The totally off-topic thread

[stoneman]

If i have a appointment with a doctor for 10:30, they have +- 5 minutes of that time before I say something, if the doctor is running late, they should show common courtesy and text you to say the doctor is running late. Don't get me started on why it takes chemists 15 minutes to fill a prescription...

They are both service industries

Totally agree :evil:

 

[JohnK]

From time to time I see a doctor who is notorious for being late. Mind you this isn't helped by me as I enjoy a chat.

I make sure I book early appointments to reduce the effect of any delays. Can you book the first appointment slot for the day?

No. They make the appointments and give everyone the same appointment time. Clinic is only once a week on Friday mornings.

I am suffering and need them more than they need me but if I do go back to the clinic I will turn up 12:00-12:30pm and take it from there. Most patients should have finished by then and clinic finishes up as well.

 

[Major]

Have I told everybody here just how much I hate cancer :evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil:

I had another BCC cut out of my chest yesterday :evil:

 

[JessicaTam]

Straitman, your inbox is full!

 

[Major]

Straitman, your inbox is full!

Ignore him...send it to Support instead

 

[Cossie]

Just been up on my neighbours roof fixing his TV antenna cable, the coughies had been chewing on it and he had just wrapped some insulation tape around it and wondered why his TV signal was so poor! The external braid was almost totally cut. It does make it easy when you have all the right tools as well.


As thanks for rewiring the cable, he gave me a Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 from 2004, which must be just about time to drink.

 

[Cynicor]

No. They make the appointments and give everyone the same appointment time. Clinic is only once a week on Friday mornings.

I am suffering and need them more than they need me but if I do go back to the clinic I will turn up 12:00-12:30pm and take it from there. Most patients should have finished by then and clinic finishes up as well.

See a private rheumatologist rather than a hospital clinic possibly?

 

[QF WP]

Here comes the next line of storms for Brisbane

 

[medhead]

I have no idea how to post a facebook link so here is a link to the protect the protectors page. The post in question is a picture of a fire truck with a cricket bat at Rupertswood. https://www.facebook.com/ProtectTheProtectors?hc_location=timeline

And to continue with the theme - it is quite weird seeing ambulances without the chalk writing on them.

Now off to find a police story to finish the theme...

To get a link to a Facebook post use the date/time stamp of the post. Either right click, copy link or just click on the time/date and that'll take you to it.

 

[JohnK]

Here comes the next line of storms for Brisbane

Don't start. Hoping to beat the storm.

 

[Major]

This Dancing Traffic Light Is a Brilliant Idea.
We all hate waiting. That is why many pedestrians don't have the patience to wait at the traffic light, preferring to cross whenever they deem fit.
To increase pedestrian safety, an idea was born: What if we make the red pedestrian traffic light so entertaining, people would be happy waiting?
Here is what happened with that idea...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SB_0vRnkeOk

 

[jukebox333]

This Dancing Traffic Light Is a Brilliant Idea.
We all hate waiting. That is why many pedestrians don't have the patience to wait at the traffic light, preferring to cross whenever they deem fit.
To increase pedestrian safety, an idea was born: What if we make the red pedestrian traffic light so entertaining, people would be happy waiting?
Here is what happened with that idea...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SB_0vRnkeOk

It's a good idea - in South America where people have rhythm. And I can't help thinking that sooner or later, Rule 34 would come into play....

 

[anat0l]

This article popped up in my Facebook News Feed. Most are claiming, "finally, a judge with some backbone".

No Cookies | The Courier-Mail

Corrupt public servant jailed for ten years for masterminding $1M Victims of Crime fund

The corrupt public servant who masterminded the million-dollar Victims of Crime fund fraud is “not worthy of mercy” and has been jailed for a decade.

Nicholas Wayne Lowe entered the District Court from the cells this morning, looking relaxed and waving to his wife Andrea, before his scheduled sentencing.

His mood quickly changed however, when Judge Paul Muscat broke with tradition and began his remarks with Lowe’s final punishment.

“You will be jailed for 10 years, with a non-parole period of seven years,” Judge Muscat said.

What do you think?

Apparently the "supporters" of the accused were shocked at the sentence, and the mother of the accused broke down crying. Frankly - except for possibly the mother - I'm having a hard time understanding why they should be so shocked. After all - he committed fraud and plead guilty - what were they expecting, he just be set free?

 

[markis10]

This article popped up in my Facebook News Feed. Most are claiming, "finally, a judge with some backbone".

No Cookies | The Courier-Mail



What do you think?

Apparently the "supporters" of the accused were shocked at the sentence, and the mother of the accused broke down crying. Frankly - except for possibly the mother - I'm having a hard time understanding why they should be so shocked. After all - he committed fraud and plead guilty - what were they expecting, he just be set free?

It should be noted most of the "supporters" were likely to be across what he was up to, with the Wife already sentenced for trying to cover it up. A photo of him flaunting cash on an OS trip probably did not help his cause.

 

[whatmeworry]

This article popped up in my Facebook News Feed. Most are claiming, "finally, a judge with some backbone".

No Cookies | The Courier-Mail



What do you think?

Apparently the "supporters" of the accused were shocked at the sentence, and the mother of the accused broke down crying. Frankly - except for possibly the mother - I'm having a hard time understanding why they should be so shocked. After all - he committed fraud and plead guilty - what were they expecting, he just be set free?

I think its the right sentence. Too many white collar/corporate criminals getting away slaps on the wrist.
Australia's slide into corruption must be stopped

 

[tuapekastar]

This article popped up in my Facebook News Feed. Most are claiming, "finally, a judge with some backbone".

No Cookies | The Courier-Mail



What do you think?

Apparently the "supporters" of the accused were shocked at the sentence, and the mother of the accused broke down crying. Frankly - except for possibly the mother - I'm having a hard time understanding why they should be so shocked. After all - he committed fraud and plead guilty - what were they expecting, he just be set free?

You've raised an old bugbear of mine (well, not directly, but it does bring it to mind). I won't comment on the appropriateness or otherwise of this sentence, but i have long held the view that financial crimes are generally punished far too harshly when compared with physical crimes against the person. I can defeaud the big four bank i work for of, say, $500,000 over 5 years and get 3 years in jail for it. Or I can randomly beat someone senseless in the street causing them permanent physical and psychological damage, and receive a suspended jail sentence and 200 hours of community service. There are of course all sorts of factors to be considered - the fraud is calculated and ongoing for some time, while the physical assault may be spur of the moment and while drunk (not so long ago that - being drunk -was a valid defence in Victoria, thankfully no longer I think), but overall a week does not go by where I don't read of examples of sentencing that, IMO, are seriously askew for one reason or another.

 

[cove]

I see so many drivers texting while driving I was thinking we need a better system to get these folks off our roads.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I see so many drivers texting while driving I was thinking we need a better system to get these folks off our roads.

They're just trying to qualify for a Darwin Prize.

 

[RAM]

I am convinced we are meant to suffer. Any joy is a mistake.

So how does that go for masochists?

Just noticed that TOTT is up to page #1000 (if you are viewing AFF on the standard desktop interface with the maximum number of posts viewable per page).

I've tried and failed. How do you increase the number of posts viewed per page on a PC?

I wonder if seriously any company would now consider just paying up the couple of grand instead of pinning a driver.

I assume there is almost no way of claiming fines on a tax return (personal or corporate).

Depends whether the auditor finds it or not and what account it is paid out of. Also possible for some it is worth reimbursing the company.

If you keep making the same mistakes does it mean you are not learning from your mistakes? Or a fool?

Or have a poor memory or of course are a politician then all of the above.

This situation would be heartbreaking at any time of year. At Christmas? Devastating.
Canberra cancer patient Annie McGuigan, 3, has only weeks to live
I hope Troy, Lauren and Annie get enough time to make as many warm memories as they possibly can this Christmas.

An online auction is set to begin on December 8 and a Christmas market night will take place at Erindale Vikings Club on December 12.
All money raised through both events will go to the McGuigan family.
Donations can also still be made online through GoFundMe or PayPal by emailing [email protected].

 

[RAM]

You've raised an old bugbear of mine (well, not directly, but it does bring it to mind). I won't comment on the appropriateness or otherwise of this sentence, but i have long held the view that financial crimes are generally punished far too harshly when compared with physical crimes against the person. I can defeaud the big four bank i work for of, say, $500,000 over 5 years and get 3 years in jail for it. Or I can randomly beat someone senseless in the street causing them permanent physical and psychological damage, and receive a suspended jail sentence and 200 hours of community service. There are of course all sorts of factors to be considered - the fraud is calculated and ongoing for some time, while the physical assault may be spur of the moment and while drunk (not so long ago that - being drunk -was a valid defence in Victoria, thankfully no longer I think), but overall a week does not go by where I don't read of examples of sentencing that, IMO, are seriously askew for one reason or another.

On the whole the 'big' financial crimes often do get off with a slap on the wrist. Whether in Australia or overseas. Name one Wall St Titan jailed for their part in the GFC mortgage fraud?

The bigger players know which barristers to use and games to play while the wanna-be's are used as examples to keep the public view off the real villains. Look at insider trading - huge case some years back with a geologist who did an assay on a new resource and found massive grams/tonne of gold. Every living relative virtually bought shares in the company several days after the work was done and most had never bought shares before in their lives. The geologist did not buy any though.

The judge ruled that there was nothing wrong with a close family taking an interest in another relative's job! No criminal charges and no fines.