“Hello, Mr Bowen? … blah blah drive shaft blah blah grease boot split blah blah steering rack problem blah blah exhaust muffler leakage blah blah $560…”

I won’t even tell you what the eventual total cost of that service was, suffice to say that I may not be quite as extravagant with my Christmas gift-buying as originally planned.

Christmas shopping… uhh, about 50% done. A way to go. Hmm, as a last resort, I suppose I could join in the 24 hour shopping brawl at Chadstone next Thursday night. I could walk from here… quicker than driving and looking for a park, I suspect.

The Information Victoria shop on Collins Street has a spruiker. What’s all that about? Do they need someone with a microphone to promote their latest survey maps? “We’ve got some terrific bargains in here today!”

Went to buy a new fluorescent tube on Monday, to replace one in the kitchen. Brought it back home and discovered it was the wrong one. D’oh. Memo to self: check the markings on the old one first, before going out to buy a new one. Did so, and got the right one on Wednesday.

Myer in the city used to have directional signs at the end of each escalator, pointing you to the next escalator going in the same direction. They also had signs above the start of each escalator indicating which floor it went to. These have all gone, at least in the Lonsdale Street store. If they were upgrading them, would they do it during the Christmas rush? Or maybe they want people to become lost, on the off-chance they might buy more stuff while they find their way again. “Please, I’ll buy anything you want, just tell me where the exit is!”

6pm PS. Since post offices have been mentioned, I should say that twice this week I have walked past the post office near work, and the queue has been out the door. There’s no way I’m going in there unless I absolutely have to.