Call me slow. I didn’t realise until reading the paper on Monday that SIEV is an acronym. (As in SIEV-X.) It’s authorities jargon, and stands for “Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel” — the one involved in last week’s fatal fire being SIEV 36.
This is how it was told to me. Can’t say I’ve seen anything like this myself. The tram was departing Footscray from the terminus, close to the market. A passenger got on board, with two live chickens from the market. “Mate”, said the tram driver, “you can’t bring live animals on the tram!” “Oh. Okay”, ... [More]
Overheard: Young buck on train, reading travel catalogue to his mates, spotted a “bargain”, but maybe doesn’t pay attention to the news much. “I really want to go to Fiji.” Spotted: Distinguished gentleman sitting at al fresco cafe table. Remarkably large foreheard, like one of those Tintin professors from The Shooting Star who needs the ... [More]
It’s not enough that we have to deal with them in the city; now charity muggers have started showing up in my local shopping centre on Centre Road. I encountered them yesterday on my day off — two of them were promoting the Fred Hollows Foundation. Now, I think that the FHF is as worthy ... [More]
There’s a cold going round the family. I hope I’m on the tail end of it now, but it’s rotten. I feel fine 85% of the time, but every hour or so there’s a period of almost uncontrollable coughing, caused by an itchy throat that can’t be soothed by man nor beast nor Strepsil. (Not ... [More]
Is the culture around public transport changing? Back in 2003 or so, General Motors Canada issued this advert: Creeps and Weirdos. (Pic via Richard Layman) Later they apologised for it. Something closer to the mark (at least for Melbourne’s buses) would have been “Pensioners and school kids”. But that hardly bites in quite the right ... [More]
I have this wild theory that scratching itches is effectively masking the itch with pain. But because scratching can lead to damaging the skin, particularly if there is a scab in the vicinity, it might be better to slap it instead. That would overcome the itch without damaging the skin. Just an idea. Not one ... [More]
Vague news Dear national news programme: Don’t just say something happened “in eastern Melbourne”. Use a couple more words and tell me what suburb. Do the same for other cities too. Dream I had a dream that I’d gone back to my old primary school, and was being shown around by a lady who said ... [More]
Don’t beep at me. I can see the green light. But I can also see the traffic banked up on the other side of the intersection. I know it’s really hard because the switch is so awkwardly placed, such a long way from your hands on the steering wheel, but fer chrissake use your indicators! ... [More]
I tried Myki for myself on Saturday in Geelong. Bought one for the promotional price of $5 in the special Myki Shop in Ryrie Street and hopped on a bus to the station. Some brief notes on it: I’ve since gone onto the web site and registered my Myki and looked at my transactions. The ... [More]
And now for a vital question. Hanging down away from the wall? (over) Or facing the wall? (under) Or do you just not care? Which way do you put your toilet rolls on the dispenser? Leave a comment. Me? Always hanging away from the wall, as God intended. And if I find it (at my ... [More]
…he may have been detained by the local sweet shop, who appear to have chained him to a telephone pole.
Just when I thought my finances were more-or-less under control, March brought a couple of major unexpected things breaking down. Electric car windows are nice to have. But one stopped working a couple of weeks ago. This involved using sticky tape just to keep it from descending by itself and staying open to the weather. ... [More]
Just thought I’d highlight this, over on the PTUA web site: The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for the Australian flags on the Westgate bridge to be moved to Footscray station, in recognition that the station carries more people through it than the bridge at peak hour. Read the rest See also: story ... [More]
There are times when I’m feeling stressed, usually about multiple little things at once, that I just want to scream with rage. Open the release valve and let out the stress. Daltrey WGFA to the power of 10. You can’t really do that of course, not in a built-up area. It’d have the neighbours (who ... [More]
Having had a week when a car window motor broke down (cha-ching, $520 thanks) and my fridge went on the fritz (TBA), it was good to let it all go with a concert on Sunday night. (See earlier blog post) It’s probably easier to just dump the Twitter posts, with a few extra notes here ... [More]