Queens Park in Melbourne Australia is a haven for birds. I’ve counted 22 species so far, and it’s only a medium sized park with a lake.
There’s a lone Muscovy duck that’s very friendly and goes up to people for food. I suspect it’s someone’s abandoned pet; apparently some people leave them in parks.
I lost my last job because I took two weeks of mental health leave while on probation. It was a toxic workplace, so in some ways it was a blessing.
I’m starting to look for part time work and I’m struggling to find much that even remotely lines up with my experience.
I have a masters degree from a well regarded uni which I’ve never used, and may never be used. It’s in an industry where employers value experience and connections over education.
I have never rejected an interview or a job offer, and have been grateful for the temporary jobs I have had after 50-100 applications each time. And that’s now considered a low number of applications before getting a job!
My parents and their generation told us to study hard and you’ll get a job. Then they pulled the rug from under us.
Education is not valued anymore, and I suspect with the continuing rise of AI it’ll be worth even less. Work is casualised/temporary and many employers will look for any reason to get rid of you.
I have a lot of respect for those of you who are putting in hundreds of applications and getting nowhere. The world we grew up, where a job was considered a right, does not exist anymore, and it’s not going to get better.
I’ve had bad experiences with providers in the past. Payments unfairly suspended, harassed for payslips etc but MatchWorks have been surprisingly good so far.
I started with them in DES last year, and had a friendly and understanding consultant. They didn’t pressure me to apply for unsuitable jobs, dropped my job search requirement on a few occasions, held voluntary workshops occasionally and had a counsellor available.
They even connected me with a reputable recruiter in my industry who I kept in touch with until my mental health declined.
I was on medical certificates for a while and now have a new consultant. They said there’s no rush to start applying for jobs again and my fortnightly appointments are by phone.
Perhaps if anything they should be pushing me? I don’t know, I’m just surprised I haven’t needed a medical certificate since last year.
Am I just lucky or is IEA more lenient now? They said I don’t have any formal number of jobs I have to apply for. I do want to work, but there’s not much in my industry at the moment that’s part time.
I know the magpie gets a reputation for being aggressive, and many are afraid of them. But I would suggest the rainbow lorikeet is also a contender.
They fly past you like bullets with no regard for personal space. It’s surprising I’ve never been hit by one! They’re very pretty, but if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings they will certainly wake you up.
I’m grateful for the Safari reader feature, which I am starting to use a lot now.
I noticed the Parkville campus no longer has any banks or ATMs anymore. A decade ago when I was studying there were two banks, several ATMs, and a post office.
Does anyone or any places still use cash or has anything gone contactless?