What made me unhappy today ?

[Rath Darkblade]

Thank you, edamame. Here in Australia, we have CCTV on the roofs of (and armed guards at the entrance to) synagogues, as a matter of course. Unfortunately, synagogues here were attacked even before the events of October 7, 2023. Jewish children were spat on and verbally abused on buses, and sometimes bashed. Jewish adults are sometimes verbally abused on the streets.

Events after October 7th have seen the same thing, but accelerated. We've seen arson attacks against synagogues and Jewish homes, cars set alight, Jewish students abused on university grounds, vandalism of Jewish-owned restaurants ... and that's just in my home town.

I personally was racially abused just two days ago, while travelling on the train ... and I take care not to call attention to my faith while in public. (I know this forum is a safe space, though, and I thank you for giving me this space). Thank goodness the abuse was only verbal and not physical, or I'm not sure what I'd have had to do. I just backed away and tried to calm things down, but the other person refused to stop yelling racial attacks. Other passengers stepped in to defend me, and one of them pressed the emergency button to alert the police, who were waiting for the guy when the train got to the City.

So I'm relieved, but disappointed that Jewish people still have to put up with all this BS.

 

[Madman Starryteller]

Thank you, edamame. Here in Australia, we have CCTV on the roofs of (and armed guards at the entrance to) synagogues, as a matter of course. Unfortunately, synagogues here were attacked even before the events of October 7, 2023. Jewish children were spat on and verbally abused on buses, and sometimes bashed. Jewish adults are sometimes verbally abused on the streets.

Events after October 7th have seen the same thing, but accelerated. We've seen arson attacks against synagogues and Jewish homes, cars set alight, Jewish students abused on university grounds, vandalism of Jewish-owned restaurants ... and that's just in my home town.

I personally was racially abused just two days ago, while travelling on the train ... and I take care not to call attention to my faith while in public. (I know this forum is a safe space, though, and I thank you for giving me this space). Thank goodness the abuse was only verbal and not physical, or I'm not sure what I'd have had to do. I just backed away and tried to calm things down, but the other person refused to stop yelling racial attacks. Other passengers stepped in to defend me, and one of them pressed the emergency button to alert the police, who were waiting for the guy when the train got to the City.

So I'm relieved, but disappointed that Jewish people still have to put up with all this BS.

Times change, but times never change.

 

[Luxuria]

So I'm relieved, but disappointed that Jewish people still have to put up with all this BS.

Same and I am so glad you are okay.

 

[defaux]

I personally was racially abused just two days ago, while travelling on the train

Given that this is the "unhappy" thread, this makes me more unhappy than anything else. While the events the other day are undoubtedly tragic, it might end up being put down to a small group of radicals. The greater tragedy is to see this integrated into our society, to have it infect peoples lives.

and I take care not to call attention to my faith while in public

...but you shouldn't have to. I don't make a deal about it, but I don't feel the need to hide these aspects of myself. We experienced many interesting things while living in Asia, and I can certainly envisage a day when that might affect our lives here (in Australia) but I didn't believe it was so present or pervasive.

Here in Australia, we have CCTV on the roofs of (and armed guards at the entrance to) synagogues, as a matter of course

On first read, I wasn't sure if this was your dry humour coming through, but in context I must believe it isn't. I must also confess to being a little shocked at what this reveals about my own country that I didn't realise was happening. I've seen a lot in the US and the UK and Europe, and I don't know if I've been sheltered from this or am just demonstrating my own ignorance, but it is incredibly disheartening.

Other passengers stepped in to defend me

I can only hope that this reflects the majority of us.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

...but you shouldn't have to. I don't make a deal about it, but I don't feel the need to hide these aspects of myself.

True, but I do feel the need. :-\ I'm not particularly religious, but I have a small Star of David necklace that I used to wear for good luck, and to remind me of my roots.

But in the last couple of years, I've been harassed over it. Some people stopped to ask me about it nicely, which I don't mind. But at least one person on public transport took a swing at me and called me a "dirty Jew" and other (worse) things. (Other passengers defended me and held him when he wouldn't stop).

On another occasion, someone else said it was a pentagram and 'accused' me of being a warlock and casting spells. I had been going over the score to Mozart's Requiem, which is in Latin, so maybe he was talking about that? *shrug* I've no idea what his problem was, but he wouldn't stop.

Maybe it's the kryptonite in my pocket? I've no idea why I seem to be attracting weirdos. (Then again, I travel to work on public transport).

On first read, I wasn't sure if this was your dry humour coming through, but in context I must believe it isn't. I must also confess to being a little shocked at what this reveals about my own country that I didn't realise was happening.

It happens in Melbourne more than I'd like to admit. I live in a mostly Jewish suburb, and a year ago, three university-age girls came into my local supermarket and started yelling at us all that we were all (to quote them) "filthy Jewish baby-killers" ( ), and threatened to "cut our throats" in the carpark. The supermarket workers chased them away and called the police, thank goodness.

I've seen a lot in the US and the UK and Europe, and I don't know if I've been sheltered from this or am just demonstrating my own ignorance, but it is incredibly disheartening.

I can only hope that this reflects the majority of us.

I agree, it is disheartening -- and no, it doesn't reflect. Most Australians I've met are warm-hearted and kind. Thank you. It's only that peculiar, loud minority that's making life difficult for us.

Oh, well. The Jewish people have suffered throughout history. We'll be OK. But I wonder what it says about the world, when this kind of thing is tolerated.

 

[Hammer]

Can I please ask people to keep this thread on track?

The atrocity at Bondi Beach will scar many the world over and it goes way deeper than "making people unhappy"

It is a globally significant event that is worthy of much discussion, but this thread, even these forums, are not the place for it. The forums are writers' forums, the thread is a "goofing off" thread by writers, for writers.

We used to have a private area called the debate room for such discussions and you would be welcome to ask for it to be recreated, but it was a bugger to moderate and I think I know the answer; there are places to discuss the deeper meaning of life; writingforum.org isn't one of them

 

[Luxuria]

Okay, topic change: I don’t know if I can still drink coffee. I had some yesterday and it didn’t sit well and kept me awake. But I love my iced Caramel latte. Also, my insecurities around finals are running high. Which is annoying. Because I get so perfectionistic. I just want the semester to be over!!!

 

[JT Woody]

Okay, topic change: I don’t know if I can still drink coffee. I had some yesterday and it didn’t sit well and kept me awake. But I love my iced Caramel latte.

Could it be where you got it from?
I found that, for me, the caramel frappes from McDonalds doesnt sit well me me. They are SO GOOD but it upsets my stomach.
Same with Starbucks coffee.

But when i go to local cafes or make it myself, i dont have issues.

 

[JT Woody]

Also, my insecurities around finals are running high. Which is annoying. Because I get so perfectionistic. I just want the semester to be over!!!

Unfortunatly, the insecurities will never go away. Im 31 and stil have nightmares about failing my exams or getting a low score on an assignment or hounding myself about what i should have done better on an essay/presentation

Its the perfectionist in me. She gets stronger at night lol. Like a werewolf....

 

[Luxuria]

Could it be where you got it from?
I found that, for me, the caramel frappes from McDonalds doesnt sit well me me. They are SO GOOD but it upsets my stomach.
Same with Starbucks coffee.

But when i go to local cafes or make it myself, i dont have issues.

Maybe. Because when I make them at home, it doesn’t bother me as much. Haha.

As for perfectionism, I want to work on it. But also know there are some things I should not rush. Like finals. Because sometimes I want to combat perfectionism by just doing it!!! And that has not always turned out well. Thankfully, no huge impact on the Grades. I need to prepare today for the multi-choice final I have for history and finish the essay paper for part 2.

 

[JT Woody]

Maybe. Because when I make them at home, it doesn’t bother me as much. Haha.

As for perfectionism, I want to work on it. But also know there are some things I should not rush. Like finals. Because sometimes I want to combat perfectionism by just doing it!!! And that has not always turned out well. Thankfully, no huge impact on the Grades. I need to prepare today for the multi-choice final I have for history and finish the essay paper for part 2.

Good luck, friend!

 

[Tallyfire]

Okay, topic change: I don’t know if I can still drink coffee. I had some yesterday and it didn’t sit well and kept me awake. But I love my iced Caramel latte. Also, my insecurities around finals are running high. Which is annoying. Because I get so perfectionistic. I just want the semester to be over!!!

Caffeine can affect you differently when you're stressed. I tend to dial it down if I'm otherwise stressed out because I feel kinda wired after my usually-calming delicious cup of hot coffee.

 

[X Equestris]

Had to call a helpline for clarification on something with a particular program: “Your estimated wait time is 133 minutes.”

Yeah, no, I’m just gonna figure out the answer on my own

 

[Set2Stun]

I stopped having coffee in the mornings not long after I stopped working in the office and started working from home. Guess part of it was just the habit of grabbing a cup from Tim's or McD's on the way in.

Was thinking the other day to get back into it, as I did find it pleasurable. For my next grocery order, I went looking for those big ole 2 pound cans of Folgers that I used to get a few years ago for $7.99. Surprise! They're now $18.99 or more. Oh well.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

Can I please ask people to keep this thread on track?

The atrocity at Bondi Beach will scar many the world over and it goes way deeper than "making people unhappy"

It is a globally significant event that is worthy of much discussion, but this thread, even these forums, are not the place for it. The forums are writers' forums, the thread is a "goofing off" thread by writers, for writers.

We used to have a private area called the debate room for such discussions and you would be welcome to ask for it to be recreated, but it was a bugger to moderate and I think I know the answer; there are places to discuss the deeper meaning of life; writingforum.org isn't one of them

Fair enough, Hammer. And I apologise for taking this thread off track.

I hardly think there's any debate about the atrocity at Bondi Beach being a good or bad thing, but that's the last I'll say about it. Thank you for letting me vent.

Had to call a helpline for clarification on something with a particular program: “Your estimated wait time is 133 minutes.”

Yeah, no, I’m just gonna figure out the answer on my own

Your call is important to us. Please hold while we ignore it.
Your call is impertinent to us. That's why we're not answering it.
Your call is incontinent to us. Please hold while we return from the toilet.
(etc.)

I stopped having coffee in the mornings not long after I stopped working in the office and started working from home. Guess part of it was just the habit of grabbing a cup from Tim's or McD's on the way in.

Was thinking the other day to get back into it, as I did find it pleasurable. For my next grocery order, I went looking for those big ole 2 pound cans of Folgers that I used to get a few years ago for $7.99. Surprise! They're now $18.99 or more. Oh well.

I haven't bought coffee from any cafe since at least 2011. (To be fair, coffee gives me the shakes, so I can't drink it).

Instead, I make my own tea or hot chocolate. In fact, for the past few months, I've been experimenting with recipes for hot chocolate to make it even better. Here's one of my favourites ...

Ingredients
- Avalanche(TM) sachet of sugar-free salted caramel hot chocolate (available at Woolworths, Coles and other places; sorry, not sure if it's available outside Australia)
- One piece of good-quality milk chocolate (I prefer Lindt or Toblerone)
- Two pieces of good-quality dark chocolate (Lindt is best, but supermarket-brand chocolate works too)

Mix together, add boiling water and a teaspoon of honey, and stir until melted. For even better results, try sprinkling on some powdered cinnamon. Enjoy!

 

[Luxuria]

Caffeine can affect you differently when you're stressed. I tend to dial it down if I'm otherwise stressed out because I feel kinda wired after my usually-calming delicious cup of hot coffee.

Oh... that might be it. Also, for some reason, Caffinee keeps me awake for godly long hours. Like 1 cup in the morning or afternoon and I'm still buzzed at 5 AM. Haha.

 

[Catrin Lewis]

Getting my Walmart delivery to discover the driver, yet again, chose the wrong mushrooms.

A lot of these shoppers are clueless. I've got a friend in England, she ordered a basin, they sent her a colander instead.

 

[Catrin Lewis]

There are advantages to my having spent the past nine days, in the immortal words of Mark Twain, coughing up my immortal soul. It means I'm so stupified and out of it that I haven't get absorbed the disaster I came across yesterday afternoon.

I was at the high school, supervising a college prep English class, when I finally shifted from writing in my journal to working on the cover for the novel I'm trying to publish, like, in the next month or two. Opened the file in GIMP, and it's . . . gone.

Not everything. The basic canvas is there, and all the text elements. But all the images I've been modifying and laboring over these past four months have simply disappeared. The file is corrupt and it's all gone into the cyber ether.

Turns out my version of GIMP, 2.8, which I have to run because that's the latest my ancient touchscreen ThinkPad can handle, stores the current working file in the Random Access Memory, not on the hard disk/solid state drive. And if, like me, you only have 12 gigs of RAM, and you run all sorts of programs and apps at the same time, and your laptop has a tendency to shut down by itself without being asked, and if you've gotten careless for the past ten ages and have neglected to save your cover file as you go with a new name each time, the RAM can just, kind of, lose hold of the complicated bits and you have nothing recent to go back to.

I had no idea about any of this. Except the need to save the file as I went. Should have known that. True, I didn't do it for the previous book, either, but that cover wasn't as intense.

Meanwhile, the cough is worse than ever, and I have to work again in the morning.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

Good luck, Catrin. I hope your cough dissipates and gives you some rest, and that you can resurrect your cover from memory.

 

[Madman Starryteller]

Got a mild case of food poisoning. I ate something that had reached a few days after its best before date. I did not look at the date when I decided to have it, and it smelled and looked alright.

Oh well.