The totally off-topic thread

[QF WP]

Sounds like something is going right for you JohnK.

Much better than my effort at Oxley a couple of weeks ago - single stableford and I played like a chump. 8 points on front nine, followed by 12 on the back nine. The only saving grace is that I get 2 strokes back onto my handicap. Well it was stinking hot and humid and the winner was only 35 points.


On the par 3 next to the clubhouse (see Google map), I put my first into the lower front bunker. As I'd had trouble playing out of a bunker on a previous hole, I increased my swing thinking I'll splash it out into the middle of the green. Instead, I bladed the ball and watched it sail high to hit the top of the clubhouse roof on the RHS (about 60 metres), narrowly missing the 2 plate glass windows of the bar (thankfully few people had finished their round). BAM!! Then it bounces through the clubhouse carpark (behind a hedge so I didn't see the damage it extracted on some car roofs but I heard it hit two). Ball finishd up almost under the GC sign...nedless to say, I chose not to play out the hole, lest I get accosted by an unhappy car owner.

My only saving grace was the prominent "cars parked at owners risk" sign Apologised to the clubhouse pros and the canteen staff - "don't worry, it happens all the time" - but that didn't make me feel any better.

 

[QF WP]

[h=1]Boston breaks seasonal snowfall record with 108.6inches[/h]And we thought we had it bad with cyclones and the heat. I like parking ticket on the car door.
Boston breaks seasonal snowfall record with 108.6 inches

 

[QF WP]

There are some strange people in the world:
Wealthy eccentric says in HBO finale he 'killed them all'

 

[QF WP]

2 Indonesia planes crash at air show practice; pilots safe

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Two planes from an Indonesian acrobatic air team clipped wings and crashed Sunday during a practice session ahead of an air show in Malaysia, officials said. All four pilots ejected and were safe.

 

[penegal]

QF WP - Thinking of you & family. Good to hear that the outcome is looking promising.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Who is watching Q & A? Joe Hockey just stated he heard from a CC company today that 'tap and go' now comprises 50% of their transactions - how is that for take up?

 

[medhead]

Heard that. I wasn't sure about the relevance to the black economy as credit cards seem to be well documented in terms of transactions, compared to cash.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Was only the 50% usage part that pricked my ears.

 

[medhead]

Was only the 50% usage part that pricked my ears.

That was the only bit I noticed as well. Just also noticed the question was about the black economy.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And what about Joe Hockey and Chris Bowen almost agreeing to taking a bipartisan approach to taxing foreign entities - almost!

 

[medhead]

I was more interested in reforming the tax system. Terribly wasteful money churning happening at the moment.

I couldn't believe the old fella who said someone could have $12 million tax free in super and get a $250000 refund from the ATO. I think he must have been talking about dividend imputation. In which case that is the tax free bit; they aren't getting tax free super and a cash top up from government.

 

[tuapekastar]

A question for any of the AFF medical fraternity that may browse this thread (I guess google might help, but it is nicer hearing it from a person).

When a person unfortunately sustains severe and life-threatening injuries the news reports almost invariably state that they are 'fighting for their life' in hospital. Any actual truth to that statement? When such an injury(ies) is sustained does something within the body recognise it, go '****, we have a problem here' and go into some form of overdrive to try and keep things going? Are resources diverted to where they are most required? Or is it just business as usual and if someone pulls through well and good.

 

[Austman]

Who is watching Q & A? Joe Hovkey just stated he heard from a CC company today that 'tap and go' now comprises 50% of their transactions - how is that for take up?

Noted this too. I suppose that with the taking away of signatures we are left with PINs or "tap and go". Or no credit card. But for many transactions now I don't seem to even get a choice - it just says "approved". So no wonder "tap and go" has been so up-taken. They don't even ask!

I suppose too it's a bit like mobile phones. Really, mobile phone service is absolute rubbish. But we embrace mobile phones and are prepared to put up with all their service and other issues because they give us so much that we like or even love in return. It seems we might now love "tap and go" too...

 

[tuapekastar]

Noted this too. I suppose that with the taking away of signatures we are left with PINs or "tap and go". Or no credit card. But for many transactions now I don't seem to even get a choice - it just says "approved". So no wonder "tap and go" has been so up-taken. They don't even ask!

I suppose too it's a bit like mobile phones. Really, mobile phone service is absolute rubbish. But we embrace mobile phones and are prepared to put up with all their service and other issues because they give us so much that we like or even love in return. It seems we might now love "tap and go" too...

Some of us still sign!

 

[Princess Fiona]

A question for any of the AFF medical fraternity that may browse this thread (I guess google might help, but it is nicer hearing it from a person).

When a person unfortunately sustains severe and life-threatening injuries the news reports almost invariably state that they are 'fighting for their life' in hospital. Any actual truth to that statement? When such an injury(ies) is sustained does something within the body recognise it, go '****, we have a problem here' and go into some form of overdrive to try and keep things going? Are resources diverted to where they are most required? Or is it just business as usual and if someone pulls through well and good.

Yes and no. The term has no medical meaning whatsoever but physiologically the body is set up in such a way that it will try to deliver oxygen to the vital organs at the expense of other tissues in the event of shock - medical definition not the one you read in the news.

 

[QF WP]

I was more interested in reforming the tax system. Terribly wasteful money churning happening at the moment.

I couldn't believe the old fella who said someone could have $12 million tax free in super and get a $250000 refund from the ATO. I think he must have been talking about dividend imputation. In which case that is the tax free bit; they aren't getting tax free super and a cash top up from government.

He could be right. Super & retirement income streams (account based pensions and annuities) are tax free after age 60, for income or lump sum withdrawals.

What I think is crazy is the ability to access the Commonwealth Senior Health Card. The maximum thresholds are easy to stay under ($51,700 for single person and $82,400 for married couple). But this is adjusted taxable income. Retirement income steams purchased prior to 31/12/14 are excluded.

I have some clients who lodge the abridged tax return for refund of franking credits as they have insufficient taxable income to lodge a normal tax return. They love the system

 

[Major]

He could be right. Super & retirement income streams (account based pensions and annuities) are tax free after age 60, for income or lump sum withdrawals.

What I think is crazy is the ability to access the Commonwealth Senior Health Card. The maximum thresholds are easy to stay under ($51,700 for single person and $82,400 for married couple). But this is adjusted taxable income. Retirement income steams purchased prior to 31/12/14 are excluded.

I have some clients who lodge the abridged tax return for refund of franking credits as they have insufficient taxable income to lodge a normal tax return. They love the system

Great system...no changes thank you

 

[Austman]

Some of us still sign!

Haha. I've had to sign in many places in Asia. Right above the "NO SIGNATURE REQUIRED" statement on the receipt.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Haha. I've had to sign in many places in Asia. Right above the "NO SIGNATURE REQUIRED" statement on the receipt.

Hey what about China - they ask do you have a 'Password' - YES - you then input it - then they print out and get you to sign! That is Chinese for 3 X double confirm!

 

[straitman]

Hey what about China - they ask do you have a 'Password' - YES - you then input it - then they print out and get you to sign! That is Chinese for 3 X double confirm!

China and every country I've been to in South America recently.