be brave – di mann-povey

A Reflection on Choosing to become a Parent

Posted on 15/11/202015/11/2020 by Di

Thirty years ago this week, I was holding my first child in my arms for the first time. I was thirty-five years of age, already the veteran of two failed marriages, and considered by my doctor and my gynaecologist as...Read More

Fear: Trump in the White House

Posted on 21/09/2020 by Di

Another COVID-IX 2020 read. The inside story on President Trump, as only Bob Woodward can tell it. With authoritative reporting honed through eight presidencies from Nixon to Obama, author Bob Woodward reveals in unprecedented detail the harrowing life inside President Donald Trump’s White...Read More

Ferguson’s “The War of the World”

Posted on 21/09/2020 by Di

One of my many COVID-IX 2020 reads. Publisher's Summary Penguin presents the unabridged edition of The War of the World by Niall Ferguson, read by Saul Reichlin. The world at the beginning of the 20th century seemed for most of...Read More

Affluenza

Posted on 21/09/202021/09/2020 by Di

The consumer epidemic. There a few books with this title, including one by Aussie, Clive Hamilton. Like most of my reading these days this is audio from Audible, the following is the publisher's summary of the Graaf/Wann/Naylor version which I've...Read More

Gimme gimme gimme

Posted on 22/08/202021/09/2020 by Di

The art & the poison of giving - Be generous if you must - but keep it quiet & don't expect gratitude! "What of this perverse trait in human beings that impels people so often to turn against their benefactors?...Read More

Infamous – the writing of In Cold Blood

Posted on 09/08/202020/09/2020 by Di

This 2006 movie opened up a whole new segue in my COVID watching/reading programme. Browsing through my Netflix list, it came up so I cast it to the TV, hopped on the exercise bike, and began. Sometimes an actor has...Read More

Top of the Lake – for Jane Campion fans

Posted on 27/07/202020/09/2020 by Di

If you're a fan of Elisabeth Moss and Jane Campion then turn to ABC Iview for 2 seasons of this brilliant production. You'll find lots of 'names,' such as Holly Hunter, Robin Nevin, David Wenham, Ewan Leslie, Shane Jacobsen, Gwendoline...Read More

The Clinton Affair

Posted on 22/06/202021/09/2020 by Di

Watch on SBS OnDemand The Clinton–Lewinsky scandal was a United States political sex scandal that involved 49-year-old President Bill Clinton and 22-year-old White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The sexual relationship took place between 1995 and 1997 and came to light in 1998. For political aficionados this 7 part series is worth a...Read More

The Politician

Posted on 22/06/202020/09/2020 by Di

This little gem is on Netflix for 2 sadly short seasons. A real treat! Wealthy high school student Payton Hobart has known since he was 7 years old that he is going to be the president of the United States....Read More

Shrill

Posted on 22/06/202020/09/2020 by Di

A struggling young journalist is determined to change her life without changing her body. While dealing with an unreliable boyfriends, sick parents and a perfectionist boss, she begins to understand that she's just as good as everyone else. SBS On...Read More

Sing like nobody’s listening

Posted on 18/05/202021/09/2020 by Di

And she did: although unfortunately some were listening with 'wrong ears.' A fascinating story, not 100% accurate to 'true life,' but nevertheless true enough, and a story of passion and love of musical art. Regardless of judgement, FFJ did sing...Read More

Selection for Jury Service

Posted on 27/07/201920/09/2020 by Di

And “Snap!” Or, as Dame Edna would say, “Spooky, Possums!” So, it was a week to the day since I attended what was for me, the highlight of this year’s Mildura Writers Festival. And that was the opening night event...Read More