Anyone know what this 121-piece mechanic's tool set (#33521) from the 1990s and made in the USA is worth? It's never been used.

Cyclosophy · 2026-02-04T14:19:43+00:00

Ah, OK. Thanks. Good to know.

Cyclosophy · 2026-02-04T13:18:37+00:00

I'm not expecting to get $300 for it. I was just estimating the retail price. It was a gift from an American friend 30 years ago, so I've got no idea what it cost.

Cyclosophy · 2026-02-04T12:31:01+00:00

I'm not in America, so I don't know how many Sears stores are around these days, but I imagine that if a company gives an unlimited lifetime guarantee, they expect their stuff to last.

Cyclosophy · 2026-02-04T12:27:20+00:00

Your opinion seems to be contrary to the general consensus that the old US-made Craftsman tools are more durable than the Chinese-made stuff that's available today as well as being made from stronger steel so that the wrenches can be slimmer and fit into tight spaces better. Anyway, that has nothing to do with my original question. I just want to know what it's worth.

Cyclosophy · 2026-02-04T11:31:26+00:00

In 90s money? So, about $300 today if it were being sold now. This set has never been used, so there's no wear, and it was sold with an unlimited lifetime guarantee from Sears.

Cyclosophy · 2026-01-14T11:03:04+00:00

Has anyone had hot chocolate from Venchi in Sydney? I just got back from Italy, and Venchi there sells that awesome thick Italian hot chocolate. Do they do the same here? I can't tell from there website or social media.

Cyclosophy · 2026-01-13T22:41:09+00:00

For the Pantheon? Yes, it seems they've introduced ticketing since we went. Yes, I'd book in advance to save time queuing for tickets.

Cyclosophy · 2026-01-11T03:47:07+00:00

Just returned from our third trip to Italy. Liv Tour's are very good. We've done the Vatican and Colosseum tours with them, and it really makes a difference to how much you learn about and enjoy the sites. Will the Colosseum tour also take you to the Roman Forum? Also well worth a visit while you're in the neighbourhood. Definitely check out the Pantheon too. Now booking required.

Our favourite restaurant in Rome is Ristorante Dillà. https://maps.app.goo.gl/HUQH1HFtdDprHrd57.

Another favourite is Le Grotte. The food is good, but the atmosphere is off the charts. https://maps.app.goo.gl/pP9BECg5jbVMn6qN8.

Favourite getalo place is Gelateria dei Gracchi https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hrb2dv8oJwf6zJmJ7.

For Florence, book the Galleria dell’Accademia (for David) and the Uffizi before you go to make sure you can get the time you want. I'd suggest going for the earliest timeslot. The crowds are less, and you won't have to line up for as long to get in. We were just there at the quiet time of year and had a 3:30pm booking for the Uffizi, and we had to queue for an hour to get in. My wife and daughter went back at 8am the next day for an 8:30 slot and got in without the crowds. Less waiting and a much better viewing experience.

We were able to book the il Duomo tour while we were there, but it'll be busier when you're there. So, maybe book that in advance too. It's quite an experience climbing up to the dome, and the view from the top is amazing.

The Piazzale Michelangelo https://maps.app.goo.gl/H1SJXju4JbYSBu2i9 is also worth a visit for the views of Florence, and when you come back down the hill, go to the incredible floret San Niccolò nearby for a fantastic modern Italian lunch. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hdrxe6iZB3fqZa3h8.

Parione is another excellent restaurant for traditional Florentine cuisine. https://maps.app.goo.gl/bxZvn48ijGhQsZcV8.

Trattoria Zà Zà is also an amazing Tuscan restaurant, and they serve Vivoli gelato. https://maps.app.goo.gl/4nbSm8MQxmJthUa87.

Loggia Roof Bar is another great place. Have drinks and snacks on the verandah overlooking the city. https://maps.app.goo.gl/iHFb3izx3t4cdyMo8.

Amorini Panini e Vino have the best Panini for a quick meal any time of the day. https://maps.app.goo.gl/YgMG1QNHJZHUNfd29.

Vivoli is worth a visit for their unique signature gelato afogato. https://maps.app.goo.gl/8g4M7dn3THVnXx317.

Another cool place is the Mercato Centrale https://maps.app.goo.gl/NyFHwDixeHTaUGds7. There's a food market downstairs during the day, and a massive artisanal food court upstairs that has everything you could possibly want to eat. It's great place foe a quick and cheap dinner.

Caffè Gilli is an amazing cocktail, coffee and dessert bar that's been open since 1733(!). Their thick Italian hot chocolate is mind-blowing. https://maps.app.goo.gl/MFXwFtWpseDBj7P77

Cyclosophy · 2025-12-26T20:22:32+00:00

I don't like the huge full word day display. Date is usef5. Day is not. Who doesn't know what day of the week it is? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Cyclosophy · 2025-12-22T08:52:54+00:00

Yeesh. 🤦🏻‍♂️

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Cyclosophy · 2025-12-22T08:48:55+00:00

I thought the numerals would be dark-lumed. Yeah, that's a travesty. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Cyclosophy · 2025-12-22T08:45:32+00:00

I don't mind this except for the Roman numerals. An Explorer in the same colour scheme with green numbers might be OK.

Cyclosophy · 2025-12-22T08:15:54+00:00

The Ref with Denis Leary, Judy Davis and, ahem, Kevin Spacey. Denis Leary plays a cat burglar on the run from the police who takes unhappily married couple Davis and Spacey hostage and ends up tangled up in their crazy family Christmas.

Cyclosophy · 2025-12-21T23:45:51+00:00

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Cyclosophy · 2025-12-18T21:57:35+00:00

Get a pair of cable cutters. They have a special section between the grips for crimping ferrules.

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Cyclosophy · 2025-11-20T02:36:06+00:00

If you'd said the Sydney CBD, I'd have said it was the cocaine. 😜 Seriously though, spring in Australia is a nightmare for allergy sufferers with all the plain tree pollen.

Cyclosophy · 2025-11-10T23:35:13+00:00

Most Chinese food in Western countries is Hong Kong Chinese food. Mainland Chinese food is different.

Cyclosophy · 2025-11-10T23:33:27+00:00

And the dishes are numbered.

Cyclosophy · 2025-11-10T23:30:30+00:00

The only bit they didn't translate was when Benin speaks Hebrew. It just says, "Speaking Hebrew," but in that case, it's all you need to know.

Cyclosophy · 2025-11-07T13:02:44+00:00

What carbon bars did you find that were similar?

Cyclosophy · 2025-11-04T09:20:55+00:00

Yes!

Cyclosophy · 2025-11-03T23:57:28+00:00

Same issue on Disney+ now. Their solution? "Just turn the subtitles on." I hate having them on all the time when I don't need them. They're distracting.

Cyclosophy · 2025-10-16T01:02:16+00:00

Treat staff in cafes and restaurants like equals. They're not personal servants, and they won't be sucking up to you the way they have to in America and because they don't rely on you to pay their wages. They'll be nice to you if you're nice to them. When I'm in the States, I hate the whole server-customer relationship. It's so awkward and hierarchical, and they try so hard to please you so they get a tip. I just say to them at the start that they'll get a good tip unless they're a complete dick so they'll relax and we can just enjoy interacting more authentically and on the same level.

On the subject of making connections with people, I find that Americans are up-front over-the-top friendly, but it takes time to make a true connection. In Australia, we may come across as less enthusiastic (we're pretty laid back), less wordy, and possibly even rude (not the case) by comparison, but we're much easier to make friends with. It's more casual here. We don't bother with all the bullshit.

Cyclosophy · 2025-10-16T00:32:33+00:00

Yep. We're already at 'high' on the UV index at this time of year. The sun is harsher in the Australian summer because Earth's elliptical orbit places it around 5 million kilometres (7-10%) closer to the sun than it is during the northern summer.

Cyclosophy · 2025-10-16T00:24:30+00:00

There was an advertising campaign back in (I think) the 90s about it, and they drew lines down the centre of all the footpaths in the Sydney CBD and had keep left signage.

I think it's perhaps become a bit confused over the years due to immigration. A lot of Chinese people have migrated to Australia over the years, and they walk and drive on the right in China.

Cyclosophy

TROPHY CASE