Punch on: Open thread 25/07/2011

Budz says:

07:36am | 25/07/11

27????? Uhhhh….....that’s now. I’m probably doing a combination of those 3 things.

Cry in my Gin says:

12:31pm | 25/07/11

Amy who?
Cobain and Hendrix would have been legends if they were still alive. The others mentioned in this article, and Jeff Beck, should look upon death as the most positive career move they ever made.
Junky trash.

AFR says:

03:00pm | 25/07/11

As far as i know Jeff Beck is still alive… perhaps you mean Jeff Buckley?

Dan says:

04:23pm | 25/07/11

Yes, I was wondering why Jeff Beck entered the discussion myself. :D

Steve Putnam says:

08:01pm | 25/07/11

@Cry in my Gin Amy was a great singer and a great song writer. Good judges like Jimmy Page and James Williamson consider Jeff Beck the best in the business. Jimi and Kurt Cobain ARE legends. You’re not very bright.

Dash says:

09:08am | 25/07/11

Fiddler - the ALP are going to reward these people with more welfare under the carbon tax compensation scheme. In fact they will probably be the ones to get the extra “buffer”. Meanwhile, the family people who have educated themselves and got off their arses to make a better life for themselves and their family get punished. There is seriously something wrong in this country today!

I don’t understand why the ALP want to reward single mothers with 7 kids to 7 different fathers and 20 year olds still living at home, but punish families with mortgages working 13 hour days?

We should be encouraging hard work and success, not punishing people for it! We tax the people creating the nations wealth and reward the people destroying it. Complete madness!

The ALP tell us they are making the big polluters pay, reality is they are making the big taxpayers pay. The people already paying their way in our society are expected to just keep on coughing up. The living standards of everyone earning 80,000 a year or more has been reduced so the ALP can hand out more to the people you describe. Unbelievable!

Shane From Melbourne says:

12:00pm | 25/07/11

Limit welfare to two or less kids (i.e no increase in welfare after second child) There should be no middle class welfare at all

Sporn of Erick says:

12:22pm | 25/07/11

Would it be wrong to ask about the ethnic background of these people?

jay-ded says:

08:15am | 25/07/11

Rally Fail.

LauraBoBaura says:

01:51pm | 25/07/11

I disagree wholeheartedly - on the Amy Winehouse part. The rest you’re spot on.

Yes, drugs are a choice, but addiction is not a choice. Addiction is a disease. And no, she was not a good role model, but she was still a human being who is deserving of our empathy is she not?

She obviously had some inner torment that turned her to drugs. She had to deal with the demon of addiction, and until you have been there personally, or known somebody who has fought an addiction, you have no concept of just how nightmarish it is.

Tron says:

02:49pm | 25/07/11

Addiction is a disease????? dont make me laugh, addiction is an excuse and nothing else

“Why is bob doing all those bad bad drugs?”
“He is addicted”
“Oh thats ok then”

Ben81 says:

02:59pm | 25/07/11

Addiction is real Tron, and people dealing with it also have to deal with people like you and others putting them down and talking as if they’re worthless.

fairsfair says:

09:23am | 25/07/11

December baby. Explains a lot.

TimB says:

09:49am | 25/07/11

I know I shouldn’t bite, but I have to ask…explains what exactly?

Ben C says:

10:34am | 25/07/11

You’ve got 7 months on me TimB, I’ll come back to you in December to see how you’re doing and how I should plan my own 27th birthday

jay-ded says:

11:10am | 25/07/11

ahhhh There you are Little Grasshopper. 

fairsfair says:

11:13am | 25/07/11

The old boy has six months on me too…. old old old.

I was just trying to sound like I knew stuff about stars - which I don’t. I only know stuff about Taurus, because I am one, and they are the best. Case closed.

Tim says:

01:00pm | 25/07/11

FF,
stop being so bullish.

fairsfair says:

01:22pm | 25/07/11

I’d apologise - but Taureans don’t do that kind of shiz.

Anubis says:

01:36pm | 25/07/11

@ fairsfair = - “Taurus,....., and they are the best. Case closed.”

I second that one.

Seanr says:

01:52pm | 25/07/11

You young kids today, I remember when I was 27 (I’m now on the downward slide to 40)..earning great money in Brisvegas, no kids, could back up drinking two nights in a row….those were the days.

fairsfair says:

02:49pm | 25/07/11

I knew there was something special about you Anubis!

John Smythe says:

03:04pm | 25/07/11

Seanr…the slide TO 40???

Life begins at 40 mate

Seanr says:

03:32pm | 25/07/11

Oh I agree John, I was going to go with ‘uphill climb’ or ‘home straight’ but slides are so much more fun.

Max Redlands says:

09:29am | 25/07/11

To parapharse Sam Cooke Rev I’d say you: “Don’t know much about musicology.”

Hendrix was in a leauge of his own. The only C20th. popular musician who deserves the “genius” tag.

Joplin was highly over-rated (as was Morrison) and I would say Winehouse’s talents were far superior.

Don’t take my word for it - if you check it out she (Winehouse) is getting props from those who are more than qualified to comment - see Carole King, Mick Jagger even Tony Bennett.

She was the real deal.

Sarah says:

10:08am | 25/07/11

People don’t die from a “trendy drug habit.”

The Badger says:

10:44am | 25/07/11

Sarah
That’s what they all think.
And then they are gone.

mike j says:

11:37am | 25/07/11

Max Redlands, are you sure you’re qualified to comment? You obviously stopped listening to the wireless back in the sixties, when jazz died.

Max Redlands says:

01:35pm | 25/07/11

@ mike j - well, yes, I do feel qualified to comment. I have spent a lifetime listening to, playing and studying music.

Certainly I have my own tastes and no I didn’t stop with jazz in the 60’s.

In fact I am probably one of the minority around here who see the merit in the much malinged rap/ hip hop genre.

And just to clarify - I don’t dislike Joplin I just think she has been over-rated somewhat (possibly partly due to her early demise).

Morrisson on the other hand tottaly over -rated dopey drunk bozo and I can’t stand his psuedo- poetic tripe. Funny that for such a great lyricist the Doors’ biggest hit (Light My Fire) was written entirely by guitarist Robbie Kreiger.

Anyway as I said: “Don’t take my word for it ... (Winehouse) is getting props from those who are more than qualified to comment - see Carole King, Mick Jagger even Tony Bennett.”

Steve Putnam says:

08:13pm | 25/07/11

There was nothing hack about Amy: she was the real deal. Was her life story that different to Joplins?

pumps says:

11:27am | 25/07/11

...well, if I have to. Hope you’re hot though.

Your place or mine??

kirsty says:

11:50am | 25/07/11

I’m not wearing my ‘f’ me pumps at the moment though (slutty shoes), is that going to be a problem?

Ben C says:

11:52am | 25/07/11

HAHAHA! Nice work pumps!

kirsty says:

11:53am | 25/07/11

Also well played pumps, well played.

melle says:

10:53am | 25/07/11

Max, “This has now become a waste of a life.”
No “becoming” about it.  That’s just like saying “what happened to her”.
The girl made her choices.  Others might’ve copied her.
It’s not “tragic”  when you do it to yourself.  Tragic is when bad things happen, through no fault of your own.

The singer sang well, but she wasn’t satisfied with that, obviously.

Max Redlands says:

02:40pm | 25/07/11

melle

I know what you mean* but it is still a tragedy in that her talent went unfulfilled. She would not have been the only one to benefit. So others (myself included)have suffered loss from her actions not their own.

* except not sure what you mean when you say
“No “becoming” about it.  That’s just like saying “what happened to her”.”

And whether other’s might have copied her is beside the point but further to that point I disgree with this notion that artists and sports people are somehow “role models”.

If the media was so concerned about how their actions might affect others why do they choose to publish.

melle says:

09:04pm | 25/07/11

Yes, Max R, agree about the ‘role model’ thing.
I meant Amy Winehouse herself did the wasting - it didn’t just happen to her.  So many use drugs and act like it’s cool.

And I saw your week-ago comment on a music piece, where you mentioned her name.  She did sing so well, didn’t she.

Elphaba says:

09:17am | 25/07/11

@Dash, that’s great!  So glad it worked out.  I made a loaf this weekend too, it’s sliced and in my freezer.

I haven’t gotten the turntable yet, but I did do some research on preamps and paraphernalia so I know what I’m looking for.  JB Hi Fi has a good one for $220 (Sherwood), with replaceable cartridge, and lots of reviews on audiophile websites said it was a good start-out.

I don’t have anywhere safe to put it yet though, I have to do some major cleaning out and rearranging of furniture in my flat (very cluttered right now), so I can make sure it’s got a safe, stable area to sit.  But I know now what I’m looking for - thanks!

Dash says:

12:10pm | 25/07/11

@Elphaba - good to hear about the turntable. You should be fine with that.

Have you baked any hot cross buns? I know it’s not Easter, but now I have the baking bug, I thought I’d branch out with some fuit and spice buns. Any tips?

Elphaba says:

12:29pm | 25/07/11

Oh dear Dash, I’m about to admit one of those horrible secrets - I don’t like hot cross buns!  I don’t like any cake/bread with fruit in it.  Blechh! So no tips, I’m afraid.

If you want to bake Anzac biscuits and the BEST chocolate chip cookies, however, I’m your girl.

Dash says:

01:15pm | 25/07/11

@Elphaba - Wow, I definitely want to bake Anzac biscuits and the BEST chocolate chip cookies now!

fairsfair says:

01:28pm | 25/07/11

No to fruit baking - shame on you. The best cake in the world is fruit cake.

Speaking of baking. I baked a cracker of an apple pie for sunday night roast with the family last night. It was so fantastic and there was a piece left and for some stupid reason I left it behind for my father. WTF? Idiot.

Mum also made pumpkin soup and I just had that for lunch - OMG, nothing is better than homemade mum’s pumpkin soup!

Elphaba says:

01:30pm | 25/07/11

@Dash:

Chocolate chip cookies

(NB:  I like mine crunchy, so this recipe makes crunchy cookies).

Ingredients
150g (1 cup) plain flour
150g (1 cup) self-raising flour
220g (1 cup) caster sugar
190g (1 cup) dark Choc Bits
125g butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 large baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

Sift the plain flour and self-raising flour into a medium bowl. Add the sugar and Choc Bits and stir well to combine.

Place butter and egg in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour into the flour mixture and stir until combined.

(NB: make sure the butter is cooled, not hot!  Otherwise you’ll potentially scramble the egg, or your will melt the choc bits when you add it to the dry ingredients.  Heat the butter on a very low heat and let it melt gently, and make sure it is almost cool before combining wet & dry ingredients).

If some of the chips melt, don’t panic, you’ll get a cool ripply effect and they will still taste good.

Roll tablespoonsful of biscuit mixture into balls and place 4cm apart on the lined trays. Bake in preheated oven, swapping the trays halfway through cooking, for 18-20 minutes or until the biscuits spread slightly and are light golden.

Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely on the trays. Repeat with remaining biscuit mixture.

As always, baking is a science, so measure/weigh your ingredients, if you want them to turn out well.

Dash says:

01:53pm | 25/07/11

@Elph - thanks, I’ve taken a copy and will give that a go this weekend. Crunchy is good.

@FF - Pumpkin soup in winter is the best! Dash of cream and pepper - YUM.

Elphaba says:

02:06pm | 25/07/11

@fairs, oh God, fruit cake, I HATE that.  Blechh.  Apple pies and danishes are fine, but anything with that dried fruit crap is rubbish.

And everyone knows, the greatest cake in the world is chocolate.  Still warm, with chocolate icing and vanilla ice cream.

Second to that is a good pavlova.

Elphaba says:

02:12pm | 25/07/11

@Dash, with that recipe, you can also add chopped nuts, or a combination of white/dark choc chips.  Probably 1/2 cup crushed nuts would do it (peanuts, almonds, macadamia, pistachio - unsalted, obviously), and if the mixture is too dry just add a couple of teaspoons of water to bring it back to the right consistency.

Also, always use unsalted butter in baking but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that.

fairsfair says:

02:36pm | 25/07/11

few peeps can nail a top qual chocolate cake. Even a couple minutes too long in the oven and it is dry and rank. You can keep mud cake too - poo.

I’m going Grandma’s boiled fuit cake from the depression (it is pretty much just dried fruit and butter) and carrott cake with cream cheese icing as my #1. I’ll agree with you on pav (only if it is sans kiwi fruit). My #3 is a cake a man I used to work with used to make for our Bakery Item Fridays. It was called Russian Layer Cake and it was a stack of pancake type things layered with this sour cream/cream cheese/honey icing an then it was crusted with crushed peanutes. I’ll have to try and find the recipe. flavour. sensation.

fairsfair says:

02:46pm | 25/07/11

http://www.food.com/recipe/15-layer-russian-honey-cake-115160

If you can be bothered, give it a whirl - fanfreakingtastic.

Elphaba says:

02:51pm | 25/07/11

*sigh* - the secret to a good chocolate cake is a moist mixture, and bake it slooooowly.  That way it doesn’t dry out.

Nigella Lawson has some sinfully good recipes, and all her stuff is super easy.

I’m with you on the sans kiwi fruit on a pavlova, I think passionfruit pulp and strawberries are fine.

Urgh - carrot cake.  Who puts root vegies in a cake?  Lame.

Dash says:

02:54pm | 25/07/11

@Elph - Nah I’m still learning so I need all the help I can get. None of my mates lift a finger in the kitchen so I’m a bit of a novelty with them. The kids demolished my bread. So your cookies will have to be done this weekend.

Have you made a lemon merange pie before? My mum made the best ones ever. They were awesome served warm. I need to get that recipe off her. OMG what a big girl I am - lol

Dash says:

03:00pm | 25/07/11

@FFs - OMG I’d need to spend a long long time in the gym after that layer cake!

@Elph - I’m with you on the carrot cake thing. I can’t stand that. Nigella Lawson’s been late night snacking a bit I reckon. She wouldn’t get into your orange Bonds!

Elphaba says:

03:10pm | 25/07/11

@Dash, my grandmother used to make lemon meringue pie.  Absolutely delicious.  She also made vanilla slice, and butterfly cakes, so perfect that they looked like they belonged in a magazine.

It’s great fun, get into it.  Making your own staples like breads and lunchbox treats is very rewarding.

fairsfair says:

03:13pm | 25/07/11

Wash your mouth out the pair of you! How dare you disregard Carrot Cake

I made choc cake the week before last. I cooked it on 160C for 30 mins and the phone rang right as the timer went off. 1 minute later, it was ass. I will never make it again. ever. I like it just dusted with icing sugar, but this had to be slathered with ice cream etc just to be palatable.

Jury is out on Nigella. I have a minor girl crush on her - she is mystifying - you have to watch her. However, she is a bit too big a fan of herself lately. She makes some cracking giant cookies though Elph. I dare not even think of the ingredients without putting on 5kg. They were well massive. I think she fit four on a tray or something like that.

Seriously, you have to try that layer cake. Life changing.

Elphaba says:

03:27pm | 25/07/11

@fairs, hehehe.  Look, I agree re: Nigella, you wouldn’t make her stuff everyday.  I certainly don’t bake sweets every week, just when I have people coming , or occasionally to bring to work.

She’s got some great ideas about food storage and how to use leftovers etc - very good for people watching what they spend.

There’s something very mesmerising about the way she cooks.  Yes, her bottom is quite big.  But I’d rather a fat chef than a skinny one.

I love the Food channel on Sunday arvos. I curl up with a blanket and just watch cooking show after cooking show. Awesome.

Dash says:

04:10pm | 25/07/11

@FF’s - What’s a “girl crush”.  I’m having naughty thoughts over that one.

fairsfair says:

04:21pm | 25/07/11

Its exactly that Dash. In a completely nonregularlesbian kind or way.

My actual girl-crush is Scarlett Johansson. I seem to have a thing for curves!

Dash says:

05:21pm | 25/07/11

@FF - Hmm, what’s a non regular lesbian? Is that an abnormal lesbian? I’m confused.

Dash says:

09:30am | 25/07/11

WTF? How do you get your willy through a washer?? And more to the point, why? I don’t understand. I can think of much better places to stick your willy!

Good topic for a poem though! Nossy, are you doing tomorrow’s?

Jim says:

09:43am | 25/07/11

Now we know where Christian Real has been!

nossy says:

11:58am | 25/07/11

@Dash - no Dash no poem from me - am simply not a poet sadly.

The Badger says:

12:09pm | 25/07/11

jim
If you were looking for Christian Real,
All you had to do was ask your old lady

Dash says:

12:14pm | 25/07/11

@The Badger - You are out of line with that comment to Jim. Pull your head in.

Shifter says:

12:19pm | 25/07/11

@Dash - ``People do stupid things.’‘

Says it all really.

The Badger says:

12:58pm | 25/07/11

I see dash
and jim’s wasn’t?
dash the moderator, making moral judgements because he can.
Nice of you to leap to jim’s defence with some moral outrage.

You really are a sensitive soul.
If that comment offended you, why not ask the punch for a case of punch wine so you can get over it you Big baby.

Dash says:

01:21pm | 25/07/11

The Badger - Perhaps I should ask Tory for a case of wine given the job she did of banning you from the site?

Jim says:

09:41am | 25/07/11

Wasn’t one of the originals Robert Johnstone?

NicoleG says:

09:41am | 25/07/11

I could not stand her. But having said that, I feel really sad. Far too much money and fame. A waste of a young life. :(

Ahhh 27. I sorta remember. I was married with two kids and was silly. Thirteen years later and not much has changed, just an extra kid. One day I will grow up…...

Elphaba says:

10:09am | 25/07/11

@Jim, the info on the web is a bit conflicting, I guess depending on which historian is writing it.

@NicoleG, I certainly wasn’t a fan.  But I don’t like Christian Aguilera either,but there’s no denying she’s got an awesome set of pipes.

Elphaba says:

10:40am | 25/07/11

Ahh, I meant Christina.  Lousy typing skills today, my bad.

LauraBoBaura says:

01:58pm | 25/07/11

Methinks Jim Morrison belongs in there also? In terms of the original 27 Club members, if memory serves me correctly, Jimi, Janis & Jim all died within a few months of each other?

Elphaba says:

02:16pm | 25/07/11

@Laura, yep, I said Jim.

LauraBoBaura says:

02:28pm | 25/07/11

Oh so you did, my bad! :D Comprehension skills are somewhat lacking today I’m afraid!

fairsfair says:

09:57am | 25/07/11

I’ve heard two so far:

Elton John will be singing “Candle under the Spoon” at her funeral… and… Her ashes have an estimated street value of $500mil.

She has had a very sad demise. Too young. I grew out of the party scene about three weeks after I turned 18 (sad nanna I know), so I can’t really relate to wanting to lead that lifestyle. May she rest in peace, but I was hardly surprised.

Fair call on the 27 club too. She had a couple good songs and some decent pipes, but I would not rate her with the others you have listed. Well except Cobain - I could never see the talent in him.

The Badger says:

10:54am | 25/07/11

Unfortunately, her parents can’t keep her ashes as it would be possession of a Class A drug.

In a failed attempt to help Amy Winehouse before she died, Not even Aengus from windscreens O’brien could fix her crack problem.

Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson walk into a pub, the barman says sorry we don’t serve spirits here.

BREAKING NEWS: Amy winehouse is NOT dead. Forensic teams where drawing a line around Amy’s body when she suddenly sprang to life and then tried snorting it.

more to come

Jim says:

11:39am | 25/07/11

Haha…funny stuff!

I’m a late acknowledger of the talent of Cobain. I blamed Nirvana for years for the demise of hair metal, but the guy was a genius.

The Badger says:

12:59pm | 25/07/11

What was amy winehouse’s biggest hit? her last one.

Q: what does amy winehouse have in common with janis joplin, jim morrison, jimi hendrix, and kurt cobain?
A: nothing. those people were talented musicians

Can all those waiting to make a joke about Amy Winehouse please form a line.
It’s what she would’ve wanted.

Mickey T says:

03:53pm | 25/07/11

This is an excerpt from an on-line News Ltd piece:-

“Last night Amy’s father, former taxi driver-turned-singer Mitch Winehouse, who predicted she would die if she failed to quit drink and drugs, said he was devastated”

“On a jazz tour in New York, Mr Winehouse said: “I’m coming home. I have to be with Amy. I can’t crack up for her sake. My family need me.”

I can’t crack up for her sake…say what? Looks like daddy set a nice example!

AnthonyG says:

05:57pm | 25/07/11

She had her reasons. Shooting up was the only way she could get a hit,  took all of 25 seconds for me to come up with that one. sorry couldn’t help myself. very sad for her family though.

Spite says:

08:26am | 26/07/11

I’m sorry, but this is repulsive. No, she was not just a drug addict - otherwise you wouldn’t even know her name. It is the media that portrayed her as the biggest junkie in the world (when there are endless junkies that could be focused on in the music industry, with profiles as high or higher than hers), and it is the insensitivity in people now that has them refusing to recognise that she was struggling with addiction. Someone who was simply a drug addict would not have won 5 Grammy’s.

There’s also the fact that no one knows what her cause of death is yet. Was it related to drugs? That’s quite probable. Does anyone know, at this stage? No.

I also resent people who have absolutely no understanding of the concept of addiction speaking about drug habits as if they are easy to break. If it were as simple as a lot of people make out, addiction simply wouldn’t exist. In creative industries, drug use is rampant. Drug use as a celebrity is not comparable to drug use as a regular citizen.

“It was her choice” - please. How ridiculous. No one would ever choose to be an addict. Do a little research, perhaps listen to her music and actually look into addiction. I think you’ll get a new perspective on the remarks you have just made.

Anubis says:

01:46pm | 25/07/11

@iansand - Have you stopped practicing now iansand and converted to being professional ?

What is it with Doctors and accountants and other “professionals” that for their entire working lives they are practicing? How much practice do you need before you get it right? Is it something to do with the Buddha lifestyle? Practice and do good and you will be reborn as something better?

Tim says:

02:06pm | 25/07/11

he was very practised in his practice?

iansand says:

09:02pm | 25/07/11

No, idiot.  I set up my own practice.  Noun.  Verb.  Understand the difference.

sylvie says:

09:18pm | 25/07/11

@iansand, you should’ve let that one through…..
You don’t understand?

I thought it was one of the funniest comments yet.  That “practice” thing is a bit annoying.

Markus says:

11:06am | 25/07/11

Because publicly outing a few middle-man dealers is just counterproductive to the ultimate goal of taking out the big fish - the smugglers and distributors.

Dash says:

11:59am | 25/07/11

@FFs - Sounds like it’s time for a Holden!

fairsfair says:

12:10pm | 25/07/11

I’m not that desperate Dash!

nossy says:

12:11pm | 25/07/11

@fairsfair - I agree with Dash FF - its a Holden for you. Whadda we love - “Football, meat pies , kangaroos AND Holden Cars” !  Oh yeah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGW-WX77zjY

Dash says:

01:11pm | 25/07/11

@FF - Yeah OK, but what about a Holden?

fairsfair says:

01:23pm | 25/07/11

hahahahah!

Mark says:

01:57pm | 25/07/11

I owned a Holden Astra, which after the purchase, I learned was a rebadged European car. The parts and servicing cost a fortune. I would never, ever,  buy another Holden as long as I live. Absolute rubbish.

Shifter says:

02:36pm | 25/07/11

Pays to do your research on after sales costs Mark. Most cars we have in Australia are imports, either re-badged by the parent company (GM) or flat out obviously foreign (see most Japanese manifacturers).

The difference is that once there’s an acceptable volume of cars on the road, spares become a little bit more ubiquitous, and thus cheaper.

@fairs: not sure how much you expect car parts to be. $200 seems fairly cheap for a radiator to me. You could always look around wreckers for second hand replacements if you were after cheaper parts.

fairsfair says:

03:06pm | 25/07/11

That was the cheapest I could find online, without postage. To actually get radiator here in Cairns installed, I was quoted $480 and they take like 30 minutes to whip out, put in and fill. So I’ll be putting it in myself with fatherly direction.

I just can’t believe it. The service as quoted by Ford is like $1200. What a rip! No wonder people skrimp on maintenance or palm off their car before the big services hit.

My sister had a 2001 Astra. They are Vauxhalls in the UK and Opels in the rest of Europe. It was a horrifically bad car. It was manual too and not good to dive. You had to rev the crap out of it and the gear ratios were all weird. I remember my dad saying something about bore vs stroke, but my eyes glazed over and I tuned out.

The Badger says:

03:29pm | 25/07/11

here is some instruction from bush mechanics on how to fix your radiator for next to nothing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsswIRkAjfU

TChong says:

03:32pm | 25/07/11

ff
replacing a radiator is probaly one of the more simpler things that can still be done on a modern car.
If your wheels are turning into a “fixer upper” you start having to pay and pay for the numerous repairs, then fun tends to follow the money- gone.
The quote of $1200 seems high, specially when you can purchase a new vehicle for aprox 10 times what you were quoted for, for one repair. ( new Yaris etc @  $13,000)
You may be beter off getting something new(er) with the guarantees, warranties etc rather than continually pay for multi repair jobs, as your car gets older and older with less resale value.

Ben C says:

03:34pm | 25/07/11

@ fairsfair

Buy a Toyota - boring they may be, but they last a lifetime and don’t cost as much to maintain.

John Smythe says:

04:59pm | 25/07/11

Yeah go the Toyota’s!

1st car was a 4door sedan Toyota. 2nd hand was good.
Then we got a Toyota Celica 2002 sports model. Boys were still pups then and fit in the back. Getting let off for doing 170kmh up the highway saw me sell it to get….

...a Toyota Landcruiser Prado.

We now have a toyota Estima.

The Estima is the only car that has a shite load of miles on it.

The Celica I got with only 6K klms on it and the guy was apologising for so much on the clock!

Prado had 15K or 20K can’t remember.

Land of the Glowing Rocks - truly rocks in 2nd hand cars

Spite says:

08:43am | 26/07/11

I had a Holden Vectra for six months, another re-badged Opel. I actually loved the car, it had everything I wanted, was comfortable, nice to drive and I loved the shape. After spending $3000 in repairs over six months, then having the ACU die entirely and being quoted a further $3000 to import and install a new one (and I had only paid $3000 for the car!), I traded it in on a brand new Subaru Impreza. Couldn’t be happier with my car now!

Wouldn’t buy a Holden again - and definitely avoid the Holden Cruze!

Shane From Melbourne says:

12:10pm | 25/07/11

I’m still waiting for the cybernetic implants…....

Redeker Plan says:

12:46pm | 25/07/11

I’m awaiting the compulsory barcode tattoos like Kyle Reese had.  And who said it’s not cool to wear a leather trenchcoat?

PS Welcome back Zeta!

nossy says:

12:03pm | 25/07/11

@jay-ded so you want me to give up wearing my Wyatt Earp Buntline Specials around town jay-ded ?

jay-ded says:

12:30pm | 25/07/11

Yeah nossy, but I can’t really see you wearing them jogging on the beach.  Do they go well with the boardies?

nossy says:

12:45pm | 25/07/11

@jay-ded - no they dont jay-ded - and neither does my Sherriffs badge pinned to bare skin! But seriously I agree the gun situation has gotten out of control here. I remember about 6 years ago I came round a corner in my car only to find the road blocked with Police cars and a Policeman running towards me with a shottie yelling to go back - looking ahead there were about 4 people lying on the ground handcuffed, cops with guns everywhere. Naturally I selected reverse got out of there fast. Its got a bit worse since. We might have to sell up and go further north - maybe Cairns!

Dash says:

01:26pm | 25/07/11

Jay-ded - Will you do a poem for tomorrow???

jay-ded says:

01:35pm | 25/07/11

Cairns - nice.  If they had more of an IT industry, I’d be there too. 

jay-ded says:

01:37pm | 25/07/11

Might need a theme Dash.  How about we both do one?

Dash says:

03:05pm | 25/07/11

@Jay-ded - I liked Nossy’s story for a theme. You know, the old fella caught in a washer and help from the fireman. Could make for a funny poem.

jay-ded says:

03:23pm | 25/07/11

@Dash - how many words rhyme with idiot?

Ben C says:

03:37pm | 25/07/11

@ jay-ded

You could try to use as many variants of “idiot” if that works better than finding a rhyming word.

John Smythe says:

03:45pm | 25/07/11

@jay-ded
If Cairns had enough large scale businesses to demand the IT, I’d have been home years ago

jay-ded says:

04:02pm | 25/07/11

@ Ben C - But idiot says it all really doesn’t it. 

@ John Smythe - Me toooooo.  Or rather I would call it home as soon as I moved there. 

Yuri says:

04:23pm | 25/07/11

Since no one has attempted a budgie smugglers poem (unless I missed it?) I have one for tomorrow that I prepared earlier. Might have to change it though to include recent topics of G-strings and guns.

Dash says:

05:49pm | 25/07/11

@Yuri,  - you’ve got tomorrows poem. Cool!

nossy says:

06:28pm | 25/07/11

@Yuri - yeah well Yuir just make sure I am not in it - my nutter Brother-in-Law Reggie No Brains uses any “bad press” to cause me grief - a “merciful drowning” is on the cards for Reggie - stuff the Gold Coast crime stats!  hahahhaahh

mike j says:

12:16pm | 25/07/11

More importantly, he’s a man.

All the bad life choices made by women can be blamed on men.

I’m pretty sure Pete Doherty invented heroin, then forced Amy to take it, despite her frequent and fervent objections.

kirsty says:

12:42pm | 25/07/11

Pete Doherty is Kate Moss’s ex.
Blake something was her ex-husband who was/is a jailbird

Tim says:

12:58pm | 25/07/11

Blake Civil Fielder was her husband.
And yes, i’m pretty sure he forced those eccies down her throat and jammed the coke up her nose.

mike j says:

12:59pm | 25/07/11

My Women’s Weekly subscription expired.

kirsty says:

01:53pm | 25/07/11

How did you let that happen mike j?! You should also remember to keep up to date with New Idea.

Tim says:

01:59pm | 25/07/11

I got it wrong too.
His name’s Blake Fielder-Civil not Civil-Fielder.

mike j says:

03:48pm | 25/07/11

kirsty, they were ripping me off, so I didn’t renew it.

I was only receiving one magazine a month!

fairsfair says:

04:35pm | 25/07/11

ew Mike J - who the hell would subscribe to Women’s Monthly?

mike j says:

06:18pm | 25/07/11

Desperate vampire housewives?

That does it. I’m writing off this entire thread. But while we’re at the bottom… I’m glad she didn’t go on a slow news day.

Elphaba says:

12:36pm | 25/07/11

Sounds great!

There is blue sky peeking out in Sydney today.  About freakin’ time. I got home from the pub on Saturday night to find my apartment had no water.  There were roadworks happening up the road, I’m betting some numpty put his drill through the pipe.  My first thought when I turned the tap on and nothing came out was “We’ve just had rain of biblical proportions.  How can there be no water?”

4am that morning - the toilet refilled and woke me up.  Not cool.  Wrecked my Sunday sleep-in.

fairsfair says:

01:21pm | 25/07/11

Friday and Saturday here in Cairns were so pretty you could cry. Seriously - I looked at the sky a few times and was absolutely amazed. Sadly, I was coaxed into helping my parents re-paint their 40m long steel fence, but it was actually nice to be out in it. I sandpapered off most of the skin on my hands and also hit my big toe with a wire brush - I made a noise only dogs could hear. Had some nice, lost US tourists call upon my direction skills (how they got lost off a highway I’ll never know) and they used the word “breathtaking” (perhaps they were looking at me, I don’t know ). They were not interested in giving up their day on the tablelands to help paint unfortunately…

Yesterday, because the fence was finished and I was looking forward to going for a walk on the espie - it all turned to pot, but today is looking alright. Its mid 20s and was 13 when I threw off the doona this morn - brrrrrrr!

My sunday sleep in was ruined too Elphaba. The dunga car over the road is in serious need of a new fan belt. He is on his last warning anyway - Next time he fires that POS up at 5:00am I’m throwing a rock through the windscreen.

Shifter says:

01:50pm | 25/07/11

I’m not sure whether your toilet is loud, or you were sleeping close by for convenience sake. You know, hard night at the pub and all

Elphaba says:

02:05pm | 25/07/11

Lol, @Shifter, ensuite.  And I hear everything, I’m a light sleeper.

@fairs, I’m going to Ratsak the dog next door when the neighbour takes it out for the 4am dump.  Mongrel wanna-be-rodent that it is - get a real dog! lol

Shifter says:

02:57pm | 25/07/11

@Elph -  I’m a fairly light sleeper as well. Makes it hard in an apartment block when your neighbours are doing something. Anything.

I don’t think I’ve woken up to the dulcet tones of a toilet recently.

@fairs - a couple of my neighbours who head off to work pre-6am have awesome cars with fully sick exhausts mate. One car you can hear at least 3 blocks away in the morning. Considering duct-taping a potato inside said exhaust.

Elphaba says:

03:13pm | 25/07/11

Lol, Shifter, your neighbours aren’t making loud inconsiderate sex sounds, are they?

fairsfair says:

03:17pm | 25/07/11

I say do it Shifter.

I also have some mid life crisis at the end of the close with a Harley. They should be banned. It is so unnecessary and he too heads off with his open faced helmet and bandana early in the morning (probably off to buy a latte mind you). Grrr - I sould love to jam a fence paling in his spokes!

mike j says:

03:38pm | 25/07/11

I couldn’t make Rise Against. That would have been a mad show.

Going to see Foo Fighters & Tenacious D, though.

Ben C says:

03:44pm | 25/07/11

@ fairsfair

“I sould love to jam a fence paling in his spokes!”

Just like in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

fairsfair says:

04:25pm | 25/07/11

Yes Ben C - and in Temple of Doom style follow up, I will rip his beating heart from his chest with my bare hands, and then show it to him!

Too much?

Shifter says:

05:48pm | 25/07/11

@fairs - What if he takes said beating heart and puts it back in his chest? Stitches it all up neat-like?

@Elph - actually no… which surprised me a bit. Must be no-one in the bedroom across the wall from mine.

TChong says:

01:50pm | 25/07/11

Alvin
A Raiders fan?
Damn fine team ‘80s-‘90s.
Were you loyal enough to brave the snow way back in 2000 ( i think)
when the mighty Tiges played there?
I have never, ever being colder than that day. No amount of Balmain jumpers or beenies were enough to keep us warm, plus the Raiders won.

Tim says:

02:01pm | 25/07/11

Chongy,
we got let into a box on that snow day.
Raiders players love the cold and hopefully can overcome the dragons tonight.

Shifter says:

02:25pm | 25/07/11

Can Canberra overcome being Canberra?

Mathias says:

01:48pm | 25/07/11

“I was doing girls too.” Is that what the hypnotism was for?

jay-ded says:

01:42pm | 25/07/11

Good idea!
Have a tablet and ipad - both are good.  ipad would probably be easier to use though and definitely beneficial is they have to stay in bed for awhile.

fairsfair says:

02:13pm | 25/07/11

@jay-ded

Certain that that will work out just as they planned #sarcasm #loadofshit

jay-ded says:

02:58pm | 25/07/11

I can’t wait to see some of the questions…..  or the answers.  Wonder if they can type the crap just as fast as they usually sprout it. 

Ben C says:

03:53pm | 25/07/11

@ fairsfair

Which part are you being sarcastic about, the working part or the planning part?

Mathias says:

04:08pm | 25/07/11

Community, Top Gear, Entourage S08E01 is now available…

fairsfair says:

04:19pm | 25/07/11

The Event *groan*. I tried to watch it but got about five minutes into the first ep and thought it was unbearable.

I only have FTA so my television options are limited. I loved Downton Abbey (I know, I know), but it was unmissable. There were only 7 episodes though. I can’t watch CSI as it is gone so far it is now rediculous. I was into Hawaii 5-0 for about two weeks - it is now crap. TV has gone to the dogs.

I was up late the other night unable to sleep and got watching an episode of “The Big C”. It has Laura Linney in it and she has been diagnosed with Cancer. She is refusing treatment and just living her life (kicked out the husband, got the new boyfriend, spending all her money etc). It looked pretty good, but the fact it is on at midnight is a bit of a joke.

Love Grays Anatomy, but the recent musical nearly ruined it. I was watching it slack jawed and in disbelief. I also like Private Practice - but it is on to late and I can’t afford a recorder not devote five minutes to work out how to download this stuff.

I am addicted to Home and Away. I can’t believe I just said that.

Wickerman says:

04:20pm | 25/07/11

The TV show that is holding my attention at the moment is Community. A USA comedy that is quirky yet not overbearing. Also no laugh track.

fairsfair says:

04:27pm | 25/07/11

@Wickerman - I have only watched on ep of that. It was a painball fight within the school. I was laughing out loud watching it, particularly the demise of that Ken Jeung teacher guy from the Hangover. Hilarious! It is so hard to get into a routine though - perhaps there is something to this downloading caper….

Yuri says:

04:38pm | 25/07/11

I’ll second Community - so good i watched all 48 episodes in a week!
Although I didn’t really like the first few episodes, I’m glad I stuck with it.
Love the paintball episodes!

AFR says:

04:51pm | 25/07/11

Don’t forget Breaking Bad, Season 4 has begun.

Seanr says:

07:42pm | 25/07/11

Agreed mike, been watching it on the net

Ben81 says:

09:12pm | 25/07/11

I watched most of the episodes in just a couple sittings, Game of Thrones is excellent.  Man I want to see that little snot Joffrey get what’s coming to him…

The Badger says:

07:12pm | 25/07/11

Not much to talk about Anthony, plans as low as 29.95, speeds as high as you want.
Wait until the others start releasing their prices and watch the retail prices fall.

Now that you mention it, the person charged with “wrecking” the NBN by Dr. NO has been very quite. Guess he’s been too busy rattling Tony’s AGW cage - and getting the numbers to oust the unelectable Abbott.

Nicole OK?

Tory Shepherd says:

08:32pm | 25/07/11

Dunno Mr G but if too much Tory is never enough you can catch me on The Drum tomorrow

AnthonyG says:

08:51pm | 25/07/11

You owe me one. can we make up a word that you have to say over the air tomorrow night like one of my favorites indubitably meaning I agree or in agreeance. I don’t think its a real word but its a good one

The Badger says:

08:15pm | 25/07/11

I suspect that if you think I use 10 times the amount you use, then you really don’t need an unlimited plan.

How much download do you actually go through a month Anthony and who is your ISP?

AnthonyG says:

08:55pm | 25/07/11

Badge, “Telstra” stick with Aussie

The Badger says:

09:45pm | 25/07/11

Anthony
I’m trying to give you an idea of how the NBN would compare to your existing bigpond plan..
The Telstra bigpond ADSL2 plan for $29.95 gives you 2 gigbytes and locks you into a 2 year contract and you must also have a home phone bundled in according to Bigpond.
To get 200 Gig download per month, you would have to pay $99.95 without a phone bundled in.
Stop telling porkies about 29.95 for unlimited downloads at speed.