Volume 20

Welcome back to the Isolation Diaries, our weekly round-up of the things that bring us joy, keep us creatively motivated and help us unwind. What have you been up to?

We’re thoroughly enjoying Victoria Hannah’s Kokomo, a coming-of-age story that won last year’s Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an unpublished manuscript. We’ve been studying up on the best eighties albums (according to Rolling Stone that is), and the definition of ‘reading’ has been kept pretty loose this week (looking at?), because we had to find a way to include this amazing Instagram account about bloggers.

Edinburgh Festival might be cancelled, but the organisers—being the clever folk they are—have managed to find a solution. They’re not only bringing us a shedload of acts, but looking out for artists at this time. Home internet troubles? Have you tried turning it off and on again? Is that a bit too real? We’re rewatching The IT Crowd, because if we don’t laugh about it... MIFF 68 1/2 is almost over! Our top picks from this year are Corpus Christi and Shiva Baby. What are your highlights?

Friday nights are a great time to treat yourself, so we’ve been making fancy date-night dinner orders from all of our favourite restaurants. Spring is almost here! And that means it’s the perfect time for a garden makeover. Plant yourself some quality seasonal produce, August is ideal for greens and cruciferous vegetables. And the special for cocktail hour this week is a Manhattan. Enjoy with a cherry, or a citrus twist... The garnish is always a hot debate among enthusiasts.

It’s a bold claim and you’re welcome to disagree—in fact we hope you do—but we’ve put together a mixed bag of the most amazing eighties tunes. We’ve also been playing this album by Swans on repeat, because it’s beautiful... You can’t disagree with that. And Zach Braff reunites with his Scrubs co-star and buddy Donald Faison for Fake Doctors, Real Friends. It’s a comedic podcast where the two hosts discuss their favourite memories and moments from the TV Show.