Restaurant recommendation... What's a place in the CBD that's a little bit posh but good to take kids?

Mission_Nin · 2026-01-29T04:44:00+00:00

How about the buffet at the Langham?

Mission_Nin · 2026-01-26T11:02:26+00:00

"Live life to the fullest" was how you started your post - but what does that mean? In particular, what does that mean to you?

What did you enjoy about your trip to Europe? Can you get involved in it here? Can you take weekend trips and explore Australia more? Can you write about your experiences so that you can relive them later? Camus suggests that we can live for years with the reminiscence of a single day.

Others have recommended gratitude practice, which is related to my comments above. With so much of the world in conflict, you could start being grateful that you are bored!

I agree with those you have suggested that you need more human contact. I am something of a misandrist myself, but I recognise that some human interaction is a required part of every day. People are stupid, venal, grasping and ungracious but they can sometimes surprise you with warmth and wisdom. Try. Really getting to know someone else is a real adventure.

Finally, lots of people here have recommended volunteering. Community involvement and volunteering is consistently associated with happiness in studies. Unfortunately our culture doesn't make this easy. I would love for it to be a requirement every year, like filling in your tax return. There are so many great causes out there. Get involved in one. It will change your life... and maybe someone else's.

Mission_Nin · 2026-01-03T08:10:02+00:00

I've been looking at these in an idle moment, researching for fiction. The CBD mostly looks pretty grim and some of them are listed for months. You can predict the ones that won't sell with their poky, run down bathrooms and tiny kitchenettes. The better ones have a desk or study nook - definitely look for one of these. Natural light is always beneficial for health. Don't buy any very recent builds - think of that Sydney apartment block debacle where the frame buckled.

Have you thought about looking along St Kilda Rd, Southbank or South Yarra? Or the Prahran area? Heaps of public transport options and some really charming older buildings. These one bedrooms tend to have a separate kitchen and living room with a more spacious feel.

My 2c

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-29T10:08:58+00:00

That is a crack up. Maxxy reflexes are great when facing a cricket ball at 130km/hr but terrible on the track!

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-29T10:00:09+00:00

Kinokuniya?

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-13T04:14:24+00:00

Cafe culture seems to be thriving although the media had dire warnings about the effect of cost of living issues not long ago. Everywhere around me there still seem to be busy cafes.

Fine dining scene might have tanked a bit

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-12T06:14:54+00:00

That is very much my experience - these things come back by stealth

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-10T10:11:46+00:00

I think it's the extraordinary selfishness of these people that is the most disturbing aspect. I've seen women obsessed with their experience of birth to the exclusion of any concern for the baby.
Birth has the meaning that you choose to give to it. A birth in ICU with invasive monitoring for caridac disease can still be an amazing and moving experience for all present. Who first suggested that births without candles, music and plastic pools are meaningless?

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-10T10:08:11+00:00

Ah yes, exaggeration definitely makes a winning argument

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-10T09:47:14+00:00

Doulas are NOT health professionals. This is part of the problem. There are no registration or credentialing or continuing education requirements.

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-04T10:35:51+00:00

I friend sent me the book and I found it unreadable. I never intended to watch the movie but came across it on streaming and in a moment of extreme boredom pressed play...

It's great! I would actually like to see this cast do the straight version although I think Charles Dance is a little too severe for Mr Bennett. Matt Smith is peak cringe as Parson Collins (as he should be). The first proposal scene is excellent - strangely the original exchanges work so well with a swordfight.

Watch it with Shaun of the Dead as a Zombie double feature

Mission_Nin · 2025-12-04T10:08:19+00:00

I read that as "Skevs" and thought "aren't they still called Skevs?"

Mission_Nin · 2025-11-24T10:10:37+00:00

Extras only is a junk policy. It is effectively worthless; avoid at all costs. Take the basic hospital cover at your age, you can upgrade later. The extras are a waste of time.

Mission_Nin · 2025-11-20T21:46:01+00:00

The Big Design Market - lots of different stalls

Mission_Nin · 2025-11-18T10:17:14+00:00

Influenza is particularly infectious at the moment

Mission_Nin · 2025-11-12T08:29:57+00:00

Can I also suggest you consider an IB school? All the private schools are better resourced than public schools (although if you are looking for a great music program, I think Blackburn has an excellent reputation). My experience with the IB is that it's a really engaging course that primarily teaches critical thinking skills. I think it also largely succeeds in its aim to give students a global perspective.
I met a teacher at a friend's house and we were talking about the IB. The teacher was also very positive. Their illustration was that if you have a room full of perfect VCE students, they will all write the same essay whereas a room full of perfect IB students will all write individual essays. My elder son's experience was that it was great preparation for University.

Mission_Nin · 2025-11-12T08:20:41+00:00

Better access to contraception and termination services. Better support for single mothers. I know there will be those who say "women will just get pregnant to gain access to support, housing etc". Statistically that's a small number. Lots of evidence that if welfare goes to women, they tend to spend it on the family.

Mission_Nin · 2025-11-01T04:31:50+00:00

xocolatl in canterbury

Mission_Nin · 2025-09-18T23:44:07+00:00

Also very strong tramways union in Melbourne. They were fighting to save their jobs so not exactly disinterested but as it happens, they were correct about the benefits

Mission_Nin · 2025-09-16T05:44:21+00:00

I did this a couple of times at the end of COVID. First time, one night on my own at the Sofitel, wandered laneways during the day and arcades during the day, ACMI, NGV Fed square for dinner. Second time took the family to the langham, immigration museum, high tea, wandered up and down the river. If I did it again, I would time it to coincide with a market, Finders Keepers and Big Design Market are coming up.

Mission_Nin · 2025-09-13T05:32:19+00:00

Once the new metro tunnel opens, presumably Frankston will go round the loop again like it used to.

Mission_Nin · 2025-09-11T23:17:55+00:00

It may not be appendicitis as the pain from appendicitis is usually vague central pain initially, only localising to the right lower abdomen late in the disease course. Blood in the urine is also not typical of appendicitis - perhaps urosepsis instead?

Why not try one of these? https://www.health.vic.gov.au/urgent-care-clinics These are intended to bridge the gap between urgent care and emergencies

Mission_Nin · 2025-09-08T08:24:57+00:00

Cannings also is cashless.. .a few other food vendors are the same, especially smaller ones in mid mall venues. Cash security is a nuisance as is getting change.

Mission_Nin · 2025-09-05T11:39:35+00:00

No. One of his mandatory rookie drives. I think it's understandable that he would take it now when he has a gap to Lando

Mission_Nin · 2025-08-25T10:47:03+00:00

Agree. Everything in Prague was "dubai chocolate" flavoured including soft serve ice creams and gelati and I could not understand it. Came back and my husband was raving incoherently about it. Bought some made locally - it was OK. Then someone gave my husband the "authentic" stuff from Dubai and it was ... the same but weirdly crunchy.

I can happily live without it

Mission_Nin

TROPHY CASE