• Catfish@aussie.zone
    13·
    18 days ago

    Fuck. Looks like the body corp is trying to bill us for things from before transfer. Repugnant amount of adulting & paperwork incoming. I need a squishy hug.

  • PeelerSheila @aussie.zone
    12·
    18 days ago

    Actually one thing I wanted to share with you guys was that somehow this week I managed to read a book! I used to be a massive bookworm when I was younger, until one of my nervous breakdowns when I discovered that I struggled to finish one page of a book without my mind wandering and me giving up. But I found this book in a street library called First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung. I have a friend from my high school days whose background is Cambodian, so I was interested. He’s told me in the past that his earliest childhood memory was when they left in a boat and came here. Reading that book, man it was gripping. The things that little girl and her family experienced, Jesus Christ. It had me enthralled how she survived, how much guts she had.

    When I finished the book I gave thought to something else I read recently with a chart, about how most people in Australia and other modern western countries are amongst the richest 20% of the global population. When I think “richest” I usually think of the 1%. But apparently if you have a car, have a roof over your head, shower daily, can easily access food, turn on the tap and drinkable water comes out whenever you want it, have an education and stuff like that, you are among the world’s richest 20%. It really made me think, you know? And it made me feel really grateful, grateful for my life and the lives my kids live. It made me realise that I am rich in a lot of ways, and it made me feel really thankful.

    Enough of my ramblings, just wanted to share my mind space of this week. Have a lovely evening you guys!

    • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
      8·
      18 days ago

      Outrageous opinion follows.

      Life for homeless people in Australia is usually better than life for average people in most of the world. They still have clean food, clean water, good medical care if they walk into a hospital, clean streets. True, they often have psych problems and need care. But they don’t need to worry about open sewers and such.

      • Catfish@aussie.zone
        6·
        18 days ago

        Um no.

        Strapping yourself to ceiling beams to sleep so you don’t get assaulted.

        Boyo at 14 in the RMIT brewery.

        • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
          2·
          18 days ago

          i didn’t say it was safe or good or something to aspire to nor a reason to not stop homelessness or help, just that there are some of the same advantages of an advanced industrial country.

        • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
          3·
          18 days ago

          ffs,

          clean water is precious, sewers is precious, etc

          our whole society benefits from these basics

          we do need to care about everyone and stop homelessness, and it’s possible, we just need the will , we need to tax mining companies etc

          we know it’s possible to help people because we did it during covid

    • CEOofmyhouse56@aussie.zone
      7·
      18 days ago

      I’ve always read books but what got me into biographies was a book called Two Pence To Cross The Mercy by Helem Forrester. It’s about a twelve year old girl who basically raised her family out of poverty during the depression. She was smart and all she wanted to do was go to school. There’s 4 books in the series. You feel for this young girl but that’s not how she wrote the stories. She just did what she felt she had to do.

      It’s something that’s never left me.

    • Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zoneEnglish
      5·
      18 days ago

      I’m really happy to hear you got to finish a book. I’m similar in that I was a huge bookworm but struggle to read these days.

      So it’s a huge achievement!

    • just_kitten@aussie.zone
      5·
      18 days ago

      You’ve inspired me to get off the usual screens and finally get started on a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. It’s starting off really well! I’m going to go back to it after this comment, but…

      I had a closer relationship to lower living standards growing up, still very much first world but things like your own patch of grass, the space to not live constantly surrounded by others, a relaxed way of living, wide open spaces and yes, having a car for many people, were all almost unattainable privileges. And just one generation removed my family came from a country that definitely had much less: I remember the constant power cuts, military checkpoints, curfews when I visited (and we were considered privileged back there, having migrated away from it all). Parents had their stories of lining up for rations, the bombings, the terror…

      Yet I still often fall into the trap of the hedonistic treadmill and forget how absolutely, blinking, freaking lucky and rich I am to be where I am right now. It’s easy to get caught up in how unaffordable housing is, etc, and it’s not like those things shouldn’t change, but holy shit most people in the world would still kill to be here in our places. We never, ever genuinely have to worry about starving… What a blessing.

      And Peeler, you yourself have such a generous, creative, loving personality that is its own richness regardless of material wealth ☺️ the minis are blessed to have you as their mum indeed!

    • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
      5·
      18 days ago

      I recently read The Revenant and The Particular Sadness Of Lemon Cake. Both were op shop finds.

      The first is about a man left for dead after being attacked by a bear and his subsequent survival/quest for revenge. The second is about a girl who can taste emotions in food. Bit of a weird ending.

      I still have part of the Memory Sorrow and Thorn trilogy to finish as so much was going on for so long that I got too tired to read.

      • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
        4·
        18 days ago

        The Revenant was made into a movie with Leo DiCaprio. Beautiful amazing movie.

        Haven’t read any those books at all but they all sound interesting.

        The past few days I’ve been watching/listening to various renditions of The Hound of the Baskervilles.

        I have come to the conclusion it’s Doyle’s version of a Gothic Novel.

        Also that the Basil Rathbone version of Holmes, the most beloved version, is a lot different to the novels and other versions. He is kind and gentle, and the classism and racism of the novels is mostly gone.

  • Pilk@aussie.zone
    10·
    18 days ago

    Just notice a rental listing for the apartment below me… identical layout and also unfurnished. The asking rent is just shy 40% higher than what I’m currently paying. That has made my situation feel very precarious indeed. 💀

      • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
        5·
        18 days ago

        I worry so much about my fam and renting.

        The young seagoons tell me they think they will never own. 😔

        hate to tell them but the best chance for us all is to buy a big old house, share costs and learn to live together

  • Bottom_racer@aussie.zone
    10·
    18 days ago

    New event for the Dog Olympics… How far can doggo obnoxiously move its bowl down the hallway at 6:30am wanting brekkie.

    • Thornburywitch@aussie.zoneEnglish
      5·
      18 days ago

      Expressed as an absolute distance? Or as a percentage of the available hallway length? Also bowl quality and materials - ceramic would be significantly harder to shift than Temu steel/aluminium. And hallway floor covering - carpet or boards or rugs? Hard to standardise into a sporting event I think. Would be fun to watch tho.

  • Thornburywitch@aussie.zoneEnglish
    10·
    18 days ago

    PSA: The bloke down the road that grows the most AMAZING roses has just hard pruned his roses back to practically bare stumps. As has his chief rival further down the street. Hmm - gardening is on the agenda this weekend methinks.

    • StudSpud The Starchy@aussie.zoneEnglish
      5·
      18 days ago

      It’s pretty crazy how quickly they grow back though! At my old place in Epping, there was a rose bush right near the front door. One year I trimmed it back, as it was getting all tentacle-y and big. Then boom, it grew back bigger and stronger than ever, way more flowers, leaves and thorns. It was nuts!

        • just_kitten@aussie.zone
          2·
          18 days ago

          There was one awful scraggly one in a stupid location at an old sharehouse that I foolishly tried to pull out (failed) and then mow over several times, both when I first lived there ten years ago and then more recently about 4-5 years ago.

          I’m pretty sure the bastard is still alive.

      • Thornburywitch@aussie.zoneEnglish
        3·
        18 days ago

        True. But I’m betting on this bloke knowing what he’s doing, given how beautiful his roses are year after year.

  • Duenan@aussie.zone
    10·
    18 days ago

    Come into work, setting myself up and I go and make a cup of coffee for myself as pr ritual demands.

    Someone’s in there that I don’t know. We say good morning and hello, then she ask says “Are you IT?”

    My mood instantly changes and I respond with “No, I’m “admin”.”

    I turn my back and finish making my coffee in complete silence and walk out.

    screams nothing like being stereotyped before 8am.

    Now I’m moody.

    Stuff you!

    • Taleya@aussie.zoneEnglish
      7·
      18 days ago

      Christ, it’s not only the racist assumption it’s the violation of office protocol and basic social politeness as well. Triple bullshit.

      Bet she’s management

      • Duenan@aussie.zone
        4·
        18 days ago

        Yeah, it’s the combo that really does it for me.

        I’ve seen her around the place but I’m not exactly sure what she does, maybe she’s in early childhood centre as I didn’t see her in the staff workroom upstairs.

        • StudSpud The Starchy@aussie.zoneEnglish
          3·
          18 days ago

          Understandable! Because it’s fucking bullshit! I hope you are able to treat yourself later on! Sending you my good vibes, friend! 💜💜💜

          • Duenan@aussie.zone
            3·
            18 days ago

            It’s ok, I was able to vent it off and I’m just working while watching and listening to stuff on youtube and Listnr.

            I have a packet of cheese corn chips at home with my name all over it.

            I think it’s going to be my treat while I watch the footy tonight.

            Thank you!

    • TinyBreak@aussie.zone
      41·
      18 days ago

      Why? Pretty sure shes just looking for help and doesnt know who to ask. Its not a personal attack, its a hopeful request.

      • Duenan@aussie.zone
        4·
        18 days ago

        I absolutely do not like people asking if I’m IT straight of the bat without proper introductions and names.

        This is not the first occurrence and it’s always asking if I’m in IT, that is not my occupation

        I have a right to be pissed at being stereotyped and pigeonholed and also not being courteous enough to introduce yourself with a name.

        I don’t go up to people and say hey, you’re the nanny right based on their looks.

        • TinyBreak@aussie.zone
          3·
          18 days ago

          I have a right to be pissed at being stereotyped and pigeonholed and also not being courteous enough to introduce yourself with a name.

          I’m sorry but I just dont see it as either of those things? From what you’ve said it sounds like a person rather rudely looking for help. You were there of course, i’m just going off your description.

          I am IT, this has happened to me heaps and its never ruined my day. Not trying to invalidate your feelings, and I say this with care: I think maybe this is something you want to talk to someone about. The emotions don’t really match the description of the situation here.

          One bad interaction shouldnt have you so upset.

          • Duenan@aussie.zone
            5·
            18 days ago

            I have self worth and a self awareness of what makes me who I am.

            I have a very keen sense of also being treated properly and not on the assumptions of my racial background.

            In addition to that if someone wants something from me, I don’t care who you are but you’re going to have to say hello and good morning and introduce yourself before demanding anything from me because I don’t believe in being treated like a tool or an in demand service, I’m not at anyone’s beck and call either.

            I don’t need to see anyone about this, I just have an understanding of my own self worth and how I should be treated professionally on a day to day basis and it starts with manners.

    • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
      2·
      18 days ago

      I would be livid.

      and it appears it was a derogatory tone because Duenan doesn’t seem to be the sort of person who would offended so easily

  • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
    9·
    17 days ago

    Alrighty then. The phone calls and appointments have been made 🐸(Except for accessing a patient portal to do something - I’ll do it when I can figure out which hospital and what I’m trying to do again.)

    Then I started on the paper clutter and it’s lucky I did… Opened some bills to shred and saw a large outstanding balance. Rang the water company and they’d stopped taking direct debits! That’s paid now.