Rick's post from the STT
Hi guys, I have just read the thtead, thank you so much for the support.
@taughtbuffet please do not send any money, you have done more than enough.
True, I have lost everything, but I am sure many here have been down and out before.
Trying to look on the positive side, I have been left with nothing on two previous occaions, once when my first wife left and once during the GFC. On both occasions I managed to claw my way back through perserverance and hard work. Yes, I was younger and fitter, but now I am smarter. I have learnt to work smarter not faster. Also, I no longer drink like I used to, which has led to many past mistakes. I truly was a functioning alcoholic for many years.
If the worst happens and I am deported to the UK, it will be hard, but I have enough faith in myself to believe I can survive and at least become reasonably comfortable.
I still have over 3k left for legal fees (GoFundMe) which will go towards my Federal Court Appeal. I have still got a few dollars in the market in fairly safe stocks. I had about 20k in super but is now only about 15k due to it being held in aussie stocks. I have now converted it to cash and am able to
drawer 10k later this month and the balance after 1 July, so am not destitute. These funds hopefully will help me set up once again
Trust me when I tell you that I am much better off than a lot of guys in here. Most of them have no money and some even have wives and children on the outside who were born in this country. Even for a few of them
English is their secind language. (don't know what happened there).
As Zero mentioned, for those detainees who don't smoke, I am able to buy up to 2 packets from them each week (half price in here) and the money goes into their accounts which is then used by the familys. As visits are now prohibited, the ABF in their generosity gives us $20 phone cards each per week to make up for it. These I give to the other detainees as I cannot use them.
So you see, things are not all bad, I have the neccessities in life, am reasonably comfortable, and get my medication within reason. Just lost my freedom. Would kill for a beer though lol.
I have access to HC on my phone, but cannot do my TA study due to PC restrictions, but I am in the process of applying to the ABF for my laptop to be sent in. That and a couple of hard drives are all I have left as they are in the hands of my IT guy.
Also, thank heaven for you guys, watching the DT and STT threads everyday keeps my mind active and sometimes stops me going insane I swear.
On another note, it looks like the market has done a reversal, so good luck all for next week and after that. Lets hope it does not turn into a dead cat bounce after all.
