#63: The parking meter is out of order

#63: It makes my day when………….. The parking meter is out of order

If you are an avid reader of my blog (Hi mum!) you may well be aware that I really don’t enjoy paying fees to park my car. If you are a new reader, firstly welcome and to help you to understand the immense pleasure I get when I avoid having to pay parking fees, you may wish to click here, here and here.

So when I am required to buy a ticket, I reluctantly park my car, rummage through my console collecting all my loose change and then trudge my way over to the parking meter.

Then the sight I always welcome and I bet you can almost sense the exhilaration I feel when I see that the parking meter is out of order………..You litter ripper, I’ve just save myself $8 – I think I will shout myself a coffee and a muffin.

Or for those playing along at home in Sydney, this event has probably just saved you $88 and you have enough to shout yourself a new outfit. What a day!

Although beware readers……….Make sure you take a good look around and ensure that there are no other parking meters in sight, because I have known them to be ruthless and if you can see another meter you may want to hope that is out of order as well, otherwise you may be living on the edge by not getting a ticket. Although leaving a pretty note, explaining that the machine is busted can help your cause.

Happy frarking! (Free Parking)

Becstar x

#62: Unexpected free upgrade

#62: It makes my day when……….. Unexpected free upgrade

Oh this is a goodie….and the more unexpected the better.

Whether it be a free upgrade from a standard room to a pool view room, a free upgrade at car hire form a Getz to an Accord or even a free upgrade at Macca’s because you know the kid working at the drive through.

Getting something extra is always such a thrill for me.

Sometimes I think companies should offer less and then give more than people expect, as I know it would make me think higher of them.

The one elusive upgrade I am waiting for is the upgrade to Business Class on a long haul flight – maybe I’m dreaming but it ever happens, I will be smiling the entire way!

Happy times!

Becstar x

Left: Now this is how all plane travel should be - First Class on Emirates.

#61: You open to the exact page you need

#61: It makes my day when………... You open to the exact page you need

Okay this may seem trivial and like I am starting to struggle with ideas for this blog (I need 39 more ideas people, so send them to me at becs_away@hotmail.com) but this one has been quite relevant to me lately.

I have been working on some data checking for one of our large clients, which involves checking the reporting details of their injuries against the Australia Standards. The problem being the Australian Standard document is 291 pages long……

Out of these 200+ pages only about 8 are actually relevant to me and they are found around pages 29, 103, 147 and 171. I only occasionally need to reference these for the tricker cases but you can imagine the pleasure when I click the mouse halfway down the page bar and magically land on the exact page I was after.

Gold! Sometimes I even look around to see if anyone saw it but alas usually I am the only one who noticed.

This type of moment is possibly more important when you open a dictionary and land on the exact page you were looking for.

Side Note: Does anyone else find it kind of ironic that in order to look up the spelling for a particular word you need to refer to a book that list each word in alphabetical order – meaning that you need to know how to spell it, in order to find it? I mean if you didn’t know how to spell knife, how the hell would you find in under the letter K?

Another time this occurs is when you accidentally close your novel without placing your bookmark in, although when you randomly open it back up, it’s on the exact page you finished on. Phew!

Happy flicking!

Becstar x

#60: Your Taxi driver is normal

#60: It makes my day when………...Your Taxi driver is normal

Travelling a lot for work this year has meant that I have been forced to rely heavily on public transport and taxi’s to get me around cities right across Australia. The unknown nature of whether the transport system will be working efficiently, whether I will get the right train, whether the traffic will be flowing or whether I will be able to squeeze on a packed inner city Sydney train gets me feeling very anxious every time.

However when I am standing in the taxi queue awaiting my next ride, my thoughts go directly to nature and craziness level of my potential driver.

And boy have I had some doozies already this year – drivers going through red lights, screaming down the phone, beeping incessantly or making me feel like I have ruined his day when telling him the location of my intended destination.

Therefore it sure is a good day when you get a “normal” driver. One who jumps out and helps you with your bags, nods along when you tell him of your destination and seems to know the way, accelerates and brakes smoothly, makes small talk when appropriate, does not yell or scream, has the radio on a good channel, does not need to stop for petrol and obeys all road rules (Well almost all of them).

Now for some of you this may not seem like a big deal but I tell you now, that these guys are a rare find and I have found myself heaping excessive praise on their driving skills simply because I never felt my life was in danger once during the trip.

I love people who do their job well and although they may not be really exceeding by simply following the road rules, they are well above the average by default due to all the other ‘less proficient’ drivers.

So in my eyes, that’s enough to get me excited and happily enjoying the trip.

Happy commuting!

Becstar x

                                     This lady taxi driver looks like she would be a winner!

                               She’s even labelled her taxi ‘The Happy Cab” – How sweet!

#59: The perfect coffee

#59: It makes my day when………... You get the perfect coffee.

I can sense that the coffee lovers out there are already nodding along & I don’t really need to say any more……you know exactly what I am talking about.

I am also just as sure that you all have your favourite places to grab a coffee, know the places to avoid or have perfected making your own. However I think there is still a sense of delight when you take the first few sips and you know you are on a winner.

Perhaps more exciting is when you are branching out into unfamiliar territory, unsure of the standard you will receive but if they do hit perfection, then you are elated.

I always know that I’m on a winner if I can start sipping straight away (therefore not burnt) and when I don’t need to add any sugar.

Mmmm…coffee! I have a self-imposed rule that I can’t have coffee after 2pm, otherwise I struggle to sleep, so I must end this post here as I have ½ hour to get another.

Happy caffeinating!

Becstar x

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                                   A couple of pictures from my own personal collection.

                                  ABOVE: Dead Man Espresso – South Melbourne, VIC

                                           BELOW: Frasers Restaurant – Kings Park, WA

#58: First table to be called up at the buffet

#58: It makes my day when………... First table to be called up at the buffet

Oh I’m back to the joys of food and the excitement that comes from being around a buffet. I usually aim to avoid buffets due to my lack of self-control, especially around desserts but there is certainly a certain level of anxiety that I feel when it comes time to eat.

The traditional presence of buffets usually comes at large events, such as balls, weddings or conferences, which have usually involved a long day of proceedings with a distinct lack of opportunities to snack. So I often find that by the time we are ready to eat, I am constantly moaning “I’m starving” (Again this is not an uncommon phrase for me)

Therefore the tension and excitement that builds as you see the waitresses/chefs start to fill those trays is unnerving.

Your distance to the buffet can sometimes play to your advantage but I also find that your table number exhibits a high correlation to the order you will be served. Although I have been known to be sitting at table no.1 and not be served until near the end, so it’s just a lottery….

However the excitement and perhaps slight smugness that you feel when the waitress gives the magic wave to call you up is enough to warrant “Doh’s” from surrounding tables…..Winner, winner, chicken dinner for sure.

Happy eating!

Becstar x

#57: You discover awesome new iphone Apps

#57: It makes my day when………...You discover awesome new iphone Apps

Searching for, downloading and updating new iphone Apps is one of those things that you always mean to do but just never get around to it.

It wasn’t until last week when a friend of mine, Lisa, pointed me to The Age’s “Top 100 Apps” article (see link here) that I finally took the time to have a look. I actually put aside time in my diary to ‘Research & download new apps” and I’m glad I did.

Some of the new Apps I love:

·         Age Face – I can’t remember laughing this hard in ages (pardon the pun) after transforming my families faces. Brilliant!  

·         TED – If you enjoy motivational speeches, then you can now be inspired anywhere, anytime!

·         Uno  - Loved playing this game during my childhood

·         Find My iPhone – Never lost a phone before but if I did, would be very handy to remotely erase all data.

·         AroundMe – Great for when you are constantly travelling or checking out new places.

·         Postino – Cool idea, take a picture & you can instantly create and send a postcard to your friends or family!

·         Viber – Send messages, pictures and make calls using data rather than your call charges.

So this week when I travelled up to Sydney on my own and had plenty of time to kill in taxis/planes and on the train, I was so pleased with myself that I had new apps to play with.

They also helped me find somewhere for dinner, record and remember important work notes, plan my travel on public transport and improve my general knowledge skills with some impromptu quiz questions.

What did we used to do without these things?

Any useful apps you have that we should all know about?

Happy downloading!

Becstar x