Monday 1st - Wednesday 31st July 2024

Monday 1st July 2024 

Happy Canada Day!

Today is the first day of the new 2024 2025 financial year a cool 15 degrees C tops and possible showers.

It's so hot this morning at 9 am. The sun is out with almost blue skies and it feels a lot hotter then 15 degrees C. However by 10 am it cooled down again - the sun is still out but not as intense as I pulled the blind down. But by 5 pm it was really dark, raining and freezing cold OK I exaggerate- just quite cold.

I did not work on any assessments today as I had to also lodge my fortnightly Centrelink income report. So must of today was taken up doing essential things.

Today I had to go to Chatswood to renew my photo id card which expires in 9 days . It was a bot of a wait and I had to get my photo taken again as I paid for a 10 year not 5 tear card. I had to pay an increase in the fee because it is the first of July, I checked the website and it still had the old price of $105 which increased today to $115. I had a concession card but when they checked it Crntrelink had not activated it - what's the point I didn't ask for the seniors concession card and am far from the age of 65 so was wondering why they sent me one in the first place. Anyway if it had been activated the photo I'd card would have been for free. $115 for 10 years is OK so I just paid the fee. 

Before walking down to the Service NSW centre to get my photo id card renewed, my neighbour asked me to post a beanie for him at the post office in Chatswood do I did. 

I also went grocery shopping and to get some thank tags.

When I returned it was after 6 pm and I put all the bins out and sorted the rubbish into the correct bins, spoke to my neighbour whilst using his hand weights to do some reps biceps and triceps  curls etc before heading back up to the apartment watch the news light dinner and catch up on today's blog.

News headlines today include

3 dead 3 critical and dozens more injured on yet another bus crash on the Bruce Highway in QLD involving a caravan and a greyhound bus.The vehicles will be towed away to Townsville for investigation. The highway was planned to be fixed.

Another Western Sydney hit and run.

The daughter is outraged at the judge over the Greg Lynn case where Lynn was found guilty over one victim's muder but not her father's death.

Stage 3 tax cuts, energy rebates etc all part of the new financial year changes that are suppose to help Australians with the rising cost of living and inflation. Meanwhile the 2nd most expensive state to live in is QLD due to a very tight housing market outdoing Melbourne where the housing market is now more affordable as  more houses have been built to accommodate the increase in population, No mention of Sydney - we all know how expensive it is to live in Sydney ( #1 most expensive housing market as no new houses are being built to house it's increasing population or it is taking years to approve new housing developments).

The WA labor senator that crossed the floor has been suspended .

An Australian man in his 40s has become the 8th person to run around the world arriving back in Brisbane and raising thousands for charity.

Michael J Fox makes a surprise appearance on stage at a Coldplay concert. Although in a wheelchair he was strumming away on the guitar with the band whilst they played so inspired by their song I will fix you as they were inspired by being big fans of Back To The Future series of moves.

Prince Harry is up for an award as founder of  the Invictus Games  - ESPY gong. There is anger and frustration over his award as he is not someone who has given up his life for sports but it is argued that he gave up his life to join the defence force and then walked away from royal life and put all his efforts into helping forner defence force members by founding the invictus games to help them - isn't that a sporting sacrifice already eventhough  not a direct life sporting sacrifice?The organisation has defended it's decision to award Harry..

Australia's 28th Governor General Sam Mostyn a lawyer and chair person  has been sworn in this morning in Canberra in the presence of PM AA  today taking over from the previous Governor General David Hurley a former defence force General.

Kevin Costner's new series of movies he self funded have been a flop straight to DVD.

Inside Out 2 has been released and it looks to be a sucessful children's movie.

Bisen has gathered with family member about the future ofhis running for presidency after his poor performance at the presidential debate. A body expert was asked if he has lost his marbles when he blundered at tge start of the debate against Trump and tgey said no just performance anxiety as he was fully alert tge following day at a rally and supporters still are back him.

Scientists fully sequence the endangered billy's DNA hoping to save it from extinction.

After Qantas starting to ring and refund customers that bought tickets on ghost flights recently, The nimber of Qantas Frequent Flyer point seats just got increased for domestic and international flights.  Virgin also has seats on offer. 

Fire fighters are now using drones to get into fires in spaces of buildings too small or dangerous for humans or machines to access .

NAB says it fixed a glitch that locked customers out of their accounts.

Tuesday 2nd July 2024

Today is forcasted for a rather chilly wet day with a top of 17 degrees.

The new cleaner comes weekly and he does a good job at keeping the apartment block clean The bins even get washed out each week. But there is no point if the person who is paid to taken them all out and bring them all back in doesn't do their job and filthy residents don't put the rubbish in the right bins and they overfill and get rejected by the rubbish bin collection service. I saw the bins were not taken out on Monday night so put all of them out and separated the rubbish in them. The paper bin collection truck did not come until noon - very late. I did not take all the bins back in the cleaner did as no one else will do it. 

News headlines today include

More photos have bern released of John Farnham at his 75th birthday with his family.

Sarah Ferguson (Fergie) has posted a birthday tribute to what would have been Princess Diana's 63rd birthday.

Pregnant women have been warned that sitting in the office for 8 hrs or mor a day and being latent for long periods of time is not good for their unborn babies development as it makes the placenta stiffer and smaller also narrowing  and  restrict the umbilical cord.

Trump has been given some immunity from prosecution by the court - wait what ? how? What?Court grants pesidential immunity ?His precedent allowing all future presidents to be immuned to some extent to criminal acts. no.

A strong wind warning and drenching of 20 - 30 mm of rain for QLD? They just had a top temp of 27 degrees C  such a mixed bag of weather. 

Curious car parking signs in Melbourne have left drivers  confused. The the side by side male and female signs ( which look like the unisex toilets sign) are meant to be parking spots reserved for seniors. Drivers were left scratching their heads over the sign not being able to figure out what they were for -  thinking was it for disabled parking posdibly? The signs are being removed and replaced with more obvious signage - just use a male and female figure with a cane abd/or walker but not the one used on the bus which has a man with a cane and a pregnant woman although that would ba a good idea but even more confusing! 

A car has hit a 79 year old man from behind in Western Sydney crossing a dark road.

Another car has crashed into a house's garage  setting it on fire. Neighbours saw flames of upto 2 storeys high. The driver is on the run and there is a manhunt for him. Police believe it was a targeted attack and lucky the father and daughter escaped.   

Raiders and Pathers up against Warriors and Sharks in Las Vagas in 2025 round.

Jill Biden graces the cover of Vogue after the disastrous Biden verses Trump presidential debate.

Nicole Kidman plays the Aussie slang game yeah nah nah yeah with Zac Efron

Will Smith's music comeback

A 14 year old has been accused of stabbing a 22 year old student in the neck at Sydney University. Students at Camperdown hospital to hide inside. It is unclear what his motive was but it is believed to be a terrorist motive from sicial media influences.

Breaking up large supermarket and retail chains. A new supermarket comissioner to ensure suppliers get a faur deal? An agile system? More competition? 

Fatina Payman the WA senator that crossed the floor suspended because she broke Labor rules?! Western Sydney Muslim voters target Labor leaders for next election.

A man has ended up in an overhead locker on a flight during turbulence.

There is a menopausal medication shortage.

ANZ charging deceased customers.

Friday night foot traffic halved since COVID. Parramatta plans to be converted into a late night hub.

UK democrate campaigns for elections by bungy jumping, doing a Zumba class and jet skiing .

Life inspecting in Australia has dropped for the first time.

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

I slept in this morning until almost 8 am. Waa up last night trying to finish another assessment. Not feeling the best I think I have a cold or tge flu as my throat is sore and my nose blocked after being a bit runny yesterday.

News headlines today include

It's cold in Melbourne but not record cold.Melbourne and Adelaide wake to coldest morning in decades . Just 1 degrees in the centre of the city of Melbourne How cold was it ? Minus 1.2 degrees in some regions varying between -1 and -3 degrees C around Victoria.

It was more wet then cold overnight in Sydney with a top of 17 degrees C again today. The sun is trying hard to stay out but it is still overcast and grey outside. It rained overnight .

Another major car crash  that killed a man overnight by teens in stolen cars. The car crashed into the front garden before veering off onto a road in Burwood.An innocent driver was killed  boned  by the stolen car that was packed by teenagers 2 15 year old girls remained rushed to hospital for treatment and  3 boys on the run from the scene.

Alex De Minaur has won his match and advanced to the next round of Wimbledon 

Coles and Woolworths threatened by Peter Dutton if elected to break them up. Changes could push up grocery prices but has the backing of the consumer watch dog comission.

Greg Lynn attacked by inmates lnown to Victim. Shit was thrown at him. 

The QLD 's premier has given another last minute election promise , an unnecessary piece of  indrastructure to be built with no plans of competition dates dubbed the Bribie Island Bridge bribe. People are complaining it is not needed even his governments are not in support of it - what a waste of funding which could be used elsewhere for QLDers.

McDonalds is doing their bit and cutting down their breakfast service to 10 am instead of 12 noon nationwide to cope with the demand  of the egg shortage due to the bird flu. 

Garry the Garrilla was found after being stolen. Found in a backyard betwwen 2 garages by Victorian Air Wing . He will now be returned to his home where he belongs  ( a retirement village?) - the gorilla is a statue by the way but he it sure looked real when the police carried him into the back of a police paddy wagon.

A charity that supplies formal dresses to students that can't afford it or don't have access to getting them has gone up on flames. Donations particularly for plus size dresses are being requested. 

No more koala cuddles as QLD outlaws this experience. Tourists can still experience a cuddle with a koala in other states but in QLD only a close up encounter in an enclosure near a koala is allowed . 

Another surprise performance of his song A Team at a pub.

Witchery has slammed plus sized fashion cutting their size 20 in their new range which is now from size 4 - 18. The average Australian is a size 14 - 16.

Thursday

I slept in today until after 8 am. I have a cold and had a bit of a sore throat for a  day but then it turned into sneezing a wet cough and a very runny nose. Up again trying to do assessments but sent an email to my teacher advising that I am doing the subject again next year.

I must have esp, I was just thinking about the last Good Food and Wine Show and  watching all the reality TV shows on and thinking how the Australian French chef hasn't been seen for a while not even at the Goid Foid & Wine Shows and all of a sudden he appears as a guest on channel 7's cooking session just before 9 am this morning. Oh he is only on there cooking to spruike his non cooking appearing ( which he made quite clear) at Castle Hill to promote his cookware range in conjunction with Spotlight.

A top of 17 - 18 degrees C again today. It's been pretty wet but is not raining this morning just overcast and grey.

News headlines today include

A new beauty trend slugging using a thin  layer of  Vaseline over your face once a week is trending. 

Last night around 9 pm a meteorite was spotted streaming across the sky in Melbourne. Apparently nit uncommon for one a week to happen. Fireball, wishing star, shooting star even aliens whatever you want to call it - no we didn't get to see it in Sydney.

2 surfers fear being fined for swimming out to shark nets to rescue and free a whale trapped around a sharknet crying out in pain for help.

A teen stolen a car from a petrol station and attacked and robbed  3 of women in the Western suburbs of Sydney Northmead North Rocks & Parramatta.

A 17 year old male has been identified  and the 2 x 15 year old females have now been charged for that car crash. This leaves 2 more males still on the run.

10 SA health workers have been suspended for inaporopriately accessing the SA Police Commissioner's son's medical records . Charlie Stephens died as a result of being hit at schoolies week.

Palm Beach on the Gold Coast has had a mystery green slim being released into the pristine beaches.

Canberra has held it's charity Gala ball overnight.

There has now been 8 cases of measles from passengers arriving from abroad who have not been immunised in Melbourne.

The Brat pack is coming back together.

Kokkinakis has finally made it to play and win his match to advance to the next round after 2 days rain at Wimbledon .

Higher prices for eggs will come into effect within a week on top of customer limited imposed by supermarkets as the bird flu spreads. Prices of all products that use eggs are also set to rise and in threat of a shortage. There is plenty of chicken and poultry still on supermarket shelves are they not affected by the bird flu as well? Why only eggs? Are we buying  and eating chickens infected with bird flu?

The Big Red Bash music festival featured Tina Arena last night 

Travis has revealed in an interview with his brother that it was his idea to make an appearance at Tay Tay's Eras tour but made it clear to himself not to drop the baby (Tayor) whatever he did.

Zac Effron who has been on the news a bit recently reveals what it was like being on High School Musical.

Senator Payman may be quitting  the Labor Party after being suspended exiled from the Labor Party for crossing the floor with her views on supporting Palestian statehood. She has now decided to walked away and will now sit on the cross bench as an independent.

Biden maybe pulling out of the presidential race. Biden has shut these rumours down announcing that he is still running.  

Derek Bromely sentenced to life in jail for killing a person found in a lake in the 1980s has been released from jail. His first stop a Maccas.

The King has ended their tour of Scotland by making Queen Camila and Prince Edward the Order of the Thistle.

Home and Away' actor Ray Meagher who plays Alf  turns 80 today. He has Been on the show for 37 years.

Bruce Lehmann will face trial for rape charges as ex liberal staffer faces 2 counts of rape in QLD.

Prtestors at Parliament as they scale the building with Palestineian protestors demonstrate and climate change activists glue themselves to columns .

Raging wild fires in California. Meanwhile Hurricane Beryl hits devastates Jamaica. 

Polling eve for the UK which could be Rishi Sunak 's last day as PM . 

Drones and missiles ambush  strike Ukraine killing several.

A NZ tourist couple have been killed in a US mall from a blotched robbery in the US.

A secret cloud data storage centre between the government and Amazon has been plan. 

A Cafe has been ordered to stop serving dogs indoors.

The AUS$ is at a high at above $0.67 against the US$.

New treatment for cataracts.

Lauren Jackson now in her 40s is up for her 5th Olympics.

Friday

I have been sick all week and have not left the apartment to go outside not even to the laundry downstairs. Today I feel like shit. My ears are a little sore my nose is blocked and constantly running like a tap and I have this constant cough which is not a dry cough but a wet one. I hate taking medication or going to the doctor. I usually just wait out whatever I have. I get bad allergies like itchy skin and a cough and watery eyes when it rains or about to rain and just thought it was another allergy but the runny nose and cough became constant after I developed a mild ear ache which then turned into a sore throat then knew it was no longer allergies. The sore throat did not last long maybe a day or so and I thought it may have been an irritation from something I ate. But it was the blocked itchy runny nose and constant cough that were tell tail signs that I had a cold/flu. I really feel like shit at the moment. I have been sleeping or trying to a lot but should be drinking more fluids but haven't . I have cold and flu medication I am taking - thanks to a first aid kit I keep. I haven't been out for a week - since I had to get my photo id card renewed and only went out because it had to be renewed as well as top up groceries and take the bins out. 

I pushed myself too hard to finish 3 of  the subjects of my course. Luckily I took my Games System's teachers advice and was strategic to complete the subjects I knew I could complete fully so I would not have to redo the whole course again and just reenrol and only do the subjects I could not complete. I had plans to complete a few other subjects but had to abandon my plans when I became sick. My head is a little not focused as I write this blog. I really thought I could finish some other subjects but unfortunately can't . Today is tge very last day of the Tafe term and I haven't contacted my teachers yet to inform them that I am sick therefore can't complete their subjects. I saw a message from my intro to programming teacher but have not responded to her. I owe her one assessment which was one I had planned to finish and submit but it's too late. This subject is controversial as I was offered a part exemption for at the beginning but said no as it was completely different to the previous one I studied in ICT - bad mistake should have taken it. As for for Studio Practice as far as I am concerned I have submitted my 4 assessments but had trouble submitting the last one by Fri 29th so symubmitted it to the teacher by email. He still hasn't marked the other one resubmitted. I advised him in the email that I have decided to do OOPs again next semester as there was no way I could complete the assessment and had half done all the AA assessments but became sick so did not want to submit it. I did not mention that I was sick . I am disappointed with not being able to finish my favourite subject Game Systems as I really wanted to complete it and had finished the rather long technical documentation that went with one of the assessments. Still have not emailed that teacher. I feel bad as I am so sick today and it's the very last day of Tafe.

Feeling so shit surprised I can still update my blog.

Nothing worse when when you are feeling sick and the head teacher send a  text message to ask if you want some info to do the diploma next semester. Had to tell her that I am sick and haven't even submitted half of the subjects assessments.

News headlines today include ( sick so not comprehensive)

The SA father that was charged for drug pocession with meth found in a toothpaste tube has escaped a jail sentence and not even issued a fine for $700 000 ( which was waived)  instead the judge agreed with his lawyer that he was a user not a dealer who needed help and instead will be sent to rehabilitation for 4 months.

A dental hygiene student gas won a hotdog eating competition in Florida.

UK election day is well under way and a landslide victory is expected after 14 years of the current government's squandering and corruption.

De Minaur  is into a 3rd round at Wimbledon  aa Kokkinakis is forced to retire due to a knee injury.

Do not walk around in the dark in Sydney alone is the warning for women by police after the attacks and robbery of women in Western Sydney by the prowler who is still on the run and if anyone sees him do not approach him but contact police.

QLD Ekka show tickets are available for half price to those who subscribed to their website.

Labor leaks target that Payman's Afghan citizenship a breach of rules. The question is why is it being bought up now because she was elected and been a senator for a few years now. She had done everything she could to relinquish her citizenship but it was denied back then. Since she offically quit the Labour party, even Petter Dutton has been slammed for his racist comments of inclusion of " independent muslims" as he is up for election as the next PM. " Islamaphobia" - is there even such a word? 

The Chris Jenner has reveal how serious her health is  doctors found a cyst on her ovary and will now have to have it removed

Vanessa Hudsen has had her first baby

The Beckham's have re-enacted their wedding 25 years ago by wearing their atching original  purple outfits and sitting on thrones. Yep they still look great and fit into the outfits.

Another car jacking in Hardware Lane in Melbourne has occurred leaving the owner of the car in hospital with serious injuries. He waa just unloading cartons when a male on an e scooter got off and entered the owner's car and drove off with it with the owner in front of the car trying to defend it from being stolen and driven off by the car jacker.

An AFL ball manufacturer may strike over pay disputes. 

The horse rider that was almost banned for his mankini riding stunt then was seriously injured in a riding accident has got back on his horse after being told he would be out of action for 10 weeks hence likely to miss the Paris Olympics .

Kylie Minogue has gone down memory lane for her birthday by showing her original first hit from 1988. 

Ozempic causes an increase in blindness .

Paddy's Market is being expanded meaning existing stall holders have to relocate within the market to make way for the food markets expansion.

There is a push for a sugar tax again.

Saturday

Well it's officially the first day of the school holidays. A top of 18 degrees C ( again) today with showers - what's new.

Still sick with a runny nose but more irritating a hideous wet cough and body weakness and pain. I think I am at the stage where you think you are getting better  because you feel better but you go downhill again afterwards.

UK has a new PM Sir Keir Starmer. Wait who? Yep if you haven't heard of him like I haven't then you are not alone as he has been described as plain and vanilla rather boring but it has been said that after 14 years and "broke" government it's time for change - a change of party leadership, a change in PM - maybe that's what the UK needs someone who is serious to fix the UK's issues with eg health system .

Biden is still in the press. This time stuffing up a radio interview? Nope just calls for him to step down or step aside by his supporters efmg donors and within his office. He made a firm 17 minute speech in Wisconsin to his supporters where some critised him for reading off an autocue. 

Sydney's downpours has resulted in mass weekend sporting event cancellations as sports grounds remain drenched. Parents are asking for club refunds which some clubs are doing.

Poor Germany beaten in the football. 

The Tour de France continues, I think it's upto round 7 now??

Tones & I makes a surprise performance in Townsville  in QLD announced on her Facebook page ahead of her sold out concert.

A man has been stabbed in a Bunnings carpark in Brisbane.

A pedestrian has been hit by a car in a Western Sydney suburb.

The AUS$ is at it's highest for a while hovering still above the $0.76 mark  against the US$.

Sunday

Happy World Chocolate Day - pity I am too sick to be in Melbourne at the Cake Bake & Sweet Show today.

A top of 18 - 19 degrees C again today .It is pretty sunny and warm outside but the possibility of showers continues. Nope it mostly he'd off today but there was a little sprinkling of coastal rain.

QLD warned to brace for a surge in flu cases especially after attending the EKKA where cases usually surge afterwards. Get vaccinated 

3 children die in a house fire in Western Sydney. A man has been arrested .

A woman's body found earlier in the week in a rubbish bin is being investigated outside of Melbourne. It was put in the bin and dumped in a tip. It was a elderly woman who lived alone in her house.

US president Biden refuses to take and release results from a cognitive test. The debate over his ability  and stamina to run for President continues after he made ruling not to hold events and meetings after 8 pm to allow him to get more sleep. 5 within his office have not pushed for him to step away from the presidential elections after Bidens blunders.

San Firmin Festival begins - a week long festival with drinking eating dancing and bull fighting.

King Fredrick and Queen Mary have been on a royal tour to Greenland.

Prince Charles and Queen Camila has been out and about

What would you think of entertainment free flights?

A missing 23 year old man after a boat overturned in Lake Macquarie when others had been rescued 

A windmill restore has been given to celebrate the moulan rouge in Paris and in time for the Olympics in Paris.

Legendary basketballer Lauren Jackson makes it to her 5th Olympics along with Paddy Mills.

The Australian  PM AA and new British PM are still in on the AUKUS submarine deal . A replacement for Rishi Sunak's opposition position has not been found yet.

Over 11 000 cases of the parasitic Crytoscrosis and other gastro cases of over 47000 have had a sharp increase nationally. . Most are in children there is no cure just rest and stay at home as they can be spread by contact drinking contaminated liquids for example.

The metro is still due to open at the end of August however still no rail replacement bus services plans have been announced for when the entire Bankstown Line is shit down to be replaced with the new stage 3 of the Metro line

An upgrade of the Australian War Memorial has been announced.

Ozempic may prevent certain types of cancers.

A PNG minister has been accused of domestic violence.

Another stolen SUV filled with children as young as 9 as they tried to escape police scambled out of it . 

The surviving children of the family in a Lalor Park house fire where 3 of the children died said their father set the house on fire and tried to stop neighbours ftom rescuing them. He is under a medical coma.

Funds were wasted taking down Picton High Schools walls to encourage open learning 

A 4 person crew in a NASA research facility  Mars simulator who put their lives on hold for a year to live in a windowless bunker  have emerged today. During their year in the Nars simulator tgey had limited resources and had to learn to grow tgeir own plants all to learn about what life might be like on Mars one day and to be able to send people to Mars to live the future .

Monday 8th July 2024

A bit dark and grey and wet this morning. I think it may have rained late last night but only briefly and lightly. 

Well I just found out that Wednesday the new owners of the building will take pocession and I will find out if I get evicted or not and how much the rent will go up. In Sydney it's damned if you do damned if you don't . If you have a mortgage the interest rates are so high the mortgage repayments are incredibly high causing families stress and on the other had if you are a renter the rents are so high and places to rent in such short supply it also causes stress. I am worried that I will be made homeless. I am still sick at the moment but feeling a little better but that could also turn bad and I may feel sicker again tomorrow.

I paid my storage unit rent today.

News headlines today include

Alec Bauldwin faces charges today 3 years on from the accidential shooting on the Rust set.

What Margot Robbie is pregnant with her first child with her husband of 8 years?!

John Stamos plays alongside his 6 year old son "we will we  will rock you.". Very cute. 

There is concern for 3 young children who are missing in QLD. A  3 year old girl and 5  & 6 year old boys on the Gold Coast were picked up by a man known to them in a blue sedan and have been missing for over 9 hours now. Now found safe and well after an amber alert was issued 30 km at Mt Warren Park  from where they were. A man is now in custody dentified as the biological father of the children. He had the right to be with them however leaving them overnight in a car alone is irresponsible. Found thanks to a 7 11 worker who spotted the 3 children getting out odmf the car and reported it to police

Melbourne clears the way for above ground train to the airport to be built by 2030. There was a big debate as to whether it should be underground or above ground. Initially it was below ground now it will be above ground. 

Plans to acquire new ADF Kamikaze attack drones . The US made drones cost $80 000 each. It is unsure how many the government will purchase. They ( Switchblades)  are small enough to fit in a backpack and contains munitions.

Polls now show Liberal is ahead of Labor in the popularity stakes and Peter Dutton is now the preferred PM - really? I find these polls are so incorrect. How Who What When & Where do these statistics come from anyway - certainly not from me! Online surveys? Phone polls? Door knocking? 

The NDIS is scraping funding for sex workers planned ?? Who cares the NDIS is already corrupt ripping off people who actually need the services and run bu corrupt greedy people.

Jess Hull breaks national record in the 1500 m in Paris.

An emu has been seen walking in the streets in the rain in the US. It is believed it escaped from a chicken farm spooked by the 4t July fireworks.

The QLD opposition has vowed to enforce more severe youth crime laws "adult time for adult crimes" committed to curb the out of control youth crime in QLD however some argue that this may do more harm then good.

Kylie stuns on stage as she performs for a special performance in Turkey.

Grandparents paid to baby sit the grand kids? What do people think?

The teenager learner driver who crashed in Newcastle killing a 16 year old boy has been charged for reckless driving.

SA Police commisioner and his wife have spoken out for the first time about their son Charlie's death. The driver who hit Chalie has been charged.

Child tracking app dangers - parents tracking their children 24/7 maybe causing their children an unhealthy relationship and cause pychological and relationship issues later on in life . Life 360 is one app which has grown in popularity over the years. Apps were suppose to be used for safety knowing where your friends and relatives are or where to find them but it seems this is crossing the line when it comes to surveillance.

Has Joe Biden got Parkinsons disease? The results have not been revealed as more of his party member advise more like push Biden to step aside.

Masterchef winner Julie Goidwin seriously injured before she even competes in dancing with the stars.

Actor John Csena has an announcement on his next acting move - he is retiring from part time wrestling to concentrate on his acting where he has been quite sucessful at.

Modern music is not as complex as before.

The Wiggles celebrate their 100th album

A gravel storm has forced tour de France bike riders to get off their bikes and walk until the storm was over.

Tuesday 9th July 2024

A forecasted temperature of 19 degrees C and rain lots of it. It has been raining throughout the early morning and is still raining. It actually hit 21 degrees C today!

I'm still sick but feeling well enough now to go grocery shopping. I am almost out of everything and used my reserve roll of toilet paper and tissues.  I tried to hold off using them especially the good box of tissues but my nose was running so had to. 

I hate grocery shopping but too cheap to use delivery services and not posdible as I need suff from Chemist Warehouse, Coles, Woolwirths Netro and Aldi at least. Chemist warehouse and Aldi probably don't deliver and Coles and Woolworths will cost you an arm and a leg. Also my neighbour has had so many issues with incorrect deliveries of items and now I know why they substitute stuff because there umis a shortage of grocery items. The shelves at Aldi and Woolworths Metro were empty of eggs due to the bird flu but that does not explain the shortage of Australian salmon. Wholemeal bread is also difficult to find but there is plenty of white and multigrain bread. There is certainly no shortage of imported Korean Shin noodles but at Woolworths Metro was almost double the price as Aldi ! I'm talking $5 something verses almost $10 for a 5 pkt.

After my shop at Chemist Warehouse where I spent more then my weekly grocery shop, Aldi ( where I got ripped off on Brussels sprouts - both Coles and Woolworths had cheaper pkts), Coles just to get a few items unavailable at either Adi and Woolworths and then finally Woolworths Metro. I also made a stop at Rebel to look for some under 1 kg wrap around weights. No sucess lightest are 1 kg each.

On my way home I sent a message to the guy I previously met on the XPT from Melbourne to Sydney . I asked him to go to Bastille Day celebrations next week . 

Home unpack groceries watch TV and sleep. Still have this persistent wet cough so need to rest. This will linger for  a while . My nose is still snotty as well but I do feel better. You start to notice the difference between contagious sick and I'm getting over it sick.

News headlines today include

It official Australia Post DOES NOT deliver! I never doubted how shocking the Australian postal service was as I have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars  which is more like millions of dollars of  irreplaceable letters and parcels by Australia Post never to be seen again. Some happening whilst I was overseas to my PO Box. The evidence is out not only are posting letters costing almost an arm and a leg  , Australia Post is constantly complaining they are making a loss therefore letter delivery services have been cut . How can a semi government postal service make a loss when there has been a massive increase  in parcel deliveries? Now social media platforms are full of posts from thousands of customers that don't receive their parcels or damaged upon receipt whist waiting at home for them. Countless home security camera footage has shown how deliveries are thrown onto front yards and doors or the delivery person drives up to the address then just leaves not even attempting to knock just leaving a missed message.

Another domestic violence incident in 48 hours in Sydney's West after the 3 children's lost their lives. A 21 year old woman has died.

Another tobacco raid by police in Melbourne worth $6 million plus 11 guns and $170 k worth of money. These police were the ones investigating the tobacco store fires . A win against illegal tobacco trade.

A  15 year old school girl on the Gold Coast hailrmed a hero managed to save a bus full of passengers by taking control of the bus  as the bus driver had a medical episode and passed out . He had experienced a heart attack.

Alice Springs first night of a snap curfews ends after a weekend of terror.

Biden makes a firm put up or shut up over democrate doubters . ie run with him or against him as he throws down the gauntlet. Find another candidate to challenge me or support me. Did Biden visit a neurologist 3 times and does he have Oarkinsons disease? It was also alledged he visited a neurologist 8 times.

Alec Bauldwin has had a small win with his Rust shooting case.

Woolworths will now stock Australian flags again year round after boycotting the sale of them back in January for Australia Day . They are backtracking on their decision only 6 months or so ago in time for the Olympivs however no stubby holders or other tacky items will be sold and the indigenous flag will also be sold along side the Australian flag products to cheer on the Aussies at the Olympics.  Woolworths being contraversal again!

There is a petition by due hard fans to name a laneway in Melbourne after the Minogue sisters just like ACDC  and Dame Edna. There is a unofficial rule that laneways are only named posthumously  is not quite true as there are still members of ACDC alive.

Could Harry and Meghan be heading back to the UK for a reunion as Harry starts to feel home sick.  Will the Royal family still accept them back?

Russia has attacked a children's hospital filled with doctors and nurses treating children with cancer.  They say their misile strikes were only targeting military targets  At least 31 have been killed in the attack in the city Kiev in the Ukraine.

Another unit fire in Western Sydney.

Travellers warned that sammers are setting up fake networks at airports across the country so never do banking on public wifi or log into the airport WiFi automatically. Always find the network and sign in again.

Bulk up like a gorilla eat 35 kg of vegetables and no meat a day.

De Minaur verses Djokovic in the quater finals at Wembodon- go the demon beat that joker!

Hurricane Beryl has made landfall in Texas killing 2 people.

The last of Rishi Sunak's  furniture is being moved out of the Dowing Street residence to make way for the new Bitish PM.

King Charles meets the West Indies cricket team 

Jerome Laui had to be rescued at a man-made wave pool during a team training session  - he's fine just too keen to jump in before everyone else.

Wednesday 10th July 2024

A beautiful clear today in Sydney mostly sunny and a top of 19 degrees again. A change and no rain forecasted for a while. Yesterday it was forecasted for 19 degrees C but reached 21 degrees C - it's the middle of Winter!!! Meanwhile in Brisbane there is a blanket of fog over the city delaying flights 

Still sick with a wet cough but now I have a right pink eye as well. My immune system is really playing up. 

The stress of dealing with the current property manager making mistakes with my rent payments , not giving me notice of rent rise and now forwarding the wrong address of where I actually reside for my bond. I just don't need this.

The new owner of the building has now settled today.

News Headlines today include( so much news today)

A 17 year old teen on the run on bail was released after 36 hours. The teen was responsible for the Burwood crash and run in Melbourne killing an innocent man. Which one ? One of the countless teen crimes increasingly occurring around Australia. The government is calling for an emergency meeting today and tomorrow on the out of control youth crime that is occurring. Come on why isn't the government doing anything about youth crime - yesterday I nearly got knocked down walking to the post office at Chatwood Station by a teenage boy picking a fight with a smaller teenage boy bullying him. I heard someone  yell out to the teen attacker to "leave him alone" but the scuffle seemed to continue with chasing and grabbing pulling the smaller teen's jacket or whatever he was wearing. In Chatswood! Usually this only occurs in the Western Sydney suburbs. In Chatswood most of the teens head straight to the local library whenever they have a chance not pick fights! The group of tennage boys don't even look as if they are locals by the way they looked and dressed let alone behaved outside the station gates.

A 45 year old has been charged for the murder and dumping of a 67 year old woman in a bin in QLD. The woman was an English teacher whose students mainly from overseas described her as their second mother. She was known to the man although unknown as to their relationship with each other.

Safety camera have been hidden in the Mt Coot Tha trails which can't all be seen amongst trees after several women were attacked walking and jogging  them. 80 or so cameras have been installed around the trails.

A NSW humpback whale has been rescued and freed to continue it's Winter migration by seaworld rescue crew including divers after a 3 day effort. Power tools were required like grinders were needed to cut the cables entangled around the whale to free it. At first it was thought to be shark or fishing net but it turned out to be metal wrapped around the whale. The cutting came very close to the whale's tail. 

Kmart and Target  have changed the way they give refunds where receipts must be now be shown.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns wants to ban music festivals and events claiming it is getting too commercial on Anzac Day wanting to keep the day more solemn. Football matches and sporting events will be allowed but retail will remain closed until midnight instead of  being allowed to open currently at 1 pm on Anzac Day. Exceptions for "essential services" which include newsagencies cafes pharmacies ??Yet public servants can swap their public holiday for another day of leave. As Americans say - "go figure" 

72% of Australians are experiencing some sort of distress with the rising cost of living. Meanwhile incomes go backwards as Australia has been found to have the worst wage growth with wages not keeping up with the raising costs of living.

Team Australia has won the wife carrying competition in Finland.

Alec Baldwin has been seen with his wife and one of their children pram and nanny arriving at his trial.

All eyes are on how Biden acts and performs at the 75 year old NATO summit in Washington DC to determine his fitness for presidency. He address the audience with confidence and his support for the presidency is safe for now.

The Devil Wears Prada gets a sequel. No word if Anne Hathaway will return to appear in the sequel.

Gladiator 2 first looks at the new movie.

The threat of China is on the rise again after a cyber security hacking group named APT40 acting on behalf of Beijing's main spy agent. It has connected to Australian networks is changing passwords and stealing/ selling personal information. 

A NZ mum wants to ban G strings at a local public pool.

Twisters a new movie was 30 years in the making.

Shirley Basseyhas been given a King's honour.

Latrell will not have surgery on his ankle but will have scans to ensure it is healing OK. Who is Latrell Mitchell? Australian footballer.

World # 1 tennis player Sinner has been defeated and out of Wimbledon.

Tom Hanks turns 68 years old today.

Sharon Stone speaks out on how Kevin Spacey should be able to return to work now tgat he has apologies to everyone.

Katy Perry has released the trailer for her new music "Women's World" to be released on Friday.

Blues fans out in force in the Blue Mt

A new fertility pill brings new hopeful IVF patients

A first time flyer looking for the loo on an Air China flight accidentally  opens the cabin door deploying the safety slide. Luckily the plane had not taken off from the tarmac yet.

A woman from Vietnam visiting her sister in Australia has been hit by a train and died. She had lost a shoe and tried to retrieve it off the tracks but could not climb back up onto the platform.

Longer waits at Service NSW as hundreds of jobs are axed due to budget cuts.

There is a debate to rename The Cooks River to a traditional name.

A bus made a wrong reun and ended up in the pedestrian mall outside the Hornsby Westfield think the central water fountain  feature was a round about. It managed to make it's way out of the pedestrian mall but realises the seriousness of the incident.

A very close call in the air for 2 planes in NY state.

A major factory inferno outside of Melbourne which started at 11 am today and which has just been contained but fire fighters will be present for days to extinguish the flames which caused huge toxic plumes of smoke to billow out , barrels of fuel and other toxic and flammable liquids to flight up into the air and employees to run and evacuate the site. Cars along the highway continued to travel along it despite the inferno.

New chief of defence force offically starts his role. Medal awards, China's threats and AUKUS are all part of his responsibilities now.

The wheels are literally falling off Boeing when another plane in the US lost it's wheel but still managed to land safely.

Thursday 

4 day Bastille Day celebrations begin tonight at Circular Quay. It looks as if it could rain tonight or tomorrow. Today it hit a top of 18 degrees C.

Another dry sunny morning  top of 18 degrees C but the weather reports keep advising an Arctic blast is on it's way. We have heard this a few times now and nothing so fat. I forgot about Christmas in July this year. A little too much to worry about at the moment. 

I am feeling a little better but still get tired easily. 

Too much stress about my bond and the previous property manager making that mistake. I sent another email to the bondclaims customer service to ensure tgat I am in the right and to have the address corrected. 

Still being pestered by soam and scam text messages. One constantly asking for money.

News headlines today include

Another elderly driver has driven onto Adelaide's O-bahn.  The 34th incident in decades. Well that's just as interesting news as the bus driver in Hornsby taking a wrong turn yesterday and driving around a pedestrian mall thinking the water feature fountain was a round about but does not beat the now very old story of a car driving down the set of stairs of a pedestrian entrance exit into the Bondi Junction train concourse below street level thinking it was a car park entrance decades ago.

Democratic donor and actor George Clooney has spoken out about Biden's fitness for presidency. One thing you can't buy is time was pointed out. ieit's  time to go Joe . He was not the only actor to agree with Clooney's advice.

Prince Harry has been interviewed on a documentary about celebrities beingphone bugged.

The East wing of Buckingham Palace is now open to the public on limited sold out Summer tours.

An invasion of spider crabs has occurred in  Coffin Bay where oysters are usually found. 

Talks are underway for a multi million dollar deal for Katy Perry to highlight the grand final at the MCG.

A Hertfordshire triple muder has occurred . An ex soldier has been accused of killing  a mother and 2 daughters with crossbow. Another case of domestic violence.

The factory fire outside of Melbourne is still burning and will continue to burn for days. Residents have been warned to keep windows closed and stay inside due to the huge amounts of toxic smoke.The near by creek is also being analysed.

Barty makes a winning pairs return to tennis. Meanwhile De Minaur had to withdraw from playing Djokovic in the Wimbledon the finals rounds due to a hip injury sustained from his last winning round.

Next inflation rates are due at the end of the month if the inflation increases beyond the 3.8 % then the RBA will increase rates again.

A man that hit an elderly grandfather killing him was arrested at the international terminal upon arrival back into Australia. He did the right thing and returned to Australia when he found out what he had done. He was unaware that police were after him when he went overseas.

The Good Guys have been taken to court over misleading promotions.

Booktopia has terminated hundreds of employees as they go into administration.

Soaring shipping container cost dure to ships having to sail a longer safer route in order to avoid Houthi shipping attacks at sea.

Councils accused of taking too long to approve the building of new homes.

A myster of an Australian couple found dead in their hotel room in the Philipines.

Another meth haul raided by police in the US.

44 boat people turned back to Indonesia as a warning.

3 Picasso painting hanging in the lady's room at the MONA ( Mimuseum of Old & New) in Tasmania  for years have been found to be fake.

Revel Wilson has taken to social media naming and shaming the 3 producers that blocked Rebel's new movie which was to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival which she had been invited to. The producers are saying it a lie and defaming.

Samsung has chosen France to showcase  their latest release of technology foldable phones, smart watches, health monitoring rings etc in time before the Olympics.

The AuS$ is till above the $0.67 mark against the US$.

Friday

A overcast morning with a top of 19 degrees C today.

I still have a cough but it feels like an allergy cough now. 

I am suppose to be going to the Bastille Day festival today but really don't feel like it. 

Still wortied about becoming evicted and homeless and this cough. I worry about if I can continue my studies or finding a job. The stress is taking a toll on my immune system. I have been told by doctors in the past that stress does trigger my allergies and ezcema. 

I hate being behind in rent and my rent is only paid up until 15th July which is Monday according to Nova Property Consultants. What happens between now and then? What about my bond concern? What happens if my lease is not renewed or a new one issued by the new owners.  I cannot re enrol at Tafe until I know for sure that I won't be made homeless. It has been on my mind for well over a month now.

Bad things happen in 3s. Last year I tripped and fell could not go to class and then had to attend a funeral then caught something whilst I was there and got very sick for over 2 weeks until I was well enough to go overseas. Hence spending Christmas and NYE in bed really sick.

Well it ended up being another do nothing day again today. The person I had asked to ho to Bastile Day Festival with me tonight cancelled at the last minute  and I am still not feeling 100% anyway and has asked to reschedule for Sunday afternoon which I originally had suggested to them and asked if this person really wanted to go on Friday night at peak hour. Really bad idea. He said he was stuck at work. 

My whole day was talking to my neighbour from unit 3 most of today. I did my 2nd batch of laundry as well. I have a very busy Monday so just as well I am resting up today. 

Tomorrow I might try and go out as I haven't been out since ,was it Tuesday?

News headlines today include 

Vote of Daylight savings going from 6 months to 4 months? Farmers warned it's outdated and detrimental to kids. 

Kylie Minogue has released a new song " My Oh My"

More is being learnt about the Australian couple killed in a luxury hotel in Phillipines, a man has been seen on CCTV entering towards their hotel room on the day they were about to check out. 

Biden is about to have a solo press conference to the world the first in 8 months. This will make or break his presidency and re election campaign against Trump as Biden answers a series of questions on his own which will prove his fitness as more supporters "ditch" him. It does not help when the audience gasped when he made a major mistake and  introduced Ukraine's President as Putin. He did correct this . Does anyone else notice that whenever Biden takes his place in the front row and stands next to all the other world leaders , that he looks as if he is not there. It's his eyes - he looks like a zombie standing there. You know that look when you knock on the door but nobody is home, like an autistic person where there is lack of  eye contact with anyone? I thought he made a second gaff at the beginning of his solo press conference but was unsure but then it was confirmed on the news he referred to his deputy Kanala Harris as Trump by mistake.

September election? The coalition is planning for polling day in nine weeks.

The deputy PM of Australia has thrown his support for the Ukraine. Sending more aid.

Body of a mother and disabled daughter have been found in a Marsfield home.

Ali France revealed as new Labor candidate for Peter Dutton's seat of Dixon. Is AA hinting at an early election?

A shortage of truck drivers aa a large portion of them are reaching retirement age could leave supermarket shelves bare - they are already showing  bareness. 

Prince Williams showed up at a homeless event with a hoarse voice apologising as his team won the football yesterday.

The Devil Wears Prada has expanded and turned into a musical as well staring Vanessa Williams playing Miranda Priestley.

ASIO and AFP address a major investigate into espionage and charge 2 Russian born spies living in Australia in QLD sending information back to Russia. 

Prince Harry accepts his contraversal award - it's not contraversal , he deserves it. He worked hard to establish his Invictus Games Internationally.

Apple stores releases the sale of their $6000 price tag VR goggles with a lucky group of customers first to test a 30 minute session of them before having the chance to purchase a pair.

Actress Shelley Duvall dies at 75.

A man has missed out on a world record when he slipped and fell whilst  walking across a tight rope between nainland Italy and Sicily just 80 m from the finishing podium.

Saturday 13th July 2024

HAPPY WORLD FRIES DAY!

What a beautiful day today. A top of probably 18 - 19 degrees C today. Where is that cold blast the weather forecasts have been taking about?

Another storage unit fire in Sydney. A woman managed to escape.

A Brisbane Labor Party protest one woman chafed for spitting in an officer's face. They want sanctions

John Setka Union boss steps down from the CFMEU.

The Australian royal tour itinerary has been finalised.

The Biden gaffs and his fitness to run for re election as president of the US continues. Meanwhile Trump has remained very quiet happy watching the fighting within the Democrates Party. 

More information on the Australian Russian spies arrested continues.

37 vear old Djokovic versus 21 year old Alcaraz play in Wimbledon final.

The rather grainy CCTV footage is now being looked at to find the killer of tge Australian couple staying at The luxury Lake Hotel in the Phillipines and their relative from the Phillipines.

Another 2 killed in a house fire outside of Melbourne .

The first Qantas direct flight from Perth to Paris took off carrying the Australian athletes .The flight is over 17 hours long and will be a 4 times a week service during the Olympics and 3 times a week after.

The Alec Baldwin involuntary manslaughter trial  continues with the amourer  who has already been charged and in jail called out to testify at the trial. Breaking news all charges have been dropped by the judge over disputed ammunition evidence that was never bought forward. This means this case in New Mexico is never to reappear again ie case closed however Baldwin still has to face civil cases.

3 people have died in Russia in a jet crash.

Rebel is being sued by the producers of her new movie for defamation which was suppose to debut at the Toronto Film Festival but for some unknown reason isn't. What embezzlement was involved?!

Alarming that statistics show a significant increase in share ride operators transporting patients to hospitals in Victoria rather then using the ambulance service due to a problem with their service and ambulance ramping. This is not the solution to the ambulance service crisis in Victoria and a rather expensive one particularly for regional patients.

Princess Anne is back at work but has no recollection of the horse accident.

Just weeks before the new Metro extension line is due to open the metro broke down during the busy morning peak hour near cherrybrook with commuters on board stranded for over 2 hours and upon finally reaching Epping  lined up forever for rail replacement buses as the entire line was shut down. This is the 3rd major breakdown in 3 years which is not a good record for the metro line. Thinking about it, it seems the metro has spent more time since it opened closed due to trackwork, maintenance, faults, testing or other issues then open and operating to commuters. 

Sunday 14th July 2024

Happy Bastille Day!

It's a beautiful sunny morning and I estimate a top of around 18 degrees C again today. Nope it dropped to 17 degrees C. 

I slept in until almost 8 am this morning but I must get up. Places to go , things to do.

Today I did go to the last day of the 4 day Bastille Day Festival as I haven't been out for 2 weeks now except briefly for groceries. I was lucky my neighbour who is a chef but doesn't cook gave me some fruit and veg delivered to him that he could not use or fit into his fridge.

I was suppose to meet up with someone to go to the Bastille Day Festival today but he cancelled on Friday night and I cancelled on him today because he only contacted me at noon as I was about to leave and was still a bit sick so I had decided to go to the festival take some footage then go straight home - no hanging around and stuffing my face with lobster rolls or fried halomi.   It was going to take him 3 hours to get to the festival and by the time he arrived I would have already headed home and I actually did leave around 3 pm. It was a beautiful day today and warm however the temperature started to drop at around 3 pm and I did not want to be hanging around in the cold for him to arrive nor did I want to be out on a cold Sunday night as I have lots to do tomorrow. I send him a text message to cancel and was going to suggest to him that he could still go to the festival himself alone but didn't send him another message. He had a chance to come on Friday and he set a time of 5 pm but he cancelled at the very last minute ( I'm talking about I could have almost been at the festival time) and he was the one who asked if he could reschedule for Sunday afternoon but without any meeting time place or plan, not even texting me the night before. Texting and asking if I still wanted to meet up on Sunday afternoon is not on. I had asked him if he was sure about going on Friday night and he had said yes as I suggested Sunday originally because I knew the crowds would be wild, parking impossible and expensive and peak hour public transport packed on a Friday night. He said he had something on over the weekend. That's fine but don't cancel and then ask to catch up on Sinday afternoon at the last minute again . I always avoid peak and try to go on the quieter days and times of events whenever possible. I had originally planned to go on Sunday anyway. Actually getting out made me feel better although I still have a bit of a lingering cough,  must have been the fresh salty air and vitamin D - Sunshine! Definitely not the rancid smell of racelette cheese everywhere! That makes me feel like puking!

Back at St Leonards I go to the IGA and Coles and do an essentials shop - tissues bread cheese yakault chicken toilet paper  before heading straight home.

Catch up with my neighbour downstairs about madelines and ccaneles from Sacrebleu. 

Unpack groceries and bed 

Refer YouTube videos uploaded

News headlines today include.

Flamboyant aerobics king fitness coach Richard Simmons dies ages 76. 

The Russian defence forece private amd her Russian husband Igor were both accused of espionage - the first in history, it was found was the face of the defence force recruitment campaign appearing in several recruitment campaign videos. The video has now been taken down. She had gone to Rusdia on a secret trip and asked her husband to log into her private ADF account an send secret ADF information to her personal email address whilst she was overseas.

It was a star studded audience at the Wimbledon finals game.

The Kardashians were dripping in Jewish at an Indian billionaire's  wedding - who cares.

Police arrived to find a man's body in the stairwell of a building in Victoria's Box Hill

Dr Ruth sex therapist has also died aged 96. 

Here we go another warning of an artic blast from next week. Warnings for NSW SA Tas and Vic.

The government has cut funding to the Healthy Harold's school program. The government can no longer afford to fund the community program.

Kate will attend today's Wimbledon 's men's final and present the trophy and that William will travel to Belgium to attend the football match the UK will be playing in.

History in the making . There has been an unconfirmed attempted assignation of Trump at a large election campaign rally in rural Pensilvania at the Butler Farm show. A firing of unconfirmed gun shots  where Trump was speaking then seen cluching his ear before falling to the ground and secret service surrounding him before Trump gets up bleeding from his ear but pumping his fist in the air before being surrounded and taken away to a safe place by an army of secret service. It is unsure where he was taken and what his injuries are but posts on social media advise that he is OK and tended to by a medical team.  

Monday

A sunny top of 16 degrees C today. Still not cold. Getting onto the train at Chatswood it felt a lot colder and was actually 14 degrees C . The wind gust made it much colder.

Today I paid the first week of my rent due tomorrow over the counter at NAB at Chstswood as I can't use internet banking to pay it. A bit of a pain as the new property management company has not responded to my 2 previous emails. One sent on Friday re providing their Bpay details and another follow up one today. Yet they had sent me 2 emails and I responded to both of them in regards to my rent paid up to and also mention the mistake the forner oropety management company had made in regards to the address on my bond. I never lived in that unit and I know my neighbour living in that unit.

I wasted a lot of time at the bank trying to fix my internet banking problem . I also tried to update my bank account instructions but they could not help. Banking customer service in Australia is really dropping like every other customer service. Nobody is responding to my inquiries. I don't want to spend hours on the phone chasing things tgat are set and forget or following up on things that should have been updated but still have not been. 

So today I wrnt to Bondi Junction by train for the first time in 6 months. I hate going there but I still have services I use there so have to go there now and then. To move my services will cause more problems and cost me too much. Last time I tried to change my PO box from one post office to another all my mail just vanished instead of being transferred over by Australia Post. I can't even tell you the amount of money that cost me in lost, delayed, damaged and mail that was returned to senders by Australia Post for no reason. Some letters and parcels were priceless and cannot be replaced like photos and missing personal items. I paid for my mail to be redirected I paid for my mail to be held at my PO Box yet each time I requested a service all my mail would just disappears. I was only redirecting my mail between 2 suburbs in the Eastern suburbs not even from the Eastern suburbs to the Northern suburbs yet I was still losing my mail hence I will not be relocating my PO Box.

I spent some time looking around Westfirld Bondi Junction . It's still quite "different" to what it was when I used to work there and shop there over the years prior to that attack. I can't quite describe the atmosphere quieter? eerie? I spotted a sign on one on the shop doors is still up from the attack advising not to mention or discuss the incident to any staff members. There sure has been a high turnover of shops within this Westfield in Bondi Junction. There is one store tgat I don't think we have in Westfield Chatswood selling cute  scented and flavoured novelty Australian made toiletries probably aimed at kids and teens even young adults. It was a cross between the US company Bath and Body Works and Smiggle or even Kiki K  with an Australian twist like violet crumble and fairy bread. The products have loads of artifical flavours and colours and I'm unsure if I would even use any of them ( I looked at them and read the ingredients list all chemicals) .

I then went to Harris Farm and then Coles. Their Harris Farm is an older one which does not have a fresh seafood section like the newer on in Lane Cove. I purchased so jumbo eggs for around $7 a dozen which were the cheapest eggs there ( they were jumbo) and they were just caged eggs but they were not the pace or homebrand supermarket caged eggs which are usually much smaller . The eggs were also dark brown in colour - all the eggs were dark brown in colour in that brand. I also needed bread so purchased a loaf of soy & linseed bread with sourdough?? and  I found cartons of Bluey pizza crackers . They were so cheap @ $1.50 a box so I bought 2 . I love the Bluey pizza crackers but not keen on the other products they produce. 

I didn't need much from the supermarkets today so just got some chocolate from Coles - the shelves are dominated by Cadbery and Cadbury owned brands. I hate Cadbury chocolate because they have become so full of artifical additives and sugar that the chocolate taste awful - there is always a chemical after-taste so I don't buy it but I purchased the gingerbread chocolate previously which I did not realise was a brand owned by Cadbury - Darrell Lea also make a gingerbread chocolate block but I only saw it today. I think Darrell Lea chocolate is becoming just as bad. Can companies like Cadbury even call their chocolate blocks and bars chocolate anymore? I settled on a single serve Turkish Delight and Pana chocolate was on sale so purchased a small original packet of it not their large blocks of conventional chocolate tgey now also produce.

Home on the train.

Spoke to my neighbour in #3 and nobody had taken the bins out and it was getting late so I did it ( all bins including sirting the cardboard and plastics into the correct yellow and blue bins)  as well as  take all my rubbish out ( main rubbish plus recycling as it was full) . There are definitely alcoholics in the building - they don't separate their rubbish into the correct bins and don't put the yellow bin out when they have filled it.

Sleep as I have quite a bit to do tomorrow again.

Refer YouTube video uploaded.

News headlines today include

A woman's body amd a man have bern found at separate parts of the Maryibnong River outside of Melbourne.

Actress Sharon Dougherty passes away from her cancer battle aged 53

How did the man accused of shooting Trump was a 20 year old kitchen cook get so close onto a roof outside the rally.   2 injured in the shooting were taken to hospital in a critical condition but they survived however a 3rd victim died from the shooting. Biden address the world on the incident and condones tgat kind of behaviour. Trump is relaxing today playing a round of golf , his wife makes a rare statement to the public about her husband and the secret police have been given a grilling over the handling of the incident. The photo of Trump with blood on his face and after dropping surrounded by the secret service as he reappeared with his strong signature fist pump and the word "fight" will remain in history.

The King and Queen will visit NSW and Canberra. They will be in Sydney to visit the Opera House and the newly refurbished Parliament House . They will meet the state leaders and also travel to Samoa.

The Olympic torch has arrived in Paris on their scaled down Bastille Day celebrations ahead of the games. The country was hoping the restored Notre Dame Cathedral would be ready in time for the Olympics but is about 9 months behind completion 

Princess Kate has appeared at Wimbledon in her second appearance since her cancer diagnosis with Princess Charlotte and presenting the cup to the winner. Alcarez won as a marid of celebrities in the audience watched on .

Tax breaks have started and people paid fortnightly will start seeing their tax cuts in their pay today.

Ozempic studies are showing that they reduce heart disease and kidney failure. Originally a diabetes drug it evolved into a weight lose drug but this increase demand for usage for weight loss has caused a shortage of the drug for diabetics who need it more .

Another 21 year old charged for a stabbing atrack in QLD.

Another delivery van crash in Sydney

Another bashing attack in Adelade  SA 

The  Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards were on with loads of slime . Favourites include Margot Robbie for Barbie, Taylor Swift, Kid Leroy performed etc.

There has been a lot about when AI goes wrong like the Amazon recruitment process and MacDonalds ice cream and fries and $222 McNuggets orders gone wrong . But what when it goes right? Would you trust AI to make a booking for you? NEVER - I can't even get predictive text to stop correcting and changing everything I write that is correctly spelt ( I keep having to go back to the descriptions in my YouTube channels and finding my correctly spelt words have been changed to other words that don't even make sense and having to change them back!) 

Rees Witherspoon has started filming the 4th season of Morning Wars.

Kylie Minogue was carried by a 'chariot' of males to the stage where she was performing in the UK.

A other Sydney train incident smoke billowing from a trains roof.

Spain beat the UK in the Euro finals ( I thought the UK would win eventhough I don't follow football). I think Prince William and Prince George are devastated.

The new Tasmanian made ferry on Sydney Harbour has had to be taken back to the shipyards due to yet another malfunction. So feign made ferries are no better or worse then locally made ones. If we can't get our Metro trains light rail and ferries right how is Australia going to build a fleet new submarines ? A malfunction on a submarine is a lot more major then a ferry on Sydney Harbour!

Tuesday 16th July 2024

Not much has changed in terms of weather,  it's a top of 16 degrees C again today but there may be rain coming again. It feels quite colder this morning.

Today is life admin day. Opening all my mail from my PO Box from yesterday there was still no sign of that original rent increase notice or copy of it. I only received an image of  the front page of a copy of it dated May 24. So if it was dated May it should have been in my po box but wasn't 

I took the bins out last night so I left them out until someone else put them back in. Nobody did then eventually only 1 larfe red bin was taken back in and after a very long time the other 2 smaller red bins were put back in. The yellow and blue bins are usually collected much later sometimes not until noon so they were eventually put back later in the afternoon. 

News headlines today include

Donald Trump has appeared at the republic national convention and named his running mate picking Ohio senator JD Vance for Vice President. Who? Apparently he came from a addiction inflicted mother and father but became a best selling author of his book in 2016. I still don't know who he is. Trump will address the convention for the first time since his attempted assaination. What Biden has been asked to "Please explain" over his comment over "Putting Trump in the bullseye" -  any smut to derail the presidential election campaign- 

Western Sydney copping the highest risks in tolls.

A woman had to be rescued by police as wild weather ravaged Victoria. 80 mm of rain fell in a few hours flooding roads and knocking down trees and structures trapping residents. More rain is on the way where outer Mebourne suburbs have been severely affected.

The polls show the 2 party preferred show the Liberal and Labor Parties are now 50 50 and the preferred PM AA verses PD is almost 50 50. It's going to be a very close next Federal Election!

Queen Camila has experienced an embarrassing humping display of 2 cows whilst on a visit to an event with the King. I wonder if Charles and Camila were amused! There was a security scare which turned out to be a false alarm as Camila walked away to grab an ice cream when her security detail whispered something in her ear and whisked her away to safety at a hotel where the King was already whisked away to.

Grocery prices are up 14%. Aldi has the lost rise in prices followed by Coles and Woolworths. Olive oil eggs apples and brocolli  are the items where prices have increases the most .  What cocao and chocolate didn't make the list?!

There is a temporary return of Sizzler in Brisbane with the all you can eat. Remember Sizzler? I do. Once 83 Sizzlers graced Australia wide until they all shut down. There umis a catch though, it is open for one night only. But if it takes off who knows ? With the rising cost of living the all you can eat may make a come back as a family meal out.

It is the 10 year anniversary of MH17. A podcast on how the Australian ADF were involved in the investigation and those who were involved and how noone has been charged is being aired.

Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman in Deadpool Woolverine - did Woverine die ? yes but with magic he is resurrected again in Deadpool. In cinemas from 25th July. 

Another fire blazing at a house at Point Cook in Victoria with children thought to be inside.

Another mv accident in Adelaide where excavators were used to free the man.

Natalie Portman has a cameo on Bluey.

The government has threatened to shut down the Victorian branch of the CMFEU as it goes into administration due to corruption. What ? Now the NSW CMFEU boss is being targeted for corruption. What's going on?

Wednesday 17th July 2024

It's so cold that it is snowing in QLD. A top of 19 degrees C and showers in Sydney today.

Today I didn't do much. After going through my 6 months pile of mail from my PO box, it was time to read it all file it all and action it all. And there was a lot if actioning to do. I really hate when you set and forget things but they still go wrong. I hate it when you update things but find that 6 months later they still haven't been updated. So annoying. I hate having to ring companies to get things sorted when should not have needed sorting out. What's wrong with customer service these days? Do companies just don't care anymore and just want money?

I am still thinking  about whether I should re enrolled in the course I did not finish last semester now that I am over my flu or whatever I had. I made a start and enrolled in an intro to AI course which is a self paced online course which is run in conjunction with Tafe NSW but it's not exactly what I want to learn. I even thought about enrolling back into a main stream ICT course rather then back into the game dev course. Maybe I'm just too serious or too old for game dev. Anyway the intro to AI will take 4 months to complete. Maybe I should try enrolling into an Intro To Unreal. 

News headlines today include

All eyes are on the State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium tonight .

The UK men's  football team's manager steps down after the team's defeat to Spain.

King Charles has been granted a 91 year oldest wish with a kiss visiting the Channel Island  of Gernsey. He also snapped at an aid who failed to help Camila put on a jacket as she struggle to put it on when it rained.

The PM pushed to deport Jack Black after a Donald Trump joke backfired. Tenacious D has cancelled the rest of  it's Australian tour. All tickets holders will be refunded. 

Adele has announced that she will not be making any new music and will be taking a break to pursue other creative activities. 

New Trump threat from Iran has caused his security detail to be increased.

The killer of Australian couple and their daughter in law in the Philipines has been arrested , He turned himself in to police.

The AUS$ is back down to $0.67 against the US$ again.

The royall swan count begins on the River Thames.

Another violent teen attack at Bayside Mall outside of Melbourne . 

Another house fire in Brisbane.

Sydney's 2 way bridge toll . The government says this will save Western Sydney commuters in tolls.

Oodie has been fined $100k for not putting fire hazard labels on their kids oodies which are highly flammable.

Amid the defamation suit, Rebel Wilson's new movie "The Deb" will now premiere at the film festival.

A memorial service for the 10th anniversiary of MH17 will be held in Ansterdam with Australian representatives present - family and friends of Australian victims. There have been charges for those involved however Russia has refused to hand over the attackers.

First direct Qantas flight from Perth to Paris arrives in Paris.

The Anglers Tavern reopens tomorrow 2 years  after being inundated during the 2022 floods in Melbourne.

A Sydney couple is  $40 million richer after winning the Oz Lotto jackpot . 

Michael J Fox and his wife Tracey Pollan celebrate tgeir 36 anniversiary.

Thursday 18th July 2024

A top of 19 degrees C again today and it was wet overnight. A rather overcast wet morning

Another life admin day today. Why is super so complicated? I have neglected my super most of my life because I never thought it was important. It's not. I own more assets then what is in my super fund. Super is useless for retirement. I think I would have been better off self managing .ine but to self manage a superfund takes a lot of admin time and who can be bothered or has time these days. Duper is never a set and forget as it should be. If I had my time again I would have just set up a cash high interest earning no frees retirement fund which I would be unable to withdraw from until 65  but able to contribute to along with employer contributions paid into. I think I would have at least 500 000 by now but instead all these fees for managing my superfund has eaten away at my fund over time and insurances well that's so complicated I would not know where to start.

I started doing my tax return but still waiting on tax statements from HCF ( always a struggle with them) and still haven't made an appointment with my tax agent yet.

I had to go out but it was around 7.30 pm before I left as I spoke to my neighbours before I left as I had not seen them for a few days. What's the gossip? Well he notice the internet in the building was down and thought the new property management company may have cut it off. Yep it was confirmed that they had as there hasn't been any internet for a week almost now. Oh great another expense I need to worry about. Apparently residents contacted the new management company and they were advised that wifi will no longer be provided. Wifi was included in everyone's lease contract which have all expired so is this actually legal to cut it off. The other thing that is concerning and that the new property management consultant did not take into consideration is the wifi ran the security cameras. no security camera probably increases the risk to residents and theft as well as traffic incidences that occur ie cars crashing into the mail box block again and into the building as well as junkies caught shooting up in the dumpster area to the side of the building and car park. Did the new property consultants not think that their insurance premiums will increase dramatically due to not having security cameras in place? 

The hall lights are flickering and tge one nearest to the apartment I am in has been out of order for a very long time. I was fumbling through my bag the other night trying to find my keys in the dark. So this morning at 7.30 am in the morning I hear this knocking sound. It was the maintenance person knocking on #3s doir and her told them which lights had to be fixed. He fixed 2 of them , the 2 maiones in the hall downstairs and upstairs ( the light was blinding!) but apoarently he missed the others as he only had 2 bulbs apparently. What is he coming back to fix the other 2 lights in thehall or will I amd my closest neighbours have to fumble in the dark for our keys? 

Smelly neighbours in #7 and #2. Complaints that #7 smells of cheese and # 3 apparently smells of crackers. Both apparently have appalling hygiene. Ewe!

I finally met my neighbour in # 5, I had heard that he was leaving at the end of July but he is now staying until September. The tenants in this building are mostly long term. 

So Tonight I decided to do a very quick shop at Woolworths Metro with quite a few items on my list unavailable . I purchased a grilled salmon sushi pack and some edaname.  I ventured out to the Thursday and Friday Chatswoid Mall Mekets and noticed quite a few food stalls had disappeared and new ones popping up. I did not do a video on it but the Hapanese curry stall that I purchase from has disappeared, The woodfire oven pizza trailer has also disappeared . In their place there is a tiny foid truck selling fried Taiwanese snacks which was interesting but not very healthy so I gave it a miss, some weird Chinese stalls - one of which looked as if it would be shut down if tgefoid inspectors showed up! What it sold I wasn't entirely sure and then there was another store with a retro name again I was unsure what edibles they were selling.  More and more of tge stalls are selling fast junkie unhealthy snacks rather then healthier meal options. A lot of it dripping in oil from deep frying. I opted for8 of  the Japanese octopus balls.They were so hood - I had forgotten how good fresh ones were as I had been purchasing the ones from various sushi places which are either too dry or too oily and smaller. These were so good I could eat another 8 of them just for dinner!

 

News headlines today include

How corrupt is the CMFEU!? Kicking off contractor's and companies on building sites that were not aligned with the union. 

Trump is about to address the Republic  National Convention. People say he is a changed man and not looking the same after the attempted assasination. Is he suffering from Post traumatic stress disorder?

Drakes Toronto  home " The Embassy"  has been flooded .

Sandra Bullock called Lisa Kudrow at an event.

Another Gold Coast home invasion where a few teenagers broke into the home of a mother in balavavas and threatened her with screwdrivers. She screamed her q4 year old son ran for help and a neighbour heard her screams and chased them down with one of his golf clubs.

Erin Patterson and her children have been cut from the will of her father inlaw .

Blues has won the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium! NSW has ended a 19 year voodoo to win the 3 match decider State of zirigin Shield. Go the NSW Blues! It was revealed how expensive it was to be one of the almost 53000 who managed to get a ticket to see the decider at Suncorp Stadium compared to watching it in the comfort at home with snacks - almost an average of  $400 per person which included the ticket transport &  snacks .People have been known to have saved up for 12 months and forgone holidays or giving up going out even cutting weekly food budgets in order to attend this football event.

Another crash in Ryde in Sydney's Northern suburbs involving 2 cars and a man in his 70s.

Plans for a 305 and a 309 meter tower are planned for the Northern side of Sydney to rival the existing tallest building(s). Planning approval heights will have to be amended to accommodate these 2 new towers planned which will rival the existing tallest building in Sydney a change the skyline. Whether these buildings will lure workers back into the city instead of working from home due to the views is yet to be seen. Not happening until 2030 and towers will be over 40 stories.

King Charles opens Parliament with the Kings Speech for the new PM - how many times has he done this now? but was caught being snappy for the second time . Last time it was snapping at an aid for not coming to Camila's aid when she was having trouble putting on her jacket in the cold rain and this time sanpping at an aid for not being quick enough adjusting part of his robe which in the way. Do they really have to go through all this useless pomp and ceremony ie pulling out the carriage and putting on the robe, everytime there is a new government and Prime Minister elected? What is the point?  The King's Speech isn't even relevant as all it does is declare the new Parliament open for business and offically appoint the new PM.??!

Another overweight truck on the Warringah Freeway has caused traffic chaos again.

Another Brisbane house fire. A man has been charged with arson.

The Higgins Lehrmann rape case continues. The main rape trial may be over but Lehrmann is still fighting and appealing another alledged rape case as Higgins continues to fight her case where she and her partner were accused of sending text messages to bring down the Morrison government.Damaging Linda Reynold's reputation she is being accused of attempting to hide funds in a protective trust set up to avoid paying future creditors. When will this all end? Who is suing who? Difficult to know what is going on and who is telling the truth or lying. Meanwhile Britney Higgins is pregnant it has been revealed.

Biden has COVID 19 and has had to cancel his speaking event.

Styrofoam drones ate now being used to deliver food in the Eastern suburbs of  Melbourne. The service is limited to certain suburbs  but can travel upto 120 km per hour. This drone service started in QLD now Melbourne but will Sydney ever get this service? Not likely I think especially after the "LIVID VIVID" incident. Speaking of drone show,  Bastille Day in France has broken the record for most drones in a drone show - Disneyland Paris with 1571 drones recreating a tri coloured  Mickey Mouse over Sleeping Beauty Castle.

11 days until the Paris Olynpics the Australian swimming team is just relaxing eating drinking and taking in the sights to try and block out the noise from the USA team. Meanwhile the mayor has driven into the Seine River to prove it is safe to swim in. Swimming is only done in the evening in order to allow the sun to clear the algae blooms in the River . Apparently she did dunk her head under the water - ewe Paratitic gastro coming as people ask if she is OK today!

2 Aussie actors have been nominated for tge Emmy Awards Elizabeth Deubecki for her role as Diana and Namoi Watts.

The unemployment rate has increased to 4.1 % despite 50000 new jobs created in June.

Friday 19th July 2024

Happy National Lamington Day!

I woke up at 5.30 am this morning - a record for me.

A top of around 18 - 19 degrees C again today and it looks sunny outside. Sydney has missed out on the damaging winds in Adelaide  Melbourne & Canberra.

News headlines today include

Biden loses support from Obama putting more pressure on him to bow out. He just announced that he was sick with COVID 19 yesterday looking shakey at a time as day 4 of the Republican National Convention opens. The head of US secret service confronted by Republican  senators. 

Another firebombing of 3 shops outside of Melbourne with stolen cars driven onto the shops one of which is a recording studio

New Beetlejuice sequel trailer is released.

Kate Hudson reveals that Matthew McConoughey doe not wear deodorant.

Molly & Peggy may be banned from profiting from social media but they are now due to hit the big screen!

A Palestinian protestor has been charged for trespassing the PM'S electorate office as she asks for help with a visa application for a relative.

Dodgey drivers selling their demerit points online. Yes paying other drivers to take their demerit points. A police task force has been established to crackdown on this blackmarket practice when a French delivery driver was found to have racked up 400 demerit points.

Just 8 days until the opening of the Paris Olympics. There is security and a an exclusion zone blocked off. Residents people with accomodation and businesses require a special QR code to enter their premises within this zone . Security has been stepped up after a security  guard was atracked in this zone. Australia's men's rugby 7 team  and the hockey team is the first to move into the Olympic village where four hundred and eighty four  beds have been allocated to the Australian Olympic team wedged between Serbia and the Netherlands.

A car is stuck on tram tracks in Melbourne's Airport West. Luckily it is not affecting the freeway.

More information has been revealed on the Medisecure cyber attack where over 12 million plus Australians using the online prescription service have has their personal details stolen and sold. No arrests have been made.

Liverpool council has been suspended - what? Western Sydney suburbs always have problems but Liverpool Council? For maladministration - a toxic workplace and other issues - I think I need more clarification there.

Stephen Miles QLD premier faces a wipeout in the next QLD state elections - no surprise there. Destined to lose. The polls confirm this however anything can happen!!!!

$65 million just for a stegasorous!? Record prices for dino skeletons.

A luxury car dealership has gone up in flames on the Gold Coast in QLD - another day another fire in Australia.

Another carjacking in Melbourne where 2 men pulled out a machete.

Another car crash in Engadine South of Sydney.

Harry Connick Jr has a new movie out.

Raphael Nadal has skipped Wimbledon  to concentrate on the Paris Olympis. He will pair up with world #1 Alcaraz .

Qantas to install new lighting to help ultra long haul flight passengers conquer jet lag on their new planes. Gradual sunlight over 10 minutes will light up the cabin.

Eric Trump has spoken at the Republic convention as everyone waits for Donald Trump to speak.

Catastrophic software outage what where how how when? Media Australian Banks and airlines went off line as a result. Well we weren't affected because our internet was cut off a few days ago!!!! So Coles Woolworths Banks Media outlets  airports within Australia and internationally as well as Star Casino in Sydney where all gamblers were evacuated and security guards posted at all entrances. Luckily hospitals public transport and telecommunications including triple zero emergency calls were unaffected although residents Australia were advised to keep ewrgwncy calls to a minimum.  Airports were I  chaos when the outage with Microsoft's blue screen of death happened at 3 pm and by 6 pm some services were back up and running at airports. Microsoft cloud services was to blame as a third party was the problem. It was not a cyber security attack but more of a software update glitch like the optus software update glitch. I did experience a bit of a problem logging in when trying to check my online banking - a QR code popped up and I thought it may have been a security problem do I did not log in instead got out of the website and tried to get back in and login again checking the site details . Cancelled Jetstar flights - see an this is why I don't like flying!! It's tge end of NSW school holidays too. 

Oympic power broker Kevin Gosper dies aged 90. He was set to attend the Olympics in Paris but passed away overnight.

Former NSW premier Dominique Perrotte is leaving politics and moving to Washington in the US.

Saturday 

Today I had to go out as I was out of groceries again . It was a trip to Macquarie Shopping Centre. All my grocery shopping was done at Coles as I could not be bothered going to Woolworths or Aldi. Coles was again out of certain items like basil. At Big W there were some pants that I really wanted to buy but there were no size 8 or 10 in any colour left. There were quite a few sized 6 in pink left but nothing else below a size 14. Plenty of flannelette shirts in all colours and sizes. There were loads of plus sized clothing available in both clearance and non clearance. I went to look for a vacuum cleaner and a mattress but no mattresses were available and the vacuums were not too good. Everything looks so cheap today even the expensive dyson vacuum cleaners once exclusive and good quality are now available at big W and look so plastic but their prices have not come down. So I left Big W empty handed.

I had a snack ftom Sushi World of a Prawn Tempura (no it was probably more katsu)  handroll - it wasn't the best as it was really greasy. I really don't like Sushi World food , it's just so poorly made. 

I was hoping there was a waiting 291 bus directly home or a 259 bus to the back of Chatswood but no it was dark and a little cooler so I ended up taking the Metro back to Chatswood - no rail replacement buses today for a change !

News headlines today include.

Very sunny morning,  a top of 17 degrees today but apparently very windy.

12 flights cancelled yesterday at airports. As some slept at airports overnight . Some waited 4 hours even more before finding out their flights were cancelled. All due to yesterday's global tech glitch. Crowdstrike was to blame over major software upgrade.

More cases of stolen cars found crashed with drivers on the run around Logan in QLD and police trying to figure out if crimes are related and if there are any more crimes committed.

All eyes on Biden with fresh pressures to pull out of the presidential race. He looked really shakey alighting a plane walking very slowly as he defended a set of stairs like a zombie - what happens if he dies before his presidential term ends? Snap election!? I mean he is battling COVID 19. 

A chopper has crashed into a cliff face in Bali when it got caught in kite strings over a beach. 3 Aussies managed to escape with minor injuries.

Mark Wahlberg was spotted in QLD filming a new movie.

It's the annual Kate Bush Wuthering Heights Day.

Another factory fire out at Deer Park a suburb outside of Melbourne.

Sunday 21st July 2024

No change in our weather a top of 18 degrees C and sunny - so sunny that I have to keep my blind down as the sun glares into the studio this morning. Yesterday afternoon it was very windy especial felt at zchatswoid on the station platform. The forecast for tomorrow is 20 degrees C and only partly cloudy. This isn't Winter!

School holidays end today for VIC (gee they get a long school holiday) SA and NSW today. Yep it's back to school tomorrow ( and I still haven't re enrolled for Tafe).

More Australian athletes arrive in Paris  ahead of the Olympics. Several sports are completing prior to the opening ceremony. 111 athletes out of the 400 + athletes have arrived with the Matildas team arriving overnight. The Australian olympic team have their own barista. Track and field team due to arrive soon.

Wild weather( a snow storm)  has caused a chairlift to malfunction and stop operating resulting in skiiers stranded at Mt Hotham who had to use their mountain climbing skills in snow. Meanwhile overnight the wild winds in Sydney caused damage including passengers stranded on the light rail -  60+ people were trapped for 1 hour or more as a tree fell on a carriage. And at the airport only one runway is operating at Sydney airport with flight delays until the winds die down. Patience is asked of passengers by airport staff.

What Ada and her on-screen co star husband on Home & Away are actually in the early stages of a relationship in real life?!

Trump returns to his first campaign rally since the shooting  with increased security and trucks blocking entrances to the indoor arena and without his bandage on his ear for the first time. Ah the old uncontrolled Trump is back!

Another double stabbing outside of Melbourne in Bentleigh East and a man arrested.One man dead and a woman injured.

Another stolen car in Logan . A 10 year old girl riding her scooter narrowly escaped death almost run over taken to hospital with shock.

Bruce Springsteen becomes a billionaire after selling his catalogue of songs and savvy investments.

45% of small business owners in Australia have considered closing in the past 6 months - COVID, government red tape, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, supply chain issues, increases in prices of supplies, high interest rates  I elation  etc etc etc have made small businesses either shuttingshop or consider it with many of the 400 businesses survey say they will not be making much of a profit if any this year and it is getting more difficult to hire new casuals.

Adradly drone attack an air strike in Yemen has seen many killed. 

The Illawarra line remains closed as an investigation into a major rail fatality happened at Carlton Station today. A double pram rolled off the platform killing a 2 year old and her father who tried to pull the pram off the track back onto the platform but failed and was crushed by an approaching train unable to stop in time. The other twin was heard crying under the train. The mother and that twin escaped with minor injuries. She was heard screaming to save her babies.  I can't imagine how that mother must feel losing one of her twins and the father of her twins and that poor 2 year old twin who survived as she grows up thinking about her twin that died and how it could have been her or why was she the one who survived and growing up without a father. This is not the first time prams have rolled off platforms even when it isn't windy like today so why isn't anything being done about it. It happens on enclosed and exposed train stations - the station platforms are so poorly designed and so dated they need to be upgraded and maintained better.

Stage 20 of the Tour De France - almost to the final round just before the Olympics start.

The travelling jackaroo has been spotted crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a plane on one trailer and a boat on another.

Disneyland workers may go on strike? what if they do it will be the first time in 40 years.

Monday 22nd July 2024

First day back at School and College. I still have not enrolled yet. I am unsure where to continue with the games course or go back to normal a normal ICT course as I am wanting to study some real AI  subjects . I have signed up for wait list 

A top of 20 degrees in Sydney today!

So much I just have to do today. 

First pay rent from 2 weeks over the counter at NAB Chatswood. I am going to have to do this every week or month as I have no internet or internet banking at all. 

Next photocopy my receipt and rent card to send to Centrelink in yet another letter to them as they haven't paid any attention to the 4 documents I had uploaded updating my profile including a change of email address. I went to Chatswood library to get a new library card as mine is so old and the plastic is falling apart. I wasn't even sure if it had expired. It was still valid but I got a new one and it's now only valid for only 2 years ( just like my Whistler card) - it's such a hassle having to remember to renew it every 2 years especially if you don't change your address. I also found I still had about $4.50 or so still on my copy scan print on my old library card. This was transferred over to my new library card eventhough I don't know how to use it. I figured it out and with a false start printing a blank page at the copier ( could not work out how to print when the card machine was so far from the printer copier scanner) Oh there is a single card scanner nearer to the printer copier scanner but not on it where you just scan your card. There is now only one machine when there used to be so many . Indicated how little is not digital now. OK second attempt I copy zi cut the images off so tried again. Sucess. Next was off to the post office to the post box to post my letter now complete to Centrelink. 

At 1.30 pm I had just enough time to take a break and then attend my currently monthly meeting with Wise Employment which is a Centrelink Workforce Australia mutual obligation . Done.

Next was to Telstra to try and solve my no free wifi situation as the new property management consultants have cut off the wifi from the entire apartment block - quite a few residents have written in and inquired about it. It is in all the rental contracts tgat wifi is included ( except mine as mine is so old but I still had free wifi access just not the 5G one - I re read my contract and it's so weird it just keeps mentioning about water electricity and gas - there is no gas and water and electricity bills are all included for everyone).

No sucess at Telstra yet as I need to wait for my Telstra dongle I purchased on my Telstra Plus rewards to arrive which could take upto 10 days. 

Next a small grocery shop top up at Aldi and then it was to apply for a minimum of 4 jobs to satisfy my mutual obligations for Centrelink job seeker payments done but I haven't recorded them yet - due before 27th of each month. I just record then in my diary. 

Next it was phone Tafe to find out who runs the AI subjects in the cert iv ICT courses. Nobody knows which campus runs them. I got a phone call back and St Leonards campus does not. I have put my name down on the waitlist for the short UTS AI course. Have not heard back yet.

Another small grocery stop at Woolworths - yes they have basil!!! Both Coles and Aldi did not. A few other items then it was almost time to head home.

After all this running around, I decided to treat myself to something I don't often eat - a KFC go bucket for $4.95 as I had a spare $5 note in my wallet. I opened the snack "cup" , it used to be in an actual small box but now is in a red plastic lidded cardboard cup. Where were the chips? There seemed to be more popcorn chicken in it then chips - the chips were what I craved for more as I have previously mentioned how good Australian KFC chips are compared to Maccas. 

Home it was a wait for the bus. It was quite late as I lost track of time and by the time I returned I had missed the news the cook up and other TV shows.

My neighbour keeps pressuring me to buy a large home modem that I do not need and I have already got a free dingle from Telstra. He thinks he is financially savvy but he really is not.

News headlines today include

Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential election race. Joe Biden remains president until January 20th 2025 unless he resigns. Questions will arise if Biden is unfit to run for the next presidency what makes him fit enough to remain being president for the remaining 6 months. Kamala Harris ( who? - you know the vice president of the decocrats ?? - not much is known about her, you hear a lot from her but not much about her background) may take his place as candidate for the Democrats but not necessarily but the Democrats need to nominate a candidate soon to replace Joe Biden . I don't think personally she is strong enough to run against Trump and his running partner JD Vance ( that's Vance not to be confused with former Australian celebrity Holly Valance who is a strong Trump supporter.) AA has spoken and sent a thank you to Biden for their strong Australian US alliance. Meanwhile Kevin Rudd is texting overtime trying to build relationships with high flyers on Trump's Republician party - Trump is not a fan of Rudd.

Paris will host their 2nd Olympics 100 years from their last one with only 5 days to opening ceremony. Australian divers and skate boarders arrive in Paris with diver Melissa Wu at her 5th Olympics. Jess Fox will be the flag bearer for Australia although she will have a tight schedule as she competes very soon to the opening ceremony. She will be completing against her sister Naomi.

23 year old Australian Oscar Piastri wins his first Grand Prix - the Hungarian Grand Prix except without controversy where there was a team dispute where Norris denyed team orders to slow down due to his preferential treatment would not let Oscar through over taking him in a lap but finally giving it back. Norris came second and Max Verstappen. Piastri is only the 5th Australian to win a Grand Prix.

Light rail strike will cause chaos today with some cancellations and delays. They are striking for more sick days and better work and pay conditions with an ongoing dispute with the government.

The 2 year old girl that was in the pram that rolled off the platform at Carlton Station is recovering .Tributes have started to pour in for the father and twin that died.

Pixy Richards is only 5 years old and training with a 14 year old Olympian skate boarder.

Bella Hadid verses Addidas - something about being dropped from the latest sneaker revival campaign due to Isreali protests as American model Hadid is half Palestinian and supports Palestine. Oh who really cares there is so much more important  and serious healine news domestically and internationally. Oh it's over the 2972 Olympic Games where Isrealis were attacked and killed and how Hadid had nothing to do with the contraversal campaign and was just pulled into it by being chosen as the face of the sneaker campaign.  Whatever- she is American isn't she so what's that got to do with her nationality?  It's the campaign itself isn't it that is contraversal.

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Another top of 20 degrees C . Winter is so hot, the temperatures in July are not going down but on their way upwards. 

It is a warm morning and the sun is out, I returned home late last night so slept in until after 8 am. 

I look out the window and the bins are full and nobody had taken them out last night - typical they fill them up with uber eats don't separate their rubbish into the correct bins and don't bother to take the bins out! This time I did not take the bins out it is not my job and I got back late last night.

So much to still do today.

First I reported my 4 jobs onto the Workforce Australia website to get it out of the way before the 27th July deadline.

Then I tried to re enrol into the course I was doing that I did not complete due to illness. I had trouble rebrolling because I think I am still active in the course.

It's a little difficult without wifi to research stuff on a phone. 

I was looking at AI courses but can't seem to find any that are currently being run in Sydney. They are mainly online and a lot aren't being offered until later in the year.

I haven't done my laundry for so long so had to do that.

Other then that I made a spinach filled filo pastry snack. 

News headlines today include

Julian Assange has shared his first family photo on a beach healthy and happy trying to get to know his family again. He has always said tgat he plans to ho for a swim in the ocean everyday after his release. So nice to know he is now happy.

Thieves have stolen a memorial plaque which is over 100 years old  from the North Turramurra memorial park gates .

1 in 6 kids are not playing an Olympic sport due to the rising cost of living they are no longer able to afford to .

3 sleeps until the Paris Olympics start.

A woman who hit a little too close to the King 's guard horses  for a selfie was bitter quite hard on the arm. Tourists have been warned not to touch the reins with a sign indicating so above that the horses may bite. The woman hot bitten anyway and she didn't even touch the reins or the horse it just bit her as she stool there. 

Democrats vice now candidate for the presidential elections Kamala Harris is on the campaign trail  and has made a public speech for the first time since Biden pulled out of the presidential race praising her boss Biden for his service as president. Overnight top democrats support and donations of $81 million poured in for Harris.Biden speaks by phone for the first time since pulling out of the presidential election campaign as he recovers from COVID.

A woman alledged that she was attacked and raped in Paris at a tourist spot by a group of 5 men and was due to return to Australia but is staying back in Paris to assist police.

Another car on fire in Western Sydney causing a plume of smoke and traffic chaos on a major  road.

Prince George celebrates his 11 birthday with mum Kate taking and posting a new portrait of him.

Miles sings her spin on her hit Flowers at a Gucci show.

Hugh and Ryan take over a breakfast TV show.

A 35 year old Australian man has been stabbed by anAmerican man in his 40s in Thailand during a drunken brawl. He was taken to hospital but died.

Images of 15 most violent men responsible for  public transport assaults have been released to the public to help police find them

Another crime spree in Melbourne caught on security cameras where men were breaking and smashing windows of a shop with sledgehammers. They have been charged and will appear in court in September

Fans at a Norwagian football match where fish cakes were thrown onto a field in protest of AI assisted goal scores and referees taking too long to makes decisions on goal scores.

Britney Higgins forced to sell their French home to pay for the millions of dollars in legal fees needed to fight her defamation case by her former boss.

A Gofundme page has been created for his 80 birthday . What?!?

More aged care homes are closing as expenses continue to rise. The government needs to do something about the struggling aged care sector.

Aussie swim coach has defected to China amidst a doping scandal.

A surfer has been mulled by a shark at North Shore Beach near Port Macquarie. He lost a leg .A police officer helped save his life using his dog leash to stem the bleeding. The beach remains closed until life guards deem it is safe to enter the water again.

There has been am increase in domestic violence but a slow response ftom police to prevent and respond to incidences.

A sex slave ring has been busted. 4 poor Indonesian girls were on tourist visa bought to Australia to work in a number of brothels.

Wednesday

It's sunny and a top of 21 degrees C again today. It's only a little cooler at night but during the day it gets quite warm. I certainly heat up. 

Today I was coughing and my back is sore for some reason ( probably ftom my heavy backpack and uncomfortable mattress) and in between trying to re enrolled in the game development course that I did not finish because I got sick. It took multiple phone calls and emails to re enrol.

I hope I still have all my files on one drive so I don't have to start from scratch again. 

Classes started today but I am not attending as I am still trying to re enrolled and not 100% over my flu probably about 90%. 

Well we have no WiFi as my neighbours have all been writing to the new property management company and they have been rudely informed in email responses that the new owners have decided to no longer provide free wifi for the apartment block and if it did not suit them they had the option to vacate. Only one problem in their original contracts( which have mostly expired and rolled over ) wifi was included in their contracts ( except for mine because it's an older contract - but I still got it anyway before the new owners purchased the apartment block and cut it off one day) . So it seems most have now got their own private wifi. And me, well I'm surviving on my phone's 4 G mobile service (isn't the Samsung S24 Ultra mean't to be 5G? my phone with a Telstra service has never been 5G). Anyway one of my neighbours ( #3 ) typical , challenged this and responded by requesting a copy of his existing contract ( don't ask me why he requested a copy of his contract from the new property management company rather then providing them with it) and pointing this condition out to them. They forwarded him with a copy of his contract requesting where on it specifies that wifi is included in his rent. He indicated where it specified it and apparently he didn't even get time to respond to their  response to his response when they sent him an immediate eviction notice with a 90 day notice to vacate . He was a little slack to send them am e mail back immediately after not being able to contact them by phone. and only emailed them the following day and did not get a response at all from them. I read the emails and from my other neighbour (#4) and she also though it was a little rude the way they were advised that wifi would no longer be provided by the new owners but at least #4 was given an option to vacate if it did not suit them and not given an eviction notice email. I actually thought it was an AI generated email and possibly a mistake but no mistake because #4 also asked about bpay like I did because we both paid the previous property management company by bpay - no bpay no eftpost direct debit only which means I can't do internet banking and have to go to the bank every so often to pay my rent - such an inconvenience. Something has to be done  - Sydney is so expensive to live and there is very little housing available that you either put up with mortgage stress with the very high interest rates or shut up and not complain about the increasing high rents in fear of getting evicted. It's a corrupt world in Sydney. Everything is so expensive - groceries insurances services energy etcyet productivity and wages remain low. The unemployment rate is not high but rising so I don't suggest visitors come and visit Sydney - go to Melbourne or the other states although Victoria has gangland tobacco war drug lord arsonist domestic violence and QLD has very high out of control youth crime. Sydney just has a variety of crimes. Every state has striking and protestors. It's just not pleasant to live in Australia anymore Australia is not the lucky country anymore, There is corruption and  greed everywhere government and public and private organisations - nobody cares about anyone any more. Australia can't even fend for themselves - espionage illegal immigrants money laundering drug and weapon inportation and usage. Australia is behind in technology skills knowledge - if there was a war Australia would not survive as the government does not have the means to defend the country against eg China. If  Australia was cut off from the rest of the world there would be death from. disease and famine because Australia no longer manufactures anything and is therefore not self sufficient,  it relies on mainly imports. There is so much misuse and wastage of any resources Australia has including money. Australia is an embarrassment to the rest of the world at the moment. 

News headlines today include

Kamala Harris is ahead of Trump in the polls and secret service boss  ( director of the srcret service Kimberley Cheatle) resigns. Meanwhile Biden has been seen in public for the first time since his COVID diagnosis. George Clooney backs Kanala Harris after dumping his support for Biden. ❤️ you Kamala give that Trump a run for his money literally!

A late teen to early 20's woman has jumped without clothes off a bridge on the Gold Coast in QLD. Search and rescue are looking for the swimmer as she did not return home. Her clothes were found on the bank of the river near by.

Accused ex police killer that murdered a couple - his ex partner and his new partner before dumping their bodies has had 2 new charges of domestic violence . Now 3 charges .He is due to face court in zoctober.

Wild wind warnings for Victoria has residents warned to baton down everything. 

Ex bikie boss Dean Martin is to be deported back to NZ with his visa reportedly cancelled after CFMEU crackdown on corruption.

An Adelaide bus driver has run a red light and has been stood down as a cyclist was told to get out of the way by the bus driver.

Having a baby is proving to be too expensive. Sydney Melbourne & Perth are the top 3 states with  baby droughts. Don't blame the bedroom blame the RBA for that.

Andy Murray will retire from tennis after the Olympic Games. 

QLD Governor Jeanette Young has met tge King at Sandringham during the King's summer holidays.

Is Dasha the new Taylor Swift?

Australian athletes have bern warned to be on their guard when leaving the Olympic Village and not to leave alone or wear their uniforms but to wear plain clothes after the fang rape of that Australian woman. Meanwhile Leavis defends Brisbane for it's 2032 Olympic Games after the Suncorp Stadium fiasco.

Celine Dion is returning  to the stage singing a single song at the Olympic Opening Ceremony for cool $3 million guest appearance.

A jetstar flight from Sydney to Adelaide had a technical issue with smoke seen coming from it. Something to do with a steering problem.

There is  23% wholesale power price increase with larger energy companies price gouging customers. A sp called wind drought is also to blame for sky rocketing energy prices.

A 14 year old has been arrested for a stabbing on a football field at Oran Park. A 17 year old could lose his hand from a machette slash as he was chased by a boy over a girl.

Another pro palestian protest clashes with police outside of Melbourne. Protesters say that they will be back.

A sudden blast of a coloured stone steam and water has sent visitors at Yellowstone National Park running to safety.

Several hostages in Gaza have died whilst being held captive as the isreali president?? meets with families of hostages.

Be ready for war within 3 years as China and Russia muscle their way to global domination. Will Australia be ready for China's invasion - absolutely not AUKUS has not even commenced and the first subs won't arrive or be built until well after 3 years and who is going to step in to assist Australia not the US as they are about to go to the elections. The Australian government is so weak and dumb they will allow anyone into the country illegal boats spies drug lords etc.

A 21 year old man has been arrested for an explosion of a bottle in the bathroom at Westfield Miranda. Luckily there was only one report injury a customer with a burst ear drum. The man was caught pouring chemicals down a male toilet before the explosion. 

The baby drought in Australia has come up again. Due to the rising cost of living there is a baby recession. Women in Western Sydney are having the most babies whereas city suburbs are having the least.

5 KFC drive throughs staff have been replaced with AI as part of a trial. Maccas has already trialled the system. The new AI is called KC but she wasn't very good and she had to be replaced with a human! 

Kmart is launching a new budget homeware range .

Thursday

This is not Winter, it's 23 degrees C today - hot enough to spend the day at the beach in the middle of Winter in Sydney! Maybe global warming only affects Sydney as the rest of Australia seems to be cold especially the ski resorts - but it's a little cloudy in Sydney today.

I finally re enrolled in the full time cert 4 gamedevelopment course but I also continued to look into AI courses. I enrolled for 2 online courses  which are just basic into to AI courses which are free. Ut's a start but not exactly what I am looking to study. I need a beginner AI course which gets in machine learning and a little more maths. I feel like I have been using too much of my logic and creative part of my brain but no maths, I can feel my brain is craving numbers not words. 

So today I got a message advising me that my dongle for my laptop has arrived. So I need to go to Telstra in Chatswood Westfield to pick it up and get a prepaid sim card as planned but Telstra staff are so dumb, first one staff member told me I didn't need a sim for my dongle then another tried to sell me a postpaid when I made it clear what I just wanted a prepaid sim to trial for a month to analyse how much data I normally use per month. Still they tried to push the prepaid and kept saying I may have to come back tomorrow or wait as they had appointments booked. What appointments tge store was empty and there were at least 3 Teltra staff sitting around doing nothing. After convincing me to upgrade my basic 50 Gb $62 per month Telstra account due to increase again to $65 next month,  They failed to sell me a postpaid bundle plan on my existing Telstra basic plan of 50 Gb fir $65 a month which would increase my monthly bill to almost $90 to data share ( it's not even data sharing , it's another sim card and just more data which you pay for) just before payment as they wanted upfront payment and direct debit details as they advised me that the bpay options were no longer available and I said that I did not want to do a direct debit as I can't control who when what how and where I pay especially in advance. It's also not instant and I don't believe  as secure as there is no immediate confirmation. It takes at least a day to get a receipt from the company that funds are paid to. I like instant receipt numbers to record in my diary. So no sale and I ended up getting a rip off $35 for 25 Gb prepaid sim card for my dongle ( which was free with my Telstra rewards points) to try out. I made sure it worked before I left too. It is only 4G but that's fine as it is just a temporary solution until a more permanent one can be found. 

News headlines today include

A typhoon has hit the coast of Taiwan & a plane crash in Napal where only the pilot survived killing  17 passengers . So soon after Nepal's recent major landslides.

The surfer who was mulled by a shark in Port Macquarie NSW  has had his leg reattached in hospital by surgeons although it is unknown whether the surgery was sucessful yet.

Isreali prime minister Netanyahu has addressed US congress urging a strong Isreal and the US alliance to cheers.

PM AA is set to reshuffle his front bench within the next few days upon his return following a series of  mishaps within his cabinet. 

NT military exercise chopper has crash on NT

Testra is giving out free phones or vouchers to people who are still using 3G phones as the 3G network prepares to shut down. It is estimated that thousands of people who are in rural  regions and who are unable to afford or access new phones are still using the 3 G network.

The Effel Tower has been lit up in time for the Olympics.

Olympic gold medallist Conoeist Jess and 5th Olympic Games hockey player Eddie have been chosen to carry the flag for Australia at the Olympic opening ceremony. Due to her completion the following day Jess was unsure whether she would be able to be the flag bearer and then compete straight afterwards so tested her stamina by attending a Tayor Swift concert keeping hydrated and competing the next day.  Both Jess and Eddie are popular athletes. Meanwhile BMX star Logan Martin has had his gear stolen in the team van in Bussels. His wallet and other stuff was stolen from the van but his bikes were in his room safe.

Melbourne teen 16 year old Declan Cutler from a North Melbourne suburb who stabbed to death due to being mistaken for being in a rival gang by a group of teens. The 4 teens have been sentenced to a combined 74 years in jail.It is yet to be decided whether the teens will serve their jail terms in a youth or adult jail. A judge wants them to remain in a youth jail until they turn 21 years old.

Movie World has a new roller coaster the 'Wizard of Oz" due to open before Christmas.

Prince Harry's interview reveals why there was a royal rift with his family. He talks also talks about the impact of the tabloid phone hacking case.

The Australian dollar against the US dollar has slipped to below the $0.66 mark @ $0.6581 . Meanwhile there is a prediction that the  interest rate is set to rise to 4.6% by the RBA next month which will "contra out" the stage 3 government tax cuts .

Biden is set to address the Oval office for the first time about why he quit the election race. so close to the elections and his plans for the final 6 months of his presidency. 

Timothee Chalamet sings in new Bob Dylan biopic trailers released.

A 35 year old woman has been charged for 65 + drug offences

What the new Metro extension to run all day and night? The new Metro extension is due to open on 4th August 2024.

Masterfoods has recommended you keep tomato sauce in the fridge after it was revealed that older people but it in the pantry after opening whereas younger generation keep in the fridge. There are so many preservatives and additives in tomato sauce or getup that it will keep in the pantry!

Katy Perry has announced officially that she will be the highlight act of the AFL ( Aussue rules football) final this year in Australia.

Cher has put pen to paper with part 1 of her memoir,  so big there is 2 parts to it with part 2 being released net year.

JLo has celebrated her 55 birthday with a Bridgerton themed party.

Oh dear the Olympics haven't even started and there is already drama in soccer where 1. Canadian coaching staff accused by NZ team of spying with drones during a NZ women's  team training session leading to accusations of cheating  and 2. A match was delayed for 2 hours at the Morocco Argentinian match over an equaliser . Meanwhile there has been an injury sustained ,a cut foot of an Aussie surfer during a practice session .

Friday 

I slept in this morning until after 7 pm to a rather wet morning. It was raining most of the time overnight. A top of 20 degrees with showers. Nope no rain and it reached 21 degrees C today!!!

Today I didn't do anything except do a chink of one of the AI short courses online and testing out my prepaid sim card which I can't seem to log into to see how much data I have left . I don't have the original sim card packaging as the Telstraa staff threw it out as soon as they put the sim into my free dongle. So I am unsure how to recharge my dongle now. Maybe start again and get a new sim online with my reward points with a better deal.

News headlines today include

What Aussie chef de mission fully government funded swim coach Michael Palfrey is not being sent home for making a contraversal statement to an international news channel  (South Korean) that he favours and hopes a swimmer from another country ( a South Korean swimmer) wins gold over an Australian swimmer?! 

An Aarat parish was robbed? Just another crime commited outside of Melbourne.

Cash incentives are being offered for young people to stay in SA to work.

Most social influences will just make enough to get by. Yep it is getting  more and more competitive and difficult to find and make content on social media to maintain viewership numbers and subscriptions to maintain sponsorship and advertising revenue.

Speculation that Celine Dion and Lady Gaga will do a duet together at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics and that they might be singing the French classic sung by Edith Piaf La Vie En Rose as they have been seen staying at the same hotel and rehersing together.

Australia's Matildas have lost their opening soccer match against Germany 3 0 however their Olympic dreams are not over yet in a 2nd round against Zambia to play a 3rd round against the USA.

Jessica Mauboy is in Paris supporting the Australian Olympic athletes. Jessica Mauboy is related to Cathy Freeman and found out only 6 years ago on her mother's side.

Aussies men's rugby 7s have made it into the quater finals already.

Gwyen Stafani and Andersom Paak has the offical Olympic anthem.

Another police persuit from Bondi Junction to Dover Heights where 2 men were charged for firearms offences. 

AA has reshuffled his cabinet due to the retirement/ resignation of 2 senior ministers Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor.

Another crash in Green acres of a semi-trailer spilling 150 L of diesel . Fire and rescue were quick to clean up the spill.

It will be the first time in history that the Opening ceremony of the Olympics will not be within a stadium but along the River Seine outside a stadium.

A large streak of something falling in the skies was sighted this morning in parts of Melbourne . It is unsure what is is -  space junk possibly but it could be a jet of aircraft fuel.

Nine's journos go on strike on the eve of  the Olympics over pay and conditions. They allied along with other media personnel from newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald. Nine's boss meanwhile was a torch bearer and would not talk to reporters as to whether he was in Paris on a family holiday or on a work trip. Did he just sack some employees? Who cares I don't watch channel 9 or channel 10 anymore both are so uninteresting.  Too corrupt as well for my liking. 

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has lost her appeal to clear her name of corruption and conflict of interest charges. 

93 year old Rupert Murdoch is in the middle of a family fued where he wants to change his will to give full control of his media empire to his eldest son Lachlan . The other children are fighting the decision and it's claimed it's not over money but giving people more access around the world to the media empire.

2 astronaughts are stranded at the international space station. It is unknown when they will be able to return home. They basically have a fuel leak in their space ship.

Mccain frozen products have been recalled as they could contain pesticides that could cause respiratory problems.

Pubs and clubs will be allowed to remain open into the early hours of the morning to try and revive the night-life in Sydney however there is a catch venues must be opened for Olympic functions to cheer on the Ausdie Olympians. Meanwhile there is a outrage with the increase in beer taxes - $18 a pint that's outrageous!

First sucessful titanium artifical heart has been implanted into a human . Designed by an Australian engineer. It could one day replace human heart transplants. Clinical trials have already begun in the US. 

Bunnings Warehouse has approved a rave although it is unknown where yet but will be held at the end of August. I think it will be a Melbourne thing since the original viral video of a remix of the Bunnings jingle was from Melbourne.

Saturday

Let the Paris Olympic Games begin.

I did not wake up at 3 am to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in the rain and tried to find footage online but there isn't any. A few slide shows and lots of videos of the crowds watching but no video replays of the opening ceremony. 

Another rather grey and cold morning today and it looks as if showers are coming if not already raining. Yep it's raining outside the swish of cars is so loud.A top of 20 degrees C today and rain!

I was a little tired today so did nothing except watch youtube videos and play the block game today.

News headlines today include

Olympians were soaking wet and apparently there was only a boat with 80 Australians ( who waited for hours in the rain risking getting sick) on it  out of 400+ athletes that sailed down the Seine River for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The 3rd last country to sail down the river. Reactions were mixed  with some negative responses  like boring, liken to a high school musical, lacking umph etc about the non traditional open rather then traditional stadium based opening ceremony. Lady Gaga sang but no Celine Dion. Brisbane may be considering this for the 2032 Olympics - no please don't . Oh so Celine Dion did sing closing the opening ceremony but there is not a lot of footage not even photos - she was great apparently but so was Lady Gaga. What did she even sing , not even mentioned - how many millions did they spend on the opening ceremony??? Meanwhile the Olympic flag was raised and displayed upside down and any flag displayed upside means distress which is not a good sign to the start to the start of the Paris Olympics . Lady Gaga although not French sunglasses a great edition of Mon Truc En Plumes and Celine Dion sung the most moving and beautiful rendition of L' Hymne a l'amour. 

A drug raid involving a detainee at Villawood detention centre in Sydney's Western suburbs 

It's all about QLD crime today. What's new there seems to be a crime in QLD of some type at least once a day most days reported.

Obama endoses Kamala Harris which means she now has the endorsement of support from a number of high profile former politians a d celebrities.

A huge inferno at a tourist resort has occurred in Bali.

Prices of beer due to an increase again on 5th August due to another increase in alcohol  taxes.

Trump meets Netanyahu.  Once arch enemies now all is forgiven due to a falling out when he congratulated Biden for his election win.

Victorian rental owners face grim futures due to increases to gas conversions.These  additional expenses will cause landlords into despair selling up in an already tight housing market.

When Harry turns 40 in September he is entitled to a one off inheritance of approx AUSS$13 million. Prince William on the otherhand gets an annual salary from the Dutchie of Cornwell Estate of over AUS$30 million which he chose to be taxable.

AA joins Canada and NZ for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The fire continues to burn in Alberta Canada in the resort town of Jasper.

Record rainfall has called floodsand landslide warnings in Northern Japan.

Sunday

A top of just 16 degrees today and overcast. I didn't feel it as I didn't venture out again today ( just finished a short 3 week online course on intro to AI) . It apparently dropped to 9 degrees C . 

News headlines today include

Australia is on top of the leader boad at the Olympics. Grace Brown won Australia's first gold medal in the women's cyclng time trial but is retiring after the Olympics. Ariana Titmas won gold in the pool beating the US in the 400 m freestyle and the relay team also won hold in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay. A great start except for the slip and fall of the Aussie cyclist who went through a barrier and cut his leg and rushed to hospital.

A other man shot dead teasers before by police in SW Sydney.

Fires continue to burn in the US.

QLD children as young as 6 years old caught smoking nicotine and vaping and being suspended from schools. 600 related cases have been logged in the past 6 months.

Another Isreali attack on Gaza killing children and adults.

The iconic Puffying Billy returns after 6 years with safety features and restricted speed and a distance of 10 km.

Kamala Harris is appealing to gen Z through social media platforms and memes. Meanwhile Trump is requesting the next presidential debate with Kamala Harris be modified - yeh to his liking.

Beyonce throws her support behind the US Olympic team by introducing them at the opening ceremony of the Olympics.. 

AA is set to name his new cabinet today. Still no announcement of who they will consist of.

Tickets are sold out in Essendon for a festival  and the who can eat the most lasagne competition that starts at 11.30 am today. 900 grams is the amount to be eaten and the winner will get free lasagne.

Melbourne's Elizabeth Street is crimes fueled and businesses  are sick of the out of control  continuous crimes late night which involve violent brawls, sexual assault open drug usage robberies etc. More security cameras and a permanent 24 hour police presence in the hub are promised if the premier is elected. Businesses are pushing for  more security cameras and a permanent police presence. 

A fire tornado rages Alberta.

A blackened jaw bone has been found washed up on Umima Beach on the NSW Central Coast as a dog walker discovered it. It may belong to a teen who drowned along with his father and estimated to be 80 years old. 

What is wrong with the Middle Eastern countries?! Just stop bombing each other. There are innocent children being killed! 

Monday 29th July 2024

A rather chilly morning but it's sunny not overcast or wet. I think it was forecasted for another top of around 16 degrees C today as QLD is also feeling the chill. Yep a top of 16 degrees forecasted and showers again.

Must go out today as I have things to do and I've run out of groceries again. Tok slack to go out shopping over the weekend. Haven't been out for at least 3 days now. I need to sort out what I want to study and where. I still haven't lodged my tax return and it's the end of July now - slack!. I slept in until after 8 am this morning. Even slacker but zi was up first using that shirt 3 week intro AI course online in 2 days.. Now onto the next online course I enrolled in. This one is another  intro to AI  course.

Today I went to Macquarie Shoping Centre by Metro and did a large grocery shop as I had almost no groceries left. I went to Coles Aldi and and Woolworths with a snack of Korean style cup of  fried chicken .

The bins are so full outside because no one took them out last week. I was going to take them out when I got back but # 3 had asked the Korea guy to take them out and mentioned that the bins go out every Monday night ( probably hinting to him as he seems to be one of the neighbours who drinks a lot filling up the bins with rubbish like cartons). 

Well what a co incidence about landlords not being able to kick tenants out for no reason. Neighbour # 3 who had been givenan eviction notice and  90 days to vacate has had his period to vacate extended to 6 months due to his situation " a back injury" which he had emailed the landlord about. His eviction notice stands though.  This means he will be here until January some time . 

None of my other neighbours fear being evicted but I do every single day. It effects me being able to concentrate on studying and finding work and is stressful. I love living here. It's location and I know some of my neighbours now. I really don't have anywhere to go and I have tried to inquire about other forms of accomodation but they are way over the top just for a hotel room or have no vacancy and have not gotten back to me on availability since. I moved her over 5 years ago after the series of deaths of my family and friends and a new start. I had almost no friends left and my then manager helped me to find this place.So great fun that she convinced me to go for this property and not any of the others I had looked at on my own as they were just not suitable - like shie boxes or not the most modern or cleanest. Most things work and need little maintenance although the bathroom started falling apart as soon as I moved in like tge shower doir almost falling on me and which I took off permanently as the 

News headlines today include

Jess Fox has won gold again in K 1 salom, a second career gold  for her. She is the only woman to win 4 consecutive Olympic medals in the same event. 

Ariana and Molly 1st and 2nd in semi finals of 200 m free style with finals tomorrow.

The Matildas win their match against Zambia.

Hockeyroos win their match.

I believe Australia is now second on the leader board. 

Another tobacco shop ram raided in Braybrook outside of Melbourne - no flames this time but the shop was destroyed as tobacco wars continue.

In Adelaide's North  a car has smashed into the front yards and garage if a home in Para Hills.

Mongolia 's Olympic uniform is absolutely spectacular. The attention to detail takes inspiration from their culture and traditions. The US Olympic uniform is very college like very baseball uniform typical Americana with the red white and blue complimenting the French red white and blue. As for the Aussie Olympic uniform well green and gold is not very complimentary colourist and not the most stylish - we just can't co.plete with the European & Anerican  fashion designers. What's with the white lawn bowling shoes matched with the skirts and dresses with a blazer? Well it's not the outside that is special about the uniform but what can't be seen like all the names of the past hold medal Olympians in the lining of the blazers and the Olympic oath embroided inside of the blazer pocket which has become a repeat in Australian Olympic uniform design .

Another fire in Sydney's Western suburbs at a smash repairs. 

Giles and O'Neil have both lost their portfolios in Immigration and Home Affairs. The PM has failed to say that both cabinet ministers lost their portfolios due to doing their jobs badly. The PM AA hopes the new cabinet reshuffle will be taken with him to the next election.

In NSW it will soon be illegal for landlords to evict tenants without reason and eviction notices will increase from 30 or 40 days to 60 or 90 days

Tuesday 30th July 2024

A top of 26 degrees C again and rain today.

Another do nothing day today. Well not really. There is always something to do whether it be looking at alternative courses or life admin.

News headlines today include

Claire O'Neil has been moved to Housing and sworn in after AA's cabinet reshuffle. She promises 1.2 million by 2029. 

The 7 network news has been has been nominated for Kennedy awards with Chris Reason one of 7 news reporters to be nominated.

Australia has dropped to 5th on the Olympics medal leader board but still ahead of the USA. No they are back up to 4th on the leader board still ahead of the USA. Japan leads the leader board. 

Chris Burton equestrian wins silver only after riding 5 months with his horse Shadow Man. Boxer Harry Garside loses his boxing match exiting the Olympics. Meanwhile Athletes and visitors are complaining about the crowding , lack of transport and lack of the right food. These complaints have been reported since pre opening ceremony of the Olympics such as eggs. I made a comment online somewhere but there is plenty of snails and frogs legs. 

2 kids have died and 9 injured at a Taylor Swift themed dance party in a knife attack.  A 17 year old has been arrested.

There has been a final inquest into the 2 officers and neighbour tgat died in that atrack on a Wimbelwilla property.

Miranda Kerr and her Snapchat co founder and husband Evan's super yacht has been seen on the Gold Coast .

Djokovic crushes Nadal in the Olympic singles. Possibly the last match between these 2 tennis rivals. 

Trump is to be interviewed by the FBI in regards to his attempted assaination.  They have stated that it's routine fir them to interview victims of crime.

Jennifer Garner was stuck in an elevator for over an hour in San Diego. 

Meanwhile the other Jennifer - Aniston has begun filming Morning Wars and was oiled on a public stret as part of the scenes. She did not look impressed although she was only oiled on the body, it was suggested that she should have been spattered with oil higher up on her face.

Rex Airlines is on the brink of collapse since expanding it's flights to major city routes however it could be saved with the government's help as it is the only zaistralian airlines that flies to remote/regional Austalia. 

Ariana and Molly race the 200 m freestyle finals and Molly beats Ariana and the world record edging ahead of her so it's another Gold & Silver medal for Australia and the swim team. Meanwhile a contingent of 75 or so Aussie athletics team members that have arrived in the Olympic Village will complete later on. And the Aussie Opals Basketball team lost their opening Olympic game against Nigeria and not even  Lauren Jackson who came out of retirement could save the team from the loss. 

Another Australian fast food burger chain Carl's Jr goes into administration nationally. Who? I've never heard of them. Shows how much I eat burgers almost never.

Beach goers in the US were interrupted by a swarm of dragon flies. Beach goers used whatever they had to protect themselves from the swarm. If they are anything like the Ausdie ones which can sting I believe they are not pleasant and they can get quite large too.

There is a warning to get out of Lebanon as the war continues in the Middle East.

The opening of the Metro extension line has been cancelled due to safety! I was right, I knew it and had been commenting for a while now that it would be pushed back or delayed! I was told by the Ask Me officer that it was going ahead and  opening on the 4th August, that person was so wrong! They are still awaiting a safety approval notice. No new date has been announced.

The filthy Seine has caused a triathlon to become a duathalon. The men's triathlon has been delayed and could be cancelled or become a duathalon. Athletes have been taking medication for Chorela.

The new Western Sydney Airport is 80% complete and is on schedule to open in 2026. Now they just have to get the new rail I frastructure complete and running before it opens - fat chance!

A 3 year old Xavier who wondered off to find kangaroos has been found 4 hours later safe about 2 kms or so away in deep scrub thanks to a stranger who found him and sent an image of him reporting his location to search and rescue the little boy thanked.

IV fluids and medications are critically low. The problem is global. 

Westpac has partnered with Optus to  stop banking scam calls using new software.

Woolworths is trialling the number of self service and manned checkouts based on customer data. The trial is at one storebut will be rolled out if sucessful.

Record Aussies are moving to Italy where life is more affordable. Meanwhile mortgage holders are bracing themselves for the next rate ( rise?)  announcement.

Wednesday 31st July 2024

A top of 16 degrees C and showers today. Woke up around 7 am this morning and it is very dark grey and overcast and a little cooler.

Last day of another month. 

Today I went shopping at Macquarie Shopping Centre catching the Metro. First to return my bag of over 10 bottles for recycling ( I have given up on trying to recycle my bottles at Chatswood as the machines are always full and there is nowhere else to recycle bottles now that the convenience store on Katherine St is closed)  and  for a new vacuum cleaner as the last one I purchased from Kmart was just cheap and nasty and no longer sucks up anything. I hate it. I loved my Aldi one which had a very long warranty but was a little small and it cracked and was held together with sticky tape so I had to throw it out when even tape did not hold it together anymore. I did not return it eventhough it was still under warranty as they did not sell them again. This time I purchased another Big W stick vacuum cleaner which has a 2 year warranty on it. It's another cheap and nasty one. The old one I had before my Aldi one was a similar Big W one and it was also my favorite but I acidently blew it up oops. Cheap extended warranty stick vacuum cleaners were so much better back in the good old days. I do not want to invest in a chunky or expensive vacuum cleaner as I never know when I will be evicted from where I am living. I don't even want to purchase a new mattress even when I desparately need one or bed in fear of having to leave wasting money on purchasing one and then having to find a way of disposing of it or moving it out.

There were more Ask Me metro staff stationed at Chatswood and Macqyarie Netro stations today. Why? There is nothing to ask them as the Metro extension line opening has been delayed and there is no new opening date announced. Oh they are there because tonight there is trackwork again from 9.30 pm on the Metroline between Chatswood and Epping ( I am unsure if it really is trackwork or just more testing as the indicator boards advise) I hope there are rail replacement buses otherwise there will be stranded comuters. There is probably some maintenance work as there is a problem area on the Metroline just before Epping .

Anyway the new signage at Chatwood is displayed for the Metroline platform 2 now readers Metro to Sydenham via city - this really should be hidden until a new opening date is announced as there maybe commuters unaware of the push back on the sceduled 4th August 24 opening day waiting for the Metro train towards Sydenham via the city on that day - they will be waiting a very long time! or they'll just end up at Tallawong or a terminating metro train.

The other concerning thing is all the signs along all the bus stops with changes to stopping patterns, cancellation of the 600 series of buses, the 259 and 200 buses and the making transport more efficient from 4th August 24. Umm if the Metro is not up and running how are commuters suppose to get to their destinations? Stranded commuters again? There is no word of what is going to happen with these bus services now from 4th August  and whenever tge Metro extension line is suppose to open. I suppose commuters can transfer from the normal train lines onto the Metro - an inconvenience and it will take much longer especially during peak hours but they probability still can get to where they have to go ( I hope).

I made sure I returned to Chatswood on the Metro before 9.30 pm. I think it was after 7 pm when I finally left the shopping centre which closes late around 6 pm however supermarkets and some other services open much later eg bowling, ice skating rink, cinema and some food outlets, cafes restaurants etc.

A final shop at Woolworths Metro and a snack of Gyozas also from Woolworths Metro. I restrained myself from getting a go bucket again from KFC and did not feel like Sushi.

Bed around 9.30 pm.

Tomorrow I need to tidy the apartment as there is yet another unit inspection by the new owners around 10.30 am on Friday 2nd August 2024.

News headlines today include 

A second ram raid and fire has happened to a beautiful store in Coberg Melbourne.

Sharknets will be removed in NSW with councils deciding if they want to keep them in place. It has to do with marine life safety and drones and drumlines are preferred by tge government.

Stranded passengers as REX confirmed it went into administration teetering on collapse. The government is not really trying to save this service (just like they blocked QATAR from having more flights into Australia creating more competition and lowering airfares) that is vital to regional Australians claiming it should not have expanded out to more commercial domestic routes  between major cities. Passengers will have to rebook on Virgin flights who have stepped in to assist stranded passengers. Re deployment of Rex staff is being considered where possible as  it is unknown what will happen to their jobs.

Aurora Australis could be seen in the Southern states of Australia in WA VIC SA and Tasmania last night

4 x 200 men's relay team wins bronze behind UK and US. Kaylee Mckeown has defended her back stroke Olympic record with another 100 m gold medal. Meanwhile the women's rugby 7 lost their bronze  match and so did the hockeyroos. Australia is now number 3 on the medal leader board. Gee  it doesn't matter that Australia is falling apart back home being the not so lucky country - high inflation rising cost of living but we sure are good and doing well at sports! And that's all that matters isn't it?

The lotto jackpot stats are in -  there 476 division one winners in 2023 2024 with the most winners in Victoria I think 133  however NSW had a lesser number of winners but a bigger prize money payout amount.

A new animated Spellbound movie is coming  out a collab between the makers of Shrek and Monsters.

Increase of yearly cap with increased of international acts for Suncorp Stadium.

Markets tip the RBA will keep interest rates on hold next week.

Adelaide voted most beautiful city in the world in 2024 ahead of Paris.

USA gymnast Simone Biles wins her 5th Olympic gold medal. 

The film industry must be running out of new ideas if they have to remake original movies like Beetlejuice and Aliens. Meanwhile Wicked the movie of the musical and Deadpool Wolverine are doing well at cinemas.

Nicole Kidman appears in a rare public appearance with 16 year old daughter Sunday Rose.