# Laborious mini-rants of May **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 1, 2017, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626 "2017-05-01T04:59:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [May 1, 2017, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/1 "2017-05-01T04:59:44Z")
So, I’m sitting in the airport in Beijing waiting for counter check-in information and said to myself, what the hey, let’s rant a mini. Smack in the middle of mid-term invigilation, new teacher walks off the job. While I’m glad the twerp is gone, the timing was, to say the least, tacky. His excuse: “I’m Christian; there’s no sin in this.” More on the “good Christian” later. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/2 "2017-05-01T12:16:28Z")
Fuck my godamn luck. Throughout April, an online casino has been doing an offer on Live Blackjack where if the first 3 cards in a hand is 3 of a kind of Ace to 7 you get a prize. If you split it is the original 2 cards plus the first split card. There are several tiers of prizes but the big one is three aces all the same suit for £5000. I’ve been playing at least 6 hours a day every day, I took last week off and played about 8 hours a day. In that time: On the very first day I got dealt a pair of Aces of Diamonds, the dealer showed a 6 and the guy immediately before me had a 16. The sensible move for him was to stick. He hit, got an ace of diamonds, I split, got a 5 on my first hand (the one that counts) and an ace of diamonds on the other. If he hadn’t hit, or if he’d gone the whole hog with bad decisions and hit his 17 that would be £5000. Other than that I got perfect aces, and the ace I needed on the wrong split no less than 5 times. I witnessed 3 people get it, including twice when I was on 2 seats and the other person was on 1 seat and nobody else was on the table. It’s May 01, promotion ended yesterday, I have a game of Blackjack. First hand: Ace clubs, Ace Clubs. I split, in comes Ace clubs. Aaaargh! ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/3 "2017-05-01T12:57:43Z")
So, I live in Fenton MO. The Meramec river goes through Fenton, and it basically floods any time too many people flush their toilets. As you can imagine, it’s flooded now. In fact, it’s flooded route 141 where it intersects I44, so 141 is closed. That is the major access to the highways for many people in the area. I live 4 miles from the closed underpass, and also 4 miles from the nearest highway access. This morning, it was bumper-to-bumper traffic to _both_ routes, _and_ for miles past that point. At 6:30 am. I left home 40 min early, and got to work normal time. It’ll be the same going home, I’m sure. Flood isn’t supposed to crest until tomorrow. And more rain Wed + Thurs. Yay. This happens every year, and has since I was in high school in the area ('85). But, of course, it’s inconceivable that Missouri would spend money to _fix_ the problem. nb., Valley Park, where the 141/44 underpass is, and through which the Meramec flows, is being evacuated in parts, too. So while my rant is mini, there’s much worse. ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/4 "2017-05-01T13:55:41Z")
Two weeks from closing on my house. We’ve disclosed issues and been through the inspection. All is well. Until this weekend when the basement decided to leak. And the garage door opener quit.:mad: Now I get to spend hundreds of dollars on a house I will own for 2 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/5 "2017-05-01T14:00:57Z")
Sleep why do you mock me so? Bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/6 "2017-05-01T14:03:12Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > . His excuse: “I’m Christian; there’s no sin in this.” More on the “good Christian” later. Oh, this should be good. I look forward to the revelation of the path of illogic that prompted this excuse. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/7 "2017-05-01T14:22:35Z")
I hadn’t had low blood sugar in over a year, and even then it wasn’t alarmingly low. But during the night I awoke light headed, shaking and sweating. Managed to get hold of my meter and tested my blood. 39. Near death. My husband quickly brought me some glucose tablets and flew downstairs to get me some ice cream. He then helped me downstairs and fed me the equivalent of a 7-course dinner. I was so hungry, I could have eaten a horse. The worst part is, I have no idea what triggered the low blood sugar. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/8 "2017-05-01T15:36:02Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I hadn’t had low blood sugar in over a year, and even then it wasn’t alarmingly low. But during the night I awoke light headed, shaking and sweating. Managed to get hold of my meter and tested my blood. 39. Near death. My husband quickly brought me some glucose tablets and flew downstairs to get me some ice cream. He then helped me downstairs and fed me the equivalent of a 7-course dinner. I was so hungry, I could have eaten a horse. > > The worst part is, I have no idea what triggered the low blood sugar. I find that happens to me maybe 3 times a year or so. I also have no idea what is causing it. I did have to adjust my lantus down by 3 units over the past year, I have lost enough weight that all my meds needed adjustment [100 pounds since Aug 2014] and I was hitting 65 in between doses when I should have been holding around 100 like previously. [well I also slowed down the weight loss because the victoza was making me vomit after being on it for 2 years so it has been metformin, invokana and lantus for about 18 months.] ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/9 "2017-05-01T16:25:21Z")
Holy crap, I’m in big trouble now. There’s an e-mail in my inbox from JAMES COMEY[F.B.I] The header is FBI LETTER[CODE:210]s) 😕:smack::eek::eek::eek: I am too scared to open it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/10 "2017-05-01T17:06:57Z")
We’re in the midst of our first hot weather of the year. I woke up with a headache this morning, like I always do when my bedroom is warm and stuffy. Fuck hot weather. I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/11 "2017-05-01T17:49:54Z")
Mini-est of mini rants. Planned to go to a particular restaurant tonight with a friend. As such, I ordered a light lunch, which, outside of the small portion, was very unsatisfying. Friend tells me that he wants to work out before we go, and he won’t get home until 6. The restaurant closes at 9, and what I want to order takes about an hour to prepare. Also, I hate being the reason waitstaff has to stay past closing. So, now, I’ve got to figure out a Plan B, when I’d been looking forward to that meal for the past 4 days. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/12 "2017-05-01T19:10:42Z")
Tell your friend he will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/13 "2017-05-01T19:42:58Z")
So go to the restaurant about 5:30 or so and order your meal and he can order his when he gets there around 6 and then they should come out at about the same time, provided he doesn’t want to order the same thing you do. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/14 "2017-05-01T21:29:25Z")
Fuck tree pollen. ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/15 "2017-05-01T22:07:40Z")
If you turn the engine on and sit there spewing out pollution for forty minutes just so you can eat lunch in your own little air-conditioned cocoon, you’re a selfish ass. There are three people who do this every freaking day in the company parking lot. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/16 "2017-05-02T01:41:00Z")
So, the flooded highway underpass that I mentioned snarled traffic trying to get on I-44 this morning? Won’t be a problem tomorrow morning. 'Cause they’ve closed that stretch of I-44 entirely (until “later in the week”). Normally, this would throw traffic onto the _other_ route I mentioned was snarled - highway 30 - but that _also_ won’t be a problem tomorrow because MODOT is closin’ it tonight (“later in the week”). Which leaves highway 141 as the only access to the interstates… if it didn’t go through a low valley before reaching an interstate, as it too is flooded, and closed. Theoretically, one could go the opposite direction, towards Rolla. But, alas, that is closed due to flooding. Guess I’m… working from home this week? I mean, I like swimming, but it’s a _bit_ far to get to Illinois. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/17 "2017-05-02T03:30:42Z")
> [@Catamount](#): > > Fuck tree pollen. Quoted for truth. I hope you are uphill from the flooding \*\*Lightray \*\*, and that you have all of the essentials on hand. Houston floods on a regular basis, and I’m here to tell you that it really sucks to be flooded in and finding out that you are out of cat litter. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/18 "2017-05-02T04:36:13Z")
I literally live on top of a bluff. And there’s a supermarket within a 5-minute walk, which is certain they’ll be getting supplied (the manager was telling worried shoppers so tonight) (I was shocked that they had bread, milk, and eggs left for sale, actually). And hear ya on the Houston flooding; I was supposed to be _there_ (and drier) this week. I’ve been there when a “tropical depression” stalled over the city, and spent the night in the chemical plant because no one else could get in – they were stuck driving in circles on the highways, because all the offramps and feeder roads were flooded. That was the night I was sitting in the control room, and noticed the weigh scales for the tanks in the tank farms were getting _lighter_. Had to tromp out into the deluge to check – turns out the scales had just shorted out, but the tippy-tip of my pants was apparently peeking out of my rain gear, and water wicked up and soaked me to my underpants. Fun times. At least I never had to evac out of Houston for a hurricane, like one of my coworkers did. Plus, I have no cats. The closest I have to pets are an abundance of brown recluses in the basement, but they’ve never demanded litter. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/19 "2017-05-03T18:49:22Z")
> [@April Foolish Mini-rants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/april-foolish-mini-rants/783514/130): > > Follow-up for those awaiting same with breathless interest. Home Depot had the damaged and unfixable file picked up, and several days later refunded my money. I did buy pretty much the same file cabinet from Staples for $5 less and picked it up from the store. > > However, apparently when I picked up the original cabinet from my curved front steps and carried it from the garage, I racked up my right knee in some mysterious way and I have been limping and cringing from the pain for the past week. My own fault, really, it wasn’t that heavy, I just neglected to support myself properly and forgot that I’m not as young as I used to be. I even had someone at home who could have helped me carry it. > > But I still hate UPS. Follow-up (from April thread). Went to doctor today. It could be worse, it’s only a sprain of the medial (something that starts with C) ligament. I’ll start physical therapy as soon as they call me back. Glad I have insurance. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626/20 "2017-05-04T00:00:56Z")
Cruciate. I posted in the April thread because I’m not paying attention. I’m distracted by my work hours changing from starting at noon to starting at 9am. Not. Happy. At least I _think_ it will still be light out in January when I have to get up. I vowed years ago never to have a job that made me get up before dawn. I think 7:30am will get me over that line by a fine margin in the winter. We’ll see how things go. I may have to seriously reconsider what I want to do for a living before this year is out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laborious-mini-rants-of-may/785626.md?page=2)