The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

a swarm of ants have moved into my medicine cabinet. I'd love to know what they're feasting on them

I believe the correct term is an army of ants

Sorry, can't help it since over dinner tonight my sister and I were discussing the collective nouns for animals. Tell you what, it's a damn nightmare and esoteric oddity who decided to assign these names for collections of animals.

 

[JohnK]

The hole is getting deeper.

 

[drross]

I know a lot of AFFers are involved in scientific research or have been trained in research-intensive institutions...here is a petition to try and convince the Government to keep funding innovative research: Respect Research

Dear defurax. Obviously your heart is in the right place! But this may not be the right time to go political given the e motions involved in this current forum

 

[serfty]

Thank you everyone!

it does mean a great deal to me.
I will be truly devastated if she isn't one of the "lucky ones". I hope it is early, but I don't know how often my mum sees the doctor. It was a routine mammogram thing I think, then she had the biopsy. ...

My prayers and wishes are for you and your mum, shellthom.

Life is but what life offers and you accept of that.

In 1998 I won a St Patricks day promotion for a trip to Ireland for two courtesy of a dropped business card in a jar at a QP.

We decided to bring mini serfty and mum along at our cost. But about 3 weeks before departure mum was diagnosed with breast cancer! TI would have covered it, but her doctor advised her to go "and have fun" and they'd deal with it on her return.

So she did!

We returned safely after a three week trip; she had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and is in remission.

It is now 16 years later, and amongst other things, she is happily baby sitting her great grand kids.

Not every story has the same outcome, but a positive approach goes a long way to a positive life.

 

[shellthom]

My prayers and wishes are for you and your mum, shellthom.

Life is but what life offers and you accept of that.

In 1998 I won a St Patricks day promotion for a trip to Ireland for two courtesy of a dropped business card in a jar at a QP.

We decided to bring mini serfty and mum along at our cost. But about 3 weeks before departure mum was diagnosed with breast cancer! TI would have covered it, but her doctor advised her to go "and have fun" and they'd deal with it on her return.

So she did!

We returned safely after a three week trip; she had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and is in remission.

It is now 16 years later, and amongst other things, she is happily baby sitting her great grand kids.

Not every story has the same outcome, but a positive approach goes a long way to a positive life.

Thanks Serfty, that is beautiful to hear. My head is moving out of shock, I think, to we will get through this but with the realistic after thought of not everyone does.
I said to the +1 we must have our engagement party (not engaged still waiting on the ring) sooner now so that my mum is not ill from chemo. I don't even know yet she will have it but I just thought everyone does.

 

[cove]

My 73 year old friend came to visit us at work. Now he had a heart transplant 5 years ago from a 23 year old motorbike rider.
He spends most of his "extra time" on charitable pursuits as payback for getting another chance at life. He has a very big smile and it shows us you can beat adversity.

 

[amaroo]

Shellthom best wishes to your mum, family and yourself!

Stay positive and most of all keep your mum focused on what is important. My MIL went through this 12 years ago and as a widow - erred on the side of giving up. The family got together and got the "wagons in a circle" and pushed her to focus on the important things. 12 years on......she has enjoyed 8 OS holidays with us, cuddled a couple of new grandkids and is still a chain smoking, decent drinker! She turns 80 next year....

May the sun shine bright for you!

 

[tuapekastar]

I add my best wishes for your Mum's forthcoming treatment shellthom.

 

[TheEmu]

I believe the correct term is an army of ants Sorry, can't help it since over dinner tonight my sister and I were discussing the collective nouns for animals. Tell you what, it's a damn nightmare and esoteric oddity who decided to assign these names for collections of animals.

I believe the correct term is a parliament of pedants but I much prefer a pirates...

(Apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan)

 

[Princess Fiona]

In case anyone doubted AAnother airline's commitment to One World

 

[JohnK]

Need to start selling things on eBay. Easy to setup? Would I lose much if only payment option is transfer to bank account?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Need to start selling things on eBay. Easy to setup? Would I lose much if only payment option is transfer to bank account?

I don't sell on eBay (in fact I'm too lazy to sell anything at all) but I do buy and I wouldn't buy from anyone who didn't have a Paypal account.

 

[markis10]

Need to start selling things on eBay. Easy to setup? Would I lose much if only payment option is transfer to bank account?

You cannot have DD only:

For most categories of listings on eBay.com.au, sellers need to offer at least one of the following safer payment choices:
PayPal
Paymate
Credit card processed through the seller's internet merchant account
In addition to offering at least one of the safer payment methods listed above for most listings, sellers may also offer one or more of the following payment choices:
Payment upon pickup (including cash)
Bank-to-bank transfer (including by internet banking)
Cash on delivery
Bank cheques and personal cheques
Money orders
Online payment services: hyperwallet.com, Propay.com, Skrill, XOOM

 

[blackcat20]

Need to start selling things on eBay. Easy to setup? Would I lose much if only payment option is transfer to bank account?

It's compulsory to offer Paypal.

 

[TomVexille]

In case anyone doubted AAnother airline's commitment to One World
View attachment 26826

Might help that AA and BA have a metal neutral joint venture across the Atlantic. But yes, some airlines seem to be significantly more involved in Oneworld.

 

[JohnK]

I don't sell on eBay (in fact I'm too lazy to sell anything at all) but I do buy and I wouldn't buy from anyone who didn't have a Paypal account.

My goodness! What a rort!

I have just had a quick look at Paymate and I think if I sell something for $10 their take is ~$0.82! How much does eBay take?

Talk about legalised extortion. Not a bad income for doing nothing.

Any other alternatives to selling things?

 

[anat0l]

My goodness! What a rort!

I have just had a quick look at Paymate and I think if I sell something for $10 their take is ~$0.82! How much does eBay take?

Talk about legalised extortion. Not a bad income for doing nothing.

Any other alternatives to selling things?

Look here: Standard selling fees

If I read that right, eBay keeps 10% (not counting any other optional fees you want).

You could consider Craigslist, the Weekend Shopper or Trading Post, I guess. I think the Weekend Shopper is free, but you need to relist frequently if your item doesn't sell.

You could also just bring stuff to Cash Converters I guess. That eliminates the guesswork as to whether someone will buy your goods, but naturally don't expect a great price (typically they will give you estimated market value minus a large cut).

 

[blackcat20]

eBay also now include your postage cost in their final fee calculation. Not impressed but hard to get around it.

 

[serfty]

eBay also now include your postage cost in their final fee calculation. Not impressed but hard to get around it.

That's because more and more sellers had cheap 'buy it now' prices but exorbitant postage.

I remember seeing some stuff from Hong Kong where the item was about $1.25 with delivery $3.65. Many other seller of similar/same item were around $4.90.

 

[whatmeworry]

Earthquake and Tsunami in Chile.
Tsunami warning as earthquake hits Chile