1y ago

Daily Discussion Thread: Sat 05 Aug 2023

Welcome to the Melbourne Community Daily Discussion Thread.

295 comments

Seeing as everyone else is posting breakfast pics
Picture of Turkish bread toast with 2 day old home made guacamole (didn't wanna waste it) and Oaxacan chilli oil with flavouring bits from the jar.

Look I know this is a bit disgusting but I really don't feel satisfied with the amount of garlic I've put into a dish until it feels like it's been suffused into my very flesh. I must feel the spirit of the garlic coursing through my veins. And for that I am happy I put half a head into yesterday's pasta dish. Still on those garlic vibes. Satisfying.
- Nah I feel you, I have a really hard time tasting those subtle tastes, I like them almost overpowering. Vanilla essence, peppermint, most spices, garlic, I load all of them up
  
  I load up the vanilla too, always add another tsp to the recipe
- recipes always understate the amunt of garlic for some reason.
  Pile it in :)
  *amount.. jeez
- I’ve had reflux for a couple of months now and fuck me if I don’t miss garlic with every fibre of my being. It’s so. Damn. Good.
  
  RIP. I'm very lucky garlic never affected me that much (it was more chilli and tomato). Fodmap sufferers have it the worst. Life without garlic and onion is... no life at all...

Managed to book in a freelance client project and feeling rather proud of myself. I used to work solely freelance but got a “proper job” at the tail end of lockdowns when work dried up. I was in a really unhealthy mental space with my freelance work and addicted to social media (what I mainly used to gain clients) so I’ve been wary of returning to it, even though I really dislike my “proper” job. I’m currently on mat leave and feel sick at the idea of returning.
I got this client through social connections in the Real World and it was just so easy and stress free. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I went wrong in the past and I have a glimmer of hope I really could make it work again this time. Honestly I am really good at what I do, I just need to focus on the work and get out there meeting people in real life a lot more.
I feel optimistic about work and my professional future for the first time in a long time!!!
- Congrats! I didn't do it for that long but the freelance life can definitely take a mental toll in various ways. It's good to be away from it for a while to give you a different perspective and I think you're right in reflecting on what didn't work so well in the past and try and put in measures to prevent the same from happening. Sounds like you're cut out for this though so hope this is a new beginning!
  
  Yeah it can be really hard! I was prone to letting work take over my whole existence, dropped all my hobbies and lost myself a bit. If I can strike more of a balance I think it would work out.

Visited Co-bake space to buy cakes by Reece Hignell from MasterChef Australia, they were delicious!!! Wasn't cheap but I considered it both worth it and a one off chance to enjoy his baking.
The image description was placed in the brackets beside the image embedding links, is that the correct place to put it?
- Woah woah woah what this..I want everything 😍
  
  It was a pop up bakery with a bucketload of delicious food! It was so tasty.
- Looks divine!🙃
- is that a vanilla slice with passionfruit icing 😍
  
  It is and it was delicious! The custard was light and fluffy and I enjoyed it so much.
- How much for the Upside Down Cake?
  
  🤣
  
  Hahaha double the price. It was an image that was the right away around prior to upload.
- Mmm Devil's Food cake!

Blurgh day. Sleepy. Couch coma.
Have eaten breakfast twice. First was oats. Second was eggs and toast.
1 week until dog day 🐕
Have expanded dog's name from Adam to Mayor Adam West. Needed something vaguely Batmanesque since he has the Batman symbol on his chest
Bat Dog
- That’s a baby
  
  When I showed the pic to my brother he literally replied with BABY!!!
- Gotham.
  
  Goth for short
- Ace, Azrael, Gordon, Kilmer, or Keaton? https://www.mydogsname.com/batman-dog-names/
  
  Keaton. That's a good one
- Some could also say it kinda looks like the Punisher shirt.. Frank could be an option. Great dog name too.
  Weren't keen on Bruce?
  
  Nah got some bad associations with the name.
  Mr Smeg still wants to name him Manbat
- He's adorable!

I’m about to make some cheesy toast. Does anyone want some?

Yay nut loaf!
Picture of a brown cakey looking loaf on a cooling rack with what remains of the other loaf next to it on a pink plate. Good thing the recipe makes 2 loaves! I averted disaster with it a couple of times.. after I'd mixed it (while being responsive to my prolifically chatty daughter and breaking up fights) I realised I had put bicarb instead of baking powder in it. A quick google revealed I could save the recipe by increasing the acidity with lemon juice or vinegar. Seeing as how I (once again) failed to buy buttermilk before I made it and had to add lemon juice to milk to substitute, I just added more. It worked!
- Nut 👏 loaf 👏 city 👏 limits!!
  Love it when a bit of ingenuity saves a dish. I've never had nut loaf before, do you eat it with anything? It looks so hearty and comforting!
  
  It's a sweet walnut loaf so my fat arse loves it straight from the oven with butter 😋I like the recipe because it doesn't have a truckload of oil in it, unlike other recipes I've seen. I used to make a savoury cashew nut and carrot loaf which you would eat with wilted (lightly stir fried) greens and roast vegetables, which I cooked at the same time as the loaf. Some people like their savoury nut loaves with a sauce, like cranberry sauce, or a chunky chutney or relish. Anything kinda fruity goes well.

Our local vet cracks me up. They're great, but when you call them you have to choose from a 5 option menu, ranging from "Press 1 for an emergency" through to "Press 5 for all other enquiries". It's nonsense because all calls are answered by Betty on reception anyway lol
- That's funny. I remember going to the movies with the clan and the place was deserted and the dude who gave us our tickets also served our popcorn then said to us "I'll be in to pop the movie on soon. Make yourselves at home".
- Could be a call queuing thing if there's a wait, emergency gets you straight through the queue
  
  That's really the only thing that'd make any sense. Unless the same menu plays after hours and emergency puts you through to someone on call or something?

Cat stuff has been purchased. Lot's of apprehensive sniffing going on. Hopefully she likes it as cat stuff is not cheap lol Forced myself to go the gym. Feel like a million bucks! Forgot about all the happy chemicals and sense of achievement.
- I just splurged on a bunch of freeze dried pure meat treats for other people's cats that I'm looking after (one right now, one the week after next, and a third one after). I figure indoor cats have so little they can change about their environment that I'm more likely to splurge on the little critters than myself
  
  Exactly! Mine gets new toys every 2 weeks. Where did you get those meat treats?

Got myself a lil treat today and bought the t2xpenguine publishers set.

I actually really loved the withering heights design but I refuse to have the book in my house. So I’ve bought probably my 6th version of p&p. I’m so excited by it.
- That P&P design is gorgeous, a trip to the bookshop might be in order( ignore that pile of Austen over there, I NEED this one)
  
  The design is only available with this bundle at T2! And only for this month! That’s what got me in the end. I’m a sucker for limited editions
- Ooh, I didn't know I needed this. Tough decision though: P&P or Sherlock Holmes?
  
  It was a tough decision for me too. Sherlock Holmes is the only one of the 4 that I don’t own, and I did really like the design. I might have to go back for it once the month is up.
- The hard split between Brontë fans and Austen fans is fascinating to me
  
  Nothing particularly against the Brontës. If it was Jane Eyre, I’d be all over it like pash rash. It’s Withering Heights I take my umbrage with. Two of the worst characters/people doing things that really should land them in prison. They’re both emotionally, mentally and at times physically abusive to everyone around them. And it’s painted as a great love story. It’s also really fucking boring.
  The Kate Bush song slaps though
- I’m an ardent Austen fan and hate the works of all the Brontës, so I’m all here for you owning multiple versions of P&P.
- I love the mug design!
  
  Right? The only bad thing is it’s got gold foiling, so it can’t go in the microwave, which is terrible news for me and my habit of forgetting about hot drinks and having to reheat them.

- late breakfast after a great walk with the doggo
- Sorry but what exactly is this
  Edit: Oh, spicy omelette
  
  A very spicy omelette as I slipped with the yuccateco

Not that I truly read them anymore but I'm really sick of IMDB reviews being disgusting rants by racists and homophobes. Like seriously 1 star because you're unhappy a character isn't the colour of mashed potatoes, grow up.

Shame I checked in too late for the brekkie postings, I'd already scoffed mine!
Still feeling wiped after Thursday's big effort (and my feet are still swollen, definitely wore the wrong shoes for walking). I am, however, on a roll with Operation Sort Shit and am going through bags I'd put aside to sort after going through the last of the boxes that I took out of the garage.
Feeling a lot more optimistic about actually having the house fit to show to real estate agents by spring, even if it's likely to be a knock down job.
- Everyone's breakfast game is strong this morning.
  
  Thanks. I did put in a lot of effort into my Vegemite toast. It's nice to be appreciated.
  
  Not mine

I am so clean. A hot shower is just the thing
- Only thing better is clean sheets on the bed. And the sound of rain on the roof!

https://imgur.com/gallery/gvXSbk1
Excuse the mess
- what a sweetie
- I bought a bunch different toys for my cat and my sister gave me some also. The only one they like is the mouse with feathers. I bought a bunch of them $2.50 each. The one they tore the feathers off though is still the one they play with on their own most. That and shoelaces. Oh and mumma loves the tunnel. Don't like the led pointer. Cats really don't understand money.
  
  I spent 150 on a little cubby house today, and she likes the 5 buck stringy toy. 🙄
- Ugh Gibson is so pretty and bright eyed! She's still so kittenlike
  
  She is rather small for an almost 3 year old cat. Still crazy energetic under the right circumstances.

Freshly shorn. Baaa
- TMI
  
  Take it easy.

Something just feels a bit off in my relationship and I don't know what.
Which leads to anxiety about anxiety. I just want peace (which is a way of turning the 'struggle switch' on trying to make the feeling go away, not helpful).
- I say go with your gut feeling here. Might be the wrong advice though.
  Has bar guy started asking how your day was?
  
  I agree, and yeah occasionally he does. It's not a daily non-negotiable thing that he does, whereas it sort of is for me. I've held back a bit though.
  He's definitely more attentive in person
- talk with partner , give and receive hugs
  
  Communicating when you don't know what's up is hard but will do somehow. 🫡🫡🫡

I’ve got toast or left over pizza for brunch. Decisions decisions.
Also managed to wash myself today.
Not pretty but I got by without the hot water.

Just got back from picking up bike from bicycle hospital, taking in Preston Market on the way. Which was heaving and throbbing with vast crowds of people. So much so that I think I will do my market shopping tomorrow early instead. Lunch will be local banh mi I think. And extra tiger rolls for scrambled eggs tomorrow morning.
- @Thornburywitch @bot001 so sad that it may be closing, after all these years
  
  Not set in concrete yet. There's hope. Judging by the throng this morning, there's life in the old dog yet.
- Where do you get your bahn mi from? We're in the market for a good local spot
  
  Ok, there's a caff on the corner of St Georges Road and Hutton St called the Millhouse cafe. They do excellent banh mi, ciabattas and their tiger rolls are supreme. However, everything else there is ordinary at best. Don't touch the coffee with a ten foot pole. Or the bakery items - underwhelming at best. Not open Sundays.
  The other place I go for banh mi is the bakery on the corner of High St and Normanby Road - cheap and quite good. Next to Psarakos market.

Trying to control my anxiety.
I thought I silenced my phone notifications but they kept rolling through and popping up and I fixed it yet I still check to see if more came in.
Anxiety can’t be fixed because I’m dealing with family and it’s my fault I’m in this position that I am now.
Trying not yo let it get to me but I don’t know if I’ll be able to just ignore it.
- For the longest time I had a note on my phone that said “don’t fight the storm”. It’s a fancy way of saying don’t try to control it. You can’t, you won’t win so don’t try. Learn to role with the waves rather than letting them crash into you or trying to fight them off.
  
  I’ll try and follow that advice. There are potential consequences if the outcome and tolerance isn’t sufficient in regards to the other party.
  That definitely isn’t under my control. :(
- Aww big hugs. I know that feeling. Messages from family give me a lot of anxiety and I try to ignore it too. I try to find some distraction, get some shit done before I have the strength to look and respond. It's not a nice feeling. Sorry not very helpful but hope you feel better soon...
  
  I have previously responded and they’re just asking the same questions again and making things really unpleasant.
  I just want to have a civil discussion and understanding but I fear it won’t be a reasonable discussion given how it’s getting more aggressive or passive aggressive.
  It was probably triggered by the hot water breaking down.
  I finally started to make good on a promise slowly and I guess I’m getting the messages because they’re not happy with it.

I'm kind of laughing at that Yank Tank driver interviewed on 9 news, saying that "If buses can drive in the city, so can big utes".
Except a bus driver will have a truck license, and medical checks.
- I saw that. He looked so tiny sitting in that giant ute.

I swung into Coles at Melbourne Central for a couple things today, and after I payed I realised I forgot to get a bag. So I quickly grabbed one, put my items to the side and paid for the bag. Of course, just my luck that there's no fucking paper in the printer, so this turns into a whole scene. And that's the story of how I almost ended up in jail (until old mate Coles last came over and confirmed I did indeed pay for them and saved the day)
- Yikes. What a nightmare.
  If you scanned a rewards card tho there could have been a record of the purchase? And if done by eftpos I wonder how fast the transaction shows up on your bank app
  Edit: They also should have checked the cameras :/
  
  I did scan my flybuys card, but for some reason flybuys thingos don't show up on the app for about 24-36 hours after. I also paid by gift card, so no way to show the transactions
  Coles lady pushed some buttons on her screen and reprinted the last 2 receipts from that machine and confirmed I did pay, though. But security bloke deffo didn't believe me (and tbf I can't blame him, it did look bad and I'm sure there's probably a lot of theft at the city stores, but he didn't even let me explain myself)

Putting on a wash on because I noticed a big drool mark on my silk pillow case.🫠rip. Is it normal to drool when sleeping as an adult
- Drool… Uhhuh yep. Sure. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
- Depends who you're dreaming about
  
  Or what.
  It could be potat.
  
  Or what. Last night I was dreaming about hot chips
- Yeah I went through a phase earlier this year where I was drooling a lot in my sleep. I never figured out what it was, maybe side effects from meds? I think my nose would feel inflamed/congested at night and I ended up breathing through my mouth. Twas gross.
  
  Ah now that I think about it...I was wearing my mouth guard. Maybe it's that....
- Yeah, hubs does it all the time, i've done it on occasion. Got ducted heating or allergies?
  
  Could be some sort of allergy as I do get a bit congested in the mornings. I've no idea what it is.

Toasted English muffin with butter and some lovely strawberry jam. I'm glad I only had one left because I could demolish another 2 I reckon.
- caramel coffee
- I feel you. I sometimes can’t stop at one and want more.

Er… As per the previous day’s thread, I’m having trouble seeing replies too. But when I click the collapsed reply it just shows a copy of the parent comment. Doing it repeatedly makes a string of that same one
- Yeah, the Lemmy software seems to be pretty unstable. There isn’t a way to turn off the “web 2.0” crap and load all the replies at once, either. Makes it impossible to use your browser’s text search on the page to find a comment.
- This happened to me once or twice last week. Seemed to fix itself though 🤷‍♂️

I have spent way too much time today placing pixels.
- I was just about to post about that lol

Cheers everybody ☕
- Ahhh you did it!
  I need to go get some milk now to have some coffee.
  
  What what what did I do exactly?
- ☕️🫖
- Cheers, I’m on my third and final☕️

Just back from the Op Shop where I got a great haul of old LPs. I saw this one, did not buy it tho. But what a find, what a great cover. You young'un's might not remember but Jackie was such a huge star here in 70s and 80s. Talented, hard working, so pretty and probably the nicest person on tv.
- And only $8.50? I don't know Jacky but even I would've bought it for $8.50
  
  that's the old price from when it was new , it was actually $2
- And is that John Waters?
  Edit: I zoomed in and yes it is.
  
  yes it is, 🤢 , the talentless hack
- She was on The Naked Vicar Show I think????? Along with Noelene Brown one of my fab fave comedians.

Omw home from a short but sweet outing with a good friend I haven't seen in almost 6 months. Dumplings and beer can bridge all divides
- 💜💜💜

Once again, it took me this long to finish cooking dinner after starting at like 6 (granted, I had to pop out for some ingredients). But I'm actually genuinely proud of myself for tonights dinner. Things I've never tried before!

I'll get up in a moment I swear..
- I'm in the same situation.

Going on a shopping spree for cat stuff tomorrow. Lots of boxes to play with and lots of expensive cat enrichment stuff to completely ignore lol

No midnight snack tonight.
I am on the path... to snackless. There are no snacks.
This is very difficult.
I want a sausage roll
- I have sausages and rolls..?
- have an apple instead

ABBA is pretty good listening for this late night work streak. I've got a renewed appreciation for the bass lines and the outstanding engineering/production. And whatever is that combination of guitar noises at the beginning of Does Your Mother Know. Ugh so sexy.
- It's saturday morning you shouldn't be doing work things :(
  
  I knoooow but I didn't work for pretty much all of Thursday and had a 2:45pm coffee on Friday and I can't sleep anyway until I know I've finished updating the data for this design review because I'm behind when I said I could get things done anyway :(
  e: woooo I finally got through all the data. now to attempt some kind of sleep with my new pillow. tomorrow (today) is a new day in which I embark on doing battle with word(s). Sigh

Neighbours that I don't know very well are having a massive blue out on the street.
I'm standing in the driveway with another neighbour (beers in hand) and we're providing commentary.
The offending parties are splitting their rage between each other and us, and it's fucking hilarious.
- If things really go down just don't drop your beer it'd be a waste.
  
  Oh hell no.
  They kind of know better than to start shit. My drinking partner neighbour is a massive unit and ex-military.. Serbian military from the early 90s.
  He's the first and last line of defence if shit goes down

okay recipe thoughts while I drift off to sleep.
I have, leftover chipotle in adobo sauce, frozen prawns defrosting in the fridge, a coupla very ripe tomatoes, reckon I'll cook that with rice and frozen peas. And steam this broccolini to have on the side.
I also have some swede and a parsnip I think that I completely forgot about. And might continue to forget about. I meant to do some ottolenghi recip with them.
...and two chunky knobbly Indian bittergourds. for fun. Idk maybe I'll try air frying some thin slides

:)
- ( :

Cheesy toast and an apple, breakfast of champions

Lunch
Vietnamese Coffee
Clean
Afternoon tea
Read? Game?
Shower
Dinner

Not sure why I waited until 10 days before I fly out of the country to do a bunch of online orders but THE RACE IS ON! It makes shopping more exciting! I'm pretty optimistic.
Got some new shorts + a TMNT t-shirt coming in one order. A new pair of Ray-Bans to replace my existing ones which have had a very good long life and travelled halfway around the world with me. This order is apparently coming from Adelaide (bought online from Myer) so that's fun. A new mattress topper from Catch and I'm considering buying a replacement for my 'holiday' cologne (Davidoff Adventure) because it's just about empty. I like to have a distinct scent for things like holidays, it helps to trigger memories and makes me feel more like I'm on holiday. Which reminds me I need to make sure I pack my coconut scented hardcore sunscreen. Gon' be HOT.
- Those temps are no joke. Hotter than a two dollar pistol. 🔫
- How do people even survive / function in that heat..
  
  Perth people chuckling in a corner
- Far out, you'll be cooked to a crisp. I'd be avoiding the sun completely at those temps.

Mr Smeg wanted to watch a Bond movie so we're watching Goldfinger.
My Mum never let Bond movies play in our house. She couldn't stand the sexism.
I can see her point. Funny movie but very much a product of its time.
- My best mate in HS was a big fan for some unfathomable reason. I can't watch em BUT the soundtracks are absolute rippers. I grew up on all the theme songs. They are so bloody good. I can accept how the franchise was an iconic part of the English speaking world in the latter part of the 20th c.
- What sexism? The Bond movies are full of assertive independent women . Some good, some bad. Many try to kill Bond. In Goldfinger Ms Galore threatened Bond with a gun and was going to commit mass murder using a weapon of mass destruction. What should Bond have done with such a person?
  
  Hrm by today's standards though the older bonds wouldn't fly today.
  
  There was scene in Miami at the start where he shooed a woman aside saying "man talk" and smacking her bum as she walked away.
  Just little things like that
  
  Dude, he full on sexually assaults Pussy when she won't have any of his 'charms' which magically makes her change sides, and the two sisters are fridged to motivate bond - one of whom is literally punished for having sex, and laid out in such a violently pornographic tittilation that it's considered an iconic example of such.

Beat down the walls, begin, believe, be, begat!
\ Be a better drummer, be an up and comer!
\ Can you picture that?
\ CAN YOU PICTURE THAT!!??

The wind blows past the people on the street
\ There's so many people on the street
\ Fall in love with every person that I meet
\ Every person is a treat
The scents of food, the sounds of music on the street
\ There's so many places to see on this street
\ Fantasise about every person that I meet
\ They're so beautiful, such a treat

TIL about Cop City, and now I can't stop thinking "Keep your eyes open for a bargain, Cop City".

Five hours later and my tattoo session is finished! It took longer than expected and didn’t get to eat any lunch so I’m now at the kebab shop waiting for my takeaway burger as I feel like I’ve deserved a maasssive meal

Rice cooker purchased and brown rice made. I need to stop eating a dozen or more rice cakes every night as all that spread is making me spread. Late night snack will now be fried rice. Half a tablespoon of olive or coconut oil every night will be sufficient. I make it the vegeta stock and it's got just the right amount of msg in it to give it that shiny chinese take-away vibe.
Been moody as fuck today. Cycle watch on my smart watch seems to check out, day 1 of menstrual cycle. One of my old colleagues reached out to me in such a beautiful fashion I had to get back in touch, but it's severly opened the can of worms about my bad treatment from that workplace and now I'm completely spiralling and having violent fantasies and nightmares again. He couldn't know. He also wants to introduce me to his family, cos they're super interested in my transition. Look it up, I'm not a poster child for trans women, every person's transition is vastly different anyway and I'm not much different to who I was before I realised I was trans, just a ton more emotional.
Is it wrong to want to name and shame the business? I don't want to take action, cos I just want to get on with my life, but I'm constantly thinking of nasty things to write about them online so people are aware what a pack of serial sexual harrassers and complete enablers of assault and have one of the most unsafe places of business. I think I need a night of self care, but I know it's not going to solve much.
- 💜💜💜
  
  🫶 🫶 🫶
- I eat rice cakes without spread. 🤷‍♀️

Anyone have an artist that they can listen to the whole catalogue of without skipping a track. I've a couple, the National and Dave Matthews. Fairly corny I guess, but that's my jam you know. A friend of mine recently met someone at a pub who had spent $100k seeing DMB 55 TIMES!
- slow cooked lamb shoulder in the slow cooker, and veg pretty much done. dinner coming along nicely
- Bill Callahan. Probably many more. I tend to play whole albums, not tracks.
  
  I'd forgotten about that guy. I used to love him. He still releasing?
- Corn Wave from Kiev. Caminauta from Uraguay. Molchat Doma from Belarus. They're all on spotify, but I hate it, all my music is these days is purchased from bandcamp. As an artist I cannot support a platform which pays recording artists jack shit.
- Blink 182. National is a good choice though. I don’t know a lot of their stuff, but I like what I know.

Crumble tonight was made with two minute oats. Not sure I would recommend.

Day 10 of exercises and tummy exercises completed. Was able to use the "family" room in my MILs part of the house as she went out in the morning. I like doing my exercises without hitting a door frame accidentally or nudging a storage container full of toys or craft stuff. Have also hung out 2 loads of washing, so I'm halfway through it, but that's the washing line full so it'll do for now. Now I'm gonna be lazy for a bit until the kids notice!

alcohol-free beer 🍺

Secret invasion. I sequel to a movie no one really cared about that’s probably 3 years too late.
- It was craptacular and craptastic
  
  It just… I dunno I struggled to care about it at all! “Why don’t you can in your super friends?” “This is personal” proceeds to send someone else anyway. Like. What?!

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