Categories
Podiatry

No More Foot Talk

I wish my coworker would stop talking about his feet. He’s absolutely obsessed with them. At least once a week he’ll bring up his foot problems and the foot exercises set out by his podiatrist. Like, dude. Keep that stuff to yourself! Why would you think that the first thing I want to hear on a Tuesday morning is your latest foot diagnosis? I find feet disgusting. I don’t even like or think about my own feet, let alone talk about someone else’s with them.

Yesterday he had the audacity to tell me that he got something called bunion splints. I have no idea what that is or what that means, and frankly, I don’t want to know. He just brought it up so casually in conversation. Like it was something totally normal that happens to a lot of people. Now, this may be the case but I have no idea if it is. AND I DON’T WANT TO KNOW. How much more clear can I be?

I wonder if I should talk to HR about this. Surely there are rules around talking about body parts in the workplace. I know feet aren’t inherently bad but if it’s making me uncomfortable, then I assume it has to stop? I would hope so at least. If he brings up his feet one more time then I’m going to take it further. I’ve told him that I don’t like it and he continues to bring it up and I think I’ve given him more than enough warning. 

Okay, that’s it. He brought up one of his foot conditions. Cheltenham businesses should have a zero tolerance policy for this type of thing. I’ve decided to go to HR this afternoon. I’ll let you know how I go.

Update: I didn’t go well. Apparently talking about his feet is a non-issue and it’s up to me to remove myself from the conversation if I don’t like it. How bad is that!

Categories
Garden

Garden Warehouse

It wasn’t difficult for Rylee to find the Resistance base. After all, she was one of the finest freelance detectives and vigilantes Melbourne had ever seen. At least, she had been back in the day, before the Conclave took over and she went into hiding as a boring buyer’s agent/real estate agent/conveyancer. 

Using a combination of Mr Chowski’s broadcast, traffic reports and satellites, Rylee quickly pinpointed the location, being a warehouse that supposedly stored everything you’d ever need if you were looking to buy seeds online and start your own garden. 

As she approached the building, Rylee could hear the sounds of battle from deep within the facility. The Conclave of Mechanists would fight hard to destroy the Resistance this day, and Rylee was going to do everything in her power to stop them. It was the first step in finding Maphira, after all. Without the Resistance, their reunion wasn’t looking likely.

The warehouse wasn’t a complete ruse, at least. As Rylee walked through it, she spotted boxes filled with seeds for ground cover roses, daisies and even some agapanthus. She wondered what use the Resistance would have for such things, other than maintaining their front. 

Deciding that she might as well make good use of the plant seeds in the warehouse, she found a nearby sack and began to pour as many seeds as she could find into it. She was about to walk into a huge battle, so best to have something she could use to sow some chaos.

Rylee tuned back into Mr Chowski’s broadcast and heard that things apparently had taken a turn for the worse. She had to be quick, otherwise it would be too late, so she sprinted forward with her sack of seeds, like some sort of nature Santa Claus, and mentally prepared herself to enter the battle of a lifetime. She had a Resistance to save, after all.

Categories
Renovations

Bathroom Distracting Me

Howdy folks, it’s Mr Chowski back with another important broadcast. Now, I know I’m supposed to be reporting on how the preparations upstairs are going, but I seriously just can’t get that bathroom out of my head. Those bathroom designers seriously outdid themselves. I’ve never seen such an incredible, professional bathroom installation in all my years on this beautiful planet. It was just… wow. Completely breathtaking. It’s going to be hard to concentrate on this broadcast, but I’ll give it my all.

So, it seems that the preparations are going well. We’re setting up for an extended siege, but the reality is that this fight may be over much quicker than we are anticipating. We’re not really sure what tactics the Conclave of Mechanists are going to resort to, or how big their forces are going to be. All we can do is get ready for anything and retreat back to the bathroom bunker if necessary. Thank goodness for the team that gave us one of the best bathroom renovations Melbourne has ever seen! I mean, it’s just gorgeous. The tiles are incredible, the windows let in plenty of light and there’s even a spa bath. How good is that?

Dr Ratroti is telling me to get back on topic, so I better keep talking about what’s happening here. Oh, wait, hold on… Something is happening! We’re getting reports of Conclave foes tunnelling their way into the building, ambushing our forces from behind! This isn’t good at all.

They’ve totally caught us off-guard here, and now they’ve got troops charging from the front as well. There are projectiles flying everywhere, laser beams, fire blasts! It’s horrific, from what we’re hearing! Our forces are surrounded, but they’re fighting back. We’re not doomed yet, but this is definitely going worse than we were hoping for. 

To all the Resistance members listening to this, give them everything you’ve got, and when you’ve got nothing left, retreat to the bathroom bunker!

Categories
Energy

Energy Overload

“The Resistance base is in Brighton. It’s a building disguised as a warehouse for plant and flower businesses.”

Maphira couldn’t stop herself as the truth came out. Bender was simply too strong, snapping her will to resist like a twig and ripping the words out of her. She felt sick, having revealed the location of those who would oppose the Conclave of Mechanists.

As the words came out of her mouth, loud enough for everyone in attendance to hear, something changed about Bender. The robot began to shake violently, electricity bursting from its joints. Zaps obliterated the shackles that held Maphira in place, just as Bender burst with a bubble of blue energy that threw her back into the wall. Maphira collapsed onto the ground, her body unable to move from the surge of power that had passed through her.

“What is going on?” called Dr Dark McBane. “Vai, are you sure that you used several 30KW solar systems, as I requested?” The woman gave no response, so McBane continued. “Oh, please tell me you at least did multiple 50KW solar system installations!”

Maphira was just able to see, from her position on the ground, that Vai was grimacing.

Bender walked back to the centre of the theatre, still surrounded by that bubble of energy. Its head began to spin and its wings spread outwards at an alarming speed. Lasers began to fire across the area, coming from Bender’s eyes. People dove for cover as the robot went haywire.

Nice one, Vai, Maphira thought.

“This is why I specified how many solar systems we needed!” shouted McBane. “For the love of all robots, please tell me you at least completed two installations of a 250KW solar system!”

Hiding behind an old car, Vai shook her head. “We went the full 500KW, I’m afraid.”

Dr McBane paled. “You have doomed us all, then.” He stood tall, looking up at the Great Mechanist. “We need to get out of here and regroup. Bender’s destructor mode has been activated.”

Categories
Drains

Leaving the Sewer

Hours after they’d entered the sewers, they finally came to a set of stairs leading up toward the light of day. Maphira had made an effort to be as annoying as possible and was glad to have heard Vai continually complaining about a migraine. 

She’d said just about whatever came to her mind, continually complaining about the state of Melbourne’s sewer system. “I understand your point,” she’d said, “but I don’t see why you wouldn’t just get a professional drain cleaning team from Melbourne to clean this place up. It seems like you want it to be disgusting down here.”

Then she’d gone on a big rant about how the fourth phase of the Marble Cinematic Universe really just wasn’t living up to the standards set by the previous two dozen films. Because if there was one thing she knew Vai hated, it was opinions about superhero movies.

She wasn’t really sure what her goal was, other than to perhaps get them to do something about the state of the sewer system. Seriously, how hard would it be to get drain contractors to take a day off from their regular task of being a normal drain repair around Melbourne and get them into the sewers?

Maphira supposed that Vai having a migraine could help her escape somehow, given she was in charge of this whole operation. Maybe it would give her the perfect chance to escape when she decided to pull the pin. But she had to hold out as long as she could. The chance to get information was too valuable to pass up.

Making sure her radio earpiece was still on her, Maphira headed up the stairs to whatever fate awaited her with this mysterious Project Bender.

They came up into what Maphira immediately recognised as an auto shop. She supposed that shouldn’t have surprised her, given this was the Conclave of Mechanists she was dealing with.

So, this is where it’s all going to go down, huh? Let’s see what you’ve got, Vai.

Categories
Podiatry

Son’s Sore Feet

I think my son is having issues with his feet. He keeps complaining that it hurts to wear shoes and has stopped doing any physical activity with his friends. I’m actually a bit worried about him and because he’s only eight, he doesn’t really know how to explain what he’s feeling. I obviously don’t want him to be in pain and so I’ve made the next available appointment at the local foot specialist. Being a dad means doing these things.

I hope my son’s little feet are okay. I would hate for him to experience ongoing foot problems in his childhood, teens and then all the way up until adulthood. He’s a really sporty kid and although the odds are that he won’t become an elite sportsman, I’m sure he will experience some really good success in local sport. That’s the type of thing that kids are proud of for years and I don’t want him to miss out on anything like that.

I have a feeling that my son’s problems might be fixed with some early intervention. Maybe he needs children’s orthotics. In the Cheltenham area, the podiatrists are really high quality so I have no doubt that they’ll know exactly what he needs. But speaking to the parents in the school yard, they think it sounds like he needs orthotics. Apparently it’s really normal around this age because our kids’ feet are growing. To be honest, I’m not really sure of the science. I just smile and nod when people offer up extra information that I don’t particularly care about. I swear people just like to hear the sound of their own voice.

Until my son’s appointment at the podiatrist, I’m going to try and do some more low key activities with him. Instead of going to kick the footy this weekend, we’re going to do some painting in the backyard. I want to keep him entertained even though he can’t run around at the moment.

Categories
Cars

Car Battery Troubles

I’m having one of those ‘record scratch’ and ‘freeze frame’ moments. You know those ones in movies where the character’s like, “I bet you’re wondering how I ended up in this situation.” For me, that situation is in the middle of a random highway. Cars are streaming past me, and only a few of them have stopped to help in the ten or so minutes that I’ve been waiting here. I believe my car battery ran out, which then caused my car to stop. Obviously. 

The number one rule I’ve always heard is that when your car breaks down in the middle of a road, get out of it (only if you’re absolutely certain that it’s safe) and wait off to the side. So that’s what I’m doing, far away from the road. I called the best mechanic Underwood has to offer pretty much as soon as I heard the engine sputtering. I’m not the best with cars, but even I know when something is making a noise it shouldn’t otherwise make. I just feel bad for everybody else on the highway, since I seem to have caused a bit of a traffic jam by leaving my car in the middle of the road. I’m not sure what else to do, really. The mechanics were really helpful and said they would bring a tow truck and asked if there was anything else they could do to ensure I felt more comfortable on the ride back to their repair store.

I’m so glad I found these mechanics. The only thing I did was go to the search engine and look for a car battery replacement near me, and they just happened to be one of the first options. From my experience so far, they seem to be incredibly professional and have friendly employees, making them seem like  a very efficiently-run business. And very affordable, too. People keep honking the car, but I’ve put my hazard lights on so they should know that there’s something wrong with my car. The mechanics say it won’t take long to fix.

Categories
Aluminium

I’m Numb

I’m driving with no place to go. I have to clear my head because it’s filled with the sadness that’s swirling through my heart. My relationship is rocky at best and it’s making me really sad. I ruined my boyfriend’s favourite day of the year because I started crying at a party, and I actually feel really sick about it now. I don’t know what’s going to happen and I don’t even know if he’s going to forgive me. Would I forgive someone for ruining my favourite day of the year? I’m not sure. I don’t think I would honestly. I am so upset.

I can’t believe I’ve potentially ruined our relationship. A relationship that I spent so long building. With the man that I love so much. Why would I do such a thing? I feel sick to my stomach about it. I genuinely needed to hang my head in shame any time someone asked my boyfriend about his weekend. It’s so horrible.

I only just got under tray tool boxes for utes installed in my boyfriend’s car for him. That was expensive when you take into account that I only work part time as a shop assistant. I got them installed for him because he’s about to start his apprenticeship and I really wanted him to do well. I love him and I want him to be happy. Love is so hard. I can’t believe how much my heart hurts. I just want us to be okay. 

At least if we break up, he’ll always be reminded of me. Every morning he gets into his ute for her work he’ll see the fruits of my labour. That obviously makes me happy because I don’t want him to forget me. Hopefully the company that installs half canopies in Melbourne remembers me too, which means my memory will never be forgotten. Wow, I’m talking as if I’m dead. I kind of feel like I am – my body feels numb at the thought of losing my boyfriend.

Categories
Cars

The First Service

I listlessly strummed a chord on my guitar, then gave up with a sigh, resting my chin on the curve in its body.

‘What’s the matter with you?’ my mum asked, walking into my room with an armful of laundry.

‘Nothing,’ I sighed again. She rolled her eyes.

‘Is this about that stupid car again–’

‘Why haven’t they called yet?’ I interrupted. ‘They said it would only take a couple of hours.’

‘Yes… and they told us that an hour ago.’

‘Still,’ I frowned. ‘They could have finished early. Or it could have been hit by a truck in the street. Did you see how they just left it in the street?’

‘Honey,’ she sighed, sitting down next to me on the bed. ‘I get that your first car is a… special relationship. But it’s only a car service. Malvern East isn’t even that far away. You could probably get on the roof and watch them working on it from here!’

My eyes lit up, and hers hardened.

‘Don’t even think about it.’

I deflated a little.

‘What if I never see it again?’

She took a deep, soothing breath, and moved closer to me on the bed, grasping my hand.

‘I promise you’ll see your car again,’ she started. ‘The people we took it to are the best mechanics around. Malvern East is where everyone takes their cars. They’re that good.’

‘Really? Everyone brings their cars here?’

‘Well,’ she shrugged, ‘everyone from Malvern East, sure.’

I frowned and she laughed at me, nudging me in the ribs until my glare cracked and I was grinning too.

‘Now,’ she said, jumping to her feet. ‘How do you feel?’

‘Better,’ I smiled up at her. ‘Thanks, Mum.’

‘You’re welcome. Now get up and clean up this room, because if it isn’t spotless by the time they call I swear I’ll take a baseball bat to the stupid car myself.’

Categories
Aluminium

Thinking About The Future

As I’m driving along with not much to do, I stare out the window and think deeply about my life. I’m a naturally intrinsic person and I often analyse who I am, what I’m doing here and how I’ll be able to become the person who I want to be. At the moment I think there are quite a few things that I need to change about myself. I’m not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I want to be better but I’m not quite sure how.

One issue I’m struggling with at the moment is that I don’t know if I want to be a tradie anymore. It sucks that I’m feeling like this because I just invested in brand new aluminium ute canopies for my car. They weren’t cheap and I had them made and installed for work so if I decide not to be a tradie anymore, I’ve pretty much wasted my money. That’s not the fault of the company that installed my ute canopy – in fact they did such a good job that my ute canopies are part of the reason I still want to be a tradie. Other than that though, I don’t think there’s much really keeping me in the industry. I’m not getting much satisfaction from it anymore which saddens me because I invested a lot of my life into it. It’s really sad of letting go of something that you used to love.

I wonder, if I decide to pursue another career, will I be able to sell my ute second hand for more money because I got professional ute tray installation in Melbourne? Surely that would up my resale value quite a bit? I would like to think so but I’m not sure. I just hope that whatever career I choose next makes me happy. It’s quite hard for me to let go of this career but I need to do what makes me happy.