The Utterly Random Rant Thread

[Fazor]

I sure hope she bucks up and decides to APPLY her education. Sheesh...

I'm a firm believer that the area of one's degree (or a lack of degree, but that's unrelated to this post) is not necessarily as important as the completion of the program itself. If she really wants to do something, she can have a valid argument about what she "learned about herself" in college. I know I learned more about rational thinking (believe it or not), communication, and the 'work environment' than I did about any particular subject.

Now maybe I'm biased because my degree (hey, my diploma just arrived last week, so now it's "officially" over!) is in a field that, well, really doesn't help me do anything. And my year of college before I transferred is in a field that really really doesn't help me (animation.) But I'd like to think that just because I don't work in either of the fields I studied in, my school wasn't a waste. In fact, comparing my skills and abilities before college to what they are now, I know it wasn't.

Now, if your sister is just making excuses, then bah on her.

[Buttercup]

Now maybe I'm biased because my degree (hey, my diploma just arrived last week, so now it's "officially" over!)

Congrats.

Now, if your sister is just making excuses, then bah on her.

I dislike sounding harsh, but that is what it seems: Excuses. When she'd finished her Associates, she'd already mentioned preferring to be a housewife regardless. I don't believe education is ever wasted, but I'm wondering what exactly the point was with her going yet an additional 2 years. It seems to me she simply wanted to "kick back and enjoy the college life." Which is fine in and of itself I suppose. But now she doesn't want to apply her education; just let the degree sit in a drawer or her closet.

To my way of thinking (business college grad), the ultimate point of all that time, $$ and effort is to apply one's learning in a chosen field of employment. Actively. Continuously.

It boggles me that she's there with a Bachelors Degree wanting to find Mr. Right (again), bake, dust, cook, never have to work outside her home again. If she can get that, kudos; I'd be happy for her. But again, the "self improvement" stuff she learned via her years at college could likely have been gotten from Barnes & Noble.

I just don't understand it.

[Fazor]

Hmm. I may have made this rant already, but since this is the rant thread, and you got me on the topic of education . . . My typical rant on the whole College thing is against the people who are going to school for the sole purpose of getting government grants to pay for their living expenses. We have a few people like that as clients -- people in their 40's who are given a few thousand dollars each quarter in excess of their class/tuition costs to cover things like books and 'living expenses' (such as a dorm, if you're a normal college student.) They skate by with the minimum grades and attendance, and always pick up extra classes and extend their 4 year program as long as they can for the sole purpose of having these grants pay for their food (beer) and a place to live.

They don't care about the education, and after school will go back to collecting their unemployment or social security or whatever program they're living on. In the mean time, they're soaking up all sorts of money that actual people in need could be using to get an education that would really be put to use.

I had plenty of fellow students when I was in school who were like that as well. And yes, there were plenty on such programs that were using it how it was intended, which I have no problem with. I just get tired of people being handed a free ride and then totally taking advantage of it/wasting it.

Hell, I could do some real damage to society with a science degree. Where's my money to live off of while I go back to school?!

[TheOncomingStorm]

I actually wished I finished my degree. But if I stayed it meant dealing with an individual who tried to turn the entire department against me and when you don't have many or any outside friends it can be rough. Most of it was of it was over a woman (actually two). At the time I nicknamed the Newf but after I left I changed to Satans' evil brother because he was not just happy to get rid of me, I think he called my mother and convinced her of some of the stuff he was spreading around. I could of just change departments but there wasn't anything else I wanted to study.

[LaurelHS]

I went to the library this afternoon to browse the used-book shelves, bent down to look at a lower shelf, and a guy who was carelessly pulling books off the shelf dropped one on the floor right next to me, then he dropped two more books and one of them hit the back of my neck. Did he apologize or ask if I was okay? No, he started laughing at me instead. I am okay (it only hurt for a minute), but I'm upset about someone being this rude. What's wrong with some people?

[darkhunter]

I don't get to Boise, Idaho, a lot, But there are times when I'm in the eastrn side of the city its seems like they just threw a mess of spaghetti on the floor and said "OK, here's our map". It also doesn't help that they change the names of all the east-west strrets halfway through town, and the city center is a web of one-way streets....

[vonmazur]

I've heard that same complaint from others David, and it doesn't make any sense to me. Sure it's common practice for a bank to only make available a certain limit immediately upon deposit (usually $100, in my experience) then hold the rest for the check to clear. But the time it takes to clear a check should be the same regardless of the amount (okay, maybe not for some extremely high amount). And a few years ago they changed the process so that all checks clear electronically.

It was something that we had to pay close attention to as a business that excepts checks; in the past if someone paid in check, they could know that between the delay in deposit and the time to clear, it wouldn't hit their account for 3-4 days typically. Sometimes longer. Now it's next-day. So why is it, then, that when it's a check going in to your account, they can still take a week or more to do it?

Fazor: That was when they grounded all flights after 911...There were plenty of pilots who flew all night with bags of cancelled checks stuffed into their planes.

IIRC; The gova-mint decided to allow electronic check returns and reduce the flights...or it is some kind of plot, go figure!

Dale

[closetgeek]

Has anyone else noticed an increase in rudeness lately? I can't quite explain it and don't know if it's just a local thing but it feels as though more people are walking around just plain angry. It's nothing outrageous, really but little things occuring throughout the day; a person with a full shopping cart racing to jump in front of you when you are carrying two items and the refusal to make eye contact, as though pretending you aren't there makes it okay. The one that keeps repeating me was a moment in the parking lot. I pulled into a parkinglot, and the first isle I picked had an open spot. I would have pulled in sooner but there was a pedestrian strolling along, kind of blocking my lane of traffic but seriously, I wasn't feeling a sense of urgency. I was just sort of following him with my blinker on. This elderly couple turns down the lane on the opposite end, sees the spot and accelerates to beat me to it, nearly clipping the pedestrian in the race park. It's just a spot, I know but there was absolutely no reason for it. It's not like the parkinglot was overflowing. It wasn't even the best spot available, it was just the first open spot I saw. Seriously, when I saw how slowly they moved in the store, if I somehow had that knowledge ahead of time, I would have given them he spot. It's this aggressive, Christmas shopping feel that I've been picking up, everywhere I go.

Last night, my SO and I went to Publix to grab a couple of sandwiches from the deli. I made one tiny little special request, all I asked was that he put the oil and vinager on the bread (I said please) and you would have thought I asked the guy to slaughter the animal for fresh meat. He literally slammed the cheese on my bread, one on top of the other so half the sandwich was without cheese and then when he was done making it, he threw my sandwich onto the scale. We laughed at it as we were walking away but then, when we were heading back to the car, this guy blows through the stop sign before the pedestrian crosswalk right in front of the store, doing about 30mph. Seriously dude, you are going to kill someone flying through a parkinglot like that. I don't know, maybe I am just being sensitive but has anyone elsewhere noticed a change in attitude?

[vonmazur]

closetgeek: I have noticed this too, but I am suspicious of my own subjectivity on this, so I have to resort to the HAARP causing it...

It seems that the temperture has something to do with it, according to some sources anyhow....When it is really hot and humid, no one wants to exert themselves, but if it is slightly cooler, they seem to want to fight.....

Dale

[Donnie B.]

Hey you kids... get offa my lawn!

Seriously, though, I haven't noticed any significant trends. Except that in the NFL preseason games, at least one player seems to lose his helmet every third or fourth play. What's up with that?

[Buttercup]

Annoyed with my sis-in-law (the recent BA in Education) again. Now she's deliberately sabotaging full-time teaching job prospects (not that there are many available) because of her preplanned vacation to Israel in March 2011. As if she doesn't actually need secure full-time employment, better financial security and benefits (health insurance). NOW she's saying she wants to go from part time to full time employment in a psych unit at a big hospital, which job she's had 4 years and always hated. And while going to college complained she had to take orders from nurses with "only" Associates Degrees while she was earning a Bachelors (in Education).

I give up.

Fortunately she's self-sufficient and doesn't ask us for money.

But I am truly miffed with her.

[TheOncomingStorm]

I don't really want to start a new thread about this so I will put it here.

I went downstairs to get a can of coke and I noticed something in the beams, it was a bird. It flew around until it found my sisters room. Eventually, while it was trying to fly out of bow window I got onto a small shovel and covered it with an old jacket and took it to a window and let out.

[LaurelHS]

Why does my dentist's office need to call me twice in two days to remind me about my appointments next week? They left me a voice mail message yesterday, then they called again this morning and woke me up. I told them politely that I was already aware of my appointments since they had left me a message yesterday. And it's not like I've been an irresponsible patient either; I've shown up on time for all my appointments with them.

[chrissy]

I have had something similar, I got a phone call last week about a meeting which will be held on the 21st of this month and again today I received the same call again. I am still awaiting the minutes and the agenda from the previous call and as promised again to me today I will get them.

[LaurelHS]

Update, they left me another voice mail this afternoon. What part of "I know I have an appointment on Monday and another one on Tuesday" did they not understand this morning?

[HenrikOlsen]

You're both suffering from the consequences of other people's failures.

[Tobin Dax]

Now maybe I'm biased because my degree (hey, my diploma just arrived last week, so now it's "officially" over!) . . . .

I was offline for most of August and missed this until today. Congrats, Fazor!

[Graybeard6]

I'm on supplemental oxygen 24/7. As long as I'm not doing anything physical, a minimum flow is just fine, but even with my portable turned up to max, I can only do about 75 ft. without resting for about five minutes. As a result, I have to use a wheel chair to go out. We picked out a very light one that my wife can easily put in and out of the trunk. It's a transport version (four small wheels, titanium, candy apple red) and we cope just fine.
However, I've noticed that some people assume that sitting in a wheel chair makes you deaf, retarded or both. We'll go to a restaurant and the hostess will ask the pusher, "Can he use a chair, or does he want to stay in his wheel chair?" I try to be cool, but it really ticks me off, and sometimes I'll snap and get really sarcastic. I may get to the point where I don't need the chair, but if not, I don't want to turn into a grouchy old man.
(End of rant.)

[Atraveller]

However, I've noticed that some people assume that sitting in a wheel chair makes you deaf, retarded or both. We'll go to a restaurant and the hostess will ask the pusher, "Can he use a chair, or does he want to stay in his wheel chair?" I try to be cool, but it really ticks me off, and sometimes I'll snap and get really sarcastic. I may get to the point where I don't need the chair, but if not, I don't want to turn into a grouchy old man.
(End of rant.)

My Father was a manager at a company that employed a high percentage of disabled adults - many of whom used a wheel chair. As a management training exercise, all the managers at the company did a "what it was like..." orientation day. For the entire day, the management team had to use a wheel chair - and do all the things you would normally do, ie go shopping, go for lunch, etc.

The one comment my dad made after the exercise was he didn't realize how a wheel chair makes you invisible. No one talks to a person in a wheel chair, no one looks at a person in a wheel chair. Wait staff won't serve you, store staff won't help you... If you have a helper, even if you ask the question, the answer will be addressed to your helper.

I have tried to keep that in mind and act differntly when ever I see a person in a wheel chair.

[closetgeek]

I'm on supplemental oxygen 24/7. As long as I'm not doing anything physical, a minimum flow is just fine, but even with my portable turned up to max, I can only do about 75 ft. without resting for about five minutes. As a result, I have to use a wheel chair to go out. We picked out a very light one that my wife can easily put in and out of the trunk. It's a transport version (four small wheels, titanium, candy apple red) and we cope just fine.
However, I've noticed that some people assume that sitting in a wheel chair makes you deaf, retarded or both. We'll go to a restaurant and the hostess will ask the pusher, "Can he use a chair, or does he want to stay in his wheel chair?" I try to be cool, but it really ticks me off, and sometimes I'll snap and get really sarcastic. I may get to the point where I don't need the chair, but if not, I don't want to turn into a grouchy old man.
(End of rant.)

Graybeard6, is it possible that they don't know if you can talk while using the supplemental oxygen? I am sorry, but I don't know the medical names for the equipment but is yours a mask or a tube in the nose? I am not saying that you shouldn't be frustrated and it's not fair to always have to be understanding to the behavior of others. Maybe, knowing why they are doing what they are doing can help ease your frustration.

My Father was a manager at a company that employed a high percentage of disabled adults - many of whom used a wheel chair. As a management training exercise, all the managers at the company did a "what it was like..." orientation day. For the entire day, the management team had to use a wheel chair - and do all the things you would normally do, ie go shopping, go for lunch, etc.

The one comment my dad made after the exercise was he didn't realize how a wheel chair makes you invisible. No one talks to a person in a wheel chair, no one looks at a person in a wheel chair. Wait staff won't serve you, store staff won't help you... If you have a helper, even if you ask the question, the answer will be addressed to your helper.

I have tried to keep that in mind and act differntly when ever I see a person in a wheel chair.

That is just sad.

[Buttercup]

I thought our telephone (land line) plan was unlimited long-distance calls at a flat rate, but apparently not. Something has changed and we're going to find out what. This month's phone bill, my portion of it, has taken a real bite out of the budget!

If I'd known, would NOT have made those calls.

If I ever hear, in person, with my own ears, a wealthy person complain about life or money doesn't buy you happiness, I am going to strangle them...

[Buttercup]

And I'm also mad at G---. He's a very handsome and athletic man at my husband's church who's just let on that he finds me attractive; yes, he hit on me. And he's wanting to pursue.

The last thing I need is serious temptation -- especially when it's this man.

[Buttercup]

And I wish my sister-in-law would find a husband.

She needs one.

[korjik]

And I wish my sister-in-law would find a husband.

She needs one.

Seems like you have a problem and a solution.....

[Buttercup]

Seems like you have a problem and a solution.....

If you're referring to G--- (my 2nd post in this thread today), he's married. My sis-in-law wouldn't want to "date" him.

It's just one of those days. Years. Lives.

[Buttercup]

Usually I'm very good natured but these past 2 days have been an exception.

Last evening we (husband/I) went to his church dinner. An older lady is there, a visitor (so am I), who apparently has zero qualms about demanding hospitality. This isn't a 5 Star restaurant, but you'd think it should be if her attitude was any indication. There's no mayo for the hot dogs? Well all right then, she'll use Ranch dressing. Oh! Out of salad already? Well why don't I (meaning me) go get some more for us? Then she's noticing there is no sugar on the table, packets nor dispenser. I said nothing; wasn't going to be her personal servant for the evening. Later she brought the sugar issue up to another person, who ran and got her some Splenda packets.

Next time we'll sit at a different table. That way we can also avoid her whining that she couldn't divvy up a measley $3 for her meal because she's on Social Security Disability; well so is my husband, but apparently she mistook us for millionaires.

[cosmocrazy]

Usually I'm very good natured but these past 2 days have been an exception.

Last evening we (husband/I) went to his church dinner. An older lady is there, a visitor (so am I), who apparently has zero qualms about demanding hospitality. This isn't a 5 Star restaurant, but you'd think it should be if her attitude was any indication. There's no mayo for the hot dogs? Well all right then, she'll use Ranch dressing. Oh! Out of salad already? Well why don't I (meaning me) go get some more for us? Then she's noticing there is no sugar on the table, packets nor dispenser. I said nothing; wasn't going to be her personal servant for the evening. Later she brought the sugar issue up to another person, who ran and got her some Splenda packets.

Next time we'll sit at a different table. That way we can also avoid her whining that she couldn't divvy up a measly $3 for her meal because she's on Social Security Disability; well so is my husband, but apparently she mistook us for millionaires.

Sounds like she has a chip on her shoulder! fetch the ketchup quick smart BC!
I meet people like this all the time, I think they have issues with life and feel they are owed a living. Perhaps feeling life has dealt them an unfair deal!

[Buttercup]

Sounds like she has a chip on her shoulder! fetch the ketchup quick smart BC!
I meet people like this all the time, I think they have issues with life and feel they are owed a living. Perhaps feeling life has dealt them an unfair deal!

That might be the case with her, though I'm always puzzled at people who get a freebie and then become demanding about it. Is that some weird manifestation of guilt or inadequacy?

In this lady's case, it might be (seriously) that she did too many drugs in the 1960s. Told me that Halloween is on a Sunday this year, and she'll be coming to church in a crocodile costume.

Whatever trips her trigger. ::shrugs::

[danscope]

Let's face it; " The Lady ain't got no culture " . People like that have a narrow social calendar . Hmmmm........

[cosmocrazy]

There you go then, it'll be the drugs!

For any lurking kids out there, you may think taking drugs is big and clever now but when ya older the after effects make you weird!