I need to know....

[Booney]

My friends and family call me a Grinch saying I hate Xmas, I don't hate Xmas, I hate the stress that it causes people to live up to the expectations that society and in many cases people put on themselves and, in many instances, the unnecessary financial strain just to keep up appearances.

The Womans Day Xmas Guide where everything has to be f*cking perfect or it's a disaster has a lot to answer for with that sort of unrealistic expectation people feel.

I do regret not doing more with my kids, they had "normal" Xmas' as kids but as they've grown older they've adopted my view which is a bit of a shame because all going well one day I'll share the magic with grand kids but my kids are like me, the less fuss the better.

Family, food, cold beers. It needs to be no more stressful than that.

[Jim05]

Am I the only one that isn't getting that Christmas feeling one iota?
Is it:

A: Because I'm getting old.
B: Because my kids are older and I have no grandchildren yet.
C: Becasue it's still too early to get that vibe.
D: Becasue I haven't watched Elf this year yet.
E: Because I haven't heard Mariah's song yet.

Was definitely feeling that way a few years back. I was never a big Christmas fan for starters and thankfully our son was over the whole Christmas thing by his 7th birthday but now I’ve got a 3yo granddaughter that absolutely loves the whole thing so found myself having to get back into the spirit of Christmas. My son has split with his partner and they have shared custody of her and the last week or so all she wants is to go to Santa’s Wonderland. The kicker is she only wants Nan and Pop to take her so guess what we’re doing this weekend

[wenchbarwer]

Am I the only one that isn't getting that Christmas feeling one iota?
Is it:

A: Because I'm getting old.
B: Because my kids are older and I have no grandchildren yet.
C: Becasue it's still too early to get that vibe.
D: Becasue I haven't watched Elf this year yet.
E: Because I haven't heard Mariah's song yet.

Was definitely feeling that way a few years back. I was never a big Christmas fan for starters and thankfully our son was over the whole Christmas thing by his 7th birthday but now I’ve got a 3yo granddaughter that absolutely loves the whole thing so found myself having to get back into the spirit of Christmas. My son has split with his partner and they have shared custody of her and the last week or so all she wants is to go to Santa’s Wonderland. The kicker is she only wants Nan and Pop to take her so guess what we’re doing this weekend

You'll love it, ya pea heart!!

[wenchbarwer]

My friends and family call me a Grinch saying I hate Xmas, I don't hate Xmas, I hate the stress that it causes people to live up to the expectations that society and in many cases people put on themselves and, in many instances, the unnecessary financial strain just to keep up appearances.

The Womans Day Xmas Guide where everything has to be f*cking perfect or it's a disaster has a lot to answer for with that sort of unrealistic expectation people feel.

I do regret not doing more with my kids, they had "normal" Xmas' as kids but as they've grown older they've adopted my view which is a bit of a shame because all going well one day I'll share the magic with grand kids but my kids are like me, the less fuss the better.

Family, food, cold beers. It needs to be no more stressful than that.

Summed it up nicely, Boon.

My outlaws tend to add to the stress of having everything perfect, the monster-in-law will even start cleaning up mid meal!

I've been known to be a grump myself, one coffee cup that takes pride of place is the Mr. Grumpy one my daughter got me, but all I really want is a relaxing day with bugger all hassle.

[Booney]

I read my post to a bloke at work, he just told me his Mrs wants him to clean the windows this weekend before everyone comes over Xmas Day.

That's exactly the shit I'm talking about.

[wenchbarwer]

I read my post to a bloke at work, he just told me his Mrs wants him to clean the windows this weekend before everyone comes over Xmas Day.

That's exactly the shit I'm talking about.

Ugh, I can imagine this will be happening at mine, too, we're hosting this year

[Brodlach]

My wife is a manager in retail, flat out until late the 24th, starting early Boxing Day.

She loves Christmas but has come around to my thinking of just relaxing. I am lucky my boys spend time with us a lot, probably too much, so we are happy for them to spend the day with their girlfriends and their family.

[Pseudo]

In recent years I've come to appreciate Xmas Eve more than the day itself. Once everything is ready for the day, house cleaned, fridge stacked, food prepared; just put the feet up and have a couple of quiet ones. The calm before the storm, as it were.

[dedja]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

[mighty_tiger_79]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

Saves on hearing aids

[Footy Chick]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

The same reason we turn the radio down in the car to look for a house number

[Jimmy_041]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

What??????????

[wenchbarwer]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

The same reason we turn the radio down in the car to look for a house number

And shush anyone that happens to be talking

[dedja]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

The same reason we turn the radio down in the car to look for a house number

[DOC]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

Since when are all phones on speaker by default?

[dedja]

Why do old people hold their mobile phone up to their ear whilst it’s on speaker phone by default in public, and you can hear the 2-way convo from 50m away?

Since when are all phones on speaker by default?

Only old bastards seemingly do this.

[tipper]

ok, for those of you that have been Raking for crabs at low tide.

how long before the low am i aiming to be in the water?

used to go all the time as a kid, but was going with the old man, and i never remember now when i should be aiming for, lol. the few times i have gone as an adult i feel like ive stuffed up my timing. is it an hour before low? an hour and a half?

[Booney]

ok, for those of you that have been Raking for crabs at low tide.

how long before the low am i aiming to be in the water?

used to go all the time as a kid, but was going with the old man, and i never remember now when i should be aiming for, lol. the few times i have gone as an adult i feel like ive stuffed up my timing. is it an hour before low? an hour and a half?

On the incoming ideally. Slack water either side of the low for half an hour so I've be venturing out on low tide and following the tide in.

[tipper]

ok, for those of you that have been Raking for crabs at low tide.

how long before the low am i aiming to be in the water?

used to go all the time as a kid, but was going with the old man, and i never remember now when i should be aiming for, lol. the few times i have gone as an adult i feel like ive stuffed up my timing. is it an hour before low? an hour and a half?

On the incoming ideally. Slack water either side of the low for half an hour so I've be venturing out on low tide and following the tide in.

thanks Boon.

i have a day off next week and was thinking ill take the kids out, although ill wait and see what the algae is doing before heading over to the other side of the gulf.

even if i dont catch anything, it will be good exercise, ill get to relive my formative teenage years, and as a bonus, get to see the kids freak out when we find some

might actually toughen them up a bit

[Booney]

Convicted serial killer James Vlasskis will not be released on parole, with a former judge saying the man who committed such “evilly premeditated, violent, gross” and “disgustingly unusual” crimes would be a risk to the community if freed.

Parole Administrative Review Commissioner Michael David KC has also found the Parole Board “underestimated the effect of the gravity” of Vlassakis’ infamous killing spree, and rejected longstanding claims about the “influence” of his co-offenders.

In his decision, published on Monday, Mr David – a former judge of both the Supreme and District Courts – granted a state government appeal and overturned Vlassakis’ release.

He conceded said there was “much to be said for the behaviour” of Vlassakis including his co-operation and guilty pleas over the infamous Bodies in the Barrels killings.

However, he said those positive factors had already been reflected in the fact Vlassakis had been given a non-parole period in the first place.

“I am concerned in this matter by the enormity of the crime … these were no normal crimes,” he said.

“There are certain aspects of the offending that concern me when considering parole at this early stage.”

Mr David rejected attempts repeatedly made, over the past two decades, by those supportive of Vlassakis to blame his crimes on “the influence” by serial killing ringleader John Justin Bunting had “over him”.

“These offences were very evilly premeditated by everyone, they were violent, gross, and committed over a substantial period of time,” he said.

“There were certain aspects of these crimes that could be described as disgustingly unusual.

“I find that the parole board that underestimated the effect of the gravity of the criminal behaviour of Mr Vlassakis.

“I find that the because of the gravity of the offending, with the fact that this is the first occasion on which parole is available, to release Mr Vlassakis at this relatively early stage would be a risk to the community.”

Vlassakis, 45, pleaded guilty to four murders – including those of his half-brother Troy Youde and stepbrother David Johnson – and was jailed for life.

However, he received a 26-year non-parole period after giving evidence against fellow killers Bunting and Robert Joe Wagner, who were jailed without parole.

That resulted in a permanent suppression on images of Vlassakis, and high levels of secrecy regarding his arrangements in prison.

Vlassakis’ role in the serial murder spree was dramatised in the award-winning 2011 film Snowtown.

Mark Ray Haydon, who covered up the murders, was paroled in 2024 and is subject to a restrictive extended supervision order governing his liberty.

In August, the Parole Board signed off on Vlassakis’ staged, controlled and monitored release back into the community.

Its decision was believed to have made SA the only place in the world that had granted parole to a serial killer.

The definition of “serial killer” as agreed upon by most international law-enforcement agencies is a person who killed three or more victims over a space of more than a month.

In October, the state government exercised its right to challenge Vlassakis’ parole, and its appeal was heard behind closed doors by Mr David.