Author Archives: Topher

Success and self-realisation

Posted on November 6, 2026 by Topher

How do you define success in life? When thinking of success, we would list our achievements. Uni diplomas, executive roles, business ventures, sporting careers, pilot licenses. Spouses, kids, houses, bank balances, and pinned places. Life on Earth is volatile. As … Continue reading →

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Sydney metro screenshot

Posted on October 30, 2026 by Topher

Share a few recent shots from your camera roll, no context needed. Today marks a historic chapter in Sydney’s transport system. At 4:31am the Bankstown-Sydenham Southwest Metro officially opened. Two years in the making, the extension’s cost ballooned to $23 … Continue reading →

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Project Hail Mary (2021): endless space

Posted on October 23, 2026 by Topher

Which book’s world would be the absolute worst to live in? I took my time with Project Hail Mary. Written by the author of The Martian, the book was 2021’s most anticipated sci-fi read. That year, I finished the book … Continue reading →

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Bandila spiel

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Topher

What’s something you’ve done that you never thought you could? As per the photo, Dexter Remolar (my protagonist) couldn’t believe that he could memorise the whole Bandila spiel. He tuned in to that news program before. It was available on … Continue reading →

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Being Dexter Holland

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Topher

If you could switch lives with a famous person for a week, who would it be and why? Being Dexter the polymath would be nice. He’s The Offspring’s lead vocalist. A licensed pilot. A successful entrepreneur. A doctor in molecular … Continue reading →

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Into the wild: ‘the good place’

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Topher

What does it mean to be a good person? A few months ago, I streamed Into The Wild on Netflix. Sean Penn directed the film, based on Jon Krakauer’s bestselling book. The read per se is timeless and has been … Continue reading →

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A Serbian Film (2010): reimagining boundaries

Posted on October 10, 2026 by Topher

What’s the weirdest movie you’ve ever watched? It’s the most radically different film that I ever saw. I’ve beheld many: those from David Cronenberg, Lars von Trier, Jordan Peele, and Catherine Breillat. Hostel seems like child’s play compared to this. … Continue reading →

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The Alchemist (1988) reviewed

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Topher

What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by? ‘And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.’ Some might be familiar with the phrase, taken from The Alchemist. I should’ve read this book … Continue reading →

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Life hacks, inc

Posted on September 26, 2026 by Topher

What are some life hacks that you practice? Just like time, sleep is precious. Snoozing well solves a lot of issues. Improved mood and concentration. Able to multitask and think critically. Boosted alertness and more energy for everyday tasks, like … Continue reading →

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‘Weight training 101’

Posted on September 20, 2026 by Topher

What’s one thing you wish you had started doing earlier in life? A couple of years ago, weight training was recommended to me. I had to research the exercises by myself. Currently, I’m lifting 2x2kg weights. I also have 3kg … Continue reading →

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