New York, 2022

Outgoing Australian of the Year - Grace Tame - meets with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photographs by Alex Ellinghausen. Worth noting that this same government failed to include Grace in their child sex abuse strategy (despite being a childhood sexual abuse survivor herself and spreading the word about the “Let Her Speak,” campaign), the government that stood with Christian Porter and Andrew Laming, that “paused” the investigation into the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins that happened at Parliament … they don’t deserve civility or respect from this activist. And no woman owes you a smile. Or a photo opportunity. Grace Tame - rock on 🤘

I say "There seems to be an alcoholic language and I don't speak it." I have never had an ear for languages, which is yet another reason why I should leave right now. People chuckle knowingly. David smiles. I turn red and mentally scold myself for actually involving myself with these people. Better to sit quietly, avert the eyes. Do not ask the Iranian hijackers for an extra pillow.

'Dry' by Augusten Burroughs 

Taking something to pieces doesn’t spoil the whole when you put it back together. You can still love the effortlessness, even when you’ve noticed the effort.

‘How Not to be a Boy’ by Robert Webb

Amy & Hope are the new (and better) Claire & Bender

It's a weird smile, but it reaches his eyes and I bottle it. And I put it in my ammo pack that's kept right next to my soul and Justine's spirit and Siobhan's hope and Tara's passions. Because if I'm going to wake up one morning and not be able to get out of bed, I'm going to need everything I've got to fight this disease that could be sleeping inside of me.

'Saving Francesca' by Melina Marchetta 

“I am haunted by humans.”

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak