# It's May! It's May! The merry month of mini-rants! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 1, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336 "2011-05-01T00:48:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/381 "2011-05-25T17:00:41Z")
One of my fish died. I thought he died in October but he was able to hang on a bit longer. He was always suffering from swim bladder issues. We gave him peas and didn’t overfeed him, which I assume is why he lasted this long. So, it wasn’t unexpected but it was still sad to see him stuck to the filter intake today. So long Captain Carrot. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/382 "2011-05-25T18:00:56Z")
I hung up after 35 minutes. Their live chat disfunction is still on the fritz. I sent them an angry email. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/383 "2011-05-25T20:49:57Z")
I take Ambien to sleep. Some mornings, when it wears off and wakes me up, it wears off with a ruuuuuuuuuuuuuush and I am awoken feeling like I’m having a panic attack. Sudden tremendous anxiety. Since I only get about six hours out of it anymore, some mornings (like this one today) I am awoken with a racing heart and sense of impending doom at 4:14AM. Yay. I am hoping I can wean myself off it over the next several weeks and try Trazedone again. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/384 "2011-05-25T20:51:53Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > One of my fish died. I thought he died in October but he was able to hang on a bit longer. He was always suffering from swim bladder issues. We gave him peas and didn’t overfeed him, which I assume is why he lasted this long. So, it wasn’t unexpected but it was still sad to see him stuck to the filter intake today. > > So long Captain Carrot. ☹ Sad. I’m assuming this was a goldfish? I have several - for fish, they really are interactive pets and nice to have around. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/385 "2011-05-25T20:56:05Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Sad. I’m assuming this was a goldfish? I have several - for fish, they really are interactive pets and nice to have around. Yes. He was a fancy goldfish - short body. None of my other, longer-bodied goldfish ever have digestive issues. They are a lot of fun. I like when they eat out of my fingers. Most of the time my dogs are oblivious to them but every once in a while, one of them will run past the tank and skid to a stop and stare at them like they’re invading aliens. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/386 "2011-05-25T22:56:37Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > Yes. He was a fancy goldfish - short body. None of my other, longer-bodied goldfish ever have digestive issues. I gave up on the fancys because of the swim bladder problems. Now I “rescue” feeders and put them in 10 gallon tanks - it’s amazing how big they get and some of them grow really long fins. > [@](#): > > They are a lot of fun. I like when they eat out of my fingers. Most of the time my dogs are oblivious to them but every once in a while, one of them will run past the tank and skid to a stop and stare at them like they’re invading aliens. I’m not sure my dogs have even noticed them even tho they are at eye level! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/387 "2011-05-25T23:23:52Z")
I am going to straight up murder the next old person who waits until they get their total before they S L O W L Y pull out their checkbook and V E R Y S L O W L Y writes out the check for payment. If you insist on being stuck in a 30-year Luddite time warp, at least write out the check at something resembling normal speed. Even my mother-in-law can work a debit card. DISCLAIMER: I realize this behavior is not solely the province of old people. It just happens that it’s always an old person IN FRONT OF ME. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/388 "2011-05-25T23:57:52Z")
I am so subconsciously paranoid about sleeping through my alarms that I constantly wake up 2 to 3 times in the middle of the night. Actually, I usually enjoy this time. Wait, why am I putting this in the mini-rants thread? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/389 "2011-05-26T01:36:31Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > I am going to straight up murder the next old person who waits until they get their total before they S L O W L Y pull out their checkbook and V E R Y S L O W L Y writes out the check for payment. That is my biggest shopping peeve. ASSHOLES who stand at the register while their shit is being rung up, completely oblivious to the idea that they are going to have to pay for it, act totally surprised when given a total, and ONLY THEN think about looking for their mode of payment. Women who do this have to search 8,000 different places for their credit cards. Really? It might be in 7,500 different places in your fucking purse or 500 different places elsewhere on your person? Are you fucking joking me? You don’t fucking know where you put it last and you don’t keep it in the same place every time? Then, as I’ve said before, deciding to write a check and it’s like they’re writing the sequel to _War and Peace_. You don’t need to write that much shit on the check and it should NOT take you more than 5 seconds to sign the bloody thing, let alone some few instances where I’ve silently counted over 30 seconds for some dumbfuck to slowly write out their own damned name. Of course, worse than that are the selfish oblivious assholes who, upon completing their “activity of the day” transaction, remain at the register while they rearrange their entire purse, peruse the scratch off tickets or shit behind the register, search their other pockets, stare blankly off into space and/or otherwise completely fail to get the clue that there are other people in the Universe who the sales clerk is trying to process and they need to GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY. ---
**Author:** ![Boggette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@Boggette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boggette)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/390 "2011-05-26T01:59:55Z")
I may have posted this rant before, but it’s been coming up again. And again. And again. When you talk to me via IM at work, and you are done speaking with me, please say “goodbye” or “later” or anything that tells me we’re done. Simply stopping is unacceptable. You wouldn’t just hang up the phone without some sort of closing remark. So, let’s use common courtesy in IM as well. Oh… and since this is the pit, Fuckwads! ---
**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:** [May 26, 2011, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/391 "2011-05-26T06:22:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Then, as I’ve said before, deciding to write a check and it’s like they’re writing the sequel to War and Peace. You don’t need to write that much shit on the check and it should NOT take you more than 5 seconds to sign the bloody thing, let alone some few instances where I’ve silently counted over 30 seconds for some dumbfuck to slowly write out their own damned name. I don’t know about other people, but I rarely write anything out by hand any more, and it takes me a few seconds to remember how to do it. I DO pull out my card/checkbook while I’m waiting in line, though, so at least I’m ready to start the process of payment. I generally use the card, not the checkbook. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/392 "2011-05-26T06:27:30Z")
What about shopping lists and such? ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/393 "2011-05-26T06:51:32Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > What about shopping lists and such? I keep mine on my phone, with separate lists by store, to which I add or delete as item is purchased and then needed again. No pen or paper. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/394 "2011-05-26T08:53:15Z")
You must have a far flasher phone than I have. ☹ ---
**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:** [May 26, 2011, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/395 "2011-05-26T10:12:52Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > What about shopping lists and such? What about them? ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/396 "2011-05-26T10:28:04Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > What about them? I always hand write them. Along with reminder notes everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/397 "2011-05-26T10:37:06Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > PayPal is evil. EVIL, I tells ya! What’s more, even when I want an item so badly that I’m willing to use its evilness, it gets amnesia and says that it doesn’t know me. Yeah? YEAH? It knew me well enough to be able to transfer funds a few months ago! > > Fucking PayPal. Lynn, I don’t think I have ever heard you swear before! ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/398 "2011-05-26T10:40:00Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Lynn, I don’t think I have ever heard you swear before! Well, desperate times call for desperate language dunnit? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/399 "2011-05-26T10:49:03Z")
Like the fat bastards blocking the aisle at the supermarket today deciding which brands of cheap shit food they were buying? I waited patiently and then they waddled off without buying any- they never looked behind so they didn’t have a clue they had held anyone up. Plonkers. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336/400 "2011-05-26T14:42:08Z")
You know, I truly don’t believe people who claim they are always cognizent of and polite to those around them. You may be 95% of the time, but the other 5% YOU are the one raptly hunting for exactly the right brand/size/flavor of whatever and the people stuck behind you are the ones thinking “stop slowing me down, you fat bastard.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-may-its-may-the-merry-month-of-mini-rants/580336.md?page=21)