Welcome to the Melbourne Community Daily Discussion Thread.
I refuse to let triggers mess with my enjoyment of life and stuff.
So recently I've been wanting to watch a series about movies and the writer presenter has the same accent as my dad. Much to my surprise this totally triggered me. So much I couldn't bear to watch. It made me reject the whole thing. And then a pride thing started up too. 😔
This is bad, real bad, the series has real value and I want to watch it.
So I figure I will desensitise myself , I used to visit that country all the time, hear the accent all time and it never bothered me. I can do that again. So I will watch heaps of movies and series in that language until it's just a language, not a person.
It's my brain, dammit an I will not have it hijacked 🤬😂😵🥴😀
I used to grow these every winter in window boxes, thy grow through the snow!! Such tough pretty flowers. 😊
Agreed. Some of the more massive double & triple roses are just too much for me. One thing I really like is the way your lickle plants are using the cracks in the paving. The milk thistle in the middle however, needs to be donated to the nearest pet bird owner.
Potat and strawberries!
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potat was a bit of a suprise not sure who put them there.
Really need to build a little pest deterrent something for the strawberries
potats are sneaky like that, they pop up everywhere. all it takes is one sneaky eye in the compost and you have potats
Just like tomat, they've got to make up for falling prey to all sorts of stupid diseases
tonight was sushi on the beach.
There wasn't a single soul on that beach tonight had it all to myself.
sooo it looks like I need to take auspost to the ombudsman. Yay.
"oh we can't access your site george puling into your driveway is an oh&s issue george because what if I can't get out george you're near an intersection george" looks pretty fucking pathetic next to video footage of their van sailing past the property at 60kph and a literal 50-entry log across two months of amazon, civic, toll, tnt, petcircle, eco247 and soilworx with an articulated dumper all using it without issue.
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Not my area of expertise at all, but it is probably worth listening to their perspective at least before you go there. As Government, I can believe they'd have safer OH&S policies to the other private companies who are doing deliveries. Those logs of yours will be super helpful still in demonstrating that the driveway is safer than it looks from a map. Whoever is citing OH&S is going to be going off a map.
A site survey by a local council and a report saying "this is fine" will probably leave AustPost with no option at the very least other than to visit in-person and say why everyone else is wrong and the driveway is unsafe. Then go to the ombudsman.
I've only really worked with the Telecommunications Ombudsman, and I was the ISP at the time (so, the other side of the dispute). But if the customer hadn't at least attempted to resolve the matter with us before going to the TIO, they were referred to us anyway.
Same for energy, used to work in energy and the ombudsman would refer customers back to us if they had not attempted to resolve the issue with us. 99% sure it's the same for most ombys
Can confirm it is that way with AFCA (previously known as Financial Services Ombudsman)
oh we've attempted to resolve multiple times. Pointed out that there is no access impediment to the driveway, this is a standard suburban block in a standard metro suburb with a 13m long standard smooth cement paved driveway that's actually the widest I've ever lived in. And it's one driver being an absolute cock because I have records - and footage - of Auspost delivering without so much as a blink when it's a different driver on the route. It's not a map issue.
I dont' ombudsman lightly. I literally have eight different attempts to resolve this with auspost on record. First they claimed they couldn't access the site. When that got destroyed they claimed there was the van in the driveway. When THAT got disproven they claimed it was traffic and now it's OH&S. Fulla shit.
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Then proceed, mighty champion. If you've got all that, then you have been more than reasonable. Particularly if you have other drivers delivering.
The tiny saviour is waving at you and staring with dead eyes. Little creepy baby.
A while ago my daughter told me about a book she liked but wasn't sure about getting it because it was a kids book. Anyway I was walking past the shop and bought it for her. She's worked hard this year so she deserves it.
I had a quick look through it and it looks good. There's regional flags in it too not just national flags.
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I've driven myself up to Moama for a couple of nights to get out of the city and get some of that sweet sweet Murray River 30 degree sunshine. Got a free room upgrade at the Golf resort and it's quite lovely! Took today off but I'll work from here tomorrow.
Multiple people attempted to crash into my car between home and here which I didn't love. Seems the dashcam I ordered can't come fast enough! Did get some quality drive time to listen to my audiobook though.
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Aaaand I've won enough money to fully fund this little mini-break and take home a bit of profit. Gonna relax like a mofo. Listen to my audiobook in the garden. That sorta stuff.
Parked outside the Eye and Ear hospital.
Nearby was a woman in a red dress who appears to be under the influence of narcotics and was singing loudly.
Came back 3 hours later to find the woman attempting to climb a nearby tree. There is also hand sweat marks and snot all over the windshield and bonnet, suggesting the woman had attempted a lap dance of some sort on the car.
Anyone know if this plan will work, or if I'm wasting my time? My rectangle house has a large west facing wall. Lots of windows and only single glaze. No easement on the roof (freaking 2000's build!). Last summer I taped some foil to the windows and it helped a fair but, but the rattling in the wind when the change came through was insane. Wondering if I could go buy some narrow shade sails from Bunnings that have some eyelets, a couple of ocki straps and hook them up the gutter and peg the other end into the ground. Is it worth the money and effort? or am I going to see bugger all difference?
Gutters certainly won't be strong enough. The hook idea is NOT a good one. Might be some hints in the DIY section of the Bunnings website on setting up shade sails. There are firms that will install proper anchor points and shade sails, which sound like the best solution. Looking at 3-400 per window though in $$ or an unknown cost to install a sail to cover the whole side. You could also get a pine pole or two installed to support the shade sail(s) but this won't be portable if you move. How much does it cost to run the air-con? And are you willing to risk an expensive repair to the guttering if they get damaged? There probably aren't any cheap good solutions. Also consult @Taleya@aussie.zone who is probably better informed than all of us.
yeah shade sails are called sails for a reason - but the ol bamboo blind could work if anchored to the wall
I did look into that. Trouble is I have brick walls and dont have an impact driver so I cant DIY it. Even bamboo blinds are going to need proper tool to install (plus its windy AF near gipsland so they dont last 2 years if I dont take them down over winter)
hmm, do you have a pic of the area above the window? If there's gutters there has to be some sort of mount that can be used
Saw that you own. I’m not an handyperson and have never done this but could you rent one and drill holes in the mortar, then tap in those little plastic plugs as anchors for screws?
I’ve seen that done for attaching house numbers to brickwork but the mortar was my own idea.
Mortar may be softer to drill into and easier to repair on mistakes or removal than the brick (someone else pipe up if this is a bad idea)
If you'll be there for a few years you might want to consider a green wall for that side of the house. Best approach is to build a structure off the wall to train the plant, but you can also just let something like a boston ivy grow and you get the benefit of shady leaves (e.g. transpiration/cooling) during summer, and they lose their leaves over winter so you'll get direct sun again. I experimented on the side of an old house and had temps more than 10deg lower behind the leaves/on the wall than the ambient 35deg. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/20/dont-bother-with-living-wall-plant-ivy
I realise this won't help the window issue. The shade cloth will work but I think you'll want something more tensionable than ocky straps.. a big wind could have them whipping round. Edit: see other posts about not attaching to the guttering.
You might also want to look at planting something deciduous to shade the window during summer too.
I loved the idea of the boston ivy, but was deterred by the reports that they are just rat highways (we already have a significant rodent issue in winter). I toyed with some trees or something, but I've already dont that along the back and eastern fences so the west is the only way I can still see the horizon.
I'd be looking more at something like this for the top
And a trampoline anchor kit for the bottom. Occy straps have to much give in them and the cheap ones are not weather proof.
yeah thats sort of what I was thinking, but I can just see that ripping up the gutter though.
It's like this. Anything you put up is going to need to be taken down in the wind because it'll blow like a bastard. The only thing that will work are roller shutters. Even people who have those stripey shade covers are advised to roll them up in the wind. Anchoring a shade cloth to the gutter depends on how heavy the cloth is. It will work but not with the slightest of wind.
My mum is a pensioner and she wanted them done on her windows but they are pricey. So she got somebody out to do the 3 lounge windows and explained to the guy that she'd like to eventually get all the windows done but can't afford them done at the same time. He gave her a quote for each of the rest and when she saved for 2 windows she called him up and got them done. What you need is a guy like that. You'll save a shitload of cash on your heating and cooling bill.
Edit: She got roller shutters.
I’m in the same situation. The rattling is the worst.
It could work but gutters aren’t very strong. I would wonder whether the gutter would withstand the weight of the shade sail (not familiar with them, unsure if they’re as substantial as the green shade cloth) or if it would give out a bit/damage if a big gust of wind caught the cloth with it secured at the bottom.
I’ve looked at popup marquees, shade sails, umbrellas etc but all solutions are quite awkward.
You can try non adhesive window film. I bought a sample swatch off eBay but it wasn’t dark enough for my taste (I wanted really dark one way visibility for privacy) and I think the cheapest off brand I got wasn’t great at staying
Edit: Another idea is suction cup blackout curtains sold for babies
yeah the gutter part was my primary concern. just chatting to my brother who suggested screwing some pine to the bricks then mounting the clips on that. Trouble with the suction is half of it is that bottle glass so nothing sticks to those windows.
Ah damn. You can try traditional vinyl backed blockout curtains but they can be a bit stinky, especially right after being washed.
If you don’t have curtain hooks a tension rod will work but it depends on the width of the window. It’s expensive and tougher to find tension rods over a meter and I had hooks so cheap blockouts over the blinds it is.
I more used the tension rods to suspend blankets (with a quickly sewn fold-over casing) in doorways as curtains, in order to heat or cool a smaller space while still letting the cat get to her bowls and litterbox.
Be warned though - leaving one room unheated/cooler in winter can contribute to condensation and mould issues.
Definitely weatherstrip the doors too if you can
Interviewed for a role yesterday. Today the company owner rang me for a quick chat. Says they'll make their decision by the end of the week. Please sacrifice whatever you need to help me get this job. Thank you in advance ;)
Have run out of virgins thanks to schoolies and even the black goat supply is running low. Could sacrifice a chicken if that would help. Note to self : buy more incense.
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My son is away at his end of primary school camp. This is day 2/4 (so he's only been away one night). It's pretty hot over this side of the island this week. The call has just been made: They're evacuating the kids due to the heat.
These kids are going to be devastated. They've been fundraising for and talking about this camp all year, the build-up has been massive. I was there with the kids yesterday morning and they were super excited as a group in way I haven't really seen since they were all 6-7 years old. Coincidentally, tomorrow is his 12th birthday and is the day the kids were all going to the waterslide park. He was especially looking forward to that.
Instead, he's coming home this afternoon. No clue as yet if they will be able to do anything (eg. refunds/camp later/excursions etc) to make it up to these kids.
My aunt over in WA told me about the extreme heatwave declaration as well, at first I thought high 30s/low 40s isn't that unusual for Perth. Then I remembered it's not even December yet, and it's apparently kind of come out of nowhere. Real bummer for those kids, but I guess it's a Teachable Moment... hopefully you can find a way to make up for it at home for your son at least. Maybe next week?
Bought a bunch of shit from Amazon (50% off and then Subscribe & Save and then cancel cancel).
Bought some toiletries + gatorade (half price). Not bad! Pretty sure would've cost me at least $100 at Colesworth but got it all for $45 ish
So tired. Not that sleepy kind of need a good night's sleep kind of tired. A deep CBF limping to the finish line of the year kind of tired.
Given how much is on your plate rn, no wonder. Hope you get a chance to recharge soon.
I used to think ‘I’m glad this year is almost over’. Now it all just feels like more of the same
I feel that, most especially this week. Mon - Saturday, then Mon Tues Thur Fri next week. I'm crawling towards the end of the year, but I don't know how 2024 is gonna make me feel less tired lol.
No matter what though, we'll persevere till we get our well deserved rest days.
Sending you my love and energy 💜
I was initally but that was because I hadn't had my coffee and was trying to be funny. Now that I had a look again, my brain connected the dots 😂