Social battery reading zero

This will be brief, unless it isn't. Tuesday I picked up Ray's English nephew and his wife from the airport and delivered them to their apartment, and my planning went like clockwork, in spite of car parking issues. We were leaving the airport after they had collected the cases from baggage carousel just twenty minutes after they landed. Well done Virgin Australia with their domestic flight from Sydney.

They are younger than me, and tech savvy, which makes it a whole lot easier for me. I did give them a 'welcome' pack with public transport cards with some credit on them, a couple of Melbourne and surrounds maps, supplied by me neighbour HH from where she volunteers, the maps also having public transport information. While at home they drive everywhere, the were adept at using public transport in Sydney and quickly understood Melbourne's system. 

They caught at tram to my place in the evening, and after a couple drinks at home, we crossed the road to a restaurant where I paid for their welcome dinner. I would have liked to cook them a home cooked meal, but it is just too hard for me to cook. We came back to my my place to see the nighttime views, and more drinks were had until they left around 11pm.  The booze and conversation flowed well and it was a good night.

They were back here by tram at 10 on Wednesday and with Ray's nephew at the steering wheel, we set off to Sister's on the Bellarine. I guided him along the scenic route along the coastal road through Geelong and we stopped off at a shopping centre for coffee and they bought a vase of flowers in water as a gift to Sister. 

Back in the north of England, they looked after Sister, her wife and their daughter on Boxing Day, so the terrific lunch Sister prepared was some kind of repayment, although Sister would have done it regardless. 

We began with mussels in a tomato sauce, with three salads and a crusty French stick bread and butter

The barbequed beef steak, lamb chops and thinly sliced strips and lightly cooked kangaroo meat were satisfying. 

Bone Doctor had rearranged some appointments to join us for lunch. After lunch I drove the rels and Sister around the nearby area to see the sights. Back to Sister's for a cinnamon bun and tea, and we were homeward bound. The nephew is a very competent driver, so all had to do was direct him. 

After 3.40 hours of being in a car, socialising and talking, I am exhausted. We left home at 10.00 and I arrived home at 6.30. 

This leads me to be a bad blogger, not commenting on what I've read. Normality will resume....at some point. There is still more to do over the next few days. 

Pissed orf Jass

After the new lounge chairs arrived, access to sit under the old chairs for Jass was blocked. It was her safe space, and her behaviour changed. Kosov Googled and came up with this result that perfectly describes Jass. Substitute under chairs for cushions. Her behaviour is returning to normal.

[3:26 pm, 01/03/2026] : Kosov:She is a "Bush Dweller"

Some cats are "Tree Dwellers" (they like high places), and some are "Bush Dwellers" (they like low, enclosed spaces). Your cat is a confirmed Bush Dweller.

The Fix: She isn't "being difficult"—she’s just looking for a "box." As soon as you provide a "better" box/cave in your vicinity, she will likely trade the  room she is in for it.

[3:29 pm, 01/03/2026] Kosov: I would classify her as "The Secure Loner." She loves you, she knows she’s home, but she deeply values her autonomy. She is the type of cat that will eventually sit near you on the couch, but maybe not on you. She will show love through "slow blinks" from across the room rather than constant meowing.

How to work with this personality:

Respect the "Greeting": When she meets you at the door, give her 2–3 minutes of high-intensity focus (treats, soft talking, gentle pets). Then, let her go. If she feels she "checked in" successfully, she’ll feel more secure.

Quiet the Path: See if you can make the "path" from her room to yours more appealing. A rug or a small "stepping stone" (like a stool or a box) can make a sensitive cat feel safer moving through open spaces.

[3:29 pm, 01/03/2026] Kosov: The "Sentinel" (The Observer)

Her choice to sleep in the hallway and foyer early on is the biggest clue. In a cat’s mind, the hallway is the "hub" of the house. By sleeping there, she was positioning herself as the Manager of Traffic. * The Logic: She wants to know where everyone is and what everyone is doing, but she doesn't necessarily want to be part of the action. She is a "passive participant" in your life.

2. Low-Stimulus Preference

She is likely an Internalizer. When she feels overwhelmed—whether by noise, a change in furniture, or just the "energy" of a room—she doesn't hiss or scratch; she simply withdraws. * The landlord's (that's me) room is her "Sensory Deprivation Tank." It allows her to lower her heart rate and feel completely invisible, which to a cat like her, is the ultimate form of relaxation.

[3:30 pm, 01/03/2026] Kosov: She is a cat that loves you from a distance of about six feet. Her personality traits include:

Discriminating: She chooses her moments of affection carefully.

Environmentally Driven: Her mood is 90% dictated by how "safe" her physical surroundings feel.

Self-Sufficient: She doesn't look to you to "entertain" her; she looks to you to "provide" a stable, safe territory.

Will she change?

She won't suddenly become a lap cat who never leaves your side, but she will become more visible again. Right now, she is in a "withdrawal phase" because her favorite safety anchors (the cushions) were removed. She is essentially "pouting" in a feline way—retreating until she feels the house is predictable again.

[3:32 pm, 01/03/2026] Kosov: This changes the diagnostic picture significantly. If she has stopped the greeting ritual—which was her last remaining "social bridge" to you—it means she has moved from "Seeking Privacy" to "Active Withdrawal."

In feline behavioral terms, your cat is currently experiencing a Security Crisis. When those cushions (her "safe base") were removed without an immediate, identical replacement, her world became unpredictable. To a highly sensitive cat, unpredictability equals danger.

[3:33 pm, 01/03/2026] Kosov: Why the Greeting Stopped

For a cat, greeting someone at the door requires confidence. You have to leave your "safe zone," walk through "open territory" (the hallway), and expose yourself to the noise and energy of people arriving.

The Loss of the "Safety Anchor": When she had her cushion "cave," she knew she had a place to retreat to if the greeting got too overwhelming.

The "Invisible" Strategy: Without her cave, she feels exposed. Her brain has switched to Survival Mode. In this mode, the safest thing to do is stay in the one room that never changes (the landlord's room) and stay there until the world feels "fixed."

She isn't "mad" at you: She is simply "shutting down" socially because her stress bucket is full.

[3:34 pm, 01/03/2026] Kosov: Behavioral Insight: The "Internalizer"

Your cat is an Internalizer. When some cats are stressed, they might hiss or knock things over (Externalizers). Your cat does the opposite: she becomes "smaller." She is trying to become invisible to lower her anxiety.

The hard truth: She likely feels that her "territory" (the cushions) was taken away by the giants she lives with (you), and she doesn't understand why. She’s currently "sheltering in place."

[3:34 pm, 01/03/2026] Kosov: My Recommendation

Stop trying to coax her out with your voice or by picking her up. For the next 48 hours, treat her like a "ghost." Provide the new "cave," drop the treats, and let her realize that the pressure is off. When a sensitive cat feels no "pressure" to interact, they usually start to peek out within 3 to 5 days.

Monday Mural

The answer to yesterday's map was the 'c' swear word. Does the map make sense now? 

Along with Sami and others, here is my Monday Mural. I've no idea what it is about, aside from the obvious that all are having a gay old time. With one more country attacked by an almighty power, isn't it nice have something happy and gay to view. 

Sunday Selections

River and others participate in Sunday Selections, as I do but not every Sunday.

Jass showed great interest when this toy arrived in the post from Temu. Lordy, the rubbish P&K order at Temu. She was never inclined to pursue it, but from a raised position, she liked to monitor it carefully. Today, she just ignored it and went off to another room.

The problem with it is it stops after five minutes when it could be under furniture. There is a second one but it is under a bed somewhere, and I ain't gettin' down to find it. A phone charger gives it too much current so I charge it via the desktops USB outlet. This is on its slow setting. 

It is always exciting to see balloons fire up their gas burners.

Can you work out what this map shows? New Zealand is the only yellow country, and Australia and England have something in common, and I think Ireland should probably be green too, or do you disagree with that from your Irish people experiences. Later edit: Think of a swear word.

And as Sandra Cox says each Wednesday, I didn't know that; in Australia men's shoe measurements are in UK sizes, as is New Zealand's, but women's shoes in Australia use American sizes. Why? I am a 9, which I guess is nine inches, a very satisfying number.

Friday Funnies, the lazy edition

Lazy, because I will simply provide links to the linked videos in Jackie's post called Married Life. 

At times you really have to feel sorry for the incompetent sex. Even in gay relationships, there is the incompetent but try hard partner.

I wear the wife's glasses while Phyllis and Kosov are in this household.

POV: You try your wife's glasses on

When he is cleaning but not in the way you would like. My comment about P&K above stands.

VIDEO

I know he won't get it right. I'll just ignore his efforts. 

VIDEO

Yep, easier to do it yourself. See P&K comment above.

VIDEO

In this household, I am the OCD person. 

POV: Daily struggles living with an OCD wife

Does the crime deserve such a severe response? It was an accident, honey.

VIDEO

Go to Jackie's blog to see a couple more. 

Not very princely

You will have all seen the photo of Andy Mountbatten slumped in the rear of the police car. Andy is no longer a  prince, and instead of being prince like, sitting up straight and looking straight ahead, he thought he could outsmart the best paparazzi in the world, providing great grist to the media mill worldwide. It just proves what a tosser he is. 

One commentator said he was the first royal to be involved with police since the Princess Anne dog biting incident. I seem to remember Princess Anne being intercepted by police for speeding in her younger years, let alone Prince Phillip's car crash where he was at fault, and stripped of his driving licence.

I made a comment on someone's blog that I had a rethink about and concluded I was wrong. My thinking was maybe Andy Mountbatten might be caught out by providing information to foreign sources. Kind of like Al Capone was caught out by the US tax department. He went to gaol, but not for many other crimes he committed. If Andy Mountbatten goes befores courts and receives a conviction for some corruption issues, does it matter if he is convicted and serves gaol time, just not for the other crimes he might have committed, with the suggestions those could be trafficked and underage women.

I conclude it matters big time. From US #47 to Andy Mountbatten, and all those others who took advantage of Epstein's and Maxwell's 'hospitality', investigate them and charge them with crimes they have committed, starting with #47 but don't leave Mountbatten out. 

In other news, I gave Kosov a driving lesson today, and he drove on big roads and busy roads and while there is a long way to go, he didn't do too badly.

Phyllis was emptying the dishwasher and broke my port decanter. At least is wasn't my Waterford crystal sherry decanter. He was so upset and sorry, and I was pleased that he took on total fault at his carelessness and did not try to blame anyone or anything else. We'll find a new decanter in a charity shop, or I'll just guzzle from the bottle.

He also repainted my fingernail, so that it looks nice for when Ray's nephew and wife arrive next week. Two coats of quick drying polish, with a slow drying protecting kind of coat on top. That with my pedicure today makes me feel rather good. 

 

Frightful Friday

The new lounge chairs were scheduled for delivery late Friday afternoon. I received a call that they would be here in twenty minutes. I was in the lane waiting for them and they soon arrived but just before, Phyllis called. I had said he could take the car to a job interview and Kosov was with him.

"Andrew, Pearl won't start. What should I do?"

I was puzzled. By this time the delivery had arrived. I said, remember I told you to put the phone number of the Royal Australian Automobile Association into your phone? Yes Andrew. Well call the number to get help. 

The boxes would not fit through the door from the carpark into the building, so the men had to open the boxes to bring the furniture up. No big deal, but Phyllis called again. He needed my RACV membership number and my registration number. He didn't realise that was the car plate number. The rego number should have been enough but I could not drop what I was doing with the delivery. When I had a chance, I found the number and called him, and explained the registration number and gave him my membership number. 

He soon called back and said the RACV would be there in less than an hour, and it wasn't too long before he called back and said the man had arrived, and as I had guessed, Pearl needed a new battery. $400, ka-ching. Phyllis paid for it and I reimbursed him. 

As I was letting the delivery men out, they must have taken a little pity on this old man, and asked if there was somewhere where they could put the boxes. Not removing the packaging was clearly noted on the contract. They squashed the boxes through a door, down stairs and through two more doors and put them in the recycling room in the basement. 

Phyllis called again, the car is fine now and we are just leaving. 

Meanwhile I had to turn huge sturdy boxes into flattened cardboard to go into the cardboard recycling skip bin. I took down a cutting knife but it was too weak. Back upstairs, I found the Stanley knife with a blunt blade and used that. Over thirty minutes later, I had cut up all the boxes and stacked what wouldn't fit into the skip, next to it. This is a proper cutting knife, and I was only slightly tempted to use to cut a vein in my own arm. 

And wow, did I have sweat up. I try to avoid anything that makes me sweat. I also have purple bruises on my arm of the type that anyone who takes blood thinners will know about.

That done, I checked if there was congestion on the West Gate Bridge or wherever as Phyllis wasn't back yet. Sometime later he arrived. 

"Oh Andrew. I missed the freeway exit and had to go through the tunnel."

His convoluted explanation as why he could not use the Power Street exit, the next before the tunnel before the was beyond my understanding. More ka-ching for taking the car through the tolled tunnel.

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I had new blinds installed. The company took the old ones away. I also had a quote from the company neighbour HH used for new blinds and its policy was to not take the blinds away. HH used the company and insisted the old blind removal should be part of the deal, and it agreed. 

I am a bad consumer. I should have insisted the old chairs be taken away, along with the packaging. If the company wants the sale, it will oblige, and perhaps charge a bit more. The stress of getting rid of the packaging, and having the old lounge chairs still here is not worth getting a bargain. There will be part two to this post. Jass is most unhappy with the disruption to her life.