I've been reading through the instructions for the Ikea drawers I'm getting on Saturday, and it is mostly pretty clear except one bit I'm not 100% sure on. I think it means that trying to have sex with the drawer unit on a hard floor will break it, so I should put it on a soft surface and stroke it gently instead.
Spoke to my mum because it's her b day today and her leg is healing nicely due to a little skin treatment on there. My brother had his gallbladder out just before Christmas and then was readmitted because he was turning a shade of yellow that no one could figure out why. Anyway he's doing better so she's happy. It's good to hear better news because there was a time where I was dreading calling her.
Going for a walk in the evenings in summer is very pleasant. Much easier to find the motivation when it’s daylight savings and nice weather.
I had another incredibly vivid dream, but no dystopian elements this time, thank $deity. Because I just spent an hour typing it out here it is.
excessively detailed dream paragraphs because I'm bored
I was walking up a narrow winding road through a wooded area to arrive at a unbelievably lush yet pocket-sized suburb completely surrounded by massive broadleaf trees in a sweeping vista; I believed it was the US, because I'd come here to find a reclusive expert who didn't live in Australia. And it looked nothing like any Australian place I'd ever been to. I was in complete awe of this place and wanted to find out more...
I looked at the map on my phone and this unusually green village appeared to be cleverly tucked behind a train station and commercial area beyond a band of trees to the north. Thinking I had plenty of time before meeting the expert, I headed into the thicket of trees down a small, well-worn dirt path for a good while until I emerged to a row of slightly grimy shophouses and the sounds of a town on a lazy afternoon.
I spotted a narrow arcade and walked through its tiled corridor to the other side, only to find out I was now in Sydney - specifically Eastwood, according to the train station further down the road, though the area looked nothing like the actual Eastwood; it looked more like the high street of a Japanese suburb, two-to-four storey shophouses, cute pedestrian crossings, narrow roads, pot plants and all. I found myself next to a gaggle of chatty Korean ahjummas, many of whom were just leaving (or waiting to go into) a travel agents that mostly ran English classes. Somehow I was fixated on what they were saying even though I don't understand Korean...
The loud wheeze of a departing train snapped me to my senses; it had turned into evening and the streets were emptying out. I realised I was now supposed to get to my cousin's place before sundown (IRL i have a cousin who lives a short drive away, in this dream it was ten years later and he had moved closer to "Eastwood" because his landlord sold the rental and his kids were going to high school. I just knew this all along without any exposition or signs, and almost thought it was still true when I woke up; isn't it amazing how that happens in dreams?)
After walking for a while following confusing map instructions, I came to an industrial area and thought I was really lost, only to turn the corner and find my cousin kicking a soccer ball in an abandoned lot while waiting for his kids to finish their after school activities at a converted warehouse nearby. He greeted me warmly like we hadn't seen each other in a decade, and gave me instructions to get to his place, where I was told a delectable fish stew had been set aside for me (and at this point I was acutely aware of my hunger)... but first, could I do him a massive, jump in his car and have a look at the malfunctioning video screens in there? This part I'm curious about because I didn't "know" I was handy with hardware throughout the dream (and I'm not IRL either), but I had this weird confidence.
So I get to the car, a sort of early 2000s-looking grey Toyota SUV, and when I get in it's still got a cassette player and buttons and knobs from the 80s - and it seems like my cousin has jerry-rigged a few video screens about the size of those TomToms: one in the front and two to the back. Everything looks grey and overcast. I twist around to get a better look at the back seat, which has a bunch of old clothes for donation bundled up in those grey supermarket bags you don't see any more...
Only then does it hit me: I must have entered a portal that transported me not just to Sydney but an alternate universe where technology developed differently, and that's why my phone map was being weird - it wasn't of that world. I wasn't of that world! That's why I had no idea why I was asked to fix the screens. Was I even going to get to eat that fish stew?
Just as I realised this, I felt my fingers start to disintegrate, and that's when I heard the 8:50am school bell from across the road IRL and started waking up...
Anyway, I think I should give my cousin in Sydney a call to catch up. 8/10 dream. Better get on with the day now...
Started using bonito flakes or dropping treats into the bowl to entice Melbcat to eat her medicated meals...
She will now walk away from served food and start slamming the wardrobe door or waiting in the kitchen for 'food' if it doesn't have enough tasty toppings on it. I also have to add the treats in front of her, sometimes an extra one just to convince her they're in there. I'm being hustled. She is utterly spoilt.
I'm feeling pretty rotten, kind of just lying down watching videos.
Somebody is going back to the vet on Saturday, wondering if I've got the energy to wash and prepare the trays to get a sample.
Just waited 15 mins for a bus that never came. Lucky I have a tram line I can take instead.
the fountain on chesterville appears to be getting worse. Floodwaters now consuming entire footpath and look to be undermining wall. Note present from owners rather beleagueredly pleads that people not try and be helpful and shut off their mains, it won't stop the leak, they told south east water three weeks ago, they know, they know, please stop asking.
Hmm do I buy ice cream that's on special at the moment but forgo something a pre-ordered item that got delayed where I ordered from or get it available instantly elsewhere?
Ice Cream I'm thinking of getting is below.
Aww. Just found Zooks asleep in one of those storage cubes on top of my gym clothes.
Despite funny work shenanigans, this morning is going far far slower than I'd like... This week being my first week in the office after being sick and still having lingering little bits has me mega pooped.
Edit - a very important word lmao
Oh no, thr little bittergourds that I thought weren't bitter, are in fact bitter :( I picked firm, hard, green ones but actually should've gone for the softer and darker ones. Ideally they would be turning orange.
Here's the lickle gourds
and here's the finished curry though not the most photogenic
More bitter than I expected BUT lovely texture with the soft flesh, firmer skin, and crunchy seeds. Though it took an hour of cooking for them to soften.
I tried mug cake for the first time tonight. It was ok. Could do with a bit of cream or icecream next time.
