# 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:** 3
**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:** [December 5, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/41 "2018-12-05T19:03:09Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Surely there is other news in the world today. When is CBS going to stop yammering about GHW? And why is there no mail? I was awaiting delivery of an important item, but GHW messed up my day. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/42 "2018-12-05T19:04:55Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Surely there is other news in the world today. When is CBS going to stop yammering about GHW? And now CBS goes straight into “The View” rather than allowing the local affiliate to show their preempted noon news. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/43 "2018-12-05T19:06:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > And why is there no mail? I was awaiting delivery of an important item, but GHW messed up my day. ☹ That’s on Trump, who declared a national day of mourning so all federal government offices are closed. Including the postal service. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/44 "2018-12-05T19:58:36Z")
Not all of us feds have the day off. I work at a major military medical center. Because the day of mourning was announced only over the weekend, there was no way this facility could cancel patient appointments. So, we all have to work; whether we provide patient care or not. I do not deliver healthcare. I am an analyst, but we ALL have to come in unless we were on pre-approved leave. Whatever, it would have just been a normal work day if he hadn’t died, and at least I’m receiving double pay because it’s a “holiday”. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/45 "2018-12-05T20:17:42Z")
What kind of selfish moron abandons a knackered caravan in the passing space on a single lane road? And yes, I’m sure it’s abandoned- the number plates have been removed and this is the third time in the last year a large item has been dumped in the exact same spot. Last time it was a beat up trailer full of junk. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/46 "2018-12-05T20:35:55Z")
What kind of a scrotum pustule cements the turning/locking portion of a disposal that allow for easy removal of the unit? The damn thing was leaking from the disposal itself and silly me thought I would go through the mild pain in the ass that is a new disposal installation. But hell no, it took me three hours to get the old one off. I had no idea why I couldn’t get it off, it was _finally_ turned to the position that should allow it to fall of, but was still firmly attached to the mount. I eventually decided the only options I had to get it off, were to use an angle grinder though the mount, with a lot more sparks than I like inside, or what I ended up doing which was to pry and bend the top of the flange in the sink until it would fall though. And what to my furiously raging eyes should appear but the realization that the fucking unit was cemented to the mounting with no way to uninstall it. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2018, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/47 "2018-12-05T21:17:31Z")
Are you sure it’s not just petrified plumber’s putty? If it’s something besides a plastic sink you might be able to soften it up with a heat gun or propane torch. Or even a hair dryer if nothing else is available. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2018, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/48 "2018-12-05T21:17:39Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > And what to my furiously raging eyes should appear Festive. 🙂 ---
**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:** [December 5, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/49 "2018-12-05T21:53:01Z")
> [@kbear](#): > > At my vet in Canada they have a candle on the wall which is lit if there is anyone there having a pet put to sleep. It’s a nice touch so that people in the waiting room can be mindful of someone else’s grief. My vet does that, as well. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/50 "2018-12-06T13:25:00Z")
I’ve been working here over 11 years… How many times have you people seen me dip into a casserole, especially at 8 in the morning?? I appreciate the sentiment behind your loud announcement about the presence of casseroles in the break room, but really, I won’t feel deprived if other people finish the stuff before lunch. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/51 "2018-12-06T14:52:54Z")
Oh yeah. Shout out to **Morgyn** for rocking the thread title. Much better than some of the total failures from earlier this year. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/52 "2018-12-06T14:58:28Z")
And the Christmas season in general. I made the mistake of reading an article about Christmas gift-giving etiquette, and from reading it, I’m supposed to give a “small personal gift” or a tip not only to teachers at my children’s school, but also to my postman, my trash guy, my recycling guy, the lady who cuts my hair, the childcare, the guy that cuts my grass, my co-workers and my boss (I’m only listing services I receive; apparently people also tip dog-walkers, doormen, elevator guys, dry cleaners and yet more service people). Are you motherfucking kidding me??? Yes, it is the season and all that shit, but fucking WHY? I’ve been getting co-workers and bosses gifts for a while, but I barely have the headspace to get my own kids’ gifts, and now I need to load up on cash and presents for all these other service providers? When the fuck did that happen? I mean, I guess I can stock up on gift cards and shit, but holy hell, according to this article and what I’ve heard from other parents, a $40 gift card or tip is normal for at least a few of those people. Seriously? No, really - who the hell does this? That’s like an additional $200-$300 easy. Also, my colleague at work. The guy who keeps IM’ing me that he can’t wait for us to be bought and hoping for a severance package instead of keeping his job. Who is a “not my job” employee that chides me via IM for hours every time I happen to provide a response to something that’s just outside my swim lane but super easy to answer. “Well, overly. Now you own it.” “See? They’re coming back for more.” “Shouldn’t have done that.” “I don’t know why you’re working on that - that doesn’t fall into our product.” Holy shit man, my job is to provide expertise and an opinion. For that matter, so is yours! You may be done with your job, but I’d like to keep mine, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![mischievous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mischievous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mischievous)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/53 "2018-12-06T16:54:04Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Oh yeah. Shout out to **Morgyn** for rocking the thread title. > > Much better than some of the total failures from earlier this year. I don’t have a dog in this fight, but this is a jerk comment. Someone else kindly started a minirants thread for your viewing and/or ranting pleasure, they presumably named it something that they found pleasing or entertaining. Nasty comments rating other people’s thread titles, as if your taste were some kind of universal standard, makes me think you’re just a giant entitled douchebag who didn’t actually step up to do the work him/herself. ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/54 "2018-12-06T18:10:58Z")
> [@mischievous](#): > > I don’t have a dog in this fight, but this is a jerk comment. Someone else kindly started a minirants thread for your viewing and/or ranting pleasure, they presumably named it something that they found pleasing or entertaining. Nasty comments rating other people’s thread titles, as if your taste were some kind of universal standard, makes me think you’re just a giant entitled douchebag who didn’t actually step up to do the work him/herself. Now _this_ is a very meta mini-rant. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/55 "2018-12-06T18:39:41Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > And the Christmas season in general. I made the mistake of reading an article about Christmas gift-giving etiquette… Those are written for the people who _wish_ they were so fucking entitled and silver-spoon-fed that they could (get a ghost to) write a book telling other women what to speak with their own personal makeup-person about, and not realize that the immense majority of women (including the makeup-person herself) have no such thing as a makeup-person. Since you’re a rational human being, that makes you not really the target. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2018, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/56 "2018-12-06T21:18:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > And why is there no mail? I was awaiting delivery of an important item, but GHW messed up my day. ☹ > [@Skywatcher](#): > > That’s on Trump, who declared a national day of mourning so all federal government offices are closed. Including the postal service. Funnily enough, I had occasion to look up the [USPS policy on the matter](http://www.postal-reporter.com/blog/usps-national-day-mourning-policy/) in the wee hours of Saturday morning. The chief union steward couldn’t easily find it in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and it’s as much as his job is worth to go on Google using a gummint computer, so I broke out my smartphone during my break and emailed that link to him. Anyway, looks like the PMG decided the USPS would participate, and she suspended mail service for Wednesday (processing still had to continue at the distribution facilities, of course, so I’ve got a use-it-or-lose-it day of administrative leave and six months to redeem it). ---
**Author:** ![mischievous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mischievous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mischievous)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/57 "2018-12-06T23:17:26Z")
> [@SingleMalt](#): > > Now _this_ is a very meta mini-rant. Very mini meta-rant?😃 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/58 "2018-12-07T03:17:27Z")
The very mini-est of rants: I have been feeding Alpo’s Come 'N Get It to my dogs for years. I’ve appreciated it for the inexpensive price and the easy to open strip on the top of the bag, that all you had to do was pull it, and the bag would open. Purina (Alpo’s parent company) has removed the strip from the last couple of bags I’ve purchased. The bags are completely sealed on the top, rendering them very difficult to open. I called Purina and let them know my displeasure with the new packaging. I don’t know if it will do any good, but I had to get it off my chest. And before you say, “buy a good brand of dog food,” Come 'N Get It is cheap. $7.49 for a 14 pound bag. My dog eats like a horse. He thrives on it. He’s frisky, runs around with his tail wagging, has lots of energy, and loves to play. So, it’s been a good choice for him, and we’re both happy with it, thank you very much. ---
**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:** [December 7, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/59 "2018-12-07T03:38:10Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > The bags are completely sealed on the top, rendering them very difficult to open… I’ve had increasing trouble opening bags, and tearstrips are actually the worst (a bone in my hand has broken down, no big deal, just pain). But if I open crisps or pretzels or dog food by hand, I feel it for the next few hours. So now the kitchen is full of scissors… in all the places I’d be tempted to try to tear a bag open. I’m learning to cut instead of tear. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468/60 "2018-12-07T03:42:12Z")
> [@ENugent](#): > > I had expensive refrigerated medication (for MS) scheduled to be delivered by UPS on the day of a big snowstorm in Seattle about ten years ago. It did not arrive, and they tried to tell me that they had tried to deliver it and no one answered the bell. However, my husband had been sitting in his office that overlooked the street all morning and was prepared to swear that no UPS truck had driven down our street. Fortunately, the snowstorm also meant that it didn’t get warm too fast before they delivered it the next day. > > A few years later, they and the specialty pharmacy conspired to fuck up my delivery again. For unknown reasons, the speciality pharmacy always makes me give them my address again, even though it has not changed. Let’s imagine that I live at 1400 181st Place SE (not my actual address, but similar). Pharmacy doofus guy, after making me repeat my address several times, sent it to “1400 180 First Street Place SE.” UPS looked at this bizarre address, and dropped the package off outside 1480 183rd Place SE. Thank goodness the guy who got it opened the box, realized it was medication, and then tracked down my phone number and called me about it. I was able to drive around the corner and pick it up. I had agreed to allow it to be sent no signature required, so I might have been on the hook for a replacement despite the fact that the address made no sense. > > When they called me the following week and asked for my address, I paused, then told the (different) guy, “I do not think you are stupid, but it went to an address that was so spectacularly wrong last time that I am going to spell the whole thing for you now. 1-4-0-0-space-1-8-1-s-t-space-p-l-…” None of this surprises me in the least. One thing I did not mention, but your experience here matches mine: I have a fairly common first name–think Matthew. Rep: “And what’s your first name? just so I know how to address you.” Me: “It’s Matthew–M, A, T, T, H, E, W.” Rep (after a pause, evidently writing things down): “That’s M, A, T, H, T, E, W?” Me: “No, the two Ts are in a row. Matthew. M, A, T, T. After that comes H, E, W.” Rep: “Right. M, A, T, H, T, E, W.” Me: “M, A, T, T…do you have that so far?” Rep: “Yes…M, A, T, H…” We eventually got that straightened out, but c;mon, USP [:)], I mean _really_… I feel your pain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-hells-december-minirants/825468.md?page=4)