Daily Discussion Thread: Fri 03 Nov 2023

Hallelujah. I can taste my food and my drink. Let us all rejoice. Cheers everybody 🍺

I went down the street. I haven't been out of the house since Monday last week. I haven't touched my weights in 2 weeks. I am tired but I'm still alive. That's my grumble for the day. See youse at beer o'clock.

The first of my raspberries is starting to turn red. I need to get my bags done to cover them ASAP.

Mum watches the news religiously and informed me that amidst Gaza and Hamas and everything, mushroom lady's arrest also made it to BBC World News here in Singapore. ...bet you any such wild revenge story in India or Nigeria wouldn't make it but anyway.

I reckon the bbc just gloms onto ANYTHING that shows Aust as dangerous. It's their petty revenge for us clobbering them at cricket over the years.
- It's Imperialism. n/k

I'd really like one of those robo vacs but little dog would take it as a personal challenge to destroy it. Then I thought if I put a balloon on it, he might just leave it alone because he don't like balloons.

As BOM said, the weather up in Yarrawonga is bloody spectacular! 28 & blue skies. Looks like the Murray is the place to be.

Also, I think my new car was designed for the Hume Fwy. What an absolute pleasure it was to drive up here.

The man and I have made a whole $1.30 in tonight's pocket money. Not a bad effort.

Few bourbons in the motel, I've done my hair, booked the courtesy shuttle to the club for 6:30pm and I'm looking forward to my succulent Chinese meal. The Oriental Pearl goes hard. Going to enter the raffle and see if I can win me whatever it is they're giving away (hopefully not a meat platter).

Bonus pineapple shirt/cream shorts/bourbon combo pic

So, my work has bought in a new call centre manager, to help us re-structure how KPIs are reported, ensure coverage on the phones, etc etc. The business wants to grow so this guy is here to provide his experience and expertise to help.

One of the issues is missed or lost calls; a call will bounce between us until someone answers, or the customer hangs up. If they hang up, it's a missed or lost call.

This manager fellow sends an email that literally says:

"Yesterday we got through the entire day with only 1 missed call and yet today we have already hit 5. I would love a logical explanation if possible on this."

It's his job to figure that out (and the issue is obvious, if we're all on calls how do we pick up another) but his tone is so damn snarky and immature. It feels accusatory, when everyone taking calls is doing their best.

Guess I'll be looking for a different job, while I keep my head down here. He seemed nice, but this is so unprofessional in my opinion.

Idk, thoughts?

You just got this job right?
Don't quit it just because of a bad interaction. There are dumbass managers everywhere. You don't have to put up with disrespect or bullying, but if you can find a strategy to get over bad management your career will become so much less awful.
- I'm not quitting unless I have another job offer, dw. I won't be burning bridges, just gonna keep doing good work :) I appreciate the advice 💜
Yeah, behaviour like that by an IT manager resulted in a "mass" (3 out of 4 staff) walkout at one of my previous workplaces, myself included. It started as you described but only got worse from there.
Time to start looking.
- Damn. I have had experience with managers like this at previous workplaces, and I was hoping this would be different... But it's just more of the same.
  I like the work, but dislike intensely when people like this manager imply the issues are with the staff themselves, rather than the more logical conclusion of there not being enough staff to ensure no lost calls
  I already have saved some jobs on seek, so I'll write up some applications after work today lol
  .
If you give honest feedback "there is an overload of calls/calls to staff availability ratio was unbalanced due to all staff on active calls" and nothing is done, then I'd be looking for something else. Chances are he's getting pressured by others, which can flow down. Yes, it's his job, but it seems fair that he's also be seeking input from the team actually doing taking the calls. The email is worded badly, but maybe try reading it in a different voice?
- True, I know what he is getting at and why he is asking. I just don't appreciate the tone, and as he purports that he has 30+ years exp in call centres and management, I would have thought that he would be less tone-deaf
  I have a nice email I wrote, explaining the issue, and it was sent to us all (not just me). So I'll see how it goes lol
The explanation is no staff available to pick up the call.
This is his fucking issue.
Start telling them this shit, you don't care, the job's a fucking dumpster fire anyway XD XD (btw, how goes the job hunt?)
I would answer his question with the truth, personally.
- I had written an email response that was equally snarky but decided against burning this bridge yet lol
  I will provide the feedback requested as constructively as possible lol

Exam one done! One more assessment to go, then my degree is done!

Oh, and fuck the BBC for not making Classic Doctor Who available on Disney+ for no discernible reason. There aren't any deals to navigate with it; there isn't anywhere to stream it (or hell, watch it legally)! I want to support that content, just make it available.

Confession: I have not seen a single episode of Dr Who. ever.
- Well, for what it's worth, if you have any interest in it, there's new stuff coming to Disney+ at the end of the month. Just pissed none of the old stuff seems to be making its way there too
- I'm with you.
- go watch S3EP10 Don't Blink
- I boo in your general direction
Classic Doctor Who, it is bloody silly. Time for a vpn and and a dodgy uk address for iPlayer?
- why yes BBC yes i live in the buckingham palace

This bottle brush thing has really decided to move this year:

I'm trying to get birds to use the bath but none of them do since the horse was put there.

My kings parks have lost their grip on reality as well. Though the pink one's flowers dont seem to have lasted long.
that seahorse is really nice, I'd totes put that in my garden

daylightcomeandmewangohome

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble

Miss Seagoon went to see Miss Saigon. She said it reminded her of Springtime for Hitler, it was that racist, and she cringed during the whole show. She gave it 2 hobbits out of 5
- A musical that makes you feel shit. 😔

Bought a couple pairs of socks yesterday! Quite like the one on the right

The one on the left: 1980's school sports socks. The one on the right: 1980's kitchen curtains inspired pattern.
- I need more funky socks. Might venture into Vic market tomorrow possibly!

Moobeans has been hoovering up the tiny expensive tins of low nutritional value and mostly ignoring her nutritionally balanced biscuits. And while springwater tuna is cheaper it’s basically the same thing.

I saw a big can of Smitten tuna cat food claiming to have vitamins and with no chicken listed (which is rare as they normally all have it) … I just hope it’s not like the Snappy Tom naturals which didn’t list poultry but caused a reaction just the same.

Fingers crossed the single can I bought to try works out. I’m a bit concerned it’s not great quality but either it at least fills up those hollow little legs and gives some vitamins while I sort out what’s up or it causes a painful code brown and I never buy it again :(

It's variety that's key we've found. Punky goes in cycles, when he loses interest in the renal food we mix up his dishes then gradually get him back to it. No point protecting his kidneys if he starves to death
- I changed the dry food and she ate a little at the start, but now it’s the same deal.
  I’m getting her to the vet soon to check her teeth - if there’s no issues this will be the third brand the manufacturer makes inedibly rock hard
I’ve not read your full saga. If chicken is the issue, have you tried roo mince? The whole kilo packs are much more affordable than the single serve nonsense.
- I’m sure she’d love that. But mince on its own leaves her bunged up so I’d have to cook vegies and starches to blend in with it and I’ve been exhausted.
  Plus I’d still have to sort the vitamins issue

I just ate a whole packet of Oreos for lunch

ooo handy what can / cant get you a 10c deposit. Searchable database!

(turns out big M cartons are a noooope)

My pension fund starts tonight.
- I have a few bags in the garage with empties. Started collecting a few weeks ago in anticipation.
  This new scheme further justifies my drinking.
- so far we have a coke bottle and a beer can, but our housewarming will probably have a 300% ROI
I've been collecting all of my eligible containers for months. So far I have 0.
I thought Victoria didn't do the 10¢ deposit?
- we do now

Time to start curating your collections on steam peeps. Because fuck steam. Deliberately disabling access to shit you've already bought is the highest order of bullshit

(GOG offer online and standalones of anything you've bought JSYK)

More info? Whachoo talkin bout, Taleya?
- Steam aren't just "no longer supporting win7", they're actively disabling all clients on that OS end of this year. As in pushing out an update that will fuck it up. Your game you paid for can't run without the client? Tough shit. No, you don't get to run offline or standalone. You will use win10 or go and get fucked.
  Their reasoning is something something google something which is even fucking worse afaic, why the hell do google need to be involved in me playing a game that I've bought?
  GOG actually offer both their gog galaxy (like steam client) or standalones for anything you've bought, with the advisement the latter doesn't give you online community features.

Sat down to watch a movie after dinner and the whole router shat itself and no devices can access the internet. It's still down but it thinks everything is normal 😵

Hopefully in the morning it's fixed by internet goblins

I don't know how techy you are but just in case you're not at all.. turn it off at the power for 2 minutes then turn it back on, see if that helps

Gardening Australia is such a good show ey.

Got a refund from a cancelled insurance policy and the buggers sent a cheque. What am I supposed to do with that? No branch close by and they had my direct debit info.

Depending on the bank, deposit at Australia Post. It works just like EFTPOS, but you put money in instead of taking it out. You can also deposit cash. There is a list of the participating banks here: Bank at Post
NAB also let you deposit using their app just by taking a photo of the cheque, not sure if any other banks do.
- AusPost is so easy! I think you also need photo ID that matches the name on the cheque.
Deposit via ATM?
yell at them. I did that after AGL did the same thing with the power outage spanking, they cancelled it and direct credited to my bank acct. It's a bullshit tactic they deliberately try and roadblock a little to lessen your chances of claiming it back
Look at the cheque. If it has the words "account payee only" on it (which is probable), you can only deposit it into your bank account. If it doesn't have those words, you can change it for cash at post offices or most banks. Some banks offer a mail in service for cheque deposits.
I had that, and the buggers sent it in two names when my horrid ex was only ever listed as an additional on the policy, not a co-. A zillion extra headaches.

I bought some cheese and bacon rolls today and I have to say Coles have gone a bit lean on the bacon part. 😔

Also Burger Rings are no longer flavourful. 😔

So what's something that has disappointed you lately? Could be anything.

My work bestie started 3.5 weeks of leave 😭
- 😔
Cheese Supreme Doritos. Bought a bag the other day and they tasted...bland? 🙁
- 😔

Ok I’m off to the races tomoz so I need some practice.

🍻cheers darlings🍻

Yipe. The long weekend price rise has already started at the petrol station near me - 225.9. wince. Fortunately I managed to fill up cheaper down the road, as Felicia was just about on fumes.

Since Dr Who has been brought up. I have some books to possibly sell, but am mega not looking forward to the online faff about. Anyone?

already have them all :P
TARGET novels do pretty well on ebay, as do some of the older tie ins.
- Do you just? 😺 I know the general range for individuals, but still need to double check if I’ve got a special print in the mix.
My wife named her cat's Alter Ego "Time And Space Kitty" because when she loses the plot she pops in an out of reality like a timelord.
- Ha! I’ve always been fond of Heinlein’s describing a cat as having a head full of random numbers.

I've got a 4 day weekend this weekend and absolutely no idea what to do with it or what would make me happy. Sigh.

concerts?
Sleep …. Binge tv. Read a book in the sun…. New job so no Monday off for me.

Work is extra slow right now, but definitely on cards to ramp up after the long(ish) weekend.

We're also in the midst of the a restructure and it's very obvious which people have been made redundant. Completely disengaged (can't blame them) but still in critical roles.

Mask making continues. I'm at the sewing the sides together stage.

Don’t normally watch horror movies because I scare easily, but it the spirit of Halloween watched The Popes Exorcist. It was a bit yawn. Russell Crowe has sure fallen from his glory days.

For me career-wise his number was up when he threw a phone at a hotel employee in NY
- 30 Odd Foot of Grunt for me.

I think I have the start of an idea for the weekend. I haven't taken my drone out of its bag for about 11 months so maybe I'll go find somewhere pretty to fly it. This time I'm going to be smart about it and remember to fire it up at home first to make sure I have all of the latest updates it needs. Got caught out last time I flew and had to do some IT in the field to get it flying.

Edit: got it worked out. The weather is going to be meh down here until Sunday so I'm going to go and chase the sun. I was looking at the NSW coast but the weather sucks up there too. Same deal along the Victoria southern coast. It looks like the good weather is along the Murray (27/28 & sunny) so I'm about to have a shower then spend 2 nights in Yarrawonga and reassess from there. Maybe I'll come home Sunday, maybe I'll move along the border up there for another night or two.. who knows? Guess we'll find out. ADVENTURE!

I wonder when The Strokes and AM will come back to Melbs. I went to the Arctic Monkeys concert earlier this year, best time of my life. They were unreal live 😍

On repeat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-W6whvn8Bs

cooking ( curry and fenugreek naans ) eating and dishes done

now for some music and more sewing

Yum! What curry?
- chicken rogan josh

Long weekend! I have a lot of cleaning/domestic duties to take care of, as for the past month I’ve been saying that job X and job Y can wait to the long weekend. And now they’ve banked up. For tonight I will be knocking back a few and chilling. So very needed. Burger craving to be satisfied.

🍺

critical mistake. Used the airblower to clear off the dirt the dogs dug onto the pergola. The hayfever from the dust is intense!

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

Cherries eh? Black Forest cake thanks. Gotta get the kirsch!
- 🍒🍫🍰
Today's special ingredient is cherries. I wonder what marvellous creations Iron Chef Bacon will come up with?
- 🍒
  ✨🙏🏻
Coffee, and a warm salad of cos lettuce, crispy fried bacon and cherries please. Yes, the special cherries. It's time. We need to do this.
- ☕️🔥🥗🥓🍒🍒
I'll have a dark chocolate and cherry smoothie bowl please, and a large latte.
- 🍫🍒🥣
  ☕️🥛
Coffee, please, light milk, no sugar thanks. Oh, and a slice of damn fine cherry pie.
- ☕️💡🥛🍒🥧
We're on cherries then? Pancakes with cherry syrup and a latte, plz chef?
- 🥞🍒🍯🥛☕️
2 scoop Cherry Garcia thanks
- 🍒🍨🍒🍨

So that best seller La Roche-Posay sunscreen is $3.60 for a 5mL dose. That's enough for just your face for just 2 hours of sun exposure. Who the hell is buying it?

Not me
Edit: I used to buy Ego Sunsense until it got pulled for reformulation and returned with shitty changed formulas. Now I buy supermarket Nivea or Olay for my face neck and the back of my hands and cover the rest with clothing
Edit 2: If my hair is pulled back I also hit up my ears
So do I put you down for one disappointing sunscreen? 😔
- Yeah can I borrow $36 first

I, somehow have managed to lose my unused Turkish towel I bought on holidays in Freo last year. I am so annoyed and can’t for the life of me figure out where I might have left it.

No way. I'd be howling. I love my turkish towels.

#Worldle #651 2/6 (100%)🎉 🏙️🪙 📷 #WhereTaken🌎 #250 2/6 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟨➡️ 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🎉 ⭐⭐ 📷 #WhereTaken🇺🇸 #234 5/6🎉 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wheretakenusa.teuteuf.fr

Are those $100 vacuums that Kmart sells any good? My current one might be on its way out, so I'm looking into a reasonably cheap replacement.

I have one of their cordless stick vacs that was about $100. I've had it about 12 months now and it's working a whole lot less good than it was to start with. I need a new one already I'm just lazy
- talking about kmart, have you bought a fan yet

☕️🥛