pulling the pin

Fulvio · October 11, 2013, 02:00:23 AM

AJ, I've been promising friends on the gold coast to go visit for ages now. Hospitals and doctors and things kinda kept putting the trip off. But if intervention is required, I'm happy to make it sooner rather than later, and swing by to knock some sense inta ya, mate. Maybe even hire a minibus and bring the rest of the victorian mob with me.

Seriously, you have to look at the forum, the hobby and the coins as three separate things. Two out of three cost you nothing but time, and the upside is the fun, friendships and knowledge you get from them.

I can understand having truckloads of spendable cash tied up. I'm a pensioner too, ya know. Why do you think I quit buying the souvenir trinkets they keep pumping out? But when you pick up a sack of coins and noodle them, the cash is only tied up for a day, longer for any you end up keeping, but you can never actually lose, unless you get robbed of course...

Heck, if the finances are that stretched, collect pics rather than the coins. Be like Rex Hunt.. catch, kiss, snap and release. Though I'm sure you could get at least a small premium on anything you find. Won't make you rich, but enough to cover costs.

PS: Finally picked up that note from the post office today. Need I remind you you're at least slightly ahead on that? Stop looking at all this from a business perspective and think of it as a hobby instead. Can you name any other hobby where you don't have to blow a ton of cash just to take part? Let alone come out slightly ahead occasionally?

Basil · October 11, 2013, 09:15:14 AM

I know a great "Barrä" fishing spot....

but there is nothing like an overseas trip to brighten ones outlook...

ausjack · October 11, 2013, 09:27:52 AM

Thanks Fulvio but some times things aren't as simple as you might think but I hear ya mate :friends: I just made an appointment on the goldie for the 7th of next month so hopefully some good will come of it and not just keep forking out for nothing as these blokes aren't cheap.
and don't let AC see that about kissing coins..I can see her cringing right now

trout · October 11, 2013, 09:31:00 AM

Those Monkies remind me of my Grandkids Basil :laugh2:

ausjack · October 11, 2013, 09:31:42 AM

:laugh2: thanks again Basil, this is what I'd do http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZh10Ez0op8 I just love cartman

ausjack · October 11, 2013, 11:10:52 AM

Oh and Fulvio I was just thinking about my up coming trip and what you said about getting a bus and a few of you coming up..just make sure your passports are all in order as I wouldn't want immigration to get anyone :mocking: don't worry I have to make sure my papers are in older for when I go up as I think us roaches make the cane toads sick but I'm not too sure :laugh2: come on everyone knows about the interstate rivalry but sorry if I offended anyone

Australian coin · October 11, 2013, 12:29:54 PM

haha yes us illegals will invade NSW, I am busy till December, and yeah I am happy to be facebook friends with anyone from the coin forum that I have known for a while, so PM me and ill send thru the details. and AJ I got you mail today

hehe so cute, could have thrown a joke in there too

ausjack · October 11, 2013, 12:53:08 PM

sorry mate but I was in a bit of a rush and thought of a few other things I should have put in but it's a bit hard when it was on it's way but I hope you like it and that it done the job :give_rose: And I'll do a joke one for ya..maybe something like a nice big box with nothing in it :laugh2:

Fulvio · October 11, 2013, 02:02:15 PM

Passports? I've never had a problem with those. My biggest problem is getting the DeLorean up to 88mph for the trip back to SA or QLD.

ausjack · October 11, 2013, 02:15:40 PM

:laugh2: yep, back to the future..I like that one :good:

trout · October 11, 2013, 02:16:24 PM

Quote..maybe something like a nice big box with nothing in it Laugh2

You could always send a picture of yer Noggin mate HaHa :diablo::laugh2:

Sorry Mate I just couldn't resist that one

ausjack · October 11, 2013, 02:32:47 PM

I don't care what you say as I know I'm beautiful and I don't want to freak her out :laugh2:

Greg McDonald · October 21, 2013, 03:42:33 PM

HI Ausjack,

I'd like to add my support to all the positive replies you have received since posting "pulling the pin." That saying has much darker connotations and we don't want you going down that path! As someone who has been on medication for over 20 years I know a bit about depression. On my father's side we have a rare gene that makes (mainly males) produce to much adrenaline. I have to take between 15omg and 300mg of Zolift a day - depending on the alignment of the planets. Good on you for having the guts to say how you feel. A lot more people should follow your lead.
Since Jeff Kennett (yes I know he's a Liberal) got involved in Beyond Blue I have become more knowledgeable about the disease and these days I don't give a stuff about who knows about my own situation.

I think you have been well rewarded for your honestly. It was very uplifting to see how much support you have received from other forum members. The fact that some of them are prepared to get in their cars and see you in person is remarkable and even if you are a cranky old bugger you must feel pretty good about yourself after some of the comments posted on the forum.

As a few of the members suggested, the great thing about coin collecting that you can start with whatever's in your pocket. I liked the suggestion that you get some change from the bank, look through it and rebank it.

My son started doing this with $1 coins after I once got handed a 2000 Mule $1 when I bought him a milk shake after school. He couldn't believe that I got $450 for it at a coin fair at Bathurst just a week later.

He's now 21 and if you think coin collecting can be expensive, you should try motor racing. Lachlan now works 6 and a half days a week and every cent goes into his Aussie car. We'll be racing this weekend as a support group to the V8's at the Gold Coast. One of the races will be televised on Channel 10 so keep a look out for Number 14. Sponsored by Netapp computers.

Opps, sorry, got a bit side tracked there! Obviously I'm very proud of him.

Anyway Ausjack, keep your chin up and keep us up to date about how you are travelling. I know it's easy to say but the old saying that there's always some else worse off is true .... but doesn't help!

You really realise just how well off we are when you see what the average joe in the street is going through in Syria. At least we don't have to say goodbye to our families (just in case) when you want to go down the street for a loaf of bread).

Get yourself a fist full of $1 coins from the bank and let us know if you find a mule ... it can be done!

Take care and good luck

Regards

GregMcDonald

Fulvio · October 21, 2013, 04:03:55 PM

Quote from: 'Greg McDonald' pid='31671' dateline='1382332353'if you think coin collecting can be expensive, you should try motor racing.

Or just about any other hobby, come to think of it. I watched a fortune in model railroad gear go up in smoke when the club (or rather the church above it) burnt down a few decades ago. And I have friends who chase silly little balls around in the grass... or feed the fish by throwing expensive bits of string in the water from even more expensive boats...

As I keep telling people, the only cost if you noodle your change is the loss of interest you might have earned from the bank. It makes this a very, very cheap hobby indeed.

As for Jeff Kennett, I must say my respect for him went through the roof after Beyond Blue. I met him early in his career, and frankly thought he was a dickhead with foot in mouth disease. He didn't do much to change that opinion while he was in politics, but now I see him in a totally different and much more favourable light.

Depression is an almost unavoidable feature of our modern lives I think. Therefore, those who haven't been through it probably just need to wait a while.. its like falling off a motorcycle.. pretty much every rider either has, or will.

Good luck with the race Greg. Mind you, if he wins you may just burst with pride.

robbiegal · October 21, 2013, 05:34:37 PM

Greg, I have nearly lost my son (who is 23 years old now) from the 'black dog' on 3 occasions
it is cruel
and not a modern illness by any means
and it can kill

I have watched family members sink into the pit of depression and you (well, me) feel helpless and 'locked out' as it is such a very solitary and personal experience

but there is help and education out there and family can help so much more than what they realise
my son has told us that it was our love and stubborn determination that helped to drag him through life and over to a 'brighter' space where he is now and we take it day by day and are blessed day by day for still having him in our lives

man therapy link
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/