Melbourne

This is an accountability post. I've decided it's time to give up the smokes so I have a plan set. I've joined My fitness pal because I don't want to substitute smokes for food, nicotine patches, vapes etc. Im incorporating more exercise as a distraction. This is an experiment. 10 smokes a day for a week. 9 the week after. 8 the week after etc. I should be smoke free in 10 weeks or in jail because I've killed someone. I can do this because I am strong and stubborn.

So the new area I live in is kind of a rich/yuppy area and it's such a contrast to where I've lived for all of my life. I used to live in a bit of a ghetto of sorts (by Melbourne standards, anyway), and all I can notice is just how different life is on the flip side. Even the buses are better around here. Despite the fact they barely even get used since half the neighbourhood has super nice Mercedes, BMWs, etc, the frequency is double-triple of my old bus route

I mean, I guess I should just shut up and enjoy it, but it's so weird living in such a nice area

We've hired a Camry for our upcoming US trip, so I just went down to the Toyota dealership with our 3 large suitcases to see if they fit in the boot. And they do! I'm actually really impressed with the boot size.

I'm gonna start this glorious day off with a large strong coffee and poo. Then I'll work out my next move.

Just donated to the Wikimedia Foundation because I browse Wikipedia obsessively.

ID: screenshot of Starship Troopers "I'm doing my part" scene

Breakfast/lunch:

Image: broccolini sauted in butter, garlic, chilli, salt and pepper, add Briesling sardines, a some fried eggs to finish
Edit: also juice of half a lemon

I’ve recently started listening to audio books. It’s helped with motivation to do things like going for a walk or doing housework, because I can now associate those tasks with looking forward to hearing the next part of the story. Stripping the bed and laundry, here I come without a scowl.

I've successfully moved from bed to couch and applying a heat compress to a couple of bruises on my leg. You ever completely forget how you acquire bruises? Scary.

I have woken again. Not fully hungover after a second sleep, just a bit sore because I haven't danced like that in a while.

I looked back at my posts last night, and I apologise 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Having successfully concluded both breakfast and lunch, may I now present for the delight of the DT:

Afternoon tea

Image: One kiwi fruit, expertly sliced into two symmetrical halves. Presented with a contrasting red combination knife and spoon, artfully placed on a carfully folded square kitchen napkin, adorned with the label designating the New Zealand origins of the fruit. The placement of the red utensil, green kiwi fruit, and white napkin pleasingly mirror the colours and arrangement shown on the kiwi fruit label.

Supercheap Auto fire blankets that were sold for the last four years have been recalled. They have one job, and they apparently fail to do it.

Weather app: is 17 degrees.

Me, stepping outside: Where?!?

Winter beach walk is good for the soul. https://i.imgur.com/Bqz5AKR.jpg

Trains still being fucked from a trespasser at 4:30pm is just peak Melbourne. Fuck sky rail. We need electric fences and we need ‘em now!

I might be looking back with rose coloured glasses but I swear drivers have been cuntier post covid. Impatient, rude, and speeding with absolute impunity. And we are not talking just a little bit over, but 10 to 20 ks over in suburban areas.

For someone who doesn’t drink much, I have a surprisingly wide selection of booze in my fridge

My big day out turned into a big day in bed. Ehh why not. It can wait till tomorrow.

Next week will be making vegan meals for dinner. I had a really sad attempt at one on a flight the other week and I felt amazing after eating it. So hey, who knows?

For Horrors fans, “Talk to Me” will tick all the boxes. A paranormal/ghost 👻type story.

VERY creepy

shockingly good practical FX make up

Believable characters

Brutal

Never goes cheesy in the third act

Includes a WTF scene (always enjoyable)

9/10

Oh...oh I fell asleep.

Poorly wrapped springers!

Image is of spring rolls.

Hope they hold together in the oil.

While it might be warm now, Melbourne has way of giving you whiplash when the cold snaps roll in.

Went on a roam around the area (by car...) to pick up random bits and bobs. Bought some watercress and snake beans to satiate my veggie craving after seeing that broccolini post this morning.

What I'm most excited about though is this haul of last-chance veggie punnets I got from a local nursery!!! Silverbeet (not confident it'll do well), the most dire spearmint (who knows how this one will go), and a nice light pink onion rarely found in most shops (I reckon these have a chance). The cashier must've been very grateful to get these out because she put through the healthy looking full price foxgloves at a discount too.

Guess how much I paid for these...

...$4!! In total, including the foxgloves. How could you not buy them? If even 25% of the sad sack rescue plants turn out to be winners that'll be very satisfying.

Bought two punnets of poppy seedlings too. Planted out the rescue babies and 1x poppy seedlings today. I'll do the foxgloves and other poppy punnet tomorrow. Hopefully by the time my cousin comes home in two weeks they'll all be nicely established. Gotta find some cheer in the fact that this winter seems really alarmingly warm...

i win!

All four of my big yellow PAX dice have said I am to obtain kebabs for the household.

Send me energy to get dressed and go. 💀💀💀

I think I have my plans for tomorrow worked out. I'll take the train to Richmond station and walk from there along the Yarra, then follow the self-guided "Greenline Project" walking tour from Birrarung Marr to Victoria Harbour. Then a tram back down Collins St to the one booked Open House event I managed to snag (how lighting supports wellness). Somewhere in there will be morning tea and a sandwich for lunch. Hopefully the predicted "late shower" cooperates by being late enough not to effect me, but for the most part the weather looks pretty promising.

My eyesight has been stable for a long time. Haven't had my eyes tested since just before covid and today I learnt I'm one step more short sighted. It's a small change but at the same time I'm disappointed that even in my early 40s my eyes are still changing in this way.

I feel like I've wasted a beauty of a day. I went out for groceries but I'm falling asleep on the couch again

Ducked out early and picked up some chicken drumsticks. Not pleased that they went up on price amoungst other things.

Now I have to think about how to cook them and if I should combine them into a pasta sauce and eat it with pasta.

In other news the sun is glorious and nice and warm and I’m about to get some toast and make a real coffee

After a bit of a rest when I stretched out on the bed and was promptly pinned by the cats, I've been working on Operation Sort Shit.
Tackling Mum's room which has been a chuck everything in spot for the last month - left bookcase full of old paperwork cleared, now tackling the bedframe (got rid of the mattress last year) which had stuff piled on it. Also took advantage of the weather to do some washing - the thermals are on the line and almost dry and the teatowels which I had put aside to wash are now washed and on line line, with a third load in.
Now relaxing with a cuppa and considering lunch.

Had to do the old fasting blood test before, swung by the hot bread shop on the way home and there wasn't anything in the pie warmer. :(

I settled for a pizza roll and am having a chai latte at home.

thumping headache 🤯

I have coffee in hand, thanks.

Did a rewatch of Devils Advocate last night. Didn’t stand the test of time for me because now I notice:

Charlize overacting. I think it’s her first role? Maybe give her a pass? Nah.

Keanu can’t acting. That weird attempt at a southern accent killing me.

Pacino. What can I say. Dude is on point and perfect for the roll.

Still good with It’s minor annoyances will revisit in 20 years .

6.8/10

5pm show and tell I'm doing the ol' chicken burger. Adorned with lettuce, tomato, pineapple, bacon, onion, cheese.

Chicken has been marinated overnight in 2yr old fermented hawt sauce (bacteria doesn't like it for some reason), lemon juice, garlic, cumin and paprika.

Having successfully sold a bunch of my indoor things, I think it's time to start on outdoor stuff. Lots of camping stuff and tools. It's nice reclaiming my space, I just wish it wasn't so much work. I think there's some fishing gear in there too that probably needs to go.

If I can clear enough space to access my bike and finish fixing it up to use again it will be helpful for my long-term exercise plans.

i have a few regrets putting a heap of the old chilli crop from the freezer in the spring roll mix. It's still cooling I haven't rolled them up yet but when someone tells you "oh they lose heat'.. well I don't believe that anymore. Hawt.

Low carb day today. Which is code for "oops, I forgot to pack the bread".

Breadless Breakfast

Image: two poached eggs, served with a fresh tomato salsa and topped with fetta

Yay, my first ever penalty rate shift at new jerb starts at 7. I'm physically a but stiff and sore, so the 5 minute warm up routine will be a must today. I also need to quit vaping. Now I'm fitter I can notice the crap way it makes me feel. I'll take my own advice I gave spud last night and use those nicotine lozenges. Probably just switch my addiction over, but at least my lungs can have a break. Vapes are waaaay to addictive and I was born a freaking addict which is good to finally understand and know I have to accept it.

nterestingly, people are proud of me for taking positive steps and doing actual work on my substance abuse problems. Also, thanks to realising I'm trans, I really love my body now and only want it to grow and change with quality new parts. I don't even care I have a slowly re-growing bald dome. It's going to be interesting to see how much hair I re-grow so I'm growing it out and it looks crap as. Wigs and hats fix that.

EDIT: happy saturday everyone.

I'm up dancing and drinking wine
I don't care, care, I'm feelin' fine
This is me and if you don't like it
I don't know what to tell ya
This is all that I am, this is it
What more do you want from me?
The world is ending, we have front row seats
I'm dancin' dancin' and this is it
Sing with me
Love you