Daily Discussion Thread: 🐶Tue 16 Jan 2024

Good news - my car's been found!
Just gotta wait for all the forensic things to be done and it's all mine. Oh and get new plates because they were stolen.
Still, phew. I was sure it was in bits or burnt out.

This is fantastic!!! What a relief compared to how it could have gone. I so hope you can get out of that neighbourhood soon
- Exactly. I was seriously considering phoning my car guy and starting the process of finding a new one, but now I don't have to!
  Just spoke to insurance and they'll take possession of it when it's released and check there's no nasties in it and they haven't trashed the engine, and then I get it back!
  Unfortunately I have to wait until May to leave. But I still have heaps to do before settlement.

IT Support ticket we got this morning: hi, the keyboard I am using, the backspace doesn't work. I've looked around for another one..oh hang on I cleaned it out and there was a paperclip underneath it. All good now.

And they submitted it, lol.

In other news, it's so weird hearing about the crazy weather you guys are getting yet it hasn't rained at all here. We usually get the same weather as Melbs, maybe a day or so later.

And in good news. I finished working on my latest book, and now editing and getting the covers planned for Books 4 and 5 of VDV.

And in more good news, Netflix are adapting another Fear Street novel - The Prom Queen. I am excited!

Hope you're all doing good.

When I did support I LOVED self-solvers. It's like a little feelgood story and your stats get padded for doing nothing. People on the phone would often apologise but I'd just say no need, I'm happy to hear everything is ok. Everyone is happy. Good times.
- Thankfully, we don't have stats and all those metrics. Just some real interesting IT users.
- Always love the "....and now it's working" calls. I like to joke that they saw the hammer in my hand.

I lie awake to steal back the time,
\ That during the day, is not mine.
\ I barely sleep the night to dawn,
\ So everyday I stretch and yawn.

Water was glass tonight. Could see the sea floor clearly about 10m deep.

Also another chocolate retriever/lab swam out to save me. Owner was freaking out as it was just learning and it wasn't obeying it just kept going. Had to swim it in (which it did by itself, no help needed there) reassured the owner that they're water dogs and if I was a recently shot duck it would've passed with flying colours.

I made some chocolate mousse and a mess. Lol. It's not easy getting it in the glass when sweat threatens to engulf you.

It's the thought that counts.

Just need a swirl of canned whipped cream and nobody would know
When I made it I followed this recipe. It was also... messy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVsfvbZTBzU
- Haha. I think I followed the same recipe.
Oohh yum. Throw that in the fridge and eat it stone cold and it’d be perfect.

Bill and Ted Cat antics.

Woke up to gentle soft paw no claw wake up tapping on my shoulder. It's Ted, with Bill standing right behind him, telling me the sun is up and it's time for breakfast.

Ted gives me a reassuring prrrt meow after I sneeze.

Bill lets Ted eat some of his breakfast and dinner, unless it's a super special treat and then Bill gets it all.

They both like the air conditioner on humid days.

Sky flashy ⚡

Pretty happy with myself for not doing my usual 'i just bought groceries but now I want uber eats' and giving in to the temptation. Ended up making a salad of ruby burst grape tomatoes, red capsicum, cucumber, coriander and mersey valley cheddar and pulled it all together with some salt and lime. Just smashed the salad and waiting for my expensive nuggies (the inghams ciabatta coating ones to) Hurry up and cook.

Ok, that sounds delish

Screw this weather, the bread has gone mouldy

I read this as "the brain has gone mouldy"; also true.
- Alas, yes. I am running very late.
As a lifelong freezer of bread I do not have this issue 🙂
The other alternative I find works well is to eat the entire loaf of bread in one day. Trialling this method on occasion might be related in some way to an expanding waistline.
- All very well for toast, not so great for a fluffy new slice off a loaf.
screw the bread, this weather is causing an unacceptable amount of hot cross bun spoilage
Bread goes in fridge
- Incorrect! Freezer or counter-top only
- The fridge prevents mould, but makes it go stale quicker.

As if I haven't loathed myself enough this past week and a bit, I have decided to rewatch Supernatural (might stop at season 7 where I think it should have ended) for the first time in like 6ish years.

Never forget flicking on the tiny CRT TV that had a weird pink tint in my bedroom late one night and scaring the pants off myself.

I made it to Tues night before breaking my 'no drinking during the week' rule. It's gin weather and it was a good but looking day. Sitting here with the AC on sipping my gin and soda and being grateful that small apartments are easy to cool.

You've inspired me to have a schnifter of whiskey lol
I only wish my apartment wasn't the top floor, the poor aircon tries so hard but the heat from a flat roof is epic bleh
- Haha glad to inspire. Top floor is not ideal. I am nicely snuggled here.
I have acquired margarita in a can. It is highly suitable for both weather and dented brain.
- - it's the fizzy nectar of the gods

Hmm. Did not get no crazy weather here. The grass is very lush though. Gonna take the man a few days to combat that.

I can confirm a small amount of biscoff spread on a buttered apple and cinnamon hot cross bun is fucking fantastic. My gift to all of youse.

Ps. The choc mousse was a hit with the gang. I do not eat it myself but I'm glad it worked.

My colleague makes rocky road with Biscoff. Best rocky road I've ever had
- That sounds unreal.

Marge is comin'

Just hit me here and it’s coming down hard.
- SSE suburbs? Same here. Cerys is watching avidly, it so rarely hits our windows like this

A friend of a friend has a cat up for adoption, it's pretty cute. I'm being pushed into going to meet this cat so that I fall in love with it and adopt, which will probably happen if I go. This cat and stuff for the cat will be my birthday present from a group of friends.

I've wanted a pet for ages but never bit the bullet. Not sure what's holding me back, it's just never felt like the "right" time but I'm not sure if there is a right time. What to do? How high maintenance are cats? Seems like there's a lot of cat owners here so thought this is the place to ask!

I adopted mine about 3 years ago when she was a kitten. She's a tabby as well.
When they're young, they are very playful and honestly, they'll make you laugh day in, day out with their antics.
Once she grew up a bit, she slowed down a bit. We still play every day if I can, and she gets a brush every night which stops the fur getting everywhere.
She eats a variety of raw and wet canned food and has access to dry food all day. Also treats every night.
I've grown quite fond of Gibson, and honestly can't imagine what my life would have been like the last few years without her.
They bring a lot of magic and warmth to your life, especially if you live alone.
Make sure you get them spayed/neutered when possible otherwise you will have to deal with a lot of bullshit!
Below photo I opened the bag door because I know she likes digging around in there.
Oh and you will need to up your cleaning rota. Fur gets everywhere, and some cats kick litter astonishing distances. “Buy a lint roller” says the Goth who had a white cat.
Don't currently have a kitty but I'd say it depends on the breed and personality (and age) of the cat.
My last Abyssinian was very low maintenance. She was the sweetest kitty. but my old bengal just wouldn't stfu from 5am->10pm. my old british blue really didn't do much except for getting its head stuck in the gravy jug all the time.
I think in general it's safe to say they're much less maintenance than dogs.
- Just goes to show. Abbys are one I’d usually consider highly active. Got a gravy jug pic?
Aw post pics when you see the cat, love to see it too!
Depends on the cat really, the younger the more hyper, but not heaps like a dog (some dogs). I grew up with a crazy cat lady for a mum, every stray she'd adopt. They're easy to take care of imo, they will come to you when they want attention. You could splurge on toys (or in this case will be gifted from friends lol), but most cats are happy with a few wine corks (they roll randomly), and some boxes. Our cat loves it when we get new boxes from a grocery shop, or even a case of beers box lol. Some cats like bells and others hate them, mine just doesn't care about bells. Play with them with some string and something soft, small, and a bit weighty on the end, and they'll love you forever.
It may take some time for the cat to warm up to you and trust you, so patience is key. I wouldn't expect them to start sleeping on your lap immediately though it isn't unheard of. You may need to learn how they communicate too, as it's mostly tail and ear gestures, but you'll learn your cats quirks quickly.
I recommend Jackson Galaxy on YouTube for how to read your cats mood. He's amazing, and really helped my "not-a-cat-person' partner to understand what our puss is thinking or feeling.
One thing: tin/aluminium foil will always, 100% freak a cat out and make them scram lol. If your new cat starts jumping on tables or counters, lay down some foil (look it up on YouTube, pretty funny vids out there) and they'll stop quicksmart.
There's so much more, but most of the fun is from learning with your new furry family member!
Cats can be very very different. One of my current pair is instant best friends with everybody, the other growls when he hears the front gate. Some are very fussy about food, some demand a very specific type of litter. They can be expensive, my last big vet emergency cost 4 grand.
How old is this cat, and is it a specific breed? Some types are extremely active and require much entertainment or they get bored and destructive.
I don’t find the tinfoil thing to work.
- It’s a tabby kitten, about 3 or 4 months old I think. Maybe I should ask more questions about its personality to get an idea of how high maintenance it is? All I’ve got so far is that it’s super affectionate and loving. Aww.

Still quite poorly with a bad back so I don't think I'll be up to do today's thread.

luv u all

Hugs. I hope you get some good sleep and feel better tomorrow.
I'll do it. Get some rest.
Aww.
Please get plenty of rest and look after yourself.
Hope you feel better soon.

Does anyone elses cat get a bit lethargic in the heat? I've booked a vet appointment for tomorrow regardless because Gibson has been a bit slow and sluggish.

She's eating dry and wet food and treats.

But still worried.

Yes! Hot weather = Flat Cat. Totally normal.
- Oh thank god. I was really, really worried ❤️
Mine gets a bit floppy in the heat, but he's stupid and seeks out the hottest parts of the house.
Instead of an ice cube like another comment said, I use a cool wet flannel and rub him down (being sure to get his face, pits, and paws) and I throw an ice cube or two in his water.

Returned car and went for a ramble through a garden shop and then to Glenferrie Rd in the heat earlier. The saliva in my mouth almost solidified I was so dehydrated. I did buy this very silly looking chilli plant - even though I really don't need any more chillis on my balcony and it was rather spenny - I just want to see the fruit for myself. I had no idea there were white chillis. Let alone nipple shaped ones.

I've never harvested chilli seed for reuse before but I think I might give it a go with this one if it turns out nicely.

White chillies. Very interesting, never heard of them before.
I wonder how spicy they are?
It’s a lot hotter outside than I expected. Didn’t realise it hit 30.
- These are supposedly a 3/10 and can be eaten raw or pickled as a snack according to the label. I usually dont grow mild chillis but this one is too weird not to try. Apparently it has a delicious taste too. We shall see in a month or two.
  It was forecast to be 31 today I think. Thankfully not excessively humid and tomorrow will bring more rain (if BOM is to be trusted that is).
Ooh white chillos!
keen to hear how they go.
- I was hoping you'd see that and be like yeah nah white chillos par for the course. But they are unusual! In Melbourne at least. Looking online it seems there are many established white cultivars of ghost pepper, habaneros, etc. And Capsicum baccatum which I only learned about today and wish I did two months ago so I could have a go at growing aji limon. Next time.

Do you reckon bom make it a point of pride to be wrong at this stage? Was standing at the station this morning getting hit with rain that BOM and Apple weather both tell me wasn't possible.

oh, no cool change tonight

okay

Given that I’ve been so crap at reading books, I just realised I’ve read two. Following The Tilt, I finished Jane Harper’s Exiles.

Thought it was okay. I tend to read and then compare my thoughts with reviews and kind of agree with them, even though I found it an easy meandering read due to familiarity with the style.

I have grown to really enjoy Australian crime fiction.

Ginger beer goes down so easily on evenings like this. Luckily I remembered to check the % this time

A four pack of those 8 percenters makes for a good start to the evening

I just disasembled a shelving unit I am getting rid of, so would like to share with you the worst flatpack furniture building experience I have ever had. I bought it expecting to be screwing together a number of slatted wood panels. Instead I received a pile of sticks! Took forever to do, because you had to basically weave the whole thing together before screwing on some cross pieces to hold everything in place, and you just had to knock it wrong before then and the whole thing would fall apart and you'd have to start over. On a positive note, disasembling it today was very quick and easy!

Oh crap. I think I heard a deep rumble of thunder or it’s a possum going wild.

I had a possum going wild outside the window earlier in the night, and was quite happy to imagine it stuck outside in the rain.
- Evil. 😆

warm

I completed a major declutter and sort of my bedroom today. Turns out its not a small and cramped room, I just had too much stuff in it 🤣

Miss Meow has thoroughly examined everything and I believe she approves.

I'm going to be honest - my stomach is used to higher fibre from childhood but after deciding it didn't like coffee over the last few years, it has never been able to handle regular coffee + high fibre. Would just come straight out sometimes minutes after having coffee. Got to the point that I couldn't handle lots more things, oatmeal in particular. Tried all the fermented foods and no dice.
The only way I've been able to recondition my gut, sadly, was go completely off coffee AND tea for the last two months, and I've only been able to do that (without being a completely useless and sad fuck) by getting onto ADHD meds. I'm now able to eat oatmeal and even fibrous fruit smoothies again after 3 years, without a firehose out the rear end. And I can have the occasional coffee without any gut issues
- My coffee issues were MOSTLY sorted after the colonoscopy last year. I mean, if I go eat a bunch of lactose free cheese for breakfast then a coffee I'd be in trouble. But yeah its clearly not happy now.
you should settle
Yes, your gut will settle down. One thing that I've found that helped was the good old Metamucil - the unflavored sort. Add to juice or smoothies or just stir some into anything sufficiently liquid. Probiotics may also help your gut grow a range of microbugs to cope with the new diet. If you can tolerate yoghurt, that helps too - choose the live strain versions not the stuff labelled as greek yoghurt that contains a lot of gelatin as a thickener. Real greek yoghurt is fine, it's just the fake stuff that might not help much. Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut helps your gut grow goodbugs too.
- Yeah grabbed a yogurt at lunch today. I think that might've not helped. Its all grumbly and feels strange, but not in a bad way.
If you find yourself getting too bloated, aniseed/fennel tea is good. I crush up fennel seeds and soak them in hot water with a bit ginger.
The bloat and such does ease up eventually. The more you can poop, the better you'll feel.
- Ah yeah, thats not a bad idea. A green tea would probs help too.
Yeah I reckon it will settle. I eat really high fibre mostly and coffee. I don't have a strong coffee and then set off on a five km walk (learned that the hard way) but it does settle after a couple of weeks. I find eating consistent meal times helps.
When life gets ahead of me and I start slacking on the fresh veg + pulses + brown grains there's always some adjustment time.
Can't tell you if no coffee is better because you can prise the coffee out of my cold dead hands.

I could see the light show but no rumbles here

Bought some fish oil tablets, and covid addled me bought 400 instead 100 (or whatever it was supposed to be). I don't even know what to do with 400 fish oil tablets...

have marvelously sleek fur and brain function
I got a giant bag of raspberry ketone powder and make my own capsules for that. Not because I believe the ketone bullshit, but if you take those after your fish oil you belch raspberries instead of fish. Much more pleasant. Handy tip for those prone to repeating.

Work caf has weird lunch offering today. Roast veg quiche...served with soba salad?

What the fudge is a soba salad?
- noodle salad. https://www.justonecookbook.com/soba-salad/

Should be working. Playing table tennis instead

It must be a good day for it, I could hear my neighbour playing this morning too.

@CEOofmyhouse56@aussie.zone Stars let me down last night sadly

Ceo - 14 Duenan - 11

Tonight we have the Scorchers vs the Sixers in Perth.

Your pick for tonight. Good luck!

Scorchers. Good luck!

Hey @Duenan@aussie.zone who's your favourite cricket commentator and who's the worst?

Oohh jeez. That’s a real tough one to be honest.
So many to choose from!
I quite like Andy Maher and Lisa Sthalekar along with Brad Hodge.
For some reason JL annoys me.
How about for you?
- Exactly the same as you but I'll add Flemo in there as a favourite too. Ricky Ponting shits me up the wall. He's too analytic. For goodness sake it's a glorified backyard cricket game not a test. Calm down.
  Sometimes I watch it through foxtel so Adam Gilchrist is good.
  I also really like the youi ad where Flemo puts a batting pad on the dog. It makes me laugh every time.

My brain hurts from too much Latin 💥

Watching a Dutch series on Stan. They translated the title to Floodlands but it really means the Dutch equivalent of "Hillbillies", the people who live on the mudflats.

The show looks quite interesting and blows apart the image of the Dutch being tolerant and urbane. ( they might be in Amsterdam and some of the other cities otherwise it's a shock there )

Breakfast 🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍈🫐🍓🍇🍉🍌🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥦🥑🫛🍆🍅🥝🥬🥒🌽🥕🥐🍠🫚🥔🧅🥯🍞🥖🥨🧀🧇🥞🧈🍳🥚🥓🥩🍗🍖🫓🍕🍟🍔🌭🥙🧆🌮🌯🥗🍲🍜🍝🥘🍛🍣🍱🥟🦪🍥🍘🍚🍙🐠🍤🪼🦀🐙 🍗🥮🍢🍡🍧🍰🧁🥧🍦🍨🎂🍮🍭🍬🍫🥜🌰🍪🍿🍯🥛☕️🍵🍺🍶🥤🧋🧃🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹🧉🔋

Same as Thornburywitch, but slightly better
- 🧊☕️🍖🧀🍅🥪
Coffee please, and a ham cheese & tomato toastie.
- ☕️🍖🧀🍅🥪

@CEOofmyhouse56@aussie.zone

Wow, what an end to a close game.

Bad luck about tonight but that was bananas near the end.

Ceo - 14 - Duenan - 12

Tomorrow we have the Thunder vs the Renegades.

I'll pick the Thunder for tomorrow.

Good Luck!

Was such a close game! Go for the Thunder only if you want to or we can call it a null and void.
- All good, happy to go with Thunder tomorrow.
  My wishes for a super oval dashed again!

it's sticky enough that i'm getting homesick