Surfing chief unsure if Irons took drugs

The head of world surfing Brodie Carr was aware that Andy Irons had “inner demons” but says he knew nothing about drug taking.

The three-time surfing world champion passed away on Tuesday in Dallas and police are investigating whether he died of a methadone overdose.

Irons was honoured on Wednesday morning at Middles Beach in the Puerto Rican area of Aguadilla, where the Rip Curl Pro Search event is currently being held.

The world’s best surfers and hundreds of friends and support staff paddled out into the ocean, joined hands in a large circle and left flowers as tribute to someone who was described as a “tribesman” and “brother” to those on tour.

The 32-year-old, regarded as one of the greatest surfers in history, had admitted previously that he had fought inner demons and that if it wasn’t for surfing he might self-destruct.

Irons took a career break for the 2009 tour to sort through his personal issues, which rumour has suggested were related to drugs.

Carr, chief executive of the Association of Surfing Professionals, acknowledged he’d heard the speculation surrounding Irons’ past personal battles, but said he wasn’t sure if they involved drug use.

According to Carr, Irons had reached a “good place” after his time off, and had returned to the tour in 2010 as winner of the August Billabong Pro in Tahiti and was excited for the imminent birth of his first child.

“I read the reports from Hawaii and I think we might be jumping into unknown areas. Let’s wait and see what the autopsy says and out of respect to Andy I don’t really care how we passed, it’s tragic for us,” Carr said.

“He came out and said he had a lot of inner demons and he battled some things.

“I don’t know if Andy took drugs, but he was in a good place.

“He came out and he won Tahiti and he was in a good place and it was good to see him back on tour and back with his friends and with his family and I don’t want to jump into hypotheticals.”

Officials in Dallas said the cause of Irons’ sudden passing was not immediately known but Hawaii’s Star Advertiser reported that his death was being investigated as a possible overdose of methadone, citing information provided by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Star Advertiser reported that methadone was found inside a container of prescription drugs called zolpidem, commonly used for insomnia, while methadone is a powerful controlled substance used for pain. The container, as well as numerous other medications, was found on a night stand, the medical examiner said.

Employees at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, reportedly found the Hawaiian’s body and called airport police on Tuesday.

Irons had checked into the hotel after withdrawing from the Rip Curl Pro days earlier due to severe illness.

Tiffany Watson’s Thought

OK so this type of thing really annoys me. This is someone who worked hard at his sport. So what if he took time off. Could the reason be just something so simple as he needed a break. What proof does anyone have that it was drugs. The other question is what drugs if there was any.

When I was swimming and yes I swam on average 12klms per day plus other excerise so I know what it takes to be good at a sport, I had to take time out for a three month period because of my health. By the way no it had nothing to do with drugs. I am looking forward to the day if it ever happens when the media stops making this crap up and starts to actually do real journalism.

SOME LIGHT HUMOUR

CAT ATTACK HALTS NZ PASSENGER TRAIN

A Wellington-bound train was delayed after a cat snuck onboard and scratched the driver so badly a replacement had to be brought in.

The grey short-haired male cat was discovered in a closed carriage of the Masterton to Wellington service last week, The Wairarapa Times Age reported.

KiwiRail marketing and communications manager Nigel Parry said the train manager tried to catch the cat, but he was scratched so severely he required medical attention and a replacement driver was brought in.

“It’s very unusual indeed, in fact when I spoke to the train manager after his hand had been bandaged up, he said he had been working in trains for four decades and it was first time he has been attacked by a cat,” he said.

The cat was thought to have boarded the train in the Wairarapa, and was found in Wellington.

“We have no intention to charge a fare and we are obviously appealing for the owner to contact the Wellington SPCA for its return. We can also assure we won’t be charging the owner a fare.”

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8118335/cat-attack-halts-nz-passenger-train

Tiffany Watson’s Thoughts

Well I hope that the gentleman who was hurt is ok. I also hope that the cat, which would have been scared finds it’s way home.

Dynamic Accounting Solutions

http://www.dasolutions.com.au/

Government, opposition put pressure on 'greedy' banks

BANKS, RBA, GOVERNMENT

Australia’s banks might be starting to feel the pressure as both the government and opposition look at ways to rein in the power of the so-called big four.

This morning opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says he will introduce legislation in federal parliament to reform the Australian banking system.

Mr Hockey has told Fairfax Radio the coalition later on Thursday will announce moves to introduce legislation to give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) the power to investigate price collusion among the big banks.

It comes after the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) raised standard variable mortgage rates on Tuesday by 45 basis points, almost double the Reserve Bank’s 25 basis point increase in the cash rate.

Westpac, NAB and ANZ have yet to announce their intentions but previously have flagged increases above official rate movements.

“We are going to get on with the job that the government doesn’t want to do,” Mr Hockey said.

“Australians are now at the point where the opposition is doing the job that they would have expected of their government.”

The Coalition had already flagged it wanted the ACCC to be able to tackle price signalling, Mr Hockey said.

“The legislation has to be right,” he said.

“But given that the government has huffed and puffed about this issue and done nothing, we will get on with the job of doing something for the Australian people.

“We would rather do it co-operatively with the government but quite frankly they are more interested in playing politics than they are in delivering a more competitive banking system.”

Yesterday the federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says a reform package aimed at improving competition in the banking sector will put pressure on the major banks to better behave.

The government is looking at banning exit fees, which can sometimes cost more than $1000.

“There’s a culture of arrogance among the banks,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

Mr Swan says the government has been working on a reform package with regulators.

“It will put pressure on the major banks to behave in a better way,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

Consumer group Choice is also calling for bank customers to be able to switch lenders without paperwork hassles, while still keeping their account numbers.

http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8118302

Tiffany Watson’s thoughts

The RBA, Government and the banks are all the same as far as I am concerned. When was the last time one of the RBA members stepped off there high paying position (which I don’t mind them having) and actually opened up their eyes to see what the majority of Australian’s are actually doing, earning and the way they are struggling.

Due to the fact that we deal with many Australian’s in business, we know they suffer from this continual interest rate rises. Just when they think about employing someone or when they are just about to start getting ahead the interest rate goes up. I wouldn’t mind so much if it was actually founded on the majority of people in Australia.

The government doesn’t do anything and this is a topic that comes to light every time something like this happens. I am sick and tired of hearing all the “we will do something”. Now come on how many time have we heard politicians actually say that yet nothing comes of it. As for the banks, well they are owned by the general public so good luck with stopping them. The share holders want their money and I can’t blame them. If you invest you want a return. This does not mean that I agree with the money hungry banks.

Everyone has to remember that all of this interest rate rising etc all comes back to the simple thing called control. Most of these people are economists that are making these decisions, however they are forgetting the basic rule in economics. The market always finds it’s own equilibrium. SO LET IT FIND IT’S OWN EQUILIBRIUM.

Welcome to the Labour government. High interest rates, spending too much money that’s not there.

Some great people to deal with.

We have just had our windscreen fixed and our air-conditioner in the house fixed today. The guys we had are local people running a local business. We always try where ever we can to give these sorts of businesses our work. When a local business that isn't a huge one comes and does a great job I like to let everyone know. Most of the time you also end up with better customer service as well.

Evolution Autoglass was recommended by my parents who own Panorama Patios

http://panoramapatios.com.au/ they had previously required their windscreen to be replaced and found these guys to be great. So I called as our Ute needed the windscreen replaced after we left a crack from a rock for too long and it started to crawl into a large crack. These guys are a husband and wife team and have had many years experience and I don't think you could come across nicer people.

Then later today we had the air-conditioner guys out to fix our air-conditioner in the house. Dreading that I would have to replace the whole system. You know that feeling when you think oh no this might cost me more than it's worth. Well we did think that it might have only been the gas however nope that was fine, actually we were told that it's more than full enough. Then the opening of the system started, freaking out a little that it's not going to happen under $300 I waited for the verdict. What came back was the capacitor had gone. So off they went to collect one from the warehouse and back again. They had it running well again in no time. Again this is a family run business like so many here in Australia. Rob Watts Electrical & Air Conditioning http://robwatts.com.au/ It didn't cost me my right arm and leg, I am going to be nice and cool for the summer.

Google offers home ‘slave’ service amid reports staff fleeing to Facebook

By Maryann Wright

GONE are the days when only celebrities, politicians and royalty had “runners” to take care of menial everyday tasks.

Google is trialling giving its employees the royal treatment in a new bid to ensnare talented engineers in the tight US job market.

Under a pilot scheme, Google employees in five major US cities recently had access to free slave-like “runners” through online service TaskRabbit who complete odd jobs such as “clean house”, “patrol poop for small dogs”, “help move office furniture and supplies from one room … to another”, and “cook dinner for 2”.

Prices for tasks can range from $14 to drop off three bags of ice to a nearby location, $37 to pick up blank skateboard decks from a skateboard shop, to the pricier $120 to pull up and dispose of approximately 110 square foot of carpeting.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the perk, but told news.com.au Google had no current plans to extend it.

TaskRabbit founder Leah Busque told technology site Gawker their “sponsored service” could help Google employees achieve a work-life balance.

Google was once again recognised for looking after its employees, making the top spot in the top 10 employer list by Insync Surveys this month.

“It is a competitive market to keep employees happy, and TaskRabbit as a perk helps to differentiate one work environment from another,” Ms Busque said.

Google is thought to have trialled the perk in an attempt to keep current programmers and attract new staff after tech companies have suffered a shortage of programmers in recent months.

Online job search engine Indeed.com found that IT job postings were up 60 per cent since September 2009 in the US.

More so, Google have to keep up with stiff competition from rival companies.

Earlier in September, blog TechCrunch revealed that “sources close to Google” said around 80 per cent of Google employees had been poached by Facebook.
That includes Facebook’s most recent scalp, Australian co-founder of Google Maps, Lars Rasmussen.

Mr Rasmussen left Google’s Sydney office on Friday, bound for San Francisco, telling the Sydney Morning Herald it “can be very challenging to be working in a company the size of Google”.

One Google developer was reportedly offered a 15 per cent raise on his $US150,000 ($153,700) salary and a $US500,000 signing bonus to stay for a year by Google but he still took the offer to work at Facebook.

On Wednesday, Twitter announced they had hired their 300th fulltime employee, up from 110 employees at the start of the year.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/google-offers-home-slave-service-amid-reports-staff-fleeing-to-facebook/story-e6frfro0-1225946489374#ixzz145WgtTqR

Tiffany Watson Comment

I’m not sure what to expect next, I am thinking that I should start by asking my employer to start offering this. Oh thats right it’s my husband. Well he does do much of the house work, so I’m not going to complain.

As far as expecting things in the future, I do wonder of any of the Australian employers are offering incentives. If you know of or are one of these employees being offered great deals from work please comment and let us know what they are.

Finished, so it's REVIEW TIME "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson

BOOK REVIEW

I finished this book a couple of days ago. I haven't written a review yet because I have been trying to work out how I am going to write it. I still don't really know so I am just going to write what come to mind.

The start of  "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson was confusing as I wasn't sure what it was leading to. If you can get past that you'll love it. It's only confusing for a small part of it. The book as some great characters and some great twists and turns.

About half way through the book I thought I had picked what the ending was going to be and I can't even describe anything because if I do I will wreck the book for you. I really don't want to do that. Then after thinking that I know what was going to happen, I changed my mind again. This book will keep you thinking and second guessing yourself.

So the upshot is I did guess part of it however the rest I didn't. It took a turn that I really wasn't ready for. Anyone that loves a well written book, that makes you think and still not too hard of a read will love this book.

How to pay less tax

By Allison Tait, ninemsn Money

Welcome windfall or nasty bill? What's your tax return going to deliver this year? So much depends on how organised you are, and how you play the tax game. Here's our guide to paying less.

Start with the paperwork


Don't wait until the last minute to get your paperwork together. Valuable deductions are lost because you can't find a receipt at the last minute.

Talk to a (good) accountant or tax agent


While many of us see accountant's or tax agent's fees as wasted money, arguing that our tax is simple, it's possible we're doing ourselves out of not only advice, but deductions. "For a start, the fees are tax deductible," says accountant and financial advisor Jason Cunningham, author ofWhere's My Money? (Wiley).
"But a good accountant is someone who can add value to your situation. Not just the guy who gets you the most back — a person who can help you with your goals and objectives."

Word of mouth or referral is the best place to start.

Don't overlook the obvious


There are several everyday deductions that people often overlook. "Most people can claim their motor vehicle expenses in some way," says Andrew Jeffers, CEO of Aussie Tax Time (www.aussietaxtime.com). "If you use it for work or to go from work to work-related study, you can claim that."

There are four methods of working out how to claim deductions, but Jeffers favours keeping a logbook. "If you keep one for 12 weeks, it lasts for five years," Jeffers says.

Jeffers also warns against falling into the trap of believing a car allowance is automatically a full deduction. "You need to add the allowance to your income and then claim a deduction using one of the four methods," he says. "If your allowance is more than your claim, you will be taxed on the difference."

Kids can be tax-deductible


Well, not exactly, but you can receive a rebate in the form of the Education Rebate, to the tune of $750 (primary) or $1500 (secondary school). "You need to keep receipts of expenses in relation to your child's education costs," Jeffers says. Before you get too excited, fees are not included, although it's worth noting that components of some school fees are. Check with your accountant.

All education is not equal


While any form of self-education is admirable, it's not all tax deductible. "It must be something that helps you increase your existing income," Jeffers says. "A plumber might do a law degree, but that's not tax deductible. It must be in the same strain." Choose your courses wisely to save tax.

Don't forget to take your medicine


The medical expenses tax offset is another area that can be forgotten. "There is a threshold, but it's particularly good for families as they can combine expenditure," Cunningham says. "Once you spend $1500, you get 20 percent back on any medical expenditure above that." Doctor's fees are not included, but you might be surprised by what is.

Make sure you offer a comprehensive return


Don't forget to declare that little bit of interest on your everyday bank account. "A year ago, you might have got away with it," Jeffers says. "But the ATO has comprehensive records and they cross-reference. Contact them for a pre-filing report, which helps you to see what they already have, and reminds you what you need to include."

Don't forget to claim what's yours


The Family Tax Benefit used to be administered by the ATO, but now must be claimed separately through Family Assistance. "People get confused and forget to claim it," Jeffers says. "There are different ways to do it — annually, for example — so do some research."

Think about next year


It matters when you do things. If you're putting money in a bank term deposit, for instance, you want it to mature after June 30. That way the interest is deferred into the following tax year.

Beware the trap, however: interest is taxable when it's credited to your account, not when the account matures. So if it's credited monthly or quarterly, you'll pay tax in the year that it's credited. The way around it is to choose a deposit where interest is credited only on maturity.

Start with the paperwork


Now that you've got the 2009-10 tax year out of the way, get your systems in place for next year. Put all your paperwork in one place, whether it be a shoebox or a filing cabinet, and put it in useful categories. Bank together, telcos together, utilities together — and no "miscellaneous". The key is to do it regularly. The more often you do it, the less unpleasant it will be.
http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1066467

Tiffany's Comments
This is so true, make sure you find an accountant that someone you know is pleased with. We have over 75% of our clientele are from referrals. Have a wonderful day Dynamic Accounting Solutions http://www.dasolutions.com.au/