# Aw, Dang! Syne: January Minirants **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2013, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745 "2013-01-01T11:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/221 "2013-01-10T22:45:25Z")
My poor furball, Lucy. Next Tuesday she gets to have her right side fangs and a molar removed. I feel crappy that I hadn’t noticed the state of her teeth sooner, but the vet reminded me that she had never met a cat that likes its’ mouth being messed with. What makes me feel even crappier is that my initial thought was where was I going to come up with the money from (still not sure on that one). She is the sweetest cat, only five years old, many years ahead of her. Nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/222 "2013-01-10T22:59:50Z")
We heard from Roxie’s vet today. She called to check up, and to ask us to take pictures of Roxie’s lesions/sores/lumps, because this is rare enough that Roxie is about to become a case study in indoor cats with blastomycosis. Of course, it would be **our** cat. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/223 "2013-01-10T23:10:48Z")
Well, hey - at least Roxie’s gonna be famous! (I feel your pain: my husband’s antibiotic-resistant lung infection was so stubborn that the infectious disease docs on his team said he’ll probably wind up a case study and/or mentioned in medical literature. I found it difficult to be proud of that fact.) ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/224 "2013-01-11T00:17:43Z")
Ugh. There’s this guy in my class who gets easily offended by any joke that’s religious or slightly off-colour. So I know not to make any dirty or off-colour jokes around him, so I don’t bother him. Okay, right? Well, today the teacher said she was going out for a cigarette. A non-smoker in the class said “Have one for me too.” I then joked that the teacher should smoke a cigarette for all the non-smokers. Later, that easily-offended guy I mentioned before said he was bothered by my joke, because he’s a non-smoker. I pointed out that I was a non-smoker too, and apologized. But really… I can understand non-smokers not liking smoking - I dislike it myself. But being offended by a\* joke\* about smoking? Sheesh. Didn’t see that one coming… ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/225 "2013-01-11T00:25:33Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > But really… I can understand non-smokers not liking smoking - I dislike it myself. But being offended by a\* joke\* about smoking? Sheesh. The man is a weak minded control freak. He does this ‘offended’ bit because it gives him POWER. Power to control other people’s behavior and to make himself the center of attention. Don’t give him that power. When he states that he is offended, point out that (whatever is happening) is not about him. Then very pointedly ignore him and continue with whatever you were doing. It will take some practice before it no longer makes you angry or you stop giving in to his demands for power. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/226 "2013-01-11T00:27:24Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > Later, that easily-offended guy I mentioned before said he was bothered by my joke, because he’s a non-smoker. I pointed out that I was a non-smoker too, and apologized. What a tool. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/227 "2013-01-11T00:38:58Z")
> [@MissTake](#): > > My poor furball, Lucy. Next Tuesday she gets to have her right side fangs and a molar removed. I feel crappy that I hadn’t noticed the state of her teeth sooner, but the vet reminded me that she had never met a cat that likes its’ mouth being messed with. What makes me feel even crappier is that my initial thought was where was I going to come up with the money from (still not sure on that one). She is the sweetest cat, only five years old, many years ahead of her. Nuts. My cat has tartar build-up. The vet gave me a finger brush and suggested I brush my cat’s teeth. I pointed out I liked my fingers and facial features fine the way they are, not rearranged and with bits missing as they would be if I attempted to brush my cat’s teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/228 "2013-01-11T00:39:44Z")
I tells ya, teaching a cat to floss is fucking impossible! ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/229 "2013-01-11T01:06:48Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I tells ya, teaching a cat to floss is fucking impossible! But heaven forbid you don’t bury your used floss in the bottom of the garbage can, as if they can get hold of it floss becomes a nummy treat. Urp. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/230 "2013-01-11T03:10:52Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > But really… I can understand non-smokers not liking smoking - I dislike it myself. But being offended by a\* joke\* about smoking? Sheesh. > [@Chimera](#): > > The man is a weak minded control freak. He does this ‘offended’ bit because it gives him POWER. Power to control other people’s behavior and to make himself the center of attention. > > Don’t give him that power. > > When he states that he is offended, point out that (whatever is happening) is not about him. Alternatively, tell him how amusing you find it that he would share that fact with you, and thank him for providing a lunch break anecdote that you and your friends can laugh about. ETA: In fact, now that I think about it, thank him for ME. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/231 "2013-01-11T04:00:24Z")
Cracking heels? I slather on Vaseline and wear socks to bed. Craps up the sheets, tho’, be warned. I pit freezes in Arizona. Do you even know how much stuff has to be covered? Anything ficus, damn bouganvilla, even lantana if you’re in a “colder Valley location” which I seem to be. And sprinkler valves…Took me over an hour tonite. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/232 "2013-01-11T06:39:47Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > Ugh. > > There’s this guy in my class who gets easily offended by any joke that’s religious or slightly off-colour. So I know not to make any dirty or off-colour jokes around him, so I don’t bother him. Okay, right? > > Well, today the teacher said she was going out for a cigarette. A non-smoker in the class said “Have one for me too.” I then joked that the teacher should smoke a cigarette for all the non-smokers. > > Later, that easily-offended guy I mentioned before said he was bothered by my joke, because he’s a non-smoker. I pointed out that I was a non-smoker too, and apologized. > > But really… I can understand non-smokers not liking smoking - I dislike it myself. But being offended by a\* joke\* about smoking? Sheesh. > > Didn’t see that one coming… Did you say, “I’m sorry you chose to be offended at something that was not directed at you?” Cause that’s what I would have said. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/233 "2013-01-11T15:05:33Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Holy shit, I’m just wiped. My husband is gone for most of January. I haven’t slept properly in days - it’s weird sleeping alone, and my screaming nightmares have made a comeback. Last night my back pain kept me awake. I hate our mattress so hard. Have you tried a memory foam mattress topper? When I moved in with my husband his bed killed my back so much I’d wake up in tears. I bought a thick memory foam topper and it was a godsend until we could afford a new bed. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/234 "2013-01-11T15:30:31Z")
> [@Schrodinger\_s\_Platypus](#): > > The skin on my heel cracked like it does every winter. Now every step hurts. Any thick shea butter based moisturizer. Use it every morning and every night. I hate winter, I need to use it on my whole foot, elbows, knees and basically bathe in it at least once a week. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/235 "2013-01-11T15:43:20Z")
Yep, I was gonna suggest shea butter + socks as well. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/236 "2013-01-11T15:53:35Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Cracking heels? I slather on Vaseline and wear socks to bed. Craps up the sheets, tho’, be warned. \ > [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Any thick shea butter based moisturizer. Use it every morning and every night. > > I hate winter, I need to use it on my whole foot, elbows, knees and basically bathe in it at least once a week. I was going to suggest a foot butter stick, but that probably is shea butter. > [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > Have you tried a memory foam mattress topper? When I moved in with my husband his bed killed my back so much I’d wake up in tears. I bought a thick memory foam topper and it was a godsend until we could afford a new bed. We bought a thick memory foam topper this summer, and while it is very comfortable, I would caution people that it does sleep much hotter than a regular mattress - it’s great for winter, since we don’t need as many blankets, but if someone is a hot sleeper to start with, they might melt. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/237 "2013-01-11T15:59:45Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > There’s this guy in my class who gets easily offended by any joke that’s religious or slightly off-colour… Your homework assignment from _“Soc201/Minirants in Modern Society”_: During the week of 1/14, see how many jokes you can make in his presence. Care will need to be exercised, in that these must be jokes that would be laughably inoffensive to any normal person, but just enough to get under his paper-thin skin. Recruit your fellow students in this endeavor. Bonus points if you alert the instructor to this assignment, but only if you can get their cooperation to the extent that a “We need to have thick skins in this field, and in this classroom” comment is made from the front. For full credit, you must write up the best of these incidents (at least three anecdotes, 2-8 sentences each, double-spaced) and submit them to our class folder (titled “Aw, Dang! Syne: January Minirants”, see syllabus for directions). Due date: Jan 17, 5 pm EST. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/238 "2013-01-11T16:16:56Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > Have you tried a memory foam mattress topper? When I moved in with my husband his bed killed my back so much I’d wake up in tears. I bought a thick memory foam topper and it was a godsend until we could afford a new bed. Thank you for the suggestion. That was actually our plan until we got a little Christmas money. He is coming home for one night and we are going to get a new mattress this weekend. In the meantime, I’m sleeping on the couch. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/239 "2013-01-11T16:25:34Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > The man is a weak minded control freak. He does this ‘offended’ bit because it gives him POWER. Power to control other people’s behavior and to make himself the center of attention. THAT! THAT THAT THAT THAT THAT! LIGHTBULB MOMENT! Thank you. I needed to read that. I now feel totally smug and self-righteous about something completely unrelated to the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/240 "2013-01-11T17:53:09Z")
I have a giant pimple. I am 35 for goodness’ sake this shit should stop happening. It’s all I can think about anytime I talk to anyone. It’s distracting me from my job here! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=13)