid. Which strangely might be my new measure of children’s book quality. But I thought the book was kind of fun, with an obvious message coming through after all.

Quite the secret

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In my household of five people (3 adults), it’s become clear I’m the only person who knows the recipe for making ice. There are perpetual empty ice trays in the freezer til I notice the need for ice.

Maybe my family are close to the age where I can confidently pass on that secret family recipe.

Getting old

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This getting old stuff is really to starting to hit home. In the mirror I just noticed, I am getting wrinkles in my balding hairline.

Two singular activities I once never even anticipated for myself. Let alone them both taking hold simultaneously.

Syllable Soliloquies

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I have enjoyEd documenting the occasional moment or observation in the form of Haiku.

Haikus are poems that follow a strict, concise three-line format. They appear simple on the surface, but there is always a challenge to capture the essence of something in 17 syllables. No more, no less.

I’ve brought here the ones I published on Twitter over the years, and hope to return to the practice.

On my 47th birthday:

 The day of my birth
As old as I’ve ever been
A number only.
(07/05/2024)

Haikus make you count
Each and every syllable
One, two, three, four, five

(25/08/2011)
Taking her for wees
She takes minutes or seconds
Depending on rain.
(02/12/2019)
A tiny kitten
She prances so joyfully 
Sadly on a road.
(27/09/2013)

Watching a cat pee,
I realise I meditate
So very poorly.

(23/08/2018)
Cold and wet with fog
Two pidgeons enjoy cover
A black cat observes.
(08/02/2018)

Eucalyptus tree
A rare treat here in Dubai
Squeezed leaves smell like home.

(12/10/2018, may have inspired my return to Australia)
Computer keyboard
An ant is walking
Next stop "Esc" key.
(05/11/2015)
A man got married
Got divorced, met a new girl
More trouble ahead
(03/02/2012, I picked it - a former colleague’s unfortunate fate)

Destroyed someone’s home.
Disabled a hunter’s trap.
Goodbye spiderweb.

(31/01/2020)
A troop of kangaroos
They reveal themselves to me
Hopping in tall wheat.
(29/11/2019, I was the only commuter watching this spectacle on a busy regional train into Melbourne)

Sleeping on a train,
Argument lost by old man.
I’m happy to stand.

(17/01/2023, content that I gave my seat to another passenger – who was clearly very tired)