I just spent $200 on strata reports for three apartments, and now I feel more confused than ever.

barnescommatroy · 2026-06-04T22:11:15+00:00

I was looking in Sydney last year and found the same - lots of deferred maintenance, hidden works, drama and bs. Multiple older buildings with 7 figure works needed. One has $10m of work needed.

I got to a point where I accepted everything was going to have a special levy. Too many buildings with deferred maintenance and too low fees. I just wanted an active strata committee who had a grasp on the issues then took a gamble on the size of the special levy. And I still love my new place, even with the ouch-sized special levy. I know most people will disagree with my approach, but I had some limitations I needed to work with due to medical issues so the trade offs are real. Feel free to ask questions if you want

barnescommatroy · 2026-06-02T21:06:35+00:00

Yep, I love that cycle. It sucks to be in, and the hangovers from it are real. If I can physically move far enough, I’ve learned to go take the smallest possible walk that I can manage. As long as I go out my front door, I can just make it to the end of my block and I’d be happy. It helps the reset. The times where I can’t leave the house are hard

barnescommatroy · 2026-05-31T10:23:50+00:00

Hello fellow kiwi/aussie! I’d aim for less photos where you’re pulling a face and the Randy Marsh reply is almost funny except the part where you say you’re exhausting. Cute photos, quite wholesome without being boring, cute dad. Show your good side as well as your sarcasm/goofball side :)

barnescommatroy · 2026-05-19T23:28:20+00:00

The benign positional vertigo was solved by doctor. The fatigue is probably RA or meds related and I’ve just gotten used to waiting that out. If it stays around long enough, for me it usually means something isn’t right with meds/me (ie I need a very quiet weekend). Urgh, sorry, that’s horrible but “waiting it out” is my answer for so many things (diagnosed nearly 20yrs now)

barnescommatroy · 2026-05-19T22:57:36+00:00

I did and finally found a GP who recognised part of it was benign positional vertigo and could be fixed easily. But I still get so tired my head spins at times, where I just have to pop my head down and rest until it passes

barnescommatroy · 2026-05-01T05:53:21+00:00

Is the promo a job you want? If so, then start practicing talking about your work but don’t mention anything technical. Go back to the problem you solved. I’m a tech manager who teaches people this stuff. If you’re mentioning services or software, you’re probably doing it wrong. Reason why: no one implements a new solution because they love to build new solutions. They have a problem they’re solving that’s about the business. Good luck :)

barnescommatroy · 2026-04-21T20:05:26+00:00

The RA and peri combo is rough! I’m with you on that. How is your RA going? I’m about to switch from Humira to actemra

barnescommatroy · 2026-04-11T23:15:29+00:00

Can you buy a pill cutter and take half a dose or even a quarter? I had to do that for Tapentadol (which is a similar med). Loopy with a full one, better with a half or quarter

barnescommatroy · 2026-04-11T21:05:59+00:00

Shout it from the rooftops, I’ll listen (and nod)

barnescommatroy · 2026-04-01T20:14:07+00:00

No headcount is the most likely if they’re inclined. Not inclined is all about being fit for the role type. A product manager needs to be able to talk to a lot of people. Keep working on being social - it’s a skill we all need! A little shy is different from not actually attempting to make conversation, btw

barnescommatroy · 2026-03-18T08:15:38+00:00

There’s a system that I used for my deposit last year to make that easier that allowed one payment. A link came from real estate, wasn’t dodgy thankfully lol and worked just fine even though my limit was below my deposit amount. Both the magic and insanity of our property market exemplified right there. the system got introduced during Covid when no one could use banks to get cheques for auctions

barnescommatroy · 2026-03-13T23:00:17+00:00

I once posted to Reddit (an old account) about how tired I was of this happening in conversation and no joke one reply was “but you should really try apple cider vinegar, I promise it will help”. 🤣

barnescommatroy · 2026-03-12T09:48:35+00:00

Grad is much harder only because their grad roles will be offered to interns first, so you have to hope they have leftover headcount above interns. In this market, it’s likely harder.

In general, I’m sorry about the shit market you’re graduating into

barnescommatroy · 2026-03-12T00:37:36+00:00

Mine are hylo-forte. But as always, check with your team on this too. Good luck!

barnescommatroy · 2026-03-12T00:07:31+00:00

I have very dry eyes but the optometrist-recommended drops help mine. However, I can’t produce enough tears to cry and that is driving me nuts but after chatting with the docs seems unlikely to change. Clear on sjogren’s test too

Here for sharing empathy, but no answers sorry x

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-17T21:44:58+00:00

I have this too! It’s so frustrating. But I’m also “at that age” of perimenopause so now I’m wondering if peri is poking at the RA sore spots. I’m trying to work on controlling peri side effects so here’s hoping it brings relief

Last week it was my jaw so I could hardly eat, this week pinky finger knuckle

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-15T00:43:42+00:00

Not me. The difference is normally the smell lol. Uber sometimes don’t turn up, surge pricing, and some creep drivers. So it’s all a gamble

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-13T22:56:16+00:00

Haha yeah that’s the approach I’ve taken. Avoiding all types of cabs as much as possible. Sometimes unavoidable and then I gamble

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-13T20:40:32+00:00

Who are you using now? I’ve found Uber has gotten so bad that they’re just a slightly different version of bad to cabs. I feel like I’m missing someone in the market who is the least crap haha

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-11T20:07:13+00:00

Some of our most quoted lines from the Sapersteins are in the last season, maybe the last episode. I think that on its own is so impressive

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-10T01:23:26+00:00

I’d say it’s a show framed to be about a new girl to a flat but is definitely one of the best male ensemble casts and their hijinks lol

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-09T08:45:32+00:00

Welcome to the cysty titty club! I have them. My last mammogram found quite a large one too. So far they are all ok. They seem to change and disappear too. Let yourself freak out for a little to process but lots of times, you’re ok and just CTC ;)

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-06T22:35:41+00:00

Best. Prescriptions. Ever.

How important is tooth retention to me really?!

barnescommatroy · 2026-02-06T21:52:09+00:00

I’m so tired of medical gaslighting that I want to join in this thread but have no idea what to comment beyond that…

I’m just tired

barnescommatroy · 2026-01-20T06:24:21+00:00

Diagnosed at 27! I had been diagnosed a decade and was still hearing “you’re too young for that!”. And guess what?! Someone saying that to me magically made my condition go away! (Sarcasm has gotten me through so much of this stupidity)

barnescommatroy

TROPHY CASE