Shane.Blamer's blogspot

Walked to Dark Stallion on The Brit for coffees & to share a big breakfast with N Drove out to mullum mullum to walk with her. We saw a few kangeroos, and 1 or 2 rabbits  The trivia side-chat has come up with a loose plan for new years celebrations tonight 4:30 PM Feeling unsure if i will go out or not bother tonight After ½ weights i felt motivated 7:45 PM Arrived at T's but he wasn't back from Reservoir yet. I walked down Napier street to Johnson street where i found a bar called Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel. They served my a pot & let me sit on the outdoor beer deck where i could people watch  8:30 PM Rochy had already called last drinks 8:45 PM I returned to T's townhouse. We drunk a couple of beers and ate pretzils. We heard the kids fireworks at 9:30pm. DG arrived after about an hour because he'd worked (until at 9pm). We opened the red wine which tasted nice to me  We got to Holy Diver somewhere around 10:30pm and found a great table out the back w...

Half-a-workout because i did something to my back during my last workout (overhead press)  Uber'd from mitcham to richmond north • Two Hands (rooftop) — expired Little Creatures • The Duke of Albury — we got $200 drink voucher • All Nations — white poodle "don't like strangers" • Park Hotel — Range IPA, ran into C&S, quick chat • Foragers for a few night-caps — Range DIPA, etc

I stayed over night at N's which was unplanned We walked to Mr Robertson early on the morning (me without my contact lenses) but we arrived 30 min before they opened. They had a late start sure to the time of year, 8am So, we kept walking to my place — where i could put on my spectacles & then drive us back you the café. I had the chili scramble ("Harissa") and she had the baked eggs (extremely tomato-y). Both had chorizo, feta, and a sprinkle of green Then i dozed, or perhaps slept, and flipped around on ebay — looking at miniatures to potentially buy I ended up ordering 2 matchbox cars, and a metal jet engine keyring. The later can be for my new "Tiny Adventurer" photography project.... whenever my 1:64 rucksack wanderer arrives (feb?) I've subsequently printed a space shuttle (in black & white) which i thought may make a dramatic 1st photo —with that silver jet engine— a plane crash / spaceship crash to give him a backstory Although it...

Shopped for Matchbox cars on ebay Guitar on the back deck (like yesterday) ~ 60 min Walked to 7/11 to buy a new myki card Free bus to Forager's, up Mitcham rd

It's sunny, not too bot I woke early. Did weights in that morning Contacted a couple of friends to try to meet up with them tonight, T and H, but both unavailable  Lunch was a fennel sausage, potato salad, green beans • Local Taphouse walked to • Holy Grail • Death or Glory • to Richmond station • train to Auburn station • Far Side: 2 beers (a triple pony & a double tinnie) Total steps: 10,300

Ringwood Eastland Got my phone fixed $320 with a case thrown in Mullum Mullum. N speed the long-neck turtle Ses sons, Box Hill. Started for 1 beer, bought 8 New Northcote Tavern, Burwood Brickworks Total steps: 12,000

6 AM Installed/Re-installed a few apps on my phone  • Email • Banking • Uber 10 AM N still getting shocking headaches, but that is expected for a few weeks/months At least they peak and fade now — for a few days her head was persistently screaming with pain.... really terrible 12 Noon Family arrive. Christmas gifts exchanged. BBQ cooked and eaten. Beers, wines 4 PM Time for an afternoon nap

Broke my 8a phone shortly after finishing this For the 2nd year running Christmas at mine I'm thankful my family Make it a chill time  We'll have BBQ meats  It won't last all day Minimal presents Charity is our way My Dad and my Mum My sister L too Nobody else A simple to-do Salads and lollies Some beers and some wine A gingerbread house And that'll do fine My day felt productive:  • Made a card for N etc turned out well i think  • Printed out charity cards at Officeworks • Night xmas cards at Brentford news agency • Ate lunch at EJ's chicken, then meet up with N • Went to Natural Science and saw Gabbi • Grocery shopped for "prop" fridge vegetables  • Built a gingerbread house (sans gingerbread) • Used my PC & old phone to contact Mum & N • Mediated, put on a pod (web browser) & slept.

All of a sudden, after ignoring it completely, it is nearly Xmas day.... and i have done 0 to prepare for it I can see that this is day 377 of this daily journal — give or take — because i began on Dec 14, 2024 To re-read that original blog post today has been interesting (probably only to me). I found 2 typos which is a bit annoying, albeit not at all surprising  I expected that last week i would be swanning about like last year — instead of daily hospital hangs. The benefits of not day-drinking have included: fewer calories, less risk of accident, and getting closer to N If they send her home today then i will be in two minds about it / feel conflicted. Because she had 8/10 pain this morning (she described as "manageable") & was waiting for the hour when the nurses were allowed to give her more pain meds (which is Panadol but alternates)  My concern is that chronic pain "management" may be more difficult by herself at home alone where: tempted to ...

She's had terrible pain "peaks" overnight 9/10 6:30 AM I'm sitting up in bed sipping on coffee, scrolling reddit*, after my world famous microwaved cereal cocktail (patent pending) *the website broke a couple of days ago & thinks i want popular Australian posts — no matter what i choose from the menu (so i have started to have to use the app to see what's trending in the world)  It is supposed to be "The Front Page Of The Internet" Not "the front page of your own backyard" which is much less exciting LILYDALE LAKE I explored 2 parts that were new to me & then did 1 lap (slowly) A heavily tattooed, shirtless dude lapped me 3 times. He looked ex-military, ex-rugby, and also potentially ex-prison. He was keeping up an impressive pace. I wondered what he had on in his headphones.... 2:30 PM Sandwich and a 2nd coffee at rooks rd, central core café. Home for a lie down. I still feel a bit buzzed from the caffeine ~ 4pm 4:30 PM - 8...

A two-shower day: on account of 97% humidity Real coffee at Jolimont café outside, it drizzled Weights felt ok, listened to Schnier & A.I. ted talk Hospital visit good, she may be sent home tomrw I cooked hamburgers inside, had 2 beers Chatted a little with A who is in NZ until Jan 2nd Chatted with H about her break-up & my bad week Watched a movie, Funny Games (Tim Roth) C+ Bed time: 10:30 PM

Dishes in the morning. Felt a pain in my stomach as if i had eaten too much chilli (perhaps i did) Meditated. Showered. Got a real coffee, takeaway from Springfield Rd 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Hospital 7.1 Room 22/23. She woke with only 6/10 pain, but by the afternoon it was back to 9/10. I feel so sorry for her because all she can do is wait it out. Still throwing up. Twice in the time i was there. Concussion is really, very awful  4 PM - 7:30 PM Visited m&d and L was the too. Bluebell the car came to say hi. We walked around the block, although M wasn't able to because she sprained her ankle (about 3 weeks ago) 8 PM Back home. Meditated Saw a Bruce Willis adventure comedy, Hudson Hawk (1991) which wasn't very funny I have watched nearly 70 films this year so far Total steps: 5,100

More hospital time 12:30 PM I did a workout in the morning, meditated, showed, slept in, listened to music & pods 4:30 PM She's less worried today, still persistent bad headache — which they say is typical for bad concussion (late onset concussion). They are about to try a migraine painkiller via IV drip 5:15 PM They said the migraine pain relief IV has the side-effect of sleepiness which should be good for her too. She seemed groggy when i left just now (talking slowly, softly, something about rollerskates), so i'm sure she will sleep 6 PM - 6:30 PM The air at Mullum Mullum was very soupy • 5 roos, 1 massive near bridge • 9 coughs ("chuffs") together • 1 dead small snake ~ 30 cm • 3 rabbits • evidence of horses, 0 horses I feel very tired Total steps: 6,700

8:30 AM Spoke with N and she is in a lot of pain, keeps throwing up water and painkillers, hasn't slept  10:30 AM I'm very worried about her. She called 000 to request an ambulance, they said instead they will get a nurse to call her in the next 60 min I'm breathing, self-soothing, and trying to stay calm. Showered and ready to drive to her apartment or meet her at box hill hospital I have a knot in my stomach. I keep needing to go to the toilet which may be due to nerves, last night's beers, or (i suspect) last night's curry. It didn't seem spicy, but i often don't handle chili very well  It took me 2 hours to feel well enough to swallow my anti-histamines & vitamin D tablet. I haven't eaten. I'm lying down on my bed on my side with my doona over my shoulder & ceiling fan on  I am reminding myself that i am safe and comfortable, and there is nothing i can do right now 11:30 AM: Emergency Triage - Seats Drove her back to emergency...

10:30 AM I'm up to three testing again to get my car, then to the hospital. She's in a lot of pain today, i think under-slept & feeling miserable. Latest lung and brain scans look stable, awaiting more results (cognitive tests, movement tests) 12:15 PM She's getting ready to be released into the wild, which she is happy about  I've got my car here, so i will find the roads without any bumps 2:30 PM Got her back to her apartment Did a quick grocery shop & popped in at Bunnings 7 PM Wesley Anne, Northcote trivia (we thought it would be with Sparx but it wasn't, he retired a few weeks ago) 11 PM Buck Mulligan's: i got Pauly Shore'd by two dudes, 39 and 41. They asked to take a photo with me. We talked movies, body building, and how lazy god must be if he exists Very interesting uber driver. He is one of those people who doesn't need to sleep much. He dropped me next door to my place which is not uncommon and said wow cool nice place and ...

N is having more scans today 11:30 AM — 12:30 PM I visited the hospital & she seems somewhat improved. May need to stay overnight again for observation (more scans to be done) Weights beforehand & filled in my paperwork for my doctor'appointment in the cbd this afternoon 2 PM Skin allergy specialist to learn more about anti-histamines & potentially other options • Two tablets morning, 2 tablets night: for 7 days  • Then weening until symptoms re-appear • Repeat this every 3 months (may take 2-3 years) 3:30 PM N's lung scan shows a small air pocket that should re-inflate by itself, no worse than yesterday Het CT brain scan shows some minor bleeding, sending scans to St Vincent for a 2nd opinion I'll pop in on her my way home from the city. Trains seems to be running again ~ 30 min to Box Hill (fire brigade were called to east richmond station earlier today) 6:30 PM Decided i head to trivia to take my mind elsewhere: Railway Hotel, Nicholson St, Fitzro...

9 AM I woke up to a message from N that she'd fallen overnight & was in hospital  I arrived to visit her in "Short Stay" for an hour or so. She was in a lot of pain. Two broken ribs. Feeling nauseous. Hit her head. Also her stomach threw up the Endone (not used to such a strong painkiller) As i left they were about to give her a painkiller they her I.V. 1 PM Visited my friend C in the city, beer deluxe. We had soup for lunch. And then a drink at White Hart 7 PM Back to the hospital before visiting hours ended. They had moved her to Level 8 to stay overnight. I left her with a phone charger, so at least she won't be bored. She really appreciated the visits today She looked noticeably brighter —mercifully— and less grimaching & groaning when she changed positions (sit, stand, lie down). Still in a lot of pain but "managed" Total steps: 17,500

Weights Walked up to Mitcham Social to meet up with N A storm was brewing which hastened my steps. Near to the venue, i saw 2 black cockatoos in rooks rd — up high in a tree, squawking. There may have been more up there, it was tricky to see. They seemed to be intentionally dropping twigs and pine-cones. Perhaps feeding, or sharpening or blunting their beaks 4:30 PM Home for a nap 8 PM Nearvana, popped into Carwyn cellars for a Kicks "Mass Appeal" Hazy IPA 6.9% — really lovely

Range tap-takeover, Otter's Promise in Armadale Arrived at ~ 2 PM Range beers: • "Disco" Hazy Pale • "No Brakes" IPA • OC IPA* • DIPA • Finally, Kicks "Double Vision" DIPA (tinnie). *Bahn Mi for lunch, very good roast pork roll Wine bar: pinot noir, chardonay, w/ water ~$60+ Uber back home for a nap........... 8:30 PM 3PBS 106.7 FM Screaming Symphony gig  • Vanishing Point • Black Majesty • Eyefear with Riccardo singing which i missed • Damnations Day were last & sounded amazing My mate S got in for FREE. And i saw another mate there M but i didnt get to talk to him much There was a.wan with (a radical haircut, back tattoo, boyfriend and a) parrot on her shoulder named Wednesday. Some kind of macaw sub-species. Apparently only 7 legally born in Australia. I got to have a hold of her on my finger which was very sweet. Green and Crimson Rosella sized. Not enormous like those blue & yellow mawcaws 11:45 PM Uber home

Jolimont café to meet Ash for a quick coffee Unfortunately, i have my 1st work meeting at 9am and then wall-to-wall meetings almost (until i knock off at 1pm) Weights ✔️ Roof top café, rooks rd: was locked by 3pm. Better luck next week 8 PM Caught an uber to Vex wine bar in Westgarth, then walked up high street. It was warm ~30°C Dying Fetus at Northcote Theatre was pretty cool: 3 piece, both the bass player & guitarist did vocals: the guitarist had the very low voice. The heaviest band i'be ever seen live: heavier than Dethklok The middle support was 200 Stab Wounds and they are from U.S.A. too. Perhaps many people were at the gig to see them. I liked their groovy sections Total steps: 7,500

Final day of Dimicks. Met up with N for coffee They didn't have any food (only a few cookies). They have me 2L of milk to take home with me I watched The King of Comedy (1982, Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis) which was pretty entertaining — a black comedy about a late night tvshiw host & an obsessed fan, trying to get on the show T and i agreed, Robert De Niro's performance must have been the inspiration for Jason Alexander's George Costanza Total steps: 3,700

Drove to KopCha coffee & a chimchi toastie Filled up with premium petrol at the usual 7/11 8 PM Mullum mullum Plenty of roos & choughs tonight. And kookas Grabbed a pizza on the way back home from Forna 88 in vermont south Pizza maker asked if i was a tattoo artist. More like, he asked me out of nowhere "Tattoo artist?" What i think he was getting at was asking if my hoodie was advertising a tattoo studio. It has a mad monkey on it & it does look like tattoo art Totally steps: 3,500

My cold seems to have moved down to my chest 8 AM  New café has opened in rooks rd, down the canterbury. It looks they have a large variety of wraps, foccasias, lasagna, even banh mi They have inside & outside seats. Coffee tasted great  8 PM  Foragers for 2 pots of Ocean Reach "Solar Drift" Hazy IPA. Apparently, the brewhouse in phillip island is very small — it's recommended to book ahead by 2-4 weeks in the busy season (summer) I saw N for the first time in 10 days which was a bit cute. She left when i did ~ 9:30pm Total steps: 6,800

Woke at 7am for the final work week of the year 8 AM I have woken up feeling okay, a bit coughy. My throat & cold symptoms don't feel too severe. Certainly this morning is an improvement on how i felt yesterday when i woke up I have walked the new path, which will eventually go from a Strathdon cop shop to Terrara (and then across the rd into Bellbird Dell which they are re-jigging a lot of too) The only open section, so far, is from the end of Stephens rd to the off-leash oval behind Jolimont primary school Jolimont for a coffee  My Dad will have his 1st radiation appointment today. He got home 7pm, v hungry due to fasting 8 PM Walked bellbird dell. Found a cool feather near the sheep. I believe it's from the wing of a Created Pigeon Bird species: 15 Total steps: 10,900

I woke early again ~5:40am Had to take panadol for a dull, persistent headache Perhaps 2 beers followed by a gin last night was a bad idea. Strong beers, but especially the gin  Home coffee, a magic at Jolimont, Dr.Pepper ... too much caffeine (potentially, we shall see) 12 PM Took myself for a drive to Belgrave. Walked near Puffing Billy. I saw goats & took photos of them  1 PM Then walked near Knox shopping centre. I parked near the Paint Spot. There's a tunnel under Burwood Hwy Home for lunch. Toasted sandwiches, tuna & cheese w/ corn chips. Then an afternoon nap Total steps: 5,000

I feel nearly cured. Dry cough but doesn't feel sore Must have slept soundly until 6am when i woke up to do wordle. For the last 6 months or so, i've been doing them right on midnight or when i wake at 3am usually It has been easy for me to check my bedtime each night this week. Firstly, because i haven't been going out. But mostly, because i tend to send a "goodnight" to N on fb messenger. We chat a lot, most days, which i really like. And t wouldn't be rare to throughout the night leave each other messages too (or have a quick back and forth) before falling back to asleep  I went back to check a random post which just happened to be Apr 22, 2025  when i went to Urban Alley brewery in Knox O-Zone. Curiously, i had tagged it with the tag "mild". I wondered if that was a typo ✔️ Weights (i skipped thu this week)  I listened to Kings of Thrash which i enjoyed because i like Megadeth so much. It's a gig in melb ~12 months ago. This video only brand...

Wordle 4/6 at 3:30am (i'm on a 107-day steak) House says 20°C at 3:30am. It was hot yesterday It was nice to hear the rain. I thought it may help drop the temperature down to a more comfortable sleeping (with a doona) temperature Boiled the kettle for ablate night instant coffee Journaled. Chatted with N 1. Next door neighbours (who sounded to me like the original tenants) were last night still clearing out the SOLD house of all of their junk. Their nature strip is full of random items. There is no quiet way for 2 people to perform that kind of evacuation exercise it seems 2. I thought i saw (what might be) the across-the-street new owners/tenants. They were gawking at me on my couch: watching Cronenberg's non body horror / love story It made me realise, that i have had it very peacefully quiet & safe I feel like i can't go back to Jolimont, because A and B will probably be there & don't want to be tempted to sit in close quarters wit...

I woke early & made an instant coffee ~ 5am I didn't go back to sleep, only dozed briefly Barista coffee was required. I went to Jolimont I thought that i oughtn't sit inside and risk spreading my germs. There was only 1 person sitting in the back section outside, so i had my coffee delivered to my table out there She is usually there at the same time as me: an elderly, South African woman. Sometimes with her daughters who are both more or less my age My nose felt too blocked to attempt weights. My body felt tired, perhaps struggling to oxygenate For the 3rd night in a row, i watched a Cronenberg film. This time M. Butterfly (1993, Jeremy Irons, set in Mao's communist China) which was perhaps my favourite & the most polished of the three. It wasn't body horror, just an odd love story Bed time: 10pm 

I only did 900 steps yesterday, so i have gone for a short walk to see some sunshine this morning My throat feels somewhat improved. Although, my nose is sniffly. I thought it best to avoid the local coffee shops again today My body feels tired. I have had a discernible fever overnight since ~ 9 pm when i took myself to bed I send to wake every hour or so throughout the night. Fortunately, in had a few podcasts to lull me back to sleep: Keith & The Girl, How Did This Get Made (Raindeer Games). I've knocked off work a little early ~ 4:30pm. I've managed to tick a few things off my list Back out for a walk in the wind. Head-to-toe black was perhaps a mistake Bed time: 9pm Total steps: 10,300

I have a great cold, so i am a bit grumpy today Instant coffee at home in the morning I've taken delivery of coloured pebbles for Pixel Took a break from work at 3pm for light weights  I watched Videodrome (1983, Cronenberg, James Woods) which T warned me is quiet bad. At least only 90 min Total steps: 700

Walked in bellbird dell this morning before coffee Cosy on my hoodie. Only a high of 15°C today I thought during the night i might be getting a door thrust but this morning feel fine, slightly lethargic Dimocks café looks a bit sad: no sandwiches in the front, water glasses at the self-serve are disposable cups, the kitchen sparkling, a sign on the front door "from next year we will be closed sat/sun" Redwood sign today reads "from next year open 7 days incl. public holidays" Pizza joint near Forest Hill Chase has a fish table I watched Straw Dogs(1971, Dustin Hoffman) butt i didn't think it was very enjoyable nor impressive Bird species: 15 Total steps: 8,500