One more day left, too many funerals this year, looking forward to a fresh start.
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What gets me is people in Sydney setting up camp to get a good spot. My first question is where are you doing wee wees?
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There would have to be a forbidden corner in the tent where a large macca’s cup sits hoping some drunk doesn’t knock the tent.
Don’t forget to pack a funnel / She-P, otherwise things can get messy.
Also when done you just pour it outside, no need to leave it sitting in there.
Sorry lol, I’m making myself giggle as my old friend group have actually done this at 5-6 day music festivals before.
So if someone comes out of the tent and tips a cup out into the harbour then it’s piss? Because there is no way I’d be tipping it near my tent nor would I let anybody else.
It’s just best to stay home with the convenient facilities at hand.
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You know you’re old when you go “I can just watch it on the telly for free”. 😂
Some years ago I went in to the city to see the NYE fireworks, because I’d never done it. Never again. It was so crowded, people crushing everywhere, and didn’t even get a good view. Flinders street station was a total nightmare trying to get train home. I think the only sensible way to do it would be to book a hotel room with a view and watch from balcony, or stay home and watch on tv. The city is a total disaster on new years.
I’m a bit concerned that my phone is showing a notification for an alarm at 11:30 tonight that does not seem to actually exist in the alarm list. I’m hoping it does not actually intend to wake me up then.
Anyway, I’m off to bed now, try not to kill or main yourselves overnight, and if you make a mess, make sure you hide it before I get up.
Good night. Thanks for everything this year. It’s gone smoothly because of you.
Once it’s turns midnight I’m spraying weed killer on my neighbour’s lawn.
Good luck mowing and watering 3 fucking times a week Joe!!!
I ain’t gonna do it, but the intrusive thoughts are close to winning.
Put a few puncture holes in his hose. Take a bit off every now and again. Also go around the street and collect a bag of gum nuts and scatter a few on his lawn.
I’m ready to put super glue on his garage door so he can’t open it.
Gonna go and water his new plants with my toxic piss too
Gravel’s pretty good too.
Like bullets.
Heh heh. Gotta pay attention to safety …
Hope everyone has some fun plans for tonight, be it going out or staying in. But also, just need to vent a bit, end of year sads:
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Another year done and I feel deflated. Feel like I wasted a whole year, again. The end of year sads usually start for me in early December and carries through to early Jan. Having nice weather is one of the offsets, but there has been scant amount of it this year. At least today is nice and sunny. I know it should be party season but I am always faking it all the way through. It’s exhausting.
I get how you feel. My year has had a lot of ups and downs. I hope you have a great night, no matter what you get up to :)
Feel the same way… I hope things pick up for us.
Had some kiddos come by to doorknock for the local surf lifesaving club as they do every year. one looked about 10 the other maybe 6.
little 6yo dude looked me dead in the eyes and said “cash or card” as the opening line which was hilarious.
I normally ignore NYE but this year’s been so shit I’m feeling a need to put a full stop on it. Might sage the house to try and keep all that bad energy in 2023.
Or just burn stuff.
From tomorrow, a magical new leaf turns over and it’s all sunshine and rainbows right?
I’m sorry to hear you have had a bad year, but setting fire to things tends not to make the next year better. It is mostly effective in getting the Fire Brigade to come for a visit, and potentially the Police and Ambulance too (especially if you light something on fire inside).
May I suggest the following alternative actions:
Interperative Dance: start with a dramatic re-enactment of past troubles, have an interlude of “shaking it off” Taylor Swift style, then enact what you hope to happen in the new year.
Artistic Homeopathy: On the principle that “like cures like”, drawing pictures of things you want to happen should help it manifest in real life. Try a chalk drawing of a rainbow down the driveway and you might either receive a real rainbow. And if you don’t, you will at least have a pretty and cheerful driveway for a while!
Other less flammable options such as thoroughly cleaning the house may also be effective, but are also less fun.
Only tiny, controlled fires, with appropriate clearance and safety measures, I promise! But I will definitely give interpretive dance and artistic homeopathy a go.
As much as I like the fire brigade I don’t need them to visit.
Flammably cleaning the house generally not advised
Bummer. I was applying for a thorough planet cleaning.
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I hate this whole time of year. This one is worse.
Aussie summers are a fire risk. If you need to do something tangible maybe try a salt bath (epsom or normal). You can unscrew the shower rose and put it in there if you don’t have a bath. And bury/shred/scatter biodegradable stuff like paper in running water. If you must burn something - do only a single item inside a biscuit tin, on concrete outside (with a bucket of water within reach).
Or just crack your doors with the screens locked, light some incense in a holder sitting in your sink, and waft some scent through. Definitely check the pollen levels first though
Shredding paper in running water - have you considered the risks of eutrophication? And clogging up the pores and lungs of plants/animals/fish? There’s a reason that autumn leaves are filtered out of the Yarra (check out the filtering mesh at Dights Falls). Much better to compost biodegradables.
I’m talking one or two pieces. But yes
I have extensive practical fire safety training and don’t need a lecture, thank you.
Sorry. I wanted to be sure
While I was away interstate my friend couldn’t make it to water my plants and
sad garden rambling (long)
my scotch bonnet plant toppled, lost a quarter of its soil and half the plant tore off too - when I returned I thought it was a goner, especially as despite plenty of watering, there were these whitish webs and fuzz covering thr whole plant with no good leaves left.
The (admittedly overexposed for this time of year) manzano chilli also lost about 40% of its leaves/tips to that, so I thought shit, I’m dealing with some kind of nightshade mildew on top of it all, shit’s fucked because I generally suck at managing pest and disease other than randomly spraying eco oil on a wing and a prayer.
Plus, my already-struggling twin lips salvia (likely rootbound) had also completely dessicated, so I figured that was done for too, but hey, my bad for not repotting it earlier.
resigned garden ramblings, continued
But within a few days the manzano seemed to perk up again with whatever leaves it had alive. Okay, maybe it’s salvageable, thank goodness because this is the one I’m banking on keeping as long as possible.
I didn’t look at the scotch bonnet or twin lips though, because they just looked more and more dead every day, and even as I watered them out of habit I would feel a cruel parallel to the existential pangs I get when I wake up in the mornings… why water dead plants? Life is loss…
I completely ignored the dying plants, and the plethora of cuttings and dead shit etc that needed tidying up on the balcony, plus my graveyard of dead plants indoors, because the whole thing just reeked of sad failure and painful loss, and I’d had absolutely enough of that this year, tyvm.
Today, I woke up again with that horrible bodily feeling of pointlessness despite a wonderful day yesterday, but I mercifully held onto a sliver of intention to screw my emotions shut, and just clean out the dead plants/plant matter both inside and outside the house in time for the new year.
Don’t do it out of obligation, I thought; don’t dwell on the losses, do it because clearing out the space feels good - even if it doesn’t stop the endless reality that more plants could get sick and die, why keep the dead ones around festering, gathering more dust and mites and neglect?
So, once I got up to pee I tried to make the best of my physical momentum and headed outside to grab the watering can, and survey the painful task ahead of acknowledging loss and failure face to face. I was really not looking forward to it…
but wait... what?
Much to my incredible surprise… Perhaps because of the spell of overcast days… The scotch bonnet that I’d written off was bursting with new life, through thr death and decay! And even the twin lips had a couple of tiny new green shoots appearing right at the bottom.
I have to admit, I felt humbled and moved by the tenacity of these plants to pull through and respond to my seemingly pointless watering. Sure, it doesn’t always happen; I’ve had plenty of plants die for good after neglect, and maybe the twin lips might not make it…
But I guess the universe doesn’t just send awful messages, and today’s lovely one is that even in a seemingly futile situation, good things can happen with the right investment in places we can’t or won’t see.
So I trimmed off the dead bits on the scotch bonnet in the hopes it’ll give the new leaves a better chance and I’m currently doing a massive clear out in a much less depressed state of mind.
That is the end of my extremely verbose new year’s eve morality ramble.
♥️ that is a great comeback lil scotch bonnet
Hooray that’s definitely bouncing back.
tbh the weather we had would have kipped it along pretty nicely.
The balcony gets next to no rain most of the time but gets all of the wind, so it gets little benefit from all that precipitation - but the temps have definitely helped revive it. If there were more 30+ degree days it would’ve been a harder slog.
BBQ shape motherload
I can taste the euphoria of this photo.
No lie, it was an inch deep layer at the bottom of the bag. Stuck it in a shaker for next baked pertater. I know it’s paprika, but man it hits different
Oh you lucky so and so. Definitely a good idea to hoard that crack. I’m sure it’s got MSG or something in it for that extra addictiveness
Ironically we literally have a half kilo bag of msg. Still ain’t as addicting
I always wanted to season my home made chicken nuggets with that stuff!
Whilst not as heroic as @[email protected] 's scotch bonnet, the chilli patch is going.
Felt sorry for a little bee that was buzzing around trying to find a flower on the larger thai chillis. I’m sorry little one not yet.
Decided to space them out a bit more this year.
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Wildlife become a problem on farms. Had so many plants eaten/dug up. Rabbits are the worst culprit. Have a raised veggie bed that is pending a wire fence in order to keep out the rabbits, deer and kangas. Wombats likely won’t be able to reach.
Those mama chillis in the middle and left are very stout and sturdy, look like they’ve been through a few heroic winters themselves.
I must ask if you’ve found anywhere that sells the thin-skinned downward facing Asian chillis which are moderately hot and sometimes wrinkly. Sometimes they’re called Thai chillis, but the ones I’ve bought are insanely spicy and are chunkier. Like this.
Everywhere I go it’s either birds eye/upward facing/frutrscens, or the thick leathery ones you get in the shops, or other very spicy cultivars. I am so sick of thick skinned chillis. I’d like something flavourful and versatile. I saw street vendors selling the plant in Cabramatta Sydney so they must be available around here too.
ooh the ones in your pic kinda look like cayenne? don’t quote me on that though. So many varieties it’s a guessing game heh.
The two big ones thai ones are mild and versatile, great producers, overwinter well but they are super thick skinned.
oo, are we doing chili pics?
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Glorious.
They look super healthy. Is the top one Jalapeño?
Ted says Happy New Year. ( He is sleepy from a having a treat fill dinner of kangaroo and roast chicken, Bill is under the table )
aww ted.
I vote for ted. 2024 doesn’t matter which one.
Happy NYE! What’s everyone’s plans for the night?
I was going to stay home but now I think I might go watch the fireworks at Williamstown then train around to random places for the rest of the night
I’m working today and tomorrow so my plan is to go to bed and hope there are no noisy parties nearby keeping me awake. Otherwise I would probably organise myself a plate of nibbles and stay up scrolling the internet and posting here. I’m not much in to crowds (or noise) so most of the options for going out don’t appeal much.
Avoiding people and probably reassuring cats terrorised by Booms.
Fair
Friend has invited me to a thing at her place, I’m not really feeling super up to being around heaps of people, but the blues are starting to sneak up on me again so I think I might go, and not deal with sad-NYE-feels (even if I realise it’s very much socially conditioned…)
You should try and go. I’m not sure about you, but I find if I manage to just push past the blues and anxiety, once I actually get there I’ll be fine by 15 minutes in. And afterwards I’ll be pretty happy that I did go, even if the event itself wasn’t perfect
I’m leaning towards going, although I rarely go for stuff that late at night because I usually get pretty cranky! I’ll see how sleepy I am around 9/10 pm but if I really am exhausted I’d rather just recharge
Ah yeah I do feel you on that one
Staying home with pets and ordering pizza. Go to sleep early and get up just before midnight. Dog will be fine, not sure about how my horses will cope with the inevitable people setting off illegal fireworks
I might wander down to the local gathering area for some atmosphere early. But I usually try to get to bed early and stay away from the late night stuff. Been there done that. My little tradition is an early morning walk/swim on NYD while everyone is asleep except me and the magpies.
That’s nice. What time early? Pre sunrise?
Usually just on sunrise. But any time pre midday is good and quiet!
Sounds peaceful
Sounds fun! We’ll have dinner with an old friend and then also be home fairly early. We had some terrible NYEs including someone cheerfully urinating right next to us, so we now just have a relaxed evening and don’t go to do anything in large crowds.
I haven’t had many bad experiences out and about on NYE just yet. I did have to stay home one year I was planning on going out because COVID, but that’s the worst that’s happened (so far)
Dinner sounds good, what’s for dinner?
We’re heading out to a pub with our friend, nothing too fancy but they’re great so we always look forward to seeing them 😊
Hope you have a great night!
That sounds good, enjoy yourselves!
Riding trains around after 12 on NYE sounds like a wild time!
I’m going into the city for dinner with family, hopefully be home before 9, and in bed by 1030!
It does tend to be a wild time, I don’t really know why I like it
I don’t really want to be anywhere near the city tonight if I can avoid it, not even pre fireworks. I won’t have much choice after 1 when southern cross and then loop close though
Pizza party on our terrace
🍕🎉
I will spend it with the Minipeelers watching TV. A few years ago ABC had a ripper show on with the early fireworks for the kids, a special kids concert and show that was genuinely entertaining for all of us. Must’ve been around 2016-2018? They haven’t done it since they same way. We will watch whatever Nye show is served up and pass judgement. My kids are already nostalgic for the past lol.
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PSA. As a responsible adult I thought I should share a couple of safety guidelines for tonight. Wait I just have to tell the kids next door to fuck off with the ball before I knife it. Brb. Ok let’s go. I’ll make this quick.
Drink responsibly. Have food in your guts BEFORE you start drinking. Look after your friends. Drugs are bad. Unless it’s valium. A small dose can take the edge off and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy like cotton wool. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t get into a car if the driver has been drinking. Don’t wear heals and drink. Always always practice safe sex always. If you’re gonna burn shit, don’t do it near a fence. If you’re gonna let off fireworks, don’t do it near a fence. If your neighbours complain about the noise you are legally allowed to dong them with your shovel. Allegedly. Put your firearms away. Don’t empty your piss cup near other party goers. Don’t start a biff because someone looked at your boyfriend/girlfriend.
I think that’s all. Stay safe party animals and have fun!
Instructions unclear, had sex with neighbour near the fence after consuming Valium and booze. Someone also looked at my shovel so I threw fireworks and a piss cup at them before driving off in their car. Forgot to eat, though.
At least you didn’t have sex with a firework
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You’re gonna regret that firework in the morning!
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If I shat glitter the next day then I’d rethink my life choices!
Edible glitter is a thing. I’m not quite sure why.
No more parties for you!
New guideline proposal: If celebrating with a BBQ, do not pour petrol on it.
Awww meanie kill joy.
How about play the Vuvuzela with your butt then add chilli sauce?
That sounds both uncomfortable and far too likely to end in a visit to the emergency room explaining how you just happened to be playing the vevuzela with your butt when you “slipped” on the chilli sauce. So I advise giving it a miss tonight when the emergency room will be extremely overrun. Perhaps give it a go on a nice quiet Wednesday night when the Emergency Room staff will appreciate the chance for a good laugh?
That is a good one!
And please do all your partying in hi vis for extra safety.
Drink plenty of water and eat extra snacks friends.
If you’re at a party and there’s a dog, pat the dog and send us a picture. It’s the safe thing to do.
Instructions unclear. Patted dog in hi vis, sending picture
Safety dog
I LOVE HIM!!!
Perfect execution of instructions, well done.
Stay safe little buddy!
Flares are fun. Flares are dangerous.
Instructions unclear, no alcohol not even vinegar, constantly over eat, drug free not even panadol and hay fever pill, not talking to ANY strangers not even shop staff, sex free not even masturbating, no fire no heat no cooking, piss only in cups and empty them onto all non-party goers, start biffs because no one looks at me
now what
Get some therapy?
instructions unclear, physiotherapist told me to stretch more
I don’t know how to make it any more clearer unless I draw some pictures for you.
a textless illustrated guide like IKEA’s
Exactly.
Exactly what are you stretching and what will go there?
My hands, so that some day I might play a 10th on the piano.
Ooh I’m going to start the new year off with a 100 day streak on Duolingo. Longest I’ve ever managed to keep it by about 4 times
What language are you learning?
Español
excelente
Si, muy bueno
Yes very good?
Si
Might be time for a new cubby house.
New Year new digs.
My ex neighbour’s cat (aka sox) would absolutely demolish cardboard homes in the same way. Do you also get a vicious by satisfied shaking of the head after a particularly chunky piece has been liberated?
Melbcat loves cardboard. She doesn’t scratch whole boxes but seems to be more of a horizontal scratcher - if a flat section is left on the ground for her she’ll scratch it up to shreds and then start pulling bits off with her teeth.
Yep! And both cats get in on the action so the confetti pile is substantial.
It’s so cute watching them do that 😸 Could thank the cats for breaking down the cardboard for faster composting.
