# Pull my finger for August (monthly mini rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 1, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940 "2022-08-01T21:17:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/121 "2022-08-10T18:17:07Z")
The oldest Gen Z was born in 1997. I was born in the mid 60’s, but the eighties are my jam. ---
**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:** [August 10, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/122 "2022-08-10T18:18:45Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > The oldest Gen Z was born in 1997. As I said, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/123 "2022-08-10T18:27:19Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Issei is a masculine Japanese name. So this just shows my complete ignorance about Japanese names. I had only heard of the name because my wife bought some perfume. And when I read of his death, I saw the photograph of him that ran with the story, and it took a minute before I associated the name with the perfume. Thanks for the clarification. ---
**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:** [August 10, 2022, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/124 "2022-08-10T18:38:31Z")
Doo itashimashite! 🙂 ---
**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:** [August 11, 2022, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/125 "2022-08-11T07:34:42Z")
I woke on my floor again. I hope I’m not sent back to the minors. I’m all restrained and my fall alarm is charging. They drugged me up so I had a dream and woke up again. The dream was about my sisters new puppy. We put a shirt on her that made her able to fly. Then we pushed a button and the leash brought her down again ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/126 "2022-08-11T15:27:13Z")
Aww. I’m sorry you had a setback. We’re rooting for you. Who else would report a setback and give us a flying puppy at the same time? A FLYING PUPPY! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/127 "2022-08-11T20:05:04Z")
So I’m settling down to a nice late-night sleep; the weather is cool, the windows are open, and a gentle cool breeze wafts in. What could be nicer! Well, one thing that could be nicer is the absence of a sudden onset of the acrid putrid smell of burning rubber that I immediately recognize as Eau de Skunke, the emission of a local relative of the infamous Pepe Le Pew. I immediately close up windows, but it’s too late. This is at least the second time this summer – possibly the third – that I have been thus afflicted. Sometimes it happens when a skunk is run over, which is nice because it means one less skunk, but they are obviously plentiful enough to emit their noxious fumes multiple times in a summer. I am particularly aggrieved – not just on my own behalf but on behalf of all my neighbours – because we have done nothing wrong to deserve this. It’s bad enough if it was a skunk being run over, but it’s likely that it was a skunk just spraying a perceived enemy – perhaps a bunny rabbit, which abound in these parts, or worse, somebody’s poor doggie or cat. I’m particularly sensitized since I once had to subject my wonderful (but very thick-furred) Bernese Mountain Dog to multiple bath treatments after he had been skunked. I pit skunks. They’re about as noxious and useless as Trumpists. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/128 "2022-08-11T22:37:47Z")
Baby skunks are the cutest things in the world though. But from a distance, or behind a window. ---
**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:** [August 11, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/129 "2022-08-11T22:38:48Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Baby skunks are the cutest things in the world though. Oh yes they are! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/TFF4DVh6Kh8/hqdefault.jpg "Rifftrax: Gregory the Skunk") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFF4DVh6Kh8) ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/130 "2022-08-12T00:08:07Z")
I want a pet skunk, but that’s not legal where I live. 🙁 ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/131 "2022-08-12T00:11:17Z")
I once met a very nice tame skunk at a petting zoo. She’d been descented, of course. Quite the snuggler. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/132 "2022-08-12T16:49:40Z")
NJ may Finally start treating Temp Workers like human beings. Too long have employees been abused by a system created to victimize employees while profiting Temp Agencies and the companies that hire them. I just hope that it passes. > **[N.J. temp workers could get sweeping new rights under bill now on governor’s...](https://www.nj.com/politics/2022/08/nj-temp-workers-could-get-sweeping-new-rights-under-bill-now-on-governors-desk.html)** > > Labor groups have pushed for a "Temp Worker Bill of Rights" since 2016, when NJ Advance Media published an investigation revealing mistreatment and exploitation workers face in the state's warehouses. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/133 "2022-08-15T21:14:26Z")
I am here to attest to the truth and wisdom of a comment by Bill Maher on last Friday’s _New Rules_ segment: New rule: Kids, when you go to the pool, you don’t have to scream the _ **whole** _ time! [![](https://i.imgur.com/lAueOMw.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/lAueOMw.jpg) Why did this attract my attention? Because my neighbour recently put in a pool. Said neighbour has a couple of kids. Together they have proved the enduring truth of Maher’s observation. I, OTOH, am a retired Old Fart™ just wishing to enjoy a peaceful retirement. At first I didn’t mind. The screeching of happy kids, the chirping of birds – it was just the sounds of summer. But I can only take so much of it. Even birds piss me off sometimes, especially the annoyingly persistent “dawn chorus” – the one where all the birds within 100 miles descend on my house to loudly announce that they have detected the sun rising, and to shit on my patio. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/134 "2022-08-15T21:17:36Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Even birds piss me off sometimes Do bring this up in the future thread: [“How do I know when I’m becoming a grumpy curmudgeon?”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-male-equivalent-for-crazy-cat-lady/616236) ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/135 "2022-08-15T21:18:43Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > At first I didn’t mind. The screeching of happy kids, the chirping of birds – it was just the sounds of summer. But I can only take so much of it. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Well, one thing that could be nicer is the absence of a sudden onset of the acrid putrid smell of burning rubber that I immediately recognize as Eau de Skunke, Looks to me like you’ve found your solution. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/136 "2022-08-15T21:21:08Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Looks to me like you’ve found your solution. No, that would be the nuclear option – Mutual Assured Destruction! 🦨 > [@digs](#): > > Do bring this up in the future thread: [“How do I know when I’m becoming a grumpy curmudgeon?”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-male-equivalent-for-crazy-cat-lady/616236) Haven’t decided if I should try to defend myself or just admit it! ---
**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:** [August 16, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/137 "2022-08-16T00:07:12Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Sometimes it happens when a skunk is run over, Around here, it seems like _every_ time a skunk is run over. 😕 I don’t remember so many of the little guys being around here until the last few years; in fact, the first time I smelled skunk was during a vacation in New England about 20 years ago, and a relative had to tell me what the godawful stench was. > [@wolfpup](#): > > New rule: Kids, when you go to the pool, you don’t have to scream the _ **whole** _ time! Can’t believe I’m agreeing with Bill Maher… But yeah, the noises that typically come out of our neighborhood pool are beyond mere screaming; these are the sounds I imagine a child would make when being chased by a kidnapper or murderer. I (and everyone else in the neighborhood) has learned to tune these sounds out, meaning we were oblivious a few weeks ago when a kid cut their foot on some glass that had ended up in the pool. Now, in order to comply with county rules, the pool has been drained; it awaits thorough cleaning, inspection, and eventual refill. Until then, blissful silence. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2022, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/138 "2022-08-16T00:44:42Z")
Glass…mysteriously ended up in the pool. I have an idea, but you really shouldn’t listen to me. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/139 "2022-08-16T01:35:25Z")
🤭 (HOA is threatening to stick the glass-bringer with the cost of cleanup, if they can figure out who did 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:** [August 16, 2022, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940/140 "2022-08-16T03:58:23Z")
Told this story in [a cocktails thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-cocktails-you-like/841986/72), but I’m still chuckling about it, so I’ll share it with my fellow mini-ranters as well. . > [@](#): > > What blows my mind is when they mess up neat whiskey. In a total tangent, a friend got a hand-tailored suit, and the (Japanese? Not sure what accent the storyteller was doing) tailor asked him what name he’d like embroidered on the inside pocket. Poor old tailor had a to wait while his customer thought through fake names, pithy sayings, movie quotes… Finally the friend gave up and said _"Fuck it. Whisky Neat._ Let’s go with that, it’s what I usually drink." The tailor was glad to be able to get to work on the suit, and when it was done… I think anyone here already knows what was tastefully stitched inside his suit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-my-finger-for-august-monthly-mini-rants/968940.md?page=8)