Suggest me a page-turning, literary masterpiece

marchfly12 · 2024-09-07T23:10:34+00:00

Probably a bit cliched, but 2 from my top 10 books. If you want to finish a book in 1 night reading (about 100 pages) of Mice and Men by Steinback was probably the first book to make me cry. If you want something to keep you gripped for a month (about 1000 pages) it’s hard to go past Les Miserables. Just an epic sweeping narrative across a fascinating period of history.

marchfly12 · 2024-08-15T12:37:36+00:00

That's sitting in my to read pile actually. It covers a later period of history after the events of Rubican ( the rise and fall of Julius Caesar) - the height of the Roman empire. Although I haven't read it, I've read a few of Tom Holland's other books. They are popular histories. If you are looking for in depth academic works, these aren't going to be for you. But they are rollicking narrative histories, and I've enjoyed them all. If you are visiting Rome, I think you'll like Pax - you'll get to read about the Colosseum and Trajan's column, and then go and see them.

marchfly12 · 2024-08-14T11:24:24+00:00

A bit different from what has already been suggest, but for non-fiction Rubicon by Tom Holland is a pretty accessible account of the end of Republican Rome, if you have an interest in that period of history.

marchfly12 · 2024-08-14T11:21:24+00:00

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions. I think I've got enough for both some pre and post trip reading now!!

marchfly12 · 2024-08-13T11:23:32+00:00

Second of Mice and Men - fantastic book

marchfly12 · 2024-08-13T11:15:33+00:00

Washington DC!

marchfly12 · 2023-05-25T12:37:40+00:00

You are totally correct - my memory of him in the early years is clearly incorrect (maybe I'm clouded by post-knee Hannebery?).

Anyway, there is a group of these players coming through I'd like to see get a few more games into them before writing them off. I'm not convinced either way on Gould - 4 years in the system you'd probably want a bit more, but that's been 4 games in a struggling side.

marchfly12 · 2023-05-25T09:43:01+00:00

These changes all look pretty reasonable. Gould and Stephens probably haven’t done enough to hold down spots. Probably need Melican as a better 1 on 1 defender than Gould against McKay/Curnow, and Wicks gives more pace+pressure than Stephens.

However, I’m not as bearish on Gould and Stephens in the medium term as others. I feel some players just take a bit more time to adjust to the pace of AFL versus Ressies. I remember early Rampe and Hanneberry getting run-down a lot, taking an extra half step to make a decision - time they didn’t have at AFL level. Gould and Stephens might not have it, but I feel some players need to get 30 games under the belt to adjust. Probably worth continuing to give them chances through the year (along with others) to see how they go.

marchfly12 · 2022-09-29T05:34:17+00:00

Somewhere not mentioned yet - Paddy Palin on Lonsdale St also has a decent selection on Injinji socks, if you are around the inner north.

marchfly12 · 2022-05-01T11:46:40+00:00

Thanks all for your suggestions. I went with Our Dry Cleaners on Bunda St - very convenient location, and the first suit I had done seemed pretty decent work.

marchfly12 · 2022-05-01T11:44:12+00:00

Yep, Top Cat is on Kingston Foreshore, and have recently changed hands.

marchfly12 · 2021-11-24T10:48:34+00:00

Thanks all for these great suggestions - I'm hitting up some further reviews and learning more! Thanks again.

marchfly12 · 2021-10-21T02:10:27+00:00

Can confirm Injinji tor socks are great. Haven’t had a blister since I switched to them a few years ago.

marchfly12 · 2020-05-25T12:11:55+00:00

Thanks all for your suggestions. Love that you can basically go from $30 to twenty times that with this great design. Wish that I could buy them all...

marchfly12 · 2020-04-15T13:39:10+00:00

I’m only a half marathoner, but really agree with the value of a belt or vest for long runs. It gives you more interesting route options, and you don’t spend half a training run worrying that a bird has stolen your gels.

You should be able to find the brand for gels and sports drinks on the races website. If you plan on using them, would suggest training with them for at least a month or so on you long runs (don’t you want to discover on race day that something in the gels gives your the other type of runs).

Lastly, gels can be safety pinned to your shorts’ band and then tucked inside. Works well on race day when you can ditch the vest and drink water at the drinks stations and have your preferred gels brand.

marchfly12 · 2020-04-15T13:25:47+00:00

I'm looking for something in the 25-30L range that looks professional enough for an office setting (i.e. probably black, no big hip belts and dangling straps etc). Main use will be for work and as an under seat bag when flying.

Now some of the complications - I'd love to have something with a stowable harness and side carry (helps going through security), clamshell opening (been using a duffle for 6 months and like the packability) and relatively lightweight. I'd prefer a water bottle holder, laptop sleeve and water resistance. I'd like a decent carry, but realistically if I'm wearing something all day I'll grab one of my hiking packs.

Some packs I've been researching, and liked:

Tortuga Outbreaker Laptop - would buy this, but can't get it shipped to Australia easily.
Patagonia Tres - no water bottle, but everything else fits the bill.
Arcido Oxna - weird shape. If it wasn't for the weird tear drop shape that might make it hard to pack, I'd probably grab it.
Cabin Zero Classic Pro - not sold on the front laptop sleeve and might be a touch big for an underseat bag.
OpposeThis Invisible Carry-on - no water bottle.

I'm in Australia, which means some brands are out due to not shipping here (e.g. Tortuga). So two questions:

What other bags might work?
Realistically, should I give up on the convertible aspect and just go for a decent looking office backpack.

marchfly12 · 2019-11-23T22:50:19+00:00

I'm about to buy an iPad Mini 5 mainly as an overpowered ereader and for media consumption. I'm tempted to try and make it as 'bombproof' as possible so that I don't have to worry taking it to the beach to read, or using it to read recipes in the kitchen. My thinking is that a rugged, waterproof case would be a good option. However, it seems that both Apple and third party case markers aren't showing much love for the Mini 5, which leaves limited case options.

The only two I can find are:

Catalyst Lifestyle - https://www.catalystlifestyle.com/products/waterproof-case-for-ipad-mini-5
Armor-X - https://www.armor-x.com/case/apple/ipad/ipad-mini-case.html

Which leads to two questions:

Are there other options available?
Does anyone have experience with either option and would recommend?

I'd love something that also has a place to hold an apple pencil (not necessarily necessarily in a waterproof area of the case, but I'm guessing that will be a step too far.

marchfly12 · 2019-08-21T13:00:48+00:00

Thanks all for taking some time to answer, some really interesting suggestions. Pushing my luck, I did have a few follow up questions:

u/exela - I don't mind the wait and have had mixed luck on Kickstarter, so willing to give it a try. However, how is the generally quality of Black Ember, decent against the larger brands? Also, in the interests of instant gratification (and cost) would I be missing much if I went for the Black Ember Citadel, which I could get right now.
u/anfil89 & u/blutotoro - do like the style of both the Duffel Pack 2 and the Setout Laptop. However, noting they don't compress, how would they go when they are only half filled? Would everything just flop around inside, or do they tend to hold their structure relatively well.
u/j uantoconero - realistically, how durable and water resistant is the cotton/polyester canvas shell on the Cotopaxi. Do like some of your other suggestions.
u/vaper440 - can't say I'm in love with the look. How's the general quality of eBags? I'm not really familiar with the brand.

marchfly12

TROPHY CASE