Tuesday 1st February 2022
A new month but the same shit at work.
Happy Luna New Year ! The start of 7 days of celebrations - it's wasn't that long ago that we just celebrated Christmas , Boxing Day, NYE, New Year's and Australia Day - how tine is flying through this 3rd year of the pandemic.
It was an extremely hot dry humid day with forecast of possible showers today. The forecast was not wrong there. By late afternoon more wild weather hit Sydney and it absolutely bucketed down with rain and extremely high heat and humidity until late into the night where it just all stopped and the temperature started to drop a little overnight and forcasted to drop another 4 degrees C tomorrow to between 20 - 24 degrees C accoding to the evening news report on TV.
Myer 10 am - 5 pm service
Today it was one of those days where I was unofficially made a team leader again and I never hope to be made a real one at Myer. it's like being a crew trainer at McDonald's. Rumours have circulated when asked how much more team leaders are paid - how about an extra $ on top of the minimum hourly rate? Well I don't get paid this extra as I am not a team leader and never want to be at Myer.
With 2 casuals on with me today it was my job to assist them in a way. One team member does not need supervising the other does as he is incapable of performing duties on his own and needs to be micromanaged. Turn your back and things you have on hold for people on the back counter can disappear by being put back. He also needs a lot of reminding and directions. Apparently he did not do very well at the scan count and he was meant to be asigned to the electricals department today but ended up working in the Homewares department. He thinks knows what to do but the team leader found out that it was him that accepted a return from a customer of a used Woll frypan that had nothing wrong with it but came back used and without it's packaging and he just put a security tag on it so it was accidently put back on the floor as there was no notes about it just left on the back counter with heaps of other stuff that had not been put back yet. The back counter was clean today , no phone or other customer enquiries or problems either in store or online were left unresolved and I managed to sign up one customer to the Myer One loyaty program towards the end of today with a congratulations from the store manager for being the only team member today to do so in the entire store ( an this time I remembered to scan the barcode because the team leader reminded me to do so unlike last week when I actually signed 2 people up and forgot to scan the bar code advising the team leader of this during a team huddle).
This morning I punched in on the store's iPad and punched out on it as well again as I couldn't use the new UKG distribution app to do so yesterday when it went live online for the first time on 30th January 2022. When I tried to connect it still would not connect and most other team had the same problem initially on their first shift back since it went live but managed to resolve this problem - well hello!! I had posted my problem about my connection problem on the what's app team group chat and absolutely no one responded on the 27th January 2022 to my post instead the customer service manager posted her rant about team members not reading the mcomms about this new UKG distribution ( a bit of trivia, in the Australian Open if you look closely at what Ash Barty was wearing in her tennis matches which was a white tennis outfit with what looks like a black newpaper type print over it, in the corner of it ( opposite the FILA emblem) you can actually see what is possibly one of her sponsors or ambassadorships UKG Distributions - am I correct and can anyone still reading my blog who is a tennis buff please confirm this? Thanks) - this rant on the whats app team group chat does not help anyone. So I have given up. It has something to do with having to switch both your Wi-Fi and locations settings on for it to work. I tried this and it still did not work and I am not keen on having to do this each time when I punch in and out. The old system also required the location setting to be on in order to work but if you have to have both Wi-Fi and location settings on each time for you to punch in and out and you forget each time to turn them both off again straight after and leave them on , it will not only drain your phone's battery power but enable Myer to track exactly where you are 24/7 as well as causing a major cyber security breach to happen as it will make your phone an easy gateway and route for cyber hackers causing identity fraud and other possible criminal activity remembering that the rumour was Myer's own computer systems were hacked into hence why the old punch in punch out system was out of action for a few months.
In the afternoon, the team leader asks me to ring the assistant store manager - un oh what have I done now? She just wanted to know if I was working tomorrow and if I wanted to work doing stock for VM. I said yes but only from 9 am - 5 pm. When is the earliest I can start well not 8 am that's for sure I have to save some fuel in the tank for Thursday!
I have asked the new VM manager if he had a plan for tomorrow yes he had but I have no idea what it is and was about to submit it. I asked if I had to see him tomorrow about it but he advised me that he don't be in until noon tomorrow.
It was quite busy today but most of my time was customer returns, phone inquiries and dealing with other things like till recs done by the team member that needs micro managing who could not balance the till and taking down the Home Sweet Home signs. I had a few tricky and complex customer problems to resolve today and had to seek help from the operations manager. I had one customer hang up on me when I was trying to search for an item for them and the item number I was given was incorrect. They could not even give me an item description. If they were a mystery shopper they were a pretty bad one. Sometimes I think if managers don't know the procedures how are team members suppose to know. eg damaged or faulty online returns which form do you fill out and if it's damaged do you still return to DC or suspend and dispose of it? If It's glass or ceramicware that is completely shattered you can't send it back or keep it, it has to be suspended to be written off by a manager. Far too many online glass and ceramicware items are being returned. I have at least 1 a day every day I am on the floor serving.
Lunch was 30 minutes today as I could not leave the 2 casual team members on their own for long. I made sure I returned all 4 ipads back and as I left it was pouring with rain. I managed to make the waiting 280 bus to Chatswood. It may take longer to get home but at least I don't get wet having to walk all the way across the road to catch a B line bus or Manly bus connecting with a 144 bus in the rain.
By the time I arrived at Chatswood it was still raining but decided to treat myself to some real Taiwanese takeaway for dinner - after all it is Luna New Year and I have no family or friends to celebrate Luna New Year with so why not! I can't be bothered to cook tonight saving my energy for tomorrow to do stock all day.
After selecting and paying for my Taiwanese takeaway dinner, I can't believe how much food there was. I waited and caught the first 144 bus home. I was looking forward to my nice hot dinner whilst it continued to rain. Unfortunately my dinner was going cold by the time I arrived home because on the main highway a garbage truck driving pass too close to the 144 bus I was on, knocked the rear view mirror off the side of the bus. I heard this very familiar loud crunch and thought that did not sound good. The bus driver kept driving for a bit but pulled over to the side of the kerb nowhere near a bus stop in the pouring rain. Yep the garbage truck had ripped off his rear view mirror - this is the 3rd time it has happened on the same route Manly bound except tbis time I'm not on my way to work. Passengers on the bus were starting to wonder why the bus was not moving and what was going on. Some wanted to get off but it was pouring with rain and the bus was not near a bus stop with shelter so we all just had to wait until the driver received instructions via radio which went on forever including the driver trying to reattach the mirror without success. He asked didn't ask if anyone wanted to get off and said a nother 144 would be here in 2 minutes. A lady seated in front of me wanted to know what's happening and wanted to get off the bus and walk to the her destination a few stops away. I advised her of what happened and suggested she say on the bus as it is pouring with rain and thst another bus would arrive soon. People started tapping off with their Opal cards as the 144 had arrived behind this bus and the bus driver asked if anyone wanted to get off the bus. The passengers all wanted to get off and had to tell the bus driver that the 144 bus was behind him. We walked briskly in the rain to board the bus behind us. I told the lady seated next to me that a garbage truck has knocked the rear view mirror off the bus we were on and how this was the 3rd time it has hapoened on the 144 bus Manly bound. What's wrong with this bus service?
Home finally and It's almost 7 pm. My dinner is now cold and I've missed the evening news only to catch the weather segment at the end of the news. Not happy! 2 hours to get home in the pouring rain!
As soon as I arrive home, I wash my mask asnd hang it overnight to dry and wash my hand and watch tv as I eat my cold dinner. So much for my Luna New Year treat tonight! It still tasted good though. I love Taiwanese foid but not Chinese food. Photos below
good channel YouTube videos 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown and sleep around 8 pm.
News headlines today include:
Singer Rihanna is pregnant with her first child.
Scott Morrison is asbout to announce to National Cabinet a $2 billion fund to help fund struggling businesses and turn ideas into a business as well as incentives such as giving aged care workers 2 x $400 bonuses to stay in the industry.
All Assies can now get booster today 3 months after their last vaccination. The uptake has been slowest in NSW followed by Victoria. The reasoning behind this is believed to be the thought process of people tho king that once they have contracted COVID, they now have natural immunity for a certain period of time therefore don't need a booster vaccination eventhough the Australian government is advising that this is untrue and pushing the 3rd COVID booster shot. NSW has the lowest rate of booster uptakes with only 44% eligible adults having had their booster jabs. Well hehind all other states.
In NSW parents are expected to fork out over $92000 for 1 child's public education for 13 years of education K - year 12. Private education for 1 child in NSW is close to $500 000. NSW education is the most expensive of all states in Australia.
A grisly Sydney murder was discovered in an apartment where a woman was found in an acid bath. A man was on the run for 20 hours before arrested and handed himself in for the murder.
Interest rate increases are inching closer.
1 Australian dies every 30 minutes from heart disease .
Ash Barty has flown back to QLD in a private jet to a hometown welcome.
There were 12818 COVID cases in NSW and 30 deaths including a man in his 30s who was double vaccinated today
Wednesday 2nd February 2022
It's pouring with rain again today. I wake at around 6 am knowing I must leave home by 7.30 am at the latest in order to get to work in time by 9 am.
Myer 9 am - 5 pm Stock ( I'm part of the VM team today as a fill in for one of the junior VM team members in isolation due to her brother testing positive a few days ago and having to leave wirk to go home and get tested. I was asked just yesterday verbal by the assistant store manager to work - negotiating the earliest time I can start).
By the time I get to work there were quite a few staff members waiting for the staff entrance/exit doors before 9 am although the store does not open until 10 am. The store opening and closing times are changing again as of Sunday 6th February 2022. The customer service manager had complained to me that she had to redo the roster because of this.I mention that it wasn't that long ago that the store hours had been reduced now they are going back to normal in such a short period of time?
So what did I spend my day doing today? I can either say nothing and an absolute waste of my time or I had a very productive day. I had a rather restricted boring but I suppose somewhat productive day.
Last night apparently around mid night all VM team members were sent a to do list on their what's app group chat ( I am not on this because I'm not part of the VM team but Homewares - I am a "hybrid" as described by a former VM team member therefore did not get this to do list) . I had spoken to the VM manager the previous day as to what he would like me to do - he said he was about to send a plan but I don't think he realises that I am not on the VM group chat. Does not matter as other VM team members let me know what had to be done. I was to assist another VM team member with cookware.
It was a huge job! Some heavy lifting involved. I started with 1 table top display with Cooks Collective cookware by remerchandising the display by tidying it and filling it up with any stock I could find in the reserve. There is now only a box or two left in the reserve of this range of stock including an empty box which is not a display box.
Next I moved onto the other Cooks Collective hang sell display and filled it up with whatever I could find in the reserve which was just 1 box of silicon pot handles. To make the hang sell stand look full I had to distribute whatever I had evenly on all the "arms" . I only managed to find a single box of cookware that would fit on the small bottom shelves of this display. The reserve is filled with quite a few large heavy boxes of multi piece cookware that don't fit on the shelves on the store's floor therefore it never gets sold because it is never seen by customers and you wonder why Myer is not profitable. I can't imagine the total amount of holding costs accumulated by Myer. I always told customers from my previous job how Myer was notorious for hanging onto very old stock and how if they need to replace a product they would be quite likely to find it at Myer! I was 100% correct having actually seen it now.
Next job was remerchandise the Esseele cookware display boxes both green and blue boxed ranges. I managed to empty the reserve of the green range and there was no blue range stock in the reserve. Again only the large multi box cookware sets are left in the reserve too L large to fit on the floor. The blue range was just too squished up on the tabletop therefore I had to reorganize it all and fill up the bottom shelves evening out the stock to make it more accessible for customers.
Final jobs for the day was tidy up the Salt and Pepper section but we had to also take off all the boxes of dinner sets from a temporary sale pallet and fill up the bottom shelves of the Salt and Pepper displays with them and taking the excess down to the ground floor reserve before removing the palette off the floor.
Doing Markdowns at the same as price increases is not a good idea. Not only is there pressure to complete both with capturing all price increases on all items in both the reserves and on the floor more important. This is time consuming and it is illegal to put a higher price label over a lower or old one. To make the process quicker a black marker was used to black out the prices completely however a customer complained when they saw the old price through the black marker when the item scanned at the higher price for a French press coffee plunger. This happened today as well as missed items from the reserve. I did not check every item from the reserve I bought up to the shop floor that may have had a price increase. Even price increases on items on the floor could have been missed.
In between there were customers that kept coming up to me requesting assistance despite me not wearing my Myer bright orange lanyard. One was looking for an Appetito egg p peeler and slicer who was so happy when I found one for her. Another was just coincidence - there was a queue at the electricals counter and I saw a lady with a whole heap of Heritage taupe Avenue dinnerware pieces struggling a bit. I asked her if could assist her and she told me she was so and so and I said yes you have 4 mugs on hold in the old click and collect reserve and that I spoke to her yesterday by phone so took her down to the Homewares counter and asked someone therr to assist her whilst I retrieved her mugs. Before leaving her I asked her to check them all to ensure they were the correct ones and in perfect condition. I was about to ask for someone to search if Myer Warringah had anymore but the customer advised me she had found some online from Canberra to be delivered to her and I made a fingers crossed that they will all arrive intact and not broken and hoped she ordered extras. A team member had another 3 broken online orders returned today! The final customer I had today was thrilled that she had found a bargain item the Vue Desert Bloom brown dinner set on clearance for $20 so decided to buy another 2 of these dinner sets in the newer colours however not on clearance but on sale. She also purchased some other bits and pieces. I suggested she grab an abandoned trolley from the carpark to put all her purchases in. She had checked the box of dinner sets. I waited until the team member I work with in Homewares finished so we could punch out together at 5 pm. I was so tired and my legs and back were hurting. My hands were so bad with ezcema from washing them and touching stock all the time. I forgot to wear my gloves. My jeans are filthy and so is my top and I'm not surprised if I get another hole in my 3rd pair of back Uniqlo jeans. The team member had to serve an older lady still wondering around the Homewares Department I spotted as the doirs were being locked to the store at 5 pm. A lot of customers don't realised that the store had had reduced operating hours. So we were asked if one of us could put the sale through as we were leaving with the loads and scanner guns and printers. I had to returned them all as the other team member served the customer. The lift was so slow so it took me the same amount of time to return everything as it did her to serve the customer! I caught up with her at the staff entrance exit after punching out. Plans to go to Yum cha on Friday - not likely I have lots to do.
I took the first 280 bus to Chatswood.It was raining again and quite cold and windy by the time I reached Chatswood. I went around searching for a plain traditional Lunar New Year cake or pudding ( non of this new fandangle stuff they now produce) and traditional taro or turnip cake however with no dried shrimp as I an allergic to shellfish. Unforunately they all contained them or had to be eaten pan fried. I ended up finding and buying a very small slab of traditional plain Luna New Year cake "pudfing". It cost me $6.50 very expensive for a small slab. Turnip or Taro cake is even more expensive. I'll have to try masking it myself. Speaking of Luna New Year celebrations one of the electrical team members did not show up to work today calling in sick - of course he did he had shown me a photo of all the food he made for his family dinner the previous night of course he wasn't going to show up to work today! One more stop before getting the bus home. I stop off at Woolworths Metro for some basic grocery items I was out of completely but no toilet pap we or tissues on the shelves still. I was tempted to get some fatty Chinese or Buffalo chicken wings but resisted.
Home some bread and smoked trout dip and whatever else I could find , 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown and sleep. So tired. Work again tomorrow.
News headlines today include:
The Consumer watchdog has had several complaints from customers in regards to price gouging or overcharging for RAT kits. RAT kits should only cost between $4 and $12 and cannot be sold for more then a 20% markup on cost price and if a business is found to be selling them above the legal % markup it will result in a fine. The problem is that there are businesses breaking up multipacks of RAT kits and selling them off separately to increase profits.
It cost the government $57 million to supply RATs kits to all NSW schools and that's only for first 2 weeks.
Bullying and sex harassment at Rio Tino was revealed in a report. The mining co has apologized
The standoff with Ukraine continues.
Glenn Wheatley 1960s pop star come manager/friend to Australian singers John Farnham and later Delta Goodrem, passes away from COVID complications at the age of 74.
Scott Morrison has admitted he made mistakes during the COVID pandemic but rumours continue where leaked text messages from former NSW premier Gladys Berejikilian calling Scott Morrison "a horrible horrible person" has surfaced from an anonymous source - she does not recall these comments.
The beginning of Winter Olympic unoffically begins at 10.56 pm tonight with the mixed team doubles curling with Australia's first ever curling team which has become the story of international curling!
Tom Brady is offically retiring from playing Superbowl.
There were 11807 COVID cases and 27 deaths in NSW today.
Thursday 3rd February 2022
Day Off (again)
I don't have to wake up that early this morning but was up at 3 am make myself tea and a breakfast of rice noodles , broccoli and cauliflower.
It's dry this morning after a 2nd day of heavy rain yesterday although at little windy at 7 am in the morning.
I don't have to leave home for work until around 10.30 am as I don't start until noon today. I missed the 144 bus but catch the next one 15 about minutes later. No bus crashes on my way to work this morning but the bus was held up at St Leonard Station with a year 7 student in a brand new pair of school shoes and uniform carrying a backpack and a very used Opal card totally lost. It was difficult to get information off him. He asked where Attichson Street was and was asking if this was St Leonards. Where did he get on the bus? Did he cone from Chatswoid or from school? He said he was going home from school but this did not make sense as it was 10m 30 am and most kids should be in school at this time of the morning. The driver of the bus asked him what school he attended and he said Cammeraygal High School which is located in North Sydney with the middle school camp as on Pacific Highway opposite North Sydney High School ( and the senior camp as which I did not know existed and had to Google in West Street near by). This year 7 student kept saying that that was the senior campus and not where the year 7 campus was. He was wrong. The bus driver and I both tried to obtain more information off him. I asked are your poarents home, he said no. I asked do you have a mobile phone and he said no. The bus driver even asked if he was familiar with the area he said no. He asked which number on Attichson St he lived on asnd the year 7 student did no t know. It was all very strange. So the driver drove on until Crows Nest advising the year 7 student that this stop was no longer St Leonards. Not wanting to abandon the lost boy the driver decides that he will drop him to the stop closest to his school who would then be able to contact his parents. I asked passengers on the bus if anyone knew where the school was and it was confirmed that it was on Pacific Highway opposite North Sydney High. The bus driver said his priority was this lost student. I think the passengers understood. After unanswered questions it was decided that the driver would direct the boy to the nearest bus stop to his school. All he had to do was walk down Alexander Street across the road from the Woolworths bus stop. I asked if any passengers were getting of there and direct the lost year 7 boy. The boy was still reluctant to alight the bus and make his way to school or maybe he was trying to avoid attending school. A frustrated but kind passenger an older Asian man get up and volunteers to escort him to his school - a bit of a risk due to stranger danger but I could not do it as I was on my way to work and risked being late and another woman could not do it because she had an appointment but both of us agreed we would have done it and tgat it was very nice of the passenger to volunteer. When I artived at Warringah Mall I had a bit of time so I rang the school to ensure that he had reached the school safely a nd yes he had. Aparently he had attended school the p revious day but someone had bought him to school and that a man had bought him to school this morning. I check to confirm that it was an older Asian man and boxed my concern about how his p parents were not home he came from the wrong direction and that he had no phone.
Myer 12 noon - 6 pm service
I still can't punch in or out with my UKG distribution app. It keeps bringing up the previous day's punch time when I had already punched in and out of on the iPad at the staff entrance/exit.
So much broken dinnerware and glassware continues to be returned from customers who purchased online. Waste of our time.
I have 4 customer holds coming in on Friday, Sat and Monday - first customer back Friday too heavy can't carry home a number of black MW plates, Another customer returning a box of Vino Vino red wine glasses customer coming back with broken ones ordered online delivered broken to be refunded and repurchasing in store which I left on the back counter, the 3rd customer is coming in on Saturday again to repurchase a number of black Napier plates to replace the ones that were delivered broken from the city store and finally an annoying lady who rang twice asking to hold until Monday 4 ramekins and 4 mugs because she does not live locally and sending her husband to pick up as he works nearby. Usually holds are not allowed for more tgen 24 hours if on sale but exceptions are made for those who don't live close by and where purchases are not recommended due to their breakability during delivery.
More markdowns to be done - we just did a major one! Another sale - more tickets to go up and take down. It's never ending.
My theory of how Myer Warringah has become a dumping store or bargain basement store have been confirmed with only this store has an additional 50% on blue stickered clearance items. all other Myer stores only offer an additional 25% on blue stickered clearance items.
After work I went to Coles to do some basic shopping - still no toilet paper or tissues so I just grabbed a very expensive loaf of bread Jesse's sourdough soy and linseed-@ almost $8 A loaf. I haven't purchased this for so long and it is really good bread so am treating myself. I also purchased a bottle of water and some Yakault.
Home on the Manly bus across the road as I waited and waited and the Chatswood bus did not turn up and nobody was waiting for a bus at the bus stop. My legs are so sore I walk acrosd the road in pain and catch the Manly bus. I connect with a 144 bus which also took a while to arrive. It started to rain again when I reached Manly and it became quote cold.
Home late only in time to catch 8 out of 10 cats does countdown. So tired I eat bread and more of The smoked trout dip some fruit. I make some wontons with chicken mince and tofu before going to sleep.
News headlines today include:
Back in the news Novak Djokovic has had a change of heart and is now getting vaccinated after seeing Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open citing " so he can win more tennis tournaments". - What was the point of this? So Novak sacrified a major chance of playing and winning The Australian Open only to achieve the same outcome - vaccination. This does nothing to encourage me to get vaccinated. How many vaccine hesitant people will Novak influence now to get vaccinated I wonder?
Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge has taken over the patronage of Rugby and wheelchair Rugby from Prince Harry by taking part in a team training session.
Australia's curling team were defeated By US 5 - 6. They now have to take on team China so It's not over for team Australia yet at the Winter Olympics 2022.
Booster shots have now been given the green light for older teenagers ( 16 & 17 year olds).
The sails of the Opera House have been lit up yet again to celebrate the Luna New Year.
2 humans heads have been stolen from a Melbourne grave yard. Investigations now being held to work out if this is from a thrill seeker or satanic cult.
The Ben Roberts Smith trial continues after delays due to COVID. He is the most decorated solider in Australia with a Victoria cross medal however is on military charges and domestic violence charges. A former SAS agent person 41 has come forward as witnesess stating he saw him kick and kill an Afghan prisoner and his wife is due to testify.
The Reserve Bank has made a back flip and interest rates are now set to rise later this year rather then announcing there will not be any interest rate increase until next year The current .1% interest rate is lowest ever seen.
Millionaire Andrew Forrest verses Facebook over unauthorised images of him being used to promote a scam website selling crytocurrencies - We all know who will win the case. The case continues in WA.
The Redskins finally have a new team name The Commanders after their original team name was deemed offensive.
42% of Australians are looking for a new job. 19% planning to resign without a new job lined up . Burn out is one reason for this high rate.
A Chinese company has suffered up a commemorative mug for the Queens Jubilee. Hundreds of thousands of mugs have the word Jubilee misspent as "Jubbly".
NZ is opening it's borders to returning residents who are fully vaccinated and other eligible travellers from this Sunday . Instead of quarantining at a specific place travelkers will be able to quarantine at their place of destination. An announcement is due to be made by PM Jacinda Ardern today.
Mogals skiing is on tonight ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics Opening ceremonies tomorrow night.
There were 12632 COVID in NSW and 38 deaths.
Friday 4th February 2022
Lunar New Year Festivals continues.
Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony tonight
Day off
Still a wet overcast grey day this morning. It rained lightly in the early hours of the morning.I am so tired again. I slept in until around 7.30 am. I catch the morning news.
Today I was going to o to Yum Cha with a team member from Myer but I have so much to do today I don't think I can. Bills to pay, letters to write, washing , cleaning etc.
I paid so many bills today but did absolutely nothing today except watch the curling, moguls and figure and figure skating on tv. I took the rubbish out and created a design for my personalised drink bottle. I wonder how long it will take for me to receive it from Bega Cheese? It only cost $5.
I confirmed a job interview for Tuesday 8th February 22 at 10 am in Lane Cove West .
It rained again today.
Most of today is updating my blog and watching some YouTube videos.
Tomorrow I may venture out to do a few things but tonight I am staying up to watch the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony following The Front Bar on channel 7.
News Headlines include:
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing offically start tonight with the opening ceremony after the pre Olympics mougals qualifying rounds in mens and womens and round 2 last night of the mixed curling where Australia lost 3 - 8 against China. Today's next round Australia's mixed curling team are up against Sweden. Also today mens team figure skating. Australian flag bearers have been announced ( aerial skier Laura Peel and mens figure skater Brendan Kerry ( first Australian figure skater flag bearer) and they will be a smaller contingent of athletes representing the Australian Winter Olympics team present at the opening ceremonies due to COVD rules and regulations in place.
There are calls for the sacking of the aged care minister if he does not resign for the deaths from COVID of aged care residents calling it neglect of our senoor citizens during the pandemic where in January 492 aged care residents died from COVID. Their vaccination statuses are being investigated.
Uh Oh a convoy protesting against vaccine mandates has reached Canberra and have been told to move along.
ISIS leader is killed by self detonating a bomb which also killed his family. US troops who raided the
QLDers will now be able to have their KFC delivered by drone.
Melbourne landmarks have been lit up in blue as a tribute to the 4 police officers killed 2 years ago in the Eastern Freeway tragedy.
Novak is back in the news again, he thanked the Serbian leader of Serbia for his support and says he will reveal all in regards to his deportation at a later date. It was reported that there was no eevidence that false medical exemption documents were submitted prior to his entry into and deportation from Australia.
Grace Tame is in the news again involved in a motorcycle crash. She is in hospital recovering. This comes after hate mail over her side eye incident towards the Prime Minister.
There were 10696 COVID cases in NSW and 31 deaths.
Saturday 5th February 2022
Day Off
The annual Dragon Boat Races are on over this weekend in Darling Harbour as part of the Luna New Year Festivities. ( I have not been to watch a race since my retirement from competition ACCA & CYL teams and one off come back from competition decades ago where I rowed for the SOH team )
I slept in until 6.30 am this morning after a very late night staying up until about 1 am to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics to the end.
It is still a slightly grey morning although by 7 am this morning the road looks drier and there are patches of blue sky with grey clouds moving Northwards across the sky.
Why am I getting What's App group chat text messages about Platinum Myer One members receiving a free shopping bag today at 7 am when 1. I'm not working today 2. It's 7 am and the store is not even open until 10 am today? It is not that important tjat it can't wait until after opening hours - it should be on the mcomms and how many Platinum members will actually redeem this offer today? I estimate not many.
I strip my bed ready to change my bedding and put my dirty l laundry into the washing machine which I had already sorted yesterday.
After the news, I made breakfast which was a hot cup of tea a yakault slices of eggplant and the marinated tofu from ladt night roasted in the oven and a few more small slices of Luna New Year pudding also heated up in the oven. I also made a vegetable terrine which I have in the oven baking. This will be for dinner tonight.
Next task was to change the linen on my bed before doing what I need to do today.
What's wrong with Myer's homebrand products. A customer is returning 10 canisters as the bamboo lids are mouldy! There seems to always be problems with lids at Myer - a lot of them just don't fit properly or have some other fault with them.
There was a very brief open for inspection tbis morning around 10 am of the apartment block. I have been living alone in the entire apartment block for so long now - it would be nice to have maybe one other resident living in it. There is nothing wrong with the apartment block it is quite well maintained but small.
I ventured out in the afternoon to do some general shopping for gifts and essential grocery shopping of my list.
First stop is return my bottles , next was shoe shopping where I was unsucessful as Myer closed at 5 pm earlier then all the other shops. Onto to shopping for kids and babies. I found a bib, some nice blank cards and some sandwich cutters in the shape of a rocket and dinosaur. Grocery shopping continues at Aldi Coles Local and Woolworths Metro. No toilet papoer or tisdues again at Woolworths Metro jowever I managed to get the very last box of tissues sitting alone at Aldi which I grabbed and although there was heaps of large packets of toilet paper at Coles, I noticed that the same brand I usually buy ( as an alternative to the single rolls wrapped in paper which were unavailable st any Coles or Woolworths) had gone back to the smaller rolls during the early pandemic days when we were starting to come out of our first lockdown - refer my blog on toilet roll size comparison pre and during pandemic times). Same number of rolls 8 pkt same Coles brand but smaller in size again asnd possible a little more expensive due to inflation and cpi. I also recharged my Opal card with $20 as it was down to $1.06 or so. You can't get anywhere on public transport on $1.06 these day's!
Home after a toilet stop on the 244 bus. Watched some more of the Winter Olympics - moguls , dinner of a pizza , watched YouTube and bed early around 9 pm. The Thursday & Friday markets along Chatswood Mall were extended over the weekend as part of the Luna New Year's festivities but I did not stop to look.
News headlines today at 7 am include:
The army may be bought in to assist aged care facilities due to staff shortages and residents left in their rooms not receiving the adequate care they require.
A review of last night's opening ceremony is reviewed . Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics back in 2008 and is now hosting the Winter Olympics ( another world first - the first and only country to host both summer and winter olympics) . The famous Birdcage Stadium gets a second life with hundred of thousands of high defintion projections onto the stadium , the theme of the games being coming and working together to overcome any obstacles and with a giant single snowflake made up of all the countries participating in this Winter Olympic coming together being the centrepiece of the lighting of the Olympic torch where it will continue to burn for the next 15 -16 days after a shortened torch relay due to COVID. The meaning of the snowflake is no snowflake is the same and no country is the same but come together. To a COVID reduced crowd , a solo young trumpet player stole the show, the mass song and dance performances by groups of kid either as snowflakes or carrying doves, the fireworks, the flag raising etc it was a spectacular opening ceremony .I loved how it commences with a ring of green created by participants carrying glowing sticks that changed colours.
In Morocco a boy has spent 4 days down a well after falling down it. Rescuers continue to work to save him.
The cricket continues ( boring) with the captaincy controversy continuing.
Another text message in regards to what other politicians think of Scott Morrison has been leaked. This time it was his deputy PM Barnaby Joyce. An apology sort and accepted between the two and their relationship is all good again?!? Reason that it occurred over 7 months ago before Barnaby Joyce became Deputy PM and Barnaby Joyce "being in different mindset at the time". Isn't there a Federal election coming up soon? A press conference with a public apology from Barnaby Joyce was aired on the news this morning. Scott Morrison said himself that nobody cares what politicans think of the PM. Maybe they do after The French president let everyone know exactly what he thought of SM then Gladys with her leaked text of him being "a horrible horrible person...." now Barnaby Joyce . It was reported that Barnaby Joyce volunteered to resign due to the incident but Scott Morrison would not have it. ( Scott Morrison must be a fan of Taylor Swift to just "Shake it off")
There were 7893 COVID cases in NSW and 28 deaths.
Sunday 6th February 2022
Day off
Nice day to sleep in although rain is forecasted again for today.
The Cole Classic is on today at Shelley Beach but I was not heading that direction today.
The last day of the Dough Akin interactive art exhibition at the MCA. I still had not heard back from them so I have missed this exhibition altogether. I really wanted to see it but due to the MCA disallowing the unvaccinated there is nothing I can do. I really don't understand how most other attractions are allowing everyone regardless of their vaccination status to visit and how the MCA can get away with this as there is no vaccine mandate like Victoria and unlike Myer the organisation is not based in Melbourne. If you want to k ow what I wrote to the MCA in my email here it is :
"The Doug Akin exhibition closes tomorrow and I still have not seen it because the MCA have on the website that you need to have proof of vaccination.
"We believe that art is for everyone and offer free access support to reduce barriers to all our programs and events."
Today I ventured out to Darling Harbour. By the time I arrived I had missed the Dragon Boat Races but did go to Hello Kitty Town at Darling Square.Very cute. Photos at top of blog ( apologies blogger decided to copy and paste photos in the incorrect spot and I can't seem to move them so kept them where they are, it so failed to upload a series of photos. ) Hello Kitty Town is at Darling Square fror 3 months from 29th January - 29th April 2022. Pity I could not find the gift store. I loved the artwork display and the giant inflatable Hello Kitty is great for a selfie ( don't forget the back of it as well). Hello Kitty is everywhere in cafes with themed menu items. I did not try any of them today. I was curious about one cafe but wasn't sure if it was open as there was no one in it - called Robo it was very order and pay via self service machines, sit eat and go. A hole in the wall cafe on the main street serving a variety of noodle dishes quick hot and fast probably for the Asian uni student population. Yes they had a few Hello Kittys inside. ( photos below)
To get to Darling Harbour I crossed over the pedestrian bridge closest to the Chinese Garden passing through the newer end of Dixon Street where one of my old Dragon Boat Rowing team's clubhouse (CYL Chinese Youth League) is located. It's still there after many decades since my father was a member . My father may have bern a member but I never was - I just rowed for them for a few years.
My next stop after Hello Kitty Town was Paddys Markets and Market City Shopping Centre above. Oh dear what a sorry site. Paddy's Market used to be so busy pre COVID now despite some renovations has no atmosphere and is just a large underground carpark half empty of stalls with a dwindling fresh produce section. The meat and poultry section has completely closed down and although there are signs directing you to a fresh seafood section, it was hidden and I wouldn't buy my seafood from Paddy's Markets now. These decades old markets in the outskirts of Sydney CBD are dying. The crowds are not there anymore, if you want to lease a market stall you will have no problem and the atmosphere - well there just isn't any. There are the old COVID tablets with cameras initially used to monitor and check people in still around at every entrance still very much active but unused. As you walk past them you can see the cameras are still on and the display screens active. I head up the esculators which have had the steps replaced as they were once painted with images of fruit and veg no longer visible from a distance as you travel up them. What a sad sight when I reach the top of the esculators. Half of the outlet shopping centre is empty of shops. The first floor is still 90% occupied with the IGA supermarket, the pharmacy, food court, tabacconist, candy store and Taste of Cho ( my favourite Taiwanese food concession) still busy. As I travel upto the next level of Market City , it's another story - most of the outlets that were once there have disappeared and over half the stores were emptied or boarded up. Whatever happened to Jay Jays , Internet Clothing, Dangerfield, The Handbag store etc? All gone. The optometrist is still there as well as a Supre, large Cotton On ( now amalgamating adults & kids), Bonds, Converse, FILA & Giordano. I am surprised Forecast is still there with Sketches and new comer Vans. Quite a few of the original stores still around have been moved from their original spots on the outlet centre floor. I did not venture up onto the top floor. It looked pretty occupied with restaurants and there used to be a cinema and games arcade up there. The cinema is long gone but the games arcade may be still up there. The original food court was located up there and very traditional before it was relocated to the first floor across from the IGA supermarket turned into a smaller more niche and fancy one . Photos below.
Hone on the light rail to Wynyard, a train from Wynyard then a bus.
I place my laundry in the dryer and let it run overnight.
Not long after I arrive home it is raining again. It continues to rain throughout the night.
I catch up with my blog and watch YouTube and the Winter Olympics at the same time before falling asleep.
News headlines today include:
Severe fires in the township of Denmark asnd Bridgetown in WA. Residents told to evacuate.
Justin Langer rejects 6 month extention of his cricket coach and resigns.
The boy that fell down the well has died shortly after being rescued in Morroco.
The Queen celebrated with a reception for her Jubilee but will spend most of her time at Sandringham quietly reflecting as it is also the aniversary of her father's death. Her intentions to make Camilla Queen Consort when Charles becomes King rather then Princess of Wales has been made known.
Booster shots have stalled ( I'm not surprised) . A government campaign is now on the way to try to mandate a booster shot. Reasons for this include slow roll out, vaccine hubs closed down, people wanting to go to their GPS rather then a pharmacy to get vaccinated etc. No mention about vaccine hesitancy due to natural immunity and how the vaccine was not designed to protect and fight against other strains of COVID except the Delta strain ie vaccines are not working against Omicron yet people are being push to get a booster shot of the same vaccine by the Australian government. Why isn't a new vaccine being researched and developed ? It's probably too late now to mandate vaccination particularly when some countries such as the UK are in discussions of discontinuing a vaccine mandate for industries such as healthcare workers. Hospitalisation have decreased as the milder Omicron strain overtakes the more deadly Delta strain of COVID.
Australia Cooper Woods just missed out on an Olympic medal coming 6th in the Men's moguls event. 4 Aussie ( Matt Graham, Cooper Woods, Brodie Summers and James Matheson) were in the qualifying rounds and 2 made it to the super finals.
Tess Coady wins Australia first Olympic medal a bronze in the womens snowboarding. Yay!
Monday 7th February 2022
Myer 8.30 am - 4.30 pm Merchandiser
It's still raining. I've been awake since 3 am this morning catching up on my blog again and getting ready to leave home for work by 7 am at the latest. I go downstairs to empty the dryer of my clothes I left in there to tumble dry overnight.
Today was a somewhat productive day where I worked with another older team member from Homewares. We managed to move a hug amount of stock and display it all to fit in certain areas which were either shelves or tables. We both had a break at 2 pm and left on time at 4.30 pm.
It was not all that smooth though. there is still of the left ha nd does not know what the right hand is doing in the VM department.
There was a list with team members allocated jobs however I was wondering why one team member from Homewares and one from electricals had been allocated jobs when there isn't even enough staff to serve. So the team leader made it clear that these staff members are not to do any merchandising jobs as there
More ranting and raving by team leaders and managers on the What's App Team Group Chat
News heads lines today include:
Bob Carr blames Peter Dutton for text message leaked in regards to Scott Morrison.
Australia won it's first gold medal in the women's moguls on the same day as the previous bronze medal won in women's snowboarding. Congrats to Jakara Anthony.
A new campaign has commenced in a push to increase booster vaccine rates in NSW which are lagging behind other states. Only 43.1% of NSW residents have had their booster shots.
Supplies are now being trucked at a snails pace to regions in SA cut off by floods.
Wildfires continue to burn in WA.
An update on little Cleo Smith has been revealed by her parents that she has been having nightmares of her kidnapping and how she was told she had to be taken away because he little sister was sick. It will take some time before full details of the kidnapping are revealed.
The Aussie curling team won their last 2 rounds against Switzerland and I can't believe the Aussie curling team beat the Canadians!It was a close call when the Aussie curling team were told to pack their bags and go home after testing positive for COVID only to be given the green light to stay.
There were 7437 COVID cases and 14 more COVID related deaths (9 men and 5 women, 2 were under 65 and unvaccinated, 12 were not fully vaccinated ie had not received their 3rd booster shot).
Tuesday 8th February 2022
Day Off ( again)
It rained and rained this morning and I could not sleep in. I had an interview to attend at 10 am in Lane Cove West but was unsure how to get there and the bus driver had no idea so I got off the bus at Lane Cove when it was pouring with rain- I was completely lost on a bus and running very late. I decided to send an email and cancel attending the interview as there was no way I would make it there in time despite leaving before 9 am.
I had taken the red bin out on my way to the bus stop.
I took the bus back to Chatswood as it was still raining and my feet were sore from my heels I was wearing. I needed new shoes and had been putting off buying a pair for months because I just could not find the ones I wanted in my size.
First stop was Platypus shoes to try on some white sneakers. The pair I wanted were white suede Vans but were unavailable so I tried on a pair of leather Lacoste. Comfortable but they were too low and had no padding. They were leather. The second pair I discovered were not leather and more expensive then the Lacoste. The final pair I did not even try on as they were just wrong.
Next stop was Myer Chatswood. I go straight to their shoe department. On the sale table there was a few pairs of sneakers I liked. A single white leather Calvin Klein size 36 sneaker was there. I grabbed it, asked a Myer team member for tge other shoe tried it on and confitmed the size before purchasing it all in a matter of minutes. Quickest shoe purchase I've ever made. I used my team member discount , and the balance of my 2 team member rewards , after the last pair clearance price , I paid around $17 for this pair of sneakers. Bargain. I love them even with one sneaker having 2 shoe laces interlaced into it. I will fix this later. The other spare shoe place was in the box.
Onto recharging my Opal card with another $40 at Woolworths. My feet were killing me in heels so I took the esculators down found a bench that wasn't wet and changed into my new pair of Calvin Klein's. Walking around in them my feet were still killing me. The sneakers not only need adjusting but breaking into. I had to stop again at Westfield and take my Calvin Klein's off. cut my pantyhose off at the toes, bandaid my toes that I thought had or were getting blisters ( later when I got home it was my pinky toes that were severely blistered not where my bandaids were. I took the second spare lace off and replaced my left sneaker as well as adjust the tightness of tgem and the tongues of the sneakers. They still hurt but I was breaking into them. They were a lot more cushioning under my feet tgen the Lacoste sneakers I tried on were bit I need to bandaid my pinky toes and wear proper ankle socks so they fit better.
Onto Coles then a final trip to Aldi. Somewhere in between I took a detour to Kiki K to buy cards and a present to send to JJ Time and also a stop at Priceline to refill my script for cortesone ointment. I have 3 repeats left. I also asked about what type of concession card holder you have to be to get free rapid antigen test kits. I hasve a health care card bit when I looked at it the date had expired on it. I wonder how I get a new one? Rapid antigen test kits are not cheap - a 5 pack costs $65 for non concession card holders! I can't afford that on my hourly wages!
Then around 3.30 pm it was a bus home with my shopping.
As soon as I arrived home I took the bin back in. Someone is putting their rubbish in it again after it was emptied.
I was my hands and have something to eat. I will continue my shopping tomorrow. I was gong to have a burrito but decided that I could make my own at home.
Catch up tome on my blog and Winter Olympic tv as well as my blog.
Sleep early but awake again after 10 pm.
News head lines today include:
The Australian government is throwing open Australian borders to international travellers as of 21st February 2022 after 2 years of shutting them to the rest of the world but cruise ships are still locked out.
The prime minister apologises to Britney Higgins for the sexual assault she suffered and the Parilamentry behaviour whilst she watches on. Outside protestor gathered some anti vaxers, some refugee advocates and other there for other reasons.
Religious freedom amendments where transgender students might get expelled from single sex schools if passed.
Twice weekly rapid antigen testing required by students may discontinue before the end of this month. Parents and students have had enough testing.
The army is being called in to help out aged care facilities but it maybe too late. The army are not there to cover shifts just provide assistance.
There are discussions to amend the traditional decades old 9 am - 3.30 pm school hours due to changing work & life . 12 schools will take p art in a trial.
A supply of a new vaccine has arrived as an alternative to existing vaccines for those who are vaccine hesitant as first and 2nd vaccinations and may be used as a booster and for children. The vaccine is still under testing and my be available in 2 weeks time.
Sydney Central Station now has the longest esculators in the Southern Hemisphere linking the new underground Metroline. This beats Melbournes's Parliament Station which is only 30 meters long. The esculators takes over a minute to ride and is 45 meters long.
The rain is finally ending with only a few final showers today. A nice warm day and blue sky's tonight.
A man who was paralyzed from a motor bike accident has been able to walk again with an electrical implant. There are currently 3 patients undergoing a trial of the implant all paralysed as a result of motor bike accidents.
Thousands of dead fish have turned up on the banks of the Parramatta River. This is the 2nd fish kill. It is unknown what is causing the killing of these fish. Lack of oxygen from the recent storms rather then a chemical spill is the possible cause which is currently under investigation.
There were 9690 COVID cases in NSW and 18 deaths ( only 3 were triple vaccinated , 10 were double vaccinated and 5 were unvaccinated ? unvaccinated or were they partially vaccinated but still labelled as unvaccinated it did not actually spoecify, 12 men and 6 women, 2 x 60s 5 x 70s 6 x 80s & 5 x 90s)
Wednesday 9th February 2022
Day off ( again)
It's a beautiful warm day today but I'm still at home at 11 am catching up on stuff.
I didn't venture out today as I spent all day watching the Winter Oympics snowboarding and catching up on watching YouTube channels and my blog. I made a pasta Bolognese ( as I did not have any spaghetti only pasta).
I need to prepare for work again tomorrow.
News headlines today include:
Another COVID scare for another Australian Olympian in the Alpine Skiing team. Olympic debutant in Salom Katie Parker upon arrival to Beijing tested positive after testing negative 4 times whilst in the US where she caught COVID a few weeks ago. She is in isolation whilst she awaits a 2nd confirmation test. She may still be able to compete today in her event. It is a similar situation to the curling team's COVID test results which allowed them to compete in their event in the end. The Australian Olympic team has their own COVID chemist who performs their own individual testing in the event test results are a false positive or different to Olympic test results.
Good news Katie Parker has been given the OK to compete today in the salon after a negative test result after testing positive previously.
The PM issues an apology to Britney Higgins, who was raped whilst working as a parlimentary staff member, saying "I'm sorry". Both Britney Higgins and Grace Tame will address the national press club today. It is the first Parliamentary sitying today and the passing of the Regious Discrimination bill continues as anti vaccination, refugee advocates and doomsday preppers continue to protest and rally outside Parliment.
3 million Novavax vaccines have arrived in Australia today stored in a warehouse ready for testing. Date of vaccine availability is slated for 21st February 2022.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is at loggerheads with the Federal Government with the definition of what is "fuly vaccinated" . He wants international travellers entering Australian borders to be triple vaccinated not just double vaccinated to be considered fully vaccinated. The government is still waiting for advice from ATAGI in regards to whether the definition of fully vaccinated includes a 3rd booster shot.
Bringing back extinct animals may be a possibility in the future for example bringing back the Tasmanian tiger which has over 90% of the same DNA as the numbat making it a close relative to the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Intetesting that the new Jurrasic Park movie is being released - talk about timing co incidence.
Bold move Sydney's attempt to host it's own major $2 million racing event at Randwick Racecourse straight after the Melbourne Cup race dubbed The Big Dance to prolong the partying and encourage younger race goers.
The snowboarding action with seasoned Olympian Scotty James and the youngest Australian Olympic snowbording team member 16 year old Valentino Guseli debuting at this Olympics. Meanwhile in the mens figure skating , Australian 3rd time Olympian Brendan Kerry qualified 17th for finals ( his mother Monica competed at the Olympics in the 1980s in ice dancing and they are locals coaching and training at Macquarie ice Rink in Sydney). Finally our best hopes of medal in aerials is Laura Peel.
The Brit Awards 2022 are on. Adele had just cancelled her tour yet she is performing live at the Brit awards live now. Keith Urban has now taken up her residency she made void in Las Vegas.
Oscar nomination are in and Nicole Kidman has been nominated for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in Being The Ricardos whereas Lady Gaga was overlooked as her portrayal of "Mrs Gucci" in the House of Gucci. Cate Blanchet was also overlooked for an Oscar nomination.
Contraversal Olympic freestyle skiier Eileen Gu - born to an American father and Chinese mother has dual citizenship but defected to China to represent China at the Beijing Winter Olympics. She will defect ( return) back to America to study at Stanford University and continue her modelling career. She says she defected to represent her mother's country to encourage more kids to take up her sport in China and to showcase how great the sport is. World peace has been described as what she was trying to achieve by imp roving the relationships between China & the USA .
Called to fix a leaky toilet and find millions of dollars in drugs in an apartment at the same time. This is what happened in a Sydney apartment where police were tipped off.
Nurses threaten to strike over pay, conditions and staff shortages
Oh no rain is forecasted again for the weekend! I thought the weather was suppose to be dry and even one last hot spell from now on.
There were 10312 COVID cases in NSW and 20 deaths today.
Strange poisonous blue creatures ( blue dragons) are turning up in the sand on beaches around NSW . They usually float upside down and feed on algae but have been blown onshore by the winds. They have been seen on the northern Beaches and should be handled with caution if found as they do have a poisonous sting ( like blue bottle jelly fish have) .
Snowboard Cross Belle Brockoff is about to race in the finals. She came 4th.
A great day for snowboarders Scotty James and Valentino Guseli advancing to the finals along with rival Shane White.
Thursday
It's a beautiful day today and quite hot but I can't be fooled it could end up pouring with rain again today.
A quick trip to Best & Less to find the ladies brand baby pink vegemite socks as a gift to send to J J Time before work.
Myer 11 am - 5 pm service ( original shift was changed from 12 noon - 6 pm on UKG )
I was yelled at yet again by the customer service manager "where is your lanyard?"
"I lost it"
Isn't wearing a name badge good enough? That's what it's for. I wish managers would concentrate on the store's presentation rather then an extremely tacky lanyard we have to wear.
I said to the team member on Monday that when we returned to work the next day or so all the stock we had spent so much time moving would be moved around again and yes it was. What a total waste of our time!
There are so m asny empty tables around the store it's not funny.
Products looks as if it was dumped on shelves and managers are complaining and pointing the finger. Are they even sure these people did it?
There has been a huge shift in the VM teams dynamic I have noticed and it's not good.
There are 2 new VM team members and I don't like them very much because one is just not very nice and the other younger one fluffed around too much. What I can do in a few hours takes a whole day for them to do. Why do you need to merchandise clearance shelves and tables more then new stock on shelves and tables? It's clearance stock!
I don't think the more senior VM team member I'm friends with is 100% happy as she was put on napery merchandising today - the most boring job even I can do it in an hour. She is suppose to be a stylist .
I made 2 huge sales today and was only on for 5.75 hours today serving. I signed up 2 Myer One memberships today but forgot yet again to scan the barcode for the second sign up.
Wedding registry print out and search for the item the customer wanted to buy off it was.It out of stock so I tried to call her back but it went to voice mail. The printer was not working downstairs so I had to get the registry print out from the printer near the lift on ground floor. She will have to select an alternative item to purchase off it when she arrives tonight. I let the night team members know about her.
Around 4.30 pm there was a huge thunder storm but it was almost all over by the time I finished work.
During the night there was another thunder and lightening strike show although a lot briefer.
I was so tired after some essential grocery shopping for bread green juice and toilet paper, it was home on the next 280 bus to Chatswood with a stop at Woolworths Metro for dinner.
I was so tired I slept on the 280 bus an hour long trip.
On the 144 straight home , it was quite a wait for the next bus - no rain at least. Eat and sleep early after washing my hands my mask ,putting my groceries away, eat some dinner and watching 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown.
When I arrived home, there is a strange smell inside the apartment block like methane or rotten eggs. Was it a sewage smell? It's not inside my apartment. Was it from one of the other apartments?
Work again tomorrow.
News headlines today include:
The regious bill debate continues. Further amenment are being sort to the original bill to be passed. The bill is meant to allow preference to hire teachers with regious background that align with revious beliefs of the schools hiring them and to disallow enrolment of students based on their sexual orientation hence the bills debate as to whether this would be discriminatory. The debate includes an argument over private or independent schools being able to select students accepted to be enrolled to attend their schools. Stephen Jone's gives an emotional speech about his nephew who took his own life and 14 year old son who are gay and how the passing of this religious bill could or will affect them.
ASIO has found that foreign spies are using dating apps to obtain personal information from Australians.
All COVID restrictions maybe scraped a month early as cases continue to fall.
A geomagnetic storm has put Space X rockets off course.
Mask mandates are in place until 27th February 22 and subject to review after this date.
The Astra Zenica booster has just been approved. The Victorian premier wants to mandate 3 vaccinations to be considered fully vaccinated to be asble to travel to and travel around Victoria and the definition of fully vaccinated is to be discussed by the Australian government today.
Strict hospital visiting rules have been eased to finally allow people to visit sick, dying and mother's giving birth in hospitals.
Ban on cruise ships to be lifted possibly to revive the tourism industry.
Government investigating threatening conversation received by Grace Tame.
Bega releases its new cream cheese vegemite to replace it's cheesymite. Other flavours are being considered.
New Samsung phones have been launched and will be available in March 2022. There are 3 models with the prices ranging from $1300 or so to $1900 or so.
Drug scandal in the Winter Oympics - no never?! Gold medalist team ice skating event ROC has had their medal presentation delayed due to Women singles figure skater 15 year old Kamila Valieva testing positive to drugs. This doping scandal is not just about doping but about child protection - an underaged teen given the cardiac drug trimetazidine used to treat symptoms of vertigo and prevent angina attacks. They increase blood flow efficiency and improve endurance which are under the list of banned substances by the anti doping agency. What's more interesting is Russian athletes have already been banned from competing under the Russian flag in the Olympics therefore are competing under the Russian Olympic Committee ( ROC) flag .
There were 10130 COVID cases and 24 deaths in NSW today
Friday 11th February 2022
Myer 11 am - 5 pm service ( actually worked until 5.30 pm as requested verbally)
It's cloudy this morning and I'm up by 5 am . I had breakfast really early and watch the morning news.
Listening to all the changes to COVID rules and regulations it is so confusing and getting more confusing each day. I think people are sick of the governments handling of the pandemic.
That strange smell is still lingering around the apartment inside and outside around the apartment block. Maybe it's just storm water drains.
I caught the next bus around 9.30 am that came along which was a 612x express to st Leonards connecting onto a 114 bus to Neutral Bay which was the first bus to arrive rather then waiting for the 144 bus as soon as it arrived it started to rain quite heavily from a light sprinkle in a matter of minutes.
As soon as the rain started it was over in another few minutes. I had taken out my rain jacket only not to need it when I arrived at Neutral Bay Junction where a Bline bus was waiting behind the 114 bus. I had to wait to get on, as an unusually amount of passenger alighted - probably 2/3 of the bus. The tap on tap off machine was out of order again.
Why am I still so tired?
Today the team leader called in sick therefore I was asked by the store manager if I could work until 5.30 pm just to help out with putting up the sale tickets for the Super Weekend Sale over this weekend.
I was then asked by the store manager if I could work Saturday and Sunday. I said I could work Saturday but not Sunday. One of the other
Today I purchased the small plastic jar of red and white candy twists left over from Christmas after being told by a team member in Homewares how good they were. I was very curious about them as they looked like bite sized pieces of hard candy canes which I thought were peppermint flavoured which I really hate the taste of but after being told they weren't peppermint flavoured at all but cherry licorice I became more curious and decided to try them. I knew they were not hard boiled candy but softer gummy type candy but had no idea they were so addictive and so sweet. I only ate a few but did not need any intervention to stop eating them. They were just too sweet to eat more then 1 or 2. They came down to $1.70 a jar after clearance price and staff discount. Photo attached.
I stopped off to buy a snack and a bottle of water as I had run out before waiting for the 280 bus to Chatswood. 2 buses did not show up and the next one was not until 30 minutes later. Because the route is run by a private byline Forest Business, they could not be contacted by radio by other bus drivers as their office was closed and other bus drivers can't track where they are via GPS as they don't have access to them. So I cut my losses of waiting for the next 280 and walked to the pedestrian overpass up the lift and across it to the other side of the main road. I just missed the Manly bus so waited for the next one which was arriving before the next 280 bus. I took the 199 to Masnly before walking across the road to get the 144 home. In between a Bline bus arrived but it looked as if it was going to rain again and if this hapoens I would be stranded at Neutral Bay Junction with little protection from the rain while waiting for a connecting 144 bus.
I had to wait a while for the 144 bus at manly but other people were waiting and I managed to finally arrive home around 8.30 pm. ( and yes it did rain lightly briefly again on my way home but it did not pour)
News heads lines today include:
Scotty James and Valentino Guseli compete in the snowboarding half pipe finals today at the Winter Olympics competing against Shaun White.
Tasmania is putting forward their bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games competing against Melbourne to host the Commonwealth games !? No location has been revealed. The Victorian government has remained tight lipped having been asked to host the Commonwealth Games and is not keen to lose a 3rd major event.
Australians now need to have had a 3rd COVID booster shot in order to be considered fully vaccinated - correction there is no 3rd booster shot mandate just recommended and if "overdue" - it is just to be classed as " up to date with vaccinations" Travellers are still fully vaccinated with 2 vaccinations. Confused ?! Booster shots only mandated in healthcare workers, it's up to states to decide mandates if booster shots and no restrictions for those who have not had 3rd booster shots yet.
To combat the low take up rate of the booster shot where NSW is lagging behind other states , a snap booster blitz campaign has been launched
Prince Charles has tested positive to COVID a second time just days after being in contact with the Queen. All eyes are on the 95 year old Queens health. Both the Queen and Prince Charles are triple vaccinated. Does the Queen have COVID? The palace refuses to release this information. Camilla did test negative before attending her events today.
Nurses are going on strike for better work conditions , staff shortages and better pay from a few hours to 24 hours depending on each hospital.
Police have pushed out anti vax protestors in NZ outside The Beehive.
Some of SA strictest COVID rules have been relaxed and it has been revealed that SA has the highest rates of COVID deaths.
Cruise ships may soon be allowed to return to Australia, as soon as in a few months. NSW will lead the charge. States will decide when it will allow cruise ships back in.
NSW is moving into phase D where there will no more lockdowns , very few restrictions and learning to live with COVID and treating it as if it is like the flu. The last of the restrictions are expected to be lifted on March 1st 2022.
The koala is offically declared as endangered along the Eastern coast of Australia.
The cause of Bob Saget death has been reveal as an accidental traumatic head injury. No drugs or alcohol were involved.
It's amazing how Chinese mixed team aerial skier saved his landing with a full back somersault landing almost upright after a flawless program but was still penalised for doing so coming in with the silver medal instead of a gold.
Scotty James wins silver for Australia and Valentino Guseli places 6th in the final. Snowboarder Shaun Whit misses out on a medal placing 4th place.
There were 8183 COVID cases and 32 deaths in NSW today.
Saturday 12th February 2022
It is still an overcast day this morning.
I'm on my way to work and it is 8.30 am and I get a message to start as soon as I get here - I'm not starting until 10 am as per yesterday and to stay until 6 pm. This is the message I received at 8.30 am this morning from the customer service manager.
"Hi can you please start on the floor as soon as you get here and stay to 6pm we have had sick calls sorry for the late notice. "
This has got to stop. I have enough trouble getting to and from work. I really have to seriously request a transfer to Chatswood.
Why are customers so rude? What do they not understand? A customer broke a toilet brush in a ceramic holder and did not offer to pay for it instead she asked why the prices are on the bottom of products. A stylist returning a whole heap of plates from a Westfield photo shoot. Returns without receipts. Why are therr so many dinner sets with misding pieces in them? There were at least 6 inclmplete dinner sets. A team member and I were asked to pull them off the shelves make them up and put them back on the shelves. The individual pieces sold separately were taken off the shelves and the labels stuck to an A4 piece of paper to be suspended and written off. The labels with what were m missing were removed and tissue paper used to pass the pieces out inside the boxes to protect them.
A customer who had 2 Myer gift cards cards without issue dates that would not swipe was becoming really irritating and angry. I managed to calm her down asnd put her transaction through on an alternative Westfield gift card she had and put her Myer One points onto one of 3 cards she had all of which had the same details of hers on but all with different membership numbers. I managed to eliminate the membership cards that were not her current one by the information she gave me ie no landline # and also wrote down the numbers of the cards that she needed to ring up and cancel or go on the Myer One app to delete or cancel. I then took her to see the electrical team leader to see what he could do about her 2 cards not swiping. He refunded her putchases with a new Myer returns card and manually did a payment using the 2 cards that can't be swiped by entering the card numbers in. She then went and attacked him claimed he ripped her off so the issue went to the customer service manager who also copped an earful from her when she could not understand that she was not ripped off by calculating and showing her the payment and how it was indeed correct. She needed a lot of convincing.
There was a customer who rang up for an airfryer. It was a joint effort between another Homewares team member and me. She took the customer inquiry from a phone call. I found the product and rang her back leaving a message on the voice mail and another team member answered the call back from the customer. I wrote my team member number on it but I am not working tomorrow and the customer is not coming in until tomorrow to pay for and pick up so the other Homewares team member that took the call can have the sale. Cheeky team member in the electrical department asked me if he could have the sale as it is a huge sale I said a firm "NO!". I believe team members in the Electricals department get a comission for selling a certain amount of electricals so of course he would like the sale.
It seems I'm not the only one seeking a transfer request to another store. I overheard one of the other guys who just started before Christmas talking to another electricals team member asking about how to get a transfer to the Macquarie store.
Oh damn it I have lost count of how many Myer One sign ups I have done. Today I forgot at least 2 asnd also for got 1 or 2 the previous day and 1 the previous week. I wrote a note about how many I have forgot to scan after signing them up on today's day sheet at the bottom.
Lunch was around 3 pm today. I made sure all the other team members working in Homewares today had a lunch break before I did. During lunch the new VM manager actually returned my call from Friday afternoon asking me to work. A 9 am - 5 pm day was negotiated for Monday 14th February 2022 ( Valentine's Day) . The other Homewares team member was also rung to work on Monday but she was already working. Another team member was asked to replace her so she could work in merchandising with me.
Last jobs of the day were cushions- find them off the dock and fill up the shelves. The customer service manager looked as if she was in tears and so I asked her if she was ok - apparently her grand mother just passed away and she broke into tears. The team member who was going to help me find cushions saw her in tears and also went to ask if she was ok. I wanted to give the customer manager some space and when the customer service manager said to the other team member that I will tell her why she was crying, I started walking to the dock and asked her to follow me advising her of why the customer service was in tears. She said she had never seen her show such emotions - neither had I. I find some white United cushions on the dock but the team member that was with me insisted tgat all the cushions on the shelves were clearance cushions when I was trying to convince her tgat they were not so she said she would go down to the online room and look for some. I let her go because I knew there weren't any and continued to go through the cages to find more cushions. I grab another white knitted cushion but found this new cushion that had been vacuumed packed down flat. It was the ugliest printed white cushion I have ever seen. Wondering who would want to buy it and thinking it may make the customer service manager smile and take her mind off her grief just for a minute I grab the ugly cushion to show her before inflating it out of the plastic and placing it on the shelf. When I bought it over to show her I said to her, I found a cushion that would be perfect for your house. That made her smile, she agreed it was ugly - " what's on it? Is it a doe doe?" I honestly had no idea it was that ugly! She then goes on to tell me about her cushions she has a red one and a black one matching and about how her cat loves them.
We still nerd to clean out the stuff that was not counted in a stocktake and dumped in the Homewares cupboard.
No mucking around today. I leave as close as posdible to 6pm. My lunch bag water bottle etc was put back in the staff locker at lunch and to avoid a bag check I have been padlocking my backpack instead of the staff locker to save time.
It's still pouring with rain at 6 pm and continues to rain at 8 pm. I walk across the overhead pedestrian bridge across the main road and catch the next 199 bus to Manly. A 167 bus to Manly did arrive before the next 199 bus but I did not get on it as it takes the scenic route to Manly and therefore takes forever to get to Manly. At Manly I walk across the road and run for the awaiting 144 bus which was about to depart towards home and Chatswood. No stopping or fluffing around today. 10 am - 6 pm is a long day - I'm far too tired to do anything or go anywhere.
Arriving home I did not watch anything except the Winter Olympics - ski jump ice dancing and skeleton events after washing my hands my mask and having leftover Bolognese I had made a few days ago.
I check my emails and almost lost amongst tgem is my annual po box rental bill and a response from a volunteer position I inquire about by email. I had organised to meet them sometime on Monday but am now unable to because I am working on Monday at Myer for the VM department.
Almost 3 am Sunday morning and I'm still awake.
News headlines today include:
US is holding a press conference that Russia's threat to invade the Ukraine is immenent and for any US troops to get out. It could happen during the Olympics if not after.
WA is in the midst of an Omicron outbreak where the number of Omicron cases is growing. It had it's first death. The government is considering puting more restrictions in place to stop it's spread.
By elections in 4 states in NSW. The NSW premier is out and about visiting polling sites Bega Monaro Willoughby and Strathfield
Quad talks are happening in Melbourne.
Australia has just won it's 4th Winter Olympic medal at 1.30 am Sunday morning. First in Skeleton - a silver medal won by Jaclyn Narracott.
Sunday 13th February 2022
Day Off
1.30 am and I'm still up watching the Winter Olympics.
A snack of a punnet of raspberries some corn chips some water and green tea.
I can stay up late as I don't have to work today!
It stopped raining late last night.
I slept in today until about almost 9 am waking to a morning that is sunny but looks as if it is about to rain yet again. I hope the rain holds off today.
This morning I made a version of bread and butter pudding using the Coles apple and cinnamon Hotcross buns I did not like at all as they had a strange aftertaste. I cut them up and spread a layer of sour cherry jam over them before pouring a custard mixture with extra non lactose milk vanilla clove egg cinnamon and Manuka honey added to the mixture over them. oops I forgot the butter.
I took my rubbish out to the red bin and walked down to Lane Cove in the late afternoon as I needed some groceries but more importantly to get some change to do my laundry. No rain all day and night for once but it did get windy at one stage very briefly.
Aldi was closed by 8 pm so Woolworths and Coles were my only options. I did not buy any tissues but instead got water, chicken wings, fish, mixed leaves, juice, some bananas & berries as well as a jar of the new Bega Vegemite and cream cheese. I was too tired to walk back with my bag of groceries therefore waited at Lane Cove interchasnge where others were waiting for the next bus towards the city . I hopped onto the next bus a 254. As soon as I artive home, I washed my hands unpacked my groceries and put my laundry into the washing machine, I had a bit of a taste test of the new vegemite and cream cheese on some wholemeal bread and avacado. Photos below.
News headlines today include:
By election disaster - fully results of the 4 electorates may not be known for weeks due to the number of postal votes.
Protesters outside Parliment House continue but moved on.
Australian Winter Olympians quest for medals continues in aerial skiing, bobsled and speed skating today.
The delay in the medals presentation for the ice skating team event continues due to the Russian doping scandal of 15 year old womens' figure skater Kamila Valieva is still under investigation and an appeal is in progress. the results will be released later today. Will the ROC gold medal for the team skate event at the Beijing Winter Olympics be reawarded to the runners up or will the ROC ice skating team be able to retain it?
Putin and Biden have an hour phone call to each other over severe costs if Russians invade the Ukraine. A get out while you can warning has been issued as there is not much embassies and consulates can do if foreigners become stuck in the Ukraine.
Australian borders still to open up to international travellers on 21st February 2022.
The job market has stalled with a large number of workers now staying put in their current jobs rather then seeking alternative employment.
There were 22 deaths and 6686 COVID cases in NSW cases overnight.
Hugh Jackman is back in a new Broadway show.
Bobsled Brew has completed her first 2 mono bob heats. The final 2 years are on tomorrow night
A snow blizzard has caused the aerials qualifiers to be cancelled until tomorrow or until it is safe for competitors to jump in the event.
Monday 14th February 2022
Happy Valentine's Day!
It's another dry day this morning. I take my laundry out of the dryer that I left to tumble dry on a timer overnight. Had breakfast and leave for work. There is a very strange smell uptairs again. Is it a dead body or animal? Insect spray? A leak in the pipes? It's awful but not always present in the building.
I leave at around 7.15 am and catch the first bus to St Leonards. It's quite a long wait for a 144 bus. There are heaps of people waiting for it.
I am so tired again as I did not go to sleep until late after washing my cutlery and clothes.
Myer 9 am - 5 pm stock
A very physical yet productive day today. 7 cages of different coloured Vue cotton combed towels, summer weight quilts and mattress protectors were moved off the dock and organised into colours and brands in the soft reserve and old luggage reserve before lunch as well as displaying various sizes of red blue navy white and grey Tommy Hilfiger towels on the floor as well as restocking some quick dry towels and discounted towels on the floor. Followed by moving 2 cages of different pillows from the personal shopper room plus another 2 cages of another 2 brands of pillows from the dock all moved to the online room organised into categories. I also swapped all the pillows for quilts so most of the quilts are together and all the pillows are together. There are no pillows on the top shelves of the old online room as there is no ladder to reach them.
Lunch was at 2.30 pm and I was so tired by then.
I had a few hours help between 11 am and 1 pm from another Homewares team member but she had to leave and go home as she wasn't well and had vertigo. She should not have come to work at all but she didn't want to let the customer service manager down.
After lunch it was just helping the customer service manager move 2 heavy triple stands for yet another Myer sale "Home Sweet Home" for tomorrow. A one day sale every Tuesday. Myer just had a Super Weekend sale now there is another one - and you wonder why Myer is only worth 30 cents a share - they are constantly on sale! They still have heaps of shit on the floor still in the back corner that's on clearance from 2 seasons ago as well as half of the Homewares department with other clearance tables. Old stock that is longer then 2 seasons old was found and transferred out back to Melbourne- who knows what they do with this unsold stock or ho w much if it is left - is it written Off? Given way to staff or donated to charity? Who knows. It just disappears off the floor.
I wonder if that customer who wanted the airfryer came in to pick it up and pay for it . Apparently she didn't so it was to be put back. Who knows what happened to it in the end as I went to the counter, I found the note that we had left on it tossed to the side of one of the POS systems. Was it because it was put back or did the customer actually return? If the customer returned who got the sale? I had left my ID # on the note intending to give the sale to the other team member but that team member was not working today. So if we were both not working who got the sale? Did I get the sale in the end? Not usually if I'm not on the floor. Pretty unfair if someone else got the sale that didn't even serve the customer - happens to me all the time so I just accept it. By the way there have been some team leader/manager changes. Team leader from kids has joined Homewares, team leader from cosmetics has joined men's shoes and team leader from menswear and shoes has joined kidswear - I wonder if these are the aspiring team leaders that just completed their 10 month certificate 4 in retail management at Myer. A team member once told me that in order to be a manager they have to have worked in all departments at Myer. Maybe that's why there is a swap around departments. I have not seen the new men's kids toys department manager around - maybe she has not been able to cope with the job already. To be honest I don't think she was the right applicant for the job and I don't like her and I think a few other team members don't either. She is a little strange asking weired questions and not remembering names. She did not seem very computer literate either although she maybe still in training. Fancy asking me questions on how to process a item that wo n't scan. That's what a manager should be able to do.
The rest of the afternoon after my late lunch was just tidying up and putting like stuff with like stuff in reserves on the dock and finding a box of linen house products. Pretty boring really. I served customers if needed.
Home on the bus
News headlines include:
First flight from Singapore (scoot) arrives into the Gold Coast QLD after 6 months outside of travel bubble . 1 week until Australia opens its borders again to international borders and 2 years since borders were shut.
Novavax roll out begins at pharmacies and GP a week ahead of schedule.
3rd Booster shots not needed for international travellers entering into Australia. Double vac only required.
Code brown ending in Victoria and elective surgery allowed again.
A video into an insight of of Scott Morrison's life with his family has been aired ahead of the elections to lure voters. His wife Jenny is the focus of this video and his secret weapon.
Confidence of leaders and the Federal government has dropped during entire pandemic.
Bully claims amongst female work collegues in the Victorian government
It's Superbowl Monday today. The usual big $ ads and half time entertainment with one football team that has never played in the final or won a superbowl before therefore it will make history if they win. Half time entertainment includes snoop dog Mary J Blige, Eminem, Dr Dre and Kendrick Lamar to grace the stage. The Cincinnati Bengals verses The Los Angeles Rams. The rams won. It's not all about the football game - It's also about the half time entertainment and the multimillion dollar ads played during the Superbowl. My favourite has to be the Dr Evil ad -what was the ad selling , Electric cars? wasn't paying attention.
Meanwhile the Winter Olympics continue with the aerial skiing qualifiers postponed due to heavy snow and winds making it too dangerous to jump, the snowboarding big air and mono bobsled events will be run today. Australia sits at 16th on the medal tally.
There was a convoy collision in Canberra. Charges may be laid.
A floor collapses in a London pub. 5 trapped.
There was a hotel fire in Barcelona guests threw mattresses out the window and jumped.
Little Cleo Smith's parents are getting married.
Bobsled Bree misses out on a medal in the mono bobsled coming 5th in her first Olympics.
Tuesday 15th February 2022
I wake at 2.30 am this morning. I had quite a few things to catch up on. Whilst I was making some pumpkin soup and marinated chicken wings. My smoke detector didn't go off but one of the other smoke detectors went off randomly and I went to investigate which one. It was the one in unit 10. I grabbed what I could that would reach it to deactivate it. I noticed that it was an old style one like the one I used to have in my unit until it was replaced. I sent an email to the property management company to notify them of this as it may need a battery replacement or full replacement like mine if it goes off again. No response to my email.
Myer 11 am - 5 pm Service
So much to write about so little time. The day started off dry but the winds were howling again at night . Why is it so windy here?
I left just after 9 am this morning for work meaning I had time to actually go shopping. I went to the reject shop as I hardly ever get to go shopping there and bought some air fresheners in Apple and gingerbread. I like the apple one as it is compact and smells nice but not so keen on the gingerbread one as it was chunky and difficult to open.
I am not using my phone to punch in and out as I would have to turn my location on and if I forget to turn it off it will suck the battery life out of my phone and Myer will know where I actually live which is an invasion of my privacy.
So what happened at work today. The customer service manager was not in and the team member from kidswear was again acting team leader or 2IC to the customer service manager whilst she is on her days off. The diary had a list of things to do which were all completed by the end of today. The boxes of Heritage blue Avenue ceramic cake stands were marked down with pink clearance stickers by the unvaccinated homewares team member prior to my arrival today as were the Beau and Bonnie beach towels that I had put yesterday in the old click and collect reserve which I marked down as the first thing I completed upon arriving at work tis morning. Today was pillows and towels day - everyone was buying pillows and towels probably because it is Tuesday and every Tuesday is Home Sweet Home Sale day where selected items are heavily discounted for 1 Day ie today only. Today was 50% off so pillows quilts towels sheets etc excluding clearance items aand a few other products.
So many weird and wonderful customers today. Here are just some of mine and the unvaccinated team members.
Customer # 1 The knife guy. I had 3 customers at the same time and I wish customers would not interrupt me asking for assistance when it is clear that I am with and assisting another customer. A guy approaches me asking for assistance with knife block sets. There were only a few boxed sets in the knife cabinet but he wanted the Stanley Rogers knife block set which Myer Warringah did stock but were possibly sold out of. I leave him to shop asking if it was ok for me to go down to the reserves and see what boxed knife sets are down there but not in the knife cabinet. I was sure we had some other brands of boxed knife block sets so I bought up the Mastercraft set and the Chef X set. There were no Stanley Rogers boxed knife block sets left. In the end he decided on the Global boxed knife box set. A customer near by gave the thumbs up as she has a set of them and I've used them too in a soup kitchen. They were never my choice of knife as they were too light and I did not like the handle design but once I used them their counterbalance made it a very comfortable knife to use. He bought a few items including a set of steak knives which were not on sale. Unfortunately one of the electrical team members had advised the guy that these steak knives were on sale. The guy purchased them and I only noticed that they were not on sale after payment from looking at the receipt. I offered to refund him the money as the information he was given by the other team member was incorrect but he decided to keep them anyway. I asked if he needed a bag or if all his purchases would fit in his backpack - not quite. I strongly suggested a bag as he had 2 sets of knives and walking through the mall with them would not be a good look ie suspect. So the Global knife block set went in his backpack and the other steak knife set and bits and pieces were placed in a Myer bag. Yes Myer is still charging 15 cents per bag - I will offer a free one if the customer decides they need one after payment or if Myer does not have the largest bag required and 2 smaller bags is the only option I only charge the customer for a single bag. I think this is only fair as it is Myer's fault that demand has outstripped supply of appropriately sized bags which customers are paying for.
Customer # 2 The Overweight Pillow Lady ( so heavy that the VM manager , unvaccinate team member and I were concerned that she might break the display bed she was trying the pillows on) The unvaccinated team member thought she might be the same overweight lady that ran her over with their mobility scooter. I spot the VM manager gave the lady laying across the display bed on the pillows a funny concerning look. Nah all good - the bed was intact and the lady ended up selecting and purchasing the pillow most comfortable for her. Being quite weighty she was complaining to me how she gets a sore neck probably sleeping on too soft a pillow - she needed one with more support.
Customer # 3 The Luigi Bormioli Optica Champagne Coupe phone order customer That Just Did Not Believe You.
A customer phones up and asks if she could do a phone order for some champagne glasses. I advise her that I do not recommend it as all phone orders are delivery to customers only no store pickups but the customer insists that's ok so asks if I will have a look to see if they are in stock at Myer Warringah first as she insists thst it says Myer Warringah has 7 on hand. I said tgat I would but I need her to give me the details of the product first. She gives me a description but does not give me a product code. I place the phone down and go to look for the product. There were none in stock on the floor of tgat particular champ fan coupe do I grab the martini glass in the same range. I return to her call and ask her if It's the martini glass and describe it to her as that is all there is. She advised no and asks am I sure that there isn't any in the reserve and could I have a look for them and I advise her NO as the system is not live and if there were only 7 on hand all would be on the floor not in the reserve as this range is relatively new and being Valentine's day yesterday they have probably all been sold between yesterday and today. I ended the call. When I mentioned this to a VM team member she asked how did the customer know that we had 7 on hand? Then realised that maybe she called customer service who told her this information - they would not know what each store physically has on hand as they are based in Melbourne and/or are from a call centre and the system is not live.
Customer # 4 The MW large cup & saucer, oval dishes, large salad bowl and 15 Cosmpolitan Spoons Customer That Disappeared . This customer just disappeared on me when I went to the reserve to find her some more Cosmopolitan Soup spoons. She had asked me to look for some so I did. there were heaps of Madison but no Cosmopolitan soup spoons. When I returned from the reserve she had just disappeared and I could not find her. Her crockery was left on the counter though. I continued to serve other customers. She eventually returned and the unvaccinated team member served her. I hate it when I lose my customers as they just wander off and not tell you where they are going to be.
Customer # 5 The Greatful hearing Impaired Customer. This customer was so lovely she made my day. It made me reaI use how difficult it is to have an indoor mask mandate. She asked if if it would be ok for me to remove my mask when serving her as she is deaf and lip reads. of course I did not mind. It must be a pillow day today as everyone was purchasing pillows. She could not decide between the sleep therapy memory foam pillow and Heritage memory foam pillows and asked for advice. I also showed her some alternative ones. in the end she decided on the heritage one. I advised her of the no return no exchange no refund policy unless faulty due to health regulations. She thanked me for taking my mask off. After serving the customer I was telling a team member about the customer's situation and joked how anyone could read my lips as my mouth doesn't move when I talk. ( I did use hand gestures just in case)
Customer # 6 The EXTREMELY Vague Customer. Thank goodness I didn't serve her but only answered her initial inquiry. The Unvaccinated team member did. She needed to use the ladies and left her purchases on the counter.I was unsure if she had paid for them or not as she spent so long with the unvaccinated team member. She was gone for so long I thought that she had forgotten about them but she did eventually return in the end.
I finished at 5 pm after helping to take down all the Home Sweet Home one day sale tickets starting around 4 pm . One sale ends another sale starts. Myer is constantly on sale.
I take the next 280 bus back to Chatswood. I am so tired. On my way home I stop off at Woolworths Metro for groceries and a chicken mushroom and leak pie as I can't be bothered cooking. Photo below. It tasted ok but the pastry is a little heavy and it held together however a big test of a goid pie I being able to eat it with one hand whilst on the run withoutout it falling apart or the filling dripping all over you and this is where this pie failed the test. The filling was a little too runny and it did drip and get all over me whilst I ate and walked to the bus stop. I rate it a 6/10. It tasted ok but not as good as a seven even pie.
News headlines today include:
Australian aerials skiers Danielle Scott and Laura Peel have suffered heart ache after missing out on a medal at Winter Olympics as China wins it's first ever gold medal in aerials.
Thousands of nurses in NSW go on strike today. The first statewide strike in over a decade. All they are asking for is a small 2.5 % pay rise in line with inflation instead of receiving recognition in various forms and a pay cut during the pandemic when they really needed and deserved a pay rise as they put their lives on the line as front line workers serving and saving others.
Jarryd Hayne has had a retrial over rape charges back in 2018 were quashed which could see him walk free. Bail has been posted.
James Packet sells his Crown Resorts chain around Australia to an American Company subject to regulatory approval to ensure the comp any is fit to hold casino licences in Australia. Shareholders will be paid aporoximately $13 per share. Blackstone an American private equity firm intends to cut costs to make it profitable before reselling it to make an even bigger profit meaning unlikely it will keep existing employees resulting in job loses for the casino resorts.
Road rage between scooter riders and a yellow motor vehicle has occurred in Victoria where the motor vehicle attempted to run the scooter riders over.
There have been breaches of privacy as organisations have had their addresses published from COViD QR code check ins.
There is a push for rapid PCR tests in aged cared facilities to be used as they take less time - results 90 minutes and not 6 days.
Qantas flights direct from Darwin to London may continue to run. They were rerouted to get around WA's strict COVID regulations and border closures.
There is chaos due to rowdy crowds in LA after the Superbowl win with police out in force.
There is continued concern over the Queens health after Prince Charles testing positive to COVID after visting the Queen. Currently in isolation he will be out of isolation tomorrow if he tests negative however Camila has now tested positive to COVID.It is still unsure if the Queen has had a COVID test or not and if she has COVID or not as the palace has not released this information.
Solvo soap is being discontinued. The bars are so rare a bar on eBay sold for a hundred dollars.
Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts - Smith's ex wife has testified against him.
There were 10463 COVID cases and 27 deaths in NSW after 8201 COVID deaths and 16 deaths on Tuesday ( 12 men and four women.)
Three people were in their 70s, seven people were in their 80s, and six people were in their 90s.
Three people had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, seven people had received two doses, one person had received one dose, and five people were not vaccinated.
Three people were from the Shellharbour region, three people were from south-western Sydney, two people were from southern Sydney, two people were from northern NSW, two people were from Sydney’s Inner West, one person was from western Sydney, one person was from the Newcastle area, one person was from the Port Macquarie area and one person was from Inner Sydney ) and 6184 on Monday????
Note it is getting more difficult to find previous days figures if I miss them in the morning or evening news.
Wednesday 16th February 2022
Day off
I was asked to work today by the customer service manager but said no as I need a day off after working last Thursday Friday as rostered and staying back as well as working on Saturday as a favour and on Valentine Day Monday by the VM manager twice to do stock as well as Tuesday as rostered. If I worked today it would mean I would have to cancel my plans again and not have a day off until Saturday.
The team leader is off for the week and most casuals are returning to Tafe or Uni therefore can't work. I organised a ring around yesterday as well as informing who can't work as they had reorganised leave to return to uni. A team member or manager, managed to get the team member, who was unwell on Monday and working on stock with me that had to go home with vertigo, to work today. I hope she is ok to work today.
So what did I get up to today? I paid my rent in advance for 2 weeks but have not paid my po box yet. I took the rubbish out before getting ready to go for a skate at Macquarie Ice Skating Rink making it for the last hour of the lunch time discount skate which starts from 11.30 am and finishes on the dot at 1 pm due to school sports that start at 1 pm. I arrive at 12 noon and my first skate after almost 2 years of absence from the ice was a rough one. My old pair of leather Jackson's were in almost perfect condition except my blades were rusty and needed a sharpening even stored in dry conditions with material moisture absorbing blade covers. On the ice my feet hurt badly and there is something just wrong with the blade near the tip of my toe pick on my right skate which is tough and keeps catching in the ice. These are my favourite Jackson skates but my favourite blades are on my other pair of Jackson's which I can't skate in because the whole surface of the boots have just cracked and is flaking off. It is a newer pair of Jackson's but it must not be as high end as the older pair as the sole and heel are plastic not wood or leather. I need to replace the boots and keep the blades and swap the blades over to the other pair of Jackson boots. Unsure if I can save the boot from disintegrating further. I do have a third pair of Jackson ice skates however they are in storage and are only recreation skates with fixed blades and are more like the rental skates but much better quality.
After my hour long skate I receive an email to cancel my volunteering appointment for the office admin position for North Sydney Community Centre between 2 pm and 3 pm today. I am a little annoyed but can't do anything about it. I have time to go shopping other then just grocery shopping now.
I go to Big W, Kmart where I purchase 2 different draw string bags and bumped into one of the Myer team members that lives near Macquarie Centre and just finished his Uni orientation day.
I also went to Woolworths Aldi and Coles in that order to do a grocery shop filling 3 shopping bags with groceries. No tissues at Woolworths or Aldi and still very little toilet paper. I managed to get 2 boxes of basic tissues at Coles which was my final grocery shopping destination - I don't want the fancy tissues such as the aloe vera or eucalyptus boxes which was all that were left. In between I visited the green grocer as I like to buy some of my fresh fruit and vegetables there rather then just from a supermarket.
3 full bags of groceries and I stagger back to the Metro Station to catch it back to Chatswood. Straight home on the 144 bus from Chatswood. So tired I have some dinner and sleep as it's get up early again to work tomorrow.
News headlines today include:
February 28th mask mandates in NSW are due to end and the NSW government wants to end QR code check ins along with the end to the mask mandate.
Novak Djokovic has spoken out about how his choice of whether to get vaccinated or not is more important then winning any tennis tournament and admits that being unvaccinated prevents him from travelling to play in tennis tournaments. He does intend to get vaccinated eventually. Go Novak I support you as a cautious vaxxer and not an antivaxxer!
Abi Harrigan has pulled out of her freestyle slopestyle ski event due to a fracture sustained just weeks ago.
Today is the 20th anniversiary of Steven Bradbury's gold medal win in speed skating.
Meanwhile Torah Bright forner Olympic snowborder has embarked on a new project in Antarctica.
Prince Andrew settles out of court settlement to Virginia Giuffre for between 15 - 20 million dollars to her charity for victim of sexual abuse.
The queen has performed her first offical duty via video conferencing. There is still concerned for her health.
The doping scandal continues with Kamila Valieva 15 year old Russian figure skater who tested positive to a drug test. She was allowed to continue to skate in her individual short program but the gold medal presentation for winning the team event has been delayed until the investigation is over. She leads the shirt program qualifying for the free program, if she wins or places on the podium in the free program the medal ceremony will again be delayed until the investigation is over.
Meanwhile Australian female figure skater Kilani Craine made a mistake in her short program and apologies (like other Australian Olympians who did not win a medal ) after not qualifying to advance into the free program.
Complaints about the quantity and quality of athletes' meals and nutriential value labelling some inedible at the Bejing 's Winter Olympics have appeared on social media posts. Also comparisons of the 3 huge ugly concrete cooling towers in the background of the big air ramp does nothing to make the event more appealing , instead described them as a distraction and liken to a nuclear power plant or station. ( does it remind you of the one in The Simpsons)
Australia has reveal a new tourism campaign. What's wrong with the old ones people are asking?
There were 9995 COVID cases and 14 deaths in NSW today.
Thursday 17th February 2022
Another sunny morning I am awake around 1 am doing things again before going back to sleep and waking up around 6 am.
I leave for work around 9.15 am and it's a beautiful day.
Myer 9.30 am - 3.30 pm service
Towels towels and more towels. Restock and fold towels is mostly what I did today in between serving customers. Bathroom accessories needed to be refilled
I signed up another Myer One membership today but again forgot to scan it before the customer finalised their payment do scanned it straight after the sale and Stu k the receipt in the diary.
I didn't have a break until 2.30 pm or so and finished at 3.30 pm today. Such a waste of my time coming in for 6 hours. I just recharged my Opal card but was down to my last $1 or so on my Opal card as it costs me $15 per day to get to and from work each day.
The customer service manager asked to to do 3 pages of price increases at 3.25 pm - yes 5 minutes before I was due to go home. Of course I didn't do it as the other team member had already left at 3.30 pm and o was still serving.
Still having trouble punching on and off on the UKG app on my phone, I am still using the loads to clock on and off.
After punching off after 3.30 pm, I passed the Benefits team member and told her that her 2 cushions are on the back Homewares counter ready for her ( next to the S & P reps bathroom accessories which is still awaiting 3 x soap pump dispensers to be located ).
I stopped off to get a chicken katsu and a seaweed hand roll for a snack before stopping at the post office to purchase a large satchel , I almost forgot to pay my po box at the same time. Done.
I walk to the bus stop which is a minute away and wait for the next 280 bus to Chatswood. No stopping tonight eventhough it is late night shopping. It is a wait for the next connecting 144 bus home. There are quite a few people waiting.
Not long after arriving home, it started to rain but the thunder show started followed by quite a long lightening show reminding me of the Australia Day night celebrations I attended previously. What a lightening show it was in the distance! Still very hot asnd humid though.
I catch the chase the news The food channel and 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown before catching up on my blog and YouTube.
Bed after making my lunch for work tomorrow.
News headlines today include:
Prince Charles Foundation under investigation for cash for honour scandal.
Mark Wahlberg brings his burger chain down under.
The Queen has been seen for the first time since the Prince Andrew sex scandal.
The Russian drug scandal continues with 3 different heart medications found in 15 year olds Kamilia Veriliva's system according to the positive drug test. Claims that she accidently took her grandfather's medication have been reported but it is questionable if she actually knew what she was being given to take as she is only 15 years old and therefore still a minor.
Sydney first fatal shark attack - a surfer has been mauled in Little Bay near Randwick. Tributes pour in for the missing dive instructor whose body parts and the shark that ate him are yet to be found. Witnesses saw the man being eaten by the shark. All beaches from Bondi to Cronulla were shut today but some were undetered. Shark nets and bait have been put out for the shark to be caught tagged and taken far out to sea to be researched. Shark experts do not intend to kill the shark that attacked the dive instructor but study the behaviour and movements of this shark.
Paramedics have gone on strike today. The union is demanding more staff and a pay rise.
Treasury says interest rates need to go up 'due to go up I by June
Maggie Beer went up in price because they sold more hampers over Christmas.
Job vacancies have reached 13 year highs.
Today is the 20 Anniversary of aerial skier Alisa Camplin's gold medal win at the Winter Olympics ( after Steven Bradbury's gold in the speed skating)
Victoria has signed an agreement to host the 2026 Commonwealth games with Geelong a possibility to host the opening ceremony and Ballarat and other regionaltowns likely to host athletic events.
No updates on COVID figures overnight. Figures may be limited to weekly stats on Wednesdays. There were 24 deaths.
QR codes scraped from tomorrow except for high risk sectors but when will the mask mandate end? Face masks will remain for 1 more week which masks will only but a snap announcement means density limits scrapped , dancing and singing allowed, work from home ending and workers encouraged to return to the office etc. Next week masks will only have to be worn on public transport, aircrafts, airports, aged care facilities and hospitals ie high risk settings such as music concerts which will also still require QR code check ins meaning indoor areas eg offices and retail settings will no longer require masks to be worn.
A cameraman was wiped out by a skier at the Winter Olympics.
Free bus travel tomorrow as drivers turn off their Opal card readers as a result of industrial dispute action ie striking.
Origin energy is closing it's largest power plant which may cause blackouts and result in price hikes.
Friday 18th February 2022
After a fierce night last night of a thunder and lightening storm show, I wake to a relatively calm morning that is dry.
I reported my income onto my Centrelink fortnightly reporting before getting ready for work. Yesterday I had responded to the Centrelink approved employment service provider via text that I was unable to attend tgeir appointment as I was at work again. I have fulfilled my mutal obligations requirements for the period already.
I thought passengers got a free bus ride today as bus drivers to on strike today - until I read It's only certain private bus companies on certain routes around Sydney that are affected . There were delays this morning from Neutral Bay Junction with quite a few buses driving past without stopping and a "NOT IN SERVICE SIGN" clearly displayed on their indicator signs - the B line buses did not look as if they were part of the industrial strike action although it seemed like ages until a B line bus arrived.
Myer 9.30 am - 5.30 pm service
The QR code signs have been removed from the entrances of Myer however sneeze guards still have the stickers on them as they cannot be removed without destroying them.
I was yelled at so many times today by the customer service manager it can no longer be ignored.
In the morning it's not busy so I asked a team member who was relocated to Homewares from Kidswear and is suppose to be the customer service manager's second in charge if she will be ok on her own whilst I go down to the reserves and do the price increases. She said yes but was caught up with a phone order whilst a queue of customers formed. I was told to get back up to the counter not just once but twice. Whenever I get back to the counter there is no queue of customers. On other occasions I'm serving a customer and kerp getting interrupted by the customer service manager to get back to the counter. I find this EXTREMELY rude especially when the customer I am serving is in the midst of purchasing quite a range of items for their new house and needs assistance. I was with one customer and had to practically cut off my time assisting him with items for his kitchen. A few hundred flat sale was cut short to under a hundred dollars as I was told to return to the counter again after selling the customer a small sauce pan. I don't think he was quite finished with his purchases but I had to cut the purchases off and put them through the POS.
After another team member arrived I went back down to the reserves to do the price increases. The scanner gun I had been using decided to die when it was no in use and left on the back counter of the Homewares Department. I had to get a new scanner gun but all of them where dead. If they don't work now what is going to happen at the scan count next Tuesday? The operations manager again bought up the replacement scanner guns and heard goid feedback on them. So? Why hasn't Myer Warringah got them then? We have been hearing about them for so long now but still haven't seen them. I am sick of technology not working at Myer and so old. I have never used technology so old in my life! I've never even seen or used a scanner gun like these before. I am used to the hand helds.
Getting back to the reserves, who and why are team members making life so difficult for others. I just cleaned up the reserves on Monday and in the pillow reserve had organised all the pillows and cushions so there were none on the top shelves as there is no ladder down there to reach them So high up and all of them were in order. When I arrived at this reserve this morning the pillows were randomly moved on the 2 very top shelves. The ones I needed to do a price increase on were not even mixed in with different pillows but on the top shelf so to get to them I had to find a step and flick them all down to the floor. After finishing the price increases ( manually as I could not get the replacement scanner gun to synchronise with the wireless printer) I placed the pillows onto a lower shelf together with the same ones .
Next stop was the soft reserve. Again I had just cleaned this up on Monday with one shelf one colour of all the same range of towels hand towels face washers bath mats and bath sheets together. I had excess of grey and navy towels in the same range and left them neatly in a single cage in a corner as they did not fit on the shelves. When I got to the reserve today these excess towels were placed on the top shelves and the cage removed as well as 2 new dates full of stock just left randomly in the soft reserve. The customer service manager was not happy and asked me to remove the cages and excess towels off the top shelves as no stock is to placed on the top shelves in the reserves for safety reasons. everyone knows this so who is dumping this stock. I ended up not moving the cages or removing the stock as it is not my responsibility to do so despite being asked by the customer service manager to do so. I was going to post something on the What's App Team Group Chat but thought stuff it. I continued with my price increase task and returned to the floor. There were no quilts in the luggage reserve with price increases after checking. Task complete. I advised the customer service at the end of the day and the other Homewares team member.
Onto my next customer that ended up mot purchasing the items she had chosen as the were not on sale . Another the sale sign is deceiving comment by a customer. this time I would have to agree as this is not the first time this sale sign has been used. Photo below of the deceiving sale sign. It may not be obvious but I will explain the problem with it below the photo.
News headlines today include:
ROC Olympic gold medal favourite crashes under pressure due to her doping scandal.
Restrictions ease in NSW and VIC today. No we code check ins no density limits work from home ditched dancing and singing allowed. Masks still in place until next week.
No caps on crowds at AFL grand final in Melbourne in a few weeks time.
A Ukraine kindergarten has been bombed by the Russianswith shelling hitting it. 20 Kids inside unhurt but 2 teachers injured.
Beaches reopen after the shark attack yesterday. The ocean swim to be swum on Sunday has been cancelled.
Consent is to be taught in the school curriculum.
Bad lien and new Elvis movie filmed in QLD is being released.
A brief and fierce storm hit Sydney last night with lighting and thunder striking . Gail and rain also fell. Hundreds
power ball jackpot has now hit $120 million after no one won the winning numbers drawn last night.
Saturday 19th February 2022
Day off
I slept in and did absolutely nothing today except watch the Winter Olympics and did some baking using whatever ingredients so had left in the pantry. It was a nice day today but I just did not feel like going out.
I designed and ordered a second Bega create a personalised lunch bag or drink bottle. My first one for myself is on it's way but I read somewhere that it could take upto 50+ days to get the next one. Tomorrow is the last day you can create and order either a personalised lunch bag or drink bottle from Bega Cheese company.
I also booked and paid to attend the 8 pm session to Nature Illuminated at The Chinese Gardens on Thursday 24th February. I will be going to it straight after work. I hope I will not be too tired to enjoy it as I have to work the next day as well. It is quite pricey to attend a 45 minute session is anything from $36 plus a $2.80 booking few on top of it . I used one of my discover vouchers and paid the balance of $13.80 by card.
Most of today was catching up on my blog YouTube and watching the Winter Olympics although creating designs for the second Bega drink bottle also took some of my time today. I had a few designs but didn't really like them So created an alternative one.
I don't go to sleep until after midnight as I was up watching the pairs figure skating and female dual bobsled.
News headlines today include:
WA opens it's border to the rest of Australia on 3rd march 2022 but tough new restrictions come into force as COVID cases increase meanwhile NSW eases most of the remainng COVID restrictions last night.
Wild weather continues with wild winds in NSW last night and thunder storms in QLD.
Party time as restrictions lifted.
Sunday 20th February 2022
Day off
Another do nothing day today. I slept in again as I was up ate watching the Winter Olympics again.
I put my laundry in the washing machine took the rubbish out washed the pile of dishes had a shower and watched the ice skating gala and closing ceremony of the Winter Oympics.
News headlines today include:
A Chinese Naval ship has been blamed for pointing a military grade laser beam at a RAAF plane that could have caused serious damage to the Australian aircraft by blinding the pilot and injuring others on board. The Chinese Naval ship was in Australian waters and it was made clear that the action was reckless.
The conduct and posdible invasion of Russia into the Ukraine continues.
Australia will open its borders after 2 years again to international travellers as of midnight tonight. The first plane to touch down in Australia will be a Jetstar plane landing in Darwin welcoming it's first batch of international travellers into Australia without travel permits.
Twice weekly rapid antigen testing required by teachers and students will cease at the end of next week. Instead 8 free rapid antigen testing kits will be given to students parents and teachers to use if required.
Tonight is the last day of the Beijing Winter Olympics for 2022. The Winter Paralympics start in March. The figure skating gala will follow with the closing ceremony. As most Australian have left the Beijing travel bubble only 8 Australian Olympians will March in the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics with the Australian flag bearer(s) still to be named. ( later announced as Kennedy Sim)
The mass start cross country skiing 50 km for women and men was shortened but not cancelled to 30 km due to severe weatger conditions. Their medal ceremony was held during the closing ceremony.
There were 21 COVID deaths in NSW and 5582 COVID cases today.
Monday 21st February 2022
Day off.
Today I slept in after staying up so late last night to watch the Winter Olympics ice skating gala and closing ceremony which did not end until after midnight.
I take my rubbish out to the red bin and dry my laundry before taking it out and folding it all when dried. I watch the morning news.
I prepare my lunch for tomorrow as I have a very long day tomortow doing stocktake - we just had one , now we have another one!
I really need to return my bottles and get a haircut as well as get some bread water toilet paper protein etc as I am running out of food again. How do they cut hair when you have to wear a mask? maybe I should wait until next week when the mask mandate is lifted!
I ventured out after lunch to Chatswood. My destinations were limited today due to the train strike. I took the bus to Chatswood but it was quite a wait for the next 144 bus. I could have caught the bus to Macquarie Shopping Centre but decided not to as there are buses direct there from where I live or I could catch the bus to Chatswood and then catch the Metro from Chatswood Train Station ( although this is a train, it was unaffected by the train strike because it is a driverless train - the only train line fully operating today) .
First stop is return my bottles for recycling. I had to wait for all the school kids to decide and pay for their purchases until I could deposit my bottles and collect my refund.
Next stop was Woolworths Metro for items tgat I can't get elsewhere before walking to the larger Coles via a stop at the Kmart located in Chatswood Chase. Most people are still wearing their masks in shopping centres but it is so much better with the scrapping of we code check ins wherever you go.
I forgot to mention that I stopped off for a snack of sushi from my favourite sushi place Ramon before going into Kmart. Photo below
News headlines today include:
Australia welcomes it's first international tourist back today as it reopens it's borders back to the rest of the world after 2 years of being closed due to COVID . There are celebrations around Australia at airports with koalas Tim Tams and Vegemite given away.
The Queen has COVID with mild cold like symptoms and there are concerns for her health. She is in isolation at Windsor Castle. She is 95 and triple vaccinated.
Justin Beiber also tested positive to COVID and has had to cancel some of his concerts.
There is a complete train strike in NSW today with absolutely no trains operating across the entire rail network. The entire rail network shut down at 2 am this morning with very little notice and passengers were stranded as they turned up to travel to workat stations this morning. The shutdowm has left passenger little time to find alternative transport to get to school work and appointments today as there are no train replacement buses organised at all. (Oh great timing Australia's borders open up to international tourists today but private transport hire car taxi uber and possibly a bus are the only way you can get from the airport to your destination as there are no trains operating to and from Sydney Domestic and International Airports unless the privately owned section of the publically owned airport line is still operating but that won't get you far.) The train strike is set to continue tomorrow.
Brookfield bids to take over AGL and shut down a major power station in the Hunter region.
With the closing ceremony for the Beijing Winter Olympics now over and only 10 Australians led by flag bearer Sami Kennedy Sims able to march in the closing ceremony due to COVID, the Oympic touch has been extinguished and the Olympic flag has been offically passed onto Italy's Milan Cortina for the next Winter Olympics to be held in 2026.
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hits the south island of NZ today.
There were 5582 COVID cases in NSW and 21 deaths today.
Tuesday 22nd February 2022
Myer 11.30 - 7.30 stocktake but not anymore shift change yesterday by team leader 9.30 - 5.30 pm service only
It's raining again at 7.30 am as I catch the next bus to St Leonards Station after just missing a 144 bus.
The green bin was emptied early this morning but I left it out on the street as the red bin has not been emptied yet. It is deliberately overfilled with rubbish so it does not get missed this time round.
8 am at Neutral Bay and it's still raining.
Last minute shift change for me and another Homewares team member. We were both meant to be on stocktake but both received a text to come in from 9.30 am due to staff calling in sick
It's been a while since I last attended a huddle. Same same figures customer service feedback scores push for Myer One sign ups and round ups for donations.
So there were only 2.5 of us girls from Homewares running backwards and forwards between the electricals and Homewares departments. The only manager on the floor today was the new manager for kids toys asnd men's youth and she was so rude and unhelpful towards us all day she should not be a manager. She blatantly told us that she was from the Sydney city store and that they do things differently there to here. Why did she even apply for a transfer out to such a small Myer after working at probably the biggest Myer store in Sydney? Was she asked to ? Who knows but she is so rude and disrepectful to us and I hope she doesn't speak to or treat customer like she does to us. Fancy telling me that no one tried to call her when we definitely did to ask for her assistance.
The other Homewares team member and I were able to sign up a Myer One membership each despite being so busy with her reminding me not to forget to scan the barcode this time as I was notorious for signing up multiple Myer One memberships and forgetting to sign the bar codes . I missed 5 in the last 2 weeks and almost missed one but managed to scan the barcode straight after the sale. I made a note of how many I signed up and when on the day sheet or in the diary. I almost signed up a second membership until it was found that this customer was already a Myer One member. Again I emphasise you can't force people to join up if they are not a member already. I don't understand why managers are pushing this. Do they get an incentive for this? We certainly don't although there was a mention of a competition at the huddle to see who can have the highest Myer One sign ups and Myer One scan rates. who cares! I don't and what do you get a $20 reward voucher from Myer? I'm over these vouchers. Myer products are boring limited and overpriced why would I shop here? I purchase most of my things from other retailers.
I started asking some customers whether they would like to round up their purchases to donate to charity which is for the Northern Beaches Women's Shelter again and ending in February. I still wonder how much of this actually goes to the charity. I received a few round ups from customers but some don't want to donate and others have already done so at another Myer department which is fair enough. Again you can't be pushy about donations.
It was down to the wire - the store closing announcement at 5.30 pm and I had just finished pulling down most of the Home Sweet Home Tuesday one day sale signs. I probably missed a few and did not have any time to pull down the electrical department Home Sweet Home Sale signs. I had to collect all the iPad and keys to return to the office as well and sign them all back in. Then rush to the staff entrance/exit get my stuff out of the staff locker ( I started padlocking my back pack to save time waiting for a bag check and putting my lunch bag back into the staff locker to save time having to go back and remembering my lunch in the staff lunch room). I was in such a rush in order to make it to the 5.40 pm 280 bus to Chatswood, I forgot to punch out. The first time I forgot and this is the problem - either remember to punch out or miss the bus at 5.40 pm to Chatswood and having to walk to the main road up and across the pedestrian overpass and down the stairs to the Manly bus stop and wait for the next 199 bus to Manly before transferring onto the next 144 bus across the road at masnly home which is a long wait and very likely missed connection. I managed to make the 5.40 pm Chatswood bus. No time to recharge my Opal card or a toilet stop. Miss the 5.40 pm Chatswood bus and this bus does not show up eventhough on the timetable there should be buses after 5.40 pm but only every half an hour then every hour or no service.
It rained hard whilst I was at work and continued to rain all night. It managed to arrive home before it started to rain again. I had to quickly take the mini red bin and large green bin back in but because the lid was left off the green bin after it was emptied early this morning and was left out on the street all day, it was filled with about 30 cm full of water from all the rain. I did not realise there was water in it until I was wheeling it back in with the lid closed and hearing a sloshing sound. I flipped the lid up and yep there was about 30 cm of dirt rain water in it. I am not going to empty it. It will dry out by itself or the maintenance person can deal with it the next time he is in as he is the one who fills it up to the brim and wheels it out on the wrong day so I have to wheel it back in each time and back out on the correct waste collection day aling with the red bins ( so annoying as the large red bin is always empty!)
I am so tired after running around between the Electrical and Homewares Department today like a headless chicken with no customer service manager who is away at a funeral in Victoria, no Electrical team leader who is off sick with COVID ( probably caught it from the dinner he went to with 3 other team members from Myer Warringah last Friday night), no Homewares team leader as it probably was her day off, no 3rd lunch cover team member who decided he could not work today and did not organise another team member to cover his shift, no 2nd electrical team member who was also on his day off or just could not work today and finally a missing Electricals team member who was rostered on from 9.30 am - 7.30 pm according to the day sheet to work and who I initially thought was not around as he was doing scan count but just did not show up to work so I had to phone the operations manager to get him to find out where he was. It is not upto to me or other team members usually to ring and find out why other team members have not shown up to work. It's upto to the managers as not all team members have all phone numbers to other team members especially in other departments.
I missed the news as it took me so long to get home and some of the food channel repeats before watching repeats of 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown.
Dinner was leftover of lunch bits and pieced banana blue berries muesli bar popcorn flavoured tea infused water and some yoghart I had in the fridge and later some marinated chicken marylands I baked.
Sleep around 9 pm.
There are 4916 COVID cases in NSW overnight and 7 deaths.
The train strike continues across NSW with limited train services a possibility today.
Novak Djokovic plays his first tennis tournament since being deported from Australia however depending on the results of his tennis match he could lose his number 1 ranking.
Australia is to invest millions into East Antarctica.
Is Australia falling behind the UK in terms of lifting all COVID rules and restrictions and treating omicron like the flu?
Biden's last chance meeting with Putin only if no shots fired over break away regions of the Ukraine.
Cats AFL star Patrick Dangerfield rescues a family of 3 stranded swimmers in Melbourne. He just happened to be there after just recovering from COVID.
Wild weather last night caused flooding in Western Sydney suburbs , power lines cut and trees down as well as a Glenmore Park house being struck by lightening and destroyed.
Wednesday 23rd February 2022
Day off
It's catch up time today. I am so behind in my blog. I wake quite early before 6 am to watch the news.
It stopped raining this morning but the ground was still wet which meant that it only recently stopped.
I dare not open my window or go out this morning. It's bucketing down with rain outside at 9.30 am. By 10 am the sun is trying to peep out again and the rain has stopped however the sloshing of MV driving past is loud and clear that the roads are still very wet. This does not help the increase of traffic due to the train strike continuing with limited services.
I am booked to see Nature illuminated tomorrow night. I think I will have trouble getting to and from the event and it may be pouring with rain again. No good, I should have booked for the following week but I didn't know what days I was working as my shifts disappeared off Kronos for next week for a while and now they look as if they are back up and amended.
I ask again what's going on with the world? - there has been so many severe natural disasters around the world many caused by wild weather, conflicts between countries which are close to starting a world war, constant crime, missing persons, fugitives from decades ago being found and arrested, near extinction of animal species , economic crisis, etc etc no one is immuned - not even the Royal family with the Queen contracting COVID along with other royal family members along with Prince Andrew and now Prince Charles scandals - not even the Olympics could escape with a doping scandal - right down to people being just plain rude and disrespectful to each other and all during this ongoing worldwide pandemic. Is the world going to end soon and if so how? Is the Queen going to die? Will there be a WW3? Will the koalas become extinct? Will there be an extraordinary natural disaster that will destroy most of the countries on earth and if so will there be survivors? Will China and Russia rule the world? Will the world droiwn in it's own rubbish and waste ? Will Australia have yet another new Prime Minister after May 2022? etc etc etc
I applied for 2 more jobs both not ideal just to fulfil my mutual obligation requirements.
My roster has changed again and I'm now working on Monday. Oh great I just specified Monday between 2 pm and 3 pm that I would be available for an interview in my job application. Hopefully Wednesday will be better for them if I have to attend one.
I did absolutely nothing today but slerp eat and watch tv and YouTube. I am so tired.
It's 8.30 pm and it has been dry for at least a few hours now. The wind has gone and it's still outside.
I intend to go to bed soon but my blog is still so behind
I had another allergic attack this afternoon. This time quite severe. it is know that the weather can affect your health and with all the rain and thunder and lightening i'm not surprised my allergies have been so severe.
Sleep soon as o have to work tomorrow.
9.30 pm and it's pouring with rain again. I am unsure how long it has been raining as I was not paying attention just watching YouTube channels.
News headlines today include:
Wild weather continues along the Eastern states of Australia. The Parramatta River is overflowing and ferry services have been cancelled and replaced by buses due to Parramatta weir at the end of the Parramatta River next to Parramatta Wharf bursting and overflowing Flash flooding has occurred in Sydney all the way up to SW QLD & Western Sydney suburbs with hundred of SES officers called out to emergencies and rescues due to flooding and storm damage with some residents having to spend the night in their cars. Queensland ( Gold Coast) is set to experience storms and heavy rain fall today. The wild wet weather is set to continue at least until next Monday for Sydney in contrast to Melbourne who is hot and humid today.
Mask mandates are set to end in most areas except for primary school children in Victoria in the 6 - 11 year old age group due to the low vaccination rate of this age group ( the only state to mandate primary school students to wear masks) , hospitality and retail in NSW followed by Victoria at the end of this week. QLD premier Anastasia Palache ( mask mandates in QLD ends next week 4th March) has made a mask removal "smiles are back" tik tok. - wait wasn't tbis a copy of another state's campaign previously?
The Brisbane mayor has sparked the daylight savings debate again. Some think that QLD should get inline with NSW and Victoria and implement daylight savings.
The Moderna vaccine has now been approved to be used in kids in the 5 - 12 year old age group.
There are more concerns over the Queens health as she cancels more engagements. She is due for a phone call to the PM Boris Johnson. She will continue with light dutie as she battles mild symptoms of COVID.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine's breakaway states continues. The Australian embassy has closed in the Ukraine. Biden has addressed the media and santioned Putin with preventing interational financial aid for example Other countries such as Germany have cancelled energy contracts such as non certification of oil pipelines to Russia. War could break out at any time as Putin declares " rewriting a mistake in history" where Ukraine is not seen as an independent country. This was began 14 years ago where Russia claims that the Ukraine has always been part of Russia.
The AUS$ is now over 72 cents US.
Princess Kate is on a solo 2 day tour to Denmark and "just had to do it" sliding down a slide at Legoland delighting media. She is set to meet Crown Princess Mary.
The train strike continues and train services are still limited but forecasted to return to normal by next Monday. The premier said it was labour and the unions. The Fairwork case has been withdrawn by the NSW government due to lack of evidence of safety concerns. Blame was on the frontline workers but should not be as they were the ones who kept the train services running throughout the COVID pandemic.
The PM has backed a bill to ban transgender people to play in single sex sports.
4 day weeks are under discussions again.
Tonga is now reconnected to the rest of the world after it's devastating volcanic erruption and tsunami. A undersea cable shredded by the tsunami has been repaired restoring internet and communication to 2 islands. When this cable was damaged communication with the rest of the world was cut off and communications was only made possible via a handful of satellites
There 8752 COVID cases in NSW and 14 deaths
Thursday 24th February 2022
Myer 9.30 am - 3.30 pm service ( exiled to the electricals department)
The road it still very wet looking as if it rained overnight and it is still raining at 5 am this morning. By 6.30 am it's still dark and wet. The rain has stopped briefly.
I caught the next bus to St Leonards after missing the 144 connecting with a 114 to Neutral Bay Junction and waiting for the next B line bus. it is pouring with rain as the bus heads over the Spit Bridge to Manly Vale. I thought the bridge would be flooded. It wasn't but sure sounded like it was.
Still raining by the the I reached work . It will be pretty horrendous tonight with limit train services and pouring rain going to Nature Illuminated tonight which is an outdoor event. Let's hope it's worth it.
Today it was another 6 hour shift at Myer. It is such a waste of my entire day. I didn't even have a break today. These 6 hour shifts mean I don't have lunch at all as I only get a 10 minute break and by the time I get home don't feel like eating dinner either because I get home too late if I miss the 5.40 pm bus and have to take the long way home.
I was exiled all day in the electrical department. I hated it. I'm a Homewares and Kitchenware girl not an Electricals girl. yes I can sell Kitchenaids and Nutrabullets but I don't want to. I hate when people return faulty items but the worst job is finding printing putting up and taking down the constant sale tickets. This is what I had to do today - find and print tickets for the electricals department.
Complaints about the new youth menswear toys and kidswear manager have finally surfaced amongst team members in Homewares and Electricals. I wrote a ling text message of what she said to me and the other 2 homewares team members on the Tuesday when the 3 of us were on our own dealing with stuff between the Electricals and Homewares Departments due to staff members away or sick. The Unvaccinated team member planned to talk to the team leader about it who then would talk to the customer service manager about it. Yes this is the problem with Myer management. - you MUST esculator all issues or problems up the chain of command. You CANNOT just go straight to the top of the management chain with an issue or problem.
So what was the result of the complaint against the new manager by team members. Nothing because it turns out that the customer service manager is friends with this new manager and I thought that they only worked at the city store together. No they are actually friends and it turns out that this new manager who is being so rude had a reputation for behaving the way she does. So the question is did she ask for a transfer to another store or was she forced into redeployment or was her employment inevitably to be terminated? I sense there may have been some nepotism involved with her transfer to Myer Warringah. Nothing is going to happen to her. She will just get a warning and that will be the end of the story .
I'm so disappointed, I just got an email today advising me that the Nature Illuminated event has been cancelled tonight due to wet weather conditions ( and not due to lack of people? I will never know). It is so difficult to get a refund and rebooking is not easy or convenient. I have contacted the ticket organisers Fever and waiting for them to get back to me before rebooking. 6.20 pm still waiting for a response.
I have rebooked for Tuesday 1st March 2022 for 8 pm session after having so much trouble transferring my voucher issued from the cancellation of the event.
So tired it was a lamb and rosemary pie after work from a cake and pie concession near Coles after a quick shop for a bottle of water some yoghart and a packet of chocolate almonds before heading back to Chatswood on the next 280 bus. The 280 bus at 4.30 pm did not show up therefore I had to wait for the next one hoping it would show up. By the time I reached Chatswood it was well past 5.30 pm I had to do a quick stop at Woolworths hoping to find some turkey but there was none there I headed for Coles Local in Westfield to find some alternative poultry
News headlines today include:
Australians have been warned of food inflation warnings due to supply chain issues which will we the price of food rise especially meat fruit and vegetables. The toilet paper shortage is due is still fully unresolved.
Meanwhile wage rises are leading to possible looming interest increases.
7 workers were injured and taken to hospital in a potato factory fire in Oregon in the USA.
Princess Kate reunites with Princess Mary in Denmark to visit a charity for domestic violence before going solo to visit another kindergarten and receiving a hug from a child and learning to chop wood.
A 63 year old woman has died in her car as she was stranded in rising waters near Gympie on the Sunshine Coast and another man has had to be rescued from his car when his car became submerged in flood waters where he climbed onto the roof of his car and sat there for several hours before being rescued. Another man was found clinging to a tree. There is a missing 54 year old motor cycle rider and a train has derailed near Gympie In some areas of QLD there was 1 years worth of rain in 16 hours.
World # 3 tennis player has had a temper tantrum on court during a doubles round in the Mexican open.
Russian imminent invasion into the Ukraine continues despite sanctions from several countries including Australia.
Elton John has had a mid air emergency where the hydraulics failed to work and 2 aborted emergency landing due to high winds.
Tonight's is $120 million power ball is to be drawn after no winners for last power ball draw
Tradies have dropped tools today nationwide arriving early to collect their tools as Probuild goes into administration. Tradies are uncertain what will happen next as administrators move in on the company as they run into financial difficulties and on the brink of collapse. The government blocked a takeover previously by a Chinese company fearing they would be an infrastructure security threat. The company now has no subsidy support. Probuild has many large portfolio incomplete projects around Australia.
Australia is in the top 3 countries targeted for cyber attacks.
Princess Anne is coming to The Royal Easter Show which opens in April as patron to The Royal Agricultural Society.
Friday 25th February 2022
Myer 11 am - 5 pm service ( for once no changes to my shift)
Rain Rain and more rain.
I missed the bus again so caught the next bus to St Leonards Station connecting onto the next 114 or 144 to Neutral Bay Junction. I get on the next B line which is quite a wait. I am down to my last dollar again on my Opal card. I just recharged it twice already this week! This is the third time I am recharging my Opal card. It cost me $15 a day to travel to and from work and that is capped. Without a cap per day it is actually much more. It cost me a minimum of $45 per week just to work 2 x 6 hour shifts which takes me upto 2 hours travel each way . That's 4 hours wasted time each shift just to work a 6 hour shift. Unfeasible.
If I didn't hit a 90% Myer One scan rate there is something wrong with Myer metrics. I had very few people that were not Myer One members already and those I asked that did not want to join up were not Australian residents - one was from NZ visiting I remember. I repeat again CANNOT force people to join the Myer One loyalty program and what is the obsession by the store manager? Does he get some sort of reward from being the Myer store that signs up the most number of Myer One memberships - it puts customers off. I did sign up a customer to Myer One today and the team leader reminded me to scan the bar code when I've done so.
I managed to remember to have a tea break today and took slightly longer to make up for not having one the day before.
Sale ticket confusions again today. Why is Myer constantly on sale?
More price increases of products on the floor.
8 sets of Aboriginal print wood and laminated salad servers had to be removed off the floor due to a bug infestation recall.
I am beginning to believe that Myer Warringah is the store all reject managers and any team members who are put into the too hard basket are redeployed to. Today the new manager who was so rude towards us hardly said a word. Who knows why maybe someone has had a word to her about her behaviour. She was even making an effort to be nice to the unvaccinated team member and I today . She does not seem to absorb information very well. Today I overheard a mother and daughter have an argument at the cafe. it was so loud I went over to see what tge commotion was about. I actually thought it was the new manager having a talking down to about her rude behaviour and it sounded as if she was begging for a second chance not to be terminated from her current manager's position. Damn it unfortunately not!
Thank God I finished at 5 pm today. Hungry I stopped off to buy a hand roll from the only sushi place still open. I eat it whilst waiting for the unreliable 280 Chatswood bus which was late again and did not arrive until 5.45 pm. I stopp ed off at Woolworths Metro again when I arrived at Chatswoid. It was still raining. I originally selected the last box of buffalo wings before putting them back for a box of Japanese octapus balls with dipping sauce. I ate these whilst waiting for the 144 bus home.
I was so tired I watched 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown before going to sleep.
I woke up at midnight and had a snack and watched some YouTube before going back to sleep. It's pouring with rain outside through the night into the morning.
News headline today include:
The main news headline dominating the news today is Russia's invasion of Ukraine and warns the rest of the world leaders not to interfere with the war. There are countless air strikes buildings bombed and deaths. Residents are taking shelter in subway stations. Russian troops invade and ascend into Ukraine overnight in what was called a " special military exercise". World leaders announced more sanctions cutting of money laundering operatives around the world. There is a huge refugee problem with residents trying to escape the Ukraine into neighbouring countries such as Poland. Ukraine's airport and Kyiv has become the target city of Russia 's invasion as it was formally part of Russian territory eventhough it is 784 km from the breakaway regions of Ukraine located around Lviv. The Australian PM has not committed to sending any troops instead supporting other world leaders and sanctions. Interesting that China is Russia's biggest trading partner however has not come forward condemning Russia actions. Are they just being diplomatic or do they have other plans? There was talk of China having their own invasion over Taiwan.
Similar masks mandate in NSW and VIC have been lifted as of midnight tonight with the exceptions of airports aircraft hospitality and retail hospitals and aged care facilities . Victoria has an additional controversial exception where all primary students must still wear a mask after the high school student mask mandate has been long lifted.
The Queen has cancelled 2 more virtual meetings today and is still on light duties as she continues to battle mild COVID symptoms. She had kept her weekly phone call with the British PM previous.
The flooding continues in QLD claiming another life. The rain continues to fall in Sydney today. The deceased body of the 54 year old missing motor cyclist has been found making them the 2nd death as a result of the floods in QLD.
Novak Djokovic has lost his world number 1 ranking in tennis.
NSW had COVID cases 7583 overnight and 6 deaths
Saturday 26th February 2022
Day Off
It rained and rain and rain all night and it is still raining this morning. I slept in until 8.30 am this morning.
By 12 noon today it has briefly stopped raining but I am so tired.
It looks like another do nothing day but I am running very low on groceries.
Now that masks are no longer required in most places maybe It's time to get a haircut sometime.
It did not stop raining until late afternoon. I did not venture out today.
I heard someone going through the wheelie bins in the car park outside the apartment block around 12 noon when there was a break in the rain. An older man was banging the lids really loudly and I saw him opening and closing each of the 4 bins before walking off with the large red wheelie bin as I looked out my window. This is the second time someone has stolen the red wheelie bin. Last time it was the small wheelie bin. I spotted the older man from my window in a red and white logo shirt and hold some type of tool. I am unsure what he was looking for in the bins, probably the cleanest bin he could find so he stole the empty big red wheelie bin leaving the mini red wheelie bin. I reported the theft to Lane Cove Council via their website and write a large note and stuck it onto the lid of the mini red wheelie bin to warn anyone else that tries to steal wheelie bins advising that dumping of rubbish on private propery is illegal. Tresoassing on p rivate property is illegal and stealing of wheelie bins frtom private property is illegal and a crime asking for whoever stole the large red whellie bin to return it and that I knew who they were as well as to smile as they are on CCTV with a PS that they have been reported . The green bin was still probably full of water and I put a bag of my rubbish into the mini red wheelie bin to deter theft as well as put a cardboard shoe box in the blue wheelie bin and my bottle as well as pick up a stray bottle in the carpark into the yellow wheelie bins so they are not empty. There are always cans and bottles as well as cups in the yellow wheelie bin as walkers and joggers use it.
8 pm and it is pouring with rain again by 8.50 pm the rain has
The news today is dominated by 2 main headlines ( wild weather & war) with pandemic news pushed aside as minor news:
Russia's war against the Ukraine. The situation is getting worse as residents of the Ukraine attempt to escape. Air travel is impossible therefore rail and road are the only ways to escape to bording countries. There have been 12 hour waits of cars at border crossings, hours wait to refuel and crowded rail stations with residents desparate to escape Ukraine either temporarily or permanently to safety. World leaders around the world have spoken out against Putin's attack of Ukraine as well as NATO making their address to the world from Brussels. Heavy sanctions by countries around the world have been imposed to stop Russians in their tracks. Australia is working to ban Russians from entering Australia and 8 personal and financial sanctions have been made against Russian oligarchs. Major sporting events have been banned from being hosted in Russia such as the Formula one and soccer with some moved and hosted in alternative countries such as France. Also Russia has been banned from entering the Eurovision Song competition this year.
QLD is flooding with 19 dams spilling or at capacity. The Mary River is way above flood levels and the entire town of Gympie is flooded . Other towns are on flood evacuation watch. An SES rescuer has died as as a result of the flooding in SE QLD making them the 3rd death
Mask mandates ended at midnight for NSW and VIC with QLD to follow next week. Masks are only required to be worn on public transport, airports , on planes , in aged care facilities and in hospitals. In VIC primary school students are still require to wear masks at school.
There were 7017 COVID cases overnight and 11 deaths.
Sunday 27th February 2022.
The rain continued overnight but has stopped in the early hours and is still dry at 7 am this morning.
I woke up around 5 am after having some rather intense nightmare last night.
I ventured out today after lunch to Macquarie Shopping Centre by bus to Chatswood then on the Metro. Although the metro was unaffected, train services will be back to normal services tomorrow after a week of striking industrial action and running on go slow limited services.
Always the same grocery shopping adventures Woolworths Aldi Coles and home usually. With a stop for sushi goyozas or Korean style fried chicken usually.
I purchased 2 new confectionery products to taste test. Remember the Spanish red & white striped soft candy twists I tried which were so sweet and addictive , well Lifesavers have launched a range of new products, 2 of which I purchased to try. Available at Coles and woolworths. Photos below.
Home quite late. Preparation for work tomorrow.
News headlines today include:
Eurovision You Decide is on tonight on the Gold Coast where Australia decides who should represent Australia in The Eurovision Song Competition in Italy this year.
The war continues in the Ukraine
The Winter Paralympics start in Beijing on March 2022.
Wild weather and flooding continues in QLD and Northern New is on continued flood watch
NSW has 6014 COVID cases overnight and 7 deaths
Monday 28th February 2022
Myer 11.30 am - 5.30 pm service
I wake to around 6.30 am this morning. It is still dry in Sydney this morning after a relatively dry day yesterday.
It's 8.15 am and I get a text message from the customer service manager as follows:
"Hi can please start asap we have had sick calls thanks"
No I won't and can't . I don't live locally and it takes me 2 hours to get to work she knows that. It's not my fault people are calling in sick at the last minute. I'll get there when I can.
So I managed to get to work by 10.35 am after a toilet stop. I spent my lunch ringing Lane Cove Council about the bin theft and requesting a replacement and even getting the address stenciled onto the new replacement bin.
Fun and games at Myer today.
Firstly my original shift was from 11.30 am - 5.30 pm which is 6 hours nett with a 15 minute break paid. Since there was no way I would make it in time for the store opening at 9.30 am there was no way I would be able to do a full 8 hour shift and have an hour unpaid lunch break ie get paid 7 hours nett. This would have been worth my while working. Instead getting to work by 10.30 am and finishing at 5.30 pm meant working a 7 hour shift with a one hour unpaid lunch break meaning I am only paid for 6 hours nett. So what's the difference if I just started at 11.30 am as originally rostered? Just a fucking waste of my time as I'm not being paid anymore to come in one hour earlier. It still takes me the same amount of time to get to work and it still cost me the same amount to get to and from work. I'm not being paid any extra to cover my travel costs or time where I could be doing other things. someone called in sick today.
This is the second time the following incident has happened and something has to be done about it as it wastes a lot of my time and the customers time. Why has no one down in The Hub have the password to the gift registry. This morning it is the second time a customer has requested a hard copy of a gift registry to allow them to browse and purchase what is on a gift registry. Without a print out the customer is not free to browse on their own and the gift registry has to be retrieved on an iPad by a team member who then has to follow the customer around with it in order to select what they would like to purchase off it as their gift. I must have spent about an hour with the gift registry on the iPad with the customer trying to find anything that was available in store. Most of the items left on the gift registry were out of stock or had already been purchased as a gift off the gift registry . In the end the customer could not purchase anything. Last time I could not get a print out of a customers gift registry from The Hub, I had to use my phone to take photos of selected items on it from the iPad for the customer to find.
I signed up one Myer One today and almost forgot to scan the barcode again so did do afterwards.
So what else happened today. The conflict or tension between the new VM manager and the customer sevice manager continues. I was told to move the 2 tables of pink ticketed clearance stock to the back clearance area ( goodness knows how it is going to be distinguished by customers from the blue ticketed clearance items which are from seasons ago more like 2 years + old as these are a further 50% off whereas the pink ticketed clearance items are not). Nothing was said about getting any clearance items from the dock or reserves out onto the floor so I was doing what I was told to do. First sign of conflict became very obvious when I had my one on one staff appraisal with the customer service manager. I haven't had one for a while.
After the staff appraisal I did what I was told to do until I was asked by the VM manager what I was doing and under who's instructions. I advised him the custoner service manager's instruction. This was a blatant illustration of what was discussed during my staff appraisal. I wasn't told to get any clearance stock from the dock and onto the floor and the new VM manager made a big deal of it by adding that there wasn't enough stock to fill the 2 tables now and now all the stIf I had to moved off the back wall ie all the coffee related stock. I said that I can spread the clearance stock around to make it more sellable as one table was just too crammed with clearance stock and nobody had even purchased anything off it. Done.
Afterwards there was an apology to me from the customer service manager which she made sure was loud and clear in front of the new VM manager and that it was her fault for asking me to move the clearance stock to the back where the other clearance stock was.
I was going to get any other clearance stock there was off the dock still in cages but I got caught up with serving and trying to assist with putting up the Home Sweet Home tickets. Not touching those again.
However the sucking up or whatever is happening between the customer service manager and new VM manager continues. It's all about budgets isn't it at Myer?! The customer service manager was asking the VM manager if he had any money left in his budget to get me to do some merchandising. His response to her was no. Of course he is not going to give her some of his budget even if he has any to spare. I just don't get it - If her Homewares is doing so well why do they never have enough budget for extra hours. I hardly have 2 shifts next week. She must be pretty poor at budgeting. So the customer service manager didn't get her way this time advising me that she has no money. My ( somewhat sarcastic) response to het was " When does Myer ever have any money?"
There is always so much to do before 5.30 pm and I'm always rushing to get the 5.40 pm 280 bus to Chatswood. This time after getting told off for placing the Home Sweet Home tickets in the technically incorrect places . I let the other team leaders finish them whilst I finish what I was attempting to do which was moving the clearance stock off the 2 tables. I ended up just moving a third of it to the back clearance wall and spreading the clearance stock across the 2 tables as a compromise and making it all look "more sellable" as I noticed nobody was even touching the tables crammed clearance stock particularly the end one . There had been a big deal made by the new VM manager about how there is now not enough stock to fill the 2 clearance tables with and now I would have to pull all the coffee stock off the back wall displays to fill it. No I wouldn't. Tgere is too much stock crammed onto the 2 clearance tables - nobody is going to buy anything off tgem if it looks as it It's a set of junk tables! At least batch like things with like things and make it look neater and more sellable so customers can see what's on offer and find what they want. There are so many clearance tables on the floor of Warringah Mall and it is constantly on sale the whole Myer looks like an op shop or bargain basement! This is one store I would shut down completely as a co st cutying exercise if i was om the board of Myer.
Job completed, I return the flat bead trolley which can only be driven backwards before getting my stuff and trying to make the 5.40 pm 280 bus to Chatswood.
I punch out but am stopped by the customer service manager asking me if I am working next Wednesday ( no I wasn't and hardly had 2 shifts next week on Tuesday and Thursday according to UKG) so replied I don't know. She wanted me to come in next Wednesday night from 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm. I asked what for? Care plan training session. There is no way in the world I am coming in for 1 hour unpaid care plan training. Last time this happened I turned up at 8.30 am for the training session just to do it and it was cancelled asnd no I wasn't working that day and yes I got up at 6.30 am in the morning and travelled 2 hours to get to this session which was a training session that was suppose to be via video conferencing paying $15 in public transport just to get there and travelled another 2 hours just to get home. I am not doing it again it is just unfeasible and a fucking total waste of time for me to do so. The Homewares team leader can rant on to nobody responding to all team members on what's app all she likes but I'm not responding.
I managed to make the 280 Chatswood bus just but another team member from the shoe department was running to make it. I see her quite often on this bus all the way to Chatswood.
I only had a dollar or so left on my Opal card again. I have to recharge my Opal card at least twice a week just to have enough funds to get to and from work. I stop off at Woolworths Metro to recharge my Opal card. I had used all my funds in my bank account and digging into my savings. It's costing me more money to work at Myer then I am earning. Scentre Group saves the day ( at least they are paying a return on my investment - Myer still hasn't paid any dividends and I've lost count of how many years it hasn't paid one now. Their share price is still around $0.30 per share). This should not be happening my Scentre Group return on investment earned should not have to be used to fund my travel expenses to work at Myer. If anything dividends from my Myer shares should be but preferably not. I just wish Solomon Lew would take over Myer.
After rechatging my opal card and a snack of Octapus balls with diping sauce, it's time to head home. I prepare a fruit salad and make a nice turkey loaf full of mixed green leaves rosemary dried cherries mixed herbs shallot dried cranberries pine nuts pumpkin seeds sesame seeds delivered almonds garlic basil infused halomi bread crumbs salt pepper grain mustard egg olive oil and fried shallots. This was dinner on the bread with leftovers for the next few days. Yum!
A bit of tv - food channel repeats and 8 Out of 10 does countdown repeats , YouTube and catch up with my blog as well as updating ( finally due to technical problems) my expression of interest online on the AEC website to work at the next Federal election as requested via phone call about a week or so ago then off to bed as it is work again tomorrow.
The main news headlines today is dominated by devastating Austraian news:
QLD is in a flood energency due to a 1000 mm rain bomb. SE QLD and parts of Northern NSW have flooded due to the Brisbane River rising from down pours of rain. 200 mm of rain dropping. Power is out in Brisbane, stay at home orders are in place, people are encouraged to work from home if they can to avoid flooded roads, 900 schools are closed, there has now been 7 lives lost due to these floods with several missing and hundreds even thousands of calls to SES have been made. The floods are different to the 2011 floods as areas have been flooded that were not previously flooded. A wharf at Kangaroo Point was cut in half from floating debris, a houseboat was washed away and sunk with someone still in it needing to be rescued. People are just watching to see how much higher the Brisbane River is going to rise. Lismore in NSW is on flood watch.
The Russian war against Ukraine continues. Putin steps up his military threat to a nuclear threat.
Russian financial institutions have been removed from Swift to stop funds from being transferred around the world leading to money laundering and to put pressure on Russia's financial system cutting them off from any international financial aid or assistance.
