AJ Sadauskas @lemmy.ml My main Mastodon account on the Fediverse is @[email protected]
That is a nightmare week 😔
Wishing Mr P all the best for the test results, I can't imagine how stressful that would be 💜
You're totally justified in being frustrated at MIL's belated benevolence. It's nice she's offering to help, but not helpful when she's offering!
I went through a phase like Miniest and grew out of it — mostly anyway.
Before you know it, she'll be 40, and you'll laugh as you recount a story about a crazy thing she did when she was a teenager.
Take care 💜
My work week is finally done.
And what a cluster fuck.
While the department that I work in is profitable, overall our organisation is set to lose money this year.
Bad decisions made by the "manager" have been a contributing factor.
But.
The "manager" has gotten it in his head that if only our organisation can send an email to everyone on a partner organisation's mailing list, sales will boom.
A couple of months back, he convinced the partner organisation to send a small segment of its list an email offering them one of our organisation's products for free.
And to be fair, a reasonable number took up the free product.
This has convinced "manager" that if the partner organisation sends an email to its entire mailing list offering them a discount for buying our org's products, thousands of them will take it up. Even though many (most?) of their customers have never heard of us before.
The "manager's" boss is new in her role (she moved into it after a restructure earlier this year), and trusts what he says.
Here's where it becomes a trainwreck.
The past two years, our org has run an end of financial year sale aimed at consumers. Both times, it has increased sales a bit, but nowhere near enough to meet targets.
Marketing have tried different promotions and shown they work better. They want to run a marketing campaign to business customers for the end of financial year, and use a different approach with consumers in the new financial year.
They did a whole preso to "manager" showing that a different approach will generate more sales overall — but a lot of that revenue will fall in the new financial year.
Manager overruled them. His official reason is that he doesn't want to try anything different to last year, because that's risky.
(The real reason is he wants as many sales as possible this financial year, so that the losses from his bad decisions are as small as possible.)
So marketing are stuck with a campaign they know won't work.
"Manager's" brilliant plan is to use that campaign strategy that hasn't worked, but then to get the partner organisation to email everyone on their mailing list, which he thinks will mean thousands of people will buy products and that will make it work.
(And yes, partner org mailing everyone on their mailing list is something out org hasn't done before. But this isn't seen as "risky" by "manager" because it's his idea.)
Of course, this pissed off the business salespeople.
So to keep them on-side, he's also making marketing run the business promotion as well, even though they don't have the staff or the budget to do both.
He's only just approved all of this now, and both promotions need to start on 1 June, so the graphic designers basically have two weeks to get everything ready.
It gets worse.
The partner organisation has already explicitly told us that e-mailing everyone on their contact list during June is a hard no.
But "manager" has sold his boss on the idea, and she's said that she expects partner org to email everyone on their contact list.
Following a string of meetings, my boss is now stuck with making that happen. Even though it's a hard no from the partner org.
So I was stuck in a string of meetings today where my boss was desperately trying to find a reason to tell her contact at the partner org why they should change their policy other than "Manager" thinks it's a good idea (there isn't one). Or some fact or piece of information will persuade "manager" to see reason (I'm honestly not hopeful).
Sorry for the rant. But it's been a week!
Outrageous. Time to demand a refund on that defective ticket 😂
If it's a one-on-one conversation, I tend to ask questions about whatever it is.
Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to them thinking I'm actually far more interested in learning about their GX-Holden-whatever than I really am, and they decide to tell me all about it next time we meet as well... 🙂
Weakest points:
There's many.
I'm atrocious at sports and physical activities. I'm not handy at all. There's a lot of stuff, particularly in more advanced math and science, that I don't know much about. I don't watch much TV or many movies compared to most people, and end up with little to say when the topic comes up. I know nothing about cars.
Strongest points:
I'm modest enough not to mention them 😂
So I mentioned in passing to wifey that I'm thinking about getting a buzzcut when the weather gets warmer.
She's urging me to do it, and is now offering to shave my head...
Is this a good time to mention I had a C64 growing up, and later an Amiga 500?
LOAD "*",8,1 RUN
"Thank you everyone for all the kind words 😽
"Mum is still giving me eyedrops today, and it's really uncomfortable 😿
"But my eye feels a lot better today 😸
"Now excuse me, I have some chicken to eat for dinner. It's my favourite! Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom"
— Miss Mimi
Mimi is such a brave little kitty.
Yesterday, wifey noticed that Mimi seemed to be winking a lot. After some further inspection, she noticed that one of Mimi's eyelids was swollen.
So today, Mimi went on a big trip to the vets to see Dr Paul.
Dr Paul took a look at her eye, and thankfully there's no scratches on her eyeball.
Because it's one eye that was swollen, it's unlikely to be an allergic reaction, and our babies are all indoor cats.
Most likely, it was that some individual — who may or may not be named Spunky or Snowy — got a little rough while playing with Mimi overnight.
After an anti-inflammatory injection and some eyedrops, Miss Mimi was sent home.
She's now happily playing in a box.
Now Miss Mimi is having her turn. We can't let the others have all the fun!
Spunky has been evicted from the box.
Mr Snowy decided the box looks like fun, and decided to have a turn.
Am I biased in saying crazy cat ladies (and gents) are the best people?
Anyway, little Spunky got a surprise today when his mum got an Amazon delivery today. A big new box for a little kitty 🐈📦
One more for all my fellow crazy cat ladies (and gents)...
Here's Mr Snowy, who's sitting beside me on the couch, and not too amused about being photographed:
Nawww, who's an adorable floof 😻
And at least he's not like our Mr Snowy, who thinks sinks are a great place to sleep...
I know that feeling!
Wifey is already sound asleep, as are our fur babies. I need to be up early for work tomorrow.
Weekend highlight: Finding a Philippino take away/burger place that does an ube (purple yam) flavoured dessert.
Incredibly sweet, but delicious.
It's that time of the evening. There's more work that needs to be done, but that's next week's problem.
Now it's time for wine and pizza
Waverley Park — Melbourne's car-dependent suburban AFL stadium with a planned seated capacity of over 150,000 (not a typo!)
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112121946640090153
> Waverley Park — Melbourne's car-dependent suburban AFL stadium with a planned seated capacity of over 150,000 (not a typo!) > > A really good run down by @philip on the plans by the AFL (and its predecessor, the VFL) to build the world's largest stadium in outer-suburban Melbourne. > > Unfortunately, a planned railway line past the stadium to Rowville was never built. That meant a massive 25,000-spot car park as the only real means to get there. > > While most of it has been demolished and redeveloped for housing, the oval itself still used by Hawthorn Football Club as a training and administration centre. > > https://youtu.be/LvvLwiRCx4s?si=x2QvxepgPtBtJZfx > > @fuck\_cars #AFL #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #cars #stadium #stadia #Melbourne #sport #footy #football #stadiums #history #Victoria #VicPol #Australia #planning #Hawthorn #AusPol #CarBrain
Waverley Park — Melbourne's car-dependent suburban AFL stadium with a planned seated capacity of over 150,000 (not a typo!)
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112121946640090153
> Waverley Park — Melbourne's car-dependent suburban AFL stadium with a planned seated capacity of over 150,000 (not a typo!) > > A really good run down by @philip on the plans by the AFL (and its predecessor, the VFL) to build the world's largest stadium in outer-suburban Melbourne. > > Unfortunately, a planned railway line past the stadium to Rowville was never built. That meant a massive 25,000-spot car park as the only real means to get there. > > While most of it has been demolished and redeveloped for housing, the oval itself still used by Hawthorn Football Club as a training and administration centre. > > https://youtu.be/LvvLwiRCx4s?si=x2QvxepgPtBtJZfx > > @fuck\_cars #AFL #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #cars #stadium #stadia #Melbourne #sport #footy #football #stadiums #history #Victoria #VicPol #Australia #planning #Hawthorn #AusPol #CarBrain
Waverley Park — Melbourne's car-dependent suburban AFL stadium with a planned seated capacity of over 150,000 (not a typo!)
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112121946640090153
> Waverley Park — Melbourne's car-dependent suburban AFL stadium with a planned seated capacity of over 150,000 (not a typo!) > > A really good run down by @philip on the plans by the AFL (and its predecessor, the VFL) to build the world's largest stadium in outer-suburban Melbourne. > > Unfortunately, a planned railway line past the stadium to Rowville was never built. That meant a massive 25,000-spot car park as the only real means to get there. > > While most of it has been demolished and redeveloped for housing, the oval itself still used by Hawthorn Football Club as a training and administration centre. > > https://youtu.be/LvvLwiRCx4s?si=x2QvxepgPtBtJZfx > > @fuck\_cars #AFL #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #cars #stadium #stadia #Melbourne #sport #footy #football #stadiums #history #Victoria #VicPol #Australia #planning #Hawthorn #AusPol #CarBrain
So WestConnex was totally going to solve traffic in Sydney by adding more lanes for cars. Just a few teething problems on the Rozelle Interchange and it'll all clear up, they said.
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112121164974009194
> So WestConnex was totally going to solve traffic in Sydney by adding more lanes for cars. Just a few teething problems on the Rozelle Interchange and it'll all clear up, they said. > > I wonder how it's going? > > "Gladesville and Drummoyne locals say gridlock is worsening in their suburbs following changes to improve traffic flow through the notorious Rozelle Interchange, with drivers using local streets as “rat runs” to dodge congestion." > > Oh dear... > > https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/rozelle-interchange-fix-has-created-rat-runs-in-the-suburbs-20240319-p5fdim.html > > \#roads #cars #fuckcars #urbanism #UrbanPlanning #traffic #cities #congestion #car @fuck\_cars
Sydney has opened up consultation on a strategy to reduce car traffic and make the city more walkable
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112105256146111201
> Sydney has opened up consultation on a strategy to reduce car traffic and make the city more walkable > > "Driving in central Sydney will become harder under a plan to make the city more comfortable for pedestrians. > > "The City of Sydney wants to narrow roads for wider footpaths and push for lower speed limits to discourage drivers from the CBD and transform Sydney into a walkable city. > > "The council will also install more pedestrian crossings and prioritise people over cars... five times more pedestrians than motorists on the average street, yet just 40 per cent of road space is allocated to footpaths." > > https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/greener-safer-calmer-the-plan-to-discourage-drivers-from-central-sydney-20240312-p5fbr7.html > > Some key points of the strategy are: > > We will ensure that there is sufficient space for people to walk. > > We will improve connectivity for people walking by ensuring there are frequent street crossings that give people priority and that align with people’s walking routes. > > We will ensure that footpaths and crossings are accessible so that everyone can use them. > > We will plan our city based on 10-minute neighbourhoods so that people are able to meet their daily needs easily by walking. > > We will make it safer for people to walk by reducing vehicle speeds. > > We will reduce traffic volumes on surface streets and manage through-traffic in residential neighbourhood streets to improve both safety and experience for people walking. > > We will work to make all people feel safer while walking around our city. > > We will work to improve compliance with road rules, especially the lesser-known rules that benefit people walking. > > We will make our streets and public spaces comfortable and inviting by ensuring that they > are green and cool. > > We will make sure that there are frequent opportunities for people to stop and rest, use the toilet or have a drink of water. > > We will make our city more pleasant to walk in by reducing noise and air pollution from > traffic. > > We will make all streets interesting to walk along by ensuring that built form has active, permeable frontages that invite engagement and curiosity. > > We will use design, activations and installations to create neighbourhood-based community and encourage people to interact with their streets. > > Full details here: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-feedback-walking-strategy-action-plan#strategy > > Unfortunately, the car-brained leader of the local business lobby isn't on board: > > "Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou welcomed efforts to make the city pedestrian-friendly... But Nicolaou said it was difficult to see how making Sydney a predominantly walking city would benefit businesses such as retailers." > > (Worth repeating that 80% of people on an average city street are pedestrians, so it already is a predominantly walking city.) > > Anyway, if you think the plan's a good idea, make sure you let the Sydney City Council know by emailing [email protected] > > \#urbanism #UrbanPlanning #Sydney @fuck\_cars #walking #walk #walkability #nswpol #auspol #nsw #planning #cities #UrbanGreening #city #cities #australia
Sydney has opened up consultation on a strategy to reduce car traffic and make the city more walkable
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112105256146111201
> Sydney has opened up consultation on a strategy to reduce car traffic and make the city more walkable > > "Driving in central Sydney will become harder under a plan to make the city more comfortable for pedestrians. > > "The City of Sydney wants to narrow roads for wider footpaths and push for lower speed limits to discourage drivers from the CBD and transform Sydney into a walkable city. > > "The council will also install more pedestrian crossings and prioritise people over cars... five times more pedestrians than motorists on the average street, yet just 40 per cent of road space is allocated to footpaths." > > https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/greener-safer-calmer-the-plan-to-discourage-drivers-from-central-sydney-20240312-p5fbr7.html > > Some key points of the strategy are: > > We will ensure that there is sufficient space for people to walk. > > We will improve connectivity for people walking by ensuring there are frequent street crossings that give people priority and that align with people’s walking routes. > > We will ensure that footpaths and crossings are accessible so that everyone can use them. > > We will plan our city based on 10-minute neighbourhoods so that people are able to meet their daily needs easily by walking. > > We will make it safer for people to walk by reducing vehicle speeds. > > We will reduce traffic volumes on surface streets and manage through-traffic in residential neighbourhood streets to improve both safety and experience for people walking. > > We will work to make all people feel safer while walking around our city. > > We will work to improve compliance with road rules, especially the lesser-known rules that benefit people walking. > > We will make our streets and public spaces comfortable and inviting by ensuring that they > are green and cool. > > We will make sure that there are frequent opportunities for people to stop and rest, use the toilet or have a drink of water. > > We will make our city more pleasant to walk in by reducing noise and air pollution from > traffic. > > We will make all streets interesting to walk along by ensuring that built form has active, permeable frontages that invite engagement and curiosity. > > We will use design, activations and installations to create neighbourhood-based community and encourage people to interact with their streets. > > Full details here: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-feedback-walking-strategy-action-plan#strategy > > Unfortunately, the car-brained leader of the local business lobby isn't on board: > > "Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou welcomed efforts to make the city pedestrian-friendly... But Nicolaou said it was difficult to see how making Sydney a predominantly walking city would benefit businesses such as retailers." > > (Worth repeating that 80% of people on an average city street are pedestrians, so it already is a predominantly walking city.) > > Anyway, if you think the plan's a good idea, make sure you let the Sydney City Council know by emailing [email protected] > > \#urbanism #UrbanPlanning #Sydney @fuck\_cars #walking #walk #walkability #nswpol #auspol #nsw #planning #cities #UrbanGreening #city #cities #australia
So who's your favourite band or artist? What's your favourite song or album?
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/110406460825605694
> So who's your favourite band or artist? What's your favourite song or album? > > I'm keen to hear both who you're currently listening to, as well as your all-time favourites and guilty pleasures. > > What do you like about them? How did you get into their music? And significant stories or memories? > > @[email protected] @[email protected] #music #pop #PopMusic #Top40 #rock #rocknroll #metal #MetalMusic #HipHop #HeavyMetal #ThrashMetal #NuMetal #punk #PunkRock #FolkMusic #Classical #ClassicalMusic #Musicals #Opera #Soul #Funk #Jazz #EDM #ElectronicMusic #SoulMusic #Blues #Country #WorldMusic
Head trauma, huge injury toll list sparks more tackle rule changes #AFL
Some interesting takes here on the AFL's crackdown on dangerous tackles, and the issue of concussions.
Adelaide Crows kick off Gather Ground with a BIG statement against Carlton #AFL
Adelaide 118 to 62 against Carlton in front of a packed Adelaide Oval.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan backtracks over the future of Gather Round in Adelaide
With Gather Round, all nine AFL matches in round nine are being held in Adelaide. And with all the matches selling out, the AFL is looking seriously at coming back next year.
South Australia's premier takes on footy challenge with AFL gather round in full swing
SA state premier Peter Malinauskas discusses Gather Round in Adelaide, with all round five matches being held in Adelaide.
Warner brothers to premiere this weekend for the Sydney Swans, as coach Longmire urges calm on McCartin
John Longmire says discussions about Paddy McCartin's future in the game are premature
"SYDNEY coach John Longmire has urged for speculation surrounding Patty McCartin to cool as the key defender deals with another concussion that is threatening his career.
"Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Longmire revealed that 19-year-old midfielder Corey Warner, the brother of Swans star Chad, will debut on Friday night against Richmond."
A full list of the players who will become free agents in 2023
The AFL has released the full free agents list for 2023
"ESSENDON defender Mason Redman and Port Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon are among a group of just seven remaining unsigned restricted free agents this year.
"The AFL released its official list of 100 free agents to clubs on Wednesday, which followed AFL.com.au revealing its list earlier this year, with the bandings of restricted and unrestricted free agents communicated to clubs.
"Qualifying for restricted free agency means the players are entering their eighth or ninth seasons at their respective clubs and are in the top 25 per cent of their club's earners. It also allows their holder clubs to match a rival's free agency bid on them and force a trade if they choose under the rules, whereas unrestricted free agents can walk to rival suitors."
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell comes clean on noodle sign that baffled the AFL world
Nearly all the fan theories missed the mark by a very long way.
"Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has come clean on the eyebrow-raising noodle and chopstick sign his team used during the Easter Monday clash against Geelong.
"The sign that was held up to the players from the sidelines baffled Channel 7 commentators and fans alike, with many a wild AFL theory emerging on social media."
Easter Monday footy highlights: Geelong score first win of the season
The young Hawks were leading until half time. But then Geelong came back strongly in the second half to score an emphatic win.