Melbourne

It's been a crazy 24 hours so I thought I'd share a cute little story with you all.

A few weeks ago I popped into Aldi for a few things and because I pay cash I have to use the wo/manned register. So I'm behind this dear elderly couple, maybe in their late eighties/ early nineties. She has a walker, he as nimble as an elderly gentleman could be at that age.

They go to pay and she's obviously the keeper of the funds so she opens the purse and is handing the young cashier the mullah, one penny at a time. That's ok. I'm patient with the old cheeses. We all get old. Oh no. Somethings gone wrong. Not enough cash. The poor banker is confused. The cashier offers a solution. You can pay some with cash, some on the bank card. Great many discussions were had between the 3 of them. A decision was made. The banker now produces the card and hands it to her husband. The gentleman did not know how to use the eftpos so the cashier helps him. He then carefully punches in the numbers one per minute. Approved. More discussions were made about how they could've got the budget so wrong before they slowly move on with an apology.

No worries mate. We get it. Shits fucked.

So what are the chances that I get stuck behind this couple AGAIN a week later. Probably a million to one but hey just call me lucky. This time the budget was better. The banker opens the purse and hands over the cash one penny at a time while the gentleman is packing the groceries. All done but she hasn't moved from the cashier. A discussion was had. activate the patience button CEO. She takes a tiny step. More discussions. Do not push the old lady with your trolley like they do if you breakdown in the Burnley tunnel. At this point I look at the cashier and she swivels her chair so she could have a little giggle. I look at my groceries thinking I'm hungry. I could start eating them. A few more ballerina steps and the couple have now stopped at the corner where the groceries get thrown at you. More discussions. It appears they can not walk and talk. breathe. At this point the cashier has said "have a good day" at least 3 times. He is now aware they are holding up the line so apologises and encourages her to keep walking. They stop at the end where the trolley goes to pack. The cashier can not start yet. I dare not look at her. I am hungry. They eventually move on.

I waited the whole time with a smile on my face but I'll still refer to it as Helldi.

Power still out at home I assume, am planning on cooking an entire upright freezer worth of food on the bbq when I get home. At least there was no damage to our property, but I would like a shower.

Took all three cats to the Vet yesterday for their shots. They always feel a little sick after their shots, especially Gwyn he gets really unwell from them. So now today I have three moppy and sad cats who all want love.

Bill Cat brought a live mouse inside. He and Ted have a mission now, a sense of purpose and some much needed kitty fun.

Poor mouse. 😔

No power, mobile network is barely working. Can’t send texts and most calls fail. Fortunately I have solar and generator but the destruction is crazy. Powerlines over roads and people are driving on them. No police to be seen. My husband went out to work (I’m wfh today) and relayed back the destruction - he couldn’t get mobile coverage until back in suburbia 20km from home.
Have got the fallen trees off the fences and patched them up to stop animal ingress/egress.

Many of you thought me mad! Some of you even requested transfer to another peanut factory! But as i have my jobbing solar panel on the terrace charging batteries, the camping fans cooling your air and cold bevvys to drink you're glad of my madness now, glad of it!

Somehow managed to avoid the worst of the storm and power outages. Sometimes I love my little life bubble

ooooohhh my pakidge has clear the US customs. It took from 23 Jan - now to get from Nebraska to Illinois. Let's see how long it takes to get here

I got power back early this morning but all my devices kept beeping and the lights were going from bright to dim back to bright all in concert.

Is anyone experiencing this as well?

Rather fortunate here, we just had a power flicker at quarter to 3. We didn't cop much rain either. I saw Mornington got some rain from the water on my manager's door in a meeting.

Now I just need to make sure the restaurant for tonight got my booking...

took me 4 hours to get home last night. 4 friggin hours. I know its not metro's fault, but why the F are we not better prepared in our response? I waiting in a 300m line at Caulfield only for people to keep jumping the queues while the metro staff and PSOs are mostly on their friggin phones!

Can you read cursive?

The Australian War Memorial is looking for volunteers to read and transcribe letters and diaries. They have a ton of material that needs to be made more accessible

https://transcribe.awm.gov.au/

I've reached the point that I can't do a full 8 hour shift just on phones. The anxiety and stress are killing me.

Been applying for work where phones are just a small part of the day and part time work. Partner starts his job soon so it won't be so bad. But I do feel like a failure and worthless. Irrational, but all my shame comes from not being what I think I should be.