Our stories
Good morning
@eth, @Adge, @greenpea, @Snowie, @Former-Member, @Shaz51, @CheerBear, @Maggie, @outlander, @Sophia1, @Exoplanet, @MDT, @Jacques, @Angels333, @Zoe7, @Teej, @Appleblossom, @WriterMelb, @Valentine, @Molliex, @Sans911, @Faith-and-Hope, and I've run out of tagging steam, so good morning to all. Hope the new day brings some good moments.
@Adge, the federal government announced yesterday that workers who lose hours or their jobs will be eligible to receive the newstart/jobseeked allowance at double the normal rate. They are also talking about measures for rent relief, which I hope will be introduced very soon.
This upgraded jobseeker/newstart allowance starts on April 27, but if you apply earlier, it's possible it might be backdated. The usual waiting period will not apply, and the requirements of registering are to be simpler and easier.
There were massive queues at Centrelinks all over the country yesterday. Registering is best done online. There may be delays in being able to access the sites due to overload of users at the moment.
Not sure if this helps you at all, but thought I'd mention it in case you or others don't know about this yet.
@eth, great that there is this new development with accessing support workers and other things over the phone. I've had two telehealth consultations this week, one with my psychiatrist (in isolation due to just coming back from overseas), and with gastro specialist. Best way to do things now in many cases. Hoping that my neurology appointment on Thursday will be done that way too. I have to ring the hospital today to find out.
I've been waiting nine months for this appointment, with lots of developments in symptoms since I last saw my specialist. Also need to get head MRI results. So if he won't do the consultation on the phone, I will be in the regrettable situation of having to physically go to the hospital. Not the best places to be right now!
Your talk of bare feet just made me take off my slip ons. Not much aside from tiling in our outside areas. The beach was really too crowded when we went for a walk the other day. I can still feel memory traces of the ocean lapping at my feet.
One thing I'm finding good is going out late at night and looking at the stars. It's a lot quieter in the suburb now. Can often hear the ocean, and it's not hard to tell it from the usual traffic noise. Also a lot less air traffic, which has often been disturbing to me. We are very close to the flight zone as the aircraft come into land.
Enjoy your strange last driving lesson. 
Sending special love to @Exoplanet. 
New design for front doors...
@eth, finding it hard to predict when I'll be awake or asleep at the moment. I've only had two to three hours sleep overnight, so will be going back to it soon. Previous night was about the same. Hoping we can cross paths in the natural flow of things for now. Thinking of you even when not here at the same time.
