Thursday 1st December 2022
First Day of Summer and it sure does not seem like it! Overcast. Even QLD is suffering s cold snap.
Yesterday I received a phone call from APM my Centrelink approved employment service provider who wanted me to provide my pay slips. I found this unreasonable and asked why I had to provide them with them as 1. I have not been paid yet, 2. I don't have access to my final payslip as I have finished my 3 month contract and finally after the Medibank Private cyber security breach I am not willing to release any further personal information to 3rd parties and if pay slips are needed I will provide them directly to Centrelink not via APM as I have not actually had a formal meeting with them and they have not actually assisted me in anyway in finding employment.
I actually had an appointment with then today at 11 am but because they rang me yesterday I was advised that I no longer have to attend. Thank goodness!
My day starts off with a shower paying bills in advance and a catch up on my Blog and YouTube as well as watching the news and the food channel.
Today I had to venture out as I have almost nothing left in my fridge to eat or drink. The usual stops at Chatswood - return my 11 bottles for recycling, top up my Opal card at the machine that never gives receipts, get change for laundry, exchange recycling vouchers for cash at Woolworths Metro, Chemist Warehouse for moisturizer and body wash, Aldi, Coles Local and back to Woolworths Metro for a final few grocery items that are out of stock at Coles before returning home on the bus which is a bit of a wait for again.
News headlines today include
Fleetwood Mac band member Christine McVie dies aged 79.
Kate & Wills arrive in Boston for their royal tour.Meanwhile during Camilia's domestic violence against women event Will's godmother the queen's lady in waiting has stepped down from her role due to alledged racist comments. What would Meghan and Harry be thinking about this?
A man in his 40's has crashed his helicopter during a solo 2 hour training flight into a houses roof . The pilot escaped with leg injuries.
Australia's Soccaroos has won their match against Denmark 1 goal to none snd now make it into the top 16 teams in the Soccer World Cup. Way to go after their last match against Tunisia. They now play top team Argentina!
Scott Morrison has been censured - again who cares! Let it go!
The crocodile Crocodile wrangler is out on bail and is not to come into conatact with any of the 50 others involved in the fatsl helicopter accident.
Medibank Private hackers have declared "case closed" as a final cache of records are dumped onto the internet. Medibank is still determining whether these records are actually theirs as they continue to refuse to pay the ransom demanded by the hackers.
The creepy Balenciaga bear child porn saga continues in court.
Friday 2nd December 2022
A semi overcast day outside today.
It is 10.30 am almost and I am waiting for my brunch to finish cooking. It's a fusion congee made with veg stock, rice, oats, sesame oil , murray river salt (that I purchased from the Good Food & Wine Christmas Markets in Melbourne) chopped shallots , chopped barramundi, mixed herbs, chopped duck, ginger, ground pepper to be accompanied with mixed green leaves, fried shallots, chopped corriander , a drizzle of balsamic glaze and possibly a lightly whisked egg.
It was well worth the wait! I ate the entire pot of it.
Another do nothing day today. I watched the foid channel and am still catching up on my blogs.
News headlines today include
The Britney Higgins rape case retrial has been discontinued due to " no longer being in the public interest" The case against Bruce Lehrmann has therefore been "dropped".
A boy in Carlingford has died from being struck by car walking between school and home.
Brisbane weather continues to be cold and wet at the start of Summer.
Another jewellery store heist has occurred in Sydney's South West in a shopping centre where guns were shot.
The "trailer " for Harry and Meghan's Netflix long awaited scandal riddled documentary has been finally dropped with coincidental timing with William and Kate's royal tour in the US and the surfacing news of "institutional" racism within the Royal family. The trailler has a lot of pretty photos of the family but not much about the content of the documentary.
Chris Dawson will learn his fate today in court over the murder of his first wife Lynette Dawson.
The Adelaide 500 is on with Zara Tindall & her husband present as well as Ji mn y Barnes performing his final concert before hip and back surgery as well as Holden racing it's last race.
Saturday 3rd December 22
Today I had to venture out to Chatswood to get more laundry money, too up my Opal card and get more groceries. Gee I eat a lot! Mainly fruit veg lean protein sparkling water juice eggs oats and flat bread. There is nothing much left on the shelves of supermarkets and a lot of times I have to make do with substitutions. Junk food is really expensive - a bag of chips cost anything from $3 for a small packet if you can find any to $7 or more for a packet! Even your favourite biscuits cost $4 just for a plain packet of Tim Tams to $9 a packet of other biscuits if you can actually find any left. Strawberries blueberries rasberries and blackberries are probably the cheapest fruits where a small punnet of strawberries cost as little as $2.50 and raspberries the most expensive at around $5 a small punnet. I skipped the chocolate and biscuits and decided to purchase a bag of dark baking chocolate to make myself a chocolate brownie. I have most of the ingredients at home already so why not make my own sweet treats which is a lot cheaper then a packet of plain Tim Tams which are not even my favourite biscuit.
Enroute home I snuck in a fillet o fish burger from McDonalds no cheese and with lettuce snd tomato of course. A long wait for the bus again. Home and no surprise unpack my groceries with the rest of my afternoon doing just one load of my laundry which took 3 hours to wash and dry!
End of my Saturday. I had tickets for 8.30 pm entry to view the opening weekend of the new North wing of the NSW Art Gallery but I just could not be bothered. I have tickets for 7.30 pm tomorrow as well.
Sleep.
News headlines today include
Chris Dawson has been sentenced to a maximum 24 years in jail and will possibly die there for the murder of his wife. He will be eligible for parole in 2040 aged in his 90s.
Wills and Kate will present the 2nd Earthsit prize gala in Boston which will attended by several celebrities.
The Redbull billy cart race is on in Melbourne this weekend.
The new wing of the NSW Art Gallery officially opens today that rivals the Sydney Opera House.
US president Biden hosts French president Marcron in the US and Macron and his wife even engage in a "presidential waltz".
The scheduled fire fighters strike at airports has been cancelled who were able to strike a deal for a 5% pay rise over 5 years.
An intense van blaze has occurred on the Gold Coast where the cause is unknown
Putin issues ultimatum to the West.
Sunday 4th December 2022
Today I did abdolutely nothing again which is really slsck as it is a beautiful day.
I had 7.30 pm tickets to the opening weekend NSW Art Gallery celebrations but it is 6.30 pm and it has been extremely windy this afternoon so have decided not to go. I went online to see if there were earlier tickets for today and what do you know every afternoon session was available when there were no tickets available all day from 10 am to 8.30 pm then all sold out on Saturday and no tickets available until 7.30 pm for Sunday. I think there may have been quite a few cancellations ( partially due to other events on such as the world cup). Tickets to see the exhibition in The Tank were sold out for both Saturday and Sunday so there is really no point in going as that is what I wanted to see. I might go tomorrow.
News headlines today include
The Australian Scocceroos' FIFA World Cup has come to an end beaten by world # 3 Argentina 2 to 1 goals. Once known as the Soccerwhos - the Soccaroos have now made a nsme for themselves. So close and they did a great job and should not feel bad at all since the USA just list to the Netherlands 3 to 1 goals.
A meter reader has been attacked and mauled to death by 3 dogs on a property south of Brisbane. The property owners were not home at the time and the dogs have been taken away.
Victoria's ambulance services are in code red for the 8th time this year as 140 ambulance workers are on sick leave. Patients have been advised if they need an ambulance to find their own say to the hospital.
Meanwhile the number of COVID cases continues to rise in aged care facilities with 58 residents dying in the past week. In China after protests the government has loosened COVID restrictions on public transport and supermarkets slightly.
Final day of the Adelaide 500 and end of the Holden era.
Monday 5th December 2022
A nice sunny day today although it has that tinge of uncertainty as if it could turn overcast at sny moment , it is forcasted to rain.
Today I went for a swim after lunch and did another grocery shop around Lane Cove at Chemist warehouse, Harris Farm stopping at an old Vietnamese French style bakery which diesn't even have a name that has been there for years for aquiche loraine and a spinach quiche enroute to Coles. The grey clouds were looming .
After completing my shop at Coles the ground is wet but the sun was out - it had poured with rain whilst I was shopping. Locals were asking each other if they become soaked or managed to stay dry.
My groceries were so heavy I waited for the bus home . 5 pm already but it was still light and it was wet everywhere . I caught the bus to Lane Cove Interchange then changed onto another bus home.
That night between 8 pm and 9 pm it stormed. It not only poured with rain but the lightening show was s lo spectacular outside. There was thunder but I think the lightening stole the show. So glad I wasn't out and about but snug in bed inside. The traffic was still heavy and swished loudly by.
News headlines today include
A teenager has been stabbed to death on St Kilda Beach after a brawl. The stabber is still on the run and it is thought the attack is gang related.
The rising cost of energy is still a crisis as state premiers are at loggerheads with AA over relief for consumers with a cap on coal prices.
The late Shane Warne has been inducted as a legend on the Sport Australia Wall of Fame. He is only the 5th cricketer to be recognised as a legend with this award 10 months after his death.
The husband of the bride from QLD that died on their wedding day when he was driving a golf buggy when it overturned killing his wife has been charged for reckless driving and other charges.
Britney Higgins is seeking almost $3 million in compensation after the retrial was dumped claiming she has been unable to work since the incident. Mr Lehmann is s look so seeking legal compensation
More housing is being built in Western Sydney to help ease the housing shortage and affordability crisis. Meanwhile laws are being introduced to stop rental bidding by real estate and landlord where rental prices are not advertised but rentals offered to potental tenants with highest bid.
A heat wave in QLD but much cooler temperatures to continue over Christmas for the rest of the states.
There is a global champagne shortage so Australians are urged to try local sparklings.
The crown has been removed to be resized to fit the King's head for the Coronation May 2023. Meanwhile Harry has revealed himself as Spiderman in a video.
The largest radio telescope is being constructed in remote WA near Murchison.
Tuesday 6th November 2022
Another do nothing day today. Well not exactly I made lamb ribs and a chocolate brownie. I also did my other 2 loads of laundry which again did not dry very well. I am also still applying for jobs.
News headlines today include
Sesame Street's Bob McGarth dies aged 90 with almost 50 years appearing on the iconic kids show under his belt.
AA has tested a second time to COVID and is at isolation at Kirrabilli working via video link delaying the urgent energy conferences with ministers. He has now set a new date of Friday for his summit.
Another trailer of Harry & Meghan's multimillion dollar Netflix 6 part documentary has dropped but what does the King think about it? Is it inappropriate for this documentary to be aired when most of the UK is suffering from economic stress?
One of the largest active volcanos in Hawaii's Big Islsnd continues to erupt for the 1st time in 40 years as lava inches towards the highway although it was said not to be a threat to any residents.
Brisbane is suffering another heat wave today whilst Sydney is still overcast with cooler temperatures from last nights storms.
Another interest rate rise is expected today by the RBA of 0.25% making the cash rate 3.1%. 95000 people took up home loans after Reserve Bank's Philip Lowe incorrectly announced that interest rates will not rise yet this will be the 8th interest rate rise in 8 months if it goes ahead today.
Sick children were forced to wait 12 hours at a Melbourne hospital due to an unprecedented number of sick kids, lack of beds and lack of staff as well as cancellation of surgeries.
2 Hammerhead sharks have been spotted breaching the shark nets off Bondi Beach towards the beach questioning whether shark nets are effective or whether they endanger other marine life that get caught in them. The hammerhead sharks found their way out back to sea away from swimmers.
Wednesday 7th November 2022
Another do nothing day today.
News headlines today include
Trump's organisation has been found guilty of tax fraud- how will this affect his running for presidency?
A siege has occurred overnight in Labrador in QLD. Some residents have decided to remain inside the residential complex whilst others have left or escaped. Police and other rescue services have been negotiating with the man who threatened to blow up a gas bottle. A woman and child escaped before the siege and an incorrect home invasion was thought. The siege has just ended at 8 30 am when police broke into the unit. A domestic incident may have been the cause of the siege.
The multimillion dollar Seaworld upgrade of new rides has closed just days after it opened. It is hoped that will reo poen in time for the Christmas holidays.
Kirstie Alley dies aged 71 from a short battle with Colon cancer.
Banks have already passed on the 8th interest rate rise in 8 months to mortgage holders. There is no RBA meeting in January so the next interest rate rise may occur in February when the RBA meets again. The RBA continues to raise interest rates due to the soaring inflation rates which they are trying to curb by increasing interest rates which are the highest in z decade.
The NSW and QLD premiers are meeting on Friday via video link to discuss caps to coal prices. About time the governments stops phaffing around as residents and businesses continue to suffer the stress rising energy costs.
There was another attempt of egging as the King was on walk about.
New no sex before marriage laws have been introduced in Indonesia.
Thursday 8th December 2022
So much to do today.
I cleaned the fridge, updated my diary, wrote and sent yet another letter of complaint about the useless Centrelink approved employment service provider APM who asked me for a payslip I did not have yet as I had not been paid yet and advised me that I did not have to attend their appointment as I have already spoken to them only to keep getting messages that my payments are on hold as I did not attend my appointment.
I caught a bus and returned my 6 bottles for recycling, topped up my Opal card, posted my letter to Centrelink stopped off at Priceline for more corestone oilnment and antihistamines ( I had another massive allergic reaction today) then went grocery shopping at Coles before a final shop at Woolworths Metro for a snack of prawn dumplings. I am allergic to prawns but it does not matter as I had already taken an antihistamine for my allergic reaction .
Another freebie from Coles Locale of a Nudie probiotic smoothie. I didn't think they would have any in stock but they did. Very sweet but nice. I chose a mango one and rate it 8/10. I probably will not buy it again as I like green juices more and not into smoothies and Nudies are a little pricey.
News headlines today include
The Bali bomb maker that killed Australians and Indonesians outside the Sari Club is a free man after serving only 12 years of his 24 year sentence.His is on parole but if he breaks it he will go straight back into jail. The Australian government did send an appeal against his early release but Indonesian courts and laws operate differently to Australian.
The federal government wants to cap coal prices to $125 per tonne and $13 per gigajoule of gas. NSW and QLD are uncommitted to caps due to dividend payments to shareholders. Let's see what Friday's meeting with AA and state ministers evenuate. Energy ministers meet today.
A third council in Melbourne wants to ban Australia day celebrations and have a day of morning instead with citizenship ceremonies moved.
The Harry snd Meghan documentary is about to air today .
The peoples choice awards are on in California. Meanwhile in Australia Chris Hemsworth shines at the AACTA awards.
Brisbane is suffering a heatwave of a top of 37 degrees C with severe storms overnight bringing down powerlines leaving tens of thousands of residents without power and which will not ease extreme temperatures
An group of far right extremists and a minor royal plotted to overthrow the German government but their coup attempt failed.
Friday 9th December 2022
Not the best day today overcast with a top temp of just 21 degrees C. No rain forecasted for today though.
I am still getting messages advising my job seeker payments are on hold. Today is Centrelink fortnightly income reporting day . I am unsure if I can actually report my last fortnight's income online due today. My letter I sent to Centrelink posted yesterday should cover my income reporting.
I was watching how Adam on his show The Cook Up was making his version of a TUR -DUC-KEN as a terrine and I have been making a version of this for years for Christmas except without the prosciutto as I don't like pork products. Yesterday I actually went shopping for my ingredients but had many already in my pantry. I decided that instead of using my soaked candied and dried fruits in Contreau that I have had in my fridge reserved for my annual pudding I make to use in my Turducken this year and not make a Christmas pudding this year. 10.30 am and my Turducken is in the oven cooking. It will need over an hour to cook. This will be my dinner maybe tonight or breakfast tomorrow as it needs to rest. Ok it was my lunch and it was so good! It has to set in the fridge overnight so will be even better tomorrow with some salad
After having a shower and watching a heap of the food channel, I headed off to the city to see Noel Sydney. It was a clear 17 degrees C - not exactly a warm night to be out and about and it did feel like 16 degrees as per internet ! I caught the bus to Wynyard and walked via Martin Place to Macquarie Street not knowing the Martin Place Christmas Tree was a musical flashing tree. ( I have upload videos onto my YouTube Channel ). There were heaps of people just waiting around the tree at Martin Place - what were they waiting for - then I saw it as I was across the street looking back. The tree lit up with lights syncronised to a sound track of music every 15 minutes between 8 pm and midnight which lasted for about 2 - 3 minutes. Wow! It even had it's oen Christmas markets with food and gift stalls were set up across the road and there is a nice viewing platform above the fountain overlooking the Martin Place Christmas Tree. ( photos below).
I keep walking towards Macquarie Street to the beginning of the Noel Sydney Christmas light trail which was what I travelled into the city to see tonight and it did not disappoint. I would allow a minimum of 2 hours to see it - more if you want to shop at the Christms markets, have a snack at one of the food stalls or a drink at the pop up bar or just hang around for the live entertainment on the main stage once you arrive at the Christmas Village amongst a forest of lit up Christmas trees.
This is not VIVID it'e Noel Sydney with a clearly lit trail of colorfully lit up trees, buildings , projections on the walls of Hyde Park Barracks and The Conservatorium of Music Selfie stops and roving performers. ( photos below).
It took me a while to get home. No problems getting a train from Wynyard back to St Leonards Station but a bus from across the road home was a problem. A bus finally stopped but it had a sign on the front and side "not picking up passengers set down only". i asked if I coul dc get on and I was allowed to as I only needed to go down the highway. Where this destination unknown bus numbered 000 was heading with passengers on board I had no idea as long as it took me home. I arrived home before 11 pm. Wsy past my bedtime but I was determined to upload at least one of my videos onto my YouTube channel before I went to bed.
News headlines today include
When there is no other interesting news the dominating news headline today was the airing of the first episode of Harry and Meghan's multimillion dollar Netflix documentary which her sister Samantha has coined a "flopumentary". Her whole family has had something to say about the documentary. Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on thr documentary's content. There is a bit of a dispute about whether or not the palace has been asked to comment or not.
Other news includes a loggerhead turtle being chased and almost eaten by a shark ending with the turtle escaping unharmed by rolling over the shark and biting it.
AA is to have a virtual meeting with state leaders over the energy crisis to resolve it and offering rebates to households. Caps on state owned coal facilities for $250 household rebates? The negotiations will be on at 2 pm today.
Celine Dion has cancelled concerts on her world tour due to a rare neurological disease that causes her body to spasm including her vocal cords. There is no cure just treatments.
Kate Richie has checked into rehab for treatment of her alcohol problem.
There has been a prisoner sw as p between the US and Russia.
Sandpapergate rears it's ugly head again in cricket .
Ronaldo benched in FIFA World Cup.
Medibank Private has closed all its centers, call centre and online sites in order to evaluate it's IT systems after it's cyber security attacks..
Saturday 10th December 2022
Another nice day although a little overcast again. I sleep in and try to catch up on my blog.
Another do nothing day today.
News headlines today include
The world reacts to Harry & Meghan's Netflix documentry. Harry & Meghan speak out.
The results of the AA & energy ministers summit has resulted in caps on gas and coal prices and a temporary energy reduction in costs to residents however it is only temporary relief and residents won't see a reduction in bills until March next year. Also the Commonwealth has committed to assisting pensioners welfare recipients and concession card holders with subsidies.
Victorians are warned not to go to the emergency department of hospitals over this weekend and to use other emergency services such as telehealth due to staff shortages due to illness and COVID. The number of COVID cases has risen and hospitals are under stress.
Brazil is out of the FIFA World Cup after a penalty shoot out round. All eyes are on quarter finalists Netherlands verses Argentina
Star Casino in QLD has been fined $100 million for money laundering counter terrorism and allowing banned interstate gamblers to gamble there. An independent manager has been appointed to oversee Star Casinos operations and they have 12 months to clean up their house or have their casino licence suspended. ( de ja vu Star Casino Sydney!)
Taylor Swift has director to her resume and has been very hands on in her latest feature she wrote an original script for.
SA is now facing bush fire threats after recovering from all the flooding that just went through.
Airport chaos again, expensive flight prices- it has been noted that airports are nowhere back to pre pandemic standards.
The contraversal prisoner swap between the US and Russia where US Basketball player Britney Griner was released from a Russian prison after spending 300 + days there for drug smuggling for a Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Britney Griner has touched down in the US and has been health checked by defence medical officers however the contraversy is why Biden left behind Paul Whelan who has been imprisoned in Russia for 4 years. He has not forgotten bv about him and is working to secure his release.
Sunday 11th December 2022
Today was a dry day but a little overcast.
I ventured out to Chatswood and Macquarie Shopping Centre in the late afternoon today around 4 pm.
Furststop Chemist warehouse second stop withdraw cash to spend so I can get some change again for laundry .
A trip on the Metro and I spend all my time at Woolworths at Macquarie Shopping Centre . At least I found most of the grocery items I needed there however no corriander. I did manage to find some at Woolworths Metro at Chatswood but they don't stock much else as they are too small. A quick look at Daiso and also an Asian grocery store where I also pickedup a few items that are not available in supermarkets like the illusive potato starch which I have not been ableto find at all in Chatswood. I also purchased dome Japanese green tea bags which are half the price of the Australian made Japanese green teabags I usually purchase.
My shopping was so heavy and as split between 2 shopping bags. It all just fit thank goodness as I would have gadto purchase a 3rd plastic shopping bag.
Home on the metro and bus where I was think about whether I can be bitheredgoing out again to see the drone show on it's last night at the NSW Art Gallery's new North building. I decided not to. Just as well it is extremely windy tonight.
News headlines today include
Hospitals are under pressure again as elective surgeries are put on hold or wait listed for about 4000 children well beyond recommended wait times.
Shocking report card on aged care facilities under a new government rating system. It shows how stressed the aged care sector is with staff shortages. Low wages are not helpingto attractlocal workers into the aged care sector and overseas recruitment to fill the staff shortage gspis not a solution due to overseas shed care sector employment competition.
Morocco bests Portugal in FIFA World Cup - first African country to advance to semifinals and bad for Portugal's Ronaldo who left the field in tears ( serves them right for benching him and bringing him on as a substitute in the second half!) ih. England is knocked out of semi finals of the FIFA Wotld Cup as France wins. Meanwhile a US journalist Grant Wahl dies whilst covering his 9th World Cup collapsing in his chair. His brother suggests his death was not accidental.
Thousands of HSC results have been leaked 5 days earlier then offical results are due to be released on Thursday.
130 000 + customers have had their personal details exposed online by Telstra but not by a cyber security attack but internal database misalignment issue These details are believed to be of the unlisted customers onto the white pages amddirectory assistance where these customers details have since been removed.
Harry & Meghan 's Netflix trailers continues.
Caps on eneregy power prices are only a temporary solution not a long term solution.The savings to consumers will be an average of $230 per household.
Luna Park St Kilda in Victoria, Australia's oldest amusement park turns 110 years next Tuesday. It has had a facelift in time for it's birthday due to being attacked by cockatoos demolishing 1.5 eyebrows.
Billy Joel performs overnight in his one and only concert at the MCG.
Monday 12th December 2022
It is meant to be 30 degrees today in Sydney but outside this morning the winds have been howling all morning and its grey and overcast. The rest of the Eastern states of Australia are having cold snaps with NSW the exception. By 10.30 there is thunder and it pours with rain. Today is a stay at home snd do laundry day today. It's developed into a mini cyclone outside. Strong winds pouring rain with leaves blowing everywhere and it turns quite dark. By 11 am the storm is over. Still overcast the sun looks as if it is trying hard to peep out but still can't . All is calm but still grey as mv swish past in the pool of water that remain on the road. The building maintenance guy has put the bins out on the curb for us his vanis parkedin the carpark outside. So glad i took my rubbish out yesterday.
Just past noon and it's raining again although I am unsure if the rain has actually stopped. I just don't feel like doing anything except eat and sleep today.
Yep another do nothing day today - not even laundry. I did sort the laundry ready to load though.
News headlines today include
Thousands of Victorian VCE students received a text message of their final year results today.
As Christmas approaches retailers are being hit by an increase in shoplifting. New geo tags are being used to track
The unmanned Orion space rocket which is part of the Artimis 1 project by NASA has splash landed back down into the Pacific Ocean off Mexico safely after it's 25 day mission around the moon 50 years after man first set footon the moon. On board are 2 mannequins within the capsulethat had 3 parachutes.
Good news the price of seasonal fruit and veg have fallen slightly due to oversupply giving a slight relief to this year's rather expensive Christmas due to the continued raising cost of living as a result of rising interest rates & inflation along with other economic factors.
A truck has flipped in the South of Sydney near Sylvania. Commuters have been asked to avoid the Tom Ugly Bridge . The incident has caused major traffic delays.
A rouge firework has injured a boy in the chest at a carols event last night at Allambie Heights. Another 8 year old girl was injured , crushed as crowds ran during the incident. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident and it is to be confirmed that a faulty firework ( Roman Candle) was the cause.
Energy relief plan is under trouble as Greens and other cross benchers will not support the plan may prevent it being passed in the Senate. This will be debated later this week.Renewables are the long term solution but an immediate solution is needed to bring reliefto the rising cost of energy prices to consumersalready under cost of living stresses.
Airports on strike again in Canberra and QLD .
Victorians will have free public transport on Christmas Day and NYE.
Mariah Carey and her 11 year old daughter sing a Christmas duet Away In A Manger.
Tuesday 13th December 2022
Happy 110th Birthday Luna Park ( St Kilda )!
A beautiful sunny day today with a forecasted top of 27 degrees C.
Another do nothing day today. I did my laundry which took forever to wash and dry . I had to rewash both whites and blacks and whites as the detergent was still clumped in them so that took 2 hours and I had to dry the load for over 2 hours and it still didn't dry so I ended up having to remove a third of it and air dry it before drying it a third time.
There goes most of my day!
News headlines today include
A male and female police recruit have been shot dead on a property near Chinchilla QLD. Another officer was injured in the shooting was taken to hospital as well as another female officer taken to hospital uninjuried but traumatized. 6 people died in the shooting including a neighbourwho innocently came out to see what was going on.
2 teenagers that went fishing in their dingy that overturned are missing. One teenager was rescued but the other is still missing with no sighting of him.
Candice Warner has been offered more protection at Cricket games after she was abused by cricket fans in front of her children .
The government's passing of energy cap plans continue as another meeting is scheduled. Power generators are blamed for triggeringprice spikes.What? It will cost tax payers $1 million to recall Parliament for this energy crisis meeting!
A bunch of Aussies have been nominated for Golden Globes
Cate Blanchett for Tar
Baz Lurhmann for Elvis
Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in The Crown
Margot Robbie for Babylon
Hugh Jackman for The Son
Harry & Meghan's Netflix commentary trailer contraversy continues. What's this about "they" were happy to lie to protect his brother William What the??? More bombshells to be dropped more keep calm and carry on from the palace.
A student climbed 2 fences in a panda enclosure to retrieve his phone he had dropped however he became stuck and could not get out. Zoo keepers at Adelaide Zoo were quick to react distracting the panda and allowing the studentto climb out of the enclosure safely.
Wednesday 14th December 2022
Yes I did venture out today to take the rubbush out, return my 6 bottles for recycling at the usual convenient store I go to in Chatswood which I was surprised to see was floor to ceiling jam packed with large clear plastic bags full of cans & bottles to be taken away for recycling. I have never seen this tiny convenient store so full . I am surprised they didn't all collapse sending thousandsof bottles and cans tumbling out of all the plastic bags flooding the store. I guess all the bags were properly sealed to prevent this.
The usual stops Chemist warehouse coles and woolworths metro. I forgot to get change for my laundry money. Some products on my grocery list were unavailable or too expensive.
I snuck in a go bucket from KFC. For those who don't know what Kentucky Fried Chicken Go Bucketis, it's a cup filled with hot chips snd popcorn chicken. I purchased thusas I had a cravingfir hot chips but don't like Maccas french fries. The wait for the bus home was very long and the wild winds made me feel cold.
Home I unpack my groceries watch the cookup and 8 out of 10 does countdown. Plan for tomorrow's overseas AGM via zoom . I got the time incorrect thought it was the equivslent to 12.30 pm tomorrow but it is actually 1.30 pm which means I can't attend my 2 pm in person appointment at APM Chatswood tomorrow that I just found out about today. I text ApM to let them know asking if I could call them afterwards. Postscript - No response. Instead I received another text message to inform me that I have not met the requirements and to contact the provider within 2 business days otherwise my payments will be on hold ( again )
News headlines today include
Tributes continue to pour in and landmarks lit up in Blue in QLD in honour of the 2 fallen police officers that were shot . The neighbour that was shot was also remembered.
It is snowing in the middle of Summer in Mt Bullerin Victoria as well as in the Tasmanian and NSW alpine areas ( it is not uncommon to snow at the top of Thredbo NSW in January). Sydney is a mostly sunny day today forecasted to reach the mid 20s.
A personal injury claim against the Commonwealth by Britney Highins has been settled confidentially. The case is not over though as Mr Lehrmann is also seeking defamation claims.
A woman gas fallen overboard on a cruise ship Pacific Explorer in SA travelling to Kangaroo Island .
8 people have been found guilty in the Nice terrorist attack in 2016 charged with 18 years jail.
10 recordings have been added to national film and sound archives forming The Sounds of Australia.
Argentina won 3 to 0 against Croatia in the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup. Who will they play in the final ? France or Morocco?
Jimmy Barnes is recovering from urgent back and hip surgery.
Olivia Newton John's daughter Chloe is set to release new music amd so is actress Kate Hudson.
Elon Musk has been booed by an estimated 10% of the audience in his 10 minute guest appearance.
Time to fill up as petrol prices are set to rise as the holiday season approached. Meanwhile Victoria is condmsideringintroducing double demerit points for driving offences this holiday season as it is one of the few states that don't currently do so in order to minimize road fatalities.
Thursday 15th December 2022
Today was another do nothing day today . I made a lamb shank speghetti casserole dish.
At 1.30 pm I managed to join the Zoom meeting using my samsung phone rather then my newer Motorola phone. I was hoping so much that I would have no glitched. I always panic before any video link meeting as not one has ever been a smooth "join meeting".
Done . This year there was not as many questions about financials or maintenance problems. Things sound like they are almost back to normal pre COVID conditions. As the current board members become older and retire there is again call outs for owners to come forward and serve on the board. There are I think 6 board members. There was the question from older members about skill sets, experience, time comittment. It involves attending Zoom meetings once a month and attend an onsite meeting. I have been considering puting myself forward for a few years now but time and date and distance I can see will be problems. I can't exactly drop whatever I am doing or hop on a bus just attend a meeting , it takes planning when Australia is 19 hours ahead of Canada and then you have to take into account whether each country is on day light savings or not and when. A little after 2 pm and the AGM by Zoom is over.
Other then this meeting I dod nothing as I had alreadycontacted APM that I would not be able to attend their 2 pm appointment today.
News headlines today include
The family of the neighbour that was shot down with 2 police officers in QLD has spoken out advising he heard gun shots and saw smoke thinking it maybe a house fire so went out to investigate but never came back. Meanwhile the sails of the Opera House was lit up in blue overnight as a tribute to the 2 officers killedand innocent neighbour in the wrong spot at the wrong time.
France lead over Morocco in the FiFA World Cup this morning where the winner advances to the final on Monday. France won 2 to 0.
NSW HSC students have their turn at receiving their results today.
An agreement has been made to support the passing of the energy relief plan through the Senate with the Greens and cross benchers support in exchange for household conversion of gas to electricity being encouraged. No support from the opposition.
4 ducklings have been rescued after being stuck in a drain by local emergency rescue and reunited with mother duck.
Another Harry & Meghan Netflix trailer has bern dropped ahead of the final 3 episodes where Meghan reactsabout the palace planting stories about her to distract unfavourable stories from the palace that have surfaced.
The special police officer known as officer A has finally spoken out of what happened when they opened the Lindt cafe door and open fired at the terrorist unaware if he had a bomb strapped to his body exactly on the 8th anniversary of the siege by releasing a book.
Planned airport strikes by security staff at QLD and Canberra airports have been called off as an agreement has been reached saving m holiday makers chaos at the airports.
A documentary is being made about Olivia Newton John's life.
Pink's 11 year old daughter Willow is following in her mother's footsteps with her first recital nailing vocals with her voice.
Residents rescued from the floods in Eugowra were slugged over $6000 per rescue by helicopter ( cslloutfee plus distanctravelled).tre. The bills have since been waived when government intervened .
Flood evacuations are underway in SA.
Friday 16th December 2022
It started off an overcast cooler morning today but it is now sunny with a forecast top of 22 degrees c. Yep it was cold earlier this morning.
I've finally been remove off the Myer What's app group chat. Thank goodness. I texted the unvaccinated team member and she already knew. The team leader resigned last Monday probably because the former electricals team member resigned and I thought he was still being put through management school which he had been selected for. Turns out he stopped attending ages ago. A life time working at Myer is not for everyone including myself.
Today I got a call from what I thought was a job interview but it's only from an employment agency who advised tgathe position I applied for has been filled. Of course it has there was no position , it's a tactic all recruitment agencies use to build up their databases. This is why I hate employment agencies! I made a video call appointment via tesms with them for next Wednesday anyway with no expectations.
I also contacted APM the approved Centrelink employment service I am registered with and have an in person appointment with them on Monday. They are do annoying. I had to contact then to ensure my payments don't get cancelled again. They waste so much of my time.
Other then that it was another do nothing day. I was going to go for a swim but couldnot be bothered.
News headlines today include
Well the Harry & Meghan Netflix saga continues as the next episodes of their documentary aired. Still no comment from the palace it was keep calm and carol on as Kate William the 2 oldest kids The King and Queen Consort attend a Christmas event for volunteers frontline workers etc. in the documentary Harry & Meghan his brother of screaming at him and his father lying about things about him as the sat and just listened on when Harry made the decision to leave the royal family. ( I have to admit I have not watched the documentary and don't really care).
A hot air balloon has crash landed in Ascot Vale in Victoria with no injuries.
100 years of The Mintie a quintessential Aussie sweet. I have never liked Minties preferring the Fantale instead but one thing that we all liked doing in the past was seeing who could rip the mintie wrapper into the longest continuous length without ripping the strip.
The energy relief plan has been passed yesterday with the help of The Green and Independents .
Trump has released a series of cyrpto what of himself??? selling for how much???? Collect Trump cards? $99 NFTs???
It is thought that the 3 shooters lured the police using the missing persons incident on the remote property in the QLD seige before shooting them and the neighbour was just at the wrong place at the wtong time.
Looks like the Melbourne has extended their hold on the Australian Grand Prix with the race to be held at Albert Park in a 10 year agreement with the Victorian government meaningthe race will remain in Melbourne until 2037.
Costco's packaged spinsch has been recalled as several people becane sick consuming it.
It's QLD final year students turn to receivthe QCE results today.
Boris Becker is out of jail after 2 years for hiding money. I think that's called tax evasion.
Saturday 17th December 2022
A rather overcast dsytoday with forcasted top temperatures of just 21 degrees C.
I have so much to do but don't want to do it.
Today I went for that swim at Lane Cove Aquatic Centre I had been delaying for a few days because I ciuldnot be bothered.
Between 2 pm and 3 pm it is the best time to go for a swim as it is not too busy. I try to go for a swim most days between 1 pm and 3 pm for an hour before and after these times it gets really busy.
After my swim it is a 5 minute soak in the hot tub and a shower.
I then head for Priceline for some corestone ointment and antihistamines as well as some face oil.
Next stop Woolworths. I hate shopping here as the staff at the check out are so rude and are just horrible at doing their job .They can't pack groceries into shopping bags - they actually don't pack shopping into bags if they can avoid it. The groceries are more expensive in general compared to Coles and their shopping baskets are just filthy compared to Coles but sometimes the items I need are only available at Woolworths.
Armedwith 2 full shopping bags I make my way to Coles to get any remaining items I coukdnitget at Woolworths - toilet paper ( the same Coles 4 pkt brand I get has again shrunk in size - toiletpapergate strikes again!). A large block of cheese and what do I spot? A single hot whole vegemite roast chicken with a cheesey stuffing sitting amongst all the other roast chickens. I knew about this but have never seen one. I just had to try this so grabbed it. I had not intended to buy such a heavy grocery item since I was so loaded up already with groceries . At $13 it was a little more expensive the a normal hot free range whole roasted chicken. So what did I think of it when I arrived home and tried it? Well I could taste the vegemite flsvouron tefirst bite but after that it was just tasted like a normal roast chicken not even like a free range one. It was moisbut what about the cheesey stuffing? Well it was nice but it certainly was not cheesey at all. I rate this chicken a 6/10. I tried it but it eon'tbe something I would buy again. I guess i will be eating iy for the next week! It is quite a large chicken which is not a bad thing price wise. ( photo below)
News headlines today include
As the Harry and Meghan scandal continues the Royal family are still keeping calm and carrying on with no comments. Prince Charles has been out and about showing off his very awkward dad dance moves at yet another community event. Where is the Queens Consort when he needs her?
Another urgent recall of Costco spinach as more cases of foid poisonings occur causing blurred vision fever and even hallucinations.
The uninjured police woman that survive the QLD seige where 2 of her police colleagues and a neighbor were shot dead has bravely attended a vigil just 3 days after the inccident.
First looks at Margot Robbie's Barbie movie have been released although the movie is not due out until later next year.
Cricket Australia verses South Africa is on again since sandpapergate. " I don't like cricket" ( yep that's actually s song)
The largest indoor aquarium has collapsed spilling millions of litres of water onto the main road outside. 2 poeople were injured and mo fish survived. The glass aquarium was located inside a hotel and included a lift inside it. It is unknown why it collapsed but the difference inside ( warm) and outside ( cold) is thought to have been the cause ie thermal shock.
Sunday 18th December 2022
It's still raining with a top temperature of 22 degrees c again.
Well it looks like another trip to Coles again. This time on a more serious note ( second time I have had to do this - I think last time was quite a while ago.)
It's around 10.30 am and it is still overcast but the rain has stopped and the roads almost dried out.
News headlines today include
The spinach contamination issue continues beyond the Costco Riviera 1 kg and 350 g packets as Woolworths recalls just 2 of their products at this stage however Coles is recalling a whole range of prepackaged spinach and salad products ( including the coles baby spinach again with best before dates between 17th and 23rd December 2022 - which is the product I have to return today luckily unopened yet)
Bush fires rage in Western Australia.
Sharks have been spotted again loitering around beaches in SA with warnings to residents .It is unsure if the shark is the same one spotted previously.
Fans have invaded the A league football ( soccer ) match running onto the field .Goal keeper Thomas Glover was left bloodied as he was hit in the head by a metalbuckethrown by a Victory fan. The game was abandoned.
There is still a chance that Harry & Meghan will still be invited to the King's Coronation next yrarafter all their Netflix contraversey.
Croatia won the 3rd place in the FIFa World Cup however Morocco still holds recirdfor first African country to make it to finals of FIFA World Cup.
Monday 19th December 2022
Today isthe same as yesterday overcast. I think it rained again overnight although not as heavily as the previous night. The forecasted temperature today has not changed ie 22 degrees C again.
Today I have an appointment at 3.30pm at APM . It's just a waste of my time - I would rather be looking for jobs myself which I have not stopped doing since my contract ended. I just want to know where and how I recordmy job searches online.
Today I applieonline for an ETA in case I want to travel to Canada this Dec or Jan. It costs CAN$7 however I did not get an ETA # and expiry date only a payment receipt ( which I took a screenshotof). I hope it gets linked up to my passport. I am unsure h ou w to retrieve it.
Last night I could not get much sleep as I had another really bad night of allergies. I am hoping that I can get away for a month in Canada to see if my allergies disappear. Only problem is they come back when I come back to Australia.
I sent 2 text messages to friends yesterday to wish them a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year so I don't forget. Everyone else can hoon to my Facebook page for my general Christmas messsge. Today I need to send off my 2 Australian Christmas cards to the US. I think I have left it too late - hope they get the cards. I still haven't put my tree up.
I need to return bottles for recycling and my batteries as well for recycling. I need to get more groceries do my laundry and return the recalled spinach and collect my free decanter from Coles.
So much to do. I also need to start looking at flights and look into accommodation pay bills etc.
I ventured out after lunch .Oh dear. First stop was return my 4 bottles for recycling. When I turned up the shop owner would not take my 4 bottles. In fact she wasn't taking any more bottles or cans today for recycling as she had run out of the large clear plastic bags. That wasn't the problem. The shop was still floor to ceiling jam packed with large clear plastic bags full to the brims of plastic bottles and cans. What's happening? It looks the shop looks the same as the last time I visited! Are bottles and cans not being picked up or taken away to the recycling depot? Do I have to carry around my 4 empty bottles everywhere I have to go today.
Next stop was line up forever to get stamps for the 2 cards I sent to the USA as I did not have enough. Damn it local postage has gone up 10c as of January 2023 again . Local letters currently cost $1.10 to send. I purchased a 10 pkt and sn extra 5 x 10 cent stamps to cover the rise.
I could not find a Flight Centre in Chatswood as it says online the one in Westfield is permanently closed and I could not find the other one. So no flight inquiry today.
Next stop was to return the Coles $3 packet of baby spinach that was on the list of recalled products at Coles Local Westfield Chatswood. Done. $3 in coins more kaundrymoney great!
I hajust enough time to get a spinach quiche from Vina bakery and then it was across the road to APM in Spring Street for my appointment at 3.30 pm - so I thought. My payments are still on hold despite doing everything I have to do to fulfil my mutual obigations. When I arrived at my as appointment, I had no idea who I was supposeto see and was told that I dod not have an appointment until 4th January 2023. What? I rang up and I even repeated the date and time. What is going on? I will have to lodge another complaint . They basically had no idea what was going on in that office. There was the supervisor yellingat an employee.Anew person who I ended up seeing whohad no idea even how to use the workforce Australia website or the wifi. They asked me a few questions and I told them about what happened to at Myer during COVID ( being bitten by something severely and getting some sirtof alkergireaction and notbeing thesame since as well as having to wait 3 - 4 months just to see aspecialist which did absolutely nothing as well as spending my final fortnight's pay for it before being stood down again for not being vaccinated and not processingmy request for a transfer to Chatswood ) and how I was not returning. I also advised them that I may hoon leave to see if I can reset my immune system. They advised me to contact Centrelink and advise them . I sure will.
Next because I was not feeling the best again, I did a quick shop at Woolworths Metro eventhough they did not have everything I needed and their self checkoutis a pain to use and their opal card recharge system is still out of order.
My final stop was to rechargemy opalcard with $20. Then it was a long wait for a bus home as I just missed one. It was cold again due to the wind.
Home it was s hot green tea and a snack snd tv as well as catch up on YouTube and my blog.
Newsheadlines today include
The Harry & Meghan demand a meeting & apology from the palace who still have not commented after the final series of their netflix documentary aired.
A boy has been bitten by a dingo on Fraser Island. He was taken to hospital after treated by off duty medical officers.
2 people have been killed in a house fire near Geelong. The cause is being investigated.
Argentina has won the FIFA World Cup in a tight match against France. A great end to Lionel Messi's last game and the greatestfootballer of all time.
A child has fallen victim to the lastest spinach contamination problem however consumers have been advised not to stop eating spinach products as the source is from one supplier.
There is a push for all schools to have random COViD testing in order to curb the spread. There is opposition to this with concerns of it bei g a waste of funds and inaccurate RAT results and slow response times especially with new variants
Tuesday 20th December 2022
5 days until Christmas and I still have no plans!
I'm just otfeeling like celebrating Christmas this year.
Overcast again today and a top of 23 degrees c.
I will do nothing today except my huge piles of laundry.
It again took me hours to do my laundry today. Why won't my washing dry? My first load took 3 hours to dry and just dried. The second load only took 40 minutes. So I am unsure what's going on. The first load was towels and clothes the second load was double bed doonas throws sheets and quilt covers. As I finished my final dry it was dinner time 7.30 pm. A day of do nothing except laundry.
News headlines today include - that's right cram it all in before Christmas
4 teenagers 2 girls and 2 boys who just finished their VCEs went on holiday to Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula and have gone missing in their inflatable paddle boards . The alarmwas raised when their belongings were found left on a beach. A search began but was stopped but will recommend today due to weather conditions. These teenagers have now been found
Their are plans to purchase the land where the ambush that killed 2 police officers and a neighbour in QLD as a memorial to the 2 police officers shot to death or to be used as a retreat or training facility.
A heavily pregnant mother and her 3 children who have medical conditions have gone missing and last seen in s vehicle with posdibly a 49 year old man with QLD number plates.
David Jones is Australian owned again after it was purchased from the struggling South Africian company Woolworths ( unrelated to Woolworths in Australia) by a private equity company.
A survey was put out as to whether Elon Musk should step down as CEO of Twitter and over 50% of people said yes!
A new solar and battery farmin SA has opened that could power 1000 houses a year. Meanwhile the construction of an offshore windfarm in Victoria off the coast of Gipsland has just been given the green light to go ahead in a bid to reduce greenhouse gases in the future.
The new government 5 star rating of aged care facilities has come under fire as 1 in aged care facilities are substandard. Only 1 % of aged care facilities have a 5 stare rating and just 54% of aged care facilities have a acceptable 3 star rating. It's a chance for lower rated aged care facilites to up their game however not if employees in the industry don't increase and are delayed and a 15% increase staggered over years.
Donald Trump is in the news again for the January 6th Capitol Riots .
Penny Wong will fly to Beijing to meet the Chinese foreign minister today at the Chinese leaders imitation.
3 have been charged including one that threw that bucket at the goal keeper at that pitch invasion at the A league derby in Melbourne. All 3 are on bail and police are still on the look out for the other atrackers.
Another Harry & Meghan "Live to Lead" doco is to be released.
Wednesday 21st December 2022
It' trying to be sunny today but there is still a bit of overcast hanging around. The top temperature today is still 23 degrees C.
I better getready as I have another video interview at 11.30 am.
I did absolutely nothing again today as I again had another allergy attack.
News headlines today include
A memorial service is being held in Brisbane for the 2 police officers that were shot dead this morning with upto 8 000 people expected to attend including the PM hundreds of dignitaries and every police comissioners before the officers families have private funerals for them. the service will be live streamed from 9.30 am around Australia. It is the biggest security operationsince the Commonwealth Games.
2 of the men charged for the pitch invasion at the A league derby have had life bans from attending soccer games.
Princess Mary & Prince Fredrick and their family have been spotted in Bondi as they spend their Christmas in Australia with family.
Penny Wong has arrived on China to meet with her chinese counterpart. It's been 3 years since Australia last met with China. Dialogue trade sanctions and negotiating the release of 2 Australuans detained in China will be the main issues to be discussed. However AA has made it clear that Australia will stand their ground on issues such as the status of Taiwan.
Kevin Rudd has become Australia's Ambassador to the US . A comment was made that we get Caroline Kennedy and the get Kevin Rudd.
A man has been arrested in the Blue Mountainsover the murder of a young woman who was a teacher he met on an internet dating app.
A hot air ballon has come close to crash landing in St Kilda Beach. This is the 2nd hot air balloon incident in Victoria recently.
QLD tourism has bounced back to pre pandemic levelsand is now the number 1 tourist destination in Australia.
A documentary about Whitney Houston's life is about to be released.
Hugh Jackman is returning to his role as wolverine thanks to "time travel"
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have xelebratedtheir first Christmas together singing a John Legend Christmas song duet.
Dolly Parton has locked a song she wrote up in a time capsule to be opened in 2045.
There is a shortage of medications such as antibiotics diabetic and cancer drugs.
The Bank of England has unvailed a preliminary series of new look currency which won't be in circulation until mid 2024. The current notes with the Queen on them are still legal tender and won't be replaced unless worn out . The new look currency shows the Kng without a crown as they were produced back in 2013.
Thursday 22nd December 2022
Overcast again and the top temp still has not risentoday. By 2 pm it started to sprinkle and I was out at The Sydney Fish Market. I have uploaded a very short disappointing 39 second video onto my YouTube channel which did even make it as a shorts.
It took me 1.5 hours to get to the Sydney Fish Markets ( bus then train then light rail) and I hardly spent 30 minutes there. Very disappointed with the fresh seafood on offer. What's all the hype about? By the time I arrived at 2 pm at this particular fish market stall - they were already packing up! What the? Are they trying to conserve stock for the next 38 hours non stop trade before Christmas Day? Meanwhile next door trade is booming and even the channel 7 news crew were present filming a live segment! I purchased dome salmon belly ( I won't reveal what I plan to do with it , it will probably end up on my blog) some Australian calamari whole and some Japanese scallops. I was trying to purchase some jumbo oysters but they were $7 each which I didn't mind paying as I only needed 2 but it posted me off when there was a long wait for service and there wasn't even a queue there was just no one there! It also took forever after I paid and given my receipt for me to actually receive my seafood. PS no free ice so be prepared bring a cooler bag like I did! ( photos below). I purchased a punnet of strawberries blueberries ( nowhere near the quality of local supermarkets) and blackberries costingme $4 per punnet and probablybreak even I had purchased them more locally. The cherries & mangos were top notch however double the price and you had to buy the entire boxes.
On to Chatswood to do my general grocery shop and fondsome local seafood!
News headlines today include
It was not the baby spinach that was contaminated but the nightshade thorn apple weed that caused several consumers to become sick from consuming the toxin. Thorn apple is toxic to humans and animals and was found harvested amongst the baby spinach. All spinach has been destroyed by Riveria Farms and any spinach still in supermarket shelves is safe to eat.
Meanwhile a caution has been issued for any recreational oyster foragers as an algae bloom is responsible for toxic oysters in the Broken Bay area if NSW. Only recreational oysters gathered are toxic, Oysters from the seafood markets restaurants cafes supermarkets etc are safe to eat as they undergofood health and safety inspections.
Penny Wong has returned to Australia after on track diplomatic talks with Chinese ministers. It coincides with 50 years of Australia China diplomatic relations. An invitation has been extended to AA to further trade talks.
Mariah Carey has appeared in her All I Want For Christmas concert with her daughtersinging as duet of Away In A Manger.
In a closely guarded secret, Ukrainian president has travelled to the US to meet up with president Biden mainly for an exchange of thanks for US support against the Russians invasion of Ukraine and to pass on s medal from a soldier to the president. There will be another multi million dollar pledge of support from the US to Ukraine.
34 people have now been identified in the pitch invasion 13 have been charged.
Rachel McCrow & Matthew Arrnold were farewelled by the largest gathering of people family friends every state police representative PM dignitaries even overseas police FBI and NYPD etc in state memorial. They were posthumously awarded abravery medal and their names will be added to the memorial of other fallen police officers.
One of the Mars Rover has fallen silent from the red dust , there are still other rovers on Mars operating.
A gringe neighbour has lodged a complaint of a light and noise pollution to the Gold Coast council for a Christmas light show. The council has not taken action and will only do so if other neighbours complain.
Jacinda Ardernhas distancedherselfrom Meghan & Harry's new documentary as the footage of her leadership in the leadership documentary was taken quite a few years ago and no longer relevant .
Friday 23rd December 2022
After an overcast hardly 23 degree C rainy day yesterday finally the sun is out this morning with a chance of storms and a top of 27 degrees c!
Another do nothing daybut most shopsare open until 9pm or 10 pm tonight.
I made some Asian style scallops to eat today and another chicken corn butternut pumpkin snd bean soup.
I also ate 2 of the 4 different mangos I purchased yesterday - Kensington Pride and Honey Gold . Both are softer less sweet and ripen much more quickly then the Calypso snd R2E2 mangos. My favourite are always the larger R2E2 mangos which are firmer sweeter fleshier and have a much longer shelf life.
Today I did nothing again except take my rubbish out pay my rent for the whole of January 23 and submit my last 2 fortnightly income to Centrelink. It was so annoying as I could not report my previous fortnight's income who was my final due to text messages holding my payment. Now that I have contacted my Centrelink approved employment service provider and attend their appointment which that advised I did not actually have , I downloaded their Workforce Australis app so I could enter my job searches only to find that it locked me out of my Mygov account. I tried to delete it but it would not let me so paused it. Only after finding out how to delete the app and resetting my password was I able to access my Mygov account again to read my inbox messages and report my 2 x fortnightly income.
News headlines today include
Storms between 2 and 4 pm yesterday in Melbourne delayed and diverted flights at the busiest time of the year at airports. Tallamarine airport in Melbourne also had minor flooding.
Class action is being taken over the game fortnight after a class action in the US was sucessful. The game is claimed to be addictive leading to anti social behaviour and deceptive with hidden pay to play fees by parents causing damage to brain behaviours.
Alan Dare the neighbour that was shot dead in the QLD ambush will be farewelled by friends and family today and will be awarded a posthumous bravery award.
More then $2.1 million is to be paid for damages relating to a Sydney woman's death during the 2016 Dreamworld ride where a water pump failed. The family is also to be paid other costs.
The trooping of the colour will continue in it's tradition on June 17th.
The Oscar's shortlist has been released.
No one won the division 1 Powerball drawlastnight so the jackpot for next week's Powerball draw is $100 million! Hot numbers are 1 11 8 22 40. Cold numbers are 44 30 14 27 28.
Saturday 24th December 2022
Christmas Eve - where has this year gone?
Today I took my rubbish out, returned my bottles for recycling, got some change for laundry and took a bus to Chatswood and the Metro to Macquarie Shopping Centre todo a final shop. It was busy but not that busy. I managed to get most of my things on my grocery list except my jumbo oysters. Where was everyone - probably at the Sydney Fish Markets.
Everytime I go shopping I always end up getting a snack usually savoury however this time I snuck in a sweet snack and I have been dying to try it for a while. It is coming to Chatswood Station concourse but not until much later in 2023. This tiny stand at Macquarie Shopping Centre was a chance for me to try a mochi donut - yep that's right a mochi donut. So what makes this different to a normal doughnut? Well first of all unique flavours of the icing topping, it's shape and size which is much smaller and flatter then a normal doughnut and reminds me of a baby's teething toy . I chose the matcha flavoured mochi donut ( I am sure there will be heaps more flavours available when the Chatswood store opens) . At $4 each what did I think of it? ( photo below)
I didn't hate it but it is a very different texture to a normal doughut. It is chewy and dense but if you have ever had a mochi then you will know what I mean. Bite into this mochi dounut and you will see the mochi like dough which is an opaque layer. A normal doughnut is light and airy which is a contrast to this mochi dounut which is dense and chewy. I rate it a 7/10. I liked the flavour of the icing although a little sweet but not keen on the colours ( red and green symbolizing Christmas) . It had a weird aftertaste which lasted in my mouth for a while. Maybe I should try another flavour next time likechocolate which is more common . Unsure if I would buy it again at this stage.
News headlines today include
3 people have died and others injured in a shooting in Paris at a Kurdish Cultural Centre. It is thought to be the result of racism.
The King prepares to address the nation with his very first Christmas message since the Queen's death.
The endangered 6 year old Samartrian tiger has given birth to 3 cubs at Adelade Zoo.
45 minute queues at the Sydney Fish Markets today as the 38 continuous trading continues until 5 pm today.
More then 10 cars piled up in OHIO in the US due to severe snow storms.
A Qantas flight from Singapore to London has had to make an emergency turn around and landing in Azerbaijan when the pilot noticed the fault indicator which turnedout to be a falsealarm. Passengers spent the night at a hotel in the city and it will be a long flight to London - will they arrive in London in time for Christmas?
Sunday 25th December 2022
Merry Christmas!
A beautiful day todat but I slept in and watch the food channel as there is nothing much on.
Breakfast is a bowl of macro rolled oats mixed with plain Scandinavian drinking yoghart a punnet of fresh rasberries and Manuka honey. A late lunch will be some ovenbaked herbed salmon belly pieces maybe with a salad and hopefully for dinner and left overs for the next week a turducken roulade and mixed oven roasted vegetables which istaking me so long to make. I am disappointed I could not get the jumbo oysters I w as notedto eatfor Christmas but not to worry plenty of time to have some another time. I won't be starving on Christmas day that's for sure as Ihad stocked up on so much good food.
This year is the first year I am spending Christmas totally alone. No family no friends no presents to give or receive I didn't even bother to put up my Christmas tree this year and no work. I have already sent the cards off to the US and texted the 2 Christmas wishes as well as posted my general Christmas wish on Facebook.
I have so much to do including my laundry and it is already past 1 pm. No time to feel lonely I am unsure if my neighbour has gone away or is home it I won't disturb him if he is.
I wanted to volunteer over Christmas but never received a response from my application a while back.
I was reading a piece on things to do if you are along on Christmas Day and one was volunteer and the other was cook yourself a good meal. ( no mention about doing your laundry 😀).
Lunch was cut short with a burnt lip when I took a bite out of my salmon belly and hot oil spurtedout of it. I am unsure how bad the blister or scar will be but it hurt and I didn't have any ice so used a frozen packet of gow gee wrappers and put it over my bottom lip for a few minutes before applying some macadamia nut oil lip balm to it.
Dinner was a chicken roulade but it's no longer a turducken but just chicken butterfly with a turkey mince dried fig cherry jam almond mixed fresh herbs onion shallot garlic ginger fennel seed stuffing.
I made a chicken sandwich with tomato and cucumber and it was delicious!
I am waiting for my laundry to dry. It is taking forever again. Done.
Bed around 9.30 pm
Monday 26th December 2022
Boxing Day
It will be s hot day today with a forecasted top of 29 degrees c.
I didn't get much sleep last night, someone kept turning their tv on in the early hours of the morning with the volume up really loud. So annoying. I open my door to try and identify where it is coming from but can't pin point where it is coming from. It sounds like it is coming from next door.
I had a look at how badly burnt my lip is and my lip is now has ared patch where the oil burn was. Will it eventually heal by forming a scab and fall off or will it remain permanently a red patch?
It's about 5.15am. So early. The Boxing day sales are on. Do I need anything? - not really just groceries items such as toilet paper tissues water etc.
Again not well with my allergies. I did not venture out today.
News headlines today include
King Charles address the nation with his first Christmas speech as king.
The boxing day sales are about to start and it is expected that shoppemers will spend billions despite the rising cost of living. Meanwhile as of today when Christmas is barely over Coles and Woolworths will start selling hot cross buns 15 weeks away from Easter!
The 77th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race gets on the way this afternoon with fleet of 111 entries.
Cricket with the Boxing Day test this morning and a tribute to the late Shane Warne.
AA is still ahead as preferred PM way ahead of Peter Dutton. with support for the labor government and PM rising.
SA is sufferring from floods with the Murray River rising . Meanwhile a shark has been spotted at a popular beach in SA.
Adelaide Melbourne & Hobart set for heat waves. NSW has suddenly become covered with a blanket of fog delaying flights.
Overseas in the US is suffering severe snow storms delaying and cancelling hundreds of flights causing chaos for passengers trying to make it home for Christmas. Travel by road was not much better.
China is no longer reporting COVID daily numbers as cases continue to rise.
Working holiday visas are being fast tracked to as short as 24 hours to tackle Australia's labor shortages to bring it back to pre pandemic levels with other subsidies .
A bus has plunged into a river in Spain killing 6people ansan investigationis underway as to the cause.
Tuesday 27th December 2022
A beautiful day again in Sydney with another day of 28 degrees c . We are lucky as other states battle heat waves of mid to high 30 degrees plus
Quite a disappointing trip to the city today.I took my rubbish out to the bins that were not put out on Monday night ( that's ok they are not full). Next a bus to Chatswood ( thank goodness I did not bring my bag of bottles to be recycled as the store was closed) Next was a train into the city. Public transport was not crowded but the city was . First stop was withdraw AUS $100 cash from a Westpac ATM. Next was find a Priceline and get 2 x Antipodes night cream as they were on sale at 40% off. I needed some Antipodes face mask and face oil but this Priceline was completely out of them. I then grabbed a tube of cortesone from the behind the counter pharmacy. They did not have the larger tube of Sigmacort oilnament so I had to make do with a small tube of generic brand cortesone oilnament which is suppose to be stronger. Finally I grabbed the last tube of QV sting free oilnament which will have to do.
Next stop find the Flight Centre which was suppose to beooenfrom 9.30 am - 5.30 pm today according to their website online. It closed at 3pm . Not happy!
Onto Coles Local nearby. No Coles brand toilet paper but I managed to pick up 2bottles of sparkling mineral water green juice and my free decanter ( it is smaller then I thought it was) . This Coleslocal had heaps of them bv whereas slthe other Coles I've bern too had none left. I got some change for laundry as well.
Final stopwas woolworths Metro for bread Peach Kombucha and laundry detergent and to recharge my Opal card with $20 before heading home.
News headlines today include
Liberal party division - there are calls by Liberal MPs for cconscience votes or the party will split.
Another food product recall by Coles where their home brand raw washed rind cheese has been tested and found to contain e coli. Customers gave been urged not to consume it andreturn for as refund - too late probably already consumed on Christmas day.
Extreme temperatures will hit SA and VIC with sa hitting 40 degrees C and high 30s degree C for VIC. and TAS. Temperatures in Sa and VIC could exceed 40 degrees C in someregions. Bushfires warning also in place.
Comanche is leading the Sydney to Hobart yacht race narrowlybut not after contraversy at the start where both Comanche and Wild Oats were issued penalties.It is unsure what these penalties were for but Comanche will deal with it when it reaches Constitutional Dock in Hobart after raising anearly protest. The winner could reach the finishing line as early as 10 pm tonight.
10 sharks have been spotted by drones at Burleigh Beach in QLD prompting lifeguards to direct swimmers out of the water .
Another resident on the Gold Coast from Mermaid Beach has defended his property from teenage thieves by chasing them away and trying to detain one of them until police arrived in nothing but a pair of black underpants. The thieveswere armed and got away in a stolen car.
Mariah Carey's 1994 hit All I Want For Christmas was played more then 21 million times on Christmas day it topped the Spottified chart over Adele's 19 million Easy On Me hit.
2 people have died in a single engine plane crash in Appin NSW sparking a bushfire.The fire was extinguished but the 2 dead have still to be identified and the cause investigated and determined. The crash was first mistaken to be a tanker explosion.
Hardest hit region Buffalo in the US bythe wild snow storms has resulted in at least 25 deaths and left residents cut off from power. Food is running out as supermarkets have been closed. Any residents trying to escape to warmer regions by road have not made it and some are trapped inside their homes from snow build up.
Wednesday 28th December 2022
Today will be a nice 29 degree C. I don't know if the cool front will affect Sydney as it only forcasted a mostly sunny day today in Sydney.
Another do nothing day today. I placed anonline booking inquiry with Flight Centre for flights and insurance for travel on 1st January 23.
The afternoon was nice but so windy.
News headlines today include
Comanche wins line honours at Constitutional Bay followed by live streaming Law Connect with third place Black Jack and wild oats a distant 4th. Comanche unfortunately did not break the race record crossing the line in 1 day 11 hrs 56 min 48 sec. Many boats had to pull out with 99 still to arrive in Hobart.
What?! Mariah Carey lied about writing her song All I Want For Christmas?
A promise that if Labor wins the next NSW state election that fireworks in Sydney on NYE will be free for everyone. Currently the ticketed event charges anythingfrom $30 up to secure a spot at a vantage point.
Melbourne has faced it's hottest night in 4 years but a cool front is on it's way.
Russia has imposed a 5 month oil ban on 1st Feb on Australia and the rest of the group of 7 major powers and the European Union who had agreed to the $60 per barrel cap on Russian seaborne crude oil effective from 5th Dec 22 over Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine.
2 teenagers have been caught andarrested after as tragichome invasion in QLD where a mother was stabbed and died defendingherhome in front of her kids and where her husband was also stabbed inthe back. There are calls to step up how youth crime is being treated by laws.
A car crash which resulted in the death of both parents leaving 2 of 3 children uninjured and a third child with head inurieshas occurred .
Thursday 29th December 2022
An overcast day today with possible showers inthe afternoon. Currently 20 degrees C this morning top temperature's today will be 26 degrees C.
Today I took the bus and train to Bondi Junction. To my storage unit to get some items, empty my PO Box and to chemist warehouse to get some more moisturiser and cortesone oilnament aswell asto Pricelineto get somemore Antipodes face oil unavailable atthe other Priceline and to get some other essential grocery items from Aldi and Coles that I have run out of.
If I don't blog for a few days it means I am on my way to my next adventure! I just hope I get there and back safely. TBC..
News headlines today include
Former Pope Benedict XVI is under constant medical watch as their are concerns for his health. The current Pope has visited him. He is the first Pope to controversially step down resigning from his post over a decade ago over age . He is 95 .
SA is on flood watch as levee banks strain and break adelaide is under threat.
Novak Djokovic is back in Australia over almost a year since being banned from entering Australia over his vaccination status.His 3 year ban from entering Austrakia has been overturned. He will play the Adelaide International as a lead up to the Australian Open. Meanwhile Nick Kyrios has pulled out of playing in Australian tennis matches due to injury.
As Chinese travel restrictions ease - Chinese arriving into Australia could face restrictions as borders reopen to them due to the lack of transparency of health data from China. Should Australia allow Chinese in? A very risky snd fragilesituation especially since Penny wonghas just retored relations between Australia and China. Italy, India, Taiwan and Japan all have a negativetestrequiremenbefore they can enter theircountries as 50% of arrivals from China have tested positive to COVID. The USA has just implemented COVID 19 testing requirements for travellersfrom China as China's borders open up as of next week.
There is a push for Emma's law for no age limit no bail for teenage home invaders that murder to be passed after the mother was stabbed to death in that QLD home invasion. One of the teenagers arrested known by police had just been released on bail for another home invasion.
While Nicole Kidman and Keith Urbanhave been spotted in Manly having a a takeaway kabab and Prinecess Mary and Fred withtheir family havebern spotted around Bondi Beach, rumours have it that Elton John may be holidaying on Hamilton and Hayman Island after their private jet was spotted.
Taylor Swift has done it again with her most played song Anti Hero in 2022
A man in his 40s has downed in Surfers Paradise swimming with his 11year old son who was also rescued but survived . Australiawide there has now been 11 drownings with a number not included in these statistics.
Ariana Grande helps sick kids with presents.
AA announces a referendum to include an Indigenous voice to Parliament next year.
Twitter accounts of celebrities have been hacked
Friday 30th December 2022
NYE eve! Difficult to believe that 2022 is almost over!
This morning is only 24 degrees c and wet. Yep temps are dropping and ut's raining.
Loads to do today including laundry. Most of my day was trying to wash and drymy sherts and towels which I put through 2 x 45 minute hot heavy load cycles and still did not rinse or wring out properly. I endedup hand wring it all before putting it in the dryer for 3 x 1 hour cycles and it was still wet therefore I am hanging it allout to dry overnight with my window openin the apartment .
Other then that Ididn't venture out except to take myrubbish to the bin. I made a fruit salad as I am trying to empty my fridge out by tomorrow night. I answered a long distsnce call to organise something snd paid 2 more weeks in advaadvanof my weekly rent due in February and another month of income protection for March in advance. My Telstra bill should be paid for Feb although I need to write to them about crediting me back for overcharge on my bill since June 22. Also paid for insurance and transfers.
So much still to do snd I still have to finish the other load of my laundry tomorrow before heading off hopefully to see at least the 9pm fireworks at Circular Quay.
News headlines today include
The QLD premier announces QLD youth justice reforms after the last home invasion that killed the mother and injured the father. Meanwhile a woman in Qld has lost her thumb trying tosteal a car. The male rider is still on the run and police are still looking for him.
The Australian Open is in doubt in Melbourne as other states and countries including Sydney and Shanghai try to poach the event from Melbourne. President of the Australian Open has urged the governmentt for more funding.
3 people are richer today winning the Powerball overnight.
Missile strikes in the cities of Lviv snd Kyivhave left these cities without power during the freezing Winter temperatures.
Soccer star Pelehas died aged 82 after a long battle with cancer. The Brazilian soccer star took his team to win 4world cupsin 1958 1962 and 1970.
January 5th whilst US and other countries willrequire Chinese arrivals to provide a negative COVID test upon arrival Australia will not be requiring this atthis stage.
Fashion Designer Viviane Westwood has passed away aged 81
Saturday 31st December 2022
Happy New Years Eve!
I don't know what it is but I haven't been feeling well and I fly out tomorrow morning. Maybe it's just anxiety as I haven't flown long haul for so long and hate flying worrying about my airport transfer not showing up missed flights problems getting through airport securty in air emergency lost or damaged luggage etc. It all has been plaguing me.
Today I ran around trying to find last minute items and things I had to do. Iwent to Macquarie Shopping Centre ans snuck in a meal of fried rice wrapped in an omelette and Karaage chicken.
I decided not to head into town to see the 9pm kids fireworks but watch them on tv. I got a surprise when I could actually see glimpses of the fireworks from my window of where I live in the very far distant! I maylive North of Sydney but really far away from the harbour.
Oh my God! This year' NYE event was so poorly organized. It did not specify which gate to go to snd I had 30 minutes to find it before they closed the gates as per ticket at 11 pm!. I'm running around and almost got crushed to death and going to the wrong gate.
well what can I say. I should have just gone to the 9 pm kiddies fireworks as they seemed to last longer and we're more interesting then the midnight ones. I was disappointed with them. I was not only disappointed with them but with the organisation. I was almost squished to death and went to the wrong gate. I had to practically run to my ticketed vantage point in order to get there in time before they closed it off at 21 pm for the midnight fireworks. At capacity - if it is at capacity they should not be selling any more tickets online. I purchased mine well in advance when the vantage point was only 85 percent capacity.
News headlines today include
An elderly couple almost died from heat stroke waiting hours in their car on the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne. An off duty nurse who was undergoing treatment for cancer herself and should not have been exposed to the heat notice there was something wrong when she noticed them slumped over. The woman had lost consciousness andthe man kept going in and out of consciousness slumping over his steering wheel .Both were treated and are now recovered.
It's just 9 am and people are already at Circular Quay and other vantage points staking their claim to the best spot to see tonight's 9pm and midnight fireworks.
Somewhere between NYE and NYD Pope Benedict XVI died. His body will lay in state for 3 days for people to pay their respects. For the first time in 600 years a Pope resigned and the current pope Francis will be attending a former Pope's funeral.
More countries are imposing a negative COVID test result requirement 2 days prior to arrival from residents of China HK & Macau. China is unimpressed and has Declared this to be a form of discrimination.
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