Jasin wrote on Mar 13^th, 2026 at 10:34am:

Sophia wrote on Mar 11^th, 2026 at 6:11pm:

When your life is in danger and you need immediate help the police are only a phone call and 10 kilometres away.
Generally one may not keep anything for the purpose of self defence but there are many things that may be kept for other legitimate purposes.

Jasin wrote Yesterday at 9:52am:

Spot on, a very formidable weapon, especially adapted for slashing.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote Yesterday at 10:18am:


I think to myself, (taking responsibility for my own safety) I know my place better than any would be intruder. I know hiding spots.
What would be the attraction here? My old 17 year old car?
My new big 85 inch tv is way to big to take and probably the only thing worth taking as we’ve lived here 34 years and furniture is basically mid century. Well apart from toaster and kettle, they get renewed when needed. Oh and my 5 year old Thermomix.
Anyone intruder would be very disappointed in my house 
Unless they like cooking then I have nice pots and cookbooks 
But basically I would hide. Not worth worrying about stuff compared to my life.

Re: carrying something in the car as a legal use of self defence, what about this little beauty, it’s a meat tenderiser that looks like a knuckle duster!

I know Frank goes on about Perth and WA but what the h3ll is wrong with Victoria and Victorians these days?

I got a "new" mobile number from Telstra last September and right after I put the SIM card in the phone and turned it on I started getting text messages and then a few calls for the number's previous owner.

Most of the texts were advertising which I've unsubscribed from and blocked but from the remainder (which were specifically for the previous owner) I've learned this much so far:

1. She lives in Victoria.

2. I know her full name and her daughter's name.

3. Child protection and drugs are involved. I had a text from a social worker meant for her in November and, just recently, a text from one of her dropkick and probably drugged friends (might even be the father of her daughter) who suggested she get an early night because - and I quote: "gotta do drug screens Wednesday Thursday Friday 3 days a week court order cozens (should be dozens, I guess?) child protection f wits".

I texted back and told the idiot she wasn't on this number anymore and he (I assume it's a he) replied "Oh sorry I didn't know" but he's still trying to call me (probably still looking for her - 4 times in the past 2 weeks since I told him, I have the number blocked but I can still see when he's tried to call).

4. I know her birthday - March 1st (because her mother sent her a Happy Birthday text that day). Sheesh, she didn't even tell her mother that she'd changed her number. 

5. I know she has a new number because two of the texts before Christmas were from a medical place in Victoria about some test results, I actually rang them and explained the situation and they said, "ah, she does have a new number, I'll update it on our computer". I didn't ask but they wouldn't have told me what it was, of course.

6. She owes people money (what a surprise). An online store for furniture and appliances with "buy now, pay later" were chasing her for $3,500 as of mid January. I emailed them (I couldn't reply to the text) and explained the situation, I didn't get a reply and I haven't heard from them since.

7. I get a text message today from a debt collector saying her overdue water bill for South East Water (Victoria) has been "escalated" to them (no, I am not going to contact them because they probably won't believe me and they will think I'm 'covering' for her). I'll just ignore and sit back with my bag of popcorn and see how long this goes on for. 

I have lots of numbers on block so far and the number is steadily increasing. lol.

I was kinda hoping that when I got her 2FA login codes for VicRoads in October and Facebook last month I might have received a text message saying "Hi, have you got my codes?" but she's obviously too smart to fall for that because I would have replied "Yes, here's your code and, by the way, is this your new number?" which I would have 'helpfully' given to anyone who asked for her from then on.

Victoria and Victorians? I'd rather go to Queensland (even with aquascoot there). 

Oh, and apparently Telstra and the rest of the telcos are supposed to 'quarantine' numbers that people don't want anymore (or deliberately and quickly get rid of to avoid debt collectors in this case) for at least 6 months before they give the number to someone else.

However, I've heard of cases where numbers have been given to someone else in as little as 2 weeks which is supposed to be illegal. I'm guessing my "new" number was closer to the 2 weeks end of the scale.

I might have a little 'chat' with my nearest Telstra office the next time I'm at Belmont Forum.

Jasin wrote Yesterday at 4:37pm:



You need a body guard in Melbourne:

.