Once I (consensually, at their request) relieved someone of a demon, and it tried to jump me on the way out, but I apparently scared it into simply going? And I got given a beautiful pashmina in thanks, as well as shown in a book exactly what type of demon it was, by my client. One of my most beloved authors, M. Scott Peck, also spent some time as an exorcist, so I’m proud of the company I keep.

I got to spend 9 months travelling all over Australia by myself studying a form of indigenous healing that was consciously opened to settlers by its creator… but my 3-month visa didn’t show up so I accidentally stayed 6 months without a visa and got banned from Australia for 3 years on my exit interview. :( Phew, it’s been 3 years now, so I can go back. :)

I'm deeply touched by poetry, some modernist, some ancient, often romantic, but I most of the time I need to look up the poem and author again or ask my poetry circle leader about them, because the names and eras keep slipping through my fingers. It’s something about details.

I hold an Honours degree in Philosophy and mostly, it comes in handy reminding myself, with intention, that nihilism is a) a limited phenomenon, no matter how popular, and b) a conscious choice, and can be unchosen. Nihilism tries to unalive me.

I love fragrance… except for the ones I hate. But I’m not posh about it; one of my favourite scents for myself is from Axe (granted it’s a rare, unpopular-except-with-its-diehards one).

I love cats, but am sadly allergic to them. I only ever had one cat, a hairless e.g. Living Suede who I truly could bury my face in safely. Though I am 95% unaffected by my present hairless nakey baby. I suffer for her, and it’s okay.

I love music, a selection from a vast array of options, although recently I realised I’d missed out, not just on years of his work, but on an upcoming local Joel Plaskett concert. His fans really love him, and I’m finding myself among them. I also love symphonic metal.

I had to radicalize myself to come to terms with living on disability, and this deep dive into leftist politics continues to make me a much better person. If you’re close to me, you’ll occupy a carefully carved niche in my regular hoped-for daily or weekly allotment of spoons (please see Spoon Theory of Disability for help unpacking that if you need it).

When it’s the weekend, I’m going to Actually Sleep Enough, followed by re-reading a favourite series and having the most delicious Pina Colada protein pudding for lunch.

I like to get a close shave and a soaking bath with luscious bubbles, put on some gorgeous cologne and donate my time answering q’s on social media and live action (Zoom) support groups.