Holy crap a whole year with out a jot to say, maybe the big prawn has eaten us and we are now krill food or more likely that we too lazy to updated our lives on the interweb.
In the last year we have:
Moved to a far better end of town
Changed jobs and then got made redundant, did a Permaculture PDC, didn't work for a month then worked for a 6weeks contract then gave it up and started a years course in 'Renewable Energies' (Bryn)
Got promoted and is office project manager for the Justice department (Bel)
Has a veggie patch
Been to Woodford festival and Rainbow Serpent Festival
Had lots of fun and did stuff
Bryn turned 40
Are trying to sell Jym sadface but he need to be out gallivanting not stuck down a side street
Built a greenhouse out of scrap
Cried and was sad when my stepdad died in the UK
Became uncle and aunty again on both side of the world
Missed friends
made new friends
lived a life well two and are still here.
xxxxx
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Switching to Green
When I attended Melbourne’s sustainable living festival earlier this year, I wrote myself a list of actions – things that I hadn’t gotten around to doing or new ideas that had popped up, in which I could make a small change in my life to live more ethically and sustainably. Most items on the list I completed within a couple of weeks of the festival. The last item on my list was switching to green power. The reason why it ended up as the last action, was mostly because it wasn’t as easy as it could have been.
I went to the website of my supplier in search of the options. After reading that I could switch to 100% renewable electricity, I found that to sign up, I had to complete a web form and wait to be called by a sales rep. I could nominate what time they called, so I requested after 6pm, so as not to be interrupted at work. After about a 2-week wait, someone phoned me during working hours, when I was too busy to take the call. Also, I needed to have my account number on me to make the switch, which I didn’t have. Another two weeks passed, at which point I received another call during business hours. Fortunately, this time I wasn’t too busy and had my bill handy so I could make the switch.
The person who called me offered me a 5% discount if I committed to 2 years with them, which I refused. They then asked me to hold, and a few seconds later I was put through to someone else in an inappropriate department, who had no idea who I was or why I was being transferred. After going through the identification process for a second time, she transferred me to a third person. The third operator started the same spiel about the 5% discount which I again declined, but her response was that I couldn’t switch to renewables unless I committed to 2 years. When I asked her to confirm this statement, she got a bit flustered and put me on hold for about 5 mins. Miraculously, when she returned, she was able to add a green power levy to my existing account, with no time commitment, just like the website said they could!
In her confirmation ‘script’, she explained that an information pack was going to be sent to my home address. WTF?!?!? I asked her whether there was an alternative to sending paper documents to confirm signing up to green power, but apparently not! An email option is not available. She clearly didn’t get that it was just a teensy bit counter-productive to send me glossy printed material containing information that, as it turned out, was readily available on their website and went straight into the recycling bin.
Corporate blindness/stupidity/whatever you want to call it really pisses me off. Do they not understand that making it easier for people to sign up will better equip them to achieve improvements without actually having to fork out the dosh themselves, which they can then use as a selling point? And aside from the environmental impact, how much money they could save just by adding a minor functionality for email to their database?
Grrr… *bangs head on nearest hard surface*
I went to the website of my supplier in search of the options. After reading that I could switch to 100% renewable electricity, I found that to sign up, I had to complete a web form and wait to be called by a sales rep. I could nominate what time they called, so I requested after 6pm, so as not to be interrupted at work. After about a 2-week wait, someone phoned me during working hours, when I was too busy to take the call. Also, I needed to have my account number on me to make the switch, which I didn’t have. Another two weeks passed, at which point I received another call during business hours. Fortunately, this time I wasn’t too busy and had my bill handy so I could make the switch.
The person who called me offered me a 5% discount if I committed to 2 years with them, which I refused. They then asked me to hold, and a few seconds later I was put through to someone else in an inappropriate department, who had no idea who I was or why I was being transferred. After going through the identification process for a second time, she transferred me to a third person. The third operator started the same spiel about the 5% discount which I again declined, but her response was that I couldn’t switch to renewables unless I committed to 2 years. When I asked her to confirm this statement, she got a bit flustered and put me on hold for about 5 mins. Miraculously, when she returned, she was able to add a green power levy to my existing account, with no time commitment, just like the website said they could!
In her confirmation ‘script’, she explained that an information pack was going to be sent to my home address. WTF?!?!? I asked her whether there was an alternative to sending paper documents to confirm signing up to green power, but apparently not! An email option is not available. She clearly didn’t get that it was just a teensy bit counter-productive to send me glossy printed material containing information that, as it turned out, was readily available on their website and went straight into the recycling bin.
Corporate blindness/stupidity/whatever you want to call it really pisses me off. Do they not understand that making it easier for people to sign up will better equip them to achieve improvements without actually having to fork out the dosh themselves, which they can then use as a selling point? And aside from the environmental impact, how much money they could save just by adding a minor functionality for email to their database?
Grrr… *bangs head on nearest hard surface*
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Slackness
Why is it so hard to maintain momentum for things like blogs? I mean, I should have seen it coming I guess. My past is full is abandoned diaries, songs and projects, and the boy's records for such things is even worse. But my eternal optimism always gets the better of me and I launch blissfully into a new idea, armed only with good intentions and fearless enthusiasm. But now, once again, I have to face the reality of my slackness and figure out what to do. So I guess my admission of slackness is a step in some direction or other, but right now my plan is to turn this blog into a random collection of musings and rants. Accompanied by that ever-present blind enthusiasm that somehow I'll be able to maintain this with some degree of regularity and retain some sort of readership.
But only time will tell, so here's Captain Enthusiasm signing off for now. Stay tuned for my next piece of assorted randomness....
But only time will tell, so here's Captain Enthusiasm signing off for now. Stay tuned for my next piece of assorted randomness....
Monday, December 21, 2009
Part 1 of the Trilogy
A few weeks ago Joe & Fil, friends from the UK arrived here in Melbourne to stay with us for 2 weeks before spending time tripping around Oz and then come back here for xmas before heading home.
So we went to meet them at the airport and had a near disaster after forgetting how high Jym is and almost clumping a restricted height sign but that obstacle was negotiated and we safely parked and went to wait for the travellers.
As ever the plane was delayed so we had to stand around with out causing any trouble which was hard work as we were very excited to see them and everytime the custom doors opened we would jump and then sink. The temptation to squeal or make other random noises to add to the air of tension as there was several hundred people there (not all waiting for Fil & Joe of course) was great but we did refrain and did behave as it’s not good to arrive on the other side of the planet to find that your lift has been detained for silly behaviour.
At last people started to pour thru the gates and we waited and wait and then I spotted a tall chap and a flash of ginger and knew the wait was over and as they came out we jumped up and down and waved excitedly till they spotted us they escaped the one way system will Fil using good bag technique to remove a person in the way and a mayor hug fest began (whoo hoo).
We then strolled to Jym and did board for new adventures but this time with friends but only once we had worked out how to get out of the carpark without decapitating Jym with that managed we headed home and arrived home about 1am and continued to talk till 3.30am all on a school night. (oops)
The original plan was for Bel to show them around Melbourne as she wasn’t working but unfortunately (fortunately for our finances) she had started her new proper very full on job the just that day however a very nasty cold was sweeping my office which I happened to have caught and spent most of the prior day sneezing, sniffering, groaning and moaning so I phoned in sick (sorry mum) and had a lie in which I really did need before head off for our first tour of the city centre.
Joe & Fil were both excited about there first tram ride and craned their necks trying to take it all in as we travelled in the No 16 to the city centre where we jumped off at Federation Square which is by Flinders Station a huge red & yellow brick Victorian style railway station rather like Charing Cross. On the tram journey there I had been pondering where to start the tour as I didn’t want to over load there system on the first day so I suggested maybe a drink was in order which they jumped at and so we headed for the lanes to Hells Kitchen a fine bar on the 1st floor over looking a busy lane full of coffee houses, eateries, graffiti and buskers a prefect place for a quiet drink to start the afternoon rolling. Thus the lazy day did roll on as we leisurely went between several excellent bars to watch the world float past and catch up on the last year whilst gently exposing them to this new culture and finally meeting up with Bel for one last drink before heading home for food.
The adventurers had to make there own way for the rest of the week due to work but it was great to come home and hear what they had done and seen that day have a drink and eat great food (for those that don’t know Fil she is a superb cook and just loves to cook, fortunately Joe likes to eat) each day bring us close to the weekend and then a whole week off for myself and Bel to go adventuring in Jym with Fil & Joe (whooooooo hooo)…….. to be continued
So we went to meet them at the airport and had a near disaster after forgetting how high Jym is and almost clumping a restricted height sign but that obstacle was negotiated and we safely parked and went to wait for the travellers.
As ever the plane was delayed so we had to stand around with out causing any trouble which was hard work as we were very excited to see them and everytime the custom doors opened we would jump and then sink. The temptation to squeal or make other random noises to add to the air of tension as there was several hundred people there (not all waiting for Fil & Joe of course) was great but we did refrain and did behave as it’s not good to arrive on the other side of the planet to find that your lift has been detained for silly behaviour.
At last people started to pour thru the gates and we waited and wait and then I spotted a tall chap and a flash of ginger and knew the wait was over and as they came out we jumped up and down and waved excitedly till they spotted us they escaped the one way system will Fil using good bag technique to remove a person in the way and a mayor hug fest began (whoo hoo).
We then strolled to Jym and did board for new adventures but this time with friends but only once we had worked out how to get out of the carpark without decapitating Jym with that managed we headed home and arrived home about 1am and continued to talk till 3.30am all on a school night. (oops)
The original plan was for Bel to show them around Melbourne as she wasn’t working but unfortunately (fortunately for our finances) she had started her new proper very full on job the just that day however a very nasty cold was sweeping my office which I happened to have caught and spent most of the prior day sneezing, sniffering, groaning and moaning so I phoned in sick (sorry mum) and had a lie in which I really did need before head off for our first tour of the city centre.
Joe & Fil were both excited about there first tram ride and craned their necks trying to take it all in as we travelled in the No 16 to the city centre where we jumped off at Federation Square which is by Flinders Station a huge red & yellow brick Victorian style railway station rather like Charing Cross. On the tram journey there I had been pondering where to start the tour as I didn’t want to over load there system on the first day so I suggested maybe a drink was in order which they jumped at and so we headed for the lanes to Hells Kitchen a fine bar on the 1st floor over looking a busy lane full of coffee houses, eateries, graffiti and buskers a prefect place for a quiet drink to start the afternoon rolling. Thus the lazy day did roll on as we leisurely went between several excellent bars to watch the world float past and catch up on the last year whilst gently exposing them to this new culture and finally meeting up with Bel for one last drink before heading home for food.
The adventurers had to make there own way for the rest of the week due to work but it was great to come home and hear what they had done and seen that day have a drink and eat great food (for those that don’t know Fil she is a superb cook and just loves to cook, fortunately Joe likes to eat) each day bring us close to the weekend and then a whole week off for myself and Bel to go adventuring in Jym with Fil & Joe (whooooooo hooo)…….. to be continued
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Yes, No, Maybe...
I think the job search phase is nearly over. Maybe, with a dash of Almost. I'm a bit iffy about it because I've just been burnt with another job. I was the preferred candidate for a job with the DHS in QA and inspection but a restructure during the recruitment process meant that the job no longer existed, so although I am on file they have nothing to offer me. It creates a problem for them too - the work still needs to be done, but they have to keep doing it minus a team member.
It makes you realise what a difficult creature a government department is to manage. Change happens within an organisation at different times in different areas, and a sweeping reform at the top can undo or put on hold some really good work sometimes, if not carried out sensitively. There rarely seems to be a process that allows people to apply to keep a project temporarily exempt from blanket reform, to allow those tactical improvements to continue through periods of change.
In the meantime I've received a tentative offer with consumer affairs Victoria, working on a project to hand over some of their powers to the federal government. Although it feels pretty firm, it is subject to a grievance process where internal candidates can appeal the decision so I'm trying not to count my chickens just yet, but I'm pretty much failing.
Jobs aside, we've pretty much given up on finding a flatmate for the time being. If this job comes through, we'll be able to afford to live here on our own, so it's no great loss, but would've helped us along a bit in terms of saving money and meeting people. I put another ad in the paper last weekend and didn't want to live with any of the people that contacted us. Worse still, none of them wanted to live with us either. It's funny that I can still feel rejected in that circumstance. I'm such a sensitive little flower... ;o)
I'm getting very excited about some of our favourite people coming to spend Christmas with us. After being back in Oz for a year now, we are well overdue for a good fix of our UK friends. More on the impending adventures later.
It makes you realise what a difficult creature a government department is to manage. Change happens within an organisation at different times in different areas, and a sweeping reform at the top can undo or put on hold some really good work sometimes, if not carried out sensitively. There rarely seems to be a process that allows people to apply to keep a project temporarily exempt from blanket reform, to allow those tactical improvements to continue through periods of change.
In the meantime I've received a tentative offer with consumer affairs Victoria, working on a project to hand over some of their powers to the federal government. Although it feels pretty firm, it is subject to a grievance process where internal candidates can appeal the decision so I'm trying not to count my chickens just yet, but I'm pretty much failing.
Jobs aside, we've pretty much given up on finding a flatmate for the time being. If this job comes through, we'll be able to afford to live here on our own, so it's no great loss, but would've helped us along a bit in terms of saving money and meeting people. I put another ad in the paper last weekend and didn't want to live with any of the people that contacted us. Worse still, none of them wanted to live with us either. It's funny that I can still feel rejected in that circumstance. I'm such a sensitive little flower... ;o)
I'm getting very excited about some of our favourite people coming to spend Christmas with us. After being back in Oz for a year now, we are well overdue for a good fix of our UK friends. More on the impending adventures later.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Balcony Garden Beginnings
I've been slowly building a garden on our balcony. I collected a few pots during the last council hard rubbish collection and have been slowly figuring out what might be most useful. Although I started with a big planter box full of seedlings, I thought I'd be a bit clever and grow a few things from seed. But i wasn't clever enough to protect them from the birds who gobbled them as soon as they appeared. So I'm trying again with them, using some sheets of fish tank glass left behind by the previous tenant.
So far in seedlings I've got basil, coriander, thyme, chives, rosemary, mint and parsley. We planted a garlic clove that is going mental and I've planted seeds for rainbow chard, rocket and various types of lettuce.
I can't decide what else to plant in the big terracotta planter box. I'm thinking about leeks, strawberries, spring onions or something that climbs but I'm new to this and really have no clue what would work best.
Unfortunately the planter boxes are too big to hang off the railings but I did find today railing hangers for a couple of the round pots, which increases my garden size somewhat.
I'll post some more pics as it starts to look a bit better.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Movin and Groovin
Things seem to finally be moving along for me in the work department. Huzzah! I took a one-day temping assignment today and have today also received two calls inviting me for interview. I don't have a clue what jobs they are for - I've applied for so many that I need to check my notes at home to figure it out - but quite frankly, who cares.
I might actually reward myself with a day off from job applications tomorrow, though I will still have my wifey duty of a trip to the laundromat, I think there might be time to squeeze in an Adventure Tuesday...
Oh and.. I was reminded t'other day by Stoo that we've been making you play the 'who is blogging today' game by not identifying ourselves explicitly by name, so we might play with this a bit more soon and one of us will write a cryptic post and make you all guess who it is. Mwaahahahaaaaa.. I hope you've all been enjoying the game and I hope you've all guessed wrong at least once. :0)
We were introduced to the uber-geeky concept of 'The Game' recently. The object of the game is not to think about it. As long as you are not thinking about it, you are winning. But as soon as it appears in your mind, you've lost and have to start over again. So if any of you play the game, you've just lost too. Teehee..
I might actually reward myself with a day off from job applications tomorrow, though I will still have my wifey duty of a trip to the laundromat, I think there might be time to squeeze in an Adventure Tuesday...
Oh and.. I was reminded t'other day by Stoo that we've been making you play the 'who is blogging today' game by not identifying ourselves explicitly by name, so we might play with this a bit more soon and one of us will write a cryptic post and make you all guess who it is. Mwaahahahaaaaa.. I hope you've all been enjoying the game and I hope you've all guessed wrong at least once. :0)
We were introduced to the uber-geeky concept of 'The Game' recently. The object of the game is not to think about it. As long as you are not thinking about it, you are winning. But as soon as it appears in your mind, you've lost and have to start over again. So if any of you play the game, you've just lost too. Teehee..
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