Daily Discussion Thread: 🎂 Thurs 4 Apr 2024

Quitting smoking is the hardest fucking thing I've ever done. Nicotine is fucking evil, and I'm tired of being beholden to it's whims.

This is it, I'm done. This shit sucks in every aspect.

Good luck, you got this. I managed to quit by drinking bitter green tea. Instead of having a smoke, I'd make a cuppa and let it steep for too long. After a while I associated the cravings with bitter tea and they somehow went away.
- that's very clever
Very good luck to you! It’s totally worth it.
I support your quitting endeavour. You can do it!
It's tough to do! One craving at a time. The space between gets bigger, and eventually it's not your all consuming thought. 11 years quit this week for me, and I still very very occasionally want one, but I'm not having one!
It took me a hundred goes but I got there.
Do you/did you use any cessation aides or methods in particular? I'm close to trying to quit - the rolling tobacco I used to get for about five quid back in the UK (around $10 aud) is now over $90 here for a smaller pouch. Vaping isn't for me I don't think. Anyway, good luck with it.
you can do this 💪
You can do it! It took me a few goes, and the thing that finally worked was cutting down the strength until they tasted too disgusting to smoke.
I quit smoking pretty successfully... But I've been addicted to the nicotine lozenges for like 2 years now 🫠

Thank you for the encouragement and motivation to quit, I appreciate the support immensely and sincerely 😭💜💜

For those who asked: I use patches and an inhalator. Today, I signed up for QuitMail and cried to Quitline and made a proper plan to follow.

Again, seriously, thank you. I'm so grateful to be a part of this community, full of all of you beautiful humans 💜💜💜

I found the patches helpful. And the Quit app. If I can do it, you can too!
We're all here rooting for you. 😐
You can do it!!!
You can do it!
You can do it!
If you're ever finding it near impossible: you can buy a cheap vape and very gradually dilute the nicotine solution down until you're weaned off. I'm aware the media is very anti-vape now but the dangers are from particular things (especially in black market vapes). With care taken I got off the cigs and then quit the juice.
Doctors may still prescribe nicotine for the purpose of quitting.

I went to IKEA for the first time today. My good it's a bloody hoot! I love it. I got the Swedish meatballs with jam and a blahaj (I've wanted one for yearrrrssss)

Baku ♥️ IKEA

It's a great time, and you get some decent, cheap food to boot.

Flat has entered the 21st century 😎

So pretty

As I was saying…

What a beautiful manager you have. 💖🐈‍⬛
- He is gorgeous, but currently inconvenient

I've had 5 hours sleep. Brain is not working properly. Time to head to the bedroom and negotiate a small space for myself on the bed

That bed looks very occupied to me... access denied.
- Last night was ridiculous. I barely had enough room to lay on my side, yet she gets 3/4s of the bed. She's 1/20th my size!!!

Vic gov inquiry into Women's pain now open: https://go.vic.gov.au/3Tzwi5F

Danke! Completed 💜 thanks for linking this!

oh look my first ever job application rejection

Oh mate sorry. And welcome to the infinite club.
- Thanks! That one was something I’m wildly overqualified for. Going to apply for one actually relevant tomorrow. I’m pretty much applying for anything that looks reasonable :P

Small quarter pounder meal, add on lettuce tomato bacon and mayo, with a medium coke please

A McWhopper from when I used to work at maccas.
- 🍔
- Would that have worked? Asking a cashier for a "McWhopper"? I know they don't exist any longer.

All smoky from planned burns over in the next valley.

I wish I'd stop switching between hobbies/projects as fast as I do, I feel like I end up wasting so much money. I start working on a project, order some of the stuff I need, spend hours researching it, and then by the next month I'm already in another hobby hole and start ordering things for that. It's an absolute curse. I've got so much crap I got specifically for a project just lying around

It's not even because I properly lose interest in them, it's because I find something else I want to do and being more recent it sits further up in my mind. The net result is rather than having 5 completed projects I've got 25 only barely started ones

It's normal to have many projects on the go at the same and at all different levels of completion. NORMAL.
Work on the ones you feel inspired to work on that day.
Fuck where does this expectation and guilt about art come from? School probably.
But every artist I know has lotsa stuff on the go all the time.
My problem with this is having things come up and not getting back to them for a while, which then just never happens. I don't get to work on things enough to make a habit and get momentum

The "never have I ever" comments got me thinking.. for the people who have never tried cannabis: would you consider trying it if it were legal for recreational use, and you could just go to a shop and buy it in any form.. smoke, vape, edibles?

No. Living with someone who has used daily since they were in their teens, hell no. It's not as harmless as people think, especially long term use.
I’m not a never, but a not in over 20 years. Don’t care for the smell and can’t be bothered with the shenanigans of illegality. Would 100% try some sort of pain/sleep gummy.
- Ditto & also wouldn’t mind gummies for same reasons
No. Not only is cannabis not good for migraineurs it's also bad for people who have had cptsd with disassociation. Psychiatrists have told me.
Weed was absolutely a gateway drug for me. People who say otherwise have a very narrow and pampered view of that world.
I'd try it to see how it works with my crazy brain as long I don't need to jump through hoops and I also don't have to smoke or inhale it. Can't be that much worse than alcohol (which I don't have much of either because it doesn't do much for me, but might have a glass or two socially). I mean if it could help my mental health or I could use it to safely relax after stressful days I'd certainly want to try it
I don't think I'd get anything done. Having it readily available to everyone would probably have our streets a bit more quieter but on the other hand teenagers would be doing more dumb dumb things in stolen automobiles.
- it's bad for teenagers, proof of link with schizophrenia
Nope. Maybe possibly in 30 years when I'm retired?

Starting Cyberpunk 2077.

That game is perfectly suited to pressing my "happy chemical" buttons.
I had to delete it in the end. I was dreaming about it lol
- It’s certainly pretty cool so far.
You are in for a treat! I love that game so much!!

What's something that's popular but you've never done?

I've never been in an uber.

I've never eaten quinoa or at least I don't think I have. I've certainly never cooked it.

Been to an AFL game.
- Fans buy memberships and go to every game even interstate ones. They're the people I keep away from only because they're still talking about the game on Wednesday.
  Going to the MCG to watch a footy game is one of the most unique sounds to Melbourne. The roar of the crowd is indescribable.
- Ditto! Nor any of the other codes unless you count school games. Proud of my Anti Football League pin.
- Isn't that a rite of passage for Melburnians? I think I went to one my 3rd week in Australia 😁
I've never had a manicure or pedicure
Never been overseas.
- Same same same. Nail salons smell.
Never worn Ugg boots
- Same!
Quinoa is delicious (and will clean you out!) alas Boyo dislikes it.
- I definitely need to cook it myself.
Had a partner 💀
Wow - from going through these replies, I've done just about everything. The only popular ones so far that I haven't done is any drugs, skydive (would love to, though) and gotten a tattoo. I think @bull has got a warped perspective of what's popular (No, I haven't killed anyone).
Ooh! I have one! I haven't been to Europe! I want to go some day, though.
- I reckon you could combined all these into one interesting holiday.
Ordered uber eats or similar. I'd rather go pick it up than pay for someone to drive it over.
- This is something that should work but doesn't. I'd punch somebody if I had to wait 40 minutes for a meal.
- I've done this - because my employer was paying. It was interesting, the food costs more than if you were buying it directly, and then you pay the driver on top of that. Our regular pickup order was something like $30 more expensive with Uber, and you had to wait a lot longer to get it. I honestly don't understand why people use Uber Eats. It's cheaper and faster to just go get the food yourself.
I just read through everyone's list and the only one which I haven't done is get a tattoo.
To add my own.. and I'm not sure if this falls under "popular" but I've never broken a bone. Never gotten anybody pregnant/had any kids. Never sky dived/bungee jumped. Never drank more than a sip of red wine. Never tried meth or heroin. Never killed anybody. Never been to Japan. Oh actually there's one.. I've never punched anybody in the face.
- I don’t think killing somebody is popular, no matter how much the phase is overused
- Punching someone in the face hurts ones hand.
Never been in an Uber. Never got menulog/ uber eats. Haven't seen Game of Thrones.
- Same same same.
- I’ve been in one somebody else hired. Never used any of the food delivery things. Watched some of GoT and quit when it went too far off book.
I've never been swimming before.
- You've never been in a pool or an ocean or just never learnt to swim?
  Nothing wrong with that. They have adult swim lessons if you're interested. They are more common than you think.
- This is a project for summer 2024/5. You owe this to yourself. Being able to go for a dip in the ocean and/or river (clean) is just lovely when you can do so safely. Swim lessons available at most council run baths/pools at very low cost. There's no need to be all super competitive (unless you want to), but basic water safety is something EVERYONE should know. Swimming is great for fitness too and doesn't crap out one's joints or back or feet.
  I really miss the days of the Herald/Sun Learn to Swim campaign - it was a huge factor in public safety round water. As the recent spate of drownings over the last 2 years has shown. I still have my framed certificate from that program.
- This one is amazing! Does this mean you didn't grow up in Australia? Because I can't fathom getting through childhood here without swimming. Even in Melbourne.
Tried bubble tea
Subscribed to Netflicks
Had a manicure
- I've tried bubble tea from a can. It tasted like creaming soda with lumps. Not really my thing.
I have never : had food and/or shopping delivered. Been in an Uber or similar. Watched Game of Thrones. Watched LOTR. Subscribed to a streaming service. Subscribed to or used Facebook/Tiktok/Twitter or whatever it's calling itself now. Driven a non-manual motor vehicle. Had a manicure/pedicure. Dyed my hair. Gotten a tattoo. Used a face mask. Read manga. Used a scooter. Used a skateboard. Worn a hat backwards.
And it's been 40+ years since I last owned a television or wore makeup.
I think I've failed the pop culture exam.
- I've dyed my hair and I've used a face mask. I've driven my husband's auto once to the shops and it felt odd because I didn't know what to do with my left hand. Everything else on your list I agree with.
@CEOofmyhouse56 @Seagoon
I've never owned a TV
I've never owned a cat
I've never bungee jumped
- Wow. You've never owned a tv. That's pretty impressive.

Have a great day everyone ❤️

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

Please refer to above post. I'm half asleep
- ^🍔^🥬^🍅^🥓^⚪️
  🥤🍟
Taiwanese thick shake hmm.
- 🧋
On this chilly morning, could I have some porridge with cherry jam and cream please. And coffee.
- 🥣🍒🥛☕️

While I was eating my wicked wings this popped into my head

Australia, your chicken is ready!

Work pet peeve - placeholder managers.

We have a director away for a few months and someone else is covering for them. The acting director is very particular in doing things, which is quite different to our normal way of working.

Adds 2-3 days of additional work to, an already convoluted, approval process for the benefit of absolutely no one.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Ugh, woke up at 7:30am with a headache, so what did I do, stay in bed until 2pm (!!!) on my phone ending with Veritasium videos on youtube which clearly was not going to help. I'm out of bed now but feel like total rubbish, unsurprisingly! The day would be mostly a writeoff except I have to meet a friend at 6pm nearby for a walk. Which will probably be good. But first, something to eat... why do I do this to myself...

Did someone spike the chocolate with stupid pills?

I have had so many people this week who are either unable to comprehend basic information, dispute stated facts with irrefutable evidence or just don’t fucking read.

These are people who I dealt with last week who were cogent, alert and knew exactly what was happening and how things worked.

I can understand it happening on Tuesday when everyone came back to work and were still in holiday mode, but it is now three days later.

It took me a few goes to dial the right number the other day.
- Yeah. I’m like that quite often too. Phone keypads and numeric keypads are upside down.
  Often I just copy/paste or type the number into my VoIP phone app on my computer, especially after the third failed attempt.
  But what we have dealt with this week is just a whole new level of stupid. I have had a few AITA moments wondering if I am having too-high expectations of customers, but when my colleagues concur that the customer is a dead-set cock-head, I feel vindicated.

The Mrs car smells like farts with the heater on. Still unclear how she’s screwed me outta both my pride and joy Impreza AND its replacement new suv inside 12 months, but here we are.

If Mama not happy, ain't nobody happy. This is the wisdom of the ancients. You have an instinctive understanding of this eternal truth.

mild coffee at 8 pm? yes, please, I need to shake this coffee headache

Couldn't sleep last night. I have insomnia but take a sleeping pill, yet that wasn't enough. Urghhh.

I feel better after the walk and having a late lunch of pasta with zucchini, basil pesto and tinned salmon, but I still feel a bit like a ton of bricks has landed on me...

I need to start looking at cars this weekend and have nothing lined up yet. Ugh I better wake up feeling better tomorrow. Going to force myself out of bed before 9

A year since moving house and we're still unpacking things from the non-essentials. I just found a 'cat self-groomer', brand new still in its box...must have been a gift from someone. It has a compartment to put catnip in! Waiting for lazy cat to wake up and give it a try :)

Winter has really hit, hasn't it? It's like Autumn slept through March and has stuffed all its weather into April to make up for it

Hasn't hit Perth, yet. We're still getting temps in the low-30's all week. Not that I mind - it's actually pretty nice.

I've never used recreational drugs I've never had a tattoo I've never voted Liberal I've never been to Africa, South America or done more than a stop over in Asia.

There's some rumours going around that a Brewery might buy the Bendigo Hotel.

But which one, given that quite a few are going broke. Where are the tanks gonna go as well? Sacrifice the merch desk area, or beer garden.

That would be interesting. As long as it stays a metal venue I won't mind
Any clues which Brewery? So long as its not Moon Dog I'm happy.
- Someone from Geelong? Nearby Collingwood brewery that needs a bigger space?

Went for the most amazing drive down Glenburnie Road last night. A hill climb, a massive dip, a sudden roundabout which lead to a twisting descent.

And the fog, it caught people's high beams as they would come up crests in front of you. Such a great drive

I am looking for a new laptop - posted in Aus Technology but I don't know how populated that is, so if anyone has any suggestions want to pop over there and help me out? https://aussie.zone/post/8581847

Finally got around to some of the cleaning that I've been putting off a while. Not the best day for it, but at least the house is now tidy. Ish.