Sat 01: May Day. Hello May 2010. I wonder what you will bring. I hope it's a quiet month - with good news. I could use a bit of that lately. Not that anything is seriously wrong - but I like good news. Today was a routine day until about 1500 hours (3pm). In the morning I changed my bedding did some more washing; remade my bed and started vaccuuming and mopping (Amy was busy with Ada, Troy was sick and Tracey was at work). Then my mobile rang - Howard, Joondalup's TC phoned to ask if I could urgently drive to my home depot, get a bus and take over a late shift as the driver was sick. When you are going to get paid $290 for 8 hours' work - you say YES. Finished around 0020 Sunday, home to read the Sunday Times and then drift off to sleep.

Sun 02: Day off. Despite the fact I fell asleep around 0115, I woke around 0800 today. Checked my email, played a couple of games on my computer, then had breakfast (cereal), did some online research and paid a couple of bills (online). I am actually looking forward to returning to work tomorrow. Tracey and I took a quick trip to the shops, a bit more house-cleaning, laundry and ironing. Troy has moved out to his mum's place in Girrawheen. Don't know if this is for a few days or permanent.

Mon 03: Back to work. A pleasant first half. A quick check of my email at number 5 (which has received a 'make-over' and looks very smart), a light lunch and a nap; before heading back to work. A shortage of buses meant I was late starting my second half - but I was back on track soon after and the rest of the afternoon and evening went well. Home to put away some shopping, have a light dinner and an early night. Tracey is working late tonight. Troy may return later this week. I have updated my Roster.

Tue 04: A cool start to the day this morning, however it warmed up and ended up being a very pleasant 23 degree day. An average day today at work, came home to a lovely dinner cooked by my daughter. Bought my washing up to date and hung it on the line, had a chat with Shannon from Norseman and then an early night.

Wed 05: For some reason, today was a fairly hectic day. I think I tried to fit too much into today. I did manage a brief nap, but I am very tired (at 2100 hours / 9pm) as I update My Diary™ entry for today. A busy morning at work, a bit of running around at Warwick Grove shopping centre, lunch, nap - then back for the afternoon stint. Home to do a bit more tidying up and make a few phone calls, before calling it a night. Troy will return on Friday this week. Amy is coming over tomorrow morning tohelp Tracey with the cleaning. Witt will (hopefully) be here at the end of this month.

Thu 06: In summary - thank God tomorrow is Friday. It's been a hell of a week. The only good point today was an addition to Chez peter991 is a working home phone (thanks to Mum and Ian at number 5). The bad news was a Transperth bus on the 283 route (Kalamunda in the Perth hills, travelling to Perth city), rolled over in Wattle Grove, injuring a number of people. More here. No - I wasn't the driver - but thanks to all the concerned people who sent SMSs, checking on my health. The house looks good - and should pass inspection tomorrow morning.

Fri 07: Rental property inspection. Four stars! Our Property Manager (Samantha) is very happy with the state of the house. An exhausting and stressful day for me. Lets just say that I had a good sleep at lunchtime and I plan to have an early night tonight. Troy moved back in - like he was never gone.

Sat 08: Day off. TWU meeting. A good turn-out of 50 drivers at Joondalup depot for the meeting. Finally, drivers are pi**ed off enough; finally, the TWU is doing something. Watch this space!!! I decided now that we are into the second week of May, it was time to put the mattress protector back on my bed and put my electric blanket back on my bed. Also cooked a couple of marinated beef roasts and ironed a couple of work shirts.

Sun 09: Mothers' Day. Yes, I remembered to phone mine. Did You? A real swings and roundabouts day today. The forces of good (me) beat the forces of evil (helped by Mirrabooka police station). Actually, it was only a minor thing (indigenous males drinking in the park adjoining Mirrabooka Bus Station). There's no security at the Bus Station on Sunday - so I phoned the Police and they promptly rounded up the law-breakers. Another win: Witt arrives in Perth 01 June (from Norseman). It will be good to catch up with him again. Loss: I didn't win Lotto. The odds are against me (1 in 64 million). A reasonable day at work. A nice dinner - which I made myself. Early start tomorrow morning. Feeling a bit bored: Today's word is: hippopotomonstrosesquipedalianism.

Mon 10: One third of the month is over. May is the last month of the southern hemisphere's season called Autumn (Fall in the USA). The nights in Perth are getting cooler (it was 7ºC when I left for work at 0500 today), but the days are delightful - with fine days around 21ºC to 26ºC. An old Renault bus for this morning's bus/train interchange short runs. A quick dash to number 5 with their morning paper; then back for a steady second half in a newer low-floor Mercedes bus. Home around 1500 - Tracey's brother, Peter, mowed the front and back lawns and I did some weeding. An early night tonight as I have early starts all week. I am glad I put my electric blanket on my bed - it will earn its keep tonight.

Tue 11: Today was originally rostered as my day off for this week (I work a Sunday to Saturday week). I swapped with a workmate as I was planning to do things this Thursday. What I was planning to do is now put off until 01 June. Never mind. Anyway - today things went totally pear shaped. I have also put My Roster page how it was as it was causing too much confusion.

Wed 12: I chatted to a couple of friends (online, using Facebook chat). The general consensus was to leave my present job - I am meeting with a lawyer from Slater and Gordon in the middle of next week, so I am keeping my options open after the end of the 2009-2010 financial year, which is only 7 weeks away. A short first half today, a brief nap at number 5 while Chris the Carpet Cleaner did his thing (very quietly and efficiently, too) and then back for a run to the 'remote north.' Butler. I have only visited once in the last 18 months and it is amazing how the number of houses has grown. No trees in sight - just house roofs, as seen from a distance. Home baked dinner tonight - courtesy of Troy.

Thu 13: Day Off. It looks like the drought has finally broken in Perth - with around 20mm falling on the city around 0600 today. I was woken by thunder and lightning at that time. Then went back to sleep. Troy got himself off to work - after being home sick for the last 2 days. The power steering pump on his car failed, so he has borrowed my car for the day. I could have sat at home and moped - but I put on my best 'smiley' face and went job hunting. Seek is my favourite and it paid off. I know that after 3 heart attacks I can't do anything physical - so I need a driving job. I applied for two Perth-based FIFO jobs and one driving job - in Melbourne. A very quick and positive response from Melbourne - but I don't want to leave Perth. In Breaking News - it's Bank Bashing Time. Up to 1/2 a million people are expected to join a class action by lawyers Maurice Blackburn to recover exception fees banks have charged customers over the past 6 years. You can Register your Interest here. That link takes you to the Financial Redress website.

Fri 14: Quite a lot of news to report today. I am still job hunting - but it's hard to do and work at the same time. Maybe I will stay in my present job - but I like to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I did the same shift today as I did on Wednesday, so things went fairly smoothly. Very cold this morning - official Perth minimum was 4.4ºC, well below the May average of about 11ºC. Locally, it was 3ºC when I left for work at 0530. In local news, LITTERBUGS will be hit hard in the hip pocket under big increases in fines proposed by the WA Government. The theory is good - I am one of the 4000 registered Litter Reporters - so watch out if you litter! In overseas news (that affects me), the Australian Government has updated it's Travel Advice for Thailand from High Degree of Caution to Reconsider Your Need to Travel. This is only slightly down from Do Not Travel. I am not sure what effect this has on Travel Insurance but if you are travelling overseas - please ASK QUSTIONS - before buying insurance as you may not be covered for riots and civil unrest.

Sat 15: A fairly gruelling day today. Woke at 0600 and got ready for work. A (nearly) 10 hour work day, with a 1 hour lunch break. Glad to finish and head home. Tracey had a nice roast duck and vegies dinner ready for me. I checked my emails and news feeds. Sixteen killed as army clashes with Red Shirts - that's the latest news from the financial / tourist area of Bangkok. If you are planning to visit the LOS (Land Of Smiles), remember - this is a very small area of Bangkok. The Airport is NOT affected, the same for the rest of the country. Pattaya, Phuket, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chiang Mai etc - all safe for tourists. Unfortunately - the relationship between the Thai baht and the Aussie dollar is no better. Currently showing 29.02 baht to the Aussie.

Sun 16: Day off. Amy's birthday. I slept in until 0900 today. Had an omlette for breakfast as we have an over-supply of eggs in the house. Tracey, Troy and I did some washing, then Tracey and I went to Malaga Markets to get a present for Amy. We also visited the Cheesecake Shop in Malaga and bought a tiramasu cake. Very yummy. I washed my car, then gave Tracey a hand to tidy the wardrobe in the spare room. We managed to get together a number of single and double bed sheet sets. I think we are right for now. In overseas news, there is more bloodshed in Bangkok. I emailled my Travel Insurance provider, and was told I would not be covered if I was injured as the result of a riot or civil disturbance. If the Australian Government's DFAT ups the warning to a Do Not Travel advisory, Australians will not be able to get Travel Insurance to Thailand. I am crossing my fingers that it will be resolved soon - and as peacefully as possible.

Mon 17: Monday - the start to our week at work. Once again, the forces of Good battled the forces of Evil. I think it was a draw today. I didn't win a share of the $20 million Saturday night Lotto draw. Tracey had a win at work - work-related, not $$$ related. I had a reasonable day at work - hopefuly I will catch up on my sleep tonight - as I woke at 0200 today - and took hours to get back to sleep again. Either my Sleep Bank account is balanced or I need to relax more.

Tue 18: I guess the best way to describe today is another swings and roundabouts day (if that's confusing, think of the children's game of Snakes and Ladders). The good bits: I got a solid sleep between 10pm (2200 hours) last night and 5am (0500 hours) today; my daughter has saved the money she needs for our holiday (she has given me the cash to bank tomorrow); unleaded petrol is down to the $1.20 a litre mark. Not too many bad bits: BP, owner of WA's only petrol refinery is jacking the price of unleaded petrol by 14c a litre tomorrow; the value of the Australian dollar is around 88c to $US1 and one AUD buys 28.68 THB (Thai baht). I don't have a crystal ball, but I am hoping that mid-August this year, the AUD buys 95c US and close to 30 Thai baht. Tomorrow is a busy day, so I am having an early night tonight. Plus - overnight temperature is tipped to be 8ºC.

Wed 19: Today will go down in history as one of Thailand's darkest days. As I update today's entry just after 8.30pm (2030 hours) local time (GMT +8), Bangkok is locked down under a 8pm to 6am curfew. Buildings are burning and looters are everywhere. Several people have been shot dead by the Thai army. There is enough nervousness in the world, in Europe, without this trouble in Thailand. Tracey and I are due to visit in just over 13 weeks. I hope something approaching normal happens soon. On the local scene - a disappointing day. I planned my day so I could have a 2pm (1400 hours) meeting with my lawyer - but she was 'double-booked' and I missed out contacting her. No apology, no nothing. I will have to reschedule for next week. Good news: Witt has also rescheduled - he will be arriving in Perth late this Friday evening, nearly two weeks earlier than planned. Also Tracey, still suffering from a throat infection soldiered on and made a nice roast dinner.

Thu 20: Today went more or less according to plan. I have rescheduled the interview with my lawyer for 1400 hours (2pm) next Tuesday. A pleasant day's driving and a great midday nap. I dropped in and saw Julie (my ex-wife) and scored a haircut after work. Tracey swapped an old lumpy mattress on Witt's bed with an inner-spring model. Glenn (one of Tracey's half-brothers) is testing it tonight. Quite a few emails to sort through - apologies if I haven't replied this week - I should be back on track by the end of this coming weekend - or at least I will do my best.

Fri 21: Today things have mostly gone according to plan. I received a phone call from Witt to advise he was at BP Norseman, waiting for the TransWA bus which would take him to Kalgoorlie, to connect with the Prospector, one of Australia's fastest trains, which does the 653km trip in under 7 hours. Drove into East Perth Rail Terminal and met him and brought him home. He settled in and I ended up in bed alseep around 2300 hours (11pm). Woke once to hear steady rain falling.

Sat 22: Day off. Almost a day off - a 3hr training session at Malaga (Morley) Depot from 0800 to 1100. Tracey went to work. Witt and I went food shopping. Tacos tonight. Heavy rain - but showers clearing tomorrow lunchtime. Tracey, Troy, Amy and Ada are off to visit Julie for her birthday. Witt, Tracey and I are off to Perth Zoo at lunchtime.

Sun 23: Brian and Julie's birthdays. No time to think this morning. My mobile rang at 0800 - it was Karrinyup depot's TC / OC begging for my 'urgent' assistance to cover a shift. I quickly ironed a work shirt and drive to the depot. Five minutes later I was out the gate, heading for Scarborough Beach. Ten minutes after that, I was leaving Scarborough for Whitfords on a route 468. A bit of breathing space when I arrived at Whitfords, so I bought the Sunday Times newspaper to read and phoned Brian and then Julie to wish them both a happy birthday. Finished at 1330 and headed home. Too late to drive all the way to South Perth to visit Perth Zoo, so Witt and I headed instead to Whiteman Park, which is only minutes away from home. The highlight was visiting Caversham Wildlife Park. Formerly a cramped and dank experience, the Park has settled well into its new home and is a delight for local and overseas visitors alike. From there, we drove to the Indian Ocean, along West Coast Drive and turned off at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Played tourist and visited a number of shops, before buying a kebab each. Drove home to unwind. A Thai meal for all of us tonight, created by Witt.

Mon 24: Amazing - we are into the last week of May 2010 already. April seemed to take ages to pass. May is the opposite. Maybe May is more interesting. Cool weather to start today - then quite warm. I went out with my jacket and cardigan (jumper) off - just shirt-sleeves. As soon as the sun set (around 1730 hours - 5.30pm), the temperature dipped, but not markedly - perhaps there is more rain soon. Finally - I received my letter, giving me a month to 'show cause.' I speak with my lawyer tomorrow and will have a hearing in the State Administrative Appeals Tribunal by the end of next month. Then - I either retain my job or have to look for another one. Despite this uncertainty, I am very happy. Home last night to a cheerful household. A pasta dish created by Tracey and Witt and then a massage. Troy arrived home with the news that one of our mutual friends, Danni gave birth to a boy - Mitchell, 7lb 13oz. Congratulations, Danni and Andrew. What more could a person want.

Tue 25: A cool start to the day - but by lunchtime I had removed my jumper and was driving in my shirt-sleeves again. Fine days = cool nights and warm days. A busy day at work. A quick lunch at number 5 with Mum, Ian and brother Brian, before heading off to a meeting with my solicitor. The bad news is she wants $5000 to advise me and between $10,000 and $15,000 to represent me in the SAT (State Administrative Tribunal). Ouch! I may have to research this myself and represent myself. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) agreed to fund an initial consultation only.

Wed 26: Hooray - finally a 'non-news' day. That doesnt mean that nothing of interest happened in my life (or the rest of the world!) ... just that today I was a duck - calm on the surface and still paddling like hell underneath. Actually a good day. Very cold this morning at the start of the day and then fine. Late afternoon was light rain (showers) but heavy rain is forecast for later tonight. The only other news of note is the bizarre. Firstly, Spooked phone bosses suspend 0888 888 888 - after everyone who owns it dies and Convenience store giant 7-Eleven set to buy Mobil petrol chain. Tomorrow is make or break day with my solicitor. Appointment at 1400 hours (2pm). I'll beak the details tomorrow night.

Thu 27: Thunderstorms last night - but they didn't disturb my sleep too much. A wet day in Perth. Tomorrow's forecast is a morning shower (with a sunny weekend). I spent some time on the phone with my solicitor and I will be making a decision over the weekend whether to pay up to $20,000 to appear in the SAT with her assistance. I am leaning towards going it alone.

Fri 28: May 2010 is nearly over. It has been an 'interesting' month. I used part of my break to visit my local Member of (State) Parliament in his Bassendean office. He wasn't able to offer any tangible help, just a few ideas, which I intend to pursue. During a break between trips this afternoon, I phone a very helpful lady at SAT. She gave me a bit of confidence and I will lodge my application online this weekend. I invited Tracey and Witt out to dinner tonight - but Tracey was tied up at work (not literally, I hope!). Witt and I dined at the Pad Thai restaurant in Wanneroo Road, Tuart Hill, opposite Dog Swamp. Authentic meal. We both enjoyed it. Afterwards, I did the tour guide bit - we drove into Perth city via Northbridge, then up to Kings Park to see the lights of Perth. Finally, through the main streets of Perth and alongside the Swan River and the Bell Tower and back home.

Sat 29: Up at 0900, breakfast and then Witt and I headed off to Nollamara, to the Buddhist Society of WA's HQ. Didn't know quite what to expect - but was pleasantly surprised to come along at the tail end of a meeting. We were invited to stay for lunch - which featured mostly Issan (Thai) foods. Then it was off to the local shops for a haircut (for Witt), groceries at the Oriental Supermarket, a trip to Woolworths for other food and Budget Appliances in Malaga for a bar / drinks fridge. I was planning to do some gardening, but it was nap time - didn't want to wake Amy, Ada and Troy - so that can wait until tomorrow.

Sun 30: Just a short 4hr 38min shift today - but at double time, I wasn't going to knock it back. Money is money! Besides I just bPaid some bills before work today. Fine and sunny day - shuttle service from Marangaroo to Mirrabooka to Perth city and back. Then home, quick change and off to the Port of Fremantle for some sight-seeing with Witt.

Mon 31: Probably one of the busiest weeks of my life starts today. It was quite productive - but I will be burning the midnight oil tonight and tomorrow night so that I am able to file my appeal with SAT on Wednesday morning. Last day of autumn (fall) today. Winter (officially) starts tomorrow, but the Weather Bureau is tipping a pleasant day with a maximum temperature of 19ºC for Perth.