xymonau (Dez Pain)
I am an amateur photographer and graphic hobbyist. With nearly 2 million downloads elsewhere, my images have been used in projects worldwide.
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name:
Dez Pain
gender:
female
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In transit just now
country:
Australia
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Camera:
Panasonic Lumix FZ 1
RGBStock since:
October 2009
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forum message written by xymonau on May 25, 2013
Wonderful, but it looks awfully cold!
photo by jazza
forum message edited by xymonau on May 24, 2013
forum message edited by xymonau on May 24, 2013
Ive never been keen on Indian food. I have always preferred Chinese. Even though I dont dislike it, its not my preference. I dont mind the odd samosa, though. There is a little doner kebab place on the north side of Brisbane, where I will usually stop for a kebab before heading home. the proprietor is Indian, and he makes the best kebab Ive ever tasted. He also sells a few Indian dishes to take away. You find some little gems sometimes.
I had a delicious custard apple last night for my evening meal - well, part of it. I love them and could eat them all day. Have you ever tasted one? (Sorry if I asked you this before. My memory is getting worse.) http://4photos.net/photosv5/custard_apple_1345742041.jpg
You spit the seeds out, but the flesh is sweet and delicious. Not possible to describe it, but you would definitely like it.
Yes, the wilderness might be too much for me, even though I would have liked it when I was younger. And you need lots of energy to get things done. It would be good for me, but I would also be vulnerable. Im still fascinated by motorhomes and small relocatable homes. I might look at buying land or a house and land package. Or I might do nothing. Tonight I feel like a burden has been lifted. I didnt take the Plaquenil today and I had only a mild headache earlier. They stay in your sytem for a while, so that is to be expected. But I already am less head-achey, and that is such a relief. I thought the pain in my left hand was getting a bit better. if that comes back, I know they were working, and Ill wait and see how bad it gets. I just feel a lot better already, and at this point Im not taking them again.
I hope you and Christa have a lovely and relaxing weekend. :o)
And I
must
keep remembering the word!
show thread 4 Letter Words
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forum message written by xymonau on May 24, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 24, 2013
Ah, they dont make doorways big enough for me these days!
I have been browsing, but not feeling enthusiastic. I had my eye on one place - but no energy to pursue it - but it is under contract. I have to have the time and energy to go and look at places. Maybe next weekend, if there is anything suitable. There is a hideous one thats cheap, but in better condition than the last place. If its still available, I might go and look at it. There is a wonderful place in the wilderness about 30mins from here, with 120 acres and a creek - which may mean it floods - and three very old dwellings - sheds, really. Its very cheap for the size of the land, but may be out of my range. Also, I would need help if I lived that far out. But 120 acres would be lovely. Lots of snakes, too! LOL
You must find the medication side effects frustrating. Still, if it lessens the migraines, then it is probably worth it. My headache was so bad last night that I am not taking those pills today, and I am going to stay off them for a week to see if things improve. I cant live like this.
Today is a local public holiday - show day - and so it is nice to not have to go to work. I slept in - a rarity for me - but now half the day is gone. Never mind. Nice to have no pressure.
lost
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Very nice photo and an amazing building!
photo by vvoronov
forum message written by xymonau on May 22, 2013
Ive been a bit unwell the last few days. I did increase the dose. Im not sure if they are causing me to feel sick or if I have a virus, but Im getting bad headaches. My throat has been a bit sore, so perhaps its just that. Well see. I had two days off work, and I hope Im going to be well enough to go tomorrow. I cut back on the cortisone again this coming Saturday. I am so fat from it. Im still gaining weight, although it has slowed a little. Im really uncomfortable.
Im sorry to hear about your eyes, Michael. That is not good news, so I guess you just have to hope it doesnt deteriorate further. I hope your other eye stays stable.
I dont spend a lot of time on many of my graphics. Its all smoke and mirrors, really! LOL Some images take a long time. but I have so many that I made in the past, just sitting on the computer, and I will often upload some of those. they were made in times when I had far more time to waste. I dont watch television, so I guess those potential hours are spent doing things on the computer, including graphics.
I think its fascinating that little rodents of all kinds like running in wheels. I wonder if they really think they can get somewhere or if they understand its just a bit of fun and exercise? Ed is quite the fashionista with his striped tail. I hope Willem discovers the wheel soon. Youre good to them, Christine. I hope they know how lucky they are.
tilt
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forum message edited by xymonau on May 19, 2013
forum message edited by xymonau on May 19, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 19, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 19, 2013
comment written by xymonau to sloopjohnb on May 18, 2013
What an amazing bird, and a great capture.
photo by sloopjohnb
comment written by xymonau to becca61905 on May 17, 2013
Great colours and texture.
photo by becca61905
comment written by xymonau to becca61905 on May 17, 2013
Great background or texture!
photo by becca61905
comment written by xymonau to jwgeertsma on May 16, 2013
Looks wonderful in the large version.
photo by jwgeertsma
forum message written by xymonau on May 16, 2013
At this time the new tablets havent done too many bad things. I double the dose next week, so there might be a change then. They do make me really tired, though.
I went to the optometrist yesterday for a baseline eye test. I discovered I have cataracts and cloudy lenses, plus pressure in my left eye. Nothing severe, and age-related, but the pressure is a worry. I am going back in two weeks to get some proper glasses. I had been wearing glasses all day yesterday and my vision was already blurry from that, so it wasnt a good time to be tested.
It was good to have an answer regarding why I cant see at night. He said the light is being diffused everywhere through the cloudy lenses.
He also said I should wear sunglasses. I hate them! Ill have to go and buy some, I guess.
I hope you survive the fasting for the blood test. I always hate those. We tend to have a morning routine, dont we? What does the Ayurveda practitioner do?
nail
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forum message written by xymonau on May 14, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 14, 2013
Dont get me started on taxes. We pay more than 40% here, and its such a rip-off. I had to pay some last year - not much, but it should have been taken out. The wealthy can
leap
into a zero tax situation with clever financial manipulation, and they are allowed to get away with it.
Yes, I now have a second head. The tablet was a bit rough on my stomach, and Im not sure if I can tolerate it. It was a half dose, too. Tonight my face and neck were bright red. I dont want to look like that all the time. Well see...
How are you and Christa? I hope you have both been well.
What a daredevil cat. they never seem afraid of heights, do they?
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forum message written by xymonau on May 13, 2013
Im really glad you didnt lose Willem, Christine. I once left a window open when I let the birds out. One landed on a grille on the window and could have flown outside. It took all my self control not to panic and walk up calmly and close it. I felt sick afterwards.
I can only hope for pain control and stopping any deterioration in its tracks, Michael. I didnt take the first tablet today. I woke up with a sore throat, and wasnt sure if I should. I phoned the chemist and they said it should be okay, as its a mild immuno-suppressant. the other drugs are far more potent. Naturally, I hadnt taken the bottle to work. So Ill start tomorrow.
Yes, highways elsewhere are very civilised. They are in some places here, too, but a large area with a small population to pay taxes means a compromise in quality sometimes. We have only 21 million people in the whole country (or maybe its slightly more by now). Given that were almost as large in area as the US, thats a lot of highway to
seal.
show thread 4 Letter Words
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forum message written by xymonau on May 13, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 12, 2013
Wow - Im tired from the trip. I have a script for some milder nasty drug Im supposed to start. I have decided, based on the doctors warning re anaphylaxis, that I will take the first one tomorrow at work. If I collapse there Im better off than at home alone. I dont believe it will happen, but Im hedging my bets. This stuff is likely to make me feel sick all the time. yay... But if it eventually eases the pain, thats good. I have started reducing the cortisone. Since I now resemble Toad of Toad Hall (Wind in the Willows) around my cortisone-puffed jowls, its not before time. I hope it will go away. Nasty drug, but it stopped the pain for me. The good doctor is off on a holiday, and wont be back for two months. It seems I have to have an optometrist look at my eyes because the new drug can hurt your sight. Why do they give it to people, then???
Never mind. Im tired and cranky and need to get some sleep. I saw my granddaughters on Saturday, and my son and his partner. We had lunch, and it was nice. The trip back was pleasant enough, with the rain stopping as I left Brisbane. There is some lovely countryside on the way, but nowhere to pull over to take photos. Youd be hit by passing cars, even if your car would fit on the narrow edge with a sheer drop that is most of the Bruce Highway towards Brisbane. I dont mean its mountainous. they just build up the roads, then they dont put safety rails on the sides. You can drive straight over the edge with drops of anywhere from a few feet to three metres or so. I know we have hardly any money to service thousands of kms of roads, but safety rails would be nice.
As you leave Brisbane, there is a bit of a vista in front of you. The highway is fairly straight, and off in the distance you can see the prehistoric shape of one of the Glasshouse Mountains. Its beautiful, and strange. Heres a rather poor painting of the odd little mountain you see, although the image of the painting is not what you see on the highway.
http://www.sunshinecoastart.com/images/fullsize/glasshouse_mountains.jpg
and
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/glass-house-mountains/about.html
I always want to find somewhere one day to take some photos. Wild Horse Mountain seems to be where you can see them all, but I never go there, either. One day...
show thread 4 Letter Words
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forum message written by xymonau on May 09, 2013
comment written by xymonau to zomb_killer on May 08, 2013
Beautiful, crisp photo in the large version. I love it!
photo by zomb_killer
forum message written by xymonau on May 08, 2013
I will get back to looking at the garden colonies. I think Ive heard of these before - maybe not in Germany, but elsewhere. We do have community gardens in various places, but the land isowned by the city or privately, usually. No-one would be allowed to sleep there, but people can go and grow stuff.
I am feeling a bit let down tonight. The building inspection turned up too many problems for me to deal with, so I declined the home. Ive spent a fortune just getting to this point, but its okay. At least I dont have a white elephant of a house to deal with. Ill continue to look around, but there wont be much that I can afford AND pay off in 10 years. That motorhome might be all I can manage. *sigh*
ears
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forum message edited by xymonau on May 07, 2013
http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2011/10/17/4-ways-to-come-up-with-innovative-ideas-for-teaching-educati.html
http://xculturalpsy.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/introducing-schwartz-societal-values.html
http://www.cezannescarrot.org/vol4iss1/howtogetanewroof.html
http://www.monarchparkcannock.co.uk/2012/11/christmas-is-coming-to-cannock.html
http://www.changeofthemonth.com/aww-mom-i-dont-want-veggies/
http://scifiunltd.com/?id=1
And here is what happens when people start redistributing images. I found this and other images on Flickr, offered for sale and download. I told the person I didnt want him to do this. He removed the image, but it seems an awful lot of people have reposted the thing. This annoys me greatly. A credit is not what I wanted. I wanted the image not to be redistributed, as RGBStock is the primary place for download, and I expect people to ask for permission if they are using my images outside the image licence.
Here is on of the many reposts of it: http://bookron.tumblr.com/post/34705232371/flasd-japanese-garden-by-alain-vaissiere-the
show thread RGBStock.com file used in:
show category General chat
forum message written by xymonau on May 07, 2013
I think infra red detects termites better. We have a huge termite problem in this country. I have no idea how bad it is elsewhere. Since our oldest homes, particularly in this State, were all timber, on timber stumps, you can imagine the maintenance that has to happen to prevent damage. According to the real estate agent - only marginally better than a used car salesman
chap,
if you ask me - the infra red can detect problems in tight corners better than traditional methods - whatever those are. However - I couldnt get the original people to answer the phone today, so I phoned another company. They say they can do the inspection by Thursday. Then I remembered I have an important meeting Thursday afternoon. Im waiting for them to get back to me re the time. I will call the meeting off if I have to, although Id prefer not to.
So - no more developments today. We seem to be so busy at work right now.
So you had a garden on another plot of ground away from your home? Ive never been a gardener at all, but I think I have learned a little from the potted plants Ive managed not to kill. I dont particularly enjoy the process, but its always nice to grow some tomatoes or pick fruit from your own tree. Im going to plant some pawpaws at first. they grow like weeds here, and I like pawpaw (papaya). Also, they will bear the first year. And a passionfruit vine. Thats if my hands hold out! LOL
Christine, I looked up the difference between gerbils and hamsters today. It was interesting to see the differences. Most little rodents look alike to me. But gerbils certainly have a better reputation. and they seem to have a habit of sitting up more. Is that right?
show thread 4 Letter Words
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forum message written by xymonau on May 07, 2013
This is perfect. Your silhouettes are such high quality. I think this one is really appealing.
photo by Groningen
LOL! Just fabulous! Sometimes fate hands you a magical image, and this is one of them.
photo by xposid
forum message written by xymonau on May 06, 2013
I have often accidentally grown millet when I emptied their seed containers, and they do love that, too. Unfortunately, in rented premises, you dont always have somewhere to do that. In my current place I have concrete everywhere, with a patch of garden out front. However, that garden is dealt with by a gardener, who poisons everything. He even managed to kill two flowering shrubs with his poison.
I saw them on Facebook, and I love the tank. Youve made them a gorgeous little home. Im sure they will eventually learn how to use the wheel. Do you have a garden where you can put the old straw to compost?
I
cant
imagine how cute they would be to watch for hours. It sounds like youre already learning their different personalities.
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forum message written by xymonau on May 06, 2013
Well, the valuation will take maybe three days, and Im hoping I can book the inspection this week. Unfortunately I have to go to Brisbane on Friday. Maybe he can do it really early and Id still have time to get there. I have no energy to panic, but I need to start doing so, as the move is big. Still, I can pay rent here until Im ready.
Dang
(if I may use an Americanism)
This is pretty good.
show thread 4 Letter Words
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forum message written by xymonau on May 05, 2013
Ill have a look. I hope youll be able to take some photos of them for here eventually. Do they bite? When I gave my mice away, one fastened on the throat of the little girl who was holding it. She was screaming, and all we could do was laugh. It was hanging there for dear life.
punt
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forum message written by xymonau on May 04, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 04, 2013
Very intent on something outside... Gorgeous cat.
photo by Ayla87
forum message written by xymonau on May 04, 2013
Re Labour day - people here are not happy. Not my town, but interesting that they are protesting. Im wondering if there is anything happening elsewhere in the State.
http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/unions-rally-for-rocky-march-labour-day-marchers/1854584/
I keep forgetting the word, sorry.
shun
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forum message written by xymonau on May 04, 2013
I cant see your profile. Can you put a link or upload them somewhere else? Are you going to put some on RGB? You make me clucky for a new pet! I cant give in, though, because Im so often away. My poor birds are all I can manage.
Are you able to handle them, Christine? Are they relaxed with that?
I guess they will accidentally discover the fun of the wheel, or might you have to put them in it?
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forum message written by xymonau on May 03, 2013
Exciting times with the new babies, Christine. I hope their transition goes smoothly.
Michael, in this country we get two weeks sick pay per year. Most jobs have four weeks holidays, but an extra if you work shift work. You get nothing when that runs out. Since I have had at least three months off work all together in the last 12 months, I have been without income for most of it. If you were sick for more than six weeks after using up all your leave and savings, then you can get Sickness Benefits of $450 or so per fortnight. This wouldnt even pay the rent for most people. We have a much harsher system than it used to be. And that goes for Government employees, too. The Queensland Government has sacked about 12 to 15,000 public servants - or is in the process of so doing. I have friends who lost their jobs. One is a welfare worker for a mental health service, the other is a cleaner in a TAFE (state) college. They just made all these cutbacks and to hell with the poor workers. Hospitals are understaffed anyway, and a huge number of the reductions have been made in hospitals. It disgusts me. A right wing government currently in this State, but the left is becoming as bad.
Im just so grateful for having work currently. Our parent company is being bought out by a very large national housing provider, and when we change hands, there may be some changes. I hope my job remains, but there is nothing I can do. The company seems ethical enough.
I think we all face times of uncertainty, particularly these days.
Christine, I laughed at that joke. Not political at all. :0P (And even if it was, debate doesnt mean war, just debate.)
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forum message written by xymonau on May 03, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 02, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on May 01, 2013
Does anyone do democracy? Anyway, democracy is mob rule. The only protection is a republic, but the greatest republic on the planet has become a combination democracy/fascist state and is fast spiralling downwards and taking everyone with them.
Fortunately, in this country we dont have to work hard at what we are going to be. We wag our tails and follow any white person who pats us on the head and tells us were good boys. I stipulate white. This is also the reason we punish refugees. They dont look like us at all.
*sigh*
show thread What did the English just do ?
show category General chat
forum message written by xymonau on Apr 30, 2013
It means they want to use it for a lot of products. Because using it in this way is probably as a canvas for the image (Im not sure), it is outside the allowed uses and you may ask for money if you wish. If they want a non-exclusive licence, then it can stay here. If they want an exclusive licence then you would have to take the image down. You can look at pay sites to see what the going rate is to make your decision. Ask for a link to their website, ask how much they are charging/going to charge for the item. Decide if you want them to freely use your image on a canvas, regardless of what the item is. You can then write an email worded that says something like you grant a non-exclusive licence for them to use your image for (whatever) purpose, or for a certain number of products, or for a limited period of time, etc.
show thread Extended license?
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forum message edited by xymonau on Apr 30, 2013
How dare someone in a foreign country help themselves to my images because some thief posts them without identifying information?
Perhaps we could have a particular page to register these images on the appropriate site? Or could the whole site be registered as somewhere that a diligent search would have to be made first? This makes me really angry.
show thread What did the English just do ?
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forum message written by xymonau on Apr 30, 2013
Well, we used to celebrate Labour day in May, but this year it has been moved to October because all our public holidays fell in the early part of the year, and they felt it was good to have one to look forward to later. Some States celebrate it in March now. Id like another holiday right about now.
The bank phoned me today. At this point there is a problem because of all the time I had off sick, and they are asking for more documentation. It will be another week before I hear from them, and it is getting closer to the financial settlement date, so Im starting to think it might not happen. Ill be sad, but its okay if it doesnt go through. Ill accept that its not meant to be and think about what else I can do. Im not all that well off, so if I dont get this house, I may not find another that I can afford. Back to the motorhome idea, I guess!
Yes, Christine, we call them mealworms, too. I did buy some for my goldfish once, and they loved them. (I dont have the fish any more.) I agree I wouldnt want to have them crawling around the place.
Michael, Im glad youre getting time to relax. Sometimes we just need to disconnect for a while.
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comment written by xymonau to bernese1dog on Apr 30, 2013
Very nice graphic! I love the colours.
photo by bernese1dog
forum message written by xymonau on Apr 28, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on Apr 27, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on Apr 27, 2013
Yes, I like all animals, but I grew up with cats, dogs and chickens, so I know them best. Im more inclined to like birds. I used to have lots of pheasants and partridges (which are an exotic bird here), which were beautiful. My preference these days is to feed the wildlife and let them live free. Most of our native birds are easily tamed, and Ive got magpies and doves that wander into the house looking for food. The doves are nervous, but the magpies will eat out of your hand. This year the magpies have stopped coming because Ive had the place closed up because of the air conditioner. However, they nest in winter, so they may be back.
If the cat did that on MY mat, hed be
shot.
Ed and Willem are going to be so lucky to have such a good home, Christine. Ill bet you have their little home all clean and shiny and ready for them.
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forum message edited by xymonau on Apr 27, 2013
They have done that a lot in Brisbane. Its the capital of Queensland. Before Expo 88, it was still a gangling giant country town. Everyone had a house and a big yard. In fact, Brisbane was once the largest city in the world as far as area, (I think it currently has 900 square kilometres) but Los Angeles overtook it. (It still takes at least two hours on normal streets to get from one side to the other, longer if you count the continuum of population in areas that join, but are technically not in the Brisbane area.) In the 90s they started designating some suburbs as high density. Up went the apartments, and the infrastructure, and the population grew rapidly. What they didnt plan was the roads. Being an established city, there wasnt anywhere to go re more roads, so the traffic problem in Brisbane is unbelievable. They have built a lot of underground roads now, but in all the wrong places. Getting onto the freeway to the city in peak hour during the late 90s and early 2000s was like torture. Its still a nightmare. They have built all these fancy busways. I think they should be opened up to cars. I personally couldnt use public transport in the type of work I did. (E.g. - evict a homeless man for violent behaviour, and then have to walk past him to get to the bus stop.)
I think its the way of the world, but I hate the pressure of the population in cities, and they are all getting so only those with white collar jobs can afford to live there. Then investors turn to the smaller towns, buy up the cheap housing, and the prices skyrocket.
Something else at work in Queensland is the influx of southerners. Our state is sunny and beautiful, with the Great Barrier Reef and some amazing beaches and wildlife. People from the other states often want to retire here, so they buy houses. Because they are used to paying more, they pay top prices up here, and again, the prices creep up.
They may be opening a mine close to my town. If they do, house prices and rents will double rapidly. That has happened in so many places.
If I had the money to choose, Id live in the country, and just pop in to the nearest town for necessities.
show thread Last One To Post on RGBstock Wins
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forum message written by xymonau on Apr 27, 2013
forum message written by xymonau on Apr 26, 2013
Do vets have a register where you can leave the details before the cat is lost? Seems a bit late afterwards.
I managed to empty a large box of goodies that has been sitting in my spare room for two and a half years. I found things Ive been looking for! Ill then fill that box with some doonas and linen. I probably dont have to tape the boxes much since they are only going a few blocks away.
A friend from the Sunshine Coast who owns a ute will come up and help me move. Thats IF I get the mortgage.
The bank called me today. the paperwork has to go to Sydney first for approval, before they will do the valuation. They didnt tell me that in the email. I should have some response by next Tuesday or Wednesday, they said. I feel I can stop worrying about what Im supposed to do next, for a few days.
I wont do much tomorrow, but on Sunday Ill give myself certain tasks to complete. Im going to have to be systematic. Im usually not, but then Im always in a fluster on the last day and throwing things into any old box, never able to find them at the new place. I hate moving!
What a gorgeous photo! Im not very approving of dressing animals up. I think it can be a bit cruel. Maybe something warm in cold places, but some people treat their animals like dolls. As for training them, those sick people who force cats to eat with a spoon taped to their paw, etc, need to be forbidden to have animals. Im not sure if this one is taped or not, but its hideous:
http://www.snotr.com/video/1779/Cat_eats_with_fork_and_chopsticks
Scat, mad lady!
show thread 4 Letter Words
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forum message written by xymonau on Apr 26, 2013
Are you sure? I cant recognise anything.
Most old Queensland houses are on stumps off the ground. They may be high, with room for another level underneath, or short stumps, only a couple of feet tall. In the olden days they were always made of wood. These days they usually replace them with metal and concrete. Because of subsidence of the ground, or maybe termites, sometimes the stumps collapse or start sinking, thus making the floor uneven. Re-stumping can either be jacking the house up and replacing them, or packing stuff on top of them to push them back to the correct height. Sometimes people in low block houses want to raise the height for an extra space underneath.
http://www.restumpingspecialist.com.au/steel_columns.htm
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