Happy Stupid Millennials

Published June 7, 2019 by helentastic67

Happy Stupid Millennial’s

Today, I was down in Collingwood where I rarely go these days and after I saw something that rather pissed me off. I got to do something that made me happy, then very quickly grumpy.

Firstly, I saw a young Millennial take a bite of something out of a paper bag, crumble up the bag and throw it behind her into the gutter.

To be perfectly clear, I would have handled this scenario the same way twenty years ago, or even fifteen years ago before my disability. This shit is like a red flag to a bull, to me. I motioned to her to stop. I told her to go back and pick it up and that there would be a bin around her somewhere and go put it in the bin. This makes me happy to growl at the ‘younger people’.

Then she completely ignored me, walked past me back into the shop she likely got it from, to get something else, that she didn’t do as I suggested, pissed me off even more.

Today’s Lunch – 5th June 2019

Published June 5, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Another week!

Actually, had Tuesday at home this week. Multitasking one-handed like a pro. Very good thing I have both a mobile and a landline as I used both at the same time to catch up on serious admin/organizing & negotiating. Also managed to write some posts ahead of printing and posting to my blog administrator next week.

Cleared up the trays that cover my coffee table and my couch. A calm mid-week lunch in my punchy-stabby day.

Today’s offering is a Bolognaise Arancini with side salad and my medicine.

And this, I don’t know what it’s called, but how could I not? And yes, I’m sharing it!

Cheers,
H

Self Advocacy Never Done

Published June 3, 2019 by helentastic67

Self Advocacy Never Done

I’ve often said there is no holiday from self-advocacy and you might not have any idea what this means, so allow me.

Wednesday arrives and so does my carer and the phone rings, the agency calls and I’m happy to hear from her because we have a decent friendly repour. Until she tells me she needs to fill my next shift, because the carer rang in sick, it’s 10am and my next shift starts at 12.30pm (because they won’t cover taxi’s) my carer now helps me efficiently get from home to my favourite Café to my Chiropractors, then back to her home at the location I get stabbed (acupuncture) by 3pm.

I used to do this all without the assistance of a carer, but because my chiro relocated, I can’t do it all efficiently in a day via Young John, my scooter and a tram. Then I get some steps done walking here.

So, agency calls and she is letting me know they might not have someone, my morning carer in the background is trying to see if she can be the silver bullet to solve the problem.

We have a brief discussion about the availability of my regulars. Not the silver bullet. Some only work certain days, others study also, others again have a full day and would end up working ten hours, which is NOT ALLOWED. (not complaining)

So, I’m asked ‘which carer wouldn’t I like?’ I give her a ‘Don’t be like that!’ a little tartly and she says ‘Remember when we started, I sent “XYZ” (not her real name) and you loved her. Here’s the advocacy part. SHUDDUP I got there. It was all relevant.

“No! No, I didn’t, she was the first carer you sent to me and I was being professional and diplomatic, but I could tell there was a little something ‘off’ about her.

That first day she made a point for me to know she was a ‘white aboriginal’ woman and she loved to brag about her wealthy private clients, that had indoor swimming pools and a lift. “Hey, I have a fucking lift too, now I’m doing apartment living.” She came to my new home after Christmas because they were short staffed and she looked down her nose at my home, saying “she couldn’t do it!” Then she stole my letter opener and Seinhausen headphones.

So, No! No! I don’t want her back again. I was asked if I would be OK to have a male carer? Of course, they will not be needing to see me naked. So, fine. They found someone for me and that little hurdle is conquered, but it’s pretty much how every single day goes. Either it’s the agencies, my property manager, my carers or even my family, or complete strangers in the street.

It’s NON-STOP, it never ends.

Sally

Published May 31, 2019 by helentastic67

Sally

Now, I think you all know me by now and you know I don’t often use people’s actual names. I don’t mention companies; I deal with good or bad or otherwise.

Unless, I mention Apple products, because I use them and only have my laptop, iPad and iphone because about five years ago I had one-off funding that helped pay for those things and maybe one day before I have to do a Go-Fund-Me page they might sponsor me for these things. Hint! Hint!

So, Sally the overlocker, it’s not actually about either of those things, but once upon a time back in the 90’s when a few people would gather at 5am in my lounge for raisin toast and cups of tea after the clubs, at my home in South Yarra.

A few of the guys were discussing some ‘guy’ topic. The other two ladies that were there and myself got a wisp of their blokie conversation.

To not be left out, we created a fictitious lady-friendly topic and we name dropped, you guessed it. Sally the Overlocker.

Clearly, a fictitious personality we dropped her into conversations at random intervals, even to the point where one of the two guys looked over rather curiously.

FYI, South Yarra is a rather exclusive suburb to live in and I was ‘crawling’ distance to the Jam Factory on Chapel Street and the house I was in, while not at all amazing, was the cheapest rent I’ve ever had in Melbourne. $262.15 per calendar month in 1993. Those were the days.

Today’s Lunch – 29th May 2019

Published May 29, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

First I really need everyone to know winter has arrived to Melbourne. Officially a few days away still but have already unpacked my woollens and jackets! Mika is already loving sleeping on the polar fleece blanket but still yet to work out the benefits to being a lap cat. Sadly……….. She has started being less fussy about what she will eat or not. FYI: I got lucky with my fur baby, Mika. She is not food motivated! So, I have worked hard in the last 7 months to put some condition on her.

Also, heard news one of parcels was received in Norfolk, UK. Here’s a link……

https://oscardandelion.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/thank-you-helen/

Yesterday, I went to the cinema! I went to see John Wick Parabellum! Mmmmmmm, Keanu! (Sorry) the consensus might be that I am a little immune to unnecessary violence. My friend would likely count the rounds used (as in bullets) I would count the number of bodies. And I suggested the headcount first.

Should mention the hilarity of accidentally going into the incorrect cinema first. Saw five minutes of the new Rebel Wilson film The Hustle. Definitely need to see that next. I don’t get to the cinema much but when I do it’s totally worth it. I want one of those armchairs, it’s was amazing I nearly fell asleep I was so comfortable, just need a pillow and doona. (It’s like a blanket)

So, because I again have had to reschedule my dinner out with friends, third week in a row, I’ve decided to have some winter stodge for lunch! Today’s offering a Zaffarino Arancini with a side salad & my medicine

And for the very last item on my agenda? I finished Game of Thrones (G.O.T.) on the weekend! No spoilers. But done.

Apartment Living

Published May 27, 2019 by helentastic67

Apartment Living

It’s noisy, but quiet, it’s a very odd contradiction, so I shall need to explain. When I moved into my apartment (I rent) over a year ago, I was concerned about if it would be noisy or smelly or if I would never see my neighbours.

Once you are inside your apartment, you can’t really hear loud TV’s or dogs barking or loud thumping music from your neighbours. Once you close the heavy front door, you don’t hear anything from your neighbours. I sometimes hear people race past my front door to get to theirs or heading to the lift.

Sometimes if I’m heading to the lift and hear a door slam behind me, I’ll hold the lift door for anyone behind me. Then we proceed to have a brief awkward conversation about good timing and never seeing anyone else. So, yes I rarely see anybody from my floor.

I’m in an apartment block on a very busy corner. There is a main street where at my corner it forks off in a slightly north/eastern direction on the tram line and at the middle of the ‘bits’ (not sure how to best describe this) there is a pub. Across the street are more apartments. In my block, we are six storeys and across the street they are even higher.

The noise from the traffic, the trams, the pub. It’s ridiculous, the cars and motorcycles, the service vehicles, I can’t tell anymore, is it an ambulance, police car? I hear several of those every day.

One morning my carer arrived after I’d woken early and attempted to get back to sleep. An alarm of some kind had started and been going for about twenty minutes. My carer was with me for about ninety minutes. You tune it out after a while and the silence between seem to get a little longer and we looked at each other. Hopeful? Did it stop? No! Damn it!

I heard noises before, but never been able to workout where it was coming from or what it was to alert us to. I presume it was the apartment building across the street. I don’t know what it’s to alert or for what. If I could call someone, I wold but who would that be? If that person knew already, why weren’t they doing something about it?

My carer left and ten minutes later after a migraine had set in and taken hold, it stopped. Posing the question, WHY? And of course, can it stop?

When?

Published May 24, 2019 by helentastic67

When?

Now, bear with me, but I’m OK to take feedback on this. When is it okay for me to deliver a complete stranger a ‘Get fucked or fuck off?’

Ok, fine that by itself with no context doesn’t help so.

Whenever I go into the city, which is several times a month and this week, I’ve been in two days in a row. I cannot tell you how many times someone will cross my path from my left (my blindside) so my foot is clipped by there’s while they have their heads down looking at their phones.

‘Not cars. here we’re testing oblivious texters walking into walls.’

Everyone is so self-absorbed.

God! I sound old, don’t I?

Oh dear.

But seriously, I can’t tell you how often someone is walking from somewhere behind me on my left (and not slow down, OK?) and from nowhere, they cross right in front of me to be far over on my right and they are oblivious to anyone else around them.

Do I get to give a bit of “what-for?” Or only if they trip me over? I’m sure they wouldn’t even if they did. By an extension, they wouldn’t care.

Mostly people are walking directly at me and their eyes flick up, more likely if they hear the slap of my walking stick on the footpath and they alter their path ever so slightly to circumnavigate around me.

There are rare times when they don’t and I just stand still and brace myself. Maybe, I can give them a solidness to hit and all I have to do is plant my feet and bend my knees a little and lean into them. Never done it, but there’s a first time for everything. I’ve usually resorted to growling at people and that works a treat. I figure I could also tell people they owe me a dollar. I’m prepared to start small because I’m sure I would be rich very quickly.

But I might create a little score card.

Nearly walk into someone. $1.00

Nearly walk into someone who is on their phone. $5.00

Nearly walk into someone with head down. $10.00

Nearly get knocked over. $20.00

Get knocked over.

Get knocked over by an adult on a skateboard.

Can I pick that kid’s skateboard up and throw it in a bin?

Today’s Lunch – 22nd May 2019

Published May 22, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Currently feeling hungover and seedy from the migraine I had yesterday! Why people drink I do not know? To be continued.

Today a shout out to my friend in Texas which is being hit by a tornado. You are in my thoughts. Stay safe.

To my friend in Florida, you know who you are. In Australia, cantaloupe has another name and that is Rockmelon. Not a fan either. Maybe the hubby should eat it outside?

And to my friend in Norfolk, I’m wondering if you have received your parcel? I have not heard from you for a while.

Before I get to today’s lunch offering, I’m hoping you can help a friend to reach his goal? This is also an example of how the NDIS his failing its clients.

With permission, my administrator Noelle who does my blog without charge to me, has a son who at a very young age had a stroke. This led to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (C.P.) He is now 28 years young; he has never driven a car but loves V8 Supercars. Under his previous funding he had this passion financially paid for. He had day trips and overnight hotel stays paid for so he could go to the races and mingle with the drivers and grid girls. It’s how he produces his blog and website www.williamsperfectride.com The NDIA would clearly prefer him to stay at home and not follow his passion at tax-payers expense. While V8 Supercars and such is not my thing, helping someone get to do their thing they love, is my thing. Can you please help him? Every little bit helps.

https://www.pozible.com/project/getting-back-to-the-track

Not doing any spoilers for the final season of GOT. Will binge the whole season on the weekend.

Now, after all of that done, today’s offering is another Ortolani quiche with side salad and my medicine!

Wit

Published May 20, 2019 by helentastic67

WIT

People are often surprised by my wit or humour and speed to which I can deliver it. You may not pick it from my blog, but when I make calls to organise services and such, people often asked what “company” I’m from and this is even after I have stated I’m one of your clients.

But often, when I have to state my date of birth so I can be found on a database, I rattle off “28/10/72” I know they are just clarifying when they ask “1972?” but today I threw back “Well, I wasn’t born in 1872!”

There must be a better way so as not to suggest I might be 146, I could have said just ‘Yes’, but where’s the fun in that?

Today’s Lunch – Yesterday

Published May 17, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch – Yesterday

Apologies for the delay with my Good Mental Health day post!

Have been in the city the last 2 days. I love the city. Love it! But I need my standard calm but scheduled punchy-stabby day!

Monday, had a migraine kept closing my eyes on the tram home as I was not coping and a smelly junkie sat next to me. I mean, c’mon! Dude! He had the nods, so I couldn’t tell if people were giving me sympathetic looks because a junkie sat beside me or if they thought we were both junkies. A much older lady who looked to have had a long life as a junkie was chatting to him then me also. Kill me! Kill me now! KMKMKMKM.