# Dec the Halls with Rants and Howling **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 30, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049 "2015-11-30T19:22:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/261 "2015-12-28T19:05:57Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Lucky you if this is the first time you have heard of the scam ‘pay for bids’ sites. You apparently passed over Quibids and Beezid which are the forefathers of Deal Dash. I’m familiar with the concept, but this commercial seems to be presenting testimonials from the demographic that isn’t classy or motivated enough to get themselves over to Walmart to buy their stuff. It’s hard listening to their robotic mid-American accents multiple times in an hour. Also, Subaru? I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re peddling with your “Share the Love” commercials – I’m sure there’s something heartwarming you’re trying to communicate, but the narrative escapes me. All I know is that I bought a Subaru and feel no more or less in love with my fellow beings than I was before I made the purchase. Although now that I come to think of it, it’s a manual transmission vehicle, which means that when I get stuck in traffic jams, I loathe each and every human being in the downstream direction of traffic flow. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/262 "2015-12-28T19:17:30Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > I pit arthritis and my trigger thumb. Yes, there’s such a thing. My right thumb (I’m right handed, btw) seems to be frozen in one position. I can move it but OMG it is freakin’ painful. Plus you can hear the popping from clear across the room :eek: > … Have you seen an orthopedist for your trigger thumb? I had that exact problem and it was cured with a couple of cortisone shots. My doctor said if the shots didn’t work there is a relatively quick surgery to fix it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/263 "2015-12-28T20:40:03Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > Watching Dr. Who marathons on BBC America. The BBC apparently has just about five sponsors who are willing to buy commercial time. So I am heartily, heartily sick of every commercial they run. Now if I were just lying on the couch, I could at least fast forward past them, but I’m trying to do some house cleaning, so the remote is out of reach. And oh, what stupid commercials they are. > > ``` > They keep running commercials for some scam auction site called Deal Dash -- the catch being that you get charged a fee just for bidding. So now, you didn't get a computer for the spare change you found under the couch cushions -- you had to bid dozens of times at sixty cents a shot. And the poor schmucks who didn't win are out all their bidding fees. It's an auction site for people who are bad at game theory. Certainly all the "real" customers that are testifying about their terrific bargains sound like they've endured traumatic brain injuries some time in their past. > > And the stubbly yuppie who gets an Accura from his lovely wife and wishes that "the day would never end". I'd like to see him after 10,000 years of driving his brand new car in the bleak December snow. Bet the thrill would have worn off by then. > > ``` I hear you. I’ve been sick as a dog since Saturday, thanks to my younger niece (more on that in a bit). I spent a good part of Saturday and Sunday on the couch watching Doctor Who and there were times that even lifting the remote was too much effort. If I had a dollar for every time I saw those damn commercials I might have been able to win a mixer for $25 too! My younger niece was sick on Christmas. She was recovering from some kind of little kid crud, and she was feeling well enough to play with all of her new toys. However, she still had a runny nose and a cough. I caught her several times wiping her nose with her hand and then touching the food that was sitting out. She’d pick something up, look at it, once even take a taste of something, and then put it back. I told her nicely once not to do that and more sternly the next time I caught her and my mom went off. “She’s just a little kid, she doesn’t know any better!” She’s almost five, she can start learning. My sister and brother-in-law were nowhere to be found of course leaving the rest of the family to keep an eye on their kids… that’s a subject for another rant. Anyways, I had already eaten when I realized what the niece was doing, pretty much killed my appetite the rest of the day. Then Saturday I started getting sick. Thanks, kid. I just wonder if anyone else in the family got it. I had to call in sick today to work because I still have a sore throat bad enough that I can’t speak above a whisper. I don’t have any PTO left for the year, I’ll have to work extra the rest of the week to make it up. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/264 "2015-12-28T20:44:15Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > Have you seen an orthopedist for your trigger thumb? I had that exact problem and it was cured with a couple of cortisone shots. My doctor said if the shots didn’t work there is a relatively quick surgery to fix it. Not yet, only because it hadn’t frozen up until a day or two ago. It was painful moving it with all the cracking/popping, though. Gah, I had to stop getting cortisone shots in my knee because I’m at the point where it no longer helps. Unfortunately I have to wait a few years before getting a replacement 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/265 "2015-12-28T21:40:20Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > Not yet, only because it hadn’t frozen up until a day or two ago. It was painful moving it with all the cracking/popping, though. I hope you get it seen and feeling better really soon! In the meantime, do you use a waist-leash with your dogs? They’re not super expensive, can be set up for two leashes, and then you’re hands-free and not ouchy. [Amazon.com : Petsvv Retractable Hands Free Dog Leash & Dual-Handle Bungees Leash for Large and Medium Dogs, Reflective Stitching Leash for Running, Walking, Hiking : Double Pet Leashes : Pet Supplies](http://www.amazon.com/Double-Running-Leash-Hands-Free/dp/B00DTQIPCM) I would think just putting the leash strap around your wrist would bring another set of problems over any length of time. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/266 "2015-12-28T23:00:50Z")
Why do you have to wait for a new knee, **kiz**? I recommend getting it done sooner rather than later and so did my doc. For me recovery was a breeze since all my muscles were still strong. ---
**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:** [December 29, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/267 "2015-12-29T00:46:34Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > I swear, though, that the universe is conspiring to fuck up Girl 2.0’s birthday…But we are taking this trip, dammit. Good for you! > [@Nava](#): > > Yesterday the priest said “darn” during the sermon. My mother was able to hold in the laughter until I pointed out that Vatican II said to use “everyday language”. Ummm… I’m famous in our church for being the confirmation teacher who told a kid, right in the middle of the High Church Neo-Gothic nave, to “Shut the fuck up”. (Too bad it was said with much affection after three reminders, and elicited a golf clap from the rest of the students. Would’ve made a better story if I’d just lost it and screamed That Word). ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/268 "2015-12-29T16:01:32Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > I hope you get it seen and feeling better really soon! In the meantime, do you use a waist-leash with your dogs? They’re not super expensive, can be set up for two leashes, and then you’re hands-free and not ouchy. [Amazon.com : Petsvv Retractable Hands Free Dog Leash & Dual-Handle Bungees Leash for Large and Medium Dogs, Reflective Stitching Leash for Running, Walking, Hiking : Double Pet Leashes : Pet Supplies](http://www.amazon.com/Double-Running-Leash-Hands-Free/dp/B00DTQIPCM) > I would think just putting the leash strap around your wrist would bring another set of problems over any length of time. I’ve got an appointment for an Ortho referral this afternoon. When I called yesterday they called right back and asked me point blank if I thought my arthritis was at the point where something has to be done (my docs are very conservative with treatment, btw.) Re the leash – there’s a woman in my neighborhood who walks her dogs with one of those. Her dogs, however, aren’t OMG RUN ALL OVER THE PLACE so she has no issue using it. My dogs, however, are huskies. I hate to think what could happen :eek: ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/269 "2015-12-29T16:04:16Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Why do you have to wait for a new knee, **kiz**? I recommend getting it done sooner rather than later and so did my doc. For me recovery was a breeze since all my muscles were still strong. I was told it’s because knee replacements have a 20-year life span. If I had one now, they’d have to replace it when I’m in my 70s, and they’d rather not operate if possible on somebody that age. Somebody also told me it’s because if you wait, Medicare will pay for it. I have a lot of arthritic knee company at work and nobody’s gotten a replacement yet because of this. My mother waited until she was 65 to have hers (it was a double, both done at once!) and she didn’t have to pay a single penny. ---
**Author:** ![Memnon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/270 "2015-12-29T18:52:11Z")
I’m sick of people saying that people who check their phones a lot are anti-social. If it pisses you off that much, how about you try being more interesting than the phone? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/271 "2015-12-29T19:17:53Z")
> [@Tithonus](#): > > I’m sick of people saying that people who check their phones a lot are anti-social. If it pisses you off that much, how about you try being more interesting than the phone? Don’t be surprised when your ‘less interesting’ friends stop hanging out with you. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/272 "2015-12-29T21:44:17Z")
Anyone who gives someone a Visa, MasterCard or American Express gift card is a fucking asshole. It’s a real convenience to call and activate the fucking thing and then you almost need a mathematics degree to figure out how to use it at the store terminal. And using them online? FUGETTABOUTIT. If you must be so lazy and uninspired as to give a card in the first place, at least pick a specific retailer so THEY can figure it out if there’s a problem. Otherwise take you fucking gift card and shove it, longways, up your ass. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/273 "2015-12-30T00:27:33Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Otherwise take you fucking gift card and shove it, longways, up your ass. Shoving it sideways would be more fun. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/274 "2015-12-30T00:38:26Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > And using them online? FUGETTABOUTIT. I’ve never had the slightest problem doing this. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Memnon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/275 "2015-12-30T00:43:36Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Don’t be surprised when your ‘less interesting’ friends stop hanging out with you. To me, less interesting friends is an oxymoron. All my friends are interesting. That’s why they’re my friends. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/276 "2015-12-30T02:22:36Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > I was told it’s because knee replacements have a 20-year life span. If I had one now, they’d have to replace it when I’m in my 70s, and they’d rather not operate if possible on somebody that age. A 30-year knee was released not too long ago. I’m waiting to hear of the results from it to decide what to do (I’m in the “crappy knee” club). I have a note to myself to pull down some of the studies and see how it’s panning out. Also, if you do it under Medicare, you’ll need a secondary insurance if you want it paid in full. Medicare coinsurance and deductible still apply to joint replacement surgeries. [/former medicare employee] ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/277 "2015-12-30T03:11:40Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > A 30-year knee was released not too long ago. Into the wilderness with a tag? ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/278 "2015-12-30T09:38:59Z")
Of course it’s tagged, **Nava**. How else would researchers learn its mating habits? ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/279 "2015-12-30T12:30:53Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > A 30-year knee was released not too long ago. I’m waiting to hear of the results from it to decide what to do (I’m in the “crappy knee” club). I have a note to myself to pull down some of the studies and see how it’s panning out. Interesting! I just had my referral-to-Rheumatology appointment and the NP said the same thing. She added that the technology is so new that chances are I wouldn’t be able to have one just yet 😕 > [@](#): > > Also, if you do it under Medicare, you’ll need a secondary insurance if you want it paid in full. Medicare coinsurance and deductible still apply to joint replacement surgeries. [/former medicare employee] That makes sense. My mother’s Part B probably picked up what Medicare didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![CT\_Damsel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CT\_Damsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CT_Damsel)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049/280 "2015-12-30T20:37:43Z")
Will someone please take the can of “Planters Pistachio Lovers Mix” away from me? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dec-the-halls-with-rants-and-howling/739049.md?page=15)