Author Archives: andyq

Hi Andy, it’s Andy

Posted on 8 July 2023 by andyq

I had a routine with Andy, whether by email or phone, where I’d immediately greet him with ‘Hi Andy. It’s Andy.’ This amused me inordinately and Andy agreed, telling me once, ‘It never gets old’. Way back in 2011, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Creative Non-Fiction, How to live, Writing | 2 Comments

Book Review: Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem

Posted on 12 June 2023 by andyq

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu My rating: 3 of 5 stars An interesting controversy, I can see, from the reviews on Goodreads. A dear friend recommended this to me, although he said I might not like it, if I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Writing | 1 Comment

Come dine with me: Dessance, Paris

Posted on 23 April 2023 by andyq

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a blog post on a restaurant, but for Dessance, I’ll make an exception. With so many exceptional restaurants in Paris, I always recommend that friends treat themselves to at least one very … Continue reading →

Posted in Food n' Grog, France, Paris | Leave a comment

Some advice for Paris, particularly FOOD

Posted on 7 April 2023 by andyq

Because I’ve been lucky enough to live in Paris twice – four months in 2014 to 2015 and three months in early 2016 – I am sometimes asked for advice. And I freely give it. From my Dad, when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Food n' Grog, France, Paris | Leave a comment

Book Review: Kevin Wilson’s Now is Not the Time to Panic

Posted on 2 April 2023 by andyq

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson My rating: 4 of 5 stars I liked ‘Nothing to See Here’ enough that I was definitely keen to read more. I find Wilson a very interesting writer. The narration … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Review | Leave a comment

Travel advice: Italy – A visit to the Gargano

Posted on 2 April 2023 by andyq

It’s April 2023 and I recently found this blog post from 2019 that I never posted! I think I drafted it and then was planning to match it up with photos once at my home desktop … and then never … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Travel | Leave a comment

The Central Sydney Planning Strategy

Posted on 23 March 2023 by andyq

Originally published on 28 November 2016 on www.boldface.com.au: As a member of the City of Sydney’s Professional Writing Panel for the three years that it was in existence (they’ve now moved to getting bids from editors for each individual project…), … Continue reading →

Posted in Editing & Work, Sydney | Leave a comment

Superbly written spam

Posted on 19 March 2023 by andyq

Originally published on 24 November 2013 on www.boldface.com.au: We’ve all passed comment on poorly written spam, particularly those Nigerian letters asking you to send your bank account details so that they can transfer a load of money to you, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Editing & Work | Leave a comment

Book review: Andrew Sean Greer’s Less is Lost

Posted on 17 March 2023 by andyq

Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer My rating: 4 of 5 stars I loved ‘Less’ so much that I guess four stars is a fall from five. I wasn’t opposed to a sequel to ‘Less’ but what would it … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Book Review, Review | 2 Comments

2023 update: Do you Vélib in life after love?

Posted on 10 March 2023 by andyq

My favourite thing to do in Paris is to ride around on a Vélib, the almost free biking system. I wondered how much it had changed in seven years, as I’d heard a lot had changed. New operators. Competition from … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Paris | Leave a comment