I normally buy petrol every second Tuesday, the cheapest pricing day. Well it was, but the day has now shifted to Wednesday. Last week instead of buying petrol on Tuesday, I bought it Wednesday. I won't do that again. Too busy.
But I was disturbed by what happened at the petrol station. Maybe it is standard practice and I am out of touch. What I saw was certainly a breach of polite behaviour though, by my standards.
I went to the Shell garage, or is that Coles?, in Dandenong Road. I am unfortunate, like many of us who have their filler on the left hand side of the car. Most people do. So that side of the bowsers are always busier. The far right lane looked to be the quickest, so I pulled in behind the car that was sitting at the second bowser. The car in front of that one pulled away from the first bowser as the car owner at the second went in to pay for her petrol. I won't have to wait too long.
A chap drove into the service station and reversed into the first bowser, hence blocked the forward exit for the car at the second bowser and me being behind her, she was trapped.
I reversed and went in front of another car who's owner was in paying, but it was wider area and I left plenty of space for the driver to get around me when he came out.
The woman who was in front of me where the guy pulled in, reversed out and used the centre gap to leave.
The guy who pulled in front of her went to pay and I was glaring at him and he picked this up. I glared at him as he left after paying too, and I could see he was conscious of me. If all else fails, pick snobbery. He was very badly dressed and had a dreadfully ugly old car.
I queried R about this situation, as he has to buy petrol weekly and is more in tune with service station ways and means. He agreed it was wrong, but he added a qualifier, that some people go in to pay for their petrol and then do their weekly shopping while inside. Slight exaggeration, but they come out loaded with coffee, papers and terrible food.
I hate buying petrol at Coles/Shell and Woolworths/Caltex and I suppose I should just pay more and buy it at the non supermarket BP. How I lament the loss of our small petrol service stations. I used them until the disappeared in the early 1990s. There was a marvellous one in High Street Ashburton I used.
While I already know that that guy's actions were wrong, what are your thoughts?
Monday, September 07, 2009
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Home Tech
Low tech first. My remedial attention to the paper shredder worked ok for a wee while, but as I thought, it was broke. Dickie Smith had one for $30 on special. We bought it. It is already giving bother. How hard is it to make a paper shredder that works? Well at least more than a year or so.
We have a dual tuner digital recorder machine in the lounge room, the Topfield as it is known generally, or the Toppy we call it when is working ok, connected to the big tv. While it does amazing things, it is a problematic machine. R got the point about once I told him that it was like a computer. It must load once turned on, it has a hard drive, and it must shut down too. It gets befuzzled too, just like a computer. Switch off, restart and all is well.
But R bemoans that technology has gone backwards. Why can't something be recorded on this machine and then he could later watch it in his room, as he used to with a vcr. I mentioned about portable hard drives etc etc, but I did not really want to go to the effort of working all this out.
Again at Dick Smith's we spied a single tuner Topfield recorder at a good price. You cannot watch one tv show while recording another, but it is ok for his bedroom.
The good news is that in the year or so since we bought the first one, technology has improved muchly. It starts and shuts down quickly. The electronic on screen progamme listing loads quickly. So far it has not missed a beat. It is not a Freeview model, so it has the thirty second skip forward or backwards buttons, which bashes through ads and makes watching recorded commercial tv bearable. And rather than being at the mercy of a salesperson talking you into an expensive HDMI cable to connect the machine to your tv, it came with one. Full marks to Topfield with this model.
We have a dual tuner digital recorder machine in the lounge room, the Topfield as it is known generally, or the Toppy we call it when is working ok, connected to the big tv. While it does amazing things, it is a problematic machine. R got the point about once I told him that it was like a computer. It must load once turned on, it has a hard drive, and it must shut down too. It gets befuzzled too, just like a computer. Switch off, restart and all is well.
But R bemoans that technology has gone backwards. Why can't something be recorded on this machine and then he could later watch it in his room, as he used to with a vcr. I mentioned about portable hard drives etc etc, but I did not really want to go to the effort of working all this out.
Again at Dick Smith's we spied a single tuner Topfield recorder at a good price. You cannot watch one tv show while recording another, but it is ok for his bedroom.
The good news is that in the year or so since we bought the first one, technology has improved muchly. It starts and shuts down quickly. The electronic on screen progamme listing loads quickly. So far it has not missed a beat. It is not a Freeview model, so it has the thirty second skip forward or backwards buttons, which bashes through ads and makes watching recorded commercial tv bearable. And rather than being at the mercy of a salesperson talking you into an expensive HDMI cable to connect the machine to your tv, it came with one. Full marks to Topfield with this model.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Slow down world
I suppose we bring it on ourselves, but I wish life would be a bit slower at times.
Bone Doctor and Sister went to the footy today. Who looked after Little Jo? You whistle, I will point.
So after doing shopping this morning, and checking out some details on a new mobile for me, Little Jo arrived. We took her for a tram ride to town. Unbidden, Little Jo sang The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round. I should have interjected tram. Some nice tram drivers waved to her. She enthusiastically went along with the busker at Fed Square. Of course she preferred to get the lift down to the river bank than use the stairs.
She said she did not like Riverside bar. I don't like it here. Bad luck kiddo. We do. Her opinion changed once chips and chino arrived. Another tram ride to Bourke Street and a visit to Target for the latest Wiggles dvd, Popcorn and then home.
She watched Popcorn and I did not think she connected the dvd with real popcorn, but then came 'Aunty Andrew, popcorn'. I give her a small amount in her own basket now. We have learned.
Sister and Bone Doctor returned from footy and we went off together and met the Brother friends at Balaclava Hotel for dinner. Family bashed off quickly after eating and we chatted and joked with the Brother friends. We took a walk along Carlisle Street, up and down and we were gobsmacked at the changes in shops.
Tomorrow, we are carting Mother to the hills for Devonshire Tea and catch up with news from ABI brother about his Australian Sports Tour to Ole Blighty and the Turkish war zone.
Bone Doctor and Sister went to the footy today. Who looked after Little Jo? You whistle, I will point.
So after doing shopping this morning, and checking out some details on a new mobile for me, Little Jo arrived. We took her for a tram ride to town. Unbidden, Little Jo sang The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round. I should have interjected tram. Some nice tram drivers waved to her. She enthusiastically went along with the busker at Fed Square. Of course she preferred to get the lift down to the river bank than use the stairs.
She said she did not like Riverside bar. I don't like it here. Bad luck kiddo. We do. Her opinion changed once chips and chino arrived. Another tram ride to Bourke Street and a visit to Target for the latest Wiggles dvd, Popcorn and then home.
She watched Popcorn and I did not think she connected the dvd with real popcorn, but then came 'Aunty Andrew, popcorn'. I give her a small amount in her own basket now. We have learned.
Sister and Bone Doctor returned from footy and we went off together and met the Brother friends at Balaclava Hotel for dinner. Family bashed off quickly after eating and we chatted and joked with the Brother friends. We took a walk along Carlisle Street, up and down and we were gobsmacked at the changes in shops.
Tomorrow, we are carting Mother to the hills for Devonshire Tea and catch up with news from ABI brother about his Australian Sports Tour to Ole Blighty and the Turkish war zone.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Space Book, no, My Face
Subject line is shamelessly stolen humour from ABC Melbourne radio. I joined Myspace once. I suppose I am still joined. It was for stalking a hot guy purposes. I quickly became bored with it.
R has had a Face Book site for quite some time. I set it up for him, added colour and content, found various rels. Rels seem to do odd things called Yoville and other games? I am not interested and neither is he. Good to see pictures when they add them though, or news that we did not know. Some of my rels are there too.
A wee while ago, I decided to set up my own FB site. I was quickly found by a couple of school mates, which is why I set it up. I was also found by a couple of bloggers who I know. I screwed up my email address change. I decided I did not want to connect school mates and bloggers, besides, I was already bored with school mates. I shut it down.
Then I wanted to join the TOSS FB group and the Save Lonsdale House group, so I needed an FB persona to do that. I procrastinated for a while, but then set one up and joined the groups. I was quickly found by a few fellow blog mates and I was quite pleased about that.
I set up another in the name family would know me by and slowly I am adding family members who are FB members. Newphew in Glasgow and that side of the family seem very keen on FB. Not sure that I will add R's rels. I can read about them on his FB site. The English seem very keen on FB. It must be the long dark winters.
On my old family persona FB site, I came across, so my genealogical site tells me, a second cousin, thrice removed. She told me some interesting things about family history. I will probably post a bit about that in the future. It was worth joining just to find her. She seems very nice. Lucky that I have one unusual name in my family history.
As for my blog FB presence, I would love you to add me. I have always feared rejection, a character flaw of mine, so don't expect me to pursue you on Face Book. But if I know you via my blog or work or whatever, you can be sure I will pleased to agree to a friend request. My FB name is Andrew Highriser.
R has had a Face Book site for quite some time. I set it up for him, added colour and content, found various rels. Rels seem to do odd things called Yoville and other games? I am not interested and neither is he. Good to see pictures when they add them though, or news that we did not know. Some of my rels are there too.
A wee while ago, I decided to set up my own FB site. I was quickly found by a couple of school mates, which is why I set it up. I was also found by a couple of bloggers who I know. I screwed up my email address change. I decided I did not want to connect school mates and bloggers, besides, I was already bored with school mates. I shut it down.
Then I wanted to join the TOSS FB group and the Save Lonsdale House group, so I needed an FB persona to do that. I procrastinated for a while, but then set one up and joined the groups. I was quickly found by a few fellow blog mates and I was quite pleased about that.
I set up another in the name family would know me by and slowly I am adding family members who are FB members. Newphew in Glasgow and that side of the family seem very keen on FB. Not sure that I will add R's rels. I can read about them on his FB site. The English seem very keen on FB. It must be the long dark winters.
On my old family persona FB site, I came across, so my genealogical site tells me, a second cousin, thrice removed. She told me some interesting things about family history. I will probably post a bit about that in the future. It was worth joining just to find her. She seems very nice. Lucky that I have one unusual name in my family history.
As for my blog FB presence, I would love you to add me. I have always feared rejection, a character flaw of mine, so don't expect me to pursue you on Face Book. But if I know you via my blog or work or whatever, you can be sure I will pleased to agree to a friend request. My FB name is Andrew Highriser.
Fraud Spam
This just arrived in my inbox. Given I had just paid the phone bill yesterday and had to change the BPay numbers after using the same ones for a couple of years, I was monetarily alarmed. It also had the Big Pond logo at the top of the email. Did everyone have to change their Telstra BPay numbers? Good timing on the part of the fraudsters.
Dear Customer,
This e-mail has been sent to you by BigPond to inform you that we were unable to process your most recent payment of bill. This might be due to either of the following reasons:
1. A recent change in your personal information. (eg: billing address, phone)
2. Submitting incorrect information during bill payment process.
Due to this, to ensure that your service is not interrupted, we request you to confirm and update your billing information today
by clicking here.
If you have already confirmed your billing information then please disregard this message as we are processing the changes you have made.
Regards,
BigPond Billing Department
Legacy
Legacy, off the top of my head, is an organisation to help war widows and their children in their lives after their loved one died in armed service. I don't recall any scandal about the organisation and from what I know, it does a good job.
A previous neighbour is a war widow and one day a year, year in year out, she stood at the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets collecting for Legacy. Perhaps is was this day, today. Today there were many soldiers in uniform in the city collecting for Legacy but sadly not a recognisable war widow to be seen. I suppose they are just too old now.
I wonder if Legacy has stepped up to the crease for Vietnam war widows? The government is now much more generous with benefits than they were post WW II and so perhaps the need is not there.
A previous neighbour is a war widow and one day a year, year in year out, she stood at the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets collecting for Legacy. Perhaps is was this day, today. Today there were many soldiers in uniform in the city collecting for Legacy but sadly not a recognisable war widow to be seen. I suppose they are just too old now.
I wonder if Legacy has stepped up to the crease for Vietnam war widows? The government is now much more generous with benefits than they were post WW II and so perhaps the need is not there.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Balcony Decoration
There is not a lot of decoration on our balcony. Only the hardiest of plants survive the extreme temperatures and the buffeting winds. This cyclamen was bought as indoor flowers for a week and it survived and I tried it on the balcony and it has done very well in cold and windy weather. As soon as the weather warms up, I expect it will finish.
This plant has travelled with us for quite some years. It is almost indestructible although cockatoos had a good go at it a couple of years ago. I have forgotten the name. It has sharp spikes on the woody stems, so care needs to be taken. I have a feeling that our friend in Japan may have originally given it to us. We gave it our Fijian Indian friend when we moved here, but then decided we could accommodate, so it came back. It is not at its best in winter. It adores the heat and hot sun, flowers prolifically and doesn't need much water.
Speaking of friend in Japan, these gorgeous little wombats are a couple of critters I refused to give up when we moved from the house. They sit on the return of the balcony where people step to admire the sea views. Eyes to the horizon, never mind what is on the ground, so they are minus some limbs as they have been kicked many times. Freezing cold, boiling hot, they never complain, just continue to peer into the lounge room. I loves 'em.
This plant has travelled with us for quite some years. It is almost indestructible although cockatoos had a good go at it a couple of years ago. I have forgotten the name. It has sharp spikes on the woody stems, so care needs to be taken. I have a feeling that our friend in Japan may have originally given it to us. We gave it our Fijian Indian friend when we moved here, but then decided we could accommodate, so it came back. It is not at its best in winter. It adores the heat and hot sun, flowers prolifically and doesn't need much water.
Speaking of friend in Japan, these gorgeous little wombats are a couple of critters I refused to give up when we moved from the house. They sit on the return of the balcony where people step to admire the sea views. Eyes to the horizon, never mind what is on the ground, so they are minus some limbs as they have been kicked many times. Freezing cold, boiling hot, they never complain, just continue to peer into the lounge room. I loves 'em.
High Rise Information
I am thinking of writing a post on what to beware about when buying into a high rise apartment building. I guess some of it would apply to a normal flat too. Worthy?
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Cough cough
I saw some film of two babies with whooping cough on tv tonight. Quite distressing to see really. Some parents have been fooled into believing, often by unqualified people with US accents, that immunisation, especially whopping cough, for babies is wrong and dangerous. Cranks on the internet haven't helped either.
By all means question your doctor. Question what drug companies are pushing. Question science. No one is ever right all the time.
But child immunisation is tried and proven. It is on the record and has been for a long time. Parents who don't immunise their children should be liable for child neglect charges or worse.
You with anecdotal evidence and internet research, forget it all and give them their jabs. Just ask someone whose baby has had bad whooping cough and has not immunised.
By all means question your doctor. Question what drug companies are pushing. Question science. No one is ever right all the time.
But child immunisation is tried and proven. It is on the record and has been for a long time. Parents who don't immunise their children should be liable for child neglect charges or worse.
You with anecdotal evidence and internet research, forget it all and give them their jabs. Just ask someone whose baby has had bad whooping cough and has not immunised.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
She's Back
I am sure we all relieved to hear Timmy has safely returned, sadly without finding any water for his brand spanking new pipeline (put a little c on your jokes Jayne). As Uncle Matthew said in Love in a Cold Climate, damn blue jaw.
I notice his personal grooming is quite good though. No spider legs hanging from his nose, not bushes growing from his ears, although I wouldn't mind fifteen minutes with tweezers to work on his eye brows.
Now, will Channel 7's allegations about a mysterious heat seeking plane locating him last night have any legs? Was a call made to Barack to send one of those fancy heat seeking thingies to find a Minister of Her Majesty's State Government?
We shall see. While we may moan on about the cost of finding him, imagine what a State Funeral for a sitting Minister would cost. Imagine the reams of newspaper print, the activity in the cyber world, the tv and radio coverage. All said, I am genuinely pleased he is ok. Now Tim, what about our water???
Photo from The Age.
I notice his personal grooming is quite good though. No spider legs hanging from his nose, not bushes growing from his ears, although I wouldn't mind fifteen minutes with tweezers to work on his eye brows.
Now, will Channel 7's allegations about a mysterious heat seeking plane locating him last night have any legs? Was a call made to Barack to send one of those fancy heat seeking thingies to find a Minister of Her Majesty's State Government?
We shall see. While we may moan on about the cost of finding him, imagine what a State Funeral for a sitting Minister would cost. Imagine the reams of newspaper print, the activity in the cyber world, the tv and radio coverage. All said, I am genuinely pleased he is ok. Now Tim, what about our water???
Photo from The Age.
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