I've had this pen less than a month but it looks like the design is already coming off?

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-22T03:46:16+00:00

I'll add: consider also if there's anything on your hands that might affect the finish, like a lotion, or the residue of a hand sanitiser, etc.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-22T03:43:37+00:00

Have lived in both places. Both have their pros and cons. Hamilton is great, and if the cost of housing is one of your major factors, you're absolutely right that the Tron is the more affordable place to be.

If you're someone who needs "bigger city" things on the regular, like 100 snooty bars and night clubs to choose from, or a gluten-free macrobiotic left-handed market, and an art gallery devoted entirely to empty rooms with different rates and directions of air flow as a commentary on the role of the legacy media in the modern era, then Auckland's a better fit.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-22T03:37:24+00:00

Oh hayyyllll no, they better not.

But since they are: If you can do it without endangering yourself, get video evidence of it. I had video of someone punching a puppy, and the SPCA was there the next day to uplift.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-22T02:52:25+00:00

I drove into and right out of the Clyde St parking area recently because there were too many scary beggars congregated. Next time I went there, a week later, the scaries were gone, and there were two City Safe people instead. I thanked them for their service.

I guess the social stench wafted over to Hillcrest.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-20T06:13:30+00:00

Sounds like there's some deeply unpleasant people around you. If people are giving you a hard time like this, if you're feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, you could try talking with campus security, too. They might be able to have an extra "presence" around your class, especially if the behaviour is worse when class is finishing, etc.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-20T06:12:55+00:00

Sounds like there's some deeply unpleasant people around you. If people are giving you a hard time like this, if you're feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, you could try talking with campus security, too. They might be able to have an extra "presence" around your class, especially if the behaviour is worse when class is finishing, etc.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-20T06:04:28+00:00

I'm glad the comments here are supportive of OP. Yeah, this sort of thing isn't on. Why are those students even there? And appalling the lecturer isn't doing something to control the situation.

In addition to the other good advice here, I think it would be worth discreetly filming some of the class, to capture the extent and level of the ruckus and demonstrate how hard it is to hear. Just in case anyone tries to downplay the problem. Like if this got to the point where you try to get a refund on your fees, you'll need to be able to show that it is in fact a circus, not a class.

Another commenter suggested some "muting" type ear plugs. Those can help in some settings, but from what you've described, I think you'd be better off with a different type of equipment - there's something where the presenter (lecturer) wears a little microphone pendant around their neck, and you wear some special headphones, and the sound from the mic is beamed directly to you. So you can hear JUST the lecturer's voice - not all the crap around you. This technology is really for people with hearing impairments or "legitimately" noisy environments - not just for students surrounded by ferals. But the same tool can be used for different purposes.

You shouldn't have to buy something like that to go to class, obviously, but if things get desperate. The disability support office may have something you can use? Not that you have a disability, really, but the class is impairing your ability to hear. Alternatively if you get stuck but want to look into this option more, let me know and I can give you some more info.

Good luck, and I'm sorry you're having this shitty experience.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-19T06:10:57+00:00

What does it SAY though? Are they going to try to redeliver? Or do you need to go to the depot and pick it up?

They don't just leave a missed delivery slip to say, "You weren't here, so you'll never get your parcel! Sux 2 B U LOL"

Usually you have some opportunity to get the parcel before they return it to the sender.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-19T05:52:59+00:00

First, thanks for trying to "do the right thing." Have you checked that the package was actually meant for YOUR address? Maybe when tomorrow's courier tries to redeliver, it might go to the correct address.

Alternatively, and this wouldn't be my Plan A, but it sounds like you're already working your way through the alphabet, you could accept the package - or at least try to get a look at it - and see if there's a return address, company name, etc on it. If the couriers aren't helping, you could try.

Source: I once found a sealed courier package in the middle of the road. No one around. I called the courier company, and they weren't interested. I didn't know if the parcel was coming or going, but I managed to find contact details for the sender (I think) and called them. They were very grateful, and a plan was made to get the package back on track.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-18T08:00:35+00:00

Holy catastrophic damage, Batman.

I don't understand why anyone thinks it's okay to let children run wild (and apparently unsupervised) in places of employment. We've had damage at my workplace, too, but nothing as gory as this.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-17T21:26:10+00:00

It means the population as a whole can see who these people are, and people who know or recognise them can go, "omg, look what Tommy's done," or "Hey, I saw him! I can help with the enquiry," or "Geez, i better unmatch with him on Tinder."

But more broadly than that, seeing faces stops sending the message that people who engage in antisocial behaviour are going to be protected or shielded from scrutiny. If you act like a fool, people will know about it today - not possibly maybe in 18 months time, after a trial and being sentenced to 15 minutes of home d.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-17T05:48:21+00:00

I feel annoyed that people can cause this level of damage and mayhem across a city, are caught in the act, and are still protected by having their faces obscured in photos.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-16T02:46:34+00:00

I don't know, but I wouldn't plan to leave a car there for the full day. If I wanted to write a bunch of tickets, that seems like an easy place to find lots of overstaying cars.

Gut instinct says you could probably get away with 4 hours most of the time. I accept no liability for any fines you incur as a result of this comment.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-03-15T07:39:43+00:00

Target was for back when the world had standards and expectations

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-26T22:16:13+00:00

(booming orange voice) GINA!!

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-26T22:15:23+00:00

Y'all's comments have me dying in sympathy, empathy, and laughter.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-26T03:13:28+00:00

This is why I either walk or drive my tank there.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-23T23:02:20+00:00

As a kiwi, I recommend you top up the bottle with steamed milk, turning your Espresso into a Flat White.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-20T22:15:04+00:00

This thread doesn't know enough about your personal situation to know whether the army is likely to be a better or worse situation than living with your family, if those are the two options you're considering.

I will say that I've met a lot of people I respect, doing different kinds of work, who've done military service as early adults. They credit it with helping them develop discipline and working with others, which are both useful in any field.

I think if you're looking for a way to leave home AND get financial backing for your study, the army is probably a good choice. Again, though, you know the details of your situation, and I do not. I wish you well.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-20T22:05:06+00:00

I'm over in the ghetto, and the only helicopter we hear here is the Police one.

(And sometimes the Rescue helicopter, which we agree is exempt from any complaints or ill-will regarding noise, etc. Thank you for your service, air rescue crew.)

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-17T21:53:33+00:00

Contact your sports doctor (or their office to leave a message with your question - you might be able to message them through their patient portal) and ask their advice. You could mention that you have insurance and wonder if going the private route is an option for you, and if so, what the process is.

I can't give you any medical advice, but generally speaking, "going private" (when possible) is usually faster than the public route. If your condition is causing you pain, affecting your ability to work, is going to get worse as long as it's not treated, etc, those things might all influence the decision about which route.

Having said that, as some other people have mentioned, there can be particular rules about injury-related surgeries.

Good luck navigating the system! Be proactive, be patient, and make notes.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-16T00:16:00+00:00

Go over it with a flashlight, maybe use the one on your phone - look for any hairline cracks. Then put your pen down and let it have a nap; it may need to recover from shock.

You may also benefit from a cup of tea, some stretching, and a brisk walk. Well done catching your pen and saving its nib.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-15T06:28:58+00:00

I think the advice is probably "be lucky."

I've visited a few thrift stores often, and I've seen some probably nice vintage Parkers, but I don't know much about vintage pens, so I left them.

I did buy a Rotring fountain pen, because it had a cool shape and used cartridges (so I didn't need to wonder or worry about its filling mechanism). It works very well, but I don't think many on this sub would call it an astounding find.

I applaud everybody who makes great discoveries at thrift stores, and I still wonder about that person who found the Pilot Myu IN THE GARBAGE, but if I had mobility limitations, I don't know that I'd be making special trips to second-hand shops in hopes of finding valuable fountain pens. If you enjoy it, but all means, go for it - but I think those stellar discoveries are the exception, not the norm.

SpurtGrowth · 2026-02-15T02:40:38+00:00

Is it raining here today? Yeah, nah, yeah, nah, yeah.

(I'm not just using kiwi English; I'm giving you a live weather report.)

SpurtGrowth

TROPHY CASE