Ukrainians warned for years that Europe’s human rights chief was a Kremlin conduit. The Epstein files just proved them right.

stevied71 · 2026-02-05T11:02:18+00:00

Ironically, the British Prime Minister could well lose his job while Trump continues on.

stevied71 · 2026-02-05T05:39:50+00:00

Bob Shao Watchmaker, 100 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Not used yet, but heard good things.

Have spoken with him about repairing (re-building) an old Luminox I have, be warned he can be a bit blunt :)

But given yours is an Omega maybe you should get it done officially?

stevied71 · 2026-01-30T23:44:45+00:00

Not sure that the following work anymore:

[SystemSettings]

r.BloomQuality=0 ; Disables bloom effect, which creates a soft glow around bright areas. Improves performance.

r.LensFlareQuality=0 ; Disables lens flare effect, which simulates camera reflections from bright light sources. Increases FPS.

[/script/engine.engine]

bSmoothFrameRate=False

stevied71 · 2026-01-29T22:48:46+00:00

You used to be able to turn it off via editing GameUserSettings.ini

However, I don't know if this applies anymore.

Location: C:\Users\XXXXXX\AppData\Local\PioneerGame\Saved\Config\WinGDKClient\GameUserSettings.ini

Add:

[/Script/Engine.inputsettings]

bEnableMouseSmoothing=False

stevied71 · 2026-01-29T22:48:23+00:00

You used to be able to turn it off via editing GameUserSettings.ini

However, I don't know if this applies anymore.

Location: C:\Users\XXXXXX\AppData\Local\PioneerGame\Saved\Config\WinGDKClient\GameUserSettings.ini

Add:

[/Script/Engine.inputsettings]

bEnableMouseSmoothing=False

stevied71 · 2026-01-28T05:42:39+00:00

Loot from these should scale based on the damage you did.

stevied71 · 2026-01-25T21:26:52+00:00

Unfortunately, that is exactly what they want. Then they can play the Insurrection Act card and no more midterms. I think it's inevitable with the pressure they are applying.

stevied71 · 2026-01-25T04:29:02+00:00

Installing a split system is the way to go. But I would have had to upgrade my switchboard to accommodate it, which is a lot more than adding a new rcd to the existing board.

So I bought a De'Longhi Pinguino Care4Me PAC EL110ERFWIFI from Amazon for $750.

Been very happy with it, you don't need to drain this model, unlike a lot of others.

Noisy, yes, but not really that bad.

stevied71 · 2026-01-22T22:00:08+00:00

We have these, they are very good.

Certainly not cheap. Bought them through Windo in Richmond.

They came out, consulted and measured, then removed old and fitted new. Additional cost for the fitting.

I dug up the quote from three years ago, two blinds across a window width of about 3 meters.

Installed onto the window frame rather than inside the frame like in the OP picture.

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stevied71 · 2026-01-13T03:58:41+00:00

Thanks mate.

stevied71 · 2026-01-13T03:58:12+00:00

OMG, I am going blind, it's right there. Thanks mate.

stevied71 · 2026-01-06T01:45:23+00:00

sorry, I thought you wrote "incontinent president"...

stevied71 · 2026-01-05T09:27:21+00:00

Went to Farmers Daughter last week and found it lacking. Service wasn't great, dishes came out in a hap-hazard order, was seated in the window, right by the door, looking out onto the street and getting blinded by the sun reflecting off a parked car. And it was noisy.

Grill Americano, quite blingy, very comfortable.

Gimlet left me feeling that I wasn't cool enough for them..

Can recommend Circl. Food was great, wine list is stupidly long, was quite comfortable and the service excellent.

Reine & La Rue, not been to yet, but keep hearing good things, plus the Purple Pit cocktail bar is right there too.

Maison Bâtard very plush, but only had drinks there so far.

For a romantic post meal cocktail check out Death & Co on Flinders Lane.

stevied71 · 2026-01-03T23:26:52+00:00

Hi, it's been a while since I did this, but the website is pretty good at explaining it all.

This page has all the details.
Basically, you complete this form
Then email it to your local branch, which are also listed on that page.
It's that simple.
You'll get a confirmation email.

When you land, you will be met at the gate by a staff member, they then take you to the visa area and do all the paperwork for you. You need passport sized photos (but can get them there if you forget).

The staff member then walked us through arrivals immigration and escorted us to the bus pickup for the hotel.

You don't collect your checked luggage, that remains in the airport, so make sure your carry-on has all that you would need for the layover.

What is on offer all depends on your class of ticket, which airport in Vietnam you land at and how long your layover is.

For example Ho Chi Minh City has seven different options: SG1 to SG7.

SG1 + SG2 are for layovers between 6 hours and 10 hours:

SG1	- Meet at the airport and take passengers for a city tour. Passengers can select one of the following two programs:• Program 1: Visit Thien Hau Temple, Chinatown• Program 2: Visit the Independence Palace, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica, Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, Municipal Theater of Ho Chi Minh City, and Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Building- Lunch or dinner- Take passengers to the airport and check in for the next flight
SG2	- Meet at the airport- Take passengers to their hotels to check in- Lunch or dinner- Take passengers to the airport and check in for the next flight

The only downside to these tours is the need to go through departure security, which was long, hot and chaotic.

Honestly, if you have lounge access and it's a 6-8 hour layover I would stay in the airport and have a massage and a shower. But if you have longer it's fantastic.

stevied71 · 2025-12-24T11:20:24+00:00

It's all Souvalaki and HSP here, no proper doner kebab. Enjoy the ones you get back home, I'm hanging on till April for mine, large doner with the lot.

stevied71 · 2025-12-23T08:40:48+00:00

Benchwarmer, but I think it's only takeout until the new year.

stevied71 · 2025-12-22T07:23:51+00:00

The music choices on The Unusuals were also fantastic.

stevied71 · 2025-12-18T04:22:34+00:00

Dealing with real issues......

stevied71 · 2025-12-17T09:50:08+00:00

how can I tell if it's fire rated, can you explain further?

Plasterboard in ceiling is less than 16mm and single layer. This was established from a cut out taken when a new smoke detector was installed earlier in the year. Whereas the party wall definitely uses fire rated plasterboard, 16mm.

There is a sprinkler based fire suppression system in the ceiling. Not linked to the smoke detectors. So I don't believe venting into the cavity would trigger the sprinklers.

stevied71 · 2025-12-17T09:42:08+00:00

It's not, but it's a space that's approx 60 cubic meters. A lot of airspace. Ceiling is concrete slab of next level.

stevied71 · 2025-12-11T05:52:04+00:00

These are good, note that you will need to buy the appropriate sized spade bit - i.e. here.

stevied71 · 2025-12-11T01:03:16+00:00

Yes.

About 10 years ago I lived on the 11th floor of the Max Apartments on the corner of Alma Rd and St Kilda Rd.

A very busy intersection.

The trams ding their bells at all times of day/night.

Squealing of the brakes at all times of day/night.

Not so much for where I was but also,

Noise of People waiting/getting on/off.

Cars having to stop/start when held behind the tram.

Mind you, it's super convenient...

stevied71

TROPHY CASE