My week of Monday 14 to Sunday 20 September 2026 was sunny, productive, and full of birds — especially a very glossy Australian raven who followed me down a street in Canterbury. And I kicked off the spring series of The 9pm Edict podcast. Hurrah!
There’s been some progress in the saga of The Lost Module, the big wooden crate that contained one-third of the goods I’d had in storage and which went missing. The message that it was not definitely going to go to court prodded them into making a call, apologising, and saying they’d need a little more time to go through my claim in detail, and of course I’m allowing that. I’m expecting another call from them in the coming week.
Meanwhile this season’s crowdfunder The 9pm Spring Series 2026 is now 66% of the way to its first target. Thank you all so much. I’ll have more details next week.
Podcasts
- The 9pm Smoke and Durianomics with Erin Cook, recorded last week and posted on Monday. As usual it’s a fun conversation.
- On Wednesday I recorded an episode of the Edict with Dr Alice Gorman and Rami Mandow, so obviously the theme is space. That will appear this coming Monday.
Articles
- The Weekly Cybers #134. It’s a week when too much AI doomsaying is never enough; AI companies beg for regulation; more organisations ban smart glasses; and much more.
Photos, Videos, Media Appearances, Corporate Largesse
None of these this week. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified when new videos appear and when the occasional livestreams are scheduled — such as the one coming up in just a few days.
Some Interesting Links
- There’s some strange dramas in the family that owns Thailand’s Singha beer and drinks empire. I’ve followed this a bit but it’s moving to a new phase. He accused his brother of sexual abuse. Then he took on his family (New York Times gift link). Warning: Much challenging stuff.
- 7 of the weirdest things coffee does to your body. None of them are actually weird.
- Someone manage to spot pilot whales in the River Thames.
- The very last Sydney Trains V-Set stock has been hauled off for scrap.
- Couple’s honeymoon ends in nightmare with cockroach in hotel and no drinking water.
- This week’s suggested follow: If you like Chinese food and you like recipes, then the newsletter of Red House Spice might be for you. Three recipes per week, though I’m guessing they repeat a bit. The only problem is that the suggestions come in faster than I can possibly cook them.
The Week Ahead
Once more, Monday is about podcast editing. Tuesday and Wednesday will a mix of random client work, research, writing, administrivia, and such — although I notice that Wednesday is also the September Equinox.
RESCHEDULED FROM LAST WEEK: Last Thursday marked six months of living back in Sydney. So to celebrate I’m holding The 8pm Six Months in Campsie. This video livestream will contain thoughts and updates and complaints and perhaps some disturbing mental imagery. Also, video footage of the neighbourhood. Also, a brief quiz. It’s at 8pm AEST, and available for replay any time after that.
The Weekly Cybers newsletter will appear on Friday afternoon as usual.
On Saturday we’re heading to Sydney’s Chinatown and Thaitown for various reasons, including going to Haymarket Merchants: The Making of Sydney’s Chinatown, an exhibition at the Museum of Chinese in Australia. It’s also a Full Moon that night.
On Sunday, not Saturday as originally planned, after quite a long gap, Snarky Platypus and I will be recording an episode of Another Untitled Music Podcast. If you’re a supporter with a We Will We Will Judge You playlist or want to Recommend a Song to Us, please let us know by midday AEST this Saturday 26 September. If you’re not sure whether you’re owed these or any other rewards, just get in touch.
Sunday is also a housework day, including clearing out a lot of junk for the council clean-up day late the following week.
Further Ahead
Oh dear, it’s time to schedule in a few more things.
[Photo: An Australian raven (Corvus coronoides) in Canterbury, Sydney, photographed on 15 September 2026.]