Generation Gap

 

I'm sure at least some of you are aware of the current cross generational argument: whether is is acceptable to take an iced coffee to a job interview?

For me, the answer is a hard no. I wouldn't go to an interview with a hot coffee, a cold coffee or probably even a water bottle. The water bottle because I grew up in a world where people didn't hydrate every two minutes and I still don't have an emotional support water bottle. I wouldn't take coffee because I just don't think it's appropriate. To be honest, I'm at a level of old lady grouchiness that I am quietly irritated when people stroll in to church (less formal than an initerview) slurping coffee. 

I asked my son (who has been on interview panels) what he would think of a candidate showing up with an iced coffee and he looked at me like the dinosaur I am and told me it's all about the right fit for the role. 

I have never been interviewer, just interviewee, so I can't say if an iced coffee would be a deal breaker but it definitely would be part of my overall impression.

What do you think?

Bin Chickens

 

I remember a time when the Australian White Ibis wasn't seen in Sydney. 

Then they appeared in the CBD.

Now, they are everywhere.

Like most people, I haven't been a great fan of them. Being quite large birds, they do large poops which always looks really messy and uninviting. They also scavange in bins for food so they make a mess that way as well. They also just look ugly and pre-historic because of their bald heads and necks.

At some point I found out that they migrated to the city because of habitat loss in their natural range and while I still find them messy, I had to admire their resourcefulness and survival instinct.

There is a theory that a liberty flock at Taronga Zoo mixed with some birds who had migrated to the city during drought and encouraged the refugees to stay, as explained in Wikipedia

"The relationship between birds originating from the Taronga flock and any influx of inland birds into Sydney is poorly known, but it is speculated that human-habituated flocks originating from the zoo may have encouraged some visiting flocks to stay in Sydney, with the two populations likely merging to some degree. Resident Sydney birds may have influenced newcomers fleeing from inland drought to adapt to new food sources in the city and to accept close proximity to humans."

These ibis would naturally live in marsh areas and build rafts of sticks for their nests. In the city they build in palm trees (and maybe other places but palm trees are where I see them) 

This leads me to reflect on the certainty that their poo would be less messy if it was on a floating stick raft instead of falling from the height of a palm tree.

Today I was driving past a construction site where there was a large, muddy puddle and I noticed four ibis trying to forage in the puddle. There were not going to be any fish or frogs or anything edible at all in the puddle and I was hit by a wave of sadness to see them engaged in the intuitive behaviour of thousands of years with no possible benefit.

Wading in a muddy puddle and nesting in a tree is such a watered down version of  raising their young in a marsh, fishing around the colony and wading in the diverse plants, birds and insects of a marsh. I still can't say I love them but their image problem is really because  they are in the wrong environment, not bbecause they are inherently unattractive. They really do deserve to be able to live their natural lifestyle. 

Photo Tuesday

 Most Sundays after church, I go out for cake and coffee with my Dad's cousin (which makes him also my cousin but with some extra designation) 

It all started when he had a year long driving suspension and I volunteered to drive him to or from church. The suspension has ended but we have created a tradition I enjoy.

On the way to the patisserie I took some photos. It seemed to be a day for interesting sights. I wish I was a better photographer. I'd probably do better if I stopped  the car rather than just try to wing it while I wait for a red light.

I really enjoy this mural.

The oranges hanging on the fence for free was just a delightful little sign that there is still generosity in this world.

I visited mum today. She was tearful and grumpy when I arrived but cheered up when my sister arrived and despite her protests that she isn't hungry, she ate her lunch of meatballs and vegetables, cake with custard and then topped it off with a yogurt brought in as a treat.

Her cognitive ability is up and down within a single visit but seemed particularly bad today, perhaps made worse by endone she is on for a painful ulcer.