I have had the flu for the past week. My ribs/diaphragm/chest is very sore from all the explosive coughing. So what curve ball does the universe serve up?
Blossoming and blooming plants and trees, and I just love pollen *achoo*. Allergies while recovering from the flu, so much (not) fun.
According to the email, CDs and DVDs " are not a quarantine concern", so they gave me a list of questions. But I don't think they are going to like the answers:
a) The stamp number on the back of the yellow pamphlet,
There isn't one. It was just folded in half and stuffed into the bubble wrap envelope that the DVD was mailed in. I have it here and could scan or photograph it for you.
b) The 3 letter code that is on the yellow tape on the exterior
of your parcel,
Again, there isn't one.
c) If there was any other markings on the parcel other than
Postal information,
No, the only thing on the parcel was a shipping label with contents
listed as DVD.
d) Was your parcel appropriately sealed on delivery,
The bubblewrap envelope was taped shut, yes, but the dvd was not properly inserted in the DVD case.
e) what else was in the parcel with the dvd product?
Just the dvd and sales receipt.
Seeing as there is no Stamp on the pamphlet or number on the tape, it seems to me that someone wasn't doing their job correctly, and without those bits of information, there's no way of knowing who mishandled the DVD.
Weak as a kitten, entire rib cage is sore from coughing, thrashed around in the bed with the most crazy fever dreams, but woke up with fever gone.
Loki must have known before I took temperature that my fever was gone, because of him just laying down quietly beside me, he was bouncy, pouncy MEOW MEOW MEOW.
Feels as though you could knock me over with a feather, but head is clear. I don't think it was a cold, I think it was a flu.
Fever spiked in that way that no matter how many blankets on the bed, or how thick jammies and sock are, it feels cold. Woke up in desperate need of a shower. :p Felt better afterward.
Fixed a tisane of Turkish apple.
Aikidomayland is feeling much better, and I am using him to gauge my recovery. He is at this moment making a medicinal Asian chicken soup. I will be sipping the broth, and let me tell you it smells wonderful.
Still have fever, and headache from coughing. Ribs are starting to complain too. *sigh*
Again, at least it's before WorldCon.
Pardon me, but I think I am going to take some more cold/flu meds and go back to bed now.
Kinda feverish, headache from the coughing. Yes, been keeping hydrated.
Fever dreams last night, so much stranger than the regular variety of fantastical dreams. Sensory/tactile distortion, too. Touch typing feel as if I am sledgehammering the keys. Swear I could feel the woven threads in the pillow case. Got up because of that.
I think Loki knows his human isn't well. He' sticking close by me, but not making his usual demands of Feed Me, or Let Me Out/Let Me In.
Aikidomayland forgot that I told him the only thing I wanted returned from Africa trips is himself, and maybe chocolate.
Respiratory infection combined with asthma is not fun.
Of course, unlike him staying in bed the past few days, it's business as usual for me (ie cooking, cleaning, taking care of the animules)
I guess my 'silver lining' is I caught it well before WorldCon. Small comfort right now.
Aikidomayland had a bit of a cough last night. We call it 'kennel cough', and he gets it whenever he travels long flights. It's from the recycled air, and the overdoses of cologne/aftershave etc people wear on the flights.
This morning he woke with a fever. He made appointment to see a 'travel doctor', to get some blood tests to make sure he didn't bring some grunge back with him, other than some dirty laundry. *sigh*
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Getting small things done. I have a gear bag for my 550d, but the shoulder strap is too short. I pretty much have to have my arms bent to the point my elbows are level with my ears to get into it. So I cannibalized the strap on my Targus notebook bag as it's about 10 inches longer. Makes it much easier to get in and out of it.
Aikidomayland is back home from Zambia, and he is fighting to stay awake. I told him he had to make to 7:30 and then he can crash out until tomorrow.
Ziggy is bouncy with happiness that he is back home. She has been meowing, yowling and running around crazy in very successful attempts of getting Aikidomayland to come play with her. She has him so pussycat whipped. :D
This article really annoys me. They take a common diet trick and spin it into junk science. Not only that, they advocate dangerous actions.
My comment:
If I drank as many glasses of water a day as recommended, I would never leave the bathroom! I always drink water, or no cal lemonade with my lunch and dinner. Have done so for years. Drinking that 9 to 13 glasses a day could seriously disrupt normal body chemistry causing Hyponatremia, or water intoxication. You really need to have someone fact check your articles before publishing them.
and I don't personally know you, chances are I will wait at least a few months before accepting an 'add'. It's nothing personal, but I am just tired of spammers. If I see your blog is nothing more than adverts or spam content, I won't add you. If I see your blog is an actually blog, I will.
I spent a goodly part of the day pulling weeds from the front yard. Luckily a lot of it was growing on top of the mulch, so it came up easily. But still, after a few hours, my hands are feeling a bit stiff and sore. Can't put the the pulled out greenery in the compost bin because there are some seed heads and the last thing I need in the bin is sprouting weeds.
Two more days, and Aikidomayland is back from Zambia. I have been Ziggy's substitute human while he was away, but I am sure I will go back to the great ignored masses once he is back. *chuckle*
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I am heartily getting tired of blocking "24 yr old Females from Russia" . Oh look, another one. (clicks on block).
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Took down the pool (finally) and got it and the cover partially cleaned. Have to turn it over and hose out the inside of it now. Today has been the only day both of us have been home and have had a clear/no rain day at the same time. I have told Aikidomayland that if we can't patch the itty bitty leak in it with the vinyl patch kit, I will be getting a new one before summer sets it, but maybe a slightly smaller one this time.
Alan knows I over did it today. The lower ribs on my back are really getting pulled down to the hip, and my back is spasming. I have had two small glasses of Semillion Chardonnay and the ribs are loosening a bit. Still difficult to draw a deep breath, as the ribs are locked.
As for getting the rest of the back yard cleared out, I am going to hire a handyman. I can't keep up with it, and Aikidomayland is no help, not really. He means well, but he is so citified he cringes at the thought of dirt. *sigh*
I have been upsetting Keito, Loki and Ziggy by changing their environment; cleaning. And a lot of what I have to do is with the vacuum cleaner, shifting furniture, and they all hate it.
Already tossed out a lot of old magazines, shredded paid old bills and other documents with private information, and just general clutter.
Broke down and scrubbed out the bird cages, with Alan's help. Mopped the entire area.
I just hate that I can only work about 15 to 20 min at a time, and then my back starts spasming. *sigh*
Will have to get Alan's help to do some clean up in the back yard.
They are ok and well looked after.
Turns out that C walked out on J. She blind sided him with it, no warning. Because of this Lucy has had a bit of a set back, has become reclusive. She refuses to leave one small room, and hisses at J. Simba also 'toileted' outside the box when C left, and again when she came back for the last of her belongings.
J realises that with his work and University schedules, he can't give them what they need, and even though Simba has settled in, Lucy needs more. As fortune has it, we have another home, a more mature home, for them. It's just a matter of arranging the time. The woman is from the country, so isn't fussed in the slightest with Simba behavior of poo'ing on a floor when he is scared of stressed. She said "You just clean it up."
J is heartsick,as he really cares for Lucy and Simba, but knows he just can't devote the time needed. Especially since Lucy bonded to C, and the she just left. I actually give kudos to him to for wanting the best for them.
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Now, I understand the need for Quarantine, but I can't understand why a sealed DVD's store seal was slit, and it was opened and inspected. The DVD and its case obviously passed quarantine inspection. Don't know what flagged a DVD for AQIS inspection, but that isn't my complaint. Whoever opened it, and 'inspected' it for for whatever reason didn't put the DVD back on the 'spindle', left it loose in the case.
It arrived to my house in that state. I have spotted some dings and small scratches on it. This was a rare DVD that I had been looking for for about 7 years. I'm not happy with the condition your AQIS inspector left it.
I have put a blank DVD in the case, put it back in the shipping envelope, shook it, dropped it, and threw it. The DVD didn't come loose. SO, whoever opened and 'inspected' it did NOT properly repack it..
I don't think anything will come of it, but that's not the point. They really need to be a bit more careful.
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I went to get the mail. I spotted bright yellow and black tape on a slim parcel that contained a DVD. "Opened by Australia Post for inspection by Quarantine". Huh? What the hell did they expect to find in it? A dvd made of dirt?
The dvd case was opened, (store seal has been cut) and whoever inspected it didn't seat the disc back in the case. I spotted a few dings, and if the dvd doesn't play, I am going to contact them for the damage.
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I finally got a pedestal filing cabinet, with two drawers above it that I can use as a night stand. I have learned that wearing my contacts while clearing off and shifting the table I was using for a night stand isn't a great idea. The accumulated dust under and behind it.. yikes. It's all vacuumed out and ready for new furniture, but my eyes felt like sand paper afterward. Luckily I have some eyedrops to keep them flushed.
I have opened the flat pack box, with the 'some assembly required' cabinet/nightstand. I have asked Alan for an assist, as Ziggy is having way too much fun in the foam packing material, and the plastic bags the hardware came in.
I just have to be patient and wait for him, instead of me just hoping to it and doing it myself.
But I will do as a substitute human when he isn't currently in the house. Right now, she is sleeping on one of my feet after a long session playing her favorite new game.
"Let's play 'Battery in the sneaker'!"
She knows it's in there!
And she never gets bored with it, either. But she does get all tuckered out.
Ziggy all tuckered out after playing
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I thought I would try to sidestep some of the manual (because I couldn't find the damned thing, as I had put it 'somewhere safe) by typing questions into Google and see what would get kicked out.
Beyond annoying to find the question has been asked, click on the link, only to have some smarmy person say "Well, if you look on page XXX of the manual, you will find all the instructions on how to do it."
Grrrrrr
Tore part of the lounge apart looking for the manual, and did manage to find it. But seriously, how hard would it have been to type out "It's in the CFn1 Menu." Would have been less effort, taken less time and be helluva lot less pedantic!
On the good part, I did manage to find out how to set my Canon to ISO 12800. Look out 'Nocturnal House', here I come! (again)
We were almost late, because Keito decided to play hide and seek.
Keito, Ziggy and Loki in their carriers, awaiting their 'doom'
Keito was so mellow. He's in perfect health, but needs dental cleaning and we had two small bits of matted fur shaved off.
Ziggy didn't want to come out, but when she spotted Keito on the exam table, she went over to him, sniffed then licked his face. She was squirmy as usual. Vet was very pleased with her corneal graft healing. Ziggy could also used a dental cleaning.
Loki.. my big teddy bear of a cat. He was hissing, growling and snarling through it all. He didn't bite, just made all the "BACK OFF" noises. He is in perfect health, and since he is younger than Keito and Ziggy, he doesn't need the dental cleaning.
All three were vaccinated, given clean bills of health, and sent home. All done for another year.
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I find it amazing that people are forgetting that the right to worship is a LEGAL right. I have read comments on other sites where idiots are saying they will mix bacon grease with the mortar and tell the owners after the building is completed, or urinate on the building every chance he gets should it be built. If these statements were directed at a Catholic, Baptist, or otherwise "Christian" church, there would be such an uproar of indignation.
The Mosque is not being built on 'Ground Zero'. It's going to be built on privately owned property on Manhattan.
And consider this, all those who are screaming incoherencies: One religious group forces another religious group into bending to their will. What will make that bullying group any different than the religious fundamentalists in Middle Eastern countries?
No, I'm not Muslim. I am an American who knows that religious freedom means religious freedom for all. There is nothing illegal about being Muslim. (saying this because you just know there will be some troll who will say "Well, what about Satanists sacrificing humans? What about their religious freedom?" totally forgetting that murder is illegal.)
Again, religious freedom must apply to all, or it's worthless.
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Went to the Perth Zoo with Bunny M . Took many photographs, and brought Lumix FS42 to see how it would fare in very low lighting aka "The Nocturnal House". It has done pretty well. However, it would be better if I had used a tripod or the monopod.
Two Ghost Bats enjoying the warmth from a lamp.
Tomorrow, the cats go to the vet for their yearly check up, so prepping the carriers tonight. Will make for easier "Operation: feline insertion". I am quite sure the vet will be very pleased with the work Dr Sherry did on Ziggy's corneal graft. Then after we bring their angry selves back home, we will set off to PILLAGE!
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I was opening email program to answer someone, and the power flickered just enough to power down the computer.
Everything booted up ok, so I went back to what I had originally started to do, only to find that it wouldn't get past the email programs splash screen. (insert stream of mild bad words here)
But I figured, I would just reinstall the program over itself. Problem persisted. (a few more mild bad words)
Removed all but the Data and Back up folders, and reinstalled... Problem persisted. (insert slightly stronger bad words here).
Deleted the Data folder and voila! Program started, but all my settings were gone. (insert a streak of profanity that would have made a Marines ears burn)
Luckily for me, I had an older back up of the entire program's data files. Only problem is, I have lost some addresses, and some rather important emails. Hence the streak of naughty words.
She came by again yesterday. Funny thing is, this time she drove part of the way up the drive way this time. And knocked on the door. I answered with "Coming!" and opened the door.
She claims she knocked on the lounge room window, leaned over the gate and said HELLO? and knocked on the front door and again loudly said HELLO.
Uhh, no. Even if I had been in the "To Whom It May Concern Room", I would have heard it. And Sir Keito the Not So Brave would have come running in to hide.
I have a feeling she got verbally reamed. Maybe that drive by card dropping will dwindle.
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I was home today. I was sitting in my lounge room which overlooks the driveway. I had the curtain pulled aside so I could see if anyone pulled up in the driveway. I even had the front door open, with the security screen door securely latched, as an obvious sign there was someone at home. Aus Post delivered an item without a hitch.
Imagine my surprise when I go to my mail box, open it up and find a "Sorry to have missed you" card in there from DHL Driver #36.
No DHL van pulled into the driveway, no one knocked on the door. Even if I wouldn't have heard it, Keito the not so Brave would have come running in here to hide, a clear sign someone had knocked on the door. And with me in the lounge room which overlooks the driveway, I know no one came up it.
This has become common place with you, DHL Driver #36, and you know something, I'm fed up with it. Yes, I called to arrange delivery for tomorrow, something I've had to do too often, and I have also filed a complaint about this. I know you're on a schedule, but my time is also valuable to me.
Maybe next time DHL Driver #36, you will stop doing a drive by card drop, and actually knock on the f**king door!
Have a nice day!
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Archery was good yesterday. I loved watching the people with their full recurve kits (sights, stabilizers etc etc) walk past the target I was shooting at, look at all the arrows in the 9 and 10 scores. Did I mention I was shooting a long bow? >:) Noticed this morning when I was brushing my teeth that my face was a bit red. Time to break out the sunscreen!
Tonight is Tai Chi. I'm going but not overly enthusiastic about it. I feel a bit off (stiffness mostly). I'll just do what I feel up to doing, and sit out the rest should I feel the need.
Ordered Boxed set of DVDs, and was not happy with its condition when it arrived. The corners of the box are split, as is the corners of the lid. To say 'shop worn' would be polite. I sent photographs to the place where I had ordered them.
We have introduced Ziggy (who is almost 6 yrs old) to a harness and leash. You should hear her complain and then watch her sulk when it's first put on.
That changes when she realises she can go outside, and not just in the pet enclosure!
Novel use of a pot of cat grass.
Guess it makes a nice soft, sun-warmed bed.
Gourmet weekend at our house this weekend. Or Gourmand.
Aikidomayland made Chili Mussels/Squid from scratch for dinner last night. It was so good (and we have left over pasta) he is going to make it again tonight
My stint in the kitchen is desert. Orange/Lemon Cheesecake. Just enough lemon to prevent it from being too sweet, as the juicy oranges are very sweet. Going to slice some along with a lemon and 'candy' them, by putting the slices in a flat glass dish, and sprinkling them with some sugar.
Oh my, that cheesecake smells wonderful!
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You plot, plan to get a certain photograph. You creep and sneak to get the right angle. You have your camera waiting because you know the opportunity will be brief.
The fortunes are with you and you get it.
Then you have some arbitrary person dismiss and diminish your works as a 'snapshot'.
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Especially when trying to get a moving subject. You figure you will get at least one usable image. But you end up with a lot of detritus and duplicates.
Been slogging through the photographs taken at the Perth Zoo, and I have been brutal with the deletions. Also, seeing the RAW results, I was considering shooting in RAW only, but not all graphics programs recognize the Canon 550D raw format yet.
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My sister would have been 52 years old today.
I still miss her, and always will.
It’s difficult to get a good photograph of Keito, as he seems to think a camera being pointed at him is a signal to come over to you. This time, though, I used a Lumix FS42 to get right up next to him.
