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Solar Go-Go

It takes more energy than you might think to produce 50 floor-length gowns covered in gold beads sewn on by hand. Okay, sure, it actually sounds like quite a lot of energy, when I put it like that. But even so, there’s more to it than you’re probably picturing, and I’m not just talking about …

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These Accursed Trappings

These accursed moon shoes! I swear, these shoes simply must be from the moon, made for the moon-folk that live there. It’s the only possible way they’d fit anyone’s feet. I keep thinking of my wizard brothers, working in jobs where they can wear whatever shoes they like, like Fizzibottom in the luxurious hamburger creation …

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Half Empty

I live on a busy road, which offers a whole lot of convenience plus some pretty extreme noise pollution at peak hour. Before moving here, I wouldn’t have thought there were enough people in the area to warrant such a din, but I guess it is the main artery between two towns, and people need …

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Boardroom Blunder

The acoustics of the boardroom are not up to scratch – according to Kerryn and Kevin, that is. Those two are always finding something new to complain about, but this is some next level nitpicking. In fairness, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, because it means things get upgraded and improved more than they would …

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Reno Relativity

The term ‘renovator’s dream’ might have been used to death, but maybe it’s due for an unpacking to determine what it really means. The question is, what would be the dream scenario for your average renovator? Would it be an opportunity to really go to town with renovations, updating pretty much everything except the basic …

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I Need A Heater

Something I really took for granted as a kid was all the luxuries my parents’ home had. When I was young I thought that everyone had appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, but I was wrong. We were very lucky to have these things, especially in the area that I grew up. I only realised …

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Topical Tools

I’m fine with having chats about subjects outside my usual areas of interest or expertise, but there is a limit. It becomes an issue when someone keeps bringing such a topic up again and again, to the exclusion of all other topics. This is what Deborah at the shop has been doing lately, day in …

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Hedge of Reason

Some people would call me a perfectionist, although I prefer the term ‘precisionist’ because I don’t really believe in perfection. I’ve searched long and hard for it in my time, and what I’ve learned is that there doesn’t appear to be any such thing. The best we can hope for to come as close as …

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Public Disturbance

“Get your energy storage advice here! Commercial energy storage! The best Melbourne has to offer on page thirteen!” I turned to my friend, sitting in the adjacent seat. Couldn’t we just watch a game of basketball in peace? “Troy, why do you have to pretend to be a 1920s newspaper salesman all the time?” “Extra! …

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Saved by the Plumber

Don’t get me wrong, having children is a blessing. I love my kids endlessly and will do anything for them. They’re fantastic, but wow do they drive me up the wall. How many times must I tell them not to draw on the furniture, not to sit on the dog or not to flush things …

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