# Silver Hells: December Minirants **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 2, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468 "2018-12-02T23:29:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/221 "2018-12-31T14:27:57Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > **Nava** , remember they only find the bodies in the shallow graves. Word to the wise. Sadly, multiple degrees in Chemistry would make me instantaneously suspicious if she disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_McQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Steve\_McQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_McQwark)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/222 "2018-12-31T14:57:35Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Sadly, multiple degrees in Chemistry would make me instantaneously suspicious if she disappeared. “Strangers on a Train.” Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/223 "2018-12-31T16:34:32Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Yeah, but it’s so boring on TWD when they have long discussions. And they still have to go out and kill zombies. Daryl said about 2 words last season. He shoulda won an Emmy. When he talks it just sounds stupid. Wonder when it’s coming back on? Oh, their long philosophical discussions are terrible because the writers suck. I meant more like “Something really doesn’t feel right about Woodbury and here’s why I think so/what I saw/etc.” Instead it was just _angry glare_ and no communication. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/224 "2018-12-31T17:54:16Z")
The longest sentence Rick Grimes ever said was " Ca–rrrrr–lllllll!!!" ETA I sorta excuse the writers. They are comic book writers. I think of the dialogue in blurbs/balloons above the characters heads and it helps. ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/225 "2019-01-01T01:02:04Z")
I could do without computers/operating systems bragging and telling you how helpful they are, especially when it interferes with your web-surfing. For instance, I frequently am (temporarily) blocked from typing in a URL on my Mac because I get a pop-up message on the page I’m currently on, saying "Safari is using an encrypted connection to (this website). I know you’re oh-so proud of yourself, Safari, but who gives a giant festering rat’s ass? ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/226 "2019-01-01T02:32:36Z")
Mr.Wrekker stacked me up some firewood in the garage before he left on his excursion. I saw a mouse sitting on a log when I went out there. Hmmm? I got a too-large rat trap from the barn and set it. Bam! Caught him. I go out there and it looks like a freakin’ murder scene. After gagging a few times, I don a kerchief ( red, cause I’m blood, yanno) dark glasses and pink rubber gloves. The glasses are so I don’t have to see it too much, not really expecting paparazzi. I have a bucket of bleach water, a roll of PT, and an old rag. Ho-ly crap either the mouse was a whole lot bigger or he invited his fat cousin Rollo. Anywhoo, I got the shit cleaned up. Yes, there was shit folks, along with the blood and guts and eyeballs. I actually saw an eyeball. Erggh. The mouse was basically drawn, quartered and splatted. The fur was hard to clean up. But I got it all, I think. I’m sure there is another mousy or 2. My question is; will the next rats know one of their cousins has died a horrific death and not come come near the baited trap? Or are they just dumb enough to think fat cousin Rollo left them a treat? Can I expect to have a new murder scene in the morning? ( note to self: get smaller mouse traps) ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/227 "2019-01-01T02:50:37Z")
The power went out earlier tonight right before I was about to make dinner. Sigh. I drove over to Chick-fil-a to get something only to discover two major accidents within a one-block radius which had knocked out the power to this entire side of town. People. If you’re not able to drive, STAY THE FUCK HOME. Uber exists here. Call an Uber. Call a cab. As my high school Latin teacher used to say, put on your walking shoes and walk home. Don’t fucking drive and wreck! I saw two ambulances racing up the road to those wrecks. Enjoy your new year in the ER, dumb fucks. I hope you only hurt yourselves. Oh, and I wasn’t able to get any Chick-fil-a because their power was out too. Bojangles was out of chicken (???) but Arbys was nice enough to make my dinner. Not what I wanted but hey, fresh curly fries! ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/228 "2019-01-01T04:47:41Z")
So, here’s a shitty ending for a shitty year. (Not so much _personally_ shitty; just the state of the fucking world). I got an e-mail this evening from [Giant Bank], inquiring as to whether or not I had used [Giant Bank Credit Card] to attempt to purchase over a hundred dollars worth of something or other from some Israeli cell phone provider. So, first off, thanks [Giant Bank] for being on the ball about spotting fraud. (Granted, it’s in their interests to do so, natch, but in this case me and [Giant Bank]'s interests clearly align.) So, I have now called [Giant Bank]–no trouble getting through to an actual human, even on New Year’s Eve, more props to [Giant Bank]–old card cancelled, new card on its way, but it will be a few days. I have other credit cards, and rarely use this one in the flesh anyway, so not that big a deal… Except (here’s the more rant-y part of the mini-rant) _this_ is the motherfucking credit card that nearly all of my recurring subscriptions and so forth are tied to, so I have to go and update shit all over the place once I get the new number. First World Problems, I guess, but I fucking DO NOT LIKE THIEVES! Rarely for the value of what the rat-bastard motherfuckers steal (in this case, probably nothing at all, since their attempt at thievery was declined), but for the fucking _TROUBLE AND INCONVENIENCE_ they cause! Anyway, one last hearty “Fuck you!” to 2018. I’m glad the Dems retook the House of Representatives, at least, but in general, the world is going to hell in a handbasket\* and I doubt it will stop its headlong plummet in 2019. (Although there’s [a space probe encounter coming up in an hour or so](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=868161), so hey, good for you, 2019.) \*Why does Firefox think “handbasket” is not a word? ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/229 "2019-01-01T05:09:16Z")
Happy New Year, east coasters. Less than an hour to go in the mid-lands. ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/230 "2019-01-01T05:33:05Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > My question is; will the next rats know one of their cousins has died a horrific death and not come come near the baited trap? Or are they just dumb enough to think fat cousin Rollo left them a treat? Can I expect to have a new murder scene in the morning? > ( note to self: get smaller mouse traps) If it is a plastic trap, you can probably wash the smell of the carnage off of it. If it is an old-school wooden base Victor style trap, toss it (and the the bloody contents) out and get a new one (they’re relatively cheap), IME rats will avoid the scent of their mashed brethren. You might catch more particularly hungry, stupid, or callous rats with the contaminated trap, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/231 "2019-01-01T05:46:37Z")
> [@Dancer\_Flight](#): > > If it is a plastic trap, you can probably wash the smell of the carnage off of it. If it is an old-school wooden base Victor style trap, toss it (and the the bloody contents) out and get a new one (they’re relatively cheap), IME rats will avoid the scent of their mashed brethren. You might catch more particularly hungry, stupid, or callous rats with the contaminated trap, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. It was a Big ol’ Victor. But the contents were not really in the trap. It’s like Rollo was exploded. The trap was too big. We use them in the barn for the giant sized demon rats that get into the feed. Everyone says to get a barn cat. It would have to be a small panther or it would be ratfood in less than a day I fear. Those rats are mean. They snarl!! I went and took a peek in the garage a few minutes ago. No more carnage yet. I guess it’s the same outcome. If Rollos demise sends others packing, Mischief managed. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/232 "2019-01-01T08:34:30Z")
[QUOTE=MEBuckner;21405628Except (here’s the more rant-y part of the mini-rant) _this_ is the motherfucking credit card that nearly all of my recurring subscriptions and so forth are tied to, so I have to go and update shit all over the place once I get the new number. First World Problems, I guess, but I fucking DO NOT LIKE THIEVES! Rarely for the value of what the rat-bastard motherfuckers steal (in this case, probably nothing at all, since their attempt at thievery was declined), but for the fucking _TROUBLE AND INCONVENIENCE_ they cause![/QUOTE] May I add “fuck your bank”? Mine update that stuff automatically, even the one which in other respects needs to get its head out of the 19th century. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/233 "2019-01-01T14:25:06Z")
> [@Dancer\_Flight](#): > > If it is a plastic trap, you can probably wash the smell of the carnage off of it. If it is an old-school wooden base Victor style trap, toss it (and the the bloody contents) out and get a new one (they’re relatively cheap), IME rats will avoid the scent of their mashed brethren. You might catch more particularly hungry, stupid, or callous rats with the contaminated trap, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. I’ve never had a problem with picky mice. Once I caught four mice in four days with the same trap. And one of them (the third body) was _nibbled on_ before I found it the next day. So mice at least don’t seem to associate the idea of the trap with I’M GONNA DIE! I think they’re all teenagers. “Sure, Jeremy ended up in the hospital when he tried to skateboard down that spiral staircase, but I’ve got WAY better skillz!” Rats may be smarter, but have you been throwing out the traps every time you catch one in the barn? Even without the explosion I’d imagine there’s some, uh, leakage of fluids onto the traps. ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/234 "2019-01-01T15:13:42Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > I fucking DO NOT LIKE THIEVES! Way to take a stand. I, too, [raises fist] fucking DO NOT LIKE THIEVES! Who’s with us? ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/235 "2019-01-01T15:59:29Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > May I add “fuck your bank”? Mine update that stuff automatically, even the one which in other respects needs to get its head out of the 19th century. I’m surprised that would work - since the it would taking updating the sending institution with the new CC number to post the charges to? ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/236 "2019-01-01T16:01:07Z")
Oops. I guess new year means it’s a new month as well. And new mini-rants, over [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=868188). ---
**Author:** ![JB99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/439d5e/32.png) [@JB99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JB99)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/237 "2019-01-01T16:39:20Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > Remember all those obnoxious glitches that people wished they could fix with a patch like on a pc? Well that’s download number two …. also addons and fixes for the online portion The problem is that companies use this as an excuse to release incomplete or utterly broken games. (See also: Street Fighter V; Arkham Knight for PC) The ‘ship now, patch later’ mentality has been a plague basically since the invention of the internet, but it seems to be especially bad nowadays. There should be no reason for a ‘Day Zero Patch,’ but consumers refuse to punish the designers and so the practice continues. ---
**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:** [January 1, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/238 "2019-01-01T16:47:17Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > I’ve never had a problem with picky mice. Once I caught four mice in four days with the same trap. And one of them (the third body) was _nibbled on_ before I found it the next day. So mice at least don’t seem to associate the idea of the trap with I’M GONNA DIE! > > I think they’re all teenagers. “Sure, Jeremy ended up in the hospital when he tried to skateboard down that spiral staircase, but I’ve got WAY better skillz!” > > Rats may be smarter, but have you been throwing out the traps every time you catch one in the barn? Even without the explosion I’d imagine there’s some, uh, leakage of fluids onto the traps. Mr.Wrekker uses the traps til they go missing. Often the caught critter carries it off in the throes of death and he never finds them. He had one that didn’t work well and he set it one night and came back to find it eaten. All that was left was the metal parts. ---
**Author:** ![Dunkelheit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkelheit/32/248_2.png) [@Dunkelheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunkelheit)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/239 "2019-01-01T18:46:42Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I was listening to Clannad and Solas all day yesterday, and what’s currently stuck in my head is a fragment of [Vanished Like the Snow](https://youtu.be/dKOyRz_AKx0). It is, at least, much calmer and more peaceful. I get that one too, but it doesn’t shift Wind that Shakes the Barley. It’s not so much the lyrics of that one that get stuck, but the instrumentals. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/240 "2019-01-02T18:32:59Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I’m surprised that would work - since the it would taking updating the sending institution with the new CC number to post the charges to? That’s done as a second step. The first step is that the original card or CC and its replacement are linked. The bank already has information on which periodic charges did ABC receive; if my phone provider was CutePhone and they get a charge from CutePhone, they just pay, but if they get a charge from UglyPhone they send me a message and hold payment for a couple of days to give me time to reject the charge. Recurring charges require the customer to authorize them with a document given to the charger and the bank, the message and short hold are for additional security. So, card/account ABC gets replaced by ABCreplacement, either for internal reasons (such as expiration date) or at the customer’s request. A non-recurring charge arrives for ABC, for an expense incurred after the replacement was initiated: bank rejects it as fraudulent. Already-known recurring charge arrives for ABC within a few months of the change. Bank charges it to ABCreplacement and informs requester of the new number so they can update their records. Nowadays this is all electronic: the same file saying “ok, we paid this charge and this charge and this charge…” contains the “change number to this other number” information. Recurring payments get transferred automatically: if I pay my rent every month from my CC and this is set up as a recurring payment (the owner doesn’t charge me, I pay them), then the recurring payment just gets moved over to the new number without me having to do anything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468.md?page=13)