Yes! I went shopping today. For the first time in over eight months. And yes, it was exhilarating. π
My little shopping expedition was also hot and sweaty because I decided to be daring and go for a walk first. Bad move. I parked at Bunnings and walked to Autobarn, a short hop…by car. What I’d forgotten was that most of the way to Autobarn was uphill, and guess who’s a wee bit out of shape?
By the time I’d walked back to Bunnings [wearing my surgical mask and one glove], I was literally dripping with sweat, and the inside of the mask felt like a wet towel. That said, the outside of the mask was quite dry, proving that it really does catch all those potentially toxic exhalations.
Anyway…one of the first things I saw inside Bunnings was a customer with his mask down under his chin, mooching around with a takeaway cup of coffee in his hand. After all the fear and stress of the last eight months, I totally lost it and told him off. He came back with ‘oh but you’re allowed to not wear a mask if your eating or drinking’. I politely suggested that he ‘eat or drink’ outside.
I know the restrictions have been eased, but this prick was deliberately abusing the privileges we’ve been given. I am so sick of selfish morons trying to find loop holes in rules designed to protect everyone. We’re virus free for the moment, but as South Australia discovered, all it takes is ONE idiot. Ahem…
Smarmy piece of shit aside, the whole setup at Bunnings was brilliant. One door to go in, a different door to go out, physical distancing lines painted on the floor leading to the checkouts. Staff all wearing masks and directing ‘traffic’. I felt quite safe, which is saying something. And I loved being able to select things for myself again. Online shopping is okay, but unless and until they make online shopping a virtual experience, it’s just not the same as being there.
Oh, and in case you’re all wondering what I actually bought? Well…I bought a trickle charger for the batteries that drive my fire-fighting pumps, a new 30 metre garden hose, a timer-tap so I can’t forget to turn off the tap, and a small sprinkler head to water the new veggie box.
Nothing exciting, I know, but I feel great anyway, and in a day or two I’m going to go out again to buy…bread. A beautiful Vienna with a crisp crust and a fluffy white interior:
The vienna has to be unsliced, of course, so we can pop it into a hot oven for a minute [to decontaminate] before slicing and smothering with fresh, cold butter….
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make us happy. π
cheers
Meeks
December 13th, 2020 at 10:07 pm
I saw a lovely young lady wiping everything down at the local station and I was just so grateful.
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December 14th, 2020 at 7:06 am
People like that are my Covid Heroes.
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December 13th, 2020 at 6:20 pm
I so understand your anger and frustration, Meeks. I don’t get why they bother wearing a mask at all. Good on you for speaking up.
I think you adventure was retail therapy, even though there were no ‘pretties’. I know how passionate you are about making sure your place is fire-ready. (Fingers crossed that this will be a mild summer.) I haven’t been into a big store, except Spotlight, but have been shopping in smaller, local shops. This year has made me even more aware of shopping local and supporting small.
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:32 pm
-hugs- you know me too well! lol Yes, things for the house are my passion these days. And yes, I hope it’ll be a mild summer too.
I’m thinking hard about getting that bread tomorrow. Just the thought of getting that fresh bread smell when you walk in the shop…aaaah. π And yes, I would like to support small businesses too. I’ll let you know if the bakery is open. π
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December 13th, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Did Mr F******* eventually get the message and take his arrogant backside outside?
Congrats on your Grand Peregrination!!! π
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:33 pm
lmao – I don’t know if I can take any credit for his disappearance, but I didn’t see him again. Sadly I stewed the whole way home thinking of all the things I /should/ have said. Politely, of course…:D
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December 13th, 2020 at 3:37 pm
It’s mandatory in Auckland (NZ) to have mask on all public transport – most do have it “somewhere around their head” but not always where it should be…and some the worse offenders are the ethnic older men! I want to slap them but most of them seem to have no English…so every time I catch their attention – “glare at their face” … doesn’t work of course!
It’s not the C/19 that is stopping me from going out – but other issues…so I’ve not braved anywhere much of late – just medical appts. NZ is free of community transmission but there has been a couple of outbreaks …so fingers crossed we stay at L/1.
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:42 pm
Hi neighbour. π NZ is the envy of the Western world. You guys got it right the first time and haven’t had a second time. We fuffed around and Melbourne became the canary in the coal mine. Thank god our Premier had the brains and the courage to do what had to be done. Hopefully the other states will have learned from what happened to us.
Here in Victoria we have to wear masks on public transport and indoors where distancing isn’t possible. Some of the other states are less….careful than we are. So long as people are still coming in from o’seas, another outbreak is always possible so we stay careful.
Sorry to hear that you have medical issues. Maybe treat yourself to a cup of coffee and a nice cake. I confess, I’m dreaming of the day I can buy a latte!
Stay well. π
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December 13th, 2020 at 2:09 pm
I hate to think how bad it could have got here.I often wonder how many of us would not be alive, had our government not acted.
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:48 pm
Yeah, the doomsday scenario went through my head too. We became 100% paranoid, and some of that remains even now. Thank god for the State Premiers, especially Dan Andrews. He’s been demonized as Dictator Dan, but those of us who could have become victims know better. I’ve been tempted to start a hashtag – #DanWalksOnWater – but I haven’t been brave enough…yet. π
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December 13th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
I am glad I am not the only one who gets upset about these things.
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:49 pm
No way are you alone! I still burn thinking about him. π¦
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December 13th, 2020 at 3:42 am
I’m glad you got out, Andrea, especially to make sure you’re prepared for the summer weather and fire danger. And the bread looks luscious. Yum. Good for you for only coming across one jerk. Half of the people in the US don’t think masks make a difference and believe the virus dangers are exaggerated. Sigh. We’re the stupidest people in the world.
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December 13th, 2020 at 8:27 am
Stupid? No, never. I think vested interests concerned with nothing but making and keeping money, have misled the American people for a very long time.
I recently came across a person who believed, adamantly, that giving people social welfare would take away their desire to better themselves. Essentially, leaving people in poverty is ‘for their own good’.
This kind of thinking is almost chapter and verse from the Ayn Rand fairytale about capitalism.
I can understand the appeal of this kind of thinking during the early years of the Cold War when anything ‘social’ was anathema, but now?
I hope that Biden and Harris will be able to show the American people that caring for the most vulnerable in society benefits all parts of society. -hugs-
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:56 am
Me too, Andrea. The odd thing is that many of those who are suffering under the cruelty of capitalism are also it’s staunchest supporters. It’s all tied up with the politics of fear. π¦
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Yes. Fear is at the heart of so much of this. I keep thinking that if people could see how the rest of the world balances capital and social responsibilities, perhaps they wouldn’t be so terrified of anything that smacks of socialism.
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December 12th, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Haha, and here I thought you bought clothes or shoes! I haven’t done any of that since this started, because about the only apparel I’ll buy online is socks, undies, and pajamas. Anything else (esp. shoes) has to be tried on. Still, I’m with you on selecting items yourself.
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December 12th, 2020 at 9:58 pm
lol – I haven’t bought /any/ clothing or shoes this year at all, partly because who’s to see in the house? But mostly because I insist on trying things on as well. The one time I tried buying some cheap little dresses online, the results were less than ideal. Clearly my body shape doesn’t match the models in the pictures. π
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December 13th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Not only clothes – of which one of my essential underwear items collapsed during out 1st major lockdown (NZ) and I refused to buy online. However, I had to buy a new landline phone – and it’s not what I would’ve bought in the “shop” – and I’ve still not it going right – it rings and I answer …
Catherine who finally did go underwear buying (in L1) and bought a stack of things…
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:44 pm
LMAO – oh that made me laugh. I’ve been living in Uggs and gardening clothes for so long, I’ve forgotten what nice undies are like! Go you. π
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December 12th, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Well done on laying down the law. I don’t really think that classes as retail therapy, no treats. When I go, I shop like it’s an Olympic event, and I win.
Huge Hugs
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December 12th, 2020 at 10:00 pm
LMAO! We’ll have to make sure the organizers name the event after you. π
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December 12th, 2020 at 2:12 pm
The exhilaration of being able to do such simple thu6ngs that we used to take for granted is remarkable… I remember our first breakfast at a cafe, outdoors, with covid safe precautions in place… the experience was exquisite. I’m glad you enjoyed your adventure, and that you spoke up β‘
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December 12th, 2020 at 10:01 pm
Aaaah….getting a latte is also VERY high on my bucket list. π
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Sounds great! β€ Enjoy your weekend, Meeks. xo
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:24 pm
-grin- Thanks, Bette. It’s had a great start. π
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Good for you, Meeks inconsiderate moron…pleased you enjoyed your little jaunt though π
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
lol – thanks, Carol. I honestly didn’t imagine I’d enjoy it so much.
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December 12th, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Haha…I know I would have …
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December 12th, 2020 at 9:59 pm
Speaking of, has the political unrest in Thailand settled down? Was a bit concerned re Covid.
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December 12th, 2020 at 10:13 pm
No increase in Covid.. Most people were masked and as we are free from infections that wasn’t really an issue.. I was/am more concerned about any backlash on the students…
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December 13th, 2020 at 8:45 am
I’m so glad the virus hasn’t reared its ugly head as a consequence of the protests. Sadly change is always led by the young, isn’t it? I hope the speed of the change is slow enough to allow everyone to absorb it. I’ve never been to Thailand, but everything I’ve seen or read makes me think it, and its people, have a truly valuable culture. That must be preserved somehow.
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December 13th, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Yes it must, Meeks however there are changes needed and as you say it comes from the young and I do understand …I just fear for some of them as the consequences can be great…x
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:51 pm
Let’s hope Thailand’s leaders recognize that change is inevitable, and that compromise is the best solution long term.
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
What did he do after you told him off? Did the store do anything? A$$-you-know-what.
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:28 pm
I lost track of him after our short confrontation, and he was nowhere to be seen by the time I was ready to head to the checkouts.
I doubt that I dented his ego all that much, but at least I showed him some contempt. π
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:41 pm
I repeat my previous observation. And agree with you that if he needed sustenance, but not just an excuse, he should have been more conscious.
Around here, unbelievably, there are still people like that EVERYWHERE. Which is why the numbers are horrific!
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December 12th, 2020 at 10:06 pm
Yes! I mean, Bunnings is a hardware store not a restaurant or cafe. I think he was just a real life troll. Not young either so he has no excuse. None of them do. If you deliberately run someone down with your car, that’s a crime, yet stupidity that causes death is apparently ‘ok’. I do not get it.
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December 13th, 2020 at 3:25 am
I had to read that twice. The initial belief was possibly due to stupidity, but the persistence in choosing to ignore all the deaths and keep following leaders who promulgate them is a level beyond my understanding.
There was a sympathetic article in the New York Times about a small midwestern town which was finally having to suffer the consequences of not believing, and they were trying to portray the townspeople as victims – where massive stupidity and pigheadedness was literally the cause of death.
I may not like reading opposing opinions, but I read enough of them to make sure I’m not missing something.
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December 13th, 2020 at 8:33 am
‘suffer the consequences’…yes. Sadly, most people only learn from direct experience. And in a way, those townspeople are victims – of a system that’s still stuck in the Ayn Rand version of capitalism vs anything ‘social’. π¦
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December 13th, 2020 at 8:50 am
The leaders should be more educated, better informed. So many of them seem to be in it for the money. Relentless education – set back four years at least by Betsy DeVos in the US – barely keeps level.
As Heinlein commented in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, if they send us more people to help than we can handle, it only means more people will die. Which is what’s happening.
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:58 pm
Hey! You’re a Heinlein fan too. π And yes, as always, education is the key. In some ways, our young have never been as tech savvy as they are now, yet as Matthew said in another comment, critical thinking is sadly lacking.
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December 14th, 2020 at 11:51 am
“Any advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
My three kids and daughter-in-law are all techies.
How many gamers and cellphone users and clerks who can’t return basic change are? Yet they use the ‘magic’ but could never recreate it.
Heck. Even the incompetent-in-charge uses Twitter.
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December 14th, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Yes. That is one of my favourite quotes. I pride myself on being able to ‘fix’ things, but that doesn’t go much further than changing the light bulb! If technology fails, we’ll be back in the caves in two generations, max.
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December 14th, 2020 at 5:16 pm
Have you read Lucifer’s Hammer? It has some interesting choices about saving technology – or giving prizes to the best child rat-catcher.
The choice costs, of course.
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December 14th, 2020 at 10:27 pm
No, that one doesn’t ring any bells. If I have read it, was decades ago, literally.
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December 14th, 2020 at 10:39 pm
“Lucifer’s Hammer is a science fiction post-apocalypse-survival novel by American writers Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle that was first published in 1977. It was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1978.”
In it, a society chooses to save the last nuclear power plant, and thus electricity, over saving the life of one of their wisest members: the resources could either be used for the fight or for making a simple form of insulin which would have saved his life.
Stuck with me – probably one of the earliest post-apocalyptic novels.
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December 15th, 2020 at 10:33 am
Ah! I’ve read some of Niven and Pournelle’s stuff, but had no idea they’d even collaborated on a story. I’ll check Amazon out for the title. You’ve got me intrigued now, although I may wait to read it until after our own mini apocalypse is over.
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December 15th, 2020 at 11:04 am
It’s old. And I have a curious story to tell. It’s a big fat paperback. I read it.
Years later, I was halfway through another big fat paperback, and came across a plot twist which I believed was unique – and then realized I was reading the same book!
I read so much SF back then that I consumed them like mints.
I liked it the second time through, too.
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December 15th, 2020 at 11:29 am
lmao! I am going to be sooo upset with myself if I read Lucifer’s Hammer and realise that I’ve read it before too. From memory, Niven and Pournelle both wrote hard SF which I enjoyed, but not as much as character driven, philosophical stories.
That said, didn’t one of them write A Mote in God’s Eye? I really need to go through my library. Memory is such a bitch. π¦
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December 15th, 2020 at 11:36 am
Niven and Pournelle again.
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December 16th, 2020 at 7:20 am
OMG…then I have read their collaborations. Now I’m going to have to trawl through my books and see what else I’ve forgotten. Thank you! lol
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December 12th, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Also, you should have bought a pretty. Otherwise it’s not really therapy.
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December 12th, 2020 at 10:03 pm
-giggles- the trickle charger is pretty! Sort of. It’s a nice red and I like red. I’ll buy a real pretty once the vaccines have done their thing and I have somewhere to wear it. π
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December 13th, 2020 at 3:19 am
I’ll be waiting to hear about it.
Though realistically it will be a while before we’re all out and about, but I think the real tragedy will be those who die between now and that happy day. And there will be far too many of them in the US.
It is frustrating not to be able to beat some sense into people’s heads to keep them safe.
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December 13th, 2020 at 8:35 am
Yes, that’s what concerns me too. With the vaccine needing two doses, and the difficulty of distributing the Pfizer one due to the need to keep it at -70…rolling out the vaccine will take time, and winter is coming. Sorry, didn’t mean to channel George R.R. Martin. π¦
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December 13th, 2020 at 8:48 am
We’re IN winter in a few days; the North already has snow.
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December 13th, 2020 at 9:59 pm
Ugh. I hope things don’t turn out as badly as some predict, but YOU stay safe, no matter what. You have a book to finish. -hugs-
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