# Welcome to Twenty-Twenty-Sucks (January Mini-Rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** monthly-mini-rant\ **Created:** [January 1, 2026, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231 "2026-01-01T07:59:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/161 "2026-01-13T15:58:44Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Did they maybe have someone who bailed on them? I doubt it. I think they just assumed we’d do it. Not being able to plan ahead kind of runs in the family… we frequently get last minute requests, or plans change at the last second, and somehow it always becomes our (my wife and I) problem. ---
**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 13, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/162 "2026-01-13T16:37:12Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > and somehow it always becomes our (my wife and I) problem. And thus the Curse of Being the Designated Reliable Person lives on. Just say NO. If they can fly to California for a vacation, they can hire someone to care for the cats or pay to have them boarded. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/163 "2026-01-13T17:19:10Z")
This may seem like a minor rant, but the pain of a broken fingernail isn’t really minor. I have had for most of my adult life a lovely Scandinavian style slat bed with a foam mattress, which also has a bookshelf headboard and an adjoining dresser/end-table combo, all in light oak. Trouble is, in an effort to be stylish, the cunning Swedes made the dresser drawers with no handles. The only way to open the drawers is to sort of scrabble at them in the hope of getting a grip somewhere. And that’s how I broke a fingernail. I’m sufficiently pissed off that after all these years I may just buy some drawer handles and attack this thing with my handy cordless drill. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/164 "2026-01-13T18:18:28Z")
Picking up from this excellent bit: > [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > And thus the Curse of Being the Designated Reliable Person lives on. > > Just say NO. If they can fly to California for a vacation, they can hire someone to care for the cats or pay to have them boarded. There’s Designated Reliable Person and Designated Patsy. The way you graduate from Designated Patsy to Designated Reliable Person is by getting good at saying No. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/165 "2026-01-13T18:29:02Z")
_sigh_ Another hospital stay. Taken to the ER on Tuesday, sent home Saturday evening. Drained three liters of fluid from my belly and redid my medications. Follow-up visit with my PCP on Monday. They tried to talk me into staying longer, and possibly moving to a care facility. Not only NO!, but _HELL NO!_ On a mildly amusing note, this is my third hospitalization since October, and each time they put me in the same room. I half expected to see my name on a plaque. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/166 "2026-01-13T19:29:53Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > the pain of a broken fingernail isn’t really minor Iffn I kicked you in the shin you’d forget all about the fingernail pain. …& who says us Dopers don’t look out for each other? ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/167 "2026-01-13T21:05:48Z")
Jeez, Lurk. You’re racking up some frequent flyer miles there. I hope the medication changes help. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2026, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/168 "2026-01-14T03:43:36Z")
Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick, it just never ends! [![](https://i.imgur.com/PQ2ZJGT.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/PQ2ZJGT.jpeg) I’m not gonna say that Snowplow Guy is losing money because of La Nina, because for what he charges he’s got lots of margin. But this is definitely eating into his profits. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/169 "2026-01-14T03:54:16Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > They tried to talk me into staying longer, and possibly moving to a care facility. Not only NO!, but _HELL NO!_ I totally agree with you just on general principle. So sorry to hear of all your multiple troubles lately. Hopefully the new medications will work for you. Best of luck and all the best wishes from here! ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/170 "2026-01-14T04:19:44Z")
Any way to add handles that won’t detract from the appearance? ---
**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:** [January 14, 2026, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/171 "2026-01-14T04:24:56Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > The only way to open the drawers is to sort of scrabble at them in the hope of getting a grip somewhere. That’s astonishing. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/172 "2026-01-14T04:28:12Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > Any way to add handles that won’t detract from the appearance?   In an ideal world, it would be recessed handles skillfully created with a router. But in the practical real world, I think I’ll just try to find something stylish and minimalist, or just live with it and learn to be more careful with the damn things! The bed and accessories are really beautiful and were bought on special order, so I’m hesitant to muck it up. But damn, those drawers are just not practical! ---
**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:** [January 14, 2026, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/173 "2026-01-14T04:29:43Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I just met a very pretty woman, about my age, while driving in the farmlands. She did not have a ring on, she is a farmer… I am quite awkward so I did not try to chat her up or ask her on a date. > > Fuck this time line. Also fuck my timitidy Look, it happens. I’m sure she wasn’t keeping score or trying to tease or humiliate you. Even if you asked… she might have said no. Best to move past it and have yourself a good good day…. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JACNeIpp6Bs/hqdefault.jpg "The Magic Garden's Goodbye Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JACNeIpp6Bs) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/174 "2026-01-14T12:01:12Z")
At least when I lived in snow country “chance of flurries” meant just that. IOW negligible likelihood of accumulation. Gloomy, but not sloppy. If I’m reading that chart right over the next almost week you’ve got two ~12 hour windows of light snow. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/175 "2026-01-14T12:08:21Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > Look, it happens. Yeah, I know. It’s mostly because I am divorced - and that was traumatic - that I am scared to try again. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/176 "2026-01-14T12:21:08Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > At least when I lived in snow country “chance of flurries” meant just that. IOW negligible likelihood of accumulation. Gloomy, but not sloppy. If I’m reading that chart right over the next almost week you’ve got two ~12 hour windows of light snow. Thank you for being a gentleman and not rubbing the warm Florida weather in my face. We have shit weather here in the winter (except for how lovely it is to use the garage as an extended fridge) while you have shit politics year round. Hard to tell which is worse. Is there any place that’s perfect? I used to think California, except for earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires. Meh, I think I’ll just deal with the snow! ---
**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:** [January 14, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/177 "2026-01-14T12:32:08Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > Yeah, I know. It’s mostly because I am divorced - and that was traumatic - that I am scared to try again. Look, I’m sorry. It’s like being a great cook… and then you fall on a still-hot induction burner. You’re bady burned… and then scarred… and then you’re afraid to cook. And maybe I’ve been reading too much. I guess everybody has the right to ask… nicely… once. But don’t be surprised if she says ‘no’. And don’t let it burn you. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/178 "2026-01-14T12:36:54Z")
Weirdly - for me, at least - I have two women interested. I mean, I grew a massive unkempt beard to try to avoid any romantic endeavors, but both are still flirting, even though I am unresponsive. And intentionally unattractive I wish that this had happened in my teens, instead of now. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/179 "2026-01-14T14:15:08Z")
Cat-sitting crisis averted. First of all, I found out later it’s not four cats but _six_ that he wanted us to cat-sit. (And we’ve already got two in the house from my stepdaughter who needs to move the hell out.) But my stepson said he’d watch two and grandson’s girlfriend’s mother is watching the other four. (Seriously… _six_ cats? WTF?) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231/180 "2026-01-14T16:04:43Z")
I was all, “Climate change is really terrible, but at least it will be warmer in Winter.” And it has been warmer. Turns out now instead of snow it’s just non-stop nearly freezing rain. I’d rather have snow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-twenty-twenty-sucks-january-mini-rants/1026231.md?page=10)