Dread Pirate (Tom) Roberts

#Canberra resident
Heavy #Metal fan
Parent
Vegetarian, with Vegan aspirations.
In Owner/Ownee relationship with cat (exact role in dispute)

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[email protected]

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nos.lol

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Last Notes

2026-07-07 10:02:49 UTC

What is even the point of putting the bins out on a cold Wednesday evening, if the neighbours aren't doing anything interesting enough to spy upon?
What is even?!
(Edit: Apparently it is Tuesday... Either way, I will be complaining to the head of FIFA about this.)

2026-06-16 10:20:51 UTC

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lol at hashtag Childcare Gastro.
One infamous afternoon I had to pick up child #1 from childcare for gastro symptoms.
Child #2 and #3 both vomited in the car on the way from childcare to home.

2026-06-16 08:43:59 UTC

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Ok, here is the Murray Cod with their captor (whose identity has been somewhat obscured).
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/758/894/044/799/000/original/e7069d63a4178d54.png

2026-06-16 08:18:27 UTC

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I think Gungahlin Ponds, which is downstream of Yerrabi ponds and somewhere near the golf club.

2026-06-16 08:10:02 UTC

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I am not really a supporter of recreational fishing, but I support my kids finding their own way.
Also that mouth is scary.
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/758/760/650/789/166/original/744d6896d83de4d1.png

2026-06-16 08:06:48 UTC

Fishing kid sent me a photo of him catching a gigantic Murray Cod at what I can only guess was 4:00 AM yesterday morning.
He added that "When it grabbed my lure I was listening to black whole sun".
Yep, that's my kid.

2026-06-13 02:35:43 UTC

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I did read an interesting blog post* from retired journalist Margo Kingston who attended a One Nation branch meeting in Comboyne NSW.
From that write up, you can kind of get the appeal... which is basically "things used to be better". A bit of a gap between that basic sentiment, and the policy page.
( * it's on substack, if people feel comfortable reading that site, they can find it)
#AusPol

2026-06-13 02:20:44 UTC

Now that One Nation is the most popular political party in Australia, I thought I'd check out their policies. You know, the stuff 30% of Australia is supporting.
Holy shit balls it's depressing.
I suppose I flippantly call them the 'racist party', but it seems denial of anthropogenic climate change is more prominent than anything else on their policy page. e.g. Cutting Government Waste leads with abolishing DCCEEW.
I guess that's Gina's money at work.
They also oppose mandatory vaccinations, and are anti-abortion.
Pro Free Speech, but as long as it's not "guilt shaming in the classroom".
It's really awful stuff.
#AusPol

2026-06-08 05:46:48 UTC

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My middle child, who is a mad keen fisher, does not know why there is a fish hook in the tree.
However, he does know it’s a metallic seawater lure named a Halco Twisty.

2026-06-08 05:22:44 UTC

Me - "What's that random flashing light outside?
Oh that's right... it's that random metal fish hook, stuck way up in the tree, reflecting the afternoon sun in through the window."

2026-06-06 01:21:32 UTC

Saturday Pippin is listening out for what’s going on… but also drifting off to sleep.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/700/530/614/537/534/original/a1dd49d74de6a705.jpeg

2026-06-05 10:56:53 UTC

Whoever's car just drove past then... desperately needs some maintenance work.

2026-06-05 03:50:07 UTC

I'm teaching the cat to sing like Thom Yorke.

2026-06-02 07:15:13 UTC

Automatic cat feeder works!
Step 1: Cat meows
Step 2: I press the instant serve button
Step 3: Food comes out of machine
Step 4: Cat eats food
Step 5: Fifteen minutes pass
Step 6: GOTO Step 1

2026-06-01 09:05:49 UTC

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I blame The Princess Bride particularly.

2026-05-30 00:15:44 UTC

A little bit of generational discussion around...
In my view things are obviously worse for the younger generations.
I moved out of home in 1996 and had a part time job and could afford to rent for with a flatmate for $70 per person (in Wollongong). I could pay for this doing part time shifts at the supermarket.
If my kids were to try and do similar in Canberra, they'd be looking at about $270 per person for rent.
That's basically impossible to do with a part time job, as I did.
#AusPol

2026-05-29 10:06:35 UTC

It is time ...
... to purchase ...
... an automatic cat feeder.

2026-05-25 10:50:07 UTC

Hey hive mind,
Should I get wasabi flavoured pea-crisps next time?
Or stick with salt & vinegar?
Chilli thoughts are also welcome...

2026-05-21 08:38:50 UTC

I still feel vaguely guilty about taking a photo of the NAB landcruiser.
Like it was close up and didn't have a number plate or anything... but also I wouldn't want strange people in their pyjamas taking photos of my stuff.
I just thought I had to get some evidence that it's real. That these whole strange gatherings aren't something I just made up in my mind...
(They are real... right?)

2026-05-20 13:02:48 UTC

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And despite everything else in that movie, Alan Rickman was great in Robin Hood.

2026-05-20 13:02:01 UTC

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I did see The Rocketeer in the cinema and that is a classic.

2026-05-20 12:58:50 UTC

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And I'm not just talking about Terminator 2 and Star Trek IV.
(I am mostly talking about them tho)

2026-05-20 12:55:30 UTC

You know what was a good year for films?
1991.

2026-05-15 04:41:28 UTC

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According the recent articles (Like this one https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/15/rentvesting-investor-australia-federal-budget-2026-housing ) it's for people who can't afford to buy the house they want in the nice area, but can afford an investment loan.
"Even though I had $70,000 (my entire life’s savings) and a permanent full-time job, like many others at the time, I couldn’t secure a loan."
"My only real option? An investment loan. The interest rates would be higher, I’d still need to sign up for lenders’ mortgage insurance and pay even more money to the bank, but I’d get a foot on to the housing ladder."
This seems illogical to me. That buying property for investment is either than buying to live in, given the same initial conditions.
#Auspol

2026-05-15 04:01:14 UTC

I would ask someone to explain how 'rent-vesting' works, but I think my brain would explode.
#AusPol

2026-05-12 20:20:54 UTC

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I also read that interest rates might go up another 3 times.
Throw in a stockmarket crash (either private credit or AI related) and things are probably gonna be dire this time next year.
#AusPol

2026-05-12 20:18:28 UTC

I think I read the CGT & Negative Gearing changes will make a difference of $8bil over four years.
And this is the "ambitious" part of the budget?
Seems small fry to me. Especially next to the NDIS and Defence amounts.
The housing changes needed to be done decades ago, and now more is needed to fix a broken situation.
#AusPol

2026-05-12 09:01:16 UTC

Watching ABC free to air TV. They had an ad for a show featuring a person who my brain recognised.
After several moments... "John Safran!"
(Addendum... we're all getting old)

2026-05-12 07:45:50 UTC

So I don't quite understand the ANU council resignations today.
I understand these were council positions that were appointed by the education minister, yeah?
Did they resign out of some principle or something? Or was it their individual choice to give up their positions?
(Story ref: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-12/act-four-anu-council-members-quit-after-julie-bishop-resignation/106669744 )
#AusPol #ActPol #ANU

2026-05-11 21:25:26 UTC

Australian Federal Budget predection poll!
The budget will be...
#AusPol

2026-05-06 11:23:31 UTC

A bunch of cars are suddenly leaving the neighbours house across the road.
It's... oh... I didn't even notice a "special neighbourhood gathering" was on.

2026-05-01 11:47:30 UTC

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I'm not actually sure I still like For All Mankind.
The first two seasons had some incredible nail biting stuff.
And then the third season had some crazy stuff, but maybe too crazy.
And season 4 and 5 seem like "Society sucks... but also on Mars!".
Maybe I'm being unkind, but as I said I'm not sure.
#ForAllMankimd

2026-05-01 11:42:45 UTC

A bunch of folk are tooting about For All Mankind and I am currently 3 episodes behind.

2026-04-28 11:05:57 UTC

Yo #Canberra !
Is catching the train to Sydney fun?
e.g. For a weekend return trip.

2026-04-28 06:45:17 UTC

"What are you doing?"
... I ask the cat as it tries to eat my child's birth certificate.

2026-04-24 13:52:44 UTC

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Deep Impact VS Armageddon in 1998 is probably the main culprit.
The Illusionist VS The Prestige in 2006 is another example.

2026-04-23 09:40:15 UTC

Guy at work was telling me how much they loved Nine Inch Noize at Coachella.
Trent is the cool uncle of the music industry.
#NIN

2026-04-21 07:38:46 UTC

I did actually think it was Wednesday today.

2026-04-16 15:38:20 UTC

That was a pretty damn good lozenge I just had.
#lozenge

2026-04-15 23:23:31 UTC

Everyone is sick here.
(except the cat)

2026-04-15 09:09:32 UTC

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And I am standing out on the street, and nothing’s going on :(

2026-04-13 11:23:37 UTC

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The other vocalist there is Mariqueen. Married to Trent and mother of their 5 children.

2026-04-13 10:26:13 UTC

Ok... Nine Inch Noize...
I've seen the three songs they have up on YT.
Impressive stage and performance. Amazing light show.
Trent is still fully engaged as a performer.
And the music... eh... like the embellishments make it about 70% as good as the originals.
Or that's my opinion at least.
#NIN #NineInchNoize

2026-04-13 07:45:08 UTC

Enhance.
Enhance.
Enhance.
…
Enhance.
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/396/270/991/036/203/original/c54a6ee5788713af.jpeg
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/396/270/992/626/730/original/e7bc847da9c5a37b.jpeg
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/396/271/005/169/839/original/8a2e567ab2c3b6aa.jpeg
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/396/271/012/617/164/original/b2e176c533d67219.jpeg

2026-04-12 20:47:09 UTC

Monday Pippin is looking forward to realising his Monday dreams.
#CatsOfMastodon
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/393/682/030/849/759/original/030eb74316148b6d.jpeg

2026-04-12 06:32:33 UTC

I turned the corner on my sickness yesterday.
Eldest child has not. Not by a long shot.
Lots and lots of coughing.

2026-04-10 22:12:23 UTC

NAB is here
🤔

2026-04-10 09:00:54 UTC

Re last toot...
I do love the wikipedia page about the "Ship's cat"
Just a whole bunch of cute photos and (mostly) humorous stories about seafaring cats.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship's_cat

2026-04-09 21:10:47 UTC

Woo!
I feel worse than yesterday!

2026-04-09 08:07:27 UTC

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Hey! Yeah!
(yeah yeah)

2026-04-09 08:05:58 UTC

And so I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
"What's going on?"

2026-04-08 11:42:58 UTC

The actual neighbours have returned home.
How awkward!
Giving up your home for an evening cult meeting, only to have noone turn up!

2026-04-08 09:36:11 UTC

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Nope. Though the neighbours house is pitch black... so who knows.

2026-04-08 08:59:51 UTC

Quiet.
A little too quiet.
(For a Wednesday)

2026-04-05 08:03:26 UTC

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OMG that's impressive!

2026-04-05 07:53:52 UTC

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I have at times. Some of the quotes are crazy tho.

2026-04-05 07:44:28 UTC

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I probably need to actually read Moby Dick.

2026-04-05 07:39:20 UTC

I was feeling a bit unmoored in the current moment.
I have put on 'Leviathan' by Mastodon, which at the very least says "Murder the big fish" as a goal for life.
#mastodon #mobydick #leviathan

2026-04-05 06:20:43 UTC

As I understand it...
Good Friday: Jesus crucified
Easter Saturday: Not much happened
Easter Sunday: Jesus rose from the dead!
Easter Monday: Jesus landed a 720 degree spin on a halfpipe, and ascended to heaven.
Yeah?

2026-04-05 02:25:35 UTC

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Though I do recall Bernard mentioning how people can be one health crisis away from destitution.
Which I think is true. Even if the public health system will treat a sudden illness, people that have no ability to build up substantial savings and have a mortgage will be in massive trouble if they can no longer work due to health.

2026-04-05 02:22:19 UTC

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I think I missed that comment.
She mentioned talking to teachers and nurses who needed a second job to get by, and people sleeping in cars. So I got the impression that she was talking about people who the social contract had failed in a substantial manner.

2026-04-05 00:11:24 UTC

Interesting video from Crikey on the meaning of Left and Right in Australian politics.
Crystal Andrews, Bernard Keane, and Alex Fein (RedBridge polling)
They are talking about how Gen X have a memory of life before wholesale privatisation.
Alex Fein in particular has some striking things to about how the capital class who have assets, and the gap to those who don't.
https://youtu.be/2a98sN9hLFk
#AusPol

2026-04-04 19:49:20 UTC

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He apparently forgot that I told him.

2026-04-04 14:28:47 UTC

I'm up to collect my extra hour when it arrives.

2026-04-04 07:55:40 UTC

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Considering the cat tries to gaslight me everyday about dinner being served at least an hour earlier than scheduled, I can deal with the one per year change in dinner time.

2026-04-04 07:25:47 UTC

When do you adjust the clocks for Daylight Savings?

2026-04-04 06:45:28 UTC

I've told Pippin cat that breakfast will be served an hour later tomorrow.
So he knows now.
Because I told him.

2026-04-03 07:32:46 UTC

Pippin cat senses something on the wind.
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/339/607/498/276/347/original/d9648bbca6328b17.jpeg

2026-04-02 10:17:15 UTC

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Yeah... this particular one is currently employed as an auto mechanic and is awfully self-sufficient.

2026-04-02 09:38:02 UTC

It has taken me a good while to get an effective sleep pattern. Especially with 5 AM chaos murder fluff bag going off.
Teenagers returning home at 3 AM is a late game difficulty spike I'm not enjoying.

2026-04-02 09:01:06 UTC

But seriously, the LNP is fucked with Taylor.
They'll not get the teal seats back.
#AusPol

2026-04-02 07:01:30 UTC

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So that's what they call 'MoonScrolling'.

2026-04-01 09:54:59 UTC

Tony Barry is closely associated with the LNP, but it's hard to disagree with this...
"It was an Instagram reel, not a national address. Albanese's only message was not to panic, making it a content free address," Barry said.
"But Albanese doesn't seem to realise that voters no longer have any trust in institutions for that kind of message to work anymore, which is one of the reasons for the surge in support for One Nation."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-01/anthony-albanese-national-address-fuel-crisis-iran/106522770
#auspol

2026-03-30 08:51:00 UTC

This may offend some people, but I feel sorry for people who loved The Beatles then kept buying their solo albums.

2026-03-30 08:07:23 UTC

Neo Liberalism is about to explode!

2026-03-29 08:16:51 UTC

There was an incident last night where a child (sigh... "child") returned home from a party at 3:15 AM and left a door open.
A certain white and ginger cat ran out the front door, ran around for a bit, ran back inside, ran all over the furniture at top speed, ran out the front door again, had a good roll about on the front porch, then got picked up, and put back to bed.

2026-03-29 03:27:45 UTC

Sunday Pippin.
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/310/329/810/594/546/original/a464671171c34d87.jpeg

2026-03-27 11:45:06 UTC

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Yes, obviously arggh, swab the decks, and set sail for the high seas, etc.
But it would nice if society could organise a way to enjoy artistic creations, and also have creators paid for their labour.

2026-03-27 11:42:50 UTC

Hot take:
I care less about the price of streaming services, and more that if you want to watch a specific thing it may not be available at all.

2026-03-25 10:48:21 UTC

I'm feeling dirty at the idea the neighbourhood cult could be a bog-standard pyramid scheme.
How fucking gauche...

2026-03-25 10:30:26 UTC

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This seems likely.
The relationship between the home owners (a couple with a young child) and NAB is unclear. NAB visits occasionally out of session, and they left their NSB Landcruiser at the residence for about 4 weeks over Christmas.
But I can say with near certain confidence that the other attendees this evening have never attended before.

2026-03-25 10:19:59 UTC

Ok, usual bit about how we should all move on etc blah..
But here's the thing!
NAB turned up early and left first. Probably exactly 3 hours after they arrived.
The next two turned up 15 minutes later, and left 15 minutes later.
The final, tardy acolyte (Jello Dude), was there a full hour late to arrive and is still there.
So is this a 3 hour duration gig? Where you turn up and like do ... things... for 3 hours and then get out?
What takes exactly 3 hours to accomplish?
(Just when I think I'm out, the cult's oddness drags me back in...)

2026-03-25 08:09:01 UTC

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lol
Occasionally Pippin randomly turns the TV when noone else is in the room!

2026-03-25 07:40:07 UTC

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Seriously tho, I have very little to add week by week.
NAB is clearly high up in the echelons of whatever hierarchy is going on.
Other that it's a bunch of new nerds every week, most carrying a little book into their shindig.

2026-03-25 07:30:30 UTC

Find something in your life that means as much as whatever is going on across the road means to one specific NAB employee.

2026-03-25 07:18:05 UTC

Pippin.
As far as I can tell, he managed to get his cat toy/wand up on his tower, then lay on it as a sign of victory.
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/288/586/517/866/694/original/d7ec464d6fddad0e.jpeg

2026-03-25 06:06:26 UTC

So what god awful thing has happened in the world whilst I've been at work today?
(No-one needs to answer this)
#UsPol #AusPol

2026-03-24 08:17:14 UTC

Reminder that there is at least one politician worth a damn...
David Pocock speaking very emphatically about the harm caused by lack of gambling reform.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2026/mar/24/david-pocock-gives-furious-speech-saying-the-government-has-failed-on-gambling-advertising-video
#AusPol

2026-03-24 06:46:41 UTC

The ABC has a link to an article with the text:
"Oil prices soar again after TACO Tuesday proves unpalatable."
#UsPol #AusPol

2026-03-22 08:11:12 UTC

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Ok, I'm ready to talk about this.
Back in January, I woke up in the middle of the night, and decided I was hungry, and made some toasted cheese sandwiches.
I woke up the next morning feeling extremely ill, with massive vertigo like I had never experienced before. The world was spinning constanty and I could barely walk. After about 30 minutes of chaos I vomitted my guts up.
After some more sleep, I woke up and went to make some vegemite toast, using the same bread I had made my cheese sandwiches earlier that morning
Totally mouldy.
Don't eat mouldy bread folks.

2026-03-22 02:53:55 UTC

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I approve.

2026-03-21 09:26:49 UTC

Once again democracy has solved the troubles of this world.
Now I indulge in Pokémon and/or Heavy Metal for the rest of the evening.

2026-03-21 08:57:47 UTC

It's hard to get too angry at SA Labor when the dude on the panel is named 'Tom'.
#AusPol #SAPol

2026-03-21 08:26:14 UTC

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TBH a 25% first preference vote is huge.
I think all the other contenders need to consider carefully how they engage that block of voters.

2026-03-21 08:16:25 UTC

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Yeah… I think it’s interesting because the 2PP seems unpredictable when 25% are voting for an outsider party like One Nation.

2026-03-21 08:05:45 UTC

The ABC has Casey Briggs on … who is in no way standing in the shadow of any particularly notable Australian electoral individuals.
#AusPol #SAPol

2026-03-21 06:38:36 UTC

?
#Ducks

2026-03-21 06:24:29 UTC

IMO the most interesting thing about the SA election will be whether the One Nation vote holds up in any real sense with an actual vote.
#AusPol #SAPol

2026-03-21 05:51:26 UTC

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If Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone are the A tier 80s movie stars, then Chuck Norris is like a B-.

2026-03-21 04:47:18 UTC

I don't have strong thoughts about Chuck Norris. I do find enjoyment in the general ridiculousness of the '80s Action Hero' trope. His fight with Bruce Lee in 'Way Of The Dragon" is legendary.
But if I can draw attention to one thing about Chuck Norris it is the poster for "Invasion U.S.A.".
What on earth is he doing with the gun in his left hand?
#chucknorris
https://cdn.theblower.au/media_attachments/files/116/265/337/961/256/848/original/164b2e20960dace3.jpeg