This NYE, I’m not out and about. So instead, amidst the chaos and heat of today, here are some random thoughts (including some attempted ideas for blog posts during the year that never got past embryo stage).

I’ve seen two Dymocks bags disintegrate after being kept for a few months. It’s great that they biodegrade rapidly, but don’t try and reuse them for long-term storage.

Why do some people turn on their indicators way too early before making their turn; in some cases before the street before the one they’re going to turn into?

Likewise, how do some people leave their hazard lights flashing as they drive down the road? Do they not hear the click… click… click?

Why do a few people run along the platform after the train’s stopped, to choose the optimum door, even when it’s not crowded? Even when it’s a newer model train where you can easily switch carriages? Just get on board, we’re late already!

That some people sit in their car, parked, with the engine running and the aircon on, on a 20-25 degree day, is a sign that petrol is still too cheap.

Why do some people pay over the odds to live in areas with good public transport, then never use it? (Because no matter how they travel, they know such properties are better investments, that’s why.)

What gives? “Safe” brand recycled tissues have returned to the supermarkets… just as the “Naturale” recycled brand of napkins has vanished! Why do we get the choice of either/or, not both?

Ian Henderson is very straight-faced on the ABC TV news. But his appearances on ABC radio 774 at about 5:45pm each weeknight are a stark contrast… there’s humour, comment, opinion… everything you don’t get from him at 7pm.

Someone told me this at dinner the other night, and Wikipedia confirms it: The countries that have not adopted the Metric system are: Liberia, Myanmar and the United States.

That’s all for now. Happy New Year.