No news day

If you’ve come to rely on your social media feed for news and updates, then you’ve probably noticed it’s looking very different today in Australia.

Australians are being blocked from accessing news in their Facebook feeds thanks to a stand-off with the federal government.

It’s an interesting situation and I don’t really understand it completely, but heard an analogy on the ABC that I thought I’d share.

It’s like me recommending coffee shops to a friend, who then enjoys samples of coffee from all the shops but doesn’t commit to buying anything.

As consumers we’re happy with a sample of the news more often than not so no-one is getting paid for their time.

I’ll admit I’m guilty of news sampling online in general, but I do regularly purchase The West Australian and benefit from a corporate subscription to The Australian.

I sort of understand the implications for journalists and others involved with production and publishing news, but in the age of social media maybe there is a way we can all meet in the middle?

A good start is to not rely on social media and Google feeds as your source of news, and to purchase if you have the means to, but is there anything else we can could or should do to help?

When the power of social media to share news in an emergency situation is compromised, could paying to use social media as a consumer be a solution?

Or maybe the point is that we all need to remember that’s it’s social media, not news … And source news elsewhere?

The bubble has burst

I’m wearing a mask handmade by a family member that felt like overkill when it arrived, but now that I’m wearing it my anxiety has hit overdrive.

It’s here, the virus we’ve been reading and hearing about from the sanctuary of our ‘bubble’ has finally found a way in and I am quietly terrified.

It wasn’t until I left home this morning that reality hit.

Driving through the back streets on my way into work, the majority of the dog walkers and tradies I passed were wearing masks.

There were very few cars on the road, and a bus I passed was eerily empty.

I’ve already had a conversation with a work colleague who, after complaining that the mask made her feel dizzy, proceeded to tell me that it’s all a conspiracy and she’s very angry.

I’m angry too, because it’s people like her not taking it seriously that will be most likely to cause the virus to spread even more.

Beyond the current epicentre in Maylands, where my daughter lives. She and her housemates have been queueing since the crack of dawn for testing, because it’s the right thing to do.

Wearing a mask of course, and preparing to wait as long as it takes to get to the front of the line.

Because if you choose not to wear a mask because it feels uncomfortable, or fogs your glasses, or makes you feel dizzy or you think it looks silly then please stay home.

But please don’t go to the shopping centre and vent at the service assistant because you had to queue outside in the heat for hours and there’s no toilet paper left on the shelves.

Because that’s just wrong and you will look silly.

Waiting for a Wave

News just in from the WA Premier, the hard border that has been closed since April will finally be opened for travellers from NSW and Victoria from midnight tonight!

Good news, right?

I certainly hope so.

Because from what I’ve seen recently, the coronvirus crisis isn’t being taken seriously, and there is a frightening sense of complacency that has settled into the WA community.

It’s certainly felt like one of the safest places in the world to be, and yes I know that for those who have been ‘stuck outside’ it has been a long wait.

The Premier turned us into an island within an island, and we’ve had months to get ourselves ready for the opening but are we really ready?

Just in time for Christmas shopping queues, and the silly season when after a few drinks everyone is a friend.

Is it just me or do we all need to stop and think and remind ourselves that yes we have been lucky to not have had any community transmission in this state, yet.

And do whatever we can to prevent a second wave.

It may not impact you personally but think about the implications of you passing the virus onto someone else, who has an elderly friend or relative, or whose immunity is compromised, and the impact on our health workers and health system.

Maybe I am a glass half empty ‘negative Nancy’, but I’m feeling a lot of anxiety while waiting for the wave.

So download the SafeWA app, avoid close contact with others, avoid shaking hands, stay home if you are not well, cover your mouth/nose when you cough/sneeze and wash your hands.

Please 🥺🙏

Not a ‘sickie’, just a cold

I’m not at work today, I’m sick.

Not a ‘sickie’, just a cold.

Probably still okay to be at work, just feels like a ‘normal’ cold but I did the ‘right thing’ and went to a respiratory clinic for a Covid test earlier today.

And yes it wasn’t pleasant.

I did the biggest loudest sneeze of my life after the nostril swab! And it’s true, your glasses fog up when you wear a mask.

And I’m annoyed I’m stuck at home until the test results are confirmed, because we’re heading away this weekend and I still need to sort out my outfit for the wedding, and was planning to catch up with the girls on my rostered day off tomorrow.

But that’s a small price to pay at the end of the day.

First World Problem as they say?

On a day I heard Doctors Without Borders are on their way to the US to help deal with the pandemic.

Because it’s people like me, who assumed it was ‘just a cold’ but actually had the virus, who helped spread it and we can all see how that is panning out overseas.

Because I heard on the radio that we need to think of the virus like the smell of cigarettes you breathe in even after the smoker has stopped smoking.

It’s in the air you breathe.

Yes we’re lucky here in Western Australia that we’ve not had any community transmission yet. But it feels like it’s only a matter of time.

Just look at how fast it’s spread in South Australia. From one person.

So maybe think about having Christmas outside this year, or a smaller family gathering than usual, or if you have to be inside have a fan circulating air.

And if you feel like you’ve ‘just got a cold’ go and get a Covid test.

It’s just the right thing to do.

Lessons learnt from camping

According to my phone the forecast minimum in Porongurup tonight is 6 degrees, and there is talk of snow on Bluff Knoll being possible.

I’ve never seen snow, but am thankful the temperature didn’t dip so low when we were down that way last weekend.

This time last week we were on our way there for our first camping experience, with the car packed to the brim and my mind full of fear of the unknown.

I am pleased to report that the experience was successful and enjoyable, but there were some lessons learnt that I’m sharing for myself more than anything.

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best so byo cooking, eating and washing up supplies because camp kitchen facilities vary.

We were pleasantly surprised to find a microwave oven as well as a fridge, toaster, kettle, stove and crockery in the camp kitchen but it can’t be assumed that these will be provided every time.

Don’t rely on technology.

Our CB Radio inexplicably randomly stopped working on the day we left, which would have made it difficult to stay in contact with the car club convoy en route to our destination.

Thankfully we had a spare set but have made a note to check and double check they are both working well before our next trip.

We also had issues with maintaining power for the portable fridge, which could have been managed with the solar panel we decided not to take.

Next trip the panel will be second on the list.

First on the list will be earplugs, which after our first mostly sleepless night we headed to Mount Barker to purchase due to the snore symphony being transmitted from most of the tents.

The self inflating mattress was worth the money as well as the space it took up in the car, but we need to invest in new sleeping bags because the ones we have simply wouldn’t cut it if the overnight temperature dipped as low as it is forecast to tonight.

The long drive home was borderline dangerous because we were both so tired, so anything we can do to improve our sleep quality will be worth the investment.

Tips from other campers I’ll be using include a stove top coffee percolator for that essential morning brew, a thermos for cuppas on the road, and lots of towels for wiping down the tent before it’s rolled up on pack down day.

The biggest lesson from our first camping experience is that the comforts of home and especially our bed have never been more appreciated since we have returned.

I have been sleeping better all week so we are already planning our next trip, but in the meantime I’m researching sleeping bags so any tips would be appreciated.

I’m looking forward to seeing news about snow on Bluff Knoll, but good luck to the campers down there this weekend.

Hopefully they’ve prepared for the worst!

A new chapter

There is something very satisfying about finding a place for all the shapes that cascade down in the tile matching video game Tetris.

Tetris was a game I enjoyed playing as a child, and I’ve found an equivalent phone app that I’ve been known to play if there’s nothing to read and I’m very, very bored.

Sitting in an international airport lounge waiting for my boarding call for example. Something I can’t see myself doing for quite some time.

The milestone birthday holiday plan which included a cruise from New York to Rome with plenty of potential Tetris time has now been replaced by … camping.

From cruising to camping is not a great segue, but thanks to Covid-19 it’s fast becoming our next ‘big thing’.

My only experience of camping is from primary school, and I can vividly recall the experience to this day.

The rain set in with vengeance soon after we set up our tents, so instead of facing the elements we ended up camping on the floor inside the local church, between the pews.

While I appreciate the beauty of stained glass, my memory of watching the lightning strikes cast colourful shadows overhead, and waiting for the next ‘big badda boom’, made for a mystical experience but wasn’t very conducive to a good night’s sleep.

And it was terribly cold too!

I’m not a princess but I am rather partial to creature comforts, like a belly full of delicious food and a warm cosy comfortable bed.

And I’m seriously addicted to coffee!

So to say I am somewhat anxious about the plan for my husband and I to camp in the Porongorups this weekend is an understatement.

There just seems to be so much ‘stuff’ that needs to be planned for and purchased in order to ‘Be Prepared,’ and how the heck are we going to fit it all in the back of the car?!

We’ve borrowed a tent, splurged on a self inflating mattress, resurrected the sleeping bags last used by the kids many moons ago, and if all else fails we’ll sleep in every item of clothing for warmth.

So that’s shelter sorted, right?

It’s all the other stuff that is doing my head in. Like hot food and water, and lighting, seating, eating, washing up.

And fitting it all into the back of the car in some way that is able to be removed in case of a flat tyre or some other emergency.

Everyone’s full of camping tips and tricks from their own experience, but right now it’s feeling a bit like childbirth.

Friends love sharing their tips but no-one seems to want to admit to the ‘bad stuff’ until after I have experienced it for myself.

Like all the potential trip hazards between the shelter of our tent and the loo in the middle of the night.

And the many dangerous Australians we’re likely to encounter, like snakes!

And instant coffee!

I’m hoping my Tetris experience will come in handy when it comes time to pack up the car.

And I’m pleased to hear that happy hour is considered mandatory on campsites so will make sure there’s room for a good bottle of red or two.

But apart from that?

There’s only so much room in the car so I’m thinking our biggest lessons will come from how well we Improvise, Adapt and Overcome!

Anyone know if there’s a church in the Porongorups?

Confessions of a closet hoarder

It’s bulk rubbish collection week in our suburb and the kerb crawlers are out in force.

I don’t have an issue with finding treasure in the trash, and the kerb crawlers are most welcome to help themselves to anything they like because (in theory) that helps reduce my contribution to landfill.

My issue is actually making the decision to let something go.

My contribution has started with the remnants of our life with cats, including a scratching post we invested a ridiculous amount of money in but neither cat was particularly interested in actually using.

It ended up outside in the cat run and the weather’s taken its toll, so off to the verge it must go.

We actually have a house full of stuff that needs to go, but making the decision to do that is something I find very hard to do.

Perhaps it’s the emotional attachment, or the fact that I grew up in a ‘make do and mend’ household?

Or that the stuff we have accumulated in our blended household tells the story of our journey over the past 18 years?

I’m okay with gifting unwanted clothes to Op Shops, but books and gifts and the bits and pieces that our kids have left behind are not so easy to give away.

I once worked with someone who told me their annual spring clean involves hiring a skip bin and walking through the house and finding stiff to fill it with and I was horrified!

What if you need something you have thrown out so impulsively? Or someone you know does?

What if it is still functional and valuable to someone, anyone?

I’ve joined my local buy nothing community page on Facebook and have gifted a few items, but have to admit to receiving more than I have gifted which isn’t really helping clear the clutter.

Maybe I need to get someone else in to  remove all the stuff and see what I miss?

I’m giving my cat collection until the end of the day until someone removes it from the verge.

In the meantime I’m off to look for something else to add to the pile.

If you need anything let me know, I’ve probably got it!

Reflections on life without a Father

Today is Father’s Day in Australia.

Maybe you bought your dad a whole lot of stuff he likes but doesn’t really need, because that’s what the Hallmark version of the day is all about.

For me it is a day of reflection for what could have been.

You see, there is no Father in my life and according to my birth certificate there never has been.

Having reached the mid century milestone you could say I’ve learnt to come to terms with the lack of a father figure in my life, and my experiences with my own children and step-children and their fathers has been nothing but positive and for their sakes I am truly grateful.

If they are anything like me on Mother’s Day, knowing they are loved and valued and appreciated will count more than anything money can buy.

A simple text message, phonecall or making time to be with their Dad is all you really need to do. Anything else is a bonus.

As for me, I will be making an effort to acknowledge the two Dads in my world, just in case their kids forget.

And taking some time out for myself to reflect on what could have been.

As I read somewhere once, ‘Anyone can be a Father, it takes someone special to be a Dad.’

So cheers to all the Dads from me.

What’s in a name?

It meant a lot to the Double Banger team that the name we proposed for our ‘baby’ was accepted.

We put a lot of thought into it, apart from being a double banger name it reflects the history and heritage of his parents as well as Belhus Racing in our considered opinion.

And it meant a lot when we found out that our baby, back at Belmont tomorrow for his second race, is up against a horse in barrier 2 being ridden by William Pike (Pikey).

Back Pike and you can drink what you like, right?

‘Pikey’ already has ten WA jockey premierships and only needs two more wins to equal his own Australian riding record of 234 wins.

So to say he’s going to put his ‘all’ into the race would be an understatement.

On any other day we’d be backing Pikey, just not tomorrow. My tip is an each way bet on Pikey and Pinball Player.

Pikey riding Pinball Player? Now that would be the dream!

And a Triple Banger!

The Boys, their WAGs and a Double Banger

My husband has a group of mates, The Boys, who have all been friends since high school. They share a love of playing, watching and betting on sport, and have a lifetime of stories to share whenever they get together.

The Double Banger story started a few years ago at a local hotel, when two of The Boys struck up a conversation with another punter about her winning streak betting on horses with two names that start with the same letter.

News of the punting formula soon spread among the group and The Boys started betting on Double Bangers themselves, but it wasn’t until one of the Wives and Girlfriends (WAGs) won big on Pinker Pinker that the Double Banger streak began.

Owning a racehorse wasn’t something I would have seriously considered, as a day at the races is more about frocks and fascinators than fillies for me.

But thanks to my involvement in the Own the Dream competition, I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about the racing industry and win a share in a horse!

Our Double Banger team of ten entered the 2019 competition, attending free events and tours showcasing the WA racing industry.

By registering and attending every event in the series, along with gaining insight into the industry we also earned entries in the final draw.

Our prize was a 20 percent share in an Arcade Game x Magnus colt we selected through Belhus Racing. He is being trained by Trevor Andrews and has had four trials.

Pulling up with shin soreness after his first 1000 metre trial, he recently returned from a rest and did well at his second trials.

Fast forward to now, the horse we named ‘Pinball Player’ has been entered in his first race, mid-week at Belmont tomorrow, and finally, Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted with the track open and we can all go and watch our ‘baby’ run!

To say we’re all excited is an understatement. Celebrations or commiserations will be likely on the day, but either way it’s a story we’ll continue to share beyond middle age.