Melbourne

Looks like he remembers me! Owner left very early this morning so arrived and it was just him. He freaked out for a few seconds then seemingly a few neurons fired.

Still has the puppy head tilt.

First walk with hambam in a while and I think I'm changing my mind on his intelligence.

He actually walked like a normal dog and didn't try and herd wheelie bins this time.

So proud of him.

Edit and my aunt is rocking these atm:

Guessing they're a foxglove thing

cheesy buns were made and are being eaten by seagoons

I'm in an uber running late for an appointment and anxious like hell, the driver isn't taking the route I'd normally take (or suggested by uber itself) - but bloody hell, he has amazing luck - got a right turn at the bloody Princess St roundabout within a minute AND hit Station St Fairfield just as the train gates were lifting so crossed it instantly. This could've easily taken an extra 10 minutes...

I rarely go into the city these days, even less so at night, but tomorrow is the exception as we have tickets for Dara O'Briaine at Hamer Hall :)
Dinner and drinks on Southbank before the show at 8pm. Apparently it goes on for over two hours! Hope there's an interval.

MIL has come to stay for a week with one days notice. Weekday drinking to cope....

Just went down to Bunnings and bought 2 x these things to put in front of one of my big balcony windows to hopefully help block a bit of the afternoon sun + add a bit of colour to the joint. I have them sitting precariously on top of each other, but I think it looks alright!

I really need to get around to selling those 2 monitors on the floor. Also please ignore my dirty windows, I'm cleaning them after work.

It seems I'm completely carrying the Aussie Frugal Living instance at the moment. 😮 Am I just the biggest tightarse on here?

I've got more recipes to contribute there or in Food Australia but they're more poverty food that's not always healthy so they might get mocked a bit as gross. Melbourne is a foodie city. Also mending suggestions might be pointless as these days a lot of clothing doesn't really last long enough to be worth repair.

good bot 🔋

A chocolate self-saucing Christmas pudding

Then I make it pretty

A very rich and decadent pudding. A bit like a giant chocolate truffle ball. That's why cream and 2 custards were deployed. 5/5 yum yums.

my home office is slowly being overtaken by small, brightly coloured 3d printed parts awaiting assembly.

But I don't think anything will ever top the alpaca stocking stuffers. Still weapon of choice for both sets of nieces four years on

Welcome back, Botter!

I think I've managed to work through most of my egg excess. One large tray of quiche is in the oven now, and I am prepping the fruit for a fruit cake tomorrow. Once that's done I'll be down to 3 1/2 dozen which I will be able to use up making breakfasts and other ongoing odds and ends. A couple of weeks ago I had 10 dozen!

The last time I was looking after this dog met a chill couple with a brand new puppy called Daisy at the dog park.

Met them again and here she is 6 months on:

Such a friendly spot. People remember you and say hello which is great.

Just had fresh raspberries and yoghurt for desert, so yummy. Now I just need to wait for more berries to ripen - I'm only getting a small number every day, but there are new ones ripening constantly.

Interesting. I just activated a new SIM yesterday and haven't used it anywhere. Less than 12 hours later I get my first spam call!

So for anyone interested in my Google Home problem what was happening was Samsung wanted to over ride Google Home and it succeeded after an update. Every now and again Samsung interferes with Philips hue and Google Home can't turn the lights on/off but nothing else has really happened except for the odd triggering from the TV.

So basically Samsung is a bully. Samsung asked GH for its lunch money then kick it in the nuts. Samsung has been told to stay in it's corner and let GH do its thing.

Maybe this is what has been happening to bot 1. Don't let the bullies win bot. We love you.

Snack Wednesday is apparently a thing for me today. Who's joining me? Whatcha snacking on? I just had some cheese and twiggy sticks!

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

Up past my bed time… That damn Bodies on Netflix sucked me in.

Traffic jam = being late for Melbcat's appointment and they couldn't shuffle to fit us in. That's ok though, her meds are picked up and she's nibbling a little at the new dry foods. She'll be seen later this week.

I am seriously having to fight myself to do things I want to be doing... so much for hobbies helping mental health if you're stressing about/while doing them. Am I going to have to set a 5 minute timer and draw as shit as possible on purpose? 😤

I made overnight oats with milk, vanilla yoghurt, a wee bit of maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon sugar.

It's proper nice but I think I made too much. Will know for next time.

While I was at Bunnings today I dropped $80 on a new rubbish bin which opens automagically. I've had a POS cheapo foot pedal one for years and it has stunk for ages when opening it even after I've tried cleaning it numerous times with vinegar and chemicals. I don't know what I did to it, but it must have been during some dark days. Anyway I have significantly improved my life by buying this and I haven't even used it yet. It even has a wee countdown timer on it to let you know when the lid is going to close!

My shingles is scabbing over and it looks like I have road rash on half my face... Trying so so soooo hard not to scratch and pick (I'm a terrible picker) because apparently shingles can scar horribly.

Just in case the bot's recent posting troubles have been a result of boredom and underwork I've set it up with another side gig to do a weekly discussion thread in the [email protected] community. Now posting 2pm every Wednesday.

God, job hunts are the worst. Partner's been looking for something literally anywhere within an hour of the cbd, has years of hospo experience, years of random tech knowhow. Even casual would be fine at this point. Just needs something to tide him over whilst we wait on the partner visa stuff to go through.

He's only had one bloody interview, even, and they were reportedly incredibly nice and then just never talked to him after.

I'm so exhausted with supporting both of us. He's so exhausted with doing 20+ bloody job apps every day. Ugh

Anyone else watching the American catholics losing it over the pope firing that shit bishop? I didn't have catholic schism on my 2023 bingo card but it's gonna be hilarious.

Would people get angry if I put up my little christmas tree today? If yes.. I totally didn't put up my little christmas tree today.

YUSSS Christmas score!!

(Sister has been wanting all 8 cheysuli books. Fuckers have been out of print for ages and she no longer talks to Other Sibling from whom she borrowed in her youth. Managed to get my damned hands on them. Alll 8.)