My Backyard

Opera House
Originally uploaded by Just1Thing

Ya gotta admit... when it comes to spectacular scenery you can't go past Sydney. I'v been to a few places around the world but the sight of the old shed and the coathanger at night are pretty hard to beat. Even the twin towers in KL can't quite match them.

Bankers = Morons

This is an absolute classic ... but why are we not surprised!!!

Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die! This is so priceless and so easy to see happening - customer service, being what it is today!


A lady died this past January, and ANZ bank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and
then added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00, now is somewhere around $60.00.

A family member placed a call to the ANZ Bank:

Family Member:
'I am calling to tell you that she died in January.'

ANZ:
'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member:
'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections.'

ANZ:
'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'

Family Member:
So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'

ANZ:
'Either report her account to the frauds division or report her to
the credit bureau, maybe both!'

Family Member:
'Do you think God will be mad at her?'

ANZ:
'Excuse me?'

Family Member:
'Did you just get what I was telling you . . . The part about her
being dead?'

ANZ:
'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'

Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member:
'I'm calling to tell you, she died in January.'

ANZ:
'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member:
'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'

ANZ:
(Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'

Family Member:
'No, I'm her great nephew.'
(Lawyer info given)

ANZ:
'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'

Family Member:
'Sure.'
( fax number is given )

After they get the fax:

ANZ:
'Our system just isn't set up for death. I don't know what more I
can do to help.'

Family Member:
'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing
her. I don't think she will care.'

ANZ:
'Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.'

Family Member:
'Would you like her new billing address?'

ANZ:
'That might help.'

Family Member:
' Rookwood Memorial Cemetery, 1249 Centenary Rd, Sydney Plot Number 1049.'

ANZ:
'Sir, that's a cemetery!'

Family Member:
'Well, what the heck do you do with dead people on your planet?'

Old Blokes

Dave, Rick and Bob

In life you meet many people, some are like passing ships and move on and others become life-long friends. They are not on your doorstep every day and it may be months or years between meetings but when the chips are down, they are there to support and help you.

I'm fortunate in having a couple of old workmates, from my time at the Police Communications Unit back in the 1980s, who fit that description. I first met Bob Bell and Rick Thurbon when we were all relatively fresh-faced young coppers with young families. We worked together and at times we socialised and enjoyed each others company and the special comraderie that is unique to police officers.

Over the years we moved on and went in different directions but we'd catch up every few years and we always had lots to talk about. Then I had a heart attack in 2002 and one of the first visitors on the scene was Bob Bell. Bob was my most regular visitor and anyone who has been in hospital will know how important that is.

Years passed and Bob too had his medical problems (and still does like we all do) and we kept in touch and compared scars. Then Bob advised me that our old mate Rick was in hospital and was not travelling well. It was a difficult time for Rick, his beautiful wife Lyn and his kids. But Rick pulled through and we all caught up recently for lunch. It was a great day and an opportunity for us Old Blokes to shoot the breeze and reminisce about "The Good Old Days".

Thanks guys.....

What a Rip-Off!

Had to go to Brisbane recently for business and flew up and back on VirginBlue. A great airline and leaves the other lot for dead. Don't get me started on them after the fiascoes surrounding people attending Mim's funeral.

Anyway, headed to the airport for the flight back home and decided on a quiet beer while waiting for the flight. Asked for a Hahn Super Dry only to be told the price is $7.80 for a 600 ml stubbie! I almost choked and decided on a schooner on tap ... $5.80 ... so whichever way you slice it ... prices at the airports in Australia are a rip-off.

To add insult to injury, while I was sipping my beer I noticed the prices for the "snacks" ... $7.30 for a small bucket of chips!!!

You can blame that serial under-performer John Anderson, the former Transport Minister for selling out our airports to the Bank that Swallowed Australia ... Macquarie Bank and the other rip-off merchants.

Brisbane By Night

Brisbane By Night
Originally uploaded by Just1Thing

In Brisbane for a business meeting and had a few hours to spare one evening so headed off down to the cliffs and Kangaroo Point where you get a great view of the city.