My birth certificate got lost somewhere in the house a year or so ago and after many unsuccessful attempts to find it, I'd decided today was going to be the day I'd apply for a new one. Checked the Justice services joint in Broady was open and went. Sign on the door apologising for inconvenience but they aren't processing BD&M requests, scan the QR code for a list of other locations. Ok, so I did and Reservoir was the closest, so off I went. Get to Reservoir and the same sign is on their front door! Plus an extra sign saying Broady are only doing BD&M requests mon, wed, and Fri (would've been a good sign to put on the Broady front door maybe!)
Ended up getting photocopied notarised documents and submitted online, which I didn't want to do because I hate sending personal ID documents online, would much rather do in person. I just don't feel safe. The website is an utter shitshow, wouldn't accept my postal address, I've seen window cleaning junkies work more effectively.
So I got home and baked brownies with the kids, and they are fudgy and delicious (the brownies not the kids)
Whew... Finished up at 7pm, well past when I'd hoped to finish at 5pm, and there's a couple of small outstanding but non urgent items. But I got through the worst of it - all the yucky stuff that made me renew my deep dislike for humanity and was very much due. Dobby is free!!!
...From one job, at least - next two days are gonna be real candle burners as well with the huge backlog from work trip last week and my not being available the next two weeks. I love that place though, so I'm kind of looking forward to getting stuck into it to help the team out.
48 hours to go before I'm on the way to the airport, yippee. For now, is dumplings time (swapped from lunch), and this week's episodes of OMITB and Slow Horses :)
Well that was a relief. All made it.
Person on public transport was playing music on phone at full blast. Then looked up and started loudly yelling at passengers. Luckily got off after a few stops. I’m used to occasionally seeing this kind of thing, but today I wondered, does the mentally ill person know they are mentally ill? Are they aware they are frightening others, including kids. What are they feeling when they do these things? I guess whatever is in their heads is logical. I hope to never experience it.
Just watched as the local daddy magpie gave a swark at someone who overreacted, swung around and started jogging...so Maggie gave them a bit of a swoop. Guy jogged off shaken and then I went up to the magpie and got a swark too. Said my normal "hello Maggie". We had a few quiet words and swarks back and forth and I wandered home.
Not gonna lie, I feel a little bit special as a chosen maggie friend.
Dinner has been eaten. Just some left over pasta amongst an entire day of eating cakes and cupcakes.
Time to relax for the night and out my feet up.
Weather was also delightful for most of the day as well I might add.
I have a lot of tedious, unfulfilling work I REALLY don't want to do today but need to clear by COB before I go on leave. I've had a slow start to the day and a battle of Feels. Thankfully, the sun is shining so that makes it easier to stay on the good side for now
Today's strategy:
- keep reminding myself of the reward after getting through today
- remind myself efficiency is a good thing too
- enjoy all the good food - today's medicinal carb is a Woodfrog bakery croissant. Dumplings for lunch
- go out and weed my planter boxes at lunchtime for some serotonin 'n shit
- blast all the feel-good 70s/80s pop rock. Currently on Toto, next up is classic Chicago
- celebrate the end of the day by calling/messaging people I love
I got this!...
e: busting out the ELO now. Thanks to this Russian dude who uploaded 2x 2h complications!
Melonball on a warm-ish day going down a treat. I purchased this melonball as it was on sale and regular sliced watermelon was not. It's sweeter, tastier, and you get more fruit from it because the skin is pretty thin.
I found that real estate ad I mentioned yesterday
Scroll through the photos to see. Kinda NSFW.
I think I have my menu plan sorted for the next few days, which should clear out everything perishable from the fridge before I am away for a few days next week. I've also fully cleared out the vegetable drawer, which was nowhere near as bad as I feared - I did find some very gooey celery and some tomatoes that were more liquid than solid. I'm going to freeze a few things I have excess of (cauliflower & leek bake, some mushrooms and some stewed apple & pear) and have put some excess bananas in the freezer for future cooking. Plus I'll be freezing the planned camembert and cherry muffins. This whole "cook everything from scratch and focus on reducing food waste" hobby is very labour intensive some days!
I am listening to an old LP of Til Death Do Us Part. 1966
ohmygaawwd .
What really sticks out to me is that the characters talk over each other , just like in real life. It's that 1960s kitchen sink drama stuff.
it's a load of cobblers, innit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8qSRu6b4Go&list=PLgeGcX2U-sIGC-OhLbHpppoDrkUy3a1Ir
so beautiful and sunny out there. Fuck it, I;m going out for a walk.
Nice looking day today, I really need to try and get outside for a bit. I should probably pull some weeds while I'm out there too. Or clean the back paving, it's gotten quite gunky and slippery.
I received my first ever order from Ali Express yesterday. Their website is quite dreadful to deal with, but I managed to get some thread I've been struggling to get from any Australian suppliers. Some sewing needles I bought were not all the right type, and I got a refund without having to return - which is nice, because 4 out of 5 were right, and the others I can use eventually, just not what I wanted.
It is frustrating how expensive sewing notions are in Australia, it is generally much cheaper to buy ready made items than the materials to make it yourself.
Cleaning out my laundry. Feels kinda good.
My father had us imprisoned in our house. We could only leave to either take me to school, or to take my mother to work.
Then he would collect us. Sometimes he would take me to the shops for the weekly shopping. And doctors appointments. Always watched. Always monitored. A prison.
A few years before she passed away, my mother convinced him to let her take me to see her doctor. And he allowed us to leave the house together, just us two.
She would tell me to go and visit my friends, then we would meet back up and return home. As though we had been together the whole day.
Sometimes she's in my dreams. I love and hate those dreams.
Heading down the bellarine today. Left the chillo seedlings on the heat mat outside since Sat. but I'm expecting some loss after that coldish snap :( With any luck a few made it.
I made the camembert and cherry muffins. The texture is great, but the flavour is a bit incipid. I tasted a bit of the dip first and was underwhelmed by that too, so it is not very surprising. It should be fine for a snack warmed with a bit of butter, or could accompany a soup or stew. 6/10, I'll eat them, but wouldn't make them again.
Dunno if ya'll are already on it, but the apple and cinnamon sourdough from bakers delight is incredible!
The union rally is absolutely massive. I think they are heading to Flagstaff Gardens along La Trobe.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did speak out despite not being a trade unionist because I know the next lines.
There's a rally in support of the CFMEU today at 10:30-11, starting from the Victorian Trades Hall. You don't have to be a member of the CFMEU or any union to rock up in support (though you should join a union).
Goodnight everyone. 😘
I almost took the lazy route and skipped the free food market this morning, but it turned out to be a good day and I got lots of good vegies. I also got some camembert and cherry dip I'm not sure what to do with. I'm thinking either using as a filling in some pastry, or muffins. I'm leaning towards muffins as pastry is more hassle.
