The totally off-topic thread

[JohnK]

Great effort JohnK. It has been about 4 years for me.

Excellent. Keep it up.

 

[jukebox333]

Many, many years ago when I worked in the transport industry, my earliest start was 4.00am.
It was like the middle of the night when I used to wake up to go to work :shock:

One thing funny that I remember is buying lunch around 8am. The regular office workers would be bleary eyed buying a coffee whilst I would be perky and buying up Used to get some funny looks.

I wake at 4am for my job now - and work for 14 days straight (2 weeks on, 1 week off) Like you, Buzzard, morning "crib" at 9am feels right, and a serious intake of coffee gets me through until 7pm when I eat dinner in the mess. Long days, and a long swing. But I'll take it over unemployment anytime.

 

[Flashback]

Most of Gen Y would have no idea what a 5am start is either.

That's an easy one! I'm Gen Y and I know what a 5am start is. It's ludicrous :mrgreen:

FWIW when I was working on mining projects it was 6am starts.

 

[blackcat20]

That's an easy one! I'm Gen Y and I know what a 5am start is. It's ludicrous :mrgreen:

As do I. Winter markets are the worst.

 

[TomVexille]

That's an easy one! I'm Gen Y and I know what a 5am start is. It's ludicrous :mrgreen:

FWIW when I was working on mining projects it was 6am starts.

I meant being at work at 5 :shock:

 

[Flashback]

I meant being at work at 5 :shock:

Still doesn't change my answer --> It's ludicrous

 

[TomVexille]

Still doesn't change my answer --> It's ludicrous

It was the easiest shift of the day. And it allowed me to work two jobs.

 

[JessicaTam]

I meant being at work at 5 :shock:

I don't understand the concept!

 

[DrA]

Oscar Pistorius.

W.T.F.

Guy should learn how to write his autobiography from OJ.

 

[whatmeworry]

From the sound of it, Oscar Pistorius will get Manslaughter.

 

[jetlagger]

Oscar Pistorius.

W.T.F.

Guy should learn how to write his autobiography from OJ.

What justice??
Corruption still obviously exists in South Africa on a large scale.

 

[JessicaTam]

So far not guilty of murder.
Judge is considering culpable homicide (manslaughter)

 

[Pushka]

I'm not surprised he was acquitted of murder. From the reports it never appeared they'd covered the evidence for pre meditation. Nothing to do with corruption or what it appears to be. It's about proving all the elements of the crime.

 

[drross]

Sounds like the judge didn't like the prosecutor being so aggressive .. Has discounted most of his witnesses statements. Where's Judge Judy when you need someone to cut thru the cr*p

 

[anat0l]

A little tip for anyone driving in Switzerland: don't ever, ever speed (or get caught speeding). Unlike in Australia, don't assume you'll never get caught, because you can and will here.

Speeding fines are really stiff here, and often are based on your income (e.g. x days income as a fine); as a tourist, it'd likely be a flat fine of some sorts (since obviously it's too difficult to assess your wages and thus a fine if you don't earn a Swiss income). You can appeal your fine to a court but if you do so, you will need to pay costs (unless you are fully exonerated, perhaps) and the fine limits that normally apply in your first instance do not apply in court, so your fine can increase.

In some cases, you can be imprisoned (or given a suspended prison sentence) for high speeding violations.

Speeding can be considered a criminal offence in Switzerland and you can have a warrant issued for arrest in most other countries.

No, I didn't drive or the like, but I just read a thread on an expat forum talking about speeding in Switzerland. They don't mess around here.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Oscar Pistorius.

W.T.F.

Guy should learn how to write his autobiography from OJ.

How different would it have been if the victim was in fact whom OP thought it would be? Is it a reflection of South Africa, that the question is not "holy s**t you tired to kill someone by shooting them"

 

[cove]

Shouldn't we run a competition on the sentence OP will get?
Can I start with 5 years for all charges?

 

[DrA]

How different would it have been if the victim was in fact whom OP thought it would be? Is it a reflection of South Africa, that the question is not "holy s**t you tired to kill someone by shooting them"

I know. My own experiences in South Africa have been widely varying. I've had no issues in Cape Town, Durban, or Kruger NP. Had a fantastic time! However, that being said, I was held up at gunpoint in Jo'burg during the 2010 World Cup, and when I reported it to the cops, they basically just shrugged at me and said "yeah, that happens, what do you want us to do about it?". I wonder if some crimes are just so rife that people have just become blasé about it?

 

[TomVexille]

I don't understand the concept!

It's not that hard. Alarm goes off at 4:45, you roll (literally) out of bed. Put on whatever clothes are available. Drive to work.

On the plus side is that a normal 15-20 minute commute only takes about 7 minutes. And there's some interesting radio on a that time.

 

[anat0l]

I know. My own experiences in South Africa have been widely varying. I've had no issues in Cape Town, Durban, or Kruger NP. Had a fantastic time! However, that being said, I was held up at gunpoint in Jo'burg during the 2010 World Cup, and when I reported it to the cops, they basically just shrugged at me and said "yeah, that happens, what do you want us to do about it?". I wonder if some crimes are just so rife that people have just become blasé about it?

Being mugged, even at gun point, in Jo'burg likely does fall into that "rife crime". Unsure if they become blase about it, but they do know it happens. In fact, one should probably thank your stars that you were not raped or murdered, depending on where you were at the time.

Maybe only thing good to report to cops is to get a report for your travel insurance, and if they will give you one.

Good you mentioned that Cape Town seems rather safe - it is supposed to be compared to Jo'burg, but reports are still out there to stay well and truly on guard (en garde?). I may have to travel there later this year and I'm not sure what the safety during travel protocols are for my institution. Back in Australia, given the DFAT rating and knowledge of crime in RSA, the automatic conditions would include nil use of taxis, and reputable hire car or arranged driver with known company / organised by client.