Melbcat thanks you for her birthday wishes! She’s just having a chill one today, enjoyed a slant of sunlight and then some snuggling.
I wish I’d been more proactive about getting on the Internet Archive or watching stuff in general before the options got cut down. Couldn’t find the classic slashers but that’s ok I guess, been a bit stressed lately so probably don’t want to watch anything too full on.
I watched Suspiria (1977) which I’d heard about. It was… alright? Interesting in terms of shots and effects but I found it a bit hard to pay attention and some of it was a little corny.
I expected to be into it because of the soundtrack but while it was good music well executed it was also a little overwhelming, it was meant to rev you up and give a sense of panic and dread like the musical equivalent of jangling nerves and a pounding heart - but it more gave me a headache with the sound effects and banging, like over application of a heavy perfume. It was all just a little too much sensory wise. The flickering lights also probably didn’t help.
One thing I did like was the shot of the scene which the girl ran through showing that it was a reflection, and the way her own shadow seemed to be chasing her. It was really nicely done to imply a topsy turvy reality and a sense of paranoia.
It definitely did have a dreamlike/nightmarish quality with the way the scenes ran together without much context for what was going on, and the mood lighting.
I can see why it’s a cult movie.
Adopted… kidnapped… shanghaied… joined the crew… enlisted… became a ward/charge… got distributed (ie. Cat Distribution System )… live in companion working for board 😂
Yeah, rescue implies some pretty exceptional circumstances
Out of curiosity, is it a rescue if you look after the pets while the owner is in hospital and then adopt them directly when the old owner enters palliative care? Then sort out a lot of vet care?
It doesn’t matter but I’ve always wondered how to answer in a short way how I got Melbcat.
Technically I still adopted her. Rescue to me always sounded like literally rescuing a pet from a storm drain or dog fights and rehabilitating them
I never performed, just lurked. Maybe do that until your nervousness goes
I got the chance to get to the op shop so I’ve bought some clothes, books, and some Buffy dvds. I think the best things were the lightweight natural fibre shirts.
I’m trying to get my external drive working but if not I have my eye on a secondhand tv with dvd built in.
Monthly Frugal Discussion Thread
Have you found a good bargain lately, made a repair, or figured out something that works for you?
This is also for any topic requests, suggestions, or tips that might not require their own thread.
Reminder that soil testing via VegeSafe/GardenSafe is free
VegeSafe and DustSafe are community science participation programs run by Environmental Science staff at Macquarie University.
This service is free via the EPA - apply through GardenSafe in Victoria and VegeSafe for the rest of Australia). The only cost is postage. You may choose to donate but it’s not compulsory.
I’ve impulsively sowed some Lebanese zucchini seeds into paper cups (no seed trays) and picked some large-ish pots up off the kerb for when they get bigger. I don’t have the stakes yet but this counts as doing something.
I’ve also collected some soil samples for testing and will be sending them off when I get a chance to get to the post office.
It’s unlikely I’ll be using these soil patches due to intruder cats and invasive couch grass that I don’t have the strength to dig out, but just wanted to know whether it theoretically could have been safe to grow in.
This service is free via the EPA - apply through GardenSafe in Victoria and VegeSafe for the rest of Australia). The only cost is postage. You may choose to donate but it’s not compulsory.
Monthly Gardening Discussion Thread - October
It’s October and the maggies are singing.
As the weather warms up what do you have planned for your landscape, pots, patch, window box - or even the lone houseplant/cactus in your apartment?
What sort of thing were you going for? Like a stroganoff?
It’s Melbcat’s birthday today! (Well one of the dates I have on her paperwork.)
17 years old 🎉🎂🥳🎈
Thanks but I should be ok! I’ve got a lift to grab a little used tv next Monday
(I can probably afford a proper tv and separate dvd player but haven’t wanted one til now and am trying to keep possessions minimal)
Melbcat is cuddling and I don’t want to get up. I wish I was strong enough to put her in a baby sling so we could keep cuddling while I folded or did dishes (she’s a big lady and I’m a small enby)
I saw one on eBay but it’s pickup only… maybe if I can blag a lift
I’m pissed off… years ago I had inherited a little tv with a built in dvd player. Shortly after Melbcat’s asthma got bad, and I put it and a few other things temporarily out on my veranda to make space to vacuum thoroughly. (Needed the floor clear and didn’t want to knock anything over.)
I involuntarily fell asleep in exhaustion, forgot to take it back in and it was gone.
Now that’s kind of on me for not grabbing it back in asap, maybe they thought that it was being given away - but in this neighbourhood I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t care.
Definitely one of my regrets now that YouTube is getting cracked down on and this external drive is giving me trouble.
I don’t want a large tv. I don’t want the smart tv shit that spies on you and requires internet connection. That little thing was the perfect size and picked up radio too.
I also had a portable dvd player way back when those were current but that was blatantly stolen out of my room by a flatmate. I think the bastard stole my discman too, and my ceramic space heater.
Thanks. It absolutely sucks, I’m planning to start eating people :)
I’d say at least they tried to check something out? But not exactly a win.
Medical fatphobia, medical gaslighting and medical misogyny are real https://youtube.com/shorts/Qz2qWXy3xJo?si=NJGGaFwp4tJ61S3w
It’s ok. I suggested EMDR because apparently it doesn’t always require you to discuss the events.
But it’s 100% your call as nothing is perfect for everyone, you gotta be ready and finances are a massive consideration
Yeah, same. Maybe the crappy foam wedge that your shoulder can sink into with a pillow on top for your head.
Uhh… yeah drs love to recommend weight loss for everything and maybe some people it might help?
But I am thin so it’s not the magic bullet they think it is (and treating it as such often misses underlying conditions)
Yeah, I can’t stand things on my face.
I guess propping yourself up really well, potentially changing sleep position and checking out your airways might be some help.
Have you ever tried napping semi-upright on a recliner or (if too expensive) a beanbag?
I tried the foam wedge pillow from Kmart (also trying to prop myself up to read or draw) but it’s pretty mid, a bit soft and too low so it doesn’t sit me up enough.
I avoid sleep apps due to privacy but they might give some feedback about which of the strategies are and aren’t any help
Consider buying an external optical drive
Title. I’m still trying to get mine to work but in theory owning one of these will allow you to use a computer without a cd drive to play or rip cds, play dvds, and burn backup cds of your music.
Obviously it’s better to have a computer with a cd drive but this creates options if you don’t. Pairs nicely with secondhand cds and dvds from the op shop. Look for these usb drives on eBay and at Officeworks.
Monthly Gardening Discussion Thread - September
Sorry this is super late. I’ve been busy and forgot to post at the same time as the frugal thread.
I also haven’t been able to do much gardening. The window boxes don’t hold much, I’m struggling with fatigue and the carrots I’m hoping would set seed are being eaten! Perhaps in future I’ll be able to do more.
Have you got any plans for your garden coming into spring?
I’m not sure if anyone would be interested but Internet Archive is another free resource.
They’ve recently lost a legal battle over copyright infringement resulting in the removal of 500,000 books but there’s still plenty of public domain media left.
Playing *one of the audiobooks works so I assume downloading will too.
Set a yearly reminder to apply for energy rebates
Things have been chaotic here.
I recently received an Outlook reminder I’d set… but it came after the applications closed. And I am straining my tired brain to remember if that was the closing date for the previous rebate or if I missed a new one. Or even missed the previous one!
However the reminder itself was very useful.
I’m planning to set another reminder for next year, this time for May or June.
What's free in Melbourne this month - What's On Melbourne
Free things to do in Melbourne in August 2024.
South East Asian food market, zero waste expo, Moon festival, Chinese culture, sea shanties, art exhibitions, running clubs…
If any of these look good and you’re able to participate then go wild.
Ps. For some reason the link preview still says August but the listed events are for September.
How to Restore Faux Sherpa Fleece
The thing about liking nice things and not being able to afford to replace said nice things is you gotta learn how to take care of your things. I’ve been taking care of my clothes since I started buying my own clothes (when I was…
Tip - just buy a generic tangle teezer style brush as it works fine, or use something like that you own.
I’m finding for some things (generic oodie) the matting even starts to happen on cold gentle washes if I’m not careful.
Monthly Frugal Discussion Thread - September
Have you found a good bargain lately, made a repair, or figured out something that works for you?
This is also for any topic requests, suggestions, or tips that might not require their own thread.
Monthly Gardening Discussion Thread - August
Sorry it’s late. I really haven’t been doing much over winter.
Something knocked over my pot of carrots and has been eating the tops, boring down into the root vegetable! I’m suspecting a possum.
I really need to repot the rosemary and buy seeds to resow the cat grass.
Have things been more active in your garden? Did you get some good results with winter vegies, or are you thinking ahead to spring?
Monthly Frugal Discussion Thread - August
Have you found a good bargain lately, made a repair, or figured out something that works for you?
This is also for any topic requests, suggestions, or tips that might not require their own thread.
Egg substitutes + tips (I forget ratios)
With limits on eggs now I thought it might be good to post some substitutes and notes on what has worked vs what was not that great.
For scrambled eggs and quiche I used to use silken tofu. It wasn't that pretty and didn't taste quite the same, but I seasoned it with soy sauce and didn't die. If you're willing to buy a niche product black salt contains sulfur and will give an eggy taste.
Mashed banana and applesauce are often recommended - I forget if I've tried them.
Yogurt was used as a substitute in muffins but I didn't like the result much. It made them a little dense and heavy. Perhaps it was that I used plain Greek yogurt rather than a thinner variety, plus muffins are supposed to be especially light.
Blancmange is egg free, made using cornstarch, and can be eaten instead of custard. (Though blancmange is usually served cold and set like jelly rather than as a hot dish/sauce)
There are egg free cake and biscuit recipes out there too.
Egg replacer powders are a thing but are more for baking rather than egg-based dishes.
Monthly Frugal Discussion Thread - July
Have you found a good bargain lately, made a repair, or figured out something that works for you?
This is also for any topic requests, suggestions, or tips that might not require their own thread.
Monthly Garden Discussion Thread - July
I've been a bit crook so haven't managed a lot of gardening lately. I'm just leaving my heirloom carrots in their window box until they set seed, and resowing the cat grass.
Have things been more active in your garden? Are you getting some good results with winter vegies, or thinking ahead to spring?
Granny's casserole
This is a very filling warming casserole from my granny, which uses a few simple ingredients and sauces them with pantry staples you probably already have.
I probably should have posted this earlier when the weather was seriously cold.
Ingredients:
1kg meat (gravy beef, chuck steak, steak)
Carrots
Onions
1 spoonful of olive oil (can be substituted with canola, sunflower or vegetable oil)
Knob of butter (optional)
Sauce:
5-6 forkfuls of plain flour or cornflour
1/2 tsp black pepper (or less as preferred - which I did! That's a lot of pepper)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp powdered mustard (or less as preferred - which I did! That's a lot of mustard powder and it can be hot)
3 large spoonfuls of vinegar
2 large spoonfuls of Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup tomato sauce
Method:
Dice meat (discard fat). Put into frying pan with olive oil and butter. Brown meat then put into casserole dish.
Peel carrots and onions then slice both into rounds. Add to the casserole dish.
Make sauce:
Into a mug put flour, pepper, salt, sugar and mustard powder (dry ingredients). Then add vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato sauce. Mix well then add to casserole dish.
Stir and just cover everything with water. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes.
Serve with mashed potatoes.
Notes
This is a slow moist cooking method intended for tough inexpensive cuts of meat but you can use anything you have. Stir fry beef is acceptable if that's all you can get hold of, or you can even slice in leftover cooked sausages to use them up. As a kid we sometimes had rabbit.
The measurements are a bit arbitrary as this recipe came from my actual grandma. If making a large quantity of meat, veg and potatoes (big family sized) you could use tablespoons for the 'large spoonfuls' of the condiments so there's enough flavour. But when reducing the amount of meat and veg down I might have just used generous dessert spoons. The forkfuls were just normal forks heaped with flour, 'spooned' out of the bag or box.
That's a lot of black pepper and mustard powder written there, intended to season a large family sized amount of bland meat and veg plus the potatoes. If you're scaling the amount of meat and veg down, are serving young kids, or you don't do spice at all definitely reduce the amount of those. I have a memory of making a smaller (possibly halved or less) quantity and using 1/8 tsp each of the pepper and mustard powder for myself.
I found when using plain flour it tended to settle to the bottom during cooking, so I would take it out of the oven in the middle of cooking and give it a quick stir. It thickened fine.
I forget the timing but if the times don't line up it's definitely much better for the casserole to be well underway or ready first - as the casserole can wait for the potatoes to finish, while with the reverse the spuds might get cold or the casserole undercooked.
Don't omit the vinegar as the acidity helps tenderise tough cuts like gravy beef or chuck, and tastes good with the sweetness of the carrots.
You can probably do this in a slow cooker or an instant pot. I haven't tried but it seems well suited.
The big bags of brushed potatoes used to work out cheaper - if you have any children make them do the scrubbing and peeling 😏
If you don't feel like having potatoes you can add savoury dumplings in to cook. There are proper ways to make dumplings but I just used to make basic scone dough with salt and pepper, and add lumps of it maybe towards the end or when the casserole was taken out to stir? They cook in the sauce and puff up all fluffy inside.
Our approach to combating pandemics must shift to one that prioritizes prevention of human infections with zoonotic viruses, rather than focusing on rapid response once human infection is widespread.
I really don't want to do this again
People living in parts of Mullumbimby in the Byron Shire hinterland are being warned to avoid using groundwater or harvesting homegrown fruit and veggies after PFAS chemicals were detected near their fire station.
