You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha Doin' - 2019
It's incredible how many people aren't aware of the problems plastic strews cause. I ordered a 7 up in a bar while we were away and I was horrified when it arrived with a plastic straw. I wanted to bring it back to the bar and but pete didn't want me to "make a scene"! As if!!! heheheMy worst experience with plastic recently was when I brought a pair of trousers to the dry cleaner for alteration. It is not a place I go to so I was horrorified to see that they still return items with a prastic cover over them. I told the person at the desk that I wasn't going to get the work done if I had to accept the plasic bag. She said that they are actively looking for alternatives but she would put a note on mine that I didn't want a plastic cover. When I went to collect it, guess what was over it.? *sigh*
I keep reusable bags in my car now so I can skip the plastic bags. I also have tanner bags for produce, but they aren't ideal because they can't scan the barcodes through them so some of the employees get frustrated that they have to open the bag to scan the item then close it again. Most of them don't mind too much though and a couple even told me they appreciate me not using the plastic.One of the restaurants I frequent started to use biodegradable straws that seem just like the plastic ones. I can't really tell any difference. They used to ask if you wanted a straw or not in order to reduce their plastic waste. I always said no, but one day my drink just showed up with a straw in it. The server must have noticed the surprise on my face because they told me that they had switched.
Margo wrote: "It's incredible how many people aren't aware of the problems plastic strews cause. I ordered a 7 up in a bar while we were away and I was horrified when it arrived with a plastic straw. I wanted to bring it back to the bar and but pete didn't want me to "make a scene"! As if!!! hehehe"I hate when they just put the straw in and don't give you an option. Once it's there it's trash whether you use it or not.
So frustrating about the plastic cover too. I get that they want to protect the clothes to keep them clean, but you should be allowed to get it not covered. Our dry cleaner still does that too.
Sorry for dropping that and running last night. I know the UK was looking into our refugee policies a few years ago, so I really hope they haven't taken us as an example. I think the EU would keep them in check at the moment, but of course who knows what may happen next. Peggy, I didn't take it as you saying we don't care. It's just so horrifying, I wanted to assure you that some of us do and think it's a national embarrassment. The problem is the new Opposition Leader and his Home Affairs shadow minister (who deals with immigration), have said they support offshore detention. The only party who actively opposes it are the Greens, who are only about 10% of the vote.
No more press raids today, although the AFP have said they aren't ruling out prosecuting Australian journalists for publishing certain stories. It's a wait and see situation. However, we have all noted that the numerous leaks that we know have come from the Government, including ones referred to the AFP for investigation as actually illegal, have not been raided or investigated. Coinkydink?
I love storms, although I do get a shock when woken up by thunder overhead. Our roof is metal, but they put an insulation blanket under the metal now, so its the same volume as our old tile roof. Our share house when I moved in with Lexx had an extension that had an un-insulated metal roof, and you couldn't talk to each other in the same room when the storms came through. We all would have to move into the study or kitchen to talk from the lounge or the dining room.
I've just been having conversations this week about reducing plastics in things like bin bags. We have a compost, chickens, curbside recycle (hard plastics, tins, glass, cardboard and paper), and take all our clean soft plastics (so not meat wrappers but everything else) to the supermarkets to recycle. Single use, free, plastic shopping bags are banned (you can buy them for 15-20c if you need at the shops, or stronger reusable ones for $1). But we still have a kitchen bin of waste between the two of us per week. I've been trying to cut down on bin bags but I really don't like the idea of things sitting in the bin (or the curb bin) stewing in no bags. It's a hard one.
We went to a restaurant tonight for my brother's birthday. His 4 year old son was so excited he got a cup of juice with his dinner (juice is a treat!). I was excited he got a paper straw with his juice, which I remarked on and Josh exclaimed "I can chew it!!!" and promptly nommed on the straw. Another benefit to reducing plastics, extra fibre for 4 year olds /facepalm.
I have a cold. 🤒 Feeling a bit better today but I was feeling really rough at the beginning of the week . You're not supposed to get colds in the summer!
Sarah wrote: "I have a cold. 🤒 Feeling a bit better today but I was feeling really rough at the beginning of the week . You're not supposed to get colds in the summer!"Feel better soon, Sarah! There seems to be a lot of it going around at the moment. Obviously this is a year where summer colds decided to join the party.
Rusalka wrote: "We went to a restaurant tonight for my brother's birthday. His 4 year old son was so excited he got a cup of juice with his dinner (juice is a treat!). I was excited he got a paper straw with his juice, which I remarked on and Josh exclaimed "I can chew it!!!" and promptly nommed on the straw. Another benefit to reducing plastics, extra fibre for 4 year olds /facepalm."I love this story. lol
Rusalka wrote: "Relevant to our eventful week of politics here in Aus, in the UK, and in the European Union, I thought you may all enjoy this.In Australianisms, to refer to someone as a Galah is that you're an i..."
I am catching up to the 189 unread comments in this thread today. Sob - I will miss FictFact too. Happy 25th - Margo! Ata boy - Travis!
RE the galah link - Rusalka. Thank you! There is always one of "them" in the crowd, right? That was so cute. Did you see his buddy, look over at him while he was upside down and shake his head?
My sister's hip surgery went well, but her recovery not so well. She is walking with her walker and going up and down one or two steps, but she had a lot of nerve pain and numbness that is still taking longer to resolve. I stayed an extra week with her to help manage things that will make it easier for her to take care of herself. Grocery shopping, buying extra grabbers (used to pick up things from the floor as she cannot bend over and do it yet). Her closest neighbor is 1 mile down the road, but she has lots of friends who will come if she calls. I am only 5 hours away, by car. I definitely found out that care giving is not my forte. Sick kids are one thing, but staying with cranky and hurting family members is way up there on my list of "not fun things to do" now.
On the other hand, Tim, my parrot, is happy to be back home in his big cage. My front yard is a foot high in weeds and overgrown grass, but I got to see the last of the white iris blooms when I came home last Sunday.
It's too bad that your sister was having some complications with her surgery, Cherie. My hat is off to you. I am not a good caregiver at all. That gene went to my mom and sister.
Sorry to hear your sister's recovery has not been straight forward, Cherie.
Well done Cherie for giving your sister support through her surgery, I am another one who is not a natural caregiver - I thank the gods I didn't go into nursing I would have been horrible!
Cherie, sorry to hear about your sister's slow recovery. I hope she gets better soon. It is not easy taking care of people who is in pain, worried and with limited freedom. :(
I hope your sisters feels better soon Cherie. It's wonderful that you went to care for her.
Glad you were able to spend some time with your sister, Cherie. You may not feel like you were a born carer but no doubt you were appreciated! Hope the complications start clearing up for her soon.
I'm sure your sister appreciated it very much. My aunt has had both of her hips done in the last 18 months and on both occasions my mum as gone to stay with her to help her out. My aunt really grateful of the assistance.
Thank you all for your kind comments. Aside from the caregiving stuff, I did have a good time with my sister. We can always find something to laugh about. The first three meals I cooked, I burned something, trying to learn her stove. She thought it was pretty funny. We ate pulled pork for a whole week because she had bought a huge boneless pork loin and insisted I cook it. We had meatloaf three times to finish it up, and neither of us liked it. I cleaned out her pantry because everything fell down onto me when I tried to look for something. Before her surgery, she had been tossing things up into the top shelves because she could not get up on her three-step ladder. Every time I opened the door, I had to duck. I talked to her last night. She said the burning pain is not as bad, just an ache now. She still is only sleeping 2 1/2 to 3 hours at a time during the night. Then, she has to get up and move around. She started a new puzzle.
Glad you were still able to have a good time with your sister, Cherie. As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.
I need some therapy, sorry all. I think I mentioned I was acting in a new role at work. It's a level up from my normal one, and it's a good opportunity. But it's not what I like doing. Parts of it are, student related things, but the head of that area is very risk adverse and doesn't like ideas or questions about "how things are done". The other part of the job is very legal and contract based (not my strong point), and an Executive Assistant, which I quit doing 11 years ago as I knew I wasn't good at it.
So my boss I'm EAing for went to Canada on the weekend. And sent an email at the airport to the travel agent saying "You didn't tell me I needed a visa, and I luckily could buy one in the line into the airport, but that was very stressful and unprofessional!". And I was like "Yeah! But shit, I should have checked that."
(see where this is going...)
At 3pm today, the travel agent sends an email apologising and said "Sorry, I should have told you, of course. I did tell Rusalka though, and here is the entire email thread below."
My world stopped moving and my stomach dropped through the floor. I think this is the worst cock up of my entire working life. I sent an email to my boss matter of factly apologising, it is obviously entirely my fault, and it will never happen again, hope your conference is okay (it was night time in Canada). Sent an email to the travel agent apologising for her getting yelled at, as obviously entirely my fault (she was all good and thanked me for apologising). Spent the last hours of work managing not to burst into tears or throwing up.
I know exactly what happened, but whatever. I know no one died, or I didn't cause the major data breach that went to the media last week with 19 years of student and HR data (including bank accounts) being hacked by the Chinese. But I hate being bad at my job, and particularly with something that needs such care like immigration at the moment. Particularly as I got told was like 5% of the workload, which was untrue, and that was the only reason I took the role because it was "so little of that". Feeling a little like a puppy with her tail between her legs at the moment.
Hugs for Rus!I know exactly how you must feel and of course it sucks that this happened and that you could/should have known about it. Like you say though, nothing major happened, your boss was still able to go to Canada. You can't do anything more than apologise, anyone can make a mistake and there were no serious consequences in this case. You can probably laugh about it when he gets back :)
Oh, and if this is the worst cock-up of your entire working life, you've been doing an incredible job!
Peggy wrote: "Oh, and if this is the worst cock-up of your entire working life, you've been doing an incredible job! "Lol thanks Peggy. I just sit here and think, she was on a plane for 20 hours, could have been locked up in immigration detention for a few hours to a day, and then sent home on a plane for another 20 hours with a mark on her passport never allowed into Canada again. Which *didn't* happen very luckily, but was the next most likely scenario in my head.
Just fricking lucky it was Canada...
Ah yes, that would have been bad! Your boss was probably also mad because she felt kind of stupid for arriving in Canada without a visa. Or because she had a scare. I know I would feel that way! To be honest though, she could have checked (or known) this herself too.
So sorry, Rus! That is just the worst feeling. Fortunately, nothing too terrible happened as you said. She was upset, but it'll pass. And I completely agree with Peggy - if this is the worst cock-up of your entire working life, you've been doing an incredible job!
Hi Rusalka - hope you wound down your day with a nice glass of wine. We all make mistakes and you handled the situation great - you apologized, accepted responsibility and as you said, no one died, no data breach, etc. The fact you're upset about it tells us you take great pride in your work - hopefully tomorrow you'll feel a whole lot better and your boss sends you an email - saying, hey it's all good, she's having a great time at the conference - and guess what, she ran into someone named Janice!!! Have another glass of wine...🍷:-)
Lol good point Lilisa! But she is in Montreal, so probably more in Esther's domain.Thanks guys. It's appreciated. I love the fact you are all like, "If that's the worst you've done....!"
Sounds like there are some brilliant "Worst thing I did at work" stories lurking.
Before this, the uni changed some legal paperwork without me realising, and I cost our area $7000 from not reading (5 years ago, while unfortunately working for the same person I just sent to Canada with no visa...)
Read. All. The. Clauses.
Oh Rusalka, huge hugs!!!I can't really say anything more to convince you that we all make mistakes. You did the right thing by apologising straight away and it was an extra good move to say sorry to the travel agent too, especially if this person you have much dealings with (that sounded right in my head but looks very cynical in print!).
If we are honest we have made much worse cockups and hopefully your boss is a big enough person to realise that when she calms down.
The other thing that I pick up (yeah, just call me freakin' Sherlock) is that you're not enjoying your new job as much as you hoped. Are there any positives for you so far?
I know you are feeling like s*** right now but once you get home and unload with Lexx I hope you will feel better. Kick of the shoes, change out of the work clothes, have a big glass of wine and relax <3
Rusalka wrote: "Lol good point Lilisa! But she is in Montreal, so probably more in Esther's domain.Thanks guys. It's appreciated. I love the fact you are all like, "If that's the worst you've done....!"
Sounds ..."
Glad you cracked a grin :-)
Lilisa wrote: "Glad you cracked a grin :-) "Mission accomplished ;)
Margo wrote: "Oh Rusalka, huge hugs!!!I can't really say anything more to convince you that we all make mistakes. You did the right thing by apologising straight away and it was an extra good move to say sorr..."
It's the travel agent we have to deal with for any major trip in our Faculty, so it sounds cynical in writing, but yes, that was major relationship repair mode!
And there has honestly been a few glasses of wine tonight. I nearly stumbled through the door to the tequila, but a chat with Lexx (and two sleepy chickens trilling happily on the floor blocking the tequila) negated that.
I probably enjoy about 20-30% of the job. I love dealing with students and solving their issues. I am really good at that kind of detail, following rabbit trails through multiple systems and policies, solving their issues or in this case, getting them into a course or a particular internship.
I got told the legal part of the job was about 20% and the EA part was negligible (so it would be a 20-80 split with the fun part of the job). They honestly equal about 60% of the job. And then there is the butting heads with the academic in charge of the internships program, which is another 10%. I got taken to coffee the other day to get told I am managing my staff really badly as I am not at work at 9am (I usually get in between 9.30-10, and work through lunch and sometimes until 5.30-6) as they need me there exactly at 9am to tell them what they do.
Now... negating the fact that we are a bit of a flexible workplace. Say like the guy telling me this usually going home at 11am-12pm to work from home. Or the people in my team working 4 days a week or from 8.30am-4.30pm. Apparently, 9am is magic, like dawn or dusk for fairies...
The thing that particularly bowled me over with that conversation, which means I didn't mention the above was:
"Umm... Sorry? ... What staff?"
"All the people in our team, you manage them."
"Since when?"
"Since always."
"Right. So when was anyone going to tell me that?"
I've been there 3 fricking months.
Please note, they aren't my staff, I don't approve leave and the like. Apparently I am supposed to be omniscient and know I am "managing" them, with no benefit to me, and no authority.
SO a bit of a CF all up to answer your question, Margo. And I don't know if I will go for it when it's advertised for all of the above. Yet, it's one of 10 jobs at that level in the College (Faculty) and it's the bottleneck level, so I am not sure if you just do it and move on after a year. But I am beyond giving any shits, besides sending people to the other side of the world with no visas. Coz that is pretty terrible.
... sorry. Apparently I needed that.
How stressful, Rusalka. I think you handled the fallout very well. You took responsibility, apologized, and mended fences with the travel agent. I know people who never take responsibility for their errors, and it's not good.I'd be a bit choked about discovering that I have a staff. Something like that can't be snuck into your job description.
Love that the chickens barred the way to the tequila. :)
Janice wrote: "How stressful, Rusalka. I think you handled the fallout very well. You took responsibility, apologized, and mended fences with the travel agent. I know people who never take responsibility for thei..."Oh that's the worst, I can't stand people like that. I mean, I hate stuffing up, but you own what you stuff up. Even if it's not all your fault, you own your part of the mistake.
Thank you all. That was very cathartic and helpful pulling my perspective back into reality. I'm going to crash now, and thanks to you all, hopefully sleep (even with no tequila). I was still tying myself in knots before, and needed some objective opinions/insights. Very much appreciated :D
Sleep well, Rusalka. We'll take care of your boss here in Canada. :)
So frustrating, Rus! Yes, having a staff is clearly something they should have told you beforehand. *shakes head and rolls eyes at lack of communication* Have a good night's sleep and hopefully you'll feel better in the morning.
I feel for you Rusalka. I echoe everyones thoughts. Mistakes happen. Nobody died. You acceped responsibility and apologised. Job done. Sounds like they have piled a lot of stuff on you that you didn't sign up for! Hope you feel better in the morning !
Is there no one you can talk to about the job Rus? Sounds like you're not enjoying much of it, and need to do many things that weren't even part of the job in the first place..
All good, Rusalka. **** happens, and it never makes you happy that it happened to you, but like everyone else said "no one died", no security was breached and your boss should have known she needed the Visa too. Anyone who travels needs to know the rules and requirements. As for your managing a staff, shouldn't your boss have told you, if it were true? It always dumbfounds me when people need to be told what to do. They have a job - they should know how to do it, right?I typically work from 9:30 or 10am to 7pm and I have had people who panic if they look for me at 8:00am and can't find me. I just keep telling them my hours. I have to have three other people cover for me when I am gone, but I do not manage anyone but myself, thank goodness. Hugs to you and the chooks! You can hug Lexx. :o)
Thanks everyone. Really appreciated the solidarity. I got an email from her today saying "Thanks." And then telling me that due to the winter fog that is daily here in Canberra, she was delayed taking off, and missed the connection to Canada. Which meant she was supposed to arrive Sunday night in Canada, but arrived Monday night (which meant she was travelling for about 36 hours). And I can't help the fog. Re: the job, I should talk to my normal boss about it. And what my options are, as my normal office I think is about to have a huge overhaul. But I am avoiding him, as my performance review for my normal job was supposed to go to him before I left for this one, and that was in Feb. I did do it, but the HR system ate it, and I can't remember what I wrote...
I am late to the party. :(Rusalka, I agree with all that was said. Mistakes happen and you did your best, specially considering the stress you are working under. I can completely understand how upsetting it is for you, though. The last year I worked as a nurse in Uruguay before moving to de US I went to something of the kind. Nobody got hurt, nothing bad happened, nobody's life was affected by it, but I spend 3 days crying for hours thinking in all the "what-ifs" that came to my mind. Some of them very ridiculous, tbh.
I'm late to the party too, but sorry you had to deal with that, Rusalka. How stressful! I agree with all the previously comments, you did your best and mistakes happen from time to time. Name one person who hasn't made a mistake at work. I know I have. Hugs to you.
I am totally miserable. I thought my psoriasis was cleared up so my last steroid cream went on 2 weeks ago. Today my foot hurt and when I looked my sole was covered in the pin prick rash and skin was split in big X. Back to square one :(
Margo wrote: "I am totally miserable. I thought my psoriasis was cleared up so my last steroid cream went on 2 weeks ago. Today my foot hurt and when I looked my sole was covered in the pin prick rash and skin w..."Oh no! Sorry to hear it is back again, Margo. Have you ever tried putting pure aloe vera gel on it? I have recently been getting patches of dry, cracked skin on my hands and have been using aloe vera gel on it and it seems to be helping. I know it's not the same thing as psoriasis but it might offer you a bit of relief all the same.
Rusalka. Everyone makes mistakes. In my book, it is how you deal with them that matters. So a gold star to you.Just catching up with this thread.
My life has been a bit of a mess lately. Late April, my basement got flooded (sewer backup). Well, not only mine. 30 houses. Big chaotic mess.
So half my basement's floors were on a plywood. Let's just say that the term floating floor was very adequate. So long story short. These floors are back to concrete and the bottom part of all my walls are open (the cats love it). And I lost a lot of furniture. Chaos
I work form home and my office was in my basement. My temporary office is on my dinner table. Did I mention chaos?
Last weekend, I closed and plastered my office walls. Nights this week, I am painting the walls. Hopefully I will have someone that knows how to put tiles this weekend and I will have a floor.
Once I get my office back I will relax. The rest can wait. There is no way I am going to spend the little summer time we have here in my basement.
I am really blessed that I have wonderful friends and colleagues that showed up to help. (even if one of them walled in my wine
stash with piles of books. ;) )
That sounds horrifying, Esther! I hope you get everything to rights soon.
Esther, what a nightmare! I hope you can get your office back soon.
Oh, Esther! I hope you get to rest and have some fun away from your chaos soon!
Sounds awful Esther. And you're right - chaotic. At least you'll have a nice new office to enjoy (once the Summer is through).
Lisa wrote: "Margo wrote: "I am totally miserable. I thought my psoriasis was cleared up so my last steroid cream went on 2 weeks ago. Today my foot hurt and when I looked my sole was covered in the pin prick r..."I will try that Lisa, thanks. I have a specialist appointment late august and am pretty desperate for something to hold me over til then.
Esther wrote: "Rusalka. Everyone makes mistakes. In my book, it is how you deal with them that matters. So a gold star to you.Just catching up with this thread.
My life has been a bit of a mess lately. Late A..."
Oh Esther, what a mess! Hopebyou get back to normal soon.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Rithmatist (other topics)The Starless Sea (other topics)
The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire (other topics)
The Doll Factory (other topics)
The Binding (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jamie Ford (other topics)Madeline Miller (other topics)
Jamie Ford (other topics)
Madeline Miller (other topics)
Ruta Sepetys (other topics)
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I recently read about plastic with fruit and veg that actually using plastic (which is done to keep the veggies in better quality) has less impact on the environment than using no plastic but having to waste more food. I agree though that there could be more environmentally better alternatives. One thing a supermarket here is trying out is dry misting, so a very thin spray of mist over all veg and fruit instead of plastic, which also has a huge impact on how long it stays fresh.
One thing supermarkets here have done, or at least mine, is to replace the plastic 'lid' on for example a box of mushrooms or strawberries with just some plastic film. Not sure if I'm explaining this well. It seems only a minor change, but I think with the quantities of food supermarkets sell, it actually makes quite a difference in the amount of plastic waste.