Need advice on bad habits

The classic example of this behaviour is a person who used to have a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. When they stop smoking, the drinking brings back cravings for the cigarettes.

Mine is a much smaller version.  Whenever I write complex reports or job applications, I eat savoury biscuits.

I've been doing this since my early 20s at University.  Box after box of savoury biscuits while meeting a deadline.

Now however, I'm eating healthy and exercising right and losing weight.  I don't want to let go of the progress I've made this year in fat loss.

But just thinking of starting the job search has me in the kitchen scouring the cupboards for a long-forgotten pack of Pringles or "chicken in a Biscuit" or  corn chips.

Given how stressed I've been for the last couple of months is this really that important? Does it matter if I consume some high carb foods while writing job apps as long as I keep up the exercise?  Am I trying to control too much of my reactions right now?  Will this add sttress levels I don't need?

The flip side:  Shouldn't I be working on bad habits whenever I recognise them to keep myself healthy.  And doesn't staying healthy equate to reducing stress.

How easy is it for me to create a storm in a tea cup ????

Thoughts, opinions?

Happiest Little Vegemite

I  was fired this morning.

Or more to the point I was informed by my Manager and the relevant HR person that  I am "not best fit for RMIT culture" and they would be recommending to the deputy vice-chancellor that my probation be terminated.

Relevant procedures and processes have not been followed during my five months; they could not fault my work; and I was attempting to bring reports of bullying, harassment, favouritism and ostracism against my supervisor.

This evening I feel giddy with happiness.  My stomach has untied its knots, I feel hungry for the first time in days, I have energy for the first time in weeks.  I might even sleep tonight. I want to hug everyone I meet.

I am just so happy to be out of that situation.

The flip side is that sometime in the next few days the financial aspects will probably impact.  So I need to start looking for work very very soon.

If anyone here knows of a job coming up for a librarian, or a supervisor specialising in small teams (under 20 people) or need a supervisor specialising in change management - please let me know.  In Melbourne, Perth or surrounding environs please.

Moscow

Moscow is finished as much as she can be.  The kit contained insufficient thread.  Weird funky thread.  Will figure it out later. All too hard right now.

Even nutjobs can be useful!

See the link.

Warning this may cause you to rant.



EDITED : To include a USEFUL link - especially if you care about animals ....

Bushfires

As most of you know, Saturday was ideal bushfire conditions.

• Over 46C (116F) heat
• Galeforce winds
• Dry drought conditions (no significant rainfall for around a year)

The fires, many lit or relit by arsonists, others by carelessness such as a lit cigarette butt, raged out of control over the state of Victoria.  Many of these fires are still out of control, but cooler weather and less wind has been helping.

Over 100 people have died. In their homes, defending their homes, trying to outrun or out drive the fire, or by protecting other peoples homes.

 My two best real-life friends work in the CFA (Rural firefighting service). Paid, not volunteer.  I know they are safe. Their home is safe, there are no fires where they live - but they were out coordinating logistics and fire fighting all weekend in the dangerous areas.

I personally don't know anyone who died as I'm fairly new to this State.  But everyone I know who has lived here a while knows someone. A friend, a work colleague, a friend of the family ...

This is the saddest Google Map I have seen. 

Its a quiet day at work today.  Everyone is subdued. 

It really does put petty issues in their place as insignificant.

For those wanting to help please donate at the Red Cross Website.



For those interested, I live in the o of Melbourne.  Very inner city and away from all of the fires.

Humour me

Ok this is a little something I read elsewhere and thought we could do a blog version of it.

Pick one of my "friends" or "contacts" you know (i.e. someone who will read this blog entry).

In the comments below, pay them a compliment.

A specific compliment to them.  Not just a "dude you are awesome" but something that you honestly mean and think about when you think of that person.

I'll start off .... please join in!

Mozzies and Mood Swings

With the recent insane heat wave, I've also discovered I'm being swarmed by mosquitoes.  It could be coincidence, or it could be because most of the doors and windows in my place do NOT have fly screens - but I'm currently getting eaten alive most nights (and not in a good way).

I don't like spraying man-made chemicals, and for obvious reasons I'm not interested in candles or any other incendiary or electrical plug in devices.

So does anyone have any other ideas or recommendations for better ways of getting rid of mozzies? 

Also I've had horrendous mood swings today - from abject depression to an intense desire to get blind rotten drunk (which believe me is so unusual as to be quite concerning) to a bout of euphoria on the way home (including singing and dancing in the supermarket while buying fruit).

Of course my period is about due.  Again can anyone suggest or recommend something to even out the mood swings?  I'm not after anything drastic like anti-depressants or valium or any prescribed medication.  I'd just like some ideas on how to avoid the excesses of ups and downs during the next few days.

Thank you.

New Postal Address

Finally after lots of polite stubbornness I have finally managed to obtain a Post Box and hopefully my mail will no longer be going astray!

Melissa Hicks
PO Box 12010
A'Beckett Street
Melbourne  VIC  8006
Australia

Please update postal address details where necessary, and (as per usual) please do not pass these details out to anyone else without checking with me first.

Peeved beyond belief

Its finally cooled enough for me to stitch - so I've been beavering away at it for hours and just discovered a large chunk was done in the wrong colour (two symbols too similar and I chose the wrong one).

Going to sulk now and perv on Daniel Vitori instead.  (New Zealand cricketer).

Har-umph! 

Its going to take me hours to undo and redo .....