One of life’s more perplexing events took place last Wednesday. The day started positive. The toast was just perfect with no burnt edges but warm enough for the butter to melt within, allowing the cheese to nestle itself in all its hollows and grooves.
The previous couple of weeks, things were far from comfortable. I caught a nasty flu. If a good diet prevents getting colds or nasty flu, I am almost prepared to believe the contrary, eating fresh fruit and different vegetables daily might well be the reason for getting sick. I am just kidding, the reason probably is found in doctors’ waiting rooms often being warrens for the viruses. Helvi had a cataract removed and I had to renew my thyroid prescription. The multiple visits to waiting rooms was asking for trouble. I just knew it. Helvi just now is recovering as well.
Each Wednesday morning is one of my my weekly bowling appointment. Perhaps the flu virus was caught there. You just don’t know through whose hands those bowls have travelled. Each Sunday evening is the other bowling event. Again, with both being played indoors at Returned Soldier’s Clubs. The flu viruses must be having a ball spreading havoc.
Last Wednesday I played well and on leaving the club was given a nice compliment by another player. I like compliments and somewhat jauntily jumped in the car ready to drive home and have lunch. But, as I turned the key, the engine remained eerily silent. It did not kick over. Modern cars have complicated electrical systems. I thought that perhaps I wasn’t following correct procedure. This car has a computer screen and usually gives written commands. Nothing appeared on the screen.
I phoned up my National Road and Motor Association and within half an hour was helped out by a mechanic who told me that the battery was not only flat but finished and proceeded with giving me a print-out of the faulty battery’s output. He advised me to go to the nearest dealer and get a new battery. I did this and as the car is under warranty got a new battery for free. I got home at least two hours after my bowling event had finished and was ravenous for sustenance. I almost relented and succumbed to a Big Macdonald’s, but resisted heroically. Heaven only knows what germs thrive in those fast food establishments with snotty kids slobbering all over the joint.
Aren’t we fortunate though to replace the occasional battery? It is different in our Government. We seem to be in a permanent state of flat battery. Nothing gets done. The ennui of nothingness is paralysing Australia. The only thing happening is a permanent lurching from one crisis to another. The refugees on Manus and the problem of their permanent detention seems unsolvable and intractable by this inert Government in finding a solution. And all those Parliamentarians popping up with dual Nationality? Each evening we watch the news to see who is next to having another nationality. Isn’t it a hoot?
Australia has a flat battery and that is not good.
Tags: Australia, Battery, Flu, MacDonald's, Manus, NRMA, Parliamentarians, RSL, Virus
Oosterman Treats Blog 
November 10, 2017 at 11:38 pm |
I am 100% convinced, Gerard, that the best way to get sick is to go to the hospital! As for dead batteries, they happen, preferably when you are not a thousand miles into the Outback! We prefer that our politicians are totally incompetent at passing anything in America now, since the only things they want to pass are things that would be devastating. –Curt
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November 11, 2017 at 7:13 am |
Yes, hospitals are places to avoid. Some say we should be less concerned about hygiene and ought to take a risk with germs and viruses to build up our resistance. Kids from farms and amidst nature are supposed to be much healthier than their city cousins. We are at a loss how we got the flue. Perhaps old age or too much fruit and vegetables 😉
As for our Government, just now another member has resigned admitting he has another nationality.
We now have a minority Government and with just two weeks left to Govern or pass legislation, things are chaotic. Chicken feathers and snake oil might get back in favour.
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November 11, 2017 at 10:00 pm
When I worked as a professional lobbyist for health and environmental concerns, the last few days of a legislative session were always one to watch closely as the legislators and special interest groups tried to sneak things through.
Sadly (even though I am a Democrat), we are seeing a number of Republican Legislators leaving politics because they can no longer stand the decisive, ideological stands of their own party who refuse to compromise and refuse to govern for the good of the whole.
I have my flu shots, and I am still staying as far away from hospitals as I can! And I am still eating my fruits and veggies. 🙂 –Curt
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November 11, 2017 at 12:33 am |
Sorry to hear you’ve been sick. Yes, unfortunately, the doctor’s office is a good place to pick up viruses. Of course, that bowling ball probably is too. Maybe you’ll have to get your own. 😄
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November 11, 2017 at 7:21 am |
But what about he poor doctors working in such an environment of germs and viruses?
Many now blame the Government for not having ordered the right vaccine or not enough of it. Hundreds have actually died this year of the flue, and the people are fearful and getting restless.
I received the flu twice with the female hairdresser depositing a large trail of nasal effluence over the back of my head. I saw it in the mirror but kept quiet.
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November 11, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Eww! Think I’ll cut my own hair next time. 😄
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November 11, 2017 at 12:47 am |
Sorry about the battery, Gerard. Must have been a dud just like our government.
You say, “The refugees on Manus and the problem of their permanent detention seem unsolvable and intractable by this inert Government in finding a solution.” I have to disagree. What is happening there, is the solution they came up with. Of course, we don’t agree.
We now have a parliament were an unknown number is illegally occupying a seat. Even the PM is in danger now.
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November 11, 2017 at 7:29 am |
The solution of this Government will come to haunt them, Berlioz.
The groundswell of support to bring the refugees to Australia is growing.
The fact that New Zealand’s offer for taking in 150 refugees is being rejected by our Government is just such a reprehensible deed, it begs understanding. Dutton is such a brick.
With the latest resignation of yet another member of Government for being a British citizen is not the end of it either.
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November 11, 2017 at 4:09 am |
It is good to be a member of the NRMA. Gerard. Do they not always come to your help when needed? Anyhow, Peter and I have had some very good experiences with them. And I think being a long time member (Peter is a Gold Member!) has some extra advantages.
I am sorry, Gerard, that you and Helvi had some health problems. By the way, I as well as Peter also had recently several flu attacks. I am baffled too, where the virus might come from. I believe it is mostly air born.
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November 11, 2017 at 7:38 am |
Yes, Uta. The NRMA is a good friend when a car breaks down. Helvi used to be a gold member too.
We pride ourselves and gloat over the fact never getting a flu and put it down to healthy diets.
This year I almost suspect the heathy eating is at fault. 🙂
Those shopping trolleys are of course harbingers of all sorts of germs and viruses. Many shops now have alcohol wipes available for wiping hands and trolley handlebars.
Take-a-ways and pre-pared foods are also in the line of fire according to doctors. But, too much concern and wiping is also regarded as not building resistance.
Nothing seems easy anymore, Uta.
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November 11, 2017 at 8:19 am
Nothing seems easy anymore? Maybe it all depends on how you look at it?
“Don’t Worry, Life is Easy” (La vie est facile, ne t’inquiete pas) is the title of a book I just started reading. I did get it from the Wollongong-Dapto Library. Looks like a good read. 🙂
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November 11, 2017 at 9:45 am |
I remember a saying;
The pessimist knows the world is a bad place.
The optimist is always finding this out.
My throw-a-way lines have to be taken with a pinch of salt, Uta.
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November 11, 2017 at 10:36 am |
Of course, Gerard. I very much like the way you write. 🙂
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November 11, 2017 at 11:13 am |
Bummer about the battery and the flu. Interesting how the Parliamentarians are more concerned about saving their own citizenship skins than those of the refugees on Manus. Shame on the pollies.
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November 11, 2017 at 8:59 pm |
There is now a race to the bottom, Peggy.
Parliamentarians are all nervously looking at their ancestors and few are not tainted by having some European ancestry. But, what about those past parliamentarians, all now whooping it up on generous pensions and allowances? Some might well be double dipping and getting pensions from foreign countries as well!
Even past Prime Ministers would today have been illegals, and you are right, Peggy; who are this present mob of Government ministers talking about illegal refugees on Manus and Nauru?
It’s no wonder we all are getting infections and bouts of flu. I blame Dutton and Turnbull.
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November 11, 2017 at 6:20 pm |
Here’s hoping your ruling party will lose enough seats to force a new election. Australia is in desperate need of a new government.
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November 11, 2017 at 9:08 pm |
Yes, Stuart. Helvi and I are on the edge of our seats with keen anticipation of this Government resigning, but…where are the new leaders? Where is a Trudeau, a Merkel or Macron?
It seems that politics do not attract the calibre of young people that are moving to more rewarding and possibly more challenging professions than politics.
It is frightening though how Australia and many of its citizens have become so hardened against foreigners and flocking to the most inane and the extreme right and White nationals such as Hanson.
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November 11, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Australia is such a big country, a whole continent! And there is no place for a few thousands refugees each year? Unbelievable and inhumane, what is the opinion of the Christian churches in Australia in this regard, don’t they say or do anything else than the government?
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November 11, 2017 at 11:06 pm
The churches traditionally would have been on the side of those that are under siege of inequality or the downtrodden.
However, most churches are reeling from so many cases of sexual abuse against children. One of the highest officials of the Catholic church is fighting a court case of having personally sexually abused children.
The churches haven’t come out strongly in defending the plights of refugees. I think that speaks volumes about where churches generally seem to be at.
There are a few exceptions who do speak about the crimes committed by our Government against refugees. Let’s hope they will get stronger.
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November 11, 2017 at 11:04 pm |
Glad the bowling is going well. Sometimes, surrounded by coughing and sneezing hordes, it seems like passing out hospital masks and hand sanitizer would be a good idea, or just quickly spritzing everyone you meet with Lysol, would be a good idea.
And yes! jumper cables seem like a great idea, when politicians are involved.
Sometimes applied to the temples, trying to get a few synapses sparking, like our VP Pence. Sometimes a defibrillator, to see if these people actually have hearts.
And very often, a few lightning bolts to the butt seems in order for our Congress.
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November 12, 2017 at 12:52 am |
Bowling is going well but with those nasty bouts of flu, your suggestion of spreading Lysol amongst the players ought to be followed up.
I am afraid that no amount of jumper leads would fire up the present batch of politicians. Their hearts ossified years ago due to their privileged private education where so many were subjected to bullying.
It is well known that you give back what was given to you, hence their pure joy in torturing the refugees. ‘Teach them a lesson’, would be their main credo. Why should they escape what we were given ?
‘It made men of us…’
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November 12, 2017 at 6:44 am |
I’m so sorry to hear about the flu bug 😦 and the battery, Gerard. 😦
I wish governments were as easy to heal/fix as the flu and a battery.
(((HUGS))) and hope you are feeling better by now! 🙂
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November 13, 2017 at 4:09 am |
Both battery and flu are now fixed.
I doubt the ills of our Government will get better soon. We can hardly keep up who is in and who is out. A case of musical chairs without music, just a lot of white noise.
Hugs to you too.
They say that viruses are all over the internet.
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November 13, 2017 at 1:08 am |
Before I forget, let me back up a bit to your post about spammers and cold callers and all of those annoyances the telephone brings. Just today, I heard an announcement on radio from one of our local law enforcement agencies about such things. It seems that, post Hurricane Harvey and the Big Flood, we’re awash in fake contractors, insurance surveyors, and such.
What their advice boiled down to was this. If you’ve made arrangements to talk with a specific person — a contractor, an insurance agent, a FEMA employee — by all means do so. However: if you receive a call from someone claiming to be an official, or suggesting that they have the time to squeeze you in and get your work done for you cheaply? Hang up. Or, as the person on the radio said, “Don’t worry about being polite. Hang up.”
I thought it was interesting that they even put such an ad on radio. Apparently plenty of people are having to cope with crooks — it really is a shame. It’s bad enough under normal circumstances.
I am sorry to hear about your flu. You’ve reminded me that I need to get my own flu shot. I’m not entirely sure they do any good, but they don’t seem to do me any harm, so why not? There’s no doubt in my mind that working outdoors by myself has contributed a good bit to my basically good health. People who are stuck in offices or stores — or schools — with a horde of people who are there because they can’t take off are far more likely to come down with something. At least you have spring coming — that surely will help.
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November 13, 2017 at 4:23 am |
Oh, you are right. Linda. Scammers are lurking in the wings, especially during climatic or tectonic calamities.
During the dreadful New Zealand earthquakes and the Australian floods, special warnings were broadcast to be aware of scoundrels taking advantages of people’s stress and suffering.
Worse, lootings happened as well.
Against that, many communities were brought closer together and plenty of stories about people helping each other out.
Both Helvi’s and my flu are on the retreat. At one stage we were going around all hospitally gloved and masked with alcoholic wipes, disinfectants, to try and ward off cross contamination. All, useless.
We used to pride ourselves of never getting a cold or flu, robust health and all that…
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November 13, 2017 at 9:36 pm |
Sorry about the flu. Of course it was the hospital. That’s where the germs live. But your first sentence restores my faith in the good life. How you got toast without burnt edges is brilliant.
Glad they owe you a new battery for your new car . You can’t trust anybody. It’s funny how all the good things come at once which leaves room for all the bad things to fill up the empty space. If Australia’s batteries are flat, think of the poor US. Maybe it will get better when or if Trump can figure things out.
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March 1, 2019 at 6:27 pm |
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
You have some really good posts and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog
in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested.
Regards!
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March 2, 2019 at 1:57 am |
Sure, looking forward to your article.
Regards.
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