Daily Discussion Thread: 🍲 Tuesday, October 1 , 2024

so...haven't been around for a while, so I thought I'd launch myself back in with a random question:

Would it be really fucking weird to get in touch with a teacher who went above and beyond to help me through some really, really tough shit 30 years ago to just say "hey, I've always remembered you, and I have turned out OK and am pretty successful, thanks"?

edit: thanks everyone

No go for it. I wanted to do this a while ago only to find out that teacher now has dementia 😞. Really wish I had reached out sooner.
No. It would be lovely. I'm sure it would make their day/week/month
That sounds like a lovely thing to do, and I reckon they’d really appreciate it
Do it. I see mostly positives and no real negatives.

Good to get away from the bit for a bit.

It’s Melbcat’s birthday today! (Well one of the dates I have on her paperwork.)

17 years old 🎉🎂🥳🎈

😘😘😘🐟🐠🐁
Happy birthday wishes to your beautiful girl! 😻🐱🎈🎊🎁
Woo! 🐟🐠🐡
Happy birthday, Melbcat!
Happy Birthday! 🐟🍤🍣
Happy Birthday Melbcat!

Tuesday night scotch..

It's school night but day was botched

I will only have one

Because I must be up with the sun..

But oh I need a Tuesday night scotch

(Far from the best of the DT poets but my little contribution to open mic night for Spud) Edit because formatting

I shouldn't have said anything 😓 Mickey has gone back to nomming Dine and turns his nose up at Hills.

Having a cat is like having a fickle live-in fey.

Tommy's on a new wet food only diet and I've bought his favourite Dine in bulk, it was on special and we're going through a lot. So I'm sure any day now he'll decide it's disgusting and turn up his dainty nose at it.
That's a cat for you. 😂
I don't wanna say I told you so but.... hopefully you didn't buy too much!
- I didn't really buy it, but it was in a showbag from the Royal Melb Show I bought (the kitty showbag). He got a few other treats from it and a new wand toy he adores, so it wasn't a waste.
  I'll just alternate between Dine and Hills until it's gone haha

A few weeks ago an old codge ran into the side of the man's car. Today we've fostered a 2024 Toyota Kluger so we took it to macca's.

T- 60 hours until CAT. I am desperate for some feline therapy. Feel completely dead and miserable today again. Even though I had a good run with the traffic - had time to grab a coffee despite the queue and got to enjoy it in the carpark outside work..

😺
😺😸😺😸😺😸😺😸🐱🐱🐱

Going forward, the DT family will put our heads together every morning to touch base and set out the granular of the meal plans. We will start with low hanging fruits, while centering the foodie artifactual lens. Go team. We are all in this together.

Let's take this offline, but not until after we raise it up the flagpole and see who rallies around it
- I wish to forget this comment thread - I feel triggered after 10+ years in corpo call centres 😭💀
Aaaarrghhh!!
- TEAM CHEER!
Pork barrelling the low hanging fruit. How did we miss this one.

So tonight I'm going to an event that I have never been to before; a poetry reading at a local pub by a modern author. They have an open mic as well, but I am not even close to confident enough to consider that.

But I do consider this my first step towards the culture and being a part of a community, after dabbling so long with prose and only reading poetry books since I was a small child. I think my first book, that I can remember, is one I still have: a book of Childrens Poetry (Lewis carrol, William Blake, etc) that contributed heavily to my love of the artform.

I have no idea why I feel so anxious and nervous, or why I want to back out. I guess avoidance and the fear I'll make a fool of myself, despite not performing at all. Idk, I hope I can find a welcoming community within that space, but even if I don't, I'll still write. I don't think I could stop writing, even if I wanted to.

I know people that have been active in the poetry and spoken word scene. I can get going to something for the first time can feel daunting, but you'll be surprised how welcoming everyone is. You might find a place with a crowd you gel with and maybe you might even go up and read something.
One thing I noticed from doing standup is the bar is so, incredibly, low, and people are supportive of anyone giving things an earnest shot.
I've done open mics, storytelling, and I can agree that mostly the crowd is welcoming. You may get a few self-absorbed shits that are only there for the strokes, and these can usually be ignored. Which really pisses them off so is worth doing on those grounds alone. Consider using a nom de guerre - at least at first. It's an effective way to manage the feeling of threat to one's personal identity. A 'poetry name' is very traditional so I think you are in good company if you choose to use one.
we love your work and i’d attend and clap very loudly had i not have work
I never performed, just lurked. Maybe do that until your nervousness goes
So many hugs.
May I suggest practising speaking out loud at home. Maybe even record yourself. Think before hand what rhythm you want and which words you will emphasise.
Nice work! That's a good way to ease into things. Have fun, don't put any pressure on yourself.

I've been craving broccoli for days since having a delicious yet extremely simple stir-fry of it at my aunties. Just broccoli, oil, garlif and mushroom seasoning at the end (all of which I now have).

She has a magic touch with cooking - and a much hotter burner - but I watched her make it from start to finish so I really think I could replicate something similar... broccolibroccolibroccoli I'm gonna eat a whole head of it tonight 😋

Ooh, that sounds delicious
- It didn't come out as nicely as hers - hers was more evenly cooked - but still pretty decent. Very moreish. My jar of mushroom seasoning has been languishing in the back of the cupboard for years, it's about time I started using it again

I swear to god if I hear the word "granular" at work today I'm going to lob a mandarin at the person who says it.

Just say "detailed". What's wrong with "detailed"?!?!

Ah corporate life. I've missed you lol

Edit: I'm adding the word "artifact" to the list.

I nominate ‘touch base’
How on earth did they get ‘granular’ to mean ‘detailed’?! I’m still annoyed at ‘low hanging fruit’, ‘going forward’, and ‘the (insert topic here) space/lens’. Bloody weasel words
- I haven't heard space/lens yet. It won't be long I'm sure.
  Every time someone says artifact my mind goes straight to Indiana Jones lol
- too much detail 'granular' is actually quite a good metaphor, just horribly overused.
Your artifacts are not granular enough. Lift your game
Granular!
(I'd love a mandarin please)
- 🍊🍊🍊here’s some low hanging fruit!
Damn gibsy, you're starting to sound like a bit of an artifact!
Can I say artifact if I talk about archaeology?
Also, may I add to the list journey, navigate and gifted.
Mine is people sulking. I'm so over it. Projects gotta be done. Leadership have said "deliver" so STFU and help or get out of the damn way.
- Agreed. I can't fucking stand it. We're not children. If you're annoyed, say something.
start replying to peoples emails spelling it artefact and track how fast the flock adopts it
- you made me look twice and check if I have been spelling it wrong

the boys have settled down for the night already , they have clean soft blankies and the heater is on 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

Fluffy boys ❤️

I’m pretty sure cat ~~adopted~~ enslaved me

I tell people I have a recycled dog.
- I used to say we had a 2nd hand cat
- I've got an op shop dog.

Pinch, punch bitches

I only remember it's the first of the month when I see my bank account interest has landed. The little bits I get...
- My mum always messages me "White Rabbits 🐇"

It's frustrating when you know exactly how your voice should sound, and you can't quite get it right. Especially when you know you've done it before.

It's been so long since I've taken singing somewhat seriously. It's a lot of fun!

Just have to be patient I guess.

Trams are too busy... Oh well..

What is that red? Looks like a good treat for when the trams are too busy. Yum
- Just some generic chilli sauce, also cayenne pepper. This is Udon Yasan on Bourke st
Oohhh yumm

I legit did not even realise it was the first. Nor I even realise it was the GF on the weekend.

I have been under a rock.

I am trying to order eggs online and their system has decided I am not human. If I was a robot what would I do with eggs? Surely ordering eggs is itself an indication I am human, being able to identify animals sitting down seems a bit superfluous. And in any case as long as I pay for the eggs should it matter? Why can't robots have eggs if they want them? Seems clear discrimination to me.

Because the robots might study and use the eggs as the first part of a plot to breed a race of genetically-enhanced super-chickens, which will become the physical muscle needed in their plan to Kill All The Humans, of course.
Gotta stop that shit before it starts, y'know.
People out there got bots scalping eggs... the state of the world...
Show up at the egg store with a smile and a firm handshake.

Stew turned out to be decent. But TBH (and no offense here) I regret listening to ya'll cause whilst edible it turned out nothing like what I wanted.

Should've added nutmeg
- came hoping for minh, did not leave disappointed
What sort of thing were you going for? Like a stroganoff?
- not really, not sure what I was expecting. Its all good, I'm sure there will be cheap beef again one day soon to try the original concept.
Was it the passata taking over any flavour that may have been in there?
- dont think so, just not anywhere near the original concept.

My annoying cold seems to have turned into pneumonia. I've had very little sleep over the last two nights, just coughing and when I do manage to nod off, waking up soon after in a sea of mucus. Off to the doctor this morning.

get well soon, take care

Payroll just went off their shits at something that turned out I didn't do anything wrong but they misunderstood something and it turned out another person missed another thing but that wasn't me but is somehow still my fault and I just....wat.

reading her emails was like having a random chicken fly into my face out of nowhere and explode.

Hand curated. 🙄🙄🙄

Unless you're a curate or it's an art show or museum exhibition you aint curating shit.

AI curated

Made it down the bellarine to check on the chillos. Asked the p's over the w/e to water them as it'd been over a week.. said they didn't need to they're fine. Got down and sure enough they certainly did need a drink. Dry as a chip.

Glad they all made it. Currently tucked in under the led disco light. A lot are getting their 2nd true leaves :)

Should start speeding up soon. This part is slowww.

Can I please add pre-owned and thrifting to the list of shit words.

It's used or second hand and it's shopping for cheap things, typically used.

Pre-owned and pre-loved can both get in the bin. Second hand is definitely my preferred term, which I also use for pets. I really think "rescued" should only be used if you actually did more than walk in to a shelter and hand over cash.
"Thrifting" is mostly just an annoying Americanism that has no place in Australia. I will accept op-shopping as an alternative. Shopping for cheap things makes me think more Reject Shop than second-hand.
- I didn't rescue my cat or my old dog; they were rescued by other people. I just adopted them.
  I mean, I don't mind the term "rescue cat" but I'd avoid it personally, as I had no hand in their rescue.
  I don't like the term "bought" when referring to a pet adoption, as I feel that it is too close to possession and property (and while that is the case when it comes to the law, from a personal view animals are sentient and "buying" them I feel reduces their autonomy - again just personal preference, I don't care if other people say they bought their pet). My pets have all been integrals parts of my family units, and therefore I prefer "adoption".
- Totes agree on the rescue pets. Both my guys were rescued by other people, Bill rescued from the streets and Ted from a neglectful cat farm, and then I bought them.
  I like op-shopping. I think thrifting was coined because Americans are very class and money conscious. Here op shops are traditionally about supporting your community and there is no shame in that.
- gonna go home and tell me kelpie he is second hand. I like adopted, just cause I get a lot of questions about the lack of a family resemblance. Seriously, I look nothing like a working dog.
- Out of curiosity, is it a rescue if you look after the pets while the owner is in hospital and then adopt them directly when the old owner enters palliative care? Then sort out a lot of vet care?
  It doesn’t matter but I’ve always wondered how to answer in a short way how I got Melbcat.
  Technically I still adopted her. Rescue to me always sounded like literally rescuing a pet from a storm drain or dog fights and rehabilitating them
The sound of theword thrifting upsets me deeply.
- yes, it grates even more than gifting . ( it's giving )
  but one good use of all these shit words and bad grammar is it sorts out those who don't read books

Looks like my work team is going to have some big changes coming up. All good news - just people having good life changes and bigger and better things. But did they all need to confide in me today? Separately and quietly?! Walking around not saying anything but feeling sad but happy but also stressed about workload and next things.

I was in bed by nine last night, and I still feel like more sleep would be nice

You too huh? And to think I used to be a night owl.

Goodnight everyone, sleep well and sleep silent. 😘

Today is International Coffee (all hands pick your brains) Day

☕️☕️📈👨🏼‍💼👩‍💼🗄️
🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍈🫐🍓🍇🍉🍌🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥦🥑🫛🍆🍅🥝🥬🥒🌽🥕🥐🍠🫚🥔🧅🥯🍞🥖🥨🧀🧇🥞🧈🍳🥚🥓🥩🍗🍖🫓🍕🍟🍔🌭🥙🧆🌮🌯🥗🍲🍜🍝🥘🍛🍣🍱🥟🦪🍥🍘🍚🍙🐠🍤🪼🦀🐙 🍗🥮🍢🍡🍧🍰🧁🥧🍦🍨🎂🍮🍭🍬🍫🥜🌰🍪🍿🍯🥛☕️🍵🍺🍶🥤🧋🧃🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹🧉🔋

A few mandarins to hurl at co workers please
- 🍊🍊🍊
Potato w Bolognese sauce on it and cheese and salad please
- 🥩🧅🍅🧀🥗
  🥔
Delicious coffee please chef
- 🍭☕️

Melbcat thanks you for her birthday wishes! She’s just having a chill one today, enjoyed a slant of sunlight and then some snuggling.

I wish I’d been more proactive about getting on the Internet Archive or watching stuff in general before the options got cut down. Couldn’t find the classic slashers but that’s ok I guess, been a bit stressed lately so probably don’t want to watch anything too full on.

I watched Suspiria (1977) which I’d heard about. It was… alright? Interesting in terms of shots and effects but I found it a bit hard to pay attention and some of it was a little corny.

I expected to be into it because of the soundtrack but while it was good music well executed it was also a little overwhelming, it was meant to rev you up and give a sense of panic and dread like the musical equivalent of jangling nerves and a pounding heart - but it more gave me a headache with the sound effects and banging, like over application of a heavy perfume. It was all just a little too much sensory wise. The flickering lights also probably didn’t help.

One thing I did like was the shot of the scene which the girl ran through showing that it was a reflection, and the way her own shadow seemed to be chasing her. It was really nicely done to imply a topsy turvy reality and a sense of paranoia.

It definitely did have a dreamlike/nightmarish quality with the way the scenes ran together without much context for what was going on, and the mood lighting.

I can see why it’s a cult movie.

Suspiria seems like a corny movie you've seen before but it was the first and everyone copied it. At the time it was really different and original.
all those feelings you had are exactly right 🐱
- It did still seem pretty original. I’m being a bit harsh on it because picky

The nights are slowly starting to warm up. 🌞🌆

Ok so there's a concert I want to go to and it's nearly all GA. Unfortunately, I am only about 4'10. It is an extra $60 for a seat in a booth. I am on a uni student budget.

I guess I'll be going for GA. Should be an experience.

You would have to get to the front or hang all the way in back of the GA section to try and see over everyone.
Honestly someone your size could easily squeeze between people to get right in front.
- Good point!
  Ticket secured :)
- This is the way. It's what I have always done.

Only Murders In The Building has been very entertaining this season, best season since the original I reckon.

Totally forgot about it but I really loved watching it when it came out.
Is the new season airing now?
- Yep. Halfway through the season, Monday evenings
I've been enjoying it immensely. 😸

hey everybody ☺️

Morning lovely 🌹
- Mornin'. 💐

Today was my last day walking to the free food market. From Friday it is moving a bit further away, so I'll probably drive instead. It will be undercover which is a big advantage, but being just a couple of blocks away was pretty handy for me.

I did get both mushrooms and cream today, so creamy mushroom sauce and a creamy brussels sprout bake are on the cards. A couple of things I grabbed turned out to have been frozen, which is not great. The salad mix I put in the freezer to go in the next dog food batch, the cherry tomatoes are in the freezer for future cooking & I'm still deciding what to do with the strawberries. Either jam or a cake probably.

Egg order now complete. Apparently it is only Chrome that thinks I'm a robot.

Olive bread dough is sitting in a bowl in a sink of warm water. Will probably be ready to eat at around 3. And then later I'll be making chicken sausage rolls for dinner, enough to have heaps left over for dinners and lunches. :)