June Roundup
Global Politics, Binge Watching, and Writing
Hello Everyone,
June is over and July has begun. We are officially halfway through 2025.
It’s that time of year when Australians are scrambling to organise their finances to submit their tax. The ATO has warned against submitting your tax straight away, though. I usually submit mine around September/October, but I like to start getting organised early.
June has been a busy month in both a personal sense and for the global community. I’ve been busy working on my business and I’ve got a few of ideas in the early stages of planning. I’m not sure they’ll all come to fruition, but I’ll share the news if and when they do.
I’ve been writing a lot this month, which has been pleasant. I’ve even completed my first poem in at least five years, and it’s now ready for publication. My list of ideas for stories has grown rapidly this month and I’m hoping to flesh these out more in July.
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June 2025
Waking House chapters 4-7
The Roundup
Israel, Gaza, Iran, and the US. Israel’s attack on Iran and the reasoning behind it is dubious, possibly even breaking international law. Speaking of breaking international law, there’s also the failed bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran by the US. Vital supplies are still not getting to the citizens of Gaza and the casualty rate continues to grow. Then there’s Trump, the man who manages to insert himself into the middle of everything. His declaration of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was a great bit of diplomacy, only he failed to communicate with Iran and Israel ignored him anyway. A shaky ceasefire has since been declared by the two countries, though the region continues to become increasingly hostile. It seems this is a matter of when, not if, the conflict will resume. I foresee it being sooner, rather than later.
I read Hard New World: Our Post-American Future by Hugh White, the most recent Quarterly Essay. It’s an interesting look at global politics, Australia’s position in the global power structure, and a plan for our future. It is a thought-provoking piece and well worth a read. This is particularly relevant with what we’re seeing happening in the Middle East at the moment.
I binged Dept. Q on Netflix at the start of June. This is an engrossing thriller that follows DCI Morck, a cantankerous investigator, as he navigates PTSD following his near fatal shooting. He is given a position to head up a one-man-unit investigating cold cases. I love a good crime thriller and the UK seems to create the best. This one is no exception. It’s dark, complex, honest, and gritty. The storytelling is riveting and the cinematography sublime.
This TED talk on ethics is fantastic! So is this one on creativity.
The day that Wicked was released on Netflix Australia, I rushed to watch it. I wasn’t disappointed and it lives up to the hype. The music! The costumes! The cast! Needless to say, I’m looking forward to Part 2.
What’s Happening in July?
The final chapters of Waking House
Book Review: Table for One by Emma Gannon
Book Review: Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots by Jade Scott
Selected Notes from June
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Wicked was a lot better than I expected!