My dearest Wallflower,
Sorry for the lack of ‘guns’ but do ‘bare’ in mind that my photo’s are my before, not after photos! (lol).
Cheers,
Gats!

Hi Simon,
I would love to help however I’m not a morning person (it’s currently 12.45am!) and live in Forest Hill and will probably be going out after the conference. Sorry I can’t help but I’m sure someone must live up the Dandenongs or further?
Cheers,
Gatsby!

RE: Shawshank Redemption. See ‘Papillion’ (Butterfly). Better still, read the book.
Cheers,
Gatsby!

Hi Kay,
I’m aware of Naomi Klein but I can’t claim to have read any of her stuff cover to cover. Indy films are my passion. I saw 9/11 2 weeks ago at a premiere launch. I prefer to see a director, producer, writer of a film that I like before it’s release/review so I can make up my own mind of how I score it. The bottom line in a film to me has to…[Read more]

Hi Kay et al, Firstly ‘Lost in Translation’. I saw it 3 times. Post or pm back to me anyone who is an art house lover, why I felt so strongly about this production. Today ‘F9/11’ grossed the most in OZ for a doco ever (that still hasn’t been generally released yet!!). Kay, both ‘Bowling’ and ‘9/11’ have the recurring theme/truth in America (and…[Read more]

Speaking of ‘addictions’, Keith Richards out lived Jim Fix, the running jogging health nut of the 80’s. Fix used to write books about jogging. What do you write about jogging. ‘Left foot, right foot, faster, faster, go home, shower! “Thanks Jim for putting that literary mind to the problem, but I know how to jog/bench press, being the biped that I…[Read more]

Speaking of addiction it could be all so much easier if the government went ahead and opened a safe ‘investing’ room to get our fix! Instead of relying on our ‘dealers’ to supply our habit!
Cheers,
Gatsby!

GUILTY! However due to work I don’t have any withdrawal symptoms damn it!! The main guilt (for want of a better word) is that I should spend more time getting out there (or on here) doing the leg work and being more active in chasing these elusive properties. However, the support of great people on this site (they know who they are) always add to…[Read more]

Hi WallFlower,
It’s not a ‘video flic’. It was released in America a few weeks ago and has grossed the most ‘ever in US history’ for a documentary. It wasn’t even released generally (ie, Hoyts, Village type outlets, etc). I think it will have a big impact on G.W. Bushs’ election outcome. I won’t swallow all of it but it is definetely worth a…[Read more]

Hi all,
Speaking of movies. Today I saw Michael Moore’s ‘Farenheit 9/11’. If anyone else has seen it, I’d be interested in your feedback on how the doco was portrayed and your feedback on it?
Cheers,
Gatsby!

“OH AND DON’T FORGET”

“People of Jawusali, Wome is your fwend. To pwoov our fwendiship, it is customwary to welease a wandewew fwom our pwisoner. Whom would you have me welease?”
“Realease Rodger”
“Very well, welease WODGER!”
“Sir, we don’t have a Rodger sir”
“What?”
“Ergh, we don’t have anyone by that name sir”
“We have no Wodger”
(“Well what…[Read more]

Dear Jay74,
“Speak up”
“Quiet mum”
“Well I can’t hear a thing?”
“WILL YOU BE QUIET?”
“Don’t pick your nose”
“I was scratching it”
“Do you mind, I can’t hear a word he’s saying”
“Don’t you ‘do you mind me”
“I can’t hear a bloody thing”
“Don’t you swear at my wife!”
“I was only asking her to shut up so we can hear what he’s saying big nose”
“Don’t…[Read more]

Hi Mumarina,
From my experience with brokers, I’ve discovered that the broker you choose who has ‘your’ immediate and long term interests at heart can far outway things that may appear cheaper on paper. A great broker will almost certainly cost you less in the long run (and certianly anyway in the short run) both financially and strategically with…[Read more]

I thought the same until today when I went to my bank and was told my offset account was a savings account on 2 properties that I own which I don’t have to make any repayments on? Thanks Steve (again!)for sorting out the mess (lol). And to think this is just me trying to refinance! I bet you can’t wait until I’m ready to buy a commercial property…[Read more]

I have to agree with Monopoly and Wilf and Norene and then some on this one. Not so much the posted question, but this pathetic cop out word called ‘GAZUMPING’. It’s been used to describe everything from ‘being told’ your offer ‘was too low’, to knocking back legally bound contracts to onsell to a higher bidder from vendors who can see a huge…[Read more]

G’day Acey,
I agree with all the above. One thing to bear in mind though is that if you use any type of a buyer’s agent bear in mind that it’s no ‘charity’ and you’ll be buying retail, not wholesale. This may not be so much of an issue if you are looking long term and neg geared. One person who I respect put it so plainly that if the higher the…[Read more]

When I was last in India I stayed at a pub in New Delhi (if you could call it a pub!). They had a discount whereby if you ordered 2 bottles of Tiger beer you got a 3rd one for free. I finished the first bottle and then asked for another. When I finished the 2nd bottle I asked the waiter for my ‘free’ 3rd bottle. He told me that you had to order ‘3…[Read more]

Hi Razor Ray,
I’d have to agree with bjb007. I also own 2 IP’s and intend to add another very soon and a short while ago I saw Dale Gatherum-Goss. I found him to be patient enough to listen to all my ‘dumb’ tax questions (Can I claim my pet pointer as a security dog?) and he gave some excellent advise and material to take away re: my property…[Read more]

Hi mc,
I remember that a few months ago there was an article on this type of investing in the Australian Property Investor magazine that covered all the pros and cons of student accom investing. Check out the back issues. I’m sure it was this year. Good luck.
Regards,
Gatsby!

…But seriously. Try ‘Meditations’ by Marcus Aurelius. I read this when I was 21 and it had quite a profound and spiritual impact on me at the time. The book consists of the recordings of passing thoughts, maxims, the musings on life and death. Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121-180) had been trained in the Stoic philosophy that later contributed so much…[Read more]