Welcome to Phoenix’s world-changing Salon
A portmanteau. A treasure trove. A time capsule. A poetry book. A diary. A photo album. Memories. Dreams. Wishes. Hopes. An open letter to an unsuspecting public. An intimate confession to close friends. A declaration of intent. A whisper of love. A personal record. An experiment in introspection. A performance space. A political rant. A wild yawp. Why do any of us publish our words and images online? Come, dream with me.The Earth is singing
This is one of the most beautiful articles I’ve ever read.Me, I like to think of the Earth as essentially a giant Tibetan singing bowl, flicked by the middle finger of God and set to a mesmerizing, low ring for about 10 billion years until the tone begins to fade and…
Well, *that’s* good to know
Judge Gullaci said there was no basis for Dr Kozminsky’s belief that dyed purple hair was indicative of a “transient or more permanent psychotic state”. [from The Age, of course]As someone who’s been dyeing my hair purple on and off for the last 20 years, I’m thrilled…
Happy anniversary, my love
Two years ago, journey2master arrived on my doorstep with his suitcase. At the time I wrote this:Sunday was an extra special day for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had this kind of intense physical and spiritual connection with someone, brief as it was.…
Gluten Savvy: Calling Brisbanians
If there’s anyone reading who’s gluten-intolerant or knows someone who is, could you pop down to the Gluten-Free Food Festival to be held May 17–18 and write a review for Gluten Savvy? Cheers!
Rudd’s letting us down…
It’s not often I just repost things verbatim, but this one has more credibility if I do. Rudd’s government was expected to do better for refugees, although the mandatory detention débâcle was not just a Liberal party policy. The Minister for Immigration and…
Couldn’t have said it better myself
Via p_cat: In the corridors of power, the best woman knows her place.This opinion piece, by Fairfax’s Catherine Deveny, is a bitter swipe at Australia’s fairly pervasive misogynist culture. It’s a funny thing: we’re moving into a new era with our new government, where…
Late notice: Poetry gig, Tuesday May 6
It’s been a while, but I have been invited to perform my poetry at The Spinning Room this Tuesday. I’ll be reading for around 20 minutes starting from around 9.30 and there’s an open section starting from around 8.30pm.I was hoping to have more of my California…
Click here for Convergence
Final session. Gerard Noonan has started with a description of how filing in the old days involved finding a pay phone, dropping a coin in the slot, dialing, unscrewing the cover of the handset and attaching alligator clips to it to send what he calls “actuality” down…
Press freedom in the digital era
I sub-edited Journalism in Troubled Times for the IFJ a few years ago. It’s a sad fact that journalism is not a safe career choice in many countries and that people who cover war zones and other areas also put themselves at risk (I believe that this week another two…
International TIME zones
Yes, that’s the terribly tacky name for the next session where Michael Elliot, International Editor and Deputy Managing Editor of TIME magazine is talking to us about all the TIME branded products. Finally, someone’s talking about magazines.Bite-sized, just for…
Digital natives
Interestingly, the session this morning on “digital natives”, the people who are already embracing the future, features three women. Cinnamon Pollard – woman behind thevine.com.au for Fairfax to try and get younger people online; Rebekah Horne – general manager of…
Will media survive? In what way?
The luminaries of the Australian media scene swan in and out of the conference. Eric Beecher, youngest editor of the SMH ever then founder of Text Media (and hence once my ex-big boss) and now of course owner of Crikey; Mike van Niekerk, online chief at Fairfax (and…
Liveblogging from the FOJ conference
Jay Rosen this morning used a fascinating metaphor for the situation of journalist in the new media world: we are migrants crossing the sea to a new land, some scared to leave, some excited, all imagining what the new world will be like without having been there yet.…
Sydney: The Future of Journalism Conference
In a last-minute fit of future-proofing, I’ve decided to use frequent flyer points to jump on a plane to Sydney tomorrow to attend the MEAA’s Future of Journalism conference at the ABC. Couple of questions: a) Anyone going? b) Anyone wanna see me outside of the…
One of my heroes has died
Farewell, Pamela Bone. You were an amazing journalist, an incredible woman, and a great inspiration to all of us at The Age. Rest in Peace.It was a privilege to have known you.
Lest we forget
War is horrible. It is not glorious and dying for your country is not brave. Standing up and refusing to fight is brave [*]. Condemning violence is brave.Today is ANZAC day. For those who don’t know what that means, or who want to be reminded, please play this song by…
Giving stuff away again
Anybody need a graphics card for a MacPro? Or a VCR? Will happily swap for computer speakers or just a chat over a coffee…
Calling fellow oldies
I just got e‑mail that the Black Eyed Susans[1] are playing the Corner Hotel on May 4th for a mere $15! Omigod. Who’s in???[1] I’m going to head any young folk off at the pass: I am *not* talking about the Black Eyed Peas from America. I am talking about the Black…
Phoenix Emberstone
passionate political poet
These are poems and meanderings that made their way to the page. I’d love to hear what you think of them. Want to get in touch? Drop me a line!
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I am also known as Ro Bersten, a communications specialist with more than 20 years’ experience. See my CV and professional projects.
