My ideas for the money:
More accommodation vouchers.
Extra funding to food banks or at least do free school meals.
Make methadone free. (Edit: Victoria is the only Australian state in which it isn’t.)
But they don’t want that. They want struggling people who are easy to manipulate and groups that can be demonised
Yeah, having high speed rails between hubs could help with urban sprawl and housing affordability, job deserts… (if that project actually gets delivered)
Plenty of people would want that. So many.
But it’s the ‘wholesome’ foot in the door for some very nasty stuff. “See, we’re the ones that care about your housing and your jobs! Now look at who is taking them away from you!”
And not everyone will spot that :( Particularly desperate lower income people in times of recession. Particularly if the message is delivered repetitively in simple words and ‘telling it how it is’.
I sure hope he publicly falls on his trumpet. But yeah. Nobody is immune to going down a pipeline.
“Fascism arrives as your friend. It will restore your honour, make you feel proud, protect your house, give you a job, clean up the neighbourhood”
Culture wars are already being and have been imported to Australia from America and now also the UK. All I can hope is that it doesn’t get as big here.
Ugh. As if the texts weren’t enough I got an 🍑🎺 ad that was dogwhistling against the acknowledgement of country and passive aggressively doing the ‘all lives Australians matter’ crap. And openly saying that they intend to emulate Rump.
I have an old android around here… when I find the charger I can install Revance or whatever the latest thing is and watch videos with that.
Edit: I am feeling kind of scared that people will buy it though, especially when they hammer on really salient issues like housing and cost of living and offer a scapegoat.
I can think of two things right now that money could go to that would probably have a positive impact
Do it, a warning gives you the chance to start medicating pup ahead of time (some recommend taking it a few days before a stressful event) and make sure he’s inside when the noise begins.
I’m not sure how effective it would be on a kennel without a door but you can buy stick on soundproofing foam intended for musicians. Perhaps try it inside an enclosed space like built in wardrobe or a ‘litterbox cabinet’ so there’s a quiet place to hide?
They are. They keep texting me.
They started out with reasonable pitches like fixing housing and high speed trains but now they’re also talking about double fees for international students and cutting immigration by 80%… the mask is slipping. The real agenda emerges.
Edit: Unfortunately you can’t report it as spam and Do Not Call doesn’t apply. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14654113/amp/trumpet-text-message.html
Yeah, I’d been messing with her mouth and trying to get in some little scrubs to get her used to the toothbrush… but today was the first real attempt at a clean and it was so difficult.
She tightens her lips to keep me from getting to the back teeth that need it most and they or the gums seem quite sore. I’d use bonjela but it isn’t safe for cats. I only bought brush and paste but I should have got mouth gel and swabs to apply it in the hope of getting things less inflamed and sore before going in with the brush.
Maybe I can get a chance to swing by a pet shop that has them soon.
Edit: I brushed my own teeth right after and she just sat and watched me do it with a haunted thousand yard stare
That poor woman. Unimaginable courage. I wish her peace now
Oh man. I feel so sick. Definitely ringing to sort things today.
While I wait I’m going through the document the vet sent me about dental health stuff for cats.
The teeth cleaning foods or treats contain poultry and grain which are a no go and the water additives run the risk of discouraging Melbcat from drinking (and she really needs to drink a lot).
But there is a vet approved toothpaste without sorbitol that could help and perhaps even a bit of mouth gel on a swab could work if she won’t allow physical brushing. Maybe the beef flavour would make her hate it less.
I’ve ordered the micro head cat toothbrush that’s smaller than the baby toothbrush and as an anti-theft measure am going to pick the parcel up from a local pharmacy.
I’m annoyed with myself for not getting on this sooner but got conflicting info from vets. Ages ago one vet said toothbrushing wasn’t a high priority and wasn’t likely to be tolerated - now other vets are saying it needs to be done and frequently.
I also got an inspection letter so I’ll have to sort a time for that and at least drag myself through a quick tidy and sweep of this tip. They always know when it’s a bad time don’t they?
Yeah. I’d love to see what the courts have to say about everyone’s personal photos and art or writing being scraped for profit without permission or compensation
Edit: Ps. Meta did not allow Australian users to ‘opt out’. And the companies involved have most likely almost inevitably stolen images of children.
It doesn’t really work like that. I try but it causes diarrhoea that depletes my fluids when I already struggle with dehydration and kept landing in the er for iv fluids.
I’m sorting other solutions because this one is not working
I have the fizzy tabs - they contain aspartame and are causing issues that mean I can’t manage the amount and frequency of the doses. I’m trying to get hold of my doctor - sent an email and will call today seeking the alternative
I need to take phosphate supplements due to my levels being very low post iron infusion and having now dropped further which is a risk to my heart.
But they’ve given me supplements with artificial sweeteners which I don’t tolerate. I’m seriously struggling with being able to take them.
The resulting stomach upset is wasting fluid I can’t afford to lose (dehydration) and causing extra pain but at the same time I can feel something definitely is wrong. I do need to replace the phosphates. I’m really weak, dizzy, and dropping things from my numb hands.
I’ve been searching for any alternatives and rung a support worker who is going to check out some possible options.
If I can’t take them by mouth it will have to be done via iv which means hospital. I’m hoping I’ll be able to access it through an urgent care or a privately paid service but maybe not.
Edit: Deleted health rant
It’s called triage! Do only what you can and hit the most important priorities
Aye. The medical system will let you flounder until all your conditions are exacerbated and it’s basically ruined your life.
Oh the pumpkins aren’t looking good. They had to take a back seat to my health for a while and the aphids have half killed them… The ants have spread them to the other plants nearby and the population exploded enough to kill many leaves.
I saw a ladybug on one of the less affected plants and gently transferred it to one loaded with aphids but the skiver flew off.
I needed to get back in to Melbcat (who is freshly home from the vet) so I didn’t even bother with soapy water. I just crushed the little shits to death by scrubbing with the palms of my hands then rinsed off under the garden tap and headed back inside to wash properly with soap.
Next year I’ll have to handle things differently to try and avoid this. But getting so sick that I couldn’t stay on them didn’t help.
Melbcat has had her solensia plus the vitamin b and her vaccine. I’m also going to have to brush her teeth at least every second day to slow the buildup (which probably won’t come off with brushing). There are other products I’ve been recommended to look into and I’m buying the special tiny cat toothbrush in the hope it’s easier to get in her mouth.
The sads
I’m feeling overwhelmed by life and getting emotional about things that are either a no win situation and/or probably don’t matter.
I’m just so tired man. I’ve been struggling against so much for so long with no headway and anything good I try to do seems to be for nothing (or gets punished).
At least I can get this tooth removed this week. Due to cost I’ve decided to be awake during it so wish me luck.