Thursday 1st September 2022
First day of Spring!
Work From Home ( 9.30 am - 5 pm)
It's meant to be 21 degrees today but this morning at 5 am it's raining and overcast.
I haven't written much about my current job which is a casual 4 day a week Monday to Thursday work from home position and is a 3 month probationary contract until mid November 22 as it is quite an intense position where I am still learning all the complexities about. It is nothing like my previous job which I have not actually resigned from but am taking extended sick leave from as my skin has been so dry raw red and itchy am in pain most of the time . I would not be able to travel each day to and from Warringah, stand for long period of time and deal with all the stress. By working from home I am able to spend the time I would usually spend travelling and stressing about getting to work on time to apply the daily treatment to my skin which takes me about 45 minutes to an hour each morning and has made a big difference to my skin. I am still in pain but my skin is nowhere as raw as it was about 3-4 weeks ago.
Working remotely has been good until today when I had trouble logging in remotely and my laptop was working at a snail's pace with every program I was using lagging and freezing on me. By lunch time I had a remote IT consultant ring me who tested my work laptop out and found that it was my wifi and asked me to hot spot thether my phone to the wifi to boost it. Funny that when I tried to perform this tethering it failed but as I hung up from the IT consultant, my laptop just sped up super fast and everything was back to normal.
I find that by the end of each day of working from home I am very tired by 5 pm and can't do much else except eat watch the news the Cook Up 8 Out of 10 Does Countdown and sleep.
News headlines today include
Nurses and midwives are on strike in NSW today for lower patient ratios and higher wages. Their third strike this year. Meanwhile there is a promise that there will be no rail strikes for the next fortnight after yesterday's disruptions. The NSw premier is fed up with these disruption.
The last tracks have now been laid in the tunnels on the new driverless metro train line between Chatswood and Sydenham Stations leaving the last third of the metro train line still to be completed with delays due to matrial shortages and huge budget blowouts.
The COVID isolation period has been slashed from 7 days to 5 days by the government for most people who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms except in disability and aged care industries which are high risk. Masks have also been scrapped on domestic flights. Warnings that you are still infectious after 5 days and the $750 COVID support payment for those without sick leave and ends in Sept will be reduced inline with this.
The Australian dollar continues to fall and is now in the 68 cent mark against the US$. meanwhile the housing market is falling due to another forcasted increase in interest rates.
Golfer world #2 Cam Smith has spoken for the first time about his defection to the "other LIV golf series". He says it's not all about the money ( but scheduling to allow him to return home to his family) . He will still be able to play in the Australian PGA and the Australian Open but not the Presidents Cup which he had qualified for.
There are growing debates to remove shark nets. Shark nets protect swimmers but are a hazard to marine life getting caught in them. NSW will continue to use them this summer where other states have banned them or use them year round. Why not use new technology eg drones.
Princess Diana is being remember although no offical crlebrations have been announced by the royal family as people leave flowers at the gates of Kensington Palace.
Police think they know where the body of Chris dawdon's wife Lynette is , somewhere on the central coast. Meanwhile Dawson will know when his sentencing day is and no bail has been applied for yet but he will be appealing his case.
The governments 2 day job summit is on starting today in Canberra.
An elderly couple in East Brisbane narrowly escaped injury and death when a 25 year old man crashed his car into their home meters from where they were asleep in their bedroom
Friday 2nd September 2022
Day off.
It is still overcast hard to believe it is Spring.
Today I am not working however I still have to lodge my fortnightly Centrelink income reporting, pay bills and submit my fortnightly timesheet for work.
The customer service manager is chasing me to see if I am well enough to return to work. No I am not and emailed her today to advise her . I may not be in the severe pain I was in during August but I am still not well enough to stand for long periods of time or work so far away from where I reside. I don't want the extra expense or stress from ensuring I make it to work on time or dealing with difficult customers along with everything else Myer throws at me which will aggravate my auto immune disorder ( overactive immune system).
Today I had to venture out to Macquarie Shopping Centre to get my weekly essential groceries. It is still a struggle for me eveytime I have to get essential grocery items. You may ask why I don't use online shopping and delivery options. After my Telstra fiasco where my money for my phone I ordered was taken and then my order cancelled and not being notified of it then spending days trying to get my refund , I don't trust online shopping and it's just an extra expense. There are goods and services you just have to do in person.
I love my seeded pesto vegetarian rolls I usually have from Lunburger but today they had a happy hour special where everything left was half price therefore I purchased a chicken seeded roll, a vege corner and a hazelnut chocolate swirl "dounut". I don't usually purchase the chicken seeded roll due to the manufactured meat and the vege corner was a first for me ( they asked if I wanted it heated up- no can't I eat it cold?) and it wasn't filled with vegetables but a tomato pesto of some sort - it was ok but I would not buy it again. As for the hazelnut chocolate "dounut" it was very greasy and pretty ordinary so again I would not buy it again - I don't usually buy their dessert products. I rate it and the vege corner a 6/10 .Very much nutella in a greasy deep fried dough and anyone can put tomato pesto in some puff pastry and call it a vege corner
I shopped at the usual Aldi Coles Woolworths at Macquarie shopping centre before catching the Metro back to Chstswood ( yes it was operating for once) .
As I waited for the bus ( there is no longer a time table the bus just turns up when it does at Chatswood) it was really windy and freezing cold and I was hoping that the bus would turn up soon as I did not have enough clothes on.
Home unpack groceries. Bed. Pretty boring day off really)
News headlines today include - well there was nothing much to report
COVID isolation is about to be reduced from 7 to 5 days in September nationally it has been decided and the Victorian government has decided to lift the work from home regulation to encourage workers to return to the office so the Melbourne ghost town CBD will to spring back to life.
Controversy in the football overnight over a final goal decision.
The government has demanded the transport union to sign the agreement by 5 pm and stop industrial disputes or they will rip up the deal. It's all about the safety of the new fleet of trains but work conditions are probably involved. Open gates at stations remain also infuriating the government.
The majority of Victorians apparently want to move/change the day of Australia Day. A vote to decide this is likely.
The 2 day job summit continues with the mention of thousands of visas for skilled migration still waiting to be processed.
Saturday 3rd September 2022
It's a very wet morning . Forecasted for the East coast of Australia right up to Brisbane up to 200 mm of rain could fall .
Today was a do nothing day and I did not venture out. I caught up on watching YouTube, my blog ( I will nrever catch up on this!) , watched the food channel, sorted my laundry , unclogged my sink - no idea why it just would not drain it's a hand washing tiny sink only and there is nothing that can actually clog it , changed my sheets and made an avocado dark chocolate mousse ( I just had to after watching Come Dine With Me where there was an epic fail!). I know why it was an epic fail - it was rock solid and tasted like acacado because they did not use some olive oil to loosen it and used too many avocados. They also did not use any kind of sweetening eg dates or enough cocoa powder or maple syrup to avocado ratio to sweeten it. They also used the wrong type of dark chocolate.
I also made a batch of marinated chicken wings and a fruit salad.
Bed early.
News headlines today include
AFL is back in Melbourne and the Sydney Swans wins the AFL game against The Demons last night! One game closer to the AFL grand final.
Frost, floods and freezing winds return in the first few days of Spring. La Nina looks to be returning.
Pensioners are now able to access an extra $4000 income credit without losing their pension for6 months only and the skilled migration scheme is opening up with an increase of 35000 migrants however there is still debate over whether to lower the minimum age of teenagers allowed to start work to 13 years old from the current 14 years and 9 months to help fill the labour shortage situation with a condition they can only work hours that done interfere with schooling.
21 year old Aussie Oscar Piastri has been confirmed to join the McLaren team for 2023 replacing the spot vacated by Daniel Richardo.
Putin snubs Gorbachev's ( who ended the cold war and later broke up the former Soviet Union) funeral eventhough he laid a bouquet of roses at his coffin sighting a busy schedule.
There are more concerns over the Queens health as she cancels yet another engagement due to mobility issues - the Braemar Gathering in Scotland which she has attended for the past 70 years - Prince Charles is to replace her . Rumours are emerging that The Palace is not revealing the real condition of the Queens health.
The Birdsville race track has been bogged down from the rain .
The US has approved a defence package to Taiwan given China's increased military presence in the region.
Brisbane's Riverfire Show is back on again although it is currently overcast but forecast to clear later today.
Jane Fonda has been diagnosed with Cancer.
The Roosters win over The Rabbitos in NRL .
Sunday 4th September 2022
Happy Fathers Day!
It rained overnight and is again overcast this morning.
I had to venture out yet again to complete my grocery shopping. This time I walked down to the other end of Chatswood to go to the larger Coles. On my way I stopped off at the largest Chemist Warehouse to stock up on mouthwash corestone cream and Aveeno body wash. Next stop was Kmart followed by JB HiFi to look at Samsung phones smart watches and then to Telstra. I hate how Samsung has made their smart phones so expensive and cut out a lot of the original features that were on their older smartphones in their range. All they are producing are smartphones with the best cameras and longest battery life - they no longer care about the pen function or extended storage capacity of the phones nor do they include chargers or ear buds with any of the phones . The base model of their latest fold or flip phone now costs $2000 upwards and that does not include a charger, ear buds and only the minimum capacity of memory which is no longer expandable. I spent quite a bit of time trying to find the last note with an expandable removable memory card. The Note 20 Ultra was the last Samsung phone that was produced with an expandable memory slot but JB HiFi did not have any in stock but when I inquired at Telstra downstairs they had 2 grey ones left.I have to think about it as they were still $999 each and only available in grey.
Onto Coles. No new products purchased to try today- oh no I forgot the bread and icing sugar. I tried to purchase a loaf of bread from Bakers Delight but they had closed and 2 staff were dumping all the unsold leftover bread and bread products. What a waste!
I decide to walk back up towards the station but decided to take a detour to Aldi to get some bread and pure icing sugar. No pure icing sugar but I did grab a loaf of wholemeal bread and $20 worth if change for laundry money.
I keep walking back towards the station and Woolworths Metro but instead of stopping at Woolworths Metro spotted the new TACO Bell which was now open. Now I haven't had Taco Bell for years and the last time I had it was probably in Vancouver whilst I was at a shopping centre a long way from downtown at the food court. I only ever order a bean burrito - too scared to try any of their protein products. I remember it never being any nice and only ever ate it if there was nothing else edible in a food court. So I ordered a Cali Chicken burrito ( who knows what type of burrito this actually is) using one of several contactless ordering machines. I initially wanted to leave off the sour cream and ranch sauce but then thought no just leave the burrito as it is. It cost $7.95. So what did I think of the Taco Bell Cali Chicken Burrito? Well there was something very Maccs KFC Tex Mex and possibly subway about it tastewise. Firstly it was a cold burrito. You can order a toasted burrito but it cost $2 more. So I didn't enjoy that. Secondly there was a lot of cheese ( luckily a mixture of 2 white cheeses and (not the plastic orange stuff ) lots of sour cream and ranch sauce which I was debating whether to leave off or not and very little of anything else like chicken, ( iceberg lettuce is no longer $16 a head so it was a bit stingey with what I got and same with the beans but any of the chicken that was present tasted so artificial it reminded me of the manufactured luncheon meat you get in the supermarket) beans or salad. Yes there was some avocado so what I saw on the contactless order machines is not really what I got. It tasted ok but nothing like Chipotle or G Y G burritos which are hot and filled with rice beans salsa and protein of choice and for a few dollars more I much more prefer. It didn't take long to get ready my order as this newly opened Taco Bell was fully staffed with mainly young employees ( who would not want to work for for a brand new fast food outlet?!) I rate Taco Bell a 5/10. Not something I would order again. Just another fast food outlet to join Maccas and KFC at Chatswood Station Concourse. This Taco Bell has seating like Maccas and queues are not as long as Maccas or KFC which are located around the corner. Taco Bell is located where the Zapp Variety dollar store used to be.
Home eat my burrito and go to sleep. My heater is still being used and I have a nice hot green tea.
Too lazy to do my laundry it's work again tomorrow and I will do it after work.
If you are wondering why I have not been attending any interesting events or travelling much it's not just because of my illness but bad weather and constant bus and train strikes as well as constant trackwork such as today's rail replacenent buses for both the Northern lines between Gordon snd Wynyard as well as the whole Metroline and add to that airport chaos lost luggage cancelled and delayed flights - not worth the risk stress and extra expense in the current economic conditions.
News headlines today include
NASA's Artemis rocket to the moon fails to launch a second time abandoned due to a continued hydrogen leak problem when they ran out of time performing a slow fill. It is now up in the air whether to dismantle the rocket from it's launch pad or leave it there. The launch will now be delayed until mid October way over budget with a cost of $4 million dollars per launch attempt. Their window of opportunity to launch is limited as Space X is due to launch their rocket in early October and there is an international space race on to be the first.
Serena Williams bows out after a 25 year tennis career at the US Open losing to an Australian
Final footy is in full swing with 91000 fans at MCG as Geelong defeats Collingwood.
A fire has destroyed a $24 million home in the lower Northshore.
DNATA baggage handling staff are planning to strike causing airport chaos around the world. DNATA is a separate organisation which supplies baggage handling staff to different airlines including Qantas.
Monday 5th September 2022
Work From Home (9.30 am - 5 pm )
News Headlines Today Include
Airport ground staff strike next Monday. DNATA (operated by Emerates ) baggage handlers outsourced by Qantas are taking planned industrial action for higher pay and better hours only being allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. International and domestic terminals will both be affected. Blame that this would not have happened if Qantas did not sack all their baggage handlers during COVID snd outsourced them.
Welfare recipients ( including carers) woll get an increase in their fortnightly payments to help with the increasing cost of living although this is thought to be not enough as it does not keep up with inflation or with the reintroduction of fuel excise taxes increasing the price of fuel in Sept. Between $25 and $60 will be the increase depending on type of welfare payment received and martial status ( single or couple). Commencing 20th Sept 22
Harry & Meghan return to the UK and will travel to Germany for their charities. Security and their schedule will be tight although it is unclear whether they will visit the Royal family.
Nick Kyrgios will play world # 1 Daniel Medevev at the US Open today. Even if he loses he will return to play doubles with his team mate to form the "Special Ks" again. All eyes are also on Aussie Tomljanovic who peviously defeated Serena Williams as well.
A shooting killing 10 and injuring others has occurred around Saskatchewan Canada where 2 men have been involved and on the run
There are calls to remove am artwork in Victoria with a Russian soldier hugging a Ukrainian soldier offensive.
Late Foo Fighters Taylor Hawkins' son Shane Hawkins has played drums with the remaining Foo Fighters members ( as a tribute to his late father).
On Pitt Street a tram and an ambulance have collided blocking the street off as a decision is made as to whether to move the tram back on the tracks or remove it
A missing experience cross country skiier left from Guthega on Saturday and has not been heard from since. Meanwhile a bus full of adults and children have sufferer injuries when it crashed between Jindabyne and Perisher.
Tuesday 6th September 2022
News headlines today include
A fire in Melbourne has killed a mother and injured 2 children as the father arrives home to find emergency crew .
The Harbour Tunnel has been blocked for a second time by an over high truck causing traffic delays and diversions of traffic to the Harbour Bridge.
More then 4000 Aussies have been stranded in Bali for upto a week as Jetstar cancels it's flights from the beginning of the month. Jetstar apologies and blames birds strikes, thunder storms and shortage of spare parts. Some can't even get to Bali others are just trying to get home at great expense. Passengers are angry with all the delays and cancellations and will not fly jetstar again no matter how cheap their fares are.
A nest of thousands of Ibis ( bin chickens) on both sides of a main highway in QLD . The chicks may seem cute but they stink and cause a hazzard to drivers as they try to avoid them as they swoop.
Harry and Meghan arrive in the UK and Meghan has made her first public speech at a charity in the UK since leaving royal life. They will then head to Germany for the next Invictus Games.
Brendan Fraser actor known for his role in The Mummy has made his first acting role in 10 years as an overweight gay recuse to a standing ovation.
Tom Cruise has done another death defying stunt dangling from a plane for Mission impossible.
Seekers Judith Durham's public memorial is on today in Melbourne and will be broadcasted on selected channels for those who cannot attend or could not obtain tickets.
Wayne Carey has dropped a bag of white powder whilst gambling at a Perth Casino which he claims is not illegal and was crushed up anti inflammatory which he claimed was his. The casino has banned him for 2 years from any casino and he has been stood down from any broadcasting comittments.
The Canberra 23 year old skiier that has been missing since Saturday is still missing as it reaches a 4th day. He was an experienced cross country skiier with a beacon and was carrying supplies for a day in the snow. Alarms were raised when his beacon failed to be detected and search and rescue alerted. The search continues from yesterday today. Tragically his body has now been found deceased.
SA properties have been alerted to look for strange markings on their fences mail boxes etc and to alert police and remove them straight away which may be code soeak for thieves. Houses targeted with 4 lines may mean the number of days thieves have been surveilencing their homes and NT means no threat eg no alarms or dogs hence an easier target for the thieves.
The Veronicas have hinted they have split forming their own solo careers after over a decade together.
Lizz Truss is the new 56 British PM after Boris Johnson stepped down. She is the 3rd woman in the role. Meanwhile it is important that Australia and the UK maintain a good relationship.
There was nother interest rate hike today in an attempt to curb inflation. The interest rate increased to 2.35% for 5th time in months.
Wednesday 7th September 2022
News headlines today include
Another strike, this time childcare centres are going on strike and thousands of childcare centres are closed around Australia. Parentsare urged to keep their children at home. Burnt out childcare workers earn a basic $24 per hour and deserve a pay rise for the amount of work they do.
The AUS$ has fallen below 68 cents against the US$. Meanwhile more interest rate rises are expected as high as 6% or 7 %
Passengers have continued to be stranded not just in Bali but Thailand and Hawaii due to cancelled Jetstar flights. Almost half of Jetstars fleet mainly Dreamliners have been out of service due to freak events and routine maintenance. Passengers have been vompensated with accommodation vouchers and only 180 passengers remain stranded in Bali and hopefully these will all be back in Australia soon .
Harry and Meghan arrive in Germany to a red carpet welcome for their Invictus Games public speaking event where the next Invictus Games are in a years time.
The Queen has been seen in public for the first time in a month with her walking stick looking well to see in the new British PM ( Lizz Truss) amd see out the old ( Boris Johnson).
There has been another mv crash on the Sydney Harbour Bridge where 3 cars have collided closing multiple lanes and so soon after the last 2 overhigh trucks blocking the Harbour Tunnel. Traffic is moving slowly so drivers have been warned to expect delays.
5 teenagers have died in a car crash South of Sydney when the driver an 18 year old who was the sole survivor of the car crash escaped almost uninjured as his car crashed into a tree .
Justin Beiber has cancelled allowing his concerts including his Australian tour as he continues to concentrate on his health.
AFL broacasting will continue to be broadcasted free to air due to a multibillion dollar deal for the next 7 years live on 7 7 plus fox and streaming.
The debate to change the date of Australia Day celebrations continue . Victoria city council wants it changed whereas AA has no plans to change it.
Thursday 8th September 2022
It's an overcast day but the sun is starting to come out by 7 am. Rain is forecasted lo ater today.
News headlines today include
New Apple gadgets are launched in California today. 4 watches 3 watches and airpods. Gadgets will have a health focus.
George Clooney and Julia Roberts hit the red carpet at the premier of their new movie filmed entirely in Australia. Ticket to Paradise a new romcom was filmed in Queensland on the Witsundays and Gold Coast to imitate Bali.
The teenager that drove the car that killed 5 teenagers from Picton has been charged and has been refused bale and to face court later today. It was found the 4 seater car had too many passengers and not enough seat belts. There were 3 girls and 2 boys that died.
The annual mid winter ball attended by politians was back on after a 2 year absence due to COVID to raise money for charity . Some that attended wore some controversial attire.
A man has been escorted off an already delayed flight from Bali as he was caught smoking on board the plane whilst waiting for the plane to take off. Meanwhile a man has bypassed security and boarded a Qantas flight between Sydney and Melbourne without being screened . Questions have been raised of how this could have happened and csused passengers on the flight to have to disembark.
In QLD the new Gold Coast Airport costing $260 million and several years in the planning has opened this morning with the first domestic flight just arriving. The Overseas flights will start using the airport in October.
Nick Kyrgios lost his match at the US Open and smashed 2 rackets before apologising to everyone for letting them down . He does have a leg injury but battled on.
The AUS$ is still falling against the US$ at just above 67 cents.
Wayne carey is suing Crown Casino for disability discrimination. The is not much the Casino can do about initiating an investigation into whether the actual bag of white powder was actually illegal as the bag is back in Carey's procession. Crown should have raised the alarm at the time of suspicion and contacted the police for example and not a day or two later.
Cathy Freeman's 11 year old daughter has sprinted to the finish line at a school carnival in Melbourne leaving her competitors way behind.
The Cambridge kids George Charlotte and Louis visit their new school ahead of their first day of school tomorrow. Meanwhile concerns about the Queens health continues as she looked frail during her meeting with the new British PM and on doctors orders told to rest cancelling her privy council meeting.
Wild weather is moving up towards the East Coast of Australia after SA was hit by a freak storm yesterday where 25 mm of rain fell in 30 minutes with hail causing flooding and a Woolworths roof collapsing in and force to close
Friday 9th september 2022
It was a very wild and wooly night last night with gale force winds and rain. Today it is still overcast grey wet and windy . Was this a sign of the breaking news this morning?
It cleared up later in the day with a clear dry night and a full moon above.
I ventured out in the early evening as I needed more moisturiser and cortesone cream as well as groceries. I eat a lot but mainly fruit veg chicken fish oats nuts dark chocolate etc. I snack a lot on seaweed and edamame and I try to drink a lot of green juice green tea and water to keep hydrated.
As a tribute to the Queen's passing today the sails of the Opera House are being lit up with a black and white image of the Queen from 7.30 pm to midnight tonight and from 6.30 pm to midnight tomorrow. ( photos below) . The lighting up of the sails was a little behind schedule but it still attracted a small crowd of people lining the Western side of Circular Quay along the foreshore between First Fleet Park and The Overseas Passenger Terminal. It is a beautiful black and white portrait of The Queen.
Outside St Andrews cathedral at Town Hall I was expecting a sea of floral tributes but all I saw were signs on the closed doors advising the service that was held at noon today and a small bunch of white flowers left to the side of the doors just near the purple signage that said healing centre or something like that.
It was a quick shop before seeing the Opera House sails lit up at Woolworths Town Hall then a longer larger grocery shop after viewing the sails of The Opera House lit up at Coles Express Wynyard Station before heading home via St Leonards Station by train and a stop off at Maccas for a filet o fish without the plastic orange processed cheese before waiting for the next bus home.
I watch the food channel and catch up encore episode of today's The Cook Up before going to sleep.
Leading news headlines today
Breaking news today The Queen Elizabeth II has died aged aged 96 at Balmoral after 70 years of reign and just 48 hours after seeing in the new UK PM in and the oud prime minister out. Flags around the world half mast. 14 days of morning will follow and the sitting of parliament will cease until October. AA has address the nation with a tribute to her. She has visited Australia 16 times between rd dr and and 2011. Prince Charles and Duchess of Conwall now become King Charles III and Queen Consort ( does not have quite the same ring to it and will take some time to get used to) .
What happens to our currency? The Mint has it under control as our currency changes from the Queens head to the new Kings head with new coinage released in the next few weeks. ( I better stash some more notes away)
Saturday 10th September 2022
It is still overcast this morning but the sun is trying hard to peep out.
Today was another do nothing day. I did my laundry which took forever to dry and made myself some marinated tofu and chicken thighs with blanched brocollini.
I watched channel 7's coverage of Tributes To The Queen and went to sleep early.
News headlines today include
It was the end of an era yesterday but the start of a new one. King Charles III makes his first touching speech as the new King of England. The Kings Speech where he acknowledges his mother The late queen for her dedication to service and family. Including the plans for the future of the monarchy where his title now becomes King Charles III, his former titles The Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales will now be handed over to his son where Prince William and his wife Catherine will now become The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince and Princess of Wales ( not automatically transferred over) . Charles also wishes his other son Harry and his wife Meghan the best as they continue their life overseas. He ends his speech with as his mother's final journey to join his father with a simple Thank You to his late mother The Queen.
Charles fronted the crowds with well wishers touching and even breaking royal protocols by kussing him.
God Save The King was sung at a church service for the first time.
In Australia small changes will gradually be phased out and in. The Queens Court will be changed to The Kings Court and by 2023 currency with the Queens head on it will be phased out and new currency with the Kings head on it will be phased in.
Other news today include
Alan Joyce CEO of Qantas has been under fire for getting a payrise despite the company struggling last year.
Another new Hollywood block buster secured to be filmed on the Gold Coast to star Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth.
A man has managed to swindle $72 000 of life savings from a woman he lured into a pub and whilst she was dancing by setting up gambling bets.
Sunday 11th September 2022
If the Queen can be tech savvy so can I. Instead of signing a condolence book like I did when Princess Diana died, I decided to send a message of condolence via an online book of condolences today. No I did not save what I wrote , i just submitted it.
I was a little too late but made it to the Proclaimation ceremony outside Parliament House which didn't actually start until all the dignitaries arrived. It was a very short but moving ceremony. Where it began with a Welcome To Country sperch God Save The King was Sung and The Australian National Anthem followed by the swearing in of the NSW Premier and other parlimentary representatives of the King. A 96 gun salute followed ( I was unconvinced that there was actually 21 guns fired from Government House it seemed too short) and ending with a police band playing. We were then invited to head down to the gates of Government House to view or place the sea ( it was more like a river not a sea) of floral tributes to The Queen. When I arrived the viewing was delayed as we were advised one of the gun shots did not fire and for safety reasons we had to wait for the OK from the technician before we could proceed. I took a few photos before wallingback past the Opera House to Circular Quay ( I will be back at The Royal Botanic Gardens next week) and boarding the next ferry to Barangaroo from Wharf 5. It takes so long to get there!
.jpg)
Thst's the NSW Premier behind the pillar
The ferry stops at Milsons Point McMahons Point Balmain East before stopping at Barangaroo. From there it was a long walk to The Cutaway at Baragaroo where the Big Design Market was being held. I only had 2 hours or so left to spend there as it clisedat 5 today and it was it's final day. I had looked on the website and viewed the exhibitors list. There was a nice checkered top from Read & Bell I think it was called for $64,50 online which was available at the Big Design Market - well so I thought. There was only 1 sized large left in the blue and white checks and it was $85. I loved it but after looking at it 2 or 3 times and going away and returning and also asking questions about it and whether there were any other sizes left abandoned my decision to purchase it and purchased the same top in a M navy instead as there were no smalls left in any shirts or blouses. It was very light weight which I liked and long sleeved . Due to my skin being as bad as it is I keep my body covered up and try to wear only cotton materials as wool and any synthetic materials irritate my skin. I asked the smallholder if the shirts can be put into the machine - yes but the checked one had to hand washed on it's own or it will run. zi then pointed out the big difference in price online and at the market showing her the website. She sold me the navy shirt for the online price. I liked the shirt but just hope the quality is ok. Besides my snack this was my only purchase from The Big Design Market.
Now let's tall about my snack. I was fairly disappointed at the variety and quantity of food available at these markets. Custard and jamfilled donuts and Portuguese tarts as well as a gourmet ice cream truck were the main desserts. Not very adventurous as these are available at most markets ( these brand of Portugese tarts are at the Chatswood markets every week and have been there for years!) .There were quite a few gin and other alcoholic beverage stalls and even a blue truck. Teas and coffee was available. There was this stall selling $5 per can nitro tea which I sampledbut ended up not purchasing as it was not very nice - great that there was no sugar in ihetea at all but it was so full of tannins you could not taste the citrus flavours at all with feedback from one customer who had expected it to be more citrus in flavour. The other concern bv I had was the nitrogen in the cans of tea - surely this can't be good for you and when I asked about possible explosions was told they are shelf stable for 24 months just keep them away from the sun. I decided no not for me. So onto my little snack well there was not much left Bloomfields pies had totally sold out. They always do everytime I attend an events they are at. It was only a choice of Fishbowl or Vietnamese. Not knowing if the fish in the Fish Bowls was raw or cooked , Vietnamese it was - I I ordered a coconut chicken banh mi for $14. I could not decide spring rolls or Banh mi. I went for the Banhmias it was cheaper and easier to eat standing up due to lack of seating . It was still so crowed at 3 pm . So what did I think. Service was relatively quick compared to ordering the pho or spring rolls . I was luck to even get my banh mias shortly after I ate mine, they were sold out of the coconut chicken banh mi. The chicken tasted like coconut but there wasn't enough of it. A few more sprigs of coriander would have been good and too much sauce shredded carrot and cucumber . The ratio of veg to meat was 3 to 1. I hope there wasn't fish sauce in it as I am allergic to shellfish which can be oresentin fish sauces. I rate my coconut chicken banh mi a 6/10. The person standing next to me was eating a grilled cheese sandwich - where did she get that from I wondered ? I want one ( as I was still hungry). When I found the stall selling them they too were all sold out. Someone had just purchased the last pineapple relish and cheese toastie.
I took some last photos of the markets and had a last look around . Next stop is a walk back to Barangaroo Wharf and onto Darling Harbour as there is no connecting ferry there. So many kms walked today. I think I am ready for next week's fun run ( more about that in another blog).
My final event to attend today was the "Korea Welcomes You 2022" where if you register for a free ticket for the event you can get a free drink bottle and once you get to the event you can go into a draw to win a trip to Korea. This event was pretty disappointing as they had given all their drink bottles away yesterday so anyone that had previously registered did not get one ( you were only suppose to get one if you registered online for a free ticket to attend) . Inside the 6 m cube the images were pretty bad as well so I went in and stayed a few minutes then left. There was still a queue of people to get in but I did not enter the competition.
Onto my final and most important stop grocery shopping for items on my shopping list that were unavailable in my previous shop some still unavailable at Woolworths Town Hall.
A train home from Town Hall to St Leonards then a long wait for the first bus home.
Groceries unpacked I watch some tv before going to bed.
Work tomorrow.
News headlines today include
It's a beautiful day today perfect for the proclamation ceremonies of the new King - King Charles III . It's been 70 years since the pomp and ceremony which for the first time in thousands of years was open up to the media and public to witness overnight. The secret business of turning prince and princesses into kings and queens is no longer. Every current and former PM was present at the ascension ceremony. Prince William by his fathers side.
Prince William Kate Prince Harry and Meghan united together as the fab four for the first time in public in 2 years meeting and greeting people taking and looking at the sea of flowers messages and tributes. It was a surprise invitation by William to his brother to join him and a surprise appearance.
The Queens 3 youngest children were also out and about together and Princess Eugene broke down whilst out and about with her father Andrew sister Princess Beatrice and cousin Zara Tindall .
The new UK PM was re- sworn in as well as the rest of government . Australia will have it's own proclamation today starting in Canberra with each state having their own proclamation ceremonies.
In Sydney there is free public transport to encourage people to attend the 12.30pm proclamation ceremony. There is an increase in police presence in the Royal Botanic Gardens where the floral tributes are and around Parliament House where the proclaimation ceremony will be.
The Brownlow medal ceremony has been moved as not to clash with the Queens funeral which will be on Monday 19th September 2022.
AA has declared a one off public holidayon Thursday 22nd September 22 .
The Queens coffin has now moved from Balmoral towatds Edinburgh. It will be a long journey of more then 6 hours as it makes way in a convoy passing and stopping through villages in Scotland where the Queen was parry of the community.
Other news headlines today include
4 teams remain in the AFL grand finals including Collingwood ( do I really care?)
3/4 of the deaths from COVID occurred in nursing homes this year more then in 2020 and 2021.
There was a firefighter stair climb challenge at Crown Casino in Melbourne today to rsise money for charity.
A boat with a group of over 50 year old bird watching women has capsized and 5 have died. It is believed it collided with a whale off the coast of NZ.
QLD tolls raise over $1 million in revenue per day which is likely to rise $2 million in revenue per day.
Australian mixed doubles wins grand slam title in US Open.
The Rabbitos were too good for the Roosters and win the NRL game. ( now this I do care about)
Monday 12th September 2022
Today I tried to have a shower and brush my teeth. The water pressure was so low I though something was wrong with the pumbing in the system. Later I hear that there is a burst water main in Lane Cove causing havoc to traffic on the news. My tap and shower was down to a drizzle where I could hardly brush my teeth.
It's not 9 30 am yet and I get a text from work to call them if I am working today.
I'm starting work at 10 am this morning as I am running a little behind time due to water pressure problem I am having. I just read how bad the burst water main is. It burst on Saturday morning and is still gushing water out over the main freeway in Lane Cove and still has not been fixed. since Saturday. That's 3 days that some suburbs have not had any water for! Businesses have had to close as they have had no water. 10 suburbs in the lower north shore are affected by the burst water main and even bus services have been delayed as they were unable to pass the gushing water.
If I had known this I would not have done my second load of laundry to conserve water.
News headlines today include
The Queens coffin makes it's 6.5 hour drive from Balmoral through Scotland to Edinburgh finally arriving at Hollyrood House where it will stay for 24 hours for residents of Scotland to pay their respects before being flown to England. Coverage of the Queens death continues.
The US remembers the 21st anniversiary of Sept 11 th with s memorialled by president Biden.
Arsene is suspected and responsible for that fire of a multimillion mansion in the Northshore as a man is seen running from the scene in footage and a flare on cctv vision.
Tuesday 13th September 2022
News headlines today include
The burst water main in Lane Cove is still unfixed and gushing.
The Queens coffin has arrived in Edinburgh where King Charles was reunited with his siblings and all of the Queens 4 children have followed the coffin and stood around the casket where the Scottish crown was placed on it and the doors of St Giles cathedral opened allowing the public to view the casket and pay respect to her. Harry pays trubute to his grandmother for the first time. Meanwhile King Charles has allowed Prince Andrew to wear his military uniform at The Queens funeral however Prince Harry won't be allowed. There is a royal tour planned for Australia although it is likely to be Wills Kate & their 3 children first rather then King Charles himself.
The Emmys are on again with 3 Aussies nominated
The Logies are back on channel 7 again . The last time channel 7 broadcasted the Logies was back in the 1990s . No word yet of where the Logies will be held or hosted but the date has been set for 18th June next year.
A police pursuit of a car for 3 hours through Melbourne has ended up in a compromisong position with a couple found having sex in the car. The man was questioned by police as the woman was free to go.
Tickets to the AFL grand final held in NSW have sold out. There was contraversy over the 50 50 split of tickets allocated to each grandfinal team. Extra tickets may come on sale .
There is a housing summit in QLD as housing crisis in QLD continues.
The burst water main in Lane Cove was repaired by Sydney Water but has burst again and continues to gush water over the freeway leaving residents still without water again I have yet to see if the water pressure where I live has been affected again. Yesterday I filled up a tub with water in the shower just in case ).
Wednesday 14th September 2022
Today starts off as a relatively dry but partly overcast day.
News headlines today include
The Queen's coffin arrives by plane back to London and to Buckingham Palace where it will remain overnight. It will be the final time the Queen returns to Buckingham Palace where she hasn't resided at for quite some time. She won't be alone overnight , she will have the company of a rotation of chaplins in contemplation before her coffin takes the 38 minute walk to Westminister where she will remain in state for 4 days for the public to pay their respects before her funeral. It is expected that hundreds of thousands possibly a million people will file through to view her coffin to pay their respects to the Queen most waiting hours (estimated 13 hours wait ) even days just to do so. Anne makes the Queen's final wish to accompany her all the way back to England. 10 lucky Australians who have made significant contributions to the community have been chosen to accompany the PM to attend the Queen 's funeral.
Other news headlines include
Star Casino may lose their gambling license snd havebeen given 2 weeks to explain why they should not be shut down over criminal and money laundering activities. Administrators will move in on the casino if they are unable to provide an explanation for their illegal activities and management of the casino. 8000 jobs are at risk of being lost.
Australia has approved a new updated MRNA vaccine by Moderna which combats the original strain of COVID as well as its variants which can be used as a booster shot. This vaccine has already been used overseas in the UK.
Hundreds of travellers are still stranded not just in Balibut in Japan and Hawaii still due to cancellation of more Jetstar flights. Some have been stranded since last week without food as they had evening flights and the shops had all closed at the airport and due to COVID quarantine rules and regulations transiting in specific areas of airports.
There has been a call in QLD to have a underground rail line to be named The Elizabeth Line.
Another la nina warning as sand bagging begins in QLD this weekend. Flood warnings are already underway. Storm and flood warnings as well as strong winds forecasted for Eastcoast.
A first case of measles has been detected in Sydney from a person who has been overseas and who has been to NSW University and Pacific Fair in the Eastern suburbs.
AA will discuss the continuation of COViD support payments today.
Lift soft drink will disappear off the shelves by the end of this year. It's been around since the 1970s but will be replaced with Sprite lemon .
The opal card readers will be turned off until further notice as thetransport disputeremains unresolved.
The US stock market plummeted today causing the Australian stock market to follow. Only a handful of stocks rose with hardest hit being tech stocks like Xero. Meanwhile the AUS$ continued to fall against the US$ to $0.67. Why - all due to one word "Inflation". Also fuel is dirt cheap at the moment in Australia but very soon it will sky rocket back up as the date for the return of the fuel excise tax looms ie on Sept 29th 2022.
The burst water main in Lane Cove that has been gushing water since Saturday morning has now been repaired. Any households still having trouble with water supply are to contact Sydney water and customers are being offered a credit off their water bills.
Thursday 15th September 2022
Work 9.30 am - 4.15 pm ( no break finished earlier)
It was quite a nice day until around 3.30 pm when it turned overcast then started to pour with rain. I finished work today at 4.15 pm as there wasn't that much more to do in the end and I have to go into town to pick up my race kit tonight at Town Hall for Sunday's Blackmores Running Festival. I would rather do it tonight and get it out of the way so don't have worry about it on Friday or Saturday. I also need to do some more urgent grocery shopping as I am running out of food and moisturiser again.
I take the bus to St Leonards Station then a train to Town Hall. It is raining and getting heavier. By the time I reach Town Hall it is dark and pouring with rain as well as peak hour. I quickly make my way to Lower Town Hall where the race expo was to pick up my race kit. There was a long queue and it was only the first of 3 days of the race expo. I thought Thursday night would be the quietest night but I was wrong. Although the queue was nowhere as long and can't be compared to the kms long queue and hours waiting time to pay respects to the queen in her coffin, lining upjust to pick up my racebib certainly felt like it particularly as you enter via the entrance down to the lower Town Hall.
It was a really wet night I did not expect to have to queue but i had to
Joining the queue. It continues in below photo.
There was a long queue tonight the first day of the 3 day race expo just to collect your race bib then you had to test your timing chip was working as bib numbers were not preallocated this year and no wrist bands were pre allocated for pre ordered catering as well. It was then a weave through past allthe merchandise stalls to get to the exit. Before the exit there was a display of canned drinks for purchase at the end of the marathon half marathon and bridge run. A chance to win a box of it too by scanning the QR code. A closer look showed it was actually beer. Why would you run a fun run then drink a beer to rehydrate? Alcohol would dehydrate you. The craft beer could not be sold at The Recovery Villageas it is not licensed and certainly not due to being a family fun run event. Water coconut water juice & energy drinks after a run but beer??
Timeto ddo some grocery shopping aWoolworths Town Hall olbut because it was late and Idid not want to cook when I got home I treated myself to a snack on my way home. It had to be seafood of some sort.
Home on the next 144 bus home I just missed a bus and thought I would have to wait ages for the next one but I didn't. Still a miserable night.
Sleep end of another day.
News headlines today include
The Queens coffin on a gun carriage has left Buckingham Palace in a long 38 minute to the minute convoy led by King Charles Princess Anne Andrew Edward Prince William and Prince Harry marching behind it to Westminster Hall where a short service was held before it will lay in state for the next 4 days & 5 nights for the public to pay their respects before she is taken to her final resting place at her funeral. People lined up for hours just to see her coffin . 500 port a loos have been set along the queue route which is 4 km long through the city with a security airport style check point set up . It is the same route as Princess Diana's funeral 25 years ago.
Other news headlines today include
Well they are rather boring actually -
Melbourne first cruise ship in 2 years docks at it's port to celebrations.
Train strikes continue in Sydney with Opal card machines switched off indefinitely. Industrial action plans to start next Wednesday.
James Herd is in talk with a possibility to return as coach to the currently coachless Essendon team.
The AUS$ is still hovering around the 67.5 cent mark against the US$. Which means my foreign currency is doing well. However my Myer shares are only worth 61 cents per share which is down a cent today - at least it's not worth half of that anymore!
More interest rate rises to combat inflation. I don't get it how can increasing interest rates constantly curb inflation? It only creates mortage stress and rising cost of living stress.
Meanwhile energy and fuel costs continue to rise although drivers are advised to fill up now where the cost of fuel as low as $1.47 per litre but due to skyrocket when the fuel excise exemption ends in late September ( and train strikes continue).
Friday 16th September 2022
Day off.
After a miserable pouring with rain night, today the sun is peeping out forecasted to be a sunny 24 degrees today.
Today was grocery shopping day again since quite a few items were unavailable last night and I didn't buy a lot as it was poring with rain. Today it was a trip to Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Aldi , Target and Coles at Chatswood today.
First stop return my bottles for recycling. Next recharge my Opal card which was down to $1.44 - I think I have been ripped off again as I always am but I can't be bothered to ring up each time I know there has been an overcharge on my Opal card - If I go back a few years I am sure I would probably be entitled to $100 in refunds due to overcharges resulting from technical tap machine errors
At Target the Christmas decorations are already coming out along with the Halloween decorations which is not until October! Talk about inflation. I collect the Hallmark Keepsake Father Christmas series and i think this year is series 19. In Australia you have to be quick to get one of these as they are very limited and I have only ever seen them imported to Target every year. One year target did not import them so mycousin in Canada got me one for Christmas as a gift. Talk about inflation last year the keepsake cost $30 or $35 Australian , this year it was $45 Australian!!!!!!
With not even 2 bags of groceries it was time to make my way back to the bus stop and home. It was still oe as k hour however Imissed a bus and it was another very long wait for the next one due to bus driver shortages.
I missed the beginning of The Cook Up but managed to watch enough of it to see what the guests were cooking. I then watched 8 Out of 10 does Countdown before falling asleep.
News headlines today include
Roger Federer has announced he is retiring from tennis due to a continuing knee injury. His last ATP tennis tournament will be in London.
Airport chaos starts again as school holidays start.
The AUS$ is back to 67 cents against the US$. Meanwhile the unemployment rate has rose to 3.5 % up 0.1% however wages have not risen inline with inflation. The Australian stock market remained steady after Tuesday's plummet.
Australia's famous brand of pies sold at football matches for decades has been snatched up by a HK private equity firm for a estimated $500 million - another iconic Aussie brand no longer Australian owned headed offshore.
The Eels football team has been accused for nepotism.
There is now almost an 8 km queue and a 9 hour wait to see the Queens casket at Westminster Hall which means people will be queuing through the night.The guards surrounding the coffin change every 15 - 20 minswith military precision.
The royals are scattered out and about meeting and greeting people who have come to pay their respects and to read and view their floral tributes. William and Kateare out at Sandringham where William has admitted how difficult it was walking behind The Queens coffin bought back memories of him walking behind his mothers coffin 25 years ago and how Kate showed how much she loved babies. Sophie countess of Wessexwas also out and about whereas Charles is having a day off possibly working and preparing for the funeral ahead. He will be heading to Wales with Camilla. No news of what Harry and Meghan are doing but Harry will now be allowed to wearhis military uniform for the vigil where he and Andrew were not during the walk behind the coffin to Westminster.
Saturday 17th September 2022
A nice day this morning although forecasted for 24 degrees c with showers.
I ventured out again today but late in the afternoon to get a few last minute things for the race tomorrow and I had to get a chicken burrito with chimi mayo on the side from GyG in Lane Cove. I just had to take a walk down there as I had not been to Lane Cove Shops for a while and it was good practice for the race tomorrow ( timing).
At Aldi I received a phone call from an ex bus buddy who has retired from her career as a travel agent. She had dialed the wrong number again. She always does this.
Home and sleep. Race day tomorrow. Always thinking about getting to the start line in time - train strike buses not showing up etc - it has happened in the past where I have missed the race completely.
News headlines today include
The NSW premier wants to relinquish land and reallocate it to canberra and reaching out fort he state borders to be redrawn.
Eel ( Parramatta) wins its match over raiders ( Canberra) booking a spot toplay the Cowboys in QLD. Meanwhile it is a bog weekend for both NRL and AFL football as to which teams will be playing in the grad finals. Tonight The Sydney Swans verse Collingwood Magpies in AFL in the booked out game at the Sydney Cricket Ground in NSW
More interest rate rises but there is a suggestion to rise taxes to decrease the government's debt.
People that queued for over 10 hours to pay respect to The Queen laying in state at Westminister received a surprise when all 4 of the Quern's children dressed inn full military uniform silently made their way for a second vigil standing for 20 minutes of silence guarding their mother's coffin led by King Charles. A second vigil is planned when all 8 of the Queens grand children will hold their own vigil. The gates closed to the queue of people waiting to pay theirrespects to the Queen with a queue to queue to see the Queen. The wait time in the queue for is now 24 hours in rather cold conditions and some may not even get to see her.
Sunday 18th September 2022
Blackmores 20th Anniversiary Running Festival ( after 2 years of cancellations it's finally back live)
This morning I got up at 5 pm as I had not packed my backpack or prepared for the Family Fun Run today. Because I did not know how the food from my pre order would be, I decided I needed an after race food and drink plan just in case my preorder was lost or the food is not good or insufficient. So glad I had that plan in place.There is always fruit water some type of electrolyte drink at The Recovery village but we weren't issued with wristbands this year for preorders so it took much longer then usual to get your pre order and when I received mine which was a sausage sizzle it was not sufficient or good. After finishing a race you don't want to have to queue up for ages just to get food or drink. It was a total rip off I paid over 2 years ago for a sausage sizzle at $8 each normally you get a nice fat hot off the bbq sausage with the option of onions, this year it was a long thin sausage with some onion hidden deep beneath it buried by an oversized roll which was slightly warm but not hot, probably having sat around for a while. I felt the effect of shinkflation . After I finally received my preorder and ate it , there was an even longer slower moving queue for preorders that snaked across the recovery village. There were no queues to get food at the catering project tent stalls except if you wanted coffee so it would have bern better for me to just purchase food and drink on the spot and cheaper as well.
I took a few photos from start to finish of the Family Run but my videos I have uploaded onto my YouTube channel probably tell a better story of my run. Apologies for the unsteady bits. I did not take any notice of how long it took me to finish the 3.5 km race but I estimate around 30 minutes - I swear the racecourse is getting shorter and shorter for this Family Run! At one stage it used to be 4 km.
The finishing medal actually swivels. Net finishing time was 30.38 minutes. Not my best time but if I had not stopped to take photos and walked the course so I could video I could have beat my personal best time easily.
All bun and less hot dog
The crowds of finishers below and the marathon runners still trickling in to the Opera house forecourt finishing line.
The Recovery Village
The Family Run finishing line
After an estimated hour at the recovery village where I ate my sausage sizzle, a cup of water, another bottle of water,a coconut water a banana a protein bar, some nuts and had a look around grabbing anotherbottle of water and coconut juice I walk with thousands of other race finishers to Circular Quay Station where the marathon was still in progress and we have to wait forgaps gin between race participants to cross as not to interfere with their finishing timings.
It was then Circular Quay to Wynyard on a train ( oops I went to the wrong platform) I change onto anther train to St Leomards then wait for a bus home. I was tempted to stop off at KFC or Maccas or the local IGA but it was not even 11am so went straighthome and watched tv and had a snack and a sleep.
After a snack sleep and a shower, I ventured out in the late afternoon early evening and took a walk down to Lane Cove to go grocery shopping again! With items still missing off my shopping list I gave it another go to try and complete my grocery shopping.
Duck breasts are on special again . I had to have that. I also purchased some snapper fillets. It's the first time I am trying them as I usually purchase salmon barramundi or murray cod. It was getting late so I made my way home after my shop at Coles. I walked home and did not catch the bus. I think on a Sunday night I would have had to wait forever alone in the dark for a bus.
Another snack when I arrived home some tv and catch up on my blogas well as upload my videos onto YouTube then sleep as I am working tomorrow.
A great day of exercise. I had messaged via Facebook an ex work colleague who usually does the Bridge run for charity but this year she is in the US so missed it. She has been in the US for 3 weeks but hopes to come back to austral iui a soon.
News headlines today include
The Queen's grand children held a vigil today.
And something about train strikes may not be going ahead as fair work commission intervenes between the rail and bus union and NSW government. Whatever . Travel is free for all race participants today anyway and no track work over the Harbour Bridge and Northern Lines for once! Buses did terminate at North Sydney today though due to the Harbour Bridge being closed until at least 2pm today for the running festival.
Monday 19th September 2022
Work from home (9.30am - 5.30 pm)
The Queen's ( Elizabeth II ) Funeral
News headlines today include
Patrick Cripps wins the Brownlow medal in last night's celebrations which was bought forward a night as to not clash with the Queens guneral.
The Sydney Swans take on Geelong Cats in the AFL grand final.
Queues are extremely long again at the airport as Qantas announces a better financial result . With a record of cancelled and delayed flights and lost luggage Qantas claims it is doing alright with customer satisfaction ratings. Feedback from passengers have been mixed - waiting for school holiday chaos at the airport.
Welfare recipients will see an increase in their payments as of tomorrow to assist with the raising cost of living although some have said that it is not enough in line with inflation and raising interest rates.
Taiwan has experienced a 6.8 magnitude earth quake with students playing sport in an indoor gym running as the roof collapses.
William and Kates 2 eldest children will attend the Queens funeral today. Meanwhile the queue to see the Queens laying in state at Westminster has closed leaving some disappointed. It is still several hours before the area will be closed off to the public for the procession of the Queen's coffin to her final resting place. A minutes silence will take place. Meanwhile King Charles III has held a reception for 500 dignitaries yesterday.
Canterbury Ice Rink which opened back in 1971 maybe forced to close due to rust falling from the old plane hanger shed's roof which may collapse. If the rink closes it will leave only 1 remaining olympic sized skating rink and 50 years of history destroyed.
Mask mandates on public transport and share rides are to be scaped next week.
A burst water main in Perth has created a huge sink hole swallowing up a car.
A car has exploded into flames in a carpark at Liverpool Westfield West of Sydney.
Tuesday 20th September 2022
Work from home (10 am - 5.30 pm.)
Today I was crashed by a work collegue twice. If I work on something she will work on it as well.
I started work later today as my skin was really bad overnight peeling really badly and very itchy. Rain is coming I think.
Today the wind is howling outside. It calms during the day but howls again in the evening. I don't know if it's that cold but I have my heater on most of today.
There was a bit of yelling outside in the hallway this morning. It sounded like a female resident shouting at a male to "Get Out!" repeatedly. I can hear a male talking on his mobile phone as well. Nobody took the bins out last night but they did wake up early this morning and took them out before the garbos came to empty them. It gets light very early now.
So difficult to sleep there is always construction going on outside on the main highway almost every night into the early hours of the morning and there is always loud voices coming from either outside the apartment building or possibly within the apartment building. I often wake up around midnight and watch the food channel. No wonder all the front and side units keep their blinds shut 24/7 and use what looks like cardboard to cover their windows up to try and sound proof them.
News headlines today include
The Queen has finally been laid to rest at St Georges Chapel Windsor and finally joining her husband Prince Phillip after a long curated 9 hour funeral procession including taking the back roads so more of the public could view her, ended in a commital service. Her coffin lowered after the crown and sceptre is removed from the top of the coffin which is adorned with flowers King Charles selected from the gardens of different royal residences and were at her wedding and a simple notefrom him. The wand is broken by the Lord Chamberlain to symbolise the end of her era of reign before her coffin is lowered into the family vault. Her 2 corgis and favourite favourite pony were there to greet her outside her final resting place . Millions turned out along the funeral route just to get a glimpse of the funeral procession and the Queens casket as it made it's rather long walk to Windsor. Princess Charlotte 7 and Prince George were both present at their "gan gan's" funeral. Hundreds of dignitaries around the world attended making their way in buses to mimimise congestion except for the US president Joe and his wife Jill Biden who were given permission to arrive via the back door in their bedroom private jet and "the beast" at a state service. There were very few celebrities invited and present. Sandra Oh and Bear Gryles for example were there representing their country or foundation/charity/ services to and not because of their celebrity status.
Other news headlines today include
Mask mandates on waiting areas, publictransport tand share rides will be scraped in SA today with NSW to follow tomorrow and other states encouraged to follow. Masks are still required in hospitals clinics and aged care facilities.
The flags are back up to full mast on the Harbour Bridge.
A 7.6/7 earthquake on the Richter scale has rocked West Mexico causing damage and Tsunami warnings are now in place.
The stubborn dolphin that managed to sneak into shark nets at Botany Bay and not leave has now been released back into the ocean with specialist divers cutting a hole in the net to encourage the dolphin to swim away.
Wednesday 21st September 2022
Work from home
News headlines today include
Now that the Queen has finally been laid to rest after 2 weeks the world hoes on.
Paris Hilton's chiwawa has run awayfrom home so she has offered a reward to anyone that finds Diamond Baby.
Matgot Robbie has made fairy bread and turned it into a birthdaycskefor Jimmy Falon's birthday on his tv show.
The fuel excise tax exemption is about to end and drivers are warned to look out for fuel price gouging. Prices for fuel should increasegradually as thereis a stockpile ( 700million litres of cheap fuel) m of fuel in reserves however the price of fuel has been seen as high as $2 a litre as school holidays begin. Prices should not rise more the 23 cents per litre and the consumer watch dog is monitoring petrol stations that do the wrong thing.
A new era and a new king and will Harry and Meghan rejoin the royal family?
A crash has occurred outside of bacchus marsh where a school bus carrying 33 passengers collided with a truck where 1 child has been injured.
It's football grand final weekend at the MCG with the Swans verses Cats.
AA returns to Australia from the UK after the Queens funeral. A national memorial will be held in Canberra at Parliament House on the one off public holiday. It is also a footy public holiday on Friday for VIC and a public holiday in WA for Queens birthday long weekend.
No more public transport mask mandates today for NSW after QLD and SA drop their mask mandates. VIC is reluctant to follow suit as well as Canberra
Wild weather is back for the South East Coast of Australia with cold snap winds rain storms hail set to hit today but it will not last and this wild weather will pass offshore . La Nina hits again!
The Royal Melbourne Show returns tomorrow after a 2 year absence for 2 weeks. Thousands of people are expected to attend this over 170 year show however there are capacity caps.
There will be more interest rises forecasted although smaller increases. Meanwhile employment rates remain low and the AUS$ continues to drop to 66 cents against the US$.
Labor committed to increase nursing staff in NSW.
Thousands of customers have complained about poor service and phone drop outs. 30000 complaints were lodged about telecommunications in the last year .
It's snake season.
Tennis stars arrive for the Laver Cup in London including Rod Laver himself.
Thursday 22nd September 2022
Day Off
National Day of Morning (One Off Public Holiday)
You csn't see it but not only is it very wet outside but windy as well.
After the last few days of windy weather , it has become an overcast day and it rained quite heavily in the early hours of the morning. It is still very windy outside very grey wet and I even felt a bit cold overnight and still have my heater on this morning. As La Nina returns for a 3rd time hail and wild winds could hit Southern QLD which is also very wet . NSW and QLD are on wind & flood watch again. These strong winds have caused delayed and cancelled Qantas flights in and out bound at Sydney airport.
So much to do today. It's a sleep in, stay in & soup day today.
Breakfast is a backing dish filled with chopped upbits of any bread I had left in thiscase soy bread topped with cream cheese dollops, cherry tomatos cut up, black beans mixed herbs eggs and chopped up rosemary. It was so yummy.
The normal things laundry dishes rubbish out etc. I didn't do my laundry but did do the dishes and took my rubbish out.
It stopped raining but I needed groceries again and was hungry so ventured out around 5 pm. I had looked up what was open today in Chatswood and the opening hours. I did not bring my bag of bottles for recycling as the convienence store in Chatswood never has the correct opening and closing hours online , because I have been caught out before and had to carry my bag of bottles everywhere with me because the store was suppose to be open but was closed when I turned up , I did not want to risk it. I thought the Chatswood Mall markets were on as there was no indication online it was not on and had planned to get some dinner there however when I arrived at Chatswood there were no markets so I made do with a California roll from Sushi World as a snack. I did not bother going to Aldi or Coles as Westfield closed at 6 pm instead of 9 pm and only did a very quick shop at Woolworths Metro. And just as well as the heavens really opened up just before I was coming out of Woolworths. It poured with rain but the rain was short lived and lightened up a little but it was still raining. I made my way straight home waiting for the next 144 bus. There were quite a few people waiting for that bus. Thatwas the quickest full grocery bag shop i have ever done about an hour including return travel all up. This was partly due to not wanting to be stuck in the eye of a storm if it happens and partly because there was just items on my shopping list that were unavailable and substitutes were expensive or unsuitable. I just grabbed what I could as well as another $4 in laundry money ( Woolworths does not swap change only cash out and you don't get a choice in what denominations you want your cash out or chsnge in - the machine just dispenses it . At least with $4 cash out the only denominations the machine can dispense is $1 and $2 coin combinations. Unless it does not have any it has never given me this in any smaller denominations.)
As soon as I get home, I unpack my groceries and watch the cook up followed by Curtis and Gwok. I fall asleep as it continues to rain. The temperature had dropped a bit - Winter had returned temporarily.
News headlines today include
Victoria follows other states and as of midnight tonight masks will no longer be compulsory on public transport ( in time for AFL grand final on Saturday at the MCG between Swans & Cats) leaving Canberra the only city where mask mandates are still in place on public transport waiting areas and share rides.
Is SA the next happiest place on earth? A top winemaker wants SA to be the 7th Disneyland in the world.
Putin threatens to send more troops to invade the Ukraine with the use of nuclear weapons a possibility. Russians are protesting against Putin's actions and trying to flee Russia as not to getcaught up in the war with the price of flights out of Russia sky rocketing.
The AUS$ against the US,$ continues to fall and is still sitting around $0.66.
Hawks ( Hawthorn) coach has been stood down in areview of racism against indigenous platers where 2 players have come forward with claims of being advised to leave their partners so theycanconcentrate on thegame with one even advised not just to leave his partner but for his partner to have an abortion.
There will be an invitation only national memorial service for QEII in Canberra today where there will be a minutes silence at 11 am. The service held at Great Hall Parliament House ( which the Queen opened in 1988) will be broadcasted.
Donald Trump & his adult children are being sued approx $350 million for financial fraud for over inflating the value of his financial nett worth by billions including his Mar a Largo house .
A beach of approx 100 stranded pilot whales that have washed up in Tasmania are desparately being rescued . This is thesecond such stranding in the same area and it is unknown exactly why this occurrence happens.
First report of how John Farnham is recovering from his cancer surgery. It's now been a month since his marathon 12 hour surgery to remove a tumour from his mouth. He has been out of iCU for 2 weeks and now in rehab.
Almost 30 years on the show and 350 episodes since the 1970's - 1999 with a guest appearance for Play school's 50th anniversary I am sure most people in my age group wll remember who he was - remember his side kick the stuffed toy Big Ted? John Hamblin Play School presenter dies at 87.
Friday 23rd September 2022
Happy Football Friday Eve! ( 100 000 peopleare expected to attend the AFL Grand final @ the MCG tomorrow after a 2 year COVID absence with the parade for the first time travelling by boats down the Yarra River to allow more fans to see the teams today)
It rained overnight and is still grey and overcast this morning with the road still moist. The rain has stopped for now.
I needed to finish my grocery shopping and ventured out in the late afternoon. It was still not the best weather outside. It was still wet and cold
- quite cold , cold enough to rug up in a puffer jacket. I am so glad I did not leave home without putting on enough clothes.
I forgot to bring my bag of cans and bottles for recycling with me but I can do it tomorrow.
Next stop was Priceline to get some more cortesone oilnment and antihistamines. I managed to get 1 tube of cortesone oilnment but the pharmacy had run out of the pharmacy brand of antihistamines. I also got some samples of La Roche Posay Lipikar which was recommended by a few pharmacists for eczema. This Priceline always has samples of La Roche Posay samples on the counter but i never take any. There was no Lipika samples this time round so the cashier was nice enough to have a look in the cabinet for me and got me 3 different Lipikar samples.
Next stop was the Chatswood mall Markets which was on today. I have never had a Korean style hot dog on a stick before and have been curious for a while to try one but after the last fish cake I had thought twice about it many times. What if I don't like it? Shrinkflation means a Korean hotdog covered in batter and potato bits then deep fried meant it was now $7 each instead of $5. I swear I was ripped off they are usually $6. The stall also charges a surcharge on card payments if you don't spend over $5. So I covered it in korean chilli sauce thinking it needed a sauce and i love the korean chilli sauce. So what did I think of this deep fried korean hot dog covered in potato bits which was on a chopstick. I rate it 1/10. Absolutely yuk. I will never eat one again. The frankfaut inside was only half of a thin frankfaut . Most of it was batter surrounding it. I think a pluto pup or dagwood dog would taste better even an American corn dog would taste better. The batter was too thick and the sausage unidentifable - it reminded me of the cheapest frankfraut you could find in a supermarket. What's with the chopstick ? The frankfraut was so thin it couldhave been speared with a bamboo skewer easily. There was a queue and the korean hot dogs were quite popular. Should have decided on a kransky at least it was a real sausage on a stick that was not disguised in thick batter.
Covering the outside in korean chilli sauce to hide the potato bits and thick deep fried dough.
you can't even see or taste the frankfraut yet and it's 1/3 of the korean hot dog already eaten.
Onto my next stop Chemist Warehouse then to Aldi and finally coles local . At Aldi I like to purchase my bottles of sparkling mineral water , eggs , tissues, garbage bags , vegetable stock cubes, passata, turkey mince, duck breasts, dried mangos. dried blueberries and dark chocolate. Not so keen on some of their fruit and veg though like their strawberries that never last very long compared to Coles and Woolworths. I love their vegetable stock cubes as they crumble very well and don't absorb moisture and go pasty and don't dissolve in liquid. What no room temperature eggs again? The entire shelves are bare of eggs again! I only buy my eggs from Aldi because woolworths and coles keep their eggs in a fridge and if they are on shelves at room temperature mist of the time they seemed to have been " thawed" ie from cold to room temperature which is not good. Oh well will have to try again tomorrow for eggs. You hardly ever see cage free eggs in green grocers or markets in cold storage always room temperature.
Onto Coles local. Here everyman and his fogis creating new beverages whether it be exotic flavoured kombucha ( I tried a pineapple and a cola onerecentlyboth thumbs up!) , sparkling fruit infused mineral waters either with or without sugar or sugar substitutes , canned milk coffees, iced teas, bubble teas, non alcoholic beverages , energy drinks etc .
I love natural sparking mineral waters infused with natural fruit juices or flavours but they must not contain any sugar or sugar substitutes. I purchased just 2of quite a few I wanted to try . See photo below.
Sips sparkling mineral water flavoured with cucumber and mint with Australian strawberry gum . I rate it a 5/10. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. I love cucumber and mint but the addition of strawberry gum made it taste very herbal which was wierd. It also made me feel a bit sick after drinking it which could have been a reaction to the strawberry gum. Stay tuned for my review of the guava sparkling mineral water at a later date ( one mineral water is enough for tonight)
Does this second can of guava sparkling mineral water even have a name ( In small print it is called Strange Love )? If not just look out for the cans. I opened this the next day took one sip and oh my goodness! I rate this a 9/10 straight away. This flavoured sparkling mineral water is amazing. It doesn't have as many flavours as the other brands do but the flavour is so natural and intense the taste lingers long after you take a sip .The cans I am rating cost between $3 snd $4 a can so they are not cheap but they do satisfy you if you are thirsty and without any sugar or sugar alternatives.
I didn't feel too good aftereating that korean hot dog and drinking that strawberry gum sparkling mineral water so watched the cook up and 9 out of 10 cats does countdown before going to bed.
News headlines today include
Optus has been hacked. Upto 9 million customers have been affected! Hackers have stolen 100 point ID information of customers which is enough information to apply open & access bank accounts for example. This could lead to major identity fraud. It is the worse cyber attack Australia has ever seen. Name address telephone number even passport numbers have been stolen from customers and customers have been urged to monitor their bank accounts and change their passwords.
The AUS$ is still falling against the US$ at 66.49 cents as the stock markets continue to fall andthe R ( recession) word is mentioned again.
AP the QLD premier has made a suggestion home owners be allowed to rent out their granny flats to help ease the housing shortage crisis. Currently only family members can live in or rent granny flats from other family members.
It's a public holiday for VIC today but not for other states. With the one off national public holiday for the Queen's memorial yesterday an estimated 1.3 million have taken today off as a sickie resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in lost productivity to make it a super 4 day long weekend for states where Friday is not a public holiday ( no word about whether WA residents took a sickie off on Friday or not who have a public holiday on Monday which would make it for them t a super 5 day long weekend )
Robbie Williams half time entertainment for the AFL grand final tomorrow and has a special guest.It was expected maybe Kylie would be the specialguest since she has moved back to Melbourne and has sung that famous duet with him in the past but no it will be Delta Goodrem who at a pre game press conference with Robbie Williams kicked a football with perfection in her heels and stole the show.
Northern NSW, Gold Coast ( a cavaravan park in Helensvale has had to evacuate overnight due to flooding) ttac & Lismore braces for another flood as La Nina returns as NSW was bombarded with rain overnight. A policeman has rescued 2 women and a 4 year old from a mv stuck in rising waters which was gushing pass on a road in the Hunter Valley region. He made 3 trips back and forth to each of them. With one woman getting her foot stuck in a rock , he used his winch to rescue them from their car that was quickly being inundated in flood water.
The airport is hit with a triple whammy staff shortages school holidays the football (The AFL grand final Sydney Swans verses the Geelong Cats @ the MCG and The NRL Eels verses Cowboys @ Townsville semi final both sold out games) and bad weather - a perfect storm is brewing at airports.
Will Beyonce announce a world tour? Rumours are swirling
The prince and princess of Wales out and about and have thanked volunteers and workers for making the Queens funeral happen.
The white Hollywood sign is getting a makeover and being repainted in white in time for it's 100th birthday.
What has Kanye Westdone now? who cares!
Protests continue in Russia as Putin threatens the use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine in order to regain territory. Thousands of Russians particularly men flee Russia on a one way ticket out in order to avoid possible constription and to escape war before borders close as safe havens to Russians trying escape being forced to join the army to fight the war. Flights are full and ticket prices sky rocketing. Residents are being coerced to vote in a referendum as to whether they want to remain Ukrainian or Russian.
Saturday 24th September 2022
2.30 pm Grand Final Sydney Swans Verses Geelong Cats @ MCG to a sold out stadium ( Hey not everyone is an AFL football fan but go the Sydney Swans!)
Another grey overcast day today and it even rained after mid day whilst the AFL grand final was on tv.
I did not venture out today instead I made a duck ragu and ate it for breakfast and a banana and chocolate chip cake ( I did a test cake first as I wasn't sure about the sweetness - I am notorious for making cakes that are bland due to undersweetening them. Nope it was very yummy this time. Moist and soft.
Whilst I watched the grand final on tv I also put my laundry into the washer and drier. Someone had clogged up one of the washing machine detergent compartments again overfilling it with laundry powder in the fabric softener compartment rendering it unusable again unless I find a spoon to scrape the huge solid chunk of laundry powder out before i can use it. Can't be bothered doing thisyet again. The other machine wasn't as bad but I still had to flush out all the compartments with hot water as there was brown stuff left in the fabric softener compartment again.
I knew before halftime that there was no way the Sydney Swans could win the grand final today. I kept watching though. Also I thought Robbie Williams was the half time entertainment but he and his special guest Delta Goodrem were the pre game entertainment. There was a touching tribute to Shane Warne and also to John Farnham. Delta sang a duet with Robbie that was the one he did with Kylie originally. Halftime entertainment was a range of indigenous singers which I thought should have been the pre game entertainment when the Australian national anthem is sung and there is a welcome to country. Just past 5pm and the grand final is all over - The Geelong Cats win first half 13 goals to 4 goals & second half 20 goals to 8 goals . Don't even look at the real scores which are more then double 133 to 52 . Traffic is heavy outside and it's still wet outside as the grand final presentations ceremony begins on tv. It was quite funny to watch each kid selected to present each player of the Cats their winners medal . In return for the kid placing the medal over the players head the player places a special cap collected along the way onto the kids head and gives them a handshake. One kid lost their cap off their head as they turned around, some kids attempted the fist pump with a degree of success or failure instead of a handshake, some kids didn't even get a handshake from the player, some kids had to be nudged onto the presentation platform. one lucky kid got to place their medal over the top ofthe players other medal, then there was the kid that just could not follow procedures and handed the player his medal instead of placing it over his head not even wanted to shake hands or get a cap placed on his head ( it was "here you are, here is your medal, put it on yourself , bye!" - possibly not a cats fan or a AFL fan even) but the lucky last kid that got to put the medal around the Cats captain's head - he got a lot of attention from the player and the media and was even presented with a pair of smelly worn sneakers - the joy on his face when he received them whether he wanted them or not - hopefully he is a Geelong Cats fan. I kept wondering - Are any or all of the kids Geelong Cats fans or do they even follow AFL? Let's hope so.
Time to check on my laundry. Laundry took forever because Icould only use one machine with the longer cycle. Drying took forever as well a total of 2 hours or more! I watch the food channel as my laundry was washing and drying. I go downstairs to get my laundry out of the dryer before it became too late into the evening. There are no lights in any of the hall ways. As i am taking my clothes out of thedryer one of the residents who always wears headphones and coughs all the time comes out of his room or apartment and decides to cook a meal in the kitchen. He is coughing and sniffling everywhere so I find the first mask I happen to have and see out of the dry and immediately put it on. I put as much of my dried clothes as i csn into my ikea bag and run it up to my apartment in the dark promptly emptying it and running downstairs to get the rest of it ensuring I didn't leave any lint or underwear behind.
Backupstairs I fold all my laundry and put aside any socks and underwear.
I amwatching the food channel it is now past 9pm therefore bed soon. Catching up on mmy blog for today.
News headlines today include
Flood warnings continue in NSW and a 5 year old child is still missing after 2 cars were swept away in flood waters in central western NSW . 4 adults were found and rescued clinging to trees and are in hospital.
Norco factory in Nowra has stood down 170 workers after government flood funding ended yesterday.
The AUS$ against the US$ is now down to $0.55 anddown agsinst most currency except the British pound due to the downturn of the us stock market and several more interest rate increases sending the US into the R ( recession) word again . Meanwhile to cope with the rising cost of living thenewBritish finance minister has announced tax cuts.
Rodger Federer retires fron tennis due to his dicky knee. 20 grand slams later his career has been in the top 3 tennis players playing against Nadal and Djokovic as the oldest of the 3. He and Nadal lose in their doubles match in the Laver cup against double team Sock & Tiafoe.
Cyclone Fiona is making it's way upwards and is about to hit the East coast of Canada hard. It is described as one of the most severe cyclones to hit Canada.
The Eels won against the Cowboys with a controversial first goal so head to the grand final against which ever NRl team wins the othersemi finals.
Penny Wong Australian foreign minister has addressed the UN general assembly for China to use their influence and to persuade Russia to end it's war against the Ukraine. She also addresses Chinas growing presence in the Indo Pacific region.
Hong Kong and Japan are easing their COVID travel restrictions.
Sunday 25th September 2022
It is not the best day outside again but at least it us not raining.
What a nice day it turned out to be. I had to venture out. I was planning to go out to ikea but there is track work on the the metroline yet again.
I took my rubbish out to thered bins which are over full yet again. Ithe waitedso long forthe next 144 bus to Chatswood. I was hoping the city convenience store was open so I could drop my 12 cans and bottles off for recycling. Yes it was but therewas an old Asian man before me who tookfoeer to empty out his carton full of cans and bottles to be recycled. By the time I recycled my cans and bottles it was past 4 pm so I decided to take the train into the city instead. I can always take a ferry back to Manly and a bus home if I decide to or walk to Darling Harbour.
I just spent my time walking around Town Hall. Hungry my firststop was The Little Fish Shoppe for some calamari rings - $5 for 5 is a bit stingy especially when they aretrying to sell any leftovers at the end of trading. I think the staff was a little rude too.
Next stop Woolworths for groceries again. Ipurchased a new product . I rate it an 8/10 a lighter snack then chips but too much like cheese puffs. I like them but did not find them addictive which is not a bad thing. Cheese andchive always a good flavour. photo below.
Home on the train and bus.
News headlines today include
Penrith won against the Rabbitos so the Parramatta Eels now play against their arch rivals the Penrith Panthers in the NRL grand final. It will be an all Western competition and can the Eels break their 3 decades plus losing daught to win ?
The premiership cup is now on it's way back to Geelong. Lots of sore heads and lost voices today after yesterday's Geelong Cats win. Today's news headlines is all about the football. The cup is presented to the people in Geelong at 11amtoday whereas it's a long trip back to Sydney by the Swans. It goes to show you can teach old Cats new tricks whereas the young Swans still have a lot to learn from the old cat's wisdom.
Wild weather warnings and flooding is still in place in Southern and Western NSW although Sydney is not in the clear yet as another rain band makes it's way across Australia from Western Australia towards the East coast of Australia. Many dams are stcspacity ( but not Warragamba Dam which is at 98% probably thanks to that 4 day burst Lane Cove water main that reburst after it was repaired.)
It is feared that personal data from the recent Optus data breach has already been sold on the dark web. Investigators have been surveilencing the dark web.
Monday 26th September 2022
Work from Home ( 9.30 am - 5 pm with a Zoom training session for personal care ( not mine) m at around 12.30 pm today)
Ah technology - Zoom is not the easiest video conferencing app to use when it comes to working and training sessions remotely. After several technical difficulties with an "I can hear you ( loud and clear) but can you hear me?" and an "I can't see you but can you see me?" but the chat function seems to work (one way) , a 3 person meeting - make that a 2.5 person meeting ( the .5 person is the tech person who setup the meeting but is still in the background during the meeting accidently leaving her microphone on ) finally works.
Newsheadlines today include
It's war between the NSW premier and the QLD premier where the QLD
Italy may have it' s first extreme right wing PM who is a hardline anti abortion anti everything Putin supporter.
Some long term an chronic illness perscription drugs will be made cheaper to assist with the rising cost of living.
Qantas has been named 5th top airline inthe world based on customer service feedback despite their lost luggage delayed and cancelled flights record.
The AUS$ is at a 28 month low against the US$ at $0.65 .
The 5 year old that was separated from his family when 2 cars were swept away in floods has died and is a warning to others not to drive in areas where roads are known to be flood affected and heed caution to road closures
Parliaments returns for the first time after a 2 week break and the raising cost of childcare which has risen by 41% and the rising cost of fuel where the exemption of the fuel excise tax is reinstated this Wednesday are likely to be discussed. Also on the agenda is investigation into corruption in government to stamp it out by tryingto gget opposition on board and not get minor parties such asthe greens involved as they could be a threat.
A 26 yearold owoman has been hit by a roller coaster at the Royal Melbourne Show trying to retrieve her mobile phone. She was taken to Melbourne hospital and undergone surgery. Riders were stuck at the top of the roller coaster due to this accident.
Whilst cyclone Fiona has causes ed widespread damaged to Nova Scotia on Canada's East coast, Florida in the US is facing another cyclone Ian could hit as a major hurricane shelving NASA failed launch relaunch date where the rocket will be moved back into storage until October.
First public hearings will get underway for QLD DNA evidence bungle. Possible murders and rapists could have escaped jail time due to this bungle.
A whale trapped in shark nets has been freed and released back out to deeper waters near Currumbin. This is the 4th whale rescue.
The previous pilot whale rescue in Tasmania where over a hundred whales were washed up in Tasmania has ended with only as handful of stronger whales being released back into the ocean. Now there is the task of how to dispose of the majority of beached whale carcasses which did not survive the rescue.
Chris Hemsworth is back in a blockbuster Extraction 2.
The crown is back on 9th November in a new season on Netflix.
Jennifer Lopez is back in a new film.
Rhianna is back after the birth of her first child and will be next February's half time entertainment for the Superbowl.
Meghan an harry are in trouble again with Harry rushing to rewrite his book and Meghan's claims of palace bullying.
A 28 year old woman has been injured on construction site in Lane Cove where there was an explosion. She hasbeentaken to RNS hospital. it is unsure why or how the explosion happened where she was thrown meters into the air off scaffolding before landing.
A surfer from the Northern Beaches area has been king hit and died.
A man on his way to work at the local service station in the Western Sydney suburbs has been killed in a hit and run by a car that ran a red light and not stop.
2 boys aged 12 and 9 from SA have gone missing but were not reported missing until days later. They wentfor a bmx ride and never returned. No foul play was suspected.
Old school laybuy system has made a comeback with online shopping. Paying for goods in installments.
Optus is facing not only class action against them for the recent data security breach but also mass exodus of customers and fines from the Australian government. Optus has offered customers affectedfree credit monitoring.
Tuesday 27th September 2022
News headlines today include
Possible storms today in Sydney.
The Optus data security breach continues where the hacker has released 10 000 private details of customers and threatens to continue releasing 10000 more each day until their extortion amount of over 1 million dollars is met whilst thousands of optus customers continue to rush to change their account details and or take class action or leave Optus. Later the hackers responsible retract their extortion or weretheypaid off? Scammers have now
It has been reported that the 26 year old who was run over by a roller coaster is in a critical condition in hospital in a coma with no change to her condition where brain damage and every bone in her body is broken. Investigations are still in progress as to how the accident happened. She was onher break whilst working at the show and decided to go on afew rides it was reported
A group of teens have been arrested at ahouse in Brisbane after crashing their car hitting a manon a vespa killing him andwalking away fromthe accidentt.
This morning after nine Australian time a rocket is scheduled to hit an astraroid monitored by telescopes around the world to see the effect it has in the fairly unlikely event that a real asteroid is on a path of collision with the earth in the future.
Yesterday was Eels training open day and today it is the Panthers turn ore grand final match this weekend. Tickets to the grand final have sold out.
Looking for a cheap holiday go to the UK as the AUS$ against the British pound is around 60 cents compared to against the US$ which is around 65 cents. It does not make sense - rising cost of living inflation increases in interest rates tax cuts but their stock market rose despite the US and AUS stock markets plumetting. That's not how economics works.
A hail storm has hit the central coast and Sydney is looking towards a wet weekend.
So old news rears its ugly head again :
the climate change protester that blocked the Sydney Harbour Tunnel has escaped jail due to mental illness ie due to having climate change anxiety coming from living in the Lismore floods.
Alec Baldwin maybe still charged along with 3 others for the accidental shooting of 2 staff members on the set of Rust.
Qantas brings back a vegetarian meal option.
Centrelink Robodebt case continues asthe investigations continue to find out who was responsible summoning back the former PM and other former senior politicans for a grilling.
Wednesday 28th September 2022
Thunder storms tonight.
Newsheadlines today include
Tributes pour in for what would have been Olivia Newton John's 74th birthday.
A family of a victim seriously injured back in the 2016 terrorist attacks in Nice France back in 2016 have testified in court.
A hurricane travelling across Cuba to Tampa Florida is about to hit.
Rain and storms ahead for QLD NSW and VIC. Thunder storms lastnight will return tonight in NSW.
10 million customers have been affected by the Optus data security breach. customers are applying for new licences which Optus will assist by reimbursing the cost of to customers and there are calls to reimburse costs of passport reissue as well. Thegovernment has remove the red tapeto mskeit easier for customers to apply for new licences.
The FBI have now been called in to investigate this data security breach to find the criminal mastermind teven after the hacker decided to delete the 10 000 personal details data released and apologised. The question is was this data actually sold or deleted.
Petrol prices are about to rise as the fuel excise tax ends tomorrow tonight. Fill up now. Petrol stations are on price watch with petrol prices as high as $2.20 per litre as cheap fuel reserves tocks sell out.
The Prince and Princess of Wales visits Wales for the first time since awarded their titles.
Rare footage of Princess Mary & Prince Fredrick of Denmark has been seen doing a square dance at a palace event. They celebrate 18 years of marriage.
Thursday 29th September 22
After asecond night of storms, the sun is trying to peep out this morning at 6.45 am.
I finished work early today at 3.45pm but did not take a break.
It wasn't exactly the best weather today very windy at times and overcast. By 5pm its raining and windy acting as if we are in a hurricane although not a category 4 or like in Florida. It is thebeginning of stormseason in NSW.
News headlines today include
Who should replace the Queen on the $5 note? It's a debate as King Charles III was not the first or automatic choice.
Queen Margrethe is stripping her grand children of their royal titles so they can forge their own lives and not have to worry about royal duties as forward thinking King Charles slims down the number of working royals in his family.
Hurricane Ian is bigger then Florida and has hit as people evacuate. Waters are rising and waves are wild. 2m waves are present. The hurricane is classed as a category 4 - 5.
Dob in a petrol station is encouraged for any petrol stations trying to price gouge as the fuel excise tax exemption ended at midnight last light and cars queued around Australia at petrol stations to fill up. Petrol prices should not increase the full 25.3 cents straight away as there are still stock of cheaper petrol circulating and until this sells out prices should increase gradually. Petrol prices in NSW average $1.85 / l today.
A former female soccer star has been carjacked whilst being interviewed on air in QLD. She managed to drive off as she heard her screams on delayed radio being played. The group of men have yet to be found by police.
The government has made it clear that Optus and not tax payers will foot the bill for customers affected by the cyber security attack having to apply for new licences passports etc.
The Daly M awards were on last night. Best male female and coach were awarded. Cronulla's Nicho Hynes wins by 38 pointsto win the Dally M medal.
A brilliant electrical light show occurred last night over Sydney as storms occurred overnight. Out in Sydney's Western suburbs wild heavy hail storms lashed only to be over in a flash of lessthen an hour. Sydney will have some reprieve before the wild wet weather returns over the weekend and towards Wednesday.
Australian Idol returns to screens after disappearing off air for years. Karl Sanderlands willbe a judge on the show but only agreed to take up the gig if he didn't have to work with idiots.
Who will be the next James Bond? Casting hasnot yet commenced to find the next James Bond for now. Whoever is chosen to be the future James Bond has big shoes to fill after the last James Bond Daniel Craig.
Just 4 days after The Geelong Cat's win, Captain Joel Selwood announced his retirement after 4 premiership wins.
Singer Lizzie got to play a 200 year old crystal flute.
Friday 30th September 2022
Day off
It rained through the night and is still raining at 9am .Another horrible day today. So much to do again today.
Today I had to venture out for essential grocery shopping again as my fridge was empty. First stop takethe rubbish out then a bus to Chatswood. It's another one of those days where thereis so much to do but Ijust don't want to do it. Thelaundry haspiled up to do. Bills have tobe paid. Complaints to my private health insurance again aboutmy income protectiinsurance have to lodged again.Botyles need to be taken to recycling and my fortnightly income has to be reported to centrelink today. I can't do anything I have no wifi for some reason when wifi is suppose to be included where I live. I hope it will not affect me working from home.
The markets are on today in Chatswood. It is a horrible day and I can't be bothered to cook so have a spicy chicken burrito with chimi mayo on the side from GyG.
Home tv and sleep. At least I ventured out today. There was a free exhibition and dance performance on at the newly renovated and reopened Bondi Pavillion but it is so wet I can' be bothered to go.
New headlines today include
The AUS$ falls to $0.64 against US$.
Coolio passed away aged 59 from a cardiac arrest. No drugs were found at the house he was at.
Calls by the NSW premier to scrap the mandatory COVID isolation rules completely will be disgussedtoday. Current rules were recently decreased from 7 to 5 days isolation and the decision to extend the isolation payment which was also decreased accordingly. A scraping of the isolation rules completely and learning to live with COVID as if it was the flu will result in an end to isolation payments. He wants to scrap all COVID laws except for hospitals and aged care facilities where they can make their rules as they see fit.He needs all states support with TAS the only state to support this. All other states are waiting to see what Paul Kelly health officer has to say. If this happens Australia will be inline with other countries such asthe UK and USA. A decision was made today to end COVID isolation on 14th October meaning an end to COViD isolation payments for anyone
A computer glitch has led to a few lucky Australians booking a return flight Sydney to Berlin return for $300. Once the airline agent relised this glitch the deal was taken offline.
Princess Kate is out greeting the navy whilst the reason for the Queens death has been released on her death certificate as old age.
80 0000 people will watch the grand final between Eels and Panthers with forcasted weather to be a dry day.
Florida has suffered severe damages from hurricane Ian . Australians are trapped as the airport had to close. Thousands have died and it has now been downgraded to a category 3 from almost a category 5 however it is now gathering speed and heading to South Carolina by Friday. 900 000 peopleb have no power and winds reached 241 km per hour.
Australia' Got Talent and after a long absence Australian Idol returns to Australian screens with one of tthe judges Ricky Lee ( former Australian Idol contestant) also releasing new music.
A woman who had a medical emergency and collapsed in a Coles supermarket in melbourne wasreunited witwiththe young Coles employee that saved her life with first aid.
No comments:
Post a Comment