Ever noticed how time seems to travel twice as quickly in December? Until we reach Boxing Day and suddenly it finds its natural rhythm and settles down to a more comforting pace?
I realise that January is the time of reflection for many people. But I wanted to send one last Staying Connected newsletter in 2024. And decided that sharing my highlights across the past 12 months might be the best gift for the very diverse audience that comprises the StayingConnected community.
So here goes; a listicle! From she who recently posted on social media how boring many travel list articles have become. But hopefully this ‘cultural curation’ will have a little more substance and thought within.
Here are 20 things that moved me most this year.
Not the Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year
Let’s get the only thumbs down in my list out the way up front. Macquarie’s word of the year, ‘Enshittification’, is apparently all about a general sense of deterioration. Well no, it’s not. But if you say it often enough you probably will start to view the world through merde-coloured glasses. My antidote to this negative confection is to listen to Elvis singing ‘If I can dream’, stare at the stars or remind myself of this quote from writer John Gilbert, mentioned by writer Elizabeth Gilbert (no relation) in a book called Light the Dark:
‘We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.’
But first, coffee
Coffee has made my soul sing every morning this year. My favourite brew comes from Bruno&Co in High Street Armadale 3143 – Perfetto! There’s now LittleB in Cremorne as well where the amazing Stefania Coles holds court.
Travelling with Laura
Rhyming with coffee is Coffey, Laura Coffey that is, the author of Enchanted Islands. That’s Laura in the picture above. And I would urge you to read about her moving memoir of a time of sadness and discovery when she travelled the islands of the Mediterranean during the Covid pandemic.
Onto academia
I was delighted to attend UNSW’s CEPAR 32nd Colloquium on Pensions and Retirement Research. Some may find 48 hours’ discussion of retirement income and pensions a bit turgid. But this topic is my great passion and I found the conference both informative and stimulating, so much so that I’ll be first in line to attend the 33rd such event in 2025.
The Retirement Income puzzle
Along these lines, I very much enjoyed contributing another article on retirement income to Firstlinks newsletter, in which I questioned the efficacy of the Retirement Income Covenant. I’m not a Pollyanna – I realise many of the challenges in our retirement system may seem intractable, but I also think that saddling super funds with most of the responsibility to educate and guide retirees allows other parts of the puzzle – industry, government, the retirees themselves – to escape accountability. Here’s why.
Writing a roadmap
Another series of articles I enjoyed contributing formed the ‘Roadmap to Retirement’, published by the New Daily. There are more in the series to follow in February 2025. Stepping consumers through the various ages and stages of retirement income is an important process. It allows them to better understand the information most relevant to them, at the right time. Otherwise the ‘full enchilada’ needed to plan and manage retirement can become totally overwhelming.
Filling the well, Julia Cameron style
Few writers could write anything unless they regularly filled their wells with work that inspires and informs in equal measure. I’ve read some amazing books this year. Here are three that stood out.
The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr was published in 2015. It’s as bold and mouthy as if it was written yesterday. Bravo her for teaching writing with such force and impatience for second-rate work.
On Writing by William Zinsser – another classic, neither mouthy nor bold, but offering gentle, sometimes humorous guidance to improve your way with words.
And my favourite? The novel This is Happiness by Niall Williams. I can’t wait to revisit the tiny town of Faha in Williams’ sequel, Time of the Child. It’s my gift to myself, wrapped and under the tree already.
Movies also make my world go around
I enjoyed many movies over the past 12 months. Here are my top three.
The Teacher Who Promised the Sea is a small Spanish film that highlights hardship, courage and sacrifice – and how great a teacher’s legacy can be. Kate Winslett’s portrayal of Lee Miller in the biopic, Lee, is tough but compassionate viewing. But top honours go to the unforgettably moving Past Lives, a Korean tale of love, loss and enduring human connection.
Free to air, not on demand
Good old-fashioned scheduled TV is what we watch at home. Streaming is ok, but who needs it when there isn’t enough time to see all the live to air content available in Australia? Planet America was witty, acerbic required viewing this year … until November 5 when I realised that you don’t always get what you want. The American documentary of Russian dissident Navalny showed compelling footage of a true hero. And thank goodness for the ABC. The third series of Fisk is even better than the first two. And Brendan Cowell’s Plum blew me away. Who knew this AFL fan could get so caught up in the fortunes of a rough and ready rugby guy? Plum is funny, sad, thoughtful and maybe just moving enough to shift the dial back on acceptance of sporting codes that play with young men’s bodies and lives?
New ways to think
Another favourite read is a monthly Substack publication – Future You by SJ Fallick. Spoiler alert, yes, this would be a daughter! But my enjoyment of this carefully crafted self-development missive is not because she is related. It’s because it is a really enjoyable roundup of new ways to think, behave and reflect. SJ’s based in London, which means that she usually highlights events, books and articles I would otherwise have missed.
For a good cause
For my birthday I asked friends to help to contribute to the Victorian Women’s Trust. I picked this charity because it seemed timely to support all women to own their own bodies and have brighter financial futures I have since learned a lot more about the work this organisation does and would encourage others to check them out. Another favourite cause is the Space2B social enterprise in St Kilda, a vibrant collective of talented artists, chefs and creators who sell their wares to support refugees and migrants to establish themselves in a new country.
Yoga by the sea
Those who know me well realise any list like this will be sure to include a travel adventure or two or three. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy many trips this year, here are a few of the moments that I’ll remember and enjoy for years to come. Something of a common thread – they are experiences, not five-star resorts or flop and drop timeout by a pool. One deeply satisfying highlight was early morning yoga in Port Douglas with the palm trees to my right, the mountains ahead and the Coral Sea to my left. Meditation doesn’t get much better than this.
Breakfast in Ithaka was also a moment
This tiny island surrounded by jewel blue seas is the mythical home that Odysseus was trying to reach in spite of the gods’ attempts to continually blow him off course. It is easy to see why he wanted to return so badly. The town of Vathy is small, populated by locals rather than overrun by tourists, and my new favourite destination to just be, rather than do.
The ultimate journey
The Silk Road exhibition at the British Library in Bloomsbury was vast, but somehow still personal, with items created and carried by craftsmen and women from Japan across to Ireland across the centuries. It tells an uplifting story of human endeavour, faith, courage and adventure. It’s on until February 23 next year, so if you do happen to find yourself in London, don’t miss it.
Seeing colour
Similarly the Monet Exhibition at the Centro Culturale Altinate San Gaetano in Padua in May was a very moving tribute to an extraordinary artist who simply saw things differently. Who knew he had cataracts at an advanced age, and underwent a series of operations, to continue his calling?
Five days in Alghero
Alghero is a town on the north-west coast of Sardinia in the Sassari province. Here we stayed at the Villa Mosca, the former home of a wine merchant. Alghero is often called little Barcelona due to the ongoing Catalan influence. Situated around a port, with beaches, trattorias, restaurants, bookshops and eclectic local architecture, it’s a perfect spot from which to explore the other regions of Sardinia. The highlight of our stay was interviewing Professor Gianni Pes who researched and named the ‘Blue Zones’ of longevity. But that’s a story for another day…
Beach walks
I enjoyed many peaceful walks this year, but the one that I enjoy the most is along the Pines Beach at Shoreham on the Mornington Peninsula. Early morning is very special, any time is still a treat, but during ‘doggie heaven’ (off-leash) hours is the best.
BWF!
And then there was the Byron Writer’s Festival – a gift from younger daughter, Lucy – what a fun escape. Great writers both local and from around the globe, riveting conversations, good humour and a little rain. I’m in for next year whether Lucy asks me or not.
Going deeper
Which leads me to an ongoing delight I’ve enjoyed for the three months since we attended the Festival. It was in Byron at The Bookroom that I purchased ‘Deeper Mindfulness’ by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. I read their first book, Mindfulness, 11 years ago and it had a profound effect on my outlook and my natural inclination to rush through life. This second book is equally moving. I read a page or two each day and will soon finish it. But what I’ve learned will stay with me for years to come.
Amiche Italiane
And last, but not least, my favourite meal of the year is coming up in a week’s time. Not fine dining at a name restaurant. No, it’s with my Italian language friends, teacher Chiara and fellow student Sam, when we gather around the family room table to share food, laughter, prosecco and many mispronunciations. Long may this beautiful friendship prosper.
To describe this list as eclectic is probably an understatement. But hey, it’s my list so I can be as random as I like. I hope you find it fun and that it sparks your own curiosity and sense of adventure in 2025.
Wherever, whoever you are, stay well, stay safe and stay connected over the festive season.