3 hours at hospital because NO ONE could read my surgeon's handwriting. My daughter in London deciphered it remotely! It's 2025—where's the speech-to-text? Formal complaint: sent ✓ #DoctorsHandwriting #HealthcareFail

Lunch at Fairfield Boathouse involved Vietnamese tourists, a philosophical nurse, and a white-tailed spider bite that could have been serious if not for a stranger at U3A who circled my bite with a pen. S🕷️❤️ #MelbourneStories

Attended my first Greens campaign workshop. Deeply moved by Sonya Semmens' speech on "ubuntu" - "I am because we are." Such a perfect philosophy for ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy, and social justice. The young volunteers were inspiring! Politics with heart. #UbuntuPolitics #Greens

Two structures in Ripponlea caught my eye today: a Holocaust memorial I've passed countless times without noticing, and across from it, a synagogue rebuilding after being firebombed months ago. Yesterday's memory, today's wounds—both asking us to pay attention. #HelloStranger365
#NeverForget

Letterboxing for the Greens in Balaclava led me to All Things Equal café - where 50% of staff have disabilities & all get full wages! Met Harry whose son created it for his autistic granddaughter. Delicious smoothies, bright atmosphere & true inclusion in action. #HelloStranger365 #AllThingsEqual

Met a surprising ally after our climate protest: Paul Murphy, Eureka Stockade descendant. He shared their oath: "We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties. From Eureka to climate action, the fight continues. #HelloStranger365

"A mother's place is in the rebellion."
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction

Met Spearo on Swanston St—stolen at 6 months, survived 19 yrs in Nazareth House. He showed me his tattoo, changed from "JC" to "CJ" for Country Justice. When he got $150k compensation, he gave it all to his kids. Some stories change how you see everything. #StolenGenerations #Truth #FirstNations 🖤💛❤️

28 Feb. Met the legendary Bob Brown at St Kilda town hall last night! Amazing to speak with the Franklin River defender and Australian Greens founder. His environmental passion continues to inspire. A true pioneer who transformed activism into political change. #BobBrown #AustralianGreens

At Immigration Museum, whispered art confessions with a woman: "Kusama's exhibition? More Instagram trap than art!" We laughed at our shared heresy. Later, an elderly woman seeing me struggle with AR: "I'm bringing my 11-year-old twins tomorrow—they'll have it working in seconds!" 🎨👵🏼📱 #MuseumTalks

Met a retired anaesthetist who now preserves plant specimens at our Botanical Gardens 🌿 From operating rooms to herbarium sheets, still practicing the art of preservation. His specimens travel to seed banks in Sussex & even the Arctic vault! Such joy in his second act 🌱 #HelloStranger

📍Ian Potter Children's Garden: A 10yo ninja climbing bamboo "easy, been doing it since forever!", grandpa watching his girl splash in fountains, twins exploring every corner, and a tiny 6mo meeting nature for the first time. Pure magic in this garden. #HelloStranger365

Two girls throwing pinecones through the Turkish-Australian Memorial. Almost said "stop!" until mum explained: "throwing seeds of friendship" 🌱Sometimes you need a child to show you a memorial isn't just about the past, but hope for the future ✨
#hellostranger274 #melbourne

At Heart of Carlton cafe, damaged windows from overnight vandalism couldn't dim the warmth inside. A blackboard asks 'love thy enemy' while they serve $5 meals, keeping doors open for everyone. Some spaces transcend business—they're anchors of community. ✨
#MelbourneCafes
#HeartOfCarlton

Feb 13 🍺 Pre-U3A meeting chat at Heroes turned fascinating! Bartender's texture preferences led us down a rabbit hole of sensory experiences - from ASMR to mukbang to synesthesia. Amazing how a simple chat about breakfast can unveil the beautiful diversity of human perception 🧠✨ #HeroesStKilda

🍄 Tried ashwagandha "magic" mushroom coffee at Elwood Beach (not THAT kind!). Yoga teacher couldn't believe I had "no stress" in retirement - well, except for the climate crisis! Walking home, realized sometimes the real magic isn't in the coffee, but in these honest chats about life 🌊
#TheHubElwood

10 Feb Met Kip (66) doing his daily workout at St Kilda pier. A Maori who flies home to dig graves for family, yet radiates joy. Through gang concerns back home & past challenges caring for his bipolar ex-wife, his smile rarely dims. "I love talking to people - do it every day!" #StoriesOfResilience

Feb 1 🌿 Met mothers at Melbourne's NGV. Learned "endling" - last of a species - as nature words fade. Shared stories with Janine, fellow activist. Two elderly troublemakers, both protest-arrested, agreed: beyond hope, we need courage. #HelloStranger #ClimateAction 🌍@climatejanine.bsky.social