Scooter

All posts tagged Scooter

Problem Solving

Published November 10, 2025 by helentastic67

Problem Solving

I’ve been trying to solve a problem in my new home since moving in last November. It’s such a mess.

There are so many moving parts and potential solutions but more people to ask permission from before implementing solutions to the problem. So, the work around feels like a real fuck around.

Sometimes, I wish a clairvoyant or divine entity would just point you in a direction and narrow the field for you.

Here’s a real estate example which has been the perfect example whenever I’ve been on the hunt for a new home. I gave this example to a friend earlier:

If you wanted to only live in Ivanhoe and you had a set budget, and you wanted a certain number of bedrooms, bathrooms, car spaces, etc, etc. And if you couldn’t budge on any of those parameters. Maybe money wasn’t a limiting factor and you absolutely had to live in Ivanhoe; you would spend what you needed to spend. 

If budget was important you would start to compromise on different things depending on what you could live with. Maybe less bedrooms, or whatever, but eventually you didn’t even live in Ivanhoe.

Maybe a clairvoyant could point you in the right direction and suggest Ivanhoe. Yes! But start looking for something a little smaller, or …..xyz. Then you wouldn’t waste your time trying to find all these other solutions.

Just an FYI, I didn’t have Ivanhoe money so I’m just giving that as an example. People that live in Ivanhoe have Ivanhoe money. You can’t hate them. You just appreciate them.

This is one of the major things on my list I’ve been chipping away at and made all the worse by a “friend?” suggesting I needed to get on my issues, like I was being lazy? Who needs enemies when you have friends like this? 

So, the problem? I feel a part two coming on 

I’ve had my mobility scooter AKA Hellonwheels for the last 15+ years and every time I’ve moved, I’ve had varying degrees of storage and weather proofing, security, etc in storing my Hellonwheels.   

Some places I’ve lived at were easier than others for scooter storage alone. One house I rented didn’t have room to put my shed up for the scooter, so I ended up putting a BBQ cover over the scooter in the backyard close to a power supply and using locker straps around the cover to secure the cover and waterproof my scooter. It was a fuck around solution. 

At my last rented home, an apartment, my car space didn’t have power so I was able to swap with a neighbour so I could erect my shed, park my scooter inside and charge it. I also stored my gardening supplies, and at one point my oversupply of pasta and tinned tomatoes, and my panettone.

I am such a Nonna!

My landlord queried what I was storing in my shed and I suggest Owner Corp and landlords do not have a sense of humour. Don’t say what I did? I responded to their original query that I wasn’t cooking meth or anything. My shed wasn’t big enough for that and I ended up using the lights on the front of my scooter to illuminate the inside of the shed to show them the contents. Seriously!

And while I was living there, I could go in and out of the only entrance to the garage on my scooter, I could go straight into my shed or go up on my scooter in the lift without causing damage. Parking near my apartment door and transferring items gathered into my apartment one item at a time before returning my scooter down to the shed to store and recharge. When I had more to take up and less time, I’d unpack items into a market trolley I stored in my shed and take that up. 

Every pedestrian entrance to that complex had zero access for a scooter, and therefore no access for a wheelchair, except the B1 level or the carpark, just to give you a bigger picture.

Good thing I only have used my scooter for solo shopping missions locally as well as prompt local appointments where I get to maintain a level of independence. 

So, when I moved to my forever home, the real estate agent showed me the apartment. My car space, the lift, the direction of the closest power supply to my car space and basically gave advice on both my disability and access to things he had no working knowledge on and directed everything to be sorted by the owner Corp when the time came.

I don’t know if anyone else has had to deal with an owner Corp, or had to solve problems of access for someone with a disability? And under the NDIS I have people for that right?

I prompted my support co-ordinator if she could get on that and sort things so when I moved, I wouldn’t lose my independence around needing my mobility scooter. After multiple prompts I was provided with a company name and the comment that they were expensive.

You might imagine the title of that person, being a Support Co-ordinator would mean they um, Support and Coordinate? 

But it often means THEY DO NEITHER OF THOSE TWO THINGS!

So…

HellonWheels

Published April 29, 2024 by helentastic67

HellonWheels

You might have wondered why my last post saw me so fucking livid? I suggest that’s accurate and there is some context from that post relevant here.

Had a bit of a scooter out on hellonwheels today. It’s a Monday, often a stay-at-home day but stupidly, I booked my 5th Vax for Covid and out I went. I really enjoy going out on my scooter, my mind working overtime on all the things I need to write about, how freeing it is and how much I get to enjoy the independence my scooter brings me.

I stopped on my way home to chat to a new shop owner who looks to be the supplier of my next Messenger bag. So happy and I paused briefly at an intersection to make sure I did not get collected as I went around a weirdly parked tow-truck. It was to collect a small car with a two-initials brand logo, whose front end was a little dinted and the airbags had adequately deployed. Younger man standing sadly by the fence watching on with his hands in his pockets. I even stopped at the local post office to collect a parcel, the staff member seeing me coming came out from behind the counter to put my parcel in my hand. So, I could leave and the queue not so long. The woman in front of me looking questioning why I had been served first?

Scootered home checked letterbox. I can even do this while still seated on my scooter. Some fancy driving and reversing and turning enough to reach my keys from my bag on their elastic cord. Fang it around the corner, press the button on the fob in my pocket and while the garage door lifts, I reach back and remove my red flag to put in the back and I bob down a bit as I clear the gate. I normally fang it to the basement and back to my shed on B1 before putting her away stating I like to open her up a bit, the motor of course is not horses but electric, however it amuses everyone I’ve said this too.

However, seeing my scooter shed as I turned a corner, I was confronted by this!

Recall, I sent to my neighbour in my previous post how Chef would name and shame people? So, the above photos, I flicked a short but polite text to my neighbour. To my understanding she doesn’t live here anymore but her adult children do. But I spent several hours messaging her, my property manager etc, to remedy this insult. I was ignored by my neighbour. My property manager got onto the OC, the other tenants then a tow-truck company to remove the bike.

Hell On Wheels

Published August 29, 2022 by helentastic67

Hell On Wheels

Now, for a brief moment I fancied I could imagine a front-page apology from the NGO (Not for Profit/Non-Government Organisation) for removing my blog link from their website despite having been an active member for over ten years. But I didn’t want it like this.

Sadly, it’s not been forthcoming and that general topic is on the back burner as I’m letting the dust settle on it. To be continued.

Meanwhile, this article is about the scooters people hire in the city in the early hours to get themselves home because they are too drunk to make better decisions and get a taxi. Ending up with fines from the police or even worse a visit to the hospital and rehab. You know the ones?

Otherwise, a fall and a surgery to catch you all up on, stay tuned for that next Monday.

Efficient

Published November 23, 2018 by helentastic67

Efficient

Efficient

In many ways’ life had prepared me to ready and deal with Life One-Handed. There were subtle signs when I was about sixteen and on nightly coffee/tea duty for the family. I couldn’t carry two mugs at once without spilling the left one. I didn’t have to carry it for 6-7 metres from the kitchen to the lounge, but spill it, I did.

Spilled coffee

Mum would watch me coming and say “Drop you left shoulder” had nothing to do with it really, but life went on. But there were those signs that screamed DO NOT WORK IN HOSPITALITY and occasionally, at work (I was a checkout chick at the Super Cheap Supermarket, so cheap they no longer exist) they put me on the left-handed checkout. No idea why, but there you go.

Left Handed

But until my diagnosis, when I was thirty-four, everything I did kinda moulded me to be very efficient with my time and energy.

These days, I leave the house just in time for lunch (by normal people standards) and I’ve made calls, done internet banking and gotten it “ALL” together.

Normal People lunch

Wednesday’s are a perfect example. I scooter to my last appointment, which is local to home (weather permitting), walk a small block to rendezvous with Young John. (I negotiate with him over breakfast exactly what time he can squeeze me in)

Young John taxi

On the way, I dropped a doona into the dry cleaners to be pressed ($6.00) Young John scoops me up and drops me down to Clifton Hill.

Today, I had to start at the Post Office to pay a few bills, I crossed to my favourite lunch location. Note; I do not mention it by name. Yeah, that’s on purpose. I have a few Melbourne followers these days and it’s sometimes hard enough to get a table and I do love the way they greet me by name when I arrive and when I depart. I mean, that’s what you get by being a regular. Right! Anyway, I take photos of lunch finalise my Wednesday lunch post and email to Noelle.

Favourite Cafe

Generally, I inhale lunch and my medicine (Latte) and maybe write a post.

Off I hobble to my chiropractor and if I’m early I will make a few calls, cull some emails, reach out to some friends as part of my “Good Mental Health Day” regime.

Good Mental Health Day

I see my chiro, then bolt for the tram, often texting whatever on the way. I arrive at acupuncturist get stabbed, eight times, have a little kip (that a bit British for a nap) then scooter home. Often stopping at a few local suppliers on the way.

Little Nap

Check the letter box, without getting off my scooter and picking up an empty box from the supermarket for recycling. (I’m a bit green, you see) The box also comes in handy to get things upstairs from the scooter shed to my apartment. I’ve even worked out a way to (once in the lift) put the box on top of the hand rail, put my leg against it so it won’t fall, using my ONE GOOD HAND, swipe my card and push the button.

Scooter

Once out of the lift and at my apartment door, I use the same technique to hold the box against the wall while I open the door. Putting whatever I’m carrying on the floor can be very stressful on my lower back and that’s the last thing I need.

So, efficiency is the key.

Efficiency is the Key

Today’s Lunch – 6th June 2018

Published June 6, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays lunch

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Despite a busy week I managed to get down here two days in a row. This is what I had here yesterday. It was a yummy cwoissant (imagine me saying it with a bit of a French Accent) with pumpkin, feta and spinach with medicine. To go with the migraine I had.

CrossiontLatte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also had added drama of no landline or internet and my mobile was low on battery all friggin day!
Not suggesting the cause of yesterday’s migraine but sure as heck didn’t help!

No internet

And today’s offering I feel a little like I may have found a work-around to having a Arancini Zaffarino. Just come twice, week and my standard medicine.

Arincino

Latte 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even got to scooter today! Two hipsters following me on the footpath on their bikes, huh? When I pulled up in front of the acupuncturist to park the Hipsters thanked me, I don’t know what for because I’m legally allowed to use the footpath and I have insurance. They legally cannot and don’t (have insurance.)

Scooter

Migraine prevails………..next!
Cheers,
H

Good day

Hot off the Press – 27th November 2017

Published November 27, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 2711

Hot off the Press

Allow me to predict the week in advance?

Watered some plants, unpacked some more boxes exclaims of “I unpacked a box!” And summer has started early and I’m not thrilled about it! No appointments Monday so kept unpacking and sorting things at home.

Unpacking boxes

Tuesday, really not ready to do Full-Adult (bra, shoes and leave the house, you know) and I had a message from my GP that he was sick……Yes! (No! That came out wrong) another day at home. More boxes………..Managed to make it to the letterbox, met the previous tenant outside to give her some mail, I was prepared to forward. Hot! So hot!

Full Adult

Wednesday, someone needs to get into the kitchen, because they left the oven on! Thankfully, a week ago today it was a bit warm but it was moving day. The next few days it rained. Not quite side-ways kinda rain but decent Melbourne spring rain. Now, I’m thinking summer came early and it’s way too soon. I did a lot of walking today despite the heat. Scooter yet has power, met Young John, he thinks I don’t mention him, he cheers me so. Hope you read my Wednesday post? Handed back the last of the keys for 1/111 and my bond claim form.  Visited the post office, dropped my NDIS plan into my acupuncturist, the lovely Angela is going to study it for interest sake, to get an understanding of how much they need to simplify and use simple English! NDIA hear me! Use simple English so I know what I can have!

Wednesday

FYI: My new NDIS plan was approved! I found out last week amongst the chaos! I believe my shoes are funded, but there is red tape. Isn’t there always?

Red Tape

Then standard Punchy/stubby day! No sign of Bella! Damn cat was easier to find in winter even though she was sleeping tucked in between pet mats. At least then I could get a tickle in before she bit my inquisitive hand.

Bella

Thursday, the unpacking has reached a standstill. My study, has an island of boxes in the centre, I can’t unpack until I get all the other Vogue Livings unpacked and sorted.

Vogue collection

Friday, ah. Blessed Friday! Had a carer just before midday, kinda standard! My next carer, recently returned from a holiday to New Zealand and she arrived at 2pm. Did some shopping, scored some summer shorts, long pants to get taken up, and a pair of 3/4 length pants for only $30. Hey, big spender. Not setting any fashion standards these days. By late afternoon, headed west for a friend’s exhibition opening night Extravaganza! Had my cold coffee and custard scroll on the drive over (lunch today!) Hung out for a few hours colouring in and doing some paste-ups! Paste-ups! Fancy term for slapping homemade glue on a brick surface to get a paper poster or such to stick for some time. I got to colour in my About page from Hellonwheels (really must update it! )

Paste upPaste up 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrived home in time for the rain by 8.30pm and my carer departed. Bed around 2am.

Dark skies

Saturday, not completely off-grid, got my 25+ years of Vogue Livings packed away in my study. Hoping I didn’t put any ribs out this time. (It’s usually the upper right ones on my back)
Learning about Apartment Living! I live on a busy corner and there is a tram stop at my doorstep. (ok, my apartment complex doorstep) and a pub across the street and even more apartments. It’s hot in Melbourne but we had a cooler night so I left my balcony door open. Barely got to sleep and it got noisy at 4am! WTF? Slept the afternoon away and got stuck back into my study when most people are having dinner. Still settling in and still coughing a little wheezy cough.
Next!

Week ahead 1

Today’s Lunch – 22nd November 2017

Published November 22, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 2211

Today’s lunch

There is always something instantly therapeutic about my Wednesday routine.
No Hellonwheels today as my scooter shed is not up yet and she is currently without power.

She is not the Mothers Cat in this case it’s my mobility scooter.

Today’s offering,
Zaffarino Arancini with the side salad.
(Mint, peas with saffron rice)
With Sicilian chocolate cannoli
(Breakfast)
Medicine!

AranciniChocolate Canoli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latte

And when I walked in I was greeted by this:
And it’s too soon!

Christmas decoChristmas deco 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas deco 2

Cheers,
H

Wednesday

Today’s Lunch – 18th October 2017

Published October 18, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 1810

Today’s lunch

Today’s Foodie good mental health day is well needed today. Feeling a little emotionally brittle today. If Robert the owner gives me his standard greeting of “Hello Beautiful!” I might cry.

Hello beautiful

Had a dream this morning and I could hear a cat purring in my ear, if you don’t know, I put my fur baby down in March so I don’t yet have my new fur-baby!

I did get to fang it! At top speed to where I park hellonwheels while I’m out. The scooter has 2 speeds. Tortoise and hare. But then it’s all by throttle and I didn’t go slowly. Shit to do! Places to go! Things to do! Medicine to be had!

Speeding hell on wheels

And also wearing my scootering t-shirt today. On the front are the words “Eat. Sleep. Ride. Repeat” it has become my Wednesday scootering T.

T shirt

Today’s offering. Despite it being hot today. I’m having another Arancini Bolognaise with side salad and of course my medicine.

AranciniLatte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And done!

Wednesday

Cheers,
H