# 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:** 31
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/601 "2013-01-29T00:46:48Z")
Jesuscrist, where is it going to end? Isn’t it bad enough that, for some bizarre reason, baby changing tables tend to go in the handicapped stall, meaning that non-handicapped people (i.e. women with babies) are spending a lot more time than normal in there? Now, we have what appear to be little car seat type things attached to the wall in there, so Mom can strap baby in there while she goes potty. Aside from the whole encouraging non-handicapped people to use that stall, the damn thing is in the way, especially if Mommy doesn’t push the seat closed when she leaves. There is officially not enough room in there for a wheelchair. Who thinks this is a good idea? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/602 "2013-01-29T00:52:18Z")
> [@Flutterby](#): > > 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. Check with your local state laws. Here in MN we have a number of different laws and legal remedies for shit not getting repaired in a timely manner. Things that can render the place “unlivable” and require 24 hour [emergency repairs](http://www.lawhelpmn.org/files/1765CC5E-1EC9-4FC4-65EC-957272D8A04E/attachments/18A37167-523D-433E-AC38-38743FEC4B0B/h-12-emergency-repair-problems.pdf) (in some places a misdemeanor citation against the landlord!) are; Running water Hot water Heat Stove or oven Electricity Bathroom use Basic services or facilities, like a missing door or lock, or missing windows. Now, a fridge is not on that list for my state. It may be for yours. In any event, I do know that Minnesota Law also says that if the landlord doesn’t make a reasonable attempt to repair something in a reasonable amount of time, you can have the repair taken care of yourself and then just deduct the amount from your rent. The situations and limits of when that can be done are a little squiffy for my tastes, but while I’ve never had to go that far, I have threatened to do it on two different occasions in the last 32 years and it’s absolutely amazing how fast my landlords suddenly became in taking care of the issue! I am not a Lawyer, nor have I ever played on on TV. I did however once play a 1920’s London Solicitor in a _Call of Cthulhu_ game, which in some counties in the deep south qualifies me to serve as a trial judge. ---
**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, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/603 "2013-01-29T01:12:32Z")
Yeah I’ll be taking a look later at the Act. I’m off to Cubs right now, so it will have to wait. ---
**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 29, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/604 "2013-01-29T02:35:20Z")
> [@Flutterby](#): > > 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. Snowshoeing? Shall I presume that if one is going to learn snowshoeing it’s more practical to do it in an environment where there isn’t any snow? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/605 "2013-01-29T02:38:20Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Jesuscrist, where is it going to end? Isn’t it bad enough that, for some bizarre reason, baby changing tables tend to go in the handicapped stall, meaning that non-handicapped people (i.e. women with babies) are spending a lot more time than normal in there? Now, we have what appear to be little car seat type things attached to the wall in there, so Mom can strap baby in there while she goes potty. Aside from the whole encouraging non-handicapped people to use that stall, the damn thing is in the way, especially if Mommy doesn’t push the seat closed when she leaves. > > There is officially not enough room in there for a wheelchair. Who thinks this is a good idea? What happens is, somebody sees “wasted” space, and decides to utilize it. This is why we get those stupid cardboard displays of goods in supermarket aisles, so that two carts can’t get past each other. Or, heck, it’s why the aisles are so damned narrow that it’s impossible to get two carts to go past each other even without the displays. It’s like whoever sets up these things thinks that would never be two shoppers going in opposite directions in that aisle. And, of course, we all KNOW that people in wheelchairs never actually use those handicapped stalls. Every time we discuss those stalls on the SDMB, we get a few people who claim to never see anyone in a wheelchair ever using one. So OBVIOUSLY the stalls don’t need to have enough space to accommodate a chair. Hell, I’ve seen and been in regular stalls that have approximately an inch and a half clearance between the door and the throne. I don’t know where people are supposed to put their legs when closing the door. And who the hell decided that nobody wears coats or carries a purse? I see bathroom doors that USED to have coat hooks, or at least the doors have holes which appear to have had hooks in the past. ---
**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 29, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/606 "2013-01-29T03:48:47Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > 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. {Pats \*\*Olives \*\*on the shoulder} You did your best; these things happen when you’re dealing with complex, complicated processes. ---
**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, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/607 "2013-01-29T05:08:01Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Snowshoeing? > > Shall I presume that if one is going to learn snowshoeing it’s more practical to do it in an environment where there isn’t any snow? Not much to learn! Strap on your feet and walk with a wide enough stance you don’t trip yourself. 🙂 Not much snow on the ground anyway but the snow was falling pretty good by the time we were closing up shop! About half of the group showed up. Not that I’m complaining but why does it seem like the outdoor stuff has fewer kids? Hell, my own son is the ONLY neighbourhood kid who plays outside in the winter and there are almost a dozen kids around Handyman called and came by after Cubs. He took measurements and said they will try to have a new fridge soon but no timeline given. Damn well better be soon is all I can say. ---
**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 29, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/608 "2013-01-29T05:11:46Z")
Too bad the snow couldn’t have started a couple of days ago. Fill up a box, and use it to keep your food chilled. ---
**Author:** ![Chipacabra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Chipacabra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chipacabra)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/609 "2013-01-29T06:15:59Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > And who the hell decided that nobody wears coats or carries a purse? I see bathroom doors that USED to have coat hooks, or at least the doors have holes which appear to have had hooks in the past. That one, at least, has a reasonable answer. Coats/purses hanging from a hook on the door are easy to snatch. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/610 "2013-01-29T06:41:09Z")
> [@Chipacabra](#): > > That one, at least, has a reasonable answer. Coats/purses hanging from a hook on the door are easy to snatch. Only if the doortop is low. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/611 "2013-01-29T07:01:25Z")
Or put the hook about a foot down from the top of the door. It doesn’t need to be within four inches of the top of the door. Or put those fold down shelves in the stalls, which not only act as a purse, package, and coat rest, but also act as a backup door lock when the door lock gets out of alignment. Right now, we have to put our purses on the floor, which is filthy AND the purses are easier to snatch than if they were hanging on a hook. ---
**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 29, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/612 "2013-01-29T11:30:13Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Jesuscrist, where is it going to end? Isn’t it bad enough that, for some bizarre reason, baby changing tables tend to go in the handicapped stall, meaning that non-handicapped people (i.e. women with babies) are spending a lot more time than normal in there? Now, we have what appear to be little car seat type things attached to the wall in there, so Mom can strap baby in there while she goes potty. Aside from the whole encouraging non-handicapped people to use that stall, the damn thing is in the way, especially if Mommy doesn’t push the seat closed when she leaves. > > There is officially not enough room in there for a wheelchair. Who thinks this is a good idea? That’s most likely an ADA violation. In fact, if there’s not room for a wheelchair, it most definitely IS a violation Report their ass. ADA does not play around (as my Internationally Corporate Employer found out when they got in trouble for ADA violations. You would not \*\*believe \*\*the kerfuffle, backtracking, and new regulations that came out of that.) ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/613 "2013-01-29T14:34:21Z")
> [@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. They don’t have any resources for that sort of thing. This is an age of austerity, don’t you know. We’re all just slackers who are too lazy to find jobs, and if we only tried hard enough we’d have nothing to complain about. I’m in the mandatory work programme, and it’s worse than useless. The only sort of training they have is stuff like very basic computer courses for people who don’t even know how to use email. What would help in the job search is not having 300 people applying for every job. ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/614 "2013-01-29T14:35:45Z")
> [@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. > > 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? It does, it’s brutally demoralizing. I’ve been applying for jobs since I was given permission to work here 2 1/2 years ago, and it doesn’t get any easier as the economy continues to decline. ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/615 "2013-01-29T14:45:58Z")
> [@digs](#): > > 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. I don’t have any money to spend at pubs, and they generally don’t approve if you come in without buying anything. That, and I hate sports. 😉 I don’t like dogs or churches, and I don’t know of any gaming groups, nor would I be able to afford going to restaurants to meet up with them. Most of the volunteering opportunities offered locally are things I can’t or shouldn’t do, due to my own problems. I tried contacting local organizations designed to help people with mental issues get out of the house and get integrated into the community, and I was told I’m “too intelligent” to benefit from the things they have available, like coupon-cutting groups or ladies’ magazine appreciation groups. ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/616 "2013-01-29T14:53:21Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > Why do people think it’s “cold” out when it’s -8 degrees C (16 degrees F)? That’s not cold at all. I wish to God that it was as warm as that where I am, where it’s -40. Then I could actually go outside. :mad: I’d rather go out in Winnipeg winter weather than Scottish winter weather. At least the former is a “dry cold”. Minus 8 here feels a LOT colder than the same or lower temperatures in Manitoba. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/617 "2013-01-29T15:02:04Z")
> [@Dunkelheit](#): > > I don’t At some point you have to stop defaulting to reasons why you can’t do something and start looking for ways and reasons that you can. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/618 "2013-01-29T15:09:36Z")
> [@Dunkelheit](#): > > I don’t like dogs or churches, and I don’t know of any gaming groups, nor would I be able to afford going to restaurants to meet up with them. Did you even **check** [meetup.com](http://meetup.com) before posting that, or did you just want to assume that all gaming groups meet at restaurants so you can’t go? Local library has free presentations? Knitting clubs? I know well that sometimes, one just wants to be right and be pissed off, but after a while, that doesn’t help you any longer. By all means, enjoy a good rant, but you shouldn’t swat down every idea reflexively. ---
**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 29, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/619 "2013-01-29T15:32:13Z")
Seriously family, I love you guys, but I NEED TO SLEEP. I’m touched that y’all love me so much you need to bug me in the middle of the night. NOW GO TO BED AND LEAVE ME ALONE. That goes double for you, kitty. ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745/620 "2013-01-29T16:03:52Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > Random suggestion from personal experience - have you tried volunteering at a charity shop? One of my friends did that when she was unemployed, and it led to a paid managerial position with them. Even if that doesn’t work out, well, I befriended her as a result of volunteering there too, so it’s one way to meet people? > > (and we must grab another pint sometime) 😉 Sorry, I didn’t see this part of your post earlier. 😉 Yes, it would be lovely to meet up again, though I probably won’t bother with the all day breakfast at Waxy’s again, it wasn’t worth the price. 😜 Where are some decent but less spendy places to go? I’m not as familiar with the area as I would be by now if I’d had more “going out” money, heh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aw-dang-syne-january-minirants/645745.md?page=32)