# Happy New Bitchfest! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605 "2014-01-01T00:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 34
**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 30, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/661 "2014-01-30T21:04:23Z")
Ugh. So, I seemed to be reacting to the washing capsules I bought- rewashed everything in the house, and my eczema started getting better! For all of two days. Then it’s back as bad as it was. I thought it might be my housemate’s cats causing it, but they’ve not been in my room in over a month, I’ve vacuumed everything, I’ve been taking allergy meds, and it’s flaring up overnight when there’s no kitties around. I’ve had flare-ups before, but none lasting even two weeks at this level; this attack’s been going since maybe mid November. My skin’s cracking around my neck, so I can’t move my head properly, it’s unbelievably itchy, I’m barely sleeping (which surely isn’t helping, as stress can be a major trigger), I look freaking disgusting, I’m dozy all the time due to lack of sleep, and I’m trying to look for a new job- but even if I got an interview, going to one looking like this maybe would not be a good idea. I can’t even try on the new interview clothes I bought online because I just freaking bleed on everything. I’m pretty well out of ideas. I’m about ready to try sacrificing a cockerel by the light of a full moon, and selling my soul to the Elder Gods, because there don’t seem to be any more sensible options. ---
**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 30, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/662 "2014-01-30T21:47:32Z")
\*\* hands \*\*perfectparanoia \*\*and **Filbert** some shea butter \*\* \*\* reconsiders, comes back with chocolate to share \*\* ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/663 "2014-01-30T23:45:06Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > You’re probably right. To my logical mind, when you get a dog, you look up the laws pertaining to dogs in your area. I can see that not everyone would do that - they’d just go by a sign that says, “Off-leash area” and that’s the end of that. I do blame the city, too, for creating a mess like this - don’t put the path right through an off-leash area then leave it up to people to use it correctly without putting up any distinguishing fencing or any signs explaining the different areas. The complete lack of enforcement for the dog bylaws doesn’t help, either. Dog owners get away with law-breaking regularly, so it must be okay, right? I can see how dog owners would be confused. If the path goes through the off leash area, I would think the path is part of the off leash area. Also I wonder why you even go through an off leash area if dogs frighten you enough that you carry pepper spray? ---
**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 30, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/664 "2014-01-30T23:56:54Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > I can see how dog owners would be confused. If the path goes through the off leash area, I would think the path is part of the off leash area. Also I wonder why you even go through an off leash area if dogs frighten you enough that you carry pepper spray? I carry pepper spray when I go hiking due to people’s ill-mannered off-lead dogs. It’s better than shooting them, which a (former) deputy sheriff of My Fair County did last year when some ill-mannered off-lead dogs came crashing through the woods at him and his kids. I’ve been told it’s also good at warding off black bears, but I’m not crazy enough to poke bears. ---
**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 31, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/665 "2014-01-31T00:29:41Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > I can see how dog owners would be confused. If the path goes through the off leash area, I would think the path is part of the off leash area. Also I wonder why you even go through an off leash area if dogs frighten you enough that you carry pepper spray? Yeah, I have come around to thinking it’s the City’s fault for not making that clearer in the off-leash areas. The bylaw in question that dog owners are not aware of: "According to the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006: Dogs must be under control in designated offleash areas. This means they must be in sight of their owners and repond to sight or sound commands. Dog owners must ensure their dog does not: Chase, threaten or attack a person or an animal While on a pathway a dog must: Be on a leash no longer than two metres." (From [this site](http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/Bylaws-by-topic/Dogs.aspx).) I reported this incident to my local city councillor, so hopefully at some point they’ll realize that this situation is just not working and fix it somehow. As for why I used to go into an off-leash area carrying pepper spray, I’m not that afraid of dogs, I just don’t want to get bitten by one, and the off-leash area was my most direct route to shopping by quite a bit. I thought carrying pepper spray was the way to go, to protect myself if an out-of-control dog did attack me. I never thought that I’d need protection against an out-of-control owner! ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/666 "2014-01-31T01:51:50Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Yeah, I have come around to thinking it’s the City’s fault for not making that clearer in the off-leash areas. > > The bylaw in question that dog owners are not aware of: > > "According to the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw 23M2006: > > Dogs must be under control in designated offleash areas. This means they must be in sight of their owners and repond to sight or sound commands. > > Dog owners must ensure their dog does not: > Chase, threaten or attack a person or an animal > > While on a pathway a dog must: > Be on a leash no longer than two metres." > > (From [this site](http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/Bylaws-by-topic/Dogs.aspx).) > > I reported this incident to my local city councillor, so hopefully at some point they’ll realize that this situation is just not working and fix it somehow. > > As for why I used to go into an off-leash area carrying pepper spray, I’m not that afraid of dogs, I just don’t want to get bitten by one, and the off-leash area was my most direct route to shopping by quite a bit. I thought carrying pepper spray was the way to go, to protect myself if an out-of-control dog did attack me. I never thought that I’d need protection against an out-of-control owner! Well, whatever works, but none of the dogs in your example pictures looked very scary. If a retriever moseying a few feet from his owner makes you think you might be bitten then staying out of the area is probably a good idea. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2014, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/667 "2014-01-31T04:11:54Z")
I’m one day away from a rant. 1099R forms are supposed to be delivered by January 31. Today’s the 30th. My former employee has till tomorrow to get my form to me. Or I’ll have to call them, I guess… ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/668 "2014-01-31T07:50:31Z")
Over a month ago, we informed The Relatives in Barcelona that I’d be going home last week and bringing Mom with me. My cousin picked the exact same dates I’d be away to go away herself. Somehow Grandma decided it was Mom and me who were “at fault” that she hasn’t had visits from either grand-daughter for five days. The contract and assorted paperwork for her to rent me her now-empty-and-decaying flat, so I can both use it (since anyway I need one in the area) and fix it somewhat are all ready. Cousin doesn’t want this to happen\*, but she doesn’t say so out loud - out loud, she’s all happy about it and her budget proposal is “trying to help” in a way twin to being “just asking questions”. I don’t know whether Grandma will sign or not, but whatever happens, right now I want this to be over so I can either call in the workers or start looking for a different place. - she wants her bf to use the flat as his office for his under the table business, but of course without paying rent; she also wants to use “black money” to pay for repairs which, based on the description from the budget she has, would leave the flat in worse shape (she’s got budget for plumbing and electricity, both inside the walls, but nothing for a painter or a plasterer; there’s going to be splotches and runs of flat white plaster all over the wallpaper and the textured walls). ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/669 "2014-01-31T18:37:45Z")
In the middle of the lunch rush is NOT the time to be working on doors in the skyways, you steaming assclowns! Seriously, can’t you wait two fucking hours until there aren’t hordes of hungry workers trying to walk through that space? Because yeah, blocking off 3/4 of the entryway with your fucking ladder and tools is such a fucking brilliant move. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/670 "2014-01-31T19:21:13Z")
HABEMUS FLAT!!! compulsory stuff not in caps so the above line can go through 😃 ---
**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:** [January 31, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/671 "2014-01-31T21:03:45Z")
Oh, **Nava** , Hurrah! Good news finally. (not that this is the right place for it, but still.) ---
**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 31, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/672 "2014-01-31T21:13:25Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > HABEMUS FLAT!!! > > compulsory stuff not in caps so the above line can go through 😃 Congratulations! I’m assuming you know that letting your cousin get within five kilometers of it is the worst idea ever? 😃 ---
**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:** [February 1, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/673 "2014-02-01T00:01:24Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > HABEMUS FLAT!!! > > compulsory stuff not in caps so the above line can go through 😃 compulsory congrats not in caps even though i don’t know latin 😃 ---
**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 1, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/674 "2014-02-01T00:32:53Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I’m one day away from a rant. 1099R forms are supposed to be delivered by January 31. Today’s the 30th. My former employee has till tomorrow to get my form to me. Or I’ll have to call them, I guess… Well, it showed up today, the last day it was supposed to be here. Now, if only my bank had been as accomodating… ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Marlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/34f0e0/32.png) [@Big\_Marlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Marlin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/675 "2014-02-01T01:26:42Z")
First rant, as I am noob, but a daily lurker! I have a small roadhouse type restaurant/bar in southern baja, We try to run biz by reservation to keep costs in line,Gotta reservation tonight for 20 BC Canukians, they no showed,Shit onna cracker, rude and and so far no response to my email, besides,when they do show,they don’t even tip a peso! Grump, Grump! ---
**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:** [February 1, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/676 "2014-02-01T01:30:50Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > In the middle of the lunch rush is NOT the time to be working on doors in the skyways, you steaming assclowns! > > Seriously, can’t you wait two fucking hours until there aren’t hordes of hungry workers trying to walk through that space? Because yeah, blocking off 3/4 of the entryway with your fucking ladder and tools is such a fucking brilliant move. :rolleyes: Who’s the president of your building’s management company? Chris Christie? ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/677 "2014-02-01T03:34:07Z")
Colonel Meow is dead and I’m crying for a cat I have never met and for all my furry loved ones who have passed into and out of my life ---
**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:** [February 1, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/678 "2014-02-01T03:52:10Z")
> [@Big\_Marlin](#): > > Gotta reservation tonight for > 20 BC Canukians, they no showed,Shit onna cracker, rude and and so far > no response to my email, besides,when they do show,they don’t even tip a peso! > Grump, Grump! Rude Canadians? There goes a stereotype… Man, they get to escape the snow and ice, and curling, and relax in Ba-ha Califor-ny-ay. You think they’d be so grateful that they’d show up, eat and drink a bunch, sing some Bachman–Turner Overdrive kareoke… and then tip big. ---
**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 1, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/679 "2014-02-01T04:10:08Z")
I don’t know where the idea of Canadians not tipping comes from - tipping is expected (and given) everywhere I’ve eaten in Canada. It can’t just be the odd rube visiting the US who isn’t tipping if Canadians have a reputation for not tipping. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Marlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/34f0e0/32.png) [@Big\_Marlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Marlin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2014, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605/680 "2014-02-01T04:29:50Z")
We closed one hour ago,the people aka Canuckians, no showed,so I am now thinking aboot not being so polite to the aforementioned ilk!, sonnabitichi, cost me and staff boocu large, I get to eat the loss of revenue, but the staff has a lotta take home food for them and the kiddies, so, all in all no problema! I won’t be welcoming BC folks as much as I have in the past! Shitski! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-bitchfest/677605.md?page=35)