The totally off-topic thread

[Bundy Bear]

Not a bad day for everyone.Booked tomorrows flight to PER on Monday.J was showing only 2 seats available.Put in my upgrade request anyway and go to check in this morning and my seat has changed from 40D to 1F.Even a mere PS can get lucky.

Watch out for the heat wave in the west.

 

[Pushka]

That's not a heat wave surely? Anything up to 37 is just, well, summer?

 

[Scout]

I think there is a trolley from the LA bus depot at LAX to Manhattan Beach (check its name) and further on the circuit a shopping mall.

 

[cove]

Are you taking Mrsdrron wind surfing in Geraldton drron?

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron is staying home this time.
But with those temps I might have to take the shorts.

 

[penegal]

Ah yes penegal, your little issue . Improvement in practice.

Little? I assume you are being sarcastic?...

It could be worse, you could have my backyard view this morning:

...

It continues to rain and the thought of by neighbours backyard and house settling into my backyard doesn't bear contemplation.

Oh no

Hopefully you can sure it up soon? Surely the house is on solid foundations, and it's just the retaining wall which has failed?

 

[cove]

Time to shore it up for sure QF WP. Do you think the big wet will stop any time soon?

 

[QF WP]

Well we are into sun and steamy weather outside, plenty of angry clouds but no rain - and nothing showing on BOM website when last viewed. We've had plenty of comments (including me asking the question on ABC Radio this morning and capturing a recording). Seems that there is no easy consensus. Not easy when the above neighbours aren't friendly - I went to advise them of the risks if they ventured too close and they just thanked me and closed the door (okay they do have an indoor cat that would like to get out - but I've seen it in our backyard and walking along the fence on top of the retaining wall).

First builders that can get to us are Tuesday - so have 2 or 3 quotes. Then talking the problem of contribution - so think I need to see the Council By-Laws.

 

[markis10]

Well we are into sun and steamy weather outside, plenty of angry clouds but no rain - and nothing showing on BOM website when last viewed. We've had plenty of comments (including me asking the question on ABC Radio this morning and capturing a recording). Seems that there is no easy consensus. Not easy when the above neighbours aren't friendly - I went to advise them of the risks if they ventured too close and they just thanked me and closed the door (okay they do have an indoor cat that would like to get out - but I've seen it in our backyard and walking along the fence on top of the retaining wall).

First builders that can get to us are Tuesday - so have 2 or 3 quotes. Then talking the problem of contribution - so think I need to see the Council By-Laws.

The retaking wall will need building approval from council, as far as laws go it's a state matter:

https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/N/NeighDisputesDFTA11.pdf

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for the information. Damn, reading it I find Section 11 (2) states:

However, a fence is not—(a) a retaining wall

so it would cover the fence on top of the retaining wall (which had a bow in it because the footing has no support), so will pass onto Mrs QF WP who is unhappily doing research on the topic.

, We have conflicting advice so far from friends, Council and legal advice received on ABC Radio (thankfully taped on iPhone). Let's see where it goes.

 

[Hvr]

This week was definitely one of the worst in my life.

Thankfully I still have a job and my family are safe, so there are some small mercies in this world...

Right outcome but IMHO wrong priority, self, family then job. The first two are irreplaceable.

 

[JohnK]

This week was definitely one of the worst in my life.

Thankfully I still have a job and my family are safe, so there are some small mercies in this world...

Hope things improve for you.

 

[whatmeworry]

Quotes by "Sir" Prince Phillip.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh - Wikiquote

 

[JohnK]

Is it possible to travel too much? I feel wasted....

 

[medhead]

Quotes by "Sir" Prince Phillip.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh - Wikiquote

Should it be prince Sir Phillip? What complete DH decided that knighthood was a good idea? He's already a companion o the order of Australia. Then he has this little selection of knighthoods already:

Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Great now a knight of the order of Australia. Woopty do!

Also what complete DH at Windsor castle agreed to it.

 

[Julesmac]

Should it be prince Sir Phillip? What complete DH decided that knighthood was a good idea? He's already a companion o the order of Australia. Then he has this little selection of knighthoods already:



Great now a knight of the order of Australia. Woopty do!

Also what complete DH at Windsor castle agreed to it.

How insulting to Australians. What the heck was Abbott thinking? Crawling to the monarchy. Why would Prince Phillip give a rats? And Angus Houston is a very nice chap, has given great service to Australia, but again, WTF? Going back to the "good old days" of knighthoods is stupid. Shows we have not come very far down the track of more independence from the Old Country, let alone a Republic. Tony Abbott is a fool if he thinks any ordinary Aussie thinks this is a good idea. I haven't read the newspapers or listened to the radio to see what the reaction is but I'd bet a very high percentage also think this is a very big misstep. Rant over

 

[straitman]

How insulting to Australians. What the heck was Abbott thinking? Crawling to the monarchy. Why would Prince Phillip give a rats? And Angus Houston is a very nice chap, has given great service to Australia, but again, WTF? Going back to the "good old days" of knighthoods is stupid. Shows we have not come very far down the track of more independence from the Old Country, let alone a Republic. Tony Abbott is a fool if he thinks any ordinary Aussie thinks this is a good idea. I haven't read the newspapers or listened to the radio to see what the reaction is but I'd bet a very high percentage also think this is a very big misstep. Rant over

You obviously do not know 'Sir' Angus Houston. I have no problem with you having an opinion but cannot agree with you on this one.

As someone who can honestly call him a personal friend I believe he is one of the few out there who actually earns everything he gets:!:

 

[straitman]

It is a good time to have left Boston. They are expecting over 2 feet of snow in the next few hours and 4 states have already declared states of emergency.

 

[Julesmac]

Sorry I meant absolutely no disrespect to him. I perhaps didn't express myself well - I have no problem at all with his very well deserved recognition. I just don't think that continuing to award imperial honours is appropriate any more, since I thought that was the reasoning behind setting up our Australian Honours.I guess it's another matter when folk are awarded something in the Queen's Birthday list. In 2015 with most people expecting and wanting us to become a Republic I think it's a ridiculously backward step.

 

[medhead]

How insulting to Australians. What the heck was Abbott thinking? Crawling to the monarchy. Why would Prince Phillip give a rats? And Angus Houston is a very nice chap, has given great service to Australia, but again, WTF? Going back to the "good old days" of knighthoods is stupid. Shows we have not come very far down the track of more independence from the Old Country, let alone a Republic. Tony Abbott is a fool if he thinks any ordinary Aussie thinks this is a good idea. I haven't read the newspapers or listened to the radio to see what the reaction is but I'd bet a very high percentage also think this is a very big misstep. Rant over

You obviously do not know 'Sir' Angus Houston. I have no problem with you having an opinion but cannot agree with you on this one.

As someone who can honestly call him a personal friend I believe he is one of the few out there who actually earns everything he gets:!:

In general I don't see the point of knights in a modern Australia. But if they are going to be handed out Angus Houston is as good a candidate as any, based on comments from various sources with close defence ties. (Having said that to a small extent my following comment about just doing his job might be applicable.)

But Prince Phillip? We were told that knighthoods would be about "extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit". The Prince has firmly just done his job. I don't see him as a particularly extraordinary servant of Australia. In fact he is tied up as the ruler of Australia. A companion of the order of Australia is appropriate, IMO, and he got that in 1988.