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Advocacy Hideout Continues

If nothing else, at least Val was getting to read plenty of books while in hiding. She’d made her way through the entirety of the JD Claw books, which had made for some excellent reads. Her favourite was probably Mechanics Fly, in which the secondary villain actually realised she had been on the wrong side of the conflict the entire time, switching sides, in the end, to fight against the very forces she had been serving throughout the book. It was powerful, and for some reason, it seemed oddly familiar to Val. There was just something about Kai’s story in that book that really hit home for her.

She’d moved from place to place, ensuring she never stayed too long at a buyer’s agent. Brighton had proved to be a great place to hide for a while, given there were multiple buyer’s advocacies there. After a day or two, she’d head to another one in the local area, perhaps an office for a buyer’s advocate close to Brighton East, or even down to Hampton if she was feeling particularly adventurous. 

Of course, she did worry from time to time that she might get caught, and one of the buyer’s agents would rat her out to the Conclave of Mechanists. If that happened, it’d be all over for her. Where could Val go, if not buyer’s agencies? If the Conclave knew she’d hid in one, they’d search them all until they found her. Someone who had stuffed up as badly as she did was not going to get off with a slap on the wrist, oh no.

For now, she’d keep hiding, but if something bad happened, she didn’t know what she’d do. Everyone was against her now. Conclave and Resistance, she’d never have a place with either. Not that she wanted a place with the stupid Resistance, anyway. They had a dumb, unoriginal name, so she wanted to stay well away from them.

Either way, Val knew she was beyond redemption. She could never find a place with anyone after her mistake, unlike Kai from Claw’s book. So, she’d just have to stay hidden.

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Frosty Aircon Fiasco

In the bustling streets of Brisbane, a renowned ice cream shop faced a crisis that threatened its very essence. As summer reached its peak, the shop’s heater malfunctioned, putting their signature frozen treats at risk of melting away. The urgency of the situation demanded a swift solution, leading the shop owner to seek out fast heating repairs for the Brisbane area.

Enter the repairman, not just any ordinary technician, but an aspiring inventor with a knack for thinking outside the box. He quickly diagnosed the problem but realised that a conventional fix wouldn’t suffice. With the clock ticking and the ice cream beginning to soften, he proposed an unconventional yet brilliant idea.

The repairman suggested using the excess heat from the malfunctioning heater to create a new attraction: a line of warm, dessert-inspired toppings. This innovative solution not only prevented the ice cream from melting but also added a unique twist to the shop’s offerings.

Word of the inventive repairman’s solution spread like wildfire, drawing crowds eager to experience the unusual combination of warm toppings on cold ice cream. The shop was saved, and its reputation soared, thanks to the creative approach to a potentially disastrous situation.

Meanwhile, to ensure that the shop wouldn’t face a similar predicament in the future, the owner also decided to have the establishment’s cooling system checked. He reached out to a service known for air conditioning repairs near Brisbane to perform a thorough inspection and maintenance, safeguarding the shop against any further heating or cooling issues.

The incident at the ice cream shop became a testament to the power of innovation and quick thinking. It demonstrated that even in the face of adversity, a little creativity can turn a problem into an opportunity, leaving a lasting impression on both the customers and the community. The shop’s new warm toppings became a sensational, must-try hit. The repairman’s inventive solution not only saved the day but also revolutionized the ice cream experience.

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Air Conditioning Conspiracy

In the bustling city of Melbourne, a curious journalist named Sarah stumbled upon a conspiracy that sent shivers down her spine. It all began when she noticed a pattern of strange behaviour among residents in the Ormond area. They all had one thing in common: they had recently installed air conditioning units from a prominent air conditioning company for the Ormond area.

As Sarah delved deeper into her investigation, she discovered that this was no ordinary air conditioning company. They were using their units to emit low-frequency sound waves, capable of influencing the thoughts and actions of their unsuspecting customers. The implications were chilling, and Sarah knew she had to expose the truth.

Her search for answers led her to a group of whistleblowers, former air conditioning technicians near South Yarra, who confirmed her suspicions. They revealed that the company’s ultimate goal was to control the minds of Melbourne’s residents, manipulating them for their own nefarious purposes.

Armed with this knowledge, Sarah raced against time to gather evidence and bring the story to light. She faced numerous obstacles, from threats to her safety to attempts to discredit her work. But she remained determined, knowing that the people of Melbourne needed to be warned about the sinister plot unfolding in their midst.

In the end, Sarah’s relentless pursuit of the truth paid off. Her exposé sent shockwaves through the city, leading to a massive public outcry and a thorough investigation into the air conditioning company. The company’s executives were arrested, and their mind-control units were dismantled, ensuring the safety of Melbourne’s residents.

Sarah’s courage and tenacity had saved the city from a chilling fate. Her story reminded everyone of the importance of vigilance and the power of investigative journalism. The people of Melbourne could once again enjoy the comfort of their air conditioning without fear, all thanks to the fearless journalist who refused to let the truth stay hidden. Sarah’s work not only exposed a major conspiracy but also restored the public’s trust in the media’s role as a watchdog for society. Her story became a beacon of hope, inspiring future generations of journalists to pursue the truth, no matter how chilling it may be.

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Favourite Steel Media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been watching a new show lately, called What We Do With the Steel. It’s based on a movie of the same name, about a group of vampires living in Wellington who have a weird obsession with steel supplies. The tv show, however, is completely different. It’s about a group of vampires living in Melbourne who have a weird obsession with steel supplies. The show is simply hilarious, given the fantastic depiction of vampires who have been alive for several centuries and are somewhat out of touch with the modern age. Who would have thought that vampires looking for steel supplies for Melbourne businesses would make such an entertaining show? 

I guess I’ve really got a thing for tv shows and movies about steel because another of my recent favourites is the murder mystery Swords Out: Steel Onion. This was a really subversive take on the murder mystery genre, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. This movie did come from the mind that created the best Space Battles movie in the series. He’s a subversive genius! The movie takes place on an island not far from Melbourne, with a big, steel dome called the titular Steel Onion. Think of all the structural steel fabricators from Melbourne they would have needed to put that together! Truly a remarkable work indeed. Anyway, the Steel Onion is owned by a famous billionaire, who invites all of his old friends to the island for a weekend of fun, games and murder mystery. But it isn’t long before the games become reality, and suddenly survival is the only thing on anyone’s mind.

I did quite enjoy the first Swords Out movie, but in my opinion, it didn’t have enough to do with steel fabrication. Even a few well-placed steel beams would have improved the film. It’s just an objective fact that steel supplies make anything better. Except for children’s birthday parties, I suppose. The one time I went to a kids’ party that had steel fabrication, it did not go well. Other than that, steel just makes everything better.

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Diesel Works Best

People always look at me in disbelief when I say I prefer owning and driving diesel cars. Apparently, no one drives diesel anymore. I’ve even heard some people go as far as saying diesel is obsolete and that there are too many downsides to choosing diesel. I’m here to raise diesel awareness! Does that sound ridiculous? Probably. But anti-diesel people are seriously missing out on something great.

According to my mechanic, Raceview has few diesel cars because many drivers think diesel is bad for the environment. He tries to convince them otherwise, but they refuse to listen. It is clear to me that these people struggle to understand the concept of CO2 emissions. If we humans keep being frivolous with our CO2 emissions, we’re going to increase the speed of global warming while also putting us all at risk of greater respiratory difficulties. This was a big reason why I chose a diesel car. They have been proven to be a lot more fuel efficient than petrol engines, and produce a lower amount of CO2. Do you know what else fuel efficiency means? It means the car is cheaper to run! Since switching to diesel, I have discovered that I am saving up to double the kilometres I would’ve gotten on my petrol-engine car. Plus, I’ve noticed a lot fewer price fluctuations in having a diesel vehicle. This probably comes down to the fact that few people drive diesel cars so there’s less demand.

A few people have asked me ‘how much does a diesel service cost?’ I know they’re asking me this because they have it in their head that diesel vehicles are more costly to run, service and repair. They just need to do a bit more research and they will see it’s nothing that outrageous. It’s these sorts of mindsets I want to change with my diesel vehicle awareness club. I assume it will be a small club to start off with as there are few diesel drivers, but I’m sure with some time and press it will grow in notoriety.

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Boat Welding Society

The Melbourne Stainless Steel Fabrication Appreciation Society (MSSFAS) met again today to discuss the latest developments in the boat welding world. Outsiders gathered around, watching as the world’s most influential boat welders entered the castle where they would decide the fate of the boating universe for the next year. With MSSFAS’s meetings widely publicised and top secret, many people have begun to theorise that the group has hidden motives to establish the order of the new world. Regardless, MSSFAS founder and leader, Charlie Hustle IV, insists that the group only discusses the latest developments in marine welding, such as which boat latch for sale the members want to publicly endorse as their top choice of the year.

“It’s all above bait board,” said Charlie Hustle IV, when asked for comment. “Of course, people are naturally going to be curious and even suspicious when a group of powerful white men gather together, but honestly, the most controversial topic discussed at our yearly meetings is whether our name should be changed to the Society for Marine Stainless Steel Fabrication Close to Melbourne, or SMSSFCM. People wonder why we can’t be more public about these discussions if they are as innocent as they claim. If we are only discussing which rod holders have taken us by surprise this year, why all the secrecy? The simple truth is that we boat welding enthusiasts are very private people, and the thought of other people watching or listening to us talking about our passion makes many of our members uncomfortable. How would you feel if your book club was televised or discussed in depth on a podcast?”

When asked about the recent rumours regarding the group’s exclusionary policies that prevent others from joining their ranks, Charlie Hustle IV pointed out that MSSFAS welcomes anybody with a passion for boat welding to apply. However, given that the group only allows a total of twenty members at a time and the extreme length of the current wait list, he pointed out that people should not get their hopes up about joining any snapper rack conversations soon.

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Doberman Scapula Ouch

Doh! Old Wilf has done it again!

I know, I know, I’m on this message board every other week it seems, with one new scrape or another to share with the class. But this time I might have done some real damage!

I was walking my dog in the park, as I always do on a beautiful, sunny Sunday, when a great big Doberman came flying out of nowhere and bowled me over! He was happy as can be, thankfully, and just wanted to say hi and make friends – but he hurt my shoulder something fierce!

I went and consulted with an old Army friend of mine who used to be a doctor, and he said I should get it looked at ASAP by somebody with current medical training. He was worried there was something wrong with the bones, not just the muscle. (I think I heard him mutter something about a scapula fracture fixation, but I don’t know what he’s talking about – I’ve never been fixated on my scapula before!)

So I hopped on one of those fancy new trains that took me all the way to Melbourne, so I could see one of those fancy new city doctors and get a fancy new diagnosis. Turns out, Ralph (the Army buddy) was totally on the money – so I didn’t have to come see the best shoulder surgeon available in Melbourne after all!

He patched me up for the time being, gave me some tips on how to manage the pain and asked me to come in for some surgery – the fixation that Ralph was talking about! Silly me, that’s what he meant! Apparently it’s a relatively common and minor procedure, and I can go home the day afterwards. I bet if I asked nicely, they’d even give me ice cream in the hospital (don’t tell Leanne!).

So, kids, the moral of the story – wear hockey pads next time you take your dog for a walk!

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Partition Wall Bets

‘What are the chances,’ I asked with a grin, ‘that he’ll have a coronary before the end of the year?’

My cubicle mate, Steve, looked up from his spreadsheet and followed my gaze. Our boss, a fat, balding man in suspenders and a comb-over, was pacing the floor of his office, screaming into a speakerphone.

‘That’s morbid, Mark, even for you,’ Steve said, putting his head back down.

‘Seriously!’ I said, turning around in my chair so I was looking at him instead. ‘You’ve seen his lunch orders – steak and butter, with a side of more steak. Chicken, if his wife is on him about his cholesterol.’

‘How do you know so much about his lunch order?’ Steve asked.

‘I pay attention, my dear Steve,’ I said in a bad British accent. Laughing, I snuck a look back over the office partition wall and shook my head. ‘Terrible diet, high-stress job, clearly very little exercise—’

‘He’s pacing right now,’ Steve said, without looking up.

‘It’s probably counterbalanced by the shouting,’ I rolled my eyes. ‘Seriously, if his blood pressure is below 300, I’ll eat my keyboard.’

‘Probably good that you do something with your keyboard,’ Steve muttered. I ignored him.

‘What’s he yelling about anyway?’

‘Janet told me the other day that—’

‘Ooooh,’ I cut him off with an obnoxious grin. ‘So you and Janet are still a thing, then?’ I snuck a peek at her, the boss’s assistant, begrudgingly typing up a memo or something. ‘I don’t know how you landed that date, brother, I really don’t.’

‘Decency,’ Steve shrugged. ‘Respect, a general interest in the lives of others.’

‘Pffft,’ I dismissed it with a wave of my hand. ‘Anyway, what did she tell you?’

‘Apparently he’s been looking for an affordable residential plasterer around Melbourne to do some work on his house.’

‘Really?’ I frowned. ‘That’s what he’s on the phone for?’

Steve shrugged, right as our boss’s handset went flying through the window, shattered glass spraying onto the office carpet.

I raised an eyebrow, turning back to Steve.

‘I don’t think that’s what he was on the phone for,’ I whispered excitedly.

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Child Optometry Meeting

‘Mr. and Mrs. Jones,’ I beamed, standing up from the folding table that had been assigned to me in the school gym. ‘Thank you so much for coming in this evening.’

‘Hardly gave us much choice, did you?’ Mr. Jones grunted. His wife, an elegant woman in a sleek dress and a necklace made of pearls, slapped him on the shoulder.

‘Now, Harold,’ she scolded. ‘Be pleasant. We’re here for Suzanne.’

He grunted again and took his seat. I smiled politely, even as my soul deflated slightly.

More of these parents, then.

‘Ah, yes, Suzy,’ I said, rifling through my stack of papers for my report on their daughter (finished last night at 11, near the bottom of my bottle of wine). ‘She’s a very accomplished student.’

‘Too right,’ Harold nodded, still scowling.

‘However,’ I hesitated. Mrs. Jones frowned at me.

‘However?’ she asked. ‘What’s wrong with our daughter? What is she failing? Is it Maths? I’ve always said she’s terrible at Maths.’

‘No, no, nothing like that,’ I said quickly. ‘I’m worried about your daughter’s eyesight.’

‘Her eyes?’ Mr. Jones said.

‘Yes,’ I nodded. ‘I think it might be smart to find a local child’s optometry specialist, to help with her vision.’

‘What’s wrong with her vision?’ Mrs. Jones said, horrified.

‘I’ve noticed she can rarely read off the board, Mrs. Jones,’ I explained. ‘And I checked with all of her teachers – she’s excelling in every class where she sits at the front, and failing others where she sits at the back. It’s a classic sign.’

‘What can we do?’ Mrs. Jones asked, literally clutching at her pearls.

‘It’s not a big deal,’ I quickly consoled her with a smile. ‘Just find an optometrist near the Bayside area who can help with your child’s needs.’

‘You say that like it’s easy,’ Harold interjected, crossing his arms. ‘Like you can just snap your fingers and a list will—’

I slid a piece of paper across the table to them.

‘I took the liberty of printing out a list,’ I said, with a thin smile.

He narrowed his eyes at me – then swiped it off the table.

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Disability Diner Conversation

‘How exactly are we going to explain this to Mum?’ I sighed, blowing on my coffee to cool it down – partly because it was hot and partly to deter the waitress who was heading towards us with a fresh pot.

‘I don’t know,’ my brother Marcus shook his head, leaning backwards and slinging his arm over the back of the booth. ‘But we do need to tell her, and soon.’

‘How soon?’ I frowned. ‘I thought we still had time before the disability service provider needed to step in?’

Marcus shook his head slowly. ‘I had a chat with Mum’s doctor last night, and… it’s worse than she let on. Worse than what we even assumed once we figured she wasn’t telling us anything.’

‘Damn,’ I said quietly, slumping back in my chair. ‘So she’s…’

‘“Declining quickly”,’ Marcus sighed. ‘Is how the doctor phrased it.’

‘She didn’t give you any more details?’

‘Who, Mum? Of course not. I can practically hear her scratching us out of the will right now just for having this conversation.’

‘The doctor,’ I said through gritted teeth.

‘Nah, she was pretty cagey. I don’t even know if she was allowed to tell me what she told me.’

‘That’s ridiculous,’ I growled. ‘We’re her family, we need to know what’s happening to our… we need to know what’s happening.’

‘Hey,’ Marcus said softly, reaching across the table to gently wrest a fork from my white-knuckle grip. ‘It’s all gonna be alright, little brother. Just take a deep breath.’

I did as I was told, feeling the nervous buzzing inside of my bones slowly recede a little bit. I nodded my thanks to him and he smiled, placing the fork back in front of me.

‘Way I see it, all we have left to do is find the best company in the Adelaide region to handle support coordination for a disabled person, and then we do what we’ve been doing for years now.’

‘What’s that?’ I mumbled over my too-cold coffee.

‘We ask for help,’ Marcus said. ‘It’s all we can do, in the end.’

‘All we can do,’ I agreed.

We clinked coffee cups in support.