The totally off-topic thread

[Hvr]

Vale Richie Benaud.

Legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud has died in a Sydney hospice.
The 84-year-old was receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November.

Cricket great Richie Benaud dead

 

[JohnK]

I grew up with Richie as cricket commentator. He will be sadly missed.

 

[Major]

Marvellous cricketer...marvellous commentator...marvellous Australian

 

[rainbowgirl]

Soome good news for a change. Starting a full time temp job on Monday

Congratulations. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[rainbowgirl]

I grew up with Richie as cricket commentator. He will be sadly missed.

Me too. Richie was always part of why I loved following cricket. I loved his insights and commentary and for many years he was the face of cricket. I don't really like many of the people who host the cricket these days. It just doesn't feel right without Richie.

 

[QF WP]

Richie's nephew was married to one of my cousins (and had 3 children who all have the Benaud surname), so they will be feeling it this morning. Time I made some phone calls (and posted on FB, as two of them live in London).

No Cookies | The Courier-Mail

 

[drron]

Fortunate enough to have watched Richie play.
Then listened as a commentator.Australia's best-though I do admit to liking John Arlott more.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Very sad news - Richie touched most Australians - respected / loved by so many - truly a great Australian - icon / legend - what words can say enough?

 

[QF WP]

Let’s make 2.22pm today #RichieTime

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cricket/rip-richie-benaud-222pm-a-time-to-remember-a-marvellous-man/story-fnii0dq9-1227298252538

 

[blackcat20]

The centrelink/job service system is a nighmare. Call to advise I can't attend a scheduled appointment next week due to starting a temp job. They insist I have to come in today to submit my CV and sign forms. I already did that in January but apparently it drops off and I need to do it again. Threatened with having my $7 payment cancelled, which will stop next week anyway when I'm working. Not a great incentive, nor a great way to treat people who are already in a stressful position...

 

[rogerkambah]

Soome good news for a change. Starting a full time temp job on Monday

Great news! We'll have to drink to that on Saturday/Sunday

 

[rogerkambah]

Sale on again to HKG for September and November for ~AUD970 return in Saver but obviously no double QFF points and 747 for now.

I am really struggling to convince myself to book the A330 to BKK.

So how do you get from HKG-BKK/CNX?

We have to go to BKK in Aug so if we go direct its either an EK777 or QF330 - same slide and slip bed in either in J.

 

[Julesmac]

The centrelink/job service system is a nighmare. Call to advise I can't attend a scheduled appointment next week due to starting a temp job. They insist I have to come in today to submit my CV and sign forms. I already did that in January but apparently it drops off and I need to do it again. Threatened with having my $7 payment cancelled, which will stop next week anyway when I'm working. Not a great incentive, nor a great way to treat people who are already in a stressful position...

Wouldn't you love to attend the public service lectures - # 101 How to conduct a department in a way which inconveniences as many people as possible whilst at the same time being totally unreasonable and imposing random penalties....Why do they do it? Because they can!

 

[Archphoto]

So how do you get from HKG-BKK/CNX?

We have to go to BKK in Aug so if we go direct its either an EK777 or QF330 - same slide and slip bed in either in J.

I fly to HKG-BKK regularly, on CX (EK no longer allow me lounge access in HKG, as I'm only a QP member these days).
Dragonair also flies HKG-CNX, as I've had to fly my PA in on a couple of occasions as well, although from memory, not every day.

 

[JohnK]

So how do you get from HKG-BKK/CNX?

We have to go to BKK in Aug so if we go direct its either an EK777 or QF330 - same slide and slip bed in either in J.

RJ or UL economy with upgrade request to business for USD100 in place. 100% success so far. PG for BKK/CNX.

Impossible to get business class awards on SYD-BKK route for dates I want. I have even tried getting business class seat released. No go. I just don't want to spend 9 1/2 hours in economy on A330.

 

[Isochronous]

RJ or UL economy with upgrade request to business for USD100 in place. 100% success so far. PG for BKK/CNX.

Impossible to get business class awards on SYD-BKK route for dates I want. I have even tried getting business class seat released. No go. I just don't want to spend 9 1/2 hours in economy on A330.

Full price J on those carriers is about HK$4000 or so. What do you normally pay for the economy fares?

Also, do the cheap cash upgrade tickets credit to QFF etc at J SC level?

 

[Flashback]

RJ or UL economy with upgrade request to business for USD100 in place. 100% success so far. PG for BKK/CNX.

Impossible to get business class awards on SYD-BKK route for dates I want. I have even tried getting business class seat released. No go. I just don't want to spend 9 1/2 hours in economy on A330.

Do you earn J TP if the upgrade clears?

 

[whatmeworry]

The centrelink/job service system is a nighmare. Call to advise I can't attend a scheduled appointment next week due to starting a temp job. They insist I have to come in today to submit my CV and sign forms. I already did that in January but apparently it drops off and I need to do it again. Threatened with having my $7 payment cancelled, which will stop next week anyway when I'm working. Not a great incentive, nor a great way to treat people who are already in a stressful position...

Wouldn't you love to attend the public service lectures - # 101 How to conduct a department in a way which inconveniences as many people as possible whilst at the same time being totally unreasonable and imposing random penalties....Why do they do it? Because they can!

I have been intending to watch this doco on job search networks in Australia.

Four Corners goes inside the industry, finding shocking evidence of fraud, manipulation, falsified paperwork, and the recycling of the unemployed through temporary jobs.
Hours are bumped up, wages are inflated, and in many cases, vital evidence to support claims from the taxpayer appears to have been falsified. One former jobseeker tells Four Corners her paperwork appears to have been completely forged.
In recent years Government checks have forced some companies to pay back millions of dollars, but few are sanctioned. Former job agency employees say crucial internal records are adjusted in preparation for government audits.

The Jobs Game - Four Corners

 

[drron]

And vale Peter Walsh a genuine Labor man.

 

[JessicaTam]

For those wishing to avoid the spoilers please don't read this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/playground/tv-series-discussion-67307.html

For those who wish to discuss programs that may not have aired yet, and the subsequent spoilers, please read this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/playground/tv-series-discussion-67307.html