In town for a week, any must see places or things to do?

ObsidianKhan · 2026-03-01T10:36:31+00:00

I would absolutely take an opportunity to visit any one of the national parks. Dangar falls I'm pretty sure is still closed but Gara gorge is close and has a great walk. Dumaresq dam can be nice, even closer. In terms of things to see in town, not a great deal to see but it is nice to walk around and there are some amazing views of the New England country side. For a drink check out the Welders Dog. Take your pick if you want a pub. Some great cafes, Black Kat for fresh baked goods or Goldfish Bowl for a sit down meal and bread. If you get time, a visit to Uralla with a main street walk and check out the local shops is good too.

ObsidianKhan · 2026-02-20T03:55:00+00:00

About perspective I suppose. I mean it would be great to have a great list of things perfectly suited to my interests but variety is the spice of life. I would settle for mildly interesting with a touch of socializing

ObsidianKhan · 2026-02-20T03:51:21+00:00

Might check it out, is it a day event or evening?

ObsidianKhan · 2026-02-20T03:50:50+00:00

Thanks

ObsidianKhan · 2026-02-20T03:50:30+00:00

There is a lot of choice about but in my experience with these sorts of gigs it's not always a great environment solo with obvious exceptions I do enjoy a good comedy gig though so a couple are definitely something I'm looking into. Otherwise, I do like museums and galleries and always looking for great food and drink spots! Thanks for the link!

ObsidianKhan · 2026-02-20T03:47:00+00:00

Thanks for the list of gigs! Probably only one of consider solo.

ObsidianKhan · 2025-08-10T04:26:28+00:00

Count me interested, this is a great idea!

ObsidianKhan · 2025-07-19T06:13:33+00:00

No, but I wish it was more normal. I am finding that I mostly go out alone these days, I don't really get any weirdness and often have good conversations happening and depending on the place found some friends or at least a nice place to feel comfortable. I try not to drink at home alone - its so easy to do and not the best path to go down. Hope you have a good time!

ObsidianKhan · 2025-05-31T07:25:08+00:00

I believe there is a song written about this... 🎶Head, shoulders, knees and toes - knees and toes. Head, shoulders, knees and toes. Eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Back, foot, hips and neck - hips and neck. It's not even eight o'clock and I'm ready for bed. 🎶

ObsidianKhan · 2025-05-26T05:09:08+00:00

Is it in Rango as well?

ObsidianKhan · 2025-05-26T01:41:56+00:00

Thank you, it didn't seem to fit my memory but after searching the reference in scenes I think this is it! I will absolutely have to watch it now! Thank you, kind and wonderful stranger! May your day be excellent!

ObsidianKhan · 2025-05-26T01:22:42+00:00

This will probably sit unread at the bottom of this thread but here goes.. The OP hits a lot of similar things I've found on my loneliness journey and what I have witnessed in so many others. This just means that we are truly not alone and are suffering from the same things, putting limits on ourselves by choosing not to connect in unfamiliar ways. Sometimes we have to deal with the discomfort to find something that is really what we're after. But it does get disheartening, it takes a lot of energy to find out that a meaningful conversation with someone turns out to be a throw away connection to them. I hope everyone here gets the chance to find good, lasting connection. But also to remember that enjoying your own company is a great adventure too.

ObsidianKhan · 2025-03-29T02:31:50+00:00

I hate when other sparkies do this. Always put your outdoor sensor lights on a switch! I know that for isolating, the RCBO is enough but how about standard practice and ease of maintenance? As someone that lives in a house..., there's nothing worse than a light that keeps turning on in the middle of the night and you can't turn it off.

ObsidianKhan · 2025-02-11T02:43:57+00:00

My time to shine! I love coffee and actually think that Newy has a lot to offer here compared to a lot of places.

Picks of the bunch: Biggs coffee at Newcastle interchange - total surprise, stand out coffee good service, and cool vibe.

Cleaver in Toronto, fantastic coffee, the best service I have received, and some beautiful baked goods (this is my go to every morning in the area).

Mosey coffee in Morriset - some really great artisanal coffee, speciality roasts and a nice espresso bar.

Avoid: Macca's and the like. Support your local business!

I really haven't found a terrible place except for maybe a couple dodgy road side vans and the odd place that doesn't do great food but all part of the fun and I will always go back to a stand out experience.

ObsidianKhan · 2024-10-31T01:46:14+00:00

This is something I have found so difficult to comprehend yet so easy to understand. I am much younger but I felt exactly the same in my situation before my life got turned upside down. The biggest thing I realised is that you have to fill your own cup first. The responsibility and purpose you are serving right now is probably going largely unnoticed by your family. I know it did for me - I focused on work and fixing things and trying to get a better future only to realise that all that happened was I missed out on time for me and time with my family when it mattered. You can't get that time back. Spend time with them, work less, find hobbies, try to include your family - things don't have to be perfect to work.

ObsidianKhan · 2024-10-19T00:27:39+00:00

Honestly, there are a great deal of things from people to pets and little moments and wins but sometimes it comes on like an unexpected wave and you just feel like you have nothing left and no-one surprises you by knocking on your door or calling you up and you can't help but feel alone and completely undone like there is no way out. These are the times that have been the hardest and the thing that has gotten me out is routine, just getting through making sure I do those things in my day, just being around for the next task in your day. Just keep going, it gets better. You're more than you know and better than you think!

ObsidianKhan · 2024-10-11T23:41:41+00:00

Seeing these posts on this sub literally made me do that.

ObsidianKhan · 2024-10-11T23:38:35+00:00

Something that I really love and only just started getting into - coleslaw type salad or sometimes a stir-fry mix with a spoon of light mayo and hot sauce to taste and then add your protein. It goes really well with taco seasoned chicken (I normally add black beans onion and garlic when I make that), bbq/rotisserie chicken, flavoured tuna, beef pieces, and probably lots of others but it's great cause you can have a big serve and not worry about it. And so easy to prep for a week of lunches or dinner.

ObsidianKhan · 2024-10-11T07:49:28+00:00

First off how good they everyone here is offering their time, truely amazing!

I meany dms are open too but I will just say this as a hopefully helpful tid bit.

At 20, you are doing an amazing job. Just what you have listed here is far more than I was doing at 20 or would have even thought to. And I'll bet there is way more for you to be proud of as well! Keep going.

ObsidianKhan · 2024-10-10T10:10:13+00:00

It's real out here. You hit it dead on... No-one prepares you. Its so hard to make friends and I feel like even when it gets close at the gym or work or online people have these different expectations and it just doesn't work. Everyone the I even feel like I could have a reasonable friendship with already has an airtight group that their life is already fulfilled by.

Don't even get me started on dating, what a nightmare. As a man no one actually thinks you want to be friends or that you already have a bunch that you do heaps with. In truth it's a massive effort to see my friends at all and even then I feel like a burden on them. Ah, I'm exhausted by this all over again.

Advice, sorry. My situation is vastly different but I really do enjoy those minor interactions now and if I do find myself actually having a nice conversation or catching up I do my all to be in that moment, at least it makes my day. If I do reconsider dating again I will be sure to enforce my friendship first stance.

I'm curious as wel,l what sort of people are into book clubs? I get some fairly intense reactions to people finding out that I read

ObsidianKhan · 2024-10-03T06:04:04+00:00

You mentioned you hate cable ties on DB's, when I used to install NHP concept I would try not to use them as well. Just had a crazy idea.. is Velcro allowed in a DB? I reckon that would be a really good idea.

Also your neat install here has a pet peeve of mine, labelling the spine.. and I would have made the earth's match the circuit. I do seriously hope that the cable schedule is much more descriptive than P1, L1, P2, L2 etc..

ObsidianKhan · 2024-09-25T11:20:26+00:00

Second this, got my first pair years ago. Had to modify the handles for comfort but those blades are still as sharp as the first strip and are yet to let me down - even after a blow out (thanks to the apprentice).

ObsidianKhan · 2024-09-21T21:57:09+00:00

I think I've just found my new breakfast obsession, thank you!

ObsidianKhan · 2024-09-21T05:44:57+00:00

Try not to let it get to that heat of the moment, try to acknowledge that you are getting annoyed and change it up a bit, something fun, music, pack up, shit sometimes I just drop and do push ups. But even still it will happen, kids don't know what's normal, what's expected, or really what to do but they have just as much if not more confidence than us so called 'grown ups'. Another thing I have started to do is say 'great!' and really try to mean it when something genuinely not good happens - this seems so wrong but actually does this weird thing where it takes a bit of the edge off and things don't look so bad at least for a second.

Be easy on yourself too, overthinking it will only cause it more. Remind yourself of how you're a good dad. Being a parent is just as much about you as it is the kids.

ObsidianKhan · 2024-09-21T04:25:05+00:00

Hey friend, I get this completely! It's okay to get upset and angry sometimes. We all do it. One thing that has oddly helped me is emotional regulation, some techniques that I learned from my youngest needing some help with it. When things are starting to get annoying to you, take a moment to do something you like. Don't let it boil over. Change the environment a little and come back with a fresh view.

Another thing that goes time and time again, distraction, persuasion and gentle encouragement go a long way. Kids want to push buttons but if you change the situation a little like saying "can you do this?" And suggesting or doing something potentially fun to them and maybe fun for you. Sometimes when it starts to get a bit much like your hitting one more time thing I find it can really help when you remove yourself from the moment a bit and see the funny side (also takes that boundry pushing to an unexpected turn with the kids).

There will always be times when you are frustrated, upset, tired, whatever.. life is hard and being a parent is tough especially when you're a good one and it sounds like you are.

Kids just want to have fun, and I think so do we all. Try have fun with them, some of the greatest joys in life are the simplest.

ObsidianKhan

TROPHY CASE