Bris-Vegas research trip day 4:

What I'm grateful for today:
1. THE CLIFFS: I have a new favourite breakfast spot in Brisbane (it was previously the Gun Shop Cafe in West End). I now want to start every morning at The Cliffs Cafe at Kangaroo Point. I’m grateful for some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, a delicious breakfast wrap but most of all, the catch up with my sista Jackie Huggins (above) as we enjoyed the relaxing, peaceful atmosphere overlooking the river. Highly recommend it, and I will be back there for sure.

2. STATE LIBRARY OF QLD: I’m grateful for many things at the SLQLD; the funky spaces to work in, the free wifi, the airy coffee shop that has a coastal feel to it although by the river, the gift / book shop (that also stocks my books), the calming views from Level 2 that make it a delight to sit and work/write. I had a productive three hour writing stint only broken by a tour of the Red Room and the River Deck where my Paris Dreaming event will be held on April 30. Hope to see you there!

3. kuril dhargun: I’ve been to the kuril dhagun Indigenous Knowledge Centre at the STQLD a number of times, and I was inspired to return today especially to see a current installation titled ‘Last line of defence’- a collection sandbags related to the recent floods in Brisbane. Tiny sandbags have been filled and commented on by visitors to the space. I filled one too and wrote (see pic above). I’m grateful there is a designated space for storytelling, learning, sharing. Drop by and feel at peace, just like I did, while you check out the range of resources available for free, or get along to A Night By The Fire on the first Tuesday of the month, where you can hear guest speakers discuss art, life and politics. Today I also learned that kuril refers to the native marsupial known as the water rat. There’s also a kids exhibition of ‘kurils’ in show at the moment. One of my favourites was the ‘Spiderman kuril’ below.

4. SINGLE MEN: Oh my god! It’s fair to say I have found where all the good looking single men in the country are. I can’t tell you the exact location because then there’ll be an influx of gorgeous women, I don’t need any more competition! My research went up a notch tonight, and I didn’t need assistance from the muse at all... which is lucky when you consider the below...

5. THE MUSE: I think the muse now wants to be a writer. Today he told me he was getting into character, in order to see what life was like for the women in my new novel. He did a spa-day and I’m grateful that he swapped the beanie for the hot-towel wrap. Muse quote of the day: ‘I’m coming back as a woman...’ announced right after he had a Brazilian wax.