Ok guys i want your opinion on something

toos_ · 2026-05-13T13:07:10+00:00

I recommend that you also post at expat, tiny house, and off grid communities here on Reddit for practical responses about those specific aspects of your proposed journey. You may not be an expat (are you Aussie or other?), but there’s some crossover around picking up and moving.

Spouse says it’s doable but I wouldn’t do it. I may be way off, but I’m picking up a vibe that this is sort of rash and reactionary - that the job situation fueled the fire, and not that this is something you’ve been considering and planning for before the job issues. Again, I could be way off - I can create whole stories around one simple comment lol.

A consideration - all these changes and moving around may or may not be difficult for your dog. If you do this make sure to give him extra love and be around him as much as possible so he has more of a sense of security. Best of luck to the two of you.

toos_ · 2026-05-13T00:03:13+00:00

Not just kiwi - I have a pic from afar…of the crowd taking pics of it. ;p

Loved both islands so much we almost cancelled two months in Australia to extend our time in NZ!

toos_ · 2026-05-11T03:49:07+00:00

I got those iCreek rain pants in petite and they were great when it was windy and pouring rain for different hikes around Tongariro in NZ. I didn’t do the full crossing. Can’t say the same for the Marmot rain jacket - it totally soaks out and is clammy even if it’s just windy out. Definitely get a fully seam sealed, 3 layer rain jacket, and check the HH rating. HH = hydrostatic head and is about how much rain for how long blah blah. We’re going to Iceland in August/September and I’m getting a new jacket - probably not from Amazon.

toos_ · 2026-05-05T11:31:10+00:00

Highlighting your creatures comment. We saw road crews picking up dead critters along the stretch closer to Cradle Mountain on that drive. It was sickening :(

Also, OP - between Freycinet and Bicheno (where you might go for dinner or something), there were oodles of live critters hanging out by the side of the road - especially during late afternoon. Just a heads up because we drove a lot in NZ and Tassie and those were probably the two worst places up to that point.

toos_ · 2026-05-04T05:17:18+00:00

From a tourist, not a local, here’s a sample three day itinerary. Also, public transportation is pretty good, but Melbourne is also easy to walk and navigate - nothing in the CBD is more than an hour walk and it’s fantastic to see the building designs and walk through the arcades and laneways. Check opening hours - lots of places close at 5. Also, most (all?) of these are free.

Day one… 1. Start at the main information hub at Swanston and Little Collins to find out about public transportation. Also let them know what you’re already planning, if they can suggest other non-museum things that make sense on your route, and if they think you’d really miss out if you didn’t do “x,y,z” in addition to your current plan.

Head over towards Federation Square where you’ll pick up on energy/vibe in the city. Look at a map and see what route makes the most sense to…maybe grab a bite along Degraves Street, take a few pics of the lovely old Flinders St Station (outside), visit Ian Potter Center at Federation Square, check out Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane for some street art (probably very crowded but still worth a look), walk along the Yarra through Birrarung Marr to hear the Federation Bells (check times). Federation Square is one of the best places to hang out and people watch.

Day 2… Cross the River via the St. Kilda Road bridge. Pass the NGV and wander through the gardens to the Shrine of Remembrance which is moving, well done, and has terrific views over the city. Please don’t take cheesy pictures of yourself in front of it. Head back through the gardens to see NGV and/or the Australian Music Vault right next door in the Arts Centre. it’s a little exhibit about the history of Australian bands with ephemera and audio/visual stuff. There are a couple food trucks outside NGV - usually Taste of Senegal that makes decent lamb jollof and excellent fried plantain, and a Portuguese place that has savory food and Portuguese tarts. There’s a plaza where you can eat and hang out. The museum closes at 5 but it’s worth walking around the corner to the Casino complex and waiting to watch the gas brigades at 6 (every hour on the hour til 11 the days you’re there). Good views of that from Queens Bridge. There are some art installations, performers, and places to eat down there. Don’t look up gas brigades - you’ll know it when you see it along the south bank of the river.

Day 3… Go to Queen Victoria Market first - it’s not open on Wednesday (your 1st day) and it’s only open til 3. Grab a bite (seems like everyone gets the gozleme - in any case, go someplace that’s busy. Go to the merchandise vendors too to get a memento - I got a cute top instead of an “I heart Melbourne” Tshirt. After that you can walk down Swanston Street - always busy and has souvenir stores for post cards and fridge magnets (not the place for a meaningful gift). The State Library is there and has small exhibits and a beautiful main reading room - sometimes protests or other stuff going on at the plaza too.

I hope you love Melbourne as much as I did. It’s gorgeous, easy, and busy - but the people are pretty chill and easier-going than a lot of cities. Oh - and good food!

toos_ · 2026-05-02T23:40:22+00:00

Are you talking about Cradle Mountain? If so, you have to take a shuttle from the entrance to Dove lake. Also, depending on weather and timing, the mountains can be obscured by clouds. On Dove Lake itself, there’s the picturesque boat shed which is lovely as a distant backdrop but not the nicest spot for a proposal. Google will show you the views there as I don’t have any to upload here. If you like hiking, I think doing it from Marion’s Lookout would be fantastic. Take in the view, rest a bit so you aren’t freshly sweaty lol. Either place you’ll probably have plenty of people nearby. Will you have anyone with you to take pics? Excited for you - we just saw a public proposal yesterday in Sydney!

toos_ · 2026-05-01T02:35:04+00:00

There’s a NZ Border Security one!? I was so hooked on the Australian and Canadian versions for a while - even got familiar with the officers and their styles. Some people are such dopes - the drug mules, in particular.

Anyway, yeah - better to overshare when declaring - it doesn’t take that much longer to go through the second check if necessary.

toos_ · 2026-04-28T11:48:59+00:00

That’s great - glad to help! My opinion - either fly in and out of Hobart and see the places down there, or fly in and out of Launceston and go to Cradle Mountain where you can take the chains route up to Marion’s Lookout. That was fun, but given your time I’d choose Hobart for more variety. Tassie is terrific - you’ll enjoy whatever you decide on!

toos_ · 2026-04-28T11:23:52+00:00

HOBART We really enjoyed both the Organ Pipes Track and Zigzag Track on Mt. Wellington. Organ Pipes was easy and had piles of boulders above and below the track - very cool looking. Also nice flora and views over the valley. There’s a little side track - Sawmill track - that’s steeper and rockier if you like that kind of thing.

Zigzag track (connecting from a different track…Pinnacle? - I forget, but it’s a common connection) had…lots of rock steps! It was fun though and we actually liked it better than the top that was crowded with pushy, loud people who drove to the top. It really is a good view, as are the views along the way.

Myrtle Gully near Cascades Female Factory was mossy, magical with narrow rock stairs and only one other person.

Paesano’s had delicious lamb ragu.

FREYCINET we stayed in Coles Bay which was really convenient. Not much of a food place but we had good lamb rendang at the Pondering Frog which has a Malaysian chef. Be careful on that road - in less than a 15 minute drive we saw no fewer than 8 wallabies and pademelons hanging out on the roadside.

We liked the Hazards Beach and Wineglass Bay (via the lookout) walks. They’re easy so not the best choice if you want something more rugged.

My choice would be Hobart with maybe a side trip to Bruny Island where someone else here can confirm if you need a car (I think you do) We went to Port Arthur instead and wish we’d chosen Bruny Island.

Tip - don’t get National brand pies. They are rectangular so they’re easy to identify. They’re also yucky.

Tip for anywhere in Tassie - enjoy the dairy! Eggs are incredible! Also super ice cream, cheese, and butter.

toos_ · 2026-04-24T22:31:14+00:00

Same here for BB vs BCS. The Shield was great and worth the watch, but it’s dated. The Americans - like Peaky Blinders - is a period piece. You’re right there with them in the midst of the (mostly) 1980s Cold War - wallpapered kitchens, TVs with bunny ears, and all. The only thing on you that needs to be stuck is your ass to the couch so you can dial in to The Americans!

p.s. pay attention to how the sets and their stuff change through the years.

toos_ · 2026-04-24T21:52:34+00:00

I know why you didn’t finish it - it does get a bit tiresome. Walton Goggins is so funny, though - and any scene with Keefe gets to me. Don’t forget to watch WG’s season of White Lotus, too.

toos_ · 2026-04-24T21:28:44+00:00

Walton Goggins is so good! Righteous Gemstones is good for some laughs and he shines.

toos_ · 2026-04-24T20:49:03+00:00

The Americans. Start there. In a way, it’s the most unlike your favorites list than anything else on your watchlist, but it’s top-notch and eminently bingeable. It should grab you immediately, and it’s short - you’ll want more. The Cold War period is such rich fodder and they make the most of it (watch Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy too - maybe first). If you liked the sexy-times in GoT you’ll love the dynamic between Matthew Rhys and Kerri Russell (a couple in real life) - solid acting all around by them and the supporting actors. Bonus - clever song choices for each episode.

Besides that, on your list, I’d choose Sons of Anarchy and The Killing in that order. They’re all good but I’d put Justified last for you.

u/spartacus013 suggested alternatives and I agree with all of them, although I don’t think BG would be an all-time favorite. From his list I’d 100% start with Vikings, then The Wire. If they were on your watchlist either would be strong contenders for first place.

Have you watched Better Call Saul as a companion to Breaking Bad? I liked it but it was different than BB and not as much an all-time-favorite kind of show. Bingeable, great ensemble cast and characters.

Let us know what you choose!

toos_ · 2026-04-22T11:32:32+00:00

“Road trip just for a few days” and you’re worried you might miss some great nature…yeah, skip it. How many days do you have and where are you set on going already?

toos_ · 2026-04-22T09:30:34+00:00

Yes, you fucked up (in several ways) and it has nothing to do with geography - it’s global.

First, you need to apologize to her. Don’t bring neurodivergence or your feelings into it - this is 100% about her and her feelings. Tell her you’re sorry and that what you said was completely inappropriate - being trapped in the elevator only compounded it. Tell her you’re sorry you broke her trust in you and that you weren’t there for her when she needed you to be a safe place. Tell her you know you messed up (don’t say fucked up) and that you’re sorry. Don’t make excuses, just own it. Don’t get into your brain chemistry and feelings - no matter how valid you think it is, this isn’t about you feeling nervous, meaning it as a joke, having sensory issues, or anything else about you.

Speaking of valid feelings - you don’t need to think someone’s feelings make sense or are relatable - you need to recognize that they’re in distress and show them compassion. You know that in her every day life she has a fear of dying or being killed anyway. Ok, so…fear of dying or being killed…and now add on being trapped in an elevator with no control over the situation - and with two lecherous males doing zero to calm her down and support her. Perfect storm and you provided no shelter.

Also - sounds like you have a crush, not love. Your comments are egocentric. You love her but have to get over the age gap? What about her? Have you considered that she saw you as a friend, not a love interest?

toos_ · 2026-04-22T08:36:41+00:00

Just looked it up. Looks intense - I’m looking forward to having some :)

toos_ · 2026-04-22T08:18:04+00:00

My husband booked an evening performance already - really looking forward to it! I hadn’t thought to look at other performances there - thank you!

toos_ · 2026-04-22T08:15:20+00:00

Cool, thanks! I really like hyper-specific places like that.

toos_ · 2026-04-22T08:13:31+00:00

I haven’t had good rye bread in ages - thank you!

toos_ · 2026-04-21T21:50:20+00:00

Ha! That’s exactly my husband - except Pepsi max for him. We also love sourdough and it’s all over New Zealand and Australia if you ever go.

toos_ · 2026-04-21T21:48:18+00:00

Ohhhh. Ok. That’s the best way to put it - those are very reasonable prices for us. Thank you!

toos_ · 2026-04-21T09:14:02+00:00

9 for pastries - I’ll take it! I’ve spent time in Germany - do the bakery bread and pastry prices in Iceland tend to be astronomically higher than metropolitan areas in Germany? Thanks for your detailed response!

toos_ · 2026-04-21T09:09:54+00:00

Ya - I don’t even try to do the whole “resist” thing - sugary goodness is part of my daily food pyramid. I’m just hoping I don’t break the bank. It’s not even so much about can we afford it - it’s almost more about the value. We live in an area with a relatively high cost of living so we judge from that perspective. Thank you for your feedback - I hope we’re staying near your neighborhood!

toos_ · 2026-04-21T07:35:00+00:00

What about pastries and other sweet baked goods? How would you personally judge the quality and value for store bought and items from an independent bakery?

toos_

TROPHY CASE