# 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:** 13
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/241 "2013-01-11T17:57:50Z")
I pit my awful sense of direction and general anxiety. This morning I left for work at the usual time, and when I got to my highway exit, I saw that traffic was backed up for miles. Fortunately, my GPS was on top of things, and told me to proceed a few miles down the road, where I could drive parallel and across, and bypass the jam. So I did that. But, though I’ve been driving to my destination more than five years now, I still freak out when anything is different. I start to look for landmarks (Have I seen that sign before? I don’t remember!) and worry that I might be lost, and start to panic. (Have I missed my exit? It’s dark! I can’t see the buildings I’m used to seeing!) But of course I was right where I was supposed to be, and got to work less than 15 minutes later than usual, which is no problem at all. I had a full tank of gas; Iknow if I get off at the wrong exit, I can eventually find my way back, and my hours are pretty flexible, so if I’m late, it’s no big deal. Still I freak out. What is wrong with me? ---
**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, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/242 "2013-01-11T18:37:58Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > 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! Oh Jesus yes. My face has been breaking out like crazy lately. I don’t even want to be seen in public. It’s like being 13 again. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/243 "2013-01-11T19:30:43Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > I have a giant pimple. I am 35 for goodness’ sake this shit should stop happening. I’ve had more acne since hitting 40 than I ever did as a teen. I do sympathize. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/244 "2013-01-11T20:11:22Z")
Pchsa. I’m 44 and the three pimples currently occupying my chin are officially “juvenile acne”. Apparently it’s the name of the diagnosis, it’s completely unrelated to the chin’s actual age, and if my family’s medical history holds, it will disappear when my period does. That gives me about 10-12 more years of “juvenile acne”. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/245 "2013-01-11T21:28:21Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > 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. If you can find one around you, I recommend hitting up a local mattress manufacturer instead of going to a home store that sells only the big S mattresses (Sealy, Serta, Simmons). Those are fine mattresses, but by going to a local mattress manufacturer, you’ll get more value for your money as well as either the same or higher quality materials. We bought our memory foam mattress from a local manufacturer, and it’s just as comfy (to me) as a Tempurpedic for half the price. Better warranty, too. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/246 "2013-01-11T21:51:02Z")
Jesus Howard Christ, y’all, everything isn’t political, and the Lamestream Lib’rul Media isn’t out to get you! There’s a hostage situation currently underway in the next county over. I’m trying to follow closely, because I know and love many of the responders. The sheriff’s department spokesman described the weapon involved as “an assault rifle,” because that’s how it was described to him. When that description was used in the early reporting, the Facebook discussion went immediately off the rails, with a bunch of fucking mouthbreathers assuming that the term was part of some plot to demonize guns. SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. There’s a woman being held against her will, at gunpoint. There are dozens of LEOs trying to get her safely out of that house. There are lives at risk. Please save the politics and paranoia for some other discussion. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/247 "2013-01-11T22:03:17Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > Jesus Howard Christ, y’all, everything isn’t political, and the Lamestream Lib’rul Media isn’t out to get you! There’s a hostage situation currently underway in the next county over. I’m trying to follow closely, because I know and love many of the responders. The sheriff’s department spokesman described the weapon involved as “an assault rifle,” because that’s how it was described to him. When that description was used in the early reporting, the Facebook discussion went immediately off the rails, with a bunch of fucking mouthbreathers assuming that the term was part of some plot to demonize guns. > > SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP. > > There’s a woman being held against her will, at gunpoint. There are dozens of LEOs trying to get her safely out of that house. There are lives at risk. Please save the politics and paranoia for some other discussion. Being a “mouthbreather” doesn’t equate with being stupid or lowbrow or redneck. It just means you have a sinus condition. Or in this case, means _you_ are an idiot. And why the holy FUCK would you try and follow any real news on FB? Really? Your local LEO’s actually organizes raids and hostage sitreps on _Facebook_? ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/248 "2013-01-11T22:18:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Being a “mouthbreather” doesn’t equate with being stupid or lowbrow or redneck. It just means you have a sinus condition. Or in this case, means _you_ are an idiot. > > And why the holy FUCK would you try and follow any real news on FB? Really? Your local LEO’s actually organizes raids and hostage sitreps on _Facebook_? And I’m not implying that “motherfuckers” actually schtupp their mothers, nor that bastards’ parents weren’t legally married. Some insults are figurative. I’m following the news on Facebook because that’s the most convenient for me right this second. And because I’m actually friends with many of these responders, along with their wives, husbands, etc. It’s the fastest way for me to hear whether folks are okay. Sorry I’m such an idiot. ---
**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, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/249 "2013-01-11T22:46:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Being a “mouthbreather” doesn’t equate with being stupid or lowbrow or redneck. It just means you have a sinus condition. Y’know, this whole thing about turning mouthbreathers into a protected class… it’s kind of ridiculous. ---
**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, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/250 "2013-01-11T23:04:28Z")
Let us know how things shake out, **Lacunae Matata**? Hope your friends come out OK and come home safely. ---
**Author:** ![stegon66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@stegon66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stegon66)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/251 "2013-01-11T23:27:13Z")
> [@](#): > > And why the holy FUCK would you try and follow any real news on FB? No shit. And speaking of Facebook, I am SO tired of the Obama hate and the constant sharing of anti-Obama memes of dubious origin. If you have something legitimate to say then please say it. But the Tea Party/Fox News mentality is beyond old. Do these people not have a critical thought in their heads? Or do they, as I suspect, have issues? When you cling that desperately to your hate, even when presented with contradictory facts from a qualified, respectable and bipartisan source, then yeah, you’re fucking stupid and willfully so. So yeah, fuck the lot of you. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/252 "2013-01-11T23:36:14Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Y’know, this whole thing about turning mouthbreathers into a protected class… it’s kind of ridiculous. But you see, the idiots aren’t really mouthbreathers and even if they were, he wouldn’t know as the only input he has had with them is over FB. He is just using the term as a general insult.\* Which is wrong. \* And, Lacunae Matata, if you’re using FB for such a serious purpose, then you \*are \*an idiot. As you have said, FB is not well suited for this, due to the large number of trolls and idiots. ---
**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, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/253 "2013-01-11T23:37:35Z")
> [@stegon66](#): > > No shit. And speaking of Facebook, I am SO tired of the Obama hate and the constant sharing of anti-Obama memes of dubious origin. Pretty much a fast track to getting de-friended by me, in FB and IRL. And not just anti-Obama, but really, childish slanderous clearly false crap about anyone of any field or political persuation. I don’t have time for it anymore and don’t want it anywhere near my life. Fortunately, I don’t have anyone who does this anymore since “Wife of Military Officer” got shut down hard for her extremist derp a couple of years back. She has been amazingly low key since then. ---
**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, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/254 "2013-01-11T23:56:02Z")
There are few things I hate more than fighting with my family. I got into a big family fight tonight. Though with my mother gone, at least there are many fewer fights now. But still. It’s terrible. I hate life. ---
**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 12, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/255 "2013-01-12T00:17:54Z")
I hurt everywhere right now. I’ve had the same headache for over 24 hours now… actually, I think I have two different headaches at the same time. These headaches won’t go away. My back hurts. My legs still hurt from working out. I’m starting to get depressed. I feel like my whole body is falling apart. ---
**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 12, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/256 "2013-01-12T01:16:42Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I hurt everywhere right now. I’ve had the same headache for over 24 hours now… actually, I think I have two different headaches at the same time. These headaches won’t go away. My back hurts. My legs still hurt from working out. I’m starting to get depressed. I feel like my whole body is falling apart. I’d offer you a hug but I wouldn’t want to hurt you any further. ☹ I hope you feel better soon. ---
**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 12, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/257 "2013-01-12T02:27:34Z")
Thank you; I really appreciate the thought. I try to remember it could be so much worse, but it’s not fun at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/258 "2013-01-12T02:40:05Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > But you see, the idiots aren’t really mouthbreathers and even if they were, he wouldn’t know as the only input he has had with them is over FB. He is just using the term as a general insult.\* Which is wrong. \* > And, Lacunae Matata, if you’re using FB for such a serious purpose, then you \*are \*an idiot. As you have said, FB is not well suited for this, due to the large number of trolls and idiots. A) I actually do know two of the people who started the gun debate. One was in marching band and symphony with me back in 1984-1987. The other is a former neighbor of my mom’s. And the former bandmate actually is a mouthbreather. He regularly hitches about his sinus issues on Facebook. (And typically, we can spar about politics with no hard feelings. Today, I felt that his timing was horrible, considering the lives at stake while he was getting his bloomers all bundled up over the description of the suspect’s gun.) B) Maybe I just have a different social circle than yours. I have very few problems with trolls interfering when I use Facebook to keep up with friends and family. After an incident like today’s, I heard almost immediately from LEOs or spouses that everyone was okay. It has also been very convenient for updating folks on my husband since his car wreck when the same community wanted information and I didn’t have time to answer 100 calls, texts, and emails. The standoff ended with the suspect’s death, safe hostage, no other injuries, btw. Olives, I hope you feel better soon! ---
**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 12, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/259 "2013-01-12T03:37:52Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > B) Maybe I just have a different social circle than yours. I have very few problems with trolls interfering when I use Facebook to keep up with friends and family. Neither do I. I block those mouthbreathing motherfuckers! I have friends of all ideological persuasions on Facebook, but I’ve weeded out the stupid and obnoxious ones. Some of the best political conversations I’ve ever had were on Facebook. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/260 "2013-01-12T04:39:22Z")
_sigh_ What is it with all these people who want to be writers, but don’t want to do the basic work? One of my FB friends/former co-worker is working on an Epic Cycle, like Wheel of Time or Dark Tower type stuff. He’s never sold or published a single word of anything anywhere, but he’s jumping right into a multi-book story cycle. I advised him to do some short story work, get published somewhere, make a (very) few dollars and get his name and his writing out there. “No, I can’t write short stories”. Not willing to try, not willing to try any sort of professional writing whatsoever. Just wants to write his Epic Cycle and then send several books at once to publishers and see what happens. Another FB friend/former co-worker is struggling with her first book. Declares she is stopped cold by the prospect of having to think up names. I haven’t broached the subject of doing lesser writing to her yet, haven’t had the chance. Will be seeing her in person later this month and asking her about such things. Directly or indirectly, I know of FIVE other people who are claiming to be working on their books. Again, not a single one of them has ever sold or published anything, or to my knowledge, made any attempt to do so. Then finally, conversely, there is ONE GUY I know who has had several of his poems published, but is NOT interested in writing The Next Great American Novel. Am I completely off base here? Is the idea of writing short stories, spec pieces, magazine articles, and the like just completely passe and ‘not done’ any longer by aspiring writers? Or do I just know a lot of dreamers who want to be writers, but aren’t really interested in being writers? Oh well, at the very least, I have more respect for these folks than the haughty arrogant douchebag “published authors” I met back on usenet who claimed that title based on self-publishing their work…_on fucking usenet._ :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=14)