So we're all here because of a change in circumstances that none of us expected. I'm in my early 50s and a creature of habit, I don't cope well with change. I used to enjoy Twitter, but it's gone to shit, every third tweet is an irrelevant ad for something I've never expressed any interest in (crypto etc.). It's pretty much unusable now. I used to subscribe to The Age, hard copy, home delivered. But then Nine took it over and it started to go down hill, to the point where it's now the Herald Sun but for people who can read big words and long sentences. Pre-CoVid my favourite local bar was open five days a week, from at 5pm. I was usually the first in the door, and Fridays and Saturdays we'd be a big group handing a fair amount of money over the bar. Post-CoVid restrictions, the owners changed it to Fri/Sat only, late opening, and more of a club vibe to attract the younger crowd, so that killed it for me. I could go on, but this is turning into a bit of a rant, so I'll just finish by saying that because of the way my brain is wired, I need routine and predictability, and I'm really over shit changing around me in every aspect of my life and having no say in it. How do you guys cope with change?

Whoohoo! MRI results came back and the neurologist says all clear. Well, his exact words were "there's nothing major" but I'll take that as a good thing. Also my psych appointment for the ADHD assessment has been brought forward from November to next week. I hope they confirm it because it would explain a hell of a lot and I can get finally get treatment.

Wedding anniversary today, going to celebrate (despite the weather) with a posh lunch in Briiiighton then back to Mordi for a few drinks :)

Oh man, I'm so embarrassed. It was my birthday yesterday and many beers and cocktails were had. In my drunken stupor I mistakenly texted the word 'fuck' to my mother-in-law in the UK. I was mortified when I realised but it was too late, she'd already seen the message. I am cringing just typing this.

So my home town Mordialloc is in the news today following the 30-year sentence handed down to a 73 year-old who murdered two of his neighbours over a trivial garden hose incident 18 months ago. I walk past the scene every day and wondered why there was a TV crew setting up outside this afternoon.

TIL of the 4th Earl of Sandwich (via this thread). This excerpt from his Wikipedia page sounds like someone Aussies will be familiar with:

Sandwich retired in 1782. Despite holding a number of important posts during his career, Sandwich's incompetence and corruption were legendary, inspiring the saying: "Seldom has any man held so many offices and accomplished so little."

Hi ScoMo!

RIP our espresso machine; 16 years of great service, but the water tank thingy is manky as fuck and it can't be cleaned beyond what we've already tried. It's like the lining has melted, and that can't be good for consuming, but the replacement tanks have been discontinued. New machine arrives tomorrow and it's got a built-in grinder, so we need give away the old grinder which works perfectly. Sunbeam Cafe Series, if anyone's interested.

None of my business of course, but the relationship seems a bit unbalanced? You seem to be covering his expenses (and his arse)...what does he contribute, is he working? I used to be the major breadwinner in our 24 year relationship, but things took a turn about 10 years ago and, because of things, now I'm not. There's not a day when I don't think about that, and I do everything I can to be a worthy contributor to the household even if not financially.

Anyone see this comment on the other DT yesterday? "Unpopular opinion but I think the daily thread is better post mass exodus of former regulars" How rude! lol

OK first attempt at posting a photo...

This is Clyde, one half of the local pair with Bonnie. Been visiting us for years and always bring their juvenile offspring to meet us.

Had an MRI this morning, first time. I knew it was going to be an uncomfortable experience but I wasn't expecting to feel completely stoned afterwards. Had to sit in the car for 20 minutes before I felt capable of driving home and even now I still feel a bit spacey. Might have a nap.

After 40 years of pretty much exclusively wearing Adidas shell-toes (thanks Run DMC!), Vans and Converse, my feet are fucked and I've had to come over to the dark side with some fitted fat-soled New Balance runners. Oh my! It's like walking on air and I love it lol

Well well....looks like our credit card has been compromised in the last week. Quite a few transactions for Uber (our Uber account is paid from the joint a/c. not the CC) and a $150 FoodHub order (neither of us have that app). Good on the bank for being available on a Sunday morning to deal with it and arrange new cards. They will investigate, but said that this is happening so often that it could take many weeks to get to the bottom of it. Stay vigilant folks, check your statements frequently.

Finished my ten sessions with the psychologist last week, they sent a report back to the GP with a recommendation that I see a psychiatrist for an ADHD diagnosis. The GP gave me a referral and I followed up. It's $1000 just for the initial consultation, and hundreds for each subsequent appointment. WTF! Plus I can't get in until at least December. Is it any wonder there's a bit of a mental health crisis in this country when support is so expensive.

As someone who has the occasional Big Mac and last week had a Whopper for the first time in years, this Guardian piece about the advert vs reality of both burgers came as no surprise to me at all. The Big Mac really is pathetic these days.

I'm reminded of that scene in Falling Down Whammyburger

A few of us are booked in for a 'Christmas in July' dinner a local place tonight. Seems a bit early in the month for it, but whatever, should be fun. Plus I'm not working tomorrow so I'll be smashing the mulled wine. Cheers!

The Robodebt Royal Commission report has been handed down and I'm following the updates on the Guardian live feed. As if we didn't already know, it just confirms what utter c*nts Morrison and Robert are.

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

Urgh...the nationwide shortage of ADHD meds, specifically in my case Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), is a real worry. I was first prescribed 40mg then I was given an additional script for 20mg, so 60mg a day all up. But for the second time this year there are no 40s, so I've blasted through my scripts for 20s by having to take 3 a day. My GP clinic can't/won't take on the management of my meds, so I have to get scripts from my psych...and he's on leave and cannot be contacted.

The system is so rigid. Local pharmacies have heaps of 20s which I don't have a script for, but they can't substitute those for the 40s which I do have a script for. It's infuriating.

Saturday night was a bit of a change from the usual routine of early drinks and a takeaway, instead we booked in for a dinner and a show. Broadway it was not, this was in Parkdale. The dinner was great. If you like Italian food and excellent service, Bueno is highly recommended.

Then things got a bit surreal. We arrived at the little theatre on Parkers Road about 20 mins before the play was due to start, thinking we'd get some pre-show drinks. The bar was open, but the people staffing it were not allowed to sell alcohol, so we ducked out to a nearby bar for a quick glass of wine before returning to the theatre. This was the moment when the Matildas were in the penalty shoot out and we kind of got drawn into watching that on the pub TV, but it went on so long we had only a minute or two before the play was about to start. We dashed back to the foyer and someone was watching the penalties on their phone, so we and a bunch of other strangers gathered round to watch. The theatre staff saw what was going on and actually delayed the start of the play until the winning kick lol.

The play was a self-written murder mystery by a local amateur dramatics group. Good on them for trying, but it was just awful and we left at the interval. Not sure if the guy in the audience (all 20 of us) who had fallen asleep and was snoring loudly made it to the end.