Good approach. I generally don't reply to anything that comes in after 4 pm. I might read it and prepare a reply, but not sending it till the following morning.

The overlap between work-private life has become a bit blurred since Covid and WFH becoming normalised. I'm clawing back my own time more and more cause I've become guilty of working longer hours.

Also, the absolute audacity of that person!!

Good on you for pushing back. Where I come from that kind of request is typical and educators especially are somehow required to be perpetually available. It's abhorrent and it only takes a few to have loose boundaries before it becomes a norm

Great work! Is it worth ditching email on the phone?

My brother recently had an issue with a co-worker who would send an email at 4 am, then follow up at 6 am with a phone call asking why my brother was being so lazy and using very abusive language. On weekends. Issue was referred to Fair Work and after much drama was resolved by the sacking of the co-worker for being unprofessional (well that's what it amounted to). Keep records of this shit if you feel inclined. Took my brother about 7 months to amass enough evidence of the co-worker's abusive work habits to convince Fair work. The co-worker was doing it to others too. Not the public service - a non-govt service provider. Co-worker had to pay triple time per hour for the weekend calls/work as a fine to each person he was doing this to, and double time for calls during the week but out of normal business hours as specified in the work contracts. Added up to a nice large sum over the 7 months. I understand the abuser had to sell his house to pay all the fines.

Loewhaley on instagram has great videos addressing these types of issues…

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Work for 20 mins, drive for 20 mins to the airport, then fly for 20 hours to your holiday destination of choice.

Have you tried not working?

Coffee mug full of rum

sickie

Do you know of many IT recruiters? I've been trawling LinkedIn and added a bunch but haven't had much luck.

I did the same with my pantry some time ago.

Soft strawberry and cream lollies were all rocks as well. :(

Oh Mittens that's rough. I hope your power comes back soon.

I think this makes you eligible for the rebate if it’s still out tonight?

Bugger, has it been out since last Tuesday?

The fuck did you get a role of that longevity in this day and age

Almost a poem

There is much to be said,
For reading in bed;
A cat asleep by your feet,
The coolness of the sheets.

Jesus Christ that must suck. Sorry you're having such a shit time dude.

That's tough. Although at this point I'd be hoping it stays off until after midnight so you can get your $1920.

Fingers crossed for you that it won't be too much longer.

Dude! That's insane. I gather you aren't within the metro area?

A couple of chillis in there and 👌

This is uncanny. Yesterday I had one the dry-style spicy ramens served in pumpkin soup!! It was actually really good

I mean, a pumpkin risotto is basically the same thing, no? Just a couple of pieces of roasted pumpkin with it.

Nothing wrong with that! I do the same thing sometimes with mushroom soup and spaghetti!

I was there 3000 years ago.

maybe he's just not good with words

You know him best. The consensus on the sub seems to be dudes just awkward AF and bad at communicating, but it’s really gonna be up to you if you think he’s being malicious with it or just a well meaning idiot.

But, respectfully: if you think things have run their course (and again, only you can answer this) then end it. Drawing things out just makes it take longer to heal. And being alone is a lot better than being in a bad relationship.

He sounds like he's really, really bad at communicating his feelings to someone he cares about.

It's a very muddled statement in the card, but from my very limited perspective I think his heart is in the right place. Maybe.

You're right, it is a weird card and it probably would be good to leave. But it sounds like you're going through a rough trot and are fairly isolated. If this is a decision you're not ready to make and it's causing you extreme anxiety, you do have the option to not go ahead until you feel stronger.

In the meantime though, while you have this decision on the shelf or you choose to stay, you could also do some nice things for yourself and perhaps hang out with other people. I know it's not easy. Groups can be a bit exclusive especially in Melbourne, people could be toxic, money may be tight, hidden depression may make it hard to get joy from anything. Seeing someone trained might be a good move if that last one is the case.

But it would be good if there were a few small joys in your life you could regularly count on. Or at least a few moments where you could forget about your worries.

I mean, I could see writing this as a funny Valentine's, but that is in context of my own partner and I.

You seem to have already had conversations about sincerity, and from my own perspective I wouldn't say this is sincere. I mean, it's just references to sex.

I don't think it's a malicious card, like he wrote it just to upset you, but it is thoughtless in the context of your previous conversations with him. Communicate you feelings about this to him, and his reaction will tell you what to do.

But, also take this with a grain of salt. I ain't no relationship expert, just a potato on the internet.

@RustyRaven @CEOofmyhouse56 I'm 49 and heavily addicted to caffeine but take a few months break every 12-18 months. My time from decaf to more energized is 5 weeks.

he was waiting until the right time, ie, when Trump and the GOP had to be scared into submission again

Like live? I'd definitely go to listen to that.

do every part yourself!!

It is very important to step over the gap slowly and deliberately to make sure you don't accidentally stumble and get trapped between the train and platform. Once you have ascertained you are safely aboard it is then necessary to survey all available seating and standing options in order to select the most advantageous position. It is only once the selection has been made and the most direct route to that location has been calculated that it is appropriate to move further into the carriage.

Oh mighty bacon, may I please request another huge coffee? Thank you 🙏

Deep fried pizza please