The totally off-topic thread

[Quickstatus]

You wanted the burger? :shock::mrgreen:

I think you're telling a whopper. :mrgreen:

The burgers are better at.....

 

[Pushka]

You wanted the burger? :shock::mrgreen:

Home alone currently and not into cooking dinners. Was hungry today after not much eating yesterday and on the way to Costco I passed HJ thinking I might visit for a burger on way home. Then I realized it was a bit difficult to back track so did the unthinkable and pulled into the Golden Arches thinking I'd try the new (to me ) McCafe. I'm not a macca fan at all but thought they'd improved.

Blech. Bought a 'gourmet' chicken ceasar burger. Inside was an egg. Sort of broiled fried. The chicken - tasteless grilled thingy. A bit of bacon. The white part of the lettuce. I ate a quarter and threw it away. How on earth do they murder food like that?

 

[Denali]

My husband has been running the heat in our 2 bedroom/kitchen/living room cabin for 3 days now.

I told him 22c was too hot and if he's wearing a Tshirt and not sleeping under the sheets because it's too hot then turn it down!

We don't use the heater at home, old drafty house/very expensive to heat, so I think he's enjoying not having to freeze on someone else's power bill.

 

[JohnK]

Don't quite understand why people leave their rubbish on the seats on public transport. Why not take it with you and put it in rubbish bin?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

More than 1-2 years ago?
Linguistically, I believe the aim of the change is to stress that two adults of the same sex getting married is in not different to two adults of different sexes getting married, from a legal perspective. It is not to attempt to allow all marriages that are practised in all countries/regions (whether polygamy, marriages to children, etc), but the equality of two adults of the same sex to be married. This also linguistically distances from the negative connotations of the word gay for some people. I think also to try to prevent that there could be a separate kind of union for only gay people that would somehow be differentiated legally to heterosexual marriage.

Those are the nuances that I see.

exactly this.

Half a day in parliament and the vote could have been passed. Instead it just makes Australia look backward. Marriage equality is a huge matter of principle, but it shouldn't be a major issue.

 

[TheRealTMA]

exactly this.

Half a day in parliament and the vote could have been passed. Instead it just makes Australia look backward. Marriage equality is a huge matter of principle, but it shouldn't be a major issue.

The current LNP and Australian federal parliament is rapidly becoming like something out of a Tom Sharpe novel.

For the youngsters, some of the funniest books ever written...

"There's nothing I enjoy more than listening to a highly trained intelligence leapfrogging common sense and coming to the wrong conclusions. It gives me renewed faith in parliamentary democracy. (Wilt on High, 1984)"

"I have yet to meet a liberal who can withstand the attrition of prolonged discussion of the unessentials. (Porterhouse Blue, 1974)"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10103159/10-great-Tom-Sharpe-quotes.html

 

[serfty]

exactly this.

Half a day in parliament and the vote could have been passed. Instead it just makes Australia look backward. Marriage equality is a huge matter of principle, but it shouldn't be a major issue.

It shouldn't be a major issue in the basic veneer.

But it goes deeper in the execution.

Should an Islamic* preacher be able to refuse to marry an Islamic* GLTB couple on religious grounds?

* Or a preacher of any other generally recognised faith.

 

[Milboo]

Coming most recently from the Deep South of NZ, it took me the best part of 10 years in Sydney to feel the colder weather in Winter.

That said, I still don't own winter clothes other than a few things I only ever pull out when I head to NYC in winter.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It shouldn't be a major issue in the basic veneer.

But it goes deeper in the execution.

Should an Islamic* preacher be able to refuse to marry an Islamic* GLTB couple on religious grounds?

* Or a preacher of any other generally recognised faith.

Perhaps the same rules (legislated protections or exemptions) would apply equally to same sex and different sex marriages? I'm not sure if there is a need for special rules if marriage equality is obtained.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

ok, I'm beyond tired, and grumpy, so I'll bite.... story on ABC news that Fiji has deported 77 suspected fraudsters back to china. These are phone scammers who target the most vulnerable in society, preying in the elderly and those who can least afford it.

And amnesty international is jumping up and down that they might not get fair treatment!!! Good grief. They deserve what ever's coming to them. If only other countries did the same with these scammers.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The Farthest on ABC tonight was outstanding. Go watch on iview if you missed it.

On the Voyager missions, arguably one of mankinds greatest scientific journeys. Wonderful interviews with the original folks from JPL. Such an achievement.

 

[serfty]

The Farthest on ABC tonight was outstanding. Go watch on iview if you missed it. ...

Enjoyed it ... but where's Saturn et al ...

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

exactly this.

Half a day in parliament and the vote could have been passed.

Not forgetting that if the plebiscite had been allowed, the issue would've been resolved by now.

 

[JohnK]

Perhaps the same rules (legislated protections or exemptions) would apply equally to same sex and different sex marriages? I'm not sure if there is a need for special rules if marriage equality is obtained.

Are you implying that religion needs to redefine it's belief structure? Interesting concept.

 

[anat0l]

ok, I'm beyond tired, and grumpy, so I'll bite.... story on ABC news that Fiji has deported 77 suspected fraudsters back to china. These are phone scammers who target the most vulnerable in society, preying in the elderly and those who can least afford it.

And amnesty international is jumping up and down that they might not get fair treatment!!! Good grief. They deserve what ever's coming to them. If only other countries did the same with these scammers.

That's a lot of fraudsters caught in one place. And a lot in Fiji for that matter.

I guess... human rights doesn't "discriminate", i.e. everyone is entitled to a fair trial.

Would your opinion be the same if, suppose, the fate of these criminals was summary execution with no trial? (Not saying they wouldn't deserve that, but a shame that they would go first before other notable criminals who would be rather more deserving)

Don't quite understand why people leave their rubbish on the seats on public transport. Why not take it with you and put it in rubbish bin?

Easy - they are lazy and can't be <expletive>ed.

First, you need to hold onto that rubbish or put it in your bag or pocket. If it's a "wet" rubbish, they may not like that.

Second, after you take it off the bus, you must know and locate a rubbish bin to put it in there.

There is also a realisation that other people clean the buses, so they know someone else will pick it up (could even be another disgusted upstanding member of society who will bother to pick it up and put it in the bin).

Finally, there is the idea that they should care about the cleanliness of public transport, e.g. they don't care in general, they believe it's not their property to take care of it, etc.

You've just identified why the hire car petrol cost is so high. It doesn't reflect their fuel supply cost, or anywhere near it. The high cost is to make really sure customers return the vehicle 'ready to go', so they don't have to tie up employees taking the vehicle to fuelling spot (on site, but not where the customers are), cost of holding fuel etc.

Its a carrot-and-stick approach and it works.

Interesting you say a "carrot and stick" approach. To what degree is it lawful to impose a financial penalty, i.e. your "stick" approach?

As I associate with the example of bank fees, the banks were told that their "stick" could only be costed such that it represents the cost of recovery.

I suppose in the case of the car companies, it may well be what they charge for the fuel if you don't refill the tank is within those parameters. Should they be allowed to "add a bit more" than that, or should it only be the cost of recovery?

Finally, I won't have to look at the neighbours by the end of this week. The Great (Retaining) Wall was built in 2 years 7 months and 10 days. The fence will take 3 days

I've actually been out of the loop on this. Read some FB stuff, but the context I have no idea.

If I ever get over there again, you can tell me about it. I'll bring dessert (please advise allergies).

 

[Hvr]

I hate writing job applications, especially max 400 words per criteria times five plus resume.

Still all done now and 23 hours ahead of the closing time. So I can save it and review it tomorrow before submission. After finding the inevitable errors it will be done in a timely manner.

All being well back to work on Thursday night after the latest flu.

 

[cove]

Glen Campbell has passed away. A fantastic singer and a Grammy award winner.

 

[love_the_life]

Glen Campbell has passed away. A fantastic singer and a Grammy award winner.

81 so not overly old though the reports indicate he suffered from Alzheimers which is a tragedy (for anyone).

 

[Pushka]

81 so not overly old though the reports indicate he suffered from Alzheimers which is a tragedy (for anyone).

Yes. Alzheimer's since 2011. He released his last album not long ago and his voice was still wonderful. Once Alzheimer's really kicks in then I'd prefer sooner rather than later for myself.

 

[get me outta here]

There was a poignant program about GC a while ago on TV and his music was the last to 'go' from his memories. May be able to find it under 'GC's last concert'. He sang a heart rending song to his wife called, I'm Not Gonna Miss You

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/v...st-music-video-im-not-gonna-miss-you-20141012

81 so not overly old though the reports indicate he suffered from Alzheimers which is a tragedy (for anyone).