The totally off-topic thread

[Shelf]

Cannot believe how long ago that was!

I recall a benefit concert for Marc, which I recorded on audio cassette!

 

[JohnK]

Christmas is the king of commercially contrived days .. so scratch that one! :shock:

Not such a great idea for those that actually believe in Christmas for Christmas and not commercialisation.

 

[Julesmac]

Yes the nub of the issue is the commercialisation of what were celebrations for a completely different reason. Just look at Christmas and Coca-Cola (& now all retailers), a Saints day turned into lover's lane for commercial gain etc.However, what others do with celebrations should not detract from whether you celebrate a particular day, or if you do celebrate the day, doing it in any way you wish.

...and on that note - spotted last Monday (yep, still AUGUST for heaven's sake) Reject Shop has put out its Christmas cards, wrap and some shortbreads. Hmm hmm they'll sure be yummy by December 25.

 

[QF WP]

You got kids?

No, but he and Mrs FB are working on it

 

[mono88]

...and on that note - spotted last Monday (yep, still AUGUST for heaven's sake) Reject Shop has put out its Christmas cards, wrap and some shortbreads. Hmm hmm they'll sure be yummy by December 25.

So that explains why I always have stale shortbread presents for Christmas!!
....and have a Halloween to get through first, an increasingly popular celebration in Australia

 

[Pushka]

No, but he and Mrs FB are working on it

Indeed. And having kids changes everything. How does that happen? This tiny scrap of humanity can make two adults wilt from the insane combination of joy, awe and a whole lot of sleepless nights.

 

[blackcat20]

...and on that note - spotted last Monday (yep, still AUGUST for heaven's sake) Reject Shop has put out its Christmas cards, wrap and some shortbreads. Hmm hmm they'll sure be yummy by December 25.

David Jones has had it's Christmas department set up for a few weeks already, target has some decorations, and woollies has mince pies...

 

[erkpod]

Next year, we must be due for The Black Sorrows, Farnsy, The Angels, Angry Anderson, Colin Hay, all the X Factor winners. Hey, I loved them all back then, and still sing along, but really....

Love Dragon too.

Dave Evans of AC/DC fame is still rocking it after all these years!

 

[markis10]

Dave Evans of AC/DC fame is still rocking it after all these years!

Bound to show up in a supermarket ad soon no doubt!

 

[jukebox333]

...and on that note - spotted last Monday (yep, still AUGUST for heaven's sake) Reject Shop has put out its Christmas cards, wrap and some shortbreads. Hmm hmm they'll sure be yummy by December 25.

Possibly runs outs from Christmas in July stock?

 

[erkpod]

Bound to show up in a supermarket ad soon no doubt!

He's just come back from a tour of Europe & the UK whereas the Down Down guys have probably just come back from a tour of supermarkets in country Victoria.

 

[JohnK]

It would appear the iPhone 4 is free on the Virgin Mobile $40 plan for 24 months. Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 require extra payment which I am not prepared to pay. Must have run out of S2 which I saw a few months ago.


Currently on a $30 plan which is identical to new $40 plan.

 

[SeatBackForward]

It would appear the iPhone 4 is free on the Virgin Mobile $40 plan for 24 months. Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 require extra payment which I am not prepared to pay. Must have run out of S2 which I saw a few months ago.


Currently on a $30 plan which is identical to new $40 plan.

There's no such thing as a "free" phone.

I always buy a phone outright, then buy a contract-less sim-only plan that suits the amount of calls/messages/data I need. Over the life of the contract say 12 or 24months, I'm always much better off than if I was locked in to a plan with a phone.

 

[Major]

There's no such thing as a "free" phone.

I always buy a phone outright, then buy a contract-less sim-only plan that suits the amount of calls/messages/data I need. Over the life of the contract say 12 or 24months, I'm always much better off than if I was locked in to a plan with a phone.

I totally agree...that's exactly what I do

 

[equus]

There's no such thing as a "free" phone.

I'm always much better off than if I was locked in to a plan with a phone.

Whilst nothing is free, it is horses for courses. If it is for business use, there ate advantages to not paying up front for the phone. Not only are there immediate cash flow advantages (no initial purchase) but the monthly phone plan payments are tax deductible when incurred, whereas the handset if purchased outright has to be treated as an asset, and potentially depreciated over time. It can end up with much less paperwork, an financially better as well to take the "free" phone.

 

[anat0l]

There's no such thing as a "free" phone.

I always buy a phone outright, then buy a contract-less sim-only plan that suits the amount of calls/messages/data I need. Over the life of the contract say 12 or 24months, I'm always much better off than if I was locked in to a plan with a phone.

You have to weigh up your options either way.

The Samsung S3 I have was purchased on a 24 month plan, which also included co-pay as well as the plan value. I could've bought it outright and then went to a BYO phone plan (or even prepaid), but when I did the math it was either about the same or more expensive not to just take the plan. The other advantage of the plan was that I got the phone now, rather than having to wait about 4-6 weeks for backorder fill and shipping.

Of course, some people are happy to roll with those punches or value otherwise, but it's just a demonstration of the need to generally just weigh up your options, and taking a plan with a "free" phone (so to speak, yes it is not really free) is not a bad option all of the time.

 

[straitman]

Same ol' same ol' entertainment announced for the AFL grand final. Can mow the grass right up to the first bounce without worrying about missing anything and the snags won't burn at half time!

Seriously AFL....

robd,

A lot of people do like the extra entertainment. What would you choose as an alternate to what they have picked :?:

 

[robd]

robd,

A lot of people do like the extra entertainment. What would you choose as an alternate to what they have picked :?:

Not saying to get rid of the entertainment, but this year, it seems to be a re-hash of old. I actually liked the idea of Meatloaf, and was looking forward to it, but was very disappointed with the "performance". I also enjoyed Lionel Ritchie.

There's a few o/s artists round at finals time - Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Fleetwood Mac. What not take advantage of the situation?

The AFL are trying to get international recognition and advertising sponsors etc. and whilst "Up There Cazaly" is somewhat iconic to those of us old enough to remember when it was first released back in 1979 for the VFL, IMO, its had its day.

I guess for me, it's just a case of "been there, done that" and would prefer to see something new.

 

[Julesmac]

Not saying to get rid of the entertainment, but this year, it seems to be a re-hash of old. I actually liked the idea of Meatloaf, and was looking forward to it, but was very disappointed with the "performance". I also enjoyed Lionel Ritchie.

There's a few o/s artists round at finals time - Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Fleetwood Mac. What not take advantage of the situation?

The AFL are trying to get international recognition and advertising sponsors etc. and whilst "Up There Cazaly" is somewhat iconic to those of us old enough to remember when it was first released back in 1979 for the VFL, IMO, its had its day.

I guess for me, it's just a case of "been there, done that" and would prefer to see something new.

I LOVE the tried and true, "Cazaly" and "Holy Grail" are kind of iconic, like the roar before the national anthem finishes. I think the atmospherics of the MCG mean anything else but a belter of a song gets lost. I don't really see how an overseas artist trundled out to sing kind of fits the occasion. But I barrack for Collingwood, what would I know

 

[robd]

I LOVE the tried and true, "Cazaly" and "Holy Grail" are kind of iconic, like the roar before the national anthem finishes. I think the atmospherics of the MCG mean anything else but a belter of a song gets lost. I don't really see how an overseas artist trundled out to sing kind of fits the occasion. But I barrack for Collingwood, what would I know

I can't believe you admitted that

Well bringing out Barnsey to sing "Working Class Man" isn't really relevant anymore either. Very hard for the weekly outer supporters to score a ticket to the GF, let alone afford it. Thanks AFL.

Doesn't have to be an o/s artist.