One day at a time

It's been a disappointing week. I'm sending back my replacement computer because I don't like it. Hopefully they will give me a refund. I have reset it back to factory settings. I liked my old computer far more and will be looking for something similar to replace it rather than the latest version. I haven't done any work this weekend, which feels strange. I should have enjoyed the break but I'm not enjoying my work at the moment so are not looking forward to Monday. The weekend was pleasant. Saturday was spent with my elderly aunt and it was a long day but the lunch was nice and she accepted the new phone easily. Sunday was frustrating. Brunch took forever for the food to arrive and shopping was so busy I didn't bother buying anything. The highlight of the week would be the radio program. It was the station's radiothon week and we managed to raise over $2000 during our show.

 This week has not been a good one for me.  So it started off with a minor road accident, when someone drove into the back on my car. We exchanged details and I was able to put my claim in online and organise for my car to be assessed and fixed. I took it in on Tuesday and after a few failed attempts with Uber, I picked it up on Friday (repaired!). Then I also fell over and rolled my ankle and the same day I discovered my mac mini had died. I ordered a replacement which wasn't cheap. Plus I have had a frustrating time trying to get someone to fix my aunt's phone. But on the COVID side, it's still not clear what is happening with the vaccinations, as they are restricting who gets the AZ jab because of the blood clotting issue. At least my family in the UK have been released from lock down and can meet up (even if it is only outside). 

I had the first week of three days in the office and it went smoothly, although meetings are proving to be a challenge (we don't have the right set up in the meeting rooms). Still waiting for information on what adjustments need to be held centrally but apparently this should be coming soon (someone suggested they would be available on Sunday!). Other big news was the passing of Prince Philip. The ABC sent out lots of notifications but not many from the BBC. I realised that my dad and aunt are part of a rare generation, the one that lived through the WWII.  From Friday, workplaces and indoor entertainment venues can have 100% occupancy. So can expect even more people on the trains and in the CBD. I hope that we can hang on to the advances that we have achieved during lockdown in working remotely.

Went to the office twice this week and saw more people in the office. It is nice not having to wear a mask when shopping but I wish more people would wear them on the trains. Thankfully the trains haven't been very busy and on Thursday they were unusually quiet. Easter weekend so a long weekend and time to enjoy the good weather that has come along with it. It was actually too hot to stay on my balcony today and according to my weather station it is currently 35C outside. Going to see my aunt tomorrow and try a new place to eat. I think I will take back the phone system that I had purchased for her as I am not sure that she would be able to cope with it, hopefully the shop will take it back - they do have a 30 change of mind return policy.

Big changes this week.  My employer has released new flexible guidelines, which require people generally to commit to spend at least 3 days a week in the office (this is a new definition of "flexible" working). I had already thought that I would return to the office 3 days a week, but what has changed is the language to effectively mandate that people come into the office (when clearly most people don't need to be physically in the office to get their work done). Although I found an interesting article of the BBC website, which it is turning out to be a mixed bag on what employers consider to be flexibility. It might take a while to settle down, but lets hope that the five day week in the office for office workers does not become the norm again. I did make into the office twice this week, no issues on either day. The other big thing for me was the dropping of the requirement to wear a mask in a retail environment. It is still a novelty to go shopping without having to wea...

 This week was going so well until Sunday. I had two full days working in the office and radio went okay with my interview. Saturday I planned to do very little, but I achieved what I wanted to do. But Sunday went pear shaped and I spent most of it on the bed. It was late afternoon before I ventured out and I did drive to one of the local supermarkets to get some food for the week. I get annoyed when I see people in supermarkets not wearing masks, it is compulsory but the supermarkets don't police it. It's surprising sometimes who does not wear one (or wears it under their nose or even under their chin). It's one simple thing that people can do to slow the spread, although there isn't much evidence of the virus out in the community now.

 I had a full day in the office followed by an evening volunteering at the community radio station, at least that day was pretty normal. Others have not been so great with gastro issues on at least two of them. The vaccinations are slowly rolling out, they are still on Phase 1A - frontline staff and residents of care homes. My 98 year old aunt is in Phase 1B, because she is still living in her own home. That phase was due to start in late March, but with supply issues and questions over one of the vaccines, I wonder if that is going to happen. The Federal government has revised their estimate of having everyone fully vaccinated by October to probably everyone will have had their first vaccination by then, completing the full course may take until early 2022. My father  in the UK has got the date for his second vaccination confirmed for later in March, although he had to go to the vaccination centre to get that sorted, sounds like the process isn't running as smoothly as it cou...