I stumbled across a discussion recently about Airport West—that oddly-named suburb wedged between three major freeways—and found myself genuinely intrigued. Not because I’m considering a move there, but because the conversation really challenged some assumptions I had about what makes a suburb liveable. The more I read, the more it struck me that Airport West represents something worth examining: a place that’s geographically isolated in a way that might actually be its greatest strength.

The internet never fails to make me smile with its witty observations about everyday life. Today, I spotted a brilliant perspective about public buses being essentially $600k limousines at your service. The thought genuinely made me chuckle because it’s absolutely spot-on.

Last week, catching the 246 from Elsternwick during off-peak hours, I found myself alone in this massive vehicle, gliding through the streets with my personal chauffeur up front. The luxury of stretching out, choosing any seat I fancy, and enjoying a peaceful journey through the suburbs felt surprisingly indulgent. Sure, it might not have the champagne service or leather seats of a traditional limo, but the freedom to stand up and walk around? Try doing that in a Rolls Royce!

The scene unfolded right in front of Leeds Street near Footscray Station yesterday - a delivery driver had parked their car directly on the tram tracks, bringing the route 82 service to a complete standstill. Today’s follow-up footage showed the driver sprinting back to their vehicle, probably realizing the magnitude of their inconsiderate decision.

This incident perfectly encapsulates a growing issue in our city: the “me first” mentality that seems to be taking over our streets. It’s particularly frustrating because it impacts hundreds of commuters who rely on our public transport system. The tram driver, showing remarkable patience, was forced to wait while this individual apparently thought their temporary parking needs superseded the movement of an entire tram full of passengers.

Last night’s discussion about an injured possum in our community struck a chord with me, bringing back memories of similar wildlife encounters in our urban jungle. It’s a scenario that perfectly illustrates the complex relationship between city life and our native wildlife.

The situation was heartbreaking - a possum with severe burns found beneath power lines. The immediate outpouring of advice and concern from locals highlighted something wonderful about our community, but it also exposed some concerning gaps in our wildlife emergency response system.