The totally off-topic thread

[drron]

I realised very early in life that punting was for the mugs.I was the school bookie for the Melbourne cup in 1961 and 1962.really cleaned up when Even stevens won in 1962.although virtually odds on favourite and our book had it at 6 to 1 we cleaned up 100 pounds each-I had a partner.Big money for a schoolboy in those days.
I did punt occasionally until 1968 when I put a fair bit on the favourite cabochon.but later looking at my ticket I had bet on number 3 instead of number 2 Cabochon.Number 3 was a hundred to one horse called Unpainted.it blitzed the field in the straight even though cabochon had several lengths lead at the turn.
Since then only bet on sure things.A couple of sources who really did know who was going to win.

 

[JohnK]

Since then only bet on sure things.A couple of sources who really did know who was going to win.

I know someone who gets good mail on horses likely to win some races. Puts a fair amount of money on them. Pretty much funds his trips to Thailand. He doesn't pass on that information.

 

[whatmeworry]

So a submarine has just gone up the yarra.

 

[docjames]

Where's that graphic from?

So a submarine has just up the yarra.

View attachment 82912

 

[drron]

No the Russians are coming!:shock:

 

[Quickstatus]

The navigator is on a long weekend

 

[PLANT]

Late mail..... Kiwi horse to win the cup! Wet track. $126 good odds Heard it hear first!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Late mail..... Kiwi horse to win the cup! Wet track. $126 good odds Heard it hear first!

Slight problem with that theory bucko is that the track rating will be way better than anything resembling a 'Wet Track' - currently rated 'Good 3' and will only get better - Flemington Track Report 31/10/2016.

 

[whatmeworry]

Where's that graphic from?

MarineTraffic: Global Ship Tracking made easy | AIS Marine Traffic

 

[PLANT]

Um the Melbourne weather gods that I have connections too.... Say different..... Snow on great ocean road.... Hail rain on race day..... Even the television weather analysts are jumping on board so must be on the money :/

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The all important forecast for Cup Day courtesy BOM:



May the punting Gods look favourably upon all AFFers.

 

[Flashback]

I think it is okay if people take TOIL or annual leave on the Monday so they can plan a long weekend.

Taking a sick day without actually being sick is poor form.

Sick leave is an important workplace entitlement but should only be used when you are actually "sick". The definition of sick can be quite broad (e.g. include mental health), but laziness is not a reason valid illness.

Sick day? What's that? No such thing in the freelancer world can't remember the last time I took a day off that wasn't planned leave...

 

[RooFlyer]

Laptop is in the repair shop, needing a new fan which I heard go crunch the weekend before last.

Delivered to the Toshiba dealer in Launceston on Monday arvo last week for a Tuesday am start (booked in as urgent); diagnosed problem (which I told them) Tuesday late afternoon. Part was ordered last Wednesday morning. The supplier has sent it (or the repair people requested it) from Sydney to Launceston via snail mail. By Friday it had reached Melbourne, and this morning it was ... still there (no postal movements over the weekend apparently). It might get to Launceston in the next few days, then the job has to be completed etc. So maybe I'll get it back on Friday; nearly two weeks, due to the mono-neural cretins who decided that an urgent, business laptop repair should rely on Australia Post's snail mail service. Honestly, how do you run a business like that? :evil:

I'm working off my backup laptop, with back-up files, but printing is a problem, I can't access my Synology cloud station and its a massive PITA!

 

[JohnK]

Anyone know where to get smaller Avocados than the ones on sale at Woolworths/Coles/grocers?

Woolworths had the odd bunch once where I got 7 small avocados and Harris Farm had the imperfect avocados on sale cheap.

They last a long time in fridge (last purchased August sometime) but once cut don't last too long. I only use small quantity of avocado on small dinner roll in the mornings.

 

[anat0l]

Laptop is in the repair shop, needing a new fan which I heard go crunch the weekend before last.

Delivered to the Toshiba dealer in Launceston on Monday arvo last week for a Tuesday am start (booked in as urgent); diagnosed problem (which I told them) Tuesday late afternoon. Part was ordered last Wednesday morning. The supplier has sent it (or the repair people requested it) from Sydney to Launceston via snail mail. By Friday it had reached Melbourne, and this morning it was ... still there (no postal movements over the weekend apparently). It might get to Launceston in the next few days, then the job has to be completed etc. So maybe I'll get it back on Friday; nearly two weeks, due to the mono-neural cretins who decided that an urgent, business laptop repair should rely on Australia Post's snail mail service. Honestly, how do you run a business like that? :evil:

I'm working off my backup laptop, with back-up files, but printing is a problem, I can't access my Synology cloud station and its a massive PITA!

Depends on the supplier of the part. They may not offer Express postage service, and use the regular mail only. It doesn't matter if the person requesting it pays for the extra service; they just won't do it.

And yes, nothing moves mail-wise on the weekend, and the way Australia Post is going, I don't see that improving until someone invents matter teleportation.

Did you request "urgent" as a service that is offered by the business, e.g. do they offer a "rush" service, perhaps you paying a premium for it? If they have specific guidelines as to what constitutes a "rush" service (e.g. guaranteed number of days) then you may have a case against them. In other cases, e.g. a laptop business in Brisbane I knew of, the "priority" service didn't necessarily speed up the processing time, but it simply brought your repair to the front of the queue.

I'm not keen on booking in my laptop for repair for these reasons, viz. I'm pretty much disabled without it (as sad as that sounds), and I know I have to budget between 2-4 weeks each time that happens.

 

[Quickstatus]

Anyone know where to get smaller Avocados than the ones on sale at Woolworths/Coles/grocers?

Woolworths had the odd bunch once where I got 7 small avocados and Harris Farm had the imperfect avocados on sale cheap.

They last a long time in fridge (last purchased August sometime) but once cut don't last too long. I only use small quantity of avocado on small dinner roll in the mornings.

I only use Harris Farm. Stopped using Wollies and Coles for fruit and veggies back in 2008. HF usually have 2 sizes and are very often nice and green

 

[whatmeworry]

Anyone know where to get smaller Avocados than the ones on sale at Woolworths/Coles/grocers?

Woolworths had the odd bunch once where I got 7 small avocados and Harris Farm had the imperfect avocados on sale cheap.

They last a long time in fridge (last purchased August sometime) but once cut don't last too long. I only use small quantity of avocado on small dinner roll in the mornings.

Probably have to try the smaller grocers in smaller shopping centres. Maybe try the AMEX small app.

 

[Quickstatus]

2-4 weeks for laptop repair?. Not good.

Mine is a Mac.
Last year I had a 2013 Mac which needed a new peripherals port. Took it in to Apple Store. As it was older than 1 year I fully expected that it was out of warranty. The agent put the Mac through a test. Yep - peripherals port not working. He then said that although more than 1 year old, I had effectively 2 years because of NSW consumer law -"fit for purpose etc...". Will need associated logic board replaced.

So booked it in that afternoon. Handed it over. Told possibly 3 days. Part had to come from another store. I enquired if the MacBook gets sent elsewhere. No - it is fixed in store.

Got a call next day in the morning! to say laptop fixed. Also they replaced the screen because there was larger than normal number of dead pixels. Not that I noticed. All done and back in my hands less than 24 hours after handing it over and all with extended implied warranty.

Impressive

Another time I ordered Skis from the East Coast of the USA to be delivered to Jindabyne NSW 2627 - so not a capital city and a town 6 hours drive from Sydney. Arrived at the address in 4 calendar days.

And another time bought a Sony universal Bluray player from Louisville Kentucky USA via Amazon. Order finalised at 9pm. It arrived at my ski resort front desk which is 2 hours west of Denver Colorado up a windy mountain road at 11 am next day. Standard free UPS delivery option.


Yes we are way behind the 8 ball here in OZ

 

[RooFlyer]

Depends on the supplier of the part. They may not offer Express postage service, and use the regular mail only. It doesn't matter if the person requesting it pays for the extra service; they just won't do it.
<snip>.

For computer parts (Toshiba, in my case)? Are you serious?

<snip>

Did you request "urgent" as a service that is offered by the business, e.g. do they offer a "rush" service, perhaps you paying a premium for it? If they have specific guidelines as to what constitutes a "rush" service (e.g. guaranteed number of days) then you may have a case against them. In other cases, e.g. a laptop business in Brisbane I knew of, the "priority" service didn't necessarily speed up the processing time, but it simply brought your repair to the front of the queue.
<snip>.

Of course I did. I've used this firm before, and bought a bit of kit from them. As the laptop IS my business and personal life, I booked it in for a certain time to start (given I had to drive 2.5 hrs from my rural location); delivered it early to ensure no excuses not to start on time; emphasized that I wanted the job to get done ASAP and parts should be expedited (I've been caught that way before). Been there, done that; I wasn't asking for miracles, but there was not doubt in their minds that this was important to me to get done ASAP (as, I imagine, nearly all of their laptops repairs, and 100% of their business laptop repairs, are.)

It was simply incompetence on their part not to request/demand overnight delivery of the part.

<snip>
I'm not keen on booking in my laptop for repair for these reasons, viz. I'm pretty much disabled without it (as sad as that sounds), and I know I have to budget between 2-4 weeks each time that happens.

Well, no, one wouldn't do it by choice, but when the thing shuts down for over-heating, you don't have much choice.

This is another AFF rant, so treat accordingly, but I ask again - who would order a part to 'urgently' repair a business laptop and use delivery by snail mail?

2-4 weeks for laptop repair?. Not good.

Mine is a Mac.
<snip>
Yes we are way behind the 8 ball here in OZ

In Tasmania, add 25% more time and cost, Mac and everything.

 

[drron]

Aust post express service is anything but.mrsdrron ordered a dress on 30/9 to be delivered Express Post.
The first time it got to Underwood and disappeared.a replacement has been sent-it reached Underwood on Thursday and is still there.