# 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:** 30
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/581 "2013-01-28T13:13:56Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > Could you talk to your job centre about training/volunteering that would actually help in your job search? I understand about the social phobia but it is something I and others have gotten past and there is no reason you wont be able to do the same one day. Best of luck and always remember that internet friendships can be just as valid as irl ones. YMMV of course. If the jobcentre up there is anything like mine in England- they probably can’t. Their ‘training’ is basically intended for those who have no qualifications at all- they offer nothing at all useful to anyone who finished school- and they don’t appear to deal with volunteering at all. You have my sympathy **Dunkelheit**. I’m lucky in that I’ve found a very nice hobby group full of weirdos (and I’m positive they wouldn’t mind that description), but job hunting really does get you down after a while, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/582 "2013-01-28T13:51:04Z")
> [@SerafinaPekala](#): > > This sounds familiar too. When My Mother the Hoarder was in hospital my sister and I started to clear out the filth, then decided to have someone do it for us. Six dumpsters and $4000 later … the house was immaculate. She hated it, hated us, hated that all her treasures were gone. I admit it was a sneaky thing to do but her house was in dire need of cleaning. The floors werent even visible anymore. Dad’s house wasn’t quite that bad, but he had bad joints even before losing two of them so he couldn’t clean the house as much as it needed to be done. My sisters and I didn’t even realize how bad the place had gotten so :smack::smack::smack: for all three of us. It was mainly dusty as hell which isn’t good for any of us. Thing is, Dad hadn’t really scrubbed or gotten rid of much since Mom died. He wouldn’t get rid of any of her things, so it’s up to us. We know what the truly special stuff is, so we aren’t getting rid of the meaningful things–Mom’s ratty old teddy bear will always have the place of honor on top of the mantle (mantel? never sure about that word). But the thirty-years-out-of-date reference books? Library donation! My progress reports from elementary school? Trash can! Most of mom’s mysteries? Stacked up in my living room until I get a chance to go through them! Okay, I do have a book hoarding problem. But I will read them and judge them before I decide whether to keep them or not. Besides, they’re **books**. ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/583 "2013-01-28T14:11:40Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > If the jobcentre up there is anything like mine in England- they probably can’t. Their ‘training’ is basically intended for those who have no qualifications at all- they offer nothing at all useful to anyone who finished school- and they don’t appear to deal with volunteering at all. Three years back, I was foced onto a New Deal “intensive activity period” which means going to a provider’s office for three months just to search for jobs and perhaps find a work placement. I wound up volunteering at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau nearby - which I’m still doing. My advisers, both at the jobcentre and my work programme provider, deem this is part of my jobsearch (because it adds to my cv and gets me a current reference). They’re happy so long as it does not chew up more than two days per week. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/584 "2013-01-28T14:18:15Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Crap. My windshield cracked from side-to-side on the way home last night, and the shop isn’t open until Monday. I mean, they come to me, but even so, that’s annoying. Aaaaand they can’t fix it until tomorrow. Bloody hell. They tell me it’s ok to drive with the windshield cracked like that, but the crack is just below my eye line, which means it’s distracting to me. I know it’s safety glass and all, but cracked windshield means dangerous to me. And I’m out of things for breakfast because I didn’t go grocery shopping this weekend. :mad::mad::mad: ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/585 "2013-01-28T15:05:52Z")
Well fuck. The freezer went on the fridge yesterday, so I have a HUGE pot of veggie soup now, plus assorted baked goods now defrosted and more baked goods made with the fruits that were kicking around. The fridge seemed to be keeping cool so we figured we can manage until we call the landlady in the morning. Well this morning? The fridge smells like a cooler after a week of camping and is noticeably not cool. Why did this happen on one of the few times the fridge is damn full? It’s not usually this full, it just worked out this way. I have to toss a bunch of stuff now, though some items should be ok. I hate it. ☹ Hopefully the landlady can get it sorted out quickly. ---
**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 28, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/586 "2013-01-28T15:21:01Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I’m lucky in that I’ve found a very nice hobby group full of weirdos… Now’d be the time to start: {pick two} Gaming with a group Watching sports at a local pub Joining groups at a church Finding a book club Walking dog I said “{pick two}” because all of the above have made me too busy. I underestimated the time they each take, and something’s gotta give. But they’ve all been great ways to meet quirky people. Surprisingly, joining a group at church that gets together at local bars/coffee places for discussion has been the quirkiest – maybe because they’re Loose Lib’rul Lut’rans, but it’s like Literate Recovering-Hippie Support Group. The trick is to ferret out a Quirky Church Person™ and ask them what they’re involved in. And I got in with a group that hosts homeless families at the church, and that’s been a blast. All the families have cool kids, and the type of people that’ll spend their evenings helping those kids with their homework (or just chasing the littler ones) are great. Oh, and I mentioned gaming because a year ago I walked into an ordinary taco shop in the Mission (SF), and there were a dozen tables’ worth of assorted board games going on. “Ever play Settlers of Catan?” asked a big guy, and introduced them as a gaming group that meets at various restaurants on different days of the week. Check [meetup.com](http://meetup.com) for your area. And whenever I’m really lonely, if I get off my ass and get down to the local tavern, I’ll run into someone I know from watching football and yelling at the TV with them. ---
**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 28, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/587 "2013-01-28T15:31:52Z")
[Missed edit] Previous advice was re: _Dunkleheit_’s “Can’t find volunteering or friends in new place”, but applies to any of us who need human contact. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/588 "2013-01-28T16:23:57Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > Poor sweet kitty. ☹ > > (The pic gave me a chuckle though.) Every now and again I will hear my husband plaintively complain to our cat ‘My underwear is NOT a cat hammock!’ And I am peeved at the keyboard on my laptop, it is dying finally, even cleaning all the little gritty bits out isn’t working, some of my keys don’t work at normal typing pressure and I have to go in and insert the letters which isn’t so bad, but now the space bar is affected. :smack:☹ I guess I either need a new keyboard installed or a new laptop and I can’t afford a new laptop ☹ ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/589 "2013-01-28T16:28:54Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > So, I work for a small law firm - three attorneys. The boss is going to Florida this weekend for some sun and some golf, and needs a ride to Midway airport - an hour+ from this office, pretty much all expressway driving. > > Instead of asking people to do him a favor (some of us have worked here for 15 years), he’s having the office manager basically go around to everyone, and basically making it part of our job to do so. > > Total bullshit. Not only does he make more than enough money to pay for airport parking for the weekend, there is a bus literally 6 minutes away from the office that runs on the hour and goes directly to Midway. Instead, one of the “job duties” for a paralegal is apparently to run the boss to the airport. > > It’s getting really bad around here, and I’m irritated at the Office Manager (also my aunt) for agreeing to sponsor his bullshit. When I commented on it, I was told that it was “disrespectful” in front of “her employees” to mention that maybe we tell him no. There’s 6 people that work here. We’re a very casual office, and we’ve known each other for years. > > I’m thinking her unusual and abrupt rebuke about my comment was an attempt to disguise her shame that she, a 50+ year old woman, has to do such bullshit for a boss that clearly wouldn’t do it for us. And she should be ashamed - standing up for the bully is no way to live. As long as it is within company hours, not a problem. Outside company hours you better be paid for it. Otherwise, get a limo to pick up and drop at the airport, and revers it when he comes home. ---
**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 28, 2013, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/590 "2013-01-28T16:35:05Z")
Dammit Morrissey, just cancel the whole goddamn tour already, okay? ---
**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 28, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/591 "2013-01-28T16:54:29Z")
It’s not boring people that are suddenly diagnosed with cancer, it’s the Most Alive People On The Planet!!! (just yesterday: great guy, pro windsurfer, bike guru, grafitti dude, and a dad to two cute girls… goes into doc with flu symptoms. “Oh, you also have stage 4 brain cancer!”) Shiiiiit! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/592 "2013-01-28T17:31:16Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Ummmm… when were you in Philly and didn’t see me?! 2003, hon. Neither of us hung around here yet. Heck, if I’d been here by that time I would have been badgering the local Dopers for advice… 🙂 > [@aruvqan](#): > > And I am peeved at the keyboard on my laptop, it is dying finally, even cleaning all the little gritty bits out isn’t working, some of my keys don’t work at normal typing pressure and I have to go in and insert the letters which isn’t so bad, but now the space bar is affected. :smack:☹ I guess I either need a new keyboard installed or a new laptop and I can’t afford a new laptop ☹ I realize it won’t work if you actually use the laptop on your lap, but can you use an external keyboard? It’s what I do most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/593 "2013-01-28T17:42:44Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > But the thirty-years-out-of-date reference books? Library donation! The library probably won’t want them if they are that out of date. > [@Flutterby](#): > > Well fuck. > > The freezer went on the fridge yesterday, so I have a HUGE pot of veggie soup now, plus assorted baked goods now defrosted and more baked goods made with the fruits that were kicking around. > > The fridge seemed to be keeping cool so we figured we can manage until we call the landlady in the morning. Well this morning? The fridge smells like a cooler after a week of camping and is noticeably not cool. > > Why did this happen on one of the few times the fridge is damn full? It’s not usually this full, it just worked out this way. I have to toss a bunch of stuff now, though some items should be ok. > > I hate it. ☹ Hopefully the landlady can get it sorted out quickly. Do you know anyone at the local supermarket? They might let you store the stuff in one of their big coolers until you can get the fridge fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/594 "2013-01-28T17:59:42Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Do you know anyone at the local supermarket? They might let you store the stuff in one of their big coolers until you can get the fridge fixed. I don’t and basically everything was warm this morning so I have my pickled stuff and some dressings and sauces that are ok and the eggs and not much else out of a fridge that had a bunch of food. The landlady is coming by to take a look. Of course half the house looks like a hurricane hit it.. ---
**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 28, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/595 "2013-01-28T18:03:51Z")
We missed a grant deadline. They changed it, without notification. When I came in here six months ago, there was no organization to the development data, no place to find all the information. We had no clue what was next. I had to go through each paper file and each computer file, and I created an Excel database with everything, but god, it was so hard to keep that thing up to date. For this grant, I used the deadline that had been used all the years before, but I never thought to go to the website. I’m not even sure when they changed it; it could have been after I wrote down the deadline, who knows? The bottom line is we just lost more money in a month already full of bad news. And regardless of whether or not it’s my fault, it is my responsibility. I feel panic, and then I feel like throwing up. I’ve had a good cry, I think I might have another good cry in a few minutes here. I feel like such a bad person. It’s hard not to go there. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/596 "2013-01-28T18:22:34Z")
☹ _ships a box of hugs across the ocean_… … _thinks_ _grabs some of **JoseB** ’s hugs and ships them across the ocean too_ It’s probably presumptuous of me, but what the heck, he’s nearby and gives great hugs. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/597 "2013-01-28T18:46:10Z")
I’m waiting of Very Important Mortgage papers that are supposed to be FedEx overnighted to me. I have to have them signed, notarized, and sent back by the end of the month. These papers were supposed to get to me on Saturday. It is now 1:45 on Monday and I’ve seen nary a FedEx delivery. Also I have to get a new power steering belt on my car. There’s $85 I didn’t expect to have to spend. ---
**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 28, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/598 "2013-01-28T22:03:45Z")
One thing I hate is when I’m on the bus, and sitting in an individual seat, and there’s someone standing up who keeps grabbing onto the pole that’s on the back of my seat. I can feel it in my back, and while it doesn’t hurt, exactly, it makes me feel really uncomfortable and it annoys me greatly. The other day, I was sitting in a bus seat, and this older guy was standing, and he kept _hitting_ the pole that was at the back of my seat. I mean, not grabbing the pole out of necessity (to keep from falling), but actually _hitting_ it. I shot him a dirty look. He didn’t get the message, and kept hitting the pole until I shouted “STOP IT!” (And no, I do not usually lose it and yell at people on the bus, thankfully. I promise you - I’m not a psychotic maniac. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/599 "2013-01-29T00:06:43Z")
The landlady still hasn’t shown up. Apparently all her properties need new appliances and require her personal inspection instead of calling a damn repair man. I just spent 2 hours mucking around with the work Citrix server so I can do minimal work from home. Mom threw out all the food. Even the pickles and (unopened) package of sauerkraut, which I’m sure would be fine. I have a bad headache and have all day. I have to go get food to eat and then go supervise 30 boys and girls in skating and snowshoeing for an hour and a half and I just want to curl up in a corner alone. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/600 "2013-01-29T00:07:59Z")
Broke a tooth yesterday. It could have been worse. If I was describing it to an engineer, I’d call it spalling. A curved chip came off the inside surface of a molar. It took part of one of the crown points with it. No pain, and they can see me tomorrow morning. It’s going to cost, though, unless they can spackle the divot. I’m surprised that I had uncrowned mid-area molars left. Maybe I should ask the dentist for a count of molars that can still be crowned. They are obviously all doomed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=31)