Valentine’s Day made me think about Charles and “the Rotweiller”, as Camilla was apparently nicknamed by Diana, Princess of Wales. “So, how did you define love?” my beloved asked, as we were sitting on my not-at-all-royal balcony. “I didn’t,” I replied, “it was truth.” We were having a conversation about ethics, as you do on […]

The waters have receded, and the long term work of rebuilding lives and towns is underway. The willingness of the world to help in a sustained and unselfish way is a test of our common humanity. But the tsunami is also a test of our ability to set common goals and recognize common threats. And […]

Last year was the first time I’d overnighted there. My previous visits were long ago and blurred by their brevity. I recalled the body builders, the colorful murals, the hippie grunge and the biggest of the sidewalk cafés. This time was different. Traveling with a grown up son, rather than excitable children, changes the dynamics […]

The Courier Mail has yet to get the Christmas spirit. Yesterday it announced that Robert Keith Boughen had retired after 40 years as organist at St John’s Anglican Cathedral Brisbane (no link available). But instead of celebrating his considerable achievements it buried the announcement on an inside page with references to an investigation that had […]