So after braving the post Boxing Day sales crowds today I couldn't help but noticing that some (or a lot of) people clearly need to be reminded about some pretty basic shopping centre etiquette (which is even more important with large crowds).
For some reason many people seem to think that stopping in shop doors is perfectly acceptable. It IS NOT.
People also seem to think that stopping in the middle of the walk way and blocking the flow of traffic is also perfectly acceptable. It IS NOT.
A lot of people seem to think that just walking around in a daze and constantly getting in everyone's way all the time is also acceptable. Again, it IS NOT.
Another thing that people seem to think is ok is letting their brood of kids run feral and trip up everyone. It's not.
If people do any of the above they are fair game to an elbow in the ribs (it's the only way to let them know they're in the way) and an insincere apology (only if you're feeling generous though) that points out that the elbow could've been avoided if they hasn't been blocking the flow of traffic. Of course, elbowing the kids isn't acceptable (it's not their fault their parents let them run around like feral little animals), but if they're particularly bad don't try to dodge them if they're about to run into you. Let them run into you and bounce back. That usually means they'll avoid you from then on. Although that still doesn't help with their parents. My favourite way to let parents know their kids are being feral is to carry on just like their kids (minus the running everywhere). Do it loud enough with whoever you're shopping with and the kids are either told to behave or are quickly moved away (plus the whole "stop poking me!" "Stop walking into my finger!" Etc thing is fun).
But of course, if everyone simply remembered that stopping the flow of traffic is selfish and inconsiderate and actually controlled their kids better then the whole sales shopping experience would be so much more pleasant ... plus there'd be a lot less elbowing people and embarrassing parents with misbehaving kids.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Mortein Naturgard
Sounds like a pretty cool product, right? Killing all of those disgusting bugs that we hate so much and without using all of those nasty chemicals that we also hate so much.
But it did get me to wondering how Mortein managed to create such a magical product using mostly nature. I mean, if they managed to can such an efficient and natural bug killer in a compressed gas form, why are there still so many bugs around annoying us and dirtying up our nice clean homes?
But then I noticed this:
Now, I don't know what plant based actives are. And after trying a few google searches, I can only assume that these plant based actives is in fact a typo, and what they really mean is "No plant based activities. Although, I don't really know what plant based activities has to do with killing those pesky insects or how Mortein would manage to can that in compressed gas form (which is probably where there's no plant based actives/activities.
Still, I thought that maybe the Mortein website could help me with this ... and it did help; Apparently the little disclaimer about the "No plant based actives" is accurate.
There's only one plant based active: pyrethrins, which comes from the pyrethrum flowers (thank you, google).
But apparently it's not all that, because right next to this statement is a ** disclaiming that there's also synthetic ingredients as well.
So apparently, there's no magical, natural ingredient/s that can just kill those annoying insects without the aid of those nasty synthetic ingredients. But then, anyone who's constantly complaining about insects would probably be aware of this, and wouldn't be foolish enough to buy this product.
After all, if there was there'd be no need to buy it.
http://www.mortein.com.au/product_nat_auto_ind_insect.php
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Old Timer (Another Train Observation)
The old man slowly ambled into the lobby of the train station. Like everyone else, he immediately noticed the large group, consisting of mostly women, all wearing red and shook his head. Just like everyone else he knew their cause, knew that it was a worthy one.
But he still didn't support them.
He didn't see the point of them causing so much disruption to everyone else. He knew that they weren't going to get their payrise.
He had seen this before. Seen it many times. Had even been involved in a few protests. He knew how it would end:
If they were lucky the teacher's protest would result in nothing except extensive media coverage. Of course, this wouldn't be enough and more strikes would
follow.
He remembered his own days when he had protested for a payrise. Just like the teachers, he and his colleagues had been determined to keep striking until they were offered a decent payrise. They striked frequently for about 12 months before the company became completely fed up and fired everyone, not just the people striking.
This naturally angered everyone, and all of the former employees took to the streets to protest against their sacking.
They should've just left it to a few angry words over a couple of rounds of beer the night before:
The police were waiting for them the next day. They clashed violently with the police and many of them were arrested and charged with disrupting the peace and resisting arrest as well as many others charges.
The old man, then a young man, had been charged as one of the ringleaders. He had been sent to prison.
When he was released many years later he had learnt his lesson: it wasn't worth protesting for better pay and working conditions, no matter how bad they are.
Once released, he struggled to find employment again. Because of his past, potential employers saw his as a possible trouble maker not worth employing. Even the government was reluctant to pay him welfare, believing that his current situation was self inflicted.
Eventually, though, he was able to find part time work doing clerical duties a couple of days a week. Although he knew he was being severly underpaid he didn't dare to complain about. Being underpaid was still better than not being paid.
His lesson had been learnt.
Now he looked on as the striking teacher excitedly prepared for their protest. He knew what was in store for them and couldn't believe that they couldn't see it for themselves.
"You're wasting your bloody time. And everybody else's." He growled at a nearby teacher with so vividly red that she had obviously died it for the occasion.
She glared at him as he made his way to the platform to wait foe his train.
He didn't care that he had angered her. He knew what her future had in store for her.
He had experienced it himself.
But he still didn't support them.
He didn't see the point of them causing so much disruption to everyone else. He knew that they weren't going to get their payrise.
He had seen this before. Seen it many times. Had even been involved in a few protests. He knew how it would end:
If they were lucky the teacher's protest would result in nothing except extensive media coverage. Of course, this wouldn't be enough and more strikes would
follow.
He remembered his own days when he had protested for a payrise. Just like the teachers, he and his colleagues had been determined to keep striking until they were offered a decent payrise. They striked frequently for about 12 months before the company became completely fed up and fired everyone, not just the people striking.
This naturally angered everyone, and all of the former employees took to the streets to protest against their sacking.
They should've just left it to a few angry words over a couple of rounds of beer the night before:
The police were waiting for them the next day. They clashed violently with the police and many of them were arrested and charged with disrupting the peace and resisting arrest as well as many others charges.
The old man, then a young man, had been charged as one of the ringleaders. He had been sent to prison.
When he was released many years later he had learnt his lesson: it wasn't worth protesting for better pay and working conditions, no matter how bad they are.
Once released, he struggled to find employment again. Because of his past, potential employers saw his as a possible trouble maker not worth employing. Even the government was reluctant to pay him welfare, believing that his current situation was self inflicted.
Eventually, though, he was able to find part time work doing clerical duties a couple of days a week. Although he knew he was being severly underpaid he didn't dare to complain about. Being underpaid was still better than not being paid.
His lesson had been learnt.
Now he looked on as the striking teacher excitedly prepared for their protest. He knew what was in store for them and couldn't believe that they couldn't see it for themselves.
"You're wasting your bloody time. And everybody else's." He growled at a nearby teacher with so vividly red that she had obviously died it for the occasion.
She glared at him as he made his way to the platform to wait foe his train.
He didn't care that he had angered her. He knew what her future had in store for her.
He had experienced it himself.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The Family on the Train (A Quick Observation)
It was the family's first trip out of town. The three of them sat eagerly on the train, anxiously wondering if their fortunes would change in Melbourne.
To show his independence the son sat on a different set of four seats to his parents. But as soon as he heard the conductor announce that the train would be stopping at more stations and picking up more passengers he quickly rejoined his parents and sat next to his father. Despite their rough appearance, or maybe because of this, the family had interacted with few people outside of their little unit. The thought of sitting next to a stranger was just too much for the son.
As the train departed the station, the whole family played around with their own iPhone, the father and son showing each other the games they were playing and trying to beat the other's high score. The mother stared sullenly out the window listening to music through bright green earphones that matched the Monster can she was drinking from. Of the three of them, she was the least excited about their move to Melbourne. Probably because they were moving with only the clothes on their backs, their iPhones and whatever money they had in the pockets.
Not the best new beginning.
Especially when moving to a big city like Melbourne.
But she knew that it was their only choice. That they had to hope for the best once they arrived. Hope that at least one of the three could find find work go support the rest.
They all knew that their chances of finding working were bleak. But no one voiced this fear. Choosing to ignore that they could be stuck in a big, strange city with the friends or family and without any food and shelter. Without a way back home.
This was their last chance to survive.
None of them were willing to acknowledge that this venture could , and most probably would, fail. The consequences were too dire for them if it did.
To show his independence the son sat on a different set of four seats to his parents. But as soon as he heard the conductor announce that the train would be stopping at more stations and picking up more passengers he quickly rejoined his parents and sat next to his father. Despite their rough appearance, or maybe because of this, the family had interacted with few people outside of their little unit. The thought of sitting next to a stranger was just too much for the son.
As the train departed the station, the whole family played around with their own iPhone, the father and son showing each other the games they were playing and trying to beat the other's high score. The mother stared sullenly out the window listening to music through bright green earphones that matched the Monster can she was drinking from. Of the three of them, she was the least excited about their move to Melbourne. Probably because they were moving with only the clothes on their backs, their iPhones and whatever money they had in the pockets.
Not the best new beginning.
Especially when moving to a big city like Melbourne.
But she knew that it was their only choice. That they had to hope for the best once they arrived. Hope that at least one of the three could find find work go support the rest.
They all knew that their chances of finding working were bleak. But no one voiced this fear. Choosing to ignore that they could be stuck in a big, strange city with the friends or family and without any food and shelter. Without a way back home.
This was their last chance to survive.
None of them were willing to acknowledge that this venture could , and most probably would, fail. The consequences were too dire for them if it did.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Vline, The Time Traveller's Choice of Transport
I have often wondered why the Vline drivers sometimes announce that the train will be running express from Melton to Bacchus Marsh, Bacchus Marsh to Ballan etc etc when it's very clear that there are no stops to stop at between those places.
Who would be foolish enough to think that they could take the train to a stop between Ballan and Ballarat?
But then it just occurred to me, the time travellers might not be aware that these stops don't exist at this time. The announcements about running express are for their benefit.
That's right, Vline is in collusion with the time travellers.
You'd think with time travellers Vline would manage to be punctual more often.
Who would be foolish enough to think that they could take the train to a stop between Ballan and Ballarat?
But then it just occurred to me, the time travellers might not be aware that these stops don't exist at this time. The announcements about running express are for their benefit.
That's right, Vline is in collusion with the time travellers.
You'd think with time travellers Vline would manage to be punctual more often.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Words That Vex Me
Colonel really is a stupid word.
Well, the way that it's pronounced is; kernel.
if it's going to be pronounced that way, then at least it should be spelt a little more phonetically ... or at the very least, it should be spelt a little less like colony.
Or are we just mispronouncing colony? Should we be, in fact, pronouncing it kerny?
Well, according to Google, everyone who pronounces colonel kernel is wrong: colo·nel.
Well, the way that it's pronounced is; kernel.
if it's going to be pronounced that way, then at least it should be spelt a little more phonetically ... or at the very least, it should be spelt a little less like colony.
Or are we just mispronouncing colony? Should we be, in fact, pronouncing it kerny?
Well, according to Google, everyone who pronounces colonel kernel is wrong: colo·nel.
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Hidden Dangers of Sunscreen?
For years we have been told to "slip, slop, slap" in an effort to reduce our chances of getting skin cancer.
Except apparently that's no longer as safe as everyone would have you believe:
Apparently sunscreen now contains nano particles. This helps prevents a white layer being left on your skin after applying sunscreen. To be honest, I never gave the disappearance of this white layer a second thought. I was just happy that it was gone, and that I could protect myself against the sun's rays without this white layer being left behind.
Except however, this could be causing us damage without us even realising it: apparently the nano particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide create free radicals that have the power to destroy painted surfaces and DNA.
Except all this talk of nano particles and free radicals brings to my mind grey mist clouds roaming the land and ravaging everything it touches and leaving behind anarchists in their wake.
Not exactly something that I would associate with sunscreen that is supposed to protect us from the sun's damaging rays.
Apparently there might be some truth to the world ending this year, after all; it seems that everything we or don't do will get us killed. And usually a pretty slow and painful way.
No matter what we do, something unpleasant is going to get us.
Sources;
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/currentissue-P10000045
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/food-and-health/beauty-and-personal-care/cosmetics/sunscreen-and-nanoparticles.aspx
http://sandpaw.weblogs.anu.edu.au/2012/06/04/nanoparticles-in-sunscreens-small-science-big-risk/
http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Publications/Brochures--Fact-Sheets/sunscreens-FAQ/Why-are-nanoparticles-put-in-sunscreens.aspx
Except apparently that's no longer as safe as everyone would have you believe:
Apparently sunscreen now contains nano particles. This helps prevents a white layer being left on your skin after applying sunscreen. To be honest, I never gave the disappearance of this white layer a second thought. I was just happy that it was gone, and that I could protect myself against the sun's rays without this white layer being left behind.
Except however, this could be causing us damage without us even realising it: apparently the nano particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide create free radicals that have the power to destroy painted surfaces and DNA.
Except all this talk of nano particles and free radicals brings to my mind grey mist clouds roaming the land and ravaging everything it touches and leaving behind anarchists in their wake.
Not exactly something that I would associate with sunscreen that is supposed to protect us from the sun's damaging rays.
Apparently there might be some truth to the world ending this year, after all; it seems that everything we or don't do will get us killed. And usually a pretty slow and painful way.
No matter what we do, something unpleasant is going to get us.
Sources;
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/currentissue-P10000045
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/food-and-health/beauty-and-personal-care/cosmetics/sunscreen-and-nanoparticles.aspx
http://sandpaw.weblogs.anu.edu.au/2012/06/04/nanoparticles-in-sunscreens-small-science-big-risk/
http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Publications/Brochures--Fact-Sheets/sunscreens-FAQ/Why-are-nanoparticles-put-in-sunscreens.aspx
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