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Glass Suspicions

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I sat in my office, staring at the pictures I had taken of the shattered glass sculpture. It was clear to me that this was a case of family drama, but my questioning of Ricky Ruffley had given me little to work with. I did have a hunch that Chris Ruffley was hiding something. The question was, what?

I decided to pay Chris a visit, hoping to catch him off guard and see if I could get any more information out of him.

“What brings you here?” he said after opening the door to find me there.

“I’m just following up on the case,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I was wondering if you had any leads or suspects in mind.”

Chris scoffed. “You’re the detective, you figure it out.”

I took a deep breath and decided to take a different approach. “Listen, Chris, I know this must be hard for you. Losing your father and then having his prized possession destroyed. I knew a guy who had his mother’s beloved stair balustrade destroyed, and he was a complete wreck. But I couldn’t help but feel that you and Emily were a little too… scripted in our meeting the other day.”

Chris narrowed his eyes at me. “What are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying that I think you know more than you’re letting on,” I said. “And I think that if you want to honour your father’s memory, you need to tell me the truth.”

Chris hesitated for a moment, then let out a sigh. “Fine. You’re right. The truth is that I think Emily did it, but I can’t bring myself to confront her without any evidence. She’s always been a big fan of the Glass Smashing Bandit – she’s a glazier based near Melbourne, you see. Loved all the work it gave her. I think she was jealous that she didn’t get the glass installation given to her by Dad, despite her love of glass windows and balustrades, so she destroyed it in jealousy.”

“And you wanted me to come to the same conclusion?”

Chris nodded.

“Well, I’m sorry,” I said. “I just can’t see it.”

“So, what now?”

I considered for a moment. “I think it’s time I see that old housekeeper of yours. See what she thinks about the whole thing.”

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Fixing the Bathroom

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As someone in my late twenties, I’ve always dreamed of owning my own house. After years of hard work and saving up money by living with my parents (yes, I am extremely grateful for that privilege), I finally achieved my goal and bought a beautiful home. It was perfect, with three bedrooms, a huge living room, and a backyard filled with gorgeous green grass.

However, there was one part of the house that didn’t quite meet my expectations – the bathroom. It was outdated and desperately needed a remodel. I decided to search online for bathroom design companies in Melbourne, hoping to find the perfect company that could help me turn my bathroom from something old and small into a modern and spacious oasis of relaxation. The thing was, most of the companies I found online were really expensive, and I didn’t want to spend a fortune on the remodel. Next, I decided to go through a number of blogs, searching for inspiration.

I discovered that there were a lot of ways I could update my bathroom without breaking the bank. I could repaint the walls, replace old light fixtures, and even add some new towels and accessories. I saved my favourite bathroom remodel ideas on a budget and decided to get to work. Because I didn’t have the expertise to do all of this myself, I hired one of the budget designers who were able to do it for me. This company worked within my budget and to my specifications, and in the end, my new bathroom was exactly what I had envisioned – stylish and functional. It was a place I was so excited to be in, to get ready in it in front of the mirror and under the beautiful light fixtures in the mornings. I reminded myself to send a nice note of gratitude to the designer and all of the design and installation team who had helped to create this. I couldn’t wait to show it off to all of my friends and family who had supported me on my journey to homeownership.

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The Window Tinters

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After work, I began my mission to discover what was really going on inside the kitchen appliance company where I work. As part of the toaster division, I report to the Head of Toast, Michael Fasbender. Michael recently had a company for office window tinting come by to darken the windows of the conference room, and my co-workers have been disappearing ever since. To get to the bottom of this, I took a trip to the local window tinting business for offices that we had hired. I needed to find their confidential file with the details about the job they had done for my workplace. 

It all went smoothly at first – I dressed in dark clothes and entered the building, which thankfully had tinted windows everywhere, so it was easy to blend in with the environment, even in the middle of the day. As I snuck around, looking for a computer that wasn’t being used, I couldn’t help but admire the quality craftsmanship of the tinted windows all around me. It was clear that these tinters were truly passionate about their craft, installing window film with excellence at every opportunity. If I ever needed commercial decorative window tinting for Melbourne businesses I was in charge of, I’d go with these guys.

Unfortunately, I had been so caught up looking at the impressive window tinting that I didn’t notice the burly security guard that had walked up to me. I guess I didn’t roll too well on my stealth check, after all. I was promptly asked to leave, and, despite my better judgement, decided to make a run for it. As it turns out, this window tinting company takes its security very seriously, as the guard was able to easily chase me down. I was forcibly removed from the building, so I supposed I can’t really call this mission a success. 

Despite my failure, I won’t let it stop me. One way or another, I am going to discover what the boss has been doing in the tinted conference room! 

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Crazy Drain Cameras

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Technology is absolutely wild, isn’t it? I recently watched a video online where someone managed to install a camera into a pen. I don’t know about everyone else, but I find innovations like that truly unbelievable! I’ve seen stuff like this in spy films but I never thought they truly existed. Frankly, I was quite sceptical of the video. I know people create fake videos about technology to get likes and new followers online. I assumed the ‘pen camera’ video fell into the ‘fake video content’ category. That was until I went for brunch with my brother yesterday. My brother is a total technology geek. He is up to date with every new technology release, and somehow always has an early insight on what new innovations exist. I showed him the video of the pen camera because if anyone was to know if this was a legitimate invention, it would be him. He spent the next twenty minutes telling me how it is in fact real and explained the mechanics that make it possible for this pen to have a camera.

Another interesting invention is the drain camera. Melbourne is an absolute hub for innovation, and it turns out that some plumbing companies are actually using cameras to get the job done! Of course, somehow my brother already knew this information. There have been many times when my drain has been clogged or emitting a foul odour and I’ve wanted to take a peek to see what’s going on. Never in a million years did I think that was possible. Now I’m kind of looking forward to the next time my drains clog. I’m going to call the best drain plumber near me, ask if they use a camera and then stand over their shoulder the entire time they conduct a drain inspection. I admit it, I’m a total newbie when it comes to any bit of technology. Heck, I barely understand how to use my phone! When you’re so clueless like how I am, something like a drain camera blows your mind.

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Builder Needs Spies

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This wasn’t exactly how Iris had been expecting to spend her day. After all, she’d been pretty out of the loop lately, as tended to happen. Last she’d known they had been working alone to fight against the elites in society, but now all of a sudden they’d aligned themselves with Gideon’s more extreme cause. And apparently, it was Mavis of all people who had organised this! Very strange.

Well, it was what it was. She was now working with one of the most famous luxury home architects/designers in New Melbourne, Gideon Nightshade. She’d head straight to New Adelaide and find out what was going on there. If this Zircon Clan was planning a move against Gideon, she’d discover exactly what it was. After all, that’s what she was best at.

Given that Gideon owned one of the best construction companies on the Mornington Peninsula, she was surprised to discover that only Lorenzo served the man as an ongoing and permanent employee. Gideon surely had some sort of house-building magic to get his jobs done, otherwise, he’d need more people on his side.

Currently, Iris sat at a table beside the beach, eating fish and chips. She’d need the energy to walk to the crew’s car, which for some reason had been left just outside the Mornington Peninsula bubble. Redman had left an apologetic note about that fact, and unfortunately, it was now Iris’s job to collect it. After that, she’d make for New Adelaide and begin her mission. Hopefully, she could get plenty done before the end of the day because she wasn’t likely to get another opportunity for a while.

She took the moment of peace while she could, dragging it out. It wasn’t often she got a moment to breathe, with Dirk always sending her on crazy missions to spy on the elite. Sure, she was about to go do some more spying, but at least this time it would be on her terms.

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Found My Career

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It has been several years since I’ve updated this blog. This blog was pivotal to me during that really difficult time I went through but as I’ve slowly come out of it, I’ve come to rely on this blog less and less. Anyway, I’ve only come back to say that I am very proud to say that I have found my dream career.

I’m not sure if anyone is even still subscribed to this blog, but if you are, I wanted to update you on my journey. It wasn’t an easy one – by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, more often than not, I found it really difficult. Even as I was working towards what I now know to be my dream career, part of me always yearned to work for a local video production company. Melbourne is a very arty city and making art is in my blood, so it makes sense that thoughts like this would pop up here and there. Instead of trying to suppress them, I let them pass by like ships in the ocean. I accepted that they were there and let them continue on their journey. I found that this was the only way I could function without being incredibly sad about my failed dream career.

But, as I’ve always been told – when one door closes, another one opens. When I decided to pursue Media Studies as a career, I was only doing it because I felt like I didn’t have a choice. It was hard for me, giving up on my dream. But I obviously wasn’t meant to be a post production service specialist. Everything happened this way so that I could be the best Media Studies teacher in Melbourne.

I am now very proud of myself. I have landed a job at one of the best media schools in Melbourne and I truly am inspiring the future leaders of film and television. Because of me, films and television will be the best it has ever been. I couldn’t be more satisfied with my work.

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Solar Power Trend

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I have recently discovered the benefits of installing solar panels in my own business. As a small business owner, it can be hard for me to make decisions about what to spend my money on, since we have a very low profit margin and sometimes if I make a bad business decision I have to eat the costs directly.

However, I feel like we are now at the point in society where if you aren’t seriously thinking about at the very least installing a few solar panels, then you are probably not thinking at all. Everybody seems to have them on their homes and other residential buildings. I see them less frequently on the roofs of businesses, but I know that many people do have them. I looked up the commercial solar installation cost just out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised to find that it is a lot more affordable than I was expecting. There are many companies who can complete the installation and that are also within my budget, but I’ve narrowed that list down to just a couple based on factors such as reputability and the number of systems they have installed.

The shortened list is filled with amazing energy solution providers, and I’m struggling to choose between them now, so I’m thinking of calling them all and asking some questions that are directly related to my businesses. That way, I’ll be able to get a gauge on how they deal with customer service, and also how they can help small businesses like mine. It’s one thing to install a huge solar system on a chain of warehouses, but it’s another thing altogether to install a system that suits the needs of my business. Not to mention, I really pride myself on being able to tell if I can work with somebody or not based on a phone conversation. If this company is to work with me for the years to come, we’ll need to work well together.   

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The Double Agent

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“If we’re going to do this,” Redman said, “there’s something you need to know about my situation.”

The Director rested his hands together, on the desk between them. “Do elaborate, then.”

Redman took a deep breath, wondering how he could explain it without giving all the crazy details that would make them think he was insane. Maybe he was – Redman couldn’t really be sure.

“There are… others,” he started. “Other members of my crew who will be firmly on the side of Gideon. We’re a very tight-knit group, so it will be difficult to keep this from them. I may have to go long stretches of time without reporting, and I may be kept out of Gideon’s business by circumstance from time to time. If you can handle that, I’m in.”

After seeing what the Zircon Clan were hiding in their documentation for a buyer’s agent near Brighton, Redman wasn’t sure he could truly get on board with their plans. However, he could go along with this double agent mission, then decide which side he’d truly join – if any. 

He wanted an equal society without elites stepping all over everybody else, of course, but was he okay with it being at the expense of New Melbourne suburbs? Did the innocent buyer’s agent Melbourne residents had come to trust deserve to lose his business? Did the regular people of New Melbourne deserve to lose everything to create the New Adelaide utopia?

“You do whatever you need to,” said the Director. “Your insights into the workings of Gideon’s inner circle will be invaluable. We’ll take whatever we can get.”

“Great,” said Redman. “We have an agreement, then. Now, the only thing that’s left is getting me an alibi for abandoning my meeting with Gideon.”

Jesse and the Director gave each other an odd look. “Oh, I think we’ve got just the thing,” said Jesse with a sly grin.

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Introducing the Apothecary

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People have many different hobbies and interests. Some enjoy painting, while others enjoy lifting weights. Still more enjoy reading, while others prefer to watch television.

As for me, I have a few unique hobbies of my own. I belong to a gardening club. But it’s not your average gardening club – to be totally candid with you, it’s a front for a magic apothecary. We even have a website now, where people can buy rare flower seeds online, and things like that. But most of the time customers come to our brick and mortar store because that way their business isn’t recorded. They can pay in cash, or secrets. In return, they’ll get plants that do all kinds of brilliant things.

Most people nowadays aren’t aware of just how much influence humans have had on the plants within our ecosystem. Routine genetic modification means that the apples and bananas we eat today are not the ones that grew in the wild two centuries ago. The same is true for lesser known plants, including decorative ones, like roses. Have you ever seen those vibrant, beautiful colours that appear on the petals of hybrid tea roses? Or just how adept climbing roses are at actually climbing?

That’s because decades ago, a few humans sat down and selected the plants that displayed desirable traits, and then took the time to plant them and cultivate them until they became the dominant traits of that plant’s entire species. Sometimes, they even became a new species of plant altogether. And while there is certainly merit in modifying plants to give us a greater amount of fruit and less seeds, or to make them more disease resistant, very few people are aware that there is often an equal – if not greater – merit in the original traits of each plant. Because whether you are looking at roses, or daffodils, or lilies, the truth is that they all have the potential to become magical. And at my apothecary, I unlock this magic.  

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The Wedding Shoes

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My best friend is getting married to the love of her life next month. I couldn’t be happier for her, and I truly think they make a great pair. My friend and I have been friends for ages, which means I’ve been there for all the big moments of their relationship, including from when they first got together, all the way to orchestrating their engagement with the help of her fiance.

Anyway, since the wedding is coming up pretty soon I have to really start thinking about what the ceremony is going to look like and what I am going to wear. I was trying on heels when I remembered that I have a condition called plantar fasciitis, which means it’s difficult for me to wear heels due to this pain that I experience in my foot. It’s actually really inconvenient. I physically cannot walk in heels, but the dress I’m wearing at the request of my best friend isn’t long enough for me to get away with wearing flat shoes.

I decided the best course of action would be to make an appointment with a podiatrist near me. It ended up being at this brilliant place that was really affordable and also had a great reputation. Their receptionist was friendly and directed me to wait in a comfortable lounge, where I could look at a range of foot care products. Cheltenham has a number of brilliant podiatrists and other health professionals, so I feel pretty lucky to live in a place that is so close to great service.

I was extremely happy with the service I received from this podiatrist, as they told me exactly what the problem was and how to fix it. I’m now on a foot therapy plan that will hopefully fix my feet in the lead up to my friend’s wedding. It requires a combination of rest, exercise, and wearing these special socks that can help my muscles when I’m walking. I’m already feeling loads better. I just know the wedding is going to be a beautiful ceremony!

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