Daily Discussion Thread: Fri 08 Dec 2023

I'm gonna say this once and not for pity. When I was 3 my mother had cancer. Like big cancer. There were no chemo just radiotherapy. No hugs. No questions asked. You just did as you were told to do. My earliest memories are waiting at Peter Mac. She survived because she had 4 little kids. Imagine that at 33 years of age.

Just recently a spot has been discovered on her leg. She's nearly 76. She doesn't need this shit but she'll fight it like a champ. Applying cream twice a day. Waiting waiting waiting. Jesus Christ I've joked that she could draw her own blood by now.

My Dad he had cancer too when I was 17. He survived but had since passed due to dementia.

What my parents taught me was to take life and do what pleases you. Don't waste it. Don't worry about what you don't have but what you do have. And believe me we had nothing.

So what I'm trying to say is days can go from good to shit real fast that's why I try to enjoy every day because it's conditioned in me from a very early age. Never be afraid of asking questions.

Really glad your mum made it. Definitely great advice to be aware of your body and note any unusual changes to discuss with your doctor.
- Yeah as fair skinned red head she's pretty lucky to have that looked at.
🖤
I think about this way too much, mortality and such. I’ve been just tying to say yes to everything I’ve had an inkling to do in the last few months and it’s been fulfilling.
- That's such a good thing. Trying things means knowledge. It fulfills you.
That is done good advice that we could all learn from as we live our lives.
I hope your mum will be ok.
- Thanks mate. She's a trooper. She'll smash it for sure.

It's crazy to think most of us have been in this new joint for nearly 6 months. It feels nice here. Cosy. Warm. Feels like home. I like to root in other rooms but here is comfortable.

Hug. Yeah I joined a different instance which I find good stuff on but this is home 😁
- Cheers buddy. Are from Melbourne or somewhere else?

Ever been so depressed that the only thing keeping you alive is your cat?….I imagine her sad face waiting for me to get home and never getting home….

Shit is fucked.

Yep ... All I know from that time is to hang onto that thread however small ... I also have a list on my phone of reasons to stay alive. Might be a cat, or a friend, or the fact I like seeing the jacaranda trees this time every year. Not gratitude shit, but threads to clutch when you are white knuckling through these times.
All the best - stay alive please
I have not experienced this, no. But for all that, I do hope you continue to find reasons to stay with us.
Yes, I'm actually going through this right now. I'm really sorry you are too.
Edit: Please accept a paltry offering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE4lpSFNFUE

Welcome to Numbat Facts Hanukkah edition.

It is not possible for a numbat to be an observant Jew as eating insects is forbidden by the Torah. How inconvenient.

Chag sameach.

Here's a numbat fact: They can't actually count. It's a common myth but studies over the years found that they can't due to not having any concept of numerals. So there you go.

Chucked a sickie to do gardening before the rains, and to get stoned.

Both task accomplished.

I chucked a sickie because I had a headache, am feeling a bit congested and just really did not want to get out of bed this morning. I think it's just a random headache combined with hayfever and I'm feeling a bit better now. I did a RAT just in case. Like all its predecessors it says I'm fine.
- That's not a sickie. That's actually sick.
- I had a mad headache earlier this week. Took some meds, had a nap and it went away. Hope that's how it goes for you too.
  My hayfever has been acting up thought. I'm so many antihistamines, it's borderline illegal.

Bamberg was very pretty, and I tried Glühwein for the first time (jet lag and then wasn’t feeling well, so chose to wait). Man, that stuff packs a punch. I had one small cup and I am veeeeeeerrrrrry tipsy! We’re staying in Nuremberg for a few nights now, and there’s a train strike for a couple of days so we’ll have to just stick within Nuremberg itself.

So pretty, that's a nice change of scenary.

Help! I'm pinned

breakfast in bed
🥓🍳🧀🌯☕️
🐈‍⬛
🛏️
Oh dear, that is a problem.
Another step for the domination of your life.

Just a friendly reminder it is FUCKOFF FRIDAY

I'll go first..

I had a 10lt bucket outside that was blown away by the wind. Quite literally fucked off I can't find it :(

Websites that make you commit your details to get a quote, FUCKOFF. I'm trying to buy an 1800mm broom pole, I don't want to open an account. I just want to attend your store and buy something for cash (or card) and that's it. e: So now I've glued my old pole back together and I'll see how that goes for now >: |
I live on a corner so I only have two neighbours and I swear they're both trying to out do each other for the LAZY CUNT AWARD. Both have beyond knee high grass. No wonder their cats prefer to be in our yard. They'll get lost in their own.
- That's the situation where I often don't pick up my dogs poo. If they don't care about their nature strip, I'm not digging through their overgrowth for my dog poo. It's little terrier poo so it used to be that I didn't always find it.
my motivation has fucked right off and i'd better get it back soon or i'll spend a good number of Christmas days doing what I should be doing now (and the past few weeks)
- Take this..
  👁️🐅
Still dealing with the sleep reset. Brain is barely active, tired, mopey. I just want to sleep but I have to stay up till 9pm so I can get up at 6am again tomorrow.
Urrrreeegh. Brain no like.
I fucked off work today due to not feeling well, does that count? It means I also missed putting the bin out for collection (I leave early, so normally move it to the road when I go to work) and I'll also be missing a work Christmas party tonight.
It's everything at the moment really.
Things have been shit for a while but the neighbours have really kicked their antisocial behaviours up a notch, so has my pain/health, and I won't be able to trust another place to watch my cat for a while. And I'm feeling too tired and discouraged to put in the work on art to improve. It's so bad my hobbies are stressing me out. Usually I try not to complain and stay chill but everything right now can just fuck off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqbk9cDX0l0

Just heard the neighbour's doggo 'Pip' died. little one was an arsehole but she had a heart of gold. RIP Pip. It was a pleasure to give you big pats over the years.

R.I.P. Pip.
- Only photo I have of Pips :( She wasn't unkind she was an enigma. RIP little one.
hugs

Hell of a job getting home. Left work at 3 pm (slam the saucepan cupboard shut!), but the tram immediately before mine was stuck on Bridge road with completely fried electrics. Walked to Jolimont station (had to post the mail by 4 pm), and got to Thornbury a good 45 mins later than normal. Branches down everywhere so trains in go slow mode. Saw one unfortunate kid almost do a Mary Poppins into the train at Croxton. No rain yet - it's due round about midnight. Cannot even be bothered going for pizza tonight - will be cbf dinner of microwave rice & tin of sardies. Might crack the emergency stash of frozen dumplings, but I dunno yet.
My feet hurt.

Work party was a shit show. Worst I've been to. Beer was limited to pots of Carlton draught only. Place was extremely packed - would definitely be breaching some kinda laws. Combined with the weather... Disaster. Going home early

I'm sorry to hear that Force.
The state of Xmas parties I’ve been hearing about have been pretty appalling. Even big companies totally cheaping out. It’s like no one has ever organised a party before and picked the worst/cheapest packages.

The rains are here. Nice and steady so far.

Very light but I think it’s gone. Didn’t last long :(
- It's still coming down here on and off. Windscreen whiper 2 activated.
Nothing where I am yet, it seems to be going south of me. Maybe soon.
Edit: soon turned out to be very soon
at last, the rain has started here
- rain finished, twenty drops is all
My radar says it's gonna get moister than an oyster at 1am. I should try to catch up on sleep but I wanna see it :(

I think Ted Cat is happy. 😭 He jumped on my bed when I was sleeping in and "attacked" my foot. I laughed and he did again. Then he rested his little furry face on my leg and fell asleep.

Adorable! My whole experiment with the birdseed has created the equivalent of a kid that stares at a tv all day lol

I'm sorta kinda glad I didn't do a load of washing early this morning, hoping it would dry before the weather hit. Going to be a nasty day and the silly season's ramping up. Keep safe on the roads everyone.

That wind right now is a bit nuts. I'm watching a gum tree in the park beside my house sway quite extensively side to side. It's freaking dramatic out there.

Good luck to all SES and other response crews for the rest of the day.

And good luck all hayfever sufferers.

I am feeling a lot better now than I was this morning, and have had a lovely afternoon/evening reading. It's a long time since I read a whole book in one sitting.

Being paralysed by your cat can do that to you.
Glad to hear you’re feeling better now.

I've been given a microphone. For real karaoke tonight.

My neighbour across the street has had their fence blow right over. Hold on out there.

Luckily I'm now home with pizza and beer. It's been a bit of a week but things are looking ok right at thi moment.

It might not hurt to charge a few devices if you can, I reckon power lines'll be hit at this rate.

Good news is if you had washing on the line it'll be dry now. Bad news is you'll have to unwrap it from the line or chase it.

If I didn't know better, Id' say you were just spying on us wresting with the towels ont he line
- Just intuition

Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan

Yeah I saw it dumping down to the northeast from the train, don't know how it skipped us

Regretting that crash nap

mine lasted 6 hours, just had dinner now going back to bed

TIL logarithmic is the opposite of exponential. I am unreasonably excited by this discovery.

TIL too

They've been fixing up the pavements around my area and the people doing the concreting are doing a pretty shit job. It's not level and I think they're just finishing it with a broom and not a proper float/edge. It's rough as, and they've spilled a bunch of concrete around the area.

Come back after they've left and write your criticisms in the almost set concrete. When the council officer inspects it, they'll be required to redo it.
- I came back with some gladwrap to press my dogs paw print into it but it had already set :(
Dicks work quite well on potholes

3rd last office day before holidays!!! The holiday fever is real, next week better zoom by.

Lucky duck! I still have two weeks to go, and a lot to achieve in that time. No slowing down, here.

Wind is brutal out there. Just saw the neighbours wheelie bin blown down its driveway and slam into a fence. Melbourne weather today: Tatooine.

Maybe it's a good thing I didn't put the bin out last night.

Wow. Seriously fucking disappointed with scorptec right now.

Bought a $1200 UPS in March, it occasionally made an odd noise - this was flagged with scorptec, they never actioned, I did some digging, ok, it's the inverter, they ain't quiet beasts. Decided to keep an eye on it.

Today: Noise starts up. Panel reads UNDER VOLTAGE ok, so brownout, no shit, look at the wind.

Then I notice that nothing is powered. UPS is sitting there going "hey dude, I'm all green! lookit me!" and nothing is fucking powered. Well that ain't right. I check the cables, all tight, so the unit is farked. Greaaat

Then the safety switch trips. Suffice to say test test test and it's definitely the UPS tripping it. So I call scorptec and they try to fob me off to manufacturer as "it would be faster"

"Dude I can take it down to a store right now for exchange"

The little shit then proceeds to repeatedly insist that they would have to test and asses and oh it's 2-4 weeks no no new unit on a goddamn UPS that 1) is not UPSing and 2) IS ACTIVELY TRIPPING A GODDAMN RCD. I point out consumer law and oh yeah here's a ticket you never actioned (you know, the sort of things that should have any goddamn returns department going O SHIT and throwing speed to cover their arses) and they not only double down, they put it in fucking writing. Jesus christ.

FUCKOFF FRIDAY delivers!
- Doublefuckoff because the NTD wouldn't sync. So I'm sitting there going oh shit because it keeps cycling through trying to sync, then restarting, then cycling, then restarting and I'm like jesus, did this thing just get blown and then it stabilises power-wise but won't sync, so I'm chasing and checking cables under the house and through to the nbn box but it's a performative action, I'm just hoping in vain, quietly dreading the inevitable phone call to get an NBNco replacement unit and god knows when THAT happens and I'm just about to hit dial to file the ticket and BING! SMS
  there's an unscheduled outage in your area!
hahahaha Cyberpower just asked me to plug it into a known good socket. drags hand down face

Odd Thought #878934

I wonder if I can fit my bicycle in the bathtub to clean it…

Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit.

I had resolved not to leave the home given it’s attack of the dust, pollen and whatever the hell is floating through the air currently. Also me… but there are all these things you need at insert whichever shops.

I’m a real mixed bag of feelings at the moment. It’s rough seeing how many people are just hanging on or at the end their tether with things (and hanging for the holidays). I can’t tell whether it’s usual behaviour or it’s just exacerbated by tensions, personalities and other bureaucratic issues. I always know I’m in trouble when I’ve turned in a whiny ****bag at the state of affairs or I’m starting/getting caught up in conversations I’d usually avoid. One my colleagues must be laughing in their pants. They’ve been waiting for me to become jaded from day one. I think the answer is somewhere about 2-2.5 years. Although to be fair a lot has changed in that time that has contributed overall.

Oh well, live and learn. Resolve to make changes where they’re required, although finding that energy is another story.

You do not want to immerse your bike in water. That wouldn't be good for the bike, and it'd be gross for your bathroom. If you want to do a good job of it, you actually want some special supplies:
Degreaser
Some kind of cleaning liquid
Lube
Bucket and warm water with a rag.
I use "proper" bike products, but you probably don't need to. I'm sure you can use car degreaser on your chain/group set. Some kind of strong cleaning liquid that is safe on paint and good old machine oil. If you want recommendations, get this and this for $50ish total. It'll last ages, though.
- Thank Nath, it was purely for mess purposes because my frame was dirty. I promise you, I’m not that dumb. I have all that stuff, but I appreciate the suggestions.

Cheers everybody 🍺 Take it easy out there.

I went back to sleep after feeding furball. Feel like I've been beaten by a sack of hammers.

Well reading all these comments about air quality now I'm glad of shutting everything (doors usually kept cracked with screen doors locked). Maybe it wasn't the perfume smudged on kitty's fur after all, maybe she was just the canary for this. Preventative Ventolin ahoy

Well that g&t basically went down in one gulp.

Edit - also, finally found a butter chicken recipe that the kiddos like

What gin?
- Actually it's a premix because it was like half price. 2rd.st3...? Don't dead look inside vibes...
  But if I was to buy a bottle, I'm a bit of an aviator myself.

Goddamn it. Miniest just THREW her laptop in panic because a tiny spider ran across it. It's been hanging in there, the case is cracked and I've been taping it up for a few months now as I can't afford to get it fixed. Now the screen is completely smashed and unusable 🤦🏻‍♀️ Great another expense I did not need, especially at this time. Ugh.

www.computerbank.org.au may be able to help with a second hand replacement.
- This looks pretty good, going to give them a look for if they have device I can install windows 11 on (compulsory for school).
  Edit: I just found my old Acer, which I can try to install windows 11 on and tape the case up where it's just starting to come apart. If that works she can use that for the last couple of weeks of school. She doesn't like it but it might save Christmas!
I have a spare old surfacebook 2 if it helps
- That is a beautiful and generous offer and I thank you deeply for it, but it's probably a bit fancier than her needs require for school (something with a memory that runs windows 11 lol). I've got an old Acer that I can let her use for the last couple of weeks of school if I can manage to install windows 11 on it, it's been a while since I used it. She doesn't like it though as the screen is a bit smaller than she's used to. Tough luck for her though, she'll just have to get used to it for the time being.
Nooooooo bummer! Some people panic so easily. Can she use something else until you can afford a new one? Could be a good way to show her the consequences of actions like that without it affecting her too badly?
- I've got an old Acer hanging around that I can fiddle with and install windows 11 on, which she needs for school, but the screen's a lot smaller than she's used to. Why they insist on children so young (9) having that kind of tech at that age I don't know. They're impulsive and still learning to take care of things.

The BOM app is telling me that the "overnight" minimum is forecast to be 16C, which sounds reasonable enough until you look closer and see it's not due to drop that low until around 10am. I reckon the cooling might stay on.

And then have a nice cold beer.

Come on cool change!!!

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

I could go a stack of latkes. Hand me potatoes and a frying pan, I’ll do it myself.
- 🥔🥔🥘
- Just as good as hash browns!
Bathtub sized latte and some pancakes with bacon and maple syrup plz chef. Gotta go Talk to Cennalink.
- 🛁🥛☕️🥞🥓🍯
Something fortifying please
- ☕️☕️☕️
  ☕️🏰☕️
  ☕️☕️☕️
Doughnuts and assorted other fried things please.
- Apologies. We are out of doughnuts. 🥨🥯🍗🍟🥟🍘🍪🌰

Where-o where-o where is rain, where could rain be...

The lord took it away from me.
Was waiting all day but most I got was a couple of drops and a really furious wind.
- Radar reckons I'll get a bit at 9pm, but I'm calling bullshit right now.
It's expected to hit Melton at 10pm. I'll keep you updated.
- I wait with bated breath!

So, the idea of moving us to the Aldi Family Plan has been put on hold. After the helpful link from @bull and a lot more comparison, I settled on getting 2x Boost starter packs for my wife and I, and an Aldi SIM for the kid. We'll go to annual boost plans (probably the $230 one) and the kid will go on the basic $19 Aldi plan. That still comes out to a lot (like, 40%) less than the Aldi family plan. It was an attractive idea to have us on a single account sharing data and getting one bill for the month, but this is loads cheaper.

Maybe we'll look into it again in three years when the other kid gets to high school/his own phone.

baked whiting ( from frozen ) with baked sweet potatoes and steamed vegies. Super easy dinner. 👍

I love whiting and orange roughly and blue grenadier and snapper. Alright I love them all. Enjoy.

Windy. My kinetic sculpture has become a frenetic sculpture.

And my roof is peeling off in the wind!

Thank you to awesome roof plumber. The whole thing is technically “fucked” but the immediate bit won’t fall off today. Packing intensity increases.
A literal, call the SES right now peeling off, or a figurative rattling and feels like it might peeling off?
- Literal.

it's not cool

edit: it's quite cool

MARGE

I read this, and it started.

Yuck :/

Thank god I have plenty of ice in the freezer.

did BOM say thunderstorm or is it solar storm?

First came the sun.
The comes the wind.
Then the sun again.
More wind afoot.
Then the THUNDER...or not

There's a local Christmas market on this afternoon/evening (yes they've moved it indoors) I was really looking forward to walking down and having a shop and supporting the local businesses but it's feral out there.

Not sure what to do

Anyone know if Bupa pays the entire amount of a radiology scan (ultrasound, right hand) if you're on a OVHC cover? Allianz used to pay the entire amount but a bit nervous as it was $350 and I don't want to be out of pocket!

Best to call them to ask - depends on whether they cover 100% or 75% of the MBS item fee, and whatever that item fee is....
- They cover 100% of MBS but won't tell me what the item fee is... anxiety is killing me!

Oh… This weather forecast just keeps getting better and better…

Creaky apartment building but I can't even imagine what'd be like in one of those new shit massive ones in the CBD. WACKY SHACK!!

Hmm I've done all my work already for the day but I'm stuck at the secondary site until about 3:30.

Not much privacy here either so limited in what I can do.

Probably keep your pants on then
do SFW cringey things until they look away

Go Renegades. ♥

Hope tonight’s match is better than last night’s. Bit of a downer yesterday.
- I reckon. Stars got done like a dinner. Who you go for buddy?

Looks like the wind change has reached Geelong. Can't wait.

bugger, a really good movie YT account I used to watch a lot has been terminated, they would show commentaries of rare and interesting movies .

Christmas movie with the kids. Light the lamp not the rat, light the lamp not the rat!

instructions unclear, cat turned into stamp

🛁🥛☕️🥞🥓🍯