A fridge magnet with handy reference numbers appeared on my fridge recently.
I wasn’t miffed. It sure is handy to have helpline phone numbers handy. Especially in an emergency.
No one wants to be rifling through drawers of miscellaneous paperwork where a child has swallowed something awful.
And I have to admit that occasionally, I need to reference the Council number to report an overflowing public bin or other public nuisance matter. But well, there’s the internet for that.
The kitchen conversions listed on the magnet are actually very handy.
I just need to remember to look at the fridge door, rather than my ready reckoner on the back page of my well-used Women’s Weekly cookbook, which I have been consulting for 45 years. A hard habit to break in one’s older years.
But,
I seriously question the need to have the phone number for Defence Force recruiting at my fingertips.
Okay!
I think a little and ponder: In what possible scenario could knowing the number of the defence force recruitment team even be necessary?
Perhaps whilst cooking my morning eggs or sipping a cuppa, I need to grab the phone, and dial the recruiting office to have a chat about enlisting in the defence forces? How would I apply? Was I too old?
No member of my household will claim responsibility for the appearance of the fridge magnet so its source remains a mystery. On closer inspection, I spotted a clue.
There was a federal Government logo in the top right corner and a severed balding head at the bottom left.
On consideration, it’s a bit creepy and a tad unprofessional.
Did the graphic design department stuff up?
Was it a misfire with the office guillotine?
So many questions!
After examining the fridge magnet closely, I suspect it was complimentary – from a local federal politician doing a bit of advertising.
I believe he is losing hair.
New Year Greetings for 2023
Where ever you find yourself this New Year’s Eve, I wish you a Happy New Year. May 2023 be a year of peace, friendship, altruism and thoughtfulness.
Here are some alternate ways to say it:
Godt Nyttår – Norwegian
Szczęśliwego nowego roku – Polish
Frohes Neues Jahr – German
नयाँ बर्षको शुभकामना or Nayām̐ barṣakō śubhakāmanā – Nepali
Buon anno – Italian
Hyvää uutta vuotta – Finnish
สวัสดีปีใหม่ or S̄wạs̄dī pī h̄ım̀ – Thai
Selamat tahun Baru – Malay
Head uut aastat – Estonian
щасливого Нового року or Shchaslyvoho Novoho roku – Ukrainian
明けましておめでとうございますor Akemashiteomedetōgozaimasu – Japanese
नए साल की शुभकामनाएँ or Nae saal kee shubhakaamanaen – Hindi
Something to Ponder About 