Daisy’s general chat – June

By Daisy
Easing back to life as we knew it.
How’s it going everyone? I suppose it varies depending on where you live, your age, your general cautiousness, work situation and people with whom you have contact.
It’s feeling so back to normal in Bunbury. Being a country town, it seems people think, “It won’t happen here”. With regional borders opened up, we are being inundated with weekend trippers, mostly from Perth.
I went to go to the Farmers’ Market yesterday and had to turn around before even driving in. The cars were backed up onto the road, waiting to get in. A lot of people from Perth know about our Farmets’s Market and call in on their way south and/oron their return. I tend to get slightly territorial and want to say Eff off, but I know that is irrational. 
I have hit the cafés again with Woolif and/or friends. I love kicking back in a comfy spot with a coffee. Some of you know my usual spot is the VAT2 but they closed over the Apocalypse, so Woolif and I would buy take-away coffee and cake at Benesse and eat it on The Bay between Mash and the bridge.


It’s a beautiful spot. During the Plague I used to take my art supplies, lay on a blanket or sit on one of the benches and stay all day drawing or hanging out with my friend, Rachel. 
Anyhow, if you ever come to Bunbury, try Benesse. It’s only a café but it has the best food and coffee in town imo.

What’s Daisy drinking? Double soy latte is my guess – Juz

Woolif has a cold right now but it might as well be the pox because I won’t let him anywhere near me. He has the personal hygiene habits of a 12-year-old boy so I have to tell him off for things like not washing his hands, putting his used spoon back in the pudding to take seconds, or zooming in for a goodnight kiss. That’s when I go nuts. He works with children whose parents send them to school sick. 
Now I am heading home to rake a few honky nuts, pick up some dog’s poo and continue knitting my jumper.
Also to practice speaking Indonesian as son 1 is now living in Bali with an Indonesian girlfriend. He video chats me at least once a day and seems to be getting better. Those of you who followed me through Europe will know what I mean.
To all of you, wherever you are in Australia, or in the world, I wish you good luck, good health and good times in the rest of 2020.

Life in lockdown


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General chat: Cooking at home with Bobi

By Bobi

There is still a self-imposed lockdown at my house. 

The grandkids are back at school and I have a visitor. My br… the visitor is an essential services person who is doing additional training. It is nice to have company, like in human form. 

I am doing my part for the cause by cooking. Sadly, even the dog has been known to turn his nose up at some of my offerings and I rely heavily on cook books and the internet to avoid poisoning guests. 

Still, it is fun to cook for a captive audience and I had this fabulous idea that I would be incredibly productive by combining my current obsession with spring cleaning with trialling recipes. Any cookbook that didn’t produce a good recipe immediately was going to be donated the Lifeline Book Fair. Delightfully, I didn’t get past the first book. 

And here’s why I am posting. The book I picked up was by Matt Preston – The Simple Secrets. First thought to self: this is going to be a no-brainer. After all, he’s no chef and this book is just a money making publicity gimmick. I am so happy to had been proved wrong. This is now rated the second-best cookbook I own. 

The first meal I cooked was the shredded chicken with miso dressing because, you know ….. salad. It was delicious. 

So I followed it up with meatloaf. Ta da!

I see what you are thinking there. I know. It looks like a hot mess but it was worthy. It was crunchy and salty and sweet. It was also oozy with cheese. No wonder Young Matt is on the hefty side. 

On the downside, it is the beginnings of a sodium-induced heart attack in anyone that comes within 1.5 metres of its deliciousness. 

Never one to get overly excited, I decided to have another go and try the quiche. I should have known I was in trouble when I read the instructions and then heard myself say, out loud, “I’m not going to do that”. Instant karma. 

I’m an idiot. You just can’t tell some people. 

Apparently I was supposed to put the base back in the oven and then pour in the mixture. As someone-who-should-know-better said, we got two meals: quiche and baked eggs. I spent most of the next day cleaning every nook in the kitchen and my oven is never going to be completely clean again. 

But here’s the takeaway (heh heh).  It was extremely edible and has been serving up a number of lunches ever since. 

I do have one gripe: People who put these types of books together need to be clearer. I cooked the eggplant and paneer curry. Ingredients specified two eggplants. Surely size matters? How many does that feed? And cook the onion for 15 minutes, add the spices and then cook for 20 minutes. Wait. What? Another 20? Or another 5? Seriously? I spent those “5 to 10” minutes giving an imitation of a toddler learning how to throw a tantrum. 

The most important thing is that it fed the dinner party of less than 10 people, and it was a huge hit. It has to be one of the best curries I have ever made. Given my track record, that may not a great measuring stick but my reputation for being a good cook is now looking much more gold and glittery. 

I am pretty enamoured of Matt Preston. I just wish he was slightly less enamoured of cheese. I swear I have put on two kilos in five days. 

Just casually, I am also a bit done with this cooking and baking lark for a while. I much prefer watching cooking shows, and imagining that I can do better without actually having to put in any effort. Bring on the antipasto.



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May general chat with Bobi

By Bobi

Thank you to Juz for putting up a thread for LEGO Masters. This show is warm and comfortable, just the thing for times like now. That’s mostly what I am drawn to at the moment. I am studiously avoiding anything political, violent, or dystopian. It’s surprising how much on television is all about the end of the world – even comedies and kids shows. 

So, on a warm and fuzzy scale, here are a couple of recommendations.

Mary Berry’s Foolproof Cooking (ABC). This woman is a soothing as a cup of tea. Today she was making a sponge cake with buckets of cream. I’m not a huge cake eater but I have always loved a sponge. It’s like an edible plate for lovely fruit. 

I’m not saying that I am ever going to make this cake, but Mary makes me think that I could. If LEGO Master is 10/10 then this is an 8/10

The Willoughby’s is an animation movie on Netflix. I know it’s for children but I found it absolutely charming. It’s a very pleasant and not-too-smaltzy hour and a half of smiling but not laugh out loud humour. Four kiddies are raised on neglect and decide to become orphans. I’m guessing that some younger children may not love this so much so 6/10

And speaking of not-too-smaltzy, I am looking forward to the return of How to Stay Married On Channel 10 on Tuesday. It’s about a seven on the daggymeter but it should be an eight on congenialIty. I enjoyed Season 1. It wasn’t so good that I remember the story line but good enough that, since seeing the ads, I am all on board.  

Just quietly and in passing, I need to mention that I am also watching Mystery Road (ABC). I know it doesn’t fit with the theme but fabulous doesn’t come around too often. 

Warm thoughts from me to you.
Bobi



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Are we there yet? (general chat with Bobi)

By Bobi

There are some good things to come out of this lockdown. 

Firstly, I’m not going to pretend that I am not going a little bit crazy. I don’t think I’m crazy for talking to my home appliances, but I might just be a little bit crazy for expecting them to laugh at all my jokes? Or maybe not. As I we have established before, I am, after all, hilarious. 

Look. It’s tough to talk to the fridge – she tends to give me the cold shoulder – but the toaster sees both sides of every argument and the dryer can put a happy spin on the every situation. Yes, as I told you, I am absolutely hilarious. 

No, wait, don’t go. As promised, here are just a couple of the good things. 

I found a saucepan. I know. I KNOW. I really wanted to share the news. 

Seriously, look at this thing. 

How could I have possibly lost this monster in the back of my cupboard …. for five years? It is HUGE! Finding this gave me so much joy. And I used to laugh at all those people who swore by Marie Kondo. Fftt to me in my past life. 

I am also loving Jamie Oliver going back to basics. As you read this, on my telly, he is cooking a pizza in a fry pan. I am so hungry. No more pretending I can cook dishes with ingredients sourced from the speciality aisle: just bread dough, sausage mince, bacon and onions. It looks like the best of my world and I could eat it all. 

I am loving the stuff that is now available on the internet: tours of art galleries, live feeds from zoos, and slow TV through factories, down rivers and the hillside. I realise that a lot of this is directed at children being home schooled but my attention span is short and I respond to these simple messages. 

Just on this, here is a picture of a baby Morpork. 

They are rare. There are fewer than 50 left in the world, and scientists have found two babies on Norfolk Island. I love scientists. 

Having a great day. Wishing the same to you all. 

Love Bobi. Mwah. 



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Isolation chat with Bobi

From Juz: Many thanks to Bobi and Daisy, who keep me so well supplied with chat threads. Apologies for not publishing your last lot. It’s been a madhouse here with Mr Juz and I working from home, my hours being cut due to media industry changes and trying to home school Mr 8.

Our suburb is in the local government area that has the highest percentage of Coronavirus cases (damn those Ruby Princess people).

But now school holidays are here so hopefully that takes the pressure off a bit. And we are lucky to have a lovely backyard with a swing and mini ninja course for Mr 8 to burn off energy. I even bought myself rollerblades today to encourage myself to exercise more.
Tonight Mr 8 taught his grandparents interstate how to use Zoom for video meetings and did a great job, until they were slow to click something and he typed “you have 0% brain power” and sent it to them.
And Mr Juz scored toilet paper by chance at Big W, so he is now the richest man in Adelaide.

Hope you are all coping with the new world order. Over to Bobi

Juz xo

————————————————————

Now that Survivor is over, (and how good was this season? Although I still reckon Boston Rob would have beaten the GG), I am choosing to watch calming meditative shows. 

Truthfully, I can’t wait for MasterChef. I take back everything I said when I heard that they were going to do a reboot. I am so excited to see the best of the best, after some experience and training, competing against each other. 

But apart from that, I am being calmed by watching reruns of my favourite shows.

The ABC (I use iView) have started reruns of The IT Crowd from the beginning. This is the best of shows. This is just everything all at once, mainly it is based on truth. A bit like The Office (the English version) but less painful. 

IQ is, of course, every one’s go to, except for the episodes that star Jeremy Clarkson. That man is unbearable. I asked someone once why he watched Top Gear and he said it was because old Jeremy was so funny. No. No. He just isn’t. 

Have I mentioned Tiger King on Netflix. I cannot even begin to describe. If you have Netflix, you just must. There are no words. Did you know that there are more tigers in captivity in American backyards than in the wild? The whole American culture is weird. 

And lastly, because I spend a lot of time on my own at the moment, I go for shows that speak just to me, while kind of keep me company. I especially like the company of Bob Ross. Although you can find him on Netflix, he is also all over YouTube. This man is hypnotic. His painting are beyond dull but it is meditation. 

Okay, not last because it never is. I listen to music – 1970s. Only the best.



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Toilet paper chat

By Bobi

Good morning

Let talk about toilet paper, guys, because we couldn’t possibly be sick of the subject just yet. 

Now I know we’ve all had fun making jokes at the expense of the idiots stockpiling but it is beyond funny now. 

I am told that my locals (of any brand, any description) get a delivery every day and yet, one hour later, all the shelves are empty. 

I am not buying it, my friends and family are not buying it, and if it is being bought by an acquaintance, they are mostly keeping very quiet. So where is it all going? And, good god, why? 

I tried to have this (rational) conversation with someone. She has 42 rolls, she lives by herself, and she is still hunting for more – like it’s a game. You know that conversation where you do the maths? Why does she need more than a years worth? Seriously, I don’t think she had done the calculation. She may have been a little embarrassed but then she doubled down, as many people do when logic gets in the way of “the feels”. 

And just to dwell on that thought for a moment, if no- one I know is hoarding then there must be garages full of the stuff somewhere. Again, maths. 

I think it has reached that tipping point from a mild panic to a genuine sickness. 

Now here’s the problem. Da, Da Daaaah! I am about to run out. So now I care, and now it’s not funny, and now … I will Panic. 

Well, truthfully, become mildly concerned is more the issue. If I am sitting here programming Bonacini’s Italy into my tv before I go out, then the anxiety level must still be relatively low. 

But I may have to consider watching Prepper shows to get hints on breaking into people’s underground sheds. Where else could they be hiding all this stuff? 



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TV production updates

Due to Coronavirus, many reality shows have been forced to reachedule their production.

Big Brother Australia started filming a few weeks ago (it’s not live like the old days) so producers had to tell the housemates about the latest virus news.

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/coronavirus-big-brother-australia-cast-reportedly-unaware-of-pandemic/news-story/3c3d39cd0af4b68b6b99b3252f530302

And US Survivor has pushed filming of its next season back a few months. It still plans to air the series at its normal time – it will just mean a quicker editing turnaround.

Thanks to Big H for suggesting this thread.

Everyone, please add updates for other shows here.



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General chat with Bobi -March 7

By Bobi
You probably haven’t noticed but I have been off the air for a little while. Even watching the Golden God in action has not been enough to thrill me, and I predict (with a high degree of probability) that he will be stretchered out of Paradise this Sunday, so there goes the remaining  joy of “All Stars”. Plus, the producers this season are bordering on hopeless. Just sayin’. Those ads are just too obvious. 
The news is repetitive. The weather is crap. My friends and neighbours are doing it tough and I have no faith in our so-called leaders. See that? I am so filled with ennui that I could even be bothered putting leaders in quotes. What has my life come to. OMG, I ended a sentence with a preposition. There is no coming back from here.
So, here is a list of links to some tube clips for entertainment and distraction. Pick and choose. Or not. 
A cat, reflecting my current mood.
https://youtu.be/Q34z5dCmC4M
Who doesn’t love a bad lip reading video. 
https://youtu.be/gneBUA39mnI
Chipmunks are just fabulous and besides, this is my life.
https://youtu.be/QjAJxRaa_-Y
This is the first tube video that I ever watched. I am sure every one has seen it before but here it is again. 
https://youtu.be/nGeKSiCQkPw
And lastly, just a bit of fun, especially the wait, wait for it moment at the end. 
https://youtu.be/8nHnQQhWQVA
I am sure I will up and bouncing about shortly. Sometimes it’s just a process I have to wade through. 
Okay. One more video. This is how I wish I could get through life. I love dogs. 
https://youtu.be/A4N7G29GWQI



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General chat Feb

By Bobi

Just a quick chat this week because I am still recouping after the school holidays.

I am exhausted. My sweet, sweet darlings are finally back at school after an excruciating, mind-blowing eight weeks. Let me just run that by you again. EIGHT WEEKS everybody. Who dreamed up that torture? And btw, they, too, were bored silly and couldn’t wait to get back to their friends and a solid routine.

So quickly :

It’s raining here. YAY!

Our fire is not quite out yet but as this rain is predicted to continue for another week so, hopefully, any day now. This photo was on Twitter taken by a student flying back in. When I find his name I will post it to give him credit because it’s pretty amazing.

I have very little on my radar, apart from Survivor and DWTS. (Juz’s note: Bobi wrote this before the Oscars. Parasite, Bobi!!!) I will watch the Oscars for the dresses. The movies this year were mostly crap. I reserve the right to retract that statement if Parasite wins Best Picture. Unlikely, but I can dream.

The dogs are happy, drugged and fed and all is right with their world.

And mine, too.

Here’s hoping the weather is being kind to you all.

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General Chat Aust Day with Bobi

Over to Bobi, with thanks:

Gidday,

I was going to chat about good Australian movies/TV shows as a balance against all things Geordie Shore but my mind went to those hideous Ned Kelly movies. Why are we obsessed with an uninteresting thief-slash-murder, and who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to cast Mick Jagger in the lead role. Hindsight, I know.

I do remember Priscilla and Bran Nue Dae being fairly wonderful movies but, generally, I have gone blank. I am a fan of Australia (I am sure it was written tongue in cheek) but I am still perplexed as to why it was called Australia. It could have been set anywhere.

Instead, I thought I would move into new territory for a brief and fleeting moment.

Let’s chat about moving the date for Australia Day. Is that a collective sharp intake of breathe I hear? Wait, wait. Hear me out.

I have it on good authority that about 75% of people don’t want the date moved. However, they are becoming increasingly sympathetic to the views of First Nations People, and so I don’t think this topic should create controversy, just general chat-chat.

Truly, I’m not going replay the views of people who were here thousands of years before me and mine. And besides, there are a lot of excellent articles, and interviews, out there doing a much better job than I ever could or should.

I don’t have any skin in this game. My feelings on the actual day are almost non-existent which would explain why I am firmly in the move-the-date camp. Surprise! I bet you did not see that coming.

In the interests of being patronising as hell, here’s some history – which may or may not be absolutely accurate – so that I can develop my argument. Well, not so much develop as plonk on the table in front of you.

Technically, Captain Cook laid claim to the eastern seaboard of Australia in August. The 26th of November was the day he sailed into Sydney Harbour and raised a flag. Very Sydney-centric, don’t you think? Now surely that’s got all of Melbourne on board.

Australia Day was supposed to celebrate emancipated convicts. I think we can all agree that we have moved way beyond that, unless of course you work in a Greek restaurant.

And then Jubilee, Victoria, public holiday, blahdy-blah and then it became complicated.

Right. Now back to me because this is my point of view (just call me Charlotte). The significance of Australia Day to me has always been a day that marks the end of school holidays with a long weekend and a BBQ.

Here’s the controversy (you knew there would be some): I don’t think we should just move Australia Day, I think we should move the entire summer 6 week long school holiday.

Given climate change, don’t you think we should revisit the concept of sending our precious little bundles of joy into the tinder-dry, wilderness during the hottest months of the year? Let’s move it to Easter. There’s a long break there just waiting to be exploited.
And it seems crazy to send everyone outside to light fires for that bbq in the middle of summer and in the blazing midday sun.

A wonderful by-product of moving everything might be that we can recalibrate our view of Australia in a coherent, multicultural and nice way. Wishful thinking, I know.

And momentarily revisiting my low-care factor, there are a bunch of people out there who would really like the day moved … a lot. If they care and I don’t, why not?

I have kept my most convincing point for last. I went to an American school for a while. OMG. Talk about so much brainwashing and indoctrination. I was almost convinced that Americans were the greatest people living in the greatest country in the world. Please, let us not become like them and get hung up on a date.

I knew that one would win you over.

DD thinks that it doesn’t matter whether the day is moved or not because someone will always be unhappy. It’s a bit like, cancelling Mondays will merely transfer the angst to Tuesday.

I, on the other hand, think that where there’s a will, there‘s a way. We Australians are mostly kind, compassionate people. I do think that it’s inevitable that the date will be changed at sometime. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do it without conflict? You know, calmly, respectfully and with consultation?

And kind thoughts to you all on the day but that salad is not going to cut it without the bbq lamb. I am hoping that if I don’t think about it too much then I won’t miss it.

– Bobi

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