Spyke

That was an incredible time ❤️

Thanks so much to everyone here for all your support over the last year or so. It's been a hell of a ride, and I'm super grateful❤️

And thank you to the crew that came out tonight. It was an absolute pleasure hanging out with you guys and having you there made a really big difference ❤️

18
aussie.zone

I really enjoyed meeting everyone last night. We gotta do more live music tho. Have you been to the Thornbury Local on their open mic night yet?

3
Duenanreply
aussie.zone

Well done tonight!

Happy to have been able to give you some support.

9
aussie.zone

So I need to just put this somewhere. With my skin condition dramatically worsening by the day I returned to the GP, who looked as shocked as I felt. The odd little bumps/sores have become open weeping ulcers and spread over my biceps and thighs. He has taken swabs and is testing for Buruli/Bairnsdale ulcer and faxed an urgent referral to a local specialist. I feel emotionally yukky but physically there's no pain at all, just when I sweat it stings. I'm trying to stay positive but I'm pretty depressed.

16

Oh fuck, that sounds really worrying. I'm glad there's no pain but it sounds like an urgent case for sure. Fingers majorly crossed that they get back to you with a treatment asap...

7

Hopefully things will get better for you soon, especially with the urgent referral.

Please try and take care and glad you were able to see the GP again.

4

Good morning everyone!

Hope everyone has a great day ❤️

I'll fill you in on how it goes tonight!!!!

Edit: lyrebird lounge at 8:30pm, I'll be getting there around 7:45pm to watch a couple of the people before me.

I'm the dark skin guy in the white tshirt and glasses.

Also I make minor guarantees about the quality of my performance lol

Oh yeah, my nickname is Reef.

16
aussie.zone

Lyrebird Lounge, 8.30 pm. Just near Ripponlea Station. Will be there too - look for the red fedora.

8
Duenanreply
aussie.zone

I could see myself all in brown and grey as per normal.

6
Tofureply
aussie.zone

I will dress plainly but wear the One Ring

6

I’ll be the witness to make sure you are telling the truth and the whole truth.

7
aussie.zone

Spud and I have arrived. We are at the back.

14
aussie.zone

I will have to attend in spirit form only. If you hear a soft rustling of wings or a quiet "caw" , that will be me. 🙂

13

Damn, no one was supposed to notiice that. There were some quality scraps in those bins though, what else was I supposed to do?

1

Time for a nap and last low energy practice.

Here we go!!!!!

Thanks everyone for all your support and well wishes ❤️❤️❤️

Edit: holy fuck the rain is here!

Running 15 mins late. Be there at 8pm

14
aussie.zone

Really over the anxiety/depression :/ just deep unease all of today and now feeling really glum and dull about everything. I even walked to work in the sun this am, and work was productive, but I still felt detached and fuzzy. Cough still rattling around too. I don't think taking a sick day is going to help as I'll just be unsettled all day.

No suitable rentals have popped up so far on my radar. Registered interest in a couple but no updates yet.

Ugh. I managed to buy some veg on the way home, I'll force myself to make a pasta dish and eat it and crawl into bed to dissociate on the phone for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow is a new day...

E: soxcat is still here as her human won't be back til Monday. It's saying something that I can't even feel that happy around her, but she's been snuggling up against me lots. And left a whisker on tgr couch for me - that's good luck isn't it?

::: spoiler lomg kitty whisker

:::

13

Thanks man. Yeah, I know in my mind that it'll pass, even if it's a month away, but man this is such shitty timing. Sucks being physically unwell too. I'm going to reframe my early bedtime as looking after myself and creating a sense of safety so I don't feel like I'm spiraling. I got this. One day at a time.

4

That is one IMPRESSIVE whisker. According to Doreen Tovey (yes I've been re-reading Cats in May and Cats in the Belfry), chewing off a whisker or two is a love offering. You were there for her when she was suffering, so now she's there for you. Who says cats can't do empathy?

2

Certainly a day of it. Almost there though.

bit more mushy compost on top then off to the physio.

12
TinyBreakreply
aussie.zone

gotta tackle this soon myself. Another 2 cubic meters of mulch and the topsoil to finish some raised planter boxes.

3

I'm still base ground prepping, but expecting to go ham with wicking beds this summer.

3
aussie.zone

Odd question, but do ya'll ever plan out other lives for yourself? Occasionally I'll just sit on realestate and and look shit up. Might be like "alright, if I split with the mrs can I afford to buy a unit? where am I gonna live?" or "Fuckit, lets all move up to bright! I hate it here, alright what can we afford?"

I find it really therapeutic for some reason. These alternate lives I'll never live out.

12
aussie.zone

I've definitely planned out what to do with large lotto wins I will never have. Looked at moving overseas or interstate. I've considered moving into a unit right in the centre of Melbourne so I can enjoy all the activities there, or moving to a big block of land in the middle of nowhere and fixing up a rundown place.

I think it is a healthy thing to do, as long as you are not doing it with rose-coloured glasses and making yourself unhappy with your current circumstances. If you are doing it realistically it often ends up highlighting things that are important to you - things you would miss if you made different choices, and sometimes things you really want that you are actually able to do now.

7

I do the lottery thing regularly. I don't resent my current life, but love to imagine what it would be like to not worry about bills and just live life.

Personally I'd have a place in like Daylesford or similar. Trees, pond, dogs, fireplace etc.

Doing nothing would be blissful.

4

I sometimes wonder what it’s be like to be a dog or cat when I see them.

6
aussie.zone

I sometimes find my daydreaming self inserting myself into works of fiction - such a Sherlock Holmes, the Vorkosiverse etc. Probably a symptom of deep psychosis.

5
TinyBreakreply
aussie.zone

I am OFTEN on the bridge of a warship protecting the earth. Usually heroically telling the crew to abandon ship as I fight impossible odds bravely sacrificing myself.

Good to know its not just me.

6

Usually just a bunch of alarms, explosions ect. Despite the lack of sound in space it sure is a loud experience. I'm CONVINCED its linked to my anxiety cause I dissociate hard.

3
tone212_reply
aussie.zone

Looking at houses in locations I'd love to live in but can't afford is a real one. Also, I was deeply fantasising about moving to NYC when I travelled there a couple of years back, asking people I met there about their experience in moving, even though I knew deep down that I'd never do it. It's nice to dream!

5

Do it. I lived in NYC for nearly 2 years, it was awesome and the same price as living in Melbourne.

1
TinyBreakreply
aussie.zone

Frickin hope not. Cause my alternate selves die a ton and also have a bunch of orgasmless sex.

7

Apparently my alternate selves have a pretty sweet deal. But one of them hangs out with Donald Trump, so fuck that guy lol

2

yup, me and mr seagoon getting murdered . and ugh, I always seem to wake up when I start to kiss

1
aussie.zone

I’d be surprised if anyone doesn’t occasionally entertain alternative lives. Very Sliding Doors.

Pretty sure we’ve all wondered where we might be if we’d picked different doors.

3
aussie.zone

I creep myself out when I go too far down that path. All of the things that have happened to me worked together to make me who I am, and at a certain point in my musings I realise that by changeing the things that happened to me I am effectively erasing myself from existance entirely.

4

Mice are so cute!!! Ugh, their little paws, their little noses, their cute eyes. This course is great just for doing health checks on mice tbh

11

get a female mouse, it's the males who mark territory and stink up the place

I had one years ago I called Nibbler.

1
aussie.zone

Little bit of a rambling. I'm sitting here writing notes, made a mistake so I scrubbed it out and then I realised I can erase it out because it's an erasable gel pen. Then I remembered the old pen rubbers that did diddly squat but rip your paper so everyone used liquid paper instead. Got me thinking.

What has come a long way (for the better) since your childhood?

11
aussie.zone

Photocopiers. Like, we have photocopiers now. They were revolutionary. Don't start me on what life was like before them.

Hot water services - no more stuffing the 10 gallon chip heater with briquette fragments and wood chips before doing the washing up or taking a bath or washing hair. And stuffing it again if you ran out of hot water.

7
Taleyareply
aussie.zone

just reading this made me flash back to the smell of mimeograph ink.

mmm. purple.

5
aussie.zone

Liquid paper tape so much better than the fluid with the brush and the liquid paper pens.

Mechanical pencils are way better now.

6
aussie.zone

Yass.

Now they just need to update MS Word. Who the hell invented those highlight colours, anyway?

5
aussie.zone

Tights & stockings. They used to get runs in them on the first wear but now they last for years.

4
aussie.zone

I remember being able to get different colours like maroon and purple panty hose. Why? I dunno.

3
dumblederpreply
aussie.zone

Those pen erasers have come a long way. The guys driving around on purple plates use them to fake their rego book entries. Looks like real pen, erases fully.

4
aussie.zone

Synthetic oil became widely available for consumers in our lifetime. It offers superior lubricating performance and longevity.

So now we don’t have to change it out nearly as often.

So that’s a small comfort.

5

I understand synthetic oil is nearly as good as whale oil for lubricating. I also understand that whale oil is still used in space craft and F1 race cars because it's still the absolute best for the purpose.

2
aussie.zone

I've been having after 9pm thoughts all day about what I'd do if I don't get this job, just because I haven't heard back from them straight away.

I need to keep in mind these things take time and there are still over avenues open if this doesn't come through

10
aussie.zone

Yep. I applied for a niche job that I'd be perfect for and it closed a week ago, whyyyy haven't they called me? I'm getting a bit better at detaching, something will come up when it's meant to.

7

I have done the recruitment thing from both side and trust me - I know it sucks but it can take time!! Hold in there. Also I think it's ok to contact to ask about progress after, say week/week and a half. If it's a more senior or niche position it can take a bit longer to sift through.

5

That's how I feel sometimes. I know I can interview well too so I just need to get in the room with them and I can talk myself into the job.

You get thinking about how your life could be, apply for these jobs, then nothing happens

4
aussie.zone

The afternoon sleepiness is upon me.

Coffee not helping.

2 hours of meetings on the horizon.

Grant me strength oh mighty Odin.

10
aussie.zone

wandered up to the broadbents around the corner with our garden trolley and oh my god we are gonna do so much damage at that place. Landscape supplies within a five min trolley stroll that sell shittons of good quality compost and mulch? mwah. Mwahahhaha. MWAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA

9
aussie.zone

::: spoiler Tightarse grousing So pissed off with myself. I bought a Squishmallow a while back thinking it would cheer me up but all I can think of is how much it cost and I’m afraid to get it dirty. I could have sewn something myself from an open source pattern if I wanted something that bad.

Same with the old secondhand tv. I hoped it would help to get dvds to watch but it’s awkwardly large for my space and I wouldn’t have had to pay if I’d been more careful and didn’t let my original tiny one get nicked.

Also my energy bills are higher than they should be because disability leads to using a lot of hot water for pain management and a (low efficiency secondhand) dryer to reduce the exertion of tasks.

Don’t get me started on the food deal…

I’m managing ok still but am getting really irritated at the areas I’m not able to min-max. It feels so wasteful. :::

9
aussie.zone

::: spoiler I know you know this logically but in case it helps to hear it from another voice -

Enjoy the damn squishmallow. You are allowed little comforts. Little sources of pleasure and joy are as important for survival as security and health needs. No-one should struggle for any of them and it's a disgrace on our species that anyone does.

But do not let yourself be sucked into the myth of the "saintly poor". You are allowed these things and you are amazing at making your resources stretch. Every now and then you have to try to let even that go just for a bit and let the warm water and the little comforts refill your cup. It's actually necessary.

:::

Spoilered in case you don't want any more comment.

10
aussie.zone

Thanks. I’m just kind of in this mindset that every dollar I don’t spend on luxuries is another dollar I’ll have to withstand the next unexpected financial hit.

4
aussie.zone

Yeah I get it. But you are resilient regardless. Hope the anxiety about it all gives you a break. 🫂

3

Thanks. It’s not even the money, everything else about my life is just bleeding into that as money = options

1
tombruzzoreply
aussie.zone

I remember reading when you got the squishmallow. The boys were given really nice super Mario plushes for their birthday last year and they're almost so good you don't want to do anything with them. Especially something plush where you don't know how it will turn out after a trip through the washing machine.

I hope you can find a way to enjoy it and make the most of the TV you have. It sucks when our plans don't work out the way we intend

9
aussie.zone

Thanks. I think I’m just not in a good frame of mind lately and am doing little anxiety spirals

6
aussie.zone

A bit worried about mould while it’s drying. But I guess I’ve bought it now, might as well use it as a pillow before the cat gets hold of it XD

2
Taleyareply
aussie.zone

nah, just plonk it in front of a fan and you'll be gold.

We have a giant stuffed rabbit that Misha has claimed, it's her biscuit rabbit and no one's getting it back now lol

2
aussie.zone

Oh they have Squishmallow pet beds… they don’t seem to be in Australia otherwise I’d be tempted. Very soft and squishy to support Melbcat’s sore old bones…

If I can work out the fabric and get a pattern maybe she’d like that

1

Old and sore, but still a cat. The box it came in would get more use!

2
Taleyareply
aussie.zone

Nah fam. This is not a fault on your end. It's a problem at a societal level.

I totally get the micro management to claw back some feeling of control, but fuck the blame.

7

I know. Oh I am very critical of the societal factors.

I’m just kind of trying to stay ready

4
aussie.zone

It sounds like you're doing the absolute best that you can. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time at the moment ❤️

3

If the rain and wind could hold off until say 9pm that'd be great. I'm meant to be doing outdoor cooking with kids this evening.

8
aussie.zone

I had so many things I was going to do this morning, and here we are after Noon and they remain undone.

7
aussie.zone

feeling OK today. You know that scene in the last air bender where Aang opens up his chakras? felt very similar (embarrassingly) to that. I'm not sure I believe in that stuff but its just what it felt like. First time I sort of bounced off the "avatar state" (or whatever the fuck the end goal of whatever this journey my mind is trying to take is). But I tried again and sort of got that connection. Was nice.

I just had this voice in my head go "Be brave, dig deep". The music hit the right note and I just sort of fell into it.

Sadly, no sign of any bending abilities.

7
aussie.zone

I don't know if it's worth it or not, but if you do the climb you would have to change your username. HighExperience2090

11

Very much worth it. You get a full historical guided tour and of course the views. We paid for photos as well which came out great.

6

I guess that would cover the safety gear you have to wear and the guide etc. Understandable, but worth it? Dunno. I'm told the view is amazing.

5

That actually strikes me as quite reasonable pricing, you're not getting that experience from anything else

4

That sounds like awesome fun, something I would really love to do with Mr Seagoon :) he's so cool with heights and buildings

and I lived way up high in skyscraper once, the views were great but prolly not as great as on the bridge :)

1
aussie.zone

I really need to work out an easy way to protect my seedlings from snails during that vulnerable time, I swear they can smell the new sprouts. Clear plastic tub as a makeshift hothouse might be the go.

I can’t eat the produce myself but want to grow some food for a friend.

Ordered some more kitty treats… they’re expensive due to allergies. I wonder if there was spare energy I could make some at home

6
dumblederpreply
aussie.zone

I've got the seedling pots in a tray that comes in and out each day.

5

I used to do that but it’s a lot of bending and my place is kinda small. Melbcat is also looking for chances to abscond each time I pass through the door…

I was thinking maybe I could just take the lids off in the morning and put them back on each night

3

Jewish space laser? Dunno if they cant set it low enough and you might have to call in some favors but surely they need some good PR at the moment?

4
aussie.zone

Could you do something to lift the trays/pots up and create a moat, like a glass jar in a takeaway container full of water? If it is a square tray you could do one on each corner, then you just need to make sure you top up and tip out to remove mosquito larvae periodically. Add a couple of floating sticks or cork and you have a safe water source for bees too.

For seedlings in the ground I've had some success cutting soft drink containers to create little circular fences around them. They need to be secured with a peg (a piece of wire coathanger bent over works well) otherwise they get scratched out by birds (or removed by mischievous puppies "helping" in the garden!).

3

They will be nicely marinated for the escargot - served with the greens they tried to pilfer and the leftover beer

2
Taleyareply
aussie.zone

Copper tape has always worked well for me. A lot of people swear by chamomile as a repllant companion, and i gotta say i have never seen snails in my chamomile pot, not even in the new place where they're practically having plant pot snorgys

3

always smells vaguely of bubblegum icecream to me as well, which is a plus

3
TinyBreakreply
aussie.zone

YES!!!! F'ING YES sir I will follow you into battle on this one. 100X the spread that Vegemite is!

5
aussie.zone

Just staying facts.

I tried all the 'mites' apart from the UK Marmite, and so far prefer Promite.

5
aussie.zone

I have to admit that I'm a non-Vegemite-mite virgin. Vegemite's great and I've never been tempted to stray.

5

Well in my local elections I had a choice between a greens candidate who seemed ok if a little bland and an antivax cooker. So that made it easy.

Saw the candidate list for city of Melbourne today though. That is just BONKERS.

4
aussie.zone

Beep Beep 🚚
🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍈🫐🍓🍇🍉🍌🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥦🥑🫛🍆🍅🥝🥬🥒🌽🥕🥐🍠🫚🥔🧅🥯🍞🥖🥨🧀🧇🥞🧈🍳🥚🥓🥩🍗🍖🫓🍕🍟🍔🌭🥙🧆🌮🌯🥗🍲🍜🍝🥘🍛🍣🍱🥟🦪🍥🍘🍚🍙🐠🍤🪼🦀🐙 🍗🥮🍢🍡🍧🍰🧁🥧🍦🍨🎂🍮🍭🍬🍫🥜🌰🍪🍿🍯🥛☕️🍵🍺🍶🥤🧋🧃🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹🧉🔋

5
indisinreply
aussie.zone

I don't typically eat breakfast but I am curious to know what those cylindrical batteries taste like? I've only ever tasted the square ones before you see

7
Tofureply
aussie.zone

sending a knight and a white horse over 🥷🏻🎠

4
aussie.zone

I had a really rough day and crashed out, was too late in getting the tub over the seedlings so another got quite chewed.

I don’t know why I keep trying to do stuff that requires consistency and follow through. But what else to do? Nothing?

2
aussie.zone

At this point it’s out of pure bullheadedness. I am not getting anywhere

2
Taleyareply
aussie.zone

You're refusing to shrivel and die, that's not nothing. That's a hell of a something. Proud of you

3
aussie.zone

I need to go and pick up my car from being serviced. It will either work out well, or I will be caught in a storm half way through my walk and come home soggy. 🤞

2
Duenanreply
aussie.zone

Good luck! I’m going to quickly take out the bins before it rains!

1

Bought some 1980s Target clothes. The quality of old target is as good as country road, trenery , and witchery now etc. Not that those labels were ever great but they were good. Which shows how far the chain stores have enshittified

1

hey, seems I am still invisible

not much doing here, just messing around on my computer n stuff trying to get it all fixed up

patience is a virtue 😭

1

been one of those days

after spending ages trying to find stuff I bought a spearmint aero, and I try not to buy choc and stuff anymore so this was special

I unwrap with all the anticipation of Charlie Bucket hoping for a golden ticket. Unbeknownst to me the choc bar had been broken in the shop and when I unwrapped it the top half fell onto the ground. 😒

but the rest was yummy anyway

1

wifi, one bar. why since i can see huge fricken aerials through the window from where i'm sitting 🙄

1

northern suburbs observations

Why birkenstocks with socks?

Dogs on trams. Saw a dachshund in a bag, ❤️

The op shops are getting ridic on pricing. Buying new is becoming a viable option unless you want a vintage style.

1