The Whitey Stuff

Cheap eats in Perth

2009-08-27T09:06:00.004+10:00

If anyone is planning on a trip to Western Australia, here are some restaurants that the city council has found interesting:

Perth restaurants.

(I had to update the link as the pdf document disappeared.)

Good chance you can get a discount if you mention this list.

A bargain if suitable

2009-08-14T11:34:00.001+10:00

Could be worthwhile changing your name!

Australia's first CD

2009-07-08T16:38:00.002+10:00

The things you learn from TV!

I try to avoid having the TV on the commercial channels in case the wife sees something that she wants to spend money on, but last night I was watching Talking About Your Generation and one of the questions was what was the first CD made in Australia. It's was the great Farnsey's Whispering Jack in 1986. How about that?

And I can't believe that Farnsey didn't make a farewell appearance at Michael Jackson's big bash.

Michael Jackson Memorial Service

2009-07-07T16:18:00.002+10:00

I know I will be up at 3am tomorrow to watch the Michael Jackson Memorial Service.

I may have to sleep in and miss the morning from work, but I am sure they won't mind.

It has been reported that 17,500 people will be attending the service. I am sure that John Farnham would get a bigger crowd than that. I hope I am around to attend.

Celebrating three years of The Whitey Stuff with Radar

2009-06-29T15:06:00.003+10:00

That's right - it has now been three years since the first post on The Whitey Stuff.

And what better way to keep everything fresh and up to date with some details from the rsvp.com.au website on Radar. Thanks for the heads up from one of my many admirers.

Radar is 44 years old and has a social personality - so ladies, time to log on and make a friend.

For many years now I am proud to say I have been the owner of a very successful business but realise that out there is a life to be had and a life to be shared. I understand now that I need to have a life outside of work as silly as it may sound. I know that I am a fun-loving person with a great cross-section of friends around the country. I have been blessed with my job which has taken me all over Australia in the past 20 years. My friends tell me I have a somewhat of a dry sense of humour but also a great personality. On occasions I love doing things on the spur of the moment whether it be jumping in the car and going for a long drive and staying somewhere overnight, or a planned holiday within Australia or overseas. I understand a lot of people say this, but I say it with conviction, and having worked in the music industry most of my life music has been a passion for many, many years. From Sade through to the big hits of the 70s and 80s. At times I believe there is nothing better than sitting down with the right lady and watching a great movie, like a top comedy or great drama. Most importantly life is no where near the same if you cant share your thoughts and feelings with that one person you care most about in your life. But like any relationship in its infancy I believe it must start with a friendship and grow. I am more than happy to travel anywhere in Australia to meet that someone special and this is something that doesn't have to happen yesterday or next week. I have learned that time talking and getting to know a person slowly and properly is the only way go. I have put a lot of thought into being a part of RSVP over the last 12 months and have friends in Melbourne and Brisbane who either have rock-solid relationships or have made great lady friends via RSVP.

By Demand

2009-06-15T20:22:00.001+10:00

Don't miss out. Tickets are on sale as of today.

And don't forget is is all by demand - http://www.farnhambydemand.com/.

Farnsey is only back because we all demanded it!

More on Farnsey

2009-05-28T09:13:00.001+10:00

It is now in The Mercury that Farnsey is coming to Hobart, so it must be true!

MUSIC legend John Farnham has announced he will include Hobart in his comeback national tour later in the year.
"I'm tired of being retired,'' Farnham, 59, said as he made the announcement of an new National tour that includes Hobart at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.

Huge news!

2009-05-27T12:49:00.001+10:00

Farnsey is back! The rumours are true. And he is on his way to Hobart!!!

From The Age:

Australian music legend John Farnham has announced he's making a musical comeback with a national tour later in the year.

"I'm tired of being retired," Farnham, 59, said as he made the announcement at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.

Farnham said he was inspired to get back into the business after performing his hit You're The Voice with Coldplay at the Sydney Sound Relief concert this year.

"When I walked off stage I was two foot taller," he said.

Farnham also plans to work on an album of new songs.

"The difficulty is finding grown-up songs - I don't want to sing 'ooh baby'," he said.

"I'm not going to hurry this."

His tour called John Farnham Live By Demand will kick off in Sydney on September 3 before going to the Hunter Valley, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, The Barossa Valley and Melbourne.

Farnham has been in retirement since 2007, after performing live at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony in Melbourne in 2006.

Speculation surrounding the singer's retirement has circulated since 2002 when he announced his Last Time tour.

A disgruntled fan who had purchased tickets for the tour lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission after Farnham announced he would tour again, with singer Tom Jones in 2005.

The consumer watchdog decided not to take action.

Lack of birthday presents

2009-05-12T13:30:00.001+10:00

As I have always viewed frugality as a one-way street, I have been very disappointed with the lack of presents so far. Hopefully they are in the mail.

Giving to charity

2009-04-19T09:28:00.002+10:00

Good to see that Radar promotions is still thriving despite the GFC and Radar is doing well enough to afford an environmentally friendly car.

... which brings me to giving to charity. It is something I have thought about and and have often woken up in a cold sweat after a terrifying nightmare. Seeing a recent Radar Promotions advertisement where Radar mentions all the charities he supports made me realise that by watching and admiring him, I am really also supporting those charities.

I hope they all appreciate it and provide me with a tax invoice.

Saving money on the wife's birthday

2009-02-02T17:25:00.004+11:00

This can be a dangerous time of year when it comes to spending money. After making it through the Christmas and New Year period and remaining well under budget there is alway the danger of splurging on Mrs Whitey's birthday and being forced to spend actual cash.

Unfortunately this year she insisted on a big night out. That can usually be accommodated, but this time Fitzies Cafe has been demolished and the China Diner was booked out for two weeks solid. With petrol back to $1.15 a litre, that left only the two restaurants within easy walking distance of Chateau Whitey, Lebrina and the more reasonably priced King Wah. Unfortunately Mrs Whitey insisted on Lebrina. Knowing the prices at Lebrina, I needed a plan.

Through coincidence of circumstances, it turns out Lebrina has a private room out the back and this can be hired separately, but only during the month of January. Getting Mrs Whitey to bring forward her birthday dinner was the easy bit, haggling down the room hire to just $100 on the basis that we would provide our own food and waiters was a bit trickier. After cutting and pasting from the King Wah take away menu, writing "Lebrina" on the top, everything was set.

I am sure none of the guests caught on and just assumed that all meals at Lebrina were served in plastic containers with a fork and spoon. Based on my culinary understanding Beef and Black Bean and Sweet and Sour Pork probably count as modern Australian. Another great money saver was decanting the Berri Estate Shiraz and passing it off as the world's best Shiraz from last year. The Fruity Lexia was a bit more difficult, but no outright complaints.

As I was able to change the prices on the menu to more properly reflect the venue, I had no trouble extracting $150 a head out of the guests, although there was one recalcitrant that won't be invited next year.

All up a clear profit of $1,322. So another wonderful birthday for Mrs Whitey.

Hip hip hooray!

One of Hobart's greatest citizens

2009-01-30T10:54:00.003+11:00

The office and home of the great man - Tim "Radar" Franklin of Radar Promotions.

Unfortunately I didn't get to catch a glimpse of the multi-talented Radar. He was no doubt spending quality time with his labradoodle and cleaning his glasses (or vice versa).

National Australia Day BBQ and Couch Exploration

2009-01-22T22:05:00.002+11:00

Don't miss out this Monday - Australia Day ...

An Australian Day tradition (at least for me and my family) - turn up un-announced to a friend, acquaintance or relative's place and help yourself to their BBQ. While you ask them to get you another beer from their fridge, go inside, sit on the couch and search for all the loose change and goodies you can find.

Don't miss out

2009-01-16T11:20:00.002+11:00

There are still bargains to be had at Les Lees. Don't wait to long or you could miss out on the best stuff!

Advertising frugality

2009-01-07T09:14:00.002+11:00

With the recession fast approaching, there has never been a better time to be frugal.

Obviously all the Hobart advertisers are cutting back, judging by the number of ads in the Tuesday Mercury (6 January 2009). Page after page without advertising!

Les Lees - sale now on

2009-01-07T09:08:00.002+11:00

Just a gentle reminder that Les Lees is always after your business. It is one of the few places that I shop at - I just love going there at sale time.

I was tempted recently by an advertisement for Rivers that had suits for $38, but fortunately I was able to find the equivalent level of quality at Les Lees.

2009

2008-12-31T21:23:00.001+11:00

Here's to a frugal 2009.

Good to see that the Taste of Tasmania security have stopped checking if people are taking in food. I now will be able to take the family tomorrow.

Merry Christmas to all

2008-12-24T14:27:00.000+11:00

Don't spend too much money.

Christmas thoughts

2008-12-24T14:24:00.000+11:00

From The Mercury,

No relief for busy police

December 24, 2008 09:01am

POLICE were busy last night with reports of men relieving themselves in public outside hotels across Hobart.

Tasmania Police said several people had been arrested and officers were working at full capacity to address anti-social behaviour.

An owner of one Hobart business said the number of men outside urinating was making it difficult for them to let children out of the building.

Police said the anti-social behaviour early in the night was as bad as New Year's Eve.

In many cases patrons were leaving pubs and clubs to smoke and were urinating while outside.

Police said last week there would be an increased police presence on the waterfront over the festive season.

Tonight, Christmas Eve, is expected to be especially busy.

Alcohol offences will be a focus of attention.

A frugal Christmas meal

2008-12-18T09:21:00.001+11:00

From The Age:

Are hard times threatening your Christmas dinner? Well then, Peru has the answer: guinea pig.

Officials in the coastal Peruvian province of Callao on Monday hailed the Andean rodent as a low-cost, low-fat alternative to a traditional turkey or roast pork Christmas dinner.

Guinea pigs can feed seven or eight for about $3.20, Callao official Mario Sanguinity told Associated Press Television.

"The idea is to give the people a tasty, economical option," he said.

The presentation included a live guinea pig dressed as Santa Claus and eight of its comrades laid out fried, broiled and roasted in traditional dishes from different regions of Peru.

Cheap and delicious. What more could you ask for?

Gourmet Deli

2008-12-08T09:49:00.001+11:00

What happened to the Gourmet Deli in the Elizabeth St mall?

Has it moved? Closed?

Get paid to receive telemarketing calls

2008-12-08T09:35:00.002+11:00

It's great to hear proposals to get rid of the opt out approach for the telemarketing do not call register and replace it with an opt in system.

The marketing companies will then need to come up with a way to encourage us to opt in - such as paying money.

How good is that! I could get paid to listen to rubbish on the phone at home, just like I do at work.

Cheap airline seats

2008-11-26T11:24:00.002+11:00

From The Age:

Obese have the right to two seats: court
Canada's largest airline is trying to figure out which obese and disabled passengers will be eligible for additional seats at no charge after the country's Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the airlines.

The Canadian Transportation Agency issued an order last January requiring Air Canada and other domestic airlines to make additional seats free to disabled or obese passengers who need extra room.

So, can I get a fat friend to book a seat and then sell it to me and Mrs Whitey? A new avenue for half price travel.

Rationing toilet paper

2008-11-17T12:36:00.002+11:00

From The Age:

QANTAS was forced to ration water, biscuits, nappies and toilet paper - four sheets a person - to passengers who spent more than 24 hours on a flight diverted from Sydney because of a storm.

Qantas are way too generous. I am sure it would have only been three sheets on Jetstar.

My Melbourne Cup tip

2008-11-04T10:40:00.001+11:00

After a detailed scan of the form guide, and based on what I would say if anyone called Guy asked me to lend him some money, my tip for today's race is ...

Number 15 - Guyno.