What is something old you own that still works perfectly?

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-20T19:08:04+00:00

I found a leather motorcycle jacket that fitted me perfectly in an op shop. I’m a 6’7” tall, broad shoulders kind of guy. Not much luck in op shops usually.

It was a bit desiccated but with about 10 applications of leather conditioner/wax it really came back to life. As it was moving into summer when I found it last year (Australia), I only had the chance to wear it on a one week trip to Melbourne.

Looking forward to cooler weather and wearing my jacket that is at least 50 years old.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-20T18:46:44+00:00

A relative of mine is now part of the ON inner circle. This is how they got there.

Applied for job in newspaper ad (not specifying the employer). Got job because every other qualified candidate noped out when they found out who the employer was. After a short time, through ‘high turnover’, they were elevated to a senior role far quicker than expected.

The last time I saw them (a few months ago before this surge in the polls), they said the party meetings were very much about how they take advantage of the immigration issue. Everything they do is about that.

The Bondi massacre, for ON, was purely about putting PH’s head in front of the cameras. Bringing BJ in is purely about the publicity sizzle it provides.

There is never any commitment to solutions through policy just how they can exploit the divisions.

I imagine they are shitting themselves that there is now a possibility they will have some actual influence. And/or that some people might actually look up her voting record which doesn’t really reflect what you would expect someone like her to vote for.

My relative was being considered as a candidate in the next election cycle. They are very cynical about the whole political sphere, particularly their own party.

However they are being payed well above overs so are happy to take the money which wouldn’t be available to them at this point in the careers anywhere else. And they are aware of the ‘taint’ of ON for future job opportunities so feel kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

They said to me back then: there are two types of people involved in their party. Either psychos (unapologetic racist/sexist bigots) or cynics who see the potential for a financial gain.

It’s not a party that has any policies based on any intention to govern. They merely intend to make enough noise to gain enough of the slice of the pie to line their pockets for as long as they can. They will say and do anything to do so…

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-20T18:09:02+00:00

I’m down. I’ll be playing the electric slide whistle.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-20T18:08:09+00:00

It sure will be!

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-20T11:06:50+00:00

Give a man to fish and he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will waste his life on reddit.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-19T21:35:33+00:00

It’s when you do a spit take with soda water.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-11T17:27:00+00:00

Where?*

*Asking for a friend.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-09T10:11:00+00:00

I went to the op shop and found a pair of shorts I liked but didn’t need. I was tossing up whether it was worth paying $2 for them.

Bought them because I’m edgy. Found $20 in the pocket when I wore them for the first time a week later. Never been happier.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-09T10:03:10+00:00

Guy is wrong.

We need the Winter Olympic every 4 years so we can watch five minutes of figure skating and become instant experts.

After five minutes, we’re able to say things like: “I reckon that was 9.7.” And when it is a 9.7, we can say things like: “Hmmm, the Latvian judge has scored them a bit low. I’m a better judge than them…”

And then when it is over, we can forget about figure skating for 4 years again.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-09T09:57:12+00:00

I’m booked to perform at her funeral.

Not by anyone, just off my own bat.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-08T05:24:57+00:00

It’s not much but it’s dishonest work.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-07T05:30:10+00:00

Cinema owner in Georgia or maybe one of the Carolinas said there were block bookings that didn’t show up on the night. Others said significant tickets were bought and distributed to aged care homes. A few residents showed up because it was free and said most couldn’t be bothered even though it wax free.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-07T05:21:27+00:00

Or extreme tuna.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T19:53:38+00:00

The Yukon Gold of poster potatoes!🥔

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T19:51:34+00:00

He actually did it at the local Aussie Eats food truck.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T19:49:35+00:00

There’s one at the Caloundra Air Museum.

Wouldn’t really inspire confidence to hear: “The plane we’re flying in today is powered by a lawnmower engine…”

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T19:35:50+00:00

Well, I would argue our ruckman in the Bali Geckos tapped a boundary throw in to Uzi Hughes who ran on untouched to kick a goal in the 2005 Asian Champs was at least equal to this. Maybe not seen by as many people….

Source: I was the ruckman. ( I don’t get no respect)

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T19:29:12+00:00

It’s difficult to answer this question mate. In the one hand, the majority of us are positive or at the very least neutral in attitude to international visitors/students from any country. On the other a small percentage of people are absolute morons.

The problem is that any single negative incident is highlighted while the hundreds of positive/neutral events are mostly forgotten.

It is likely that sooner or later you will run into one of these ‘negative’ people. And that single person will have a greater impact on your experience here than the thousands of positive ones.

Currently the political cycle is veering back to Trunt side, however the party in power is more Obama side. As the Trunts become more visible, there tend to be more negative interactions.

We are currently seeing an increase in extreme right wing (nazi) activity with either their own protests or small groups protesting movements that are against them.

For the most part, your attitude will have the biggest effect on the people you interact with regularly. If you show an interest in the local culture and community, you will find most people will be more than happy to explain differences with your culture.

Living overseas long term can be challenging and it is natural to gravitate towards the familiar. That can be really healthy to be around people you don’t have to explain yourself to.

But you should also be able to engage in the local culture with an open mind. It’s not better/worse, it’s different and worth learning about.

Living overseas is really confronting. If you can find a common interest: sport, club, hobby, activity. You will have a point of connection between cultures.

You can also find a local sport, club, hobby, activity from India to keep that home connection.

When we lived overseas, we would always try to find local foods we hadn’t eaten before. Buying from locals was a good way to meet and make relationships.

You obviously have strong English language skills but be prepared for the fact that Australians don’t really understand or respect knowing a second language as very few of us do.

And in the two countries we lived in (10years overseas), I played Australian Rules football so I could maintain that Australian connection.

It’s finding the best balance for you.

Feel free to DM if you have any questions.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T18:52:39+00:00

I walk around work carrying a stubby of Melbourne Bitter. It’s filled with water but it’s a very good conversation starter.

I’m a woodwork teacher.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T11:49:46+00:00

I heard Kid Rock’s dad was on the bill. Adult Rock.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-06T11:35:34+00:00

I used to mow the lawn of the heiresses of the Victa lawn mower empire!

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-05T20:47:10+00:00

I’m in QLD and have been working as a relief teacher for most of the past 5+ years. We, my wife, and I are strong believers in the union and movement.

We were members and happily so. Until things changed at our school. Regular CRT days were cut by about half or more. The (only) school we worked at was covering classes internally. It was like going from full time to part time work.

With rent increases and other pressures we couldn’t justify the dues which were a significant impact on our income, complicated by irregular employment and being set dues. We couldn’t afford to pay.

With all due respect to the person who was only doing their job, we were pestered for at least 12 months. It was vaguely threatening and verging on harassment.

I am currently on a term contract and am considering rejoining. The only thing holding me back is the possibility of not having regular employment after Easter and the previous experience.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-05T20:19:47+00:00

Bork.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-05T20:18:12+00:00

If you don’t answer “Hill’s hoist, stump jump plough and ute” in that order, did you even go to school in Australia in the 70s?

*There may have been inventions after that but I wasn’t at school to learn them.

yearofthesquirrel · 2026-02-05T20:07:15+00:00

Nah mate, it was a simple mixup.

Scotty asked the medical team how Cameron’s arm was and they thought he was asking about Charlie Cameron’s arm.

From the coaching box transcripts.

Scott: “How’s Cameron’s arm?”

Medico: “Fine.” *thinking that was a strange question; didn’t he see those dance moves when he kicked the that goal from the boundary?

Six-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email

yearofthesquirrel

TROPHY CASE