The totally off-topic thread

[MEL_Traveller]

Ah yes, there's an interesting tack, too. Not sure which thread it was discussed, and I think the response was actually mixed (one had a claim refused, the other seemed OK).

If you're paying for a redemption ticket with points and the cash component is paid with the applicable credit card with travel insurance, does it still qualify for that travel insurance? (Travel covered by your card's insurance usually requires that it is paid using that card)

there is another thread but essentially it all depends on the card.

anz is a flat $250 of ANY prepaid travel. could be taxes, could be a hotel.

other cards require the total airfare or a proportion of the airfare only in order for you to be covered. some make allowances for award travel, and some don't.

either way.. travel insurance is pretty much compulsory for the states... even it's just a basic 'medical only' and you absorb the additional items such as delay yourself.

i don't believe there is any travel insurance that will cover missed connections (in terms of flying you home on another carrier) UNLESS you fall within the strictly defined category of 'an event that can't take place without you' (which is usually defined as attending a funeral, your own wedding, or being a key note speaker at a conference that cannot proceed without you being there)

 

[whatmeworry]

When you need to defraud the 1st home owners grant, who ya gonna call? Max Power!
Homer owner fraud lands former lawyer in jail

 

[anat0l]

When you need to defraud the 1st home owners grant, who ya gonna call? Max Power!
Homer owner fraud lands former lawyer in jail

I love how the judge reportedly stated, "The degree of planning and calculation involved in this repeated conduct demonstrates significant culpability," and yet the b****** only gets five years jail (and customarily being struck off the legal list).

That's likely why white collar crime is the hot thing these days - the penalties are so inconsequential compared to assault, armed robbery, kidnapping etc.

 

[drron]

Ah yes, there's an interesting tack, too. Not sure which thread it was discussed, and I think the response was actually mixed (one had a claim refused, the other seemed OK).

If you're paying for a redemption ticket with points and the cash component is paid with the applicable credit card with travel insurance, does it still qualify for that travel insurance? (Travel covered by your card's insurance usually requires that it is paid using that card)

Well I paid my Aawards coming up with my amex-a whole $US2.49 so I am obviously covered!It was each way NRT-DFW and in F of course.

 

[whatmeworry]

I love how the judge reportedly stated, "The degree of planning and calculation involved in this repeated conduct demonstrates significant culpability," and yet the b****** only gets five years jail (and customarily being struck off the legal list).

That's likely why white collar crime is the hot thing these days - the penalties are so inconsequential compared to assault, armed robbery, kidnapping etc.

In jail, the criminals that stole hundreds of thousands from banks, companies etc from what I heard are the most popular criminals not the ones that assault people for a couple hundred dollars. Plus white collar crime attracts less time then physical assaults.

The criminals rationale is why do hard time for little gain, when you can defraud nameless corporations for high gain and if caught relatively easy time.

 

[Ewing]

Personally I wish you people that hate Sydney with a passion would be more vocal about it and see if you can recruit some of the pretenders living in Sydney to move out.

Fine by me.

I personally love living here. But then again I can afford to live basically in the city with a view of the harbour from my apartment.

If I had to live out west again (I grew up out west) - no way. There is simply no comparing the difference in quality of life.

 

[JohnK]

Yes it does, I want to be every ones friend, so being popular is important to me.

I used to care as well but it gets harder to please everyone these days.

e.g I think the main reason I am not well liked at work is because I can afford to take ~10 weeks leave a year and I am "that person that goes to Sydney every week". Jealousy?

 

[Buzzard]

Fine by me.

I personally love living here. But then again I can afford to live basically in the city with a view of the harbour from my apartment.

If I had to live out west again (I grew up out west) - no way. There is simply no comparing the difference in quality of life.

I started off in the South Western suburbs as it was where I could afford to get into the property market. Glad I got out but could live there again if I had to.
IMHO too many people complain they can't afford a house but aren't prepared to start in the less expensive areas of Sydney.
Unfortunately I have met too many area snobs in Sydney and some in Adelaide as well. I don't really care where somebody lives - you are either a nice person or you're not.
So often affluent people turn out to be effluent people.

 

[whatmeworry]

I used to care as well but it gets harder to please everyone these days.

e.g I think the main reason I am not well liked at work is because I can afford to take ~10 weeks leave a year and I am "that person that goes to Sydney every week". Jealousy?

That is a loaded question JohnK.

 

[Ewing]

I started off in the South Western suburbs as it was where I could afford to get into the property market. Glad I got out but could live there again if I had to.
IMHO too many people complain they can't afford a house but aren't prepared to start in the less expensive areas of Sydney.
Unfortunately I have met too many area snobs in Sydney and some in Adelaide as well. I don't really care where somebody lives - you are either a nice person or you're not.
So often affluent people turn out to be effluent people.

Oh I agree with you 100%

I purchased my first place when I was 22 (I'm now 29). It was pretty modest, but I purchased within my means. I even kept the original 70s kitchen until I could afford to renovate. I really don't understand the people that mortgage themselves to the hilt - large house, SUV and boat - and then cry poor.

No handouts from my family here (they're not well off).

I'm renting now (I sold my property a few months back) but that's a deliberate move.

 

[Simo]

Oh I agree with you 100%

I purchased my first place when I was 22 (I'm now 29). It was pretty modest, but I purchased within my means. I even kept the original 70s kitchen until I could afford to renovate. I really don't understand the people that mortgage themselves to the hilt - large house, SUV and boat - and then cry poor.

No handouts from my family here (they're not well off).

I'm renting now (I sold my property a few months back) but that's a deliberate move.

Yep i agree with you,

A lot of them are Asset Rich(Debt Laden) but cash poor

 

[tuapekastar]

I love how the judge reportedly stated, "The degree of planning and calculation involved in this repeated conduct demonstrates significant culpability," and yet the b****** only gets five years jail (and customarily being struck off the legal list).

That's likely why white collar crime is the hot thing these days - the penalties are so inconsequential compared to assault, armed robbery, kidnapping etc.

Gotta say I think quite the opposite, and it's been a bugbear of mine for years.

Work for say, a Big 4 bank, and embezzle 1 million dollars over a 5 year period and you'll likely cop 4 years jail. Beat some random stranger senseless in an unprovoked street attack, weeks recovering, permanent physical and mental scarring, and you might cop 12 months good behaviour bond and 100 hours community service.

All right that's an extreme example, and I'm not saying financial crimes necessarily get punished too harshly, but IMHO, there is a dreadful disparity between the punishments for financial crimes and those against the person (physically). And I reckon that it is because people responsible for the legislation (politicians, senior public servants, even the judiciary who impose the penalties) are far more likely to move in circles where they fall victim to financial crimes rather then physical ones, and the legislation is drafted and the sentences imposed with that in mind. And that is acknowledging that financial deception can be planned and ongoing whereas physical crime against the person is often unplanned.

If I had to choose between someone, with suitable planning, stealing/embezzling say $200,000 from me, or being beaten in the street and left with brain damage, I know what my pick would be. You can rebuild a financial base.

 

[Pushka]

Lonely Planet just killed its reputation by naming Adelaide in the top ten cities to visit. Along with Paris and Shanghai etc. and no Sydney nor Melbourne. I live here but that is simply wrong.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Lonely Planet just killed its reputation by naming Adelaide in the top ten cities to visit. Along with Paris and Shanghai etc. and no Sydney nor Melbourne. I live here but that is simply wrong.

I think LP/Tripadvisor etc just run out of places to name on their ' lists ' :shock:

 

[JohnK]

Probably time to find a buddy who can crack open the laptops, has an external HDD caddy and hook up those up to a system so you can recover some files.

Borrowed a USB to IDE and SATA Hard drive adaptor from work, took out old HDD and connected to Windows 7 machine. In the process of copying files now and it would appear most files are intact.

Happy man!

 

[Shelf]

Lonely Planet just killed its reputation by naming Adelaide in the top ten cities to visit. Along with Paris and Shanghai etc. and no Sydney nor Melbourne. I live here but that is simply wrong.

I've never understood the hype about Sydney.

 

[Buzzard]

I've never understood the hype about Sydney.

The hype about Sydney is....... hype!

 

[Pushka]

I wouldn't want to live in Sydney, although my son does, but as a tourist spectacle, well, the Harbour is truly memorable.

I see last year they nominated Hobart in the top ten so they are simply cycling around Australia.

 

[markis10]

Stick Sydney Harbour in Melbourne, import the food and wine culture from Adelaide mixed with Brisbanes weather, add a dash of Perths beaches and seafood and I reckon you have just about the perfect city.

 

[medhead]

There is a vast difference between visiting somewhere and living there.