Simon Elvery

Telling stories for ABC News  | Organising Hacks/Hackers Brisbane 

website: https://elvery.net/
alt: sw'as — still practising (npub1ajk…9nmf)

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nprofile1qqs98w768jx53a664vdguawxk97a347ykymrnallp6vh5am3m6fz6nqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsxh024c

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npub12waa50ydfrm442c63e6udvtamrtufvfk88ml7r5e0fmhrh5j94xqq7tkuw

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Last Notes

2026-08-10 04:00:28 GMT

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doesn’t that literally quote Podnews? I guess they think industry publications don’t count or something.

2026-08-09 07:15:12 GMT

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yeah, similar but still not the same. The Google one seems to confirm to suburban areas.

2026-08-09 06:59:10 GMT

Anyone know what this red dotted boundary is when you search 'brisbane' on Google Maps? Because it's definitely not the LGA.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/117/064/253/264/693/884/original/79a048e6b83b6c50.png

2026-05-10 06:37:50 GMT

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I think it’s about habit formation. People intuitively understand that forming a new habit to routinely check a site for new content (and therefore get best value for their money) will be hard. But their email habit already exists and isn’t going anywhere (and is usually mandated in one way or another). Even if they don’t read all ten emails they feel like it’s there waiting and won’t be forgotten.

2026-04-09 10:57:36 GMT

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The commander is just north of 50 ... I got some time. ;-)

2026-04-09 10:43:14 GMT

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Thinking about it more, I think it's entirely possible the whole transition is so discombobulating that it fairly effectively 'resets' the brain. Feels to me like it'd be a much 'sharper' experience than the transition into microgravity.

2026-04-09 04:10:41 GMT

Must be easy to forget that things won't just stay in mid-air when you get back from space. I could definitely see myself just letting go of some important equipment expecting my other hand to find it where I left it moments before rather than it having crashed violently to the ground. #ArtemisII

2026-03-13 23:20:13 GMT

Hmm this video on the MacBook Neo looks interesting and like it’s going to be about how repairable it is. It’s Saturday morning, guess I’ll give it a watch.
*play*
(YouTube voice) “Apple just DESTROYED the laptop industr
*close tab*
That’s a nope. I am kind of interested in its repairability though.

2026-03-13 04:18:32 GMT

I’m working with fibre cement sheeting again. It is THE WORST. Terrible stuff to work with.

2026-02-25 10:40:34 GMT

Oof at 20% price bump for @npub1ak3…t4td — a subscription I thought was already pretty expensive. Gonna have to look at alternatives.

2026-02-13 00:22:35 GMT

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I'm enjoying it more than I expected to.

2026-02-02 06:16:46 GMT

After too many years relying on streaming services I'm starting to rebuild an owned-media library. Starting with the box of DVDs I still have in storage for some reason? What should I add next?
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/999/572/276/952/319/original/6545d1bbcf4e4ae1.png

2026-01-29 06:51:44 GMT

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💯

2026-01-28 23:26:30 GMT

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I've heard mixed reviews on the recommendations. That was my initial impression too, but I've found as I've used it the recommendations are getting better? Or maybe you're saying 'discovery' as distinct from 'recommendations'?

2026-01-28 23:17:03 GMT

I've been thinking for a while about switching away from Spotify. I'm trialing Apple Music. Recently somehow, the Spotify app keeps opening of its own accord on my computer. I've tried to track down why and cannot. Nothing has made me more willing to piss off my family by switching music streaming services.

2026-01-22 01:15:19 GMT

The computers are pissing me off again! Considering implementing a three-strikes policy.

2026-01-19 04:36:56 GMT

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The disappointment is frequent.

2026-01-19 04:34:42 GMT

Does your flesh cleve easily from your seed? — a question I ask every peach.

2026-01-19 02:03:03 GMT

I really want to like the Orion browser, but for now it's still too buggy to be a daily driver. Next test drive: Vivaldi. My only misgiving is that it's Chromium based, I really want other browser engines to continue existing.

2026-01-18 22:57:05 GMT

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Yeah, this is certainly a good point. It's easy to get greedy in the details. But I do have a tendency to remain very annoyed at things that annoy me — a fate I like to avoid where possible.

2026-01-18 22:50:26 GMT

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And the Countryman is a sweet 55mm shorter than our garage (but maybe 20k or so more than we want to spend).

2026-01-18 22:01:19 GMT

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I can see the safety reasoning, but if you're changing them every drive your life is real different to mine. :-)

2026-01-18 22:00:19 GMT

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Does it reset a bunch of settings on each start like @npub13cg…ck4q reports for the MG4? https://bne.social/@james/115917898461852175

2026-01-18 21:57:48 GMT

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That's exactly what everyone will do — there's essentially no point in having the settings.

2026-01-18 21:38:41 GMT

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that actually sounds super annoying.

2026-01-18 07:51:59 GMT

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This is a specs only shortlist — if you have written a review of any of these models, I'd love to read it.

2026-01-18 07:50:36 GMT

Half a day's research and I think I've narrowed it down to these options. Any others I should be considering with similar specs/vibes? #EV
MG MGS5 EV Essence 62
Kia EV3 Air - Long Range
Kia EV3 Air - Standard Range
BYD Atto 3 Premium

2026-01-18 01:41:40 GMT

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It's a family car — 5 seats + luggage capacity. Hard limit on length (weird I know, but our garage is tiny) of 4500mm. Capable of light weight towing. Wireless Apple car play. Still getting across other important factors.

2026-01-18 01:05:50 GMT

@npub13cg…ck4q I have a question about your MG review: what are the settings that reset each drive? And is getting them back how you want simply a matter of selecting a profile or something, and if so, how many taps to achieve that?

2026-01-18 00:04:32 GMT

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Because I'm making a spreadsheet and it always feels like there should be a better option than that.

2026-01-18 00:04:01 GMT

Has anyone built a useful 'these are my criteria, show me the options that match' website for electric cars available in Australia?

2026-01-14 20:50:17 GMT

What could the answer possibly be!?!
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/895/423/197/293/255/original/4009492ae318d2d1.jpeg

2026-01-14 09:12:56 GMT

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I thought they would too, but nothing in maybe 8 months. Then we signed back up for Stranger Things anyway.

2026-01-13 21:45:58 GMT

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not a how to, but there’s a link to [@mapache](https://hachyderm.io/@mapache ) in there which has much more detail. https://elvery.net/drzax/activitypub-on-a-mostly-static-website/

2026-01-13 08:53:20 GMT

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p.s. did you know you can follow @npub1ajk…9nmf?

2026-01-13 08:52:07 GMT

Think I'm going to yolo some updates to elvery.net tonight instead of tidying my desk.

2026-01-12 03:37:49 GMT

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Correct decisions were made

2026-01-11 12:11:37 GMT

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See you there. Probably should have gone to bed 44 minutes ago too.

2026-01-10 10:36:49 GMT

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Okay, so I need a new font for my website because I cannot abide these incorrect quotation marks.
I'd like one that's got an open license — this is a free hobby website that I make no money from, I can't justify the kind of cost a commercial font would set me back. And one that I can host myself — I'm not going to help big tech surveil my visitors if I can help it.
I've considered EB Garamond, but I don't like it as much as Sorts Mill Goudy. Any suggestions? #typography

2026-01-10 08:47:01 GMT

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Wait, is it the *font* that's rendering straight quotes that way?
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/869/929/931/162/865/original/30a5974a3ea06801.png

2026-01-09 02:02:19 GMT

I cannot figure out where these incorrect curly "smart" quotes are coming from 😫
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/862/676/305/361/476/original/130d16984203ed46.png

2026-01-08 11:40:47 GMT

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strong recommend for the very slow burn podcast Butt Out, Baby! https://www.buttoutbaby.com/

2026-01-07 05:59:04 GMT

After running out of space on my home server several months ago, necessitating near total decommissioning to bring breath life back into it, I'm slowly bringing things back online. Posts and links shared on elvery.net are once again being federated via @npub1ajk…9nmf

2026-01-06 22:34:12 GMT

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You are making me feel pretty good about my procrastination on making any serious attempt at setting up home assistant.

2026-01-06 11:31:40 GMT

I like to use a 'linear calendar' (there must be a more canonical name for this format) to plan out my year on paper. There are a few ready-made PDFs floating around, but I was unsatisfied with them all so I made my own. Customise and print it here: https://elvery.net/linear-calendar-generator/
I recommend printing at A3 if you have the tools.

2026-01-01 23:02:10 GMT

@npub1m0e…mqsy — for months I've been trying, on and off, to figure out what the recurring monthly payment to BYRD DESIGNS on my credit card statement is. I have finally figured it out. Not sure if this is possible, but it'd be good if the transaction description included OpenCollective and/or bne.social.

2026-01-01 04:15:49 GMT

I have an appliance that is tripping the safety switch. I'd like to fix it but testing if my fix has worked currently involves (potentially) tripping the main circuit breaker. I tried buying a plug-in RCD but now both that *and* the main safety switch trip.
What device do I need to isolate things from the main circuit so I can work on this thing safely and without repeatedly tripping the whole house? #electronics

2025-12-27 03:08:30 GMT

What a fucking waste of a test match

2025-12-25 23:38:54 GMT

RE: https://bne.social/@phocks/115782773039811928
Because they don’t play by the rules and will disembowel you.
#note1g07…t6wx

2025-12-24 20:44:41 GMT

Merry Christmas 🎅

2025-12-20 02:01:18 GMT

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I think I'm just going to have to drop a table or two and hope previous backups are usable (this, regrettably, isn't a given).

2025-12-20 02:00:05 GMT

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Ideally I'd back up the latest data, but it'll take a while and tmux isn't having it:
```
$ tmux
couldn't create directory /tmp/tmux-1000 (No space left on device)
```

2025-12-20 01:55:51 GMT

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Okay, progress. After a reboot I can stop the docker container and a few of my other containers came back up. I can now use Portainer, for one.

2025-12-20 01:53:01 GMT

I have thoroughly filled the system drive on a home server. It's mostly filled with a Postgres database running in a Docker container. It's so thoroughly filled Docker doesn't even let me stop the Postgres container.
What to do?

2025-12-19 06:02:54 GMT

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I bloody love this. Which printer did you get?

2025-12-18 01:47:12 GMT

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Looks like a Tawny Frogmouth. Fun fact: not an owl. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawny_frogmouth

2025-12-14 22:24:45 GMT

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Yep, I emailed them and they got back to me to me with an endpoint that doesn't require auth https://kagi.com/api/autosuggest?q={searchTerms}
One other thing I'd like to figure out is if it does location/language specific suggestions. I haven't had time to look at it though.

2025-12-12 22:18:44 GMT

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I cancelled it when they introduces the ad tier, but my family has just pulled rank and we’ve re-subscribed

2025-12-10 06:59:45 GMT

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this screens are on some busses now too. Much better info for riders.

2025-12-04 01:05:26 GMT

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yeah, if that’s what I was doing at the time I’d probably not have questioned it. It’d be nice to have more info.

2025-12-04 00:47:21 GMT

Hi @npub1zq5…dlp2 — do you have any documentation on why Orion wants this permission?
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/658/538/329/534/355/original/45994eb5d957117c.png

2025-12-03 23:25:56 GMT

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That's cool, but how would one use it?

2025-12-03 04:17:37 GMT

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salads can be pretty great. I hope your word salad is great.

2025-12-02 09:47:06 GMT

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I’m not surprised it sold out. Should have been paying attention because of course he’s here for the Ashes. Would have gone

2025-11-28 06:44:05 GMT

The best team in Australian digital journalism is looking for a newbie*. Come work with us! https://careers.abc.net.au/en/job/505140/digital-journalist-story-lab
* Not necessarily an actual newbie — some experience would help, but you should apply regardless!

2025-11-28 03:45:52 GMT

because getting air conditioning installed immediately isn't an option i've decided to construct a makeshift wind tunnel to work from for the rest of the day

2025-11-27 11:05:15 GMT

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yeah, I makes sense to use a third party. I think it’s a positive step, if only because if they start frustrating tools that grab playlists from them while supporting grabbing them from other services it’d be a very bad look.

2025-11-27 10:50:26 GMT

RE: https://mastodon.social/@macrumors/115621214067500053
Unidirectional cowardice
#note1nu3…k4jl

2025-11-24 07:13:23 GMT

Never attribute to malice (without strong evidence) what can be attributed to incompetence. But an update to QParents that makes it all but unusable six days before a teacher strike and a 'system failure' when trying to tell them our kids won't be be crossing the picket line (i.e. will be absent from school) is annoying me.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/603/433/167/330/758/original/5b4b2dd7a586be55.png
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/603/433/167/008/640/original/876d9c6d93064917.png

2025-11-20 03:26:46 GMT

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I mean, there’s some good stuff there, it’s just a hostile environment because it’s the worst kind of stroad.

2025-11-20 00:20:20 GMT

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lol. Montague Road is the worst part of west end.

2025-11-17 07:08:07 GMT

I'm in the market for an extremely set-and-forget, no subscription, PoE security camera that I can setup to store footage on a NAS. Any suggestions?

2025-11-16 23:14:49 GMT

Want a guaranteed interesting start to your day? Load this up and click the first link that piques your interest. https://elvery.net/prototypes/wikipedia-edits/ #Wikipedia

2025-11-14 23:07:33 GMT

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are any of your biggest rivals now working in IT at Virgin?

2025-11-11 00:23:22 GMT

The yak shaving really gets me down some times. This morning: See a PR with a diff I'm confused about → go to look at the code in the repo → can't find a file it references, decide I'd better `pnpm i` → that requires a login to the package repository → run the login script → realise I need to update node version → find node version manager is confused, troubleshoot that → find out I need a new dotfile in my home folder → remember I'd started setting up Ansible → work out how that works → ...
I don't yet know how deep this hole goes. Yes, I know at least some if it is of my own making.

2025-11-09 23:15:38 GMT

I'm back on the news horse today after seven weeks. Should be interesting*

2025-11-07 08:30:13 GMT

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To be honest, I thought I’d get a little further than this today. Nevertheless, I think I’m happy with it, though I expect when I come to grout I’ll find it less even than I’d like. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/507/475/877/158/319/original/23c99cc072af00ca.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/507/475/982/517/855/original/11b71a6d0bc0e2a2.jpeg

2025-11-06 04:09:01 GMT

Tomorrow I tile. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/500/786/655/817/662/original/90cb002834c816a4.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/500/786/642/021/836/original/b2e1e9144dd9742a.jpeg

2025-11-05 03:15:23 GMT

Hello #network people. I’m running a ~35m network cable from my unit to my garage. What kind do I want?

2025-11-03 06:27:26 GMT

Day 31: big milestone. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/484/343/992/453/374/original/f70ba3faa852f723.jpeg

2025-10-31 06:04:11 GMT

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maybe

2025-10-31 05:23:32 GMT

All set for waterproofer on Monday after the specified 48 hours cure time. No. More. Rendering. My only worry is the 1 billion per cent humidity forecast between now and Monday (and the ongoing worry that the whole thing could just fall off the wall). #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/467/105/718/677/873/original/7136c7cda396d7e6.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/467/105/783/178/461/original/ed92d245586f3bb5.jpeg

2025-10-28 09:20:14 GMT

Definitely a bit of a “not sure I know what I’m doing” day today. Nevertheless, progress was made. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/451/049/566/043/190/original/758ba67ea9fd63fc.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/451/049/523/297/247/original/5584a7e50052ebf5.jpeg

2025-10-26 08:52:48 GMT

Hey #Queensland / #Brisbane #woodworking pals — where do you buy your veneer products? Interstate (where there are more) options appear to have absurd shipping rates for a single role of edge banding.

2025-10-26 04:59:55 GMT

https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/438/701/346/011/011/original/e98edecdd0e96186.png

2025-10-24 11:07:21 GMT

What his holding you back from purchasing this, @npub1m0e…mqsy? https://www.wahwahaustralia.com/products/wah-wah-x-tony-albert-cardigan

2025-10-24 07:45:33 GMT

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they all hallucinate. It’s fundamental to the technology.

2025-10-22 08:51:44 GMT

Wait, so they pushed ahead with the widely and accurately derided rebrand in the end?
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/416/963/670/866/933/original/313955a64a586796.jpeg

2025-10-19 00:24:07 GMT

The top feature on the ABC website today is Deep Time. This has been an epic project our team has been working on for years (literally) which tells an even more epic story about the vast history of our land and the people who have called it home for millennia.
We've had hundreds of stories contributed by Indigenous knowledge holders all over the country.
There will be feature articles and stories on TV and radio coming out over the next few weeks that tell some of the stories in more depth.
I'm so proud of everyone who brought this epic project to life (including bne.social's very own @npub1scp…6zy8 and @npub1m0e…mqsy). I really hope you check it out.
:aboriginal_flag: :torres_strait_islands_flag:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/deeptime/

2025-10-07 09:01:23 GMT

End of day 11. I’m actually now confident that demolition is complete. Plumbers have done some things too. Tomorrow I start putting new things in. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/332/066/963/756/846/original/d4bec3488a251bcf.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/332/066/944/275/296/original/64fe57f0d6f0d404.jpeg

2025-10-05 00:23:27 GMT

If you’re a half decent tradie who wants an edge in the retail market the best advice I can give you is: over-communicate.
Literally everyone would rather know you’ll be late or can’t make it for some reason than get to 3pm and be wondering where you are.

2025-09-29 22:56:56 GMT

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business gotta business?

2025-09-27 08:19:33 GMT

Too many instructional guides are all “given this ideal situation, you just need to execute this somewhat complex skill and you’ll get a perfect result. Easy!” #OfficeWorkerRenovates

2025-09-26 12:06:13 GMT

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It was a great success.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/270/508/274/818/318/original/59e281521ddc225b.jpeg

2025-09-26 09:10:07 GMT

I am at the Queensland Literary Awards. I am not the only one here, but I was for a little while.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/269/815/900/680/472/original/b91a411dfea51355.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/269/815/913/621/817/original/a37331d13613622a.jpg

2025-09-24 23:18:50 GMT

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Start of day four. Sorry to my neighbours. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/261/828/550/152/612/original/dd0c3179e2fe7dd3.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/261/828/580/793/469/original/3012c422f41f262c.jpeg

2025-09-24 00:44:11 GMT

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I’m pretty dirty at the last renovators who covered up these beauty original 50s tiles with two layers of terrible creating a floor level mismatch in the process. Pulling these up is hard work emotionally and physically. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/256/501/830/560/011/original/1d492115e8df952e.jpeg

2025-09-24 00:39:06 GMT

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Start of day three. I’m getting an offsider in the form of my FIL today. My hands are very sore. #OfficeWorkerRenovates
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/256/481/852/021/098/original/30e8d21ba92465cb.jpeg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/256/481/830/588/962/original/9a80b3fae8db3840.jpeg

2025-09-23 00:22:20 GMT

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Hey concrete, Y U so hard?
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/250/753/603/611/288/original/f76ac2749cea4d47.jpeg

2025-09-20 08:50:18 GMT

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I was so right about this we covered it as news. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-20/complaints-about-kimmel-axing-meant-for-us-abc-sent-to-australia/105793428