janelle

I will be moving from Sydney to Hervey Bay around August of this year and was wondering if anybody has had some personal experience with an interstate removalist company? I don't want to pay over the top rates, such as Grace Bros/David Jones removalists, but again, the cheapie's are obviously cheap for a reason. I actually had a quote from a company (which I shall not name) to transport an entire 3bedroom house full of furniture the 1300kms or so, to Hervey Bay for $800.00 (LOL). I checked their website reviews out and the comments spoke for themselves. Disgusting, rude, broken furniture and 2-3 days later than expected.... I would expect that for such a ridiculously low price.

So if anyone has had personal experience and can recommend me some companies, I would be most grateful. Also approximately how much should it cost do you think (to the nearest thousand) ??

I will look into all answerer's responses and thanx for your input.

I have just noticed that The Butterfly Effect 2 is on tv in about an hour. It has been many years since I saw the first one and dont really remember it. So my question is, can I understand the 2nd one that is screening shortly without remembering / seeing the first one?

Considering there has been heaps of questions about what it's like to live in Australia, and a lot of others bagging us.....I would just like to let all you Aussie's know that there is a segment on channel seven's Today Tonight (from the previews I saw) tonight (Tuesday 12th Feb) that adresses just that. So let's all check it out, and voice our opinions as Aussies, after the program airs. Might be interesting what the rest of the world really thinks of us....even though half of them have never been here !!

A young woman is driving home from work and she runs over an older fellow. He is critically injured and she panics and puts him in the boot of her car, thinking that he will be dead by morning. She finds him still alive and badly injured so keeps him trapped in the car in her garage. Most of the movie is his attempts to free himself (quite bloody). She asks her black boyfriend to help dispose of him, but some of the neighbours kids realise he is in there and call for help.

Its been such a long time since I have had to do the licence rules (36 yrs in fact) so my question is, how far are you allowed to park on the street from a home's driveway. I would have thought it was a few metres, but at the moment I have this rude, ignorant neighbour who parks their car outside my house, instead of outside their own place - and on garbage bin nights, I cant get my bins out properly in order for the council to pick them up. Today, these same people parked so close to my driveway that I even had trouble backing out to see what traffic was coming. Anyway LOL I put my red bin out onto the road within a foot of the front of their car, and my green bin out on the road within a foot of the back of their car - So I hope the garbage man / or my bins land back onto their car to teach them a lesson. They actually have a beautiful brand new holden commodore (grape coplour) So a big scratch from the garbage man might suffice. Might I also add, that they have plenty of road parking in front of their own home, that's why I am so pissed off that they are parking in front of mine. I am not normally a judgemental or nasty person, but this has been ticking me off for several months now.

My 20 yr old son has been working for the last 4 days for cash in hand, for one of our so called friends. They are self employed and primarily lay carpets. He has been doing 10hrs per day, working really hard and they are happy with him. However, they are trying to rip him off, and take advantage of his situation. (Its a long story) He had hit rock bottom and was in with a bad crowd for a long while but now thanks to the help of his sister and brother in law, is totally on the right track and wanting to get his life together. These people first offered him $20 ph and he agreed. Then they said $50 a day (for 10hrs) lol I dont think so.....Anyway they came back with $20 ph and as I said, he started this week. The problem is, that they havent paid him yet and are still arguing and being very nasty over when or how much THEY WILL DECIDE to pay him. He doesnt want to walk away until he gets paid, but it may well be the best thing to do. So my question is, how much is the award wage or how much should they be paying him per hour ?? He has been on his hands and knees all week laying carpet. I have tried to google Award wages Qld labourer, but cant seem to find anything that leads me to any specific amount. Can anybody help me out ? Thanx in advance.

The old moral still exists:- Don't mix business with friends / family

A movie where someone can read somebody else's mind, may be as they are talking to them. They can tell whether they are telling the truth or not, or can figure something out from the vibes they are getting. I don't mean movies like clairvoyants, where they can see the murders happening or who did it, etc., Thanx in advance

This is probably a question for sheila....

I posted a question a few months ago regarding my goal of doing the Great Ocean Road trip. It looks so beautiful. Anyway, I procrastinate, I'm going to do it, then I can't afford to do it etc., etc., etc.

So one of my new years resolutions is that I am going to do it THIS year. So my question is, what is the best months to do this trip as far as weather is concerned. I live in Sydney, have never been to Melbourne and I know the weather there is as crazy as it is in Sydney sometimes. I want to drive the trip comfortably, just nice beautiful weather - not too hot, not too cold. So what would you suggest the best months are to do this.?? Im thinking May - June before it gets into winter OR Sept - Oct before it gets too hot.

What do you think the next big theory is going to be from all these american nutters, who thought the world was going to end yesterday?? What do you think they will dream up next ??

My opinion is okay, its the law - fair enough. However I find it rather stupid considering other factors that are far more distracting. For example, searching radio stations, replacing cd's and looking for the track you want etc., This does actually take your eyes off the road. To be honest I almost went up the back of someone whilst doing just this. Also GPS / navmans etc., you are also taking your eyes off the road when checking directions, maps etc., My thoughts are that at least if you are talking on a mobile phone, you are still looking straight ahead at the road. (Obviously I am not talking about texting as you drive) I am referring to actually talking on the phone. This would be a far less distraction than these other points I have mentioned. Just interested in your views....

Even after running it for a while, to fill up a saucepan it still looks cloudy. Is this okay to use or should I stick to the cold water (which takes longer to heat up ?

For many years people have been complaining about the Pacific Highway north to the border. The Bruce highway north from Gympie is also a death trap as statistics show. I drive from Sydney up to Gladstone (Central Qld) three - four times a year to visit my daughter and grandchildren. I even remember the good old days where it took the state 20years to get the Buladelah section finished. Anyway, I have never believed that accidents are caused by the state of the roads - I firmly believe that it is the fault of the drivers. As many of you will have experienced - Idiots overtaking on double yellow lines, other cars speeding past you when you're doing the speed limit of 110Km as if you were standing still. And if you do happen to come to a bad section of road, then drive accordingly. I am by no means an old fogie, actually I find it quite hard to keep my commodore under the speed limit, but the dash lights beep on overspeed occassionaly and I react accordingly. So what do you all think ? Is it the roads or the drivers that lead to so many fatal accidents??

Kevin Rudd's cat, Jasper died. I am an animal lover - don't get me wrong but its all over the internet, was given a mention on every Sydney news channel tonight...We, as little people in the scheme of things dont get a mention if one of our beloved family members dies, let alone our beloved animals. What do you all think - Have they got nothing else to talk about ??

I live in suburbia Sydney, no bush etc., however I have spotted this large looking lizard a couple of times over the past few months in my backyard. It is living in behind my shed, where there are overgrown bushes. It is not a blue tongue or frilled neck - in fact it has quite a distinctive look of its own. Its quite large (maybe 35-40cm long) four legs, but has a distinct tail. Rather than its tail petering off to a long thin one, its quite large and stumpy. The best way I can describe it, is that its the shape of a long thick cactus (stump or penis) I have searched google sites but cant seem to find one that resembles a tail like this - so weird - I've never seen anything like it. Does anyone know what it could be..??

I live in suburbia Sydney, no bush etc., however I have spotted this large looking lizard a couple of times over the past few months in my backyard. It is living in behind my shed, where there are overgrown bushes. It is not a blue tongue or frilled neck - in fact it has quite a distinctive look of its own. Its quite large (maybe 35-40cm long) four legs, but has a distinct tail. Rather than its tail petering off to a long thin one, its quite large and stumpy. The best way I can describe it, is that its the shape of a long thick cactus (stump or penis) I have searched google sites but cant seem to find one that esembles a tail like this - so weird - I've never seen anything like it. Does anyone know what it could be..??

I have a lovely large covered back porch with 2 quite large outdoor cages (10 budgies). I have been living here for a few years and never ever had trouble with cats, as there don't seem to be any around here. Then a few weeks ago we got new neighbours and of course, they have cats. I hear the cats prowling around on my back porch at night, banging around,squealing and fighting. So I am worried that this is going to cause havoc with my birds.

Dont get me wrong - I like cats and certainly dont want to hurt them, so was wondering if anybody knew of a way to keep them away. I dont want to say anything to the neighbours, they are entitled to their cats and it is quite normal for cats to wander - But what can I do ???

The cages are too large and heavy for me to bring in inside every night, so that is not an option.

I have a lovely large covered back porch with 2 quite large outdoor cages (10 budgies). I have been living here for a few years and never ever had trouble with cats, as there don't seem to be any around here. Then a few weeks ago we got new neighbours and of course, they have cats. I hear the cats prowling around on my back porch at night, banging around,squealing and fighting. So I am worried that this is going to cause havoc with my birds.

Dont get me wrong - I like cats and certainly dont want to hurt them, so was wondering if anybody knew of a way to keep them away. I dont want to say anything to the neighbours, they are entitled to their cats and it is quite normal for cats to wander - But what can I do ???

The cages are too large and heavy for me to bring in inside every night, so that is not an option.

My current home is way too big for my needs and I have just turned 50. I need to downsize and have been seriously thinking about buying one of these small 2-3 bedroom houses inside a 50+ village. (Not a Retirement Village) I have checked out many websites and these places appear to be exactly what would suit me. They are also quite cheap (around $200,000) which would leave me money left over to do some travelling. Im hoping you know the kind of place I'm talking about, very similar to the Big 4 Caravan Parks whereby they have a pool, a spa, tennis courts etc., and low maintenance.

So I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these places - any useful info, pro's or con's I may not have thought of. I am aware that I would still have to pay monthly fees, although I would own the property outright. This is obviously for maintenance, rates etc.,

My ideal place would be around the Sunshine Coast / Hervey Bay area. As many of you know I have a daughter and her family in Queensland.

For anyone who doesn't know the type of place I'm referring to, here is an example:

http://www.noblelakeside.com.au/h_howitworks.asp

I would appreciate any input you have to offer - Thanks