# July Mini Rants (now with fireworks!) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 2, 2018, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130 "2018-07-02T02:06:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/121 "2018-07-20T00:38:01Z")
Yep, J.P. get a second opinion. That smells funny to me. My Rant: I stayed out in the 103° sunshine today and got too hot. My head is aching and I can’t get enough water in me. I soaked in a cool tub and am pouring water down my throat. I think I probably need a gatorade. I sent Mr.Wrekker out for something like that. We’ll see what he brings back. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/122 "2018-07-20T00:49:40Z")
Yes Amazon, I bought an extension cord. No, I am not any sort of collector or connoisseur of extension cords nor am I interested in the extension cord of the month club. Please stop emailing me offering me more of you fine selection of extension cords and stop showing me ads for the same on facebook. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/123 "2018-07-20T13:00:04Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Yes Amazon, I bought an extension cord. No, I am not any sort of collector or connoisseur of extension cords nor am I interested in the extension cord of the month club. > > Please stop emailing me offering me more of you fine selection of extension cords and stop showing me ads for the same on facebook. What cracks me up is Amazon trying to resell me what’s clearly a one-time purchase. Just bought a refurbished iPhone (SE, first new phone since the 4… love it, btw). Amazon assumes I might want a matching set. I wonder if they do that with major appliances? “Here’s another dishwasher, so you can lose even more under-counter space in your tiny kitchen. In case you have guests over, everyone can have their own!” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/124 "2018-07-20T13:17:54Z")
> [@digs](#): > > What cracks me up is Amazon trying to resell me what’s clearly a one-time purchase. Just bought a refurbished iPhone (SE, first new phone since the 4… love it, btw). Amazon assumes I might want a matching set. > > I wonder if they do that with major appliances? “Here’s another dishwasher, so you can lose even more under-counter space in your tiny kitchen. In case you have guests over, everyone can have their own!” Actually, a friend of mine just bought three iPhones; one for himself, his wife, and his son. Another friend bought a dishwasher, a duplicate of the one in her home, for her spa/hair salon. I bought a second sous vide device to have as a back-up since I like/use mine so much. It happens. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/125 "2018-07-20T13:22:23Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I hate cold-callers, and so I do not see them. No way, no how, for as long as I’ve been in business. My employees know this and so it all works nicely. > > Yesterday I walked in to the building and my receptionist was all excited. She got us a FREE pizza party for Friday, isn’t that great!? I asked for details and gradually it came out that sure, I had to listen to the dude’s sale pitch, but hey, FREE PIZZA!!! > > I explained to her that I can afford to purchase pizza. I explained further that listening to a sales pitch was waaaay more than a few pies was worth to me. Then I explained that I’d be going out to lunch on Friday. She could call her “friend” and explain this (she doesn’t have any contact information) or she could explain it to him when she sees him Friday. When I arrived at work today, receptionist told me I was going to really embarrass her by not being there for pizza. So, either I stay for pizza or she quits. I do not do ultimatums. I asked if she was giving two weeks notice or if she would be leaving for good at the end of the day. She is currently crying in the bathroom. Happy Friday!! ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/126 "2018-07-20T13:29:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > When I arrived at work today, receptionist told me I was going to really embarrass her by not being there for pizza. So, either I stay for pizza or she quits. > > I do not do ultimatums. I asked if she was giving two weeks notice or if she would be leaving for good at the end of the day. She is currently crying in the bathroom. > > Happy Friday!! Obviously you aren’t staying for pizza - but can she apologize/grovel enough to keep her job? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/127 "2018-07-20T13:37:20Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Obviously you aren’t staying for pizza - but can she apologize/grovel enough to keep her job? I assume that’s coming. She cannot afford to quit and I would fight any application for unemployment compensation. I hope she learned that ultimatums do not work with me. It is expensive to replace an employee and I’d really rather not have to go through the work. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/128 "2018-07-20T14:14:06Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > When I arrived at work today, receptionist told me I was going to really embarrass her by not being there for pizza. So, either I stay for pizza or she quits. Wow, who does that? Especially if you don’t even mean it? ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/129 "2018-07-20T14:43:05Z")
Good for you! That kind of bluff needs to be called. Are you SURE you wouldn’t be happy to replace her with someone who’s more mature, and less dramatic? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/130 "2018-07-20T14:57:38Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Good for you! That kind of bluff needs to be called. > > Are you SURE you wouldn’t be happy to replace her with someone who’s more mature, and less dramatic? She’s reliable and overall does her job well. One thing I’ve learned, there’s always worse. I think she learned from the experience also. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/131 "2018-07-20T16:29:04Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I wonder if they do that with major appliances? “Here’s another dishwasher, so you can lose even more under-counter space in your tiny kitchen. In case you have guests over, everyone can have their own!” Interesting example you chose there. I can confirm that yes, if you buy a dishwasher you will be inundated with ads for even more dishwashers. For a period of about 3 months in my case IIRC. And it’s always something that’s a one-off purchase. Never anything that I am actually liable to purchase again soon. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/132 "2018-07-20T17:56:11Z")
> [@slumtrimpet](#): > > If I were you I’d get a second opinion. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Yep, J.P. get a second opinion. That smells funny to me. Yep, that’s my next step. I signed the paperwork yesterday to have my records transferred to a new office. That may turn into its own rant, as I noticed on Tuesday that the records room at the old office (which was visible from the reception desk) was completely empty. Maybe they’re in the process of digitizing the records? I am still concerned that something is wrong with the crown though; there’s a divot or pocket on the backside (between the crown and the adjacent tooth) that gathers impressive amounts of food. I purchased a modem from Amazon this week (yay Prime Day discount!), and now all of my personalized Amazon ads are for modems, routers, and bird deterrents. Can’t really explain the bird deterrents, unless Amazon is presenting ads based on data harvested from all users rather than just the locally used account, in which case I can blame Mom for that one – she just ordered a small box full of the things. They’re actually very pretty when the wind is blowing. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/133 "2018-07-20T19:05:11Z")
About two weeks ago, I ordered a pizza online from Round Table Pizza. Now I’m getting facebook ads for Roundtable Pizza. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence (not), even if I did not go through facebook to order the pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/134 "2018-07-20T21:26:48Z")
Ol’ Jack goes 0 for 1,000,000. Listen, it’s not easy to meet attractive single women my age, so when one comes bopping into my department and is completely pleasant and friendly and seems to enjoy talking to me, I actually had hope that it wouldn’t happen again. But sure enough, just as I’m working on the patter - an actual plan to ask her out for a weekend date while having a pleasant lunchtime conversation - hear comes the words I’m so used to hearing: “My boyfriend …” As in, “Oh you have to buy a dress for a wedding? Who’s getting married?” “Oh, my boyfreind’s … something …” I tuned out after the B-word. Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/135 "2018-07-21T10:40:09Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > About two weeks ago, I ordered a pizza online from Round Table Pizza. Now I’m getting facebook ads for Roundtable Pizza. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence (not), even if I did not go through facebook to order the pizza. Why would you get Facebook ads for a business that is similarly named to the business you got your pizza from, even if differently spelled? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/136 "2018-07-21T11:07:53Z")
Deer flies. I just moved to Paradise-In -Person, New England and the fucking deer flies have trapped me in the house. You can hike if you want to put a screen bag over your head, and as for horseback riding (reason I moved here was to ride my horse on trails), you will spend your whole ride swatting the flies swarming on and biting your horse while she writhes in torment. No, there are no chemicals which deter them. They laugh even at 100% DEET. Fuck them. ---
**Author:** ![slumtrimpet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@slumtrimpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slumtrimpet)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/137 "2018-07-21T12:55:08Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Deer flies. > > I just moved to Paradise-In -Person, New England and the fucking deer flies have trapped me in the house. You can hike if you want to put a screen bag over your head, and as for horseback riding (reason I moved here was to ride my horse on trails), you will spend your whole ride swatting the flies swarming on and biting your horse while she writhes in torment. > > No, there are no chemicals which deter them. They laugh even at 100% DEET. > > Fuck them. I feel your pain. Hates the little fuckers, I do. Try this: [https://www.amazon.ca/DRAGONFLY-WINGMAN-DEER-HORSE-REPELLENT/dp/B01GVQTT7Q](https://www.amazon.ca/DRAGONFLY-WINGMAN-DEER-HORSE-REPELLENT/dp/B01GVQTT7Q) It’s not perfect and it makes you look like an idiot, but it does help imo. ymmv. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/138 "2018-07-21T13:20:10Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Interesting example you chose there. > > I can confirm that yes, if you buy a dishwasher you will be inundated with ads for even more dishwashers. For a period of about 3 months in my case IIRC. > > And it’s always something that’s a one-off purchase. Never anything that I am actually liable to purchase again soon. I share the home network with my boyfriend, who is a commercial contractor, and who is always looking up frammerjams and wingwhams for something he’s building. So I am inundated with ads for the same on my laptop. Holy cats, I just thought. I wonder if he gets stuff for what I’m looking at??? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/139 "2018-07-21T16:57:52Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > About two weeks ago, I ordered a pizza online from Round Table Pizza. Now I’m getting facebook ads for Roundtable Pizza. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence (not), even if I did not go through facebook to order the pizza. While you didn’t order your pizza through fb, it’s likely that fb shares a tracker or ten with whatever site handles online ordering for Round Table. So while fb can’t access RTB’s cookies on your computer and RTB can’t access fb, they can both hand off part of their traffic to DoubleClick to act as a middle man to let fb know that you ordered from RTB and to let RTB know that you have an active fb account with as much detail as they care to share. So fb might have an entry in their database that you ordered a large pepperoni, extra anchovy, and pineapple pizza last Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/140 "2018-07-21T17:21:25Z")
My dream house is for sale! It’s an old brick house that was empty for years and I had dreamed of buying it and restoring but knew that would be unrealistic. So somebody else did it. And it’s got almost everything on our “must have” list - and the things that aren’t there or are “wrong” are frankly not enough for me to be turned off by it. The renovation kept the historical character inside and out while updating the important areas. They even took down bad trees outside and put up a privacy fence. **And** it’s well within our prospective budget … but we’re still working on paying down our debt and saving up for a down payment so we CANNOT buy it right now and won’t really be in a position to seriously look for at least 2 1/2 years. So I has a sad. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130.md?page=8)