(rant) Yesterday was not the best day in Oz, waiting all day for Ausgrid to read the meter. They have to do a “first read” to begin the electricity billing process. What a convoluted and almost certainly corrupt system of cronyism of utilities. In 2014 the Australian government released utility companies to form a system of retailers and corresponding distributors that offer gas and power to customers. Since March 20th, we have been trying to set up gas & power in our name. Yesterday we had an appointment with Energy Australia (retailer) between 8am - 6pm. I waited ALL DAY for someone to show – no one ever did.

Called several times, Energy Australia, then AusGrid, neither knows what the other is doing, so poorly orchestrated. One tells me I need to be here, the other says no, the technician has access to the building- ugh - which is it? Then AusGrid said they set up their appointments through the retailers in the AM and PM (7-12 or 12-5.) Hmmm… So I called En. Aus. back, they knew nothing about the time options. I called again at 5PM ready to explode and AuGr tells me, no one was ever coming out today, my unit was scheduled for Friday, 8/4! Grrr!! I called EnAus to confirm this and it was indeed 7/4 as I had remembered it and I even had a confirmation # to prove it! They had no idea why AuGr had our apt for 8/4. No joke.

Simultaneously, I waited for TPG to set up our internet wi-fi/phone/dsl and was told someone was coming out between 12-5. A Telstra technician showed at 11AM to do preliminary work before TPG hooks up the line from the main in the cellar. Whatever… just glad someone was doing something! This is a pretty old building, charming “Arts & Crafts style” but the cellar was a site to see, crumbling and filthy. I worry a bit about the foundation of this building, yikes! A mass of wires and pipes, amazing that it all functions properly.

Well, not long after the Telstra tech was here and gone, we received a call from TPG later in the day and now we need yet another appt with another technician who can set up the internal cabling from the MDF room to our apartment, another $60! Did the previous tenant really not have internet access?! So, we still wait, since 20/3, for internet in our apt. (/end rant)

Last night I thought I would check with a neighbor, in apt #2, to ask if this was the typical protocol for utilities set up. Young, good-looking guy answered the door. Very casual, “no worries”, they (the utility co.’s) just ring everyone’s doorbells until someone let’s them in! It’s hit or miss basically. He, Alistair, also told me that his apt was broken into today and the police would be there any moment! I was sickened and shocked as he was taking it so well. Apparently they had bent the bars on the bathroom window and slipped in and out w/o anyone noticing, stealing Alistair’s laptop. I was home all day, frequently going outside, out front looking for the utility folks and never saw any suspicious activity. Forensics and police were back again today too. I still can’t believe they were able to bend the metal bars. Not feeling very safe here now even though we are in such a great neighborhood.

Oh well, next post should hopefully be a little more upbeat! Until next time…

Today’s Aussie phrase: “Act the Goat” = playing the fool

Enjoy a few pix of my building and beautiful neighborhood!

This is my apartment, #6, conveniently located directly across from the lift = elevator. The little door on the left opens to a spot where the milkman once left bottles of milk for the original residents.

The lift, check out all that beautiful original woodwork inside.

The Sharp building 55 Lavender St., where Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban own a penthouse suite. Although rumor has it they sold it not that long ago.

Our building with all the mature palm and fig trees in front.

A typical find around the area!

A letter we all received regarding the break-in in our building, although it was Lavender St, not Walker.

One of the volunteers that tends to Wendy’s Secret garden, across from our building.

One of many rainbow lorikeets that take up residence high up in the palm trees in Clark park, also across from our building.

A regular and his scottie in Clark park.

More beautiful lorikeets

Telstra guy examining the wiring in the cellar…