The ‘Little House on the Prius’ that’s got Australia talking….
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It’s one of those once in a lifetime events that you tell around a campfire, and no one can ever be quite sure whether they’re genuine or not. You know how they start, “I knew a guy once…” Well, in this case it’s true, it’s not an “Aussie myth” but a real true to life “Aussie legend”. The guy at the centre of the story is my old housemate, James better known as “Jimbo from Moe” a good guy who I used to joke, “didn’t mind a project.”
He’s recently achieved “champion” status ‘Down Under’ after he hand manufactured a mobile home affectionately dubbed, “The Little House on the Prius.” Complete with stained glass window and letterbox James drove the little house safely (over 100 kilometres) on a round trip to a popular Victorian music festival.
The festival is an event close to James’ heart having been there annually to party for most of his years. It’s the same left-of-centre festival that has seen him in previous years competing in the “Meredith gift” known by some to be The World’s Greatest Nude Footrace. But in past years Australia’s weather has been harsh to festival revellers prompting James to think long and hard about suitable accommodation for the event. When mates of James’ heard his great idea about constructing the little house they were encouraging, while his Mum was understandably a bit more cautious, instructing him to be careful.
Knowing James though, once a project springs to mind he’ll almost certainly see it through. I do vividly recall the day our shared house marvelled at another of his creations, a hand manufactured bed made out of milk crates and a mattress. A former industrial designer (and now landscape gardener) James has found working with his hands is his best fit.
Since his epic adventure “James’ invention” has featured on many Facebook pages to the point it’s on the verge of going viral. However, there are no plans of an extension to his creation at this point in time. James has been pragmatic about his new found fame saying he has plans to “lay low for a while” after this. Although he does qualify this with the statement,
(I’m) “33 years old. No partner. No kids. No house. No high paying job. But I think I’ve still ‘made it.’ James is successful.”
As a writer who values creativity I concur with this statement. I may be biased as my mind fills with fond memories of him tinkering with his old bikes and kombi van, wearing “C’Mon Aussie C’Mon” caps and drinking Melbourne bitter. But hey, who isn’t biased? As for ‘fame’ James considers this “about D Grade.”
While some have been critical of James antics all that know and love him have been supportive of his adventure, with the exception perhaps of the local police who (post-trip) slapped ‘the little house’ with a yellow un-roadworthy notice more commonly known in Australia as a “canary.” James was up for being interviewed for The Good Men Project, though his interview had to be postponed while he enjoyed a few cans with good mates.
As for the Little House on The Prius, he plans on either turning it into a dog house for his Whippet named ‘Tiger,’ or unceremoniously
“dropping it off at a mates house.”
Either way, I can’t wait to see what James has in store for next year.
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Why didn’t you take any photos of what it looks like on the inside?? I would love to see it. Was it just a bed?