Mog's Blog: January 2016

Hello again, no big trips this time but I am going to the the Royal and Blue Mountains National Parks, near Sydney, next week. However, despite that I still have accumulated a few observations locally and from my trips to Melbourne....

Wildlife

I continue to have run ins with wildlife. The lizard living in my garage got another ride on the garage door (see picture below). Still living in the garage (part time) but hiding under the mower now (probably safer there). Nearly swallowed a butterfly when going downhill at speed on my mountain bike - instead it probably was concussed after hitting me in the face.
One afternoon I was watching TV and something scuttled past the window, a few minutes later two rats ran past playing chasey. I have left them some tasty treats for the next time they visit.

Wrinklies (aka old codgers/older people)

I guess I come across them a lot more these days being retired. I went to the cinema (yes, Bright now has a cinema, or rather it has one again as it had one a while ago) and some codgers there were claiming it was too hot and that the cinema should put the air conditioning on. It was only a maximum of 30 that day - and that was much later in the day. One of them said they had the air conditioning on from the morning in their house - I don't think it would have been 20 degrees.

But the one that wins the prize is the 66 year old hiker that has been rescued by helicopter from the same place three times for the same reason (dehydration). See the article at: http://northeastnewspapers.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx?noredirect=true

I like the comment from Bright police that maybe he just likes helicopter rides.

Building Works

For some days a deck was being constructed next door, it took them a long time. I don't know whether they were professional builders or not as there was a lot of swearing and I heard the phrase "You have got to be kidding" frequently.

Burn Offs

A problem here in Bright (and surrounds) has been unregistered burnoffs - particularly in the spring. The problem is the CFA gets unnecessary call outs to these incidents. One they had a little while ago, not far from me (which I actually saw) was someone burning a mattress in the front yard. I am glad to say this person had sold the house.

Plain English

I was watching a TV report about a commemoration in Sydney for the Lindt shootings and the reporter referred to the attendees as "stakeholders". I am am sure there is probably a more relevant term as I don't think they were going there to give input on a proposal.

The Tasmanian Minister for Emergency Services during a press conference the other day referred to deploying fighter bombers to combat the current fires there. I guess that's one solution, particularly if you are short of water.

Tourists

It has been very busy with the number of tourists here - particularly between Christmas and New Year it was crazy. Apart from dawdling and riding their bikes on the footpaths at the shops, one of them stole my fish and chips. I was waiting for my order, others had come and gone, and then one of the employees asked me what I had ordered - he concluded that someone else had taken my order.

City Folk

I must be even more intolerant of the city these days as I seem to notice the stupid people even more when I visit Melbourne. One pair were waiting for the lights and when they changed, they crossed the opposite road, against the lights, in front of a car. Maybe they don't they know how the lights work? Lets face it there aren't any instructions on them. During my last visit to Melbourne there were people that came out of shops etc. on to the footpath and nearly ran into me - they didn't even contemplate that there might be someone walking on the footpath. I also saw a man in his 30-40s in a onesie riding a scooter. At Southern Cross station while sitting on a seat someone ran straight into me with their bag - they didn't even have glasses, perhaps that's the problem.

Electric Toothbrushes

If you are contemplating getting one of these, just a few tips, having recently purchased one: never turn it on except in your mouth (otherwise you will have toothpaste scatted around your bathroom) and if you are sensitive to vibrations in your head, don't buy one.

And as usual, some photos....