GRIN & TONIC #149 - OTHERS WE LOST IN 2023

We probably remember many of the big names who left us throughout 2023, but you’ll be surprised at the appearance of many of those commemorated in this reel … some who you’ll know by name … and others who touched your life, even though you had no idea who they were. This is my tribute to them … and a chance for us all to be grateful that they spent their time on earth making it better for others.

GRIN & TONIC #148 - REALITY TV SERIES WAY WORSE THAN ANY YOU’RE WATCHING NOW

Watching Reality TV is a guilty pleasure for many of us … but most of us have a minimum limit of moral standards and intellectual stimulation we require before we will invest time in them. The following shows will surely test even the most open-minded of us.

GRIN & TONIC #147 - 12 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS WORTH ADDING TO YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

Does your travel bucket list need updating? Here’s twelve places that get an automatic entry onto mine.

GRIN & TONIC #146 - CELEBRITY MUG SHOTS

Donald Trump may be the biggest celebrity to have had a mug shot taken, but he’s certainly not the first. Here’s a bundle of celebrities who may surprise you to learn have their photos on police files.

GRIN & TONIC #145 - ANIMALS THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH 1

Let’s celebrate some of the comedians of the Animal Kingdom.

GRIN & TONIC #144 - HOW FIFA HOST NATIONS HAVE FARED AT THEIR OWN WORLD CUP

If you’d like another reason to be amazed at the achievement of the Australian Matildas at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, here it is!

GRIN & TONIC #143 - SPORTS TEAMS THAT WOULD BE FUN TO CHEER FOR 1

After the magical and inspiring performance of the Australian team at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has thrilled a nation, elevated the profile of women's sport and made the word "Matildas" the most uttered throughout the land, I thought it would be fun to see what other sporting teams would be fun to cheer on. I think you'll enjoy imagining the crowd chanting the following teams' names.

GRIN & TONIC #142 - POSSIBLY THE WORST-SELLING ALBUMS EVER 1

From an album unenticingly entitled “I Have One Song” to one seemingly dedicated to dried fruit (which leads to what I feel is my best end comment yet), the albums in this assortment surely are amongst the least likely to feature in ANYONE’S music collection. Enjoy!

ONE FROM THE ARCHIVES: Great PowerPoint Graphs

Now that conferences are back in full swing, you’re probably getting a little tired of seeing slides filled with complicated graphs that can’t be read properly by the delegates. So, I thought it timely to take a look back at some of the best examples of PowerPoint graphs I was able to find. (And yes, I’ve dug into the archives this week as MY conference schedule is back in full swing, so I haven’t had a chance to create a new Grin & Tonic!!)

GRIN & TONIC #141 - HOW TO GO OVERSEAS WITHOUT LEAVING AUSTRALIA

Is your desire to travel to exotic overseas destinations unmatched by your budget? I’ve found a way you can still tell your friends you’re going to amazing destinations … without leaving Australia!!

GRIN & TONIC #140 - THE REAL REASON I’LL MISS THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Now that the future of the Commonwealth Games are in doubt there is much to lament. Sure, it was like an Olympic Games where you don’t invite the really good countries, but I’ll miss the excitement, the drama, the patriotism and, more than anything, the wonderful names of some of the athletes.

GRIN & TONIC #139 - BEST & WORST AUTOBIOGRAPHY TITLES

How do you choose which autobiographies to read? If it’s on the strength of its title, this Grin & Tonic will help.

GRIN & TONIC #138 - SURPRISE ENDINGS 1

Whatever you think is going on in these photos, I guarantee it’s not. To see the full picture, click the play button.

GRIN & TONIC #137 - LOOKALIKES 2

If you’re fascinated by people and things who look uncannily like other people (and things), this collection of pictures will definitely tickle your fancy.

GRIN & TONIC #136 - NOSH-TALGIA: FAREWELLING FANTALES

I’m devastated!! Fantales are about to be removed from our confectionary cupboards. They combined three things I love deeply: trivia, chocolate and not being able to speak for three minutes. They join a pantheon of other sweet treats that provided much joy but are now consigned to the dustbins of oral history. Join me as we pay homage to them in this walk down a very tasty memory lane.

GRIN & TONIC #135 - THE AMAZING MAGNIFICENCE OF COINCIDENCE

Doing something each day that makes you laugh is good for your health. And it’s so much easier when the universe does the work for you! Enjoy this collection of incredible coincidences.

GRIN & TONIC #134 - FUNNY SIGNS 7

It doesn’t matter what’s going on in your life, the world is always trying to give you reasons to smile. You just have to be looking for the right signs. Like these.

GRIN & TONIC #133 - CAR-TASTROPHES 1

What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you while driving? I bet for most of you, it doesn’t compare to the ridiculousness of the following. Enjoy!

GRIN & TONIC #132 - HOW CELEBRITIES HAVE AGED 1

I find I can look at myself in the mirror and not really notice that I’m getting older … but the moment I see a current photo of a celebrity who I thought was young when I was young, reality hits me hard. How does it make you feel?