Landlords

I’m slightly confused by how dumb people can be. When I say people I mean my landlord.

I’ve lived in the house I’m in for just over a year. When I moved in the fireplace and ceiling fan in the dining room were marked as working. Neither were and I ended up paying $330 to have the ceiling fan replaced and waiting nearly six months for the landlords to pay-up to have the fireplace fixed. We were already nearly two months into cold weather by the time they got around to it.

Now summer is rapidly approaching and the house with no cooling is heating up. So I posed a question to my landlord. Would you consider installing ceiling fans if I paid 50% of the cost? I provided them with three quotes.

I wasn't asking for anything fancy like this little beauty

They came back with the reply of ‘You may install the ceiling fans at your own cost’. Sounds like a bargain to me. Not!

Shorty after this exchange, I discovered that due the landlords having the bills sent here directly I had over paid the water bill by over $520. So I went back with the following suggestion.

‘Please install the ceiling fans by Christmas and you don’t need to reimburse me for the overpaid water bills.’

I’m pretty sure this reads as I’ll pay for the ceiling fans and improve your property with my own money.

Last night at half past midnight I received an email from the landlord asking for my bank details.

Is it just me that thinks these people are clearly idiots to refuse this offer? (Yes, I understand I’m a bit strange for offering, but I really need some cool air this summer) Meanwhile, I plan on buying a kickarse big fan and taking it with me when I move out.

Doing my bit

I always been a cat lover. Well, not a cat Lover, but a lover of cats...let me start again.

I have always had cats in my life and I adore having them in it. That’s better. I grew up with cats (Jodie and Sorrell, then came Percy), for a few years when I was married I couldn’t have cats, hubby was allergic, but I eventually got them back into my life (Puss and Newk, then later Oren). I enjoy have cats around as they bring me great joy. Of course there have been moments of heartbreak when the dear ones have passed away.

Recently, due to my involvement with animal cruelty awareness (www.oscarslaw.org) and various other rescue groups I have found myself with more cats in my house than planned. After Millie Dogdog came and went from my life in a whirlwind of destruction, I realised that I couldn’t have any dog larger than Cara. I am just not set up for it and despite living a reasonably solitary life, I still have to go to work, so cats it is.

First I adopted a couple of pussy cats that had been in foster care for nearly a year. Jack and Danni. Now I’ve fostered a few myself. I currently have nine cats in my house, four of them kittens between six and nine weeks old.

All the fosters are on behalf of Sydney Pet Rescue and Adoption and are from Renbury Farm Shelter. There is an eighteen month old mum and nine week old kitten. They were surrendered by their owners because, ‘she had a kitten.’ My response was, well, that wouldn’t have happened if you’d been responsible and got her desexed. Mum is called Polly (stoopid name for a cat) and bub is Charley (pictured). Both mainly black with white bibs and socks.

The kittens were dumped by the gate of the shelter in a box. A silver tabby and a tabby are brother and sister are six or seven weeks old. The tabby is less active than the silver, but still mischievous, and the longer I have him, the more he develops. The silver, she’s a little minx. By day they are in large runs, but at night all hell breaks loose...bedlam, but they have a cute factor off any scale that has been devised, so they could pretty much burn down the house and they’d be forgiven.

They tumble, jump, climb, do the sideways fuzzed up crab at anything strange things and at each other, they try to nick Cara’s dinner, they do nick Puss’ dinner, they accept the hisses of the grown up cats un-phased and they make me laugh.

Because they are rarely still it’s not easy getting photos, but I’m working on it in between cleaning up an extraordinary amount of poo. Seriously, for such small creatures they create an awful lot of waste matter. It’s really quite remarkable. If I was a science type person, I’d bet there was some sort of study that could be done on the ratios of waste to body mass.

In the meantime, I shall keep playing and cleaning up after them until they find their furever home (that’s the new cute animalcentric term), and laughing heartily and sharing their antics :-)

Rules Sux

I’m friends with a random add on Facebook called Piggie VonEspie. Piggie is a corgi that lives in San Clemente, California with her pet hoomans. She likes to spend her time sleeping, window snozzling, going on corgi hill hikes and car rides and hoarding socks. What I love about Piggie (apart for her mischievous nature and playful barking) is that she often has intelligent words games as her status.

Today’s game was this:

‘Let’s play WORD SCRAMBLE – just change one letter of the word before. Today’s word is: SLEEP’

Being based in the US, the word game has often been going for a few hours by the time my small piece of Sydney wakes up. So, SLEEP went to Steep, went to Leapt and so on until I added Realm after Cream. The next word was ‘Please’

Now, I may have spent a small amount of time studying the English language, and I’m pretty sure that Please, could in no way come after realm. For starters it has six letters rather than five, I’d rather not go too deeply into what’s wrong with this...but I’m sure you can see a few things too.

Anyway...my point on this is all about following instructions and rules.

Why is it so hard for people to do so? Of course I speak generally here, but as I drove into work this morning in the pouring rain and low visibility, so many were ignoring the road rule that says turn on your lights in adverse weather...of course you can guarantee that these same people have their fog lights on when there is a clear sky.

Why is it that I always get pulled over by the RBT (Random Breath Tests) because I follow the rules; slow down give room, when I see flashing lights. I get stopped because this is classed as suspicious. If I powered through without a pause, I’d be fine.

There seems to be confusion caused by rules and instructions. We’re told they are there for our own good, to help us live a safe and productive life. Most of the time I would agree that they are. It’s safer to drive with lights on. It’s safer not to smoke in an enclosed space, whiles it’s undoubtedly safer not to smoke at all. It easier if you follow the instructions provided with the flat pack. It’s easier for the next person to place the next word in the sequence if you don’t completely stuff it up. Sometimes however, confusion, frustration and danger is caused because there are simply so many rules and instructions to follow that we forget.

It was so much easier when there were only ten.

Lost Productivity

I tried to access a website today while at work. When I typed in the name of the site I was rewarded with a red screen and the words Prohibited, contravenes and blocked.

When I couldn’t access the site from my work computer (I just wanted to confirm something that would have taken no more than a couple of minutes) I referred to Safari on my iPhone. Reception of 3G isn’t what it could be when I’m out west working in the demountable building, what would have taken two or three minutes tops on the desktop connected to the network, took getting on for twenty minutes as I waited for pages to load. Then the looking the map up on whereis.com for directions.

I understand this blocking is preserve productivity of employees, so they don’t spend all day surfing the web, but sometimes you just need to check something when you thinking about it, rather than write a note to remind you to look later. I don’t understand how such a tight policy preserve that productivity. After all, I could spend the entire day reading the SMH or chatting with friends on LinkedIn, isn’t that worse than a quick check of the local doggie parks?

Did I mention all webmail is also blocked? Yet when I try to save an external contact (i.e. my agent) to my outlook contacts, it gets deleted each week. So I have to type in three addresses each week to send off my time sheet. Oh...and I can’t extract files onto a USB stick.

I know that companies need to have policies and procedures for the things that they do and do not allow, but it would seem that the company I am currently working for are a tad more paranoid about internet use than they should be. Afterall, we’re not making systems for the countries defence or planning security for the upcoming Obama visit. We are a private company mostly owned by the NSW Government (whom incidentally allow access to Facebook, I haven’t even tried to access that, I think my computer would implode) that has an average tenure of 23.8 years. This is not your regular, everyday internet surfer dude.

I know one senior employee that brings an iPad to work with outside internet access so he can effectually do his job. It’s the only way he can access some sites for research purposes.

I would say this, while it not my place to review your internet policies, I would say, it’s time for a change.

Street Walker

I’ve come to the conclusion that the human race can be a pretty unhelpful bunch, but I also like that they can be nice too.

I know this, because I have days the same, but I have recognised this in myself and have developed ways to say, ‘Thanks, but bugger off’, without actually saying it.

As a way to develop my photography skills I do unpaid work for a website called Fashion Studio. This involves me going out onto the streets of Sydney and looking at fashion trends. Unfortunately, due to privacy laws, I have to seek permission before taking pictures. This is a shame for a few reasons;

1. Often the best fashionista is having a bad hair/bad handbag/bad ‘breakout’ day. This usually means they look fabulous and to mere mortals they appear to have nothing wrong or out of place on their perfectly quaffed head.
2. They are in a hurry. This is usually a the person mentioned above who has until the moment you approach them been gliding along with ethereal grace, clearly in no hurry to get to their destination.
3. They completely ignore you. Politely, you say, ‘excuse me.’ They pretend they haven’t heard, I like being ignored, it’s gives me such a happy joy-joy feeling.
4. They tell you to ‘f*** off’. This is always very pleasant and will often issue before I’ve even said ‘Excus...
5. They say, ‘would you mind if I said no?’ Pretty hard to argue with. I tried once, I replied with, ‘Yes, I would, terribly.’ She was a number 1, she looked stunning, but she still said no, I let her go.
6. They try to pose, it never looks natural.

This is how I approach.

‘Excuse me, my name if is Jodie and I’m a fashion photographer.’ If this get one of the responses from above, I start looking for the next desirable. If they stop, I know I’m in with a 70/30 chance of getting a picture.

I go on to explain. ‘I work for Fashion Studio, an online magazine that looks at how catwalk fashion translate to street wear. Today we’re looking at xyz and I could help but notice your stunning/fabulous/amazing xyz’.

A lot are flattered, as they should be, some not so, and decline in a variety of ways

They will then ask, ‘Do I just stand here?’ So I’ll suggest a twist of the hip and look at the camera. They like that it slims them down, I like that it naturally get them putting their best foot forward (good for nice shoes) and get them to relax and maybe giggle a bit. Occasionally this doesn’t work and the full length shot looks awful, in that case I’ll take a waist up shot.

After the picture has been taken I give them a sheet that contains details of the site, my name and a URL of the site and tell them they can view their picture in the next couple of days. They go away smiling, enjoying the moment of spontaneity.

Personally if I was approached by a ‘fashion photographer’ and told what I was wearing was the height of fashion, I’d be happy to pose. The whole process that about 3 minutes. I’m not selling anything and not getting you sign up to support a charity with a regular monthly withdrawal of funds. What I notice is, that a lot of people will not even take the time to find out.

If I have the info sheet visible at ‘Excuse me’ I get a higher rate of Number 4, than if I highlight the camera, then bring out the info. Paper = selling in people’s minds.

This is not the first time I have had to solicit. I’ve done market research, I canvassed for the Alpaca Association and recently I’ve started doing voluntary work for an animal welfare group. Never selling, always offering information or offering something for free. So I’ve been on the receiving end of the general public’s wrath for a number of causes, so while I expect abuse of varying degrees, I’m still not used to it. I have learnt not to behave in a rude manner, I either do not make eye contact (the first rule of selling stuff) or I politely decline. If it’s charity, I explain I have my list of five each year and I review at Christmas. Happy to take a leaflet. Of course I do donate to charity, but it’s an ad-hoc thing and it’s rarely the big charities that spend hundreds of thousands on paying backpackers in Martin Place. Often, it’ll just be someone asking directions.

So please give this some thought next time you are approached by a stranger on a busy street.

Ask not what you can do for them, but what they can do for you.

In my case, you might just get a few minutes of fame.

PS. Thank you to the 16 lovely ladies that said 'Yes, I'd love too' today, two of whom are about.

Sharing and caring

I was taught as a child that ‘sharing was caring’.

In the days of sharing involving a tube of Fruit Pastilles or Rolos, I would completely agree, sharing did indeed indicate you cared.

In these days of social media where sharing with a simple click, can trigger a flaming, is it really caring to share?

There are a few things I am passionate about. One of them is Animal Rights. I do what I can to help, I volunteer with Oscar’s Law NSW and I have a healthy family of cats, a dog and half a dozen chooks (chickens). I also, don’t kill anything that lives outside, such as spiders or cockroaches (I’ll be honest and say they don’t always fair so well if they stray inside, unless it’s a Huntman, they always got put outside).

A few weeks ago I shared an image and a news story about a cat that lost her kittens to what can only be described as a vicious act of cruelty perpetrated by someone that deserves to be thrown in prison with thugs that will do the same to him. The image was disturbing, but small, you could just make out the wounds on the kittens but the look on the mother cats face was undeniable grief and confusion about what had happened to her babies. Cats tend to be extremely attentive and good mothers.

The share caused an outrage amongst my ‘friends’. Mostly my ‘animal loving’ ‘friends’, most of whom I've never met.

I was told to take down the share because it was too disturbing.
I was told it was unnecessary to share such a horrific image and story.
I was told, in a private message, that I was glorifying the act of cruelty.

I was doing none of these things in my eyes. I shared the story because it touched me in a heartfelt way and I believed people needed to know that people still do horrible thing to animals and getaway with it, mainly because people turn a blind eye to the horrific acts.

If the image had been of a human mother and her baby, outrage would have united the people into finding the perpetrator. The police would have been scrambled to the four winds until the guilty party had been found. The story would have been posted on every newsfeed and in every paper around the nation, no stone would have remained unturned. But it was just a cat, so I don’t need to see it’s pain.

I find this double standard unacceptable.

Since then I have chosen not to share stories of distress, cute doe-eye puppies in need of a home or kittens playing with string to entice. And now I find myself being reprimanded for not sharing.
I shall continue to not share out of respect for the friends that ASKED me not too as it was too distressing and they wanted to adopt everything they saw. My true friends who know that with respect for my beliefs comes a respect for theirs.

I shall continue to do my bit for animal right, but I’ll warn you now, I’ve been dicked about by volunteers before and I don’t take kindly to it. You want my help to make a difference…show me a little respect too; it’s not just about the animals there are humans with feelings in this too.

I’m happy to take my ball and Rolos and play in someone else’s garden, anytime, just say the word.

I thought you wanted a short answer?

Here’s the thing. I’m studying to be a wedding celebrant. I’ve attended the face-to-face part of the course and now I’m about half-way through the assignments.

Today I worked on a few, one about risk management., one about insurances and the other was a 20 point short answer recap on all the other elements of module…stuff about copyright, ongoing professional development and the role of a celebrant in the 21st century.

What is the role of the celebrant in Australian culture in 21st century?

That was easy to answer; My role is to assist people celebrate their special day in a way that is most fitting for them. In the case of weddings I am also there to facilitate the legal aspect of the ceremony.

That about sums it up I think.

Then there were some questions about how many hours of ongoing professional development is required each calendar year (five, in case you’re interested), then this one popped up:

What has been the historical evolution of the role of a Celebrant in both religious and spiritual contexts?

I immediate response was, ‘I don’t care, when did this become a certificate four in philosophy?’

While I believe there is a place for marriage in modern society, I do not believe there a place for God in every marriage ceremony. I also believe that same sex couples have a right to be married (after all why should they be spared the pain of divorce ;-). What I don’t get is how being able to answer this question has any bearing on my being a celebrant, good or otherwise.

I answered it and submitted the following answer:

'I’m sorry, but I don’t understand why this has bearing on my being a good celebrant. Although I would say the evolution has been to take the religious rigor out of wedding ceremonies for those who do not believe in God or are have inter-faith relationships.'

We can only wait to see what the Marker has to say, and I shall be raising this question as inappropriate and unnecessary when it come to course feedback time.

*thanks to Bunbury Marriage Celebrant for the picture