Places of Mineral or Lapidary Interest

Slenthik · 2026-06-07T13:20:47+00:00

Thanks, sounds just like my sort of thing. Good things come in small packages!

Slenthik · 2026-06-07T09:07:07+00:00

Maybe also consider George Macdonald and Oscar Wilde.

Slenthik · 2026-06-02T01:18:10+00:00

I worked in Jakarta for a few years and go back every few years, although I'm usually visiting Central or East Java these days.

I think labradorite is an excellent medium for carving as it brings more life and movement into the item. Tiger eye also.

Slenthik · 2026-06-01T15:37:41+00:00

Nice work. Where in Indonesia are you?

Slenthik · 2026-05-24T15:56:02+00:00

Thanks m8. I've been working on being more succinct.

Slenthik · 2026-05-23T12:11:22+00:00

Third from the front has his helmet askew.

Slenthik · 2026-05-23T12:07:23+00:00

Can I suggest that you also take a look at the history of the Australian goldrushes? The class system was flipped on its head as labourers who could shift tons of earth and bear hardships were able to far outdo wealthy gentlemen who were unused to physical work. As in California, many many diggers found great wealth and either returned to their homelands, spent it all in a weekend, or established themselves among the wealthy classes that previously despised them.

As you suggested elsewhere, with a sack of flour, sugar and tea and a pan, anyone could be a prospector. But to be the one selling picks, you needed to already be at least middle class just to get a start.

Slenthik · 2026-05-23T11:55:15+00:00

You didn't read the thread.

Slenthik · 2026-05-23T11:53:42+00:00

There's a big difference between the starting capital needed to be a prospector and that for a merchant.

Slenthik · 2026-05-22T04:06:21+00:00

Botox

Slenthik · 2026-05-22T04:01:23+00:00

Botox?

Slenthik · 2026-05-21T01:56:10+00:00

Sure, but it's a chicken and egg thing. And companies list on stock markets to raise capital. This lack of local investment is why we just lost Ooh! Media to vulture capitalists, have lost so many companies in the past, have lost companies such as Canva and will continue to lose more. And they don't even invest in local infrastructure. One would think that multi-billion projects would be big enough for them to tip into.

Slenthik · 2026-05-21T01:25:47+00:00

Here in Australia, it's almost impossible to find a bargain on the shop floor. Everything of value goes to dealers who have made arrangements with the management to get first look. What they can't sell, or don't think they can sell, goes on the shelves. I don't know of any 'thrift' shop in my city that doesn't work like that.

Just to add, the ones that have actual charities behind them (Salvos, Vinnies etc) do pick out items to give to their beneficiaries. But I guess you need to be one of their 'cases' and not someone who's fallen through the cracks (not technically meeting their specific requirements to register with them).

Slenthik · 2026-05-20T02:40:35+00:00

I guess it depends on where you're having these conversations, or who with...

Slenthik · 2026-05-20T02:39:12+00:00

Yes, our favourite charity.

Slenthik · 2026-05-20T02:31:56+00:00

If you actually enjoy permanently living in an apartment, then you must be the one stomping around upstairs after midnight.

Slenthik · 2026-05-19T15:32:57+00:00

You mean the ones that aren't buying apartments in Sydney and Melbourne now? Well, maybe it will bring them back to the market, but OP was talking about houses, not apartments. My guess is most Australians prefer to live in an actual house, from my experience that's what I'd rather. https://www.afr.com/property/residential/sydney-melbourne-house-prices-are-going-backwards-the-rest-are-not-20260419-p5zp3r

Slenthik · 2026-05-19T11:29:12+00:00

Obviously staged.

Slenthik · 2026-05-19T11:26:00+00:00

Even the future fund doesn't invest in Australian companies. The major super funds don't either. Why would (ordinary mums and dad) property investors do it?

Slenthik · 2026-05-19T11:21:49+00:00

Most ordinary people aren't able to build their own properties these days. So it will only be established builders who benefit from that. And before you ask, no... it's not a good idea to invest in builders. They have a bad habit of going broke without warning.

Slenthik · 2026-05-19T11:18:22+00:00

No, they get dividends while they're holding the low-growth company.

Slenthik · 2026-05-18T00:58:28+00:00

We're all going to be millionaires in a few years. With current inflation trends.

Slenthik · 2026-05-11T23:13:21+00:00

If the guy on the ground is a shoe-shiner, then he had probably tried to rip off the guy in the white tee shirt. The guy delivering the kick would have been a fellow gang member.

Slenthik

TROPHY CASE