arokh72

I'm cooking a Massaman curry and part of the recipe calls for 7 soaked dried chillis (and the soaking liquid) to be used in the curry paste. My wife doesn't eat chillis and I'd like to know what I can use as an alternative to impart a similar flavour without the heat. I usually use capscicum when fresh chillis are called for and sweet paprika in place of chilli powder. I'm after items that are easily obtained in any Woolowrths, Coles or even Asian grocer in Sydney Australia.

The US have just held their mid term elections, which basically allow a change in the House of Representatives and Senate as well as giving a clear message to the President about his performance, from the people. Now before I go further with what I'm asking, I'm only asking in general and not in regard to the current government. Most of us regulars already know each others political leanings and feelings about the current situation therefore there is no need to enter into that debate here.

Firstly a) Do you think that mid term elections can be implimented in Australia? Keep in mind our Wesminster aka Preferntial System of voting vs the US first Past the Post system. Then b) If they could be implemented, would you like to see mid term elections in Australia whcih could potientially change the structure of Government (without actually removing the govt in power).

I say it'd take too much effort and change to our current electoral system to have in place. However I'd like to see it happen, it could for example have stopped Workchoices or many other unpopular policies put in place by susccessive governments over the years, as well as show those in power what we the people really think of them thus far, more so than polls which really aren't a true reflection of Australia as a whole.

This is a question designed to have you think. We already know the political leanings of most our regulars here, so am not interested in who you are going to vote for and why. I'm asking who do you think will actually win, your political opinions and desires aside in this instance. You can break it down to seats if you want to.

I say Labor will win, but only just. They'll lose Queensland, some of Western Sydney but not much being traditional working class areas, and will probably win from the Victorian marginals.

Over the weekend my right testicle became sore and enlarged and my semen seems to have turned a yellow colour similar to urine. I also noticed a pink/brown discoloration. My prostate seems normal in that I don't feel anything in regard to it and sexual function is normal. I'll be seeing my GP tomorrow and am just after some form of heads up of what it possibly could be. I don't wear tight underwear or pants and I have just recently had a bug of somesort...cold or flu...seemed more flu like. I've also been taking herbal suppliments to my sperm (prescribed by my IVF Dr).

I'm sure you guys have seen my previous posts about moving to Tassie. Now to get to some nitty gritty. Where would one recommend to live. It's just my wife and I plus our 2 dogs. We are after an area with modest house prices, we'd be renting initially and looking to pay no more than $240/week based at current rates we all know they'll go up over the next few years (our current rent in Sydney which is cheap really) for a 3 bedroom home. We are also after an area with plenty of employment opportunities, reasonable public transport and decent shopping. I know that Tassie being what it is that for someone from Sydney even outside of town like Kingston (stayed there recently) is quite good as far as commuting. Being in community services I'm not interested in making huge money and I know Tassie is not the place to do so, but am after the cool climate and laid back life style...and the lack of people too, so I'm also after somewhere that doesn't get too hot and is fairly quiet (though to me even Hobart city centre on New Years Day was quiet especially coming from Sydney). Sorry if I sound picky but when one is trying to follow a dream. I'm also interested in possibly furthering my studies and would like to see what options I have available for that...I'm currently trained to Certificate 4 level.

My wife and I are thinking of moving to Tasmania sometime over the next several years. We are wondering what the job situation is like and which areas have the best oppourtunities for work. I'm currently working in community services and my wife is just after something unskilled like pick packing. We've looked through the usual job sites like Seek, but would love to hear what someone actually there has to say. Also there is a rumour that Tasmanian employers won't employ mainlanders or unoffically discriminate agaisnt mainlanders, is this at all true or jst bs like so many other rumours?

My wife and I are thinking of moving from Sydney to Tasmania in 2+ years. We are moving for somewhere quiet with city type convenience (movie theatres, resturants and city type shopping hours e.t.c) as well as the cooler climate. Looking through Seek it seems that most of the work is around the larger cities such as Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. We are wondering what's involved as in costs, moving difficulties, rental situation (at least intially), job situation outside of what Seek says as well as living costs. We are also interested in what each place offers as far as Drs (I have a chronic illness that requires regular specialist visits), shopping...that is essentials shopping with the odd luxury, entertainment and general lifestyle. We have visited each place recently and fell in love with Tassie instantly.

I bought a brand new car from a dealer (my first brand new) and it has an interim label with 3 month expiry. It's been a little over a month since I bought the car, and we filled out the registration paperwork at the dealership, and as yet no rego papers have come through nor is the car on record at the RTA. Is it normal for the rego papers to take this long to come through on a new car?

I just recently ordered a new car, and since it's so popular have to wait a couple of weeks for delivery. It got me to thinking what is the process of delivery from arrival in the country by ship (it's a Hyundai) to the dealership then myself, and on average how long each process takes. Just for clarity the ship arrived at Port Kembla (NSW) and the dealership is located at Pennant Hills (NSW).

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease about 12 months and am having my first flare up since diagnosis. I've seen a gastro and have had a CT scan recently. I'm taking Salazopyrin, prednisilone, somac, flagyl, ibuprofen and paracetamol (Dr advised). Thing is I'm just sick and tired of being constantly sick and tired, not to mention the odd pain and horrible taste in my mouth (due to meds I think). I have great support from my wife and friends but I'd just like someone to talk to who has been there done that. It is seriously getting me down, and being prone to depression in the first place is making things worse. I suppose I'm just asking for some help or advice in dealing with this flare up and the side effects of the meds.

I have had Crohn's for about 12 months or so now. It seems to only flare up when the weather is warmer. Recently I spent a few days in Tasmania where the average summer temp is roughly about 25 degrees C (77 F) and was colder when I was there, during this period I had only minor passing pain to attack free days (am unmedicated at this stage since my Dr is on holiday). I returned to Sydney today where the temps are around 37 degrees C (98.6 F), and my attacks are back to normal. Also during winter last year I had very few attacks but as summer came they resurfaced. Personally I'm quite heat intolerant and get physiologically stressed in heat. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any links between climate and Crohn's, or can link to some research on this. Or even if any fellow sufferers have had a similar experience to myself.

My little brother is about to have child number 7 and is looking for a 10 seat vehicle, post 1996. Trading Post and Cars Guide have turned up nothing for him. He would prefer Sydney metro, but is willing to import from interstate or even overseas if he has to. An 11 seat or above will not do because based on NSW law a vehicle 11 seats and above is considered a commercial vehicle, hence the 10 seat limit.

My wife and I were talking about funeral music and I told I don't want anything Christian at my funeral...even pipes playing Amazing Grace. I'm Pagan and also identify strongly with the Celtic peoples of the British Isles, having direct ancestry to them. I'm looking for names of some music that is Pagan or at least Non Christian Celtic that would be appropriate for a funeral, but also reflects my views on death in that a funeral should be a celebration of this life and recognition of a new beginning, not a sombre negative time (other than the physical farewell).

I've only had my Vectra for 3 weeks, and thus far love it, today was the first time I put on the a/c. I've noticed that the engine sits at around the 90 degree mark on my temp gauge normally. When I popped the a/c on it quickly started rising toward the 100 degree mark, I was just wondering if this is normal? Coolant level is normal and the thermo fan seems to work at least at start up and shutdown of the car. The outside temp was 30 degrees based on the trip computer or 28 degrees based on the radio news. I was also driving in an urban area (Narellan NSW) with smooth flowing traffic, but needing to stop at red lights.

I recently bought a 1997 Holden Vectra CD. When I tried to put my Belkin iPod charger/player into the cigarette lighter socket it didn't fit. Does the Vectra have a non standard (Australia) sized cigarette lighter socket thereby meaning I can't use the in car charger on any item? I ask this as I'm thinking of getting an in car GPS and would like it to charge on the go.

I'm looking for a conversion kit to put a V6 Commodore engine and gearbox into a 1993 Ford Econovan camper. The vehicle is currently stock standard (except for the camper conversion). I'm looking for the kit in the Sydney area, preferably around Blacktown, but anywhere in Sydney metro is fine. We already have someone to supply and fit the engine and gearbox, just need the kit.

1990 VN Commodore. Driving home from TAFE (only a short trip of 15min) my Commodore decided to overheat and stayed up when driving away from lights. Steam started coming out and when I opened the bonnet coolant was everywhere, with steam coming out from behind the water pump at pressure. The water pump is brand new (last 2 months replaced). Wondering what could be the issue.