# Jewel Eye: Staring down the beryl (July Mini-Rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** monthly-mini-rant\ **Created:** [July 1, 2025, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332 "2025-07-01T03:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/21 "2025-07-02T00:34:58Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I had to give her a minor lecture explaining that she needed to take safety and confidentiality seriously. My stomach and mind are in knots over some of the unpredictable things she does. I’ve never had to teach common sense before. That’s probably above your pay grade. Report her immediately to your boss and walk away. > [@Ellecram](#): > > I just stood there gazing with a bit of regret at the unfortunate scene unraveling. Spent fifteen minutes cleaning up the mess and went on with my day which just continued to spiral out of control. I call that “Making not-coffee”. It’s one of the most disappointing things a person can do. {{Hugs}}. I’ve explored dozens of ways to make not-coffee. They all suck. And seriously call into question what’s left of my intellect. {{Hugs}}. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/22 "2025-07-02T00:35:09Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > Somehow during this simple process I flushed the travel sized toothpaste down the agency toilet. Said toilet was working fine at the end of the work day. But who knows what lies ahead. > > From now on that toilet will have minty fresh breath!. LOL that’s a strengths based perspective for sure! ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/23 "2025-07-02T00:37:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > I had to give her a minor lecture explaining that she needed to take safety and confidentiality seriously. My stomach and mind are in knots over some of the unpredictable things she does. I’ve never had to teach common sense before. > > That’s probably above your pay grade. Report her immediately to your boss and walk away. > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > I just stood there gazing with a bit of regret at the unfortunate scene unraveling. Spent fifteen minutes cleaning up the mess and went on with my day which just continued to spiral out of control. > > I call that “Making not-coffee”. It’s one of the most disappointing things a person can do. {{Hugs}}. I’ve explored dozens of ways to make not-coffee. They all suck. And seriously call into question what’s left of my intellect. {{Hugs}}. There is a catch with this worker. I have repeatedly tried to explore ways of ending her time with us. But she is the child of one one of my boss’s bosses if you get my drift. It’s a real mess. My boss is on vacation but we are going to have to have a come to Jesus talk when she gets back. I love the “making not-coffee” description. Very fitting. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/24 "2025-07-02T00:46:27Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > From now on that toilet will have minty fresh breath! … And the bowl will have fewer cavities… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/25 "2025-07-02T01:35:33Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > But she is the child of one one of my boss’s bosses if you get my drift. It’s a real mess. > > My boss is on vacation but we are going to have to have a come to Jesus talk when she gets back. How badly does grandboss want his company to be sued out of existence? But yeah. If grandboss is a stupid MF himself (good bet it’s a him), then your choices are DGAF or quit. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/26 "2025-07-02T02:18:33Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > But she is the child of one one of my boss’s bosses if you get my drift. It’s a real mess. > > > > My boss is on vacation but we are going to have to have a come to Jesus talk when she gets back. > > How badly does grandboss want his company to be sued out of existence? But yeah. If grandboss is a stupid MF himself (good bet it’s a him), then your choices are DGAF or quit. You are exactly right and this is accelerating my retirement date decision if we cannot resolve this situation. It’s a government agency and ramifications could have far reaching political consequences on many levels should things go south spectacularly. I explained the concept of lawsuits to this worker and how difficult and lengthy they can be. My worry is that we end up with a child harmed in some manner. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/27 "2025-07-02T06:04:52Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > It’s a government agency and ramifications could have far reaching political consequences on many levels should things go south spectacularly. As someone who also works in a government agency, all I can say is document everything. Try to follow the rules and be sure you have something in writing. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/28 "2025-07-02T07:40:55Z")
I have either wrenched or pulled or thrown out my back. I am in an incredible amount of pain. I do not wish to self medicate though… ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/29 "2025-07-02T10:06:09Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > It’s a government agency and ramifications could have far reaching political consequences on many levels should things go south spectacularly. > > As someone who also works in a government agency, all I can say is document everything. Try to follow the rules and be sure you have something in writing. Oh absolutely I am documenting everything and I am going to start issuing her written warnings. I don’t care if her father is a county commissioner. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/30 "2025-07-02T12:00:32Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I am documenting everything and I am going to start issuing her written warnings. I don’t care if her father is a county commissioner. My advice is to simply document everything, and don’t stick your neck out any more than you have to. Being she’s the daughter of someone above you, things will go south for you _very quickly_ if you are seen as a “troublemaker” for him. At his level, _everything_ is political… ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/31 "2025-07-02T12:24:49Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > I am documenting everything and I am going to start issuing her written warnings. I don’t care if her father is a county commissioner. > > My advice is to simply document everything, and don’t stick your neck out any more than you have to. Being she’s the daughter of someone above you, things will go south for you _very quickly_ if you are seen as a “troublemaker” for him. At his level, _everything_ is political… Oh I know - it’s so frustrating. I am trying to get my administrator to take some action. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/32 "2025-07-02T16:11:02Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > I have either wrenched or pulled or thrown out my back. I did the same thing yesterday. My mother-in-law is visiting (she’s great, I love her so no complaints with her being here) but she sits in a large recliner near the front door. She has a laptop and had the charger for that laptop on the left side of the recliner, with the cable draped across the gap that you have to walk through to get out the door. It got tangled around my foot when I walked by, and I had to do an awkward hop to not fall. I succeeded in keeping my feet, but wrenched my back badly in the process. I can get around but everything hurts. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/33 "2025-07-02T17:30:10Z")
Last year when I had to have my HVAC system replaced I chose to finance it, and one of the options was a 12-month no interest loan. It was set up with some place called Synchrony, and the online account I had to set up worked pretty much like a credit card - monthly statements and I could go to the online account and schedule my payments every month. So I’ve been notices for the last month about a new system that was being set up with would go into effect the end of June. I go to the website and I have to log in to the new system. After doing so I try to do what I always do - set up a payment for the 15th of the month (the due date is the 17th). Except the only day I can make the payment is today. There’s no option for scheduling a payment for a future date. I call customer service and after the usual automated BS i finally get a real person. I explain my problem and she needs to consult with someone before confirming that there is no way to make a payment any day but today. So I’m going to have to make a note to go back to the site on the 15th to make the payment. Also, the new website doesn’t have any way for me to access a monthly statement. I can get the information that would be on it, but there’s no way to make a copy of this info for my files. I complained about this to the agent and she said she would send my complaint up the chain of command. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/34 "2025-07-02T17:46:00Z")
Then you know. JFC this hurts! Sit, you’re fine. Lying down flat, you’re fine. Being up walking, you’re fine. But. Get up from lying down? Stand up from sitting? Sit down from standing? Walking up stairs? That pain literally has colors. Scale from one to ten? Doc, that’s twenty. I know somewhere in the cabinet are some pain tabs from a car accident a dozen years ago. I don’t want to use them. I don’t want alcohol; it will just make me prone to lose balance and fall and hurt more. It’s been like this for a week. I really hope it goes away soon. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/35 "2025-07-02T18:24:08Z")
I have 3 store credit cards with Synchrony. That kind of store-specific debt is their bread and butter. Same for loans for HVACs, roofing, medical or dental care, etc. Anyhow, I solved your problem by having my bank send the money to Synchrony, not having Synchrony pull the money from my bank. My bank’s e-bill paying system is much more capable than Synchrony’s and can handle recurring payments on date _X_ every month. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/36 "2025-07-02T19:00:40Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > Then you know. JFC this hurts! Sit, you’re fine. Lying down flat, you’re fine. Being up walking, you’re fine. > > But. > > Get up from lying down? Stand up from sitting? Sit down from standing? Walking up stairs? That pain literally has colors. Scale from one to ten? Doc, that’s twenty. When my back was bad last year, transitions were the _worst_. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/37 "2025-07-02T20:14:34Z")
Ooh, that reminds me. I have a Synchrony card from when we financed our HVAC a couple years ago. I think it is paid off in a few months but I need to go check. Because I set up automatic payments and apparently once the account is paid off they do not automatically stop the monthly payments. And on the subject of automatic payments, one big downside for me is I don’t look at bills and accounts nearly as closely as I used to. Back in the day I would sit down once a month with my checkbook, bank statement, and monthly bills, balance my checkbook and write checks for all the bills. And I always knew what my balance was, and how much I was paying each month for each of my utilities. If someone asked me today how much is my monthly electric bill, I wouldn’t have a clue. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/38 "2025-07-02T20:40:12Z")
There’s a horrible thing my son has taken an interest in on YouTube. It’s called Italian brain rot? These videos look and sound AI produced, and feature abominations like walking teacups and giraffes inside of watermelons. And the videos are just a guy talking, presumably in Italian, repeating the name of each character over and over. Sometimes I’m not even convinced it’s really language. This stuff freaks me the fuck out. I don’t know why, it just feels really unnatural and dystopian. This is prime stim material for my son. I’m hesitant to outlaw it completely because my Mom didn’t let my watch PeeWee Herman for similar reasons. I don’t think, “I find this vaguely creepy” to be a legitimate reason to withhold entertainment. But it makes my fucking skin crawl. Looking this up, it’s some kind of meme culture? “Some popular characters include Tung Tung Sahur, Bombardino Crocodilo, and Traleo Tala.” Just imagine someone saying “Tung Tung Tung Tung Tung Tung Sahur!” twenty times in a weird nasal voice while an AI generated muscular orange walks toward you and you’ll understand. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/39 "2025-07-02T20:50:55Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > When my back was bad last year, transitions were the _worst_. They really are. Sadly… they make me somewhat … surly. Normally, I’m not “Lamb” from “Slow Dogs”. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332/40 "2025-07-02T21:27:02Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Ooh, that reminds me. I have a Synchrony card from when we financed our HVAC a couple years ago. I think it is paid off in a few months but I need to go check. Because I set up automatic payments and apparently once the account is paid off they do not automatically stop the monthly payments. > > And on the subject of automatic payments, one big downside for me is I don’t look at bills and accounts nearly as closely as I used to. Back in the day I would sit down once a month with my checkbook, bank statement, and monthly bills, balance my checkbook and write checks for all the bills. And I always knew what my balance was, and how much I was paying each month for each of my utilities. If someone asked me today how much is my monthly electric bill, I wouldn’t have a clue. The funny this is, when I bought my sofa and lift chair from Ashley Furniture a few years ago the payment was set up through Synchrony and I also paid it off before the interest came due. Then I closed the account. And then it got reopened when I bought the HVAC. Your problem is exactly why I refuse to set up automatic payments. I don’t like anyone being able to take money from my account, or charge something to one of my credit cards, without my express permission. Unfortunately, for things like streaming services I don’t have any choice. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Anyhow, I solved your problem by having my bank send the money to Synchrony, not having Synchrony pull the money from my bank. My bank’s e-bill paying system is much more capable than Synchrony’s and can handle recurring payments on date _X_ every month. I’ve never tried setting up e-billing from any of my bank accounts. No particular reason, it’s just that I had set up my system for paying bills and never saw any reason to change it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewel-eye-staring-down-the-beryl-july-mini-rants/1020332.md?page=3)