Author: admin

Categories
Welding

Seaside Partings

Rylee sighed deeply. “Alright, let’s get this over with.” She stood, waiting for Maphira and Vai to do the same.

It had been a strange few months, with Rylee mostly focused on recovery from her broken leg. Now that she was on her feet again, she’d been able to rejoin the police force, much to her father’s delight. She’d had to swallow a lot of pride to do that, but her days of being a vigilante were over.

Maphira and Vai stood together, and Rylee couldn’t help but grin at how in sync those two were becoming. Her dream hadn’t come true – the two of them weren’t in an official relationship by any means – but she could see it starting to form. It wouldn’t be an ordinary relationship, but she felt it would work for them, however they decided to do it. Perhaps they weren’t even aware of the connection forming between them, but it was there.

It made Rylee miss Cole that much more.

“You know the plan,” Rylee said to Maphira. “Once we’re done, release him from the boat latch. Let the aluminium tomb sink to the bottom of the ocean. It’s what he would have wanted.”

The aluminium tomb was little more than a ute tray that had been modified by the best shop for marine fabrication Melbourne had to offer. The body of robot Cole rested within. They should have done this earlier, Rylee knew, but she simply hadn’t had the strength. Although she hadn’t loved robot Cole, in a way, she was saying goodbye to the real Cole too, today.

Maphira had told Rylee the truth about what happened to Cole – about how his life had ended on a mission he’d insisted on joining. Maphira had blamed herself for it and, not having the strength to reveal the truth, kept it to herself.

The truth was, Rylee had always known deep down that the story about Cole didn’t add up. But she’d refused to think about it for so long. 

Categories
Cars

Amateur Driving Lesson

‘So you’re just going to want to gently accelerate—’

         I was thrown back in my seat as my daughter hit the pedal with more force than I knew her teenage legs could produce.

         ‘Slow down!’ I screeched from the passenger seat. ‘Jessica!’

         She lifted her foot again, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

         Until she slammed it down on the brake pedal and I was thrown forward, bumping my head on the glovebox. In that moment, I decided who was going to be paying for my next brake repair.

         She turned to me, grinning, as we sat idling in the middle of the empty parking lot.

         ‘Driving is fun!’ she giggled, as I fished my glasses from underneath my seat.

         ‘Okay,’ I panted, as the slideshow of my life retreated back into my soul. ‘So that was an… interesting start.’

         ‘It’s so easy!’ she beamed. ‘Just two whole pedals?’

         ‘You’re not supposed to push them fully to the floor,’ I grumbled, ‘…dear.’

         ‘Oh?’ she frowned. ‘Are you sure?’

         I could only nod, trying to find my inner Zen through a breathing technique.

         ‘Alright,’ I said, through a deep breath. ‘We’re going to try that again. Now, this time—’

         ‘Sweet!’ she yelled, slamming her foot down again.

         ‘Jessica!’ I howled as we rocketed towards the speed of sound, already hearing what my mechanic was going to say next time I got my car service. Raceview mechanics don’t sugar coat these sorts of things. My hand reached for the handbrake, fighting against the G-forces.

         ‘Ooh, what does that do?’ Jessica asked, looking at what I was reaching for. She reached down with one hand and yanked the handbrake up, locking the tyres and sending the back of the car fishtailing around a bend in the car park.

         I almost blacked out as she drifted us around, making micro-corrections with the wheel and releasing the handbrake at the apex of the turn.

         ‘Woo-hoo!’ she cackled as she twisted the wheel, spinning the car to a stop. ‘Driving is so much fun! Thanks again, Dad!’

         I could only release a long, drawn out wheeze.

 

Categories
Community Nursing

Two Nursing Views

‘Is this really necessary?’ I asked with a sigh. ‘We’re doing a perfectly fine job by ourselves.’

Nancy paced back and forth in front of the bed, brow furrowed deep in thought.

‘What if she needs more help than we can give her?’

‘She hasn’t yet.’

‘But what if she does,’ Nancy insisted. ‘What if there’s nothing we can do to help her, and we regret not getting someone more capable.’

‘You really think we can find a disability support worker who can help? In my area, even?’

‘I don’t want to move her to Adelaide if we don’t have to,’ Nancy said slowly. ‘It might not be a good fit for her.’

‘Settled!’ I said, opening my arms in mock congratulations. ‘Then we don’t need to have this conversation!’

‘Jane, this is serious,’ Nancy folded her arms. ‘We need to figure out what we’re going to do, as a family.’

‘You’re just going to do whatever you want anyway,’ I shot back. ‘You always tell me that she’s my daughter too, but whenever there’s a real decision to be made—’

‘I don’t want to have this argument again!’ Nancy put her hands over her ears. ‘We just keep going round and round in circles!’

‘I know!’ I said. ‘I’m sick of it too.’

‘I didn’t say that,’ she said quickly. ‘Just that I don’t want to have it… I don’t want to have it now.’

‘Fine,’ I said, getting to my feet. ‘But I still think we should look into information about community nursing, in the Adelaide CBD.’

‘Fine,’ she echoed me, sitting down on the edge of the bed. ‘I’m just worried it’ll be too much of a change for her.’

‘She’s tougher than you think,’ I said quietly. ‘You should give her more of a chance.’

‘I have been with her longer, you know,’ Nancy sighed. ‘We’ve been through a lot.’

‘Well,’ I said finally. ‘Now you’re not alone. You just have to let me in.’

She slipped her hand in mine, and I sat back down beside her.

Categories
Bathroom

Bathroom Renovation Conversation

‘I can’t believe this is finally happening!’ my wife squealed with joy, grabbing the lapels of my jacket in her excitement. She had to let go and quickly duck back to her side of the hallway as a tradesmen walked past with a bucket of tiles, nodding politely at us.

Then Jeanie went back to squealing.

‘It’s exciting,’ I nodded, trying to force my face into an enthused expression. ‘Very exciting.’

‘What is it?’ she frowned. ‘Vanessa, you said when we got married that you wouldn’t do this!’

‘Do what?’ I protested, pressing myself flat against the wall as another builder squeezed through.

‘Get all… weird,’ Jeanie frowned, gesturing at me vaguely, ‘and not tell me why.’

‘I know,’ I sighed. ‘Look, it’s nothing, I promise.’

‘You promise?’ she raised an eyebrow at me.

‘I promise,’ I smiled flatly. She scoped me out for a few moments, then shook her head.

‘Nope, I don’t buy it.’

‘Oh come on,’ I rolled my eyes. ‘What is there to buy?’

‘Is it the colour we chose for the shower grout repair? You can trust that it’ll hold up over time,’ she insisted. ‘That’s what the tin says at least.’

‘No, it’s not the grout.’ It’s never the grout.

‘A-ha!’ Jeanie pointed, then pulled her hand back to let another tradesman through. ‘But it is something!’

‘It’s…’ I hesitated. ‘It’s mostly nothing.’

‘Vanessa, come on,’ she rolled her eyes this time. ‘Just tell me!’

‘Fine!’ I threw my hands up. ‘It’s them!’

I pointed at the newest tradie to walk through our door. He paused, then slowly turned around and walked back out.

‘The company near Melbourne that does bathroom renovations?’ Jeanie frowned. ‘What’s wrong with them?’

‘Nothing,’ I shook my head. ‘But what’s wrong with me?’

‘Huh?’

‘You know I love renovating bathrooms,’ I said, lip quivering. ‘But you didn’t even ask me – you just hired these guys!’

A small group of them had clustered outside our front door, looking inside nervously.

‘Oh, Vanessa,’ Jeanie looked at me with a smile. ‘Can I tell you something?’

I looked up at her with a smile. ‘Yeah?’

‘You’re terrible at renovating.’

‘What?!’

Categories
Community Nursing

Hitching a Ride

I stuck my thumb out, then rapidly withdrew it as the truck barrelled past, horn blaring.

I swore at them under my breath, as my brother approached from behind me, offering a bag of chips.

‘Dinner?’ he asked.

‘How did you know I’d be hungry?’ I joked. He didn’t laugh.

‘We’re never going to get to Adelaide at this rate,’ he said with a sigh. ‘And we’re running out of money.’

‘We’ll find someone willing to give us a ride,’ I shrugged, looking back at the deserted road.

‘Right,’ he frowned. ‘Colour me pessimistic.’

‘Josh!’ I punched him on the shoulder with a laugh. ‘We’re living the dream!’

‘Are we?’

‘Yes!’ I exclaimed. ‘We’re on the road, heading towards our dream jobs in Adelaide, which is working with the best disability service provider in the city!’

‘I guess,’ he sighed, disheartened. ‘I just thought it would be easier to get there.’

‘Adelaide is surprisingly far,’ I agreed with a frown. ‘But we’re closer than we were an hour ago.’

He turned around and squinted, pointing at a bend a little bit further down the road.

‘I think we were there an hour ago.’

‘And now we’re further!’ I said through gritted teeth. ‘Work with me here.’

He snorted, a slight smile working its way into his eyes.

‘Fine,’ he relented. ‘Optimism it is.’

‘Atta boy,’ I clapped him on the shoulder.

We were momentarily lit by the headlights of an oncoming car as it rounded the bend and began to speed up towards us. I let out an excited whoop and ran towards the road, thumb outstretched.

To my surprise, the car actually slowed down, the passenger side window rolling down.

‘Can I help you kids get somewhere?’ a friendly-looking woman stuck her head out of the window.

‘Yes, ma’am,’ I grinned, crouching down to look at her properly. ‘We’re heading to the city to work with an SDA housing provider in Adelaide.’

‘I have no idea what that is,’ she frowned. ‘But cool! Hop on in!’

I looked back at Josh, who shrugged.

‘After you, sis,’ he gestured.

 

Categories
Wallpaper

Holiday Inspired Decals

Coming back from holidays is always bittersweet. I would do anything to be jumping back on the plane and embarking on my adventure again, but time passes and that’s just life. Even though I’m home now and starting my first day of work, I really do feel like I’ve had time to rest, relax and recharge. I feel fresh and ready to take on the next eight months until my next adventure.

I also feel inspired to decorate my home in a way that looks just like our accommodation did while we were away. It was stunning. Every wall was uniquely decorated – whether it was coloured by Australian botanical wallpaper or something a little more basic, every wall looked and felt beautiful. No matter where I went, it truly felt like I was on holidays and that’s what has led me to feeling so incredibly relaxed and recuperated now. 

To make the transition back to work easier, I might also ask if I can be in charge of redecorating the office. Our office is modern and cool, but it doesn’t feel like being on a holiday. I think if my coworkers felt like we were out in the Whitsundays every day, we’d be happier at work and eager to stay longer than we needed to. I know if I’m given the responsibility of redecorating the office, I won’t be able to go as bold and colourful as I’m going to in my own home. That makes sense as we have branding elements and specific colours that need to be used throughout the building. The Australian botanical wallpaper that I’ve chosen probably wouldn’t cut it in a professional setting. No matter how beautiful it is. That’s why when I go to my bosses to ask if I can decorate, I’m going to show them a number of simple, yet classy wall decals. Melbourne offices such as ours have such great potential and I really am inspired to make the office that I work in one of the best in the city. 

Categories
Boats

Hide or Steal

The ocean celebration kicks off with great fanfare. A crowd of mermaids – thousands of them – swim into the coral fields, their tails glistening in the light from the fire globes. The sun doesn’t reach us down here, but we figured out fire before humans did and even managed to find a way to keep it permanently dry while underwater.

Many mermaids seem to have brought their own stolen vinyl boat graphics along to the celebration. Some have been vandalised, with thick slashes through the flags. Others claimed the designs as their own family crests, despite the fact that they once belonged to the fishermen who hunted us for sport. We as a species recognise that there is no right or wrong way to commemorate our lost ancestors.

As for my own family, we neither steal nor covet. In fact, we tend to avoid anything human altogether. My parents have always believed that the best way to keep safe from humans is to steer clear of anything to do with them so as not to pique their suspicion, and they drilled these ideas into my brother and me from a very young age. This means that even when I’m swimming to school and I see a fishing boat decal I could easily snatch and proudly show off to my friends, I don’t swim towards the boat. I swim in the opposite direction. I hide in the swaying coral, and let the darkness obscure the whites of my eyes.

I do understand that my parents are only looking out for our safety when they force us to hide, but it doesn’t change the fact that my classmates would think I were cooler if I could capture a flag from the humans. All of the most popular students in the class have them. My best friend even has a barramundi flag of her own, all custom painted and printed. But I would never go against my parents. Not after the stories I heard growing up.

Categories
Video

The Puppet Company

I recently opened a puppet company. We craft puppets and marionettes by hand and then sell them. It’s not doing very well. I guess I failed to consider how much demand there is for puppets nowadays and was blinded by my own love for them. Some of my friends suggested I look into getting advice from marketing experts, since I have no experience in that realm. However, I don’t think I’m going to do that.

The idea of a puppet company should be okay in theory, and I really think I just have to get the word out. My next idea is to hire one of the many corporate video production services Melbourne has. Some of them are actually very affordable, which is great for my purposes since I don’t have a lot of money right now. Almost all of my savings went into buying my company’s little store on the main street in my local area. I really thought it would be an instant hit among the residents here. But sometimes the best things take time. I’m patient enough to wait for success.

Anyway, I’m going to ask the video company to film me making and playing with my puppets on the little fake stage set inside my store. Then, I’m going to use their post production editing services to make it look even cooler than it is in real life, which will be pretty difficult, but I’m sure they’ll manage since they’re experts. I’m thinking dramatic music, cool lighting effects, and some text flying across the screen to top it all off. It’s meant to be an advertisement that I can pay to show on television and on the internet, but I also want it to function as its own little work of art, since after all my company itself is about art. I really hope this works out. I love making puppets and I want my business to succeed.

Categories
Optometrist

At The Cinema

I took my daughter to the cinema last week. She hasn’t been since before that huge crazy world event thing that’s been happening over the past couple of years, which means she would have been too young to remember going to the cinema at all. She was super excited, as the movie we were seeing was a children’s movie (obviously), and it was animated and had a lot of singing and dancing in it. Perfect for children, and even I enjoyed it a little bit, as this particular studio tends to add in a few jokes and moments that even adults can appreciate.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure that now I need to take my daughter to a children’s optometrist. While we were watching the film, she started complaining that she couldn’t see. It was very loud, in what was a surprisingly very quiet theatre, and so I told her to be quiet. I did so very politely, because I didn’t want to look rude in front of the other parents. But my poor little daughter kept on complaining in whispers that her vision was blurry. Later on, when we left the cinema, I tested her a little bit to check that she just wasn’t lying for attention. Anyway, now I’m convinced she needs glasses. I’m going to take her to a Bayside eye care and optometry specialist as soon as I can manage to get some more time off work.

It’s important to her education and just general happiness that she can see properly. I need glasses now, but I’m middle-aged. I can’t imagine what it would have been like as a little child, barely starting school, and having to wear glasses all the time. I suppose she’ll get used to it. Eye care and glasses technology has certainly improved a lot over the years. Maybe when she’s older she’ll prefer contacts, but I’m not going to pressure her.

Categories
Office Design

Office Trap?

Maphira explored the entirety of the strange office, which was exactly the same as the set from the show The Paper Company Office, without any luck in finding Vai. She’d even gone into Mitchel Scarn’s office, complete with his “World’s Best Boss” mug. Maphira had to admit that whoever had put this place together had gone to great lengths to get the details right.

It wasn’t until Maphira went to the accounting section of the office that she noticed something odd. The back wall had a door that did not exist in the show. Where could it possibly lead? With how thorough the office fitout business from Melbourne had been in creating this place, it surprised her that they would have anything that wasn’t accurate to the show.

She approached the strange, out of place door of this office and placed her hand on the doorknob. Turning it slowly, she pulled open the door, revealing a metal walkway over a massive pit of darkness. Standing in the centre of the walkway was Vai, with her back turned to Maphira.

“Vai?” Maphira called out, her voice echoing throughout the chasm. “What are you doing?”

The woman slumped her shoulders, then motioned for Maphira to come closer, without turning. As Maphira approached, she was reminded of that scene from the first of the Space Battles sequels, where Kyle Ron is tested by having to slay his father, Hane Single. Suddenly, she thought it might be better for her to turn around and continue admiring the best office interior design Melbourne had ever seen.

Instead, she decided to be brave and continue on. Eventually, she met Vai at the centre of the walkway, and still the woman did not turn.

“We are in a lot of danger,” Vai whispered. “Tread carefully.”

“How do you know?”

Vai shrugged. “Did you see that tv show, Octopus Game? I’m getting serious vibes of that from this situation. Dr Ratroti is playing with us before the kill.”

“Oh,” Maphira said. She did not like the sound of that.