So our stations are dangerous coz it’s the State Government does not care enough to upgrade our woeful Third World public transport system. Wow thank you Captain Obvious; I’ve been telling my missus to watch herself as those small unmanned stations are a magnet for terrorist bombs, gangs, unseen assailants or something tragic waiting to happen. Other than stations in the City Loop and major stations, it’s a free-for-all out there. Giant canvass for criminals.

What ticks me off is the mention of race. I understand them offenders were caught on CCTV, but surely Whites are involved too? In an everyday scenario, am I right to say that a bunch of Blacks/Asians/Islanders hanging around constitutes a gang and police will tell them to break it up and disperse, while a bunch of Whites sitting around minding their own business aren’t seen as a potential time bomb?

I would like to believe the article I’m reading, but all credibility and fingers pointing to non-Whites goes out of the window coz ‘exact figures are not contained in the reports.‘ How convenient. I’m sure if exact figures were given, the pie chart sitting in the Police Head of Staff will indicate a spike of crimes commited by Whites.

Of coz, the author’s a White too. Now, surely readers of The Sunday Age aren’t all White too yeah? After all, they’re just minding their ‘own business’, reading the papers.

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That was the message I got over MSN on Sunday evening. I was out the entire day though, and did notice the rather apparent foggy-ness, so I quickly dismissed my friend with a “been there, seen it” gesture.

Until I looked out my window.

And realised all I could see… was… wait - I could not actually see anything.

On the right was the junction of Swanston Street and Queensberry Street. I swore there are buildings on the sides and somewhere up the front.

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I’m sitting naked in my chair, with my gut hanging out, fan at full speed directed at me. And I still feel like I’m in a sauna.

Best part is, I don’t care how unsexy I look now.

It’s 38 degrees outside now, but factor in the conducted heat coming in from the roof and the heat from the glass window, it’s easily about 45 degrees in the room now.

March in Melbourne truly is the most unpredictable time of the year. It was a top of 25 degrees a couple of days ago.

For dinner tonight, I’m having chicken burgers with a fried egg. I’m contemplating frying the egg with my trusty roof. Saves me some gas.

Deliver me from evil, I mean, the heat.

What the hell is everyone doing to keep themselves cool? Any suggestions that doesn’t involve taking another cold shower would be nice.

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Since Darren has stated the obvious, I should say there will be more people visiting the city as well as all the surrounding shopping malls to do all their Christmas shopping. Most department stores are trading until late for most of this week and will start their 24 hour trading spree on the 2 days prior to Christmas.

The city, Chadstone and Highpoint are going to be crowded! Think about finding a carpark!

So, one tiny little bit of advice … lots and lots of patience. Patience to find a carpark, patience while paying for items, patience while waiting in line to view the Myer Christmas window display, patience while waiting to board a train, tram or bus while all around you are people rushing to get their shopping done.

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Note: This is actually a light political commentary.

The new citizenship test has yet another tricky one - it includes a controversial question which only correct answer beckons new immigrants to ‘defend Australia should the need arise’.

Let me first say that it is entirely acceptable to indicate one’s responsiblity to defend one’s country (of residence) - yet, there are various categories of ‘defence’ that do not include military action. I am pretty sure this question is perfectly harmless - no, the issue is not with the question. This article is critical of the questioner.

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One of the more infuriating aspects of travelling in a tram is - discounting the exhorbitant and unreasonable fare hike and perpetual smell of urine - the double standard lenience granted by tram drivers and inspectors with all things furry. Yes, I’m referring to pets in trams.
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You don’t own a thermometer and you haven’t seen the weather report. You know it’s definitely cold enough, when:

You boil a tiny pot of water, and realise your entire window has misted up.

You realise you’re actually wearing three layers of clothing.

The mozzies (mosquitoes) are quite stupid.

Your freshly cooked chicken stew turns solid in three hours.

You can’t get out of the shower (Stage 4 water restrictions notwithstanding).

Your shower sets off the smoke alarm.

and yes, by far the most obvious hint:

You see your breath as you exhale. And you’re home.

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Rain, beautiful rain.

This morning, I awoke to drenching sheets of rain outside my window, continuing for some time. I absolutely love it when it rains, and we certainly haven’t had enough of it this year. Walking through the city in the wet is a gorgeous experience… I’m sure there’ll be some disagreement on that mark, but i just love the wet, reflective sidewalks, jumping over puddles, the colour of the buildings in the CBD when their sides are all covered in water.

And the clouds! No featureless blue skies, but painted, detailed, varied ones. Gorgeous brooding clouds, with whites and greys and dark greys… well, it’s not a traditional panoply of colour, but the variety! And no squinting in glaring sunlight; the ability to just look around yourself and take it all in, for as long as you like.

As adrock2xander said, it seems a few months late, but it feels like summer is finally behind us.

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Students looking for homes, or living in a property named Global House, beware. Somethings that don’t fit quite right:
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It was rather gloomy last week, and scenes of tall buildings under dense, angry clouds (much like this) were so eerily common. Anyone else in the city looked up and for a heartbeat wondered if the sky was about to come crashing down?

This is the view out the window of my apartment, by the way. Not very friendly-looking on dark, rainy days.

For the sun-loving folks, chin up: the weatherman says it’ll be fine through most of the week ahead.

That’s if you believe him, of course.

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