I need to vent!

[Autocon]

Bloody cinema. They charge full price for deadpool 2 after 6pm sessions. Before that time it is $13. :mad:

[kovert]

Sold an item on eBay on Sunday. Sent on Monday (first business day). Item arrived interstate less than 48 hours later on Wednesday. Buyer gives me 4 out of 5 stars for 'Postage time' rating. :confused:


Bloody cinema. They charge full price for deadpool 2 after 6pm sessions. Before that time it is $13. :mad:

Which chain?

[UltraMarginal]

Sold an item on eBay on Sunday. Sent on Monday (first business day). Item arrived interstate less than 48 hours later on Wednesday. Buyer gives me 4 out of 5 stars for 'Postage time' rating. :confused:


Sometimes there's just no pleasing people I guess.

[Galvatran]

Sold an item on eBay on Sunday. Sent on Monday (first business day). Item arrived interstate less than 48 hours later on Wednesday. Buyer gives me 4 out of 5 stars for 'Postage time' rating. :confused:
Logic would suggest the Buyer can count only up to 4.

[1AZRAEL1]

Sounds like a buyer with his head up his butt. You posted it out at the very first business day. 48hrs is a great turnaround too. 5 stars must be driven and hand delivered

[BigTransformerTrev]

Sounds like a buyer with his head up his butt. You posted it out at the very first business day. 48hrs is a great turnaround too. 5 stars must be driven and hand delivered

I certainly never get that quick of delivery.

On another topic, the fact those two women were let off with no jail term because their ‘bad childhoods’ justified them assaulting that ambo is absolutely disgraceful :mad:

[1AZRAEL1]

I certainly never get that quick of delivery.

Exactly why shoulda been top rating imo


On another topic, the fact those two women were let off with no jail term because their ‘bad childhoods’ justified them assaulting that ambo is absolutely disgraceful :mad:

Oh don't get me started on that

[drifand]

I certainly never get that quick of delivery.

On another topic, the fact those two women were let off with no jail term because their ‘bad childhoods’ justified them assaulting that ambo is absolutely disgraceful :mad:

I wish there is a way to get back at the person who protected them.
I am surprised how so many of these cases have been happening lately.

[Autocon]

Sold an item on eBay on Sunday. Sent on Monday (first business day). Item arrived interstate less than 48 hours later on Wednesday. Buyer gives me 4 out of 5 stars for 'Postage time' rating. :confused:



Which chain?

Event cinema. The girl behind the counter said for the first week all movie tickets are full price for Deadpool and it was the movie creators decision. However this was not true as it was only for evening sessions after 6pm. She lied. I went and saw it anyway:rolleyes:

[DELTAprime]

Gaaahhhh! I can't make phone calls at the moment because of a nation wide Telstra fault. Great service I'm paying for.:mad:

[drifand]

Gaaahhhh! I can't make phone calls at the moment because of a nation wide Telstra fault. Great service I'm paying for.:mad:

Mobile network or copper?

[M-bot]

Gaaahhhh! I can't make phone calls at the moment because of a nation wide Telstra fault. Great service I'm paying for.:mad:

Completely blind at work. Expected to give medical care to vulnerable people in the community with zero access to information. Frustrated.:mad:

In Telstra’s defense, the outage is only occurring where there are people.:rolleyes:

[UltraMarginal]

Mobile network or copper?

notification from my works IT department:


This is to advise that Telstra’s 4G Mobile Voice and Data Service is currently experiencing nationwide outages and interruptions, which is also causing flow on congestion on 3G Services.

Telstra are investigating and attempting to resolve technical issues as soon as possible.

[Trent]

Gaaahhhh! I can't make phone calls at the moment because of a nation wide Telstra fault. Great service I'm paying for.:mad:

Ah. That's why my work phone stopped working today.

[Galvatran]

No calls at work. Silence is bliss. Needs to happen more frequently & for longer periods. :D

(the downside was the barrage of calls once the network was online again)

[bowspearer]

Seriously wondering if people who complain the loudest about squalor they're in, secretly prefer it that way.

I recently took on an area management role in a youth organisation where my territory takes up a massive chunk of NSW - in fact I probably have the largest operating area in NSW - over 40,000 square km.

Before I started, the state branch wanted to reorganise the area local branches fell into because they had long been neglected, whilst the local branches felt forgotten about and resented the state branch.

At the time I past my training phase, the head of the state branch asked me to approach 2 senior members of the local branch to take on the area management role. Neither wanted it and the head of my local branch encouraged me to do it. I agonised over it for 6 months before putting my hand up, and when I did, the head of the state branch agreed to give me the job.

I honestly thought that if I came on board if everyone was so unhappy and desperate to fix it that everyone would get behind me. I even gave up work for this so I can devote myself to it full time, seeing it as a means of reskilling and work experience to get out of retail.

Instead, the whole thing is starting to look like a poisoned chalice.

Around the time I got the job, the head of the local branch I was in changed their tune and has been nothing but snarky while I have done but bend over backwards. The head of a reopening local branch is so bad that you could put Frank Spencer from Some Mothers Do Ave Em in there and he'd do a better job while the head of the state branch's response has been to "just give him time and more training" when he leans on everyone else and even ditched the meeting, leaving parents and their kids in the lurch last week so he could go and buy parts for his car. Meanwhile while the other local branch still open has improved, he still expects me to bend the rules when it suits him, with me having to fill out his public liability forms for an extra meeting (something he was responsible for) and trying to talk me into passing one of his kids on an exam they needed to pass and had failed - largely because they had failed to supply the materials to the kids until the last minute.

Then there's the head of the state branch. I had heard he can be difficult at times, but I thought that if I worked with him, that there wouldn't be an issue.

An opportunity came up in terms of volunteers to start a new local branch not far from me. I spoke to the head of the state branch, who after checking his diary with me while he was on the phone to me, told me the only weekend available for the necessary public meeting, was the Queens Birthday long weekend and that if I was to go ahead with this, to just keep him in the loop.

I lined up everything. I not only got a venue, but the principal of the school even encouraged several of her pupils to join. I lined up the venue as the venue for the public meeting as well as the regular meeting place. I even got lucky enough to manage to get the local newspaper not only willing to publish a short article I'd written, but offer to write an article about the squadron at its opening and at regular intervals to update the community on its progress.

At the last state branch meeting, I raised in general business that the head of the state branch had directed me to fill in the community usage agreement without the need for the organisation's seal and that the public meeting was set for the Monday of the long weekend - venue TBA.

Everything looked fine - until yesterday that is.

I emailed the head of the state branch who called me up to have a go at me and swore blind it wasn't that date - even though I mentioned it in general business without any issue (he was present at that meeting) and everyone I spoke to distinctly remembers me mentioning that date as soon as I got off the phone to him during the conversation where the date was penciled in. He claimed he "couldn't keep up with" me and that I was going "too fast", despite him setting the deadline and me keeping him in the loop.

I stuck to my guns, stating that that was the date he'd told me, and he snarkily fired back with "you're just like your friend ______, you're always right". I politely stuck to my guns as I refused to lie and then added that if the date didn't work, what date did he want to move it to. He responded to the effect of "you're right, I'm wrong, just forget the whole thing" - and then hung up on me.

He tried calling a few times yesterday and I was too furious with him to answer; I'm still nto in the mood to talk to him. This is the same head of the state branch who was passive-aggressively ripping into every single area manager at the last meeting for failing to open up local branches, yet when I manage to do it single-handedly and completely according to the organisation's bylaws, I'm shut down.

I'm honestly wondering why I'm even doing this. I was happy to do this unpaid voluntary role, just to help out initially and the re-skilling and organisational advancement potential was simply the cherry on top of the cream on the cake and didn't cross my mind until a good month or so into the role. I even figured that the problems I faced at the local branch level would go once a few more local branches were being started and their choice was to either get with the program or look out of step with this. I'm regularly making 6 hour round trips and the odd overnight stay to visit local branches My wife has noted that I'm so dedicated to this that I've turned into a bit of a workaholic.

However if I'm going to be shut down from sustainably growing the area I'm in, which does nothing to deal with my local branch issues, means that nothing is being done to restore the area to what it once was and makes this a waste of my time in terms of using this to get out of retail, then what is the point of my making all the sacrifices I am for this organisation?

Like I said, I honestly wonder if those who was supposedly so unhappy with all of this, secretly prefer to keep staying in the squalor.

[UltraMarginal]

Wow Bowspearer. just wow.

it sounds to me like your manager is not very good at his job. I'm surprised, if it's non-paying that he talks to any 'staff' like that. professionally it might be worth your effort sticking to your guns to use for future job prospects but it sounds like it'll be a hell of a battle.
Your dedication is nothing short of admirable.

[bowspearer]

Wow Bowspearer. just wow.

it sounds to me like your manager is not very good at his job. I'm surprised, if it's non-paying that he talks to any 'staff' like that. professionally it might be worth your effort sticking to your guns to use for future job prospects but it sounds like it'll be a hell of a battle.
Your dedication is nothing short of admirable.

Kudos for that. They just recently filled the post of the regional manager which would normally be under 3 or 4 other area managers, but because my area is so big due to the neglect it fell into, it's pretty much just me under him. I've spoken to him and he's appalled and will be intervening on my behalf. To that end, I just constructed a timeline of events that is over 2 pages long for him to work with (thankyou call logs on mobiles).

From this point onwards, if I do stay, I plan on making it conditional that all my communication with the head of the state branch is done directly through the regional manager (which the organisation's procedures dictate anyway) and that any instructions he gives me are to be in writing. That way he can't pull a stunt like this. If they refuse they can find someone else to fill the role and good luck to them finding someone as dedicated as I've been to do the job.

[UltraMarginal]

sounds like a resolution is in the works, that's good.

[DarkHyren]

I am so sick and tired of bloody scalpers. My recent frustration over this never ending BS is due to Targets recent decision to clear out a large majority of video games for $5.
Well long story short nearly every store was sold out of all their games on day one and the gaming groups on facebook are filled with photos of jerks bragging how they just bought 20 copies of the Limited Edition Twilight Princess WiiU, Starfox Zero, xenoblade chronicles x etc etc etc for $5 each.
It would be one thing if they bought these things to offer to other gamers either at cost or a small mark up, but already they are trying to sell the damn things for $50 or more.
I at least managed to get myself a copy of Black Ops 3 for $5, and unlike these worthless scumbags I left the other 5 copies on the shelf for someone else to buy!

[UltraMarginal]

it's frustrating, I wish I'd known about the sale, I might have bought some older Wii games.

We see this happening on occasion in transformers circles but I get the feeling it's much more common in other collecting circles, even generally accepted.
What really confuses me is peoples need to gloat about it.

[bowspearer]

I am so sick and tired of bloody scalpers. My recent frustration over this never ending BS is due to Targets recent decision to clear out a large majority of video games for $5.
Well long story short nearly every store was sold out of all their games on day one and the gaming groups on facebook are filled with photos of jerks bragging how they just bought 20 copies of the Limited Edition Twilight Princess WiiU, Starfox Zero, xenoblade chronicles x etc etc etc for $5 each.
It would be one thing if they bought these things to offer to other gamers either at cost or a small mark up, but already they are trying to sell the damn things for $50 or more.
I at least managed to get myself a copy of Black Ops 3 for $5, and unlike these worthless scumbags I left the other 5 copies on the shelf for someone else to buy!

Hey, if it makes you feel any better, some good did come out of you venting here.

Like you UM, I wasn't aware of this sale at all.

Anyway, I need to be up here on the Coast for a couple of weeks and tonight I was in Target Tuggerah, check in on Transformers, only to have no luck. I was in another store when I got a hunch to go back and check to see if they had anything left.

I went back in and was told they were cleaned out by the woman I spoke to. However when she checked the cabinet, she discovered a single complete copy of Guitar Hero Live (complete with guitar controller) for only $5. Naturally I jumped on it.

So while it wasn't so great a situation for you guys, at least something good came out of this in the form of another board member grabbing a great bargain that had been missed by everyone.

Thanks for the unconventional heads up. :)

[UltraMarginal]

super cool outcome!

[DarkHyren]

We see this happening on occasion in transformers circles but I get the feeling it's much more common in other collecting circles, even generally accepted.
What really confuses me is peoples need to gloat about it.Yep, a LOT more common in at least video game and star wars circles, I've even seen people get kicked out of gaming groups for telling off scalpers and warning people that said things are still available for half that price if they call around.
I suspect a lot of those groups admins are dodgy scalpers as well tbh.
Happened a lot with the nes/snes mini's with people actually selling them for $500 each and getting the sale too due to collector desperation.
Glad I held out since now there are nigh infinite supplies coming very soon now, but I do feel sorry for those that thought there would never be more and thus paid those huge 5 times mark ups.
I went back in and was told they were cleaned out by the woman I spoke to. However when she checked the cabinet, she discovered a single complete copy of Guitar Hero Live (complete with guitar controller) for only $5. Naturally I jumped on itNoice :)

[jazzcomp]

I am so sick and tired of bloody scalpers. My recent frustration over this never ending BS is due to Targets recent decision to clear out a large majority of video games for $5.
Well long story short nearly every store was sold out of all their games on day one and the gaming groups on facebook are filled with photos of jerks bragging how they just bought 20 copies of the Limited Edition Twilight Princess WiiU, Starfox Zero, xenoblade chronicles x etc etc etc for $5 each.
It would be one thing if they bought these things to offer to other gamers either at cost or a small mark up, but already they are trying to sell the damn things for $50 or more.
I at least managed to get myself a copy of Black Ops 3 for $5, and unlike these worthless scumbags I left the other 5 copies on the shelf for someone else to buy!
Nice score!

[Skullcruncher]

Collectors that deliberately deceive stores to get a cheaper price are worse than scalpers.

The old "it was on the different peg" or "I think it should be this price" doesn't wash with me, these are collectors who know exactly what they are buying and deliberately angling for a cheaper price.

Case in point - POTP toys at Titans Returns rates.

[Galvatran]

Collectors that deliberately deceive stores to get a cheaper price are worse than scalpers.

The old "it was on the different peg" or "I think it should be this price" doesn't wash with me, these are collectors who know exactly what they are buying and deliberately angling for a cheaper price.

Case in point - POTP toys at Titans Returns rates.
Was there a specific occurance you witnessed or heard?

Worst than "I've tranformed it a few times, had my fun then returned to shop for a full refund"?

[Skullcruncher]

Was there a specific occurance you witnessed or heard?

Worst than "I've tranformed it a few times, had my fun then returned to shop for a full refund"?

Theres one on this board in one of the sightings threads and a few on TCCA facebook page now and then.

But yeah similar to that, however you missed "oh it never came with an accessory" :rolleyes:

[Galvatran]

TF Collector (TFC): I would like to return this item for a full refund.

Returns Department (RD): Is there anything wrong with it?

TFC: This Titan class Generations Metroplex is missing a rifle blaster accessory. There was none when I opened the MISB.

RD: Oh, ok. *proceeds with refund*

[UltraMarginal]

TF Collector (TFC): I would like to return this item for a full refund.

Returns Department (RD): Is there anything wrong with it?

TFC: This Titan class Generations Metroplex is missing a rifle blaster accessory. There was none when I opened the MISB.

RD: Oh, ok. *proceeds with refund*

my Metroplex was missing a black bracket in his shoulder that allowed it to actually be assembled. I should have kept the gun, but I didn't, I asked them if I could but was refused. two weeks later, I found the missile for the gun, which I had no idea I hadn't put back in the box prior to returning it for an exchange.

[Galvatran]

my Metroplex was missing a black bracket in his shoulder that allowed it to actually be assembled. I should have kept the gun, but I didn't, I asked them if I could but was refused. two weeks later, I found the missile for the gun, which I had no idea I hadn't put back in the box prior to returning it for an exchange.
Hmmm...
:p

[SMHFConvoy]

So someone sideswiped my car between Monday night and Tuesday morning and didn't leave a note. Less angry more disappointed in people, anyway it's got comprehensive insurance but I still have to pay the excess and car rental.

[Trent]

That sucks dude. I’ve been there.

[SMHFConvoy]

That sucks dude. I’ve been there.

Thanks, good news my car will be fixed, because I like my car :)

[Galvatran]

Wasn't this guy by any chance? (https://www.google.com.au/search?rlz=1C1GCEA_enAU804AU804&biw=1280&bih=918&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=BetzW6j4HJXI8wXQpKaQBw&q=transformers+sideswipe+g1&oq=transformers+sideswipe+g1&gs_l=img.3..0l2j0i30k1j0i8i30k1l7.2811.3324.0.3509 .3.3.0.0.0.0.235.235.2-1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.img..2.1.234....0.ObMQBQnRacs #imgrc=d-Ln0fVQ76qLyM:)

[techx]

Amazon US has POTP Snarl and Sludge @ $15 a pop but they stop delivering to Straya :mad::mad::mad: and guess what, Amazon AU has both items by retailers @ $90 - $100 :mad::mad::mad: Why????????? ARGHH!!!!!!!!!

[1AZRAEL1]

Amazon US has POTP Snarl and Sludge @ $15 a pop but they stop delivering to Straya :mad::mad::mad: and guess what, Amazon AU has both items by retailers @ $90 - $100 :mad::mad::mad: Why????????? ARGHH!!!!!!!!!

Do what I'm doing, use Shipito 😉

[prjkt]

Y u do dis Squeenix?

Picked up my copy of Shadow of the Tomb Raider this morning before work.
Serial number is NOT the Steam code. I need to insert the disk into my computer, then it’ll do something and give me a Steam code.

I don’t get home for 12 hours

I left my computer on today so I could start the download remotely after entering the code.

My internet is sh*t, it’ll take me all weekend to install, and extra 12 hrs might have helped.

Argh.

[UltraMarginal]

WE're moving on Monday.

I have a metric crap tonne of Transformers comics and Phantom Comics.

Last weekend I went to Kings to buy some comics boxes (6) so I could pack and move them all safely. they didn't have any because they had just moved themselves and they were still in a state of flux.

I had great customer service, and in the end decided that the best thing was to order them on line. it turned out that shipping 6 comic boxes from Sydney to Sydney was only going to cost $11.

they were posted Wednesday morning. I expected them to turn up today so I could pack my comics over the weekend. I've just looked at the tracking and it says Fyshwick ACT. I've called Australia post and confirmed that yes, they have sent them to the wrong address and it has been flagged and will be sent to the right address, however it will be Monday or Tuesday before they arrive.

You had one Job Australia post, one job. :mad::mad::mad::(

[Autocon]

Problems with centrelink/job network provider communications. Apparently there is a "glitch" in the system so no monies and rent is over due.

Wheres my job!!! Give me a job and off bloody centrelink!

[jazzcomp]

At the cinema, gal asked ticket guy for movie "y" at 1:30pm. Given different tickets to movie "z" because movie "y" is full but didn't say. Pissed. Price $12 for using member points for 2 tickets. Refunded.

Went back to ask other ticket guy for movie "y" again at 7pm. Price for 2 tickets is $38. Single ticket price is $15, doesn't explain why total is $38 and just says night movies are just more expensive and also doesn't offer to use member points.

Booked online for $15 + $3 booking fee = $18 total for 2 tickets. Saved $20 but added cost of $6 (ticket price difference + booking fee) from the original intent of watching the movie at 1:30pm.

Just so annoyed. :mad:

[Seraphim Prime]

Not an angry vent, but a sad vent.

My girlfriend broke up with me over the weekend and now just feeling a little empty / lost. :(

[G1Optimal]

Not an angry vent, but a sad vent.

My girlfriend broke up with me over the weekend and now just feeling a little empty / lost. :(

Sorry to hear that mate.:(

[1AZRAEL1]

Sucks to hear it matey. Reach out and chat if you need to.

[UltraMarginal]

Not an angry vent, but a sad vent.

My girlfriend broke up with me over the weekend and now just feeling a little empty / lost. :(


Sorry to hear that mate.:(


Sucks to hear it matey. Reach out and chat if you need to.

What they said. :(

[CHILENO20]

Not an angry vent, but a sad vent.

My girlfriend broke up with me over the weekend and now just feeling a little empty / lost. :(

Sorry to hear mate :(

[jazzcomp]

Sorry to hear but better to end it now than further down the track.

[TaZZerath]

Goddamn that sucks :( were you guys together long? PM me if you need a friendly ear :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Here's how you don't respond to critical customer feedback.
https://image.ibb.co/cHTyJA/temp.jpg
The fact is that we ate all the food because:
1. We were so damn hungry after waiting for so long
2. Small portions; it didn't take much to finish our plates. Even my 9 year old finished everything on her plate! :eek:

And I get that they deal with take-away orders, which was why I was careful to say, "in-restaurant" customers. Anyway, needless to say that I'll be voting with my wallet and not dining there ever again. :rolleyes:

P.S.: I clicked on Disappointing Food but didn't comment on it. We all agreed that the quality of our dishes were mediocre at best, and the veggies were just soggy. :(

[Galvatran]

Gotta admit, that response had me LMAO real loud.

[SMHFConvoy]

Name and shame Gok!

[TaZZerath]

Ok random tired vent.

We own two horses and a Shetland pony who is for our 2 year old son. We've never had an issue with our Shetland for the 10 years we've owned him and now TWICE in a month the little bugger has tried to kill himself by getting colic (for those who don't know, colic is when horses get upset stomachs; they aren't able to vomit so they roll to try and alleviate the pain and can end up twisting their guts). The first time was the start of October and things looked very bleak; we had the option of surgery or medical intervention; we chose the latter due to expense (which is terrible, but this vet practise demands up front payment, and we're talking multi-K's here) and by some miracle just pumping him full of IV fluids and restricting his diet managed to get him good again.

Or so we thought anyway. After being on a strict diet, after work yesterday he was laying down flat out (not a great sight to see). We got him up , tried to get him eating, only for him to want to get back down and roll again. My fiancee said we'd better get the vet out and sure enough, colic again. Not as bad this time as we caught it early but still had lots of walking around (can't let the horse lay down or roll as mentioned above), 2 hourly checks..... needless to say i'm pretty shattered today.

We think that we've managed to figure out its carrots that are the culprit. Horses love carrots and apples for treats and carrots are a common staple for ours. No more carrots for him!

Horses. Great animals to own but they can REALLY do your head in.

[UltraMarginal]

how do you afford toys if you've got two horses and a pony!!??

[TaZZerath]

how do you afford toys if you've got two horses and a pony!!??

By working for a hay processing plant, having a fiancee who works with animals, and being REALLY picky with what I buy :D

[Caffinetron]

I just bought a new horse last night. I only plan on feeding him the odd apple, oatmeal cookie and of course giving him a brush. However the way I ride horses I don't think he will last too long. Ohhhh wait, this isn't the "Console Gaming Thread" is it?

Seriously though, I worked with horses for a few years over in the US and they are buggers to maintain. My boss also owns a few horses and he is constantly bitching about them.
Good luck to you with the carrot thing though I imagine if you stop feeding them the carrots they might get really stroppy.

[Ralph Wiggum]

There’s a good reason why Homer had to work two jobs to pay for the upkeep of Lisa’s horse.

[Autocon]

Went to boost, upsold extra strawberries for 60c. She only put 4 strawberries in! Waste of 60c.

[SMHFConvoy]

Housemate texts me Saturday night, I'm giving 2 weeks notice, fine when I press him for a date he says he doesn't know, he's looking.

Mate if you don't have a new place then don't give me notice.

Anyway I've decided to move out, if dipstick wants to stick around he can, he'll just have to pay the full bond, I've got no time for games.

[UltraMarginal]

Housemate texts me Saturday night, I'm giving 2 weeks notice, fine when I press him for a date he says he doesn't know, he's looking.

Mate if you don't have a new place then don't give me notice.

Anyway I've decided to move out, if dipstick wants to stick around he can, he'll just have to pay the full bond, I've got no time for games.

sounds like a reliable housemate... :rolleyes:

[SMHFConvoy]

sounds like a reliable housemate... :rolleyes:

The guy moved in without his bond and weeks rent, so I can interview people for the room but I can't give them a move date

[TaZZerath]

Flatmates can be REALLY terrible. Before I got a house with my missues I had a share place. My first flatmate was a good friend and we got along fairly well until he decided to travel and didn't want to rent an empty space. The second was a workmate i'd been warned about; turned into a slacker on his rent, a liar and a stint in a mental health hospital before completely bailing on his outstanding debts and bond and everything in his room (after breaking in and getting all his necessities, namely his PC and a few clothes). I also found unpaid outstanding bills addressed TO ME in his room. Creepy. The last one liked to pee all over the toilet seat for some reason...

[Autocon]

I hate share houses!:mad: Messy, go in to your room, ive had horrible experiences. I shall win lotto this year and move to sydney in my own place :cool:

[SharkyMcShark]

Between living at home with my parents, and now living with my fiance I have lived

a) with my partner + my sister and her partner
b) alone

Even just with my sister, girlfriend, and my sisters boyfriend (who is one of my best friends) it was f***ing awful.

Living alone is the way to go.

[GoktimusPrime]

I once had a housemate who left owing me over $1000 debt (unpaid bills, unpaid share of rent, accumulated loans)

[SMHFConvoy]

Well I had a conversation with my landlord (I live in a granny flat) and they're quite happy for me to stay and just pay my half of the rent until I find a good tenant.

I'm really lucky to have great accommodating landlords!

[shockNwave]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHH H
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad::mad::mad:. All the tickets to Emperor including the VIP ones are sold out!

[UltraMarginal]

Well I had a conversation with my landlord (I live in a granny flat) and they're quite happy for me to stay and just pay my half of the rent until I find a good tenant.

I'm really lucky to have great accommodating landlords!

that's great news! hopefully you can find someone good quickly

[1AZRAEL1]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHH H
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad::mad::mad:. All the tickets to Emperor including the VIP ones are sold out!

Are you sure? The GA tix are still left

[shockNwave]

Are you sure? The GA tix are still left

You're right. The stupid idiot at Eventbrite.com should be subjected to the tongue of fire in the wordless chamber to suffer among the burning shadows of silence!!!:mad:

[bowspearer]

Really pissed of with a dodgy issue issue with an ebay sale atm. I bought a MISB BW2 Dirge (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280765966219) from Transfigure Toys (https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/transfigure-toys). The figure was dispatched really quickly and because it was coming from Sydney to Canberra, it was a pretty quick turnaround; it arrived today, and I safely received it, but no thanks to Australia Post!

The seller had specifically paid for signature on delivery. So what did the parcel delivery driver do? He dropped it off while no one was home and as it's showing as delivered, he probably forged what he thought my signature would be to get away with it.

This pisses me off for two reasons!

The first, minor reason is that I happen to be very lucky and live in arguably the safest suburb in the ACT. However if I lived in a more crime ridden suburb, it could easily have been stolen while I was out and the Christmas present my parents were getting me, on a very tight budget and in what has been a personal "anno horriblus", would have gone. That pisses me off a little bit, but not as much as the second reason.

Secondly, as people have gathered, the line between me having all the patience in the world with ebay sellers an not putting up with crap is whether someone acts in good faith with me or bad faith with me. There are certainly dodgy sellers out there, but Transfigure-toys is a standup seller, I've bought stuff from him in the past and I'll happily buy from him again. Yet if Dirge wasn't going to me but to a dodgy buyer, they could have easily used the dodgy behaviour of Aus Post to claim they never received the figure and scam them out of $65 worth of product and postage. Yes you could argue it's on the small end of ebay sales, but you never know just how tough people are doing it these days.

Now if it's a dodgy buyer and a dodgy seller screwing each other over, I'm likely to consider it a figurative match made in hell, but given the dodgy sellers out there, it pisses me off so much when one of the good ones is opened up to this kind of victimisation - especially when the really standup sellers can be hard to come by and especially when they're clearly being rorted out of a form of insurance they paid for.

I've sent the seller an angry email where it was clear that I was angry for them rather than at them and will be calling Aus Post tomorrow to see what can be done to get this driver's ass kicked. However it just pisses me off when good people who do act in good faith, get screwed over because someone dodgy decides to take lazy shortcuts.

[1AZRAEL1]

You're right. The stupid idiot at Eventbrite.com should be subjected to the tongue of fire in the wordless chamber to suffer among the burning shadows of silence!!!:mad:

You're lucky though, they did end up selling out in Melbourne

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Went to make some custard and the bloody thing curdled:mad:

[GoktimusPrime]

If Hell exists then I really hope that there's a place for people who talk during movies in cinemas. :mad:

[M-bot]

I ordered some (not inexpensive) personal medical supplies online mid-December, needed by later this week. Checked the tracking on 27/12 which stated that it was delivered on 24/12. People at home all day and no calling card left. I called the company and made enquiries, they told me it was at the courier depot, waiting to be picked up, then called me back to say that the courier took it to the local post office (that I was at earlier in the day).

Went there after work yesterday, they had the package. Then, the P.O. staff went into a large tub and pulled out DOZENS of cards (the kind they leave you when you’re not home), found mine, and disposed of it. I saw on the card a note to say “deliver on 9/1”.

AusPost - really?!:rolleyes::mad:

[BigTransformerTrev]

I ordered some (not inexpensive) personal medical supplies online mid-December, needed by later this week. Checked the tracking on 27/12 which stated that it was delivered on 24/12. People at home all day and no calling card left. I called the company and made enquiries, they told me it was at the courier depot, waiting to be picked up, then called me back to say that the courier took it to the local post office (that I was at earlier in the day).

Went there after work yesterday, they had the package. Then, the P.O. staff went into a large tub and pulled out DOZENS of cards (the kind they leave you when you’re not home), found mine, and disposed of it. I saw on the card a note to say “deliver on 9/1”.

AusPost - really?!:rolleyes::mad:

Auspost has been shocking. The woman at the local office convinced my kids for me to buy them some letters to write and send to Santa and then Santa (Auspost) sends a (generic form letter) note back.

Sent off early Dec. Kids got their letters from Santa New Years Eve :rolleyes:

[G1Optimal]

Auspost has been shocking. The woman at the local office convinced my kids for me to buy them some letters to write and send to Santa and then Santa (Auspost) sends a (generic form letter) note back.

Sent off early Dec. Kids got their letters from Santa New Years Eve :rolleyes:

Better late than never
(like the ghostbusters 2 scene where a ghost titanic arrived in new york port)

[i_amtrunks]

I ordered some (not inexpensive) personal medical supplies online mid-December, needed by later this week. Checked the tracking on 27/12 which stated that it was delivered on 24/12. People at home all day and no calling card left. I called the company and made enquiries, they told me it was at the courier depot, waiting to be picked up, then called me back to say that the courier took it to the local post office (that I was at earlier in the day).

Went there after work yesterday, they had the package. Then, the P.O. staff went into a large tub and pulled out DOZENS of cards (the kind they leave you when you’re not home), found mine, and disposed of it. I saw on the card a note to say “deliver on 9/1”.

AusPost - really?!:rolleyes::mad:

We’ve had a stack of those lately, four in the week leading up to Christmas where they said it was sent straight to the local post office but we were home all day and no one even tried to deliver it to our address. It’s a joke and misleading or just outright losing or misdirecting. I know they are busy but if they can’t figure out to better staff and develop practices to ensure they can meet demand, they deserve to go the way of other dinosaur concepts and stores.

[Trent]

Auspost has been shocking. The woman at the local office convinced my kids for me to buy them some letters to write and send to Santa and then Santa (Auspost) sends a (generic form letter) note back.

Sent off early Dec. Kids got their letters from Santa New Years Eve :rolleyes:

You’re lucky. We still haven’t got ours.

[BigTransformerTrev]

You’re lucky. We still haven’t got ours.

The kids have shown zero interest in the letters they received since Santa already brought their gifts a week ago :p

With this performance I don’t think Auspost will get a lot of repeat customers :rolleyes:

[M-bot]

Auspost has been shocking. The woman at the local office convinced my kids for me to buy them some letters to write and send to Santa and then Santa (Auspost) sends a (generic form letter) note back.

Sent off early Dec. Kids got their letters from Santa New Years Eve :rolleyes:


You’re lucky. We still haven’t got ours.

Don't both of your cases represent a clear claim for you money back? They offered a very specific service that they did not provide. Galling!

[Trent]

Don't both of your cases represent a clear claim for you money back? They offered a very specific service that they did not provide. Galling!

Not worth the time and effort.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Not worth the time and effort.

For me its not getting people in this tiny community offside. If I didn't take the aboriginal elder who did a sh*thouse job rendering my concrete tank to task after he did a complete balls up of the job and charged me a thousand bucks for the privelege, I'm not going to get the post office staff offside for $1.30

[bowspearer]

For me its not getting people in this tiny community offside. If I didn't take the aboriginal elder who did a sh*thouse job rendering my concrete tank to task after he did a complete balls up of the job and charged me a thousand bucks for the privelege, I'm not going to get the post office staff offside for $1.30

There's a wider issue here. This might be a cheap cash-in for Aus Post, but if they're going to be doing this, then they need to realise that they're cashing-in on the emotions, joy and wonder of children.

If they'd thought it through, they'd have recognised the potential for causing needless distress and emotional harm to children. Yes, it's certainly not as bad as the teacher who was recently fired for sending 6 year olds home in tears when she told them there was no such thing as Santa Claus (https://www.scarymommy.com/teacher-fired-for-telling-kids-theres-no-santa-claus/), however when you're acting in a manner which destroys the magic for children, your actions are definitely somewhere in the vicinity. And let's face it, when it's generic letters which look half-assed and where they can't even get them to people before Christmas, then it's not great. I'm sure if there was enough distress to a few children, that someone might even be able to make a case for child neglect and possibly even child emotional abuse.

If yours is anything but the rare exception, then really you should say something, regardless of how much or how little you spent on it; at the end of the day, no matter how much a product or service costs, you shouldn't be able to put a price on a child's sense of wonder.

As for the elder in question, sounds like their fellow uncles and aunties need to take them aside and have a quiet but no so pleasant chat with them about how their business ethics are dishonouring their tribe/community.

[UltraMarginal]

I've had an animated Voyager (MIB) listed on eBay for Months. the other day it sold and do you think I can find the damn thing!!??

I have two or three boxes of stuff I plan to sell, some of it is listed on eBay, some here. I remember seeing the toy in the weeks leading up to our move before Christmas.

We've pretty much unpacked the majority of the house and I'm going through my collection boxes (still packed). I have about 5 or 6 boxes to go through tonight before I conclude that I've either sold it in the past and can't remember doing so or I've lost a Voyager Transformer somehow.

I've never put so much effort into shipping a transformer in my life.

[TaZZerath]

I've had an animated Voyager (MIB) listed on eBay for Months. the other day it sold and do you think I can find the damn thing!!??

I have two or three boxes of stuff I plan to sell, some of it is listed on eBay, some here. I remember seeing the toy in the weeks leading up to our move before Christmas.

We've pretty much unpacked the majority of the house and I'm going through my collection boxes (still packed). I have about 5 or 6 boxes to go through tonight before I conclude that I've either sold it in the past and can't remember doing so or I've lost a Voyager Transformer somehow.

I've never put so much effort into shipping a transformer in my life.

Good luck with it! Hopefully you can track it down :)

[Paulbot]

I've had an animated Voyager (MIB) listed on eBay for Months. the other day it sold and do you think I can find the damn thing!!??

I have two or three boxes of stuff I plan to sell, some of it is listed on eBay, some here. I remember seeing the toy in the weeks leading up to our move before Christmas.

We've pretty much unpacked the majority of the house and I'm going through my collection boxes (still packed). I have about 5 or 6 boxes to go through tonight before I conclude that I've either sold it in the past and can't remember doing so or I've lost a Voyager Transformer somehow.

I've never put so much effort into shipping a transformer in my life.

Yet another Aussie seller promising Transformers but unable to deliver :p

I joke as I feel bad as I've got a few outstanding requests/holds that I feel quility about and I need to get back to over the weekend.

[UltraMarginal]

Yet another Aussie seller promising Transformers but unable to deliver :p

I joke as I feel bad as I've got a few outstanding requests/holds that I feel quility about and I need to get back to over the weekend.

Well, you're either part of the problem like me, or part of the solution... :D

[UltraMarginal]

I found it, after 3 nights of looking and opening literally every box left after the move, including my entire collection. it was the second to last box, up on a back shelf in the garage. it's only box, packed ready to ship from when I calculated postage on eBay. why it wasn't in the box with all the others I'll never know.

[DaptoDog]

I found it, after 3 nights of looking and opening literally every box left after the move, including my entire collection. it was the second to last box, up on a back shelf in the garage. it's only box, packed ready to ship from when I calculated postage on eBay. why it wasn't in the box with all the others I'll never know.

Wouldn't you know it? Glad you found it in the end.

[M-bot]

I found it, after 3 nights of looking and opening literally every box left after the move, including my entire collection. it was the second to last box, up on a back shelf in the garage. it's only box, packed ready to ship from when I calculated postage on eBay. why it wasn't in the box with all the others I'll never know.

That’s a massive relief!

[Sinnertwin]

https://i.imgur.com/2Z4uIv2.gif

[TaZZerath]

I found it, after 3 nights of looking and opening literally every box left after the move, including my entire collection. it was the second to last box, up on a back shelf in the garage. it's only box, packed ready to ship from when I calculated postage on eBay. why it wasn't in the box with all the others I'll never know.

Thank Primus for that!

I bet at the time you thought "This will be a safer/easier place to find it when I need it"

This ALWAYS happens with me! :D

[UltraMarginal]

thanks guys, especially you and your jifs Sinnertwin.

[Sinnertwin]

https://i.imgur.com/QPHAgHD.gif

[GoktimusPrime]

thanks guys, especially you and your jifs Sinnertwin.
Between thiz and Zinnertwin replacing hiz Ss with Zs... :p
https://i.ibb.co/zn76nv6/meme-triggered.jpg

[UltraMarginal]

I knew I'd get someone.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just spent a couple of days uninstalling and re-installing driver, programs and crap because I found my computer mic and usb mics weren't being recognised.

Odd I thought as the last time I used it (a long time ago, I must admit) everything was fine and dandy. I've had no reason up until now to mess with settings, but it just none of them were recognised.

Turns out good old windows update had by default disabled the mic options in one of the settings (for privacy I guess). Would have been nice to know this before hand, I could have saved myself so much time.

[bowspearer]

Why is it that some ebay sellers turn into complete morons when it comes time to pack figures?!

So my Christmas present was a G1 Quickswitch (some joints are a little loose on some panels, but I can live with it), and to cut shipping costs down, I got a cheap lot no one else was toughing with a mint loose TM Terrosaur and Waspinator (and yes, I can see the poetic humour in what is about to be said).

The Quickswitch, Terrosaur and weapons were wrapped with all the love in the world. The Waspinator body itself was placed in the bottom, without padding, with everything else on top of it. If it was just the legs popping out, then that would have been an easy fix, but one of the wings was also snapped off at the top wing joint and there's no easy way of saving it. So now I have 2 good figures and a worthless paperweight because the seller decided through negligence, that my Waspinator should be more show accurate.

Gotta love it.

[TaZZerath]

Is it bad that I found that story amusing because out of all the toys that got shafted it was Wazzzzzpinatorrrrr? :D

Fortunately all of my second hand TF purchases via members here have been really great with packaging. I guess because they understand the care and attention to detail that collectors have and require for their hobby.

[bowspearer]

Is it bad that I found that story amusing because out of all the toys that got shafted it was Wazzzzzpinatorrrrr? :D

No I saw the poetic humour in it too - I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry as the old saying goes.


Oh and you're terrible Muriel :p

[GoktimusPrime]

Had my tyre punctured by not one but TWO nails that were on the road :mad:

When I dropped it off for repair I was told, "That's a very expensive tyre."
Yes, I know. I only bought it not that long ago, now I gotta pay to get it fixed. Yay. :rolleyes:

[jazzcomp]

Consider a cheaper brand tyre.

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't mind paying for quality tyres since it's a safety issue - the lives of myself and my family on the road. Just sucks when I have to fix it because someone else didn't secure their stuff properly and dropped a bunch of nails and screws on the road.

[Omega Metro]

So sick of watching TV shows with stupid flashback and/or dream scenes. :confused:

[Sinnertwin]

I don't mind paying for quality tyres since it's a safety issue - the lives of myself and my family on the road. Just sucks when I have to fix it because someone else didn't secure their stuff properly and dropped a bunch of nails and screws on the road.

Did they offer to replace the inner tube/repair the punctures or was the tire itself in such poor condition they had to replace that also?

[MV75]

I don't mind paying for quality tyres since it's a safety issue - the lives of myself and my family on the road. Just sucks when I have to fix it because someone else didn't secure their stuff properly and dropped a bunch of nails and screws on the road.

I feel that. I got my current car 2.5 years ago now and at the time I put some pilot sport 3's on, not cheap at over $600 for all four, and yea, got a screw in one not long after. Puncture repair has held perfectly fine though even with all the abuse they get from my driving. :)

There's a tip that goes around, keep to the road where everyone else is driving, go on the parts where the majority of cars do not and you'll increase your nail / screw chances by a lot. But still, doesn't always work. :(

[GoktimusPrime]

There's a tip that goes around, keep to the road where everyone else is driving, go on the parts where the majority of cars do not and you'll increase your nail / screw chances by a lot. But still, doesn't always work. :(
Heh, this is what I was doing anyway and I still copped it.
Guess I took one for the "team" :p

[MV75]

Heh, this is what I was doing anyway and I still copped it.
Guess I took one for the "team" :p

Yep, we both did. :(

I have another car related rant too, taking a bunch of recyclables to the depot I decide to just let a truck in on the highway on ramp because I tend to drive pretty chilled most of the time, my reward was a thrown rock that put a dint on the bonnet (I have a pdr kit and fixed it easily), but also chipped the windscreen. :( Got $16 for the recyclables and a chip repair kit at supercheap is twice that. Dammit. They offer a chip repair service too, you'd think it would be better, I had to get the girl there to repeat herself when she said it was $70 a chip for them to do it! Right now just living with it as it's just a little divot from the glass with no cracks.

[GoktimusPrime]

Are you talking about that thing where they fill in the gap with some clear material that hardens up? Like on the old Windscreen O'Briens ads? :confused:

[TaZZerath]

Had my tyre punctured by not one but TWO nails that were on the road :mad:

When I dropped it off for repair I was told, "That's a very expensive tyre."
Yes, I know. I only bought it not that long ago, now I gotta pay to get it fixed. Yay. :rolleyes:

This reminds me of a story from a year or so back....

Had a truck roll over on an S-bend near our house. A few days later after the trucks removal I took the corner as I normally do. Seconds later a thump-thump-thump noise appears. Tec screw embedded in the back right tyre :rolleyes: limp to work, replace with spare, note to self, get puncture repaired in next few days.

Next day, go out for late night shopping, stop off for pizza after, driving to pizza place through back of carpark, thump-thump-thump noise appears again. Unbelievably, ANOTHER tec screw in a tyre. The SPARE i had JUST replaced the day before!! :eek:

With no useable spare and little options (and the screw not being as embedded) decided to risk pulling it out and seeing how we went. I have big A/T 4x4 tyres so this one didn't end up penetrating and was useable for some time until both tyres could get repaired.

You wouldn't read about it would you!

[UltraMarginal]

you might think so, but I just did...

[MV75]

Are you talking about that thing where they fill in the gap with some clear material that hardens up? Like on the old Windscreen O'Briens ads? :confused:

I'd say it would be. I think they're all resin based repairs now.

[GoktimusPrime]

My car's computer informs me whenever there's a puncture. I didn't get to the thump thump stage as the nails were still plugging the holes... of sorts. Given enough time I'm sure that my tyre would've deflated to the point of thump thump. But I changed to my spare tyre as soon as the alert came on my dashboard and then took the tyre to be repaired the next day.

Then the annoying thing was to figure out how disable the tyre pressure alert on my car. :rolleyes: I've done it once before but I couldn't for the life of me remember how to do it again. Heck, even right now I probably couldn't do it again. :p It's not something I exactly do frequently enough to remember off the top of my head.

I'd say it would be. I think they're all resin based repairs now.
And that costs $75 per chip?! :eek:

[MV75]

My car's computer informs me whenever there's a puncture. I didn't get to the thump thump stage as the nails were still plugging the holes... of sorts. Given enough time I'm sure that my tyre would've deflated to the point of thump thump. But I changed to my spare tyre as soon as the alert came on my dashboard and then took the tyre to be repaired the next day.

Then the annoying thing was to figure out how disable the tyre pressure alert on my car. :rolleyes: I've done it once before but I couldn't for the life of me remember how to do it again. Heck, even right now I probably couldn't do it again. :p It's not something I exactly do frequently enough to remember off the top of my head.

And that costs $75 per chip?! :eek:

I've got the sort of automatic thing that I look at my tyres before taking off so noticed one was down. Just drove it straight to the tyre place. :)

Apparently it is $70 per chip for supercheap to do. At first I thought she said $17, I'm like, ok what was that again? $70! I was expecting more like $10 as one would assume they'd use their kits which are good for a number of repairs. Anyway, had a quick look on ebay just before, pretty cheap one time kits for about the $5 mark. :)

Have a look in the glove compartment in your car, there's a book in there that most people either don't know about or just forget about that contains all the information you should need on resetting that alert. :) Not meaning to sound rude, it's just when I was at a car dealer, the amount of times people came back with stuff that could be solved back at their own place by reading the manual and not waste theirs and our time was, well, all the time. That was just a bit of a vent, but not at you.

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh, I have looked through my handbook. It was about as useful as farting on a cyclone.

[TaZZerath]

Automatic pressure sensors in cars? You guys got some sort of cybertronian tech in there??

[GoktimusPrime]

If by Cybertron you mean Germany, then yeah. :p

[M-bot]

School’s been back, what, 2-3 weeks? My kid’s already lost 2 jumpers, both labeled, both left at school and vanished.:mad:

[BigTransformerTrev]

School’s been back, what, 2-3 weeks? My kid’s already lost 2 jumpers, both labeled, both left at school and vanished.:mad:

Lost or nicked? It happens. Ya get the rough-nut families trawl the schoolgrounds after hours sometimes. You can often tell because suddenly their kid is wearing new uniform with the tags inside the collar cut off :rolleyes:

At a Special School I worked at in Melb one family gave me the shits. They never sent their kid in any spare clothes, so when they messed themselves we would send them home in spares. Not only would they never return them, but their kid would turn up at school weeks later actually wearing them :rolleyes:

[Caffinetron]

My work is driving me nucking futs at the moment. Factories that don't want to help you resolve issues and things are being built cheaply.... Sometimes I just want to go back to being an on the road technician.

[Galvatran]

Lost or nicked? It happens. Ya get the rough-nut families trawl the schoolgrounds after hours sometimes. You can often tell because suddenly their kid is wearing new uniform with the tags inside the collar cut off :rolleyes:

At a Special School I worked at in Melb one family gave me the shits. They never sent their kid in any spare clothes, so when they messed themselves we would send them home in spares. Not only would they never return them, but their kid would turn up at school weeks later actually wearing them :rolleyes:
I've had to deal with situation at work where adult man/men soiled their jocks & dump them in the restroom rubbish, which the janitor refuse to empty.

Then there was this one time I was Sydney airport restroom where a guy just dumped his soiled jocks in the rubbish bin in full view of me.

The sh!t that I have to go through, quite literally.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I've had to deal with situation at work where adult man/men soiled their jocks & dump them in the restroom rubbish, which the janitor refuse to empty.

Then there was this one time I was Sydney airport restroom where a guy just dumped his soiled jocks in the rubbish bin in full view of me.

The sh!t that I have to go through, quite literally.

Duuuuddeee....

.... at least the ones I deal with are aged 18 max and have mental disabilities. That sucks :(

[morg176]

Car insurance/ctp time has reared its ugly and unwelcome head once again. Strapped for time this year, and have left it later that I am happy with

2012 i30
Im the only driver

I like to link ctp and comprehensive together

Other than the ridiculous price for someone who hasn't crashed or claimed in over 6 years I find the "but thats the price the computer says" to be the weakest f* answer you could possibly give to a customer

With nrma
But the price just keeps going up

I personally prefer to go into a shop/store and talk to a human
Suggestions for where to maybe get a better deal

[kovert]

Re car insurance. Did you go with a higher basic excess? Market value or agreed value?

[morg176]

Re car insurance. Did you go with a higher basic excess? Market value or agreed value?

1000 excess
Agreed 12k

I know I can get cheaper prices if you have ridiculous excess and mv but I need to replace the damn thing if its trashed. It all seems to defeat its own purpose

Just generally sh*tted with it

[GoktimusPrime]

The cost of insurance across the board has gone up... pretty much because people keep on having accidents^incidents which goes to continually drive up the cost. Each time you drive by the scene of an incident, just know that this it may be contributing to the rising cost of insurance.

Insurance sure would be cheaper if people exercised more caution and common sense. And it's not just motoring insurance too. Just yesterday I was speaking to a colleague of mine who used to do Shotokan Karate and told me that they never ever used safety gear during sparring, which led to the discussion about how the cost of martial arts insurance fees for instructors keeps on skyrocketing, costs which are then passed onto students. *sigh*

And of course it's all to do with how insurance works in the first place, i.e. calculated risk. The riskier people are then the dearer insurance becomes.

I find it frustrating when other drivers get mad at me for cautiously obeying road rules. One common thing that happens to me is when I'm waiting to make a left turn onto say a 2 lane main road. The right lane has oncoming traffic but the left lane is clear, but NSW road rules dictate that I must yield to both lanes of traffic before turning, even if I'm only intended to enter the left lane. If a vehicle travelling on the right lane should suddenly merge (even without indicating) as I make my left turn into the left lane and collide into me then I am the at-fault driver. So I wait. And wait until both lanes of traffic are clear. In the meantime irate drivers behind me start beeping and I can see them yelling at me from inside their cars. Yeah NO... I'm not going to illegally make a left turn and risk causing a traffic incident where I would be technically the at-fault driver just to save these morons a bit of time. Just shut up and wait -- I legally cannot turn at this time!

Flaming brainless twits...

[morg176]

It also gets under my skin all the components that they "use to calculate" your premium. I have never seen or been able to question that all of those things apply to me.
I also hate that they just lump everyone in an area together. My personal risk is not the same as others on my street. One person in your lump claims, and everyones premium goes up

Total crap, I get the crankies this time every year. I remember whwn green slips were cheap. God what happened...

Thanks for the input gok : )

[kovert]

Any excess above $1,000 is getting up there! Agreed that agreed value is the way to go. Have you tried Youi?

Can understand where you're coming from in relation to the usage of the term 'car accident', Gok. Some authorities now even use the term ‘collision' or 'traffic crash' as they are reluctant to use the term 'accident'. For example, the Queensland Police Service renamed its 'Accident Investigation Squad' a few years ago to 'Forensic Crash Unit'.

[i_amtrunks]

Just Like health insurance, its a scam and we all get ripped off enormously. I've never heard of anyone who has had a legitimate claim helped by their insurer. They've always had to chase them, fight them and fight them to pay out and do the damn job they have been paying for.

It's a rip off and joke, with the parent companies making billions in profit while refusing to pay people out their dues after fires, floods and accidents, or taking the longest possible time to do the barest basic service.

Its infuriating that it is a service that is more or less necessary (especially health) but is getting too expensive to afford and especially for what tiny "benefit" it provides.

[Trent]

Its infuriating that it is a service that is more or less necessary (especially health) but is getting too expensive to afford and especially for what tiny "benefit" it provides.

Last year I claimed back several thousand dollars more than what I paid out for my family health insurance. While it does suck and I had considered dumping it and saving that money each year, with the lack of ability to claim on extras like dental and physio, I wouldn't be as far in front as some might think.

[GoktimusPrime]

Minor rant -- battery in my wife's car died this arvo so had to buy a replacement (and of course car batteries aren't exactly cheap) :rolleyes: Also booked my car in for service because my car keeps on telling me that my engine is overheating even though coolant levels are fine. No idea what's going on, but hey... more money to burn on the bottomless pit that is automotive maintenance! :rolleyes: :p

[ampoldj]

Just Like health insurance, its a scam and we all get ripped off enormously. I've never heard of anyone who has had a legitimate claim helped by their insurer. They've always had to chase them, fight them and fight them to pay out and do the damn job they have been paying for.

It's a rip off and joke, with the parent companies making billions in profit while refusing to pay people out their dues after fires, floods and accidents, or taking the longest possible time to do the barest basic service.

Its infuriating that it is a service that is more or less necessary (especially health) but is getting too expensive to afford and especially for what tiny "benefit" it provides.

I'm not sure why they require compulsory health insurance now for people visiting here from overseas like my mother in law. It's wasting 1000aud a year which would be great if they can give her a check up at least twice a year. She's been telling me obviously if she gets sick she'd rather go home with ridiculous hospital fees she doesn't want to burden us

[TaZZerath]

My partner, who is a vet nurse, got fired on Friday :mad:. She spent 15 years of loyal service at her job in a casual role. New owners took over almost 3 years ago while she was on maternity leave and since her return it hasn't been the same.

Her Performance Reviews always were glowing about how well she treated staff and the clients (the animals). But a new practise manager came onboard 6 months ago. They tried pressuring her into taking training and racking up a $10-12K bill to do so because they wanted qualifications of their own for the business, but the timeframes and the amounts didn't add up. After staunchly refusing to sign anything without definitive timeframes, repayments and costs, all was quiet until they called her into a meeting Friday after lunch, terminated her position, and refused to give her an answer why and then escorted her out the door like a criminal.

This was her dream job and the new owners (who we thought were friends) treated her with such disrespect. The main business owner, whose animals we cared for, whose practise we helped renovate, whose wedding we went to, whose horse we helped put to sleep when it was sick, wasn't even there to do it face to face.

I was so mad, I went ahead and bought some Siege Micromasters even though i couldn't afford them as therapy.

[GoktimusPrime]

The main business owner, whose animals we cared for, whose practise we helped renovate, whose wedding we went to, whose horse we helped put to sleep when it was sick, wasn't even there to do it face to face.
↑This part really sucks.

My dad used to be the financial controller for BHP and part of his job was to decide which workers to make redundant. He said that this was the one part of his job that he absolutely hated the most, but it had to be done because the main objective is to save the company and the many more jobs by sacrificing others. But he always made sure that he sat these workers in his office and gave them the bad news to their face. He took no pleasure in doing this job but it was something that had to be done, but the least he could do was tell them in person. And yeah, he knew that he was sacking good loyal workers. This was never the reason for their redundancy. It was simply, from a financial POV, a needed culling to protect the company. My dad quit his job at BHP shortly after they closed down their steelworks in Newcastle. I have never ever seen my dad so stressed with his job than the time he had to cull workers. The next job he got paid less but he was much happier with it because he didn't need to ruin people's livelihoods.

I hope things get better for your missus soon.

[i_amtrunks]

Insignificant rant in the grand scheme of things but I’m absolutely sick of Foxtel.

It’s been unable to get signal for the last two days, since the heavy downpour that had likely flooded a service pit or something. No alerts and nothing in their media or official site. No sorry or updates either. Their call centre is a joke, you get redirected somewhere overseas where those poor buggers have no idea what’s going on.

I only have it for the sport and the nick jnr channel really, is go to Kayo sports but out internet is craptacular as well and we struggle to have Netflix run properly half the time, and Foxtel go is unwatchable anytime after 7pm. I’d hate to try and stream a product like kayo that uses the same Foxtel servers.

Just an absolutely archaic, useless system that I wish would be held accountable for their inaction...

[UltraMarginal]

My partner, who is a vet nurse, got fired on Friday :mad:. She spent 15 years of loyal service at her job in a casual role. New owners took over almost 3 years ago while she was on maternity leave and since her return it hasn't been the same.

Her Performance Reviews always were glowing about how well she treated staff and the clients (the animals). But a new practise manager came onboard 6 months ago. They tried pressuring her into taking training and racking up a $10-12K bill to do so because they wanted qualifications of their own for the business, but the timeframes and the amounts didn't add up. After staunchly refusing to sign anything without definitive timeframes, repayments and costs, all was quiet until they called her into a meeting Friday after lunch, terminated her position, and refused to give her an answer why and then escorted her out the door like a criminal.

This was her dream job and the new owners (who we thought were friends) treated her with such disrespect. The main business owner, whose animals we cared for, whose practise we helped renovate, whose wedding we went to, whose horse we helped put to sleep when it was sick, wasn't even there to do it face to face.

I was so mad, I went ahead and bought some Siege Micromasters even though i couldn't afford them as therapy.

That almost sounds like a wrongful dismissal, not that she'd want to work there any more after that anyway I'd imagine. I hope she can pick something up that she enjoys soon TaZZerath

[TaZZerath]

That almost sounds like a wrongful dismissal, not that she'd want to work there any more after that anyway I'd imagine. I hope she can pick something up that she enjoys soon TaZZerath

Thanks pal.

As it turns out, lemons into lemonade. A job opportunity is opening up which while not close by, pays well, has childcare facilities, and is right up her alley, so we're rallying to apply for it despite everything we're going through. We only have this week to sort it all out (after 15 years in the same job the ol' Resume is a bit outdated!) but we'll crack on and apply. Fingers crossed, this may be a blessing in disguise.

[UltraMarginal]

Thanks pal.

As it turns out, lemons into lemonade. A job opportunity is opening up which while not close by, pays well, has childcare facilities, and is right up her alley, so we're rallying to apply for it despite everything we're going through. We only have this week to sort it all out (after 15 years in the same job the ol' Resume is a bit outdated!) but we'll crack on and apply. Fingers crossed, this may be a blessing in disguise.

that sounds promising. god luck!

[DELTAprime]

GOD DAMN IT! The scroll wheel on my mouse just broke. This is going to make using the computer really tedious till I can get a new one.

[Trent]

Soup. I’ve been gardening this morning and the humidity is stupid. It’s like breathing soup.

[GoktimusPrime]

god luck!
Even better than good luck is when your luck hits god mode ;)

[TaZZerath]

Even better than good luck is when your luck hits god mode ;)

Hahahah :) Thanks for the laugh guys.

Submitted off all the application details on Sunday at the 11th hour for the new job. Was a marathon effort. Venting over, for now!

[Omega Metro]

Why is it so hard for Australian online action figure/collectibles stores to reply to my emails? There’s 5 of them that just seem to totally ignore me.:mad:

[GoktimusPrime]

An excellent must-watch video: Can we autocorrect humanity? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRl8EIhrQjQ)

It never ceases to astound me whenever I see people staring at their digital devices in the company of other people. I think even for adults this is a pretty ordinary display of a lack of manners, but it's even worse when I see them doing it in front of their children, and worse still when they enable or encourage their children to do it! Like parents plopping mobile devices in front of kids at the table to shut them up during meals, and sometimes the parents themselves are eating with devices in front of them.

And the last movie I saw there were a number of people checking their tablets and phones in the freaking cinema. What the hell is wrong with these people? Even my 9 year old thought it was hilariously weird when she recently saw a family eating at a table -- dad was playing with his phone and the school aged child was watching something on his mum's mobile while mum was just sitting there spoon feeding him. None of them were saying anything to each other. Dad was like a hunchback with his attention focused on his phone. The kid was an enslaved digital zombie and mum was just a slave feeding this kid like a machine. The silence between them was deafening. In the meantime my daughter and I are just sitting at the next table having a pleasant chat over lunch. No devices. Just direct social engagement with present company.

Obviously I'm not opposed to online social engagement as it's clearly what I'm doing right now. But I'm not in the presence of other people atm (I'm sick at home today). I wouldn't be typing this if I were.

[Sinnertwin]

I've also noticed a decline on face to face social interaction when a group of people are together.
Sad really, you won't get that time back, enjoy each other's company.

[Sharky]

enjoy each other's company.

they probably dont thats why they are the way they are, it is the old norm to socially gather, where these days its all about streaming and content and they have bigger social lives behind an array of monitors.

[Omega Metro]

they probably dont thats why they are the way they are, it is the old norm to socially gather, where these days its all about streaming and content and they have bigger social lives behind an array of monitors.

And that’s how I prefer it.;)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I'm surrounded by people and on my device. As well as on the train not wanting to be talked to, which is handy.

[griffin]

I've also noticed a decline on face to face social interaction when a group of people are together.
Sad really, you won't get that time back, enjoy each other's company.


That reminds me of the people who are seen at concerts or special events, filming it on their phones (looking at the tiny screen on their phone to make sure they are filming it) instead of just sitting there and soaking up the live event happening all around them.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm surrounded by people and on my device. As well as on the train not wanting to be talked to, which is handy.
I encouraged my students to talk to people on trains, buses etc. when we were in Japan (hmm yeah, talk to strangers :p). My students still remember the time I talked to this lady who was with her little daughter in Kyoto. Then when we went to Nara I bumped into the same lady and her girl and she was with her mum! She actually saw me first and then ran up to chat with me again. :D

One of the most memorable moments for my students was when a Year 11 boy approached a group of female university students and said, 「僕は彼女がいません」("I don't have a girlfriend"). He instantly became a mini-celebrity as he was surrounded by these girls and started chatting with him. The funny thing is that this kid is normally super shy, and when this started happening I could see his face turning red as he looked at me, but I gave him an encouraging gesture and he just went with it! :D

[1AZRAEL1]

That reminds me of the people who are seen at concerts or special events, filming it on their phones (looking at the tiny screen on their phone to make sure they are filming it) instead of just sitting there and soaking up the live event happening all around them.

Yep. That drives me bonkers. So many people watch the concert through their phones. Sure I take a few photos and maybe a video, but I'm there to watch the concert. Admittedly I did take alot more when I saw Therion last year, a band I never thought I would see on these shores and likely never again. My mate did capture a grey moment where the singer took my glasses and wore them on stage.

[GoktimusPrime]

RE: What Tetsuwan Convoy was saying about commuters -- you're not really obliged to socially connect with these people. I'm really talking about being in the company of friends or family and then promptly ignoring those in front of you in order to connect with your device.

I took my daughter out for dinner earlier this evening and there were a few other school aged kids there. This is basically what we saw...
https://i.ibb.co/0B49dyY/idiocracy-device-dining.jpg
* One table where the parent was on their device and completely ignoring their child who was bored to tears. He looked over at the Transformer toy on our table and found that more engaging.
* Another table where the parent had plonked a phone in front of their child and proceeded to feed the child. Reaching across the table, cutting the food up, and then putting the food into the child's mouth. This kid was still in his school uniform! :eek: Well done, Mrs Cartman.
* Yet another table where a phone was placed in front of the child and both parents spoke to each other but not the child. It was as if she was in a Cone of Silence.
We were the only table with a kid where neither the parent or child was using a device. There were a few other tables with adults only and those adults were communicating with each other, but what concerns me is what these other parents are teaching their children. That this is somehow acceptable behaviour??

Am I the only one who thinks that this is sad and pathetic? :confused: You can check your device when your kids aren't around or when they've gone to bed. When your children are right in front of you then why not enjoy their company? They grow up all too quickly so why not enjoy their childhood? Am I missing something here?! :confused:
https://i.ibb.co/8jMhP1G/meme-autocorrecthumanity.jpg

[1AZRAEL1]

As commuters, stuff em. I enjoy my solitude without interaction with people I don't know. Most of the time. But out to dinner with friends or family, focus should be on them not electronic devices.

[Trent]

RE: What Tetsuwan Convoy was saying about commuters -- you're not really obliged to socially connect with these people. I'm really talking about being in the company of friends or family and then promptly ignoring those in front of you in order to connect with your device.

I took my daughter out for dinner earlier this evening and there were a few other school aged kids there. This is basically what we saw...
https://i.ibb.co/0B49dyY/idiocracy-device-dining.jpg
* One table where the parent was on their device and completely ignoring their child who was bored to tears. He looked over at the Transformer toy on our table and found that more engaging.
* Another table where the parent had plonked a phone in front of their child and proceeded to feed the child. Reaching across the table, cutting the food up, and then putting the food into the child's mouth. This kid was still in his school uniform! :eek: Well done, Mrs Cartman.
* Yet another table where a phone was placed in front of the child and both parents spoke to each other but not the child. It was as if she was in a Cone of Silence.
We were the only table with a kid where neither the parent or child was using a device. There were a few other tables with adults only and those adults were communicating with each other, but what concerns me is what these other parents are teaching their children. That this is somehow acceptable behaviour??

Am I the only one who thinks that this is sad and pathetic? :confused: You can check your device when your kids arn't around or when they've gone to bed. When your children are right in front of you then why not enjoy their company? They grow up all too quickly so why not enjoy their childhood? Am I missing something here?! :confused:
https://i.ibb.co/8jMhP1G/meme-autocorrecthumanity.jpg

While I personally have strong opinions on my kid using devices at the table, Ive made a rule out of not judging others parenting styles simply because I don’t know their situation/circumstances. You know what happens when you assume?

[Raider]

You know what happens when you assume?

Oh oh I no this one! You make an ass of out of u and me :D

[Tha_Phantom]

As commuters, stuff em. I enjoy my solitude without interaction with people I don't know. Most of the time. But out to dinner with friends or family, focus should be on them not electronic devices.

Agreed. I don't care for small talk with strangers I'll never meet again. Family/friends of course is a different matter.

[valkyrie_76]

Oh oh I no this one! You make an ass of out of u and me :D

Oh you ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

You know what happens when you assume?
I don't think that they're unreasonable assumptions though. After all, even hypotheses are all based off assumptions (which are then tested with research or experimentation).

My assumptions are based off my own experience. As someone who works with teenagers I witness the effects this on a regular basis. And at schools we are seeing an ever increasing rate of things like:
* Students refusing to stop using their phones in class. Teachers are sometimes even abused when telling students to put their phones away.
* We are unable to confiscate phones from students because parents complain
* I have taken students on trips, including overseas, where some students miss out on the marvels that I'm trying to show them because they're too busy staring at their screens
* Whenever I walk around the school during recess and lunch and I see groups of kids just using their devices and ignoring each other, I refer to these groups as "hunchbacks anonymous."
* Some medical experts have noted an increased rate of neck and upper spine issues with young people due to prolonged periods of being hunched over. Remember how our parents told us to sit with correct posture?
* Mental health: we are seeing an increased rate of kids who are have deteriorating interpersonal social skills.
* Mental health: we are seeing an increasing rate of kids with poor resilience skills. Counsellors, child psychologists and other mental health professionals are becoming increasingly inundated with cases.
* Mental health: we are seeing an increasing rate of social withdrawal from kids. At school we see this manifest in the form of school refusal, which then leads to police home liaison officers paying visits to encourage these kids to come to school, but because they're so mentally distraught we have to work out a programme for them to slowly reintegrate into society and learn how to come back to school. This is often done by having them attend school on a part time basis and then reassessing them to see if they are mentally fit to attend full time. Needless to say that this has irrevocable effects on their education as they can miss many months of lessons and assessment tasks etc.

Remember that a child's brain is still incredibly malleable and that these changes to behaviour can literally rewrite their brain's architecture. As a result we are seeing increasing rates of kids with mental health diagnoses like ADD, ODD etc. And it's not even got to do with the devices themselves but basically just not spoiling the child rotten.

There have been a few times when I have been able to speak with these parents, and in each of these instances I have found no real excuse for them to allow the child to use the device at the table. It is, really, due to the parents being lazy. One classic case was at a friend's birthday where I saw another family spoon feeding their almost 2 year old. :eek: When I spoke to them about this, the mother said, "Watch what happens when I take the phone away," and the kid just had a massive tantrum! :eek: And she admitted that it was because this is the way they had conditioned the child. He has come to not only expect access to a device when eating, but he demands it as entitlement. :eek: I asked her, "Who's in control here, you are your kid?" and she fully admitted that it was her child who has authority over her, not vice versa. And IMO herein lies the problem. Parents should have authority over their children, not the other way around. That's not to say that children shouldn't be heard or respected, of course they should, but ultimately the authority lies with the parents.

Letting a child access a device whenever or wherever s/he wants... imagine that happening with junk food? Kids like sweets. Would you let them have sweets for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Would you let them eat Maccas anytime they demanded it? And yeah, kids will kick up a stink if they don't get what they want sometimes. It happens with my kid too. The difference is that I don't allow it. Even if I think it might be appropriate, if my daughter demands something rather than politely asking then the answer is no.

But hey, my experiences are just anecdotal, so let's look at what research data is telling us.
Smartphone use linked with increase in mental illness in adolescents (https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/teens/smart-phones-have-robbed-kids-of-their-childhood/news-story/7cbb23fd70568afadeebdbc500d83aa2)
Is your child addicted to mobile devices? (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/suffer-the-children/201803/is-your-child-addicted-mobile-devices)
Study concludes that we need more data for the effects of mobile device exposure in early childhood (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30402717)

P.S.: As the proverb goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_takes_a_village)

[ChlorHex]

Am I the only one who thinks that this is sad and pathetic?

Gok, you gotta back away from statements like that.
The same applies for grown men carrying kids' toys and taking photos with them wherever they go. Lol :D (this when seen from general society's viewpoint).

Research findings aren't everything as they're meant to be critiqued. Even scientific studies with sample sizes of the hundreds of thousands and heavily supported in funding... if the researchers have hypothesized on an inappropriate study end-point, the findings end up heavily flawed and honestly, they're useless costly time wasting exercises (but will be quoted by some groups repeatedly due to the above mentioned points).

There's always a deeper story to what you're seeing superficially :)

To each their own...

[Trent]

I don't think that they're unreasonable assumptions though. After all, even hypotheses are all based off assumptions (which are then tested with research or experimentation).

My assumptions are based off my own experience. As someone who works with teenagers I witness the effects this on a regular basis. And at schools we are seeing an ever increasing rate of things like:
* Students refusing to stop using their phones in class. Teachers are sometimes even abused when telling students to put their phones away.
* We are unable to confiscate phones from students because parents complain
* I have taken students on trips, including overseas, where some students miss out on the marvels that I'm trying to show them because they're too busy staring at their screens
* Whenever I walk around the school during recess and lunch and I see groups of kids just using their devices and ignoring each other, I refer to these groups as "hunchbacks anonymous."
* Some medical experts have noted an increased rate of neck and upper spine issues with young people due to prolonged periods of being hunched over. Remember how our parents told us to sit with correct posture?
* Mental health: we are seeing an increased rate of kids who are have deteriorating interpersonal social skills.
* Mental health: we are seeing an increasing rate of kids with poor resilience skills. Counsellors, child psychologists and other mental health professionals are becoming increasingly inundated with cases.
* Mental health: we are seeing an increasing rate of social withdrawal from kids. At school we see this manifest in the form of school refusal, which then leads to police home liaison officers paying visits to encourage these kids to come to school, but because they're so mentally distraught we have to work out a programme for them to slowly reintegrate into society and learn how to come back to school. This is often done by having them attend school on a part time basis and then reassessing them to see if they are mentally fit to attend full time. Needless to say that this has irrevocable effects on their education as they can miss many months of lessons and assessment tasks etc.

Remember that a child's brain is still incredibly malleable and that these changes to behaviour can literally rewrite their brain's architecture. As a result we are seeing increasing rates of kids with mental health diagnoses like ADD, ODD etc. And it's not even got to do with the devices themselves but basically just not spoiling the child rotten.

There have been a few times when I have been able to speak with these parents, and in each of these instances I have found no real excuse for them to allow the child to use the device at the table. It is, really, due to the parents being lazy. One classic case was at a friend's birthday where I saw another family spoon feeding their almost 2 year old. :eek: When I spoke to them about this, the mother said, "Watch what happens when I take the phone away," and the kid just had a massive tantrum! :eek: And she admitted that it was because this is the way they had conditioned the child. He has come to not only expect access to a device when eating, but he demands it as entitlement. :eek: I asked her, "Who's in control here, you are your kid?" and she fully admitted that it was her child who has authority over her, not vice versa. And IMO herein lies the problem. Parents should have authority over their children, not the other way around. That's not to say that children shouldn't be heard or respected, of course they should, but ultimately the authority lies with the parents.

Letting a child access a device whenever or wherever s/he wants... imagine that happening with junk food? Kids like sweets. Would you let them have sweets for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Would you let them eat Maccas anytime they demanded it? And yeah, kids will kick up a stink if they don't get what they want sometimes. It happens with my kid too. The difference is that I don't allow it. Even if I think it might be appropriate, if my daughter demands something rather than politely asking then the answer is no.

But hey, my experiences are just anecdotal, so let's look at what research data is telling us.
Smartphone use linked with increase in mental illness in adolescents (https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/teens/smart-phones-have-robbed-kids-of-their-childhood/news-story/7cbb23fd70568afadeebdbc500d83aa2)
Is your child addicted to mobile devices? (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/suffer-the-children/201803/is-your-child-addicted-mobile-devices)
Study concludes that we need more data for the effects of mobile device exposure in early childhood (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30402717)

P.S.: As the proverb goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_takes_a_village)

That’s great Gok. But show me where in my previous posts I was questioning the effects of long term uncontrolled use of devices on children? What I was questioning was your judging of those parents based on witnessing one snapshot of their lives with zero context. Are you statistically likely to be right? Probably. But does that mean that you should immediately jump to the worst case conclusion? No. Because I guarantee you’re wrong about some of them. Which was my point.

[BigTransformerTrev]

When your children are right in front of you then why not enjoy their company? They grow up all too quickly so why not enjoy their childhood? Am I missing something here?! :confused:



I don't think that they're unreasonable assumptions though. After all, even hypotheses are all based off assumptions (which are then tested with research or experimentation).

My assumptions are based off my own experience. As someone who works with teenagers I witness the effects this on a regular basis. And at schools we are seeing an ever increasing rate of things like:
* Students refusing to stop using their phones in class. Teachers are sometimes even abused when telling students to put their phones away.
* We are unable to confiscate phones from students because parents complain
* I have taken students on trips, including overseas, where some students miss out on the marvels that I'm trying to show them because they're too busy staring at their screens
* Whenever I walk around the school during recess and lunch and I see groups of kids just using their devices and ignoring each other, I refer to these groups as "hunchbacks anonymous."
* Some medical experts have noted an increased rate of neck and upper spine issues with young people due to prolonged periods of being hunched over. Remember how our parents told us to sit with correct posture?
* Mental health: we are seeing an increased rate of kids who are have deteriorating interpersonal social skills.
* Mental health: we are seeing an increasing rate of kids with poor resilience skills. Counsellors, child psychologists and other mental health professionals are becoming increasingly inundated with cases.
* Mental health: we are seeing an increasing rate of social withdrawal from kids. At school we see this manifest in the form of school refusal, which then leads to police home liaison officers paying visits to encourage these kids to come to school, but because they're so mentally distraught we have to work out a programme for them to slowly reintegrate into society and learn how to come back to school. This is often done by having them attend school on a part time basis and then reassessing them to see if they are mentally fit to attend full time. Needless to say that this has irrevocable effects on their education as they can miss many months of lessons and assessment tasks etc.

Remember that a child's brain is still incredibly malleable and that these changes to behaviour can literally rewrite their brain's architecture. As a result we are seeing increasing rates of kids with mental health diagnoses like ADD, ODD etc. And it's not even got to do with the devices themselves but basically just not spoiling the child rotten.

There have been a few times when I have been able to speak with these parents, and in each of these instances I have found no real excuse for them to allow the child to use the device at the table. It is, really, due to the parents being lazy. One classic case was at a friend's birthday where I saw another family spoon feeding their almost 2 year old. :eek: When I spoke to them about this, the mother said, "Watch what happens when I take the phone away," and the kid just had a massive tantrum! :eek: And she admitted that it was because this is the way they had conditioned the child. He has come to not only expect access to a device when eating, but he demands it as entitlement. :eek: I asked her, "Who's in control here, you are your kid?" and she fully admitted that it was her child who has authority over her, not vice versa. And IMO herein lies the problem. Parents should have authority over their children, not the other way around. That's not to say that children shouldn't be heard or respected, of course they should, but ultimately the authority lies with the parents.

Letting a child access a device whenever or wherever s/he wants... imagine that happening with junk food? Kids like sweets. Would you let them have sweets for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Would you let them eat Maccas anytime they demanded it? And yeah, kids will kick up a stink if they don't get what they want sometimes. It happens with my kid too. The difference is that I don't allow it. Even if I think it might be appropriate, if my daughter demands something rather than politely asking then the answer is no.

But hey, my experiences are just anecdotal, so let's look at what research data is telling us.
Smartphone use linked with increase in mental illness in adolescents (https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/teens/smart-phones-have-robbed-kids-of-their-childhood/news-story/7cbb23fd70568afadeebdbc500d83aa2)
Is your child addicted to mobile devices? (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/suffer-the-children/201803/is-your-child-addicted-mobile-devices)
Study concludes that we need more data for the effects of mobile device exposure in early childhood (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30402717)

P.S.: As the proverb goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_takes_a_village)

Errr... you wrote that second wall of text at 11am on a Sunday morning. Couldn't you have been, you know, enjoying your childs company? Taking her out to breakfast or to an art gallery or something? At that time I was in the garden with my two kids teaching them the different depths you plant various vegetable seeds, then planting out a half dozen different varieties in the vege patch.

Then after lunch we went up the back of our property for a bushwalk and some rock climbing :)


That’s great Gok. But show me where in my previous posts I was questioning the effects of long term uncontrolled use of devices on children? What I was questioning was your judging of those parents based on witnessing one snapshot of their lives with zero context. Are you statistically likely to be right? Probably. But does that mean that you should immediately jump to the worst case conclusion? No. Because I guarantee you’re wrong about some of them. Which was was my point.

My in-laws cop this kind of inaccurate judgement all the time because they have a daughter with top-level diabetes, the kind that requires a machine permanently attached to her to monitor her glucose levels. So whenever they are either at home or out, during meal times they both have their phones out and are checking them constantly because they are synced to the machine and they can't let her sugar levels go too high or too low otherwise it might be life threatening. But to the causal observer, it probably appears that they are checking their FB statuses rather than monitoring their daughters health who is sitting across the table.

Gok, I bet you probably did tons of stuff with your daughter over the weekend and your big post at 11am this morning was a bit of 'me' time while she was off doing her own thing. But like Trent points out, if you are only looking at a snapshot, a casual visitor to Ozformers would think that you are spending all your time online on a social site about toys rather than spending time with your child. Appearances can be deceiving can they not ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

Errr... you wrote that second wall of text at 11am on a Sunday morning. Couldn't you have been, you know, enjoying your childs company?
She was cleaning and vacuuming her room at the time (and she's in the shower as I'm typing this).

I am willing to concede that there may be occasional exceptions... but that's the word -- exceptions. Which should be, ya know, exceptional. If this were an uncommon sight then that'd be one thing... but I'm finding that increasingly seeing kids without a device at a table in public (cos the judge told me to stop spying on people through their windows :p :p) is becoming rare. Just the other day I walked through a food court and saw two kids eating without any devices out. They were talking to each other and enjoying each other's company! This made me feel so happy and I thought, "Good on you kids for... wait... for being normal?!" Has it come to this stage where just having regular good manners has become so uncommon that it now sticks out in my mind? :confused: Then as I walked through the rest of the food court I noticed most other kids there had devices out (I saw one other small child without a device and the father and grandmother were just sitting there having a nice chat!).

And yeah, even among my students I know that there are students with certain conditions or issues where playing on their device is easier for them than regular social interaction -- but these are a very small minority of students. Yet I still see loads of kids just sitting there like digital zombies glued to their devices -- just regular kids who don't really have to be on them. And as I said, it's even becoming a bigger problem when kids use their phones in class and refuse to put them away, becoming confrontational or even abusive when told to put their devices away.

Link: School dumps iPads and returns to paper textbooks (https://www.smh.com.au/education/major-distraction-school-dumps-ipads-returns-to-paper-textbooks-20190329-p5191r.html)

P.S.: The content on these screens are openly visible to all and it's certainly nothing like checking any vitals. I typically see games or videos being played. Even better when they crank the volume up despite the fact that they're in a shared public space. So sometimes even if I try to mind my own business and talk to the present company at my table, we get assaulted by the sounds of some neighbouring table's kids' devices blaring out sounds of videos and computer games. While I totally disagree with this practice, if you're gonna indulge your child like this in public, at least have the courtesy of plugging in earphones. Although it's even more irritating in cinemas as the backlight is quite distracting when I'm trying to watch a film. And during the last film I saw several other patrons complained about a group of teenagers who were talking and using their phones during the film - it wasn't just me.

[Raider]

My in-laws cop this kind of inaccurate judgement all the time because they have a daughter with top-level diabetes, the kind that requires a machine permanently attached to her to monitor her glucose levels. So whenever they are either at home or out, during meal times they both have their phones out and are checking them constantly because they are synced to the machine and they can't let her sugar levels go too high or too low otherwise it might be life threatening. But to the causal observer, it probably appears that they are checking their FB statuses rather than monitoring their daughters health who is sitting across the table.


This is a perfet example of why you should not judge others. There is no way to know the context for the actions. Do I sometimes let my kids look at a tablet at the dinner table? Yes, definitely because sometimes they are just being a nightmare and it is the only thing to stop them from going full monster. Do I sometimes hold back no matter how big a tantrum they throw? Yes, and it is a pain every time but sometimes that is the way it is. Most of the time are they well behaved at the table and willing to engage? Sure. But kids are kids and their moods swing all the time. Some times kids are angels, other times they are like Trev when he comes across a PETA supporter.

I make it a habit not to judge others lest ye be judged - and I don't want to be judged! :p

Protocols A & B in effect.

[MV75]

My in-laws cop this kind of inaccurate judgement all the time because they have a daughter with top-level diabetes, the kind that requires a machine permanently attached to her to monitor her glucose levels. So whenever they are either at home or out, during meal times they both have their phones out and are checking them constantly because they are synced to the machine and they can't let her sugar levels go too high or too low otherwise it might be life threatening. But to the causal observer, it probably appears that they are checking their FB statuses rather than monitoring their daughters health who is sitting across the table.

Well that sucks. The app should be better in that it should be able to accept parameters to then send notifications instead of having to be on the device. That would be a huge qol improvement. Send that to them so they can chase the software people up to suggest the feature.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Well that sucks. The app should be better in that it should be able to accept parameters to then send notifications instead of having to be on the device. That would be a huge qol improvement. Send that to them so they can chase the software people up to suggest the feature.

I believe their phones send audible alert tones if their daughters levels stray out of the ‘safe zone’. It’s more during meal times that they actively monitor her levels as during eating is when she can dip high or low quite quickly so they need to be ready to stop her eating at a moments notice

[MV75]

I believe their phones send audible alert tones if their daughters levels stray out of the ‘safe zone’. It’s more during meal times that they actively monitor her levels as during eating is when she can dip high or low quite quickly so they need to be ready to stop her eating at a moments notice

Still sucks though. I hope the tech can get better because there's lots of improving to be had, or as she gets older it may stabilise more, here's hoping for the best anyway.

[Handsprime]

Imagine having to take bit of the morning off from work to pick up a parcel (because your Post office isn't open on weekends, you have TAFE thursday nights and there isn't a parcel locker near your house to store it), only to find out that said Parcel has the order wrong :mad:

[GoktimusPrime]

Centrelink asks mother to confirm if her son still has Down Syndrome or not (https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/centrelink-asks-wa-mother-to-confirm-son-still-has-down-syndrome-20190408-p51c0z.html)

"I got better."

[GoktimusPrime]

Knife wielding maniac wounds people, including school children, in Japan
https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/japanese/ja/article/2019/05/28/chuan-qi-shi-de19ren-ci-sareruer-tong-nado3ren-xin-fei-ting-zhi

[Autocon]

I would not recommend updating your email address.

[SMHFConvoy]

My Twitter feed filling up with posts and reposts about getting Haslab Unicron funded. If I have to choose between a fandom and using my ability to live (rent, food bills and mortgage) I'm going to use the money to live. If you have money for both congrats but some of us have to make the, "uncool" decision not to fund an expensive and ludicrous piece of buyers remorse disguised as a toy.

Now that I got that out of my system, I hope it gets funded but I'm happy with my Armada Unicron.

[morg176]

Damn it, snapped a tooth, and it looks like the two next to it are about to snap in the same manner!
Looks like a weeks pay+ and off to the dentist.... grrr

[Ralph Wiggum]

Damn it, snapped a tooth, and it looks like the two next to it are about to snap in the same manner!
Looks like a weeks pay+ and off to the dentist.... grrr

Geez man, you eating rocks or something ?!?!?!?

[morg176]

Geez man, you eating rocks or something ?!?!?!?

Always had issues with teeth.
It looks like the tooth has rotted under the griding surface.
Hope the dentist can do something with it
See if I can get an appointment for after work tomorrow

Two other teeth look similar
almost scared to eat....

Wish me luck...

[UltraMarginal]

Damn it, snapped a tooth, and it looks like the two next to it are about to snap in the same manner!
Looks like a weeks pay+ and off to the dentist.... grrr

Jeez, that's scary, it happened to me once, many years ago as a student. not a fun time at all. I wish you the best outcome.

[i_amtrunks]

My stepmother is finally out of ICU and in a ward, that?s two weeks in ICU after my father passed away. So glad she?s made it through and can now work I?m getting healthy enough to come home.

[morg176]

Jeez, that's scary, it happened to me once, many years ago as a student. not a fun time at all. I wish you the best outcome.

Could not save the tooth.
It is now a very discoloured nub of a tooth, sigh

Looks like im up for partial lower dentures at the very least,
Implants would be preferable but a a very much higher cost

Sometimes you just cant get a break...

Thankyou for the support

[The_Black_Sheep]

My stepmother is finally out of ICU and in a ward, that?s two weeks in ICU after my father passed away. So glad she?s made it through and can now work I?m getting healthy enough to come home.

Geezus... I'm so sorry for your loss mate. I can't even imagine what your family must be going through at the moment. May your father be in a better place.

[GoktimusPrime]

Lost my mobile phone today (suspect it may have been stolen). :(

[TaZZerath]

Lost my mobile phone today (suspect it may have been stolen). :(

Dang thats a blow :( did you find it or end up replacing it yet?

[TaZZerath]

My stepmother is finally out of ICU and in a ward, that?s two weeks in ICU after my father passed away. So glad she?s made it through and can now work I?m getting healthy enough to come home.

That's a bittersweet mix of good and bad news bud :( I'm glad she is on the road to recover but very sorry for the loss of your dad.

[morg176]

HA! Just when I thought it couldn't get worse.
Ive had dry eyes for years, but because it is difficult to read (due to variable blurred vision), they would not renew my licence.
Drops of many kinds work for a few minutes but thats all, but nothing fixes the problem of my eyes not making sufficient tears.
Did some research and there are eye drops in japan that make your eyes produce tears, but getting the drops, if only to try them seems like an iffy premise.
Seeing an eye doc in sydney on friday

Wish me luck...

[SMHFConvoy]

Good luck :)

[UltraMarginal]

good luck Morg176, i hope you can sort something, our eyes are such a valuable part of our existence.

[morg176]

Thanks for the well wishes kind people!
hopefully I can get this sorted quickly and get my licence back
May take a few weeks though.
May start a sandpaper eyes thread...

[morg176]

Do they still use mercury fillings? I thought they were banned.
got a filling on a difficult tooth at the back, material was not the standard stuff they zap with the uv thing.
Have a bad feeling it was a mercury tooth.
If I knew that I would have refused it...
Not sure what to do now
Will ri g them in the morning. Never gave permission for mercury to be useu in my mouth.
Thats as toxic as

[UltraMarginal]

I can't imagine they'd even be able to get hold of mercury, let alone that it's a liquid at room temperature, and not suitable as a filling material under any circumstances.

[SMHFConvoy]

Went to import photos into Flickr, so I can update my Thunderclash custom thread here and Flickr/Yahoo have locked me out of the account and it doesn't recognise any of my alternate email addresses.

Sigh.

[SMHFConvoy]

A Christmas message (https://youtu.be/vlPUv9FuTxQ) ;)

[Thurmus]

Sitting here waiting for patches to install for one of our servers after we went to a friends for tea. People next door are out and there dog has not stopped barking since 8:45pm. I can't even wear headphones and drown it out as I can still hear it. How many things thrown at their screen door do you think it will take to get it to shut up?

[GoktimusPrime]

Guh, I feel your pain as we used to have a neighbour with a non-stop barking dog who would go nuts when there was no-one at home. :(

I'm not sure what legally permissible options you have to make the dog stop now. I think the next best thing you can do is to keep accurate and diligent records. Make a noise diary and note each time the dog starts and stops barking. Contact your council and get them to begin an investigation. Maaaybe contact the RSPCA and tell them that you suspect that there's a neglected dog and you're concerned about its welfare? :confused: <shrugs>

[Thurmus]

They finally got home at 12:45am.

We had people living there a few years ago with a Labrador that did the same thing but outside and when we were trying to get our babies to sleep. Before these people we had a baby that would fire up every now and then but at least he would stop in a few minutes when the parents got to him. I would feel more sorry for them and thank god ours were not babies any more.

[GoktimusPrime]

WHY DO (some) PEOPLE TALK DURING MOVIES?!? :mad:
(other than because they're selfish buttholes)

Gggrrr... last two times I was in a movie there were idiots talking, including Rise of Skywalker. The guy sitting next to me even went, "That's (Name of a Planet)," and I shushed him. As in, "NO POO, SHERLOCK!" We're not freaking blind and we don't need a running audio commentary. :mad:

There was also someone who brought a BABY into the movie who was screaming no fewer than five times. It was around the third time that the parents decided to take the baby outside... for a bit, before coming back in and the baby would scream again. STOP IT!

If a person cannot be quiet during a movie then they're not ready to be in a cinema!
It's simple. I'm a parent too and until my kid was old enough to sit quietly throughout the entire duration of a movie, we did NOT bring her to a regular cinema. We either took her to the drive-in (so nobody outside our car could hear her making a fuss) or we just waited for the movie to come out on DVD. Yeah it was an inconvenience for us, but we weren't going to inconvenience hundreds of other cinema goers by making them suffer through her crying etc. just for our sake. That would be, oh I don't know, incredibly selfish? I understand that it's not always possible to find a babysitter... but at the same time, you don't have to watch a movie in cinemas. Or if you really, REALLY wanted to see it that badly, you'd arrange for a babysitter weeks or months in advance. If not, then you probably didn't want to see it that badly.

Ggrrrr... shut uppity up up uppity up!

[Bladestorm]

Check with council what their rules are regarding dog barking noise as definitions are different from council to council.

In our area the rule is barking for more than 6 minutes non-stop or over 30 barks in one hit are considered excessive/reportable and continuous barking over 30 minutes can result in removal.
I have a dog and our neighbours on one side hate him (and made sure to tell us that the first day he came home as a puppy) even though he generally only barks when people come on the property or muck around near the fence when he's outside. Our dog is a territorial barker (a trait of shepherds) so he goes nuts at strangers but is a big softie if you meet him on the street or at a park.
If our dog barked more than about 2 minutes my neighbours would call council on us as they HATE dogs. There are two who keep asking us when the dog will be leaving not because he barks to excess but because they don't like dogs being on our street.

We purposely attempt to keep him quiet - he is never outside unsupervised... and while we are out he is secure indoors with cameras on him so we can ensure he isn't distressed or causing problems.
Have you asked the owners if they know their dog barks non-stop while they are out? They may be oblivious. If my dog was barking and I wasn't aware I would want to know - that's the reason we have cameras to check ours isn't getting distressed or teased, etc.
Having said that if the owners are just fobbing off their responsibilities and don't care then you definitely need to let someone know.
I wouldn't want a dog next to me barking non-stop with unconcerned owners either which is why we are so conscious of our own pup.

[Bladestorm]

WHY DO (some) PEOPLE TALK DURING MOVIES?!? :mad:
(other than because they're selfish buttholes)

Gggrrr... last two times I was in a movie there were idiots talking, including Rise of Skywalker. The guy sitting next to me even went, "That's (Name of a Planet)," and I shushed him. As in, "NO POO, SHERLOCK!" We're not freaking blind and we don't need a running audio commentary. :mad:

There was also someone who brought a BABY into the movie who was screaming no fewer than five times. It was around the third time that the parents decided to take the baby outside... for a bit, before coming back in and the baby would scream again. STOP IT!

If a person cannot be quiet during a movie then they're not ready to be in a cinema!
It's simple. I'm a parent too and until my kid was old enough to sit quietly throughout the entire duration of a movie, we did NOT bring her to a regular cinema. We either took her to the drive-in (so nobody outside our car could hear her making a fuss) or we just waited for the movie to come out on DVD. Yeah it was an inconvenience for us, but we weren't going to inconvenience hundreds of other cinema goers by making them suffer through her crying etc. just for our sake. That would be, oh I don't know, incredibly selfish? I understand that it's not always possible to find a babysitter... but at the same time, you don't have to watch a movie in cinemas. Or if you really, REALLY wanted to see it that badly, you'd arrange for a babysitter weeks or months in advance. If not, then you probably didn't want to see it that badly.

Ggrrrr... shut uppity up up uppity up!

Was this at Top Ryde?
We refuse to go to those cinemas now as this has happened to us EVERY time we've gone there and ruined the experience.
We go further afield to Chatswood as we have never had problems with the films being interrupted there.

[GoktimusPrime]

Was this at Top Ryde?
We refuse to go to those cinemas now as this has happened to us EVERY time we've gone there and ruined the experience.
We go further afield to Chatswood as we have never had problems with the films being interrupted there.
Top Ryde and Castle Hill.

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

Speaking of cinema - and I acknowledge it's kind of me versus the world on this one, but sometimes you've just gotta decide yep, this is the hill I'm dying on - I saw Cats yesterday, and absolutely (unironically) loved it.

In the interests of fairness, I have always preferred the Broadway version of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, and they used the London version, but it's fine.

[Trent]

WHY DO (some) PEOPLE TALK DURING MOVIES?!? :mad:
(other than because they're selfish buttholes)

Gggrrr... last two times I was in a movie there were idiots talking, including Rise of Skywalker. The guy sitting next to me even went, "That's (Name of a Planet)," and I shushed him. As in, "NO POO, SHERLOCK!" We're not freaking blind and we don't need a running audio commentary. :mad:

There was also someone who brought a BABY into the movie who was screaming no fewer than five times. It was around the third time that the parents decided to take the baby outside... for a bit, before coming back in and the baby would scream again. STOP IT!

If a person cannot be quiet during a movie then they're not ready to be in a cinema!
It's simple. I'm a parent too and until my kid was old enough to sit quietly throughout the entire duration of a movie, we did NOT bring her to a regular cinema. We either took her to the drive-in (so nobody outside our car could hear her making a fuss) or we just waited for the movie to come out on DVD. Yeah it was an inconvenience for us, but we weren't going to inconvenience hundreds of other cinema goers by making them suffer through her crying etc. just for our sake. That would be, oh I don't know, incredibly selfish? I understand that it's not always possible to find a babysitter... but at the same time, you don't have to watch a movie in cinemas. Or if you really, REALLY wanted to see it that badly, you'd arrange for a babysitter weeks or months in advance. If not, then you probably didn't want to see it that badly.

Ggrrrr... shut uppity up up uppity up!

If I go out somewhere and there is a screaming kid, I’m just happy it’s not mine. That simple mindset has allowed me to tolerate a lot when I’m out and about.

[Raider]

If I go out somewhere and there is a screaming kid, I’m just happy it’s not mine. That simple mindset has allowed me to tolerate a lot when I’m out and about.

Yeah I know what you mean! I guess before I had kids it would grind my gears more than it does now. I normally just feel bad for the parents as most of the time you can tell they are trying everything to calm them down. Sometimes kids just go off for no reason.

Back on the movies point, well I guess it depends on the time of day. If you don't want to risk a baby or young child in the cinema, don't got to the movies before 4pm. Safe bet you won't see a young kid or baby after that time. If you go to a sitting between 10am and 12pm, you are almost guarnateed to have young kids in the cinema.

[Sinnertwin]

Nah, people just need to learn to shut the phuck up during a movie.
Sit there like a statue. Eat your popcorn. Have a drink. I'm not paying money to listen to your shit of a kid cry or your thoughts during a movie.

[GoktimusPrime]

Nah, people just need to learn to shut the phuck up during a movie.
Sit there like a statue. Eat your popcorn. Have a drink. I'm not paying money to listen to your excrement of a kid cry or your thoughts during a movie.
↑THIS SO MUCH

If a person is incapable of sitting quietly through a movie then they're NOT ready to watch movies in a cinema. Simple as that. It's a public space that's acoustically designed to transmit sound, meaning that any sound that's made traverses farther than in a regular room or chamber. That's why sounds like even whispering and chewing becomes more audible. I personally don't mind the sound of food, but I know other people who can't stand it. I try to minimise my eating/drinking noise though; chewing with my mouth close is just a given, and I'll pop open plastic wrappers before the movie starts. With things like chips I'll widen the opened part of the packet as far as I can so as to minimise any scrunching of the wrapper. Again, the sound doesn't bother me at all, but I do it out of consideration for other audience members who haven't paid money to listen to me ruffling through a pack of Burger Rings.

After I watched Rise of Skywalker, my mates and I sat down at the foyer for a really long time to debrief about the film. We did all of our talking after the movie, not during it. Same with when I watched Frozen 2 with my daughter. Neither of us said a word throughout the entire movie but we talked about it afterwards. It's not that hard. As I said before, we never took our daughter to a regular cinema until she was able to sit through a whole film without speaking, which was the same time that she started Kindy. Before then it was either the drive-in cinema or we just waited for the home video release. And I know others who will take their infants to bubs sessions.

[M-bot]

My local chain cinema (Village) opened up a kids cinema with a playground *inside the cinema*. It’s the dumbest idea in cinema development that I can think of. It’s creating a generation of kids (and parents for that matter) who connect the idea of cinemas (sit down, shut up, and watch) with play areas (run around, make noise, have some general frivolity).

[GoktimusPrime]

My local chain cinema (Village) opened up a kids cinema with a playground *inside the cinema*. It’s the dumbest idea in cinema development that I can think of.
That sounds like the bubs sessions that a lot of cinemas have. I've personally never been to one, but I know other people who have who say that they're good. <shrugs>

We would take our daughter to a drive-in when she was a baby/infant, but I guess the difference with the drive-in is that it's not a play area. It's more like sit in the car and try to watch the film quietly, but if she makes a fuss then nobody else can hear us since we're insulated by our car. It's like people being in a cinema with their own personal Cones of Silence.


It's creating a generation of kids (and parents for that matter) who connect the idea of cinemas (sit down, shut up, and watch) with play areas (run around, make noise, have some general frivolity).

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree with you, and I reckon much of this just comes from people choosing to be lazy parents. Man... don't even start me on lazy/inadequate parenting... that's very much a pet peeve of mine (as someone who works with other people's children) :rolleyes:

[SMHFConvoy]

The early kids sessions are handy, I took my nephew to a couple of them when he was younger, allows the kids to be fidgety in an environment where it's acceptable. These sessions don't usually screen tentpole films though.

[shockNwave]

There was the time I went to see Rogue One and some guy brought along his six year old kid and kept on asking what's going on in virtually every scene. When he saw me move away out of annoyance he decided to move to the seats at the front where there was no one around. If only he'd done this at the start it would have saved everyone so much hassle.

Another incident was with a friend of mine when some idiot behind him tried showing off for his girlfriend by being a bully (throwing food and pushing the seat). My friend had enough and told him loudly "Let's resolve this outside!". When the bully saw the size of my friend he turned pale and went into denial but stopped being an idiot because he would've definitely received a bashing:).

[i_amtrunks]

My local chain cinema (Village) opened up a kids cinema with a playground *inside the cinema*. It’s the dumbest idea in cinema development that I can think of. It’s creating a generation of kids (and parents for that matter) who connect the idea of cinemas (sit down, shut up, and watch) with play areas (run around, make noise, have some general frivolity).

I saw this advertised at the Event screening we took my daughter to Frozen 2. There are three locations that have a slide, beanbags and other kids activities in the front of the regular cinema screen. It sounds like the worst idea to have for a movie. Either the kids will be too loud, rude or silly on the equipment so no one gets to enjoy the movie or the eople that thought up this ridiculous idea thought they could muscle in on the soft ply centre crowd... It's just nonsense and stupidity to me.

I know it is meant to be designed (or so they will say) for those children that cannot sit still and focus on a movie, and allow them to be "inclusive". I hate the whole "inclusivity for inclusivity sake" mantra that is being bandied about everywhere. I am all for inclusiveness where it benefits everyone (ramps/ease of access in public areas and playgrounds, classrooms hearing loops etc)but not when it is at the detriment of the majority. You'll have parents who turn up, dump their kids down the front and then sit on their phones (which we had parents doing during Frozen 2, which was a shame as it was a very well made movie and highly enjoyable for anyone over the age/maturity of 8) and let the movie "babysit" their stupid, out of control hyped up brats. Then if anyone else complains because they want to actually watch a movie (as they paid a large sum of money to do) the denigrate parent can just go "they're on the spectrum" and go back to their phone....

Some things are not for everyone and tying to make everything for everyone; more often than not, makes it worse for the 99.9% for an inconsequential or negligible benefit for the 0.1%.

Getting off my soapbox now.

[BigTransformerTrev]

The old bloke neighbour on the farm across the road from us tried to do something really reprehensible today :(

First off we had a grader drive into our driveway, offering to put in some more fire break tracks along where our farm meets a state forest. As I went in to get my ute keys to show him where to work the neighbour zoomed over on his quad bike and essentially nicked him, saying that he had something that desperately needed to get done ASAP on his farm. So to placate him the grader went over there, which meant he had less time to work on our place.

Then the grader driver came back really annoyed. Apparently the old bloke had a big dead tree on his farm and the emergency was he wanted it pushed not only away from his house, but over his boundary fence into his neighbours property!

The grader driver naturally refused. He shifted the tree away from their house but refused to put two tons of potential bushfire fuel onto someone else's land. He then went on to do a sterling job on our property putting in a ton of break lines - wont stop tree fires but will really slow grass fires.

But how bad is that old bloke! When the whole community here is all pulling together, he is willing to f'over his neighbour if it means it makes his property that bit safer :mad:

[1AZRAEL1]

Mate, the words I'd wanna use... there's always people like this during crisis. Just like the petrol station trying to sell 24 pack of water for 48 bucks, same place that during floods charging 9 bucks for a loaf of bread. I want to see those places fail

[Sinnertwin]

Mate, the words I'd wanna use... there's always people like this during crisis. Just like the petrol station trying to sell 24 pack of water for 48 bucks, same place that during floods charging 9 bucks for a loaf of bread. I want to see those places fail

These are the sort of people I'd gladly put in a water bombing chopper bucket and drop into the inferno.

[1AZRAEL1]

These are the sort of people I'd gladly put in a water bombing chopper bucket and drop into the inferno.

Same as the scammers going around posing as RFS taking people's money. And the phone calls.

[BigTransformerTrev]

The old bloke neighbour on the farm across the road from us tried to do something really reprehensible today :(

First off we had a grader drive into our driveway, offering to put in some more fire break tracks along where our farm meets a state forest. As I went in to get my ute keys to show him where to work the neighbour zoomed over on his quad bike and essentially nicked him, saying that he had something that desperately needed to get done ASAP on his farm. So to placate him the grader went over there, which meant he had less time to work on our place.

Then the grader driver came back really annoyed. Apparently the old bloke had a big dead tree on his farm and the emergency was he wanted it pushed not only away from his house, but over his boundary fence into his neighbours property!

The grader driver naturally refused. He shifted the tree away from their house but refused to put two tons of potential bushfire fuel onto someone else's land. He then went on to do a sterling job on our property putting in a ton of break lines - wont stop tree fires but will really slow grass fires.

But how bad is that old bloke! When the whole community here is all pulling together, he is willing to f'over his neighbour if it means it makes his property that bit safer :mad:


Mate, the words I'd wanna use... there's always people like this during crisis. Just like the petrol station trying to sell 24 pack of water for 48 bucks, same place that during floods charging 9 bucks for a loaf of bread. I want to see those places fail


These are the sort of people I'd gladly put in a water bombing chopper bucket and drop into the inferno.


Same as the scammers going around posing as RFS taking people's money. And the phone calls.

Well our PM might as well lump himself in with the scammers and my neighbour :mad:

The footage of him touring a fire site last night was disgusting. The woman was visibly distraught and when she didn’t shake his hand he forcibly grabs her hand to shake it. Then when she starts pleading for help he walks away. The lack of understanding and empathy was simply astounding. It was clear that to our Prime Minister she wasn’t a victim in need of comfort and help, she wasn’t even a human being - she was simply a photo op gone wrong so time to move on.

I don’t blame him for leaving when the understandably upset locals started yelling at him, but he needs to come out of this denial bubble he seems to inhabit regarding the fires and their myriad of causes - including climate change. Otherwise he may find that, except for tax-payer funded dinners with coal magnates, he gets this reaction everywhere he goes. Indeed he may find himself going down as the most unpopular PM in history - the leader that let the country burn because it made ‘economic sense’.

[SMHFConvoy]

Someone pointed out that this is the downfall of a PM, not by the party but by their own hand and unfortunately he can't be removed by the party as easily as Turnbull and Abbott, the Governor General can't dissolve the government either, they no longer have that power.

That just leaves the option of resigning and Morrison is too proud to admit he failed in his job so badly...

[griffin]

The funny thing is, he was only supposed to be a temporary leader... a night watchman until the election that they were supposed to lose and then regroup with a new leadership team (after most jumped ship or lost their seat).
With shorten being less liked, Morrison was the lesser of two egos, and winning the unwinnable election made him untouchable by his party.

[1AZRAEL1]

Yep. A sad state of affairs. They changed the rules so he can't be unseated. And judging by alot of the sentiment coming out atm, the public have no confidence in him as a leader, and we have no power to do anything unless a vote of no confidence is put to the house of reps. I don't see anything changing and feel defeated already

[GoktimusPrime]

Slow clap to the people who voted this party into power. Slow clap.

[i_amtrunks]

Someone pointed out that this is the downfall of a PM, not by the party but by their own hand and unfortunately he can't be removed by the party as easily as Turnbull and Abbott, the Governor General can't dissolve the government either, they no longer have that power.

That just leaves the option of resigning and Morrison is too proud to admit he failed in his job so badly...

What do you expect from an ardent supporter of a corrupt and drug cheating football team???

He makes Abbott and Shorten look personable.

[SMHFConvoy]

The funny thing is, he was only supposed to be a temporary leader... a night watchman until the election that they were supposed to lose and then regroup with a new leadership team (after most jumped ship or lost their seat).
With shorten being less liked, Morrison was the lesser of two egos, and winning the unwinnable election made him untouchable by his party.

Nah, Morrison saw his chance and took it banking on the fact that Dutton would've lost the election, the whole preferred PM is a load of bollocks, I have family in Morrison's electorate and he rarely engages with his constituents also remember the Beaconsfield miners, the mine collapse took place during the Howard Government, not one member of the front bench showed up but Bill Shorten did and he went to the May elections with a plan to combat the bushfires which our lovely Murdoch media then ripped to shreds because it couldn't be costed and look at what happened, towns wiped out, people died, the PM attempted to sneak out of the country meanwhile the opposition leader is doing his best, donating food and water to the fireys, being there and engaging even if he's copping flak. Morrison has nothing on Shorten or Albanese.

[shockNwave]

What do you expect from an ardent supporter of a corrupt and drug cheating football team???

He makes Abbott and Shorten look personable.

Is Scumo a supporter of Eastern Sydney FC? Well, that says it all does it not.:mad:

[kovert]

Perhaps the Cronulla Sharks, in relation to suspected salary cap non-compliance during 20161. Mr Morrison was named the Cronulla Sharks number one fan in 20162.

References:
[1] Fox Sports (https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sharks/paul-kent-believes-the-cronulla-sharks-were-systematically-cheating-when-they-won-the-title/news-story/2ad1d5f58844c3413910a8a95b38c118), The Roar (https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/03/14/if-the-sharks-title-isnt-stripped-then-the-storm-must-get-theirs-back/)
[2] ABC News (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-04/scott-morrison-in-cronulla-sharks-gear-1/11479120)

[SMHFConvoy]

Y'all realise voting for a party based on what sportsball team the leader follows is how you get Scott from marketing as PM?

[Krayt]

They changed the rules so he can't be unseated.

Fact check....

He can still be changed at any time, just need 2/3 majority now.

Easier than changing labor, which need 3/4...

[1AZRAEL1]

Fact check....

He can still be changed at any time, just need 2/3 majority now.

Easier than changing labor, which need 3/4...

I realised that after I posted it. Made it harder to unseat him.

[GoktimusPrime]

This scene continues to upset me no matter how times I see it. A woman begs the Prime Minister for help and all he does is turn his freaking back on her and walk away.
https://i.ibb.co/dpKm08L/temp.jpg

Don't blame this firefighter for refusing to shake ScoMo's hand. Firefighters are willing to get themselves pretty dirty, but not that dirty.
https://i.ibb.co/98fMBkm/scomo-coward1.jpg

[SMHFConvoy]

That's not the worst of that photo opportunity, after the PM walks away the guy in the hat has pulled her close to him and looks to be kissing her on the cheek, creepy and inappropriate.

[Thurmus]

She does realise that RFS funding comes from the State Government doesn't she?

[i_amtrunks]

Maybe if politiian didn't surround themselves with yes men who think the sun shines out their backside (no idea what is wrong with those who idolise politicians...), they'd have some idea about how to read body language. So many of the people in these videos obviously had no intention of ever having a positive reaction to these slugs wearing human suits looking for their positive media spin, yet they still launch themselves whole hog, with no ability to read the room or person's body language.

It will be interesting to see how the liberals get rid of him now, there's no way he can be leader come the next election, all the other parties will just have a field day with these images. It will also be interesting to see how the pro liberal media (ie. all of it) try to spin this, there are already 2GB interviews claiming those people were "bussed in"... yes on roads that were closed... never let facts get in the way of political spin.

[Tha_Phantom]

She does realise that RFS funding comes from the State Government doesn't she?

You do realise the RFS will happily take donations right? Be it from citizens or the federal government.

[SMHFConvoy]

She does realise that RFS funding comes from the State Government doesn't she?

Zoe McDermott is pregnant and has a 2 month old child and had just lost her house, I don't think she was concerned with who to properly direct her complaints to.

No one expected the PM to in his words, "hold a hose" or "sit at the control panel" but if your going to show up be ready for people to ask these questions, be ready for people to be angry and people to direct their anger at you, I've seen the Opposition Leader cop it and he stood there and took it, what makes Scott Snowflake Morrison so special that HE can't be criticised?

Zoe McDermott, went through hell, while the "PM" forced a contractually obliged cricket team hang out at his place on new years day, he then rocks up to Cobargo for a photo op and to record footage for that garbage LNP ad they posted to Facebook, after he's chased out of Cobargo Morrison has the temerity to go to Lucknow and donate a SINGLE SHOPPING BAG OF GROCERIES - energy drinks and a box of cereal! The PM had an entire entourage who could have brought more useful, non perishable items up from Sydney!

As it is it looks as if the Murdoch media machine along with Nine media are going to save Morrison's fat a*se and throw Gladys B under the bus, her initial response was bad but at least she's actually stepped up and lead from the front.

[SMHFConvoy]

Maybe if politiian didn't surround themselves with yes men who think the sun shines out their backside (no idea what is wrong with those who idolise politicians...), they'd have some idea about how to read body language. So many of the people in these videos obviously had no intention of ever having a positive reaction to these slugs wearing human suits looking for their positive media spin, yet they still launch themselves whole hog, with no ability to read the room or person's body language.

It will be interesting to see how the liberals get rid of him now, there's no way he can be leader come the next election, all the other parties will just have a field day with these images. It will also be interesting to see how the pro liberal media (ie. all of it) try to spin this, there are already 2GB interviews claiming those people were "bussed in"... yes on roads that were closed... never let facts get in the way of political spin.

There's rumblings from journalists on Social Media that Morrison's people plan to throw the NSW govt under the bus but there's a lot of talk about the fact the dead silence from the rest of the coalition govt is them distancing themselves from Morrison so when parliament resumes maybe there'll be the 60% to cause a spill. Who knows?

[Sinnertwin]

When all is said and done, the politicians will still be playing their games & laughing all the way with the docile public.
Unless there's a massive social change, I don't see anything changing in the foreseeable future.

[Omega Metro]

Rolled my ankle whilst going for a walk this morning. Didn’t hurt until I got home and sat down. Now bed ridden for the day because people don’t mow their verges.:mad:

[SMHFConvoy]

When all is said and done, the politicians will still be playing their games & laughing all the way with the docile public.
Unless there's a massive social change, I don't see anything changing in the foreseeable future.

Write to your local MP, sounds trite but it works.

[shockNwave]

The part about Scumo donating a single pithy shopping bag of goods reminds me of when Mr. Burns visited Homer Simpson's house with a teeny bag of chips to share around.

[Trent]

She does realise that RFS funding comes from the State Government doesn't she?

So in what is up there as the most ferocious bushfire season in Australian history, the federal government doesn’t have to step up?

[DELTAprime]

I feel so bad that it was my state that won the election for Morrisson. I actually feel personally responsible for this mess even though I voted for Shorten and his Green friends. /cry

[MV75]

I feel so bad that it was my state that won the election for Morrisson. I actually feel personally responsible for this mess even though I voted for Shorten and his Green friends. /cry

Should feel bad, you voted for the cause of the extra destructive fires. Greens. Shorten should be in jail for union theft.

[MV75]

So in what is up there as the most ferocious bushfire season in Australian history, the federal government doesn’t have to step up?

Federal government and an additional 11million not enough? Bet you never even heard of this. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-12/federal-government-announces-aerial-firefighting-boost/11790862 RFS is a state issue. Qld premier didn't leave her cruise ship to come back. Bet you didn't hear about that. This whole thread is just mindless msm regurgitation.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Should feel bad, you voted for the cause of the extra destructive fires. Greens. Shorten should be in jail for union theft.The fire services themselves have come out and said it wasn't the Greens - who, you know, aren't actually the government, and so can't actually make the laws - who stopped them from doing preventative burning, it was because climate change has reduced the window of time where it's actually safe to do backburning so much that they just can't do it safely on any significant scale. Plus the Greens' own policy specifically supports controlled burning as a preventative measure.
'It's the Green's fault!' is literally the mindless msm regurgitation you were just complaining about.

And no, an additional once-off $11 million ISN'T enough - that's what the firies were saying too. It's like, 4 extra water bombers. This is a national emergency - the Federal government is allowed, even expected to step up and actually do something. Not just something, either - Whatever It Takes. That's basically WHY they still have ~80% of revenue collection powers even though the States have responsibility for funding schools, health, emergency powers etc...it's a leftover emergency arrangement from WW2 when the Federal govt took over the bulk of revenue collection to fund the war effort, and then decided they liked having control over the purse strings afterwards so the arrangement was never rescinded.

[Tha_Phantom]

I'm just gonna leave this here for anyone who mistakenly believes it was the Greens and not climate change that is the cause for what is happening right now. The government has been warned about this numerous times for decades.

https://i.ibb.co/zscffRk/USER-SCOPED-TEMP-DATA-orca-image-1885514450.jpg (https://ibb.co/1ZV22qS)

[BigTransformerTrev]

Should feel bad, you voted for the cause of the extra destructive fires. Greens. Shorten should be in jail for union theft.

Bloody hell - when will this crap end?! Even the barber I went to today was spouting it, though since she had a razor to my throat at the time I didn’t correct her.

Look at it this way. Alan Jones HATES the Greens - despises them! And even HE has said that it was the government and not The Greens fault.

Greens aren’t in power and have zero control over the backburning laws. Greens have had the same PRO-sustainable backburning policy unchanged since 2013 that you can read on their website.

Give me a shred of proof it was The Greens. And save posting that pic of that one group of nutters that were protesting one backburn back in October - none of them are Greens candidates or were remotely representing that political party.

[Tha_Phantom]

Bloody hell - when will this crap end?! Even the barber I went to today was spouting it, though since she had a razor to my throat at the time I didn’t correct her.

Look at it this way. Alan Jones HATES the Greens - despises them! And even HE has said that it was the government and not The Greens fault.

Greens aren’t in power and have zero control over the backburning laws. Greens have had the same PRO-sustainable backburning policy unchanged since 2013 that you can read on their website.

Give me a shred of proof it was The Greens. And save posting that pic of that one group of nutters that were protesting one backburn back in October - none of them are Greens candidates or were remotely representing that political party.

I'm also anti-Greens for a lot of issues, and I was ready to parrot the "Greens prevented backburning" line until I did some research and couldn't find anything to support it. So credit where it is due, the Greens had absolutely nothing to do with what is going on now, but they have been on the side of science trying to warn the government what would happen if they ignored climate change and now here we are. Fun....

[SMHFConvoy]

That one off 11 billion, that's just the money they put forward in 2018. Also keep calling out people on the Greens being responsible for the bushfires this is entirely on Scott Morrison and his government.

[Trent]

Federal government and an additional 11million not enough? Bet you never even heard of this. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-12/federal-government-announces-aerial-firefighting-boost/11790862 RFS is a state issue. Qld premier didn't leave her cruise ship to come back. Bet you didn't hear about that. This whole thread is just mindless msm regurgitation.

I will bet you a large sum of money I know a lot more about this current fire event then you think. You have no idea what I do for a living and what I’m involved with right now And where I spend my days. That dickhead of a PM we have had done a whole lot of nothing for this country and this fire event is no different. Send in the ADF reserve without any consultation with the states/RFS about what is actually needed or how they would be used? Bloody useless. Announce money for new aircraft that aren’t available during this event? Fat lot of help that is. And these are just two examples out of a whole pool I could choose from.

And you have the nerve to accuse others of blindly believing media hype.

[Sinnertwin]

On a different note, I successfully managed to rip out the output jack plate on my electric guitar & lose a screw. Fun times.

Time to put it on the bench and do some Macgyver-esque home repairs.

[griffin]

It's also time to take a bit of a break from the politics here, as the people in these fire zones (including members here) need our help and emotional support to get through this fire season... they don't have the time or mental energy in finding people to blame while they are trying to survive this catastrophe and then begin the long process of rebuilding.

When the next election is upon us, or an official inquiry (senate/coroner/royal) into this fire season is conducted, we can start pointing out the pros and cons of those involved, as well as work out what is fact and fiction... and then try to improve the system.

[valkyrie_76]

Its Aliens I tells ya........havent you seen that great movie called "The Arrival" with that great actor Charlie Sheen :cool:

[SMHFConvoy]

Ah great, Erskine Creek fire is headed towards Leura, a little too close to where we are in Katoomba.

[SMHFConvoy]

The cat had a seizure at 8pm and Wentworth Falls Vet's after hours was closed and the nearest open vet is in Penrith too much of a risk to drive an hour :(

[SMHFConvoy]

We gave our cat of 20 years his wings today, he'll be missed.

[Omega Metro]

We gave our cat of 20 years his wings today, he'll be missed.
Wow. 20 years was a good age. Always a tough time to lose a 4 legged family member.:(