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[darkelf9]

Evening all,

It's only the first week of Dec and I'm over the whole Christmas shopping thing already. Had a massive walkfest around the local shopping centre buying presents and also some things for myself plus put the car in for a service. Plus it was so damn warm in the shopping centre due to the humidity. Was there 5 hrs and totally spent by the end of it. Not only hot and tired but then one of the hub caps came off the car as I was driving home, so not impressed that it wasn't replaced properly after the car service. First time that has happened to me.

Still warm today after a few hot humid nights in Melbourne town. Has been raining but it was warm rain. Might cool off some tomorrow, need to do a booze run for the upcoming holidays.

Hope your week is ending without too much drama.

 

[darkelf9]

Evening all,

Well the Christmas spirit is here and being practised no doubt...unless some arsehole has tried to take your car park spot that you're backing into or you're dealing with Medicare which has become Medi-don't-care or you've put your car in for a service and it takes them 3 fucking hours just to tell you they've looked at it and you need spend more dollars...and joy to the world (just not the bit you're in at any given moment).

Well its seems what the Labour party said about Medicare is coming true. Discovered today that there are no more Medicare staff at those joint Centerlink/Medicare offices. Can't talk to anyone unless it's on the phone and if they stuff things they wait for you to complain because they get so many errors they can't cope with sending correspondence to those impacted. Sounds like they have just thrown the elderly out with the garbage once again. To bad so sad, but they're old, they'll die off soon right so why worry about them. We seem to have gone back in time when the elderly were just left behind on the road if they couldn't keep up with the tribe.

When it's my time I've decided that I want a happy death....'Death by Boobies'.

I hope your Christmas shopping isn't too stressful.

 

[darkelf9]

Afternoon all,

Well it's nearly time for Santa and his three Ho's ( Crystal, Skye and Lulu - the one with the 6 o'clock shadow, would of been a 5 o'clock shadow but one must cater to daylight savings) to depart on their night of present giving.

Looking forward to a much easier Christmas Day this year, no long driving day this time. Didn't even need to buy so many presents either so that was a bonus. But like every Christmas time, will have to wait till Boxing Day to have a proper drink.

Well Melbourne town is at the start of heatwave for the next six days. All those complaining of the lack of heat so far this Summer are going to get their wish, but they'll be the first to bitch about the heat when it's here for so long.

Hope everyone stays safe over the Christmas break and obviously eats lots. No point being alive if you can't eat what you want at least once a year.

 

[warrior queen]

Merry Christmas!
I have to go out and brave town central this morning - picking up the last of my food orders. That means tackling the hoardes of rampant consumers as they rush about creating debt for the New Year.
I have avoided central city for the past week, but have heard that people are spending record amounts of money (in an effort to seem like they are having a great Xmas, no doubt.)
Super-glad 2016 is nearly over. Hasn't been the best of years for me
We're having a really quiet Chrissy this year.... just immediate family for a relaxed lunch and maybe a drink or 3.....
Here's hoping your Christmas is filled with family love, and the crazy Aunt in the corner drinking sherry isn't giving out bad advice! xx

 

[scumbag]

Been a long time since i've been here

Found this site again the other day, even remembered my log in! Nice to see you again Warrior Queen, if memory serves me right you used to live in Tassy and do piercings?

Any of the other oldies from years gone past still around?

Merry Xmas all and have a great New Year

 

[darkelf9]

Afternoon all,

Well 2016 is just about over and hoping for a better new year. Not a good end to the year for me as it has been a painful few weeks physically. Knee pain and back pain mainly and the disgusting hot humid week of crap weather hasn't helped. The only bright spark was a really nice Christmas lunch at the local venue. Was very impressed with the food options on offer. Made an otherwise uncomfortable day a little easier, not so getting back in a hot car.

For those not in Melbourne this past week well it has been a very hot humid and disgusting week of weather. Was even happy to get caught in the big downpour yesterday. A much cooler day today but the humidity is still up there, will be much cooler tomorrow. The northern part of the country can keep this crappy weather so thank you northern WA we didn't need that present for Christmas.

Looking forward to a quiet end to the year and can at last have a proper drink. Hope your new year's eve is good for you.

 

[warrior queen]

Hey! End of crappy old 2016..... bring on 2017!!!
I am chillin at home with my man and my youngest son (who will be 20 in 8 days ) having a bourbon or 6 and looking forward to midnight and fireworks....

Here's hoping everyone has a much better year next year....

 

[darkelf9]

Hey! End of crappy old 2016..... bring on 2017!!!
I am chillin at home with my man and my youngest son (who will be 20 in 8 days ) having a bourbon or 6 and looking forward to midnight and fireworks....

Here's hoping everyone has a much better year next year....

Hey WQ

A Happy 2017 to you, hope it all goes well for the coming year.

 

[darkelf9]

Afternoon all,

A happy 2017 to all. It's a squeaky new year thus far, nobody screw it up just yet.

No Champagne for me this year. Decided instead to crack open a bottle of Canadian whiskey given to me by a Canadian friend of mine a number of years ago. Also had the beers after all you need an entre, and I was all out of horses douvers.

I still have the Champagne so probably open that tonight, too long to wait for my birthday next week, besides I'm buying new whiskey for that anyway.

As its a new year it is a chance to think about renewal or replacement. And also going back to the house you made a dick of yourself the night before and apologise to all the neighbours.

 

[scumbag]

Where are all the Aussies these days?

I remember the old thread that used to often be in the top threads on the site. C'mon guys get involved, can't leave it to the few.

Been reading a lot of the articles since I came back, some flesh the characters out well. The big thing I have found though is a lot don't think about using the same nick names or locations etc. in most of there stories. eg: Sweetie or core and so many more. I have enjoyed it though.

Anyone still alive in Adelaide (used to be a thread by that name)? Would love to chat with some locals or some from years gone by like Bertrande or Ladybird and others.

Hope you had a great time over xmas and NY and that all goes well in 2017 for you.

 

[darkelf9]

Afternoon all,

Well first week of Jan almost over and nothing major has happened except for killings in Turkey, we annoyed the Indonesian military apparently (wouldn't be the first time) and flooding in parts of the north of the country, oh yes and the heat.

Big birthday coming up next week. Waiting to see if I'm officially a pensioner, not that I get anything but will get to pay tax again, oh goodie.

Hope this first week still sees you all in a positive mood. Well the cricket is positive anyway.

 

[sethp]

Hey all!

Man, I am still trying to get to Australia. I keep seeing that there are skills shortages there, but apparently it's high end stuff like Engineers and Doctors. I've got a really good diverse resume but I'm having trouble finding any jobs that fit me and any recruiters that will talk to me.

Any thoughts on how I can get there? Tips and tricks and inside info? It will be worth your while! LOL I promise!

 

[darkelf9]

Hey all!

Man, I am still trying to get to Australia. I keep seeing that there are skills shortages there, but apparently it's high end stuff like Engineers and Doctors. I've got a really good diverse resume but I'm having trouble finding any jobs that fit me and any recruiters that will talk to me.

Any thoughts on how I can get there? Tips and tricks and inside info? It will be worth your while! LOL I promise!

You could try a working visa as a start and/or backpacking if that is an option. It's a good way to see the country and relatively cheap. The DFAT Australia site may be a good place to start or your local Australian embassy.

Just don't try coming on a refugee boat, you may end up with a free holiday on Manus Island

Not sure about a skills shortage. Haven't heard about that, but there are places that doctors don't want to go to like small country towns.

 

[sethp]

You could try a working visa as a start and/or backpacking if that is an option. It's a good way to see the country and relatively cheap. The DFAT Australia site may be a good place to start or your local Australian embassy.

Just don't try coming on a refugee boat, you may end up with a free holiday on Manus Island

Not sure about a skills shortage. Haven't heard about that, but there are places that doctors don't want to go to like small country towns.

Thanks a bunch! I'm wondering if the skills shortage think is just a hoax. Apparently, according to the Internet, you guys, Canada, NZ and Germany are besides yourself looking for skilled immigrants!

 

[The_Ghost_Man]

You might need to move fast, as I believe the Aus Govt is looking to close some loopholes. But up until now, one of the easiest professions to get through on a 457 Visa was as a hairdresser. I shit you not.

I'd take DarkElf's advice though, and check out DFAT. How old are you? This will make a difference to the types of visas you're eligible for

 

[Anothersouthaussie]

New here

I am new here, M from South Australia, just saying Hi

 

[scumbag]

Hi

Enjoy the site

 

[darkelf9]

Thanks a bunch! I'm wondering if the skills shortage think is just a hoax. Apparently, according to the Internet, you guys, Canada, NZ and Germany are besides yourself looking for skilled immigrants!

We are always looking for skilled people the issue arises that the qualifications migrants have don't work here in Australia as we have different standards so you could get a doctor in what is considered a third world country by western standards not being able to practice till he/she goes back to school.

It is an entirely different case if companies are head hunting people from OS. It's a lot easier for those people to come across. So you may need to lower your expectations of possible employment before getting the job you really want.

 

[darkelf9]

I am new here, M from South Australia, just saying Hi

Welcome to the thread, just leave the beers in the fridge oh and if you have of any those German beers from Hahndorf, I'm putting my name on those

 

[darkelf9]

Afternoon all,

Well I'm back from my short trip to Hahndorf in SA and had a really good time. Didn't enjoy the high humidity and temps on arrival at Adelaide airport which has really changed since I was there last. Taking the long walk from the terminal to the new car rental area was not helping my happiness factor. Also they cancelled the coffee service on the flight just one row away from me. I could smell coffee and reach out an touch the cart but couldn't get any so had to settle for water instead. Not happy.

Hahndorf has really changed from that sleepy town I went to over 20yrs ago. More places to have a nice cold beer and whilst it is more touristy it isn't too Disney park German town. German touristy stuff is actually made in Germany not China. Found a micro brewery in the main street so of course had to sample the quality of those and also at least one of the German pubs, plus had a bee sting cake like the one I tried all those years ago and it was the same yummy taste and it was probably the same coffee shop as well.

Would highly recommend a visit to Hahndorf to anyone travelling to Adelaide. You can catch a bus from the city that drops you off in the main street however most people drive there. You can basically drink your way down the street if that's what you want to do. Will definitely put Hahndorf on the revisit list.

Hope that the start of the year still has everyone in relatively good humour. If you aren't positive now, the rest of the year is going to be shit.

 

[scumbag]

If you like your beer

You should have gone a little up the road (maybe 5km) to https://www.facebook.com/PrancingPonyBrewery/ Good food as well.

Won an international award in London recently. There are also a number of great wineries nearby such as Shaw and Smith etc.

If you do make the return trip let me know and I can give you a few recs depending on what you want to do.

Cheers

 

[darkelf9]

You should have gone a little up the road (maybe 5km) to https://www.facebook.com/PrancingPonyBrewery/ Good food as well.

Won an international award in London recently. There are also a number of great wineries nearby such as Shaw and Smith etc.

If you do make the return trip let me know and I can give you a few recs depending on what you want to do.

Cheers

Thanks. Already did the Prancing Pony in the morning then The Lane winery for lunch. Did some tasting at the Pony and found the ones I like so I now know what to buy from Dan Murphy's next time I need beer. Will keep in mind the other wineries you mentioned for the next trip.

I like the little towns driving around the area. Couldn't get parking in Stirling. Didn't realise the place was that popular so just did a tour. May be not going during the school holidays is an idea as well, but it was a birthday trip so no choice. Saw that Woodside has a chocolate factory so something to do next time. That Mt Barker summit is just not worth the drive, also not much signage along the way. Putting road signs in the middle of roundabouts just doesn't work.

 

[scumbag]

If going to Woodside, don't leave these guys out http://woodsidecheese.com.au/cellar-door/

Maybe park behind the pub in Stirling, and the food there is well known. The view from the summit is good but your right about getting there and then the walk to the top.

 

[darkelf9]

If going to Woodside, don't leave these guys out http://woodsidecheese.com.au/cellar-door/

Maybe park behind the pub in Stirling, and the food there is well known. The view from the summit is good but your right about getting there and then the walk to the top.

I found a cheese place on the main street of Hahndorf called Udder something and tried an espresso encrusted cheese so bought it more for the novelty value but went down well with the beers. I actually asked the girl behind the counter which cheese would go well with beer

I've tagged that cheese place you mentioned, yet more places to explore and taste for the next trip, thanks.

I was rather surprised to find a Nepalese restaurant on the main street. Wasn't expecting that, obviously you need something spicy after all those beers.

 

[scumbag]

Udder Delights

I would put them on a par with each other, two of the better cheese places in Adelaide