# Febrantary (February Minirants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286 "2014-02-01T17:24:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/81 "2014-02-04T16:19:41Z")
_drive by_ Busy moving. Someone said not to let Cousin within 5 miles of this flat: no can do, as she lives 300 yd away, but she’s decided that since whan I’m paying comes up to half of the cost of Grandma’s old folks’ home, she’ll be happy with anything I do here short of burning the place down. The one who’s already had her usual problems with the concept of “mi casa is not your casa: you’re welcome to stay and to give opinions but stick any orders where the sun don’t shine” is Mom, but like I said, it’s a problem she’s had with every single house I’ve ever stayed in. I mean, she even tried to reorganize my dorm room - and the bed and desk were bolted to the floor! The heater sort of gave up the ghost two days after passing its five-year inspection :eek:, that is, one month after its yearly :eek: :eek: (they inspect different bits and come from different organizations). It turned out to be a part which could be replaced; the repairman didn’t even need to go get it, which tells me it’s not exactly a rare occurrence. Stings, but hey, hooray for hot water! Apparently complaints that “the shower doesn’t mix water worth shite” were simply due to the heater being out of breath, now it mixes like a champion bartender. Back to waiting for the new internet connection (fiber optic, woooo!) and to sending CVs around. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/82 "2014-02-04T17:11:45Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Home Depot uses subcontractors for a lot of those things…I wonder if he was trying to weasel in an extra couple hundred bucks on top of the price HD usually pays. > > I might give HD a call and as them if he’s on the up-and-up. My husband and I are just so furious right now. He was quote $900 for the entire thing over the phone. Do not come to my house and then tell me the bill is $1465! ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/83 "2014-02-04T17:37:35Z")
Omaha, NE, has public transit. Buses. They run. And we’ve finished the good part. They RARELY run to schedule. Almost always the bus will be several minutes early or late. If I do manage to catch it, the noise is usually deafening. I have to switch on my music for the entire 48-minute ride. Most of them could do with a thorough cleaning. It’s not unusual to find all kinds of snack packaging littering the bus, and discarded drinks running on the floor. Finally, the last bus leaves at 17:00 and if I miss that, I can always get home the next day, or spend 30 bucks for a cab. Sweet. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/84 "2014-02-04T18:16:54Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > I’ve been asked “Do you have a sinus?” after a sneezing fit. Yep, couple of them. I’m annoyed at my deoderant. I bought a new stick yesterday (which is what I was trying to do when I had my adventure at Dollar General) and it doesn’t work. I got the Arm & Hammer natural, which is what I used up until a couple of years ago when it suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth. I guess in that time they’ve either changed the formula or my body chemistry changed because it’s like the goggles–it does nothing. So that’s $5 down the drain. :mad: Back to the plain old stuff I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/85 "2014-02-04T18:26:11Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > Yep, couple of them. I was thinking “Yep, sneezed so goddamn hard I’m down to one!” ---
**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:** [February 4, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/86 "2014-02-04T18:28:38Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > Yep, couple of them. > > I’m annoyed at my deoderant. I bought a new stick yesterday (which is what I was trying to do when I had my adventure at Dollar General) and it doesn’t work. I got the Arm & Hammer natural, which is what I used up until a couple of years ago when it suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth. I guess in that time they’ve either changed the formula or my body chemistry changed because it’s like the goggles–it does nothing. So that’s $5 down the drain. :mad: Back to the plain old stuff I guess. I tried a new deodorant that I am fairly happy with - [GeoDeo.](http://www.drugstore.com/geodeo-natural-deodorant-with-detox-complex-invisible-solid-island/qxp404285) It’s not cheap, either, but it seems to last a really long time. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/87 "2014-02-04T19:34:34Z")
Hit the ground running today – it was a crazypants day at work. One of those “look, I gotta step away from my desk for a second or I will literally piss myself” days. In addition, I received: - text on cell - call on cell - call on work phone (during my afore-mentioned desperately needed potty break) - second call on work phone two minutes later … all in the space of a couple of hours, all because my parents want to know if I’m free for some performance tickets for this weekend “for quality family time.” I’m in sensory overload as it is … and did you forget that we were estranged for years? Yes, of course you did. It’s like it never happened. Look, I’m ever-so-thrilled for you that you get to sit around on your ass all retired and shit but I. Am. At. Work. Repeatedly calling me doesn’t make me less busy, nor does it make me want to spend time with you more. And responding to: “Hello, thank you for calling {company} this is {purple} how may I help you?” with “Hello purple, thank you for picking up the phone, this is your father speaking. How can you help me?” Does. Not. Help. Matters. Gonna go find a shovel. Might have to hide some bodies later. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/88 "2014-02-04T20:20:10Z")
What is it about retired parents who instantly forget their kids still work, and what that entails? I tell my mom I’m constantly worried she’s developing dementia because she can’t remember what day it is any more. No Mom, I’m at work. Thursday is my day off, the same day of the week I’ve had off for the last ten years. I’ll talk to you Thursday, okay? I’m not convinced retirement is all that good for the brain. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/89 "2014-02-04T20:25:26Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > What is it about retired parents who instantly forget their kids still work, and what that entails? Mom is constantly calling me at 11 in the morning and surprised when I answer the phone. “Oh, I thought you’d be at work.” “It’s Sunday, Mom.” My parents retired in their early fifties, and now fifteen years later they’re lucky if they know what month it is. In ranty news, I have developed a gargantuan fever blister that cannot be hidden or downplayed. I am _diseased_, and everybody I’ve talked to today has tried valiantly not to look at it, but they just can’t take their eyes off it. Every time I look in the mirror it’s gotten bigger. I expect it to overtake my chin by bedtime. ---
**Author:** ![Runestar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/74df32/32.png) [@Runestar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runestar)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/90 "2014-02-04T20:49:08Z")
My less-than-two-years-old PC decided to suddenly pack it in Sunday for no apparently reason and without warning. I left it updating my iPod with some recent purchases, and when I returned, all I had was my background picture, and no icons or anything else. Mouse-jiggling and Windows keypressing followed; and eventually got a blue screen of death. Great. Rebooted, and after the Windows logo saw a quick flash of another blue screen of death – to quickly to see what the problem was. Tried Windows’ built-in System Repair tools (‘should fix 80% of system problems’) to see if that would help. After churning away for a while, the tool told me that System Repair was unable to fix the problem. Tried restoring the computer to the last image, and that didn’t work either - rebooting still flashed a blue screen and back to a restart. CHKDSK and Windows Memory test didn’t show any issues. Finally just reinstalled Windows 7. However, the install didn’t seem to want to recognize anything on the system – have no network connection, no video card drivers, and only the USB ports built into the motherboard work. At least I’m able to copy my data out of the Windows.old file onto an external USB drive, so I won’t lose any of that. The computer came with a thumb drive with an image of the computer the way it was originally shipped.That’s probably going to have to be the next step, but they warn you not to do that without talking to their technical support first. I called Sunday afternoon and left a call-back number as their recorded message asked, but still haven’t heard from them. Going to try and call again in a little bit and leave another message. Also, it’s snowing again, and we’re supposed to get 7 or more inches tonight. Fuck winter. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/91 "2014-02-04T21:33:41Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Gonna go find a shovel. Might have to hide some bodies later. She was with me and several of my closest friends the entire time. Yes, your honor. p.s. if you didn’t know it, your father is a passive-aggressive dick. I suspect you did know it. I also suspect that is not his worst characteristic. Roddy ---
**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:** [February 4, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/92 "2014-02-04T21:45:32Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Repeatedly calling me doesn’t make me less busy, nor does it make me want to spend time with you more. And responding to: > > “Hello, thank you for calling {company} this is {purple} how may I help you?” > > with > > “Hello purple, thank you for picking up the phone, this is your father speaking. How can you help me?” “Unless you legitimately require this company’s services, not at all during work hours.” ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/93 "2014-02-04T22:05:27Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > What is it about retired parents who instantly forget their kids still work, and what that entails? I tell my mom I’m constantly worried she’s developing dementia because she can’t remember what day it is any more. No Mom, I’m at work. Thursday is my day off, the same day of the week I’ve had off for the last ten years. I’ll talk to you Thursday, okay? I’m not convinced retirement is all that good for the brain. Ugh, my Mother-in-law! My wife and I live about 60 miles from the nearest major airport, but my wife works quite near the airport.(yes, it’s a long commute, I don’t know how she does it). My MIL, who lives out of state in the winter, will _invariably_ schedule flights to visit that arrive on Saturday, or depart on Sunday and expect us to chauffeur her around. Woman, your daughter is within 5 miles of the place 5 days a week! You’re retired, fly on a Tuesday! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/94 "2014-02-04T22:20:04Z")
Yep, my mom is the same, but has recently gotten better. I volunteer at the shelter two mornings a week. The rest of the work with our program I do at home, so I’m free to talk any time. Two mornings a week, I’ve asked her not to call me. She can call or text pretty much any time of the day, any day of the week except Wednesday and Friday mornings. The first year and a half, I cannot tell you how many times she called me one of those two mornings. Now she just texts me and asks me to call her when I get home. It’s an improvement. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2014, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/95 "2014-02-04T23:38:27Z")
I’m suddenly very grateful that my dad is as phone-phobic as I am. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/96 "2014-02-04T23:57:30Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > … In ranty news, I have developed a gargantuan fever blister that cannot be hidden or downplayed. I am _diseased_, and everybody I’ve talked to today has tried valiantly not to look at it, but they just can’t take their eyes off it. Every time I look in the mirror it’s gotten bigger. I expect it to overtake my chin by bedtime. Ugh. Reminds me of the time I had a huge infected zit on my face, and my boss commented on it twice. :mad: thankfully I don’t have that problem at the moment. I hope your fever blister gets better. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/97 "2014-02-05T04:11:53Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I had a doctor who wanted me to take fish oil capsules. She advised taking the capsule and then eating, as the food would help keep the burping and the back taste down. It worked, too. Maybe that would help with the Keflex? Dosn’t work for me. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/98 "2014-02-05T04:25:19Z")
School closed on Monday because of snow. School delay and possible total cancellation tomorrow because of snow again this week. This is ridiculous. At this rate, my daughter’s going to be attending classes until mid-July! ---
**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:** [February 5, 2014, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/99 "2014-02-05T04:50:39Z")
Bah, took my 9 pm meds and a couple got stuck and started dissolving right at the point where you can still taste the concentrated evil nastiness. I really freaking hate that. On the plus side, it isn’t guaifenesin. ---
**Author:** ![Athabasca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Athabasca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athabasca)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286/100 "2014-02-05T05:12:45Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > Worst mommy board on the planet is Mothering. > > Here’s an evil little pyschopath lamenting that her infant son has pertussis because she didn’t vax him against it despite her husband’s wishes. And she’s still not pro-vax. Cunt. > > [Log in | Mothering Forum](http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1396772/were-not-vaccinating-and-my-boy-has-pertussis) > > I could wring her fucking neck. There’s no benefit to getting pertussis at all. It’s incredibly dangerous in young children with a horrifying mortality and morbidity rate. Getting the disease doesn’t even provide long term immunity. It wears off after three or four years. > > That board should be banned from the net altogether. The people on it are a fucking menace to our society. Holy shit. My kid is 16 and I’ve never visited a ‘mommy board’ On the other hand, the site Empowering Parents is excellent, with loads of really good advice, and downloads. We’re working our way through the homework minefield, For which I pit the entire school system in my province. I guess that was a gimme for the Pit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/febrantary-february-minirants/680286.md?page=6)