That is a nightmare week đ
Wishing Mr P all the best for the test results, I can't imagine how stressful that would be đ
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 â 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 đ
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 â 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 đ
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... đ
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 đ
Yes! Especially while they're fresh and warm đ
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 đ˝
"Mum is still giving me eyedrops today, and it's really uncomfortable đż
"But my eye feels a lot better today đ¸
"Now excuse me, I have some chicken to eat for dinner. It's my favourite! Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom"
â 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 â who may or may not be named Spunky or Snowy â 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 đđŚ
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 đť
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
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112121946640090153
> Waverley Park â 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
cross-posted from: https://aus.social/users/ajsadauskas/statuses/112121946640090153
> Waverley Park â 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
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 ârat runsâ 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
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 peopleâs 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 sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au > > \#urbanism #UrbanPlanning #Sydney @fuck\_cars #walking #walk #walkability #nswpol #auspol #nsw #planning #cities #UrbanGreening #city #cities #australia
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 peopleâs 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 sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au > > \#urbanism #UrbanPlanning #Sydney @fuck\_cars #walking #walk #walkability #nswpol #auspol #nsw #planning #cities #UrbanGreening #city #cities #australia
It is what the PTV website shows.
And having caught that bus from Tullamarine to Epping, 23 minutes for the segment from Roxburgh Park station to Epping is about right. (Depending on traffic, of course.)
Work to remove the cycleway, which was designed to be part of a link from the Bay Run to Concord, is due to begin on Tuesday.
"A cycle path built through part of Sydneyâs inner west will be ripped up on Tuesday, five months after it was completed, due to a council decision described by riders as a knee-jerk reaction to complaints from residents."
In this episode, I'm joined by Sten Heinze, my friend and Heartland Urbanist collaborator. We had an incredible 40 minute conversation about density, zoning, and housing that I cut down to an 11 minute video - sorry for some rough patches in the editing! Columbus is working on the first full rewriti...
Consumers across Europe no longer want to travel to big car-dependent hypermarkets on the edge of cities to buy food and goods. Here's why.
An interesting look at the new Central Walk concourse at Sydney's Central Station.
Recent election results tell a story Peter Dutton doesnât want to hear
Local and state governments have a unified goal to transform a suburb plagued by generational disadvantage into an economic powerhouse.
Local and state governments have a unified goal to transform a suburb plagued by generational disadvantage into an economic powerhouse.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduces incoming NSW premier Chris Minns, saying "he was a leader whose vision is one that always has people at its heart".
"ABC election analyst Antony Green says Labor will either form a minority or majority government in New South Wales.
"Chris Minns will be the 47th Premier of the state after leading his party to an election win after 12 years in opposition."
Sydney's train network is hit by delays due to "urgent signal repairs" at Homebush, with some trains cancelled or delayed.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/908423
> From the ABC: "Sydney's train network has again been hit by delays due to "urgent signal repairs" at Homebush, with some trains cancelled. > > "Sydney Trains is warning passengers to seek "alternative arrangements", with commuters facing long delays at stations across the city."
It's about protecting Australia's trade with China... From China!
Queensland Rail has released horrifying footage of erratic and irresponsible drivers smashing through boom arms at level crossings.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/903256
> "Queensland Rail has released horrifying footage of erratic and irresponsible drivers smashing through boom arms at level crossings, prompting a desperate plea for caution around the tracks. > > "Queensland Rail Senior Manager Security and Emergency Preparedness Drew Brock said the footage painted a distressing picture of drivers blatantly ignoring safety signs and signals as they dashed across the train tracks."
The 20-year masterplan to guide the future of Maroubra Junction was formally adopted by Council on 27 June 2023 following public exhibition. Community feedback found general support for the plan that proposes a range of changes to create a lively and
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/843647
> Greener buildings, barrier-protected cycle lanes and pedestrianised streets are on the agenda in the new masterplan for Maroubra Junction.
Woollahraâs Liberal mayor says she âcanât tell people who to vote forâ in Vaucluse, and has lashed out at the state government for stripping councils of development powers.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/900935
> Looks like the NIMBYs are out in force in Sydney's wealthy inner eastern suburbs. > > They're complaining about over-development in the wealthy inner suburbs in the roughly 6 kilometre area between the Sydney CBD and Bondi Beach. > > These are Australia's wealthiest suburbs, including Bellevue Hill, which has a median house price of A$7.6 million (US$5.1 million): https://www.afr.com/property/residential/sydney-dominates-melbourne-for-the-20-most-expensive-postcodes-20211213-p59h08 > > They're opposed to new apartments being built above a train station, and new bike paths in the area. > > In fact, despite being ideally placed near the Sydney CBD, they're opposed to any development unless their area gets more roads: > > "At a candidatesâ forum at Double Bay Bowling Club last week, most questions centred on the planning system and what the aspiring MPs would do to stop 'overdevelopment' in the east. > > "Sloane doubled down on her comments from last year that the eastern suburbs should not be âpunishedâ with more housing. She also said she was not there to defend previous government decisions. > > "Independent candidate Karen Freyer â an ex-staffer to former Wentworth MP Kerryn Phelps â drew an even harder line against development, saying unless the east had more schools and better roads, housing growth targets should be set at zero. > > "That included a council plan for up to 500 apartments directly above Edgecliff train station. 'Thatâs not the only infrastructure people living at Edgecliff will need,' Freyer said. > > "Last weekâs candidate forum also heard complaints about a possible skate park in Rushcutters Bay âwhich has been on the agenda for 10 years â and the proposed Oxford Street East Cycleway from Taylor Square to Centennial Park Gates." > > https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/i-m-a-liberal-but-development-divides-party-in-sydney-s-east-20230317-p5ct4c.html
No matter who wins the election, the task of tackling clogged roads and Sydneyâs tolling mess will be immense
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/898058
> An interesting look at where the two major parties stand on transport, ahead of the New South Wales state election on Saturday. > > "The Perrottet government will push ahead with business cases for four lines to link up with the future western Sydney airport. Labor will only proceed with two, with the Coalition accusing it of deserting western Sydney, an area earmarked for extraordinary residential development in coming years."
Calls to tackle rise in SUVs, utes and 4WDs by reducing tax incentives and building narrow lanes and parking spots exclusively for small cars
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/903180
> "The surge in popularity of larger vehicles in Australia has been driven by tax perks that incentivise buying SUVs, utes and other 4WDs instead of less-polluting smaller-sized cars and sedans, transport experts argue. > > "SUVs accounted for more than 50% of new vehicles sold in Australia last year, a share which has almost doubled over the past decade. The uptick has prompted calls to tackle the trend by limiting tax incentives, building bus lane-style narrow lanes and more parking spots exclusively for small cars."