Daily Discussion Thread: 👨‍🔬 Wednesday, 8 January, 2025

I'm going bowling today! Haven't been bowling for probably 5 years and I never was any good. Then probably a pub lunch afterwards. Beautiful day outside too. 😊

I always use the kiddie ramp thing at least once. Still goes in the gutter though :(
- Maybe you and Force need bumper bowling.
What kind of bowling? Lawn or the indoor kind?
- Ten pin bowling, but I wouldn't say no to lawn bowls

The study continues...

Have to admit it is cheaper than a cat toy.
- I'm happy she's using the cat tree lol.
The wall, it speaks to me.
- Hopefully not an angry ghost lol
I love how you’ve set up the mirror so she can admire herself
- She always knew her reflection was her.

Laundry today, Mt Washmore seems to be expanding overnight. I'm fantasizing about buying an off-grid property, so idly scrolling through property listings. It makes a change from doomscrolling about climate change and the US. Trying to learn a bit more about off-grid living, but I'm about as technically minded as a carrot lol.

tassie is apparently one of the most likely places to survive a apocalyptic event. just sayin
- Just another downside to living in Tassie
- also new zealand
- That's an enjoyable and intriguing rabbit hole I've been down in the past. Sooo many factors to consider with Tas (especially seeing as how I don't know it very well) like contaminated water in some towns from mining. Might be time I had another deep dive..
There are plenty of people who love to help with Off-Grid, but the key thing to remember is that anything you currently get piped in and out to your house (gas, electric, fibre, water, sewerage) will need to be carted in, or you will have to do without.
You will need to do the maths on how much power you typically use, how much solar/wind/hydro your new house can be configured to generate and how much storage you will need. No hair dryers, curling irons or hair straighteners.
You will also need to store enough electricity to see you through.
You will need to find a Fixed Wireless Internet Service Provider in your area with line-of-sight to where your antenna will be.
There are other alternatives to a septic tank like composting toilet or incinerating toilet, but you will need to determine if they are right for you.
My advice is to watch as much Off-Grid YouTube as possible; keep in mind that different markets will have different products and solutions. Off-Grid service providers do realise that they may be the only option available and will charge appropriately. There is a reason why we live in societies.
- Thanks for your response! I'm at the pipe dreams stage at the moment, but it's a worthy dream I think. I worked at CERES many moons ago when the ATA was there, and we had things like composting toilets, which were ok but not perhaps set up for the volume of traffic they were dealing with! I'd rather go without gas completely, even though in an urban setting it's my favourite way to cook (something about cooking with a flame).
  It's interesting looking at the kinds of off-grid properties already established and for sale. They range from the very basic and self sufficient to what looks like people trying to have all the mod cons with super glamorous houses and very complex systems in place. At heart, I'm the kind of person who's happy cooking on a fire lol, so the former type suit me best. But I will definitely start watching more off-grid YouTube videos, thankyou.

Using the mighty power of drugs I have arisen from the couch and successfully made breakfast. It was on easy mode as I meal prepped most of it in anticipation of work Mon & Tues, but it still involved cooking eggs so I count it as an achievement.

You just reminded me to see if I could get some!
- eggs or drugs?
You have eggs?
- I received an order of 5 dozen on Friday. I had no idea there was a shortage until I saw it here.

Hooray apricots done. Probably lost half the fruit to whatever. But the amount of ladybugs (100's+) on that fruit was great to see. Accidentally ate a few that were on the 'cots but carefully transferred a heap of them into the chilli patch. Left a bunch of fruit on the tree as they seem to like it.

Ooo, I want to attract lady bugs to my front area. I’ve bought one of those little houses and will set it up soon. I’m entering my second year war with mealy bugs that started on my palm.

I have found eggs finally at Aldi!

Here I was bracing for a photo of out-of-season chocolate.
- I just walked past them stacking the promo section of Coles with eggs.... I went there looking for a sandwich container thinking that 'back to school' would be their next promo..... but no. It's easter eggs.
- Speaking of which I nearly caved for more hot cross buns but I held myself back.
Do they not always have eggs? I've clearly missed something Melbourne based, here.

I'm going to miss waking up at midday :(

I find its dogshit for my mental health over time though.
- 100000%
  Getting up around 7ish is perfect. I'm a morning person anyway but it has been nice to stay up.

Clever Void the garden panther caught a mouse

I've just made my first UberEats order in years: Cold and flu tablets should be here shortly. Expensive, but the chances of me getting myself to the chemist are pretty much nil at this point.

It is frustrating trying to wade through all of the different products and figure out what anything is, you have to look at the ingredients for everything. It would be nice if that information was at least more prominent, instead of an afterthought behind branding. At the very least real drugs and herbal remadies should be easy to pick apart.

Edit: disaster! order arrived with my cough syrup & lozenges but no cold and flu tabs. Apparently they were out of stock and did not substitute. Another order made for a different type of tablet. At least the delivery fee is only a few dollars.

The perils of living alone that those who live with others easily forget...
- Yep. The other one I always loved was being expected to get a medical certificate for sick leave. When you are actually sick that can be extremely difficult and often counterproductive. Fortunately I only need a stat dec these days, but I do have a written warning on file for taking sick leave without a certificate before. Because obviously if I'm too sick to work I'm perfectly capable of getting myself to the doctor's to the doctors to fill out some paperwork.
Other problem is that you can’t get pseudoephedrine without picking up in person.
Phenylephedrine tablets were recently classed as a Placebo by the FDA, so it is a waste of time. Phenylephedrine nasal treatments are reported to work.
- I thought that was the case too, but there must be some sort of loophole because I have pseudoephedrine.
  I was surprised to be able to get it, and also relieved because going to the chemist in person is both beyond my current capabilities and also not great for the community given I probably have Flu and it would be better not to spread it around.

I was just reading up on the closure of Foodstar in Sunshine (all-you-can-eat restaurant that opened in the 1990s). Growing up in the west, I used to frequent Sunshine Village cinemas which involved walking past this fine establishment. I would always wonder who actually went to eat there, as it looked absolutely terrible. And how it stayed in business so long - it was always mostly empty. A friend who had gone there several times, forced upon for family events, never had anything good to say.

Not too long ago, I looked up the Google reviews with some friends to see if anything had changed, and they are incredible, especially the owner's responses. And the owner's closure statement does not disappoint. Goodbye Foodstar, we will miss you.

Tonight's beach:

Oook I suck at bowling but I'm good at choosing restaurants

Looks messy but it's a deliciously fresh and zesty enchilada with rice, Pico de gailo (no idea how to spell that) and salsa

Bill keeps looking for Miss Seagoon. 😔

Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul & Mary fame has died.

Puff the magic dragon

It's also Elvis Presley's birthday 🎂

Loved this group back when I was a teen, but listening to them again recently - there's a creepy vibe about Peter. Not so much Paul and Mary. They could have made more use of Mary's glorious voice too. Kind of a strange feeling looking back on their career.
- I did not know Peter was a convicted pedo. Yikes.

Meeting up with a different late friend today. First we said 11:30 and then she pushed it back to 12:30 this morning. I said okay.

I had a feeling she was going to be late because she always is. So I go to leave the house at 12:30. Her house is 10 minutes away and so I'm going to meet her there and then we will go somewhere.

I tell her I'm leaving and she says she's still changing. Of course she is.

I think I need a new set of friends at this point :D

Between heart problems and his teeth deteriorating Tommy probably doesn't have very much time left, he's struggling to eat now. But we're still having lots of snuggles 💕

Many kisses atop Tommy's furry head 💕
🖤
Poor old baby. Maybe some pate style food mashed with warm water might be slurpable and encourage him with the smell. Love him and give him everything he wants ❤️
so many hugs
I'm so sorry ❤️❤️❤️
Poor Kitty :(
Oh no 😮 poor little man

Starting to smell a bit rank (I need more breathable bras) and need another layer of sunscreen soon but feeling good on my feet and enjoying a pretty bloody awesome lunch spot

I found my Nella Last books. Nella was an Englishwoman who wrote diaries and filled out questionnaires for Mass Observation during WW2 and continued for years afterwards. Somebody then compiled several books out of her 12 million words. A fascinating read written by a housewife and volunteer at the time.

I listed what I thought was junk from my recent house cleanout on eBay and I'm getting multiple offers within a couple days.

These people are trying to negotiate the price down, even though the listings are buy now with no ability to make offers, which is annoying. Also eBay selling fees are quite expensive, so have to take that into account in accepting lower amounts. But I'm happy to be getting some $$ for this stuff.

The calico is an outside cat who is snuggle buddies with the orange stray

Bathroom and toilet are spotless.

The calico is an outside cat who is snuggle buddies with the orange stray
no convincing the outside cats owners to take on the stray? also F "outside cat" owners.
- If i could find the owner I'd give it a go.
  And agree about the "outside cat" thing. It's so irresponsible.

insert memory here:

?OUT OF MEMORY ERROR IN 0

Stimulation Clicker, a comedic browser-based incremental game from the same person who made Absurd Trolley Problems and many other fun little things

It was so over the moment I realised I could cheat with the DVD bounces.

good night everyone , sweet dreams 😘

I was just in the kitchen and I saw something at the back door. I walked to the door and a cat was there, just staring. How strange.

I think Miss Meow got sent to you by accident.

Has anyone heard from StudSpud lately? Haven't seen them around like usual.

Just helping the young Seagoons pack. 😭 not having a good time

I’m working my butt off but it feels like anything I do backfires or needs to be redone. I’m so tired.

its that time of the year for sure. 1 step forward 2 steps back.
- Wait, you guys are getting steps FORWARD?!?

Someone posted this in the other place, it's a live stream of a fuck off massive titan arum in Braeside blooming:

https://www.youtube.com/live/Hgj40CAyr4c

If you go back about 1.5 hours to compare you can see it is (quite) slowly opening right now.

That thing is grotesque. It looks like two decomposing legs pointing up out of a huge Venus fly trap
- I thought it looked like a synchronised swimmer being eaten by a cabbage.
Got definite feed me Seymour vibes

What’s the ruling on going out in public with your SO in matching tracksuits?

All good homie
There's no rules, do whatever you want. I think it's a big think in Japan. Osoroi my quick googling tells me.
Don't. That's the ruling. We are not Japan or the US.
With the possible honorable exception of the wearing of Carlton Blacks. But this ONLY applies if you live in Carlton.
- true, i see many couples wearing matching black and matching black trackies, it's perfectly ok here
only to parties
- Bad taste parties

I thought the night flu tabs would help me sleep, but they didn't. I'd really like to sleep but can't get comfortable ☹️

You need one dose of Miss Meow.
That’s what I’m prescribing you.
- Saw this book today

The house spring clean begins today. A lot to do. Going to get the bathroom and bedrooms done.

But not the cables… 😜
- I keep looking at the audio cables and feeling guilty lol. I need to get it all sorted for the January shows. But I just cannot be fucked lol

I have a plan on how to get a full night's sleep. Let's see how it plays out.

Goodnight all ❤️

Do share how it goes!

sky pretty

Lenovo hand held running steam OS? HECK yes!

The handheld space is getting very interesting. I look forward to what happens when SteamOS officially makes the jump to desktops
- I need it to run games pass before its a serious consideration for me.
  I love steam, most of my games are in steam. But I cant justify ~1k on a steam OS handheld then 100 bucks on a new AAA title if its on gamespass for free.
What's the price?
- 499 USD. I think TBC here.

Shit keeps happening, both big and small, and it’s really affecting my ability to cope. I just want something to go smoothly.

so many hugs
One day day a time, try to do one thing at a time.

I was out getting Melbcat’s antibiotics and other stuff so I got a chance to hit up 4 shops looking for a liquid that wasn’t the huge bottle of Finish. Finally I found two different brands in an IGA.

Peas and gravy.

The perfect combination.

🤤

So much crying at airport. House seems empty now. 😢

Aww sorry Seagoon. They're not gone forever. Just try to reflect on the good times, not that they've now gone 😞

Apparently someone stole a bike in an aggravated burglary, rode up the street and set fire to two acres of grassland yesterday here in sleepy pt. lonsdale. So random. Taken away in cuffs on the main strip lol.

Set fire to 2 acres of grassland at this time of year? What an idiot
I feel like meth was involved somehow.

I have made good progress today. I acquired good drugs, managed to spend all day sitting up and even managed a proper breakfast and lunch. Dinner was an iced bun from the freezer, but two outa three ain't bad. I even managed a shower and brushing my teeth. Tomorrow I might even feel well enough to floss!

Mr Woof is definitely hoping the progress continues, he has a physical therapy program worked out involving many walkies that he wants me starting ASAP

If you have a kindle from 2013 onwards they can now all be jailbroken.

Jailbreak is called WinterBreak.

Edit: just did mine and installed a far, far superior book reader than the built in kindle one. It has all the features that you would expect from an ebook reader.

Well that was a waste of 30 minutes with my car insurance people trying to ask for a discount with failure.

I need a good movie for tonight.

Something with lots of car crashes to make you appreciate the value of your insurance more?
- Hmm nah. I don’t need something to validate my insurance.
  Mass destruction is welcome though.
  I almost feel like doing the original Star Wars trilogy.
- the cars that ate paris

Has anyone been to the Jurassic World Exhibition in Brunswick? Is it any good? Thinking of taking my daughter there tomorrow or Friday.

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

Could you drug my real estate vendor into agreeability?
- 💊

Welp, airport parking was definitely the best choice given how late I ended work - 5:45pm - and thanks to cruisey holiday traffic I made it in time to spare for a bite and a drink. And got all my chores done at home beforehand. My feet are sore from doing a whole day out after a while, looking forward to relaxing...

E: noooo I ended up one seat away from the noisiest kids on the plane. Rip. At least I remembered to bring my headphone adaptor this time! Now to wait the 4 hours or so to head west...

This made me laugh (I hope the link works)

https://www.reddit.com/r/SipsTea/s/wPzR9mmSQy

Listen with the sound on.

The shadows are an endless source of entertainment

Her ginger floofy belly 😍

Holy Shit. The Substance. What a unique movie.

From what I've read it seems to sound very familiar to a movie called "beauty water". Very similar.
Loved this movie, I'm glad it's getting the recognition it deserves. It was a full-on watching experience in the cinema, having never seen this type of horror movie before.
It gave me nightmares :(
Edit: I spent the next day cleaning my mind with other movies.