The totally off-topic thread

[Denali]

but for the uninitiated that just buy toasters it's money in their pocket - we won't try and educate them

I was looking forward to using my small amount of QF points to buy a toaster but ended up buying 2 sleeping bags via Points for Purpose instead.

I only redeem points for flights/upgrades. Many years ago I redeemed them for our Bose headphones and done regret that at all, I use mine daily in the office.

 

[serfty]

"If you are not using your frequent flyer points for premium travel, you are losing out!"

What a load of hogwash....

It's not if you calculate a ¢ per point value for redemptions with the higher valued of such redemptions winning out.

But for some, ¢ aren't everything.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

It's not if you calculate a ¢ per point value for redemptions with the higher valued of such redemptions winning out.

But for some, ¢ aren't everything.

Right. Some prefer a non-cents approach to valuation.

 

[Flying mermaid]

A friend of mine worked for Google, they flew him to SFO for the interview.

he was probably a higher value candidate - Master FM was just a grunt graduate. They are very generous though - flew him and his partner to SFO and back to have a look round while he was waiting for his visa to come through.

 

[JohnK]

It's not if you calculate a ¢ per point value for redemptions with the higher valued of such redemptions winning out.

But for some, ¢ aren't everything.

It's about getting the best use of points. Some don't see that.

I can save 360,000 points and book a return business class airfare to Thailand for myself, wife and daughter or I can book 4.5 returns in economy for wife and daughter and pay for economy airfare for myself to maintain status and ensure our trips are comfortable.

That to me is an efficient use of points as wife and daughter will more than likely go back to Thailand 3 times/year which means I need 6 trips. Just because an airline values a premium airfare at some obscene amount doesn't make it the best value. The best value is what I'm prepared to pay and I can do without a bigger seat for a few hours.

And realistically some people can take a long time to earn those types of points without business expenditure or churning credit cards. So yes a load of hogwash. It's all about the best value for the individual.

 

[Pushka]

Of course you are right JohnK. We have to work the system that best suits our individual circumstances.

 

[whatmeworry]

The ABC has received emails from the department of infrastructure after a FOI request for emails using the word 'Utopia'.

A social media strategy, debate over the word "program," and the opening of a new highway extension have all been compared to the TV program Utopia by senior staff inside the Department of Infrastructure.

A swathe of emails released under the Freedom of Information Act shows it is also used regularly by senior staff inside the Department of Infrastructure.
One long email tries to clear up the "many questions, confusion and a lot of head scratching" over whether to use programme or program.
The email ponders that it may be because of the apparent spelling preferences of the Government or individual ministers that staff are so confused.

It goes on to quote guidance from the Government's Digital Transformation Agency to conclude they should be using the spelling "program".
But, it continues, there are exceptions for proper nouns — particularly in old legislation.
"A whole Utopia episode could be made of this, I'm sure…" replied a senior manager.

The ABC had asked for a small number of senior staff to search their email for the term "Utopia", but the agency said it was "unrealistic" to expect them to do so.
It said it had a "heavy workload" of Freedom of Information requests, but the official disclosure log showed the agency had only processed one this year.

Another email released by the Department of Infrastructure requested a new social media strategy to "raise awareness of the Government's record $75 billion infrastructure package".
It said the campaign should spruik projects like inland rail and the Badgerys Creek airport, and interview locals to show how it can improve people's lives.


"Sounds like another form of Building Australia's Future campaign — to be timed nicely with season three of Utopia," came a reply.
The highly criticised Building Our Future campaign saw $18 million spent just before the last election to "raise awareness" of the Government's infrastructure spending.

'A whole Utopia episode could be made of this': Dept. Infrastructure emails reveal ABC TV not far from reality - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Cossie]

More sad news, Peter Luck, Australian journalist and presenter, dies aged 73 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

"Tigers Don't Talk" was required viewing when I was growing up.

 

[drron]

I still think Turnbull's Snowy project is taken from the Fast Train episode of Utopia.

 

[serfty]

...
And realistically some people can take a long time to earn those types of points without business expenditure or churning credit cards. So yes a load of hogwash. It's all about the best value for the individual.

OK, for you it is hogwash, for me it isn't.

So when you say something is "hogwash" you need a disclaimer to indicate the comment is in relation to yourself.

(Unless your second name is "Zaphod Beeblebrox".)

 

[Quickstatus]

I think there were only 2 females out of the 12 or so in the group. However the guys all turned up with their homemade creations and they were terrific- in fact I still have some of the recipes from that time.

homemade creations are often created in a shop. Alternatively you sure it was not made by someone else?

At my workplace female doctors are often mistaken for nurses by the patients.

These are just some of the many stereotypes.
My favourite stereotype: all female tennis players annoyingly grunt/screech when hitting the ball

 

[whatmeworry]

I still think Turnbull's Snowy project is taken from the Fast Train episode of Utopia.

Any reason to whip out the leather jacket.

 

[drron]

Any reason to whip out the leather jacket.

Makes him look serious,man of the people in his own eyes.An IYI to everyone else.

 

[JohnK]

OK, for you it is hogwash, for me it isn't.

So when you say something is "hogwash" you need a disclaimer to indicate the comment is in relation to yourself.

(Unless your second name is "Zaphod Beeblebrox".)

Oh serfty. Why would I need to add a disclaimer "In my opinion...."? I am the one posting so you would assume it is my opinion?

 

[Flying mermaid]

homemade creations are often created in a shop. Alternatively you sure it was not made by someone else?

At my workplace female doctors are often mistaken for nurses by the patients.

These are just some of the many stereotypes.
My favourite stereotype: all female tennis players annoyingly grunt/screech when hitting the ball

absolutely sure - we used to have discussions on techniques. Maybe software engineers were a different breed even in the 80s. . A 6 month cooking elective was compulsory for everyone at our kids' school, so Master FM is a really good cook as well. He made me macaroons for my birthday one year. Sadly I suspect after 4 years of Google and provided meals his skills have probably dwindled.

Being mistaken for a nurse is Dr FM's pet hate - I suspect the person only does it once.....

 

[Flying mermaid]

Son's friend works for Facebook. Lots of fun travel for him too. Conferences are a hoot.

The FANGs do seem a good place to work. Master FM's section often goes off for things like skiing at Lake Tahoe, or visiting Yellowstone and it is all paid for by Google.

 

[Pushka]

Weird thing happened this morning when I logged into MrP's QFF account to make some bookings. It came up with the Message - Congratulations, you have earned 2,500 Status Credits and can claim a gift of Gold Membership for a Family member. Well, I knew he hadn't but I clicked on it anyway. It didn't take me anywhere but the Profile page but when I went back to the Account page the message had gone.
Anyone else?

 

[serfty]

Oh serfty. Why would I need to add a disclaimer "In my opinion...."? I am the one posting so you would assume it is my opinion?

No, I did not post "In my opinion...."; I posted "... in relation to yourself".

You made a sweeping and general statement that, not having such a disclaimer, would apply to all.

It was describing something as "hogwash" when for many, including myself, that 'something' is certainly not "hogwash". As a result can lead to posts that endeavour to refute the sweeping/general statement.

I know the math, I can generate several cents in value out of a point by flying premium; this is generally more than several times the value than if using the point for economy travel.

 

[love_the_life]

More sad news, Peter Luck, Australian journalist and presenter, dies aged 73 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) "Tigers Don't Talk" was required viewing when I was growing up.

Oh that's sad. I remember watching him on This Day Tonight many years ago when we were both 'young'. Sounds like he had a number of health issues.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Lyon destroying Bangladesh.