The totally off-topic thread

[Pushka]

In the right context.

I know. I was thinking that too as I posted. Negative sucked for us sometimes too but at other times was just what we needed to have.

 

[Buzzard]

Some may have noticed a little band-aid on my forehead on the weekend. It was actually the result of a sample of a lump taken for a biopsy.

I am now happy to report that I saw the doctor today and the results have come back negative.

Thanks you to those who asked after the results. I appreciate your concern.

I saw the band-aid but thought it may be intrusive to ask. Glad to hear the good news though.

 

[Bindibuys]

I saw the band-aid but thought it may be intrusive to ask. Glad to hear the good news though.

Ditto.....

 

[medhead]

I saw the band-aid but thought it may be intrusive to ask. Glad to hear the good news though.

Ditto.....

Seems I'm just rude then. About the first thing I asked about...

 

[JohnK]

Negative is a great word.

I have been trying to convince people of that for ages.

 

[Hvr]

Negative is a great word.

There are a lot of positives when you hear it.

 

[anat0l]

Crazy Swiss Franc... just keeps appreciating!

 

[QF WP]

Crazy Swiss Franc... just keeps appreciating!

Crazy to unhinge the peg to the Euro. Still want to read the story behind it. Amazing that a couple of FX Traders have lost $250M+ and one has gone bust.

 

[anat0l]

Crazy to unhinge the peg to the Euro. Still want to read the story behind it. Amazing that a couple of FX Traders have lost $250M+ and one has gone bust.

Works alright for us in the short term... in the long term it's a whole different affair that no one knows the outcome, but the current tabs are either new stability or going through hell.

For those near the borders, it's either been heaven (access to rock bottom shopping across the border) or hell (no one from across the border will come to CH to buy, so instantly ruined).

A handful of currency merchants (banks, post offices, ATMs, etc.) ran very quickly out of Euros the first few days. Some websites which offer purchases in CHF and EUR were quite slow to update their pricing to reflect the removal of the peg, e.g. SNCF (French railways) and even SBB-CFF-FFS (Swiss railways, and they still haven't and won't do until 1 February).

Against the EUR it is now holding at steady parity or just a little lower. Against the other currencies it is also pretty stable at the post-peg-removal final-close rates, but it seems to inch a little higher most of the time.

Damn well wish I had more CHF to expend on other currencies.

 

[RooFlyer]

I saw the band-aid but thought it may be intrusive to ask. Glad to hear the good news though.

Ditto.....

And three

 

[feezable]

Trying to get the Dr to let me go home today. ERCP went well. Now I have to psych myself up for a gallbladder removal op.

 

[Scout]

Here is something I learnt this month on a trip to PNG. I used my Travel Money Card twice to get 400 kina each time. At POM airport, the Bank South Pacific branch charged me $A191.60. Later I used the ANZ ATM in my hotel. I was charged $A202.90. (Both times the access fee was $A3.50). Does this show that a bank branch is always the better choice??

 

[markis10]

Here is something I learnt this month on a trip to PNG. I used my Travel Money Card twice to get 400 kina each time. At POM airport, the Bank South Pacific branch charged me $A191.60. Later I used the ANZ ATM in my hotel. I was charged $A202.90. (Both times the access fee was $A3.50). Does this show that a bank branch is always the better choice??

It does suggest you should be using the Citibank Plus !

 

[cove]

Yes it is little wonder that our Big4 banks can make 6 to 8 billion each after tax each year after tax. Citibank plus debit card works sweetly in most locations so all my friends use it now.

 

[drron]

Crazy to unhinge the peg to the Euro. Still want to read the story behind it. Amazing that a couple of FX Traders have lost $250M+ and one has gone bust.

Well with the Greek election on 25/1 and the ECB signalling they are about to ramp up money printing both suggesting further downside to the Euro the Swiss reckoned it would be just too expensive to retain the peg.

 

[Major]

Yes it is little wonder that our Big4 banks can make 6 to 8 billion each after tax each year after tax. Citibank plus debit card works sweetly in most locations so all my friends use it now.

Thanks for reminding me. I will transfer a few bucks into my Citi Plus for a trip over the ditch next week

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Apparently yesterday was Squirrel Appreciation Day in the UK !!!!!!!!

from the Daily Mail -

 

[JohnM]

Crazy to unhinge the peg to the Euro. Still want to read the story behind it. Amazing that a couple of FX Traders have lost $250M+ and one has gone bust.

I think therein lies a big part of the reason - the big punters were shorting it. Play with fire...

 

[whatmeworry]

I am trying to call the ATO to verify for a digital certificate for our business. Cannot proceed without talking to them. I have rung several times a day - they are extremely busy and cant even record a message for a call back. How do they expect people to do business.

The current government has down sized the ATO and other departments.

 

[blackcat20]

Just picked up my newly repaired car. So excited to be back in a car that gets up to 100 in seconds, not minutes....