My twice-yearly brush with Incompetence

Do you know how tedious it is dealing with public servants who couldn’t give a toss about the impact of their actions?  It’s tedious.  Really tedious.  Sigh ….

Fresh out of our shed, beautiful
green enamel ladle & skimmer,
c1930, $24 each

But dealing with incompetent bureaucrats is my lot every single time I bring a new shipment of antiques through Quarantine in Brisbane.  This time they decided a number of metal items needed to be fumigated.  The benefit of fumigating metalware?  There isn’t one.  Any reason for finding them competent?  There isn’t one. 

 

The only result of demands that do nothing more than justify their own existence is to cost me time and money.  But who gives a toss, right?

We are still bringing new things out from the depths of our shed to offer, but I wanted to start presenting the new things straight away.  Oh well, soon enough.  Our shed-excavated items will be displayed at the Caloundra Street Fair this coming Sunday, 8 June. 

Collectorama, the largest antiques fair in south-east Queensland, was held last weekend and we had a great time, as usual.  That nice wooden chopping block I photographed for my last blog sold quickly, together with a lovely enameled French wash stand and a large English Art Nouveau mirror.  All were big things discovered in the far reaches of the shed, but do you know you can hardly see that we’ve been ratting about there. 

Metropolis, one of the earliest science
fiction movies.  We have this large
poster and an even bigger one in red
being offered in the coming week.

I spotted a beautiful, large French mirror that needs to be presented some time, maybe in a local shop, maybe at the next Collectorama.  But first I have to clean the python poop off it. 

In the next few days we’ll also be framing a couple of big prints of movie posters for Metropolis, a very early and now classic science fiction movie.  They’ll be offered in Berkelouw’s Bookshop in Eumundi, so pop in to see them if you have a chance.

In the meantime, Zombie Cat continues to go from strength to strength.  Even though I thought she seemed active enough before her diagnosis, I now realize how lethargic she was when I see how she dashes about like a mad idiot these days.  She has claimed a favourite feather as her exclusive toy and won’t let anyone else have it – even when she’s snoozing she keeps the feather close to her. 

Every morning, without fail, if I don’t awaken early enough to suit her, I am assisted to wake by a little spotted orange cat lolling about on my legs, before selecting one to attach herself to and madly maul.  What terrific fun it is.  For one of us.



Calypso is clearly feeling so much better.  After dashing about chasing her current favourite feather it's time for a snooze - with feather still close to hand paw.

 

And the 4am wild chasey sessions around the house with Mischka have recommenced with a vengeance.  So, Calypso is back to brimming with the energy that a 2.5 year old moggie should have, and it’s so good to see her regaining her health.

So that’s it  - just a quickie this week.  If you can come by the Caloundra Street Fair on 8 June, be sure to visit us to say hello.  Hopefully, by the next blog I’ll have better news about our shipment.  Fingers crossed.  Or, more to the point, get your fingers out, Quarantine!