# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/161 "2018-07-23T14:35:28Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I tried find a picture online, but no dice. Fidget spinner? Yep, that pretty much describes it. Instead of having a plug that you can yank out with a chain or one that has a lever to push it up/pull it down, this thing has a rubber gasket around the middle of the edge. The stopper is put in the sink such that it spins. You push it closed and then when you’re finished, you push on it to open the drain. What’s the point of washing your hands, then, if you have to plunge them in the dirty water to empty the sink? I’m used to see something similar to that as kitchen sink filter/plugs, I think? Never liked them either. ---
**Author:** ![CoastalMaineiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/162 "2018-07-23T16:31:32Z")
Why is it, all the vacationers who come to Maine in the summer are always in such a hurry to pull out in front of a line of traffic, but will not even drive the speed limit when they do?! I’m talking like 15 to 20 miles _ **under** _ the speed limit, all the freakin’ time! Seriously, if you want to drive slow, then wait until people pass before pulling out onto the road. Just because this place is known as “vacationland” doesn’t mean everyone here is on vacation! If you’re already on the road, going significantly less than the limit, and folks gain on you, then either step on your gas pedal and go the speed limit, or pull over and let folks by. It’s not just the courteous thing to do, either; it’s against the law to impede traffic! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/163 "2018-07-23T17:19:29Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > Why is it, all the vacationers who come to Maine in the summer are always in such a hurry to pull out in front of a line of traffic, but will not even drive the speed limit when they do?! I’m talking like 15 to 20 miles _ **under** _ the speed limit, all the freakin’ time! > > Seriously, if you want to drive slow, then wait until people pass before pulling out onto the road. Just because this place is known as “vacationland” doesn’t mean everyone here is on vacation! If you’re already on the road, going significantly less than the limit, and folks gain on you, then either step on your gas pedal and go the speed limit, or pull over and let folks by. It’s not just the courteous thing to do, either; it’s against the law to impede traffic! We call those folks Rhode Islanders. ---
**Author:** ![CoastalMaineiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/164 "2018-07-23T17:32:13Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > We call those folks Rhode Islanders. Plenty of them seem to come from New York and Massachusetts, too. Either way, it’s pretty selfish behavior, in my opinion, especially on busy roads where you have no opportunity to pass. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/165 "2018-07-24T00:31:55Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > Why is it, all the vacationers who come to Maine in the summer are always in such a hurry to pull out in front of a line of traffic, but will not even drive the speed limit when they do?! I’m talking like 15 to 20 miles _ **under** _ the speed limit, all the freakin’ time! > > Seriously, if you want to drive slow, then wait until people pass before pulling out onto the road. Just because this place is known as “vacationland” doesn’t mean everyone here is on vacation! If you’re already on the road, going significantly less than the limit, and folks gain on you, then either step on your gas pedal and go the speed limit, or pull over and let folks by. It’s not just the courteous thing to do, either; it’s against the law to impede traffic! We’ve got those in western NC too, except they’re Floridians. You never know what they’re going to do. The only constant is they will slow down to…a…crawl…every time there’s a slight bend in the road. And this is the mountains–\*every \*road is curvy. :mad: ---
**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 24, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/166 "2018-07-24T00:43:58Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > He showed up with pizzas, she told him I wasn’t interested in talking to him. He took his pizzas and left in a huff. Whaaaa? That’s worth calling the guy’s company and talking to his supervisor. Sorry, I can’t believe someone that thin-skinned is in sales… that un-does any goodwill he’s supposed to be building up. Seriously, why not have a little pizza party with the receptionist and anyone else who wants some, so they all tell you how great the Pizza Dude is? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/167 "2018-07-24T02:45:54Z")
Yesterday morning, I had to go to the US Embassy in Beijing. Of course there is a very well-enforced rule: no electronics, to include cell phones. On top of that, there are no storage lockers at the embassy. (My wife waited outside with my backpack which had my tablet and cellphone.) I fall in line and as the line is moving I notice something rather interesting on the wall of the embassy. Yep, a big QR code. What’re we supposed to do with that, memorize it and draw it later to scan the thing? If my drawing skills were that good, I guarantee you I’d be working in a different profession. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/168 "2018-07-24T13:25:42Z")
_has just had a mental image of Security guys bowling against a bunch of Marketing guys set up as pins_ ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/169 "2018-07-24T17:06:57Z")
Gold Peak tea is not tea. I don’t know what it is, but I can assure you that it is not tea. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/170 "2018-07-24T21:19:27Z")
One thing worse than needing a caregiver (had foot surgery, supposed to keep it elevated 23 hours a day) is having a surly, selfish, jerkish caretaker who acts like every request is an imposition. What makes it even worse is that it’s my brother, who volunteered, unasked, to help out. I know I should be grateful, but jeeze Louise, it’s been one passive-aggressive incident after another for the last 10 days. Thank god I’ll be able to put weight on my foot this Friday and I can send him on his way. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/171 "2018-07-24T21:26:21Z")
“Elevated” means “higher than the heart,” right, and not just “off the floor?” That’s too bad, or [this device](https://www.google.com/search?q=knee+scooter) might be useful. Well, chin up. Less than 25% of your time left to serve. Hope that the healing is proceeding on schedule. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/172 "2018-07-24T21:54:45Z")
Well, doctor’s orders were given when I was prone in the hospital bed with my foot propped up on a couple of pillows. He gave me the okay to sit on the couch using a wedge pillow to keep the foot up and restrict getting up and moving around except to go to the bathroom. Basically need to keep pressure off the wound/skin graft as much as possible. At least I’m free from the negative pressure wound vac unit with a tube running from the bottom of my foot to the device. Had to have that thing running 24/7. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2018, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/173 "2018-07-24T23:07:45Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “Elevated” means “higher than the heart,” right, and not just “off the floor?” That’s too bad, or [this device](https://www.google.com/search?q=knee+scooter) might be useful. > > Well, chin up. Less than 25% of your time left to serve. Hope that the healing is proceeding on schedule. Not chin up, foot up. Remind my not to ask you to be my caregiver if I have foot surgery. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/174 "2018-07-25T00:10:23Z")
> [@Kelevra](#): > > Gold Peak tea is not tea. I don’t know what it is, but I can assure you that it is not tea. > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk It’s a a liquid produced by a Nutri-matic that’s almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea. ---
**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 25, 2018, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/175 "2018-07-25T00:32:02Z")
Faux tea. Yum. ETA creepy. As soon as I posted this there was a goldpeak tea (?) ad on my T.V… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/176 "2018-07-25T02:17:12Z")
Well Frack. The family we are god parents for their 3 kids called today to report the death of the middle child. When smaller, she was athletic, smart and always on the go. Imagine my surprise when I had to do a rescue run down to them for something else two years ago, and discovered she had mutated to a chain smoking pothead, who had reached the pinnacle of her employment history as a restaurant host, and who was spending her time bouncing between wherever the parents had not been evicted from and the toxic boyfiends house 500 miles away. Seems the abusive not-monster-in-law took a dislike to her and deemed it unnecessary to feed her, and she and the love of her life were spending whatever cash they had propping up third-world dictators via various illegal substances. She would go south, get deathly ill from whatever, and get transported home to recuperate, lather, rinse, repeat. Well, there won’t be any repeating now. I’m sure that while interesting, the autopsy will come back “Death by Misadventure”. RIP, Mandybear. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/177 "2018-07-25T04:51:54Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “Elevated” means “higher than the heart,” right, and not just “off the floor?” That’s too bad, or [this device](https://www.google.com/search?q=knee+scooter) might be useful. > > Well, chin up. Less than 25% of your time left to serve. Hope that the healing is proceeding on schedule. > [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Not chin up, foot up. > > Remind my not to ask you to be my caregiver if I have foot surgery. Fine. See how **blondebear** ’s brother suits you. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/178 "2018-07-25T11:40:43Z")
My middle child expressed interest in going to a local AAA baseball game, so I googled the team’s schedule. Now I’m getting LIVE UPDATES for the GAME SCORE sent DIRECTLY TO MY PHONE!!! WTF dude … ---
**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 25, 2018, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/179 "2018-07-25T12:48:15Z")
That’s so sad, **The Vorlon**. My condolences. ---
**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 25, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130/180 "2018-07-25T17:38:05Z")
Well, Merry Christmas-in-July! (Sorry) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/july-mini-rants-now-with-fireworks/817130.md?page=10)