OK folks, I have my family Xmas plans sorted now. My boys are coming down a couple days after the day itself (including the family from Munich) so the family xmas will be a couple of days later. So ...
I'm open to hosting an Orphans of the DT xmas on the fatal day. Basically a low key afternoon of grazing on snacks and playing board games and having a generally pleasant afternoon in good company. I have a mahjong set, backgammon set, chess set, cribbage board and plenty of cards. Drinking alcohol optional. I may have to appoint a Minister for Music as I am a total Luddite when it comes to modern technology and my older boy latched onto my bloke's sound system after he passed. And a good thing too as the damn thing took up at least 4 square metres. Trustworthy SOs/partners welcome. My thought right now is maybe 12 noon to 4 or 5 pm but this is flexible.
No presents, but a plate of something snacklike to put on the table for general consumption would be a nice contribution to the general festivities. I'll be doing basic chips n dips, and soup if the weather is chilly. Definitely BYO alcohol. I'll have tea/coffee/some soft drinks going.
Please DM me if you are interested on this username, as my other one (Thornburywitch) is for work computer only and I won't be accessing it after the end of this week.
At this point I'm looking to see how many people might be interested. Final numbers etc. can be confirmed later.
I would love to but I prefer to share my Christmas misery with the people I'm related to rather than the people I actually like. Plus there'll be pudding.
Oh we'll be having pudding too - with brandy butter! Cos Boxing Day just isn't boxing day without slices of leftover pudding fried up in leftover brandy butter and orange juice.
Serpently! An 'orphan' for the purposes of invitation is someone that hasn't got a family xmas scheduled on the fatal day. And can play cribbage as I can't be the only person in Melb that knows the game.
That's probably the most fun part. The actual game is a very simple form of gin rummy. Easily played when pissed as a newt. Getting the matchstick in the holes of the board can be a bit complex under those circumstances.
Ooh I’m interested! Not orphan but my family background is orthodox, they celebrate Xmas on 7 Jan. I usually crash a friend’s Xmas but that’s at night. My day should be free. Will confirm closer to the day.
I am hoping not to be of this dimension as I will be between night shifts and attempting to sleep. If I am successful at astral projection I could attend in spirit form also. So if you see the curtains wave or something like that just assume it's me.
It has been determined that I have to pay my ex child support even though we live together, I'm on record with Centrelink as paying for all household expenses and the children spend 7 nights a week in my part of the house🤦🏼♀️. We technically classify as Separated Under One Roof, so we are co-parenting whilst separated but still living together. It's increasingly common where both parties to a separation lack the financial means to move out of the family home or want to minimise any negative impact on the children (in our case, both). There's no formal custody agreement because we just sort stuff out based on which parent is available to do it. I haven't even been officially informed yet, he got his letter first. I'll be disputing it. Even he thinks it is a dumb decision. He knows he's got a good deal as it is.. I pay for everything because I'm working and he's not, including his car insurance, registration and phone bill because you need that stuff in order when you're running errands with kids. It's in my interests for him to be able to pick up the kids from school, for example, or I'd have to take time off from work to do it, so there'd be less money coming into the household which would negatively impact everyone. As I said I'll be disputing it, when they decide to inform me that is! It just feels like a kick in the guts before Christmas, and I feel emotionally winded.
I assume you have to tell the gummit about the split and child support due to C-link payments? Otherwise I'd advise to just come to an agreement yourselves (twas what my mum and dad did when they split, but tbf neither were on C-link at the time).
Definitely raise a dispute, it might help if you both raise one as well? I'm sorry you're going through this peeler 💜💜
They're very cute though!! Especially the one on the left! I thought you mentioned they were all boys? Or do guinea pigs just hump any other guinea pig?
I’m still shaken by the Bondi massacre. Some humans such pieces of sh1t. Not only the ones that did the attacking, but some of the rhetoric flying about is also revolting.
I did this some time ago - I have a very heavily filtered Mastodon feed, and a carefully curated RSS feed - both mostly around tech news, and as little to do with LLMs as possible.
Don't regret this for a minute from a mental health perspective, especially when something happens like this.
::: spoiler bondi
Yeah it was for me too. I ended up deleting the ABC app because I was compulsively checking it every 20 or so minutes for most of yesterday. They showed photos of the victims (taken before it happened) and that broke me. I just couldn't deal with it and broke down. I've still checked the website too many times today, but I'm slightly more composed than yesterday.
:::
I just wanted to drop in and make sure everybody was holding up okay, or i guess better than I was. Hugs, and "I can relate" not that that feels very helpful at the moment, at least not to me :/
I've seen these too and have been somewhat tempted to check out the website. I've always wondered how this sort of advertising in the physical world for a digital product might go
It's vindicating to sit in on a meeting with people telling the team to pretty much do the thing I've been saying.
A supplier has had a whirlwind of a time selling a product we've been struggling to sell, and they've been doing it in a way I've said we should approach things. This place can be a little backwards in some respects, so it's great to hear from outsiders they're having success in the ways I've been saying we should move for a while.
I've had the same thing before but have found pretty quickly that my psych is quickly able to pick up something that might be bothering me or is able to lead a discussion into something I didn't realise I wanted to talk about that day.
I was already booked in but time to go donate some O+ to the cause. Need a shower first, I hated treating manky bodies as a therapist and I'm currently manky.
Free's free. I remember one of the first ones I got on was Axiom Verge and that was pretty good. There tends to be a lot of games that feel like 'epic slop' to me but you might as well get them.
But then I never play anything because it still ain't steam
I'll need to make sure I get that. Crazy to think how old it is now. I have a pirate version sitting in my downloads folder but haven't gotten around to installing/playing
Melbcat was denied the outside all morning while I got sleep (there were tantrums and banging on the door) then she was granted a short time before coming back in for bathroom and visitor.
I’ve also resoaked the big window with vinegar and done an initial scrub and wipe. The mould reached the curtains too… I don’t want to get spores in my machine by washing them, and new ones are expensive.
Wondering if I also need to wipe down the back of the blinds.
I was planning to mow the grass today, but one of my darling pets threw up on the bedroom carpet so I ended up steam cleaning the bedroom instead (I could have just done a spot clean, but figured the whole room was due anyway). I even took the rugs outside to shake as much dog hair out of them as possible. Now I just need to clean the windows.
Coffee's not doing the trick this morning. My new alarm clock is the power company setting up roadworks signs right in front of my place, they're replacing power lines around the corner. Who knew setting up those signs required such extensive banging. Yesterday it was the council ripping up some of the footpath across the road at 7am. There's some kind of construction blitz going on right now, I just want to get a decent sleep.
94 replies
OK folks, I have my family Xmas plans sorted now. My boys are coming down a couple days after the day itself (including the family from Munich) so the family xmas will be a couple of days later. So ...
I'm open to hosting an Orphans of the DT xmas on the fatal day. Basically a low key afternoon of grazing on snacks and playing board games and having a generally pleasant afternoon in good company. I have a mahjong set, backgammon set, chess set, cribbage board and plenty of cards. Drinking alcohol optional. I may have to appoint a Minister for Music as I am a total Luddite when it comes to modern technology and my older boy latched onto my bloke's sound system after he passed. And a good thing too as the damn thing took up at least 4 square metres. Trustworthy SOs/partners welcome. My thought right now is maybe 12 noon to 4 or 5 pm but this is flexible.
No presents, but a plate of something snacklike to put on the table for general consumption would be a nice contribution to the general festivities. I'll be doing basic chips n dips, and soup if the weather is chilly. Definitely BYO alcohol. I'll have tea/coffee/some soft drinks going.
Please DM me if you are interested on this username, as my other one (Thornburywitch) is for work computer only and I won't be accessing it after the end of this week.
At this point I'm looking to see how many people might be interested. Final numbers etc. can be confirmed later.
This sounds like a plan :)
The cats are getting a roast chicken then I'm free lol
You will be very welcome!
I would love to but I prefer to share my Christmas misery with the people I'm related to rather than the people I actually like. Plus there'll be pudding.
I think what you're doing is lovely ❤️
Oh we'll be having pudding too - with brandy butter! Cos Boxing Day just isn't boxing day without slices of leftover pudding fried up in leftover brandy butter and orange juice.
Shut up!!!
I drink throughout the whole day so by the time my sister starts one of her rants I'm already inebriated. It's tradition.
I love all youse guys, you all do wonderful caring things 😭
I love this. But will be hosting a couple of family members for lunch for a change (very excited -they are ones I like!!) so will pass this time.
Are non-orphans invited?
Serpently! An 'orphan' for the purposes of invitation is someone that hasn't got a family xmas scheduled on the fatal day. And can play cribbage as I can't be the only person in Melb that knows the game.
AS much as I would love to go and meet you all I am going to a fam xmas. A cousin I like very much will be there and it's nice to see kids. 🙂
No probs. Another occasion will arise I am sure.
I'm interested! My partner is trustworthy and loves boardgames :) he's more the orphan and his whole fam is in Perth or the UK lol
Lovely! Will be great to see you again and meet your partner.
🤔🤔🤔
Will be thinking of you on the day. When time permits.
No I think I will come!
Can you play cribbage?
Errr... I can try!
The pegging part sounds fun
That's probably the most fun part. The actual game is a very simple form of gin rummy. Easily played when pissed as a newt. Getting the matchstick in the holes of the board can be a bit complex under those circumstances.
Not sure Boyo would be okay with me ditching his family Christmas, but this sounds riiiight up my alley. Thank you for your kindness, Witch!!
Ooh I’m interested! Not orphan but my family background is orthodox, they celebrate Xmas on 7 Jan. I usually crash a friend’s Xmas but that’s at night. My day should be free. Will confirm closer to the day.
Sounds lovely! Would love to meet you.
I am no longer of this dimension but my spirit will attend.
I am hoping not to be of this dimension as I will be between night shifts and attempting to sleep. If I am successful at astral projection I could attend in spirit form also. So if you see the curtains wave or something like that just assume it's me.
I would love to do this but will be otherwise occupied. Thank you so much for organising, Witchie :-)
I’m not sure I feel up to attending this one but I love that you’re doing this. Thanks
Child support rant:
It has been determined that I have to pay my ex child support even though we live together, I'm on record with Centrelink as paying for all household expenses and the children spend 7 nights a week in my part of the house🤦🏼♀️. We technically classify as Separated Under One Roof, so we are co-parenting whilst separated but still living together. It's increasingly common where both parties to a separation lack the financial means to move out of the family home or want to minimise any negative impact on the children (in our case, both). There's no formal custody agreement because we just sort stuff out based on which parent is available to do it. I haven't even been officially informed yet, he got his letter first. I'll be disputing it. Even he thinks it is a dumb decision. He knows he's got a good deal as it is.. I pay for everything because I'm working and he's not, including his car insurance, registration and phone bill because you need that stuff in order when you're running errands with kids. It's in my interests for him to be able to pick up the kids from school, for example, or I'd have to take time off from work to do it, so there'd be less money coming into the household which would negatively impact everyone. As I said I'll be disputing it, when they decide to inform me that is! It just feels like a kick in the guts before Christmas, and I feel emotionally winded.
That's fucked.
Hey, if you earn under the threshold you might be entitled to a health care card. It gives you discounts on some of your bills. I'd check that out.
that's the child support etc
I assume you have to tell the gummit about the split and child support due to C-link payments? Otherwise I'd advise to just come to an agreement yourselves (twas what my mum and dad did when they split, but tbf neither were on C-link at the time).
Definitely raise a dispute, it might help if you both raise one as well? I'm sorry you're going through this peeler 💜💜
That is weird.
Oh that is bs. How are you going to pay for everything and then some
At least he agrees with you and seems to be willing to accept the change. It would be so much harder if he tried to fight as well and make you pay him
The triplets eating lunch with the big bad wolf (not pictured) circling their flimsy wire house. Just kidding. He's busy chasing birds.
Ps. Guinea pig sex is not something I wanted to watch on my coffee break.
Did you do a David Attenborough style commentary to accompany the sight?
More a Steve Irwin. "C'mon boys. Not on me smoko please".
They're very cute though!! Especially the one on the left! I thought you mentioned they were all boys? Or do guinea pigs just hump any other guinea pig?
Guinea pigs will hump. Humping can be sexual, but it can also be a dominance thing too
The one on the left is the root rat.
Everything Spud said.
lol, told ya.
You did indeed! I've lived a sheltered life up until now.
it's hilarious. The gyrating. The rowling. It's like something out of an 80's porno.
I’m still shaken by the Bondi massacre. Some humans such pieces of sh1t. Not only the ones that did the attacking, but some of the rhetoric flying about is also revolting.
Same, I've had to limit my exposure to the news and online commentary because it was really affecting me yesterday.
I did this some time ago - I have a very heavily filtered Mastodon feed, and a carefully curated RSS feed - both mostly around tech news, and as little to do with LLMs as possible.
Don't regret this for a minute from a mental health perspective, especially when something happens like this.
same and hugs,
I can't think about it too much or I get triggered/flashbacks to incident earlier this year
it must be like this for so many people
::: spoiler bondi Yeah it was for me too. I ended up deleting the ABC app because I was compulsively checking it every 20 or so minutes for most of yesterday. They showed photos of the victims (taken before it happened) and that broke me. I just couldn't deal with it and broke down. I've still checked the website too many times today, but I'm slightly more composed than yesterday. :::
I just wanted to drop in and make sure everybody was holding up okay, or i guess better than I was. Hugs, and "I can relate" not that that feels very helpful at the moment, at least not to me :/
::: spoiler For everyone still awake, have a pic of Mickey in the blanket fort I made him (with help from a resident chair) :::
aw, sleepy boy 😽
The new relationship continues. We spent the night (on the phone) discussing what we were bringing to a party this weekend.
Martinis and honey joys.
What an excellent combination!
I have found the worlds greatest website designer
The website is full of absolute gold lol
I hate that sticker advertising so fucking much. It makes tags look like fine art.
I'm ambivalent. Better that than the nazi shit I see around.
true dat. I saw some white power shit inside the mailbox drop hatch. I grabbed the painT scraper and fucked it off.
that person has experience with people who do not pay
I do not blame them one bit
I've seen these too and have been somewhat tempted to check out the website. I've always wondered how this sort of advertising in the physical world for a digital product might go
This is one of the best marketing campaigns I've ever seen lol. It's definitely targeted at a particular market segment.
Julie Andrews, Pride and Prejudice and delicious ravioli
sounds like a nice night
It's vindicating to sit in on a meeting with people telling the team to pretty much do the thing I've been saying.
A supplier has had a whirlwind of a time selling a product we've been struggling to sell, and they've been doing it in a way I've said we should approach things. This place can be a little backwards in some respects, so it's great to hear from outsiders they're having success in the ways I've been saying we should move for a while.
When I grow up I am gonna be the sort of person that replaces the soda stream bottle before the backup also runs out.
Morning has broken. I may have dropped it
Superglue?
Maybe it isn't you.
Maybe other people are making your life harder than it could be.
I've had the same thing before but have found pretty quickly that my psych is quickly able to pick up something that might be bothering me or is able to lead a discussion into something I didn't realise I wanted to talk about that day.
$$$$$$$ on therapy has helped, haha!
I was already booked in but time to go donate some O+ to the cause. Need a shower first, I hated treating manky bodies as a therapist and I'm currently manky.
I need this book lol
gees today I feel and look tired and old 🫠
A coffee enema will sort you out
☕👍😐
time for some xmas shopping, will do it while the weather is mild
then back home to do my UnKAOS, dinner is already cooked, green curry,
and have some sewing and will water tomato plants
EPIC - 15 days of free games for xmas with today's being Hogwarts Legacy. Fuck Rowling but free is free, bitch aint getting my coin.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/940241
Free's free. I remember one of the first ones I got on was Axiom Verge and that was pretty good. There tends to be a lot of games that feel like 'epic slop' to me but you might as well get them.
But then I never play anything because it still ain't steam
They're giving away RdR2 on NYD.
I'll need to make sure I get that. Crazy to think how old it is now. I have a pirate version sitting in my downloads folder but haven't gotten around to installing/playing
taking the night watch
::: spoiler spoiler
:::
Melbcat was denied the outside all morning while I got sleep (there were tantrums and banging on the door) then she was granted a short time before coming back in for bathroom and visitor.
I’ve also resoaked the big window with vinegar and done an initial scrub and wipe. The mould reached the curtains too… I don’t want to get spores in my machine by washing them, and new ones are expensive.
Wondering if I also need to wipe down the back of the blinds.
Tuesday mornings are extra hard to get going. I need some coffee. Or chocolate. Or both.
I was planning to mow the grass today, but one of my darling pets threw up on the bedroom carpet so I ended up steam cleaning the bedroom instead (I could have just done a spot clean, but figured the whole room was due anyway). I even took the rugs outside to shake as much dog hair out of them as possible. Now I just need to clean the windows.
good night everyone
sweet dreams 😽
Drunk raccoon update
Gotta wait for the end - but I WANT THAT T SHIRT!
Beep Beep 🚚
🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍈🫐🍓🍇🍉🍌🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥦🥑🫛🍆🍅🥝🥬🥒🌽🥕🥐🍠🫚🥔🧅🥯🍞🥖🥨🧀🧇🥞🧈🍳🥚🥓🥩🍗🍖🫓🍕🍟🍔🌭🥙🧆🌮🌯🥗🍲🍜🍝🥘🍛🍣🍱🥟🦪🍥🍘🍚🍙🐠🍤🪼🦀🐙 🍗🥮🍢🍡🍧🍰🧁🥧🍦🍨🎂🍮🍭🍬🍫🥜🌰🍪🍿🍯🥛☕️🍵🍺🍶🥤🧋🧃🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹🧉🔋
Beef, pickle and cheese toastie please 🙏
🥩🥒🧀🥪
Caffeine IV please chef, and a choc chip bikkie
☕️💉🍪
Thanks chef. I may just survive today.
Coffee's not doing the trick this morning. My new alarm clock is the power company setting up roadworks signs right in front of my place, they're replacing power lines around the corner. Who knew setting up those signs required such extensive banging. Yesterday it was the council ripping up some of the footpath across the road at 7am. There's some kind of construction blitz going on right now, I just want to get a decent sleep.
awake crew
I read a book about the Australian artist Sidney Nolan.
The Ned Kelly and the Burke and Wills is good, otherwise I don't like it much.
One reason I don't like it is that it plays into the myth that the Australian spirit is in the bush and outback.
( Counihan was a prolific contemporary of Nolan and pictured Australians where they lived, in the cities, yet barely anyone knows of him )
Would I have some Nolan hanging up, no.