Friday 1st July 2022
Day off ( Yesterday the customer service manager posted a message on the what's app group chat for everyone to check their shifts on kronos as she had made last minute changes to it so I checked it and a new shift for today from 10 am - 5 pm I think it was ,was added at the last minute. I texted her back and said sorry I can't work as I have an appointment and this shift was not originally on Kronos.
I am still a casual and have been at myer now for almost 2 years and have never been asked to become a part timer. I have kept a diary ofhow many times my roster has changed at the last minute and am fed up with it so started to make it clear that if the shift was not originaly on Kronos then forget it I'm not working it. It's about time Myer got their shit together and stopped taking advantage ofme and other team members. Too bad if theyhave a staff shortage - it's not my fault. Maybe they should think about why everyone is leaving and how they treattheir staff. I am not at their beckoning call.
It's raining this morning and has been all night. I do sort of have an appointment today but due to the wet weather and transport strike may not venture out today. My allergies are playing up again they always do when it rains.
I slept in until 8 am this morning and did absolutely nothing. It's wet most of today and there is a train strike so my plans to get out to Victoria's Basement Alexandria have been canned for today.
I did make that pie from all that KFC I had mentioned in a previous blog and mentioned I had planned to make. It was delicious with all the herbs cheese mustard mushrooms peas etc I put into it. It used up a lot of the bits and pieces I had in the fridge and lunch for work tomorrow is already made! Amazing what a free box of 10 pieces of KFC skin and bones removed and a few vegetables left in my fridge can make!
News headlines today include
Commuters have been asked to stayaway from catching thetrain today as there is a 70% reduction in train services today due to continued industrial action due to safety concerns. The Union is waiting for the government in writing to ensure the safety concerns are will be fixed. Itiuunclear whether these strikes are for better wages and conditions or government motivated and not just over safety concerns of the new fleet if trains.
The East Coast of Australia from QLD to Southern NSW is about to cop a a drenching of rain with a flood watch warning. 2 weather systems are responsible for 1 or 2 months of rain in the next 5 or so days . Sunday is forecasted as the worst day of rain. The current capacity of Warragamba Dam is at 97% and therefore a flood concern.
Justin Trudeau PM of Canada has forgotten the Australian PM's name at the meeting of world leaders. AA will travel to France to meet president Macron to mend Australia's relationship with the French president after the Morrison government tore up the submarine contract with them.
Nick Kyrios gas won another tennis match after his previous public outburst on court.
The staff shortage in Australia continues however the problem is a skills mismatch with people wanting to work but do not havethe skills forthese jobs. Moreneeds to be done to upskill withfor examplefree TAFE courses.. Discussions at a job summit is planned for next month slated as too late. Skilled immigration is seen as a short term measure but not a long term solution. Meanwhile the sharemarket is on decline withcontinued talk of a global recession.
A review is underway into the governments vaccine program to ensure that Australia has secured enough supplies of COVID vaccines for future use and also appropriate updated vaccines to handle any omicron variants as the virus mutates aswell as supplies of over the counter antiviral medication rather then relying on hospital administered intravenous antiviral medication.. Meanwhile child COVID vaccinations for kids as young as 6 months is under the approval process as child vaccinations have begun in the US.
There has been an overhaul of the Centrelink Job Active system - what it means to the current way I look for work report it and attend appointments I am unsure of. It is apparently a swtich back to a points system where welfare recipients need to complete activities such as attending an interview which earns 20 points, job applications which are 5 points per job applied for with a minimum of 5 job searches per month instead of 20 job searches and other activities such as volunteer work and study. The problem is if you have the time to apply for 20 jobs per month each month you can easily earn 100 points to meet your mutual obligations however if you apply for 5 jobs per month as po er you existing job plan for example that will only amount to 25 points yet you are satisfying your current mutual obligations but are far from satisfying the 100 points per month now required and even if you attend 1 or 2 interviews a month that only adds up to a maximum of 65 per points month. If you are working casually on an ongoing basis how are you going to have time to attend 5 interviews and look for 20 jobs per month? What about people who do not have access to technology or don't have technology skills? How about older workers who this system is meant to benefit? The system is meant to eliminate the need to attend appointments. I'm all for work for the dole and volunteer work but there may be barriers to this for people such as vaccination status and other barriers. From the 1st July there is meant to be a one month grace period but really there should be a much longer grace period to ensure the system is accessible and works fairly for everyone.
Victorian police have set up a viper specialist police unit to combat the increase in gangland and bikie crime similar to the NSW one set up.
Queensland may boast the number 1 tourist destination but it has been spurred on by the increasing amount of big budget block buster movies being produced in the state generating not just tourism dollars but creating jobs to boost the economy. Celebrities are flocking to QLD.
Saturday 2nd July 2022
Myer 9.30 am - 5 pm
A very wet day today and it's a Myer super weekend sale again. It's extremely wet and a little cold . Today I wear a pale pink cardigan to work on top of my all black required attire. The customer service manager is working today and from 9.00 am - 1 pm an ex team member has been called in to assist as there is a staff shortage ( even with the pouring rain she still had weekend outdoor hockey on in the afternoon therefore can only work until 1 pm!). Why she was called in to work today I am unsure as it was not busy at all until 12 noon when, as one customer advises me that " the whole of the Northern Beaches is out here!" She was not wrong! It was so busy that the back counter looked as if it had been hit by a bomb!
Before work I found and purchased the last size small black turtle neck "sweater" a bargain at $12 from H & M. I asked if there were any more in stock and was told by the staff member that they would have to look on the floor - when I asked if they could check the stock on their system, they said they couldn't. Very strange.
Lunch was suppose to be from 2 - 3 however it was a little late as the team member having lunch before me had not returned on time.
I reconciled one of the tills snd thank goodness it balanced first go.
Home was the long way again. So glad I have a day off tomorrow.
News headlines today include
Today would have been Princess Diana's 61st birthday.
AA has met with French President Macron and emphasized how important Australia's relationship with France is after attending the NATO summit. Macron does not blame AA for what the past Australian government has done.
Wet days are ahead for the next week with upto 300 mm of rain forecasted to fall on Sunday for Eastern Coast of Australia.
It is now confirmed that Robbie Williams will sing 3 songs and will be the half time entertainment for the AFL grand final held at the MCG in September 2022.
There has been an appeal over the extradition of Jullian Assange from the UK to the US in relation to leaked confidential US military information.
Sunday 3rd June 2022
NIADOC WEEK ( 3rd - 10th July 2022)
Day off
It is even wetter and windy outside and I'm so glad I don't have to go to work today. I slept in until 8.30 am this morning! I watch the news before catching up on my blog. Today I have to venture out no matter how wet it is.
I must take my rubbish out to the bin and do my laundry.
It's a little after 1 pm and it's pouring with rain outside but I have to venture out to a 2 pm session of the Jarassic World movie at Hoyts Mandarin Centre. I thought there would be a queue but at 1.45 pm it is so quiet. I present my paper ticket and ask if I could get a bottle of water instead of a large soft drink. The staff member is unsure. Yep but only the cool ridge brand and as for the pop corn I was advised the regular serve ie the orange coloured box. The soft drinks and pop corn are easily accessible as you walk in , anyone can help themselves to them without being caught- gone are the days where you collected them after you have paid for them from a real person behind a counter! So I collect what I hoped were the 2 items I was entitled to from the self service bar and head to cinema 3 to find my selected seat F3. It's been a while since I've been to a commercial movie cinema as I don't watch commercial movies just foreign movies at independent cinema chains such as palace Verona or cheval cinemas. Such plush comfy seats at the Hoyts Mandarin Centre cinemas! There are 2 buttons on the right hand side of the black seats. What are these for I wonder ? Yep you can tell that I haven't been to a commercial cinema! oh the seat reclines. However this one would not.
2 pm and only now are people beginning to arrive to take their seats. The cinema dims. It's so annoying when people arrive late and walk in front of you to get to their seat(s) especially when the movie has started. It happened quite a few times today.
So what did I think of Jurassic World Dominion?
I rate it a 8/10. Go see it and I agree with a team member who also saw it. It was full of action and CGI effects where, spoiler alert, the good guys always survive and the bad guy always dies. Some scenes I do question the editing as it is a little too "sharp" where there are action scenes and there are actors in trouble then all of a sudden other actors also in trouble coincidently just show up to rescue the other actors. Unless you go and see it you will not quite get what I am trying to describe. This is a movie for mature audiences due to the number of close up images of very realistic dinosaurs and loud sounds as well as a lot of " scary" action scenes which is a contrast to the original Jurassic Park movie which was tailored more towards kids. There are subtle references to the original movie which you may or may not recognise in this movie. I did enjoy this movie hence my rating out of 10.
News headlines today include
The whole of NSW from the NW to SE coast is on flood watch as Warragamba Dam spills over and residents in Wallacia escalatesas the weir overflows. Other low lying Western and SW suburbs are also flooded. Rain will continue to fall today upto more then 200 mm . One woman has already been rescued when flood waters rose upto her neck from her clinging to a tree.
Tom Cruise turns 60 today.
AA is still deciding whether to accept the president of Ukraine's invitation to visit his country. The decision will be based on security, AA does not want his visit to cause a security risk to him , his entourage or both countries.
Monday 4th July 2022
Myer 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
It's NAIDOC week - at the huddle this morning we are given name badge attachment stickers to promote Myer's support of this ( I think I support this more then they do ( refer previous years blogs) , just because you are given a sticker to wear does not mean Myer supports the Indigenous community)
The customer service manager was on again today but she went home early again.
I was exiled to the electricals department all day today and it wasn't that busy today.
There is too much clearance stock in the reserves and on the floor which I moved to one back wall unit in the corner where the luggage is meant to be.
I did my first solvup today on a suitcase a customer bought in which was still under warranty until 2028 . The handle snapped off whilst the customer was wheeling her suitcase out of the airport. Solveups take so long to do on an iPad- if you are on your own it is impossible to serve anyone else therefore I ended up sending customers to the homewares counter whilst I was completing the solveup. It had to happen whilst I was covering the lunch break of the other electrical team member. I took as much detail down as possible as well as take photos on my phone.
Lunch was at 12 30 pm - a little earlier then usual.
I managed to catch the 280 bus to Charswood but fell asleep on the bus and someone had to wake me up . It was pouring with rain and the winds were strong. I was cold and it was another 9 minutes wait until the next 144 arrived. It seemed so much longer and I was getting cold at Chatswood.
Home I went straight to sleep. So glad I don't have to work tomorrow.
News headlines today include
Severe weather in NSW continues particularly in Sydney's Western and South Western suburbs near Penrith Richmond and Hawksbury Nepean River etc.as flooding occurs for the 4th time. 69 evacuation orders and 64 evacuation warnings have bern issuedi by the SES. Strong winds and heavy rains right upto The Blue Mountains and Illawarra.
2 cases of diphtheria have been confirmed in children in Australia. Fears of cases increasing are due to vaccine hesitancy
There has been a shooting in Denmark.
Businesses in VIC are on the brink of collapse due to the sky rocketing prices of energy.
The AUS$ against the US$ is now down to $0.68 and $1.09 against the NZ$
AA has made a secret visit to meet the Ukrainian Pesident and tour war torn regions with security carrying weapons. More aid has been supplied by Australia to Ukraine but it will never be enough to combat the Russian military forces.
The push to get booster vaccinations and the debate for return to mask mandates is on again.
The police chief responsible for the delay in action at the recent Texas school shooting has been pressured to stand down from his position. He is on leave currently and has already resigned from city council. He is not responding to questions over the delay in action.
Adele stops her song to help a fan who needed help.
Tuesday 5th July 2022
Day off
Today is another wet miserable Winter day therefore I did not venture out.
My day starts with a sleep in until 7.30 am. I watch the news and make myself a nice hot congee for breakfast.
Next I make my lunch for tomorrow which is vegetable stock infused bulgar with tiny tom tomatoes, mini orange capsicum, shallots, corriander, mixed herbs, mini cucumber, flat leaf parsley, sundried tomato, mixed greens salad leaves and oven roasted skin off duck breast marinated in bbq sauce, balsamic glaze, fried shallot, Worcestershire sauce, soya sauce ground pepper and sesame oil. I had to eat some of it as it was so yummy! That should keep me going at work tomorrow.
I am still battling my allergies pretty bad so to keep my skin from drying out and becoming itchy and even painful, I lather olive oil over my entire body in olive oil before going to bed and moisturize after having a shower as well as shocking my body with freezing cold water from the shower each day.
I wash my dishes and watch the food channel.
In the afternoon I do my laundry. The communal drier is being used so I have to wait until it is emptied.
I really should take my rubbish out but it can wait until it is not raining as much. I may recharge my opal card and return my bottles later tonight after I finish my laundry.
I didn't return bottles for recycling it can wait
I didn't pay bills I will do it tomorrow
I didn't look for new private health insurance because I am sick of HCF missallocating my payments - where is my money going?
I didn't deal with my complaint about Telstra increasing my monthly bill without advising me and before they were legally allowed to and removing my $10 per month overseas calling credit they said has expired. Nothing should have changed or expired as I am on a casual contract not a fixed ok one. Bill's increase 1st of July not for previous month which Telstra did by increasing my June bill by $3 even when I had paid my bill in advance.
I did not recharge my opal card - I can't keep doing this every 2 or 3 days just to get to work.
Prep for work again tomorrow and sleep.
News headlines today include
The rain may be easing but NSW is still flooded in the Western and South Western suburbs of Windsor and surrounding suburbs. The Windsor bridge is completely submerged cutting off suburbs. Windsor and North Richmond bridges are completely closed off. A warning of non essential travel is in place. Residents have evacuated their homes without waiting for evacuation orders.Some residents have just repaired renovated and recovered from the last floods a few months ago only to be struck down again by another flood. Helicopters have flown in supplies to stranded residents. A severe weather warning with damaging winds not just rain contours although it is forecasted to reach 18 degrees C today.
A cargo ship whose engine failed overnight is stranded off the coast of Cronulla in battering waves. 3 tug boats were deployed to stop the ship drifting and crashing into rocks along the coastline of Cronulla. It was reported that one tug boat snapped from the force of wild weather however the stranded cargo ship is steady having regained some engine power with it's 21 crew on board safe and well despite the situation they are in. Further rescue efforts have been paused until the weather conditions improve.
Consideration is being given by government and health officials to ATAGI for approval of a 4th COVID booster to be made available to under 65 year olds.
Another mass shooting at a 4th July Independence Day outdoor parade has occurred in the US North of Chicago. 6 are dead many injured and police are still hunting for a 20 something gunman.
Interest rates are set to increase another 0.5% today as all eyes are on The Reserve Bank's announcement putting more mortgage stress on home owners and making better refinancing of motagages more difficult to find.
School holidays in NSW have started and so has Nadioc Week.
Australians lost 2 million dollars in scams last year.
Nick Kyrios is into the quarter finals at Wimbledon despite a shoulder injury. It was a much more subdued match afte his last match outburst.
A kitten has bern found stuck in a vending machine in a shopping mall. It has been rescued and an employee has adopted it.
Wednesday 6th July 22
Myer 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
It's still a very wet day today and I just managed to make the 144 bus that just managed to connect with the Bline behind.
Arrived a little earlier this morning leaving me enough time to recharge my opal card with $50 over the counter at Woolworths pay some bills and have a quick breakfast of an apple & quinoa slice from Mrs Jones The Baker. First time I've tried anything from this bakery and at $5.50 a slice. It is ok.
Today I sold a care plan ( extended warranty) and joined the same customer up to a Myer One membership however I forgot to scan the Myer One membership join up yet again! The customer purchased a Tefel steam iron on a platform. 2 year warranty with a 2 year extended Myer warranty.
Lunch was whenever I could get away today ie between 2 pm and 3 pm.
The customer service mansager is away until Tuesday according to the What's app . COVID? substance addiction ? depression or other mental illness? injury ,? who knows why. The " she is under the weather" excuse does not cut it. She said she was tired on Monday and repeated information to me in regards to myer one scan rates which she had already done on Saturday. Tired? she has hardly been in store working. 2 days over a Super weekend sale and she's tired? We all worked too and we are all tired.
Home prep sleep. The usual. Work again tomorrow. No improvement with my allergies - I just grin and bear it and turn up for work even when I am itchy and in pain. It does not help with the stress of ensuring I get to work in time during the staff entrance exit opening window and getting home so late etc
News headlines today include
The wild wet weather is easing and flood levels are lowering however the danger may not be over yet as the wild wet weather heads North towards the Central coast of NSW and beyond.
Nick Kyrios has been charged for assaulting his ex girlfriend from last year, how it will affect his results at Wimbledon nobody knows. He will be dueto face a Canberra court next month. Meanwhile Kate and Wills have appeared in Wimbledon having a great time together watching the tennis.
AA has been caught out eating a slice of chicken and avacado pizza with bbq sauce.He is of Italian heritage. AA will be touring flood ravaged regions with the NSW premier.
An 8 year old girl has died from not receiving the essential medication she needed for diabetes due to her parents belonging to a religious cult that denied her medication. Her parents have been charged with murder.
The cargo ship stranded is to be towed to shore for repairs at Botany as conditions ease. It was feared that the cargo ship which carried a thousand tonnes of fuel could cause an environmental disaster. Safety of crew is paramont
The Reserve Bank has earned banks to pass on the interest rate hikes especially to term deposits.
Industrial action continues as trains run at 70% . It was going to run at 20% however a negotiation has taken place given the wild weather. The Fair Work was even involved however failed with negotiations.
Masks and 3rd and 4th boosters are back on the table with a surge in COVID variant cases.
Proof of vaccination status is no longer required for international arrivals to Australia to ease airport delays ie all welcome even unvaccinated do not require a permit to enter Australia.This comes as a new wave of the variants VA4 and BA5 surges.
Novak has stern words to himself during a bathroom break coming back a new man.
The Chicago shooting death toll has risen and the gun man has been found apparently disguising himself as a woman to blend in more.
Boris Johnson British PM is under pressure to step down as 2 senior ministers resign
Thursday 7th July 2022
Myer 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
Happy World Chocolate Day - yes it is!
So much for being a Westfield Plus member, I missed out on the thousands of free keep cups being given away today as part of the World Chocolate Day celebrations because I was stuck working at Myer. The cart was not open when I arrived before starting work this morning and by the time I had a break for morning tea all I could get was just 1 single Lindt chocolate ball - I asked if I could have 2 and Westfield was so stingy, they ssid no however later on at lunch time, they were giving away chocolate stars to anyone without a Westfield Plus membership!. I managed to grab a blue chocolate star to have after my lunch which was actually not very nice.
I have missed out on a lot since working at Myer.
Westfield was a little stingy only allowing 1 Lindt chocolate ball to Westfield Plus members after they ran out of Keep cups to give away.
Westfield was desperately giving these cheap milk chocolate stars away to anyone walking past to get rid of them in the afternoon after all the Lindt chocolate balls had all been given away.
I ate my lunch I made from home at breakfast therefore had to buy my lunch of an egg and lettuce sandwich.
So the customer service manager is away and the discussion is why is she away. Rumours rumours and more rumours. She is certainly not physically sick but just having time out for an alledged investigation into a complaint an ex employee made to HR directly from being treated badly by the customer service manager. No it was not me as I did not have time to actually lodge my complaint in the end and almost everyone knows about how she yelled at me. I just think that the customer service manager has some very serious mental health issues not just depression but also substance abuse alcoholic and opioid addiction ( painkillers for a workers compensation injury) and has really bad anger management issues. I've always said that this is the Myer store all the reject managers get sent to. ( all the good managers have left and only the managers that were forced transfers from other stores are here - the store manager is apparently on a visa from the UK and if he is terminated he will have to return to the UK, the new manager in kids toys and mens departments was transferred from the Sydney store by another manager who did not get on with her , the operations manager refuses to assist in the merchandising stock and just leaves it to build up on the dock as he believes that it is not part of his job, don't even ask about the assistant store manager's background - she's just not a very nice person who apparently had a hard life in terms of migration and to get to where she is now - it was previously known amongst team members that certain now ex team members who saw her coming towards the lift would promptly shut the doors so she could not get in the lift with them. Apoarently there was a story about how the customer service manager also applied for the position of assistant store manager and was pipped at the post by the current assistant store manager for the position - Rumours ? Truths?)
I had a customer come in today from Vancouver and we had a chat.He thinks and was trying to convince me that Whistler is much better to visit in Summer. All I could think of was all the bears that come out of hibernation!
A customer comes to the counter and purchases some items with his 2 kids who were so cute but a little hyperactive so the father apologises I talk to the 2 if them who were both dressed in the ssme white tops with unicorns on them. The older child also wearing a unicorn headband which they proudly told me they got in a show bag. I asked the younger one if she loved her sister and ask the same question to the older one. The older one was actually a boy you could clearly see that but out of nowhere he declares to me "I'm a boy!" and I respond to to him "Yes I know!" how cute is that?
Home was the 280 bus to Chatswood and late night grocery shopping with dinner a takeaway pack of prawn gyoza from Woolworths Metro ( probably a mistake as I am allergic to shellfish). All eaten whst waiting for the 144 bus home. It was a very long wait for the bus again.
Watched the usual Cook Up but not watching repeats of 8 out of 10 cats dies countdown anymore - have not been watching for a while now, I read I watch the foid channel until I fall asleep.
Did not even prepare for work tomorrow. Too tired! Sleep.
News headlines today include
Boris Johnson is still under more pressure to resign as over 30 ministers resign under his administration and urged by colleagues to quit. He is refusing to step down and the pressure for him to resign has bern due to a number of scandals more then anything.
Nick Kyrios is the first Australian male to make it into the semi finals of Wimbledon in 17 years. His win was despite the timing of recent assault charges against his ex girlfriend were alledged. He now plays Rafael Nadal. It is the first time Nick Kyrios has made it to the semi finals. Last time an Australian male made it to the Wimbledon semi finals was Lleyton Hewitt.
A 4th COVID jab will soon be available for anyone over 30 years old. QLD is experiencing a 3rd COVID wave on top of influenza cases with an increase in hospital admissions.
The transport union and NSW government are set to face fair work today in s bid to end continued industrial action causing inconveniences to passengers of train strikes and go slow or cancellations especially in this wild weather.
White wine prices are set to rise due to a shortage in white grapes. Swtich to red is recommended as the Chinese market dries up.
For the second day the AUS$ has fallen to just above the $0.67 mark against the US$.
Amber Heard is in the headlines again over allegations that she lied about the pistol and boo dog smuggling into Australia charges during her visit with Depp back in 2016. It is unlikely she will be extradited to Australia though.
Friday 8th July 2022
Myer 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
Well I was on my own in Homewares with a new team member today and the other senior permanent electricals team member was by herself with a new team member from the mens department.
It was a very stressful day.
I had some very patient and polite customers but also some very bad time wasting customers and the phone constantly rang in homewares.
Lunch was fitted in whenever I could have it and only for half an hour as I needed to relieve the senior electrical team member and not leave the 2 new inexperienced team members alone for too long.
It became very busy towards closing time and as soon as the other senior electricals team member went to lunch.
By the end of today I was exhausted. I had eaten part of my lunch for breakfast and what was left scuffed down at my 30 minute lunch break. I managed to make the 280 bus to Chatswood with other Myer team members from different departments , trying hard to not fall asleep on the bus. I was hungry therefore stopped at the Friday markets in the mall at Chatswood to initially purchase a wood fire pizza but the stall was not present so settled on a spinach and cheese Turkish Gozleme which has increased in price to $11 a serve. Somehow the same gozleme I purchased tonight from that same stall that has been at the market for years did not taste the same. The spinach used is different and possibly the cheese. It isn't bad but it is not the same as it used to be. I ate all of it with a squeeze of lemon whilst witing in the freezing cold for the next 144 bus home. It was a long wait and seems to be getting longer. Finally home I go straight to bed after covering my body in olive oil to reduce it from drying out through the night. Sleep.
News headlines today include
It's the start of the NSW school holidays and end of VIC holidays and airports are in chaos due to staff shortages - what's new!
The former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has been shot during an election campaign speech in Nara.
There is a push for a 4th booster shot for people under 65 - yes the push continues in Australia despite no new vaccines being developed to combat the new variants and original vaccines having no effect on the new variants
Nick Kyrios is through to the Wimbledon finals and will play Novak Djokovic after Nadal had to pull out due to injury.
The AUS$ has risen slightly again to just above $0.68 against the US$.
Saturday 9th July 2022
Myer 11 am - 5 pm ( I had to ring in sick as it is 9.30 am and I am still in bed with my skin so dry & itchy which has been and still is causing me pain. There is no way I could have made it in time for work)
I spent most of today in bed. I did not venture out.
Newsheadlines today include
The former Japanese prime minister who was shot has died despite countless attem po ta to save his life with blood transfusions. The shooter 41 unemployed male assainated the prime minister shooting him in two parts of his body including the back of his neck with a home made weapon. Japan has very strict gun laws therefore Japanese residents are shocked by this event. The ex prime minister was 67. Tributes are coming in from around the world.
Chaos at airports continue due to staff shortages due to illness and weather conditions have led to cancellations of flights. Lack of baggage handlers and in VIC had 59 flights cancelled yesterday stranding families returning home from school holidays. Travel insurance is being strongly recommended including domestic travel.
Elon Musk has pulled out of a Twitter takeover after investigation of scams and fake accounts. Twitter is taking legal action against Musk to enforce the takeover deal.
The cost if fruit and veg is set to rise again with shortages of other fruit and vegetables due to the floods.
A girl was shot in Connels Point whilst her mother and sister were unloading the groceries from their car. The girl is in hospital and the gunman arrested. It is the 2nd time the same property has been shot at.
Sunday 10th July 2022
Day off
No wonder my allergies were so bad - it rained through the night snd into the morning snd when it rsins my allergies flair up.
I slept in today until around 7 am. I watch the news and make an omelette with spinach cheese chilli flakes dill grain mustard shallots pepper & fried shallots which I will have for brunch.
I did not venture out again today except to take my rubbish out. Both red bins are full and so are the blue and yellow bins. How can the apartment block bins be so full? They have never been so full. There is so much rubbish, there is rubbish even beside the bins. I know the apartment block is almost fully occupied now but the new tenants have so much rubbish and much more then all the previous tenants pre COVID.
I hope someone takes the bins out tomorrow.
News headlines today include
Airport chaos continues as 90000 travellers pass through Melbourne airport after cancellations of flights yesterday.
Nick Kyrios plays Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final tonight. The 2 had some friendly banter as they passed each other . In relation to Novak Djokovic 's anti vaccination stance, he tells Nick kyrios how it took him 5 years to say something nice about him. Nick's response was that he defended him when he had to. On social media the "bromance" continues with a winner pays for dinner type comment.
The transport union has won a decision by fair work against the Australian government to allow them to continue industrial action although no further strikes by the union have been planned.
Australia is going through a 3rd wave of COVID with variants BA 4 and BA 5 now renamed. 4th vaccine boosters are already available for all over 65 years old and those who are immuno compromised. Now available for those over 50 years old and recommended for those over 30 years old however unavailable to those under 30 years old. Mask snd other mandates still under debate however AA is not imposing lockdowns again.
Security is being investigated by Japanese policeover how a gunman has managed to bypass them and shoot the former prime minister of Japan and why he wasn't stopped after the first shot. Icons around the world are being lit up in red and white as a tribute to the late prime minister.
A 61 year old helicopter pilot has died whilst carrying out flood work when his helicopter suffered a mid air emergency and crashed.
Boris Johnsonis not the only PM that was under pressure to stand down and is remaining in a care taker position. The Sri Lankan prime minister and president will resign due to
protestors storming their homes over the country'ssevere economic crisis.
Monday 11th July 2022
Day off
It's pouring with rain again today but I just can't sleep eat and watch tv all day again. My plastic bottles are piling up so I have to venture out to recycle them.
The rain gets heavier as I leave home. I walk down to Lane Cove and use the self service Return & Earn machine which you can donate or get a voucher to redeem as cash at Woolworths.
After returningmy bottles it is still pouring with rain but I am determined to go for a swim today therefore cross the street to Lane Cove Aquatic Centre where there is an outdoor pool and several heated indoor pools. I am already in my swimmers so all I have to do is take my shoes and socks and my hoodie and puffer off before going straight into the kids pool which is warmer then the main pool but not as warm as the hydrotherapy pool or spa. Yes the spa is open but I dare not take a dip in it - yuk!
After spending time in the kids pool I spend about 30 minutes in the main pool then back to the kids pool before having a warm shower. It has stopped raining outside but there are quite a few people doing laps in the outdoor pool. I have to admit that once you are in the pool, you just don't want to get out because it is so warm and relaxing.
just part of the indoor kids pool
If I had taken a photo 20 minutes earlier, the balcony outside would have been a lot wetter.
I finally get out and have a shower change into dry clothes before leaving and walking up to the bus stop and taking a bus to Chatswood to do essential grocery shopping. A stop off for a snack of 3 tiny gyoza for $4 which were just ok and then to Bakers Delight ( Cobbs) where I purchased not 1 but 3 scones - date, blueberry & white chocolate and a new flavour Lamington. Either I was just hungry or the Lamington scone was absolutely yummy! Sorry no photos it was gone in a few minutes. I have dried the date scone and blueberry whote chocolate scones a few times previously but the Lamington scone lookelooked as if everything leftover was chucked into that scone - chucked into it, chocolate, blueberries etc.
Onto Coles then a bus back to the station as my groceries were too heavy and an extremely long wait for a 144 home where there were at least 30 people waiting for that bus at Chatswood!
I purchased another limited editionproduct ftom Coles Korean BBQ flavoured chips. I didn't dislikethem but nothing special about them, they tasted very similar to another limited edition flavour I had. Can't quite put my finger on which one. I rate it a 5/10
Home prep for work The Cook up 8 out of 10 does countdown cover my body with olive oil and sleep.
Work again tomorrow.
News headlines today include
Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon ( 7 times winner) against Nick Kyrios in the grand final. A bromance has formed between the 2 bad boys of tennis during an after match winning speech. Kate Duchess of Cambridge presents the winning trophy with Prince George present to some "choice words" . Nick started off calm and strong winning the first match only to play up to spectators arguing with the umpire, asking for a n intoxicated spectator to be removed and even violating Wimbledon'sall white auniform codes by wearing a red cap during the presention. He still has to return to Canberra to face assault charges against his ex girlfriend .
The new flag pole that was planned to be erected on top of the Harbour Bridge to fly the Aboriginal flag permanently beside the Australian flag and NSW state flag has been scrapped advising money to be spent on this could be used to fund more important causes. The Aboriginal flag gas been flying beside the Australian flag on the Harbour Bridge during NIADOC Week. The flag will now fly permanently beside the Australian flag with the state NSW flag permanently removed and relocated to a location somewhere in Macquarie Street.
Airport chaos continues at Brisbane Airport today due to staff shortages and end of school holidays with people returning home and arriving to visit QLD for start of other state school holidays, FIFO workers, state of origin arrivsls , etc.
Vic ambulances have experienced their 9th code red. The increase in COVID and flu hospital admissions has meant elective surgeries have been delayed.
AA may have had his first exclusive interview with Channel 7 having exclusive access but a UK tv channel has had exclusive access to the Trump administration during his time as president.
Tuesday 12th July 2022
Myer 9.30 am - 7.30 pm ( stocktake)
I'm not looking forward to today. It's going to be a very long day. I probably won't get home until 9.30 pm.
It has stopped raining but there is so much news on this morning at 5.30 am.
The first hour if my day was at the electricals department to cover until the other ed electricals team member arrived at 10.30 am. I had to go to get the ipads whilst the customer service manager minded the counter. Due to theft someone has to be at the electricals counter all the time. ( what - only now has this rule been implemented? Still so many customers are complaining to me that there is no one there to serve them). The new team member was then sent over to the department whilst I returned.
So much to do today. I was told I was in charge of everything today by the customer service manage ( yes she is back from her mental health break) Yeh right!
I told the customer service manager how whilst she was away I did a solve up sle a care plan and signed up a Myer One. Today I signed up another 2 Myer Ones also selling a coffee machine first thing in the morning.
The Sheridan rep needed signs to be printed today but we could not find where they were on the system. In the end they found it. The customer service manager was no help only to say that they m as y not be loaded yet. New tickets had to be printed put up and old sales tickets for Home Sweet Home taken down starting at 3 pm. I was going to print the tickets out but the team member from electricals had already done so and advised that he would bring them to me. It took a while as they had to be sorted.
Why does the customer service manager always give me her problem customers? She had a customer today who she spend quite a bit of time with then I spent an equal amount of time or more with. I know why she left him with me because she was getting frustrated with him. He wanted an allergy free quilt and pillow for his son a kids quilt was selected for him but then started looking at adult quilts which were not allergy friendly and were not kids quilts. You don't want to suffocate a kid by getting a quilt that is too heavy too warm and too large. In the end he selected a polyfill quilt which had been treated to bacteria and allergies. I ensured I gave him as many options there were available as possible going down to the reserve and bringing up a few alternative options as the one he had chosen was unavailable .
In between I needed to do the till recs and cash clearances towards the end of the day. Lunch was at 2pm today for an hour squeezed in. During my lunch break I went to Woolworths to get some individually wrapped chocolate eclairs to replace the barley sugar and butter scotches in the Homewares team sweets container. We usually have butter scotches or barley sugars that are individually wrapped . There are not many sweets that are available individually wrapped - I only found 1 supermarket that stocked individually wrapped mixed fruit sherbets but decided on the chocolate eclairs for a change. I also purchased a block of limited edition freeze dried Marcona coffee dark chocolate as I recently tried dark chocolate covered coffee beans and really liked them. I think I prefer them over this chocolate bar as I like really dark chocolate with the bitterness from raw whole coffee beans although I don't drink coffee as I am a tea drinker.
I also had the team member from online hassling me about where she can find 2 items. Not my problem if she can't find them.She is not new , I had a new team member from online trying to find some really old items the other day but she still managed to find them all and I could not help her locate them.
It was getting late and another customer the customer service manager had passed onto me was a customer who rang up and had only paid for one set of Kenji underwear and not two therefore wanted to pay for the one owing over the phone. Stupid me tried to out through a phone sale on the second cash and card register when you can only do a phone order on the far end cash and card register. We all know this and when the function key on the efpos machine would not work we all could not figure out why until one team member clicked on the phone sales can only be done on the far cash snd card register. Yep we were tired. I apologized to the customer on the phone and asked if she wanted the receipt # . She said no. All good. She only owed $18. Such an honest customer however it had to happen during a scan count! The stock movement had to be recorded on the sheet on the back counter.
What was the point today to help out with stocktake after finishing work at 5.30 pm? By the time we did our training and signed out our scanner guns we only had 90 minutes left to help do the scan count ( normal people call it a stocktake but no not Myer!). The training was only meant to be 10 minutes but it took 30 minutes as eteam member ticket girl had not shown up and neither had her brother from the electricals department. The team leader from homewares sent her a text message during the training session and it turned out that she was unaware that she was rostered on to do a scan count and as for her brother well he was on holidays in the NT and therefore there was no way he was available to do a scan count. I don't know what it is with ex team member ticket girl's family - she has a full time job and her brother is on leave yet they are still harassed to come back and work whenever they are needed. Do they owe Myer a debt ? I certainly would not come back to work for Myer if I had another job. So the other team member from homewares and I start work today at 9.30 am and finished at 5.30 pm yet we both had to stay back until 7.30 pm tonight to help out with scan count. This means I don't get home until 9.30 pm ! We were allocated for the 90 minutes to menswear. We were both tired and didn't really get much done. After scanning our last fixtures it was almost 7.30 pm so we leave the floor to return our scanners. We were stopped and told we needed to tell the manager first. Returning our scanners we are let out the staff entrance exit by the store manager with a bag check. ( what are we going to steal from Myer we didn't even have time for a toilet break between finishing our shift on the floor and training for scan count! I keep my bag locked all the time - every second counts to make the bus any bus home).
News headlines today include
A blue heeler dog has attacked and badly bitten the father mother and daughter of a family when it returned from being deserted at the vet.
Biden is to releave photos from the Webb Telescope which will show images from the big bang and beyond which mean it could answerthe questionas to whether there is any other life in the universe.
3 building construction companies may already have gone into administration this year but it is forecasted that many more will go into liquidation due to taking on too many home building projects these companies can't commit to due to the the lack of tradies, increase in fuel and energy costs and shortage of and increasing costs of supplies and materials meaning companies ae operating on very minimal profit margins.
The wild weather and rain may have stopped but in some suburbs sink holes and severe erosion have left homes and buildings teetering on the edge or swallowed up.
The airport chaos continues with 6 cancellations at Sydney airport so far this morning. Both Qantas and Virgin are at an all time low of on time performance both around 40% with staff shortages due to illness. 110 000 people passed through Sydney airport the previous day.
COVID COVID COVID a winter wave, ambulance ramping, code red , pressures on increase hospital admissions etc etc continues. The debate to bring back mask mandates, boisterous shots etc etc etc continues. BA 4 and BA 5 are far more infectious then the Delta strain as a 3rd wave or is it a 4th wave forecasted according to modeling?
The Telecommunications industry is being pushed to do more to stop spam and scam calling and text messages. Almost everyone has received at least one.
Petrol is above $2 per litre and after the fuel excise exemption ends in September this year, drivers may see some relief at the petrol bowse with crude dropping in price.
Wednesday 13th July 2022
Day off
It rained today again in the afternoon. I slept in and did not do much today except sleep in watch tv and did my laundry. I prepared for work tomorrow and made 2 small batches of curry chicken with noodles.
I watched the usual cook Up and 8 out of 10 does countdown followed by celebrity letters and numbers
News headlines today include
The queen has been out and about with her walking stick and presented the George Cross to frontline workers chatting to the nurse who administered the first COVID shot.
The humble Bunnings charity sausages sizzle has succumbed to the pressures of the raising cost of living and inflation and increased in price from $2.50 per snag to $3.50 a snag.
State of Origin decider is on at Suncorp Stadium where QLD is hosting NSW. It is forecasted NSW Blues will win. They haven't won since 2005.
Nikki Minaj has been mobbed by a sea of fans in London
82 year old Tom Jones has collapsed from a medical episode just before a concert. He wanted to perform but advised against it by medical staff.
China has listed a 4 point plan which Australia has neither accepted or rejected meanwhile the US plans to provide more aid and presence to the Pacific Islands with a new US Australia energy and security partnership.
Omicron variant reinfection drops from 12 weeks to 4 weeks. With Winter is only half way through and a 3rd wave of COVID is occurring, no mandates from governments but chief health officers have made recommendations such as work from home and mask wearing in indoor areas where social distancing is not possible. Suggestions that schools could go back into lockdown .
Pensioners Job Seekers and Youth Allowance recipients will receive an increase in payments to assist with the rising cost of living but not until September 2022.
A virus hit cruise ship has docked in Sydney at the overseas passenger terminal at Circular Quay. Most of the people who tested positive to COVID on board are crew on board the Coral Princess who have been asked to stay in their cabins. Travellers can only disembark if they return a negative RAT test. The cruise ship continues back to QLD.Of the 118 testing positive to COVID 114 were crew.
QLD has woken to a thick layer of fog and a freezing 7 degree C impacting some flights which were diverted right upto Mackay.
A protester has disrupted the Tour de France.
Thursday 14th July 2022
Happy Bastille Day
Myer 10 am - 6 pm
It's pouring with rain again today so Idon'tthink I will be heading to the Bastille Day celebrations after work tonight and because I don't finishuntil 6 pm tonight , by the time I arrive it will be almost closing time ie 8pm. Same with tomorrow. Just a waste of my time working at Myer.
This is the message posted on the what's app group chat
I put in a leave request in writing by text for the following dates and this is the response I received from the customer service manager.
"leave request
31st July -15th August 2022 inclusive
27th August 2022 inclusive
17th September - 19th September 2022 inclusive
4th November 2022 inclusive
31st December 2022 - 31st January 2023 inclusive"
"This is not the correct procudure when asking for time off. The correct way is to please come and see me about this. "
This is what I have done previously so what has changed? I have always put my leave in writing.
The unvaccinated team member put in her leave request for a volunteer day and it and rejected so what can you do?
I am the only team member that has not had a break yet. I don't think this is fair. Everytime I put a leave request in it seems to be vetoed by the customer service manager. I am a casual I have not been offered a part time position in the 2 years I've been employed by Myer. I should be able to take leave at any time not just when the customer service manager wants me to take leave. (I am off sick again for a 3rd time Friday 15th July 2022) It's the only way I can have some time off. I should not have to do this. I am actually sick and in bed.
Today I was told to check my Myer Metrics by the customer service manager and team leader. Whenever these two are together it is not a good mix as this is when I get "bullied". So I did and even checked it with another team member working in homewares with me and I even said to her "you saw me , you are my witness, I have checked my Myer Metrics" Much later in the day and this was very unprofessional and instead of asking me if I had checked My Myer Metrics, the customer service manager and team leader oassedon a message to a team member in electricals to ask me to check my myer metrics again. I told him that I already had and when this message was passed onto to him to pass onto me and he responded with just 3 minutes ago. Next time I saw the team leader I asked why I was asked to check my myer metrics again when I had already checked it when the other team member had checked it. I was advised that it came up in a meeting and I was the only one that had not checked it. Don't they have anything better to do? I do not check myee metrics on my day off or if I am sick it is an extremely unreasonable request to have to do this.
I had a customer that took me overtime after my 6 pm finishing time ( again) . I abandoned them midway and handed them over to the other team member as staff don't get paid overtime. I have gone overtime with customers so many times and not putting up with this anymore.
News headlines today include
The QLD Marons won the state of origin decider last night ( so much for the forecasted winners).
Returning travellers from Indonesis ( Bali) are urged to wash all their clothes and dispose of their tongs as well as not get near livestock to stop the spread of foot and mouth disease into Australia which could wipeout livestock in Australia causing economic disaster. Foot washe and passengers required to quarantine or 1 week may be enforced. Just 1 case of foot and mouth disease that enters Australia could wipe out the $80 million industry.
Milk prices are the latest to rise due to increases in transport costs.
The AIS$ has fallen to the $0.67 mark against the US$ again and NZ$1.10.
AA has given the Solomon Islands leader in Fiji a big welcoming hug at the Pacific Islands meeting despite the recent agreement with China.
Aged care workers still have vaccine booster mandates as the ban on unvaccinated visitors to aged care facilities are lifted today. There is a concern of the vaunable as a third wave of the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading.
Amber Heard is in the news again with her appeal against her loss of countersuing her ex Johnny Depp rejected by the judge.
Friday 15th July 2022
Myer 11 am - 5pm ( another sick day taken refer below)
It's a beautiful day outside but I'm still in bed sick I did not get much sleep last night and tried to sleep a little this morning but lost track of time and by 11.15 am received a text from the team leader as I was suppose to start work at 11 am today. Well I won't be going to work today.
I have also lodged an informal complaint to HR by email with no names mentioned yet. It was not the best of wording as I had written it late at night. I needed to do something since Myer is making it difficult to get a confidential transfer to another store and I have never bern treated so bad by an employer before. I am a shareholder therefore there should be a little more respect towards me. I hope that the rest of he Myer stores nationally do not treat their employees like I have been and still am treated. The bullying leave rejection or delay in approval has to stop. The only leave I can take is when I'm actually sick and call in sick. It's not my problem there is a staff shortage and an extremely high staff turnover. One team member from electricals just came back from leave and now has COVID so now I am expected to work every day to cover hos shifts and coincidently my leave request has basically been rejected again.
Today I did not venture out at all. I am sick - just tired and itchy. My skin is so dry it hurts. Stress from work is the cause, I just want time off from work and to find out if Myer' work environment is defintely partially causing my allergies ( team members already know it' s a dirty dusty unhealthy environment with no natural airflow or lighting and a very old dirty air conditioning system that keeps breaking down)
News headlines today include
Ivana Trump ex wife of Donald Trump has died at the age of 73 from a suspected cardiac arrest.
COVID COVID COVID has made headlines again with the increase strain on ambulance services and hospital system with increases in cases of COVID & the flu admitted. There are calls for an emergency cabinet meeting with AA spearheaded by pressure from the QLD premier. Elective surgery may be postponed again and confusion over mask wearing and mandates possibly returning under discussion. 3rd 4th snd even 5th vaccination boosters still being pushed.
A hoon's has been charged and his pimped up car impounded. Police have been trying to hunt him down for a while now and have finally been able to crush his car to prevent him from being further nuscience on the streets.
A truck carrying 40 tonnes of herbicide in Melbourne. The driver has been rescued and taken to hospital with minor injuries injuries and will be interviewed meanwhile a cluster of fire and rescue have been deployed to deal with the toxic chemical spill. The road is forecasted to be closed to traffic for most of today and residents have been asked to keep their windows closed due to the toxic chemicals.
The cost of prescription medicines such as antibiotics and antidepressants are about to increase however concession card holders remain unaffected by the increase.
Kevin Spacey is in the news again with victim coming forward however his trial will not be heard until kate June next year. His career is on hold due to his alledged sexual misconduct and he is on monitored probationary bail.
The AUS$ is still around the $0.67 mark agsinst the US$.
A movie "The Stranger" based on the murder case of missing teen Daniel Morcombe has been considered in bad taste disrespectful and has nothing to do with or of benefit to the Morcombe family and their foundation. The movie has already appeared at the Carnes Film Festival and is to premier at the Melbourne film festival coming up.
Saturday 16th July 2022
Myer 10 am - 4 pm ( I called in sick again today just before 10 am the assistant manager answered the phone she always asks if it's COVID and if I was sick yesterday yep and it's not COVID it's my allergies again)
It's quite a grey day outside. Will it rain again today? If it does not rain I may venture out but only because I need groceries and moisturizer/medication.
My skin is still really dry and still painful in places because it is so dry but it is a little better then a few days ago. Covering my body head to toe in olive oil and moisturiser ( not together) as well as cortesone has helped as well as being away from work for a day now 2. Switching from using aveeno products also helpedas I was getting an allergic reaction from the non soap body wash which is meant to moisturise and soothe dry itchy skin actually made it more dry and itchy. So I swapedback to the 3 in 1 kids wash.
A few days ago during my lunch break I grabbed whatever tube of thick moisturiser i could find and applied it to my skin. It was on sale snd in a series of psoriasis treatments. Just after 1 application it seemed to be working however it leaves this really horrible skin barrier which feelsas if your skin can't breathe and you feel really hot and uncomfortable as if your skin wants to sweat but it can't - really difficult to describe which is even worse when you are under a quilt or sheets or wearing clothing. Once it wears off your skin does feel a lot less red patchy raw and dry though.I need a few more applications of it .
I had to venture out in the afternoon as I had no groceries left and am almost out of moisturiser and cortesone. I just dis a quick shop at Aldi Coles Woolworths Metro and a green grocer for groceries and Chemist Warehouse, Priceline for moisturiser and cortesone cream all at Chatswood. Luckily I still have a good supply of antihistamines. I also stopped off to get a 2year subscription of Microsoft 365 as mine just expired on 16th july and I need excel to complete my tax return worksheet calculations.
I started my tax return for 2021 2022, as I have a tax agent appointment on Wednsday to lodge my tax return. With no days off from work before this appointment, I need to complete this by tomorrow.
I did not even go to the annual 4 day Bastille day celebrations today as I am still feeling a bit under the weather from my allergies.
I watched a bit of tv but went to sleep early as soon as I unpacked my groceries and had something to drink and some fruit. On my way home I did have a quick shepherds pie.
So glad I don't have to work tomorrow.
News headlines today include
Emergency cabinet meeting scheduled for 10.30 am today 2 days ahead of schedule due to souring COVID cases to discuss bringing back payments of $759 for casual workers who have no sick leave and contract COVID and update and recommendations from chief health officer Paul Kelly. The strain on hospitals and work places and brining back mandates will be discussed. Continuation of free RAT tests to concession healthcare card holders will also be discussed. Meanwhile last nights footy match at MCG where 74000 people atrended is a concern as very few were wearing masks - just as year ago this was the site of a "super spreader " event plunging the state into a 5 day lockdown. 66 people have died from COVID in Australia.
More airport chaos as the rest of Austrslia's states school holidays end.
The most expensive prime ministers have been announced Malcolm Turnbull followed by John Howard cost taxpayer the most money.
Heatwaves of 50 degrees c are forecasted to rock the UK. The country faces travel chaos power outages schools are shutting for 2 days and mobile towers may also be affected as buildings ard not equipped to deal with these extreme temperatures.
Cameron Smith has eagled at a golf open to take the lead .
The driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol who ploughed down 3 siblings and their cousin whilst they were walking to get ice cream thas had his jail sentence reduced.
A 14 year old has been charged with the Easter Show stabbing after a lengthy investigation.
The Queen is out and as bout opening a new hospital wing as it was alledged she thankef God Meghan Markle did not attend Prince Phillip' s funeral .
Sunday 17th July 2022
Day off!
It was a beautiful morning although it has become a little overcast today.
I still need some grocery items that I could not find yesterday therefore will try again today.
I woke up so early this morning to try and upload the product key for Microsoft office on my tablet. I had successfully uploaded the product key on my android phone for Microsoft 365 however it just would not sync across to my tablet therefore I had to find out why and how to enter the product key onto my tablet as my existing microsoft 365 account when I signed in kept defaulting to renew or buy a new subscription. Finally managed to find where I could enter a product key which was in tiny writing. I did not upload the other product key onto my android phone for the next year of subscription. I thought the sales person gave me 1 product key for the 2 years but when I arrived home there were 2 separate ones.
I made a fruit salad before I left to venture out around midday today. Destination Circular Quay for the final day of the 4 day Bastille Day celebrations held annually from 14th - 17th July 2022. What can I say? It was face to face with people - it is busier then it was ore COVID - no one was wearing masks ( except me) and it was a " COVID? What's COVID?" mentality by everyone. I just wanted to get out - it was suffocating at the event restricted to the forecourt of Customs House. I was looking for tacos but found halloumi fries instead from a stalked called Hallomi Me. It didn't take long for me to get my made to order hallomi fries. I have had hallomi before but never hallomi fries. I just ordered them on it's own with sarancha mayo or you could opt for zatar yoghart but not both which I thought was the case. It also came with a wedge of lemon. So what did I think of my first taste of hallomi fries? salty but not too greasy or hot. It definitely needed a sauce any sauce to accom po any it as it was not too pleasant to eat on it's own and it absolutely needed the lemon - the more acid the better to cut through the richness and fatness of the fried cheese . Rating 6/10 a little too salty on their own for me but I loved the texture of them and I'm sure they tasted a lot better in the French inspired style topped with honey mustard and chives. The most popular combination according to staff at the stall . Why did I not try these? Because I did not want the hallomi spring rolls that came with it.
On my way out shuffling through the crowds of people , I passed a Tim Tam stall giving away complementary tim tams and taking selfies of people doing the tim tam slam. I have to ask what have tim tams got to do with Bastille Day? They are not French but Australian ( although not anymore as they are now American owned) and World Chocolate Day was a week ago. Ok just accept the 3 free original tim tams I received - 1 of which I ate with the sugar to balance out all the fat and salt I just ate!
Oh no I found the taco stand- not so hungry but maybe later when the crowds subside as I would love to try the lobster thermadore or maybe canard ( duck). Oh look another stall is selling Poutine !
I'm taking a break inside Customs House where there are lounges in the old ground floor newspaper section. Got told off for having my legs crossed on one of the lounges by a security guard who had nothing else to do. The lounges are not the cleanest or newest to sit on so why should he care.
Having trouble downloading photos again sorry
Ok so I did return for the lobster thermidor taco - I could eat a bucket of these but due to my allergies to shellfish I limited it to just 1 to taste. Yep there is definitely a strong lobster taste in such a small taco. Feeling a little itchy already! At $8 each was it worth it? Unsure. Is that really what lobster thermidor tastes like?
Shuffle shuffle I wanted an $8 mangoade ( mango instead of lemonade) but the queue was so long I decided to hope on a train from Circular Quay to Town Hall instead of trying to cram onto the awaiting lightrail .
The views of the crowds of people outside the barricaded forecourt of Customs House below were like a sea of people. I just had to take some aerial photos along with another person!
hallomi fries with sarancha mayo I had
More crowds and queues
Lobster thermidor taco I had
This was an indication of how popular this year's 4 day Bastille Day celebrations were. Damn it the caneles were sold out as well. 2nd time I've missed out on these.
Just one of many entrances to the village
I found a village map but it was hidden behind some wheelie bins and nobody even took any notice of it.
The aerial view above from Circular Quay Station of the Bastille Day Festival - everywhere you walked there were queues and a sea of people with no social distancing possible.
On the next train to Townhall it was a quick trip to Woolworths to find some missing grocery items I could not previously find then a trip to Officeworks where I was planningto purchase a chesp samsung mobile phone only to find the A13 an A23 Samsung phones I wanted to purchase did not have NFC function on them.
Back to Town Hall it was a train back to Chatswood, a quick trip to Woolworths metro for a few more grocery items for lunch tomorrow and a bus home.
Lunch for tomorrow is in the oven , bag packed I aatch the repeats on the food channel and update my blog.
1 am and I'm still awake. Should try to sleep. I really don't want to go to work tomorrow.
New headlines today include.
The government has back flipped and the $750 COVID support payments have been reinstated temporarily until September 2022 and back dated to July 2022 to assist casual workers w
ho test positive to COVID to stay at home instead of going to work sick and spreading the virus. Casual workers do not receive sick pay therefore need this support payment. It has been emphasised that support payments can't go on forever given the government's current financial situation inherited from the previous Australian government.
A 32 year old female Queenslander and former Australian ruby player is about to be deported despite spending the last 2 decades in Australia studying, representing Australian rugby, teaching and mentoring women into the sport. She has been on bridging visas since she arrived in Australia and is fighting to remain in Australia as a resident. She has until Wednesday to lodge an application to extend her bridging visa or face deportation. An emergency meeting with her immigration laywer has bern called.
COVID COVID COVID same news headlines where there hospitals have no beds and medical officers, ambulance ramping ramping continues and elective surgery delayed. The number of COVID hosputal admissions continue to increase and fear that patients that need emergency medical attention could die due to lack of medical staff.
The tatto expo is on in Brisbane.
Foot and mouth disease is still a threat to Austrslia's livestock industry. An urge for stricter biosecurity screening at airports and funding from Australian government has been pushed however not a totalbsnon tourism to from Indonesia.
The treat of mite infestation of bees and hives are also in the news. Bee keepers can now move their hives to other locations.
What has the Duchess of Cornwell done now? Oh she turns 75 and is having a quiet day with a cup of tea.
A white whale washed up on a beach has been identified as not being the famous whale Migaloo who has not been seen for the past 2 years. The white whale was female not male.
Monday 18th July 2022
Day off - Not anymore Myer 9.30 am - 5.30 pm. This shift was only added on 17th July 2022 and it's not the only shift that has changed or been added. When you are sick you don't want to have to keep checking your shifts and if you are paid fortnightly you should be given your shifts at least fortnightly in advance. Messages should not be constantly posted on the whats app group chat by the customer service manager at the last minute for everyone to check their shifts as she has again made changes to them. This has happened countless times - so many times I've lost count.
I wake at 5am and am prepared to leave for work early and it is a dry day . I leave at 7.30 am hoping to have an hour at least to work on my tax return before starting work but still arrive at Warringah with barely 30minutes to spare before making it to the staff entrance exit opening time.
So much shit happened today. Firstly I was exiled to the electricals department all day.
I grabbed the 4 ipads from the office and took them straight up to the homewares counter before going to the huddle downstairs without knowing that I was in electricals today and trying to avoid contact with the customer service manager. Unfortunately she spotted me and I knew if I tried to skip the huddle she would hunt me down like she had done on a previous occasion.
I didn't bother to take a day sheet but just took the esculator upto the homewares counter only to be stopped along the way by the electricals team member advising me that I am in electricals today. Oh great.
I had not even been in electricals for an hour when I was called up to have a meeting with the customer service manager in regards to my leave. No she did not grant it. She is considering it and asked if I could take it in the 2nd half of August instead or if it was too late. It's already too late as she delayed my leave request in June which meant I could not book anything and by the time I chased my leave approval and I tried to book there was nothing available so I just took useless unpaid leave at home. ! I made it clear with a NO this time! If I don't get leave approval soon I will miss out again. I could not take leave in July not even a few days I was told.
Oh boy was I given a talking to this morning.
I had another staff appraisal or whatever it is called evaluation progress meeting etc. I was trying to complete a solveup on the ipad for a customer online return for a multicooker therefore ignored the customer service manager most of the time. I made her repeat figures just for the fun of it and emphasised that you can't do customer orders if there isn't any stock available for the customer to order.
I signed up one myer one membership today.
Today i asked the team member in electricals whatthe correct procedure was torequest leave if how i had been doing it was the incorrect procedure. Ithought leave always had to be in writing before being approved. Apparently not you have to discuss it withthecustomerservice manager. She tells you if and when youcantake leave then when it is approved you put it inwriting and into kronos. And this is what went wrong withthisteam members leave last time. She became extremely upset and explained tome wwhat happened when her leave had not been approved but eventually had to be. She put in hercompassionate leave and had to travelback to Singapore. She had booked her leave paying $10000 thinking her leave was approved only to find it had not been. In the end there was a huge discussion between her and the customer service manager on the floor in the electricals department and she ended up being allowed to go on her leave but I recall the customer service manager posting a big text message on the whats app group chat and kicking up a big stink about it and reorganising the entire roster for all electrical and homewares teammembers for 2 or 3 weeks atthelast minute - so this was what happened. After all this time Ifinally found out.
News headlines today include
QLD Cameron Smith wins 150th English Open at St Andrews first Aussie to win since Greg Norman in 1993 ie in 29 years. What a mullet he has!
Another COVID inflected cruise ship has docked in Sydney. The Pacific Explorer is the second cruise ship to dock in Sydney with 2800 infected passengers and crew on board.
Same story with strain on hospitals and ambulance ramping especially in VIC. Nursesin NSW are walking off the job and or seeking alternative careers due to the nurses to patient ratios - overworked and underpaid.
VIC is experiencing a big freeze with strong winds easing today
Former Australian PM has made a career change and has become a preacher at a service with a few high profile "celebrities"
Tuesday
Myer 9.30 a - 5.30 pm not anymore Myer 11.30 am - 5.30 pm ( this shift was also amended on 17th July atthe last minute)
My complaint to HR was forwarded to the store manager today and I was called to have a meeting with the store manager today at 4 pm. I was a little late as it was so busy in homewares with queues of customers I ended up not even having a break as all my time was spent with the store manager from 4.07 pm and I also had to down to the reserve for a customer who wanted a Sunbeam queen electric blanket which it says on the system were in stock however when I finished the meeting and went down to the reserve ( which the team leader had not gone down to previously in her search) found thatthere weren't any and upon return the customer had already left and not purchased the 1 queen electric blanket on hold for her ( she needed 2) and had been told by the team leader that it was likely there wasn't any.
At the meeting I made as many incidences of bullying leave request delays and rejections by the customer service manager as possible. I didnot include the latest incident or past incidents of the constant last minute shift changes which is so annoying. I rang up sick on Saturday and afterbeingasked by the assistant store manager if itwas COVID was asked if i was sick the previous day yes was my response however when asked when I was on next had to respond i sm unsure as I haven't checked the roster. Originally I was not rostered onto work on monday but this roster had changed so many times since I have not checked. When you are sick and on your day off you should not be expected to be sent messages on the what's app to check Kronos by thecustomer service manager has made changes to the roster atthe last minute again. Onthe 17th July, my day off I checked my roster and not only was I now working on Monday, my entire roster for the week has changed! The only day that has not changed is Wednesday which I requested leave over a month ago. Again I have 6 hour shifts to store closing which means running for the bus. The customer service manager knows that if I don't make the 5.40 pm chatswood bus there is no bus for another hour ( I have advised her ofthis many times) t and I have to take 2 buses the long way round either fighting to get a seat on the bline which I avoid or take the bus to manly andwait forever for a 144 bus home. Since it is dark cold snd very wet it is not ideal.
According to the roster I have my normal unavailable to work day off on Sunday and amonly rostered on to work on Wednesday 25th July and Thursday26th July 2022 and that is as of 17th July 2022 . Because casuals are paid fortnightly it is not unreasonable to have a fortnightly roster available in advance.
I was asked bythe new mens and kidswear department manager to work on Wed and Fri . I did not even have time to get back to her. She asked me again and I had to say No to both days. If the roster had not changed at the last minute then maybe I could have said yes. At least this manager always asks me and not just change my shifts constantly at the last minute like the customer service manager. I apologies to her for not being able to work as requested as I left and found out a team member from homewares is sick and therefore it was not for her department but homewares.
I had to run to make the 5.40 pm 280 bus today with a very annoying customer who was taking her time when the store had closed at 5.30 pm and an announcement had bern made over an electric blanket and payment. I hate when customers do this. I don't get paid to do overtime.
Running for thebus snybus again. I don't get home until after 7.30 pm. Missed my favourite tv shows. ithink Ijust went straight to bed.
News headlines today include
A family of 6 including 2 children woke up feeling sick in Marylands in Sydney's Western suburbs are being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after using heat beads indoors to try and keep warm which should only be used outdoors for bqqs. Theyhave been taken to hospital .
The latest price hike is for potatos. What next? bottled water??? Toilet paper, tissues,petrol, energy, public transport,telecommunications, home loans ,lettuce ,other fruit & veg eggs, meat medications , private health insurance etc etc have all already sky rocketed in prices yet wages have still not increased.
Jen ( JLo) and Ben Affleck get married. Jen's 4th marriage Ben's 2nd.
Commonwealth Games Mascot Marlu was left in an overhead locker on a Qantas flight and has gone missing. There is a call out to find this ingenious kangaroo as the Commonwealth Games start in 9 days in Birmingham.
Army support to aged care facilities are about to end next month just as COVID is starting to spread for a 3rd wave within aged care facilities with outbreaks amongst staff and residents. There are growing concerns for aged care residents.
Sydney a top of 14 degrees C today and the rain is back in Sydney.
Meanwhile over in the UK heat waves reach temperatures well over 30 degrees c posdibloy reaching 40 degrees C and several airports have had to shut as the tarmsc is melting. Residents have suggested quirky ways to keep cool such as freezing clothes and sheets before use and putting bags of frozen peas under your clothes whilst travelling on the tube to work. The country was built for cold weather and not hot weather therefore cannot cope with the extreme heat. Only 5% of houses have sir conditioning. In spain wildfires continue to burn and a train has been seen on video stopped between fires on both sides of the tracks with passengers on board. ( I actually know how it feels inside as I have been in a coach that travelled through a burning field of possibly sugar cane or some type of other crop - the coach heated up really quickly and it was scary).
Harry Styles ( former one direction noy band member) is at number 1 on the pop charts.
Victoria has over 10 000 COVID cases and 800 in hospitals topping the country's COVID cases . NSW is second. This third COVID wave is higher then the last wave. Pressure of hospitals continues especially in VIC.
There is a recommendations of masks to be worn over 8 years old in schools to keep teachers and students safe until the end of winter.
Victoria is facing a gas shortage.
Australians are told to brace for a dire budget with an over trillion dollar debt due to rising interest rates. Confronting budget figures have been inherited from the previous government and tax payers will be the ones to cop this debt.
Prince Harry honours Nelson Mandela with a tribute in an address to the United Nations with mention of a photo of him and his late mother Princess Diana. Yes meghan Markle was there with him but people are wondering why he was chosen to honor Nelson Mandela at the UN. Other issues included climate change in his address.
Russell Crowe takes his kids to see where he originally filmed the movie The Gladiator
Canberra wants to implement an electric car mandate.
Chinese app Tik Tok which is banned in India already may be banned in Australia due to security breaches where everytime the app is opened pwrsonal information is collected by the app without the user knowing and this information is sold in China. Millions of people use Tik Tok therefore suggestions such as switching off yourlocation settings is recommended to reduce the risk of cyber security.
Wednesday 20th July 2022
Day off (leave requested for 2021 2022 FY Tax Return Lodgment via my tax agent )
Today is still a wet cold day.
This morning I have an appointment in Chatswood with the Centrelink approved employment service provider APM from 9.30 - 10 am then I have an appointment with my tax agent in Bondi Junction to lodge my 2021 2022 financial year tax return (which I have not even had time to complete yet) from 1pm - 1 30 pm. This is followed by an initial phone interview for a finance assistant position I applied for through Ethical Jobs with KNC in St Ives.
Only after this can I go home and prepare for work again tomorrow.
Just in time for my appointment at APM however I had to wait. I hope I don't have to wait too long as I have to still complete my tax return and get to my tax agent by 1 pm in Bondi Junction. This appointment is only until 10 am. I can't go over this time as I have to get to my tax agent and return a call for the job interview.
My appointment is 15 minutes late so I'm stressing out as I am running out of time. The consultant at APM was quick and I was out of the appointment by 10 am. I explained how I had to attend an interview. I was asked a few questions such as how did I get here today and quickly explained about the new 100 point system worked - work 20 hours a week for a month equals 80 points and attend an interview gives you 20 points meaning I meet the 100 points required in order to stay on Centrelink support payments. What happens if you get COVID or can't work due to other illness or injury and you are a casual and can't work for a week or more? There goes your minimum of 20 points per week off. Did the government even think about this when they decided to revert back to the point system as an attempt to overhaul the welfare system of Australia? What would have happened if the government had not reinstated the $750 per week COVID support payment for casual workers who aren't paid sick leave - and more importantly what happens after September when it is cut off by the government?
I take the train from Chatswood to Town Hall changing to the Eastern suburbs line to Bondi Junction. I estimated it would take an hour to get there arriving at 11 am but it only took me about half an hour . I needed all the time i could get to complete my tax return before seeing my tax agent at 1 pm.
On my way to Westfield to find somewhere to sit down to complete my tax return, I spot A***** the merchandising rep from MW having lunch with a merchandising team member from Myer Bondi at McDonalds. I go and say hi and mention that I am at Bondi today to see my tax agent of 28 years to lodge my tax return. She asks me who my tax agent is and it happens that she had the same tax agent years ago until she worked out that the refund she received when he did her tax return and when she did her own was very similar. Yep my tax agent is well known in the Eastern suburbs and moves around a bit. He didn't tell me he had moved offices again and I only found out upon arriving in Bondi junction this morning. I went to the old address and there was a note on the door to say that the tax agent had moved up the mall between HCF snd Mitre 10. Lucky I had an idea where they were located and lucky I checked as soon as I arrived in Bondi Junction.
I take the esculator down a level at Westfield to find somewhere to sit so I can complete my tax return. I hate it when someone comes along and squeezes themself between you and another person in an area where it is clearly already full of people and then turns their phone up on speaker the loudest volume possible and then just sits there listening to whatever they are listening to. Do they not have any phone etiquette? Use your ear phones or sit somewhere else. So annoying it put me off doing my tax return. I manage to complete most of it but did not bother with deductions such as donations and phone text and photos sent that were all for work. Nor did I bother with any increases in costs and just claimed the same as the previous financial year for most deduction amounts. There were variations to the previous years deductions due to the vaccination stand down period . Then I ran into a problem with HCF more with my income protection insurance rather then my private health insurance figures.
I had to request a copy of the 2 tax statement as I had not received them. I thought they had emailed me both however when I checked I only received 1 attached tax statement therefore had to ring back to find out where the other was. Oh It's actually not available until the end of July 22. I asked why was it so late this year? I needed it today as I am about to lodge my tax return. No response. Can I use last years figure? It was the same figures but still no response.
After I completed as much of my tax return as I could I made my way to my tax agent. I look forward to my face to face meeting with my tax agent I've had for 28 years or possibly more once a year at tax time. It's a chance to ensure he is still alive and remaneice about the good old days when he hired some dodgey employees and his office was a rundown tin shed in the side lane where a ramp and a new set of small shops now stand to the station. That tin shed long demolished but the memories are still there.
His new office has a better layout but the sets of stairs to get to his office get longer, narrower and steeper each time he moves. I head to his receptionist and announce that I have appointment to see him at 1 pm.. i take a seat.
He is still with a client when I arrive but I am early. You can hear everything he is discussing with her including his investment and development of a house on some property. The client was very casual with my tax agent which means she is probably another long term client of his. She finished her session with him 15 minutes early so I was able to see him earlier.
I say hi and notice his is so grey although not he does not look that old. I say I see you are still alive. There is the usual banter of what have I been upto nothing much then we get stuck into checking that my income figures and tax witheld figures match up which they do, we move onto franked, unfranked and franking credits which I provide from tax statements except for Telstra which we use the same figures from the previous years and assume are the same according to dividends paid which were the same as the previous years. Interest earned which I provide but he should also have these figures - nothing is private now between you ,the tax department and your tax agent so if you commit fraud - the ATO will be after you! Next are my deductions which may not be as much as the previous financial year claimed due to the vaccination mandate stand down last year so close to Christmas when I was unable to work. I also did not bother to claim some increases in expenses paid just claiming the same as last years amounts - another years tax return to be archived in my off site storage facility after I lodge this one . Due to HCF not providing my income protection figures we used last years figure as nothing has changed on my end in regards to monthly premiums. ( post script i was wrong - tax statement received long after my tax return has been lodged and I forwarded this statement to my tax agent by email on sat morning with a "it's probably too late..."). More banter about when I started my accounting course about how I took a "code of ethics"- my tax agent makes a comment - something about him "taking the code of ethics whilst he was down at the pub" Maybe back then there was no code of ethics - and that is why I often jokingly refer to my tax agent as " dodgey ". Tax return completed refund calculated more banter about what I should invest my substantial tax refund on - his suggestions were investment properly ( as he shows me the photo on his phone of his house amongst trees - so that's what he was showing his client before me a photo of!) how about crypto currency? Do you have any I asked him? " "No." was his responser "Then why are you suggesting I invest in some?" "See what I mean what " code of ethics" . I said to him that I think I am doing pretty well considering the current global and domestic financial situation. I managed to balance all my finances estimating and deducting 1/3 of taxes from any income and government support received.
The banter went on to hows that son of yours doing? Still living the Byron Bay lifestyle? Then a final How much do you want to charge me this year $160 - make it $140 as I'll be paying you in cash this year and that's all i have with me.
Finally should I make an appointmentfor next year ? "No" Whats when you retire? Don't worry someone will pick this business up. ( I'm sure they will for a few million dollars due to all the goodwill he has picked up over the 30 yeats or so).
I end up handing the cash over to him, he emails me the copy of the 2021 2022 FY tax return and the taxreceipt in hard copy.
See you again next year. Another tax return bites the dust!
So relieved this hasbeen lodged and out of my way.
Lunch was some sushi from my favourite sushi joint in Eastgate Shopping Centre after my tax agent appointment .
It was then a quick trip to my offsite storage facility to pay the second half of my rent that was due on 12th July 2022. ipicked up my Thomas cook quilted wellingtons which I am unsure if I will still need as it is forecasted to stop raining in the coming weeks ( now that Thomas Cook is no longer , these boots are now collectors items) . I needed a bag to put them in so received one for free from metro storage - Ihave been with them for so long yetthey won't give me a discount but will give me a free shopping bag - how is that going to save me money? their words not mine. Apparently the first 3 months of rent are free - I don't remember getting the first 3 months rent free!
Final task for the day was return the call from KNC which was an initial phonecall to organize a Zoom interview for which i made for Friday anytime suitable to them as it is my day off work.
Home on the train train and bus.I received atextfirst thingthis morningfrom the team leader of homewares in regards to asking tofinish at 5pm instead if 5.30 pm if I had to mske the bus. I ignored it as it is my leave day and I don't have time to and won't answer work texts or calls and I have already boughtthis up before with the customer service manager which obviously went in one ear and out the other.
Home to prepare for work tomorrow ( again!)
News headlines today include
Masks are highly recommended for indoor areas in workplace and work from home encouraged but insists these are not mandates.
Boosters for 3rd and 4th COVID vaccines still being pushed and COVID vaccines about to be approved for babies as BA 4 & BA 5 is more contagious then measles.
Availability of pandemic payments for casual workers reinstated today.
The UK is above 40 degrees C and on fire
Jen & Ben party at their wedding
There is an explosion on the historic Hoover Dam in the US.
A gas shortage may lead to households without heating between 5 pm and 7.30 pm tonight.
It is so cold snow has fallen to almost sea level in Tasmania.
Thursday 21st July 2022
Day off ( not anymore another last minute change to my shift on 17th July 2022 Myer 11.30 am - 5.30 pm)
Another wet cold and grey day. It rained overnight.
I checked the Myer metrics this morning so I don't get yelled at again.
I checked kronos again today and there is still no change in my schedule for the following week which means I am only working Thursday 28th and Friday 29th July 2022 as per original roster. So I assume that this will not change as it is unfair to keep changing the roster at the last minute each week.
I had another meeting with store and assistant store manager today re my complaint and transfer to Chatswood store.
What have they got to hide? I put my phone on the desk and it wasn't even on when the store manager literally burst out with the question "Are you recording this?" My response was " No why would I want to record this?" I found this very strange. Maybe I should have recorded the meeting - I don't need to it's all in my diaries hardcopy and digital.
The store manager also spoke to other employees and I was accused of being little abrupt with some of them. I'm never abrupt with anyone. The only time I was abrupt was when I had to stop a new team member from piercing an electronic security tag through an electric blanket because she did not understand the simple obvious task of threading it through the loops of the zipper ie preventing a dangerous situation.
If I am abrupt I would not be getting such a high customer service feedback score on my Myer Metrics that Myer is so obsessed about which is currently at 90%.
The Mini Jumbuk rep came in today with 2 bags full of pillows where I spotted one with my name on it . I stopped her as she was coming up the esculator and directed her to the homewares counter. So that is what the team leaderwas posting on the whatsapp group chat about yesterday. I thought it was another competition. I think everyone had forgot all about it including myself as we estimated that we completed the training back in March.
So I toldtgeunvaccinated team member about them as the rep asked for her and also told the team leader as well astexting ex team member ticket girl as I spotted one with her name on it. I hope they don't give her one away as the team member who left recently also had h oou s name on a pillow but his was given away to another team member who had apparently completed the course however her name did not come up onthe list as completed.
After I finished work , we have to leave via the front store entrance via the cosmetics department. It is a rule that if youstart and finish within store opening and closing hours you must use this entrance. I beeped as I passed the security tag detectors so go back inside to get the soft tag that the rep forgot to deactivatr deactivated. How did she enter Myer with all those security tagged pillows without them going off ? That's a mystery.
I let the unvaccinated team member know and also ex team member ticket girl know of this.
After work I did a decent grocery shop at coles Warringah ( as it was late night shopping - still can't find that free product Future Burger or whatever it is called to try from Coles and i've tried quite afew coles now and time is running out) before getting the Manly & 144 bus home .
I didn't actually get off at the stop closest to where I reside but stayed on the bus to Chatswood to do more grocery shopping snd possibly get dinner. I decide on a premade bowl of sticky chicken rice and vegetables and a few other grocery items i could not find at Warringah. The markets were on but I did not get anything to eat tonight from them.
Home I unpack my groceries watch tv and go to bed.
News headlines today include
A domestic Qantas passenger flight to Perth has put out a mayday for a priority landing at the airport due to not having sufficient fuel on board to land after s delay. There was 20 minutes of fuel left but was told that it would take the flight 16 minutes to land hence the mayday call. The incident is being investigated eventhough the flight landed safely.
COVID COVID COVID there is the continued recommendations to work from home and wear masks as cases continued to sore. Hospitals are under pressure with the increase of patients admitted with cases of flu and COVID where there isn't enough staff or beds for patient care. One hospital had 20 nurses resign due to this pressure. 1 nurse to 50 patients was reported at a hospital. Telstra and Westpac have now led the way with a work from home policy. Other larger coporations are not set to follow these policies..
Foot snd mouth disease virus fragments have been found in imported pork products from China on supermarket shelves and in products bought in from Indonesia at the airport.
Australia has a new golden girl in athletics . High jumper Eleanor Patterson jumping over 2 meters and taking out gold from being in 4th position previously.
Elton John is coming to Australia for his farewell tour starting in Newcastle and touring around Australia.
Aerial drone like self driving taxis ferrying people during the Brisbane Olympics are being trialled. Forecasted to take off vertically just like drones but instead of carrying pizza they will carry people are currently being developed and if the project sucessful will create jobs for thousands of people in SE QLD
Changes to AFL parade where the players will make their way to the Yarra River and onto boats ratherthe travelling in cars in a street parade are planned.
More flooding huge waves winds and wild weather for the next few days are forcasted.
An 18 year old swimmer has been axed from the Commonwealth Games team and returned to Australia due to his well being where he was taking medication.
Ricky Martin is in trouble - what for? some legal battle. Who cares.
The UK is a little cooler today after their blistering heatwaves above 40 degrees c. 41 homes in London have been destroyed by fire.
Ivana Trump's funeral was held today.
Friday 22nd July 2022
Day off ( was asked to work by the new manager on both Wednesday and Friday due to staff off sick in homewares , I had to say no due to leave approved way in advance for Wednesday and appointments today).
Well after an initial chat on the phone to this organisation , I had my Zoom interview at 10 am this morning for the position at KNC. I hope it went ok. The only issue may be my vaccination status as I am unvaccinated and this organisation falls under the aged care industry where there is a current vaccination mandate however due to work from home recommendations this position could be a work from home position until the government changes its vaccination mandates. Whether I gain this position or not , I leave it in the "what will be will be" . I am no longer looking for any old casual position which is a dead end job nor am I motivated by money. I want a part time or full time job where I can grow with the organisation, learn new skills, make a difference in community, and that I actually enjoy.
Still no contact from Myer Chatswood yet in regards to my transfer request.
I did my laundry as soon as I completed my Zoom interview and still have so much to do today.
It was so wet today I did not venture out. I made myself a chicken and mushroom pasta dish. It was ok but not the best.
I caught up on watching YouTube and also watched The Cook Up The Living Room and Shaun Micallef's Brain Estedford.
Bed early after catching up on my blog and preparing for work tomorrow.
I received an email from KNC requesting 2 references & HCF with the tax statement for my income protection I needed on Wednesday when I was lodging my tax return. Too late my tax return is already lodged but I did send my tax agent a copy of this statement as it is different to last financial year and which I think is incorrect. Should be the same as previous years as nothing has changed yet the figure provided has decreased.
News headlines today include
Prince George turns 9.
Joe Biden has COVID and is still working in isolation.
The man responsible for the Brisbane Olympics Games wants to turn Brisbane into Australia's lifestyle and capital of the world with major upgrades over the next decade but at a careful steady pace. Today marked 1 year since Brisbane was announced as the 2032 Olympic host city.
Foot & Mouth is still knocking on the door step of Australia as another case of fragments of the virus in undeclared meat products has been found at another airport in Adelaide.
Caroline Kennedy touches down in Australia, she is the US ambassador to Australia and is the daughter of of John F Kennedy. She will address the China situation with AA in Canberra today.
Damages have been paid to the former nanny of William and Harry . To get the Diana to do an interview a lie was told alleging Tiggy Legge - Bouke had had an affair with Prince Charles become pregnant and then had an abortion.
The wild weather continues to batter the QLD and Northern NSW coast with wild winds huge waves widespread erosion and possible flooding. Crowds have had to wait 6 hours to enter the Splendor in the Park Music Festival which has become Splendor in the Mud with some locked out completely in NSW due to poor weather. The festival may have beencancelled the first day but the organizers plan to push on on day 2.
Judges have thrown out the window charges against Ricky Martin's incestuous relationship with his nephew and stalking him when the relationship ended due to his nephew having mental health issues. Martin has come out and made a statement hoping his nephew gets the family support and treatment his nephew needs.
Saturday 23rd July 2022
Myer 11 am - 5 pm ( another last minute change in shift on the 17th July 2022 to 10 am - 4 pm today)
It's another super weekend and we are asked to wear a touch of pink again. It's another pouring with rain day but it's not too cold although the news reported it to be freezing cold this morning. I am sure there are huge waves though.
No customer service manager in today.
The amount of times I had to go to the reserves to retrieve stock items for customers was countless and as one customer commented " you're sure getting your steps in today!" so true who needs to go to the gym when you are constantly hauling up SuperKing sized boxed wool and down quilts!
Extremely busy with my sales for today well over $5000. I also signed up 2 Myer One memberships and finding some very old unused memberships.
Grocery shopping after work at Coles Warringah Mall then home across the road on the first 199 Manly bus and a wait for a connecting 144 bus across the road at Manly home. I almost fell asleep on the bus to Manly again.
I made a nice batch of curry chicken wings inthe oven.
Sleep early. So glad I don't have to work tomorrow!
News headlines today include
Basically the same as yesterday.
COVID COVID COVID as cases continue to increase there are now no hospital beds in some hospitals.
Foot and mouth disease is still on Australia's door step and there is debate as to whether to close borders to Indonesia. Airport border security now have increased powers to enforce tougher biosecurity measures such as passenger screening. Foot wash mats were also considered however these may take longer to implement by the government along with banning imported meat products from Asia where foot and mouth disease is not eradicated.
Trump Is in the news again over the capital riots that occurred when he lost his presidency vote.
Johnson exits his last parilamentary meeting with an Arnold Schwarzenegger style " Hasta la vista, baby!"
Amber Heard is back in the news again with a successful appeal against her trial against Johnny Depp - come on we all know she can't afford to pay him!
The AUS$ is back above the 69 cent mark against the US$
Sunday 24th July 2022
Day off !
It was an overcast day but i did not venture out. I just stayed home and did a few things.
I made a soup with leftovers from the fridge and watched a lot of tv as well as tried to catch up on my blog.
I just did not feel like doing anything.
I tried to book a holiday but the things i want to do are booked out. This is what happens when you csn't pl as n more then a few days to .as week if lucky in advance. I really need a proper break not just snatch and grab one day local events to attend.
Ireturned an email from KNC for 2 references. I can't provide a second reference as I am still employed by Myer and am also unsure if they provide references . I also advised them that i had to check if the manager is still employed at the company that was employed at for the first reference. I did send an extract of my Myer Metrics customer feedback score with an example of customer feedback comments. i just received another 10/10 which makes my total customer satisfaction percent of 91% and another $10 reward
News headlines today include
Australia has reached 11 000 COVID deaths as the number of COVID cases continue to rise and surpass flu numbers. Hospitals continue to be under stress as beds are taken up by COVID and flu cases. Recommendations from research show that wearing glasses or spectacles along with a mask prevents infection by the virus as particles from the COVID virus can enter through the eyes when they are exposed.
The Australian Commonwealth Games team touch down in Birmingham ahead of the Commonwealth Games which commence in less then a week's time. Power couple Cody Simpson and Emma Mckeon along with the rest of the swim team as well as recent gold medal athletics champions high jumper Eleanor Patterson and javelin thrower Kelsey Lee Barber are forecasted to perform well at the Commonwealth Games.
2 people have died & 1 child seriously injured taken to hospital from a house fire this morning just before 6 am. 2 firemen have also been injured and taken to hospital one from an electric shock and the other injuring their back ftom falling through unstable materials.
After much debate monkey pox has been declared a global health emergency bythe WHO eventhough it is nowhereas wide spread or contagious aroundtge world.Mon Monkey pox is mainly spread amongst homosexual men.
Shane Warne's apartment has been sold with most of the proceeds going to his children.
Coral Princess was battered by wild waves at sea due to bad weather and could not be rescued. The cruise ship just had to wait it out until the wild weather subsided.
Monday 25th July 2022
Day off! ( yep another day off and again tomorrow but because I only knew about this 4 days off after 17th July 22 and the roster did not change for once everything was already booked that I wanted to do so I just have to wait until my leave requested )
I did absolutely nothing today. Woke up really late. Took my rubbish out in the afternoon.Sent a few emails requested a reference from the manager at Plenty and forwarded details to KNC after advising KNC that I couldn't provide a second reference from my current employer as i was still employed there and unsure if they actually provided references therefore provided an extract of my current my Myer metrics customer feed back scores and comments instead.
I did not venture out - eat sleep watch tv do whatever needed to be done from home.
Myfridge is almost empty but I always find something to eat in my pantry.
I've seem to have misplaces a remaining a leftover loaf of bread. Oh well.
Sleep early.
News headlines today include
Sydney has woken this morning to a thick blanket of fog which should clear later this morning.
16000 cases of monkey pox in 75 countries have been detected with Australia having 41 cases.
There is a 3 week inquest into the COViD outbreak deaths of 19 aged care residents at Newmarch House that occurred years ago hopefully giving relatives of the deceased some closure. Relatives of those that passed away are planning to launch a class action against Anglicare as to what happened 2 years ago and why relatives were not able to remove relatives at the time.
The blood ban has been lifted for UK residents that lived through the mad cow disease period to be able to give blood.
The Queen has invited Harry and Meghan to holiday with her as an olive branch.
Bindi Irwin turns 24 years old.
The army's support to aged care facilities has been extended to September to ease pressures due to COVID.
Student nurses may be bought in again in a program in VICtoease he as healthcare staffing shortages and pressure on hospitals.
Billionaire Meriton magnate Triguboff is buying up property in Surfers Paradise that used to be an old amusement ride ( Vomatron) site from Chinese developers who have been trying to get out of the property market forthe past 4 years to build more apartments ( approx 1000 new apartments) to fill the growing demand for housing as more retirees move to the area.
Chstswood's Macca's is offering $1000 as an incentive to sign up and work there. There are conditions though and it's just not a sign up take the money and run - applicants have to work a certain amount of shifts and hours before they receive the incentive. It is not a Maccas wide incentive jusjust the Chatswood franchise.
Tuesday 26th July 2022
Day off ( yep another day off and again tomorrow but because I only knew about this 4 days off after 17th July 22 and the roster did not change for once everything was already booked that I wanted to do so I just have to wait until my leave requested )
Today was not the nicest day to go out and a little wet overnight. It cleared but was overcast . I did not venture out until the afternoon to do some essential grocery shopping at Chatswood.
Whilst I left to go out someone decided to put the bins out after the garbage truck had already collected all the garbage early this morning - why didn't they put the bins out last night? Upon returning home from shopping they are stil out on the curb and still full and they will stay out there for the rest of the week until next rubbish collection day.
In the afternoon I had to venture out to Chatswood to return my bag of bottles to be recycled and get essential groceries as my fridge is almost empty.
Dinner was a takeaway sushi from the Tamon concession from Westfield ( not as good as the store in Chatswood Chase)
Next onto Aldi Coles Local Vans Green Grocer Vina Bakery and finally Woolworths Metro. The shelves were bare in the fruit and veg section at Aldi, the shelves were bare in the tissues section of Coles Local and there was no green juice at Woolworth Metro again. Everything is so expensive. I just grab what I could that was on my shopping list.
Home unpack my groceries watch the usual tv shows the Cook Up and 8 out of 10 does countdown sleep.
Sleeping on where I can go for my 2 weeks leave.
News headlines today include
After Caroline Kenny was sworn in yesterday as US Ambassador , she and other MPs along with PM AA attend the traditional prayer service before the first day of the sitting of Parliament.
Melbourne Zoo has ceased the up close and personal sessions of zoo animals to help stop the spread of foot and mouth disease to keep the animal healthy ie a look but don't touch zoo.
An airport strike looms.
A Melbourne tram derails
Queensland hospitals pushed to the limit due to staff shortages and patients waiting long hours for treatment due to the increasing number of COVID cases
Petrol prices are falling but only temporarily as excise tax is reinstated in September
A sandstorm in China has occurred.
Pizza Hut is having an auction of memorabilia as the last dine in restaurant closes in SA.
A whale has landed on top of a boar causing just minor damage in waters near Plymouth in the US.
7 religious NRL players from Manly plan to boycott Thursday's game if they are forced to wear the pride coloured jerseys. The team had been praised for being more inclusive.
Wednesday 26th July 2022
Day off ( yep another day off and again tomorrow but because I only knew about this 4 days off after 17th July 22 and the roster did not change for once everything was already booked that I wanted to do so I just have to wait until my leave requested )
What a beautiful day today! I slept in until around 6.30 am this morning.
I have been dealing with my complaint with Telstra this morning and the problems with overcharging me on my last 2 bills has not been resolved. I waste so much of my time dealing with them. It's no secret that telecommunication complaints are in the top 2 complaints lodged to the industry ombudsman.
I ventured out at lunch timeasit was s niceday. I have been wanting to check out the HouseDownUnder or upside down house out at EQ for a while now therefore took a bus the a train then the L2 or L3 light rail out to moore park. I forgot all about the light rail and was about to catch the bus and another bus followed by another bus to get out there. I didn't bother to book online instead purchased a $27 ticket at the gate. I wasn't sure what to expect. The walk to EQ was a 9 minute walk and there was a huge amount of construction going on around the Hordon Pavilion and Hall of Industries. The Cambridge Markets were also on from 8 am - 2 pm every Wednesday and Saturday. No time for the Markets today, I came to see the upside down house. Prior to entering inside the house I was warned that I will initially feel dizzy but this feeling would disappear. They weren't wrong. Initially I felt fine but once i started looking around on the ground floor ofthe house and taking photos that dizzy feeling appeared. There were staff to take photos for you but i wanted to again have fun with my stuffed possum. Apologies for the blurry photos my camera on my phone is starting to play up and not focus. It wasn't crowded in the house which is on an angle and 2 stories open planned . A narrow spiral staircase leads to the top floor.
Photos below.
L2 & L3 Lightrail will get you to Moore Park
Cambridge Markets every Wednesday & Saturday 8 am - 2pm
I took a photo of this for some random visitor and she took one for me
This Upsidedown House is in Sydney at the moment but will be travelling around Australia to other states.
The hallway inside the house
The spiral staircase to top floor of house
The study /home office area ground floor
The bathroom - this house would make the perfect tiny house except when possum went searching for the bath or shower there wasn't one! A nice fluffy robe was hanging up a toilet with a plentiful supply of toilet paper slippers towels and even a bench but no bath ir shower in sight just a sink.
The kitchen was fully equipped including pots and pans which were not attached but loose and could be used as props in selfies
looks like possum has found a hand towel to hang out in
squished between the double bed
I could not figure out what this was. Was it a climbing frame as part of the kidsplay area? An indoor drying rack for laundry? Ran out of budget stairway to nowhere? Whatever it was, it was not upsidedown and a greatplace for a possum to climb up.
A fluffy robe in the bathroom but no sign of a shower or bath in this house!
Pot plants around the house add a nice touch.
As I left EQ the markets had packed up. I walked back to the light rail and caught it back to tiwn Hall where I stopped off at the Little Fish Shoppe for a piece of crumbed fish before doing the rounds of ski and outdoor adventure shops to find poles and goggles - an unsuccessful venture. Next stop Woolworths Townhall but when I arrive find that the 3rd level had lost its cafe and turned into a mini Big W which just opened at 7 am today. So what did I think of it and did I purchase anything? Yep 2 pairs of underwear and a pair of black leggings. I also purchased from downstairs toilet paper and a box of tissues. I was very unimpressed Big W only occupied one level so what happened to the top level? There is no longer any access to it. I could not quite put my finger on it but there was something missing stockwise - there was a whole section with babies clothes, womens clothes, mens clothes but when it came to childrens clothes where was it? as for boys underwear and womens bras and singlets there was very little choice if any. As for the tech section sll i could see were speakers and accessories - no phones or tablets no just a whole lot if checkouts which can only put through items from Big W, all other items from woolworths arenot accepted snd you have to go downstairs to pay for them therefore i had tocarry my load of toilet paoerand box of tissues all the way back downstairs to pay for them. I rate this "mini Big W" a 5/10
Home on the train and bus I have fruit salad for dinner watch the news the cook up 8out of 10 does countdown celebrity numbers and letters before going to bed.
Prep for work tomorrow already done.
News headlines today include
A toddler has died in hospital from COVID. The toddler was the youngest to die in QLD.
Melbourne mayor has rallied for Australia Day to be changed because it has become divisive. Consideration has to be given to what will happen to all the events that usually occur on Australia day each year such as the parade fireworks display and citizenship ceremonies. What will Australia day be called? What could be the alternative date(s)? Some think this should be left to the Federal government and that Victoria should concentrate on more important issues affecting their state such as COVID and the hospital crisis.
Controversy continues over the handling of communications to team members of Manly NRL over the new uniform which included pride colours. Any new uniform takes time to be approved but it was alledged that the new uniform was known a year in advance and various celebrities such as Hugh Jackman were sent a sample of the new uniform weeks in advance of which team members were only the last to know.
Calls for primary school teachers to implement bag and other checks in a crackdown of vaping amongst primary aged children which has become an increasing problem. Children have been able to access vapes from their their parents. Also in discussion is using the army to be trained up and used to combat the growing vaping problem amongst primary aged children.
The cost of living has risen the fastest in 3 decades. Inflation is 6.1 %. This issue may lead to a global recession. Meanwhile the forecast that there maybe a housing market crash has been poo pooed by Meriton magnate Triguboff.
Donald Trump has made it clear he will campaign to run for office for a 3rd term in 2024. It is the first time he has returned to the capital since leaving office after his defeat as president.
The opening ceremony ofthe Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is on this Friday morning at 4.45 am NSW time. Final rehearsals started today for the 2.5 hour opening ceremony on Friday. Meanwhile the Australian Commonwealth Games lawn bowls team mascot kangaroo Malu who was forgotten in an overhead locker on a Qantas flight has been found and is on his way to Birmingham to join the lawn bowls team.
Talks are on the way to convert the outskirts of the Gold Coast into a Australian Hollywood . Many overseas celebrities have already visited the Gold Coast and most of the movie blockbuster Elvis was shot on the Gold Coast.
4 hour train strike starts tonight however this will affect tomorrow's morning peak hour train services.
Pauline Hanson has walked out and been called a racist whentherewas a proposal to fly the Aboriginal flag next the Australian flag in Parliament.
Thursday 28th July 2022
Myer 10.30 am - 4.30 pm
It's late night shopping tonight . I must look for cheap pair of poles book holiday and get some laundry money.
It's all happening today.
Still no word about my transfer the online department at Chatswood. But unofficially I was successful in gainingthe workfrom home position which is casual for 3 months with a review after 3 months at KNC. Ireceived a phone call at work whilst I was helping the customer service manager find mark and move clearance stock. Luckily I was pushing a empty trolley somewhere when ireceived the call. It's actually good timing as iadvised them that i was about togo on 2 weeks ( unpaid) annual leave until 15th august 22.
I am getting out of the 2 days of stocktake. Unfortunately some of the vm girls have been roped into it and told they had to work.
The day started off really slow with almost no customers or sales then became quitebusy and what does the customerservice manager do? pullme away from the counter to help her move stuff whenshe already hadthe vm girls helping her. Why? I don't understand she had already asked the vm girl to reduce the number of white vases then she asks me to. Stop wasting my time. customer service is much more important.I can see her brain thinking like the customers brain I serve today where they could not focus on one thing at a time but was asking a million questions and looking multiple products at the same time jumping from one to another multiple times where you had to keep up with them. It got so bad you had to make decisions for them and even then they wanted reassurance.
More newbies to look after at the counter and not leave alone for too long.
I received my tax refund today which was really quick and put 2/3 of it to settle a large debt andmostof thebalanceto my so called high interest account - there is no such thing as there is a massive difference between interest owed on loan or credit accounts and interest earned on term deposit and saving accounts.
No running for a bus today . I did try to find a set of poles but no goggles as they were sold out.
Home on the manly bus where I just missed one and await for a 144 bus home.
News headlines today include
Another strike - trains went on strike until 4am thismorning but workers havebern encouraged to work from home again as the industrial action will have a run on effect until 8 amthis morning. Meanwhile sydney road workers are striking for 24 hours which will affect the sydney Harbour Bridge.
Melbourne rubbish is building up as garbos also strike.
There are calls to scrap the traditional lords prayer before the opening of parilament as it is thought that alarge portion of people are not religious.
Beyonce has a new album leaked 2 days before it's released.
The Spice Girls have a new documentarybut not a reunion.
The Australian flag bearers have been announced for the Commonweslth Games. Mens hockey Kookaburras captain Eddie and 8 times squash player legend Racharl breaking from tradition . Chef de commission Petra Thomas selected them and advised them oftheirrole. It is the first time a squash player has been a flag bearer and having dual flag bearers.
Meghan Markle dragged to court claiming she lied to Oprah about being an only child.
Interest rates to hike again next month.
Friday 29th July 2022
Myer 10 am - 4 pm
Let the Commonweath Games @ Birmingham begin!
I wake at 5 am to watch the opening ceremony. Let me tell you it just does not have the same excitement asthe Olympics Games.
I am watching it as I am blogging. I need to get ready for work soon.
I'm always rushing. just missed the connecting Bline again. Another 8 minutes for the next one.
It's really cold at Neutral Bay junction.
I quickly booked the bones of my 1 week vacation this morning. Departing 1st class on the overnight xpt Sydney to Melbourneon ssassatnightarriving Sun morning. I have not booked the return trip back to Sydney yet. I also booked 4 nights in an ensuite private room at the recently renovated and reopened melbourne central yha. I don't know if this was the best choice but I'm curious to review howitis nowcomparedto myprevious stays over 2 years ago. I reallywanted to stay at the Victoria hotel but single rooms were booked out. The great southern looked horrible and the Ibis lookedgreat but too difficult to book online - it looked as if there was a risk of booking the wrong type of room at the wrong Ibis as all Ibis properties were part of a chain of Accor properties. I typed in Ibis Melbourne CBD and unpopped Mecure. Abandoned . I also booked a day trip to Lake Mountain. I looked up the forecastand itis raining every day exceot Sat & Tuesday so I booked for Tuesday. Monday look as if the tour was full already. I'mnot fussed as I intend to do as much as possible whilst i am on my well deserved leave. Ijust hooe I don't get sick. Imustlookinto travel insurance today. No trade shows no visit to tthe NGV this trip just plentyof fresh air and possible some treats / fresh produce .
Work was the same more customers price checking then purchasing stuff.
The serial purchase and return lady came in today holding up a queue of people at mens youth. It didn't help that there was a single new team member working in that department today so it was homewares to the rescue again. We call her Mrs Cruise as that is her name and we allknow who she is. She would purchase stuff from different Myer stores and cometo the Myer Warringah store to return them all old used stock reticketed and always without a receipt. She used toreturnthem downstairs on the ground floofloor until team members kept refusing her returns then she came to homewares where the new manager now knows who she is and started to refuse her returns. As soon as Mrs Cruise hears we are calling particular managers or suspect we are onto her she runs off. Now she was trying Mens Youth as she knows new team members will not know who she is and unaware of her serial purchase and return without receipts problem. She should really be banned from the store. She says she is a platinum myer one member but never uses her card with purchases because she know Myer is tracking her.
Straight home on the next Manly bus and 144 bus. It was along wait for both as I missed a bus to Manly.
News headlines today include
The news is dominated by the opening ceremony of the commonweakth games.
The AUS$ is now edging to wards the 70 cent mark against the US$ at around 69.9 cents.
