I apologise again to my readers if my blog is incomplete everywhere. I just catch up whenever I can sometimes I just can't.
I'm hoping to take a day trip out of Sydney hopefully on the last Sunday or Monday before Christmas if it isn't too hot and if my shifts @ work don't change again.
Monday 13th December 2021 & Week 90 Of Total Unemployment Due Myer's Double Vaccination Mandate
Another grey but dry day. No rain again and it's past 8 am. The sun is not quite out yet and neither is it quite Summer yet.
I woke up at 5 or 6 am but went back to sleep until 7.30 am as it was still dark. I take my rubbish out to the red bin.
Next will be to put my laundry into the washing machine before venturing out today.
I notice a fire extinguisher and fire blanket has been installed onto the walls of the kitchen and laundry area. About time and I wonder when these were installed?
I feel so tired but I still have so much to do before going back to work on Wednesday unless the NSW decides to delay the freedoms for all on 15th December 2021.
There will be no Christmas for me this year and NYE will be in doubt as well.
Laundry in the washing machine and rubbish bins red and green out. A shower and dishes washed, I venture out. The sun is out. Instead of waiting for a bus to Chatswood I walk to Lane Cove for a a shop
Breaking News this morning :
Brisbane has opened it borders and the first flights in QLD and NSW have touched down - family reunions, emotional tears , correct and incomplete border pass confusions creating delays, staff shortages etc it's all hapoening.
TAS borders reopen next Wednesday.
The booster shot program has been accelerated to 5 months from last vaccine by the government due to the concerns of the omicron variant.
There were 536 COVID cases in NSW today and 9 new Omicron cases. I assume there were no deaths reported as I can't find any figures on this. There were 84 COVID cases linked to the Argyle Nightclub - interesting that clusters are always linked to pubs and clubs.
Tuesday 14th December 2021
News headlines today include :
There is a cargo ship collision in Denmark. Drunkiness and gross negligence involved. Crew members were thrown overboard into the sea. The other sea vessel involved was from the UK.
WA is set to reopen it's borders on 5th February 2022. Date locked in by WA premier and airlines scramble to lock in flights with announcement. Masks will be made mandatory as they open up at airports share rides and public transport.
VIC is to build a vaccine facility to produce MRNA and flu vaccines to be opened in 2024. Announcement to be made today
The Federal elections is almost certain for a May 2022 date.
All Knights players have been asked to get tested and isolate due to their link to the Argyle Nightclub COVID cluster in Newcastle. Finnigans Hotel now on notice down the road.
Mask mandates will be lifted tomorrow in NSW as the all welcome day commences and posdibly in VIC on Thursday. Masks still mandatory at airports and on public transport.
There is a spike in Omicron cases in the UK with a first death from omicron where their vaccination status and whether they had any other medical conditions unknown. There is a
There is yet another train strike in NSW today.
Vaping causes problems in the bedroom
A paraglider has been stuck in a tree which took over 2 hours to free him. His canopy collapsed in Stanwell Tops.
QLD has had a shark attack.
There were 804 COVID cases in NSW today! Bullshit! How can that even happen when 93.1% of NSW is vaccinated! There are 85 Omicron cases now. The Argyle cluster is 180 cases 2 of which were confirmed Omicron cases.
"NSW recorded one COVID-related death in an unvaccinated women in her sixties from Albany, who died at Goulburn Valley Hospital in Victoria on Monday."
Interesting that it says " one COVID related death" and not one death from COVID.
Wednesday 15th December 2021
Myer 8.30 am - 4.30 pm but stayed back until 6 pm as someone did not turn up to work and nobody owned up to it.
KRONOS DOWN ( since 12th December 21 according to the unvaccinated team member)
Today is meant to be freedoms for all day as promised by the current NSW premier after delays. Return to work for the unvaccinated day ( for anyone left that hasn't resigned yet) Yes there were 2 more managers at Myer Warringah that resigned although there are rumours around as to whether they have actually resigned, one who was unvaccinated due to return today but instead probably unable to finish her notice upon resignation due to " not being able to find childcare arrangements", the other I found out is actually still working but has requested a transfer to another store as they are building a new house out in the Western suburbs and it is taking too long. So suspect. The 2nd manager's resignation was a bit if a surprise. I really would like to resign but I need to find another job first and then there is whether I persue legal action against Myer for their COVID double vaccination mandate without notice. Now that BHP employees have won their case over their vaccination mandate, there is now a precedent . I wonder how long it will take Fair Work to get back to me this time. It took them several weeks last time.
I probably got 3 hours sleep in total waking up several times. It's 5 am and I need to leave for work around 6.30 am in order to get to work on time. I'll leave at 7 am. I don't care if I am late as I'm not exactly serving today.
First day back at work. What a shocker! I had asked serval times previously for my log in to be reset on the POS system so I could use it. Nothing was ever done so I could not serve at all for half a day. I was also not told what I was suppose to do today. Was I on stock only before opening or stock all day? The only text message I got from the customer service manager was start with the pillows. So I spent half a day serving customers on the floor directing them and answering their questions . I was pretty pissed off that I never got a response to my question "Are you sure we are returning to work tomortow?" by text message and my email question to her about " Why am I the only person not serving ?" when I received the following weeks roster. So unfair that I have to start at 8 am 4 days in a row. This means I have to leave home at 6 am in order to get to work on time. I don't understand why I have to start at 8 am just to do markdowns - I don't understand why I have to start at 8 am to do stock.
I told the electricals team leader what had been going on whilst I was on stand down. I told him how my father and cousin had passed away and I just didn't want to be yelled at by the customer service manager today. And what happened? I was yelled at. The customer service manager came over and amended the roster for this week and told me that I was serving and if I got her message from the operations manger this morning as to what I had to do - of course I did and there was no need to tell me again I was already doing it but was I doing it all day ? I told the customer manager not to yell at me as my father had just passed away. She said she was sorry that he passed away and did not know about it - of course she didn't because she didn't respond to my text message or email and did not answer my question about next week's roster instead amending this week's roster, I had told other team members and because she never responded to my text message and email - what was I suppose to do? She accused me of not communicating. I'm not the one with the communication problem she is the one with the communication problem - not resetting my password, not responding to my questions and reminding me of what I have to do. Where was that list of things to do that I had asked her for in advance? I never saw it from her. I know what I have to do - no need to remind me - then there is the apron. I gave mine back by post as a sample to get new ones made up months ago. Why should I have to wear one?, others don't. Why is one of the new guys wearing a pink polo shirt? Super Weekend is over! The customer service manager should not be a manager if she can't organise herself let alone others.
My roster was amended. Start times remained the same for this week except the days off had changed - so how would I have known this without Kronos? You can't just change my days off. What's worse my finishing times changed but then went back to the same as the original roster for this week. I wasn't interested in this week's roster and only asked about next week's roster.
Because Some one didn't turn up - nobody owned up to not turning up to work so I volunteered to stay back and help until 6 pm.
I knew this would happen no sympathy from management for when I told them my father passed away but work collegues were more understanding and told me to take it easy. Well I didn't have a working POS log in so I could only do stock and assist customers on the floor.
So dedparate for staff even ex team member ticket girl was also asked to work and came to help out after she finished her other job.
I can't remember what I did after my first day back at work but I got home probably after 8 pm so missed the news and all the regular tv shows I normally watch. I probably was so tired I went straight to bed.
804 COVID cases in NSW today. There is now a total of 85 cases of Omicron in NSW. 1 death an unvaccinated woman in her 60s from Albury died in Goulburn hospital
Thursday 16th December 2021
Myer 9 am - 5 pm
KRONOS DOWN
My father's funeral is today which I will not be attending unfortunately.
Last night I fell asleep as soon as I got home barely able to stay awake to eat and catch only the tail end of 8 out of 10 Does Countdown when I arrived home after 7.30 pm and A Girl's Guide To Hunting Fishing And Wild Cooking .
I woke around 11 pm but went back to sleep after a chicken sandwich some berries and green juice.
My allergies are still bothering me. Especially my hands where my ezcema has flared up again. Stress is a trigger and just returning to work can cause a flare up. It's the daily I have to leave home by 6 am or 7 am in order to not miss the staff entrance/exit opening. You only get 5 minutes. If you are late and miss the openings then you get locked out.
Another day at Myer. I can't even remember what I did.
The customer came back for all her towels that I gathered yesterday for her. I can't even be left alone to get a face washer for that customer from the reserve without being harassed by the customer service manager enroute asking me what I am doing or what I am upto.
On my way home 3 guys were being questioned and searched by police at Chatswood near the 144 bus stop. Body searched for drugs and alcohol, they were probably stopped questioned and search for underage drinking. A half empty bottle of Bombay Saphire was confiscated off them which really pissed them off. The 3 guys were released and hung around getting on the 144 bus without paying. Since when did police start driving around in unmarked white vans?
News headlines today
1360 cases of which 424 were from the Hunter New England region. There were 25 new Omicron cases. Really? Up from 803 the previous day - note this figure is actually incorrect as the NSW Health website reports 804 cases in NSW. you may think this is insignificant but everytime there is a variation in figures no matter how small indicates an error which when accumulated can lead to quite a significant variation in the calculation of figures also note there were significant cases of COVID that were "excluded from cases pending further investgation" whatever happened to these cases ? why were they excluded? and were they later included in figures? There is absolutely no information on these cases pending under further investigations - are these actually false positives? What is the government trying to hide?
Booster shots after 3 months now instead of 6 months after 2nd vaccination then 5 months after 2nd vaccination??? Next it will be mandatory booster vaccinations ASAP regardless .
The forecast is 2500 cases of COVID per day towards new year. As NSW opened up to all yesterday masks are no longer mandatory but recommended except in high risk areas pubs clubs gyms and hospitals where they are still mandatory along with at airports planes share rides and public transport.
Virgin recommended international flights with first flight to Nadi.
There was a hail of bullets in western centre as 4 guys were entering a gym and next to a childcare centre
Job creation is forecast to drop unemployment rate to 4.5 to 4.25 next year although cost of living continues to rise and consumer confidence drops.
Princess Mary of Denmark has tested positive to COVID no other royal members have tested positive . She is in isolation over Christmas. He eldest son Christian had previously tested positive last year after his school had an outbreak. It will be interesting if he tests positive again.
There was an inferno in a warehouse in Adelaide which houses a sign manufacturer.
Last day of the William Tyrell investigation - a small bone has been found and has bern taken to the lab for forensic examination to determine if human or animal.
Friday 17th December 2021
Myer 9 am - 5 pm originally I was not rostered on to work today and I had planned to see stuff but not anymore. You can't plan anything in advance at Myer. Not even go to a funeral. Nothing has changed, even with Kronos down Myer is still changing shifts at the last minute.
KRONOS DOWN and will be down until after Christmas. I find out from one of the managers that the whole system is down Myer wide as it was HACKED. I just hope personal details were not stolen and sold. So much for my course I had just started Ethical Hacking I think it was called.
The huddle was pretty boring mostly about KRONOS being down and Myer not having done manual timesheets for over a decade.
Customer from yesterday that I got dinner sets for wanted 2 sets then didn't want them then rang back and now wants them again. Picking up next Tuesday.
It's quite hot but forecast is overcast and only 25 degrees. Parts of Australia are forecasted to experience heat waves.
News headlines today include
1742 COVID cases in NSW overnight.
The queen cancels her annual pre Christmas extended family lunch again due to increasing Omicron cases as a precautionary measure. There are 88000 cases in UK a record spike but still only 1 death from it.
The Victorian premier is in isolation as he was at a 50th event at a venue where there was a postive case of COVID and he was deemed a close contact.
QLD's vaccine mandate has commenced where the unvaccinated will not be allowed in pubs clubs and other venues. A mask mandate may be enforced.
Sail GP will be on the waters in Sydney at noon today ( the formula one of sailing).
5 kids dead after a freak jumping castle accident in Tasmania where it blew off and slammed into a tree.
2 men have fined for breaching COVID quarantine rules and dubbed a super spreader linked to the Newcastle nightclub cluster. One man had travelled from Sydney to Newcastle.
Another super spreader event was at The Taylor Swift Red party at The Metro There were 97 cases of omicron.
Current unemployment figure is 4.6 % falling due to NSW and VIC coming out of lockdowns.
5 pm just in - there are now 2213 cases of COVID in NSW today. There are now 185 cases of Omicron. There was 1 death an unvaccinated woman in her 60s who had other medical conditions from the Northern Tablelands who died at St Vincent's Hospital. There were 14 cases excluded pending further investigation. Single vaccination rates in NSW have now reached 94.8% and a double vaccination rate of 93.3%.
Saturday 18th December 2021
Myer 9 am - 6 pm ( this shift was changed 3 times according to my diary by the customer service manager before resorting to original times above)
Oops I accidently erased or missed this day's diary entries on my blog.
Sunday 19th December 2021
Today is my one and only day off now.
I had some events to attend and places to visit but work has put a stop to those.
There is track work yet again so it means an inconvenience to get into the city to see and do stuff.
I took my rubbish out had a shower washed my dishes stripped my bed put my laundry in the washing machine then caught the bus to St Leonards Station before getting the train replacement bus to Wynyard. I walk from Wynyard to Circular Quay continuing onto the MCA.
Total waste of my time they are still not allowing any unvacinated people in to the museum despite no health orders and most COVID restrictions being lifted for all except for high risk venues like pubs clubs and gyms where some rules remain. As soon as I entered I was asked to show my vaccination certificate. Even if I had a vaccination certificate I would not have it with me as I only just updated my Service NSW app that was no longer functioning on Wednesday 15th December 21. To make things worse they didn't display a QR code which most organisations are still doing. So I left and sent them a nasty letter of complaint advising them that I have added them to my list of organisations that I am seeking legal action against for discrimination against the unvaccinated. I also advised them that they have lost my support and how do they tell unvaccinated MCA members that they can't visit the museum? I will be interested in their response to this question as there will be a few due to the reciprocal agreement between Victoria NGV and the MCA in Sydney.
I had other exhibitions and events planned for today but disappointed as I could have gone to the Blue Mountains to Scenic World to see Dinosaur Valley today.
So I took the 333 from stand B at Circular Quay To Paddington Reservoir to see the Head On Foundation Photographic Exhibition. I am so glad I got a chance to catch the last day of this exhibition which was extended. I would not have been able to see it had it not been extended from 18th November 21 , the original closing date , due to being unvaccinated. It was so hot when I arrived above 30 degrees C. I spent quite a bit of time looking around Paddington Reservoir as I have not been there for so many years ( refer my early blog on Art & About's the water bars there). I was given a free program which includes the Head On Foundation Photographic Exhibition at Bondi Beach as well and before I left made a $5 donation to the Head On Foundation. Photos below
It was still stinking hot and seemed as if it was becoming even hotter towards the 38 degree C mark as forecasted. I jopped back on a 333 bus across the road and alighted at Bondi Beach. How I miss catching the 333 bus all the way from Watson's Bay to Circular Quay at one point in time ( I am unsure if this bus service runs beyond North Bondi now) It is certainly a little more frequent during the Summer. I alight at South Bondi but walk to the half way point of Bondi Beach as I wasn't sure where the Head On photographic exhibition started at South Bondi.I was told at Paddington Reservoir thst it was a very long exhibition along the entire promenade from North Bondi to South Bondi about a 700 m walk. I only managed to walk to the end of North Bondi to the Tidal Pools and back and not to South Bondi as it was just so hot. I didn't want to get burnt and had no sunscreen on so put a hat on, lip balm and sun glasses and when it got too glaring put my face mask on as well. I had to buy a bottle of water prior to my walk. Photos below
.
I walked back up onto the main road and hopped back on a 333 bus going back to Circular Quay. Next stop was definitely the very belated 4 days and nights Bastille Day Celebrations morphed into Christmas markets held outside Customs House in the forecourt area. The afternoon started off fine. It was extremely hot and the sun was out then suddenly the clouds started coming over. I was purchasing my pumpkin leek cheese and spinach Turkish gozleme and was standing there waiting for it to cook when I felt a drop of rain. The staff in the tent were more concerned about when it was about to down pour rather then serving me. The rain started to fall and I was waiting to collect my gozleme so I could run undercover like everyone else at this outdoor event. I grabbed my gozleme as soon as it was off the grill, I asked for something to cover it but they had run out so asked for a plate . The 2 used lemons they gave me I did not want instead asking for a lime wedge. I run under cover to Circular Quay Station where I stood and watched the rain pour down and the wind gusts blow over a beach umbrella on display. As soon as the rain episode stopped which only lasted about 30 minutes max, I returned to the event for one final look. Photos below and I have upload a video of the storm onto my YouTube channel.
My belly full of food, freak storm over and events attended it was only 4 pm therefore I went shopping at Chatswood, hopping on the next express train replacement bus from near Wynyard to Chatswood. First stop Aldi and then Coles. I wanted to purchase some more Christmas lights but the store was closed by the time I got there - strange no extended shopping hours? It was not even 5.30 pm.
Home on the bus. Put my laundry in the dryer, washed my hands my mask and unpacked my groceries. A bit of tv and catch up on YouTube channels then straight to bed as I am so tired.
End of another week and end of my only day off. Work again tomorrow.
News headlines remain the same.
COVID COVID and more COVID. There is pressure on GPS and pharmacies over supplies of vaccines as as there is a rush of people towards Christmas requesting booster shots.
In VIC there was a deadline of 18th December for all teachers to be fully vaccinated. Those that are not or have not changed their vaccination status will not be paid their leave over the holidays.
There were 2566 COVID cases in NSW and 4 deaths. This is more then double the cases in Victoria. The NSW government has been slammed for scrapping QR code check ins and mask wearing mandates.
Omicron has now spread to 89 countries with 1 country - The Netherlands plunged into lockdown over Christmas.
2 more MPs resign following the resignation of the former NSW premier citing difficulty getting past the current premier.
There were wild storms last night after a heatwave reaching mid 30s degree C and gusty winds the night before. The heat wave is set to continue today again reaching 36 degrees C. 38 degrees C in the West. People flocked to beaches yesterday and forcasted again today. There is a thunderstorm asthma warning again.
Scott Morrison is moved to tears as visits the growing tribute site where people have been leaving flowers and toys for the 5 year 5 and 5 students that died from the jumping castle freak accident.
Tiger Woods plays his first golf competition with his son Charlie since his car accident.
Monday 20th December 2021
KRONOS STILL DOWN THERE IS A NEW SYSTEM OF SIGNING IN/OUT MY CLOCK DITCHING THE MANUAL PAPER SIGN IN/OUT SHEETS
I sent a text to ex team member ticket girl to ensure she was ok as she lives in Dee Why. I find out that she lives across from the apartment blocks that were on the news this morning whose roofs had been damaged by the freak storm.
A roster for the following week has been written up and I noticed that I was rostered on to work on Boxing Day which is a Sunday. I never work on a Sunday , I never did and never will because it's the only day I can plan to go to events I must go to or interested in going to without Myer changing my rooster at the very last minute. I noted this on my employment application forms that I was unavailable on Sundays yet managers still ring and text me on my only day off. It's getting annoying. I don't even think it's legal, I've been with Myer for over a year now as a casualand they have not offered me a permanent part time position despite working fairly regular hours. So as a casual according to Fair work I am free to accept or reject shifts offered. So if managers who are permanent are allowed Christmas eve off why should I not be allowed Boxing Day off? By boxing day I would have worked 9 days with only 1 day off and Christmas day which everyone gets off. Not fair on me at all. I have already missed my father's funeral and cancelled my vaccination twice , one due to their mandate and even if I was given time off on 22nd to get vaccinated. They would expect me to return to work even if I was dying from an adverse reaction. They just don't care about casual staffs'well being. They are the most disorganized company to work for. I'm still unsure if it is just the Warringah store or the entire company? I wish I could get a transfer so I can see how other stores operate. Just in case they terminate my employment I have texted 2 team members and advised them of my situation. Both are on my side.
Myer 9 am - 5.30 pm Today I was suppose to be on mark downs all day but a text message from the customer service manager yesterday my only day off - can't even have a day off without being interrupted by Myer - change of plans stick in the morning markdowns in the afternoon. I ignored the text message , I don't respond to text messages on my day off - send it on the morning I am back at work , managers should not be managers if they are not organised - by the way I never got the to do list from the manager I requested when she rang me days before I was due back last Wednesday. That's how disorganised the customer service manager us - the other manager's well they are just lazy! Stock built up over the stand down on the dock and nobody was allocated to move it. I heard one team member advise me when I asked why there was so much stock on the dock still and the response was that the operations manager didn't think it was part of his job to move stock. Bad attitudes of managers throughout Myer - everyone should pitch in when needed. Even the Store manager pitched in assembling all the Christmas trees cutting his hands whilst doing it - note we were supplied with gloves.
News headlines this morning include:
After yesterday's track work, there is a train strike yet again for a full 2 days today and tomorrow.
A freak storm in Northern Sydney killed a woman crushed by a fallen tree. Hardest hit was the Northern Beaches down to Forestville . Lightening strikes bought trees and power lines down. Residents in Dee Why were hit hardest and 2 are in hospital in a serious condition when lightening struck and storms hit whilst people were still on the beach. Power is still out today.
A 6th child has died from the jumping castle accident at Hillcrest Primary school in Devonport Tasmania. His mother was reunited with her son just 5 days before his death.
4 dead and and pilot has been identified in a plane crash in QLD which was a joy ride
NSW cabinet reshuffle with 9 new MPs
Petrol prices @ 168 cents per litre continue to rise however in NSW it is steady over the holiday season.
The AUS$ continues to hold it's value against US$ around 71.2 cents
Santa's in gondolas in Venice 12th race
There were 2051 COVID cases in NSW today and zero deaths.
Tuesday 21st December 2021
KRONOS STILL DOWN MY CLOCK USED
Today was my first pay received since returning to work I checked WSS as I needed the hours and gross pay for fortnightly Centrelink income reporting - it did not have time to check closely that the hours I worked were correct and actually paid. Some team members check their pay really carefully as Myer has a reputation lile other large organisations to underpay employees . Shift changes and cuts to team members are not the only way Myer operates to minimise overhead costs. They even use COVID and not neccessarily government health orders as an excuse to reduce costs.
It is another stinking hot day today. I wake at 5 am and get ready for work. I catch some of the early news but did not pay much attention to it, instead rush to leave home before 6.30 am in order to get to work in time. I start at 8 am this morning. I had made a lasagna the night before so it's lasagna for breakfast lunch and dinner today. Yep no time to cook. I made myself a lasagna sandwich for lunch today.
Myer 8 am - 5 pm and I have been allocated to do markdowns again all day today. I still don't know why I have to start at 8 am to do mark downs after wasting and losing an entire day yesterday. Originally I was doing mark downs all day yesterday then get that annoying text message from the customer service manager on my only day off on Sunday advising me to do restocking in the morning and markdowns in the afternoon. I never got to do any markdowns instead being told to do restock for the rest of yesterday.
Today the customer service manager is off and the team leader is on duty. Thank goodness I am left alone to do my job and after yesterday's text message trying to force me to work on Boxing day which is a Sunday and Sundays being my only day off , I don"t exactly want to even talk to her. Now she has sent a text message about scan count on 18th/19th January 2022 and nobody is allowed to go on leave.
A crappy scanning and label printing system that is decades old and very slow to load realky did not help my clearance markdowns. The printer failed to connect with the scanner to print so many times, I had to ask other team members how to properly reboot the system. It's simply not a process of switching the scanner off and on again. Then there is the limitation of a maximum of 50 labels which really caused the scanner to crash and lose connection with the printer. Simply running out of labels before the 50 labels were printed and changing the roll of labels caused the scanner and printer to crash. There is no continuation of printing after a new roll of labels is put into the printer. So frustrating.
So I managed to finish the hard reserve the luggage reserve the glassware reserve and half of the bakery reserve only today. I am sure all reserves would have bern finished today if I didn't lose a day of markdowns yesterday and I would have started clearance mark downs on the floor.
The worst markdowns were the quilts in the old luggage reserve as all the quilts were mixed up and you could hardly get to them So I put them all into the right categories and hopoefullyi everyone will keep it that way. All the boxes look the same yet there are about 10 different types of quilts by Heritage and only the Australian Super Wash Wool quilts were on clearance mark downs.
Then there were all the clearance mark down napery in plastic which slowed me down so much. Half of the same stock is in 2 or more different reserves!
I had a 1 hour lunch break past 2 pm and made sure I went for a walk around the mall. Something was making me itchy ( probably the same insects fleas mites whatever theywerr that attacked my arms and legs really badly and which I still bear the pretty bad scars from earlier this year from stock duty) my eyes are also watery and itchy my nose running and I have a wet asthmatic cough - it is filthy at Myer, there is dirt and dust everywhere, you should see the air conditioning room, I hate going into that soft reserve and being exposed to the air conditioning room - it freaks me out even to get an item off the shelf near it. It's dirty dark and noisy not an area I want to get near - who knows what I am being exposed to in that reserve. If you have ever emptied the lint filter after drying a load of washing or removed the filters in an air purifier tower to clean - imagine this millions of times larger and dirtier! Never it looks as if it has never been cleaned or maintained properly. If someone gets COVID from the air conditioning at Myer I would not be surprised. Everyone wear a mask whilst at Myer!
I again went shopping for more snow flake lights but only coloured ones left. Snowflakes are white not coloured . Instead of finding any snow flakes I found hidden under some oddly glass shapped icicle ornaments a boxed set of 3 glass textured icicles. What a find the last box left at a dollar store. I was so excited , they replace the few I broke previously putting the tree up. I hung them on my tree as soon as I got home so pretty.
5 pm and after signing out on the new temporary punch in pounch off system , it is home on the 167 bus across the road - the scenic route bus to Manly. Then transfer onto a 144 acrosd the road taking me home. Could not wait for the next 280 bus to Chatswood or wait on the stinking hot glaring sun for the faster 199 bus to Maonly. First bus to arrive and I just get on. It was empty with only 3 or 4 other passengers that alighted way before the bus reached It's final stop at Manly. A few passengers boarded enroute.
Home after 7.30 pm so I missed the news and the Cook Up but managed to catch most of 8 out of 10 Does Countdown.
I can't sleep thereforr watch Kevin McCloud Rough Guide To The Future on SBS and it past 10 pm.
It's past 11 .30 pm and I'm still awake!
End of another day I got paid late this afternoon , I checked my bank account and it just went in whilst I was travelling home. It was so hot I had to buy a bottle of water from Coles so checked my bank account as well. I hope I haven't been cheated any hours I worked as I did stay back on my first day back last Wednesday until 6 pm as someone did not show up to work! We still don't know who it was.
News headlines today include:
Omicron Omicron Omicron. Government insists that there will not be another lockdown over the holidays and Australians just have to live with COVID. There is again discussions of how the double vaccinated will lose their fully vaccinated status as considerations are made to decrease the period between 2nd and 3rd vaccinations. This will affect millions of Australians but also make millions more Australians eligible for the 3rd booster shot. Thousands are rushing to get tested . ( yep I was there at Bondi watching the drive through COVID testing centre at Condi Beach on Sunday).
There were 3057 COVID cases in NSW and 2 deaths.
At least the train strike is over as industrial action ended after a full day.
Wednesday 22nd December 2021
KRONOS STILL DOWN MY CLOCK USED
Today I would have been off work getting my 2nd COVID vaccination but I am relieved in a way I had cancelled by vaccination altogether as there was no way I would have been given the day off my Myer to and if I was, I would have been expected to return straight to work regatdless if i was dying from an adverse reaction from it. Now that there is a new strsin of COVID which seems to be resistant to the vaccine and booster shots required I am relieved that I cancelled my vaccination. Wait for a better vaccine - maybe there was never a need for a vaccine in the first place. Who knows. All we know is why is COVID still mutating and spreading in countries with very high vaccination rates ie at least 80+ % double vaccination rates? I've asked this question several times before on social media and will continue to ask it. Only now are mefical ecperts even questioning the possibility of natural immunity ie that everyone may eventually get the current less servere COiVID variant Omicron liken to the symptomd of the common cold and that the unvaccinated may obtain natural immunity from it that may in turn protect them from the other strains of COVID.
It's an overcast day today and just a tiny bit cooler.
I get up at 5.30 am and have a shower get dressed pack my bag catch up with the early news before rushing out the door to catch 3 buses in order to get to work in time. I must leave at 6.30 am at the latest for a 8 am start. If there is no 144 bus I hope on the first bus that comes by to St Leonards changing onto a 144 or 114 to Neutral Bay then changing again onto the first B line bus that arrives. Sometimes I have to wait upto 15 minutes for a B line to arrive.
No time for breakfast usually upon arrival at warringah mall but this morning I had to recharge my Opal card yet again this week at Woolworths as I was down to $3. I also grab a chicken sandwich. There is not much choice this early in the morning for breakfast - It's better then a cold ham and cheese croussant which need to be toasted before consumption. No time to wait for this so I scoff my chicken sandwich on my way to the staff entrance/exit of Myer. Made it. I punch in on the temporary My clock system as Kronos is still down and will be until at least after new year it is rumoured.
Myer 8 am - 5 pm I am on mark downs again all day today. This was meant to be my final day of doing mark downs making it a total of 2.5 days allocated but as everyone knows nothing's goes to plan at Myer. Today was no exception. I lost another full morning of mark down time. I probably spent a total of 2 hours trying to get my scanning gun and printer just to work. and 2 casuals called in sick yet again today so from 8 am - 9 am I had to fill in at the Homewares counter on my own. There was a constant stream of customers one after the other. Initially only instructed to serve by the operations manager from 8 am - 9 am until another team member or reinforcements arrived from another department, I probably had to stay serving at least another hour. So did not start markdowns until at least 10 am however the gun I was using failed to work so many times throughout the day I probably had at least 8 team members and managers look at it trying to fix it and trying myself to reboot it and even use 2 other fixed and wireless scanning guns, changing batteries and refilling labels. I got through in 2 days about 2-3 rolls of labels and each time I changed a roll of labels the scanning gun would just freeze. I probably wasted another 2 hours at least today from rebooting these decade plus old scanning guns. New guns are going to replace these ones apparently. When after scan count ( stocktake) on 18th/19th January 2022?
It was utter chaos today, I'm trying to do my job but kept getting bombarded with customers. I told the customer service manager exactly how I felt about her rostering me on to work on Sunday 26th December 21 and she said "I don't want to get in an argument with you at 8 am in the morning and I asked everyone to work on Boxing day" I make it clear she did not ask everyone to work on Boxing day, she certainly did not ask me nor did she ask ex team member ticket girl who did not even know she was rostered on to work on the 26th and 27th Dec as she was disconnected from the whats app group chat when she left and was not reconnected. I told her that she was rostered on to work. So when was the customer service manager going to tell her? I hope she has no plans!
Other problems today, a very unhappy team member who normally works in womenswear downstairs but gas worked upstairs in homewates pteviously and I thought she wanted to work in homewares probably not anymore due to all the chaos and disorganisation up here, was suppose to be working downstairs in womenswear today until 3 or 4 pm until she was sent upstairs. She said tgat she was not staying back and just going when her shift ended today. Fair enough.. She complained to me about why Myer hires 17 year old juniors because they are cheap to hire who don't care a shit about working and taking days off calling in sick and leaving after being trained after finding out tgat this job is not for them? She is 100% correct There are people out there that would die to be working at the moment yet they are not even considered for a job at Myer. I've always said that if I didn't mention that I was a shareholder at Myer, I would never have been even considered for my current casual job at Myer!.Myer hired at least 6 newbies all between 17 and 35 years old and most of them left within a month of starting. What a total waste of time and money especially their training and orientation and associated administration costs
Today I was asked to stay back and told by the customer service manager that she would pay me to do so. I told her absolutely not! I volunteered to stay back on.my first day back last week and am already starting at 8 am most days this week . I have to start drawing the line with Myer from now on and being tougher with them. I am sick of being told off by managers for things I didn't do , yelled at constantly, being reminded to do things I had already been told to do by other manager's- totally unnecessary I'm not stupid so I wish certain managers would stop treating me as if I am. I'm sick of being tossed around with the constant changes to shift start and finishing times and shift days. I'm sick of outdated slow and failing technology which totally stes my time and the constant presdure to complete tasks without the functioning technology. I am sick
8 pm and there are wind gusts and it started to sprinkle rain. It's dark and cool. Time to pull my trusty wind/ rain jacket on and my trusty scarf on as well! Burr it's getting cold waiting for the bus home.
I get home wash my hands my mask and put the turkey I purchased from Woolworths metro in the fridge.. I make a sandwich with the tin of salmon I also purchased from Woolworths for lunch tomorrow. I add a punnet of Blue berries and put everything in a snaplock bag ready for lunch tomorrow.
News headlines today include :
A mother found out her 2 children and her husband had died in the QLD plane crash that was a joy ride while she wss wrapping their presents when police knocked on her door.
Exercise after heart surgery 2 week after may benefit people.
An average of 2 hours on hold is the length of time people spend on the phone.
Protest in Germany over COVID restrictions. New COVID restrictions will be in place after Christmas.
The WHO wants to end the COVID pandemic by the end of next year and urges countries to work together particularly to help countries who have lower vaccination rates.
The first net zero hotel has electric bikes and timed water usage limits.
Richest divource payout in the world to Dubai's princess who had an affair with a security guard who feared for her life of over $1 billion to pay for things such as child support and lifetime security. Initially $2 billion dollar payout was asked but thought too high.
High Students sent vials of yoghart into space to international space station. The yoghart is part of a study to improve astronaut health
Emma Watson made her last farewell as a yellow Wiggle in a yellow skivvie at a Harvey Norman. She will be making her final appearance at The Carols in The Domain on Thursday night.
Emergency crisis talks as COVID cases continue to increase. State run vaccine centres way to go. 200 000 cases forecast daily? Really? Mask mandates indoors.
There were over 3300 Omicron cases in NSW today
Thursday 23rd December 2021
KRONOS STILL DOWN MY CLOCK USED
Myer 8 am - 4 pm - it was meant to be a shorter day today and a day serving customers but again I was asked to stay back again and for the second day in a row I said no and that I have a life outside of Myer. What the customer service manager said to me in response to that in front of the operations manager and assistant store manager was uncalled for. "You said no yesterday and you are saying no again today!" she shouted at me. The other manager's did not say anything probably because the operations manager was busy fixing my scanner gun for me and well I don't know what the assistant store manager was doing. Probably thinking about COVID.
I didn't serve much today - I was on markdowns again in the afternoon. I still had trouble with my scanner gun and printer. How on earth am I suppose to do my job if I don't have the equipment to do do my duties. I was again yelled at. I ignored being yelled at again. I was suppose to be on Markdowns on Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday and Serve on Thursday but have been moved around to do stock so much because people did not show up to work or my scanner gun just kept breaking down, I probably lost2 days in total doing markdowns. I did manage to completely finish markdowns in the napery, hard, luggage and glass reserves at least. Too many customer interruptions as well therefore very little markdowns done on the floor but mainly due to scanner gun breakdowns and poor WiFi black spots.
I left work at 4 pm and caught the bus to Chatswood to return or find out why my snowflake lights and red garland lights aren"t working. They turned out to be the batteries.
I made a trip to Coles Locale for some groceries including toilet paper and treated myself to an almost free spicey barramundi burrito with extra corriander using all my remaining points on my GYG loyalty points as I was so tired and could not be bothered to cook dinner.
Friday 24th December 2021
KRONOS STILL DOWN MY CLOCK USED
Christmas Eve not for me . Myer 8 am - 6 pm. Am I on service today? Who knows. Yep for the morning until other Christmas casuals arrive.
A few mark downs and stock again. Decorator- consolidate all discounted Christmas food onto one table and shelf. Unpack and display a cage full of Blue and white ming vases wicker and glass display boxes and countless cartons of fake flowers and pot plants which I was convinced were not going to all fit on a set of display shelves including an additional 2-3 cartons of fake flowers from the VM manager and all the extra long vases on display on another shelf. In the end it did all fit until I later found another cage on the dock full of more wicker and glass display boxes!
What a.mess the Jamie Oliver Cookware and Green pan Cookware display tables were as well as The cooks collective display tables. Then the was the confusing tresses table of Cooks Collective stone cookware and Cooks Collective One cookware .
At least the BK cookware was a little neater.
Them there was the S & P glassware display shelves - I must have cleaned these up 3 times! Not do I g it again just moved all the white boxed textured S & P ceramic were onto the set of empty shelves and the s & P boxed cutlery sets onto that set of display shelves before finding and bringing up from the reserve all the M W Wayland cutlery sets on sale to fill those empty shelves before going home. No staying back tonight.
I'm so tired. I feel like I could sleep for a year after today! I made sure I finished at 6 pm on time. I went straight to Coles for some sage leaves a snack and water as I had run out of after punching off and exiting through the staff exit/entrance . The store closed at 6 pm however set up for boxing day continues until 8 pm tonight.
I take the 280 bus to Chatswood in case I fall asleep I can't miss my stop as it is the end of the line. I am so tired I can't be bothered to cook dinner so stop off at Woolworths Metro Chatswood to get the only fast hot food left prawn dumplings. I eat these waiting for the bus home. Oh dear not a good idea as I am allergic to shellfish.
By the time I alight the bus it starts to very lightly sprinkle with rain. It is about 8 pm by the time I arrive home. I wash my hands undress and pop my mask in with my dirty clothes to be washed and dried tomorrow. I am so dead tired I fall asleep It is too late to watch anything on tv - I had missed the evening news yet again, The Cook up yet again and 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown I just managed to catch the end of.
Hard to believe Christmas is tomorrow.
News headlines include
There were 5715 cases of COVID in NSW today. Mask mandates indoors has been reinstated. QR code checking have also been reinstated. What a stupid government these 2 COVID rules should never have been lifted. Booster shots still being argued that they should be bought forward to 4 months. Isreal is already commencing 4th booster shots. There are 2 new pills to treat COVID - Merck will be available in the US and Pfizer still to be approved. Flights have been cancelled over Christmas . Rapid antegen testing kits may be made free by the NSW government soon.
The first funeral of the 6 children of the jumping castle accident has occurred. The 2 injured children thst survived have been released from ICU.
Harry and Meghan have released their Christmas photo with the first glimpse of baby Lilbet.
Princess Anne's husband was diagnosed with COVID yesterday
Dutch visitors have flocked to Belgium to avoid the city's lockdown.
Saturday 25th December 2021
Christmas Day In Sydney - Finally! Another Year Another COVID Christmas .
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY READERS!
I have so much to catch up on today and am so tired.
I woke up at 2 am this morning still tired to open my one and only present I received this year from a work colleague . It matches my tree so much. I was thinking about buying one myself but forgot all about it. I haven't eaten one of these since I worked at the chocolate factory decades ago during my college days in my Summer holidays. See photo below to find out what I received. I wonder if they still taste the same?
This will be my first Christmas totally alone. No friends no family not even any neighbours to have a Christmas meal with.
After opening my present I went back to sleep for a while but woke up a few hours later to make my annual version of a turducken. I ate it when it was still really hot for breakfast with some mixed greens and a bacon and cheese bread roll.
I went back to sleep again. Still tired but woke up again to pay another 2 weeks of my weekly rent in advance and send text messages around the world to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year. I am hoping everyone is safe and well. I have probably missed a few people. oops. I did post a general message to everyone on Facebook of my Christmas tree previously. I also cleaned my fridge out completely. Next is tackle everything else. I took a Borrocca but still really tired. Have not made my annual Christmas pudding from scratch so may skip it this year due to lack of time and used the soaked contreau gourmet speckulass fruit mix I have had kept in the fridge for months for a cake slice or brownie instead. For a quick Christmas sweet treat I made a cream cheese mixture with some of it and sandwiched it between 2 Arnotts chocolate ripple biscuits- yum!
I'm still so tired and It's past 3.30 pm. I've slept most of today. My left eye lid is very puffed up and my skin feels itchy and burning . It's windy outside but really sunny and hot. It is forecasted to be 30 degrees today and it sure feels like it at the moment and my fan is running all day. Rain later today is also forecasted.
Past 7.30 pm and I've achieved nothing today. Just so tired! It hasn't rained and it's not getting any cooler.
It's Christmas day yet still bombarded with text messages about work tomorrow from the team leader with the roster and lunch breaks for tomorrow - yes Boxing Day. I had to advise her that I am not working tomorrow ( I was originally rostered on to work 8 am - 6 pm - if I was forced to work I would have called in sick amyway) - It's Sunday and I don't work Sundays She did not know - of course she didn't there is a lack of communications at Myer . Ex team member ticket girl is working in electricals.
I caught up on watching and uploading my 2 YouTube videos I missed uploading. I also watched a lot of the Food channel.
I need to empty my rubbish and put my washing in the washing machine still.
I sorted and attached all my receipts to my diary and recorded my warranty receipts in my phone for my new nutra bullet immersion blender and column fan.
I added 2 extra sets of lights to my tree and re - hung all my ornaments more evenly on my Christmas tree. This is the final result below
Tomorrow I plan to take my tree down and pack it away for another year.
Well I didn't get what I wanted for Christmas this year which was a new permanent job and to volunteer on Christmas Day at a Christmas Day soup kitchen.
News headlines include
NSW had 6288 COVID cases today but no deaths. Now 3 times higher then Victoria.
Several flights have been cancelled leaving family reunions over Christmas up in the air. More then 100 flights from Sydney and melbourne were cancelled as staff are sidelined over COVID.
Testing centres were overwhelmed and forced to close and tens of thousands of residents spent Christmas in isolation. Even QLD has recorded over 700 COVID cases. People were promised test results in 24 hours still waiting after 48 hours leading to isolation over Christmas.
Looks like vaccination rates have stalled 95% single dose 16 years and over and 93.5% double dose 16 years and over. Have people realised that the current vaccines are not working?
Was there any other news on Christmas day? Not really. Tomorrow is The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race traditionally held on Boxing Day and for the first time a new class of smaller yachts has been added to the race which for bigger yachts takes 2 days to reach Hobart, whereas these smaller yachts will take 3 - 4 days to reach Hobart.
Sunday 26th December 2021
Boxing Day
I am so glad that I pushed my point about not working today regardless of it being boxing day. It's a Sunday and my only day off and after having only 1 Day off in 9 days ( excluding Christmas Day as everyone gets that off) I am entitled to it.
I wake at 7 am this morning after a better night's sleep. My left eye lid is still itchy and a little puffy but much better then yesterday.
I was rostered on to work originally from 8 am - 6 pm today but argued that it is a Sunday and therefore don't work Sunday's as I am unavailable to work on Sundays regardless if it is Boxing Day. I only had 1 Day off and it was a Sunday working 9 days therefore I am entitled to at least another day off excluding Christmas Day as everyone has Christmas Day off.
Breakfast was a baked burramundi fillet.
I take my rubbish out to the red bin.
Returning to my apartment , it's 8 am and I screamed as a huge spider crawls out of nowhere in my apartment. I spray it with bleach but it kept crawling away into my pile of clothes. I have no idea where it is now. Hopefully curled up and dead from my bleach spray. It was hiding in my clothes box so I carefully moved it and out came the spider. I kept my front door open in case it wanted to crawl out on it's own but it didn't so I kept spraying it lightly with bleach which irritated it a bit but didn't kill it and it eventually found it's way out the front door scurrying away. I hope it does not return! It was probably in my apartment over Christmas.
Something suspect is going on at Myer Warringah Mall, ther was a staff member a few days before Christmas from the ground floor that tested positive to COVID in women's wear apparently. Since then several staff members have been stood down and told not to return until tgey have upto 3 negative COVID test results. Apparently the counter has been disinfected and those that were in contact with that infected team member on the Sunday and Monday prior to Christmas Day were sent home a few days before Christmas ( I think it was Wednesday) . One was unvaccinated and close to the other unvaccinated team member I work with in Homewares and the other I was working with for a few hours sent upstairs to also work in Homewares. The unvacci bated team member I work with feels that she will be next and now I feel I will be as well. Another Christmas casual was summoned to the office before Christmas and has been scrapped from the Homewares Department roster - maybe she has been reassigned to Women's wear instead and mot sent home. Christmas eve I was taken off register and serving and put on stock again.
I just looked at the roster and I was originally rostered on to work Monday 10 am - 6 pm, Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm but this shift was just cancelled today, Thursday 9 am - 6 pm & Friday 9.30 am - 5.30 am. .Back to almost the minimum 24 hours per week I wanted to work.
I have to try harder to find a new job for 2022.
Just got the following week's roster. My hours have been reduced so much to hardly 18 hours a week. Minimum hours were 24 that I specified when applied to work at Myer.
Laundry done . I just have to take it out of the dryer.
I have made my lunch for tomorrow so just need to pack my bag and get my clothes ready. I hope that spider does not return to my apartment tonight. Maybe I should leave the lights on and my Christmas tree up for tonight.
7 pm and It's getting dark the clouds are quickly closing in so there is a slight chance it could rain again tonight. It's still hot though although slightly windy outside.
News headlines today include :
Christmas Day COVID testing queues are long but people are told not to get tested unless they are feeling sick. Rapid antigen testing kits are sold out.
New rules for booster shots available in January 2022. Interval between 2nd and 3rd dose shortening to 4 months. UK and Isreal getting 4th doses.
Let the virus spread either through vaccination or natural immunity ie catching it experts advise. Pandemic to endemic- It was never a pandemic always an endemic for God's sake!
There were 6384 COVID cases in NSW a little up from yesterday as tens of thousands went to get tested for Christmas. Note why is there suddenly an increase in testing resulting in an increase in positive COVID cases?
Boxing Day sales and consumers are expected to spend big although lineups before stores open are not as large as usual. It was mentioned that people will spend online rather then in store due to Omicron scares. It is estimated that $2 - $3 billion is expected to be spent. People queued from 3 am this morning. Really? Also estimate is a 50 50 split between online and in shore shopping due to COVID.
Airfare sales falling and are from $48 if you are willing to take the risk to book a vacation!
Cricket (3rd Ashes Test Boxing Day Test) day and (BBL) night.
Duchess of Cambridge has a hidden talent - Kate can play the piano.
The Queen has paid a personal tribute to her late husband in her annual Christmas address. She was absent from the Christmas church service @ St George's Chapel but did spend Christmas with Charles and Camilla.
Wild weather around Australia Cyclone watch in the NT yesterday now no longer as it is downgraded as it moves offshore of Darwin however residents advised to be on alert , total fire bans in NSW due to Southerly winds and heat waves as temperatures soar. Perth in WA reached had a sweltering Christmas day with temp features set to reach 40% today.
The Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart Race has not started yet, with yachts already pulling out of the race due to COVID cases, a hand injury and awaiting COVID test results. There are now only 89 yachts still in the race. Wild weather is slowing the time for larger yachts to reach Hobart estimated to take 3 days instead of the usual 2 days with conditions favouring smaller yachts.
Monday 27th December 2021
Back to work today
KRONOS STILL DOWN MY CLOCK USED
It rained overnight the road is wet it is slightly windy and the temperature has dropped this morning to the mid 20s degree C. It was so hot last night. I had the window open and fan on overnight. It was a rough sleep. I woke at 5 am and went back to sleep waking at 6 am.
I had made my lunch of a mushroom cheese and shallot quiche and some of my soaked spiced fruit mix ( that i did not get to use as I did not have time to make my Christmas pudding this year) mixed with some cream cheese sandwiched between 2 chocolate ripple biscuits the previous day and packed it. My outfit I had just washed and dried was laid out and I had packed my backpack the night before.
I left for work after 8 am as I did not start work today until 10 am. My shift at Myer today was 10 am - 6 pm. It was so busy today and i was bombarded by 3 customers at a time. A lot of them not wilking to wait their turn. What made this worse was i had a customer but was bombarded with another customer by the customer service manager when I had a second customer waiting.
I didn't get to go on the registers much today as there were too many of us on and not enough registers. The electrical department was also down on one register that could not even turn on its screen.
Frustration with technology continued as the iPad were so slow and it was Wii per for me to run down to the reserve to find something for customers rather then wait for the iPad searches to load! Then there were the returns to be processed on the POS. Usually it is so straight forward you scan the barcode at the bottom of the receipt and select the item to be returned and reason then continue with exchange or refund or issue a returns card but not today no receipt barcodes were scanning and items were just scanned and manually returned .However the returns had to be co signed by another team member - not a team leader or manager but just another team member. I questioned this and apparently that's all it needed was a co sign from another team member. This means people could return anything and everything. In the past returns without receipts had to be authorised by a team leader or manager - now all returns can be processed. Really?! I suppose if you were unsure you could issue a returns card.
In the afternoon an ex stick team member came to visit whilst I was in menswear folding clothes. Looking as cute as ever and better looking then when he was working at Myer ( yes he is a younger hot gorgeous Spanish speaking guy with a cute accent all the VM girls liked) , he left to persue commercial work and found a job doing social media marketing remotely. I asked him how he found his job and he told me that during lockdown it was ridiculous where he was job hunted full time , he applied for hundreds of jobs before he got his current job. It was nice seeing him again but it would be nice if the team member from VM was able to catch up with him as she is always on a day off when he comes to visit. I texted her and advised her that I had told him what days she was working.
What else happened. My shifts were cut again. Yep. I feel as if I'm being punished for not working on Boxing Day.
Even team members were questioning whether my shifts were being cut because I refused to work on Boxing Day.
I'm flat out working and get a text message from the unvaccinated team member from Homewares. I don't answer he until I have a lunch break.
"How was your day off?😀"
"I was still recovering from my sticky eye lid that puffed up. I could not open it on Christmas so slept most of the day and on Sunday it started getting better. I still stayed at home so no chance I came into contact with anyone with COVID. Did you work yesterday?"
"Yes"
"was it as bad as today? One register down in electricals and not enough registers in Homewares?"
"It was a quiet boxing day. Ipads very slow. Everyone is shopping online "
"sure are! frustration! everyone wants to know if we have more of items."
"The stock levels are wrong "
"I noticed that. A lot of stock levels are wrong. A customer would have 6 of something in their hands and the store shows no stock."
"The new casuals don't want to work."
"Is A***** at work? She has been off sick "
"A few girls downstairs waiting for covid results"
"no A***** is back . she told me her COVID test was negative.
who is waiting for test results downstairs? F***** is back.
The casuals are working. whose not working? even B**** is working."
"I mean they just hang around the counter"
"I have 2 days off was originally working Tuesday but shift was cancelled on 26th Dec."
No they don't they are flat out working at the registers today.
I've had my shifts cut twice and was sent over to menswear by Kellie this afternoon. All the Christmas casuals are getting my shifts."
"It's too quiet.
Someone said JK told them to cut shifts.
B**** ***** was serving at the barbershop register"
"It has nothing to do with that as all the casuals are getting the shifts
what's the barbershop register?
electricals have one register completely down"
"Menswear, were the door is to the dock.
The spot next to it was a barber shop"
"that's because electricals were 1 register down. you can't even get the screen on"
"Maybe before your time"
"yep it was. and when I said K***** sent me over to menswear it was not to serve but to fold clothes up"
In the evening I had to send the VM team member the following text mnessage as I was sure she wanted to know on her day off.
"guess who dropped into Myer to buy some clothes in menswear today? D**** He says hi and I told him you are in on Wed Thur Fri so he may pop in one day to see you"
"I always miss him when he comes in! Did he say what he is doing for work? I was beginning to think he was deported or something, it's been so long since I've seen him "
"No he's fine doing commercials but not tv commercials social media ones.
you probably won't be seeing me much. I've had my shifts cut."
"Is that because you didn't work Boxing Day?"
"probably. I don't work Sundays I never have because I wrote on my employment forms right at the beginning that I was unavailable to work on Sundays. I think it was unreasonable to roster me on a Sunday just because it was boxing day. It wasn't even busy according to D**** and other team members. I bet K***** wanted me to do stock that day"
"I refused to work it as well, but all of the other VM girls did it which I'm really annoyed about because they will expect us all to do Boxing Day and public holidays all of the time (we're supposed to get public holidays off)
D**** said that each year 1- 2 of them will work it and they swap turns each year so that we don't all have to do it. She wasn't impressed when everyone said they would do it. & she had put her hand up weeks ago to be the one to do it this year"
"wait how does it work, you take it in turns to work public holidays? So D**** wanted to work public holidays or she didn't want to work public holidays? "
I took a few bites out of your chocolate Christmas pudding- had to stop after 3 bites far too sickly sweet for me. I think I will chop it up melt it down and put it in a cookie or cake mixture."
"Apparently we take turns each year to work Boxing Day so that management can't complain that VM don't do their part and this year D**** had already said she would do it... so was a bit annoyed when everyone else caved under the pressure and said they would as well"
"aren't half of your VM team new? they wouldn't know"
"😂 X*** thought it was too sweet as well, I ate it over a couple of days (no scratch that... hours 😉) but it was very sweet. I was in need of sugar at the tome"
"Is there coconut in it? It's very white and I bet there is a tonne of titanium dioxide in it!"
"Yes they are, D**** tried to tell them but they didn't listen or probably felt being new and all that they had too.
Yes there's coconut, but I love coconut and chocolate, which is probably why I kept eating it
I was going to get you something else but there was very little left to choose from and that was the only brand that I even recognised
Does titanium dioxide mean I'm going to die a very slow death? Sounds horrid "
"I didn't tell you what else D**** was doing. All lockdown he spent applying for jobs. Hundreds of them and he finally got some sort of remote marketing job. I think he works from home."
"Oh that's nice, wish I could work from home !"
It's perfect . It doesn't taste the same as I remember it though. More titanium dioxide probably. It's in your sunscreens and cosmetics probably in some toothpaste as well. It is used in commercially iced caked mock cream butter cream frosting etc so don't worry It's in a load of things. It makes things white. Zumbo used it in most of his cakes! Wilton even makes it in a bottle to be used in homemade icings.
yep I wish I could work from home too."
Postscript : I checked the ingredients an I'm unsure if there is actually any titanium dioxide in It but there sure are a few e numbers in it! It does taste gritty like mock cream though with coconut added to it to hide the texture.
It rained quite heavily today and for quite a while. It was still raining at 6 pm when I left work through the back of the staff entrance/exit. I walked to the bus stop via a do list stop. I walk acrosd the pedestrian overpass bridge and catch the first 199 bus to Manly then walked to the bus stop avross the road to catch the 144 bus home.
I put my red bin out on my way back inside . I left my mask in the sink as well as my gloves and washed my hands. Since I had my shifts cancelled this week and next week I don't need to worry about what I need for work tomorrow.
I get home around 7.30 pm missing the news most of the cookup but manage to catch 8 out of 10 does countdown .
It continues to rain after 9 pm.
Remember the huge spider that came out of nowhere in my apartment that gave me a scare and which I managed to get out and let it crawl away alive? I found it again back in my apartment next to my rubbish bin however this time it was curled up. I thought it was still alive and just having a nap as my apartment is always nice and warm - after all it is raining outside and therefore cold and wet . I gave it a poke and it was dead so I used my vacuum cleaner to suck it up. When my mother passed away I had this fly that kept hanging around and remembering mentioning it to someone that I thought it might have been a reincarnation of my mum. Was this spider a reincarnation of my father who recently passed away returning to find me? If so he wasn't welcome in that form. At least my mum was reincarnated as a fly but I think she was reincarnated a second time as a sugar glider or baby possum who appeared out of nowhere and just sat there and looked at me as I took a walk on my own late one night really upset and not knowing where I was heading or what I was doing. I was angry that she had passed away and remember that night and my walk clearly even if I could not remember anything else. Wherever my parents are now, they are together again in whatever form they are in.
It's past 11 pm and I'm still awake - After all that's happened today at work, I can't sleep.
My original shift for tomorrow that I've had for a while has been cancelled at the last minute, my original shifts for the following week have also bern cancelled. It's just unfeasible for me to continue working at Myer anymore. I am being drained of my finances. It cost me a whole day's wages just to travel out to Myer Warringah then there is the expected use of our personal devices for everything. I don't want to be constantly interrupted on my days off with text messages on the Group Chat what's app from Myer especially when I'm doing other things.
It's just past midnight and there is another car accident just outside on the main highway. This time it did not crash anywhere near the apoartment block but on the highway itself. Looks like the car hit something and ended up on the opposite side of the median strip. Luckily traffic in both directions is not very heavy and the driver in the car was able to pull up into the front carpark of this apartment block. No passengers injured it looks like, maybe a blown tyre however it now looks as if there are 2 cars involved. I fell asleep and did not see what actually happened after the driver in what looked like a silver car pull into the front carpark and contacted emergency services on his phone. The other MV looked as if it was black or dark in colour.
News headlines today include
The Queen had a security scare over Christmas when a 19 year old intruder was discovered.
From today QR codes are mandatory again in NSW in retail, pubs, clubs and hospitality venues with the 1 person per 2 square meter rule or density limits in place again. Masks still mandatory in indoor venues- these 2 should not have been lifted in the first place. It's too late to reinstate them. Stupid government decision.
Businesses are struggling due to a staff shortage as staff are having to go into isolation. 1000 - 2000 hospital staff are isolation leading to a staff shortage putting pressure on the healthcare system .
Rapid antigen testing is encouraged to take pressure off the health system. Again the government is so stupid being so slow to develop aand approve these for usage and so against using them instead sticking to PCR testing as the sole testing method until recently and arguing their accuracy. Now trying to encourage the use of them and even endorsing their accuracy to taking the pressure off medical staff. A little too late as demand now outstrips supplies .
Hundreds (400) of incorrect COVID tests results were released by St Vincents Hospital to people who were advised that they did not have COVID when they did. This was a result of staff shortages, inexperienced staff and time presures to get results out. People are waiting 72 hours to get test results.
Desmond Tutu has died at 90.
Meagan Markle has finally received a public apology from an ongoing battle over a breach of privacy with British tabloid The Mail with a front page publication of an apology.
For a 3rd day in a row Christmas travel by air has been cancelled due to the spike in COVID cases.
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race continues, with 89 yachts offically starting only 67 yachts remain in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as the race continues to take casualties as they make their way down to Hobart. Watch out for Black Jack, Scallywag & Law Connect.
Snow storms in Japan and bush fires in WA - the wild weather continues around the world.
Tuesday 28th December 2021
Since my original shift at Myer 10 am - 6 pm today was cancelled at the last minute by the customer service manager yesterday ( she made sure I saw that my shift had been cancelled by telling me herself yesterday afternoon and even sending me away from folding towels which she had previously told me to do to menswear to fold clothes) I slept in today until 7 am to a rather cool grey and wet day.
No plans today except take the red bin back in.
I go down to bring the red bin back in and it has been missed again so I report it online and it was emptied just before noon. I knew it had been possibly missed again because the lid was still on it and it had not moved from where I left it. Everyone else had removed their red bins away from the kerbside.
When I went downstairs I also noticed the following mess in the front car park entrance. photo below taken this morning.
It looks much worse close up. This was the result from last night's car accident. It must have been worse then I thought. More then 1 motor vehicle must have been involved and driven into the car park outside. I fell asleep so wasn't sure what actually happened. I did hear a siren so it may have been the fire brigade. My question is who is responsible for cleaning it up? It's been raining but drier today therefore it won't be washed away. Should I report it to Lane Cove Council? I have absolutely no details of the MV involved in the accident as the accident did not happen on the apartment block property this time.
1 pm and it has been raining but not hard enough to wash the above patch of whatever it is away and down the storm water drains.
It stopped raining in the afternoon but It's now almost 6 pm and the clouds are looming again and it looks as if it is going to pour again.
I spent an hour or so taking off all my Christmas ornaments off my tree and carefully wrapping and packing them all away. all the batteries have been removed from each set of lights as well. The tree is dismantled into 2 sections and everything Christmas is packed away inside the Santa sack. Christmas is well and truely over for another year. Photo attached below
Just saw a text posted on the What's App group chat re rosters. I noticed that my hours had changed on Fri 31st December 21. It's NYE. I was originally rostered on to work 9.30 am - 5.30 pm now it said 9 am - 6 pm. I'm ok with that but the complaint was staff changing the rosters. Who's changing the rosters? I had to write back. It's not me.
So I purchased a cheap $20 plus book fee ticket online to see the fireworks on Sydney Harbour @ wharf # 2 Circular Quay. I didn't have much choice as Campbells Cove and all other good vantage points had sold out. Nobody want to sed it from Dawes Point West circular Quay or Whale # 2 because these are the worse vantage points . Sawed point is on the other side under the Harbour Bridge , West Circular Quay has a partially obstructed view of the harbour Bridge as it is on the wrong side of Circular Quay and WhaIf # 2 is a tiny vantage point indoors ie COVID plus. At least if I decided that I was too tired to travel out to the city to see the midnight fireworks I would not have wasted my money. I could alternatively go to Bradfield Park on the other side of the Harbour Bridge to view the fireworks which is free.
I did not venture out today. I just ate watched tv and slept.
Just on Monday my shifts after new year at Myer were Tuesday 11 am - 5 pm Friday 11 am '5 pm and Saturday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm but today the final roster had my Saturday shift cut altogether so I only work 12 hours which is below the minimum hours I specified I wanted to work on my original employment documents right at the beginning before I commenced working at Myer.
I give up. Someone is going to read this blog of mine and it will get back to Myer head office in Melbourne of what goes on at Myer stores ( not that they would care)..
News headlines online include:
According to NSW Health website there 6324 COVID cases in NSW. No wrong I just read on a news site that there are 6062 new COVID cases and 1 new death in NSW. The figures keep changing maybe this is an update today - either that or figures are inaccurate. Oops it maybe because I missed a day of figures.
There was an explosion in Canbera in Belconnen destroying a kebab and neighbouring stores The cause is still being investigated. A man has suffered severe burns as a result. Luckily the cluster of buildings were not open for trading although there are some light industry in the vicinity that involve fuel usage which is a concern.
A Demons fan who snuck into Western Australia by lying to a border offical to attend the AFL grand final and was arrested for breaching COVID travel restrictions is back in Melbourne after spending Christmas in jail. He was double vaccinated but breached quarantine. conditions with a friend who used false documentation to travel. He has apologised for his stupidity.
Frontline workers only have to isolate for 7 days before returning to work and people who have attended public events and come into close contact with a positive COVID case will only have to isolate for a few days.
A second bungle has occurred where almost thousand of people ( 995 to be exact) who have tested positive to COVID have been advised that they tested negative to COVID and forced into isolation as Sydney's testing system buckles under pressure. A press release indicated that it was a clerical error releasing results before they were confirmed. It was the same pathology lab that released the 400 incorrect results previously.
The first yacht to complete the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is expected to take out line honours some time tonight dependent on conditions which can change without warning.
There was a COVID scare within the Ashes cricket team where non cricket team members' support staff and family members tested positive to COVID.
Brad Hazzard the NSW Health minister has put pressure on the QLD government for not scrapping the PCR tests required for travel into QLD. There is the push towards rapid antigen testing instead - that's if you can find or get your hands on one as they are in short supply therefore difficult to find. Scaping PCR testing will not commence until January 1st 2022.
The search is on for 2 children missing outside of Judges.
Wednesday 29th Drcember 2021
Another day off work.
It's 6.30 am and It's raining again!
I think that I should venture out today. There are still so many exhibitions I still want to go and see.
I knew this would happen. What was the text messages about today on the What's App Team Group Chat posted by the team leader? Returns! So team members must be accepting any returns and not thinking about what can and can't be returned. See what happens when you allow the processing of returns without receipts for returns cards. I refused a return of dinner plates the other day because the customer had no receipt and all the labels had been pulled off the bottom of the plates instead of scrubbing the prices off. They said they received it as a gift but weren't 100% sure that it was from Myer although they were told that they were. We did not have the items in stock at the moment. How do I know they even came from Myer - other kitchenware stores sell the same MW dinner plates even tissue them the same way. When a customer purchases something I always make it clear if something is non returnable exchangeable or refundable and the reason and I always ensure they have a receipt even if is not a gift receipt.
Today I had to venture out for groceries as I was running low. It meant a trip to Aldi and Coles Local. A bus to Chatswood and back.
I returned around 7 pm and managed to watch The Cook Up and 8 out of 10 Does Countdown. I deliberately missed the 7 pm news as I'm sick of almost the entire hour of news full of COVID news.
News headlines include
Australian actor Hugh Jackman has tested positive to COVID posting on social media.
Large amounts of high dose MDMA tablets that are blue in colour marked with a superman logo have been found curculating around prior to NYE celebrations. These are twice as lethal .
Blackjack is the first yacht to reach Constitution Dock in Hobart overnight at 1.37 am after 2 days 12 hours and 37 minutes the slowest time in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race since I think 2014 ahead of Lawconnect & Scallywag.
People have been queuing up since 2 am and turned away from testing centres by police due to testing centres reaching full capacity. People are encouraged not to clog up the testing centres to be tested unless they are actually sick. Travel requirements interstate still require PCR testing therefore putting pressure on testing centres. Rapid antigen testing is encouraged for those that are not required to get tested unless they have been in close contact with a positive COVID case and have been advised to get tested. Rules have are changing for isolation times required for positive COVID cases. Shortage of supply and costs of testing kits available are making it difficult for people to get tested. There was talk of the government providing free testing kits to people in NSW.
Breaking news the QLD government has just announced that a PCR test is no longer required just a rapid antigen test to travel to QLD. Originally this rule was going to change on 1st January 2021 now bought forward due to pressure.
There is an estimate that 79000 people have suffered a COVID vaccine injury and for claims for compensation of $20000 requires evidence from a doctor , over $20000 and cases will be individually accessed. A cap of up to $64000 will only be compnsated to the most serious of COVID vaccine cases.
A fluffy white bald eagle chick has hatched with it's sibling about to hatch next to it on eagle watch cam in Canada.
The 2 teenaged kids aged 12 and 14 lost whilst bush walking oustside of Mudgee have been found by a seatch and rescue helicopter alive and well after being lost for 24 hours. They had built a shelter for themselves to protect them from the elements.
There is a protest at a detention centre on a roof where people have chained themselves protesting against the treatment of detainees.
Australia wins a Ashes test against England thanks to a debut fast bowler although he may now be in doubt to play for Australia due to selection panel.
There are now 11201 COVID cases in NSW today and 3 deaths! Really? This isn't breaking news - if you haven't tested positive to COVID yet - you will be! Everyone will probably have COVID by NYD!
The figures don't even make sense. if yesterday the nation wide figure of COVID cases was 11264 cases acrosd the country then today that must have more then doubled as Nsw alone has 11201 plus another thousand or two in VIC plus the all the other new COVID cases in the other states. Is it a coincidence that the number of cases spiked to almost double from the previous day due to a huge increase in testing? Is the theory that the P CR test was not designed to detect COVID and that all these postive results are actually not positive results hence the false all the false positive results? What about the 1400 p eople who were told they were negative to COVID only to be told they were actually positive due to a "clerical error" where results were not confirmed. Why do test rests haave to be confirmed? You either have COVID or you don't. The PCR test is not looking for other illnesses just COVID and which variants.
A text message with the roster for this week has been attached to the What's App Team Group Chat - and guess whose start and finish times has changed for NYE? Mine. originally I was to work 9.30 am - 5.30 pm but it was changed to 9 am - 6 pm .I texted a message back to confirm this change as I don't want another phone call asking where I am when I had not been rostered to start work yet - particularly if I am already on my way on the bus or in the Mall.
I fell asleep early. Work tomorrow.
Thursday 30th December 2021
Myer 9 am - 6 pm
KRONOS STILL DOWN MY CLOCK USED
Difficult to believe that it is almost the end of another year yet the world is still in a pandemic.
Today I woke up at 5.30 am. The sun is out for once and no rain overnight.
I wonder what's install for me at work today and tomorrow. Hopefully not being yelled at yet again.
I left work today around 7 am in order to get to work on time.
Most of today was spent organising the entire towel section excluding Sheridan. There was a huge amount of moving towels around and restocking as well as towel folding. I was left alone to complete the task and was sucessful in doing so. I thought I did a pretty good job and so did the customer service manager.
Another team member bites the dust after only a few months with Myer she resigned and today was her last day. I asked her why she was resigned and she advised me that it was due to her availability.
The customer service manager and Electricals and Homewares team leaders were having a meeting today in the cafe and there was sure a lot of screaming yelling and shouting .
Myer has really become a unpleasant toxic place to work. If it was not for the social aspect of work collegues I don't think I would be working here - not even for a 12 months experiment to find out why Myer is performing so badly which has gone terribly wrong.
The customer service manager posted a very fuzzy roster up for the week after NYE. Did she deliberately post it so I could not see that she had cut another one of my shifts leaving me with just one 6 hour shift? I asked her about it and she said that that fuzzy roster was for Monday 2nd Jan 2022 only. Yeh right I'm not on it of course and either am I rostered on for 7th January 2021! She did resend it and it had not changed.
I feel as if she is punishing me and I hope not for being unvaccinated. That's outright discrimination!
The customer is a always right - no the customer is not always right and today I had a few customers who were indeed not right.
1. Customer number 1 an elderly couple who purchased some bedding partly with a presse voucher exchanged for a Myer digital gift card. I scanned the item and they part paid for it with that Myer digital gift card before discovering that the discount on the item had not automatically been applied to it by the POS system. I did not question if there was actually a valid discount on that particular item aand just honoured it. However I asked them to pay the balance with their card and I would refund the whole transaction and put it through again at the discounted price. I actually got the team leader to put it through so it would be correct yet the wife of the couple was still unconvinced it was correctly put through and kept doing a calculation. The husband was convinced tgat it was correct. They have the receipts and if tgey still want to question it can take it up with the team leader or customer service manager. Looked correct to me.
2. Customer number 2 had purchased 5 pieces of Robert Gordon ceramic were on clearance with a further 25% off the clearance price the day before claiming she did not get the further 25% off the clearance price. she purchased another 6 of the same product today and I assured her that I would ensure tgat she received the correct discount today and would look at her receipt from yesterday's purchases and refund her the difference if it was incorrect. She paid for today's purchases and I pointed out the discount tgen I had a look at her other receipt and pointed out to her that she did indeed get the further discount on the clearance items. She was happy with that.
3. A customer rings up and says she no longer lives near Warringah and could I find an item for her and do a phone order and have it delivered to her - if It's available and unbreakable yes of course but then she goes on about how her online order was cancelked and if I could honour the 40% discount on it from before boxing day - I would said a flat no but she insisted I speak to the manager which I did and explained how it was better to pay the full price and get free delivery but she did not want to do that and went on about how she wanted to purchase a second item to take it over the $50 minimum spend to receive free delivery. I had to tell her no that's not how it works and that the discount before boxing day on the item she wanted cannot be honoured. Really some customers are just pushing their luck! It's not the stores'problem if a customer's online order is cancelled It's Myer's problem as a company.
4. Customer number 4 wanted to purchase some different MW pieces some of which are on sale whilst others were not. tbis hapoens a lot when customers just don't read the sale signs . Mezze and Cavier ranges were on sale however the Tint range was not. The customer only wanted the pieces of dinnerware on sale. In retail everything has to be explained to customers even when it is very clearly advertised.
I was so tired by the end of the day I took the 280 scenic route bus to Chatswood and stopped off at the Seven Eleven for a pie I was craving before catching another bus home. I don't usually eat plain chunky meat pies, usually a chicken and veg pie but decided to get a basic Seven Eleven brand pies. It was pretty good. Not the best pie I have had but not bad for a Seven Eleven pie and this particular store had s good variety of hot pies pasties and sausage rolls. I rate it an 8/10. If you are hungry I do recommend stopping at a Seven Eleven for a snack. People think that the local Seven Eleven is all junk food including the ultra sweet slushies which I don't particularly enjoy therefore avoid but they do have some good hot and cold food options such as sandwiches fruit coffee juices along side the hot pies pasties and sausage rolls. Not quite as high a standard as the Japanese Seven Eleven stores that sell quality sushi but nothing like the North American Seven Eleven stores that sell dried out chicken wings dripping with oil that have been sitying in a warmer all day and slices of pizza that looks as if they have come straight out of a frozen pizza box from their own refridgerators , baked in an oven, cut up and kept warm sitting there all day until they are so dried out you could break your tooth biting into it's crust! Photo below of the Seven Eleven brand chunky beef pie I purchased.
I missed the news again getting home too late and also missed The Cook Up only catching 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown. I also managed to catch a Girls Guide To Fishing Hunting & Wild Cooking. I love this series on the foid channel but cannot always get home in time to watch it.
End of another day. Sleep & Work again tomorrow. I was advised to start at 9 am if I can and finish at 6 pm by the customer service manager. She was speaking to the unvaccinated team member and I did not want to interrupt but she caught me so I had to talk to her and ask her about start and finishing timwe for tomorrow NYE.
News headlines today include:
Almost all about COVID nationally and internationally.
The Victorian government is making rapid antigen testing kits available free to all residents of Victoria however how this is going distributed has not been mentioned. No word about whether NSW will follow suit. NSW is lagging behind yet is the state tbat needs them the most.
Now that travel to QLD no longer required a PCR test to enter, there is an honour system using rapid antigen testing. Good luck in finding them in NSW as they are liken to toilet paper in the early days of the COVID pandemic back in 2020.
The NSW is determined not to have another lockdown and to learn to live with COVID. NYE fireworks will be going ahead and will be bigger then previous fireworks displays but the question is will people still show up. All vantage points around the city are ticketed and limited to a 2 square meter per person rule. Intetesting nothing has been said about mask wearing during this event.
Contact tracing has been wound down and the definition of what is a close contact is changing. Isolation periods are also changing.
Other news include the number of yachts still to reach Hobart in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Prince Andrew lawyers wants disqualification of lawsuit involved in the Jeffrey Epstein case dropped due to a technicality - the main victim Virginia Giuffre lives in Australia.
There were 12226 COVID cases in NSW and 1 death today
Friday 31st December 2021.
I can't believe it is NYE today!
KRONOS STILL DOWN MY CLOCK USED
I am working at Myer today 9 am - 6 pm a change at the last minute from 9.30 am - 5.30 pm. I ended up leaving at 5.30 pm as it will be difficult for me to catch the Bline after 6 pm. It was difficult enough to get on a bline at 5.45 pm!
The assistant manager offered to give me a lift home as she thinks she lives near me in Lane Cove - she lives nowhere near me and I had to advise her that I wasn't actually going to Lane Cove. Nice of her to offer however I would never accept an offer of a lift from her because no one really likes her and it is know that whenever they were in the lift team members would yell to quickly press the button so the doors would shut and she would not be able to get into the lift with them.
I was allowed to leave work at 5.30 pm having tidied up and added more clearance stock to the countless tresses tables and tables full of last season's clearance stock and the previous seasons clearance stock! And shareholders are wondering why Myer is performing so badly! Truckloads of heavily discounted stock sitting in the store's reserves and on shelves in the store for multiple seasons! Think of the holding costs!
By the time I walk all the way to Pittwater Rd up and over the overhead pedestrian overpass to the other side of Pittwater Rd to the Bline and Manly bus stops, it is already 5.50 pm. I am hopping on the first bus that arrives either to Manly or Wynyard, preferably to Wynyard as I won't need to transfer on a bus at Manly and run for the last ferry to Circular Quay before 7 pm or transfer onto a bus towards Chatswood and back track by train from St Leonards to Wynyard or Chatswood to Wynyard or a bus from Neutral Bay to Wynyard which are all risky transfers that I could miss or not get a seat on as everyone is headed that way tonight. The queue for the B line is really long and the first B line bus arrives but I don't get on it as it is full to capacity. I wait for the next B line bus that arrives about 10 - 15 minutes later. Quite a few buses pass by with a "Not In Service" sign on them. Not a single Manly bus arrived during my time waiting for the B line bus. There were alternative 174X express buses in between B line buses travelling to Wynard as well but the frequency between buses were irregular. I manage to get a seat on the next Bline bus but again I hate how people that are sick and coughing sit right next to me or others. Yuk. At least everyone must wear a mask on public transport. It was a horrible ride to Wynyard although quite a few passengers alighted at Neutral Bay Junction including the person who was coughing.
Wynyard was the last stop and I arrived there after 6.30 pm. My first stop was Coles at Wynyard Station however I did not end up purchasing anything not even getting a snack of some sort from the range of deep fried chicken chips and other greasy fatty fast food delights for my long night ahead. I had with me a left over bottle of water a banana and some milk chocolate coated almonds. I didn't even feel hungry just really tired and my legs hurt like anything.
I continue walking to Circular Quay not quite knowing where I was suppose to go. I had an idea of where wharf 2 was but the information on my digital ticket said to use Alfred and Philip Streets to enter so I walked towards them. I found a gate that said gate 2 and assumed it was for the wharf 2 vantage point. It was a long walk with barricades and high screened up fences everywhere. Now that I had found tge currect gate to enter and I am @ Wharf 2 Circular Quay , all I had to do was get my QR code scanned and open my bag up for inspection by the security guards to check for alcohol and glass both prohibited at this family friendly vantage point. I was unsure what to inspect once inside these gates - Could I exit and enter when I liked? Was it going to be crowded once inside?What was the view going to be like? What if I needed food or need to go to the toilet - Where and were these available? Once inside this fully enclosed area where you could not see from the outside due to the high white opaque screens most of my questions were answered. Yes there were portaloos . Yes there was food availble for purchase inside wharf 2 and No it was not crowded at all , I estimated there was about 100 people all in small groups of family and friends seated on rugs and just chilling out. There was quite a bit of space to spread out on. Maybe everyone will enter at the last minute but no this never happened for the 9 pm fireworks. Everyone was very civilised except for a few people who decided to block my view and another couple's view. The family that decided to block my view decided to plonk themselves in front of me and the kid was super annoying riding on a wheelie case in front of me constantly and the mother was obviously sick constantly coughing - she had a mask on but clearly should not have been allowed in and they ignored the 2 person per 2 square meter rule. Why they didn't sit somewhere else I don't know. There was heap s of space everywhere yet they decide to squish themselves extremely close to other families next to other families beside and in front of me. Yuk. They left and came back then left again after the 9 pm fireworks which by the way were pretty ordinary. The ferries docked at wharf 3 & 2 obstructed the views of the habour but the view of the Harbour Bridge was straight ahead! I was happy that I chose this vantage point to view the fireworks from. No photos but I have uploaded a full video of the 9 pm fireworks from my Wharf 2 location onto my YouTube channel.
Below is a photo of the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from where I sat pre 9 pm fireworks. The bridge was lit up in different colours. The colour blue was a tribute to all the frontline workers.
It was another long 3 hours before the main midnight fireworks. I decided not to eat or drink anything. I just blogged a little and recharged my phone whilst I waited staying put in case there is a rush of people arriving and I lose my spot. I also took a nap. It became cooler so I put on my black wind jacket and my scarf - I'm always prepared. I should have purchased a picnic rug from work as it was rather uncomfortable sitting on my towel I always carry around in my bag for situations like this when it comes in handy but no time.
All was very quiet until 11 pm and all of a sudden I hear this loud whistle from someone and the gate between wharf 2 and the East Circular Quay vantage point along the promenade suddenly opens up and a crowd of people suddenly make a dash for it along the promenade. I got a shock and most people in the wharf 2 vantage point get a surprise but do not move from their spots. I grab my stuff and follow the crowd. It was not really a stampede as it was not that crowded along the promenade. I hear someone call out to someone to stay here as the view was already great and tgere was no need to find a better vantage point further along the promenade. They were right. I was happy to stay just outside the enclosed wharf 2 vantage point. I have uploaded a video onto my YouTube channel of the full 15 minute or so midnight fireworks from where I was standing. Absolutely spectacular! The Harbour Bridge was in full view ahead and the fireworks were only obstructed by the giant toaster residential and commercial buildings to my right. Photo pre midnight fireworks below. I obviously could not take stills of the fireworks as I was videoing them in full.
As soon as the midnight fireworks were over everyone around me was hugging and wishing everyone a happy New Year. some hung around whilst most joined the mass exit and long walk to Wynyard Station and beyond home bound. most poeople were well behaved as there were ground police and mounted police every where. The mass exit was a photo opportunity on It's own. It was dark and I had to keep walking as not to block the mass of people that kept moving therefore I shaped random photos of the crowds in front of me and behind me ( likened to the fun runs I usually participate in except at a slower pace).
I reach Wynyard Station hop on the first train towards Chatswood alight at St Leonards Station. I was tempted to stop ofc for a snack not knowing if anything was open - only McDonald's was open - no thanks so I cross the road and catch the first bus tgat comes a long. Some rail replacement buses passed and stopped to drop passengers off but I was unsure where tgey went so waited for a normal bus. Home by 1.05 am NYD. It took me longer to get to Cicular Quay then it did for me to get home. So tired I went straight to bed after a huge day starting at 6 am Friday and ending at 1.05 am Saturday and slept for almost the entire day on abd off on NYD. No work tomorrow as Myer Warringah is not open on NYD this year.
News headlines to end 2021 :
There were 21 151 COVID cases in NSW today and 6 deaths!
