• Alamutjones@aussie.zone
      5·
      2 months ago

      I once applied for a job at RCH specifically because the desk I’d be at all day, manning the reception for one of the outpatient clinics, was in direct sight of the meerkat enclosure they’ve got.

      I did not get the job.

      That wasn’t the only reason - the clinic is one I would have attended as a child, for kids with very similar conditions to what I have…I figured it would be good for kids and parents to see an adult version of their own experiences - but it was a big part of it!

    • SituationCake@aussie.zone
      5·
      2 months ago

      If I were dictator of Victoria I would declare that every suburb needs a meerkat habitat, so everyone can visit meerkats whenever they need to. Boom, mental health improves by 1000%.

  • Alamutjones@aussie.zone
    7·
    2 months ago

    Behold the Primordial Desk

    There are two little pull out arms on either side of the really shallow drawer. The section the key is in opens out and folds down into a writing surface (with teeny little shelves built in) that rests on the arms.

    • TheWitchofThornbury2@aussie.zone
      3·
      2 months ago

      Perfect for clandestine correspondence! The shallow drawer is for sheets of paper and blotting paper, the pull out arms support the fold down section. The teeny little shelves are for bottles of ink, boxes of nibs, stamps etc. The lower cupboard is for larger items. I recommend putting a plaster bust of some ancient sage of your choice on the top, with a doily underneath it.

      Give it an occasional rub with beeswax polish and it’ll last another 100 years easy. From the design, I’d say mid to late Victorian but not particularly high-end, which would be much more decorated with carving etc. I can’t tell from the pic what wood it is. If it was made here in Australia, then it just might be ‘local’ cedar from Richmond in northern NSW, now unobtainable for furniture making, and very collectible. The supply of Richmond cedar ran out in the early 1900s, due to overharvesting. Up to then, it was considered very very desirable for furniture as it was mothproof and rotproof and easy to work with. The smell should give it away if that is the case.

  • Alamutjones@aussie.zone
    6·
    2 months ago

    I have come into possession of a roughly 100 year old writing desk.

    Dad used it as a student 60 years ago, and it came from HIS great aunt, so it’s at least a hundred. It’s beautiful and I love it

  • SituationCake@aussie.zone
    6·
    2 months ago

    What a gorgeous day out there. I have shopped, done a load of washing, and am currently having an iced coffee. My plan for the rest of the day is to clear the spare table so I can start doing jigsaws again.

  • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
    5·
    2 months ago

    The black cat is here again! He’s found a comfy spot. I really don’t know whether he just enjoys visiting/has claimed this as his territory from nearby or if he’s a stray that might need help.

    spoiler

    I’m reluctant to take him to the vet for a chip scan (if I can even swing it) because this might be someone nearby’s cat. I don’t want to start feeding him because I don’t want to stay here long term. But I do worry a bit and am watching for anything that might indicate he’s not doing ok

    • useless_modern_god@aussie.zone
      3·
      2 months ago

      There is a black cat gone missing near me in north eastern suburbs. I don’t know where you’re located but I can provide you a photo and phone number for the owner if need be.

      • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
        2·
        2 months ago

        I don’t know if it could have reached me where I am and he’s been around a few years but I’m happy to look at the photo.

        It’s a black cat with no collar which are hard to tell apart (and I’m actually unsure of gender) but there are a few small distinguishing features.

          • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
            3·
            2 months ago

            Sorry I did a ninja edit saying he’s also been around here for years (though that doesn’t necessarily mean he couldn’t be neglected or in need of help).

            I’ll have a closer look at the colour of the eyes just in case they used to live around my area and ran back or somehow got this far from home. But this visitor cat has a few tiny white hairs like the barest graze of a paintbrush. One brush on top of the head, one on the chest like a locket, and one on the belly.

            He or she is quite a large tall cat, has a deep mournful meow but is usually silent, and seems quite comfortable and friendly roaming around and rolling for pats. There isn’t a hanging belly (primordial pouch) and despite their size they look long and very slender. The face/muzzle is more slim with a large square looking nose. Your friends cat has a rounder bigger muzzle with a smaller nose.

            I can try to get a good photo of this cat here and give it to you but the cat in the photo doesn’t look the same :(

            Edit: If your friend is desperate though and the descriptions match I can try to catnap visitor cat to the vet which would allow ID and collection from a shelter if it’s theirs? I just don’t want to risk accidentally kidnapping a neighbour’s cat

              • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
                2·
                2 months ago

                I’m going to keep an eye on him and the moment something’s not looking right I’ll have to try and get him to the vet.

                Best of luck with the missing cat, I hope he gets safely back home

  • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
    5·
    2 months ago

    experience talking to an old ocker guy at Footscray station this week

    just waiting for the train , sitting on a bench, seat next to me was a really old guy

    he starts talking about how the trains are bad and how Tokyo has the same population and they have trains run every 3 minutes. ( veiled criticism and blame on labour government )

    I try to explain that we are big country and it takes much more investment and work to provide and run infrastructure here

    then he talks about how the country has changed. ( I have now learnt that this is code used by racists when they see immigrants who look different. )

    he said there shouldn’t be all these people coming when we don’t have the housing. Australia should be investing in housing. ( this sounded to me like a tv talking point )

    I said maybe we should be investing in industry, in factories, to make the country well off again and give people good jobs.

    He just kept on repeating the same statement about housing. Making a veiled racist statement. Blaming immigrants for a manufactured problem.

    I kept on saying we need industry and factories.

    after 4 rounds he slowly said, yeah, they closed Holden down. You could hear the rusty cogs turning.

    It takes patience and repetition but it’s possible to challenge how people think.

    Why should I care or make the effort.

    I want a country where people don’t parrot racist shit they hear on the telly

    and everyone gets a vote and each vote has value

  • SpinMeRound@aussie.zone
    5·
    2 months ago

    A beautiful day for a drive to Mount Donna Burang, walkie and then lunch at the Alpine Hotel. Dang tired now though!

  • Tofu@aussie.zone
    5·
    2 months ago

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