The totally off-topic thread

[Cruiser Elite]

I am sure you will be fine JohnK - only the good die young .

But in all seriousness John - I am sure I speak for all here at AFF and we all have our fingers crossed for you - I am sure you will be back here entertaining us all in no time.

 

[anat0l]

Is there anything on in Sydney between (or including) 9 - 11 August, or that weekend?

It's Ekka time in Brisbane, which explains why our hotel prices are high. But I can't get Sydney's, especially since it seemed to just suddenly skyrocket over the weekend.

 

[medhead]

Thats what I'm finding interesting, and slightly confusing. I don't care that he's gay, or not. yet somehow my not caring is now considered as bad? I thought thats what we were trying to shift to.

I don't think it's considered bad for not caring. More some of the open public expressions of not caring that have been extremely poor taste. While certain sections of the community see gayety (yes I'm bad for writing that) as bad, young people struggling with their feelings need positive role models.

It usually sticks in my craw to not state ones' thoughts just to keep up appearances, but entirely justified in this case.

 

[RB]

Is there anything on in Sydney between (or including) 9 - 11 August, or that weekend?

It's Ekka time in Brisbane, which explains why our hotel prices are high. But I can't get Sydney's, especially since it seemed to just suddenly skyrocket over the weekend.

Maybe the City to Surf run

 

[moa999]

Along with city2surf, a-league all stars v juventus on the 10th as well

 

[Buzzard]

I had a good chat to my doctor yesterday and we discussed the results. Just about everything was fine (liver, cholesterol and the like) with one reading slightly positive. That is there are traces of something where there should be nothing. He was not worried, based on my general health. But the most reassuring thing he said was when I asked him when I should be retested - "Oh, next year" he replied.

Thanks for all the kind thoughts, everyone. See you next year!

Happy to be able to share your good news Jess.

 

[Buzzard]

I wasn't ridiculing your opinion. A series of posts ridiculed me and made fun of me picking up 5 cents. I fixed the post you quoted.

My stupidity for posting to give people a laugh at my expense.

Going to hospital in a few minutes. If I have bad news I'll post about it so you can have a good laugh.

Hope all goes /went well for you JohnK.

 

[JohnK]

Hope all goes /went well for you JohnK.

Thanks. Blood tests are fine. Still more tests to go.

 

[markis10]

Is there anything on in Sydney between (or including) 9 - 11 August, or that weekend?

It's Ekka time in Brisbane, which explains why our hotel prices are high. But I can't get Sydney's, especially since it seemed to just suddenly skyrocket over the weekend.

The city to surf is on, I can get you the Cp at Coogee for $149 a night.

 

[drron]

Is there anything on in Sydney between (or including) 9 - 11 August, or that weekend?

It's Ekka time in Brisbane, which explains why our hotel prices are high. But I can't get Sydney's, especially since it seemed to just suddenly skyrocket over the weekend.

Basically a shortage of hotel rooms in Sydney.
I am staying in October.We plan ahead and booked this 11 months out.
SPG had a sale ending today I think.50% off.On the weekend I checked to see if I could get a better price-the prices were 50% more than what I have locked in.Fiji though was 45% cheaper than my reservation.Only the nights count for loyalty not price so a very easy decision.

 

[markis10]

Basically a shortage of hotel rooms in Sydney.

When something is on yes rates go up but there is hardly a shortage, RevPAR for many hotels is down to sub $100 a night during the week and occupancy sub 60%, a long way from 80+% many of the "analysts" are predicting in a year or so.

 

[drron]

More OT than OT but has anyone tried BA J on their 787 or US J on their 332.Looking at the suitability for a couple.
BA have their backwards and forwards arrangement whilst the US centre pair seem to face away from each other.
Looking for next years DONE4 with a choice of US PHL-FRA or BA PHL-LHR-AMS.AMS is the preferred destination but not by a lot.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I had a weird day in the west today, a big storm front came through about 5am and cut power to parts of the southern suburbs of Perth including where I work.
So after 30 minutes and power poles lying on the ground it looked like power wouldn't be restored any time soon we all got to go home for the day, I think the power came back on when the emails started flowing in around 11:30am.

I'm in two minds about this one.

Yes, great that he's now comfortable acknowledging what was something that shouldn't matter and many/most suspected anyway....

...but there's a couple of problems with his admission: in one piece today, it's suggested the motivation to deny for all these years was actually financial; which looks a lot less "good on yer Thorpie" than telling us it was because he "wasn't sure Australia was ready for a gay champion athlete".

The other thing that struck me was there are a lot more people struggling with depression out in the big bad world - wouldn't it have been great if the headlines were focussed about that, rather than his sexuality?

I guess the reality is that unless one of us is a 16 year old Olympic gold medalist, discovering our sexuality, and managing fame and future fortune, we really have no idea what walking a mile in the blokes shoes was like.

With my day off I watched the replay on the segment on ten.com.au, the interview with Michael Parkinson.

It was good that Ian Thorpe was able to admit what a lot of people had thought already, although he chose his words careful, by saying "I am not straight"

A couple of points he made is that he didn't want to share his problems with other people including the depression, but also he made another comment in that he didn't want to cause any problems to those people around him by telling everyone he was gay. He didn't want young people to feel the same way he did.

Now we just need the politicians to change their minds including one Tony Abbott.

Thanks. Blood tests are fine. Still more tests to go.

Good that the first set of tests have gone smoothly, I hope the results and following tests are just as good outcome.

 

[Hvr]

<snip>
It was good that Ian Thorpe was able to admit what a lot of people had thought already, although he chose his words careful, by saying "I am not straight"

A couple of points he made is that he didn't want to share his problems with other people including the depression, but also he made another comment in that he didn't want to cause any problems to those people around him by telling everyone he was gay. He didn't want young people to feel the same way he did.

Now we just need the politicians to change their minds including one Tony Abbott.

One of the things about Ian 'coming out' is that we only ask people who are not 'straight' to proclaim their sexuality. The assumption that people are heterosexual until they proclaim otherwise part of the issue. Even the term 'straight' subtly implies that if you're not, then you're different from normal society when you are in fact just another person, probably just as boring and normal as everybody else is in the big picture of the world..

That we judge people by their sexuality rather than their actions in contributing to a better society is IMHO the wrong way to judge people.

 

[medhead]

Woohoo! 2 cat 1 mountains tonight!

Blerg - I can't delete comments via the phone

No it's a pain. I generally edit and put in to be deleted. The next trick is to remember to delete it when back on a computer. Sometimes the mods delete it, before I get back.

 

[anat0l]

More OT than OT but has anyone tried BA J on their 787 or US J on their 332.Looking at the suitability for a couple.
BA have their backwards and forwards arrangement whilst the US centre pair seem to face away from each other.
Looking for next years DONE4 with a choice of US PHL-FRA or BA PHL-LHR-AMS.AMS is the preferred destination but not by a lot.

I haven't tried the new US 332 J but it would be very similar to the new "reverse herringbone" configuration and seat e.g. CX J and some other carriers now.

BA is the well-known Club World. If you take the latest flight of the night, it should be a Sleeper Service route, which means dinner in the lounge, brief night cap on board and breakfast. Normally I'd probably go for BA, although it's tough to find two seats together from the seat plan where you can converse with each other whilst not having to hop over or be hopped over by a stranger. If one of you doesn't often have to get up to use the bathroom and just wants to sleep throughout the flight, I'd be tempted to go BA. The stop in LHR - always feared - will at least give you a chance to freshen up in the mean time with a decent shower and breakfast.

US you might not easily talk to each other (especially in a quiet cabin set for sleeping), but you will both have unobstructed access to get out during the flight. I probably wouldn't give US a huge tick for food going by some of the reviews on FT, but then I guess this is low on the key list for your decision. US does have the advantage of a more "direct" schedule to where you need to get to; the very early arrival in FRA gives you more scope e.g. for the long distance trains.

 

[serfty]

Woohoo! 2 cat 1 mountains tonight!
...

Huh? is that like twin peaks?

 

[medhead]

Huh? is that like twin peaks?

Sort of.... It was actually 7 peaks, I only looked at the very start before posting. The riders have certainly earned their rest day, as have I after a 2am finish. Nibali was outstanding in winning the stage and claiming back the Yellow. I wonder if we'll be hearing about another Armstrong situation in 15 years. Porte will have to work hard against that form to make up his 2 minute deficit. The best news Contador is out, I can't understand how Armstrong gets striped of every title but that past drug user is allowed to keep racing.

View attachment 31882

 

[markis10]

If your in IT and want to hear RdC talk about "that" incident at a Sydney or Melbourne event

IMAGINE 2014 | Westcon Group | Event

 

[JessicaTam]

If your in IT and want to hear RdC talk about "that" incident at a Sydney or Melbourne event

IMAGINE 2014 | Westcon Group | Event

Note that RdC is only speaking at the Sydney event.