Since we don’t live by politix alone (I sincerely hope), what did people get up to this weekend? Join in, share some tales, regulars and lurkers all!
Life, Culture and Politics from BrisVegas
Larvatus Prodeo was an Australian group blog which discussed politics, sociology, culture, life, religion and science from a left of centre perspective. more»
Spent the day at my next door neighbour’s celebrating the christening of her sixth grandchild. Big Italian family party. Food, drink, conversation; great way to spend a Sunday. Bellissimo.
According to Rod Quantock at the Tote today, there were 20,000 people there to protest its demise.
Even if it turned out to be half that it would be a good effort.
“Vanity, vanity, all is vanity,” sayeth the preacher.
Finally managed to fix the leaky drain pipe that has pretty much stuffed the 40-year-old vanity unit in the bathroom.
Spent some time on Saturday looking at rental properties. I commented to one agent on the lack of fly-screens. The response? “You don’t need them, there’s air-conditioning.” So I guess I’m supposed to sit there on balmy spring evenings with air-conditioner running just to keep the insects out. Note to all landlords in Brisbane: fly-screens are essential. Install them.
Today I drove out to the airport. I rarely drive these days, having given up the car for public transport. Twice on the way out I was given the finger by other drivers because I wasn’t speeding. Now I know the the speed limits on the inner city bypass are probably a tad low, and not always well signed, but fair suck of the sav – no need to be rude! On the way back, I slowed to let in a p-plater trying to merge from Lomandra Drive. As he seemed reluctant, I signed to him to enter the lane. His passenger turned and gave me the finger. So glad I no longer drive every day. I don’t think I could take the stress.
I did get to the sewing machine for a while. And I have my beautiful daughter home for a fortnight. Squeeeee!
Saturday. On line a bit but mostly finished taking notes from Margaret Wheeler Willard’s Letters on the American Revolution.
Sunday. Began reading T. M. Devine’s Scotland’s Empire, 1600-1815. Really enjoyed Sunday night TV on SBS.
Sat around & sleeping thinking/dreaming about my low budget trip to Fiji. Might have to sell my arse its so low budget. I leave on Thursday.
The AGE puts the attendance at the Tote wake/protest at 2,000. Maybe someone had too many Last Drinks…
Spent most of Sunday morning shaking off a hangover caused by too many beers thoughtlessly ingested while listening to a mate’s band on Saturday night. Sunday pm, up to the paddock to put some stuff in storage in the shed, and a quick look-around. It’s really bloody dry, but the 5 acres of native trees and bushes looks fantastic!
I spent an hour or so sweeping and vacuuming up plaster dust getting ready to paint my mate’s new valve amp workshop. Nearly finished, I noticed the vaccum struggling, so pulled out the filters and tapped them out in the bin. Put them back in, turned on the machine, and BAM! a massive cloud of plaster dust,and back to square one.
Then I painted the walls. Turns out I hate painting WAY less when it’s not for a vindictive landlord after a bond inspection.
Spent the day driving between three nurseries.
Got a couple yellow kangaroo paw and some other plants. The kangaroo paw will go behind the shorter red kangaroo paw in a patch I started to cheer up someone feeling very low due to ill health:
http://www.polanimal.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=295&start=195#p8011
We are looking after our neighbours’ place [about 1 km away] while they are on hols.
Involves watering the garden, feeding the chooks [and receiving in payment fresh laid organic eggs!], checking on the cage birds and caring for hannah’s doggy mum and sister.
Those 2 live in a big compound with wire fence to keep them in.
Friday I was watching TV when I saw a black dog go past outside. Strange, I thought hannah was asleep behind me a minute ago, I didn’t see her open the door and go outside [she can open the door herself but hasn't learned to close it behind her].
So I turned and checked, there she was still behind me.
And then a second black dog went past outside.
Oh Oh.
Prison break.
We now have 4 dogs in the house cos mum-in law is visiting with her ….[lap] dog.
And we can’t let hannah’s doggy mum loose outside cos she is a wanderer and under threat from dog hating other neighbours.
Amazing how much attention 4 dogs command.
Hannah’s Dad or Jovial Monk, or anyone out there, can you advise me? My family are away next door.
Just had a call from a Pest Control company who tell me they have been called out to someone a few doors from here to deal with termites. So they are offering neighbouring houses a “free” inspection over the next few days, just takes 10 minutes or so, no obligation!
Is it a sales gimmick? Am I wise to ignore them? My usual reaction is scepticism to anyone who wants to spray anything around me. Could I be wrong?
Yesterday I took a couple of visiting friends to the Sari, Plaosan and Kalasan temples near Prambanan. A little melancholy, as this will probably be the last time I head out that way.
But this news story today has given me a new thing to add to the list of things to do before heading back to Australia:
New temple discovered in Jogja
Patricia WA
Dunno.
Maybe.
Probably.
Then again its just possibly true.
The trouble is the inspection will probably be free but they may find, even if they are not there, millions of white ants and rip you off.
Have you got a consumer rights hotline or equivalent you could ring up and ask about the company or the practice?
Sounds suss to me and if in doubt ….don’t.
My opinion only.
Patricia WA,
Unless your house is made entirely of wood, I wouldn’t bother.
Seriously, if it was a serious infestation likely to spread widely the state dept. of agriculture or equivalent would contact you, I’d reckon.
But, then again, State Governments …. (I do come from NSW.)
Sounds like a con job to me Patricia WA.
Here is the do not call register. A great cure for mind termites guaranteed.
https://www.donotcall.gov.au/
Also, PWA, you could ring your Department of Consumer Affairs and ask about the company. They are supposed to be there to prptect us from the rampant forces of untrammelled capitalism. (After you’ve filled in a lot of forms etc.)
Thanks for those words of advice you guys. I called back the number left with me to ring re confirming time for the inspection to get their full details. Plan was to then follow up with Consumer Affairs as you suggested. Also it seemed a good idea to ask them in a nice casual way the name of my neighbour who was having termite problems. Lady on the phone was quiet for a moment, then said she’d have someone call me back as soon as possible. That was first thing this morning. No one has called!
QED – scam. Now why didn’t I think of this sooner.