OK, I admit it, I’m getting a little stressed about Christmas. After a good start, the shopping has all fallen in a heap over the last few weeks. I’ve still got numerous things to buy, both known and unknown. The way it’s looking, this Christmas it won’t quite be gift vouchers at twenty paces, but ... [More]
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Merry Christmas!
To the readers of my blog, a Merry Christmas to you all! (Moved off the front page so people don’t get the singing when they don’t want it!)
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Christmas came early
On Monday… Deposited my tax return, which was twice as much as I expected. Work gave me a big basket of Christmas goodies. (Nice change from the Gold Class cinema tickets I never get around to using until the last month before expiry). A new food court is opening in my building. They came through ... [More]
In Christmassy terms, I had a very successful couple of days — on Friday I managed to get my Christmas cards (and annual letter) to UK relatives into the mail. I’ve gradually reduced the number of cards I send every year as more people get email. I’ll do some kind of email card in the ... [More]
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I just drove a Prius
As you may have spotted, I’m not much of a fan of cars. Oh sure, modern western society relies on them, but far too much. But even in my version of suburban utopia, they’d be there by neccessity for some people and some trips. So given they’ll always be around, it makes sense for them ... [More]
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Read these
Two great blog posts I’ve read recently: If you’ve ever worked in a service industry, and been on the receiving end of someone’s arseholedness, have a read of this — Nice consumer takes-on Nasty. I don’t recall ever encountering people of the moronic calibre when I was working in a shop. Either I was lucky, ... [More]
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RIP Sarcasmo
Star “Sarcasmo” Foster has passed away, aged 33. (via Ren) I have to admit I didn’t regularly read her blog, but it’s always sad to hear a peer (of sorts; however distant) is no more, especially at such a young age. PS. Andy’s pulled together a list of posts on this sad event. Tue 31 ... [More]
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Don’t do it
I’m not going to name names, but it seems this needs spelling out. Ladies, DO NOT pull a gentleman’s tie. It’s not funny. It’s just annoying. A tie is a highly-tuned precision garment. Sometimes it’s a great deal of effort to get it looking just right. Sometimes it’s even a great deal of effort to ... [More]
It’s bin night. Someone finally noticed “their” recycle bin didn’t have their street number on it, and have returned it to my driveway. It’s got some of their recycling in it, but otherwise it’s pristine. And thus my inaction (I didn’t get around to ringing the council yet to replace my stolen bin) is rewarded.
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Beat the heat
Yesterday it got to 42.1°C (that’s 108°F for those of you in the countries still using that retro measurement), before a refreshing cool change virtually halved the temperature. I was pleasantly surprised at how cool it was inside, given my house is weatherboard and has no airconditioning. At its hottest, the thermostat reported 30°C, and ... [More]
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Missing out
It may be the Christmas party season, but I’ve managed to miss two in the last couple of days. One on Friday night that I was just too tired to contemplate attending (sorry Tony and Anna). And another on Saturday, but a bout of Bowen Belly struck me down for the night. Not nice. (Sorry ... [More]
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Where there’s smoke
Smoke has descended on Melbourne, from the bushfires elsewhere in the state. Down in the shopping centre this morning, the haze over the street was noticeable. Marita commented on how bad it was. “Yeah”, I replied. “It’s like a mix of smoke and fog… they really should have a word for that.” Later I had ... [More]
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Arrogance
1. I’m turning right. You’re turning left. But I got here first and my car is bigger than yours, so I’m going to go first. 2. Sure, I can park here on this corner. Why not? 3. Sure, I can park here. Why not? Pah, pedestrians, school kids? Who cares?
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Net down
The innanet connection was down this morning. It put something of a dampner on the morning’s blog/check news/check email/check blog comments activity I’ve become used to. Having had either cable or ADSL for some years now, it’s always a rude shock when this happens, a bit like getting no signal on the television. And it’s ... [More]
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Crime scene: Bentleigh
OK, what git stole my recycling bin? I’ve only had it four months, and it’s not like anybody would have taken it accidentally, not with the size of the street number I painted on it. Blargh.
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Christmas party season
It’s Christmas party season. But with increasing numbers of parties and bookings, some of them are creeping backwards into November. My major work function was a full month before Christmas. Apart from the usual dinners and so on, the word on the street is that lawn bowling is the new boat cruise. Perhaps the Crackerjack ... [More]