Spyke
aussie.zone

Beach was not as cold as I thought it would be, I had a singlet, two woolen jumpers, a slicker and a knitted hat. 👍

Tide was high and I took a pic, I was walking around those rocks that are far out in the water the other day at low tide, that's where I took a picture from. I think the water is about a metre high there now.

8
aussie.zone

How do people who overthink every aspect of their life buy property? I'm down in the Frankston/Seaford area today wondering if I'm an idiot for even considering trying to buy down here. Do I just stick with what I know and continue to be possibly unhappy in an apartment in the inner city suburbs?

8

If it’s an area you want to move to but are not familiar with, maybe rent there for a while 1st. Also start going to lots of open houses and find out what’s available in your price range, and what things you’re prepared to compromise on. Keep track of auction results. You’ll gain knowledge of the market which will help when you decide to buy.

Do give yourself grace about how you’re feeling - it’s a stressful process involving a lot of money, so of course you’re overthinking. Good luck!

5

find out how much you can borrow without becoming an absolute slave, know whereabouts you want to live, then combine the two and look at housies

1
aussie.zone

It's raining and cold and I'm nice and relaxed in bed with a cat warmly snuggled against my feet. All I need is for someone to bring me a nice fluffy omelette for breakfast...

8
aussie.zone

That sounds very cozy. I will admit to not being a fan of eating in bed though.

I'm already up and about, even took Mr Woof on a morning walk (albeit a short one, given the weather). Now snuggled on the couch listening to Miss Meow snoring away on her window hammock - now that I've solved her problems getting onto it she is a definite fan.

7

To be fair, I don't usually like eating in bed either. What I really would have liked was someone to transport me to the couch, blankets and cat and all, and then served me an omelette.

I'm now finally up and about as I have to meet a friend shortly. I'm leaving the split system in the living room on so that it's not as much of a depressing, dark icebox for sox (who is currently perched on the window sill with the least uninteresting view). And for me, when I get back and steel myself to vacuum the floor.

4
aussie.zone

Let's play a game. What's the most impressive thing you have in your home?

I have a telescope.

8
aussie.zone

A circa 1850s mahjongg set - with ivory and bamboo hand carved pieces, and a nice little camphorwood chest to keep them in with fitted drawers and inlay work of the 8 immortals. It has ivory 'money' sticks and wind of the round indicator, and a really cute little chinese style brass lock and key for the doors. Cannot be sold nowadays cos ivory and I have no documentation of when or where it was acquired. The pieces are hand coloured with lac, and are quite quite beautiful.

Family legend is that it was acquired by my dad's Great-Great-Aunt Maggie, who was a character and a half if a somewhat abrasive one. She when to China in the 1850s to convert the heathen, who had done nothing to deserve this, so the family was not surprised when she got summarily evicted out of the country at the end of the Taiping Rebellion. So she went to Peru to convert the heathen there, and also got slung out of the country after an argument with the local Catholic authorities. She was a rabid Puseyite of the most extreme persuasion. She did have an eye for beauty though, and acquired quite a few glorious objects that are scattered around the family. My sister has the pearlshell inlaid ebony writing desk, I got the mahjongg set. I still have to decide who in the next generation to leave it to in my Will.

10
aussie.zone

I love mahjong. I'd love to learn it properly though.

500 is a dying art. I'm good at that.

4
aussie.zone

That's fucking cool! I used to visit an old aboriginal gravesite when I was a kid. There was something magical about that.

5
aussie.zone

It's inherited. At some point I'll try to work out what mob it's from and return it.

6
aussie.zone

Miniest says the antiques, glassware, crystal and art. It's a random assortment of stuff that's valuable but not attractive at all, like this thing

7
aussie.zone

It's a decanter made of Murano glass. Of all the beautiful things I have that are Murano Glass that is easily the most outstandingly ugly!

5

::: spoiler this framed print from my dad :::

He got it at silver k, I think. I love The Muppet Show (the series and the 1979 movie, I know ALL the songs), and I love OT Star Wars - so this is my most impressive and treasure item.

On par with it, is the carved camphor wood chest I have that I keep my linen and towels in - inherited from my great-grandmothers estate.

6
Duenanreply
aussie.zone

Either my collection of video games or my Franklin’s mint dragons.

5
Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

My shell collection, including a good collection of fossil shells

4
aussie.zone

I have seen your collection and I am impressed.

I made a shell wind chime when I was a teenager and my mum still has it hanging in her kitchen. It doesn't chime but it is pretty.

5
aussie.zone

Did a little bit of work first up to clear the decks then a shopping trip and pub lunch with a friend. Now sitting on the couch tossing up between a nap, a movie and another glass of wine. Tip top day all round.

7
aussie.zone

Currently a bottle of Tread lightly Pinot Grigio. Just a cheapie but it's light and doesn't seem to leave me with the wine headache I get from others.

For lunch I had a Shiraz but I dunno what. I just asked the barmaid for something to go with the lamb shanks (and it was super yum)

6
aussie.zone

4/10

I did not know any of the answers, but my guessing game was above average today.

2

woooo so helping His Lordship clear a workspace and showing him how to remove the render for his brewery repoint ended up being more a helping His Lordship clear a workspace, then partially reorganising the basement then showing him how to remove the render then getting stuck in for three hours alongside. But the back wall and chimney are almost done, then it's just one small partial behind the door.

(bitch better remember this when I start the other half of the garage)

7
Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

the tedster looking cute even while he is plotting his next attack on bill

7
Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

he really doesn't belong here

he wants to be a tradie cat

He loves tradies, he helps every single tradie who comes here and when the job is finished he wants to go in their van and go home with them. Then he can go on tradie jobs all the time.

6
aussie.zone

When I have visitors my dog is all over them like rash. Sometimes he does an excited wee. When they leave, he cries at the door.

4

I tried for an hour and a half, but didn't really sleep. Pets thought it was a great way to spend a dreary afternoon though.

6

Big night last night. Big day today. Pho for lunch, gathering of supplies (gatorade and sausage rolls) for a bonfire later tonight weather permitting.

7
Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

catnip story

years ago when I was living Europe I grew a whole heap of catnip from seed for my cat Oscar. After a few months I planted it out in the backyard in a big planter.

The next day when I went to look it was gone, eaten down to the dirt.

hedgehogs, it was hedgehogs that ate it 🌿🌿🌿🦔🦔🦔

4

HEDHOG CUTE

Sorry, old internet skit.

I'm sure Oscar got many other treats and love.

3
aussie.zone

Being a bit sad that I'm not having a super social day.

Ordered a pizza, going to feed the strays, play some video games and hopefully can play guitar if the headache isn't too bad.

5
aussie.zone

At the local footy atm, they’re losing, I’m freezing but it’s great to be out on this long weekend. What are you up to?

5
aussie.zone

Go sit in the car and toot when a goal is kicked.

The pyro has just started the bonfire. Gonna roast some potatoes and listen to some music, have a few beers and annoy you guys all night.

6
Seagoon_reply
aussie.zone

sounds like a wonderful plan

I am looking forward it 😊

5

Today was cleaning day; vacuum, mop etc. There has been a lot tracked in by all the removalists etc. so it's nice to get the floors cleaned up (even if it is still working around boxes!) Hopefully now I've got the shoe change area set up and some mats down to reduce dust at the garage entrance it will keep things a bit cleaner. It's also a well sealed house which will hopefully reduce the amount of outside dust that gets in too.

I also did some weather stripping of the dog door insert, which has cut down the draughts from that a lot. I also have a plastic "double glazing" film to put on the glass panel at some point, which will just leave the bit of gap around the dog door itself leaking a bit of air. Not really much that can be done about that and still have it usable. I can feel the difference already from the weatherstripping, and it's stopped it rattling in the wind.

Tonight I'll be working, so I'll be heading off for a nap shortly which will hopefully help me get through it.

5

still fixing up the furniture, right now been rasping a drawer because it sticks when closed, then I will continue painting

I printed out heaps of instruction books for various appliances and will look to setting things up and getting them working

then a walk down beach 👍

5
Nathreply
aussie.zone

Every Saturday is much the same: Hockey, Shopping, Extra thing.

The kid lost hockey to the team on top of the ladder, but still scored a goal. Shopping was mostly a success, I need to go back for more stuff soon.

Not sure what Extra thing will be at this stage, but it's my wife's birthday soon, might take the kids shopping for that.

5

Highly recommend a seafood experience cos I know you and your wife dig that.

::: spoiler spoiler :::

2
aussie.zone

Long catch-up with a friend, swung over to the Asian grocers on the way back, got home to wee and now supposed to hop across the road to get some veggies but the cat has decided this is the perfect time to nest on my lap and I'm loathe to dislodge her furriness.

Gonna make a homely saucy broccoli stir-fry with vegan chicken a la this recipe with some jasmine rice. Blob out in front of the TV. Should vacuum the unit but I'll put that off to tomorrow...

4

How good is an Asian market! So many interesting stuff in there.

I have made that recipe and it's very good.

3
Duenanreply
aussie.zone

Watching the footy, maybe some gaming and I want to get a movie done tonight.

My sleep is screwed as well.

3

Watching my Geelong cats play against Gold Coast at the moment.

Cats of course!

3
tone212_reply
aussie.zone

My pub dinner for friend’s birthday sounds like it’s going to be quite drunken, going by the group comments. Shot on arrival is planned 😬

3
aussie.zone

Had boyo's family over for some wine and cheese, so busted out a fantastic board of assorted goodies and some delicious wine. Now settled in for some more wine, gaming, kdramas and whatever else takes our fancy!

3
aussie.zone

::: spoiler Ze goodies :::

There were three other cheeses I didn't serve, the champagne cheddar didn't even get touched!

5

Anyone in the Inner West free Thursday morning?

Available: one spy mission on my shitty old rental. Review for Purple Pingers being drafted!

6
aussie.zone

I wish I could at least go back to skincare and exercise but it all feels too hard and too late.

::: spoiler spoiler I’m not safe to be taking local walks without carrying something like pepper spray (not kidding - there have been incidents) and it feels impossible to do more than scrub my face with water/bar soap in the shower.

There are home exercises (all of which I know) but I can’t tell you how much discipline it took the first time around to maintain something so tedious… plus now I can’t get enough calories and I’ve deconditioned to the point I risk injury on starting again. Feels like I can barely move.

I would love to move away somewhere else, get a shit ton of therapy and then try to salvage what’s left of my life.

I’m now desperate enough to be looking into disability specific housing (if it’s possible for me to get it) but deep down I know I don’t want that arrangement. I’m just desperate to move away and income is a serious problem with that. :::

6
aussie.zone

Without giving too much away where the fuck are you that you can't walk down the street? North, West, East? If you're in the West or North, I'll spot ya. Nothing gets passed in me.

4
aussie.zone

Sorry, don’t want to post anything doxable. But my area has Problems

Edit: I can definitely give someone a nasty time if cornered but don’t want legal issues on top of everything

4
aussie.zone

I know you don't want to dox but shit I grew up in Broady and live in Melton. Fuck everyone here wants to help you atleast walk down the street which is your right.

7

I’ve kind of stopped wanting to go out by now. Even seeing known shitty people sucks and I’m over it.

I just stay in and keep a crowbar handy.

4
aussie.zone

Aaaargh, I should've remembered to check the metric measurements for tablespoons on Nagi's recipe.. 60 ml instead of 45 ml of soy sauce later I have a super salty dish 😖 adding potatoes won't work so maybe I'll have to steam some carrot and throw that in to spread it out a bit more. I did think it seemed like an awful lot of sauce, should've trusted my gut!

E: added a tiny splash of vinegar and a touch more sugar and two carrots and it's passable now.

6

Yeah, I've put in a splash of vinegar and that's helped a bit but I don't want to put any more and risk the flavour changing altogether. I think after I add the carrots I'll add another tiny splash and hope for the best

2
Duenanreply
aussie.zone

I’m not an expert of this. Can a little bit of sugar balance it out?

4

I put some sugar in but it's not quite enough. It's still too strong-tasting if you get what I mean, relative to the broccoli and mock chicken

2

I heard you can cook potatoes in something salty and then remove them but have never tried it

Edit: never mind it’s a myth

3

A little bit, mostly that fine misty rain you can't tell is there until you go outside. Or until your dog comes back inside slightly damp. But it is a bit heavier now.

Miss Meow had a bit of an explore outside too - I was adding some weather stripping to the dog door panel and she took advantage of the open door to "sneak" outside. I don't think the weather was much to her liking.

3

Fucking migraine. Was supposed to meet an old friend today and have a video call with my Adelaide mates and possibly go out tonight.

6
Duenanreply
aussie.zone

Hope you’re feeling better, I had a headache coming as well but ended up having a 3 hour nap by accident.

2

Slept through the day again. I should be taking walks to boost my mood but honestly… my area is full of interesting people (in a bad way) and I don’t want to wander around in it.

Think I’m gonna do a few chores and then take a sleeping pill at midnight.

5
aussie.zone

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

5
Tofureply
aussie.zone

🫐🫐
🥞🥞🥞
🫐🥞🫐🥞
🥞🫐🥞🫐
🥞🥞🥞

4
Tofureply
aussie.zone

🥓🍳🍳🍄🍄‍🟫🧇🍯☕️

3

I hate getting up early for parkrun. But I've never regretted doing it.

3

Campfire potatoes. So good! Next time I'll do chestnuts because he loves them. And damper because he's never had it.

5

Gave Gibson catnip.

Now I'm just getting yelled at for no reason lol

Otherwise headache has subsided a fair bit so been smashing out some guitar. Feels so fucking good!

5

Poor Mr Woof is freaking out with me gone from the house ☹️ I'm looking at him on the camera and he's been running in and out looking for me for over 2 hours now. Which at least means he is getting used to using the dog door.

5

I keep looking at completely the wrong spot on the weather radar through force of habit. I think the next bit of rain is going to miss us, if I'm wrong we'll come back from our walk soggy. I really need to find Mr Woof's robe, I know it's in a box somewhere...

3

Yes! Up there in my fav top 10 films! Every actor is amazing in it, it's funny and sad in all the right ways, it's a bit weird which is great!

10/10 definitely recommend

3

Digging through decluttering crap… I found some old Warhammer stuff.

I shook some paints back to usability but the key ones have dried up. I don’t really want to go back to it anyway

1